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1932
JOURNAL OF THE
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
VOLUME III, 1919
GENTES FLORIBUS INTERTEXTAE
Per
COiNTEMTS OF VOLUME III
NO. 1. MARCH, 1919
Decorative Materials in the Prickly Pears and their Allies, by David
Griffiths 5
Some Breautiful Examples of American Gardening 21
French Gardening, by William Robinson
The Bois de Boulogne 114
The Pare Monceau 135
The Ivy and its Uses in Parisian Gardens 145
Report of the President of the International Garden Club for 1918. . . . 151
Gardens — English and American, by Lieut. -Col. G. G. Woodwark 161
Curiosities of Plant Life, by Alexander Lurie and G. H. Pring 165
Plant Immigrants 179
Book Reviews 191
Practical Horticultural Notes 198
NO. 2. JUNE, 1919
Pacific Coast Wild Flowers: Their History and Cultivation, by Carl
Purdy 211
Progress in Breeding Freesias, by Walter Van Fleet 232
An Up-Country Community with an Old World Charm, by Zelia K.
Hoffman 241
Letchworth Park Forest Arboretum, by Caroline Bishop 263
The Russian May Day Tree, by W. C. Egan 277
The Missouri Botanical Garden, by George T. Moore 281
Plants for an Amateur's Rock Garden, by Richard Rothe 293
Curiosities of Plant Life, by Alexander Lurie and G. H. Pring 303
The Inter-allied Educational Center, Villebon, near Paris, by Claude
Remusat 316
Plant Quarantine No. 37 329
Horticultural Notes 332
NO. 3. SEPTEMBER, 1919
Japanese Primulas, by Harry A. Day, F.R.H.S 345
Flower Names, by Esther Singleton 355
The Flower Lovers and Gardeners of Ancient Mexico; by Zelia
Nuttall 365
New or Noteworthy Fruits, by U. P. Hedrick 380
A History of Gardening in England, by the Hon. Alicia Amherst 390
The National Park of the Abruzzi, by Luigi Parpagliolo 421
Outdoor Theatres, by Arthur Westcott Co well 431
A Sussex Rock Garden, by F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S 437
Tulip Droppers, by A. B. Stout 463
Notes from the Arnold arboretum, by C. S. Sargent 473
Practical Horticultural Notes 489
NO. 4. DECEMBER, 1919
Pacific Coast Lilies and Their Culture, by Carl Purdy 497
Winter Work with Roses, by Alfred W. Greeley 533
The Shakespeare Garden, by Esther Singleton 545
The Calif ornian Tree Yucca, by Ernest Braunton 567
The Gardens of Ancient Mexico, by Zelia Nuttall 572
What Should a Garden Be? By William C. Egan 591
My Garden in Florida, by Henry Nehrling 595
Curiosities of Plant Life, by Alexander Lurie and G. H. Pring 627
Book Renews 643
Practical Horticultural Notes 646
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
OFFICERS
Honorary President
DR. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER
President of Columbia University
President
Mrs. Charles Frederick Hoffman, f. R. H. S.
Vice-President
Dr. George Norton Miller
Secretary
Mrs. Frederick Pearson, n. G. C.
Treasurer
Mr. Thomas h. Baskerville
Editor of the Journal
Norman Taylor
Journal of the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill MARCH, 1919 No. 1
CONTENTS
Decorative Materials in the Prickly Pears and their Allies, by David
Griffiths 5
Some Beautiful Examples of American Gardening 21
French Gardening, by William Robinson
The Bois de Boulogne 114
The Pare Alonceau 135
The Ivy and its Uses in Parisian Gardens 145
Report of the President of the International Garden Club for 1918. .151
Gardens — English and American, by Lieut.-Col. G. G. Woodwark. . .161
Curiosities of Plant Life, by Alexander Lurie and G. H. Pring 165
Plant Immigrants 179
Book Reviews 191
Practical Horticultural Notes 198
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So?ig of the English Rose*
Sing we the Rose,
The flower of flowers most glorious!
Never a storm that blows
Across our English sea,
But its heart breaks out wi' the Rose
On England's flag victorious,
The triumphing flag that flows
Thro' the heavens of Liberty.
Sing we the Rose,
The flower of flowers most beautiful.
Until the world shall end
She blossometh year by year,
Red with the blood that flows
For England's sake, most dutiful,
Wherefore now we bend
Our hearts and knees to her.
Sing we the Rose,
The flower, the flower of war it is,
Where deep i' the midnight gloom
Its waves are the waves of the sea,
And the glare of battle grows,
And red over hulk and spar it is,
Till the grim black broadsides bloom
With our Rose of Victory.
Sing we the Rose,
The flower, the flower of love it is,
Which lovers aye shall sing
And nightingales proclaim;
For O, the heaven that glows,
That glows and burns above it is
Freedom's perpetual Spring,
Our England's faithful fame.
Sing we the Rose,
That Eastward still shall spread for us
Upon the dawn's bright breast,
Red leaves wi' the foam impearled;
And onward ever flows
Till eventide make red for us
A Rose that sinks i' the West
And surges round the world;
Sing we the Rose!
—Alfred Noyes.
*T his pcem of Mr. Noyes so expresses England's share in the great war, we are
sure it will be read by our American readers with sympathy.
3
But this I know God meant who set us here,
And gave each soul the Infinities to fulfil
From its own widening sphere.
To annex new regions to the soul's domain,
To expand the circle of the golden hours,
Till it enfolds again and yet again
New heavens, new fields, new flowers.
— Alfred Noyes.
'
Journal of the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill
MARCH, 1919
No. 1
Decorative Materials in the
Prickly Pears and
Their Allies
By David Griffiths
HE decorative value of cactus plants appeals
with particular force to any one who has trav-
eled at the proper season in our Southwest, or
among the tremendous stretches of cacti on the
Mexican Highland. The appearance of the
plants in the average conservatory in the
north, however, is often not conducive to favorable impressions,
for they are with few exceptions illy suited to greenhouse or
conservatory conditions.
The remarks which follow are applicable mainly to that
Southwestern Empire stretching from Texas to California, and
northward nearly to the limits of our Mexican border states.
Throughout this region grow forms of these plants of widely
varying size which are well adapted and extensively utilized for
ornamentation. Throughout the Gulf States also some of the
hardier, larger, a few low, prostrate, and one or two hemispher-
6 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
ical shrubs of this group may be grown successfully. In the
remainder of the United States only five or six low, prostrate
forms can be successfully grown out-of-doors except the cane
cactus of Colorado. This withstands below zero temperatures
and reaches a height of 5 feet.
Throughout our Southwest territory are to be found many
very effective ornamental plantings of cacti, a very large pro-
portion of which are various species of Opuntia of either the flat
jointed or cylindrical forms. These usually predominate, if not
in variety certainly in quantity of material, mainly owing to
their rapidity of growth and ease of propagation. A few collec-
tions are classic. Among the most noted should be mentioned
that in the A. S. White Park at Riverside, Cal.; the Huntington
collection at San Gabriel, Cal. ; the Letz collection at Holly-
wood, Cal.; and the small but effective University collection
at Tucson, Arizona; all of which are unique parking examples.
Whether for individual specimens or mass effect the plants
possess an individual charm which might be described as gro-
tesque by some, formal, stiff or delicate in coloration and blend
of tone, depending on the temperament and point of view of the
observer.
Probably the most effective planting, all things considered,
is one made of a great variety of species of cacti planted hit and
miss with, however, careful attention to banking. This re-
quires a knowledge of habit of the different individual varieties
and species. This feature was kept well in mind by Mr. H. C.
Thompson, in the preparation of Bulletin No. 262; of the Bureau
of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, long since
out of print. Here lists were given of desirable species ar-
ranged according to stature and habit, one of the most useful
lists ever published. Such a planting will contain a very large
number of individuals in a very small space, but will need con-
siderable pruning to keep the rampant prickly pears from over-
running the other genera.
Such a collection will have the taller species of prickly pears,
Cereus, etc., in the center or in the distance with the low and
small Mamillarias, Echinocerens , Echinopsis, low Opuntia, etc.,
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8 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
in the foreground, with the intermediate forms between. In a
large planting this is possibly the most pleasing.
Farther north where the tender forms must be protected dur-
ing winter they are frequently set out during the summer in
conventional beds according to much the same plan, or, if a suf-
ficient number of plants of a number of varieties are available
geometrical designs in formal bedding are possible. In such
plantings only small plants, of course, are suitable. The prickly
pears can not be profitably employed in this way for the reasons
that they are too large and not uniform enough in their habit of
growth.
The greater appeal is usually made by these plants when they
are in flower or fruit. While the flowers in the whole genus
are on the same general plan and very similar in structure there
is a tremendous difference in their general effectiveness. The
differences in the various species relate mainly to size and col-
oration, abundance and continuity of blossoming. A very strik-
ing and attractive floral characteristic of a large number of spe-
cies is found in the changes which occur as the day advances.
Large groups have flowers which change very markedly upon
exposure to sunlight. As an example they may be light yellow
in the morning with only a little red at the base, but by mid-
afternoon two-thirds of the flower may be a brilliant red. Ow-
ing to varying exposures on different portions of the plant a riot
of color is often produced toward mid-afternoon. The effect
produced is truly striking in a well grown plant of a glaucous
green general aspect, covered with large blossoms varying from
yellow to various proportions of red. The effect is still
heightened if the young growth is copperized as is the case in
Opuntia chlorotica santarita, some forms of Opuntia robusta and
Opuntia macrocentra .
The following annotated list of species will serve as an indi-
cation of the wealth of variation and ornamental adaptability
in the prickly pear group. It does not exhaust the possibility
by any means, but it will serve as an indication of the wealth
of material available here for the use of the gardener situated
in regions not suited to the conventional shrubs and herbs of
DECORATIVE PRICKLY PEARS 9
more humid climates. In most cases the scientific name is
used, because horticultural ones have generally not been adopted
for these plants yet, except in a very general way and in com-
paratively few instances.
Salient Species of Decorative Value
Opuntia fuscoatra. A native of the prairie region of South-
eastern Texas is one of the most floriferous species we have
under California conditions. The flower is large, a very bright
yellow, and has a deep red center which enlarges and becomes
brighter as the day advances. It is usual for this species to
be covered with blossom for two to three weeks in May, to
have a good sprinkling of blossom during the heat of the season,
and to blossom heavily again in September and early October.
It is a low, prostrate, spreading, yellowish plant, whose main
attraction is its flowers.
Opuntia chlorotica santarita, from the Santa Rita Mountains
of Southern Arizona, is indeed handsome in early season when in
blossom. This is especially the case when the temperatures
get low at night while the young growth is forming. Under
such conditions the young joints become very brilliantly col-
ored, which, taken in connection with the glaucous blue-green
of the previous year's growth and the large lemon colored flow-
ers, produce a display that is gorgeous. The coloring of the
young joints is much more pronounced in cool seasons and more
noticeable in some forms of this variety than in others (see
colored illustration at beginning of the article).
Opuntia robusta. We have here a complicated group of
closely related things, natives of the Mexican Highlands from
the region of Chihuahua far beyond the City, and cultivated and
even naturalized in many places as far south as Oaxaca. Its
ponderous joints and deep red to maroon glaucous fruits, often
weighing a half pound, make an imposing sight that never fails
to attract attention. Some forms have peculiar wavy joints
and their young growth is a deep dull to brilliant red which, in
connection with the bluish, ashen-green older growth and lemon-
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DECORATIVE PRICKLY PEARS 11
yellow flowers, certainly make a unique specimen when standing
alone and a striking variation when growing in conjunction
with other species. The plant commonly grows 4 to 8 or more
feet high. In the group a number of species have been segre-
gated as botanically distinct. Some are spineless and some
spiny; some of the forms are comparatively small jointed, but
the majority of them are large; some are tall trees and others
hemispherical shrubs; but plants grown from seed are always
much more certain to be of tree form than those grown from
cuttings, but this characteristic is true of a large number of
species.
Opimtia arborescens. This is one of the cane cacti of Colorado
to Mexico. It is so called on account of the use made of the
stems by the natives and the curio dealers of the Southwest.
It grows into a beautiful small, symmetrical tree 4 to 7 feet high.
Some of its varieties are attractive on account of their dense
spination, peculiar tuberculate stems, and bright purple flow-
ers. To all intents and purposes there are several species which
fill about the same function as this. Opuntia spinosior in
Southern Arizona, and Opuntia imbricata of the Mexican High-
lands belong to the same horticultural group.
To the same horticultural group also should be added forms
of what is as yet a polymorphic species called Opuntia Whipplei
of Xorthern Arizona. This is yellow flowered. Forms of it
are tall and erect with branches in perfect whorls, and others
even more attractive are low, or nearly prostrate. These forms
all endure low temperatures. Here also should be mentioned
the truly desert species Opimtia echinocarpa and Opuntia deserta
of the Alojave desert region, as well as Opuntia versicolor, mostly
of the mountain valleys lying eastward.
These cane cacti are commonly used for ornament through-
out our Southwest, as is also the related and similar Opuntia
vexans which is of more rapid growth than any of the others.
Opuntia Engelmannii. Forms of this variable species are very
attractive with their spines white at tip, and varying through
brown to almost black at its lower half. Its joints are also
gray-green and its fruits large and maroon in color. The spe-
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DECORATIVE PRICKLY PEARS 13
cies is tremendously variable and some forms are very much
more attractive than others. It is native of the region of
Chihuahua northward to San Angelo, Texas.
Opuntia Wootonii is in my opinion one of the most attractive
of any of the flat jointed forms in character of its spination. It
is not uncommon to find the spines 5 to 6 inches in length and
varying from bright light yellow distally, and bright light to
dark brown toward the base. It is a very variable species in-
habiting the mountain valleys of Southeastern New Mexico
and adjacent Texas.
Opuntia linguiformis is commonly grown on account of its
peculiar strap-shaped median joints. Here wre have a curious
differentiation of joint form, the main branches being strap-
like and the lateral ones simply ovate. It is a curiosity in a
curious group and is to be considered from a standpoint of
variability of form rather than any other attractiveness.
Opuntia brasiliensis, as the name indictes hails from Brazil,
but next to the spineless forms is probably the most widely dis-
tributed of any of the prickly pears. It is again a curiosity in
the matter of form. It is a perfect tree and may be looked upon
as a connecting link between the cylindrical and flat jointed
species of the genus Opuntia since it possesses characteristics of
both groups. Being of tropical origin it is barely hardy in even
our warmer regions, but there is probably no species of the
genus so wTell adapted to dwelling-house conditions as this one.
It commonly grows into perfect specimens in pots and tubs
under the same conditions as the most common of house plants.
Opuntia leptocaulis. This is the tasajillo of the Mexicans,
an exceedingly variable species ranging from Northern Texas to
Northern Arizona, and southward to the State of Oaxaca,
Mexico. Its stems are no larger than a pencil and some of its
forms are nearly spineless. The most ornamental of its forms,
however, have long spines with loose, papery sheaths which
may be deep yellow, white with a silvery sheen, or a deep rich
brown. These three forms are an ornament at any time.
Some of the short spined forms, however, are very heavy
fruiters, being covered through autumn and winter with a mass
of coral-red berries.
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DECORA TI VE PRICKL Y PEA RS 1 5
Opuntia basilaris. Of the score or more of the smaller prickly
pears commonly grown in borders as well as in pots in conserva-
tories in colder regions, some forms of this species or closely
related ones are more common than any other except possibly
Opuntia microdasys, which is horticulturally similar. The spe-
cies is tremendously variable and inhabits a territory fully as
diverse, stretching from the San Francisco Highlands of Ari-
zona across the Colorado desert and the foothills of the San
Bernardino Mountains to the San Gabriel Valley of Southern
California. The large purple flowers of some of the forms are
very attractive indeed, and, although lasting usually but a day
like most of the prickly pears the season of blossom is quite
long and the floral coloration quite variable, there being forms
occasionally found with white flowers. The latter are found in
several of the varieties, although in cultivation it is the white
form of the variety ramosa that is represented almost, if not
quite entirely, and it seems to be wholly the original collec-
tion made long years ago by Mr. H. A. Alvord, of San
Bernardino, California.
The species is spineless but viciously spiculed, gray-green,
and in cold weather copperized about the upper areoles. Forms
may be found in nature which have the young growth highly
colored like that described for Opuntia chlorotica santarita. I
have never seen these forms in cultivation, but have met with
them rather frequently in nature and have grown them to
maturity in some of our plantations.
Opuntia laxiflora. This is another extreme Southern Texas
and coastal species, very floriferous, with lax, purplish-red flow-
ers produced in varying numbers throughout the summer
season in California. The plant body is yellowish-green and
the joints of a different nature from Opuntia cyanella from the
same region, which is even more attractive in its blue-green
coloration and is more floriferous. These, as commonly seen,
form hemispherical shrubs 4 to 6 feet high.
Spineless forms of the genus Opuntia are commonly grown for
ornament. All of the Indian-fig group are useful wherever hardy
and are more attractive in fruit than in flower. In the dryer
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CARNEGIEA GIGANTEA
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DECORATIVE PRICKLY PEARS 19
regions it is common to have the plants half covered with fruits
until late winter. In color the fruits vary from red through
yellow-orange to white. As commonly grown the plant is only
5 or 6 feet high, but some forms may become 10 feet under
proper management.
This list by no means exhausts the possibilities in the genus
Opuntia which includes the prickly pears and cane cacti. In-
deed, it is to be understood that very desirable things have
been necessarily omitted entirely. My purpose has been to
call attention to some of the important decorative features of
the genus Opuntia alone. The other cactus genera which are
of even greater importance in some respects in decorative fea-
tures are purposely not considered. In any list of prickly pears
or other cacti recommended for decorative uses, if it be of prac-
tical application, availability has to be taken into considera-
tion. This leads to another point of vital importance.
There is today little opportunity in a trade sense of securing
propagating material of prickly pears. There are a number of
people who undertake to supply species growing locally, but al-
most none in this country maintaining horticultural collec-
tions of any note. The collections which are maintained are in
either private or public parks. The elements of these collec-
tions have been brought together through long years of effort
and are from various sources. These institutions are, of course,
limited in both facilities and desires to supply public needs ex-
cept in so far as they are able to exchange plants. An effort has
consequently been made to give in more or less detail the nat-
ural habitat of the different items for convenience of collectors
and others who may desire to secure the plants.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE
LOOKING UP NARRAGANSETT BAY
ARMSEA HALL
NEWPORT
20
Some Beautiful Examples of
American Gardening in the
Eastern States: With
Extracts from the
Annuaire of the
Newport Garden
Club*
Reprinted by permission of the Board of Governors of the Newport Garden Club.
21
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Hopedene
Newport, Rhode Island*
AUTUMN NOTES
HE Nerines (see Johnson's Gardener's Diction-
ary) have flowered well and been charming
this year. N. Fothergillii is the finest colour,
but all are most useful autumn bulbs, and
last a long time in water. They are easily
managed, and like many cape bulbs, flower
before the leaves are produced. During the growing of the
leaves they must be carefully attended to and watered; and
even now and then, a small dose of liquid manure does them
good. They are best not re-potted, except very rarely; and
as the leaves die down they must be laid on their sides, and
dried and well baked in the sun, just like the Freezias, only
not shaken out and re-potted, as recommended for them. The
bulbs, too, should be planted, like Yallotas or Hyacinths, well
on the top of the pot. I never can understand why these very
ornamental bulbs are not grown in larger quantities, especially
as they increase and improve, instead of being almost useless,
as is the case with the spring bulbs, after forcing.
A Cape family of small, very sweet-smelling shrubs called
Diosma (see Johnson's Gardener s Dictionary) are well worth
growing in fact, no greenhouse ought to be without some of
them. Their charm is principally in their foliage and scent, as
the flowers are insignificant. They are easily increased by cut-
tings in spring under a bell-glass. The growing of Cape plants
is always interesting. Small Cape Aloes have charming pink
flowers in spring, which last long in water, not unlike the Lach-
enalias (see catalogues), all of which are worth growing.
Leontis leonurus has not flowered out of doors with me this
year at all, either in large pots or planted out in a bed. The
* Garden of Mrs. E. H. G. Slater.
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 25
plants were covered with buds, and so we lifted them at the
end of September, and put them into heat, where they have
flowered well. This would be worth while for anyone with
plenty of room, as it is such a handsome flower when picked.
Like the Daturas, they may be extra late from the excessive
dryness of May and June, and the wet afterwards. It is a
Cape plant; there it forms large bushes covered with bloom.
Another African greenhouse plant well worth growing is Spar-
man nia africana. The covering of the bud is white, and showy,
when the flower opens, between the four petals, forming an
unusually pretty star-shaped flower with a brush of yellow
stamens tipped with red.
Two new autumn Crocuses have lately been brought to my
notice; one, C. speciosus, is very pretty standing up straight
and strong on a border or rockery. It is of a very blue colour,
with a center of lovely stamens and stigma forming a bright
orange tassel. These species of Crocus are much more satis-
factory to grow in borders than the pale Colchicums of the
Swiss meadows, as they are true Crocuses, and only form in
Spring slight narrow leaves instead of the despairingly coarse
growth of the Colchicums, which, dying down in the end of
May, make such an ugly spot in the borders; it seems best there-
fore to plant the latter in grass. My double and single Italian
Daturas are later this year than usual, owing to the wet weather;
but they are covered with blooms now, and very sweet. The
double ones will last longer in water, scenting a room, than the
single ones. We plant them out at the end of May; and when
they have been out three weeks or so, a spade is passed around
them to cut the roots, and a ditch made, which is filled with
manure. This generous treatment makes the whole difference
in their flowering well. I cannot say whether it would be neces-
sary in a damper soil, but I think it would, as cutting their
roots in spring stimulates them to flower earlier, before the frost
comes. The old plants are taken up and put into pots, and
housed for the winter. This is such a happy time of the year for
the gardener. There is a sense of power about it ; all the plant-
ing and planning and changing are done now.
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The Reef
Newport, Rhode Island
HAVE been asked to tell how this garden grew.
In looking back to the time the first efforts
were made to cultivate the bare Rhode Island
meadow, consisting of ten acres of coarse
grass, without a shrub on it, and blown upon
by all the winds of heaven, it seemed a vain
thing to do. It never had a plan or design — and the first work
done upon it in the way of planting, was to have five deeply
plowed furrows made, running from the Ocean Drive to the
east lane, and after thoroughly enriching them, to plant spruce
trees and Austrian and Norway Pines, six feet apart alternately.
This was the first defiance flung to the winds. As time went
on and further planting took place, we knew that protection and
support were essential — that everything must stand close to-
gether and lean upon the next thing — and that no individual
planting could be attempted.
We have had to depend greatly upon the Ailanthus tree a
tree not desirable in choice shrubbery, but growing quickly and
yielding easily to the winds — and with the added advantage of
constantly throwing up suckers, which could in a year or more
be utilized for planting. These trees with the indispensable
Rosa rugosa, the Privets and the various conifers, have gradually
given shelter and protection and with stone walls and hedges,
have allowed more ambitious planting. It has all been tenta-
tive however, and, for that reason, very fascinating — for how
much more interest must be felt in urging a garden forward
oneself, in place of accepting a formal, settled design chosen
by someone else!
One of the pleasant things we are trying to accomplish is the
cultivation of some of our native American wild plants — so
many of which are fast becoming extinct and lost to the world.
Estate of Theodore M. Davis, Esq.
27
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 29
The Fringed Gentian — that "blossom bright with autumn
dew" — the Marsh Pin, common along our Atlantic coast — the
grass of Parnassus — with its white flowers rising from the crown
of green leaves, and upstanding stem bearing the pretty seed
pods, the Pyxidanthera, and many others. These are charming
for borders and rock gardens, the open garden, or bare spaces in
a greenhouse, the indoor cultivation making a pleasant occupa-
tion for the dark days of Winter.
And so the garden advanced year by year. Paths arranged
themselves, as it were. Special little plantings have given inter-
est here and there. The Rose Garden asserted itself. Flower
borders have formed themselves, the Rock Garden has given an
indescribable interest, and always, as time goes on with a gar-
den, one thinks of those lines of old Robert Herrick:
" Great Mother, Jet me still be able
To own a garden, house and stable
That I may read and write and plant,
Superior to desire or want,
And as strength fails and years increase,
Sit down and think and die in peace."
I have been very busy here hollowing our new rockeries and
digging holes, eight to twelve feet deep, and throwing up the
sandy earth on either side, so making slopes and mounds of
earth. Small, narrow paths lead into these hollows, and instead
of catching the water at the bottom, as I did before, I keep the
bottom dry, and sink petroleum barrels level with the ground
to catch the water as it runs down the paths when rain falls, or
after watering with a hose. In the tall walls of sandy earth
every sort of aspect is to be found, little hollows are made, and
all kinds of treasures can be planted on the flat or the slope.
By making holes in the sandy walls, and helping to fix the
plants with a mixture of cow-dung and clay, they adhere quite
well on the steep slope. On one side of these sunk rockeries,
so as still more to keep off the northeast wind, there is a wall
about four feet in width and four feet high, built up gradually
with pieces of stone and earth between them — no mortar.
WOODLAND PATH, WITH
JAPANESE ANEMONES
THE REEF
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Oakland Farm
Newport, Rhode Island
MODERN GARDENING BOOKS
N THE month of March I finished noticing t he-
books in my possession up to the end of the
last century. I begin again with this century,
and shall carry them down to the present day.
1803. (An XI.) Le Jar din de la Malmai-
son. By Yentenat. Illustrated by P. J. Re-
doute. In two folio volumes. This is one of my great pos-
sessions— a handsome book, sumptuously produced, as was
likely to be at the time, dedicated as it was to Madame Bona-
parte, just at the height of her power and influence. The im-
plied flattery in the dedication to her is as large and magnificent
as the paper is beautiful and the printing perfect. On the title-
page is a little motto in Latin, saying that if the praises of the
woods are to be sung, the woods should be worthy of the Consul.
The Book is an obvious imitation of Jacquin's Flora Schoen-
brunnensis. The illustrations are, I think, less artistic and cer-
tainly less strong than Jacquin's. They are not hand-coloured,
like his, but are very fine examples of the best and most delicate
(then newly discovered) method of colour-printing. The rea-
son why Redoute's work is artistically inferior to Jacquin's is,
that in his delicate rendering of the flowering branch he always
puts it exactly in the center of the page, without reference to
size or growth. The plates are at the end of each volume, and
the descriptive text, which is in French, at the beginning.
Poor Josephine! She was so fond of her gardens; and I am told
there is still an order preserved in our Admiralty that, when
French ships were captured in the War, any plants or seeds
that were on board for [Madame Bonaparte were to be expedited.
That was a gracious order; and gardening in those days meant
* Residence of Alfred G. Yanderbilt, Esq.
33
34
THE DRIVE
OAKLAND FARM
35
36 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
so much more than it does now. A flower blooming then was an
interesting event all over Europe, and the gentle perfume of it
rose and permeated through the smoke and din of the Napo-
leonic wars. Nevertheless, there always have been, and there
always will be those who would rather sing the old French rhyme:
Jardiner ne wCamuse guere
Moi je voudrais faire la guerre
Pernettyias, which are lovely little shrubs, will not do in sun
at all; but in shade they seem to do excellently, and are quite
healthy in sandy soil. All those I planted in full sun have simply
died this dry year, having been very much parched up. Coton-
easter microphylla, on the contrary, never berries so well or is
so satisfactory as in a very dry place fully exposed to the
southern sun.
The other day as I was working in this new Alpine garden, a
caterpillar fell off a tree just in front of me His head and body
were green; his long, pointed tail bright pink. The spaces be-
tween the tufts of hair were deep black. His legs and pro-legs
wrere green. I thought I had got hold of some wonderful, rare
beast, as I had never before found a caterpillar with a pink
tail like a horn. A friend to whom I refer all my natural his-
tory questions informed me that this was the caterpillar of a
moth called the "Pale Tussock," because of the tussocks upon
his body. The moth is pale grey coloured, with various mark-
ings, and is fairly common. He feeds upon most trees, often on
Oak, but also on Hazel, Birch, and, oddly enough, Hops. He
will eat Plum and Pear. I have found that Crocus speciosus
does admirably in this light soil, and comes up year after year,
but is very much better not disturbed, when it decidedly
increases.
You promise heavens free from strife,
Pure truth, and perfect change of will;
But sweet, sweet is this human life —
So sweet I fain would breathe it still;
Your chilly stars I can forego,
This warm kind world is all I know.
EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 37
You say there is no substance here,
One great reality above;
Back from that void I shrink with fear,
A nd child-like hide myself in love;
Show me what angels feel. Till then
I cling, a mere weak man, to men.
You bid me lift my mean desires
From faltering lips and fitful veins,
To sexless souls, ideal quires,
Unwearied voices, wordless strains;
My mind with fonder welcome owns
One dear dead friend's remembered tones.
Forsooth, the present we must give
To that which cannot pass away;
All beauteous things for which we live
By laws of time and space decay.
But oh, the very reason why
I clasp them is because they die.
"The presence of these fine plants of rhododendron dates
from the 'forties, when Sir Joseph Hooker, with youthful ardour,
was revelling in the floral wealth of the Himalayas. Dr. Camp-
bell, of the family of Oronsay, who founded the sanatorium of
Darjeeling in 1835, shared Hooker's enthusiasm, and sent home
quantities of seed, some of which found its way to Stonefield.
A noble crop has sprung from it. Here are trees of Rhododen-
dron arbor eum 30 feet high with blood-red, pink or white blos-
soms, and with stems thicker than any wood-nymph's waist;
R. Falconeri, 25 feet high, carrying among its great felted
leaves between 200 and 300 trusses of waxy bells; R. eximium,
probably a local variety of the last named, loaded with bloom;
R. barbatum, the bearded rose-bay, in both varieties, one a
month later in bloom than the other, both excelling all their
kind in the glow of blood-red flowers. R. Thomsoni stands
15 feet high and 20 feet in diameter, and among other
treasures may be mentioned Rhododendron grande (argenteum),
38 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
a shy flowerer, but worth growing for its splendid foliage
alone; R. niveum, with purple flowers and leaves lined with
white pean de Suede; R. Hodgsoni, with leaves like Falconeri,
but with rosy flowers; R. fragrantissimum, campanulatum and
ciliatum, all revelling in conditions of season and temperature
as unlike their native levels of 8,000 to 12,000 feet as one could
well imagine. In the Himalayas, all growth is restrained until
late in spring, when it is suddenly released for a summer burst,
and as suddenly brought to a stop for a long winter's rest;
whereas in the West Highlands of Scotland there is no such de-
marcation of seasons; growth is encouraged from year's end to
year's end, subject to sharp snaps at uncertain intervals. It is
truly remarkable how well these fine plants accommodate them-
selves to every trial except that of rude winds.
Perhaps the most distinguished, because the rarest, of the
rhododendrons which were in flower at the time of my visit
was R. campylocarpum , 9 feet high, bearing trusses of beautiful
waxy bells, clear canary yellow with a purple stain at the base of
each bell.
There is great wealth of rhododendrons in the Hirsel woods,
not only the common — far too common — ponticum, but the
finer hybrid varieties, which are not crowded together in clumps,
as one too often sees them arranged, but planted in large meas-
ure and with liberal space in the glades of old Scots pine and
birch. It is in chequered sunshine and shade that these princely
shrubs attain their highest development. Planted in the open,
the blossoms get seared by summer heat; but in thin woodland
they display and retain the purest hues."
AUTUMN NOTES
One or two hardy Bamboos should be in all gardens, because
of their appearance just now, apart from all other reasons. The
"English Flower Garden" gives the best kinds which must be
selected according to the size of the garden and the situation
in which they are to be placed. They by no means require to
be planted in wet places — in fact, I imagine it is that which
kills them in Winter — but a few cans of water daily in dry
39
40 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
weather, at their quick-growing time of May and June, helps
them very much to throw off sooner that shabby appearance in
spring which is one of their drawbacks. Another drawback is
that they live such a short time in water after they are picked.
The Japanese have many devices for preserving them; the sim-
plest of these is burning their ends in the fire before putting
them into water. This answers with many flowers. In a small
garden, Bamboos look much better for thinning out every year,
and the long canes make very useful, tidy sticks for pot-plants.
At this time of year, when all else is dying or dead, they are
healthfully and luxuriantly green. I have found by experience
that if Bamboos are really injured by frost, it is best to cut
them down entirely the following spring. It requires some
courage to cut out the tall well-grown canes; but, once nipped
by frost, they do not recover, and they make better plants the
following year if cut right back.
The dear, bare branches of my favourite Polygonum cuspi-
datum, here planted in a hole in the grass, look lovely now at
this time of the year, red in the sunshine against a background of
evergreens. I have now on the table before me — cold and grey
as it is out of doors — Marigolds, Tea rose buds (that are opening
in the room, and looking so pretty with a shoot of their own
brown leaves), Neapolitan Violets, some branches of small white
Michaelmas Daisies, and, of course, Chrysanthemums — those
autumn friends we are half tired of, and yet we could so little
do without. Another striking feature in the garden just now
are some small Beech trees, quite small, grown and cut back
as shrubs are pruned. In a soil where Beech trees do not grow
naturally, it is wrell worth while to have them in this way, be-
cause of their peculiarity of retaining on their branches the red
dry leaves more than half through the winter, causing a distinct
point of colour against the evergreen shrubs.
This is my last day in the country, calm and warm. I eat
my luncheon by the open window. All Nature is very, very
still, the silence broken now and then by the chirp of a bird and
the distant crow of a cock in some neighbour's yard; the sky
is pearly and grey, and soft light grey mists hang about, just
41
42 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
enough to show up the glory of some autumn bush or leaf. In
front of the window there are some little delicate leaves of one
of the shrubby Spireas, planted on purpose to shine, coral and
gold, late in the year. It does not matter about its being
planted in a choice bed, as its growth is not coarse; if it looks
a little dried up in summer, it is not noticed when all the flowers
are about. The dear little black and white pigeons — "Nuns,"
they are called — with outspread wings, are flying down to feed.
The flight of a pigeon is so beautiful; no wonder Dante immor-
talized it in the famous lines in the Paolo and Francesca epi-
sode. That old cynic, Voltaire, used to say that Dante's fame
would always grow, because he is so little read.
As I sit and watch, the low yellow winter sun burst out, il-
luminating all things. Tomorrow he will not shine for me, as
I shall be in that horrid dark London.
One other morbid little poem, appropriate to this time of
year, I think I must give you, for it used to be a great favourite
of mine in past days, before the cheerfulness of old age came
upon me. If I ever knew who was the author, I have forgotten
it now:
La Melancolie
Que me dis-tu, morne vent d'automne —
Miserable vent?
Toi dont la chanson douce et monotone
Jadis charmait tant?
Tu me dis, helas! qu'' amour et jeunnesse
M'ont fait leurs adieux
Et du fond de Vame un flot de tristesse
Me dehor de aux yeuxl
Tu me dis, trop bien, oil le sentier mine
Que Vespoir a fui
Et ton chant piteux, traduisant ma peine,
Triple mon ennui.
-*■
7^5&**k
A ROSE GARDEN
DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
44
Garden Near Boston
MODERN GARDENING BOOKS
A BOTANIQUE de J. J. Rousseau, ornee de
soixante cinq planches d'apres les peintures de
P. J. Redoute," Apparently Redoute brought
out this book to please himself, for it is a re-
print of Rousseau's Elementary Letters on
Botany to a Lady. It has sixty-five such beau-
tiful illustrative plates, exquisitely drawn and colour-printed
like the last. Were ever such beautiful things done for those
who wished to adapt natural flowers to chintzes, needlework, or
wallpapers? French artists, no matter of what school or of
what period, always excel all others in the beauty of their
actual draughtmanship. Among these illustrations there is a
very fine old-fashioned dark-red single Chrysanthemum called
Astre de Chine. I have never seen anything in the least like it
growing. The Daisy and the Dandelion, too — were they ever
more beautiful or more sympathetically rendered? Every-
thing done is in honour of botany, nothing as a representation
of a flower worth growing. The text is in French.
The order of the artist and author being just reversed from
that in the work of his early days, Le Jardin de la Malmaison,
the book begins with the following charming sentence: "Les
poetes ont fonde dans l'opinion les seules monarchies hereditaries
que le temps ait respectees: le lion est toujours le roi des ani-
maux, l'aigle le monarque des airs, et la rose la reinedes fleurs.
Les droits des deux premiers establis sur la force et maintenus
par elle avaient en euxmemes la raison sufhcante de leurduree;
la souverainte de la rose, moins violemment reconnue et plus
librement consentie, a quelque chose de plus honorable pour
les fondateurs."
* Garden of Mrs. C. L. Harding, Dedham, Massachusetts.
45
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 47
Anyone who cares about roses ought to try and see this book
at the Botanical Library of Natural History Museum at South
Kensington, as it is very full of suggestions. Had I soil that
suited roses, and room to grow them in, I should try and make
a collection of the wild Roses of the world and the roses figured
by Redoute in 1824, many of which I have never seen. The
Banksia Rose, which now covers the walls all along the Riviera,
is here called Le Rosier de Lady Banks (wife of the botanist, Sir
Joseph Banks). There are Moss Roses and China Roses, and
every form and kind of Eglantine; but nothing larger or more
double than the Cabbage Rose. The Malmaison Rose, though
called after Josephine's garden, must have been a much later
introduction. In fact, in 1824, there were no Roses and no
Strawberries in our sense of the word. Even what is now called
the Old Maiden's Blush is not in the book. The R. lucida,
which I grow successfully in Surrey (for it is easy of cultivation,
and has a lovely foliage), the York and Lancaster, and the cen-
tifolia are all in this book.
I suppose few people have seen this book, otherwise I cannot
imagine how anyone has ever had the courage to publish the
modern illustrated Rose books with pictures that look so coarse
and vulgar in comparison with these delicate coloured prints.
1804. Exotic Botany, by James Edward Smith, President
of the Linnean Society; figures by James Sowerby. Two vol-
umes in one. This book is, of course, an English one, but on
the title-page is the following quotation from Rousseau's sev-
enth "Promenade." I copy it, as it expresses the feeling of the
times: —
"II y a dans la botanique un charme qu'on ne sent que dane
le plein calme des passions, mais qui suffit seul alors pour rendre
la vie heureuse et douce; mais sitot qu'on y mele un motif 'in-
teret ou de vanite . . . tout ce doux charme s'evanouit.
On ne voit plus dans les plantes que des instruments de nos pas-
sions, on ne trouve plus aucun vrai plaisir dans leur etude
On ne s'occupe que de systemes et de methodes;
matiere eternelle de dispute, qui no fait pas connaitre une plante
de plus . . de la les haines, les jalousies." etc.
Q
48
JVeld
Brookline
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR FINER GARDENING
By Arthur Herrington
Lecture delivered before the Newport Garden Club at Newport,
July, 1914
RT has been denned as the ''power to see and
give form to beautiful things," therefore art
in the garden can be expressed in ways beyond
number untrammeled by so-called rules of de-
sign. By this I do not mean that there should
be an absence of design or plan, or order of
arrangement, for there must be some appropriate adaptation
of the garden to prevailing conditions and essential needs.
But the art of gardening is progressive. Travellers and col-
lectors still bring to us new species and varieties of plants
adapted to our gardens. The hybridist or plant breeder origi-
nates new forms and varieties of great garden value so that we
have a veritable embarrassment of floral riches, and to such an
extent that no garden can display or is even adapted to all.
It follows then that you must consult the gardener in the
making of a real garden because it is his business to know trees,
shrubs and plants, how they grow, what they need for their
permanent well-being, why some would succeed where others
fail from inadaptability, why certain plants and flowers are a
success under some soil conditions and a failure under others.
Underlying all these things there are certain basic laws govern-
ing life and growth, and unseen, but none the less real forces
and agencies that are helpful if we work in harmony with
them, but detrimental even to the extent of totally nullifying
* Estate of Larz Anderson, Esq.
49
TERRACE WALK
WELD
50
EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 51
our efforts if they are misdirected through being contrariwise
and out of harmony.
Time will not permit me to go into this matter in all its rami-
fying details, so I am merely making a few suggestions that may
be helpful in making better gardens and I will commence with
Lawns. 1 need say nothing about the importance of the lawn
in its relationship to house and garden, but how rarely if ever
are we satisfied with its quality and texture? It is something
green to which ''distance lends enchantment," but close inspec-
tion reveals many things other than grass that we would rather
not have there. Vet, generally speaking, we are responsible
for their presence by our impatient haste to secure immediate
results. As soon as we have built our homes and made the
necessary roads and walks we proceed to grade the ground and
make a lawn. This work too, is often contracted without ade-
quate supervision, to a contractor to whom dirt is dirt and the
relative differences between top-soil and subsoil are not prop-
erly appreciated.
The fertility of Mother Earth is concentrated in a thin veneer
of the earth surface, and every square foot of it is precious, for
only in this thin upper crust is to be found all the elements of
plant food that will nourish and sustain plant life. There are
some who know and appreciate the importance of soil condi-
tions, and spare no expense to have these right ; who procure the
best of grass seed and sow it only to reap disappointment.
FLOWER GARDENING IN MORE NATURAL WAYS
Another instance where too much formality and rigid adher-
ence to design circumscribes the possibilities of good gardening
is in relation to the growth of hardy flowers. Hence the floral
poverty and meagre beauty of many so-called gardens wherein
no place can be found for the planting of hosts of beautiful
flowers that tell the story of the year from earliest spring till
latest fall. Much of this may be attributable to the prevalent
notion that a flower garden is a thing apart by itself, a set
arrangement of beds and borders formal or otherwise.
Hardy Flowers are not less important than the hardy trees
/
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TREASURE WALK
WELD
52
TEMPLE AT THE LAKE
WELD
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING ^
and shrubs. One of the pleasing signs of the times is that many
garden lovers, having grown tired of the tender flowers that
must be raised and planted each year at considerable cost are
thinking more about the permanent hardy things.
The prettiest flower pictures I have seen this year were
not the handiwork of man. During May I spent some time in
the American and Canadian woods along the shores of the St.
Lawrence River and here were pictures such as artists like to
paint. Trilliums in countless thousands fringing the woods and
reaching out into broad colonies in open glades, and the Colum-
bine in sheer mantles of scarlet spread widely on ledges of rock
where the soil is so thin and scant one marvels how it finds
sustenance.
Just, for example, think of the many spring flowering bulbs:
Snowdrops, Scilla, Crocus, Chionodoxa, Anemone, Erythronium,
Fritillaria, Hyacinth, Daffodil, and Tulip. How do we grow
these? If at all, is it not generally in a prim bed or border,
planted with mathematical precision in some painfully spec-
tacular design, for making which we seem to have a special
aptitude.
Most of the spring bulbous flowers need no cultivation at all
in the garden sense of the word. They often perish from disease
if not killed by disturbance in the deeply dug and manured
borders; yet in association with trees and shrubs and left undis-
turbed they go on from year to year increasing in numbers and
spreading out into carpets and masses of true spring beauty.
A colony of the rich blue Scilla sibirica in a garden that I
know may be cited. Some bulbs were planted through a group
of Rosa rugosa to my actual knowledge 20 years ago. I have
watched the development of this colony and got inspiration
therefrom. Its extent and beauty have grown progressively as
the years have passed, and in all that time nothing has been
done but to annually prune the Rosa rugosa. A week to ten
days is the average duration of that spring picture, but is it not
worth while?
56
Garden Near Manchester
Mas sack u setts *
MODERN GARDENING BOOKS
HE Bamboo Garden, by A. B. Freeman, C.B.
Air. Mitforcl tells us in his preface that his
book is simply an attempt to give a descriptive
list — what the French call a catalogue raisonne
— of the hardy Bamboos in cultivation in this
country. We ought to be grateful that he has
brought within the reach of everybody all that is to be said on
this most beautiful family.
1895. " History of Gardening in England," by the Hon. Alicia
Amherst. This is by far the most interesting and remarkable
book that, I believe, has ever been written on the subject, and
far surpasses in every way Mr. Johnson's "History of Gardening,"
before alluded to. The book is full of information, drawn from
patient and most diligent research, and will be of real utility to
students of the literature and history of gardening and to the
owners of large places. It contains little that will practically
help people who live in cottages and small villas. It alludes
only very indirectly to the beautiful illustrated flower books,
especially the foreign ones, which so far exceed our own in ar-
tistic beauty and skill. It is rather sad that when the Society
of Gardeners wished to illustrate their plants in 1736 they had
to engage the services of Jacob Van Huysum, brother of the
Dutch flower-painter; and to this day the best periodical flower-
printing, though painted by Englishmen, is printed in Belgium
(vide "The Garden"). Miss Amherst's book is one for con-
stant reference; and the greater one's knowledge, the greater
will be one's appreciation of it. I cannot but regret, however,
that it has been printed on the disagreeable, modern, shiny
paper, which also makes the book most inconveniently heavy.
* Residence of Mrs. Scott Fitz.
POOL AND TREE
MANCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
58
EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 59
This paper, I am told, facilitates the reproduction of the illus-
trations; but these, also, are very hard and ugly, and quite un-
worthy of the book.
Voyage autour de mon Jardin, by Alphonse Karr, is charming,
and has been translated into English.
The Praise of Gardens, by Albert F. Sieveking, is a collection
of quotations of all that has been written about gardens. The
selection is very complete. Unfortunately the book is out of
print.
In the November (1896) number of The Journal of the Royal
Horticultural Society is an excellent lecture by Mr. F. \Y. Bur-
bidge, the Curator of the Botanical Garden in Dublin. In the
Journal the lecture is divided into three parts — called "Garden
Literature," "Reference Books on English Gardening Litera-
ture," and "Garden Libraries." It is interesting, besides other
reasons, as being a somewhat new departure in the lectures de-
livered before the Horticultural Society. I strongly recom-
mend those who care about the subject to read this lecture, as
they will get a great deal of most useful information in a very
condensed form. Mr. Burbidge strongly recommends garden
libraries, in which I entirely agree with him. No large place
should be without a room where gardening books and weekly
gardening papers are within easy access of all the gardeners on
the place, and no village club in England could not afford to
take in Mr. Robinson's excellent little weekly paper called
Cottage Gardening, which I mentioned before. It costs one half-
penny, and is full of all sorts of useful information. Surely at
village shows no better prize could be given than the back num-
bers (bound) of this most useful publication. Mr. Burbidge
says: "In America and in Germany the library seems to be
thought as essential to good gardening and profitable land cul-
ture as here with us the seed room or the tool shed ; and in Eng-
land we are beginning to perceive the value of technical educa-
tion, and to recognize the vital importance of the most recent
scientific discoveries relating to our crops and their diseases, and
the soil in which they grow. Private garden libraries, while
most desirable, really form part of a much larger and wider
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 61
question. If libraries are essential for the garden, surely they
are even more so on the farm." Mr. Burbidge winds up:
" But to form libraries we must have good and useful books, and
I shall give a short list of those I believe to be the best of their
kind ; and one of the best ways I know of getting the best gar-
dening books into the best hands is to award them as prizes
to the cultivators and exhibitors of garden produce at allotment,
garden, and village flower shows." With this I most cordially
agree.
AT THE ELMS
62
The Elms
Newport, Rhode Island
"Poor heart! above thy field of sorrow sighing
For broken faith and love untimely slain,
Leave thou the soil wherein thy dead are lying
To the soft sunlight and the cleansing rain.
Love works in silence, hiding all the traces
Of bitter conflict on the trampled sod.
And time shall show thee all earth's battle-places
Veiled by the hand of God.''''
* Residence of E. J. Berwind, Esq.
63
The Box and Its Enemies
I
By Bruce Butterton,
Superintendent at "The Elms," Newport, Rhode Island
NTIL recent years very little attention was
given to the cultivation of the Boxwood in
this country. Occasionally, without any spe-
cial care on the part of the owner, a specimen
would be seen growing upon a lawn or planted
on the side of a path leading to the front door
of some farm house; sometimes it was used by a private gar-
dener to outline the walks of his vegetable or flower garden.
On the whole, it was a very much abused and neglected little
evergreen shrub, and was seldom seen in its full vigor and beauty.
Since gentlemen of America, however, have begun building
large villas and laying out beautiful French and Italian gardens,
the demand for the Boxwood has become very great. As a re-
sult, the nurseries of England and Holland have been com-
pletely cleared out of large-size plants, and it is difficult at the
present time to procure in Europe any great number of good
specimens of Bush Box over thirty inches high, for last season
there were more than 120,000 plants used in planting one New-
port garden. Even a greater number would have been used,
if it were possible to procure them in time.
With the increased popularity of the Buxus, the nurserymen
and private gardeners have found it necessary to give it some
thought and study. Buxus is always expensive, and many
dealers and gardeners have met with heavy losses through
ignorance of its proper care, and from the attacks of insect
pests. Many of our growers believed that a severe winter
was its only enemy, but more recently, however, they have
found out at considerable expense that such is not the cai-e.
64
PEGGED IVY AND
EVERGREENS
THE ELMS
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The Biixus makes its entire growth during the months of
June and the early part of July. At this season of the year
it requires the greatest amount of care and watching in order
to obtain perfect results. Thousands of plants are lost during
the growing period from lack of water together with the ravages
of the Leaf Miner, Oyster Shell scale, and Red Spider.
The Boxwood likes shelter from the cold winds but is soon
injured by any close covering that comes in contact with its
foliage. I have also found that if the snow is left lying against
the plants for several days, the leaves will sometimes turn
brown and die. A strong string tied around the plants to pre-
vent them from being broken with the snow is all the protection
that I give them in winter. The plants require an abundance
of water during June and July; spray the foliage every day, if
possible. It will wash off the aphis, kill the red spider and
help keep the Oyster Shell scale under control, thereby increas-
ing the health and beauty of the plants.
The Oyster Shell scale is very injurious to the Boxwood if it
is not discovered in time and properly sprayed. If patches of
yellow, unhealthy-looking foliage appear upon any part of the
plant, it is well to break off a small branch of the diseased part
and examine it very closely. It may be infested with this pest.
Oyster Shell scale can be seen with the naked eye. The young
shoots will be covered with a very small shell-shaped scale,
sometimes so close together that they overlap each other
like shingles.
If you should take a penknife and with the point remove one
of these scales, turn it upside down upon the palm of your
hand and examine it closely, you would find that it contained
a number of very small bluish white eggs. Because these
eggs are so wrell protected while under the mother scale, I know
of no way of destroying them with poison ; so we must wait a
little while for our revenge. Examine the plants again about
June 15. At this time the new growth upon the box will be
about two inches long. You will then notice tiny white specks
about the edge of the old scale. These white specks are the
young scale coming forth to make a home for themselves upon
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the new growth. They sink their probosces into the tender
young shoots and there remain through their entire life, robbing
the plant of its sap and completing the deadly work which their
parents so well began. At this time, which marks the tenderest
period of the insect's existence, is the best time to attack it
with some good contact poison. Use a force pump and a Bor-
deaux nozzle on the end of the hose ; be sure and wet the stem
of the plant as well as the leaves, and spray thoroughly. If
soluble oil is used for spraying box, be sure that the mixture is
fresh and that it has not been allowed to heat by standing in
the sun; this may cause the raw oil to become free and float
upon the surface. In this condition the free oil will come in
direct contact with the leaves of the plant and burn brown spots
in them, thus disfiguring them for the entire season. I have
found it a good plan to spray box early in the morning when
the plants are covered with dew. If the oil is free, it will mix
with the moisture upon the plants and the leaves will not be
burnt.
The arch enemy of the Buxus is the Monarthropalpiis Buxi,
commonly called Box Leaf Miner. It is a small fly about two-
tenths of an inch in length and with a wing-spread of one-half
an inch. It is colored a bright orange and its wings are pure
white. The male and female have the same characteristics to
the eye. This same fly is related to the Hessian fly, which is
known as one of the worst destroyers of the wheat in the Western
wheat belt. It was first discovered in Newport by the writer
in the spring of 1910, when it did considerable damage to the
Boxwood upon the private estate of Edward J. Berwind.
During the winter and early spring, the Monarthropalpiis
Buxi makes its home between the two skins of the box leaf and
feeds upon the tissue. Later in the season it develops into a fly,
eats a small hole through the skin of the leaf, and flies away to
find a suitable place to lay its eggs in the soft new foliage. In a
short time the injured box leaves begin to turn brown and drop
off, sometimes the plant being left entirely defoliated. Because
of its habit, the Leaf Miner was thought to be hard to destroy.
It was found to be impracticable to spray or fumigate the plants
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70 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
while the maggot was inside the leaf, because in such a case it
would be necessary to use a very strong poison or gas which
would destroy the leaf as well as the insect, if the poison pene-
trated sufficiently through the skin of the leaf.
I decided that in order to conquer the pest, we must learn
more of its habits. At intervals I sent infested plants to
Messrs. A. E. Stene, of the Rhode Island Agricultural College
at Kingston, R. I., and H. L. Frost, of Arlington, Mass. Mr.
Stene discovered that this pest is only in the flying stage of its
existence about ten days; that is, usually in the early part of
June when the new growth upon the Boxwood is very soft.
During this time, the insect is very active. In the early morn-
ing they may be seen in great numbers hovering over the box
plants. The female insect deposits her eggs not upon the
surface, but forces them into the tissue of the leaf, where they
will be protected from all harm.
Buxus aurea and Buxus sempervirens were the first to be
attacked with Leaf Miner. Sempervirens suffraticosa was
also attacked, but the injury to this variety was not so great
because the foliage is smaller and more dense. When watering
has been neglected, this last named variety appears to suffer
most from attacks of the Oyster Shell scale and the red spider.
With me, Buxus arborescens has been little attacked by the
Leaf Miner. This useful variety is used extensively for grow-
ing into pyramid form. If allowed to grow without being
sheared, it will very soon make handsome specimens. Untrim-
med Boxwood has come into favor with some of our leading
landscape men, who are paying fancy prices for large plants.
Sempervirens stiff ruticosa is much prettier and more valuable
for this purpose, but is very slow in growing.
I consider Buxus macrophylla the most beautiful variety to
grow into specimens to plant singly upon the lawn or terrace.
This charming Japanese Box is quite distinct from the Euro-
pean varieties. The foliage is larger, round, and of a dark
glossy green color. It is very hardy, and does well when
planted in shady places. It is seldom attacked by insects.
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Glenclyffe
Garrisons-on-Hudson *
AMENESS is not so prevalent a vice in decora-
tive horticulture as it was five-and-twenty
years ago. It is the exception now to meet
with a lady presiding over a country house
who feels indifferent to the contents of her
flower-beds. Most ladies, and many men, now
take an active interest in cultivating a variety of flowering
things. Disraeli had a hand in turning the attention of people
of leisure to this source of enjoyment and perennial occupation.
Probably no subject of Queen Victoria was more ignorant of
the processes of horticulture. Had he been asked the definition
of a herbaceous plant he would have found refuge in an epi-
gram. But he had the saving grace of imagination which en-
abled him to perceive that beds of "Mrs. Pollok" geranium and
"Countess of Stair" ageratum were no more capable than a
Brussels carpet of inspiring affection. Pereunt et non impu-
tanter. They carry with them no associations — are redolent
with no tender memories. Therefore, desiring to depict Cori-
sande as devoted to her flowers, Disraeli filled her garden with
old-world perennials — plants more abiding than the genera-
tions of men, yielding blossoms year by year to the children's
children of those who set them in the borders. And, when
Disraeli had stirred people's fancy with a longing for the old
flowers that they could love, Mr. William Robinson began to
teach them how that longing might be realised, and he has
lived to see the revolution complete.
* Residence of Stuyvesant Fish, Esq.
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 75
HORTICULTURAL NOTES
"Rose, Candeur Lyonnasie." By D. Bois and G. T. Grignan
(Rev. Hort., p. 468, October 16, 1913). This rose is described
as, without doubt, the largest and finest of the white Roses
which have so far appeared, either for glass or the open. It has
received a gold medal and other high awards. Raised by M.
Croibier-Venissieux (Rhone). — C. T. D.
"Roses, New." By Kache (Gartenfiora, vol. lxii, pt. xvi,
pp. 362-368). — The following new roses are recommended
"Yellow," "Sunburst," " Mme. Charles Lutaud," " Herzogin
Marie Antoinette," "Dad Sterling" (vigorous, good-shaped
flowers, sweet scent), "Senateur Mascuraud," "Souvenir de
Gustav Prat" (vigorous and sweet-scented), "Stadrat Glaser"
(vigorous, healthy and floriferous), "Natalie Bottner" (vigorous,
healthy, large, well-shaped flowers, good for cutting). The best
reds are "President Vignet," "Lieutenant Chaure," and "Cha-
teau de Clos Vougeot."
"Maman Lyly" is of moderate growth, healthy, and bears
flesh-coloured flowers. "Tito Hekekyan" is a strong grower,
with sweet-scented copper-pink flowers. " Mme. Lucien Baltet"
is vigorous, and has flesh-coloured blooms with golden centers
suffused with carmine. "Jonkheer J. L. Mock" and "Lili von
Posern" are silvery pink. "Konig Laurin" resembles "Maman
Cochet" in shape, but the center of the flower is milk-white,
passing to pink at the edges.
"Bulbs, Flowering, Culture of, by the United States Board of
Agriculture." By F. F. Matenaers (Die Gart., February 1, p.
67). — On account of the great increase in the import of Dutch
bulbs, the Board of Agriculture in the U. S. A. determined to
make an attempt to grow them in their own land. For this
purpose a 10-acre piece of land was acquired on Puget Sound,
near Bellingham, Washington. In the year 1908, 170,000 bulbs
were planted out, the number for planting out increasing in
each consecutive year, reaching its maximum last year of
869,000. The Board's officials concerned with this maintain
that they succeeded in growing bulbs quite as good as those of
VISTA OF THE HUDSON
GLENCLYFFE
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 77
Holland, if not better. To prove this, two rows of 50 of the
same variety of respectively American and Dutch grown bulbs
were planted out. The American bulbs bloomed from seven
to ten days earlier, were superior in size, colour, and quality of
flower, and remained absolutely free from disease, whilst those
imported were inclined to be sickly and a considerable number
of the same failed to bloom at all. The two drawbacks lie in
the higher cost of producing and transport to New York. With
the completion of the Panama Canal they will be enabled to
transport to New York from the West Coast at less cost than
from Europe, and the cost of producing could be minimized by
the use of suitable machines. — G. R.
" Salvia nemorosa, Hardy European Species." By S. Mottet
(Rev. Hort., pp. 470-472, October 16, 1913; 1 ill.).— Highly
recommended for autumn blooming. Forms a bush about 2\
feet high with abundant spikes of large blue flowers. There is
a pure white variety, Salvia nemorosa alba, not too tall, but
equally floriferous, also recommended. — C. T. D.
"Seed Collecting" (U. S. A. Dep. Agr. Year Book, 1912, pp.
433-442; 4 plates). A most instructive account of methods
used in collecting forest tree seeds. The winter hoards of squir-
rels offer a ready source of fir cones. An example of the mag-
nitude of the work carried on was the gathering of 20,000
bushels of cones of Pinns monticola in 1911. A very readable
and interesting article. — E. A. Bd.
ENTRANCE TO ADDISON'S WALK
MARIEMONT
78
Mariemont
Newport, Rhode Island*
ANTIRRHINUMS AT WISLEY
WO hundred and seven stocks of Antirrhinums
were sent to Wisley, all of which, except a few
cuttings were sown on March 13th, and when
large enough to handle were pricked out into
boxes, and later on planted out in an open,
sunny situation on soil moderately manured,
and planted in rows 18 inches apart each way. All made ex-
cellent growth, flowered profusely through the summer and au-
tumn, and gave a glorious mass of colour, which was much ad-
mired by visitors. The Committee recommended that the
Antirrhinum should be classed as Tall, Medium and Dwarf or
Tom Thumb. It was considered that the term nanum, often
used for the medium section, was misleading. The height of
the different sections varies a little on different soils. At Wis-
ley the Tall ones are from 30 to 36 inches; the Medium ones 18
to 22 inches; the Dwarf or Tom Thumb about 12 inches high.
AUTUMN NOTES
It is a very good plan, when you want to cut a new bed or
alter the shape of an old one, to shuffle along the wet, dewy grass
on an October morning — and this leaves a mark which enables
you very well to judge of size, shape, and proportion — before you
begin to cut your beds out. I am taking up and replanting —
in the way before described of massing all the plants of one
colour together — my long herbaceous borders. These borders run
* Residence of Mrs. Thomas J. Emery.
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 81
right across what was once a fair-sized lawn, and the principle
of the garden is to have all beds and low-growing shrubs, except
the paths, which are turf; the main paths are left gravelled for
the sake of dryness in bad weather. I only replant the herba-
ceous borders every four or five years, mulching them well
every winter; and even then it is best only to replant them par-
tially, as certain line plants are much injured, if not killed, by
moving at all, and these plants remain as landmarks, both as
regard height and colour, for the replanting of the borders.
Keeping colours together and some empty spaces for annuals
or filling up in spring or summer out of the reserve garden,
makes it much easier to prevent the borders looking dull and
shabby at any time during the summer months.
The large square beds are planted now with all kinds of spring-
flowering things, not formally, but in broad patches — Wall-
flowers, Forget-me-nots, Tulips, Silene, Limnanthes Douglasii
(a Californian annual much loved by the bees), sowing a large
patch of Love-in-the-mist and the annual Gypsophila (for early
flowering, sown in September), Spanish Iris, Pinks and Carna-
tions, Madonna Lilies, a large corner of Anemones, and an-
other of Scabiosa cancasica (see "English Flower Garden"), both
these grown originally from seed. And as the spring flowers
pass away, their places are filled up from Autumn-sown plants,
Snapdragons, etc., which are quite hardy when young and in
the seed bed, but which get killed and injured by cold winds
in the open. Let everyone read what is said in the "English
Flower Garden" on the giant Saxifrages, Megaseas. There
are several varieties, all worth growing, and they are most use-
ful, satisfactory plants for all sorts of purposes, not nearly grown
enough for covering the ground and making fine masses of low-
growing foliage. To keep out weeds by planting low-growing
and spreading plants is a great secret of gardens that are to
have a picturesque appearance, and, in fact, to be a cultivated
wilderness rather than a tidy garden.
A wise discrimination in deciding what to grow makes all the
difference between struggling and cooperating with nature.
For what, after all, does cultivation amount to? I speak not
of the florist's craft, which takes a wild flower or shrub and, with
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 83
infinite cunning, transforms it into something different, so that
a wild mother carnation could not recognise her own offspring in
the monstrous Malmaison race (unless it were by accent, as a
ewe does her lamb) ; nor the modest little wild heartsease, which
covers with a blue mist the roofs of old log-houses in Norway,
claim kinship with the show and fancy pansies which have de-
veloped such amazing colours and are judged, like poultry, by
their points. For the gardener proper all this work is done by
others; his function is to propagate and grow; his care is so to
dispose plants that they shall be spared the intense struggle for
life which every wild tree, shrub or herb has to undergo. It is
surprising what fine qualities many of our British wild flowers
develop under careful handling. We cause the ends of the earth
to be ransacked for the furnishing of our borders, while all around
us, in meadow and copse, on sea-coast and moorland, by riverside
and hedgerow, there is material which will respond to thought-
ful treatment with a display rivalling that of costly exotics.
Among the many excellent, but unfilled, intentions of a desul-
tory life has been the purpose to create an all-British garden,
wherein nothing should be planted but native vegetation. Let
me give a single illustration of possibilities. In the peat bogs of
lowland Scotland, northern England and Ireland may be found
a slender, little, heathlike plant, four or five inches high, sparsely
clad with narrow, evergreen leaves, glaucous on the back, bear-
ing in late summer a few pretty, pale pink, drooping flowers
on the model of an arbutus or a bearberry. Strange to say, this
plant is not found in the Highlands of Scotland, though it is
abundant in Norway. It is the marsh andromeda (A. polifolia),
according to modern classification the solitary species in the
genus. It seems to prefer the sloppiest parts of the bog, where
even heather declines to grow ; but in fact it grows there only be-
cause there is no room for it elsewhere. Its hardy constitution
enables it to maintain a precarious existence in a soaked mixture
of sour peat and sphagnum, which would be the death of any
other hardwooded plant. Nevertheless, it is as fond of good
things as its neighbours. Remove some plants from their
native slime (they are so feeble that it must be carefully done)
and set them in a sunny border in a mixture of peat, sand and
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING
%5
loam, keep them from being overshadowed by grosser plants,
lay some stones on the surface round them to keep some mois-
ture about their roots, and in a couple of years they will grow
into sturdy little bushes, nearly a foot high, with abundant
leafage and a fine display of flowers. You have aided them in
the struggle for life, and they regard you by developing into
plants of really extraordinary beauty.
The list of suitable plants for this purpose might be made
a long one. The following contains suggestions for a small collec-
tion which may be added to at pleasure, suitable for a northerly
climate. Can be grown also at Aitken and in similar climates.
December to March
Hepaticas in variety.
Adonis amurensis.
Iris reticulata and per ska.
Cyclamen count and vernuni.
Eranthis h venial is.
March and April
Scilla sibirica, anmna and bi- Erythronium in variety
folia.
Chionodoxa Lucilia? and Sar-
densis.
Narcissus minor and other
dwarf daffodils.
Crocus in variety.
Erica carnea.
Anemone blanda.
May a
Till i pa greigi, linifolia, etc.
Daphne Cneorum and Blageana
Muscari "Heavenly Blue."
Sanguinaria canadensis.
Anemone nemorosa var. Robin-
soniana.
Incarvillea grandiflora.
Hyacinthus amethystinus.
Ra n u n cuius amplexica id is.
Muscari Szovitzianum and
other choice species.
Fritillaria aurea.
Tulipa pulchella Lowanii, sax-
atilis, etc.
Sisyrinchium grandiflorum .
Primula rosea and denticulata.
Callianthemum rutcefolium.
nd June
Scilla verna.
Nierembergia rivularis.
Polygonum sphcerocephalum.
Delphinium nudicaule.
Ornithogalum nutans.
Iris pumila and other dwarf
species.
Primula luteola, sikkimensis,
etc.
A CHARMING CORNER
CLIPPED PRIVET
MARIEMONT
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 87
July and August
Hypericum fragile and reptans. Erica Maweana.
Gaultheria trichomanes. Andromeda poll [folia.
Allium pedemontanum and Anomatheca cruenta.
other choice dwarf species. Primula capitata.
September and October
Colchicum speciosum and other Cyclamen europceum and liba-
choice species. noticum.
Crocus speciosus and other Corn us canadensis.
choice species. Polygonum vaccinifolium.
November and December
Schizostylus coccineus. Primroses, garden varieties.
Helleborus altijolius.
GARDENING BOOKS
Alpine Plants of Europe, Together With Cultural Hints. By
Harold Stuart Thompson, F.L.S. Svo., 287 pp. (Routledge,
London, 1911.) 7s. 6d. net.
There has long been need for a well-illustrated book in
the English language descriptive of the flowering plants of the
whole range of the European Alps. Mr. H. Stuart Thompson
is to be congratulated on having produced, very successfully,
such a work. His "Alpine Plants of Europe" is a book which
flower lovers and growers of alpine plants will do well to take
with them on their alpine holidays, for with the aid of the beau-
tiful coloured plates taken from Joseph Seboth's drawings, and
Mr. Stuart Thompson's careful descriptions, there should sel-
dom be much difficulty in identifying the plants met with on
such a holiday. Some 700 species are described, mostly peren-
nials, and these 700 have been chosen more for their decorative
value and general interest to the tourist and gardener than for
purely botanical interest. A few Southern rock plants — such,
for instance, as Morisia hypogaea, from Corsica and Sardinia,
which, though not alpine, are yet particularly suitable for culti-
vation in rock gardens — have been included.
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Armsea Hall
Newport, Rhode Island*
Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for flight
With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white
A nd taper fingers catching at all things,
To bind them all about with tiny rings.
Linger awhile upon some bending planks
That lean against a streamlet's rushy banks,
And watch intently Nature's gentle doings
That will be found softer than ringdoves' cooings.
— Keats.
the modern method of growing sweet peas
By William Gray
Secretary of the Newport Horticultural Society.
ITH the introduction of the Spencer or Orchid
flowering type, the sweet pea has become of
more importance than ever as a cut flower and
more painstaking methods are being given in
regard to culture than was formerly the case.
The sweet pea being a deep-rooting plant,
sending its roots down in prepared ground to a depth of 3 ft.,
the importance of trenching the ground deeply can readily
be understood. In this, more than anything else, lies the se-
cret of success in producing fine, long-stemmed blooms and ex-
tending the flowering period. Trenching should be done in
the fall to a depth of 2\ to 3 feet, -thoroughly enriching the
ground, especially in the lower stratum, with manure, bone
* Residence of Charles Frederick Hoffman, Esq.
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EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 93
and wood-ashes. Where only one row is planted the trenching
should be done at least 4 feet wide, or 2 feet on each side of the
row. Good results can be had by sowing the seed in the open
ground as early as possible in the spring, thinning the plants
out to stand six inches apart, but much superior results are
attained by sowing in pots in a cold-frame during the early
part of February and planting to the open ground in April.
This is explained by the start the young plants get over those
sown in the open, ensuring a much stronger root system, and
consequently a much stronger growth results. The seeds are
sown singly in 3 in. pots, or else they can be sown in pans or
flats, and transferred to the pots. A well protected cold-frame,
from which frost can be excluded, is ideal for growing the
young plants, as no coddling should be allowed, the idea being
to bring them along as cool as possible to make the plants hardy
and ensure planting in the open ground as early as possible.
Planting in the open ground takes place about the 15th of April.
After digging the ground over, a light dressing of super-phos-
phate worked into the surface before planting will give the
plants a start. Space the rows off, 6 feet apart, and plant the
young plants out in double rows, one foot between the plants,
and one foot between each row, the double rows being 6 feet
apart. Very satisfactory results will be had by staking the
peas in the ordinary way with brush, and allowing them to grow
without pinching, but if superior flowers are aimed at, the
English method of growing on bamboo stakes should be tried.
This consists of running wires lengthwise of the row, fastened
at each end to strong stakes. To these wires are attached bam-
boo stakes spaced about 6 inches apart. The shoots of the
sweet peas are tied, one to each bamboo stake, and all side
growths from the shoot taken up are kept pinched out. Sweet
peas with four, and sometimes five blooms to the spray on stems
16 to 18 inches long, can be produced by this method.
Thorough waterings should be given when necessary, fol-
lowed by a loosening up of the surface with the hoe. Spraying
the foliage is also very beneficial during hot, dry weather.
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If the ground has been well enriched no feeding will be nec-
essary until they are blooming freely, when manure water ap-
plied once a week will keep the plants growing freely and help
to prolong the flowering period.
A PIECE OF TAPESTRY
Monreith has been in possession of the same family for 427
years. That it has been for a considerable part of that period
a home of flowers, there is the evidence of a fine piece of tapestry
to prove. This was the work of the wife of the third baronet
(he died in 1771), who set herself to depict in applique the flow-
ers growing in the castle garden. They were laid on a maroon
ground to serve as a carpet — literally a parterre — for the castle
drawing-room. A laborious task, but evidently a labor of love,
so faithfully are the dame's favourites set out in a design of
remarkable grandeur. A large basket of flowers forms the cen-
tre; smaller groups fill the four corners, and round the carpet
runs a continuous wreath looped with ribbons-
Stowed away in a lumber room, this fine piece of work was
unearthed thirty years ago. Moths had played havoc with the
ground cloth, but the needle work was almost intact, and the
colours fresh. Skilful hands were set busy relaying the flowers
upon cloth of an old gold colour, and the piece now hangs on
the walls of the ante-room in the modern house of Monreith.
Among the flowers most easily recognized in the design are
the madonna lily (which refuses to flourish with us now), the
Isabelline lily, clove carnations, mullein, lupine, hyacinth, red
primroses, auricula, polyanthus, guelder rose, anemone, moss
rose, scarlet lychnis, pink geranium (its leaves variegated with
white), convulvulus, sunflower, sweet william, scabious, and
Canterbury bells, whence one is able to form a good notion of
the furniture of a Scottish garden in the eighteenth century.
Strange to say, the common daffodil is not among them; the
only representative of the family being that double form of
Narcissus incomparabilis , which goes by the homely name of
Butter-and-eggs.
EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 97
No doubt many of the flowers still adorning these grounds
are borne on the same roots which furnished patterns for the
gentle artist a century and a half ago, for there is no fixed limit
to the life of some of the humblest herbs. The oxlip may out-
live the oak, which overshadows it; yonder massive sycamore
may be but a child in years compared with the celandine that
stars the bank at its foot, and who shall declare the "expecta-
tion of life" in the lowly stonecrop that creeps beneath our feet.
The green mound, whereon stands the keep of the old castle,
breaks out each spring on its south side with a constellation of
white violets, widespread on the slope. They have long out-
lived the memory of her who planted them, for it is more than
a century since the castle was inhabited. On the terrace there
is planted in clipped box the Psalmist's note of warning — Homo
quasi flos egredikir et conteritur; but those who covet length of
days might willingly exchange terms of life with "the hyssop
that springeth out of the wall."
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AT THE BREAKERS
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The Breakers
Newport, Rhode Island*
SOME GARDEN IRISES
By W. R. Dykes, M.A.
T WOULD obviously be impossible in the short
time at our disposal this afternoon to give
anything approaching an adequate account of
all the Irises that our gardens now contain. I
propose, therefore, to deal primarily with cer-
tain groups of Irises among which confusion
seems to prevail, and, as we pass from one group to another,
to bring to your notice some of those Irises which are still not
in cultivation, either by reason of their recent introduction or
from what appears to me to be unaccountable neglect. It may
be that I have a quite unreasonable prejudice in their favour.
I probably have.
The first Irises, then, to which I propose to draw your atten-
tion are the three which appeared in this Society's list of plants
for distribution at the beginning of this year. They serve to
illustrate the fact that gardeners have — and indeed must have
— tenacious memories for names, though the mental processes by
which the names have become attached to the plants will not
always bear logical analysis.
The first of the three names on the list is that of Iris german-
ica. It may be a paradox, but the only two facts on which I
feel justified in insisting with regard to this Iris are, firstly that
it is not a native of Germany, and secondly that of the vast
series of plants which we find under this heading in catalogues
* Residence of Mrs. Cornelius Yanderbilt.
101
102 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
and garden lists only a very small proportion have anything
whatever to do with Linnaeus' species, I. germanica.
Of all the twenty or thirty Irises known to Linnaeus this is
perhaps the most difficult to identify. If we had only his
short Latin diagnosis, we should be utterly unable to decide
to which of a number of plants he gave the name. Fortunately
he quotes his authorities, and by inquiring into the sources of
his information, as well as by the process of eliminating those
species of which his descriptions are more definite and adequate,
it is possible to arrive at a definition of /. germanica. This
can be checked by comparison with the dried specimen which
is still preserved in his herbarium at the Linnean Society here
in London. Of colour there is, of course, no longer any trace,
and, since such words as purple, lavender, lilac, and violet con-
vey such very different impressions to different individuals, we
cannot be certain which of several colour-forms Linnaeus had
in mind.
We may, however, define /. germanica as a rhizomatous,
bearded species, with a branching stem, which in its typical
form seems to produce four flowers, though a fifth may often
develop immediately below the terminal head of two flowers.
Apart from the inflorescence, the characteristic features seem
to be the spathe-valves, which are half scarious at flowering
time; the presence, usual but not invariable, of scattered hairs
at the base of the standards on the inner side, the sharply three-
sided capsule, the oval or pear-shaped and not compressed seeds,
and the length of the perianth-tube, which measures about an
inch. Lastly, and this is a feature to which I would specially
draw your attention, this Iris is evergreen or practically so.
It does not wait until after the turn of the year before pushing
up its new growths. These develop rapidly during the autumn
rains, and in mid-winter /. germanica is at once noticeable
among its relatives in any collection of Irises.
It is precisely this characteristic habit of leaf-growth that
shows us that the plant cannot be a native of Germany, or indeed
of any part of Central Europe. If you search in winter for
/. aphylla (forgetting for the moment that its very name means
EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 103
leafless) or for /. sibirica, graminea, pumila, or variegata, all of
which are undoubtedly natives ol Central Europe, you will
have some difficulty in seeing even the merest tips of the leaves
above the surface of the soil. All are adapted to resist the rig-
ours of the Continental winters, and have learned to restrain
their energies in the direction of leaf-production until the worst
of the weather is over and spring is at hand.
Here it may be well to digress for a moment to notice the
confusion in our gardens between I. pumila and chamceiris.
The former is comparatively rare, but may be known at once
by being leafless in winter, by the almost complete absence of
stem, and by the long perianth-tube. It is a native of Austria
and Hungary, and stretches round the north side of the Black
Sea to the Caucasus, all districts with rigorous winters. /.
chamceiris, on the other hand starts into growth, just as does /.
germanica, in autumn, and it is no surprise to find that it is
confined to the South of France and to Northern Italy, where
the winters are comparatively mild. It should be readily dis-
tinguished from /. pumila by its habit of growth, by its stem
and by its relatively short tube. We may notice, too, that the
only known Iris from Arabia, namely /. Madonna, and its albino
form /. albicans, both retain their leaves in winter just as does
/. germanica.
If we compare the growth and habits of i". germanica with
those of the species already mentioned, we shall be forced to
the conclusion that /. germanica is a native of Southern Europe
or of some part of the Mediterranean basin. The question of
its origin is indeed complicated by the fact that the form which
we know as atropurpurea, or "Purple King," was described as
/. nepalensis by Wallich, and is in cultivation in Nepal, while
the well-known variety "Kharput," which Foster received from
the town of that name in Asia Minor, has long been naturalized
near Srinagar in Kashmir. It also, curiously enough, decorates
the Guards' Monument at Sebastopol, and only last year I
found that it is the common form of /. germanica at Mostar in
Herzegovina. That /. germanica could have an Indian origin
would seem to be very improbable, since such undoubtedly native
104 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
species as the real I. nepalensis of Don and I. kumaonensis lie
entirely dormant for several months in winter and even until
late in spring, as indeed the climatic conditions would lead us to
expect.
A consequence of this southern origin of 7. germanica is
that it is not absolutely hardy here in England. Complaints
that "Purple King" flowers but shyly are often due to the fact
that the late spring frosts destroy the embryo inflorescences
before they have emerged from the leaves. The brown decay-
ing remains can be found by dissection enclosed in the tufts of
leaves, although it is but poor consolation to have our theory
of the origin of the plant confirmed in this negative fashion.
Still more important for our purpose is the further conse-
quence that it is extremely rare that any form of /. germanica
ripens sound seed in England, or, indeed, as far as I can gather,
in Germany, or even in the South of France. /. aphylla, I.
variegata, and I. pallida, on the other hand, all mature seeds
readily, and this fact, together with the results of raising a num-
ber of seedlings from them, confirms me in the belief that our
common garden hybrids are to be traced, not to I. germanica,
but rather to I. variegata, from which they certainly derive
their yellow tints, and to i". pallida, with its more complicated
inflorescence.
Since these notes were written on a winter evening, when time
was a little less scarce than it is at this time of the year, the
flowering of some plants which I found last year on the Dalma-
tian coast has afforded striking confirmation of this theory of
the origin of our garden hybrids, misnamed German Irises.
A few years ago there was discovered on the top of a moun-
tain some 4,000 feet high in the Velebit range in Croatia, within
a mile or two of the coast as the crow flies, an Iris which I did
not recognize when Dr. Degen, of Budapest, was so good as to
send me dried specimens. It appeared to be either a yellow
form of /. aphylla or some new species. By the kindness of the
late Herr Dobiasch, of Zengg, who provided me with a native
guide, and to whose memory I wish to take this opportunity
of paying tribute, I was able in April, 1913, to see this Iris in
U")
105
106 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
its native home. It was a stiff climb up from the coast over
the roughest and steepest of limestone hills. As I had been trav-
elling all night by somewhat primitive means of conveyance,
and as it was pouring with rain, I was beginning to wonder as
we neared the top whether it was worth while to persevere,
when I was cheered by the sight of a few Iris leaves among the
rough limestone of the slope that faced the Adriatic and the
island of Pago. My guide urged that it was not worth while to
stop to collect any of these plants, as we were close to the cup-
shaped hollow near the summit where the Iris of which I was
in search was known to grow. However, I dug up a few of
them and am now very glad that I stopped to do so, for they
have turned out to be a small pallida of the same description as
those which were first described as /. illyrica, to which the well-
known /. Cengialti is closely allied, if indeed, as I am inclined to
think, the one is not merely a local form of the other.
On reaching the hollow for which I was bound, I was re-
warded by the sight of flowers on all sides, patches of Gentiana
tergestina, which is closely allied to G. verna, a yellow Primula,
Crocuses of a species which has not yet been determined, vary-
ing in all shades of colour from white to purple, and coming up
through the Gentians and among the Crocuses the short imma-
ture leaves of an Iris. The soil was a black, almost peaty
vegetable mould, very different from the scanty but strong
reddish soil, familiar to all those who have dug plants out of
the limestone hills of Southern Europe. Snow was still lying
in patches, and no signs of flower-stems had yet developed on
the Irises. However, I brought home a number of plants for
my garden and for that of a friend for whom I was also col-
lecting. In May of this year they have flowered freely.
These plants from the hollow at the top comprise at least
two Irises, namely I. variegata with pure light yellow standards
and red-brown veins on the falls, and another which is obvi-
ously a natural hybrid between I. variegata and the /. illyrica
which has just been mentioned as growing in the immediate
vicinity. The latter, being a pallida, has spathe-valves that
are wholly dry and scarious at flowering time; those of /. varie-
PERGOLAS AT
THE BREAKERS
107
108 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
gata are entirely green, while those of the hybrid are green at
the base and scarious in the upper part. The latter is identical
with those numerous hybrids which have long been common in
gardens under the names of squalens and sambucina.
Of the newer hybrids I cannot too strongly recommend, as
good border Irises, "Iriskonig," the best of the variegatce "Ori-
flamme," which is nearly a pure germanica and an improvement
on macrantha; "Black Prince," which is specially valuable for
its deep velvety flowers and for its late-flowering habit; and
"Isoline," of which I suspect one parent to have been I. tro-
jana. To those who wish to raise hybrids I would specially
recommend the latter, for it has already given me one seedling
which produced a spike containing no less than fifteen flowers.
We will now pass on to the second Iris on the list, which ap-
pears as /. laevigata syn. I. Kaempferi. These two names have
long been in horticultural use, but their association only serves
to perpetuate an obvious confusion. One would have thought
that even the most rapid consideration of the common Japanese
Irises would have driven us to question the suitability of the
name laevigata, which means "smoothed." Their leaves are
rough, with a prominent central rib; the seeds are wrinkled, the
petals crimped, and, indeed, it is hard to see what feature could
possibly have suggested the name.
Like several other plants which we associate with Japan, such
as I. japonica, which comes from the hills near Ichang in Cen-
tral China, I. Kaempferi is a native of China and grows wild in
the marshes along the Amur. In its natural state it appears to
be always single, and there is no accepted explanation of the
means by which the Japanese have evolved from it the long
series of double, distorted and even bloated hybrids, with which
the student of Japanese art has long been familiar. In the
natural state the colour is a deep red-purple, though albino
forms most undoubtedly occur. In the famous ditch which
runs through the lower corner of the Wisley garden, I. Kaemp-
feri has now been growing for many years since Wilson first
planted these importations from Japan. Innumerable seed-
lings must have grown up there in the course of time, and it is
sZ >_J CL
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Oco Z
109
110 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
interesting to notice that the self-sown reversions to the single
wild form of a uniform red-purple or white now far outnumber
all the other forms to be found scattered among them.
Curiously enough, this Iris also first reached us from Japan
in the form of a quasi-albino variety, which came to Kew mixed
with i". Kaempferi, and which was separated by Mr. Baker and
described as I. albo purpurea. We must accordingly reduce this
name to /. laevigata var. albo purpurea and try to realize that
the two names laevigata and Kaempferi represent two totally
different species. Among collected material now preserved in
herbaria I have found no evidence that natural hybrids of these
two species occur and efforts to cross them in the garden have
so far proved futile, though I should be the last to attach any
great value to such purely negative evidence. Of the condi-
tions that determine the fertility of an Iris little is yet known,
and, after succeeding quite unexpectedly in crossing a bearded
Pogoniris with a crested Evansia, although many previous ef-
forts had always resulted in failure, I am inclined to think that
it may not be impossible to cross any two members of the genus.
In this connection, may I suggest to the hybridizer the in-
terest that would attach to a hybrid between a bulbous and a
non-bulbous species? Unless outward appearances are very
deceptive, I am inclined to think that the point of contact, and
consequently the greatest hope of success, lies in the neighbour-
hood of /. Xiphium and /. spuria. The flowers of these two
species are curiously similar in shape, and we must also remem-
ber that the former sometimes, though rarely, produces one or
two vertical lateral branches in the axils of the leaves precisely
similar to those that we find in /. spuria. They are also still
to be found growing wild in the same region, for they both occur
in Spain and in Northwest Africa. Moreover, /. Xiphium has
been recently rediscovered on the French coast between Mar-
seilles and the Spanish frontier, where /. spuria is also not
unknown.
If repeated attempts are made to cross these two species,
sooner or later one may succeed, and the interest will then be
to see what kind of rootstock the plant will form. The result-
EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 111
ant plant might perhaps throw some light on the question
whether the bulb arose from the rhizome or the rhizome from
the bulb, or whether both have been evolved from a common
ancestor.
We must now pass on to the third name on our list, namely
/. sibirica orientalis, which may perhaps have been intention-
ally compounded to describe a hybrid between two species, for
/. sibirica and /. orientalis are totally distinct. The former is,
I believe, confined to Europe east of the Urals, between which
and Lake Baikal there occurs a gap before /. orientalis begins
in Northeastern Asia. I must admit in passing that there is
apparently in Corea a puzzling plant which seems in some dried
specimens to be merely /. orientalis, but which in other cases
comes very near to being a dwarf, large-flowered sibirica. I
live in hopes of eventually obtaining seed of wild plants of this
Corean Iris, for I have always had some doubt about the authen-
ticity of reputed specimens from Corea which I have grown
from time to time.
/. sibirica and /. orientalis are totally distinct in habit, and,
what is even more important, have entirely dissimilar seeds and
seed-vessels. Both have hollow stems, and narrow, almost
grassy, foliage. Here, however, the likeness ends, for the
spathes of sibirica are entirely scarious, while those of orientalis
are wholly herbaceous. The capsule of sibirica is broad, rounded
and inflated, and the seeds large and flattened, while in the case
of /. orientalis the capsule is much narrower relatively to its
length and the seeds are much smaller, with a tendency to be
cubical.
Of both species albinos are common, and the well-known and
beautiful "Snow Queen" is a typical albino form of /. orientalis.
It breeds true to the white colour, which acts as a Mendelian
recessive.
Both /. sibirica and /. orientalis have great possibilities for
the raiser of seedlings. Some of these are more floriferous and
vigorous than others and the shade of blue in the flowers is also
apt to vary. The finest sky-blue shades may be obtained by
crossing /. orientalis with its albino forms, while the stature
POTTED CAMPANULA PYRAMIDALIS
(WHITE AND BLUE)
112
EXAMPLES OF AMERICAN GARDENING 113
and habit of i". sibirica may be combined by hybrydization with
the larger flowers of I. orientalis.
With the recent introduction of two yellow-flowered rela-
tives from Western China, /. Wilsoni and /. Forrestii, the pos-
sibilities are still further increased, and I have already obtained
some very pleasing results, in one of which the yellow of /.
Wilsoni is distinctly visible at the base of all the segments of
a pale blue flower.
It is impossible to pass from the sibirica group without men-
tioning what is perhaps the finest plant of all, namely I. chry-
sographes, to my mind one of the best of the many beautiful
Chinese plants we owe to Mr. E. H. Wilson. In its best forms
it is really magnificent, and I shall never forget the experience
of watching the first flower unfold, and of seeing for the first
time the brilliant golden markings on the rich velvety deep
purple-violet falls.
Before I conclude these notes may I venture to put before
you a point which I had hoped to be able to illustrate to you
more fully from living specimens? It concerns a confusion
which has arisen around the name of I. filifolia. The true
plant is still rare, though I hope that several hundred seedlings
which I have raised will soon have all reached flowering size.
The plant is found in Northwest Africa and in Southern Spain,
and I considered myself very lucky when I obtained a few bulbs
and some seeds through the kindness of a friend at Gibraltar,
who, owing to his official position, was able to obtain them for
me from a station near the top of the rock, where it grows in
almost inaccessible places in a part to which visitors are not
admitted. The colour is a rich red-purple with a central yel-
low blotch, round which the juxtaposition of the purple and
yellow produces a kind of bluish halo. What I particularly
want to point out is that a large and early form of I. Xiphium,
which the trade dealers have put in their lists for years as /.
filifolia, has nothing whatever to do with that species. The
difference is at once apparent in the long, slender perianth-tube
of /. filifolia, the false plant only having the short funnel-
shaped tube of /. Xiphium.
French Gardening
By William Robinson
NOTE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
N THIS number we continue, by request, the
series of articles on French gardening begun in
the December 1918 issue of the Journal. The
following account of some of the most famous
public gardens of Paris is, more than ever,
applicable, particularly now that the Inter-
national Garden Club is affiliated with the Park Department
of the City of New York.
Zelia K. Hoffman.
114
The Bois de Boulogne
HIS park illustrates how we improve by friction,
so to speak. Till 1852 the Bois was a forest;
but Napoleon III, in his admiration for Eng-
lish parks, determined to add their charms to
Paris, or rather to improve upon them, and
the Bois is one result. In concert with the
municipality, the Emperor dug out the lakes, and made the
waterfalls. As a combination of wild wood and noble pleasure
garden, it is magnificent. The deer are placed in an enclosed
space. The Bois is splendid too as regards size — containing
more than 2000 acres, of which nearly half is wood, a quarter
grass, one-eighth roads, and more than seventy acres water.
Though with large expectations in other directions, the reader
will hardly be prepared for the statement that the French beat
us in parks. When first entered this may not be much liked,
the numerous Scotch pines around one part of the water giving
it a somewhat barren look, but a few miles' walk through it
soon dispels this idea. It has more than the beauty and finish
of any London park in some spots, but, on the other hand, vast
spreads of it are covered with a thick, small, and somewhat
scrub-like wood, in which wild flowers grow abundantly, un-
like the prim London parks. There are plenty of wild cowslip
dotted over even the best kept parts of it in spring, while the
planting on and near the islands is far superior to anything to
be witnessed in our own parks. To see what the Bois de Bou-
logne really is, the visitor should keep to the left when he enters
from Passy or the Arc de Triomphe and go right to the end of
the two pieces of ornamental water. Then, standing with his
back to the water, he will notice an elevated spot, and by going
to that spot he will enjoy one of the finest views he has ever
seen in a public park — the water in one direction looking like
115
116 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
an interminable inlet, beautifully fringed with green and trees,
while in the other several charming views are opened up, show-
ing the hilly suburban country towards Boulogne, St. Cloud,
and that neighbourhood. Then by turning to the right and re-
turning to Paris by the west side of the water, he will have a
pretty good idea of what a noble promenade, drive, and garden
this is.
It is in all respects worthy of its grand approaches, of the
width and boldness of which those who have not seen Paris can
have no conception. There is some bold rockwork attempted
and well done about the artificial water; and very creditable
pains are taken to make the vegetation along it diversified in
character, so that at one place you meet conifers, at another
rock shrubs, in another Magnolias, and so on; without the
eternal repetition of common thimgs which one too often sees at
home. At Longchamps, near the racecourse, which attracts
half Paris to this part of the wood on fine Sundays, there is a
large and ambitious cascade. Above the spring or shoot of the
cascade is an arch of rustic rocks, over which fall ivy and rock
shrubs, the whole being backed with a healthy rising planta-
tion. Although made at great expense, this cascade cannot be
pronounced a happy one ; to me it is less pleasing than the less
pretentious ones at the head of the large lakes.
The fault of the most frequented part of the Bois de Boulogne
is that the banks which fall to the water are in some parts a little
too suggestive of a railway embankment, and display but little
of that indefiniteness of gradation and outline which we find
in the true examples of the real "English style" of laying out
grounds. But you do not notice this from the position above
described, from whence indeed the scene is charming. The
fault just hinted at is common to almost every example of this
style to be seen about Paris; and in most of their walks, mounds,
and the turnings of their streams, you can detect a family like-
ness and a style of curvature which is certainly never exhibited
by nature, so far as we are acquainted with her in these lati-
tudes. But it is only justice to say that, taking the park as a
whole, it is far before our London ones in point of design.
THE BOIS BE BOULOGNE 117
Apart from the perfect keeping of the whole, the chief lesson
to be learnt here by the English planter is the value of paying
far greater attention than we at present do to artistic planting
of choice hardy trees and shrubs. The islands seen from the
margin of the lakes are at all times beautiful, in consequence of
the presence of a varied collection of the finest shrubs and trees
tastefully disposed. They show at a glance the immense supe-
riority of permanent embellishment over fleeting annual display.
The planting of these islands was expensive at first, and re-
quired a good knowledge of trees and shrubs, besides a large
amount of taste in the designer ; but it is so done that were the
hand of man to be removed from them for half a century they
would not suffer in the least. Nothing could be easier than to
find examples of gardens quite as costly in the first instance,
which, while involving a yearly expenditure, would be ruined
by a year's neglect. It is summer, and along the margins of
these islands you see the fresh pyramids of the deciduous cy-
press starting from graceful surroundings of hardy bamboos and
pampas grass, and far beyond a group of bright silvery Negundo
in the midst of dark-green vegetation, with scores of tints and
types of tree-form around. It is spring, and the whole scene is
animated by the cheerful flush of bloom of the many shrubs
that burst into blossom with the strengthening sun, and while
the oaks are yet leafless the large swollen flower-buds of the
splendid deciduous Magnolias may be seen conspicuous at long
distances through the other trees. In autumn the variety and
richness of the tints of the foliage offer a varied picture from week
to week ; and in winter the many picturesque and graceful forms
of the deciduous trees among the evergreen shrubs and pines
offer the observant eye as much interest as at any other season.
Looking deeper than the immediate results, we may see how
the adoption of the system of careful permanent planting en-
ables us to secure what I consider the most important point in
the whole art of gardening — variety, and that of the noblest
kind. Mr. Ruskin tells us that "change or variety is as much
a necessity to the human heart in buildings as in books; that
there is no merit, though there is some occasional use, in mo-
118 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
notony ; and that we must no more expect to derive either pleas-
ure or profit from an architecture whose ornaments are of one
pattern, and whose pillars are of no proportion, than we should
out of a universe in which the clouds were all of one shape and
the trees all of one size." These words apply to public gardens
with ever greater force. In them we need not be tied by the
formalism which comfort, convenience, and economy require the
architect to bear in mind, no matter how widely he diverges from
the commonplace in general design. In garden or in park there
is practically no noticeable tie; in buildings there are many.
Vegetation varies every day in the year. In buildings more than
in any other things unchangeableness is stamped. In the tree
and plant world we deal with things by no means remotely allied
to ourselves — their lives, from the unfolding bud to the tottering
trunk, are as the lives of men. In the building we deal with
things much less mutable, which have a beginning and ending like
all others, but their changes are much less apparent to our narrow
vision. Therefore the opportunity for variety is beyond com-
parison greater in public or private gardening than in the build-
ing art, or indeed in any other art whatever.
Without the garden, Lord Bacon tells us, "Buildings and
pallaces are but grosse handy works; and a man shall ever see
that when ages grow to civility and elegancie, men come to
build stately sooner than to garden finely: as if building were
the greater perfection." As yet we are far from perfection as
builders, and the garden holds still the relationship to the build-
ing art which is described by Bacon. Indeed, it is more back-
ward ; for in a day when building has eloquent champions to put
in some such place as that quoted, and, moreover, give us prac-
tical illustrations of their meaning, we can find no proof that
any knowledge of the all-important necessity for variety exists
in the minds of those who arrange or manage our gardens, pub-
lic or private. And yet this unrecognised variety is the life
and soul of high gardening. If people generally could see this
clearly, it would lead to the greatest improvement our garden-
ing has ever witnessed. Considering the variety of vegetation,
soil, climate, and position which we can command, it is impossi-
ble to doubt that our power to produce variety is unlimited.
THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE 119
The necessity for it is great. What is the broadly marked
bane of the public as well as private gardening of the present
day? The want of variety. What is it that causes us to take
little more interest in the ordinary display of "bedding out,"
fostered with so much care, than we do in the bricks that go to
make up the face of a house? Simply the want of that variety
of beauty which a walk along a flowery lane or over a wild heath
shows us may be afforded by even the indigenous vegetation of
one spot in a northern and unfavourable clime. But in our parks
we can, if we will, have an endless variety of form, from the
fern to the grisly oak and Gothic pine — inexhaustible charms of
colour and fragrance, from that of the little Alpine plant near
the snows on the great chains of mountains, to the lilies of Japan
and Siberia. And yet out of all these riches the fashion for a
long time has been to select a few kinds which have the property
of producing dense masses of their particular colours on the
ground, to the almost entire neglect of the nobler and hardier
vegetation. The expense of the present system is great, and
must be renewed annually, while the gratification is of the
poorest kind. To a person with no perception of the higher
charms of vegetation the thing may prove interesting, and to
the professional gardener it is often so ; but to anybody of taste
and intelligence, busy in this world of beauty and interest, the
result attained by the above method is almost blank. There
can be little doubt that numbers are, unknown to themselves,
deterred from taking any interest in the garden; in fact, it is a
blank to them. They in consequence may talk or boast of
having a "good display," &c, but the satisfaction from that is
very poor indeed, compared with the real enjoyment of a garden.
The one thing we want to do to alter this is to break the
chains of monotony with which we are at present bound, and
show the world that the "purest of humane pleasures" is for
humanity, and not for a class, and a narrow one. Eyes every-
where among us are hungering after novelty and beauty; but
in our public gardens they look for it in vain as a rule, for the
presence of a few things that they are already as familiar with as
with the texture of a gravel walk, must tend to impress them
120 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
with an opinion that our art is the most inane of all. In books
they everywhere find variety, and some interest, if high merit
is rare; the same is the case in painting, in sculpture, in music,
and indeed in all the arts; but in that which should possess it
more than any other, and is more capable of it than any other,
there is as a rule none to be found. This is not merely the
case with the flower-garden and its adjuncts; it prevails in
wood, grove, shrubbery, and in everything connected with the
garden. What attempt is made in our parks and pleasure
grounds to give an idea of the rich beauty of which our hardy
trees are capable, although these places afford the fullest oppor-
tunity to do so? How rare it is to see one-tenth of the floral
beauty afforded by deciduous shrubs even suggested ! Hitherto
our gardening has been marked by two schools — one in which a
few, or comparatively few, "good things" are grown; the other,
the botanic garden school, in which every obtainable thing is
grown, be it ugly or handsome. What we want for the orna-
mental public garden is the mean between these two; we want
the variety of the botanic garden without its scientific but very
unnatural and ugly arrangement; we want its interest without
its weediness and monotony.
There is no way in which the deadening formalism of our
gardens may be more effectually destroyed than by the system
of naturally grouping hardy plants. It may afford the most
pleasing results, and impress on others the amount of variety
and loveliness to be obtained from many families now almost
unused. To suggest in how many directions we may produce
the most satisfactory effects, I have merely to give a few in-
stances. Suppose that in a case where the chief labour and ex-
pense now go for an annual display, or what some might call an
annual muddle, the system is given up for one in which all the
taste and skill and expense go to making of features that do
not perish with the first frosts. Let us begin, then, with a
carefully selected collection of trees and shrubs, distinguished
for their fine foliage — by noble leaf beauty, selecting a quiet
glade in which to develop it. I should by no means confine
the scene to this type alone, as it would be desirable to show
THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE 121
what the leaves were by contrast, and to vary it in other ways —
with bright beds of flowers if you like. It would make a feature
in itself attractive, and show many that it is not quite necessary
to resort to things that require the climate of Rio before you find
marked leaf beauty and character. It would teach, too, how
valuable such things would prove for the mixed collection.
Many kinds of leaf might be therein developed, from the great
simple-leaved species of the rhubarb type to the divided ones of
Lindley's spiraea, and the taller Ailanthus, Kolreuteria, Gymno-
cladus, &c. The fringes of such a group might well be lit up
with beds of lilies, irises, or any showy flowers; or better still,
by hardy flowering shrubs. An irregularly but artistically
planted group of this kind would prove an everlasting source of
interest; it might be improved and added to from time to time,
but the original expense would be nearly all.
Pass by this rather sheltered nook, and come to a gentle
knoll in an open spot. Here we will make a group from that
wonderful rosaceous family which does so much to beautify all
northern and temperate climes. And what a glorious bouquet
it might be made, with American and European hawthorns,
double cherries, plums, almonds, pears, double peaches, &c,
need hardly be suggested. You would here have a marked
family likeness prevailing in the groups, quite unlike the mo-
notony resulting from planting, say, five or six thousand plants
of Rhododendron in one spot, as is the fashion with some; for
each tree would differ considerably from its neighbour in flower
and fruit. Then, having arranged the groups in a picturesque
and natural way, we might finish off with a new feature. It is
the custom to margin our shrubberies and ornamental plantings
with a rather well-marked line. Strong-growing things come
near the edge as a rule, and many of the dwarfest and prettiest
spring-flowering shrubs are lost in the shade or crowding of
more robust subjects. They are often overshadowed, often
deprived of food, often injured by the rough digging which
people usually think wholesome for the shrubbery. Now I
should take the very best of these, and extend them as neat low
groups, or isolated well-grown specimens, not far from, and
122 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
quite clear of the shade of the medium-sized or low trees of
the central groupings. The result would be that choice of
dwarf shrubs like Ononis fruitcosus, Prunus triloba, the dwarf
peach and almond, Spiraea prunifolia fl. pi., the double Chinese
plum, and any others of the numerous fine dwarf shrubs that
taste might select, would display a perfection to which they
are usually strangers. It would be putting them as far in ad-
vance of their ordinary appearance, as the stove and greenhouse
plants at our great flower shows are to the ordinary stock in a
nursery or neglected private garden. It would teach people
that there are many unnoticed little hardy plants which merely
want growing in some open spot to appear as beautiful as any
admired New Holland plant. The system might be varied as
much as the plants themselves, while one garden or pleasure
ground need no more resemble another than the clouds of to-
morrow do those of to-day.
In the rich alluvial soil in level spots, near water or in some
open break in a wood, we might have numbers of the fine her-
baceous families of Northern Asia, America and Europe. These,
if well selected, would furnish a type of vegetation now very
rarely seen in this country, and flourish without the slightest
attention after once being planted. In rocky mounds quite free
from shade we might well display true Alpine vegetation, select-
ing dwarf shrubs and the many free-growing, hardy Alpines
which flourish everywere. To turn from the somewhat natural
arrangements, as the years rolled on, occasional plantings might
be made to show in greatest abundance the subjects of greatest
novelty or interest at the time of planting. In one select spot,
for example, we might enjoy our plantation of Japanese ever-
greens, many of them valuable in the ornamental garden; in
another the Californian pines; in another a picturesque group
of wild roses ; and so on without end. Were this the plaee to do
any more than suggest what may be done in this way in the
splendid positions offered by our public gardens and parks, I
could mention scores of arrangements of equal interest and
value to the above. If the principle of annually planting a
portion of a great park or garden of this kind were adopted
THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE 123
instead of giving all the same routine attention after the first
laying out, I am certain it would prove the greatest improve-
ment ever introduced into our system of gardening. The em-
bellishment of the islands in the Bois de Boulogne is very suc-
cessful, but it is merely one of many fine results that artistic
planting would secure. Plantations as full of interest and
beauty might be made in other portions, and the fact is the
vegetable kingdom is so wide that, although the combinations
of plant knowledge and taste necessary to success might not
often be found in the designer, the materials for any number of
varied pictures in vegetation could never fail.
The principle here advocated should not only be applied to
the details of one garden, but on a greater scale, and with even
more satisfactory results, to all the gardens of any great city.
Take a city with half a dozen parks, a score of squares, and
perhaps numerous avenues and open places where trees or
flowers might be grown — take, in fact, the public gardening of
Paris or London at the present day. Now, the ordinary course
of things, several kinds of trees and plants, or several dozen
kinds, will be found to do best in all these places, and under
the usual management the same subjects will predominate in
each. To the people who live in the neighbourhood of each
the effect will be perhaps agreeable ; but it must become monot-
onous. To prevent people endeavouring to see any life or
interest in vegetation, the true way is to make a few things pre-
dominate everywhere. It is also a simple and easy way for the
superintendents; there is no "bother with it," but there is
also little oleasure, and little of that enthusiastic effort which is
the highest of pleasures, and one only enjoyed by those who
work at things for their own sakes. Innumerable beds of Can-
nas and Pelargoniums are better than nothing, no doubt, but
are bad where the opportunity for a higher kind of embellish-
ment exists. For the credit and encouragement of our city
gardening, it is necessary that we confine ourselves to the better
kind of trees, as many good kinds do not grow well in streets;
but when it comes to the parks and open gardens, it is a very
different matter. If each park and square in a city were
124 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
arranged entirely different from every other, the enjoyment of
those in the immediate neighbourhood of each would be none
the less, while the gardening treasures of the town would be
greater in proportion to the number of parks or squares. A
walk in any direction would reveal new charms to those having
the slightest sympathy with nature, and help to sow the seed
of love for it, were the ground ever so barren. A walk to dis-
tant parks or squares would furnish an object to the many, who
might be expected to take an interest in gardens under such
management; and objects for walks in towns and cities cannot
be too numerous.
One park might display minute floral interest in all its varia-
tions, with the larger subjects only used as the necessary setting,
shelter, and greenery. Another, with a good soil and favourable
exposition, might be made to show the dignity and variety of
the forest trees of northern and temperate Europe, Asia, and
America. One square might, like Berkeley Square in London,
or the little squares in the Place Napoleon III. in Paris, be made
very tasteful and effective from simple inexpensive materials —
such as green grass, hardy shrubs, and trees. Another might
display leaf-beauty so as to remind one of the vegetation of
the South Sea Islands; another, chiefly the dwarf prairie and
hill flora of cold and temperate countries; and so on — each class
of vegetation to be considerately adapted to soil, conditions,
and surroundings of the place as regards shelter, liability to
foul vapours, position in relation to other gardens and avenues,
and so on. In fact, this great principle of variety is capable of
doing so much for public gardens, that it should be made com-
pulsory on the heads of these establishments to make each as
different from its brother as it possibly could be made. Carried
out, then, as I have slightly indicated, both in the private and
public place, gardening would be nearer to proving the "great-
est refreshment to the spirits of man" than it has ever been in
any age.
There is one feature in the Bois de Boulogne which cannot
be too strongly condemned — the practice of laying down here
and there on some of its freshest sweeps of sloping grass enor-
THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE 125
mous beds containing one kind of flower only. In several in-
stances, near the very creditable plantations on the islands and
margins of the lake, may be seen hundreds of one kind of tender
plant in a great unmeaning mass, just in the positions where
the turf ought to have been left free for a little repose between
the very successful permanent plantations. This is done to
secure a paltry unnatural and sensational effect, which spoils
some of the prettiest spots. Let us hope that some winter's
day, when the great beds are empty, they may be neatly cov-
ered with green turf.
The Bois being rather level, heavy rains used to lie a long
time on the surface of the roads, &c, before being absorbed; to
have remedied this by means of sewers would have cost about
160,000£, so the plan was adopted of constructing a number of
tanks at intervals, on an average, of 200 metres, and capable of
containing from ten to twenty cubic metres of water each.
These tanks are generally circular in form and crowned by a
truncated cone — a form which of course requires less mason's
work than the rectangular, the latter being adopted only when
large trees interfere with the plan. The rectangular cisterns
measure from four to six metres in length, one to two metres
in width, and two to three metres in depth; they are arched at
the top, and, like the circular ones, provided with a trapped
hole, which serves, first, to withdraw the centrings, and after-
wards to clean out the cisterns if they become choked with refuse
carried down by the water; the floor is uncovered, and barbicans
are left in the footwalls to aid the escape of the water. These
cisterns are placed either under the footpaths or in side alleys,
so as not to interfere with the grass or the flower beds. The
water is conveyed to the cisterns by means of drain pipes 4 in.
in exterior diameter, the first joint being embedded in a mouth-
piece of Portland cement. These mouthpieces are nearly 20
in. in length ; they are cast in wooden moulds, and cost 2f. 90c.
per metre.
Not far from the lower lake, and at about the centre of the
Bois, occurs the Pre Catalan — an enclosed space, occasionally
the scene of fltes, having several refreshment rooms, an open-
126 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
air theatre, and a peculiar feature in the form of a cow-house,
containing about eighty milch cows. The milk is sold to those
who frequent the place, especially to horsemen who ride out
from Paris for exercise in the early morning, and call here on
their way to have a draught of new milk. These features, how-
ever, are kept well in the background, and the place generally
bears the appearance of an ornamental garden, well worthy of a
few minutes' inspection from any horticultural visitor who is
traversing the Bois or on the fashionable drive, which is near
at hand.
Gardeners may be interested to learn that every year, on the
30th of August, the fete of their order is held here, the patron
saints being St. Fiacre and St. Rose. Here the gardeners of
Paris and their friends assemble to the number of three or four
thousand, and amuse themselves with dancing, games, and the
usual accompaniments of a Parisian fete, including fireworks, of
course. As a garden, the Pre Catalan is distinguished by good
specimens of standard Magnolias, both the evergreen grandi-
flora and the deciduous kinds, and large masses of flowers and
fine-leaved plants.
Apart from these, which are well known and extensively em-
ployed elsewhere about Paris, I noticed that fine aquatic, Thalia
dealbata — usually grown in stoves in England — in robust condi-
tion in the midst of a shallow running stream, the canna-like
leaves large, handsome, and 22 inches long by 12 broad, and the
flower stems 7 and 8 feet high (17th September). It is one of
the handsomest and most distinct of all aquatic plants, quite
different from the normal type, and should be much used with
us. Erianthus Ravennae, an ornamental grass, was in flower at
the same date, and 10 or 11 feet high. Lantana delicatissima
was used as margining carpeting to some beds here. Simple
and inconspicuous thing as it is, it is multiplied to the extent
of from 12,000 to 20,000 every year, which may serve to give
another idea of the way in which ornamental gardening is car-
ried on by the municipality of Paris.
THE BOIS BE BOULOGNE 127
Watering the Parks
The climate of Paris being dryer than that of London, and
the soil less conducive to the growth of grasses, the verdure main-
tained in the more ornamental parts of the Paris parks is natu-
rally a source of some surprise to visitors. It is dfficult to give
the reader, who has not seen it himself, an idea of how perfectly
the watering is done. The contrast between the parks and
gardens of London and Paris is in this way by no means flat-
tering to our way of managing them. It will be better to
quote one of our journals to represent our own side of the ques-
tion. "We have repeatedly called the attention of the authori-
ties during the summer to the melancholy state into which the
parks were falling. The mischief we desired to guard against
is now done. The grass is of the colour of hay, and the little
of it that remains is being so rapidly trodden down that in many
parts what used to be greensward is now nothing better than
hard road." So wrote the Pall Mall Gazette, one day last sum-
mer; and really, about the end of July and the beginning of
August, nothing could look more unattractive than the London
parks. These parks are supported at heavy public cost; and it
is a great mistake to let them be rendered as brown and unin-
viting as the desert by an exceptional drought, which of course
will happen at the very season when the grounds ought to be in
perfect beauty and attractiveness. The French system of wat-
ering gardens, &c, is excellent, or at least the generally adopted
system; for at the Jardin des Plantes there are yet watering-
pots made of thick copper, which are worthy of the days of
Tubal Cain, but a disgrace to any more recent manufacturer,
and a curse to the poor men who have to water with them.
Generally Parisian lawns and gardens are watered every even-
ing with the hose, and most effectively. It is so perfectly and
thoroughly done, that they move trees in the middle of summer
with impunity ; keep the grass in the driest and dustiest parts of
Paris as green as an emerald, the softest and thirstiest of bed-
ding plants in the healthiest state; and as for the roads, the way
they are watered cannot be surpassed. They are kept agreeably
128 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
moist without being muddy, while firm and crisp as could be
desired. Of course all this is effected in the first instance by
having abundance of water laid on, but that is not all. With us,
even where we have the water laid on, we too often spend an
immense amount of labour in distributing it. In Paris gener-
ally it is applied with various modifications of the hose, which
pours a vigorous stream, divided and made coarse or fine either
by turning a cock, by the finger, or even by the force of the
water.
This is the way they apply it to the roads, the smaller bits of
grass about the Louvre, and other places; but when watering
large spreads of grass in the parks the system is different. One
day in passing by the racecourse at Longchamps I saw it car-
ried out in perfection. The space had become very much cut
up by reviews and races ; but in any case it is watered to keep it
as green as possible in summer. At first sight it would appear
a difficult thing to water a racecourse, but two men were em-
ployed in doing it effectually. Right across the whole open
space from east to west stretched an enormous hose of metal,
but in joints of say about six feet each. The whole was ren-
dered flexible by these portions being joined to each other by
short strong bits of leathern hose, each metal joint or pipe being
supported upon two pairs of little wheels. By means of these the
whole may be readily moved about without the slightest injury
to the hose in any part. At about a yard or so apart along this
pipe jets of water came forth all in one direction, and at an
angle of about 45 deg., and spread out so as to fully sprinkle the
ground on one side; and thus four feet or so of the breadth of
the whole plain of Longchamps was being watered from one
hose. There were two of these hoses at work, one man attend-
ing to each of them; the only attention required being to pass
from one end of the line to the other, and push forward the hose
as each portion became sufficiently watered. The simplest
thing of all is the way they make the perforations for the jets
along the pipe. They are simply little longitudinal holes driven
in the pipe with a bit of steel. They must be made across the
pipe, or the water will not spread in the desired direction. The
THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE 129
wind causes the water to fall in the most divided form possible.
With an apparatus thirty metres long a man can easily water
1500 square metres per hour, moving the hose three times.
Of course the quantity of water depends on the force in the
conduits and the length of the tubes. With a pressure of 22
metres and hose 320 metres long the quantity of water per
metre and per minute is nearly two litres. The hydrants in
the grass are placed about fifty metres apart, and the wheels
of the trucks are of wood, in order not to cut the grass. There
are many modes of spreading water in use about Paris, but none
of them half as good as this simple method. More than a mile
of this kind of hose may be seen at work at one time and with
hundreds of jets playing.
The hose for watering the roads is arranged on wheels also,
but, as it must be at all times under command when carriages
pass by, it has only one rose or jet, which is directed by a man
who moves about among the carriages with the greatest ease,
and keeps his portion of the road in capital condition. Of
course it is a much cheaper way than carrying the water about
as we do, as then we must have horse and cart, wear and tear,
and man also; whereas, by having the water laid on, all the
men have to do in watering is to attach the hose and com-
mence immediately. In the same way as much work can be
done in a garden in a day as with ten men by the ordinary
mode; so that in the end it is much cheaper to have the water
laid on. There can be no doubt that to the efficient watering
much of the success of the fine foliaged plants in Paris gardens
is to be attributed.
As a good system of watering is of the highest importance
to cities and towns in every region of the earth a more detailed
and technical account of the watering of Paris gardens may
prove useful to some. The article first appeared in the Engi-
neer, and refers chiefly to the arrangements for the Bois de
Boulogne, but the system is the same for all other places.
The watering is performed chiefly by means of long hose
with a copper branch, the latter being provided with a stop-
cock, so that the delivery of the water may be arrested
130 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
instantly, without having to turn off at the plug. The hose is
generally twelve metres long and 2 in. in diameter; it is
constructed either of leather, vulcanized india-rubber or can-
vas; the first and second costing from 6s to 6s. 8d. per yard,
and the last only lOd. or lid. The screw connecting pieces,
which are made of gun metal, cost about 6s. The leather
hose, losing the oily matters from its pores, through the pres-
sure of the water, soon becomes brittle, but it lasts on an aver-
age two years; the rubber is light and has no other fault but
that of wearing out in twelve months, while the canvas hose
soon cuts to pieces on the gravel. A system of mounting such
tubes on small trucks so as to keep them from trailing on the
ground, and consequently making them lighter to handle and
more durable, was tried for a long time, but this has been
superseded by a very simple and inexpensive invention, that of
tubes made of sheet iron, lined with lead and bitumen, and con-
nected together by means of leather joint pieces, the whole
being mounted on small wooden trucks. The cost of this ap-
paratus complete, with the single exception of the branch, is
only 70f., or 5f.20c. per metre, and it will last on the average
four years, while the old hose on trucks costs 12 7f., or nearly
double.
The cost of that now in use is made up as follows: Eleven
metres of iron tubes, 19f.25c; leather junction pieces, 25f.60c;
ten trucks 20f . ; ligatures, 5f.l5c; total, 70f. The apparatus
in use at the present moment in Paris consists of five tubes,
each about 6 feet long, and a shorter one to which the branch
is attached, so that only five trucks are required; the trucks
also in practice consist of a piece of plain wood, a little more
than a foot in length, the tube being bolted on to the upper
side and the runners fixed to the lower. As regards the con-
nexion of the joints, this is made sometimes with brass flanges,
but a joint which answers equally well, and is much cheaper
and lighter, is that made with copper wire; for the branch
joint, however brass flanges are always used, as the branch
itself is removed and carried away when not in use, while
the tubes are simply folded together, fastened with a piece of
cord, and left in any convenient corner.
THE BOIS BE BOULOGNE
131
It is found in practice that a man cannot manage an apparatus
of this kind, which is more than about 40 feet long; but for
watering grass, in which case the hose is left stationary in
one place for some time and then moved to another, several
apparatus are, if necessary screwed on to each other. The
effect of these tubes or hose have been carefully studied. The
following is a table of results with a twelve metre apparatus,
the inner diameter of the nozzle of the branch being 0-012
meters, or rather less than half an inch, and the branch itself
being held at an angle of 45 deg. : —
PRESSURE AT THE
SURFACE
QUANTITY OF WATER
GIVEN PER SECOND
EXTENT OF THE JET
QUANTITY OF WATER
GIVEN WHEN THE BRANCH
IS NOT ON
metres
Hires
metres
litres
8
0-90
10
1-80
12
1-25
12
2-40
15
1-40
14
2-75
20
1-60
15
3-10
25
1-80
15
3-40
30
1-90
15
3-60
35
2-00
16
3-80
46
2-10
16
4-00
These results, it is stated, are averages, for some apparatus
give superior or different results, although all the conditions
appear the same. Experience shows that with the same amount
of pressure in the pipes the extent of the jet is enormously
reduced by the lengthening of the hose. Of course the diame-
ter of the nozzle of the branch depends on the pressure within
the tubes, but it was thought necessary to have a uniform model,
and 0-012 metres was adopted as distributing the water most
advantageously with a pressure of eight to fifteen metres.
An apparatus twelve metres long, with a branch one metre in
length, and giving an average jet of twelve metres, is effective
over a radius of twenty-five metres. The plugs or hydrants
are placed at intervals of thirty metres on roads twenty metres
wide, and forty metres apart in narrower roads, when they are
all on one side of the road.
132 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Formerly all the roads in and about Paris were watered by
means of carts which held one ton of water. It required
twenty-four tons to water the Avenue de l'lmperatrice prop-
erly, the road round the lakes, and some few others. The
whole of the roads in the Bois de Boulogne, as they now stand,
would require ninety tons of water, which would cost, men,
horses, and carts included, 13f. per ton, or 200,000f (8000 I.) for
the six summer months. The new system of watering by
hose costs for the whole of the Bois but 55,000f., or little more
than a quarter of the expense under the old system. In this
estimate, however, no account is taken either of the cost of
the water itself or of the capital expended for its conveyance.
Finally, it is remarked, as regards the Bois de Boulogne, that
the cost is, in fact, little more than that of the maintenance of
the apparatus in repair, or abut 250/. a year, the work being
done by the body of men called cantonniers, who have little
else to do during the summer months.
A water cart drawn by one horse, in cases where the hydrants
are 400 metres apart, will water 1300 metres an hour over a
width of four and a half metres — that is to say, a cart will
water about 6000 square metres, using in the operation three
tons of water. But in the parks it was found that the cart
should pass over every spot once in the hour, and this gives,
with an average of seven hours' effective work, an expenditure
of three and a half litres, or more than seven pints per day per
square metre. The cost of labour, cart, and horse is given at
about lOf. per day. In calculating the cost of watering by
means of hose and branch, the hydrants or plugs must nec-
essarily be much more numerous, the intervals between them
being in the case of watering by cart 400 metres, while in the
case of the hose the intervals are on an average only thirty-
five metres. The total length of the roads to be watered in
the Bois de Boulogne is 53,000 metres, and the number of
hydrants 1500, whereas under the old system 132 would have
sufficed, a difference of 1380 hydrants, costing 4/. each, or 5s.
a year for interest, and, in addition, 4s. for repairs, &c. The
latter is contracted for at the following rate — namely, eight
THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE 133
centimes per metre, or about three farthings a yard run of
conduit, and 4s. per hydrant.
A hundred and twenty men are required for watering the
540,000 square metres of road in the Bois; in five hours a man
waters 4500 metres of road three times over, besides watering
the side paths once, which the carts of course did not touch.
The cost is given as follows: —
Francs
Interest and maintenance of hydrants 13,800
Cost and repair of hose, &c 6,200
Wages of 120 men at half a day for six months 35,000
Total 55,000
The surface watered being, in round numbers 600,000 square
mttres, and the average number of days 180, the cost per
square metre and per day is
550,000
180 X 600,000 = (W)°051
showing a great economy as compared with the expense of
watering by cart. The hose and branch dispense (making al-
lowance for interruptions caused by traffic and by moving the
apparatus) a litre of water per second, or 18,000 litres in five
hours; the quantity is therefore about the same as that dis-
pensed by cart, only it is effected in five instead of seven hours.
Previous to the general adoption of the hose and branch, ex-
periments were tried with small handcarts containing a quarter
of a ton, and drawn by two men, but these were found to cost
more than the old carts.
Another method of keeping roads and pathways in order,
namely, by the application of deliquescent salts, is interesting
from its novelty. The salts used are chloride of magnesium
or of calcium. The former salt does not exist in commerce,
but large quantities have been obtained from the residue of the
manufacture of carbonate of soda, at a cost of 15f. the 100
kilogrammes; it may, however, be produced for less than a
third of that rate. The salt is well calcined (in order to make
it lose as much of its water as possible), and then coarsely pul-
134 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
verized; it is sprinkled over the road by hand. The effects of
this deliquescent salt, as compared with those of water, are
not uniform ; in the case of roads with much traffic the salt is
twice as dear as water, because of the necessity of constant
renewal, but in side paths and roads with little traffic the salt
was found far more economical. The use of deliquescent salts
has this great advantage, namely, that it does not interfere in
any way with the circulation, and maintains the pathways
clear of dust or mud, while of course in places where there is
no grass to be watered the whole of the cost of water-pipes and
hydrants would be saved.
The surface of grass which has to be watered with Seine
water in the Bois de Boulogne is about 250 acres, and the
quantity of water required to keep it in good condition averages
ten litres, or more than two gallons, per square metre, every
third day. To water this surface in the same manner as the
roads would require more than a hundred hose working ten
hours a day, and this would entail a very heavy cost. But as
the grass does not require to be treated with the same regu-
larity as the roads one system adopted is to place a branch on
a stand at an angle of 45 deg., and allow it to play over the
grass for a certain time, when it is removed to another spot;
in this way one man can manage ten apparatus.
The total amount of water taken from the Seine for the pur-
poses of the Bois never exceeds 240 litres, or about fifty-four
gallons, per second. The natural meadows by the side of the
Seine form about 400 acres, but the soil here is alluvial, and
therefore irrigation is only necessary in very hot weather,
whereas the soil upon which the artificial grass is planted is
nearly all sand, and the greatest care is required to keep the
turf in order. The total cost of the arrangements of conduits
and pipes for the supply of water to the Bois and the avenues
leading to it is given at l,520,000f., or £60,8001; the number
of stop-cocks is 385, and of hydrants 1600; and the length of
the conduit is 66,200 metres. It results from these figures that
the cost of the whole has amounted to 22f. 97c, or about 18s.,
5d. per metre.
THE PARC MONCEAU 135
THE PARC MONCEAU
This is on the whole the most beautiful garden in Paris, and
well shows the characteristics of the system of horticultural
decoration so energetically adopted in that city. It is not
large, but exceedingly well stored, and usually displays a vast
wealth of handsome exotic plants in summer. In spring it is
radiant with the sweet bloom of early-flowering shrubs and
trees, every bed and bank being covered with pansies, Alyssum,
Aubrietia, and all the best known of the spring flowers, while
thrushes and blackbirds are whistling in the adjacent bushes, as
if they were miles in the country, instead of only a few minutes'
walk from the Rue du Faubourg St. Honor6. This park was
laid out so long ago as 1778 for Philip Egalite as an "English
garden," and passed through various changes, till it at last fell
into the hands of the municipality of Paris, a very astute cor-
poration, who have converted it into a charming garden, and
are not likely to part with it in a hurry.
The system of planting adopted here as well as in the other
gardens of the city is often striking, often beautiful, and not
unfrequently bad. It is striking when you see a number of that
fine showy tree, Acer Negundo variegata, arranged in one great
oval mass, silvery and bright; it is beautiful when you see some
spots with single specimens and tasteful beds, every one dif-
fering from its neighbour; and bad when you meet with about
a thousand plants of one variety stretched around a collection
of shrubs, or flopped down in one large mass, or when a num-
ber of plants too tender for the climate are put out for the sum-
mer months amidst those that grow with the greatest lux-
uriance. "The subtropical system will never do for England"
say some practical men. The truth is, that it requires to be
done very carefully in Paris, and there is a great mistake made
by putting out a host of tender plants merely because they are
exotics, unless indeed you wish to contrast healthy beauty
with ragged ugliness. In the Pare Monceau there is usually
a group of Musa Ensete worth making a journey to see, and
masses of Wigandia, Canna, and such Solanums as Warce-
136 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
wiczii, that are worthy of association with it; but I have also
seen there beds of Begonias without a good leaf or a particle of
beauty — scraggy stove plants, with long crooked legs, and a
few tattered leaves at the topband, poor standard plants of
the sweet-verbena at the same time. If it were an experimental
ground, one would not mind, of course; but this, in a garden
where its omission would leave almost nothing to be desired,
is too bad. In some respects this park is really unequalled,
and therefore one regrets the more to see these blemishes,
which let us hope will not be repeated.
What first excites the admiration of the visitor used to monot-
onous and highly-toned type of garden now seen so much with
us is the variety, beauty of form, and refreshing verdure which
characterize this garden — good qualities that are so often absent
in too many of our own. The true garden is a scene which
should be so delightfully varied in all its parts — so bright, so
green, so freely adorned with the majesty of the tree, the beauty
of the shrub, the noble lines of the fine-leaved plant, the minute
beauty of the dwarf er plants of this world; so perpetually in-
teresting, with vegetation that changes with the days and
seasons, rather than puts the stamp of monotony on the scene
for months; and so stored with new or rare, neglected or for-
gotten, curious or interesting plants — that the simplest observer
may feel that indefinable joy which lovers of nature derive from
her charms amidst such scenes, but which few, except those of
a high degree of sensitiveness and power of expression, like
Shelley, can give utterance to. It would be teaching him to
use the words of Goethe —
"To recognize and love
His brothers in still grove,
Or air or stream."
If any good at all is to be done by means of flowers and gar-
dens, you must give men a living interest, a lasting curiosity in
them, and some other objects than those which can be taken
in by the eye in a moment. Numbers are occupied and de-
lighted with gardening as it stands at present, but it can hardly
THE PARC MONCEAU 137
be doubted that a system with something like an aim at true
art would be sure to attract many more; and it is patent that
there are numbers even among the educated classes who take
no interest whatever in the garden, simply because they can
in few places find any real beauty or interest in it. To confine
ourselves to a single phase of the subject, it is certain that if
all interested in flower gardening had an opportunity of seeing
the charming effects produced by judiciously intermingling
fine-leaved plants with brilliant flowers, and of which there are
such handsome examples in this park, there would be an im-
mediate revolution in our flower-gardening, and verdant grace
and beauty of form would be introduced, and all the brilliancy
of colour that could be desired might be seen at the same time.
The beauty and finish of many of the finer beds here, are of the
highest order, in consequence of the adoption of the principle of
variety. Here is a bed of Erythrinas not yet in flower; what
affords that brilliant and singular mass of colour beneath them, a
display which makes the visitor pause when he comes near the
bed ? Simply a mixture of the lighter varieties of Lobelia speciosa
with variously coloured and brilliant Portulaccas. The beau-
tiful surfacings that may thus be made with annual, biennial,
or ordinary bedding plants, from mignonette to AUernanthera,
are infinite. At the risk of driving off the general reader we
must now begin to use hard names, and go deeper into purely
technical and horticultural matters, for we shall not elsewhere
meet an opportunity of doing so with so much advantage. It
is only fair to warn the reader that this is a purely horticultural
chapter.
The following are a few examples of these graceful mixtures
seen in this garden during the past year: — A bed of Arundo
Donax verisicolor, springing from Lobelia speciosa; a bed of
Ficus elastica, the ground beneath perfectly hidden by luxuri-
ant mignonette; Wigandia, springing from the little silvery sea
produced by the mixture of the blue and white varieties of
Br achy come iberidifolia ; Caladium esculentum, from a rich
surface of flowering Petunias; glowing Hibiscus, from Gnapha-
lium; graceful dwarf Dracaenas, from very dwarf Alternan-
138 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
theras; Aralias, from Cuphea; taller Dracaenas, from a deep and
richly-toned mass of Coleus Vers chaff eltii; Erythrina, from a
sweet low carpet of soft purple Lantana; tall Solanums, on
mats of that most finished little plant Nier ember gia; sea-green
Bocconias, from the dwarf dark-toned Oxalis corniculata var.,
and so on. Reflect for a moment how consistent is all this with
the best gardening, and the purest taste. Your bare earth is
covered quickly with these free-growing dwarfs; there is an
immediate and a charming contrast between the dwarf-flower-
ing and the fine-foliaged plants; and should the last at any
time put their heads too high for the more valuable things
above, they can be cut in for a second bloom, as was the case
with some Petunias here which had got a little too high for
their slow-growing superiors. In the case of using foliage plants
that are eventually to cover the bed completely, annual plants
may be sown, and they in many cases will pass out of bloom
and may be cleared away just as the large leaves begin to
cover the ground. Where this is not the case, but the larger
plants are placed thin enough to always allow of the lower ones
being seen, two or even more kinds of dwarf plants may be
employed, so that the one may succeed the other, and that there
may be a mingling of bloom.
It may be thought that this kind of mixture would interfere
with what is called the unity of effect that we attempt to attain
in our flower-gardens. This need not be so by any means; the
system could be grandly used in the most formal of gardens
laid out on the massing system pure and simple; besides, are
there not positions in every place where such arrangements
could be made without interfering with what is sometimes
called the "flower garden proper?" Some may say we cannot
grow the fine-leaved plants in England. But this is not so.
The most beautiful bed of those above enumerated was that
composed of variegated Arundo and Lobelia — the former a
plant that may be readily grown on good soils in Britain, and
merely requiring the protection of a little ashes, refuse, or an
old mat over the crown in winter, even in soils that are not
particularly favourable, while the Lobelia is one of the many
THE PARC MONCEAU 139
fragile and delicately pretty little plants that do perhaps best
of all in England. The fact is, we can find numbers of plants
among the hardy and free-growing kinds, which will enable us
to enjoy all the desired variety and diversity, even if we cannot
wisely venture to plant out Wigandias and coloured Dracaenas
except in the more favoured districts of southern England and
Ireland.
One of the most useful and natural ways of diversifying and
dignifying a garden, and one that we rarely or never take ad-
vantage of, is abundantly illustrated here, and as it is perhaps
the most important lesson to be learnt in the garden, we will
discuss it at some length. It simply consists in placing really
distinct and handsome plants alone upon the grass, to break
the monotony of clump margins and of everything else. They
may be placed singly or in open groups near the margins of a
bold clump of shrubs or in the open grass; and the system is
applicable to all kinds of hardy, ornamental subjects, from
trees downwards, though in our case the want is for the fine-
leaved plants and the more distinct hardy subjects. Nothing,
for instance, can look better than a well-developed tuft of the
broad-leaved Acanthus latifolius, springing from the turf not
far from the margin of the walk through a pleasure ground;
and the same is true of the Yuccas, Tritomas, and other things
of like character and hardiness. We may make attractive
groups of one family, as the hardiest Yuccas ; or splendid groups
of one species like the Pampas grass — not by any means re-
peating the individual, for there are about twenty varieties
of this plant known on the Continent, and from these half a
dozen really distinct and charming kinds might be selected to
form a group. The same applies to the Tritomas, which we usu-
ally manage to drill into straight lines; in an isolated group in
a verdant glade, they are seen for the first time to best ad-
vantage ; and what might not be done with these and their like
by making mixed groups, or letting each plant stand distinct
upon the grass, perfectly isolated in its beauty!
Let us again try to simply illustrate the idea. Take an im-
portant spot in a pleasure ground — a sweep of grass in face of a
140 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
shrubbery, and see what can be done with it by means of these
isolated plants. If, instead of leaving it in the bald state in
which it is often found, we try to place distinct things in an iso-
lated way upon the grass, the margin of shrubberry will be
quite softened, and a new and charming feature added to the
garden.
If one who knew many plants were arranging them on the
ground, and had a large stock to select from, he might make no
end of striking effects. In the case of the smaller things, as
the Yucca and variegated Arundo, groups of four or five good
plants should be used to form one mass, and everything should
be perfectly distinct and isolated, so that a person could freely
move about amongst the plants without touching them. In
addition to such arrangements, two or three individuals or a
species might be placed here and there upon the grass with the
best effect. For example, there is at present in our nurseries
(I once saw quantities of it preparing for game covert at Mr.
Standish's, of Bagshot) a great Japanese Polygonum, which
has never as yet been used with much effect in the garden. If
anybody will select some open grassy spot in a pleasure ground,
or grassy glade near a wood — some spot considered unworthy
of attention as regards ornamenting it — and plant a group of
three plants of it, leaving fifteen feet or so between the stolls,
a distinct aspect of vegetation will be the result. The plant is
herbaceous, and will spring up every year to a height of from
six feet to eight feet if planted well; it has a graceful arching
habit in the upper branches, and is covered with a profusion
of small pale bunches of flowers in autumn. It is needless to
multiply examples — the plan is capable of infinite variation,
and on that account alone should be welcome to all true gar-
deners.
The preceding part of this chapter was written in 1867; but
as this park is so full of interest and instruction for all prac-
tically interested in the decoration of the flower-garden, the
following description, written on the spot during the early part
of last September, may be of some interest to the horticultural
reader: —
THE PARC MONCEAU 141
Entering the park from the Boulevard Malesherbes we pass
along an avenue of plane trees that leads from the high and
ornamental gates. The walk on each side is bordered with
roses in lines of different colours, — the front row well pegged
down. They form long borders on each side, and are very
ornamental in early summer. A carriage road leads through
the park, so that it may be seen by those who drive through —
but imperfectly, as the more interesting objects are along the
shady side and boundary walks. On each side of the central
drives glimpses are caught of very diversified and graceful foliage
and flowers, but conspicuous on the margin is a great mass of
Caladium, with leaves three feet long and two and a half feet
wide, springing from a groundwork of blue Lobelia.
You can have no real beauty in an ornamental garden with-
out the aid of full grown trees, their majesty producing an ef-
fect which cannot be dispensed with. Here they approach
the drive in groups, some times overshading plantations of dense
shrubs, at others springing clean from the grass. In some places
they are so crowded as to make one wish for a little breath, in
others they disappear, and spreads of grass and dwarfer plants
permit the eye to range. On one side of the route may be
noticed a hairy bamboo with black polished stems, and rods
ten, twelve, and fourteen feet high; on the other, one with
yellow stems of about the same height. An old specimen of the
Abyssinian Musa is vigorously pushing up a massive flower
shoot scarcely yet seen through the leaves, and in conse-
quence they are by no means so ornamental as those of younger
plants which devote all their energy to foliage. Tree ferns, and
the curious and graceful Beaucarnea with the great swollen
base, are seen here and there, the Beaucarnea apparently not a
first-rate subject for placing in the open air. Next to the
great Musa Ensete, the best Banana is the well-known edible
Musa Cavendishii: it is in perfect health, emerging from a mass
of Tradescantia zebrina; the leaves twenty-four to thirty inches
long, and not often lacerated. A great mass of the variegated
Acer — several hundred trees — is margined with rose-coloured
geraniums, and all the space between filled with Dahlias, Sal-
142 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
vias, and the like: a good plan, inasmuch as it prevents a
naked base. Groups of palms, single specimens of birch (as
graceful as any exotic), and fine out-arching specimens of the
hardy Polygonum Sieboldi form the most notable features of
the central drive. Palms from regions comparatively temper-
ate, like the dwarf fan palm of the south of Europe, the Pal-
metto of the Southern United States, and the Seaforthia, and
some others, bear the open air of summer without injury, and
add a very striking and valuable aid to the scene. From the
cross-drive groups of Yuccas, rather thinly placed in masses
of dwarf flowers and plants, a large specimen of the Angelica
tree in flower, a mass of the Papyrus of the Nile, and tall speci-
mens of Colocasia odorata, are the most conspicuous of the
objects that approach the margin.
Again, commencing at the Boulevard Malesherbes entrance,
and this time turning to the left, we meet with masses of Musa
rosacea, Blechnum, Lomaria magellanica, the older specimens
with stems two feet high ; Nicotiana wigandioides ; a telling, dark
bronzy mass of Canna atronigricans, with some of the larger
leaves two feet long, and the stems nearly seven feet high;
groups of Latania plunged in the grass; and large leaved Be-
gonias dotted amongst dense masses of Tradescantia zebrina.
These Begonias do not grow well enough to warrant their being
put out in our latitudes except under the most favourable con-
ditions. Next come masses of Hibiscus, rather sparing of their
great red flowers; numerous specimens of handsome plants
isolated on the grass, from double scarlet Pomegranates to
Thuja aurea and Clianthus Dampieri; masses of india-rubber
plants with ground-work of mignonette, of Wigandia macrophylla
with groundwork of Coleus, of silvery Solatium marginatum
with groundwork of dwarf herbaceous Aster, of Tupidanthus
in a carpet of Cuphea, and of variegated Arundo in one of Ger-
man Aster. A mass of Caladium bataviense, with leaves three
and a half feet long and dark stems, is very imposing. As a
foliage plant, it is second to no other employed in Parisian
gardens, though hitherto C. esculentum has generally been con-
sidered to be the best. Here there are large masses of both it
THE PARC MONCEA U 143
and bataviense. Usually C. bataviense makes leaves larger than
C. esculentum, and as a rule its leaves are the largest this year,
but the biggest specimens of the year were of esculentum, of
which the largest measured four feet seven inches long, bata-
viense reaching four feet one inch. C. esculentum best with-
stands the winds, the leaves of C. bataviense often getting
broken by them, so that many of the finer leaves made during
the season were lost before September, their great stumps show-
ing how vigorous they had been. It is usually and from the
same cause denuded of leaves about the base; C. esculentum
retaining them. The leaf-stalks of bataviense are of a dark
hue, by which it is easily distinguished from esculentum with
its pale green leaf-stalks. The stems of bataviense are also
much larger than those of the esculentum, a few of those growing
here being ten inches in diameter.
Of the Ficuses grown here, the best is yet the old F. elastica;
but Chauvieri is also good, and Porteana has done well this
season, though the Parisian summers are usually too cold for it;
its leaves were fifteen inches long. Yucca aloifolia is hardy
here. A fine old plant of it, ten feet high, and with a consider-
able portion of the stem naked, was in perfect health. Every
winter the stem is protected as far as the leaves, and the snow
prevented from remaining on these. Melia Azederach is also
hardy here — at least, it has stood out during the past winter;
and as its large compound leaves would prove so useful in the
flower-garden, it should be tried out in favourable parts of
England. Andropogon formosum does well here, and a group
of Dasylirions are plunged in the grass. The Erythrinas are a
fine feature, the old E. crista-galli being considered the best on
the whole ; but E. ruberrima is very fine from its hue of scarlet
and crimson. Bocconia frutescens is five and half feet high,
with leaves two and a half feet long; and an Encephalartos is
fine as an isolated specimen. Agave americana is left in the
garden during winter and protected, but with more trouble
and cost than would be incurred by taking it indoors. A mode
of training various flowering climbers up the stems of trees
is worthy of special notice. Clematises, honeysuckles, various
144 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
kinds of ivy, everlasting peas, and many other kinds of climb-
ing plants may be used in this way with good effect. There is
one plant grown here in quantity, which is rarely seen in Eng-
land, but which should be in every English garden — Funkia
subcordata, a dwarf, hardy plant with snowy white flowers
sweeter than orange-blossom.
Two large carriage drives, laid out so as to interfere as little as
possible with the old plantations, run through the park from
one end to the other, and form a continuation of the boulevards
leading to it. These drives are closed by iron gates of a highly
ornamental character. The area of the park is about twenty-
two English acres, of which thirteen are in turf, and five planted
with flowers, shrubs, and trees, the remainder being devoted
to walks and the small and unhappy piece of water. The total
cost of alteration was over £48,000. The work was begun in
the month of January, 1861, and finished in August of the same
year.
The Ivy and Its Uses in
Parisian Gardens
HE Irish Ivy is a very old friened that is often
seen beautifying old walls and like positions,
and one, as we may have thought, sufficiently
appreciated and employed. Gaiety and grace
I was led to expect in Parisian gardens, but
that they should take up our Hibernian friend,
so partial to showers and our mossy old ruins, and bring him
out to such advantage in the neighbourhood of new boulevards
and sumptuous architecture, was not to be expected. That "a
rare old plant is the Ivy green when it creepeth o'er ruins old,"
we Britons all know, but that it is no less admirable when
mantling objectionable surfaces with its dark polished green in
winter, would not appear to have yet sufficiently dawned upon
us. Apart from the fact that the Ivy is the best of all evergreen
climbers, it is the best of all plants for softening the aspect of
town and suburban gardens in winter, not to say all gardens.
The Parisian gardeners know this fully, and they, taking it
out of the catalogue of things that receive chance culture, or no
culture at all, bring it from obscurity and make of it a thing of
beauty.
To rob the monotonous garden railings of their nakedness
and openness, they use it most extensively, and there are parts
about Passy where the Ivy, densely covering the railings, makes
a beautiful wall of polished green along the fine wide asphalte
footways, so that even in the dead of winter it is refreshing to
walk along them. And if it does so much for the street, how
much more for the garden? Instead of the inmates of the house
gazing from the windows into the street swarming with dust,
or splashing with mud, a wall of verdure encloses the garden;
145
146 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
privacy is perfectly secured ; the effect of any flowers contained
in the garden is much heightened; and lastly, the heavier rushes
of dust are kept out in summer, for so admirably are the railings
covered by planting the Ivy rather thickly, and giving it some
rich light soil to grow in, that a perfectly dense screen is formed.
Railings that spring from a wall of some height around the
larger houses are covered as well as those that almost start from
the ground. Frequently the tops of the rails are exposed, and
often these are gilt, while wire netting on the inner side supports
the Ivy firmly.
One day, as I was passing near the Hotel de Ville, and looking
at its traceries, my eye was caught by something more attrac-
tive than these ; a gilt-topped railing densely covered with Ivy,
and between the mass of dark green and the bared spikes at
the top a seam of light green foliage, here and there besprinkled
with long beautiful racemes of pale purplish flowers. That was
the Wistaria, one of the most beautiful of China's daughters,
here gracefully throwing her arms round our Hibernian friend,
and forming a living picture more pleasing to the eyes of a
lover of nature than any carving in stone. If there are tall
naked walls near a Parisian house, they are quickly covered
with a close carpet of Ivy. Does the margin of the grass around
some clump of shrubs or flower beds look a little angular or
blotchy? If so, the Parisian town gardener will get a quantity
of nice young plants of Ivy, and make a wide margin with them,
which margin he will manage to make look well at all times of
the year— in the middle of winter when of a dark hue, or in early
summer when shining with the young green leaves.
When the Ivy is planted pretty thickly and kept neatly to a
breadth of, say, from twelve to twenty inches, it forms a dense
mass of the freshest verdure, especially in early summer, and of
course all through the winter, in a darker state. The best ex-
amples of this description of edging that I know of anywhere
are to be seen around the gardens of the Louvre, and in the pri-
vate garden of the Emperor at the Tuileries. In the latter the
Ivy bands are placed on the gravel walks, or seem to be so ; for a
belt of gravel a foot or so in width separates them from the bor-
THE IVY IN PARISIAN GARDENS 147
der proper. The effect of these Ivy bands outside the masses of
gay flowers is excellent. They are the freshest things to look
upon in Paris during the months of May, June, and July. They
form a capital setting, so to speak, for the flower borders — the
best, indeed, that could be obtained; while in themselves they
possess qualities sufficient to make it worth one's while to grow
them for their own sakes. In some geometrical gardens we
have panels edged with white stone — an artificial stone very
often. These Ivy edgings associate beautifully with them, while
they may be used with advantage in any style of garden. A
garden pleases in direct proportion to the variety and the life
that are in it; and all bands and circles of stone, all unmanage-
able geometrical patterns, are as much improved by being
fringed here and there with Ivy and the like, as are the rocks of
a river's bank.
It should be observed that an Ivy edging of the breadth of
an ordinary edging is not at all so desirable as when its sheet of
green is allowed to spread out to a breadth of from fifteen to
eighteen inches. Then its rich verdure may be seen to full ad-
vantage. It must of course be kept within straight lines if the
garden be symmetrical: if it be a natural kind of garden, you
may let it have its own wild way to some extent. In nearly
every courtyard in Paris the Ivy is tastefully used. I do not
think I ever saw the scarlet Pelargonium to so great advantage
as in deep long boxes placed against a wall densely covered
with it, and with Ivy planted also along their front edge, so as
to hang down and cover the face of the boxes. One of the best
known of the floating baths on the Seine has a sort of open air
waiting-room immediately outside its entrance — a space made
by planks, and communicating with the quay by a gangway.
On this space there are seats placed around, on which in sum-
mer people may sit and wait for their turn if so disposed, while
the whole is elegantly embowered with Ivy, which looks as much
at home as if the river was not gurgling rapidly beneath. This
is secured by placing deep boxes filled with very rich light soil
here and there on the bare space; then planting the Ivy at the
ends of each box and devoting the remainder of the space to
148 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
flowers, keeping the soil well watered, and training the shoots
of the Ivy to a neat light trellis overhead.
In the garden of the Exposition a pretty circular bower was
shown perfectly covered with it, the whole springing from a tub.
Imagine an immense green umbrella with the handle inserted
in a tub of good soil, boards placed over this tub, so as to make
a circular seat of it, and you will understand it in a moment.
That and the like could of course be readily made on a roof,
wide balcony, or any such position. One sunny early summer
day, when the Ivy was in its youthful green, I met with a shal-
low bower made of it that pleased me very much. It was sim-
ply a great erect shell of green not more than five or six feet
deep, so that the sun could freshen the inside into as deep a
verdure as the outer surface.
The Ivy may be readily grown and tastefully used in a dwell-
ing-house. I once saw it growing inside the window of a wine-
shop in an obscure part of Paris, and on going in found it planted
in a rough box against the wall, up which it had crept, and was
going about apparently as carelessly as if in a wood. If you
happen to be in the great court at Versailles, and, requiring
guidance, chance to ask a question at a porter's little lodge seen
to the left as you go to the gardens, you will be much interested
to see what a deep interest the fat porter and his wife take in
Cactuses and such plants, and what a nice collection of them
they have gathered together, but more so at the sumptuous
sheet of Ivy which hangs over from high above the mantelpiece.
It is planted in a box in a deep recess, and tumbles out its
abundant tresses almost as richly as if depending from a Kerry
rock.
The Ivy is also used to a great extent to make living screens
for drawing-rooms and saloons, and often with a very tasteful
result. This is usually done by planting it in narrow boxes
and training it up wirework trellises, so that with a few of such,
a living screen may be formed in any desired part of a room in
a few minutes. Sometimes it is permanently planted; and in
one instance I saw it beautifully used to embellish crystal
partitions between large apartments.
THE IVY IN PARISIAN GARDENS 149
To make the Ivy edgings which are so abundantly employed
in and around Paris, plants are easily procured in pots, and at
a very cheap rate, at the markets on the quays, or of the nur-
serymen at Fontenay aux Roses, who every year grow it in large
quantities. It is planted thickly in borders, and trailed along in
strips from twelve to sixteen inches in width, according to the
size of the beds. It is laid down with wooden pegs, a layer of
earth being placed over the stems. When once planted, it
only needs to be kept clear of weeds, and to be moderately wat-
ered. Under this treatment, it forms healthy borders the year
after it is planted. In preparing the Ivy for growing against
railings and trellis-work that encloses the various parks and
gardens, it is trained carefully during the first one or two years,
so that all empty spaces may be filled up. At the end of the
second year, the railings will be completely covered, and for the
future it is only necessary to keep it properly pruned.
The Ivy used by the City of Paris for ornamenting the flower
beds in the squares, the trunks of trees, &c, is grown and propa-
gated at the nurseries in the Bois de Boulogne. Towards the
end of the summer the propagation of the Ivy by means of cut-
tings is carried on. Three or four leaves are left on each cut-
ting, and they are planted very thickly in lines in a half -shady
position. When they have taken root sufficiently, which gen-
erally takes place in the following spring, they are transplanted
into pots of four or five inches in diameter. Afterwards stakes
are fixed along the lines of pots, from which are stretched lines
of thin galvanized wire, and to this slender but firm trellis from
three to five feet high the plants are trained several times dur-
ing the growing season. At the end of the second or third year
the plants are strong enough to be employed to cover railings,
and for many similar purposes. The nurserymen in the suburbs
of Paris generally propagate them by layers. For this purpose
old plants are placed at a certain distance from each other, and
are allowed to grow long. Pots from four to six inches in di-
ameter are then plunged in the ground around, the Ivy being
fixed in them by means of small pegs, one shoot in each pot.
Afterwards stakes are placed in the pots, and the Ivy trained
150 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
against them as it grows. When the layers are sufficiently
rooted, they are separated from the old plants, and towards
the end of the second or third year it is ready for use. If a
wide belt of Ivy is desired, the young plants may be put in
in two or three rows, as the French do when making such excel-
lent Ivy edgings as are here described. In any case, after the
plants are inserted the shoots must be neatly pegged down all
in one direction.
The reason why Ivy edgings when seen in England look so
poor compared with those in Paris, is that we allow them to
grow as they like, and they get overgrown, wild, and entangled,
whereas the French keep them the desired size by pinching or
cutting the little shoots well in, two or even three times every
summer, after the edging has once attained size and health.
The abundant supply of established plants in small pots en-
ables the French to lay down these edgings so as to look well
almost from the first day.
Report of the President of the
International Garden Club
for 1918*
HE past Club year has been in some ways the
best we have had. Our litigation with the
City in regard to the property which we occupy
and have improved, at Bartow, Pelham Bay
Park, New York City, has been successfully
contested and the outcome puts us in a much
stronger position than heretofore.
The negotiations have resulted in making our work at Bartow
cooperative with the park work of the City of New York, a
consummation greatly to be desired. And the improvements to
the grounds will be carried on from now on by both the City
and the Club — the Club providing the materials and the City
the labor and working force of the Park Department.
Because of our inability to establish a dairy at Bartow, owing
to City ordinances, the War Work of the Garden Club neces-
sitated taking other land and buildings and the Philip Schuyler
estate of 67 acres at Irvington-on-Hudson was leased. The
great success of the work has been partly due to the complete
equipment found at "Nevis" and the advantage of having private
property of our own has been demonstrated. It is hoped before
very long through the generosity of certain of our members, to
own this valuable property, pictures of which were published
in the Journal for June, 1918, and it is the desire of the
President and the Governing Board to make this valuable phil-
anthropic work of the Club, which was undertaken as a War
* Delivered at the Annual Meeting at Mrs. Charles Senff's. 16 East 79th Street,
Wednesday, January 8, 1919.
151
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
BOOKPLATE FOR
LIBRARY OF INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
152
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 153
measure, a permanent feature of our public work, as it is far
too valuable and necessary to be given up at present.
Owing to the conditions prevailing this autumn we were not
able to carry out our intention of opening the house at " Nevis"
to members, but by spring we hope to have the house in running
order and it can be used to stop at.
The report of the Superintendent at "Nevis" and the report
of the Head Nurse of the Union Settlement will give evidence of
the faithfulness and energy with which our War Work has been
carried on since it was started last May.
We have enlarged in all branches. Mr. Taylor's report for
the Journal will show how increasingly useful this publication
is becoming and the request for membership from many college
Professors and persons on educational staffs has necessitated the
forming of several new classes of members; one a membership
for the trade which we originally had in our first circulars but
which had never been taken advantage of very much, and an
associate membership for those who live at a distance from New
York in all parts of the country but who wish to have the Jour-
nal and to be affiliated with us in our educational work.
The principles of French gardening in the articles printed in
our latest number of the Journal are so valuable that if ap-
plied over here they would result in very definite advantages to
our vegetables and flower gardens and to the public gardens in
our cities. The series will be continued by request.
With the discontinuance of war with Germany, we intend to
resume our usual Lectures stopped during the war, also the en-
largement of our Library. In spite of the continued illness of
the Chairman of the Library Committee, which we greatly re-
gret, her efficient labours have brought excellent results in the
Library, and we are happy to give the illustration of our charm-
ing Bookplate by Mr. Cleland which is at last a fait accompli
and will be soon put in all the books with the name of the donor
of each volume. Some valuable new members have been
elected to the Board and we trust the New Year which opens
before us so full to overflowing of all kinds of needed labour at
home and abroad, will develop more and more and make prac-
154 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
tical the ideals which your Garden Club has set its hand to.
We want your interest and cooperation more than ever, with
which you have been so generous in the past, in helping to
make our work of increasing benefit to the country and in main-
taining its standard of a higher Education in Gardening.
Zelia K. Hoffman,
President.
Additional Notes
The President reported that owing to Mr. Roosevelt's la-
mented death Dr. Butler would be unable to preside at the
Annual Meeting, due to his absence at Oyster Bay.
Colonel George Graham Woodwark of the British War Mis-
sion spoke on "English and American Gardening" and Mr.
Norman Taylor, Editor of the Journal, gave the explanatory
notes to some slides of very beautiful gardens in our Eastern
States. These stereopticon slides were made specially for the
International Garden Club. In succeeding Lectures the Gar-
dens of the South and West and of Mexico will be shown as
well as those in Europe to illustrate certain principles of
gardening.
The Secretary reported that owing to the matter of the Bar-
tow property not having been settled until the end of December
the printing of the Club Book would be postponed until March.
A resolution of thanks to our very able lawyer Mr. Middleton
Borland, who has brought to such a successful and advanta-
geous conclusion the litigation with the City was unanimously
passed.
The Garden Committee reported the usual planting of tulips
for the spring and the employing of Mr. Arthur Herrington to
work out a better scheme of color. Owing to the tardy arrival
of bulbs from the other side, it is feared the Spring display will
not be as fine as usual. No new work has been undertaken
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 155
during the past year except the erection of a small pergola and
of benches in the experimental garden.
The sailors from the Pelham Bay Naval Training Station
have enjoyed several afternoons in the Club Garden this au-
tumn and a very nice letter of thanks was received from Com-
mander Franklin.
A most successful Red Cross Tea was given last May at
which the Pelham Bay Band played and Colonel Hawkes of the
British Army spoke. Also the French painter of aeroplanes
Lieutenant Farre.
Negotiations by the War Camp Community Service were
begun during the summer to use the grounds at Bartow for an
Officers Headquarters, but the abrupt closing of the War ended
these matters.
The President wishes especially to thank those who gener-
ously gave contributions to purchase cows and for labour last
Spring. They enabled the Committee to establish the Dairy
work at Nevis immediately, with Mr. Edward Burnett's valu-
able cooperation, on the highest class basis. And being fortu-
nate enough to have the Superintendent who had been in the
Schuyler and Hamilton families for over thirty years, the Club
has been able to found a plant which is a model one and has done
untold good. We are having a medal struck off from a design
which was made by a young Italian at the time of the New
York State Milk Exhibit last March and which will be pre-
sented to those who founded the work last Spring.
We print beneath some reports of the War Work at "Nevis,"
by the superintendent:
IRVINGT0N-0N-HUDS0N, N. Y.
JANUARY I, 1919
Eight months report of the produce of the International Garden Club
at "Nevis." From May 1st, 1918 to December 31st, 1918.
156 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Union Settlement
237 East 104th Street
New York City
Shipped via American Express:
5,220 quarts of Grade A Milk
29 crates of Vegetables and Flowers
192 eggs
Vanderbilt Clinic
60th Street
Shipped via American Express:
4,646 quarts of Grade A Milk
19 crates Vegetables and Flowers
190 eggs
Nursery and Child's Hospital
61st Street and Amsterdam Avenue
Shipped via American Express:
2,584 quarts of Grade A Milk
25 crates of Vegetables and Flowers
375 eggs
Respectfully submitted,
Eli Jago,
Superintendent.
IRVINGTON-ON-HUDSON, N. Y.
JANUARY ISt, I919
Report of EXPENSES of the war work of the International Garden
Club from May 1st, to December 21st, 1918.
Men's wages $2,520 . 00
Amount of Bills 2,881 . 44
Received from Mrs. Morrison $313 . 84
(For milk sold at the Union Settlement.)
This money has been used for helping pay the expressage for shipping
the milk to New York.
Respectfully submitted
Eli Jago,
Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 157
IRVINGTON, N. Y.
JANUARY 6, 19 19
Mrs. C. F. Hoffman,
New York City.
My dear Mrs. Hoffman,
I wish to say that the State inspectors who visited our plant from time
to time have given us the credit of having one of the cleanest and best
kept and up to date Dairy Plants in the State of New York.
Yours truly,
Eli Jago,
Superintendent.
What the milk has meant to the New York Nursery and
Child's Hospital may be gleaned from the following taken from
the Bulletin for January, 1919:
"It has been a difficult time for all of us. Mothers with sick
babies, when they found the milk man was no longer making
his daily rounds, when the corner grocer showed them his empty
milk cans and threw up his hands in despair at their pleading,
came to us frantic with fear for the lives of their little ones; not
alone our own mothers, but mothers of the neighborhood who
turn to the hospital as to a helpful friend in times of trouble.
What were they to do, they could get no milk and their babies
would die, they told us. They waited in long lines at the dis-
pensary window every morning, trusting us to help them in
their difficulty.
And the splendid part of it was that we were able to help
them. Every day since last July the hospital has been receiv-
ing a wonderful gift of bottles and bottles of milk, fresh and
pure and yellow with rich cream, from the International Gar-
den Club at" Nevis". No Dairyman's League or Distributers'
Trust had control of this milk, and it came to us regularly all
through the anxious, troublesome days, and we were able to
give it out a litte at a time to our distracted mothers.
This wonderful gift to the hospital is the result of a happy
inspiration of a group of wise, thoughtful women of Ardsley,
headed by Mrs. Charles F. Hoffman, who purchased a herd of
158 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
thoroughbred cows for the purpose of supplying milk for the
pre-natal work in New York City. At the suggestion of Miss
Frances Perkins, Secretary of the Maternity Center, they offered
to send this milk to us for our pre-natal work in the outdoor
department, our only expense being the thirty cents expressage
from Ardsley.
It is difficult to estimate the importance of this gift in our
daily work among our poor, overworked, undernourished
mothers, and no one will ever know what a God-send it has
been in these days of the milk strike, what disaster it has
averted, what agony and heartache it has saved.
We are indeed grateful to the friendly mother cow and we
are grateful, too, to the far-sighted, tender-hearted women of
Ardsley who have found this delightfully original plan of help-
ing the Littlest Ones and their tired, anxious mothers."
V" ■•-•**• *****
THE GARDEN GATE
160
Gardens— English and
American
By Lieut. -Col. G. G. Woodwark
British Army
SUPPOSE no one ever approaches the subject
of gardens without a mental glance at Francis
Bacon — and with the refrain ringing in his
ears: "God himself first planted a Garden."
For in that essay of his seems presented every
phase of the artistry of gardening.
And, indeed, that is the keynote of any consideration of the
subject: Gardening is one of the finest of the arts; a beautiful
garden is a work of art, just as surely as is a beautiful picture —
or a piece of sculpture. As the painter works with brushes and
tubes of color, and the sculptor with chisel and marble, so the
gardener takes the most lovely of nature's products, flowers,
and moulds them to his heart's desire into a garden.
A beautiful garden demands of the artist who produces it,
just as the picture or the sculpture does, a sense of plan or com-
position ; a facility in selection or arrangement ; a taste for 'light-
ing' and color. And how far more various and rich are the op-
portunities of the gardener! For his work of art lends itself
to all the progressive effects from "early dawn to dewy eve;"
to all the changing moods of the successive seasons. It has a
hundred 'artistic moments,' and can be responsive to or con-
jure forth a hundred moods, of body, mind and spirit. Such
an organ for the artist to play upon never was created by mere
man; such a power to play upon man's heart-strings was never
merely human.
*From a lecture delivered before the International Garden Club at the annual
meeting in January, 1919.
161
162 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
No matter what may be the size of the garden, these things
are true of it. The opportunity of creating 'a joy for ever'
is as ready to the hand which cares for the cottage garden as for
the many hands which carry out the will of the master-gardner
in palatial surroundings. The spirit that goes into the work, in
its conception as in its genesis, is everything. If a true work
of art results, that bespeaks the soul of an artist; it is expressive
of a personality, of devotion to a thing of beauty. A true gar-
dener's garden becomes a setting for the finest intercourse with
chosen friends ; or it forms, perhaps, a record of the discriminating
and observant traveller, — as it were a collected diary of travel,
more vivid to the memory than all the written or pictured
journals that can be devised.
It is thus, I think, that we in England have been wont to
conceive of gardens and to make them. Those who know wellour
country-side, and have friends among people of varying means
and establishments, will recognize that the cottager's Garden,
the pleasaunce of the rectory or of the manor house, the gar-
dens of the bigger places— all present to the visitor some-
thing of the spirit of the individual whose work or conception it
is. Only in the English suburbs does one often find the mere
planted plot spattered over with a few unhappy groups of ill-
assorted flowers bought of the passing peddler — put in for the
show of the thing, as it were, or, perhaps, — to feel more kindly
about it, — to brighten the approach to the house.
Better than nothing, 'tis true, — for it may may lead to finer
things; but no true initiate could call such paltry planting by
the name of garden. It mirrors no artist's loving thought
or tender care; it reflects no spiritual vision, it conveys no men-
tal atmosphere. It is a front yard — no more!
That, perhaps, leads one to the point of warning to America's
gardeners which needs most emphasis. The national genius for
practicality seems sometimes to stand in the way of the artistry
of gardening, as we English view it. For instance, generally
speaking— though decidedly in diminishing degree— one feels that
gardens, in America, are the last thought rather than the first,
when building a house or making a home. The garden is made
GARDENS— ENGLISH AND AMERICAN 163
to conform to all other conveniences after they have been pro-
vided; it is not laid out along with the rest of the place, and
given precedence in order of its proper importance. A pathway
is needed, say, to run between this and that point on the place.
The path is put where it is most practical — and laid down to
cover the shortest distance between the two points it connects.
Then, perhaps, when all these useful needs of the place have
been furnished, the garden is thought of, and is set out as the
remnants of space permit. No really successful effect can be
obtained by this process. The lesser buildings should have been
placed in due relation to the composition of the garden as a whole;
and the paths connecting them should run between, also in due
relation to the garden — its flowerbeds, shrubs, borders, etc. The
space occupied by the garden should then be filled according to
an artistic plan conceived of beforehand — heighth and coloring
of plants or shrubs being well considered ; arrangement of them
thought out in due regard for seasons of flowering and to provide
a changing succession of effects.
The same principle as to laying out a garden holds good as to
cities : so long as physical convenience and material practicality
are given precedence of beauty, there will be little realization of
the latter. Gridiron plans of streets may be most convenient
for traffic, house-numbering, etc. — but never can the architect's
genius excel in such a utilitarian atmosphere, or on such a purely
material city-plan. It requires the utilization of curves, of
elevations, of vistas, of culs-de-sac even, to provide all the
features of the city-beautiful. The older cities have been laid
out in the artistic way, often as a matter of lucky chance than
of design; but they provide, nevertheless, the architectural op-
portunities which have been utilized for the sake of beauty.
So, in planning a garden, every rise and fall of ground should
be turned to most pleasing account; and, furthermore, art
should devise effects which nature herself has not offered. Inti-
mate nooks, sheltered and secret, can be made in the smallest
of gardens; lovely vistas, susceptible of wonderful atmospheric
effects, lit by the morning or the evening star, can be opened in
larger grounds. Something that will echo laughing gladness,
164 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
something that offers tender sympathy, can be found in every
garden worthy of the name.
These things cannot be brought to pass in a twelve-month;
patient upbuilding, year by year, is what goes to make the gar-
den of individuality, as it goes to make the woman or the man
of individuality. Modifications and improvements will suggest
themselves from time to time, and are of the essence of the joy
of gardening— to linger at the task ; to watch it grow under one's
hand. But to accomplish at one fell swoop all that one first con-
ceives of, that is to deprive oneself of half the pleasure of the
art, — and confesses, besides, to a limited and stereotyped vision.
No true garden-lover thinks of his flowers and plants by the
year, so to speak— any more than he thinks of his children or his
friends as mere yearlings. Perhaps in America there is too
often this annual attitude of making a garden as spring
comes, or as one goes out to one's summer home, afresh, each
year. A garden which inherits nothing from last year's care-
that is no true garden! A garden should be put to sleep
yearly, late in the fall, — tenderly and with thought for each and
all of the flower-children in its beds, — and the keenest delight
is to watch their awakening, and to tend their early needs after
the long winter-dream.
It is human artistry, then, more than any other quality, that
is needed in the making of a garden : to make the flowers our
friends, and thus to provide, through love of those flower-
friends, a perfect 'pleasaunce' in which to enjoy the friends we
choose from among the circles of humanity.
Curiosities of Plant Life
By Alexander Lurie, Horticulturist, and G. H. Pring,
Floriculturist
Missouri Botanical Garden
O MANY plants are of curious or unique form,
have unusual ways of getting their food, or
are protected by coverings that excite the won-
der of mankind, that some account of the most
interesting of them, with illustrations of the
most striking are presented in this and further
installments of an article which should interest readers of the
Journal. The often devious ways that Nature employs to
preserve a given plant or to ensure its perpetuation are literally
beyond belief, and the accounts that follow, some of almost
dramatic import, are only the most salient features of the great
scheme of the adjustment of plants to their living conditions.
Such curiosities of plant life furnished a never ending source
of wonder to Darwin,— they are just as vital and interesting to
us to-day.
INSECTIVOROUS PLANTS
The insectivorous or carnivorous plants are like the parasites,
the climbers, or the succulents, an assemblage belonging to sev-
eral distinct families. They all agree in the extraordinary habit
of adding to the supplies of nitrogenous matter afforded them
in common with other plants by the soil, by the capture and
consumption of numerous insects and small animals. All in-
sectivorous plants inhabit bogs, marshes and other situations
where water is abundant but where the plant does not receive
sufficient nitrogenous food.
* Photographs for this article were taken at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
165
166 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
A process of digestion similar to that of the human being is
ascribed to these insectivorous plants. The nitrogenous ele-
ments of insects are rendered fit for absorption by the action of
a ferment. Similar to human digestion, the body of the insect
is steeped in the digestive fluid, the secretion of which is stimu-
lated by the presence of the substance to be digested. This
secretion is acid.
The feeding and thriving of various insects upon plants has
become such a natural course of events that the justice of it is
taken for granted. But when the plant apparently turns about
and sets traps for its enemies, a shock is experienced at the
retaliation. The object of Nature in providing this state of
affairs is to compensate these bog loving plants for the lack of
nitrogenous food in their ordinary plant food.
Despite the various ingenious contrivances found among these
plants, they are sometimes deprived of their lawful prey by other
insects and even animals which feed upon decaying animal
matter. In some species of Nepenthes and Sarracenia, white
maggots live and thrive upon the decayed matter inside.
Across the mouth of the Nepenthes pitchers webs are often spun
by spiders which feed upon the remains in the cavity below.
The best known and the most important family of insectiv-
orous plants — Droseraceae includes six genera Byblis, Roridula,
Aldrovanda, Drosera, Drosophyllum and Dionaea, of which the
last three are the better known. The Sarraceniaceae contain
the genera Sarracenia, Darlingtonia, Heliamphora, while the
true pitcher plants {Nepenthes) belong to the Nepenthaceae.
These three families are closely allied. Cephalotus, Pinguicula
and Utricularia are somewhat farther removed, the first belong-
ing to the Cephalotaceae and the last two to Lentibulariaceae.
Bladderwort
Utricularia vulgaris
Lentibulariaceae
An insectivorous aquatic plant native of Europe and North
America.
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 167
The immersed stems are crowded with many-parted capillary
leaves bearing many bladders. The flowering stalks bear 5 to
12 yellow flowers.
The most interesting part of the plant is the translucent green
bladder which is supported on a short stalk. A valve-like door
is located at one end through which insects and other aquatic
animals enter in search of food or when trying to escape from
other animals. The bladders contain water and air bubbles.
It is presumed that decay is hastened by substances secreted in
BLADDERWORT, UTRICULARIA
VULGARIS
the interior and it is thought that some absorption takes place.
Fish fanciers are reluctant to use this plant as an oxygen gener-
ator during the breeding period, because cases have been re-
ported where the newly hatched fish have found their way into
the bladder and become the prey of the plant.
Darlingtonia californica
Sarraceniaceae
A monotypic representative of the Sarraceniaceae, closely re-
lated to the trumpet pitcher plants and growing abundantly in
swampy regions of California and Oregon. The open mouth
of the Sarracenia is in this plant replaced by a hood which is
translucent through its white markings. This hood bears
many honey glands on the outside, while the interior is covered
with downward pointing hairs which impel the insect into the
168
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
lower portion. Disintegration takes place in the ticky secre-
tion, the nitrogenous matter being absorbed by the thick walls
at the base. The action takes place during spring, when the
pitchers become half filled with animal remains, amongst which
centipedes and slugs have been found. The plant blooms from
May to July, producing greenish-yellow and brownish flowers.
Dischidia Rafflesiana
A sclepiadaceae
An interesting plant of tropical Asia which was discovered
during the middle of the eighteenth century near Malacca by a
DISCHIDEA RAFFLESIANA
missionary named Koenig. It is an epiphytic plant with nu-
merous roots proceeding from its stem and with fleshy orbicular
leaves. The irregular, angled pitchers are borne on short lat-
eral shoots. Numerous adventitious roots arise from the base
of the pitcher at the opening and dip into the cavity. The
pitcher is really a modified leaf, the inner surface corresponding
to the lower surface of the true leaf. The prevalent opinion is
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 169
that the pitchers merely collect water and retain it. Some
believe that they act as ant shelter traps, but this view is hardly
tenable as the roots hanging down into the inner recesses afford
a ready means of escape. It is true that small inoffensive ants
troop in great numbers to these pitchers, which secrete a liquid
pleasant to their palate and often meet their death from drown-
ing. There is nothing to show a carnivorous habit in the
structure of the pitchers.
Fly Catcher
Drosophylhim lusitanicum
Droseraceae
A rare plant found in Portugal and Morocco, where it grows
abundantly upon dry hills and is called fly-catcher.
The leaves arise from a narrow woody stem several inches in
length. The upper surface is concave with a central narrow
channel. Glandular, mushroom-like discs supported on slender
stalks are arranged in regular rows on both upper and lower
surfaces. The glands are variable in size, pink or purple in
color, exuding large drops of a sticky secretion. In addition to
these there are numerous, colorless, microscopic projections
which are similar internally to the large glands. They differ,
however, in one important respect — their spontaneous secre-
tion upon contact with insects. The mushroom-like glands are
incapable of movement, but their copious supply of sticky mat-
ter counterbalances this deficiency. In its effort to escape, the
insect comes in contact with the numerous glands which even-
tually smother it w.'th the secretion and cause complete exhaus-
tion and death. The minute glands excited by contact then
discharge the fluid which finally dissolves the animal matter.
Guiana Pitcher Plant
Heliamphora nutans
Sarraceniaceae
This unusual plant was first discovered in 1839 by the Schomburgk Brothers and was
rediscovered in 1881 by an Englishman, Burke.
170 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
A perennial about Hoot high, the leaves pitcher-like, tubular, enlarged at the top with
a flaring opening and a small rudimentary lip terminating the midrib. The pitcher is
hairy inside and winged down the front, conspicuously veined with red in its native
habitat.
Similarly to the other members of the family, Heliamphora secretes a fluid for the de-
struction of insects.
Mexican Butterwort
Pinguicula caudata
Lentibulariaceae
Native of Mexico, being the most interesting species of the genus. The peculiarities of
the plant are its two distinct manners of growth. During the growing season a rosette of
large obovate leaves is formed. These are covered with thousands of minute glandular
hairs. During the resting period a rosette of closely imbricated stipule-like leaves is
produced. At this time it will withstand considerable drought.
The Pinguiculas are only capable of holding fast gnat-like insects because of the minute-
ness of the hairs. The exuded digestive fluid performs a function similar to that of
Broscra. The flowers, appearing singly on a scape 10 inches high, are deep carmine in
color with a lighter throat streaked with red. The lower lip is attentuated in a spur-like
nectar tube.
The plants are propagated by means of leaf cuttings of both winter and summer stages.
Pitcher Plant
Nepenthes sp.
Nepenthaceae
The pitcher plants are native of tropical Asia, Australia,
Malayan Archipelago and the island of Madagascar, where
the climate is uniformly warm and moist. The flowers are
greenish and inconspicuous. The leaves are, however, remark-
able and are responsible for the classification of the pitcher
plants among the wonders of the plant world. They are al-
ternate, with a prolonged spirally twisted midrib terminating in
an appendage called the pitcher. These appendages vary from
flask shaped to cylindrical, with often decided differences in
shape on the same plant and are colored green, yellow or pur-
ple. The mouth of the pitcher is furnished with a corrugated
rim which serves three purposes, namely it strengthens the
mouth and keeps it distended, it secretes nectar and often de-
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE
171
velops into a funnel-shaped tube which projects into the pitcher
preventing the escape of any insects that enter. A pathway of
two rows of long teeth-like hairs extend from the rim to the
base of the pitcher. The mouth is usually closed by the lid
until fully developed; then the lid is permanently lifted. The
popular impression that the lid closes when an insect enters is
fallacious.
NEPENTHES DYERIANA AND NEPENTHES
CHELSONI EXCELENS
The interior is covered with numerous glands which secrete a
digestive fluid before the opening of the lid. The insects are
attracted by the nectar on the under side of the lid or the rim
and usually enter, seldom being able to escape. They are
drowned in the liquid which later partially digests them. This
digestive fluid is said to be collected by the natives of Borneo
from the fresh pitchers and used as a remedy for indigestion.
Handling of the pitchers soon causes them to wither and die,
particularly if the fluid is turned out. Some of the larger
pitchers will hold as much as a quart of water.
172 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Pigmy Pitcher Plant
Cephalotus follicularis
Cephalotaceae
A native of southwest Australia where it abounds in the moist regions of King George
Sound and Swan River. The plant has short rhizomes which throw a rosette of small
rounded leaves. The minute ornamental pitchers are greenish crimson, 1 to \\ inches
long, covered externally with microscopic glands, which, combined with the coloration,
attract insects. The external surface of the pitchers is provided with bristled wings which
form pathways to the ribbed smooth rim. Upon reaching this the insect slips off into the
secreted fermentation fluid below which is exuded by special glands.
It is rarely seen in cultivation due to the difficulty in propagation and successful
transportation.
CEPALOTUS FOLLICULARIS
Sun Dew
Drosera capensis
Droseraceae
There are upwards of 90 species of this genus scattered over
the world though most abundantly in Australia.
The marshy regions form the principal habitat of these
plants. Some of the Australian species form tubers which carry
them through a resting period. Our native species have the
herbaceous perennial habit of losing the foliage during the
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 173
winter season. The leaves are strap-shaped forming a terminal
rosette, and are covered with prominent glandular hairs. The
flowers are purple, primrose-like, produced on scapes reaching 1
foot in height and all facing in one direction.
The plant is insectivorous through the action of the dew-like
deposit on the numerous red hairs. When an insect alights
upon the leaf it is held fast by the hairs immediately in contact.
Later the entire leaf doubles over and in several hours encloses
SUN DEW DROSERA CAPENSIS
the insect. The clear acid fluid exuded by the hairs excretes pro-
teinaceous ferments which aid in the digestion of the insect for
the plant's own nutrition.
The tropical species are rarely seen in cultivation outside of
botanical gardens. The plants are raised from minute black
seeds which should be sown on the surface of peaty soil. Divi-
sion of the thick roots of some species serves as another method
of propagation. Full sunlight and tanks of water underneath
are essential for the best development. The elongated growths
174 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
should be pegged to the surface in order to obviate the necessity
of annual transplanting, which produces a deleterious effect.
Toothwort
Lathraea squamaria
Orobanchaceae
This plant has been suspected of carniverous habits only a
comparatively short time, having been previously classed with
root parasites. During the greater portion of the year it feeds
upon the roots of trees, to which it is attached by suckers. In
the spring a number of short fleshy flower-stalks are sent up
covered with white flowers tinged with violet. Below the
flowers are located several fleshy scale like leaves, on the under-
side of which are located complex chambers to which entrance is
gained through the tip of the leaf. Small insects seeking a
cool shady retreat find their way into these chambers, rarely
ever escaping therefrom.
It is not known whether a digestive fluid is exuded, some ad-
vancing the theory that bits of protoplasm are sent out from the
inner cells which act as absorption organs, extracting the soft
tissues of the insects. This theory is corroborated by the fact
that shortly after imprisonment only the horny parts of the
insects remain.
Trumpet Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia spp.
Sarraceniaceae
Bog plants of Eastern United States. They are of rhizoma-
tous perennial habit producing a rosette of 3-8 pitchered leaves
in the spring. The shape of the pitcher varies according to the
variety, from the small squatty trumpet with purplish pitchers
of .S. purpurea to the elongated ones of 5. Drummondi. The
pitchers of S.flava are 10 to 34 inches long, with prominent
longitudinal yellowish veins and a crimson throat. The lid is
ovate, slightly inflexed over the mouth. The flowers are curi-
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 175
ous as well as ornamental, extending above the pitchers and
appearing first in the spring. They vary from 1 to 3 inches in
diameter and are yellow to deep crimson in color. The five
banner-like petals appear from the umbrella-like pistil which is
covered with numerous nectar-secreting warts. The umbrel-
loid style is five-pointed, each point bearing a dry peg-like
stigma on the under side. Directly above are situated the
numerous stamens which discharge abundant pollen into the
style cavity. The construction of the flower aids in ready in-
tercrossing and hybridization among the existing species.
DROSERA CAPENSIS (LEFT)
SARRACENIA FLAVA (BACK)
PINGUICULA CAUDATA (FRONT)
DIONAEA MUSCIPULA (RIGHT)
A fluid is secreted in the trumpet-like pitcher attracting vari-
ous larvae as well as flying adults. The lid is densely covered
with glands and downward pointing hairs which force the insect
upon the glabrous surface of the upper part of the pitcher, which,
offering no foothold, precipitates them into the secretion. No
digestion takes place but the dissolved material is absorbed by
the pitcher walls, affording nitrogenous food. An overabun-
dance of this material causes the death of the pitchers.
176
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Venus Fly Trap
Dionaea muscipula
Droseraceae
This most remarkable of all insectivorous plants is native of
North Carolina where it thrives upon the edges of moist bottom
lands. It is found wild only in a strip of territory 10 miles wide
and 40 miles long. The plant is of perennial habit, forming a bul-
bous swelling which may be dug and distributed during the_\vin-
ter months.
VENUS FLY-TRAP, DIONAEA MUSCIPULA
The leaves are obovate, terminating in a trap-like appendage
which when open resembles two hands joined at the wrist with
the fingers distended. The bringing together and interlocking
of the fingers represents the closing of the trap. On the inte-
rior of each lobe are located three highly sensitive hairs in tri-
angular formation. The least contact with the hairs causes
the immediate closing of the trap. The escape of the insect is
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 177
prevented first by the interlocking of the teeth-like horns.
Later through the energetic struggle of the insect to escape it
becomes necessary for the horns to unlock, at the same time
exerting greater pressure upon the lobes and thus ending the
struggle.
The interior of the lobes is lined with glands which are not
active until brought in contact with the insect. The action
which occurs is similar to that of Drosera, the peptonizing fluid
readily dissolving the proteids of the entrapped insect, which
are absorbed by the plant for its nutrition.
In the native state the traps open again after complete dis-
integration of the animal matter, exposing the shell of the insect,
but under cultivation the reopening occurs rarely and only in
the case of an exceptionally well-grown freshly obtained plant.
The movement may be readily repeated however by touching
the hairs with a needle, which causes the closing and reopening
of the trap in 10 to 15 minutes.
The life of the average plant under cultivation is of short
duration even when grown in virgin soil. Such unusual inter-
est is attached to the behaviour of this plant that it is distrib-
uted to various botanical institutions of the world for experi-
mental study and educational purposes. Several dealers in this
country offer this and some of the better known insecthorous
plants for sale. Their cultivation would add a note of interest
to many greenhouse collections.
(To be continued)
Imm$m
COLUMNAR FORM OF
JUNIPERUS CHINENSIS
178
Plant Immigrants
The office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry
publishes a list, under the above name, of recently imported plants, many of which are
valuable to the gardener, from a decorative or economic standpoint. Through the
courtesy of Mr. David Fairchild, who is in charge of this work, we are enabled to reprint
notes on such plants as have particular interest to our readers. To all who can demon-
strate their fitness to care for these recent introductions, the office of Foreign Seed and
Plant Introduction will send what is available. Recipients of such material, which often
requires considerable skill in handling, obligate themselves to report, when requested,
as to what the result of their observations has been. It is essential that the labels
assigned by the Office should be firmly attached to the plant. Through these tests the
government gets data on hardiness of the new introductions, and the growers have an
opportunity for observing, first hand, plants that may prove important. Applications
for or letters about these plants should not be sent to the Editor but to Mr. David Fair-
child, Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction, Bureau of Plant Industry, Wash-
ington, D. C.
PARTIAL LIST OF PLANTS FOR DISTRIBUTION 1918-1919*
Acer buergerianum, 42821. Maple. From Prof. Joseph
Bailey, Nanking, China. Chinese name "Ya feng" (forked
maple). A large tree with glabrous branches, small greenish
flowers appearing at the same time as the leaves, and glabrous
fruits which are sometimes as much as four-fifths of an inch
long.
Actinidia arguta, 45241. From George V. Nash, New York
Botanical Garden, New York. Cuttings from plants sent to the
New York Botanical Garden in 1898, originally imported from
Russia by the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction.
A fine climbing shrub having beautiful dark-green foliage with
reddish midribs. It is apparently free from diseases. It is a
vigorous grower and will cover a trellis 20 feet long and 10 feet
high in two or three years. The fruits, which are about the
size of damson plums, have a very sweet, pleasant flavor, re-
* Mr. David Fairchild, the head of this Office has kindly sent this list of plants that
are ready for distribution.
179
180 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
sembling that of the fig; they have very thin skins and are filled
with extremely small seeds.
Ampelopsis aconitifolia, 36754. From F. N. Meyer,
China. A very handsome vine, related to the Virginia Creeper,
with finely cut light-green leaves, downy on the veins; dull-yellow
berries. It is reported to be of considerable value as a porch or
arbor vine, especially in semiarid regions. It grows rapidly
and is comparatively hardy.
Amygdalus persica, 33921. Peach. "Yainqueur" peach
from Pedro Giraud, Granada, Spain, one of the earliest peaches
to ripen. A medium-sized peach with a white skin flushed with
red. Flesh white, soft, and juicy; pit pink. Not a good ship-
per but will prove an excellent home fruit.
Eucommia ulmoides, 46061. Tu chung tree from China, sent
in by F. N. Meyer. A Chinese caoutchouc tree, found wild in
densely forested mountain slopes in southwest Shensi and south-
east Kansu; also much cultivated in gardens and planted here
and there along roadsides. This tree has the peculiar property
of exhibiting rubber-like threads of shining whitish color when
pieces of bark or leaf are snapped across, especially in its winged
fruits. Owing to this it is called by the Chinese "Shih mien shu
(stone cotton tree). The tree reaches a height of 80 feet, and
seems to do best when sheltered by other trees. It has with-
stood the winters of Boston, Mass. and has proven a very valu-
able addition to our ornamental trees.
Aralia cordata, 26565. Udo. A Japanese vegetable suit-
able for wide cultivation for its blanched edible shoots. Plant
3 to 4 feet apart. Plants are of bushy habit of growth and yield
edible shoots for several years. To blanch shoots, mound with
earth or cover with closed draintile in the early spring. Peel,
slice into ice water and serve with French dressing for salad.
As a vegetable, stew and serve like asparagus.
Arundinaria pumila, 41924. Bamboo. From San Fran-
cisco, Cal. Presented by John McLaren, Superintendent of
Parks and Squares. A pretty little dwarf bamboo, growing
about 15 inches in height. The leaves are about 5 inches long
and three-fourths of an inch wide. It spreads rapidly and is
PLANT IMMIGRANTS 181
an excellent low-growing plant for use as a ground cover under
trees, or for planting on steep banks.
Berberis sp, 40687. Barberry. From F. N. Meyer, Ka-
goba, China. An ornamental barberry of very low growth,
being only 1 to 3 feet high. The leaves are very small, and the
very ornamental, bright-scarlet berries are produced in great
profusion. Found along embankments at altitudes of 6,000
to 10,000 feet. Of value as a border shrub in the colder section
of the United States.
Cudrania tricuspidata, 34493. Che. From Atlanta, Ga.
Presented by the P. J. Berckmans Company. A close relative
of the Osage orange, coming from Central China. The fruits
which are borne in the greatest abundance are dark red in color
and, when fully ripe, somewhat resemble a large raspberry.
The fruit has a distinctive, agreeable flavor and probably has
possibilities for jelly making. The plant shows promise as a
hedge plant, being of less rank growth than the Osage orange.
Castanea pumila x crenata, 41359. Chestnut. A hybrid
between the American chinquapin and the Japanese chestnut
produced by Dr. Walter Van Fleet. A good producer and
strongly resistant to the chestnut bark disease. The nuts are
of fair quality, intermediate in size between the chinquapin and
the Japanese chestnut.
Fraxinus sp., 44132. Imoden Ash. From George Mac-
Cartney, Kashgar, Chinese Turkestan. A tall-growing timber
tree which is able to withstand considerable drought and alkali.
Of probable value as a shade and timber tree in those sections
of the United States where the summers are hot and dry and the
winters are not too cold.
Helianthus angustifolia, 44103. Sunflower. A native
sunflower, said to occur from New Jersey to Florida and west-
ward to Texas. It has a small flower with long, graceful rays.
The foliage is narrow, long, drooping and glossy The main
stem and each one of its branches are long and graceful, bearing
a half dozen or more flowers on long graceful peduncles. But
best of all it will cut and come again and is perennial inhabit.
These characteristics make the species valuable for tall, mass-
ing effects, like the cosmos, as well as for cutting purposes.
FRUITS OF
CUDRANIA TRICUSPIDATA
182
CASTANEA PUMILA X CRENATA
183
184 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Ilex cornuta, 24638. Holly. A broad -leaved holly from
northern China. Leaves oblong, dark glossy green, the margins
bearing several strong spines. The orange or scarlet berries
are borne in clusters. This holly thrives under drier condi-
tions than the English and, therefore, is better adapted to the
Southern States.
Jasminum angulare, 45110. Jasmine. From South Africa.
A climbing shrub with angled twigs and trifoliolate leaves. The
flowers are white and in 3 to 7-flowered terminal or axillary
cymes; the tube of the corolla is one-half inch long. Native of
South Africa.
Jasminum giraldi, 40705. Jasmine. From F. N. Meyer
Hsiku, Kansu, China. Small ornamental shrub of erect growth,
2 to 4 feet high with small terminal clusters of yellow flowers,
each three-fourths of an inch long, followed by showy black-
berries. Foliage pinnate, the leaflets in five pairs, each three-
fourths of an inch long and half as wide (except terminal one,
which is twice as large). Of value for gardens and parks in dry,
mild-wintered regions.
Juniperus chinensis, 18577. Chinese juniper. Plants
grown from seed collected by Mr. F. N. Meyer from near Shan
Hai Kwan, China. A new and beautiful form of this species,
of straight, upright habit of growth, resembling somewhat that
of the Irish juniper but not so spreading. It has a good stiff
needle, of good length and bright silvery-green color. This
tree is perfectly hardy and thrives in dry and exposed situations.
Lilium concolor buschianum, 22627. Lily. From F. N.
Meyer, Shinglungshan, Chihli, China. A beautiful slender-
stemmed lily, 1 to 3 feet high, of graceful upright habit, with
narrow, lanceolate leaves about 2 inches long, and bright-scarlet
unspotted flowers in clusters of one to six. A very thrifty
plant, reported as being among the easiest of lilies to grow.
Good as cut flowers.
Liquidamrar formosana, 44666. From Prof. Joseph Bailey,
University of Nanking, Nanking, China. Chinese name Feng
hsiang (fragrant maple). A handsome tree 65 to 130 feet in
height, with a straight trunk, a much-branched head and fre-
PLANT IMMIGRANTS 185
quently buttressed roots. The leaves turn to a chestnut brown
or red in the autumn and are retained late into the winter.
In juvenile plants the leaves are five lobed, while in the adult
trees the leaves are only three lobed and are smaller. This is
one of the most widely distributed trees in China, being particu-
larly abundant in western Hupeh.
Malus sylvestris, 27060. Apple. From Dioscouria, near
Souchoum, Kale, Caucasus, Russia. Collected by F. N. Meyer.
"A native variety of apple generally called Afghasian, grown
by the natives for centuries. The fruits are large, of a grayish
green color except on the side exposed to the sun, where they
are adorned with narrow vertical red stripes. Picked from the
trees in the latter part of October and early November, but have
to lie some time before ripening. Can be kept until late in
the spring. A good apple for the warmer sections, especially
for the Gulf Coast region. The young trees of this variety of
apple are characterized by the very upright growth of the
branches and the clean bark; when the trees get older, however,
they become of spreading habit and the bark begins to be
rough." (Meyer.)
Malus baccata X sylvestris, 28489. Crabapple. A very
promising hybrid of the Siberian crab with the Baldwin and
Yellow Transparent apples made by Dr. Walter Van Fleet.
Trees very prolific. Fruits 1| to 2 inches in diameter, slightly
flattened at both flower and stem ends; yellow, streaked with
red ; flesh firm and crisp with a strong crabapple flavor. Prom-
ises well as a shipper and keeper.
Morus acidosa. 45708. Cliff mulberry. From the Arnold
Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. A broad shrub 3 to 16 feet
high ; occasionally forming a small tree, up to 25 feet, with broad,
very variable leaves, and shining black or dark-red edible fruits.
The leaves are not used for feeding silkworms. Common in
Hupeh and Szechwan, China, especially in rocky places. Re-
markable for its habit of fruiting while still only a few feet tall
and because of the sprightliness of the flavor of its fruits.
Osteomeles schwerinae, 40033. From Frank N. Meyer,
Kwatsa, Kansu, China. Dense shrub 2 to 5 feet high, found
186 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
on dry rocky cliffs and waste places; produces an abundance of
white flowers in spring; bears small bluish black berries in the
late fall.
Populus simonii forma fastigiata, 22363. Poplar. From
F. N. Meyer, Shiling, Chihli, China. One of the balsam pop-
lars, the odor of which is particularly noticeable when the young
leaves are developing. This form looks somewhat like the
Lombardy poplar, but makes a more pleasing impression.
Thrives in sandy soil. Hardy at the Arnold Arboretum, near
Boston, Mass.
Prunus avium, 33223. Cherry. Var. Garrafal le Grand
cherry from Pedro Giraud, Granada, Spain, received through
W. T. Swingle. A large variety possibly of French origin.
This cherry ripens at the same time as the Black Tartarian.
The fruit is of a dark glossy color and very high quality.
Prunus mume, 45523. Japanese apricot. From the Yoko-
hama Nursery Company, Yokohama, Japan. A tree with
greenish or gray bark, somewhat similar in appearance to the
common apricot, but with smaller foliage, which is duller in
color. The yellow or greenish fruit is usually smaller than the
fruit of the common apricot, and the dry flesh adheres to the
pitted stone. The tree is a native of Chosen (Korea) and
perhaps of China. Valuable as an ornamental, especially the
double-flowered forms. The flowers are sessile or nearly so.
The tree flowers about the same time as the almond, being when
at its best almost as beautiful. The fruit is about an inch
in diameter and is used in Japan as a pickle. The fruits are
picked just before they ripen and are soaked in water for 24
hours; then they are mixed with salt and leaves of the red-
leaved variety of Perilla nankinensis, after which they are al-
lowed to stand a week or less, depending on the temperature.
Following this, the fruits are spread in the sun to dry, and
while drying are sprinkled with the juice of the perilla leaves.
After three to five days they are put up in weak brine and will
keep indefinitely. The pickled fruit is exceedingly sour and
often forms a part of the Japanese soldier's ration. For the
best results the tree should be grown in a shady place. There
PLANT IMMIGRANTS 187
are a great many varieties recognized in Japan, where it is
quite as highly appreciated as the flowering cherry, especially
by Japanese poets.
Pterocarya stenoptera, 45587. From F. N. Meyer,
Kingman, Hupeh, China. "An ornamental tree belonging to
the walnut family; growing to a large size. The foliage is
pinnated and of fresh green color. In early spring, before the
leaves are out, the trees are loaded with long greenish brown,
staminate catkins, which give them a festive appearance;
these are followed by racemes of small winged fruits which per-
sist on the trees until September. The young foliage is cov-
ered with small yellow-brown glands and when rubbed smells
like sour apples. The trees love moist situations especially
near running water and in porous soil; however, they also
thrive on dry fields, but do not grow so fast or so large as when
near water. It is one of the best flowering trees in the Foreign
concessions at Hankow and Shanghai and is called by foreigners
"Chinese ash" on account of its resemblance to a Fraxinus.
Chinese name Ma liu shu, meaning "Fiber Willow Tree," —
often abbreviated to 'Liu shu.' This is a very promising shade
tree for streets, parks and gardens in those sections of the
United States where the summers are moist and warm and the
winters but moderately cold. It does well where rice and cot-
ton mature fully, and where the large-leaved privet (Ligustrum
lucidum) and the tea Olive {Osmanthus fragrans) remain out of
doors the year round." (Meyer.)
Pyrus chinensis X communis, 28497. Pear. Hybrid pear
originated by Dr. Walter Van Fleet. Cross between the Chi-
nese pear and our common pear. It produces fruits of large
size and that keep well. A fine preserving pear. Tree vigor-
ous and healthy.
Pyrus serrulata, 45688. Pear. From Jamaica Plain,
Mass. Presented by the Arnold Arboretum. A tree native of
western Hupeh at altitudes from 600 to 1,600 meters. "This
species seems to be more closely related to Pyrus serotina Ren-
der, but differs chiefly in its serrulate, not setosely serrate
generally broader leaves and in the smaller flowers with usually
188 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
three or four styles and shorter sepals, and in the smaller
fruit." (Render.)
Ribes FASCict/LATUM chinense, 45689. Chinese currant.
From Jamaica Plain, Mass. Presented by the Arnold Ar-
boretum. A handsome shrub, native of northern China, grow-
ing to four feet in height, and chiefly valued for its persistent
foliage and its bright-scarlet berries which remain on the
branches during the whole winter. The small greenish flowers
are dioecious; and the insipid scarlet fruit is subglobose,
glabrous, and about half an inch across. The subspecies differs
from the type in having larger leaves and the young branches
petioles, and leaves pubescent.
Rosa hugonis, 40625. Rose. From the Arnold Arboretum,
Jamaica Plain, Mass. "A bush of rounded habit, 8 feet high
and more in diameter; branches slender, sometimes gracefully
arching, armed with straight, flattened spines of varying length,
which are associated on the barren shoots with numerous
bristles. Leaves 1 to 4 inches long, quite smooth. Leaflets
five to eleven, oval or obovate one-fourth to three-fourths of
an inch long; finely toothed, deep grass green. Flowers 2 inches
across, bright yellow, solitary on short lateral twigs; flower
stalk smooth, slender, three-fourths inch long, entire, downy
inside. Fruit smooth, nearly round, one-half to five-eighths
inch wide black when ripe, the calyx persisting at the top.
Native of western China. It is a most charming rose and the
most vigorous of the yellow-flowered species, beautiful even
when not in flower for its luxuriant, feathery masses of foliage.
It shares with R. serica the distinction of being the earliest of
roses to flower, usually by mid-May. It is allied to the Scotch
rose, but differs markedly in habit. It is perfectly hardy, free,
but neat and not rampant in growth. The spines vary much
in character and are often altogether absent from some por-
tions of the shoots; the largest are thin, flattened, triangular,
one-half inch long, reddish, and translucent."
Sophora davidii, 21967. From Shensi, China, collected by
Mr. F. N. Meyer near Tchaulienli. A thorny shrub, growing
from 3 to 5 feet in height, found on stony waste places. Util-
ized occasionally as a hedge plant. Foliage grayish green,
ROSA HUGONIS
189
190 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
flowers whitish lilac, pods somewhat downy, produced in im-
mense quantities. Of use as a bee plant; also suitable for
hedges when kept well under control.
Tamarix chinensis, 35261. Tamarisk. From F. N. Meyer,
China. An extremely rapid growing tree or shrub, branching
close to the ground, making excellent windbreaks and even
hedges. The Chinese make baskets of the twigs. One of the
most drought and alkali resistant of all plants. Cuttings put
in the ground just after a rain grow easily. Recommended for
the south side of wind belts on the Great Plains.
Tamarix pentandra, 34804. Tamarisk. From Novospasr-
ko, Syrian-Riazan railway, Russia, through F. N. Meyes.
The fact that the tamarisk can withstand unusual amounts
of alkali, is cold resistant, and branches near the ground make
it an excellent plant for windbreaks. It can be easily propa-
gated by cuttings. This species from Russia is recommended
for the Great Plains.
Ulmus foliacea suberosa, 43214. Cork-barked Elm.
From St. Przedpelski and T. Antoniewicz, Kief, Russia. An or-
namental tree of stiff, spreading, low habit, with corky winged
branches and smooth, bright-green, obliquely oval leaves.
The corky ridges, of which there are usually four, do not ap-
pear until the branches are 2 or more years old. Said to be
common in the forests of central Europe, where it is a native
woodland tree.
Ulmus pumila arborea, 40898. Kataisky elm. From F.
N.Meyer, Peking, China. A graceful, small, hardy tree, valu-
able as an ornamental in rather dry regions. The slender pin-
nately branched shoots, often somewhat drooping, render this
form especially attractive. It is liable to lose its regularity of
outline when old unless it has plenty of room.
Viburnum dilatatum, 43731. Presented by the Arnold
Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. A deciduous shrub, 6 to 10
feet high, with broadly oval, pointed, hairy leaves. The pure
white flowers are all fertile, and are produced in June in hairy
five-rayed cymes, 3 to 5 inches wide. The fruit is bright red,
and roundish oval in shape. This shrub is a native of Japan
and China, and is a very profuse bloomer.
Book Reviews
A VIRGINIA GARDEN IN 1 7 74.
Philip Vickers Fithian. Journal and letters, 1767-1774. Edited for the
Princeton historical association by John Rogers Williams. Prince-
ton, N. J., The University Library, 1900.
Although Fithian's Journal was published a number of years ago, and
may be known to some of the readers of this magazine for its historic and
personal interest, I have never run across any mention of its contributions
to the knowledge of gardening in colonial Virginia.
Philip Vickers Fithian was born December 29th, 1747; was a student at
Princeton College, 1770-1772; entered the Presbyterian ministry in Decem-
ber, 1774, and was sent out as a missionary to Western Virginia and Penn-
sylvania, but was appointed a chaplain in the Continental army only a
short time before his death, which occurred in October, 1776. During the
period of his theological preparation he spent a year in Virginia, as tutor
in the household of " Councillor" Robert Carter, at Nomini Hall, in West-
moreland County, and his journal and letters for that period, 1773-1774,
were published in 1900 by the Library of Princeton University.
Fortunately for us, Fithian was a keen observer and practiced diarist,
who did not scorn to write of many trivial matters. His descriptions of
the country are often very suggestive, and there is an interesting, if slightly
obscure, account (p. 128-131) of the arrangement of the buildings and
grounds at Nomini Hall, which is unfortunately too long for reproduction
here. Best of all, he had a delightful habit of walking in the garden, and
from very early in the year till past midsummer, he gives frequent notes of
garden operations, fruits and vegetables grown, field crops, etc. Meager as
these comments are in comparison with what we desire to know, they yet
afford the best record I have found of gardening in colonial Virginia, and
while the Journal and Letters is perhaps chiefly valuable to the student of
social life and customs, the importance of the work as a garden document
alone, is sufficient reward for its publication.
Fithian arrived at Nomini on the 28th of October, 1773, but does not
mention the garden until the very last day of the year, when he walked
191
192 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
there with Mrs. Carter, questioning her about a row of small slips, and as
they walked along "she would move the ground at the Root of some plant;
or prop up with small sticks the bended scions," and after taking two turns
throughout the entire garden they went out into the Area to see the "Plumb-
Trees." At this time he mentions the two negroes, who, he explicitly states,
were "Gardiners by Trade," who were constantly employed in the garden
whenever the weather permitted, but on February 24th he notes the arrival
of Mr. Gregory the "Colonel's Gardiner," very likely brought over from
England or Scotland, who began to work with the men who had been in the
garden all winter, and under date of March 7th, he says that Mr. Gregory's
wages are a half crown daily through the summer.
The spring gardening operations may well have begun on the 8th of Feb-
ruary, when Mrs. Carter ordered the sowing of lettuce and peas. On Feb-
ruary 21st he says: "They are beginning to work in the Garden with vigor,"
and on the 24th, he notes the planting of the common garden peas. On
March 16th he walks in the garden with Mrs. Carter, and remarks: "It is
beautiful, & I think uncommon to see at this Season peas all up two & three
Inches — We gathered two or three Cowslips in full-Bloom; & as many vio-
lets— The English Honey-Suckle is all out in green & tender Leaves — Mr.
Gregory is grafting some figs — Mrs. Carter shewed me her Apricot-Grafts;
Asparagus Beds &c." On March 21st he writes: "The peas have grown
admirably since my last Walk; & indeed all the Herbs seem sprouting."
The first of April he noticed people plowing their land for planting corn
and tobacco, and even in one field saw women planting corn, though he
remarks that it must be early, even for that locality. Under the same date
he says (p. 140-141) that people hereabouts raise no flax, their land gener-
ally being too poor for the purpose, and continues that their method of
farming is slovenly and wasteful, planting large quantities of land without
manuring, working it very hard to make the best of the crop, and after
cropping one piece of land removing the fences to another, leaving the first
as a "common to be destroyed by Winter & Beasts till they stand in need of
it again to plough." The soil is usually light and sandy, producing in great
quantities "shrubby Savins & Pines, unless in the Vallies, (for it is very
hilly) & near the Potowmack where it is often vastly rich." On the 7th of
April he observes: "In every field we saw Negroes planting Corn, or plow-
ing, or hoeing;" and on the 10th, in various parts of the Carter plantation
the negroes were digging up the small plots allowed them by the master for
planting their own peas, potatoes, etc. Harvesting began the latter part
of June: on the 25th he is informed that people are reaping "not only
Rye but Wheat in the Neighbourhood; certainly it is earlier than we reap
BOOK REVIEWS 193
to the Northward." July 4th was the "Height of Harvest," while on the
7th Colonel Carter speaks of having his own rye mown down. On July
14th Fithian "was not a little Surprised to see Corn out in Tassel;" on the
19th he reports it as pretty generally beginning to tassel; and on the 21st
he saw many of the hills in silk. On August 2d, at Mount Airy, the nearby
estate of Colonel John Tayloe, he saw corn rank and set thick with ears,
"three commonly on a Stalk," and on August 13th he mentions "Roasting-
Ears." Near Colonel Tayloe's he also noted the only flax he had seen in
the colony (although he was told that they raised much of it in the upper
counties), about an acre and a half, which they were just pulling on the
2d of August, "exceedingly out of Season."
From time to time Fithian notes the fruits and vegetables in season.
On May 25th, on his return from a visit to New Jersey, he had for supper
"an elegant dish of Strawberries & cream," and the following day he says
that they now have "great plenty of Strawberries, some Cherries, Goose-
berries &c." On June 10th he went with Ben Carter "over to Mr. Turber-
ville's to gather Cheries, which are there in great plenty." July 2d he sups
on "Artichoks, & Huckleberries & Milk;" July 4th he mentions ripe mul-
berries, and on the 6th he writes that they have "every Day good Fruit for
Dinner, caudled Apples, Hurtle-Berries with milk &c." The huckleberries,
however, were probably not from the garden, but growing wild in the
neighborhood. July 28th, figs were just beginning to ripen in the garden,
and lasted for some time, as on the 26th of August he gathered figs, but
remarks that while the ladies seem fond of them, he himself "cannot endure
them." The early part of August must have been the height of the water-
melon season, and the Virginia negro, then as now, an expert in melons,
for we find " Dadda Gumby," an old slave to whom Fithian had shown kind-
ness, offering him melons from his own garden. Once Fanny Carter, one
of the little girls, presents the tutor with a half watermelon, and when she
was ill, on August 15th, he records making her a gift of a large musk melon.
Other natural products beside figs were evidently new to Fithian. One
suspects that his introduction to the persimmon occurred on March 6th
when he "gathered & eat some Pisimmonds from a large Tree which were
exceeding sweet, & agreeable" and on September 23d he saw "Barberry's,
Sloe's, & Pomegranates, neither of which I had seen before." Few allu-
sions to flowers occur; under date of June 23d, he was "diverted tho it was
a little cruel, to see the Girls gather the Blossoms of some Prickly-Pears,"
probably growing wild; and once, on the 23d of July, he says that Priscilla
and Fanny each presented him with a "Jesamine Nose-Gay."
194 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
On May 4th-6th, while away on a brief visit to New Jersey, Fithian
noted a severe freeze, the effects of which were also felt at Nomini,* for
on June 4th he says: "The Frost of the fourth of May has been much more
severe and fatal here than in the northern colonies — The Peaches here, ex-
cept on Farms lying near the Potowmack are wholly destroy'd .
And in these lower Counties in many places the Woods appear like Novem-
ber, & the Leaves are actually dropping!" He does not write further about
the peach crop, though he states on September 2 2d that "Peaches & Fruit
are omitted at Dinners," implying that they had been constantly served up
to that time, and on August 2 2d he rode to Squire Lee's (Richard Lee, of
Lee Hall, Westmoreland county), who took the party into his garden, which
was large and had an abundance of fruit, and gave them fine peaches, nec-
tarines, etc., and again on August 25th, at another neighbor's, they were
given some excellent peaches.
In midsummer he dwells on the very hot and dry weather, which was ap-
parently new to him. June 8th~9th the weather was very hot, and June
nth, "No rain has fell here since the 24th of May, & then but a Scanty
Shower, & most of the time since windy," and from that time on until the
first of September he records chiefly hot weather, long intervals between,
or only slight rains; frequently commenting on the dry appearance of veg-
etation, and every shower that fell — after one occurring July 15th he says:
"The Corn litterally looks glad." To those acquainted with Virginia sum-
mers his picture of dry and dusty vegetation is particularly appealing, but
it seems equally natural to read of cool days in the middle of June, requiring
fires in the Great-House and School-Room; and again in July, when he
notes chilly mornings, and on July 25th actually finds the day "disagreeably
cold."
Although less conscientious in recording the weather than many diarists,
Fithian gives a very good idea of the climatic changes, and constantly makes
observations on other aspects of the season. On March nth he notes "Rob-
bins, & blue Birds singing all around us," and on the same day hears the
song of the Mocking Bird; on the 31st "The Plumb-Trees are beginning to
blossom," and on the 3d of April he writes: "The country begins to put on
her Flowery Garment, & appear in gaity," with apricots, peaches, plums,
and several sorts of cherries in bloom, remarking in this connection that the
* See also p. 281-282 ; letters to the Rev. Andrew Hunter and John Peck, under date of
June 3d, 1774. In the former, Fifthian writes: "The expected produce of Gardens
and Peaches, (which were some planters chief dependence) are not only almost wholly de-
stroy'd, but in ye upper parts of the province Wheat and Rye are so much cut off that
the owners think it best to mow it down for fodder."
BOOK REVIEWS 195
peach orchards at Nomini are very extensive. On the 7th of the month
"We rode acoss the Country which is now in full Bloom," and again on the
10th, he comments on the "Country full of Flowers, & the branches full of
lovely singing Birds." It is a very different picture that he gives in mid-
summer, when he writes on August 18th: "The Face of the earth seems
covered with mocking-birds, but not one of them sing . . . Not a
bird, except now & then Robbin-Redbreast is heard to sing in this Feverish
Month."
Fithian did not leave Nomini until the 20th of October, 1774, but makes
no allusions to the garden during the latter portion of his stay, evidently
preferring to go farther afield for his recreation. On September 19th he re-
cords: "Evening after Stroll with Mrs. Carter, & the Girls I took a Walk
thro' the Pumpkin & Potatoe Vines," but more often he would ride to some
neighbor's, or "the much Frequented Corn-Field," or would go afoot for a
long stroll through the pasture, admiring "The Country emphatically in
her goodly Variety!" — Marjorie Fleming Warner.
Manual of Vegetable-Garden Insects. By C. R. Crosby and M. D. Leon-
ard, pages I-XVI, 1-391, 232 text illustrations. New York, Macmil-
lan and Company, 1918, price $2.50.
We have in this volume authoritative and concise accounts of a large
number of insects troublesome in vegetable gardens. Some of these pests
are well known enemies of staple crops while many are of little importance
outside of the garden and there is therefore comparatively little knowledge,
scientific or practical, in regard to a number of the latter.
The volume fulfills its aim by presenting in plain, untechnical language,
the essentials regarding the life history and habits of the various species
with enough of recognition characteristics, verbal or illustrative, so that the
gardener may be reasonably certain of the identity of the pest. This, with
a statement as to the place of the insect as a pest forms the basis for prac-
tical advice as to treatment. We congratulate the authors on not wasting
space in discussing impractical or questionable methods of control. The
general matter relating to injuries, transformations, etc., has been reduced
to a minimum and the discussion of insecticides is exceptionally concise.
The authors, with access to the best sources of information, have in
many cases been able to interpret the records in the light of personal experi-
ence and consequently have produced a readable, practical, well illustrated
volume which is almost indispensable to gardeners and will prove of great
service to many others, professionals included, interested in insect life. It
fully sustains the reputation of the Rural Manuals issued under the able
editorship of Professor Bailey. — E. P. Felt.
196 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Manual of Tree Diseases. By W. Howard Rankin, Pp. xx + 398. 70 il-
lustrations. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1918. Price
$2.50.
This book, another of the series of Rural Manuals edited by Professor
Bailey, promises to be especially useful to foresters, those in charge of city
trees, park and estate managers; in fact, to all interested in the care of
trees.
While this is strictly a scientific treatise, the descriptions and scientific
language are sufficiently simplified so as to be easily followed by the lay
reader. The 70 half-tone illustrations contribute materially toward this
end. The diseases of fruit trees are not included; or at least only inciden-
tally; only the principal American forest, shade and ornamental trees are
treated. Their diseases are discussed for the most part under the head-
ings symptons, cause, and, when these are known, methods of control.
The first four chapters are devoted to a discussion of diseases more or
less common to trees in general, such as damping-off of seedlings, smoke
and gas injury, frost injury, root-rots, etc. Following are chapters in
which the trees themselves are arranged alphabetically according to their
common names; and under each their more specific diseases are discussed.
The final chapters treat of the comparatively new subjects of tree surgery
and dusting and spraying for the control of leaf diseases.
In the appendix follows a list of the common names of trees, opposite
their scientific names, a glossary of scientific terms, and references to the
more important literature of tree diseases.
The book should prove indispensable to the scientific worker as well as
exceedingly useful to everyone interested in trees and in knowing how to
take care of them. — E. W. Olive.
The Small Place: Its Landscape Architecture. By Elsa Rehmann. Pp. 1-
164. Illustrated. N. Y., G. P. Putnam's Sons. 1918. Price $2.50.
In the development of suburban properties there are always so many con-
fusing features to be dealt with that the amateur is often at a loss where to
turn for advice. Miss Rehmann, whose article on "The Flower Garden"
appeared in the last issue of the Journal, has done a peculiarly valuable
service to owners in collecting descriptions, plans and photographs of fifteen
small places from a half to five acres, designed by some of the best known
landscape architects in the country. Each of the schemes exhibits some
problem or combination of them and the different architects' solution. The
book is therefore valuable to any one in the throes of wondering what to
do with a place. It will serve a useful purpose if it shows that the wisest
course is to have ones own ideas, — carried out by an expert. — N. T.
BOOK REVIEWS 197
Peach-growing. By H. P. Gould. 426 pages; 32 plates and 19 figures.
New York, Macmillan Company. $2.00.
Peach-growing is the latest of the two score of excellent books of the Rural
Science Series edited by L. H. Bailey. The author might more precisely
have defined the range of the treatise by the title, Peach-growing in North
America, since his book most admirably covers the broad field of the
continent.
Looking first for merit, one finds it in highest degree in the discussions of
points of practice. Propagation, planting, orchard management, tillage,
pruning, picking and packing are discussed excellently. The chapters on
these subjects are written with clearness and precision, albeit now and then
a little labored with detail, and so skillfully combine science and practice
that a peach-grower following the teachings of the book can go through
orchard routine with intelligence and skill that will go far toward success.
The limitations of climate and location are well set forth, but taken with
the chapter on adverse temperatures, at rather too great length. The
chapter on insect and disease control, also, is too long, while much more of
value might have been said on cost factors, transportation, storage and
marketing.
A defect of the book is lack of regard to the relative importance of the
subjects discussed. Thus, the scant treatment of peach varieties is most
unworthy of the book and its author. Descriptions of varieties are limited
to three pages from which a peach-grower can learn nothing not found in the
catalog of any nurseryman. The author's excuse is: "detailed varietal de-
scriptions would serve but little practical purpose." We do not agree to
this. Half the questions asked experiment stations in regard to a fruit
have to do with varieties. A fruit-book is used chiefly to look up varieties.
The history of a fruit is mainly that of its discarded varieties, and progress
is made chiefly by means of new varieties. The author should publish a
manual on varieties to supplement his book on culture. — U. P. Hedrick.
Practical Horticultural Notes
RESERVE GARDEN
HE reserve garden is an important section of
commercial, private, or public establishments,
for it provides material to keep the grounds
attractive throughout the summer. It should
contain a surplus stock of pot plants of such
subjects as Liliums, Campanulas, summer-
flowering Chrysanthemums, Celosias, including Cockscombs,
also Fuchsias, etc. The plants can be easily transferred to the
beds to take the place of other plants passing out of bloom. In
this way there ought to be no blanks in the borders or beds.
The reserve garden might also contain young trees and shrubs
to draw upon if required. Beds of hardy herbaceous perennials,
or of annuals or bulbs, to provide cut flowers, can be made in
such a garden. — S. M. Beer.
SCENTED PELARGONIUMS
During recent years we have heard much of old-time gardens,
and of the various flowers and plants beloved by our grand-
mothers. The subject of this note was one of the treasures of
"Great Grandmothers Garden" and a few varieties still retain
the affection of garden lovers. They form a most interesting
group of plants. The flowers in most cases are small, but some
are very brilliant, and attractive. Their habit lends itself to
making fine trained specimens for greenhouse decoration, the
foliage of others are beautifully cut or divided, and marvels of
scent, making them desirable plants for the Aromatic-garden
during summer, reminding one of the Oriental Proverb
To raise Flowers is a Common Thing,
God alone gives them Fragrance.
198
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 199
In the end of the eighteenth, and early nineteenth century,
nearly two hundred varieties were listed, but since that time
have fallen away, probably owing to the introduction of more
showy flowers.
Every one is acquainted with the rose scented P. capitatutn,
which was introduced into England from Cape Colony in 1690,
and the lemon scented P. citriodorum introduced a few years
later. We see them everywhere, and they are always in demand.
These no doubt were brought here, by some humble emigrant,
some one who wished to create a semblance of home in the
land of his adoption. There are a few enthusiastic collectors
today who find the hobby most fascinating and I believe, there
are still about one hundred varieties grown. I would suggest
a few of the better known, which deserve a place in every gar-
den, including the two previously mentioned. There is the cin-
namon scented P. gratum, nutmeg Prince of Orange, the more
pungent peppermint scented P. tomentosum. The fine cut foli-
age of P. denticulatum, or Stags Horn, P. asperum, Pheasants
Foot, and P. filicifolia. P. artemisoides, which reminds me of
another old favourite aromatic plant {Artemisia abrotanum) the
Southernwood or Lad's Love.
The oak leaved are represented by a few varieties — P.
quercifolius, minus and majus are types. The brighter and
stronger varieties probably are hybrids. Clorinda seems well
known, and makes an elegant specimen. Pretty Polly is
bright, as is Scarlet Unique, P. Shottisham Pet, and Shrubland
Rose.
The variegated Lady Plymouth, introduced a century ago,
is still extensively used for summer bedding in England. I
believe that in the not far distant future these old favourites
will again come into their own. — Samuel Golding.
Longevity of Seeds in the open ground is often noticed
with interest by the observing gardener. The writer has had
occasion to notice seedlings of Nictotiana affinis persistently
appearing for 9 years in a bed where formerly grown. Seed-
lings were never allowed to grow to maturity but treated as
200 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
weeds nor have any Nicotiana whatever been raised anywhere
on or near the grounds during those 9 years. Winter tempera-
ture drops occasionally to 30 below zero. It must be that the
small seeds are tightly encased in small particles of soil and so
are able to retain their vitality. The annual spading must
bring them up to the surface where their germinating power is
liberated by the elements. — A. Martini.
STATICE PROFUSA
{Limonium profusum)
The Statice or Sea Lavender is so little known, a few words
might tend to spread knowledge of its value. A perfect mass of
flowers in various colors such as bright rose, mauve, white,
yellow and purple, can be had almost all summer, if plants are
started early enough. They would make a bed or border very
gay. Its graceful and branching habit makes a fine centre piece
and by choosing the right color will go with almost anything,
with the exception of large blooms ; especially with Helichrysum
and Honesty, they being everlasting flowers. Statice is good
also for winter decoration where flowers are scarce.
They also make a fine pot plant for the conservatoy or window.
They grow from one to two feet high, according to the variety,
and being a half hardy perennial, except the variety latifolia,
which is hardy.
They would, however, be better treated as hardy annuals.
Sow seeds the first week in March in a hot-bed and when large
enough to handle transplant in boxes, using a mixture of ordin-
ary garden soil in equal parts with well decayed leaf mould, add-
ing a little sand. When danger of frost is over they can be
planted out in the open. They have a weedy appearance when
small on account of growing flat on the soil. They also grow very
slowly until they have taken a good hold in the open border.
Anyone giving them a trial will not be at a loss as their chief
merits are their durability and graceful habit. — Thomas L.
Hughes.
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 201
SWEET PEAS
To produce good Sweet Peas it is necessary to trench the
ground and to give the plants sufficient room. The preparation
of the ground is best done in the fall. A trench or ditch should
be dug out 3 feet deep and about the same width, put a good
layer of cow manure in the bottom, dig this in, give a good
sprinkling of bone meal, fill in about a foot of soil and on top
of this add another layer of manure and bone meal and repeat
the operation until all the soil is back in the trench again.
See to it that the bottom soil gets back in the bottom again
as most soils taken up this deep will remain practically sterile
for the first year. If several trenches are to run parallel the
centres should be at least five feet apart. Sow the seeds in
sand-filled flats or boxes about the middle of February, and so
as to secure an even germination chip each seed, that is, with
a sharp knife cut out a small piece of the shell of the seed op-
posite the eye or growth, place the flats in a temperature of
about 60°, until germinated, pot off the seedlings singly in
two-inch pots and keep the plants growing slowly in a cool
house or frame, after a little while they will be tough and
hardy and even a slight freeze will not do the plants any harm.
It is far better to keep the plants too cool than to get a soft
growth by keeping them too warm, as the aim at this stage
and until they are planted out is to secure good root action.
After thoroughly rooting in the two inch pots a shift to
four inch which will keep them until planting out time. Plant
out as soon as danger of heavy frost is past. Plant in double
rows in the previously prepared trenches giving the plants at
least a foot each way. For support there is nothing better
than bamboo canes; the 6 foot rather heavy canes are best for
this purpose and will last for many years if taken care of. For
support of the canes, drive rather strong posts in the center of
the trench and on top of those nail a crosspiece about 18 inches
long and about five feet from the ground and to this crosspiece
run a wire parallel with the trench and tie canes to the wire.
Place the canes between the plants about 6 inches apart so
202 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
that each plant will have two canes for support. As the plants
start growing select two of the strongest shoots and tie each
to a cane and cut away all others. Pinch out all side shoots
and cut off the tendrils at the end of the leaves as the plants
grow. After warm weather has set in mulch the whole
ground with some light strawy material, this will keep the
ground cool and will be clean to walk upon in wet weather.
Should the weather keep dry for some time it will be necessary
to water the plants as Sweet Peas enjoy a moist cool ground.
If the plants should grow above the supports it will be easy to
bring them down without injury by simply cutting loose a few
ties and sliding the vine down. By following a mode of culture
as given above we picked fine flowers last year from the 15th
of June to the last of August. — S. W. Carlquist.
MARCH IN THE GARDEN
In our Eastern States March is hardly a month of active
gardening operations. Its early days are likely to be as wintry
as the coldest February and we are as likely to get a blizzard
as gardening weather. Yet there is something of spring in the
air, and when the sun begins to make his influence felt, one
does get restless, with a desire to worry the soil, with one's
hands. But it is not to be, at least so early in the month, for a
tour of inspection through the garden, past the bulb beds,
which are inspected, and found quite fast with frost, satisfies us
that there is nothing to do but wait until Nature has showered
her softening influence upon the soil before we can commence
actual operations.
There is however much that can be done in the way of prepa-
ration for the Garden that is to be. While the ground is still
frozen, and will bear the weight of wheels is a splendid time
to get the manure onto the land, to be dug or ploughed under
as soon as frost is out, and dry enough for working.
While carting manure onto the vegetable patches, and flower
beds, don't overlook the fruit trees, these essentials of every
well managed garden are seldom injured by too much manure,
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 203
unless it should be excessively rich in nitrogenous matter, which
may set up rank soft growths, that won't ripen properly in
the fall. Such instances are however seldom to be found, and
one will be amply repaid for applying a good dressing of manure
to the fruit trees.
Speaking of fruit trees reminds us that the winter or dormant
spraying should be done this month if not already attended to.
Pruning of course should be completed, before this, as we believe
it always spells good workmanship to have all prunings cleaned
up and burned before spraying is attempted. Of all gardening
operations spraying is the most disagreeable, and like most
other disagreeable things one is inclined to postpone it as long
as possible, but it must be done now if one is to get any benefit
from it. When the buds begin to burst, it cannot be done with
the solution at winter or dormant strength, and a weaker solu-
tion is a waste of time, and material when dealing with San
Jose Scale, and Oyster Shell Scale.
Commercial Lime-Sulphur, the standard winter spray is a
jaundiced looking liquid almost as disagreeable to look at as
it is to apply. It is rather oily in consistence, and most un-
suitable to come in contact with any clothing of value. Any
old suit, an old rubber coat, rubber gloves and a great deal of
care to keep to the windward are essentials in doing this work.
For an early garden hot-beds are essential and now is the
time before you begin digging and delving in the soil to get
them ready.
The manure should be got ready without delay, and if you
can get a few oak, or beech leaves to mix with it the heat from
fermentation will not be so violent, and will last longer A
common cause of failure with hotbeds is that the soil is put
on to the manure too soon, and the gases which are generated
permeate the soil to the detriment of many kinds of tender
seeds. Leave the soil off for twenty-four hours after making
up the bed, to allow the gases to escape, then place the soil
to the depth of four or five inches, and when by the aid of a
thermometer, you find the heat has dropped to 85 degrees you
may sow seeds of Egg-plant, Peppers, Tomatoes, and others that
are needed.
204 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
The seed catalogues will need to be studied for the most re-
liable varieties of seed, as will the catalogues of shrubs and
trees for new plantations that will be made next month, In
looking over the catalogues one is impressed by the fine descrip-
tions given, yet when one has had a little experience, the fact is
forced upon one of how lamentably lacking are catalogues in
general upon some vital aspects of plant life. Very little is
said about how much space a plant will take up. Funkias for
instance will soon cover a space of 3 or 4 square feet, while a
Dictamnus is easily able to get along on a square foot of ground.
Many experiences could no doubt be related where plants have
had to be moved after a year or two, because of a lack of just
this knowledge. In selecting shrubs and trees for vistas, one
should have an eye for autumn and winter color, of fading
leaf, and enduring twig as well as for seasoned bloom. Few
shrubs bloom more than a month, and many hardly so long,
but leaves are often a full month changing color before they
drop, and the twigs and branches are in full view for more than
six months. It is therefore desirable that we know the subject
in mind will fit into the fall and winter picture, as well as what
its budding, leafing, and blooming earlier will be like.
No one would think of furnishing a house that would look
well, for three or four months of the year, and why should we
furnish our gardens so wholly with plants that give us one big
burst of bloom, with little to commend them for the rest of the
year.
As the month advances the work of raking, and cleaning up
the leaves, and rubbish may be commenced. This is an an-
nual operation, that is usually heralded by numerous smother
fires, started to consume the rubbish. Who dares to estimate
the value of potential plant food that has thus gone up in smoke?
In these days of horseless carriages organic matter supplied
to the soil in the form of manure is not so plentiful as it used
to be, hence we are under the necessity of saving the rubbish
that used to be consigned to the flames.
Leaves and rubbish collected from the garden should be made
up into one big pile in some out of the way corner of the gar-
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 205
den, where it will decompose and make the best kind of com-
post for adding humus to the soil of the garden.
With the lengthening days, and increased sun heat, the plants
in the greenhouse and window garden will feel the stimulus,
and will respond with more active growth. More water will
need to be given them, and all plants that have permeated the
soil in the pots with roots will need to be repotted. Insect
pests infest all plants, especially those whose vitality are at
the lowest ebb after having passed through the dark trying
days of winter. Plants so infested should have a thorough
sponging with a good insecticide, such as "Fir-tree Oil," diluted
according to the directions on the container.
Plants that were propagated last month, will now be suf-
ficiently rooted to be potted up into small pots, and grown on
to provide more material for propagating purposes. Seeds of all
kinds sown last month will need to be potted off singly, or
pricked out into flats so as to get the greatest development by
setting out time. — Henry Gibson.
RECONSTRUCTION
Long before our country entered the great conflict, many
gardeners and estate superintendents in cooperation with the
farmers and food producers here, were doing their bit to in-
crease food production. Statistics have since proven that
their achievements were worthy of the effort made. It is yet
too early to relax our efforts in this direction, and the needs of
our less favored Allies should at least prevent us from easing
up.
But while we are endeavoring to keep up the increased produc-
tion of necessities, we should lose no time in the preliminary
work of restoration as soon as labor conditions permit. A great
deal of land, including beautiful lawns were ploughed up and
put under cultivation, and it will take considerable labor and
money to restore them. Perhaps, on some of the larger estates
it will be wise to retain some of the war-time features, for a
good pasture, with grazing herd of cattle or sheep, or a field
of well grown corn if location permits, will be more pleasing
than an ill kept lawn.
206 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Undoubtedly, the sections reclaimed and restored for orna-
mental purposes would thus receive more and better attention,
and the changes made be far more pleasing to both the owners
and their employees, than if complete restoration is attempted
too soon.
Much important landscape gardening, held up through war
conditions will be continued. These improvements and exten-
sions will help to provide work for those who return from over-
seas, and men from munition plants and factories can return
to their former employment.
The grower and plant-breeder will be able to take up his
special hobby once again. Horticultural Exhibitions will again
come into their own with increased competition, and the vari-
ous National Societies, handicapped no longer by war-time
conditions, will redouble their efforts, in their enthusiasm for
the improvement of the flower or plant that has their special
interest.
The enforced economy practised by us during the past few
years, has, in many ways taught us some valuable lessons.
After all it was not so difficult to make two blades of grass
grow, where only one grew before. This valuable experience
we have gained will not be forgotten, and the ultimate result
will be greater efficiency all around, better kept gardens and
estates, leading to a better understanding between employer and
employee which is so necessary to achieve real progress. — John
Carman.
Eupatorium aegeratoides and Fraseri have proven their
worth as most desirable perennials this past fall of extremely
dry weather. Wonderful was their show. While growing 4 feet
high in damp soil of mucky nature they were equally decorative
on high and perfectly dry ground although only 18 inches to 2
feet tall. They are of easy culture and because of their num-
erous seeds freely establish themselves anywhere and soon be-
come so plentiful in lowland and woods that armfuls may be
gathered for interior decoration without depriving out-of-doors
shows. — A. Martini.
Journal of the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill JUNE, 1919 No. 2
CONTENTS
Pacific Coast Wild Flowers: Their History and Cultivation, by Carl
Purdy 211
Progress in Breeding Freesias, by Walter Van Fleet 232
An Up-Country Community with an Old World Charm, by Zelia K.
Hoffman 241
Letchworth Park Forest Arboretum, by Caroline Bishop 263
The Russian May Day Tree, by W. C. Egan 277
The Missouri Botanical Garden, by George T. Moore 281
Plants for an Amateur's Rock Garden, by Richard Rothe 293
Curiosities of Plant Life, by Alexander Lurie and G. H. Pring 303
The Inter-allied Educational Center, Villebon, near Paris, by Claude
Remusat 316
Plant Quarantine No. 37 329
Horticultural Notes 332
207
WHERE THE WILD
COl I'M BINE GROWS
CHITTENANGO FALLS
208
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COLUMBINE
! . . i
Wild Columbine the Winter mocks.
In Spring-time, where the barren rocks
Amid the matted mosses first are seen
Upon the rugged hills, yet scarcely green.
They nod when April's breezes roughly
find &
Their scralet coats, with yellow satin
d> lined. T
And mocking still, with eager lip ^
Their flaming bells the cold rains sip. ^
£p They drink and mock, while sturdily they ';
* swing |
To beautify the trailing gown of Spring,
i
And form a lovely fillet, red and gold
To make a girdle where the rocks are
cold. 9
And with a scintillating dance thev twine <P
A fringe of earhr Columbine.
I ' *
. — Gabrielle Mulliner. X
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209
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Journal of the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill
JUNE, 1919
No. 2
Pacific Coast IVild Flowers:
Their History and
Cultivation
By Carl Purdy
HE Pacific Coast of the United States, and Cali-
fornia in particular, has made many notable
contributions to the gardens, the forests and
the shrubberies of the world.
Europe has benefited far more from these
introductions than the Eastern United States
yet neither Europe nor the Eastern United States have as yet
secured and succeeded in growing any large part of the really
fine things native to our Western Coast.
The flora of the Pacific Coast is wonderfully rich and it is
probably fully equal to that of Japan and only excelled by the
Chinese Highlands where Wilson and others have of late found
so rich a field. Indeed it is probable that while the latter
excels in shrubs and trees, our own Wrest would lead in the
great variety of annuals and perennials.
211
212 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
It is certainly worth while to consider what there is still
unused among this wild material and the climatic and other
factors which must be understood if success is to he attained.
EARLY COLLECTORS OF WESTERN PLANTS
The botanical exploration of our Pacific slope is a most
interesting story in itself. Up to 1791 it was an unexplored
wilderness and a botanist attached to a Spanish exploring
expedition in that year was the first to send herbarium speci-
mens back to Europe. Soon afterwards Menzies, a surgeon on
an English trading vessel collected and sent to England quite a
number of species. The Russians had established a colony
little more than fifty miles north of San Francisco Bay and
botanists who visited this post and who accompanied exploring
expeditions along the coast were the next contributors to our
knowledge of Californian flora.
The first plant collector to reach the Coast was David Doug-
las, who was sent out by the Royal Horticultural Society of
London for the express purpose of securing seeds and bulbs of
fine new things. Douglas was both a great botanist and a
real plant collector and he reaped a wonderfully rich harvest.
Such lovely annuals as Clarkias, Godetias, Nemophilas, Gilias
and Lupines were sent to England with the superb Eschscholtzia ,
with seeds of conifers and bulbs of Calochorti and Brodiaeas,
and many of them found a congenial home in Europe and
became the parents of superb races of garden flowers.
Douglas reached California in 1825 when the only settle-
ments in California were a thin line of Missions stretching as
far north as San Francisco Bay. He botanized and collected at
various points and in a later trip went to the Columbia River
and continued his great work. He needs no other monument
than the grand conifer which he discovered — the Douglas Fir.
When next a plant collector visited the far west California
had been taken by the Americans and the rush of gold seekers
had penetrated every portion of California. Botanists had
been here in the interval but no plant collectors, until in 1853
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214 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
William Lobb was sent out by Yeitch of London to seek new-
things.
A year or two later a Scotch gardener, Thomas Jeffreys, was
sent to California by a club of Edinburgh flower and tree lovers
for the same purpose, and both collectors sent many excellent
things to Europe.
For many years after that date little was done toward the
collection and introduction of California flowers into European
gardens. It is true that when the great interest developed
in Lilies in the 60's large numbers of the bulbs of the three
most common Californian species were collected and sent to
Europe together with bulbs of a few CalocJiorti . Then, too,
many seeds of the Douglas Fir and some of other conifers
found their way to Europe to be used in forestry there.
This trade, was I believe, in the hands of a San Francisco
florist, a Mr. Sievers. Later F. A. Miller was associated writh
Sievers and for many years Mr. Miller alone handled a trade in
bulbs and tree seeds which were collected for him. But neither
Mr. Sievers nor Mr. Miller were either botanists or collectors
and few varieties were introduced.
In the late 70's a new element entered the field. At last
America was being discovered by Americans in the sense of an
appreciation of the wonderfully rich native flora both of the
Eastern States and of the West. I am not sure, but I think
that it was George C. Woolson, then of Passaic, New Jersey,
who first realized how much we were missing by not using our
natives trees and flowers to a larger extent in park and garden.
He too was the American pioneer in Hardy Perennials and as
early as 1879 issued a most creditable catalog of both.
That fine plant lover Edward Gillett then as now of South-
wick, Massachusetts, became engaged in collecting his local
flora at about the same time and in Charlotte, Vermont, Pringle
and Horsford, started similar work. Later Mr. Pringle became
one of the ablest of the world's plant collectors and traversed
the United States and Mexico in his plant quests. In years
that followed others engaged in the same work but the awaken-
ing of America is principally due to these three men. Mr.
215
216 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Woolson was unable to continue his work but Gillett and
Horsford have given a lifetime to the popularization of Amer-
ican Natives.
I have said that America had at last come to a realization
of the riches in the floral line that she possessed, yet the state-
ment may not be entirely true, for I feel rather sure that for
some time the demand for American Natives was European
rather than native for all of these pioneers.
At least it was a European call which led these pioneer
firms to seek Western collectors and through which several
young and enthusiastic people engaged in the work in Cali-
fornia.
Of these one was a lady. Mrs. Austin, working in North-
eastern California was a most enthusiastic botanist and an
able plant collector. Tn the extreme south of California C. R.
Orcutt at San Diego wras no less enthusiastic and in later years
ransacked the American Southwest and Old Mexico for cacti.
J. B. Hickman of Monterey became a most efficient bulb col-
lector and far to the North on the Columbia River, W. N.
Suksdorf became one of the best botanists and plant collectors
that the West has had. Lastly among these recruits in the
plant collector line was the writer. Partly because fate willed
it, partly from love of nature and partly from having a gift for
organization, it has been my pleasure to make a life work of
collection of the Pacific Coast Flora and through a wide organ-
ization to make supplies of the desirable bulbs and plants of
the coast as reliable as are those of Tulips and Daffodils.
This is however another story.
During my forty years of plant collecting there has been one
other notable collector in this field. Mr. C. A. Purpus em-
ployed under foreign auspices did a great deal of seed and plant
collecting and moved from station to station from California
to Mexico.
THE PROBLEM OF CULTIVATION
It is enough to say now that the problem at this date is not
to secure material to try out in new regions but rather one
of acclimatization itself. My own work in bringing WTestern
PACIFIC COAST WILD FLOWERS 217
natives into cultivation has been extensive and while all of
it has been done in California it has helped to work out the
problem in some particulars. My garden is situated at 2300
feet elevation in the Coast Range of California about 100 miles
north of San Francisco. It is far enough from the coast to be
out of the almost frostless belt which skirts our coast to the
Oregon line.
The winter rainfall is heavy and light snowfalls are by no
means rare. In cold winters periods of frost with bare ground
may last weeks at a time with a minimum temperature as low
as 10° above zero. In mild winters 18° to 20° above would be
nearer the minimum but in both cases plants are exposed to
hard freezing without cover. My experiences under these con-
ditions will be referred to later.
As to the climate of California — there is no such thing.
California alone is a vast region over 750 miles along the Pa-
cific and extending from sea level to 15,000 feet. It has a
considerable area east of the Sierras in the arid Great Basin,
another area of desert in the south where rain seldom falls and
the summer's heat is tropic, a long coast line of moisture where
frost is seldom known; a great forest belt in the Northwest
and the North where the rainfall is as high as 120 inches from
October to April. As if this were not enough its mountain
ranges and air currents create a multiplicity of local climates
which I think can be said to have but one feature common to
all.
Beginning in Central Oregon in the Umpqua Valley and
extending the length of California it may be said that there are
no summer rains or at the most freak thunder storms. In all
of this region as well as the vast area east of the Sierras the
moisture is precipitated as rain or snow from October to April
or May and the summer is entirely or practically rainless.
Again, in all of this region root action at least, with all bulbous
or perennial plants, starts with the first rains and is most active
during the winter season. Top growth may or may not begin
at the same time. That depends upon winter temperature.
Even in the High Sierras where the snow banks may not melt
WILD PENTSTEMON ON A
CALIFORNIAN ROADSIDE
218
PACIFIC COAST WILD FLOWERS 219
until July or even August the season is marked by a dry period
so that all plants go into the winter well hardened.
North of the Umpqua Valley in Oregon and west of the
Cascade Mountains there are local climates also, but in all
cases with more or less summer rains. Naturally temperatures
vary immensely in this great region and there are many places
where the winter mean may be as low as or lower than in New
York.
Take for instance an altitude of 5000 feet in the Sierras. It is
a region of pine forests and the snowfall may be easily seven or
eight feet on the level. The snow is apt to cover the ground
by early November and not to melt before late April or early
May. It would naturally be supposed that the trees and
shrubs from there would be perfectly hardy in New York, yet
as a matter of fact some of them are of doubtful hardiness in
Philadelphia. Of course as the plants are snowed under before
the ground is very wet or frozen hard they do not have to
stand as hard conditions as obtain in New York, although after
the snow melts severe frosts may occur.
But it has been well proven that many supposedly tender
Californians can withstand the coldest Eastern winters with-
out injury. Take the Calochortus for instance. Species of this
occur as far East as Nebraska and as far north as British Co-
lumbia in the inner belt. In either case they have to with-
stand as much cold as they would in New York and it is a fact
that practically all of this genus go through the Eastern
winter unhurt if it is a cold winter. The danger comes in the
spring.
Speaking of the effect of frost on these supposedly tender
bulbs take this instance. Some years ago a bed had been
planted with a species native to this region and not covered,
when a heavy rain storm set in, followed by severe freezing
weather. The bulbs lying on top of the ground threw down
roots and made stems and flowered well in spite of the fact that
they were frozen solid daily for some time and in the full sun
at that.
,2*' . /' « <^| -"'•> •»'•'
1^
DARLINGTON I A CAI IFORNICA
WILD IN THE MOUNTAINS OF
CALIFORNIA
220
PACIFIC COAST WILD FLOWERS 221
In bringing the plants of the High Sierras to my garden
there may be the same difficulties as in attempting to grow
them in the East. Take this instance. On a peak of the
Sierras at about 9000 feet there is on the north side a bed of
Primula suffrutescens a very beautiful carpeting variety.
Near it grow Anemone occidentalis a tall variety with large
white flowers. Not far away in the crevices of the rock were
Heuchera rubescens. And again a Pentstemon, a Potent ilia and
Lin urn Lewis ii..
In my garden the Linum naturalizes itself, the Heuchera,
Pentstemon and Potentilla are perfectly at home while I have
never succeeded with either Anemone or Primula although I
could give them soil and moisture conditions very like their
home. Mimulus Lewisii from moist rich soils in this same
region I grow easily but the Gentian has always failed me.
I think that in these instances the trouble is that in the
Sierras the melting snow keeps the air cool and the sun's direct
heat is not so strong as in these lower altitudes. Another
factor in all acclimatization is as to whether a plant has fixed
its habits or is pliable under new conditions. The best in-
stance of this is with some of our Western Erythroniums. My
garden is natural Erythronium soil and most species thrive
wonderfully. From the high mountains of Washington I
have often had E. montanum — the reader may have seen the
photographs of the great masses of this in the meadows of
Mt. Rainier — and E. grandiflorum of the higher mountains.
Xow while most species planted here make root growth when-
ever rains come in the fall and make leaf and flower when
spring temperature invites, these two high mountain varieties
will not make a single move until well into the summer and
then it is too dry for them to develop. At one point E. grandi-
florum is found down to a few hundred feet above the sea level
and this form, while hardly distinguishable from the mountain
form, can be grown most easily here. Our trouble with some
other mountain plants may be due to this fixity of habits.
Then again the matter of soils. In the West they are as
varied as the climates. To be sure there are considerable areas
_
-
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-
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222
PACIFIC COAST WILD FLOWERS 223
with similar soils, but then there are innumerable small moun-
tainous areas where every half mile shows a change.
Vegetation too is distributed very often according to soil
changes. If you wish to find a certain plant, look for a given
soil. Sometimes this is very marked as in the instance of a
certain Mariposa Tulip. It is only found in little islands of a
peculiar stiff clay and these may be miles apart. Little col-
onies may be seen in areas of fifty feet across and none outside
of those areas, and perhaps it may be miles to the next little
deposit of soil and colony of bulbs.
This would seem to be conclusive evidence that this species
requires this particular soil. As a matter of fact it is the
most adaptable of its kind and will thrive in many soils when
in cultivation.
But while some plants seem to be confined in nature to par-
ticular soils, others seem almost indifferent and are found in
very many places. Soil may be a factor but is not by any
means necessarily the controlling factor. I long ago came to
the conclusion that we often confuse matters in laying stress on
soil when the real factor of success is some unnoticed element.
Exposure — whether to sun or to air currents — is a most vital
element in the West and more particularly because with our
long dry summers, a cool exposure may mean everything in
the way of moisture. Exposure is so vital an element that in
seeking many species the first thing to think of is as to which
way some hill faces. Of course in the West as in the East the
vicinity of trees whether in forests or scattered has much to
do with the distribution of plants, — everything to do with the
flora of a given region. Yet even here one cannot rely much
on appearances for it may be that the trees are not the con-
trolling factor. For instance Erythroniums are typically wood-
land plants. Yet where woods have been cleared so that there
is at most scattering underbrush you may find by far the finest
and largest plants and the high mountain species grow in the
open and full sun. The real controlling factor is in a certain
temperature and a degree of moisture during the growing
period rather than the shade of the trees.
224 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Many other things control distribution of plants than their
likings. In very many instances it is the competition of other
plants which confines a species to poor soil and rocky places
in spite of its soil preferences. This is well exemplified with
many Mariposa Tulips. In nature they more often grow in
rather poor soils and in barren places. Where a railroad passes
through a region where they are already present in small num-
bers, the small colonies on the poorer spots rapidly spread and
often become very numerous, in much richer soil than they
have ever inhabited. This because it is the custom to burn
over the right of way early in the summer and as soon as it
can be burned. Coarser plants have their seed pods burned
while the Mariposa Tulips, propagating by both seeds and
offsets can increase without being crowded. This is a factor
in plant growth and distribution which operates in innumerable
districts in the West which can hardly be said to be known in
the region east of the Rockies. It is this action of brush, grass
or forest fires.
Generally speaking where a fire has passed over a section all
vegetable growth is stimulated, often wonderfully. The spread
of many species from seed is greatly increased, some species
appear which were rare or unknown before, and the size and
beauty of all flowers is increased sometimes 300 to 500 per
cent. Always for the finest Bulbous plants and especially
Lilies seek the path of a brush or forest fire of one to two years
previous.
To just what action of the fire these results are due I do not
know. Perhaps to several things. Of course there is a de-
posit of potash which we know is beneficial, yet spreading hard
wood ashes over well tilled soil does not have the stimulating
effect that burning brush over it would have. In brushy or
wooded lands fungous growths are undoubtedly killed and I
have long noted that lily bulbs which were much rotted before
a fire would be perfectly bright and fresh afterwards. Open-
ing out to the light by burning brush or small trees has its part
in the result and soils are always loosened by a fire. Some-
times this loosening amounts to a fairly good surface cultiva-
PACIFIC COAST WILD FLOWERS 225
tion. Of course it is entirely impracticable to use fire as a
garden agent but if we could fully understand wherein its
benefit lay we could greatly improve the growth of many plants.
I think that in the West as compared with the East as a rule
soils are more open and open to a greater depth. This is not
true in our forested regions, but everywhere else it is the result
of our dry summers. This tends to make all Western per-
ennials more deeply rooted, and without question should be
considered as a matter of prime importance in attempts to
cultivate them in the East. For this reason too I believe that
greater success will be had in rockeries where there is more
depth of loose well drained areas than elsewhere. That is,
main' plants which here are widespread would be at their best
in the East in very well drained rock gardens.
Along the Pacific Coast from Central California north a belt
from 10 miles to perhaps 20 miles wide in California and much
wider to the north tends to acidity and is much improved by
liming. But this is practically the forest belt and its flora is
more of the woodland character and far less rich than that of
the interior.
Drainage again is a factor of decided importance. Of course
with the heavy rains in winter many sections of the West may
have very wet spots in the rainy season but these same sections
may be baked hard by fall. In handling Western plants and
trees it is a safe proposition to drain well. That is as apt to
be the necessary factor as anything else.
One other rather baffling thing is in the handling of plants
which here grow in spots very wet in winter and perfectly dry
in late summer. Camassia is an instance. It grows in winter
swamps starting its root growth with the first rains and at
flowering time often has a few inches of water around it. Yet
later its bulbs are ripened as hard as those of the Calochortus
growing on dry uplands.
In my acclimatization work I place the larger portion of a
consignment of new plants in that situation as to soil, shade
and moisture which my knowledge indicates most suitable, but
I place some of them in various situations as an experiment
226
PACIFIC COAST WILD FLOWERS 227
and very often it proves that the shade, moisture or soil ele-
ment is accidental and that the really necessary thing is some-
thing entirely different. For instance the plant from Western
Oregon in full sunlight may require shade in this region of
brilliant summer sun. The plant from a moist place in the
Great Basin may be perfectly happy in the dryer portions of
this much moister climate, the rock plant of the Sierras may be
happy in my perfectly drained and permeable gravels, the bog
lily of the Sierras well satisfied with the well drained soil where
moisture is applied artificially to the extent of its needs, and so
on interminably. An instance in point is Rpimedium alpinum
which grows in the open in the Alps. Here it succeeds admir-
ably in moist spots in rather heavy shade.
One interesting generalization can be made. Plants or bulbs
growing in woodlands make roots more slowly after moisture
comes in the fall and make tops much later. If planted in
the East this would insure that no fresh growth would be made
in the fall to suffer from either winter cold or to be exposed to
the spring thaw.
This for theory. As to facts. Quite a lot of our woodland
plants, mostly of the Saxifrage Family, have proved quite able
to stand a woodland situation near Boston. All of the Western
Erythroniums have had repeated tests from Michigan to New
England and proved hardy, and, as far as I can learn all West-
ern Liliums are perfectly hardy throughout the East and all
may be called woodland plants. The same reasoning would
make us believe that the undershrubs of California would prove
hardy for they too are slow to start.
Rather dissonant from this is the fact that the Matilija
Poppy, Ro?nneya Coulteri. native of the very mild Southern
Californian coast seems from various accounts to be almost or
quite hardy in New York. One factor in this may be that it is
not at all harmed by losing its entire top as it flowers from
new sprouts.
One would expect the plants from the Mid Sierras, we will
say at 5000 feet elevation, to be hardy in the East. The snow-
fall is heavy, it does not fully melt until late April or even
228 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
May, heavy frosts may come after it has gone or before the
snow comes in the fall and sometimes foliage is very badly
burned. The forest trees standing out of the snow one would
say would surely have to withstand as much cold as in many
portions of the East. As a matter of fact many of them will
not grow at Philadelphia.
Or again take the flora of the Higher Sierras where the snow
fall is very great and summer frosts frequent. Surely they
ought to be hardy in the East. We do not know. I am in-
clined to think that with them failures are rather due to cul-
ture than to climate, for when I bring them to this compara-
tively mild climate I have my troubles.
I believe that with a large number of Western plants the real
trouble is not in climate at all but in other conditions. If
these conditions can be met there is a wonderfully attractive
amount of material to be added to the Eastern garden and
especially of rock plants. This is true especially of rock plants
because in the West there is one soil condition not so pre-
valent in the East. That is a considerable depth of permeable
perfectly sweet soil. Our Pentstemons for instance are more
apt to grow in gravelly or rocky soils with their roots pene-
trating to a foot or two and maintaining growth after the
surface is quite dry. This condition can readily be given
in rock gardens; not so readily in the common garden.
It has been my experience in plant growing and acclimatiza-
tion generally that success lies in some small and often trifling
particular. Things which would seem material may be of lit-
tle consequence.
SOME PLANTS OF ARID REGIONS
Take Delphinium cardinale for instance. This plant is na-
tive to the semi-arid tablelands and open gorges of Southern
California but does admirably in well drained soil where the
winter rains may reach a total of sixty inches, with thirty-five
inches as ordinary. But while I grow collected plants readily
I cannot save fall grown seedlings of this plant. They always
220
BRODIAEA VOLUBILIS
230
PACIFIC COAST WILD FLOWERS 231
damp off even if sown wild. Or agan I found the trouble in
growing Calochorti from the arid regions was not in tempera-
ture or in winter moisture. Calochortus Kennedyii from the
Mohave desert grows admirably until the warm spring weather
comes and the flowering stems start up, and then within a few
days the Lily leaf rot gets nearly every one. To some degree
I have the same trouble with all species from the arid regions.
Here it would seem that the fungous diseases are not prevalent
in their native dry regions and that they have not developed
resisting powers. In addition to this is the fact that forms of
Calochortus venustus growing in Northwest California are very
close to others in the dryer sections yet the latter suffer con-
siderably from the leaf rot while those native here are immune.
All of the wonderfully varied Western Pentstemons carry
some wood above the ground in winter but many of them with-
stand very severe freezing when uncovered. This because
they are very often found in the crevices of rocks or on ex-
posed dry points where the snow covering is blown away.
Here in California we find it best to plant a subject of doubt-
ful hardiness where the sun cannot strike it early in the day.
It thaws out gradually if frozen and suffers much less.
My next article will begin a review of the best plant material
of the West both that which has had trials in the East and
Europe and less known species.
tTKIAH,
CALIFORNIA
Progress in Breeding Freesias
By Walter Van Fleet
HE Freesia is the most popular of a group of
Iridaceous plants with bulbous root-stocks
that form, during the season of growth, a sub-
stantial portion of the herbage of certain South
African localities and which have scarcely re-
ceived the appreciation their merits deserve.
Ixia, Sparaxis, Tritioma and Babiana all have their character-
istic charms in the way of rich and varied colorings and grace-
ful outlines as well, but the Freesia has the inestimable advan-
tages of a peculiarly grateful fragrance that never cloys, and of
lasting remarkably well as a cut-flower. These qualities
coupled with its ease of culture and certainty of bloom endear
it alike to florists and amateurs who have greenhouse facilities,
as it is too great a lover of light to be well adapted for ordinary
window culture.
The original wild Freesia and the only species known to
growers until quite recent times, is F. refracta, introduced to
European cultivation about 1816. It has a rather tortuous
horizontal scape, or flower spike, with five or more blooms with
bulging corolla tubes pointing irregularly up or down and is
lurid greenish yellow with a pronounced orange blotch, rather
than clear white in its coloring. Florists, however, soon
found the Freesia so acceptable for their uses that bulb grow-
ers set about the improvement of the type which soon began to
lighten its colors under culture and critical selection. As
much as forty years ago a superior variety of F. refracta appeared
with larger foliage and well shaped, almost white, flowers,
though retaining the deep yellow blotch. This is known as
Freesia refracta alba and may be considered as the usual garden
232
HYBRID FREES] A
NEW COLOR PATTER WITH
"PICOTEE" EDGING
PROGRESS IN BREEDING FREESIAS 233
variety, having entirely displaced the type except in critical
botanic collections. The ideal of a pure white Freesia of extra
vigorous growth was still striven for, culminating a dozen
years ago in the introduction of the variety Purity, developed
by Mr. Rudolph Fischer, a Long Island grower now resident
in California. Purity is now the standard Freesia for florists
use and, when well grown, is large and fine with a greatly
increased number of blooms that, at least in the beginning of
the forcing season, are entirely white, though later as the
plants weaken the yellow blotch often reappears. It is nor-
mally so handsome, fragrant and easily grown that it about
meets the present desires of the flower-buying public for a white
Freesia, although there are other good strains of F. refracta
alba in cultivation.
YELLOW FREESIAS
Although yellow may be said to dominate in the typical
wild Freesia refracta, it is anything but a pleasing shade, often
tending toward green, and growers usually expend their main
efforts in suppressing it. A few fanciers however, have en-
deavored to bring out more acceptable tints of this color and
have been greatly aided by the dissemination of an unusually
vigorous variety or garden species, known as Freesia Leicht-
linii, discovered growing in a neglected state in an Italian
nursery by the late well-known continental plantsman Herr
Max Leichtlin. F. Leichtlinii is by far the strongest growing
Freesia in general cultivation, producing a wealth of large, well-
shaped blooms with wide tubes, sulphur to deep yellow in color,
free from greenish shades, but with a deep orange throat-
blotch. Mr. Herbert Chapman in England has bred from
Leichtlinii a charming golden-yellow variety, now known to
the European trade as F. Chapmanii. Yellow freesias from
this source have highly developed fragrance, usually exceed-
ing in intensity that of the white varieties. F. Leichtlinii,
by inter-crossing with F. Armstrongii, the new pink flow-
ered species and the yellowish reversions of F. refracta alba
234 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
that still appear, has lately given rise to some quite remarkable
undisseminated apricot-colored and even naming orange vari-
eties, rivalling Tritonas and Montbretias in bright appearance.
PINK FREESIAS
A few European nurserymen were offering twenty years ago
colored freesias other than yellow, but on trial they turned out
to be only variants of rejracta alba, with the palest possible
tintings of rose, lilac and purple, often only on the exterior of
the corolla tubes or petals where coloration is certainly not
wanted. All had conspicuous yellow blotches in the throats.
Those personally tested had little value as distinct varieties
and were at once discarded. The very natural desire for
greater variety of effective coloring in a plant already well
endowed with cultural attractions however, was gratified about
the year 1905 by the dissemination in workable quantities of
the newly described pink, or rather lilac flowered species Freesia
Armstrongii, found near Natal, South Africa. F. Armstrongii
is taller and rather more slender in growth than rejracta alba,
with branching scapes, bearing rosy lilac flowers with white
tube and yellow blotch, well carried and of fair size and shape.
The fragrance is scarcely perceptible, the corms are smaller
than those of F. rejracta alba and the blooms come about a
month later when grown under similar conditions. As was
to be expected this attractive new-comer was quickly utilized
for breeding in bulb gardens, notably in Italy and Holland,
and to a lesser extent in this country. Some meritorious
hybrids, mostly with superior varieties of F. rejracta alba,
characterized by shades of pink, lilac, mauve and even violet,
practically all with yellow base are now in commerce, and
Leichtlinii has also been used with good effect in developing
shades of brown and orange, sometimes with much spotting
and veining. The best named hybrids we have raised were
grown in Holland, seedlings from Italy have produced some
good flowers, and we hear of a practical florist's pink variety
being lately developed in California.
PROGRESS IN BREEDING FREESIAS 235
The writer's breeding experience with Freesias dates back to
the introduction of F. Armstrongii, hybridizing this very dis-
tinct species as soon as obtainable with typical forms of F.
Leichtlinii and the best strains of F. refracta alba then to be
had. Previous attempts had been made to deepen by selection
and cross-pollination the occasional rose and purple shades
found in refracta alba seedlings, but with little success. Many
beautiful hybrids of F. Armstrongii were soon obtained, dupli-
cating to some extent, as was to be expected, the results ob-
tained by other workers in the field. The most distinct of
these hybrids were bred together when fertile, and occasionaly
pollen was used from the parent sources to fortify especially
desirable features in the offspring, but no hybrid varieties from
other sources were used in developing the strain. Twelve
generations in all, representing a complicated series of inter-
crossings and a considerable number of controlled self-polli-
nations, have been grown, giving most varied and interesting
results. The color range has been extended from the original
lilac and yellow tints to include brilliant yellow, bright orange,
copper red, various pink shades, some very clear and bright, to
intense rosy purple and even violet blue. The pink and rose
varieties were quite satisfactory in general as regards color,
form, and vigor from the earliest crossings, but the extreme
shades of blue, purple, brown, and copper red were only devel-
oped by repeated pollinations of critically selected parents, at
times highly desirable in coloring, but often defective in form
and finish. By growing hybrid seedlings in sufficient numbers
however, it has been possible to develop varieties having the
desired qualities in almost every instance and also to induce
certain wide departures from the usual color pattern, which
consists of a conspicuous yellow throat-blotch on a uniform
white or colored ground.
DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL FORM AND COLOR PLAN
The departures from normal flower-form of a wide or narrow-
tubed trumpet-shaped corolla with six broad petals or terminal
divisions are not numerous, but may be expected to increase
236 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
with further development. One type has the petals narrow
and pointed like the familiar "star phlox" of our annual flower
beddings and is quite effective in the white and light lilac
colors. Another shows strong indications of "doubling" by
increasing the corolla divisions to eight or more, making quite
a massive flower. This is particularly noticeable among the
light yellow or cream tinted varieties. Any tendency to true
doubling or hose-in-hose corolla form as with certain Primulas
and Daturas, or filling up of the throat with a confused mass of
petals will doubtless be discouraged by breeders as lessening
the natural beauty of the blooms. There are also tendencies
to dwarfness and gigantism in stature among the later cross-
breds. The former is very welcome. Compact, short-jointed
plants with good blooms suited for window culture would be an
acquisition in view of the rather lanky habit of some of the
better varieties. On the other hand increase in height, unless
accompanied with marked enlargement of bloom and leafage
does not appear desirable. Purity and some of the Leichtlinii
hybrids can now be grown quite two feet in height. The most
acceptable form-variation that has yet appeared results from
the swinging of alternate blooms in each flower scape and
branch to the right and left, together with a shortening of the
nodes, thus forming a two-ranked cluster that is very attrac-
tive, giving in the blush and light rose varieties a pretty imita-
tion of a greatly enlarged inflorescence of the trailing arbutus,
Epigaea repens, a similitude further borne out by the pleasing
fragrance. The number of blooms on the central scape in
some varieties have been increased to thirteen and a well-
grown plant may easily yield fifty or more flowers, as side
branches develop, during its blooming season.
The principal variations in color pattern consists in the
replacement of the yellow blotch with streaks and spottings of a
contrasting color. Thus certain red-orange varieties have
chestnut-brown blotches or stripes, and large blue or violet
blotches in pairs are found in some of the new white sorts,
giving an odd and not unpleasing Cattleya-like orchid effect.
The throats of other varieties are tigered and streaked with
diverse colors, at times in a manner more unique than pleasing.
PROGRESS IN BREEDING FREESIAS 237
A PICOTEE EDGING
A welcome variation in color pattern is the concentration of
the color at the edges of the petals in the manner of the picotee
carnations of the older gardens. When associated with the
almost total suppression of the yellow blotch it gives a cheerful
and pleasing effect. The colored plate opposite page 232 shows
one of the first of this type to develop and it appears likely
that picotee Freesias in many colors may in time be evolved.
LONG SEASON OF BLOOM
The extended season of bloom, covering eight weeks or more,
of the new varieties is an unexpected but never-the-less valu-
able feature. Freesia Armstrongii is naturally some weeks
later in coming into bloom than the older species, and a certain
amount of variation in season among the hybrids was to be
looked for, but the newcomers bloom in succession though
planted at the same time in September and grown under exactly
the same conditions, from early January until March. This
lengthened season will do much to popularize these attractive
plants as flowers can be had in long succession without the
trouble of starting batches as with the old varieties.
FUTURE OF THE FREESIA
Freesias are now well entrenched in popular favor and will
doubtless be increasingly grown even if no striking advances
are made in the way of perfecting varieties, but added interest
will arise as the range of color and form is extended. The best
of the newer hybrids appear rather sterile as regards seed and
pollen production, though most of them produce an abundance
of good cormels, and it may be that the development of new
varieties of outstanding merit by means of seed selection and
cross-pollination may slow up, but cultural mutations or vege-
tative "sports," possibly of a startling character, may be
looked for at any time, as with other intensively cultivated
plants, and in any event the Freesia has taken its place as a
not unimportant part of the winter equipment of florists and
amateurs alike.
238 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
THE CULTURE OF FREESIAS
The culture of the Freesias is of the simplest character. The
plants like rich, open and fairly light soil, cool temperature,
abundance of sunlight at all stages of growth, and plenty of
moisture as the blooming season approaches. Bulbs or corms
should be potted up in August or September, as it is not well to
keep them long out of the soil. Seven large bulbs, or about
ten smaller ones, can be well accommodated in a six-inch pot
which should be provided with ample drainage. Press the
bulbs to the level in the damp compost and cover with half an
inch or more of coarse sand, or fine gravel if available. Place
outside in a sheltered situation and water sparingly until
growth starts, then more freely. At the approach of hard
frost in October the pots or boxes should be removed to a light,
cool greenhouse bench and given free ventilation and sufficient
moisture to maintain a slow but steady growth. The ordinary
carnation temperature of fifty degrees at night with a reason-
able rise on bright days suits them to perfection if ventilation
is well attended to. By the middle of December the plants will
need support, which is best given by four bamboo or wire
stakes sixteen inches long with encircling cords to each pot, or
a similar arrangement if grown in boxes or the open bench, as
florists sometimes attempt. Blooms appear from February to
March or earlier if the temperature is run higher, but forced
freesias are usually deficient in texture and keeping quality.
After blooming the bulbs should be allowed five or six weeks to
mature their growth, then gradually dried off and stored in the
earth in pots or boxes or even in the open bench, keeping a
wary eye for the depredation of mice or rats which occasion
frequent losses. In midsummer they should be shaken free of
soil and assorted, the small cormels or bulblets being separately
grown much closer together, if it is desired to increase the
variety. Seedlings for the production of new varieties may be
grown in much the same manner, but they cannot be relied on
for the perpetuation of the parent types. From twelve to
fifteen seeds are about right for a six-inch pot of compost
similar to that in which the flowering bulbs are grown, or seeds
can be spaced an inch apart in rows six or more inches apart in
PROGRESS IN BREEDING FREESIAS 239
boxes of the same depth. They should be well firmed in and
covered with half an inch of clean sand. August appears a
good month in wheh to sow Freesia seeds, as the plants grow
slowly throughout the fall months and early winter and art'
usually strong enough to bloom by the following April. Seed-
lings should have exactly the same treatment as the larger
bulbs as regards temperature, light and moisture. If space is
limited seeds may be sown as thickly as one hundred to a six-
inch pot, but there is risk of "damping off" and the resulting
corms are so small that they cannot bloom until given ample
space in succeeding years.
The commercial culture of Freesia bulbs is concentrated
about the warmer portions of the Pacific and Mediterranean
Coasts. In California the regions from Santa Cruz to Ventura
afford protected localities where bulbs may successfully be
grown in the open, but lath sheds or glass structures are needed
even short distances from the actual coast line. In Europe
successful cultures appear to cluster about Nice and Naples,
where nearly frost-free conditions may be had. The com-
mercial outdoor grower of Freesias has a serious condition to
contend with that does not confront the glass-house grower to
anything like the same extent. He can only grow one variety in
the same locality for successive years if he wishes to maintain
the integrity of his stocks. Seed capsules are closely cropped
to conserve energy for bulb increase, and every effort is made
to prevent seeds getting into the soil, but many small corrm-ls
remain after digging to plague the grower in after years. Little
harm is done where cultures are restricted to one variety, but
unpleasant mixtures occur if another type is planted before the
first one is thoroughly eradicated. The glass-house grower
uses entirely new soil each season and is thus able to keep his
varieties true to type. It is quite likely that the choice new
hybrids will for sometime be grown by the greenhouse method
by careful specialists near the larger eastern centers of popula-
tion. Any well equipped carnation house is adapted for the
purpose and it is more than probable that the financial returns
for the choicer strains of new Freesias may at least equal those
to be had from staple glass-house crops.
BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY,
WASHINGTON
THE DYKE LEADING
TO THE LAKE
240
An Up Country Community
With an Old JVorld Charm
By Zelia K. Hoffman
HERE is a village in the uplands of the Lake
Country of Central New York which still pre-
serves many of the traditions of life of the
Old World, and gives the visitor that same
delightful feeling that comes when visiting the
country communities of England and France
— aloofness from the rush and restlessness of modern life and
immediate and intimate relation with Nature which is not
always possible for places near the great cities.
Foxes still live in the woods and beavers and many little
wild animals of that underworld which babbles unceasingly
down the "wind in the willows" have their happy existence in
stream and lake and meadow land. Birds build in the eaves
and the rafters and the parliaments of crows still carry on their
busy life like real English rooks. In the lush green of May
and June when the sheep and lambs are on the hillside and the
primroses are foaming along the garden paths (for the English
primrose loves this climate), the far upland feeling and remote-
ness of this countryside and the masses of hawthorn bloom-
ing along the hedgerows, make a true English countryside.
The traditions of the place are Dutch, however, not English
and the charming old Manor House built by Mr. Jan Lincklaen
in 1797 recalls the Hague, not England. This delightful house
has been more fortunate than are many of our beautiful old
houses in this country, as it has ever had the constant, intelli-
gent and loving care of the same family, the inheritors of Mr.
Lincklaen's properties, and it is probably due to this and the
241
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THEOPHILUS CAZENOVE — 1790, AGENT
FOR THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY',
PHILADELPHIA, FOR WHOM CAZENOVIA
WAS NAMED. PORTRAIT PRESENTED TO
VILLAGE LIBRARY BY HIS GRANDSON THE
MARQUIS DE CAZENOVE
243
244 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
sequence of traditional education and refinement in the village
life that has preserved for Cazenovia that atmosphere which
is found there.
Theophilus Cazenove was the first General Agent of the
Holland Company. When the Company made their first
purchase of lands in the interior of the State of New York and
Pennsylvania, soon after 1790, he had arrived in this country
and acted as their agent. In all the negotiations and prelimi-
nary proceedings connected with the large purchase of Robert
Morris, of this region, the interests of the Company were
JOHN LINCKLAEN
FOUNDER OF CAZENOVIA
principally confided to him. His name is intimately blended
with the whole history of the title. When the purchase was
perfected he was made General Agent, and under his auspices
the surveys were commenced and the perfecting of the title
completed.
He returned to Europe in 1799, ending then his connection
with the Company. He resided for a time in London, after
which he went to Paris and died in the house of M. De
Talleyrand.
AN UP COUNTRY COMMUNITY
245
Jan von Lincklacn was born in Amsterdam, Holland, Decern
ber 24, 1768. His boyhood was principally passed in Switzer-
land, where he was educated by a private tutor. At the age
of fourteen he entered the Dutch Navy, remaining in the service
for some years, and attaining promotion to the rank of Lieu-
tenant under Admiral De Winter. While in this service he
visited the most important places in Europe and Asia, and
passed considerable time at Smyrna and Ceylon.
OR.MOND WOODS
OWAGHENA LAKE
In the year 1790, he came to this country under the patronage
of Mr. Stadnitski of Amsterdam, the principal director of the
Holland Land Company's affairs in America.
In the year 1792, he penetrated the wilderness of Central
Xew York, and surveyed the land subsequently purchased by
the Holland Land Company, and early in the following year
(1793), intrusted with the agency of the tract, he commenced
the actual settlement of Cazenovia, naming it after his friend
Mr. Cazenove. Young, active, and persevering, he turned
his attention to the needs of his new settlement, and at once
commenced laying out roads, building bridges, erecting mills
246
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
and warehouses, and all that a new home demanded, and he
soon found himself surrounded by a prosperous community,
in the place where his refined taste had induced him to make
his new home.
In this active way he labored for nearly thirty years, and
won for himself a reputation for integrity and accuracy, and
proved himself in all ways a friend to the poor, and a neighbor
devoted to the welfare of his townsmen.
THE MANOR HOUSE
LORENZO
John Lincklaen's name was also connected with the Holland
Purchase in the Genesee country. According to the then
existing laws of this State, those of the Holland Company then
in Holland, could not purchase and hold real estate, being aliens.
After several changes in the trustees, and transfers of portions
of the land, sanctioned by the Legislature, the whole tract of
the celebrated "Morris Reserve," containing about three and a
quarter million acres was deeded to the individuals, in their
own names, who represented the three separate branches of
the Holland Company. These were: — Herman Leroy, John
-**.--
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ONE OF THE EARLY GARDENERS OF '
CAZENOVIA, HELEN LEDYARD (MRS. ALEXANDER
KRUMBHAAR) ADOPTED DAUGHTER OF THE
FOUNDER OF THE VILLAGE
250
AN UP COUNTRY COMMUNITY 251
Lincklaen and Gerrit Boon. In conveyances of these vast
estates made subsequently, we find the names of Herman Leroy
and Hannah his wife, John Lincklaen and Helen Ledyard his
wife, Gerrit Boon, Paul Busti, William Bayard, James McEvers,
the Willinks and others.
His acquaintance embraced many learned and distinguished
men, (among them Talleyrand, at the time seeking in America
a refuge from European disturbances;) and his reading, as
evinced by his library, was varied and extensive, in English,
Dutch and French.
:f= *Jc :[; ;J: ^ ^ jjc
Cazenovia was formed from Paris and YVhitestown, Herkimer
County, March 5th, 1795. It is the center town on the western
border of the county, and is bounded on the north by Sullivan,*
east by Fenner* and Nelson,* south by DeRuyter, and west by
Onondaga County. The surface of this town is a rolling up-
land, broken by the deep valleys of the Chittenango and Lime-
stone Creeks. The summits of the hills are 200 to 500 feet
above the valleys. Cazenovia Lake (called Owahgena, mean-
ing "the lake where the yellow fish swim," or "yellow perch
lake,") a beautiful sheet of water about four miles long,
lies in the northern part. Its shores slope gently back from the
water's edge, where handsome farms, unrivalled for richness
by any in the county, are spread out to view fourteen hundred
feet above sea level.
The lake lies at a great elevation above tide water, and Chit-
tenango Creek which bears away its waters, is a feeder of the
Erie Canal. This stream has in its course a fall of several
hundred feet, affording a great number of mill sites.
At Chittenango Falls, about three miles from Cazenovia
village, the water plunges in a beautiful cascade, perpendicu-
larly, over a ledge of limestone rock, 136 feet in height. There
is no scenery in this part of the State more charming than along
the course of this creek from the village to the Falls.
The DeRuyter and Oneida Plank Road, which was built in
1848, in passing this route, found its most difficult obstacles in the
gorge near the falls, where an elevation of 800 feet was over-
*Xamed for General Sullivan and the famous admirals of those days.
252 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
come by a gradual ascent, which in no place exceeds six feet
in one hundred. The old road required an aggregate ascent
of 1,600 feet. The plank road rendered available a water-
power hitherto useless; its entire fall is 750 feet. From Cazeno-
via to Chittenango this road has been recently macadamized.
Limestone Creek flows across the south part of the town.
On this stream, near the southwest border of the town, are two
beautiful cascades, called Delphi Falls, one of which is ninety
feet in height, the other between sixty and seventy. Hydrau-
lic and common limestone are quarried near Chittenango Falls,
in the northern and central parts; the soil is a gravelly loam.
In the southern part of the town a clayey loam soil prevails.
As we turn our attention to the history of this region, we are
enabled to go beyond the day when it was called Cazenovia,
into the ancient time when it was a part of the broad territory
of Whitestown. The far-reaching trails of the Iroquois had
pointed the way of emigration into northern Madison County.
A sort of semi-civilization was accomplished through the inter-
course of the Indians and whites, in their days of war and of
peace, as far back as the sixteenth century, so that the savage
had learned many of the useful arts, with, probably, some addi-
tional viciousness; and the Englishman and Frenchman, more
often the latter, had mingled his blood with the race of the red
man; for the white man desired this beautiful country, and
rather than not dwell in it, he willingly took up his abode with
the aboriginal possessors. When peace succeeded the troub-
lous times of the Revolution, the controllers of the public wel-
fare, knowing well the value of these lands, and knowing, also
that the time had come when peacable arrangements could be
made with the Indians, effected amicable treaties with them,
by which large tracts were obtained for settlement. In 1788,
treaties were made, through which the "Military Tract" of Onon-
daga, the Chenango "Twenty Towns," and the "Gore," lying
between them, were obtained. The Military Tract was appro-
priated to "Soldiers' Rights;" and while the Twenty Towns
were sold to different purchasers, the Gore, or its proceeds,
were to be appropriated to the laying out of new roads. There-
CHITTENANGO FALLS
253
254 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
fore, it was named "Road Township." It was a tract about
thirty-five miles long, from north to south, four and a half miles
at the northern extremity, and about four miles at the southern
containing about 100,000 acres of land. The project of open-
ing the great Genesee, as well as a road from the salt springs in
Onondaga County, which should traverse Road Township
to Chenango, in the Twenty Towns, was in contemplation, but
nothing was done until after the sale of this tract to the Holland
Land Company.
Previous to the treaties of 1788, this town was in the domain
of the Oneidas, and was considered as their reserve hunting
ground ; and the lake, so well stored with fish, was their especial
property. Though their village lay at the northward fat
Canaseraga), yet they kept a well-defined path to and up the
Chittenango Creek to the lake, where they built their temporary
cabins, reduced the timber, constructed apparatus for fishing,
and otherwise betook themselves to the pursuits of their race.
At the head of the lake they evidently, at some time, estab-
lished themselves with some degree of permanency, and cul-
tivated small fields of corn. There some of their number have
been buried. In 1861, when the citizens of this School District
(No. 5) were sinking a hole to set their liberty pole, near the
school house, a large skeleton of an Indian was found buried
in a sitting posture, with hatchets, pipes, beads and other arti-
cles which the Indian was supposed to need on his journey to
the Spirit land. The circumstance of the remains of a breast-
work-like fortification, which could be seen for many years
after the settlement by white people, just east of this school
house, and the frequent bringing to light as the soil was cul-
tivated, of various implements of domestic use, such as heavy
stone mallets or pestles, worn smooth by friction, — apparently
of the kind used in pounding corn, — of stone hatchets, (some-
times broken,) of rather ingenious make, and other peculiarly-
formed implements — the use of which is unknown at the pres-
ent day — curious beads, etc., all would indicate something
like a permanent residence, where their Indian arts flourished
for a season, where they found abundant sport as well as sus-
VILLAGE LANDING
CAZENOVIA
255
256
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
tenance in fishing, and also in hunting, — for hears and deer
were plenty, and otter and beaver were not scarce, — and where
their little fields of corn grew thriftily. They were undoubt-
edly one of the families of the great Confederacy, established
here for a season.
Ch ittena ngo Springs*
The famous white sulphur Springs are situated two miles
south of Chittenango village, and a few miles north of Caze-
WHERE THE FORGET-ME-NOTS
GROW
novia village. Since the first building up of accommodations
about 1840, were from time to time improved till admirable
appointments were attained. It was a popular watering-place,
with every convenience for promoting the comfort and amuse-
ment of the invalid or devotee of pleasure; hot baths of the
mineral water with efficient medical supervision; charming
drives, boating, fishing, etc. These buildings were destroyed
by fire about twenty years ago.
The water has been critically analyzed by the best chemists
in the State and pronounced equalled by only one other spring
* Property of Mrs. Charles F. Hoffman.
^T^^--^)JmjtKff^i3SBKBSS^^9m^OSl Swr' . .-
UPPER AND LOWER
DELPHI FALLS
PROPERTY OF MRS. CHARLES F. HOFFMAN
257
MAPLES AND HICKORIES
AT ORMOND
THE MEADOWS AND WOODLANDS AT
ORMOND, WHERE THE TRILLIUMS
GROW
258
OLD WILLOWS
ESTATE OF L. W
CAZENOVIA
LEDYARD, ESQ.
250
260
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
in the country — the "White Sulphur Springs," of Virginia — in
medical qualities. The following is a statement of an analysis
of one pint of water from each of these Springs:
Carbonate of lime . .
Sulphate of lime ....
Sulphate of magnesia
Sulphate of soda . . . .
Chloride of calcium .
Organic matter
Their curative properties are greatly recommended by medi-
cal men.
A new mineral Spring, the water of a bluish color, was dis-
covered near the hotel about 1869; the water having a
remarkably tonic effect.
At different dates, the patronage of the Springs was very
large; in 1870, under the management of C. W. Reicks, the
number of guests during the year was upwards of 10,000.
Flora
The wild Flora of this region is particularly rich and beau-
tiful; beginning with the Anemones — the wild flower of the
early Spring and the Cowslips standing half in water in the
meadows, continuing with the Trilliums, the pure white Trinity
flower, carpeting the woodlands in one sheet of white, the red
and yellow Columbines on the rock ledges, the pink Lady's-
Slippcr in the Moraines,* the Wild Rose and the Forget-me-not,
making little islands in the midst of the rushing waters of the
streams in July, and the Manxes and Yellows and Purples of
the Golden-rods and Asters in the Autumn, all make a picttire
which never fails to charm.
The snows that lie all winter and keep the garden warm,
make it possible to grow many things here which further south
*A local name for a moist woodland.
AN UP COUNTRY COMMUNITY 261
cannot withstand the constant freezing and thawing and give a
freshness to the garden store.
Lilacs and Hollyhocks, the Bleeding Heart, the Fraxinella of
our grandmothers, beloved of the bees and humming birds,
Larkspurs, Madonna Lilies and Red June Roses, Canterbury
Bells and Poppies planted in among the currants, Sweet Briars,
old fashioned yellow Roses, pink and blue Lupines, Meadow
rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium) , Foam-flower (Tiarel/a), White
Rocket, and many another Old World flower that seems to be
forgotten in our more sophisticated gardens, bloom in cottage
gardens along the country roads. They are flowers set in a
landscape of rolling pastureland and woodland which shows
Nature in her sweetest moods and provides the atmosphere
which in England has created the scholarship of which she
can be so proud.
LOWER FALLS
LETCHWORTH PARK ARBORETUM
262
The Letchworth Park Forest
Arboretum
By Caroline Bishop
N AREA and in population the town of Genesee
Falls ranks lowest among the townships of
Wyoming County, New York; but lying
largely within its borders is a spot of scenic
beauty which, in the opinion of many nature-
lovers, is not surpassed in our eastern states.
The Genesee River, forming the boundary on the eastern side,
here displays itself in its loveliest forms. In its northward
course from the southern boundary of the township it flows
peacefully for several miles through an alluvial valley; but
having cut its way through the high hill that bounds the valley
on the north, it suddenly plunges a little more than seventy
feet over a rocky precipice which extends diagonally from
bank to bank. Within a distance of less than half a mile it
falls again more than one hundred feet in a beautiful broad
sheet over a face of terraced rock. It then flows on in a sinuous
course between high walls, the summits of which are bordered
with beautiful shrubs and majestic trees. About a mile and a
half below the second fall, in the solitude of the forest, it drops
ninety feet in rapids and a series of falls, into a narrow flume
from which it soon emerges and sweeps in a great semi-circle
through the deepest gorge in its course from Northern Pennsyl-
vania to Lake Ontario. The trees and shrubs on the sloping
banks, on the cliffs and the bordering plateaus, the delicate
ferns and mosses and flowering plants that spring from crevices
in the rock walls, add beauty to the varying river scene. For-
esters tell us there are few places in our country where so great
263
264 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
a variety of beautiful forest trees can he found on an equal
area as along the left hank of the Genesee River between the
Upper and the Lower Falls.
That the living trees are now standing is owing to the protect-
ing care of a lover of nature and of humanity. As early as
1824, perhaps a little earlier, a sawmill was put in operation at
the Middle Fall. This and a more pretentious lumbering
plant established in its stead, were fed with trees from the
banks of the Genesee; and in the early fifties of the nineteenth
century the lofty pines from more than two hundred acres in
this vicinity went to the building of the massive railway bridge
which connected the banks two hundred and thirty-four feet
high just above the Upper Fall. Unfortunately, the lumber-
men, unlike wise foresters, did not plant where they had cut
down, and the scene was one of desolation.
But only a few years passed before the work of restoration
was begun. Although living in Buffalo, near the wondrous
Falls of Niagara, the late William Pryor Letchworth sought a
country home on the banks of the Genesee. Looking down the
valley from the railway bridge, he saw what had been done,
and he also saw what could be done to compensate nature for
her lost treasures. After negotiations not easily consummated,
Dr. Letchworth succeeded in purchasing, early in 1859, the
land which lies in hillside, plateau and meadow on the left
bank of the river and commanding a view of the Upper and
Middle Falls. He adapted the dwelling which stood on the
plateau overlooking the Middle Fall to his immediate needs,
and began clearing away the debris from the mills, and the
trees that had been felled. From the rainbow seen in the mists
above the falls on every sunlit day he gave his home the fitting
name of Glen Iris. As he could make opportunities to do so,
he added to his estate until it included one thousand acres
lying on both sides of the river and embracing the Upper,
Middle and Lower Falls, or Portage Falls, as they are more
widely known.
One of the chief features in the development of the estate
was the planting of trees, a practice which Dr. Letchworth
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266 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
continued almost or quite annually to the last year of his life,
when, according to his own estimate, ten thousand trees had
been planted under his direction. Addressing at Glen Iris in
1875 a company of representatives of the press of Western
New York, Dr. Letchworth said :
In what little I have done here, my object has been to aid nature in her
struggling efforts, and in doing so, humor her as it were, in all her fanciful
moods. The eight or nine thousand forest trees which I have planted up
and down the river in this locality, are nearly all indigenous to this soil,
and have been planted just as the winds of heaven might have cast the
seed. In the disposition of them I have endeavored to bring out pleasing
contrasts of color, and throw lines of grace about lines otherwise hard.
This estate, where beauty and grandeur are harmoniously
united, has been a pleasure ground for the people for more
than fifty years, and it was an inspiration to Dr. Letchworth
while doing the great work for humanity to which he earnestly
devoted thirty-seven years of his life. Desiring that it should
be forever preserved as a public park for the benefit of the
people, a little less than four years before his death in 1910,
Dr. Letchworth presented it to the State of New York, specify-
ing in the deed of gift that the American Scenic and Historic
Preservation Society should be the custodian of the estate,
which, by a concurrent resolution of the Senate and the
Assembly, was named Letchworth Park. This Society was
organized in 1895 "for the protection of natural scenery and
the preservation of historic landmarks in the United States."
The work which it has accomplished along these lines has
gained for it not only a national but an international reputation.
In conference with officers of the Society respecting the further
development of the Park, Dr. Letchworth indicated on a map
of the estate certain tracts which he desired should be re-
forested.
In 1909, the Hon. Charles M. Dow, one of the trustees of
the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society and
now Director of the Park, visited the Orient. In the garden
of the Emperor of Korea, which is in striking contrast to that
LETCHWORTH PARK FOREST ARBORETUM 267
tree-denuded country, the re-foresting of the farm lands and
open spaces in Letchworth Park began to assume in Dr. Dow's
mind the form of an arboretum, and partially in that interest
he journeyed to the island of Java, to visit the Botanic Gardens
of Buitenzorg. These gardens, which have been described as
of "princely dimensions and inconceivably magnificent," were
established with a view to developing latent resources of the
Dutch East Indies by affording an opportunity to study with
facility their food and medicinal trees and plant life. The
method of administration, which is the result of a century and
a half of experience, was carefully observed, and lessons which
have been practically applied in establishing the Letchworth
Park Arboretum were furnished in the beautiful, useful and sci-
entifically administered Buitenzorg Gardens. The botanical
gardens and arboretums of other foreign countries that were
visited also supplied valuable hints and suggestions. From
extended observation and careful consideration there grew the
idea of an arboretum unique — an arboretum of forest trees.
Different soils and elevations and exposures of land surfaces in
Letchworth Park offered encouragement to the materialization
of the idea.
In the great arboretums of the world the trees and shrubs,
arranged in accordance with a natural likeness, or with refer-
ence to their uses, or upon some other principle, have been
planted singly or in small groups, facilitating their study and
producing charming effects; but such grouping and distribu-
tion of trees do not solve the problems which confront the
practical forester, for the development of trees in the open or
in small groups is entirely different from their growth in the
forest. With the increasing interest in recent years in the
conservation of our natural resources and the re-foresting of
denuded areas, has come the need of practical demonstrations
in the growing of forest trees. Such object lessons the Letch-
worth Park Arboretum will furnish; and the forest student,
the farmer without a wood-lot or whose land includes unproduc-
tive hillsides, the man, woman, or association interested in the
growing of forest trees under natural conditions, will here find
a rare field for observation and study.
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270 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Respecting the function of the Letchworth Park Arboretum,
I quote from the Director of the Park:
The principle upon which the Letchworth Park Arboretum is established
is that it shall consist of a permanent collection of the various species of
the world's timber trees likely to thrive in this northern climate, planted
scientifically, to test their value and illustrate the processes of development,
so supplying not only knowledge for knowledge's sake, but also knowledge
for practical use.
It is intended that the value to the State and the Nation of the arbo-
retum will not consist merely in a demonstration, clear to every eye, of
the results which may be expected from forest plantations of many dif-
ferent kinds of trees. The possibilities of the arboretum for extending
exact knowledge of tree growth will also be fully developed
The growth of the trees will be measured periodically, their liability to
disease will be noted, and their capacity for seed-bearing; their behavior in
pure stands and in mixture, their influence upon the forest floor, and other
practical considerations bearing upon their value for commercial tree-
planting, will be carefully observed and recorded. By this means the
Letchworth Park Arboretum will aid materially in laying an exact scien-
tific basis for the successful extension of practical forestry in the United
States. Every step will be taken, not only to insure results of the highest
scientific value from forest work at Letchworth Park, but also to develop
its usefulness as an object lesson to all Park visitors.
In the selection of a forester the American Scenic and His-
toric Preservation Society considered itself fortunate in secur-
ing the services of the late Overton \V. Price, of Washington,
D. C, who was a graduate of the Forest School at Munich,
Bavaria, and who had been for nearly ten years Assistant
Forester of the United States. Mr. George B. Sudworth,
Dendrologist of the United States Forest Service, accompanied
Air. Price on visits to the Park and rendered valuable assist-
ance by his advice. Upon the death of Mr. Price in 1914 Mr.
Sudworth was appointed Forester.
The first tree of the Arboretum was planted May 9, 1912.
Planting was continued until June third, when upwards of
100,000 trees had been set out on fifty acres of land. The
number of species represented was fifty-five, of which thirty
LETCHWORTH PARK FOREST ARBORETUM 271
were broad leaved and twenty-five were conifers. The trees,
obtained from leading nurseries in this country and in Europe,
were planted in blocks varying in size from less than an acre
to several acres in extent.
After the first season's planting it was decided to raise from
seeds the trees necessary to carry on the re-foresting of the
Park. The nursery, where the seeds are sown, is an interest-
ing and educational feature of the arboretum work, for here
the earliest stages in the development of native and foreign
trees may be observed — from the germination of the seeds to
the removal of the plants to the Arboretum. Many seeds
have been sown since 1912, ever increasing the variety of tree
species; and a large number, something over six hundred thou-
sand, of seedlings have been transferred from nursery rows to
the field. Here they are grouped with a view, so far as pos-
sible, of showing color effects.
As time goes on, improvement thinnings will be made in the
Arboretum, in order that inferior trees may not interfere with
the growth of those that promise the greatest results. Roads
and paths are being made to wind through the forest to the
different plantations and tablets placed giving the scientific
and common names of the specimens. All the important
native and foreign trees that will thrive in this locality will be
made conveniently accessible for purposes of observation and
study to visitors to Letchworth Park. Without in the least
interfering with the forest feature of the Arboretum, trees and
shrubs will be planted singly and in groups along the roads and
paths of the Park, for ornamental effects.
An incentive to the planting of forest trees lies in the fact
that they serve many generations, for they become not only
the largest but the oldest of living things. Writing only a few
years ago of the giant sequoias, which attain a height of more
than three hundred feet and a diameter of more than thirty
feet, the late John Muir said:
Thousands of them still living had already counted their years by tens
of centuries when Columbus set sail from Spain and were in the vigor of
youth or middle age when the star led the Chaldean sages to the infant
Saviour's cradle.
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MARY JEMISON STATUE
LETCHWORTII PARK ARBORETUM
274
LETCHWORTH PARK FOREST ARBORETUM 275
It is the intention to provide at Letchworth Park increased
opportunities to study individually and relatively not only
trees, but various subjects in the book of nature, including
animal life as related to the plant life of the forest. The Arbo-
retum will afford many attractions to the native birds, bees,
and arboreal mammals. The squirrels here find an abundance
of walnuts, butternuts, chestnuts, and acorns to store up for
winter use. The honey bees, whose marvellous ways are not
yet fully understood, and who still prefer the trees of the forest
for their homes to any of the convenient apartments provided
for them by man, will find in the numerous linden trees their
choicest food. Hundreds of Russian mulberry trees have been
planted, the fruit of which ripens continuously throughout four
months of the year and is greatly liked by the birds.
It is at the expense of a good deal of watchfulness and anxiety
that the wild life of a public park is preserved, but there is
encouragement for the future in a recent statement of one of
our foremost conservationists, which I quote:
We are fast learning that trees must not be cut down more rapidly than
they are replaced; we have taken forward steps in learning that wild beasts
and birds are by right not the property merely of the people alive to-day,
but the property of unborn generations, whose belongings we have no
right to squander; and there, are even faint signs of our growing to under-
stand that wild flowers should be enjoyed unplucked where they grow, and
that it is barbarism to ravage the woods and fields, rooting out the may-
flower and breaking branches of dogwood as ornaments for automobiles
filled with jovial but ignorant picnickers.
For thousands of years the Genesee River has been wearing
its way through glacial deposits and cutting the wonderful
gorge through the Devonian rocks which are so beautifully
exposed in Letchworth Park; for more than half a century art
has been working in harmony with Nature's plans perfecting a
scene of mingled grandeur and beauty. It is the hope and the
expectation of those establishing the Arboretum that fifty
years hence, and a hundred years hence, it will have been and
will continue to be of great benefit to mankind.
LETCHWORTH TARK,
NEW YORK.
K CU
276
77?^ Russian May Day Tree:
Prunus padus var.
commutata
By W. C. Egan
OME twenty or more years ago seedlings were
raised at the Arnold Arboretum and also at
the Iowa Agricultural College under the false
name of P run us Maakii.
In both instances the seed was obtained from
Russia under that name, and at the Iowa Col-
lege the plants bore the common name of "The Russian May-
day tree," as it is generally in full bloom on May 1.
How soon the error in its nomenclature was discovered at
the Arboretum I cannot say, but in the middle west it sailed
under its false name until recently when Professor Sargent saw
it at Egandale and immediately gave me its true name — viz.
Prunus padus var. commutata.
As is well known, the type (European Bird Cherry) is an
upright grower with short lateral branches and suckers pro-
fusely at the base, the suckers growing up closely to the main
trunk. A tree twenty-five feet tall is seldom over eight to ten
feet broad. This habit allows it to be used in screen planting
in narrow places, the suckers carrying the foliage close to the
ground.
In the variety commutata, the form is almost globular and
in matured specimens is about thirty feet high and as broad,
the lower branches hugging the ground.
From what I have seen I judge that it requires a more open
soil than the type in order to thrive. I have seen it in full
277
278 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
bloom April 27 and also as late as May 10, but as a rule it is
in its prime generally about May 1 and fully one week earlier
than the European type. You can detect the perfume of a
matured plant a block away. It is only when nearing its
maturity and afterwards, that it exhibits its full value as a
blooming tree. Prior to that time, if growing well, the vigor-
ous growth hides most of the fiower, as is the case in the
one illustrated, but when age checks its growth the white
flowering pedicels cover the outer boundary of foliage like a
lace-work of snow.. Its foliage starts very early in the spring,
getting caught once in a while by late frosts, but the tree is
reliably hardy in all situations.
The specimen illustrated is one I raised from seed. At the
time of its planting, January 21, 1907, it was about three feet
high.
On May 11, 1918, when photographed it measured eighteen
and one half feet tall and twenty-five in diameter. Being
planted in filled-in soil it has had what it likes — viz. a free
open soil for its roots.
Why not plant more birthday trees, of which, as it hap-
pens, the specimen illustrated is one? They certainly are of
a more lasting nature than are most presents, and are especially
suitable for children who can watch them grow and eventually
enjoy their shade. The winter's cold or summer's heat need
not interfere. The one pictured was planted in a soap box
early in the fall and stood out doors, the soil freezing quite
hard. At the approach of winter a load of strawy manure was
placed over the hole. On January 21 the manure was removed,
the box broken and the frozen lump of soil planted. The
manure was then replaced but removed in the spring.
For mid-summer birthdays plant in a large pot or tub early
in the spring and turn out at the appropriate time.
In the case of a child's birthday tree a photo of the child
standing along side the tree when the planting is completed
would be an interesting memento to look at in after years.
EGANDALE,
ILLINOIS
Laying out grounds, as it is called, may be considered as a
liberal art, in some sort like poetry and painting; and its
object, like that of all the liberal arts, is, or ought to be, to
move the affections under the control of good sense. If this
be so when we are merely putting together words or colours,
how much more ought the feeling to prevail when we are in
the midst of the realities of things; of the beauty and hamony,
of the joy and happiness of living creatures; of men and
children, of birds and beasts, of hills and streams, and trees
and flowers, with the changes of night and day, evening and
morning, summer and winter, and all their unwearied actions
and energies.
Wordsworth.
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The Missouri Botanical
Garden
By George T. Moore, Director
OTANICAL gardens are definitely known to
have existed as far back as the year 1000 B.C.,
and there are certain more or less mythical
accounts which would seem to indicate that the
Chinese at least maintained gardens of a botan-
ical character at a much earlier date. Until
modern times, however, practically all such gardens were
established for the growing of economic plants, and the neces-
sity for testing the curative properties of herbs may be regarded
as the chief incentive for the establishment of living collec-
tions of plants throughout the civilized world.
At the present time, although it is customary to find so-
called "medicinal gardens" in connection with many botanical
institutions, the chief function of a botanical garden is recog-
nized as being educational. In fact, there are few public
gardens which are not either directly or indirectly connected
with a college ox university, and the remainder almost uni-
versally support a scientific staff, which, with the aid of an
herbarium, a laboratory, and library, are chiefly concerned
with making contributions to botanical knowledge. Even
where blooming plants are displayed for the pleasure of the
public an attempt is frequently made to more or less uncon-
sciously instruct the visitor as to the best methods of arrang-
ing and growing the varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowering
plants which are likely to flourish in a given vicinity.
Mr. Henry Shaw, the founder of the Missouri Botanical
Garden, had most advanced ideas respecting the functions of a
281
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MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 283
botanical garden. In his will, bequeathing his garden and the
major portion of his estate to a Board of Trustees, he provided
that not only were the ornamental and floricultural features of
the Garden to be kept up, but that scientific investigations in
botany were to be promoted. He considered that the useful-
ness of the Garden could best be augmented and perpetuated
by connecting it with a school of botany, and accordingly set
aside a separate endowment for such a school in Washington
University. Thus it happens that while the Missouri Botan-
ical Garden is, in its organization and management, quite
independent of any educational institution, through the Shaw
School of Botany of Washington University there is provided a
most desirable means of contact which is mutually beneficial.
By decree of Mr. Shaw's will the Director of the Garden is
required to be a professor in the School of Botany, and it so
happens at the present time that a majority of the scientific
staff at the Garden likewise hold professorships in Washington
I 'niversity.
In order that the necessary tools be provided with which to
conduct botanical investigations, Mr. Shaw began, long before
his death, the acquisition of a suitable library and herbarium.
These have been added to almost continually until now they
take first rank with the leading herbaria and botanical libraries
of the country. A laboratory building added in 1909 makes it
possible to carry on all the graduate work at the Garden, so
that only the undergraduate students in botany have to be
provided for at the University. The Missouri Botanical Gar-
den thus practically supports the graduate work in botany at
Washington University, not only putting all its facilities at the
disposal of the graduate students, but furnishing most of the
funds needed to carry on such work.
In spite of the desirability and absolute necessity of having
a scientific and research department in an institution like the
Garden, it must be confessed that the general public is much
more interested in the trees and shrubs and the contents of the
greenhouses and outdoor special gardens than in the library
or herbarium or laboratories. Consequently a proper balance
FERN HOUSE
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
284
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEX 285
must always be struck bet wren what may be regarded as purely
scientific and that which is merely informational or for purposes
of recreation. From the very first Air. Shaw attempted to do
this, and the Missouri Botanical Garden has always been
noted for its collections of plants. Of late years, because of
the construction of the large ranges of greenhouses and the
addition of various out-of-door gardens and plantations, the
number of visitors who would naturally be attracted by such
things has trebled that of a decade ago. Perhaps the one
feature which has contributed more than anything else to this
increase of popular interest has been a monthly flower show,
which, arranged in a special house 200 x 50 feet constructed
for this purpose, provides an unusual opportunity for dis-
playing blooming plants at their best. Furnished with a per-
manent border of green foliage plants which serves to accent
the color of the flowers, and with a brick floor which permits
changing the design every time a new display is staged, this
house provides something beautiful and different nearly every
time a visitor comes to it — no matter what the conditions out
of doors.
Leading from this floral display house is a range which has
the rather novel feature of being divided down the center by a
high concrete wall. This is intended as a support for the rarer
tropical climbers which ordinarily cannot be well displayed.
Opposite to this vine-covered wall is a series of alcoves in which,
during the winter months, are to be seen large numbers of
blooming orchids. The orchids are grown in connecting
houses not open to the public, since their chief interest is in
the flower and they are only displayed when in bloom. Through
the acquisition recently of the noted D. S. Brown collection of
these plants, the Garden is now in possession of one of the fin-
est and most complete lot of orchids in the country. More
than 1200 species are represented, comprising nearly 6000
plants, and at certain times thousands of blossoms may be
seen. Between the tropical vines and the orchid alcoves is a
natural plantation chiefly of aroids, with a small stream and a
succession of pools running through the middle.
286
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 287
On the opposite' side of the wall is a collection of Philippine
and Australian plants, including a number of trees and shrubs
used in various industries, and a vestibule at the end is designed
for the display of insectivorous plants. In the bromeliad
house, adjoining this range are to be found the pineapples and
their relatives, including Spanish moss and other interesting
epiphytes. A fine vanilla plant which fruits nearly every
year is a feature in this house. Beyond the bromeliads is a
cool conservatory with special peat soil for the successful
growing of representatives of the Ericaceae family. Selected
rhododendrons, azaleas, and ericas constitute the chief display
here, although camellias and leptospermums add much to the
general appearance.
Another large conservatory divided into various houses is
devoted to the display of palms, cycads, ferns, cacti, etc. All
of the planting in these houses is directly in the ground, elim-
inating the usual array of benches and tubs and pots, which
permits a much more natural effect as well as producing a more
satisfactory growth. The palms embrace some 150 species,
including all the important commercial forms, such as date,
cocoanut, sugar, panama-hat, and the rattans. The bamboos,
traveler's tree, screw pine, and other more or less palm-like
plants are likewise to be found here.
The cycad house, which is laid out in Japanese style, con-
tains a representative of all the known genera in this group.
In order to give the desired diversity, araucarias, taxodiums,
and the eucalyptus are also planted here.
The ferns are in an adjoining house which, with its grotto,
ravine, and winding stream, provides an admirable setting for
these plants. In sharp contrast is the succulent house where
desert conditions are maintained in order that the agaves,
aloes, yuccas, cacti, euphorbias, and similar drought-resistant
types of vegetation may grow to perfection. The luxuriant
green of the cycad and fern house is replaced here by the yellow
gravel and sand of the arid southwestern country and Mexico,
into which a varied collection of the plants common to these
regions fits most naturally.
288
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
To provide for a collection of tropical and subtropical plants
of special economic importance, another house in this range is
devoted to specimens from which commercial oils, spices,
drugs, dyes, fibers, and perfumes are derived. Other plants of
interest growing here are coffee, tea, peppers, ginger, mango,
mangosteen, guava, chicle, together with a collection of citrus
fruits.
ITALIAN GARDEN IN
SUMMER, MISSOURI
BOTANICAL GARDEN
Out of doors, in addition to the usual plantations of trees
and shrubs ordinarily found in a botanical garden, there are
special gardens devoted to roses, iris, herbaceous perennials,
and annuals. Because the climate of St. Louis is especially
favorable to water-lilies, three large pools are reserved for night-
and day-bloomers, and some particularly fine hybrids orig-
inated at the Missouri Botanical Garden attract much atten-
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEX 289
tion in these water gardens during the summer months. A
formal garden laid out in the best Italian style is located in a
quadrangle bounded by the palm house, the cycad house, the
succulent house, and a pergola. In the spring large numbers
of pansies or tulips are shown here, followed by pattern bedding
of foliage plants. The garden is bordered with a mass of lilies
and poppies. A large tract of land known as "the knolls," is
planted with the more attractive blooming shrubs and other
perennials, through which runs a series of pools surrounded or
filled with numerous water-loving plants. A rock garden is in
process of construction and in the same vicinity is to be devel-
oped a bog, and native wild flowers will also find a place close
by.
No mere enumeration of gardens and collections can give
any adequate idea of the institution as a whole. To say that
about 11,000 species are growing within the confines of the
Missouri Botanical Garden means much or little according to
the arrangement and the selection of the plants included in
such a list. It would be a comparatively simple matter to
more than double the number of varieties now grown at the
Garden, but no benefit would be derived from this increase
unless the plants were added for some specific purpose other
than merely to swell the number of inventory cards. There
should be no place in any botanical garden for any plant which,
because of its beauty or unusualness or usefulness or scientific
value, did not justify its presence. Assuming that all public
gardens are designed to serve a definite purpose combining the
educational, the scientific, and the recreative functions, their
various collections both indoors and out should be carefully
chosen to best serve such ends.
One feature which makes the Missouri Botanical Garden
unique is the fact that although it is freely open to the public,
it has in reality no constituency to which it is directly respon-
sible, other than the Board of Trustees. This Board, orig-
inally designated by Mr. Shaw in his will, is with the exception
of five ex-officio members self-perpetuating. The high stand-
ing and unusual ability of those who from time to time have
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MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEX 291
been trustees is evidenced by the remarkably successful way
in which the estate has been managed without there ever hav-
ing been the slightest criticism of methods. No revenue is
derived from either the city or state, all funds for whatsoever
purpose being derived from the original endowment of Mr.
Shaw. In fact taxes are paid on all the property with the
exception of the Garden itself, which is, of course, regarded as
being devoted primarily to public use. Even the water is
paid for at regular rates to the city of St. Louis.
It has frequently been remarked by those visiting the Gar-
den from other places, that the manner in which the wishes of
its founder have been carried out, and the satisfactory way in
which his memory has been perpetuated, make the Missouri
Botanical Garden one of the most remarkable examples of
semi-public bequests anywhere in the world. Certainly it is
true that this country knows of no single individual who so
deserved to stand as the wisest and most generous patron of
the science of botany, with all its ramifying branches, as Henry
Shaw of St. Louis, the founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
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292
Plants and Their Arrangement
in an Amateur's Rock
Garden
By Richard Rot/ie*
N SOME of the books on rock gardens the
chapters relating to soil and soil preparation
are overburdened with technicalities and for-
mulas of mixtures for the various foreign
Alpines unsuitable or difficult to grow in our
climate. On the other hand some authors
try to make us believe that rock garden plants being for the
greater part natives of our northern hemisphere, thrive under
almost any condition. According to my experience the begin-
ner is more likely to succeed if he leaves both extremes un-
heeded. If we rely on average garden soil well enriched by
old barnyard manure most of our plant material will grow
well in it. Some mountain shrubs and herbaceous plants require
a more or less liberal addition of leaf-mould, humus or peat in
the soil as for instance rhododendrons, kalmias and daphnes.
Stone-crops, hardy cacti and sempervivums we plant on sunny
arid slopes where they nestle and establish themselves between
rocks strewn over the ground. All those directions the novice
finds in leading American nursery catalogues. The rockery
built on a slope has ample drainage; on the level or when
sunk into the ground proper drainage must be provided for.
With everything in readiness for early spring planting we
shall find the work of the arrangement of rock garden planta-
tions fully as interesting and enjoyable as the stone construc-
Photographs by the author.
293
294
AN AMATEURS ROCK GARDEX 295
tion. For the background and eventual flanking sideways
use evergreen trees, dogwoods, hawthorns, rhododendrons,
and, of the conventional shrubs, some magnolias and for-
sythias. The two latter, being early spring-flowering, are apt
to enhance the vernal glory of the total effect. The trees and
shrubs employed in planting of the rock garden itself should
be more or less dwarf, partly of spreading habit of growth and
partly pyramidal, or compact bushy forms. In placing thi-^
material aim. for a composition of a vegetation resembling the
sunny ledgy slope or plateau of our northern mountains. The
absence of direct overhead shade is essential for perfect devel-
opment of the herbaceous plants and their subsequent color
display. For the purpose in view our leading nurseries carry
abundant variety of conifers particularity in junipers, pines
and retinosporas. Of the most desirable shrubs for rockeries
I mention andromedas, hardy azaleas, Cotoneaster hoHzon-
talis, Daphne, mountain laurels, rhododendrons and a few
Japanese maples preferably the finely cut-leaved varieties.
The effective distribution of the tree and shrub material in
rock gardens offers problems frequently taxing our ingenuity.
Turning to the flowering herbaceous material for filling
rock pockets, covering the endless little nooks, slopes, crevices
and odd ground vacancies we find ourselves face to face with a
bewildering number of very different species and varieties.
Readers well acquainted with our native wild flora, no doubt
have very beautiful things in their minds and starting out on
explorations of woods, glades, bogs and meadows may return
with such exquisite treasures as the pitcher plant, Sarracenia
purpurea; or the moccasin flower, Cyprepedium ; both very diffi-
cult to domesticate in rockeries. Far less capricious prove our
wild wood anemones, the liver-leaf, Hepatica triloba; the
blood root, Sanguinaria canadensis; the wake robin, Trillium
grandiflorum; bird's-foot-violet, hare-bells, saxifragas and
above all the wild ferns, when taken up and moved into the
rockery. If however we should desire to have a good effect
from the start the necessity will arise to draw on the trade.
Fortunately quite a number of American hardy plant dealers
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AN AMATEUR'S ROCK GARDEN 297
now carry assortments of the most effective mountain denizens
for rock garden use. Of these our native spring flowering
phloxes represent one of the most important items. Phlox
amoena, ovata, and pilosa splendens are the best bright
reddish-rose and carmine-pink flowering species. The beautiful
lavender shades of Phlox divaricata we will find simply indispens-
able and we certainly cannot do without the dense masses of blos-
soms of Phlox subulata for carpeting our ground spaces with
sheets of pure white, lavender and rose pink hues. For bril-
liant yellow I rely chiefly on Alyssum saxatile compactum and
Viola cornuta lutea for May, to be succeeded by Oenothera
missonriensis and Inula ensifolia in June and July. Clear
vivid blue are the blossoms of Lithospermum prostratum,
Ceratostigma Larpentae, Veronica rupestris and for perpetual
flowering those of the blue varieties of Viola cornuta. The
hardy candy tufts, Iberis sempervirens: the rockcress, Arabis
alpina, and snow-in-summer, Cerastium tomentosum produce
waves of glistening white blossoms while the lavender and
purple hues of Alpine asters and Aubrietias vie with the bright
rose-pink shades of the sea-pink Armeria Laucheana. In
partial shade we may enjoy Asperula odorata and the charm-
ing harbingers of spring among the hardy primroses. Adding
to the above some spring flowering bulbs of the miscellaneous
class preferably Crocus, scillas, Iris, grape-hyacinth, snow drops
and leucojums by naturalizing them in clumps from 12 to 25
bulbs of each color together, our rock garden is sure to present a
highly enjoyable floral display during April, May and June.
To overcome any apparent flatness there is quite a variety of
taller growing rock garden inmates available. In small rock-
eries we can augment the beauty of the total effect by inter-
spersing a few specimen plants of foxgloves, columbines, Eryn-
gium, summer and fall flowering hardy asters of the Amellus,
cordifolius and Novae- Angliae types, peach-leaved bellflowers,
Dictamnus fraxinella, Salvia Greggi and Statice latifolia. In
large rock gardens with ample space we plant them in
groups of from 3 to 6 plants of each species together and
add some clumps of Yucca filamentosa Polygonum afflne
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AN AMATEUR'S ROCK GARDEN 299
and P. Sicboldii to it. Sedum acre, lydium, glaucum and
Stahli represent the best material for ground covering
between stepping stones, as lining along paths and for filling
up crevices in the rockwork of rustic stairways. The taller
and robust Sedum spectabile and spectabile "Brilliant" can
be easily made a conspicuously decorative feature of a rockery
during August and September.
The rock garden as a studio of the plant lover soon becomes
a veritable treasury of floral gems. Here we behold the pic-
ture of the vernal breeze gently playing with the light-winged
blossoms of Saxifraga Cotyledon pyramidalis. As one of the
prettiest of the rosette type with narrow silvery crusted foliage
this Alpine species should not be exposed to the hot midday
and early afternoon sun of the Middle Atlantic States. For
winter protection it requires careful leaf-covering. The much
hardier hybrids of the Saxifraga cordifolia and crassifolia
species with large leathery evergreen foliage and white pink
and red flowers do equally well in the full sunlight and partial
shade, but are moisture loving plants. Among the mountain
pinks Dianthus deltoides is the most resistant; Dianthus mon-
tanus the best for midsummer effect; Dianthus caesius the
most valuable for color massing, and the rather large flowering
Dianthus neglectus, on account of its clear rose-pink color, the
darling of many rockery owners. \Ye learn to appreciate the
aromatic odor of Thymus serpyllum and the true lavender
Lavendula vera; we admire the grace of a flowering clump of
Gypsophila re pens and we certainly enjoy the slender spikes
of little coral red bell-shaped blossoms of Heuchera sanguinea
as well as the charming daintiness of the silky petals of the
sun-rose, Helianthemum mutabile.
A well arranged and well kept rockery is an enchanting
feature of a home ground. We behold it with pride when in
festive spring attire; it appears clean and attractive in its less
conspicuous color array of midsummer and fall and it is still
beautiful in its rugged outlines under cover of a white mantle
of snow in winter.
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302 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Rock garden arrangement and planting brings us back close
to nature. It is an occupation where success depends on our
ability to follow her teachings in regard to the beautiful in
miniature detail and composition work. To many of our
advanced garden amateurs it is going to open a new avenue
leading to the solution of rich and tempting problems, with
opportunities for most enjoyable results.
Curiosities of Plant Life
By Alexander Lurie, Horticulturist, G. H. Pring,
Floriculturist
Missouri Botanical Garden
{Continued from March Journal)
YRMECOPHILOUS or ant loving plants pre-
sent one of these peculiar combinations which
Nature has provided for the mutual benefit
of certain plants and insects. Tropical plants
like Acacia cornigera , Cecropia peltata, Cleroden-
dron fistulosum, Rosa Banksiae, Diacrium bi-
cornutum, Schomburgkia tibicinis, etc. have shown the remark-
able property of living symbiotically with certain ants. The
plants afford a lodging for the ants and some food derived
from the sugary and albuminoid secretions; the ants reciprocate
by protecting the foliage against the attacks of leaf eating
enemies. Upon the detection of approaching foe, the ants
crawl out and frighten the invader away by biting and squirt-
ing formic acid.
A somewhat different phase of relation of plants to insects
exists in the case of the Himalayan Balsam {Impatiens tri-
cornis). At the base of each leaf are located two stipules
modified into honey secreting glands. At the time of flower-
ing the visiting ants are tempted away from the flowers by the
globules of honey excreted from the glands, thus reducing the
chances of the ants reaching the flower and extracting its nectar
without accompanying fertilization. It has also been sug-
gested that the presence of these ants upon the plants pro-
tects their foliage from the ravages of leaf eating insects.
303
304 INTERNATIONAL CARD EX CLUB
Bull-Horn or Ant Tree
Acacia cornigera
Leguminosae
A shrub or small tree of Mexico bearing pinnate leaves upon
the centers of horn-like appendages. The individual pinnae of
the leaves are provided with wax-like food bodies rich in oil
and protoplasm. At the base of each secondary and primary
leaf stalk is situated a nectar gland, the one at the primary
leaf stalk being the larger. The function of this is to attract
the ants. Periodically the leaf stalks drop off the horn, leav-
ing a soft tissue which is later readily penetrated by the insects.
The flowers appear in dense spikes, similar to the spadix of
the Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The seeds are surrounded by an
orange or yellow sweet pulp similar to that of St. John's Bread,
which attracts pigs and other animals. This fruit distinguishes
the type from the other Acacias the seeds of which are devoid
of pulp and split open. The horns are used by certain sting-
ing ants of the genus Pseudomyrma as breeding shelters. The
entrance into these horny thorns is effected through the only
penetrable spot, the depression left by the dropping off of the
leaf stalks. The food for the insects is furnished by the oily
waxy-like bodies (Beltian bodies). In return for the home and
sustenance provided by the plant, the ants act as guardians in
protecting the tree and its foliage from animals. In addition
the storage and subsequent decay of vegetable matter left in
the horns may provide nutriment for the plant. Hernandez
(1570) and Jacquin (1763) in describing their experiences,
speak of the intense pain caused by the ants rushing out of
their dwelling places and inflicting numerous burning stings
upon the unwary intruder.
Cow-Horn Orchid
Schomburgkia tibicin is
Orchidaceae
Epiphytic plant of Honduras. The pseudobulb is 1 to 1£
feet long tapering upwards and terminating in two to three
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE
305
leathery ovate leaves. The flowering spike 4 to 8 feet long
terminates the pseudobulb bearing numerous flowers 3| inches
wide with crisp undulate sepals and petals, and a hooded lip.
The color is pink speckled with white, rich red within, the lip
PSEUDOBULBS OF SCHOMBURGKIA
TIBICINIS AND DIACRIUM BICORNUTUM
SHOWING PROVISION FOR INSECT
ENTRANCE
being white and rose with a chocolate-red middle portion.
At the base of the pseudobulb is located an opening for the
use of ants which inhabit the interior and perform functions
similar to the following.
306 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Diacrium bicornutum
Orchidaceae
This orchid is closely related to the genus Epidendrum, a
native epiphyte of tropical America. The pseudobulbs are
2 feet long, hollow, cylindrical bearing several dry sheaths.
The leaves are leathery, short, oblong to lanceolate. The
spikes of flowers appear at the top of the pseudobulb, bearing
3 to 12 flowers. They are fragrant, white, with small crimson
spots on the three-lobed lip. The specific name bicornutum is
derived from the two horn-like appendages appearing from the
center of the lip. An opening is provided at the base of the
horn-like pseudobulb for entrance of the stinging ants that
make their home within. The plant is rarely seen under culti-
vation owing to the absence of the symbiotic ants, which are
essential for proper growth. At the Missouri Botanical Gar-
den, however, one plant of Diacrium has been thriving for the
last ten years which fact is ascribed to the repeated appear-
ance of common black ants in the interior of the pseudobulb,
presumably aiding in some manner in the maintenance of
vigor.
SENSITIVE PLANTS
Sensitive Plants are particularly attractive to people because
of their power of motion which is generally supposed to be an
attainment characteristic of the animal kingdom only. The phe-
nomenon occurs chiefly among plants belonging to the Legu-
minosae. Certain species of Oxalis are extremely sensitive to
changes of temperature, folding down their leaves even in the
daytime if a storm threatens, while a sudden shock will cause
shrinkage with great abruptness. The tropical Oxalis sensi-
tiva is so sensitive that a disturbance of air by approach of
animals is sufficient to produce a complete relaxation of the
leaflets.
The movements of sensitive plants are probably due to the
modification of certain leaf cells, which are so constructed that
the threads of protoplasm form connecting links between the
different cells of the leaves as well as the stem. Thus, a stim-
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 307
ulus exerted upon one portion of the plant may be transmitted
through this protoplasmic connection from one part to another
causing the readily perceptible movements. The stimulus
may be produced not merely by actual forcible contact but by
anesthetics like ether and chloroform, by application of heat,
and other means.
Bearded Orchid
Bulbophyllum Dayanum
Orchidaceae
Native of East Indies, epiphytic upon trees, producing small
pear-shaped pseudobulbs with a single oblong leathery leaf,
dark purple below and green above. The plants grow in chains
upon the trunks of trees. The flowers are produced in clusters,
purplish in color, with the three outer sepals provided with
long hairs while two of the petals are fringed with a fine pu-
bescence. The lip is tongue shaped, grooved with two sentinel
horns acting as guides for insect entrance. It is resilient,
bending down with the weight of the visiting insect and spring-
ing up again as the insect nears the pollen masses, thus forcing
it to come in touch with the pollinia.
Bearded Lip Orchid
Bulbophyllum barbigerum
Orchidaceae
Native of west coast of Africa where it is epiphytic upon
trees. It was first introduced into England in 1836. The
pseudobulbs are small with a single leaf. The flower spikes
contain 7 to 12 brush like flowers, brown in color, the sepals
being oblong tapering to a point, while the petals are minia-
ture scales. The lip is covered with long purple thread-like
hairs terminating in a brush. It is hinged to the column at its
basal portion. The entire structure is so sensitive to disturb-
ances of the atmosphere, and its rocking motion so conspicuous
as to give the impression of animal agency at work or a perfect
mechanical contrivance.
BEARDED ORCHID
BULBOPIIVLLUM DAYANUM
SOS
CL'RIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE
309
Sensitive Orchid
Masdevallia muscosa
Orchidaceae
An epiphytic plant of Colombia and Ecuador. The short,
ovate, thick leaves act in the same capacity as pseudobulbs of
the orchids, storing food to last through the dry period. The
flowers are yellow, produced singly on hairy spikes well above
the leaves. The sepals are narrow and elongated into tail-like
appendages. The petals are narrow and minute, running
.MASDEVALLIA MUSCOSA
310 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
parallel with the column so as to form an arch, leaving a two-
sided opening between it and the anther. The most important
feature of the plant is the third petal, the sensitive labellum
which is somewhat ladle-shaped, bearing tufts of maroon-
colored hairs. Normally the lip remains open, but upon con-
tact with the sensitive cushion of hairs it rises slowly and then
springs quickly into place, fitting closely to the confluent
sepals and the curve of the petals and leaving an opening below
the anther. This peculiarity of the plant is an aid in insect
pollination. Upon alighting on the sensitive cushion of hairs
with the object of collecting the nectar from the base, the
insect causes the closing of the lip with its consequent imprison-
ment within. The light which is admitted through the small
opening at the top acts as a guide for his exit. During the
passage outward the insect is forced to come in contact with
the pollen masses, acting as a pollinating agent. In addition
to mere contact with the hairs, the movement of the lip may
be induced by sudden reduction of temperature, by application
of heat or electricity and by moving the lip upon its hinge. It
is diurnal in habit closing habitually at approach of night and
opening again in the morning. The mechanism of the hinges
depends for its operation upon the capacity of the thin-walled
tissues of releasing their watery contents with subsequent con-
traction of the elastic membranes.
The Nodding Orchid
Pleiirothallis villosa
Orchidaceae
A very small epiphytic orchid native of tropical America and
bearing elongated stems with a solitary reddish leaf. At the
back of the leaf are produced the small spikes of flowers, re-
sembling the leaf in coloration and covered with minute hairs.
The lip is very sensitive to the slightest movement of the
atmosphere, springing up with a sudden jerk. The sensitive-
ness is well illustrated by bending close to the flowers, the
breathing causing them to move their lips, thus appearing to
nod to the observer.
NODDING ORCHID
PLEUROTHALLIS VILLOSA
311
312 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Sensitive Plant
Mimosa pudica
Leguminosae
A shrubby plant native of Brazil, naturalized in the Gulf
States, and in many other warm regions.
The leaves are doubly compound, the four secondary leaf-
stalks bearing opposite leaflets articulated by elbow-like ap-
pendages which are also found upon the central axis and the
junction of petiole and main stem. All these parts are capable
of independent and combined movements. Along the main
stem many short, rigid spines are located. Upon contact the
leaflets close and move forward, the secondary leaf-stalks come
together, while the primary stalks drop. The leaves thus
affected and left undisturbed will resume their upright position
in five to ten minutes. Toward night the contact with the
terminal leaflets demonstrates the independent movement,
causing the closing of these in consecutive pairs. The con-
tinuation of this stimulation causes further action u'pon other
leaflets in the opposite direction. This stimulus may travel
back to the primary petioles as well as the main stem, causing
a total collapse of the entire compound leaf.
These movements are induced by variation in the intensity
of light, shock or friction, variations in temperature and the
anesthetic action of ether and chloroform. The action of the
pulvini is due to difference in turgidity. It was first supposed
that a sudden transfer of water was induced from the cells of
the irritated side of the pulvinus into the intercellular spaces.
At present, however, it is thought that the movement is not
caused by water transfer but by mucilaginous content of sacs
which are situated in the vascular bundles and are easily
affected by variations in hydrostatic pressure. The nocturnal
position is similar to that of the irritated leaf. Several theories
have been suggested for the unusual sensitiveness of these
plants. Damage by wind and rain storms may be avoided by
the dropping of the foliage. Excessive transpiration during
the heat of the day may be overcome by the assumption of the
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 313
sleeping position, with the broad side of the leaflets placed
vertically. At approach of animals plants collapse through
contact and expose the rigid spines, which, together with the
movement, may frighten the animal sufficiently to cause it to
abstain from eating the plant.
The main stem and petioles are hairy. The flowers appear
at the axils of the petioles in the form of purple, bristly globules.
Swinging Lip Orchid
Bulbopliyllum Lobbii
Orchidaceae
An epiphyte of Java similar in growth to the Bearded Orchid.
The flowers are yellow, the upper portion being spotted with
purple. The grooved lip is composed of two sections, the
outer balanced on the inner. Upon landing on the lip the
visiting insect is forced toward the back of the flower by the
tipping of the sensitive lip. A continued pathway is made by
the groove of the lip and the bent column along which the
insect is induced to travel. Its work accomplished, the lip
springs back.
Telegraph Plant
Desmodium gyrans
Leguminosae
A native shrubby plant of Ceylon, Himalaya, and the Phil-
ippines. It is naturalized in California. The leaves are
rounded, with two linear, stipule-like leaves below, which are
capable of movement. The flowers are purple or violet on
terminal spikes. The name telegraph plant has been bestowed
because of the semaphore-like action of the lateral leaves.
Under favorable conditions of moisture, heat, and light the
circling movement is plainly evident by the periodic jerks, the
complete circle being made in one to three minutes. The
direct cause of the movement is the firm cushion of tissue
called the pulvinus which consists of a strongly turgid set of
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CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE
315
DESMODIUM GYRANS
cells with elastic cell walls. The vascular bundles unite in the
pulvinus in the form of a single flexible strand, the parenchyma
forming a thick layer enveloping it. By these means through
the pressure arising from the difference of turgor of the opposite
side the movement of the leaf is produced similar to that of
the outspread hand by the motion of the wrist.
{To be continued)
Interallied Educational Centre,
Villebon, near Paris, France
By Claude Remusat
The school of which M. Remusat spoke so inspiringly at the Spring Meeting of the Club
at Bartow has been under the direction of Captain H. H. B. Hawkins. The great need
for the continuance and enlargement of such institutions in France has prompted M.
Remusat to interest America in a system of education long understood in England and
which it is planned to maintain in France. Captain Remusat was one of five graduates
of the School who were captured by the Germans and escaped. — Ed.
N CALLING the attention of the readers of
the Journal of the International Garden Club
to a college organization which certainly can-
not be called anything but a home like Garden
Club, or country school, we feel we are acting
in conformity with the aims of the Inter-
national Garden Club's educational purposes.
We have had the good fortune for the last twenty years, to
arrange the ordinary school life of young boys and students,
on the plan of a Garden Club, or School where masters, parents
and old boys collaborated in complete harmony together for the
welfare of the younger generation.
As far as wre know, no such effort has been attempted before,
and this is all the more surprising when we hear of the remark-
able success obtained. All the objections which would natu-
rally present themselves, proved to be entirely unfounded,
and the solution to more than one difficult educational prob-
lem, was actually discovered by the application of the funda-
mental principle adopted.
A lore so than at any other time, owing to the dreadful ex-
periences of this world war, must we realize the fact that hap-
316
INTERALLIED EDUCATIONAL CENTRE 317
piness is the privilege of the young, and a preparation for the
hopeful outlook on life, and a support in time of trouble.
Beauty in nature, beauty in what this barbarous conflict
has allowed to survive, beauty of culture and perfection in
art, such as our forefatheres understood, — that is what we need
to make us forget the horrors of war.
PARC DE VILLEBON
ALLEE SOUS BOIS
Our younger brothers, our sons, are to benefit by our ex-
perience, learned at such a cost. \Ye must safeguard them
their happiness, and teach them this love of the beautiful; — ■
beautiful trees, beautiful gardens, beautiful flowers, beautiful
old buildings, where the spirit of the past is so strongly por-
trayed. Let a young boy or girl live in such surroundings,
318
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
and neither will pardon a spirit of destruction. In schools
each should have a share of the park and garden to love and
cherish; those pots of flowers which French peasants so proudly
CHATEAU DE VILLEBON
VIEW TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH
^H
VIEW FROM THE CHATEAU
WITH FARM AND OUTBUILDINGS
keep on their window-sills, help to enliven the dark old-fash-
ioned living rooms, in which generation has followed generation
for centuries. Any boy to whom love of art is a hobby and a
INTERALLIED EDUCATIONAL CENTRE 319
pastime, should be helped in this line. Let him decorate his
men over the Atlantic. Those who were cultured realized
bedroom and his classroom. This will give pleasure both to
PARC DE VILLEBON
THE CHAPEL. A. D. 1547
PARC DE VILLEBON
him and to his comrades. Let this be a diversion from the
routine of studies. Games are a recreation undoubtedly, but
the change in our work is certainly equally necessary.
320
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
It is this love of beauty, this search after a great ideal which
brought America into the war. Destruction of right, of justice,
CHATEAU DE VILLEBON AND ALLEE FRANCOIS I
VIEW TAKEN FROM THE EAST
PARC DE VILLEBON
RIVER YVETTE
— therefore of beauty, sent division after division of khaki-clad
how fine is the old world, and there are many who will wish to
return and see England and France when Peace and normal
INTERALLIED EDUCATIONAL CENTRE 321
conditions have succeeded the crisis from which the nations
have not ye1 recovered.
PARC DE VILLEBON
BANC DE GABRIELLE D'ESTRIES
CHATEAU DE VILLEBON
THE WATER-TOWER. XVIth CENTURY
Americans will want to send their children over to Europe
or will visit with them the battlefields of France. As soon as
322 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
the American Government will issue passports in greater num-
bers, families will have to decide what to do with their children.
If parents take their boys across to France, they will not
wish to put them in a Lycee where the life is even more un-
suited to Americans than to present generations of French
boys, and the coming in contact with hotel porters and inter-
preters is not likely to benefit their stay. They would return to
their country without having learned a word of French except
probably that which would be best avoided, nor would they have
opportunities of seeing the best side of French life. French mas-
ters in general, the French schemes of study in particular are un-
rivalled. No other country has yet reached such a high level
of perfection, or succeeded in imparting an instruction in gen-
eral subjects, to so large a percentage of the population, while
other countries such as America and England if they are not
prepared to be left behind, might with advantage study the
French system of instruction. France will do well, however, to
make a serious effort to improve her educational methods, for
her schools are organized essentially for day boys and uniquely
for the training of the mind.
A school near Paris, the home life colony in the country,
where groups of twenty-five English, French and American
boys would live under the affectionate care of the house master
and house mistress, is what they need, in order to learn French
and to profit by the French atmosphere of the house.
A young boy staying here a year or eighteen months would
come back to America after his period of study in France, on
equal terms with those he had left before going to Europe,
knowing a new language easily learned when young, and ob-
taining such a favorable impression of his stay, that in after
years, he would become a champion of other countries' causes.
Older boys could live at the school's Old Boys Club on the
same premises. Situated near Paris a very few minutes travel-
ling would bring them to the Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter
where the intellectual activity of the whole nation is centered.
This is far better for them than the doubtful advantages of
rooming in this part of the city.
INTERALLIED EDUCATIONAL CENTRE
323
This home life colony gives every advantage for sport and
outdoor life as both are offered, and Americans and English
PARC DE VILLEBON
ENTRANCE LODGE
CHATEAU DE VILLEBON
FROM THE WEST
(MAISON HENRI IV AND MAISON ST. GENEVIEVE)
will have lost nothing of this prominent feature of their own
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PLAN OF THE INTERALLIED SCHOOL
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326
ANCIEN BATIMENT A VILLEBON
327
328 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
This group center being near Paris, parents can come down
and see their boys whenever they please, as often as they want
to or can. Education is impossible for masters without the
help of parents and vice-versa. Nothing can replace a mother's
love or a father's affectionate advice, and it is very doubtful if
it is wise to separate children from their parents, or to maintain
that no child can be brought up "if parents come meddling in."
This scheme of giving boys a chance to know the countries
of their allies of the great war is a triangular one, and would
be commenced between America, France, and England.
An interchange of staff and scholars would do a great deal
towards suppressing any ill feeling that might arise, or of mis-
understanding. An American in France is an Ambassador of
his country, just as is a Frenchman when he comes to America.
Few indeed are the boys who do not love travel, few also who
when quite young did not have a hobby of some sort, engineer-
ing, gardening, painting and the life. It is well when they are
of an age to derive greater benefit from a stay abroad than at
any other time, to give them this opportunity; it is well not to
deny them what they seek as an amusement or a pastime
when it may help them to decide on their career. A school
should have a workshop, a technical school, a garden, a model
farm, a studio, and every possible activity to help boys to dis-
cover what their life should be. They can see after a time
whether they are satisfied or whether something else suits them
better. Decision upon a career is not to be taken as late as
twenty years of age, and we have lost time when everything
urges us on to rapid production and specialization. This scheme
equally adapted to America, Britain and France, should, need-
less to say, find equal support from these three nations. En-
dowments for scholarships should be founded for those who
owing to moderate fortunes, could not come abroad when their
work and future promise should be helped in every possible way.
This is Captain H. H. B. Hawkins' work and mission to
America. He had the pleasure a year ago of speaking to the
International Garden Club, and we feel sure that this greatest
of after-war problems will find many supporters among the
members of the club.
Quarantine No. 37 and IVhat
it Means to American
Gardening
ARLIER issues of the Journal have recorded
the different steps in the inauguration of the
plant exclusion act and what has been the
International Garden Club's attitude towaids
it. By the time this issue reaches its readers
the act will have become effective and it now
remains to set forth what one can and cannot do. As a per-
manent record we give the act complete, as reprinted from the
official document issued by the Federal Horticultural Board.
United States Department of Agriculture
federal horticultural board
NOTICE OF QUARANTINE NO. 37
Nursery Stock, Plant, and Seed Quarantine
[Effective on and after June 1, 1919, and superseding the rules and regulations governing the
importation of nursery stock into the United States which were promulgated to take effect
on and after July 1, 1916.}
The fact has been determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, and notice is hereby
given, that there exist in Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico, Central and South America, and
other foreign countries and localities, certain injurious insects and fungous diseases new
to and not heretofore widely distributed within and throughout the United States, which
affect and are carried by nursery stock and other plants and seeds, the words "nursery
stock and other plants and seeds" including, wherever used in this notice and the rules
and regulations supplemental hereto, field-grown florists' stock, trees, shrubs, vines,
cuttings, grafts, scions, buds, fruit pits and other seeds of fruit and ornamental trees or
shrubs, also field, vegetable, and flower seeds, bedding plants, and other herbaceous
plants, bulbs, and roots, and other plants and plant products for, or capable of,
propagation.
329
330 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Now, therefore, I, D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture, under the authority con-
ferred by the act of Congress approved August 20, 1912 (37 Stat., 315), do hereby declare
that it is necessary, in order to prevent the further introduction into the United States
of injurious insect pests and fungous diseases, to forbid, except as provided in the rules
and regulations supplemental hereto, the importation into the United States of nursery
stock and other plants and seeds from the foreign countries and localities named and
from any other foreign locality or country.
On and after June 1, 1919, and until further notice, by virtue of said act of Congress
approved August 20, 1912, the importation of nursery stock and other plants and seeds
from the above named and all other foreign countries and localities, except as provided
in the rules and regulations supplemental hereto, is prohibited.
This quarantine shall not apply to nursery stock and other plants and seeds covered
by special quarantines and other restrictive orders now in force, a list of which is given
in Appendix A of the rules and regulations supplemental hereto, nor to the importation by
the United States Department of Agriculture of nursery stock and other plants and seeds
for experimental or scientific purposes.
Done in the District of Columbia this 18th day of November, 1918.
[Seal.] Witness my hand and the seal of the United States Department of Agri-
culture.
D. F. Houston,
Secretary of Agriculture.
The final issuance of this act marks a step in American
Gardening History of almost limitless significance. The prac-
tical exclusion of all that class of nursery stock that comes
normally packed in balls of earth done up in gunny sacking,
means that all Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Evergreens, Box, etc.,
are forbidden entry into the country. Ninety per cent of such
stock found now in American gardens came from abroad in
the young state. Its loss for future new work will limit us to
those easily propagated shrubs and trees which may be grown
here. While it is perhaps a confession of incompetence on the
part of American nurserymen to say that they cannot prop-
agate this stock in this country, it is the fact that generally
speaking they have not done so. They have from the days of
Prince and Parsons at Flushing, sent to Holland, Belgium,
England and France for their young plants. The stoppage of
this trade, which, more than anything else has been the means
of carrying over the heritage of the older civilizations and con-
cepts of gardening to the New World, can only result in a
plethora of uninteresting landscapes, stocked with the con-
ventional and the easily obtained.
QUARANTINE NO. 37 331
Under this new regime no such plantings as are to be found
at the older and finer private estates, the botanic gardens, or in
the Moravian Cemetery at Staten Island, will be possible ten
years hence. The plants simply will not be found in America
in commercial quantities and a Board that sits at Washington
and now has been granted immensely increased powers, says
we must import no more. As to the merits of their case there
are several opinions possible, as to the blighting effect of their
action upon future ornamental planting in America there
seems to be pretty general agreement.
Not only are the plants noted above excluded, but many
others such as Peony, Dahlia etc., and much material im-
ported for propagating purposes by American nurserymen.
The contention of the Board that forbidden plants may still be
imported through the Bureau of Plant Industry is of little
horticultural significance. Beyond a few institutions no one is
likely to use this doubtful privilege, which in any case applies
"only to limited quantities."
The act as it now stands, (there is of course much agitation
to have it repealed and the powers of the Federal Horticultural
Board curtailed or withdrawn) , appears as if it had been framed
with deliberate intent to cripple the normal development of
American gardening. The irony of the situation is that the
Board has insisted from the first that on the contrary it was
framed to protect our gardening and crops from destruction.
Whether the truth lies on this side or on that, there is little
likelihood of their assumptions going unchallenged. In fact
the storm of abuse to which the Board seems relatively im-
pervious may react so that 1920 may see the end not only of
Plant Quarantine No. 37 but of the somewhat overzealous
regime that created it.
Practical Horticultural Notes
SALVIAS FOR THE GARDEN
ERY few groups of plants are so little known
and appreciated for their use in the garden
as the Salvias. These belong to that well
known family of plants, Labiatae, from which
we are supplied with so many gems of the
garden.
The four Salvias I wish to speak of as of special value for
their utility and easiness of culture are: — Salvia farinacea;
S. uliginosa; S. azurea grandiflora and 5. patens. All are her-
baceous perennials but shall be treated as annuals with the
exception of Salvia azurea grandiflora which although a native
of Mexico is perfectly hardy.
Salvia farinacea. The seeds should be sown in the hot bed
or in the warm greenhouse about the end of March, and as
soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle should be
pricked off into boxes about 3 inches apart, these seedlings
should be kept growing in a warm temperature and gradually
hardened off till they are ready to be planted in the open
ground in May; when they should be planted in a good soil
with a sunny location, about 18 inches each way apart. In
July they will be one mass of lavender blue flowers.
The great beauty of this plant is in the flowers, as the co-
rolla and the calyx are of the same color and when the former
drops the calyx remains and gives the appearance of a sprig
of the English Lavender (but lacks its perfume). Salvia
farinacea is of importance as a cut flower, it lasts a long time
when cut and placed in water ; but it should always be planted
for effect in bold masses.
332
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 333
Salvia uliginosa. The seeds and seedlings should have the
same treatment as S. farinacea, but with this difference; the
plants should always be allowed two feet each way when
planting and should have a well manured soil, they also like a
dry location.
This Salvia is the last of the Salvias to come into flower but
it continues to flower till late fall; it will grow to a height of
4 to 5 feet and therefore should not be planted in front of the
border but at the back. It is a most profuse bloomer and the
flower tresses are from eight to ten inches in length and are of
a pretty cornflower blue with a little white in the throat, a
most distinct color in Salvias. No Salvia is so useful for massed
effect in the border, and while it is a good cut flower it does
not equal S. farinacea in that respect.
Salvia azurea grandiflora. In the seedling stage this plant
requires the same treatment as the above mentioned, but once
you have a good supply it will remain with you as the roots
are perfectly hardy and the plants will increase in strength
from year to year. The habit of this plant is not so free as
the two already mentioned, the stems are more woody and
stiff er and the flowers are not borne with such profusion, but
still it is a very worthy subject for the garden and vase as a
single stem of flowers forms quite a show of blooms. It is its
color that appeals, it has a blue that is lighter than any other
blue in the garden with the exception of a few Delphiniums.
It should be planted not for massed effect, but rather to increase
the color scheme of the border and therefore six or twelve
plants, planted in clumps every little distance in the border has
a very pleasing effect.
Salvia patens. This plant requires a little more heat in the
seedling stage and when possible should be worked into pots
before planting out, so to form strong individual plants as the
habit of this plant is to send shoots or stems from the crown,
and does not branch like 5. uliginosa and S. farinacea, so
therefore the stronger the crowns the more flowers will be pro-
duced. The plant produces herbaceous roots and where pos-
sible it should be taken up in the fall, potted and kept in a cool
334 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
greenhouse all winter; in this way other strong plants are
formed and the true character comes out the following season.
It should be used more as a bedding plant than as a cut
flower plant as the flowers do not stay long when cut, but
when left on the plant the flower stems continue to grow in
length and as soon as one flower falls another is formed, thus
keeping up a continuous mass of blooms the major part of
the summer months. To be effective it must be massed
and if used with Hunnemannia fumariaefolia it makes a good
combination.
The flowers are of a good dark blue and have a very large
lip, also blue in the throat and are borne sparingly on a long
stem.
The Salvias mentioned above are types that can be raised in
any garden where there is a hot bed and cold frames, they are
simple in culture but rich in effect and utility and are worthy
of a place in the garden of all plant-lovers.
S. R. Candler.
cimicifuga
These most wonderfully attractive plants deserve greater
popularity than they now possess. They are admirably deco-
rative and so unlike other flowers that they command instant
attention when seen for the first time. In rich soil some grow
5 and 6 feet tall, as the variety dahurica, a native of Asia and
the first to come into bloom, in July. The wiry stems branch
near the top into 5 or 6 loose and somewhat drooping feathery
racemes of closely set small creamy white flowers. The leaves
are decompound and large, all arising from the base and about
2 feet long.
C. racemosa the American snake-root, flowering in August, is
of coarser growth. The many branched wiry flowering stems
are all quite upright. In September and during October
frosts we are delighted with the variety simplex. Spikes
are freely produced, of purest white and gracefully curved, 3|
inches tall. All are splendid cut flowers, fine for naturalizing
in masses, perfectly hardy and transplant with ease even in
well advanced stages of growth. — A. Martini.
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 335
GROWING OF MUSHROOMS
It is not as difficult to grow mushrooms successfully as
many people seem to think. A cellar or tight shed under the
barn is a good place to grow mushrooms during the summer
months ; whereas for winter and cold weather it will be necessary
to have a place either provided with some means of heating or
so constructed that the place will be frostproof. For summer
use the beds should be made up from March to May and for
winter crops, from September to December. Good material
for beds is best obtained from livery stables. In gathering up
the manure take all the saturated straw with the droppings,
pile this into a rather deep compost and have on hand some good
moist friable soil about one-third in bulk to the manure. As
soon as the manure pile shows signs of fermentation turn the
mass over thoroughly, mix and see that the manure on the
outside gets in the center and vice versa. After the compost
has been turned, cover over with a layer of soil, incorporating
this with the manure and repeat the operation morning and
evening until in about a week's time the rank heat has subsided
and the whole mass presents a dark brown spongy color. With
the addition of soil each time of turning, as mentioned above,
there is little danger of the compost overheating and burning.
Should the mass show signs of dryness, however, use the water-
ing can until sufficient moisture is obtained.
In laying the beds have two men do the operation, one
to shake up and throw in the manure, and the other to pack
in the material firmly and even. Lay the beds firmly, about
14 to 16 inches thick and then pound or tramp down to about
10 to 12 inches. Place a thermometer in the bed and when
after a few days the temperature has subsided to 85° or 80°
spawn the bed. Fresh American pure culture spawn is always
reliable and will produce a good crop of solid fine flavored
mushrooms. Break up the bricks of spawn into pieces about
3 to 4 inches square, place over the bed 12 to 14 inches apart.
Take a trowel and plant in the bed so that each piece will
be covered with about 1 inch of manure. Firm the bed down,
336 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
smooth and level. In about ten days or two weeks cover the
bed over with some good garden soil passed through a rather
coarse sieve, spread out level and firm down to an inch thick-
ness. The ideal temperature in a mushroom house is 55°.
In the summer months it is sometimes hard to keep the tem-
perature down below 60° to 65°, but by keeping the floor well
sprinkled and the place tight and dark in the day time and by
opening the door or ventilator wide by night or even having
a large cake of ice on the floor, the temperature may be kept
below 70°. most of the time. If the room stays around 70°
for any length of time the whole crop is liable to be ruined as
maggots will be sure to develop. As soon as the beds show
signs of dryness, they should be given a sprinkling of tepid
water in which a handfull of nitrate of soda has been dissolved
to each two gallons of water. Pick the mushrooms by twisting
them up from the bed. After each picking go over the beds,
pick up all rotted dead heads or withered small specimens
and fill in all holes with soil. After the beds have been in
bearing for some time and the crop shows signs of weakening,
sieve a layer of good moist soil over the whole bed. Water
this, using tepid water and nitrate of soda as mentioned
above and the beds will soon show new life. This operation
may be repeated from time to time. If proper temperature
and a good growing atmosphere is maintained a bed of good
material should continue to bear for about three months time.
Be sure to procure the spawn from a reliable firm and keep the
same in a dry airy place some time before it is needed. The
writer has been growing Mushrooms for sixteen years and
rarely has been unable to pick good specimens any month
during the year. — S. W. Carlquist.
DELPHINIUM BELLADONNA
This charming and useful plant should be seen in every garden
and its easy culture permits this and offers no difficulty. A few
years ago all Delphiniums hybrids and types were raised from
either division or cuttings and very rarely from seed, i.e., when
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 337
a true strain was needed. Even now most of the named varie-
ties must be propagated from cuttings or division, as seedlings
cannot be depended upon to come true; but with D. Belladonna
it is different. This plant comes very true from a good strain of
seed and is therefore brought within the reach of all garden-
lovers.
The best way to treat it is as a biennial as it is better treated
that way with a few plants raised each year. If is is treated
as a herbaceous perennial, it cannot be relied upon as some-
times after a first heavy crop of flowers it dies away.
Seeds should be sown in the cool greenhouse in the last week
of March or in the hot bed about the same time, and as soon
as large enough should be picked off into shallow boxes, about
3 inches apart each way. They should be kept growing in a
cool place until May when they should be large enough to
plant in the open ground, and should be planted in rows one
foot six inches apart, and twelve inches in the rows. The plant
must have good cultivation all summer and sprayed with
Bordeaux mixture or Pyrox once or twice during the hot weather ;
in early July they will begin to flower and continue till frost.
These flowers should be cut and used as cut flowers, as this
cutting tends to strengthen the crowns by the formation of
more flower stems.
In the fall a good mulching of stable manure between the rows
is very beneficial and as soon as hard frost arrives a good cover-
ing of salt-hay or leaves should be applied over the crowns.
In the spring the plants in the rows will be too close and every
other plant can be taken out and transferred to the flower
border, those crowns will be found to be very strong and many
shoots on them, and will transplant readily, and at the flower-
ing period will prove superior in every way over the late sum-
mer or fall sown seed.
Staking is very necessary as the stems have a great tendency
to bend and break off at the surface. — S. R. Candler.
338 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
ROOT PRUNING OF FRUIT TREES
One of the most important operations in the orchard and
fruit garden is root-pruning, particularly with dwarf or trained
trees.
If a tree of fruit-bearing age is making very strong growth,
yet shows no signs of bearing fruit; a check to growth, by
judicious root pruning in October, will cause the formation of
fruiting buds the following year, and in all probability change
the tree into a fruitful condition. Dig a circular trench 2\ to
5 feet from the stem, according to size of tree, and about 2 to
3 feet deep, carefully preserving all fibrous or feeding roots,
cut back the strong coarse roots with a sharp knife or prun-
ing shears. A skilled workman can judge if any tap roots go
down into the subsoil, if so, dig well under the tree and sever
roots with mattock or axe. Fill in trench with good soil, spread-
ing out roots at same level as before, firming soil as work
progresses. — George W. Wyatt.
COAL ASHES AND PLANT DISEASES
Interesting observation has been made by the writer of the
value of coal ashes for growing plants free from disease. On
old ash heaps were found growing in perfect state Dahlias for
instance, when in our garden plantings Dahlias were a com-
plete failure. The same was noticed of Asters and Cucurbitae,
that simply died under culture from blight diseases but were
found on dumping ground ash heaps free from disease. It would
seem that a very liberal use of sifted coal ashes to disease
bacteria infected ground should prove very beneficial. The
roots of pot bound plants will roam much more in ashes if that
material is used on greenhouse benches. — A. Martini.
GROWING PERENNIALS FROM SEED
Everyone who loves flowers has a tender place in his heart
for the flowers of Hardy Herbaceous plants, especially of the
older types that are more common, such as Aquilegias, Sweet
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 339
William, Foxglove, etc., plants that almost everyone is ac-
quainted with, as they can be grown as easily in the cottage
garden as on the largest estate. They can be readily grown
from seed, at least a great many of them, with but little trouble.
The method I have found very satisfactory is as follows: Late
in July or early in August, prepare a cold frame by spading it
up, and working in some leaf mould, smooth off with a rake,
making the bed moderately firm. After this we are ready to
make shallow drills three inches apart, when the seed may
be sown. Seeds vary considerably in size and the larger
will require a little deeper drills than the finer and a little
more space in the drill. After the seed is all covered and
smoothed over, give a good watering. Instead of using sash
on the frame, make a light wood frame same size as sash and
tack on cheese cloth, which will give enough air and shade and
help to retain moisture until the seedlings show through the
ground, when they can be removed. In about six weeks most
of the seedlings will be ready to transplant into another pre-
pared frame, spaced four inches each way. They should be
shaded for a few days with the cheese cloth, when they may
have all light and air possible till frost. As a winter protec-
tion fill frame with dry leaves and place on sash. Early in
April or as soon as weather conditions are favorable, the plants
may be planted in their permanent quarters and will flower the
same season. — Frederic Carter.
GLOBE OR FRENCH ARTICHOKES
This very desirable vegetable is not so extensively grown as
it should be. In fact it is seemingly but very little known.
The larger and best kinds are not hardy, that is, they will
not readily winter over if left outside during winter, even with
the most careful protection. To raise the plants from seeds
every year is not very satisfactory as the seedling plants sel-
dom come to maturity the first year and in a batch of seed-
lings there will aways be a number of inferior and useless
plants. The best way to produce fine large heads is to grow
340 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
new plants every year from suckers, or sideshoot cuttings.
If young plants of the large variety can not be obtained to
start with the first year one must of course start with seedling
plants and select from these the best plants for further prop-
agation. Sow the seeds early in January, pot up the small
plants singly in 2 inch pots and grow on near to the glass in a
temperature of 60° to 65°, giving the plants a shift into larger
pots as required. Towards spring they will occupy 7 to 9 inch
pots and the plants should then be thoroughly hardened off.
They should be planted out in a deep rich soil as soon as danger
from severe frost is past. Give the plants at least 3 feet of
room each way. As the plants come to maturity select such
of those as produce the largest and finest heads and mark
for further propagation. In the fall, before heavy frost sets in,
dig up these selected plants, cutting back the foliage and some
of the larger roots and pot up into large pots, tubs or boxes.
Keep the plants during winter in a cool but frost-free place.
In February take up as many of the plants as will be needed
ior the first batch of cuttings, shake out all the soil from the
roots when it will be found that a number of suckers or shoots
have formed at the base of previous year's flowerstalk. Pull
off these shoots, leaving on any small roots which may be
formed on them. Pot up these shoots or cuttings into small
pots, using a sandy soil, water well and place in a warm house,
keeping the plants shaded and free from draft for a few days
or until rooted. Repot into larger pots as will be required and
handle the plants as described for seedlings.
By taking two or more batches of cuttings at different times,
one may have a continuous crop of this vegetable from July
until late fall. It will be found that every plant grown from a
cutting will bear the first season and if one has selected a good
strain to propagate from and the plants are given a good rich
deep and well prepared ground to grow in, some extraordinarily
fine large Artichokes will be produced. The heads should be
cut for use as soon as they are well formed, but before they
begin to open in the center. If not used at once they will keep
a long time after being cut, by keeping them in an icebox or
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 341
other cool and dark place. If left too long on the plants they
will become stringy and lose much of their fine flavor. — S. W.
Carlquist.
cedrus atlantica glauca.
This beautiful Conifer deserves more recognition than it
seems to get at present. Some erroneous ideas as to its hardi-
hood, I believe, are partly responsible for its not being used in
ornamental plantings more than it is. It has stood 14° below
zero here in Rhode Island, which would lead one to assume it
may be classed as a fairly hardy tree. Although that was a
little severe, browning the foliage some, yet, in the Spring it
broke out in its natural steel blue as beautiful as ever. Given
a good open position this Cedar will make a handsome spec-
imen well worth seeing any month in the year. It is of vigor-
ous upright growth when well established, the branches are low
and of a compact habit. It is apt to make a tap root, and
should there be occasion to move it to another location, great
care would have to be used in the operation, that is if the tree
has grown to a fair sized specimen. — Frederic Carter.
Journal of the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill SEPTEMBER, 1919 No. 3
CONTENTS
Japanese Primulas, by Harry A. Day, F.R.H.S 345
Flower Names, by Esther Singleton 355
The Flower Lovers and Gardeners of Ancient Mexico, by Zelia
Nuttall 365
New or Noteworthy Fruits, by U. P. Hedrick 380
A History of Gardening in England, by the Hon. Alicia Amherst. . . 390
The National Park of the Abruzzi, by Luigi Parpagliolo 421
Outdoor Theatres, by Arthur Westcott Cowell 431
A Sussex Rock Garden, by F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S 437
Tulip Droppers, by A. B. Stout 463
Notes from the Arnold Arboretum, by C. S. Sargent 473
Practical Horticultural Notes 489
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Journal of the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill
SEPTEMBER, 1919
No. 3
Japanese Primulas
By Harry A. Day, F.R.H.S.*
PRIMULA CORTUSOIDES
LTHOUGH there are a dozen or more species
of Primula native to Japan, it seems that only
one, P. cortusoides, has received extensive cul-
tural attention from Japanese gardeners, and
this (so I am assured by Mr. S. Iida, the
genial manager of the Yokohama Nursery Co.)
has been grown and developed upon scientific lines for a great
number of years, long before Japan was opened up to foreign
intercourse in the middle of the nineteenth century. Unfortu-
nately, the enthusiasm has dwindled, until there are hardly half
a dozen devotees of the plant left. One of these is Mr. I to
* This article is part of a book on Flower-gardening which Mr. Day completed
during the war. He has kindly consented to the publication of this chapter, before
the book is issued. The text and pictures are copyrighted by the International
Garden Club and permission to use them here or in England can only be granted by
the Editor of the Journal or Mr. Day. — Ed.
The illustrations of Japanese Primulas on the colored plate facing this page are as
follows: 1. Primula modesia (P. farinosa modcsta Pax); 2. P. farinosa Faurice (? P.
Miyabeana); 3. P. mistassinica {P. macrocar pa) ; 4. P. Rcinii; 5. P. tosaensis; 6. P.
nipponica; 7. P. cuneifolia; 8. P. cortusoides; 9. P. hakusanensis (P. cuneifolia hakusan-
ensis); 10. P.jesoana; 11. P. heterodonta (P. cuneifolia heterodonta); 12. P. kisoana.
345
346 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Jubei, of Tokyo, an expert who grows over 300 distinct varieties
of P. cortusoides! He has been a large exhibitor of these charm-
ing plants since 1888. He gives some interesting details of
his methods of culture in the Journal of the Japanese Horti-
cultural Society for February 15, 1915. This account has been
translated, with evident care and kind-hearted labour, from
the Japanese for me by Mr. Iida, and I herewith give the gist
of Mr. Jubei's remarks.
First, he emphasises the fact that cultural methods differ
in the several districts of Japan, but the general object seems
to be the production of a plant possessing large leaves as well
as large flowers. This is called the "Giant Creation." There
are both early and late blooming varieties of P. cortusoides,
the season of flowering coming between the second week in
April and the middle of May. In order to obtain strong crowns
(called "buds") for next year's flowering, rich soil is added to
that in the pots containing the old plants until level with the
rim; then the pots are placed in rows outside, and kept well
moistened all the summer. Primulas, says Mr. Jubei, are
quite hardy in cold weather, but cannot stand heat. After
the flower-stems and leaves have withered, straw or other
material is placed over the pots, to retain moisture during the
remainder of summer weather; but the plants need no such
provision for moisture during the ensuing winter.
About the middle of February, the pots are brought under
glass, which must be well exposed to sunshine. When the soil
becomes warmed, the contents of the pots are turned out, the
soil being completely shaken from the crowns or "buds."
Here Mr. Jubei gives some information concerning the selec-
tion of "buds," which I suggest might be applied to many
another species of Primula, or, indeed, to any plant which
annually produces a crop of "crowns" that can be divided and
replanted. He advises the separation of the small and large
"buds," and says that the strongest of the smaller crowns
should be preferred to the larger, as the latter are usually over-
matured and are likely to produce crooked stems and small flowers.
At the same time, the larger "buds" are not to be thrown
JAPANESE PRIMULAS 347
away, but potted up to form a sort of separate item as reserve
material. The writer adds, quaintly, that these large but often
unsatisfactory specimens are "vulgarly called 'Bouncers'."
The compost used for planting consists of well-decayed leaves
only. This is treated as follows, according to the exact trans-
lation of Mr. Iida: "Put the leaf-mould into a receptacle of
about 2 yards square, pour over 60 gallons liquid ordure, cut
up fine, mix well, and after 3 or 4 weeks sprinkle over 40 gallons
of the ice washed white water; cover with some boards or
matting against rains Dry this in sunshine at
transplanting time, manipulate well, sieve the compost in -f
inch meshes; thus it is ready." An unclean, but evidently
profitable procedure!
When planting, the ends of the roots are cut off, leaving
them one or two inches long, and the "buds" are covered by
about an inch of soil, lightly pressed upon them. After trans-
planting, the pots are again placed outside and water given
the next day by spraying. If weather is dry, further sprayings
are given; light rains being beneficial. During heavy rains,
snow, or frost, however, and also every night, the plants are
covered with matting, etc. No further manure is given; and
the pots are placed in their flowering quarters under glass
some time before the flowering season arrives. A special pot,
called the "Magohando," a hard, thin, clay vessel, glazed
outside and inside, is used in Japan; this maintains a better
moisture than unglazed pots.
I think, after a study of the accompanying illustrations of
the Japanese P. cortusoides, it will be admitted that most excel-
lent results are obtained by Mr. Jubei's methods, and that
they are worthy of imitation.
His interesting article closes with some "Primulas Cultural
Recipes" found in an old Japanese manuscript. There it is
advised (1) to give a thin solution of manure in October to
produce a larger "bud;" (2) to put lumpy soil at bottom of
pot, then fertilized soil, then unfertilized soil, in which to place
the plant; (3) to "soak dry fishes in water before the summer
dog days, exposing to sunshine for 2 weeks! sieve and manipu-
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JAPANESE PRIMULAS
349
late with hoe and keep dry, after which add 40 per cent of
soil, which produce extremely corpulent plants;" (4) to mix
soil and decomposed ordure and store it; and (5) to "cut up
fine dried sardines," and mix with a small quantity of bran —
to be used as bottom soil in the pot, top soil unfertilized.
All the foregoing points to patient, careful culture, an
essential which Primulas, of any species, demand. The
Japanese horticulturist evidently believes in manure of the
strongest order; and the object in placing layers of manured
PRIMULA CORTUSOIDES
and unmanured soil in the pots is to have the crown of the
plants surrounded by soil that does not create excessive but
weakly growth, and at the same time to supply to the roots
below a strong and lasting supply of fertilized soil. "This,"
says Mr. Jubei, "is a secret recipe to have the perfect blooming
flowers." And he is right!
P. cortusoides provides varieties in shades of colour from
pure white to the deepest purple. The plant so often sold as
P. cortusoides is really P. saxatilis, quite a different species, although
similar in leaf and flower.
350 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
PRIMULA SIEBOLDII
This plant was first introduced to cultivation by the English
firm of Messrs. Veitch in 1861 ; it was collected in Japan, (Yezo,
Honto, and Kyushu districts) by Mr. J. G. Veitch, who brought
it to England. The present-day representative is a somewhat
composite plant, being evolved from several species by enter-
prising florists; and its near relationship and resemblance to
P. cortusoides suggests a preponderance of that species in its
make-up. P. Sieboldii possesses the synonymous names of P.
gracilis and P. amcena. It is a hardy and accommodating
plant, and easily grown and flowered outdoors, also under glass
without heat. Indeed, I would suggest that the cultural pro-
cedure indicated in the case of P. cortusoides be followed, for
the two plants are so similar in habit, appearance, time of
blooming, and varied colourings; but the usual compost is
made up of fibrous loam, leaf-mould, old cow-manure, coarse
sand or road grit, the sand or grit being of great impor-
tance. This Primula may be forced if not kept in too close a
temperature.
PRIMULA JAPONICA
This well-known plant is undoubtedly the Primula for out-
door culture, so far as Japan is concerned. For accommodating
usefulness it is one of that country's best contributions to
Western gardens, it being not at all particular as to soil or
aspect, although the best results are obtained by planting
alongside or near the water-side or stream, and in the bog-
garden in a rich, moist, peaty loam. A shady position should
be selected. P. japonica is also quite at home in the border,
especially in a part which is somewhat below the general level,
as this plant loves moisture. Grown in masses (the plants
are cheap enough and self-sown youngsters multiply fast), they
are splendid and very showy. To emphasise the necessity
for copious supplies of moisture, it may be pointed out that
a dry summer without attention as to provision of liquid sus-
tenance will often prove fatal to the plants. As a pot plant
JAPANESE PRIMULAS 351
under glass P. japonica behaves itself well, blooming thus at
any time from January to May. The pots should be stood
in saucers of water if hot sunshine obtains. Seeds are the
best means of increase, although germination is most erratic —
the plantlets may appear in a few weeks, or months ; sometimes
not at all; and the period of germination will be found to coin-
cide with the freshness or staleness of the seeds. But when
up, the seedlings grow very fast and strongly. The plant is
worth any amount of trouble. The flowers are produced in
tiers, or whorls, on stems 18 inches in height, and the colours
range from white to deepest crimson.
PRIMULA MODESTA
This is a nice plant, hardy and easy to grow with large,
flattish, primrose-like leaves, and producing in June umbels of
fair-size flowers upon long, somewhat strangling stems. It may
be advantageously compared with P. frondosa of the Balkans,
to which a distinct resemblance will be seen. P. modesta forms
a fine addition to the various forms of P. farinosa found all
over the world in great variety of growth, but all showing close
relationship ; another cultural group which deserves to be organ-
ised and freely grown. It has a fair distribution in Japan,
occurring principally in the Yezo district. Although under
cultivation, little is known of this perennial Primula outside
Japan; it was introduced in 1911. P. Matsumurce is a synonym.
Primula Fauriece may best be recognised as a form, or sub-
species, of the foregoing Primula, in reality, a variety of P.
farinosa. It occurs chiefly in the shrubby districts of Northern
Japan, (Hokkaido and Mount Iwate). The flowering period
is the month of July.
PRIMULA CUNEIFOLIA
This Primula, besides being found in Japan, is also an in-
habitant of the Arctic Islands off the coast of Siberia and
Alaska — the Kurile and Aleutian Islands principally, so that
it is as much Siberian or American as it is Japanese. In Japan,
352 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
it is best represented by the two sub-species, P. hakusanensis
and P. heterodonta. The plant has toothed leaves and short
stems bearing trusses or umbels of lilac-purple flowers during
July and August. It is a perennial, affecting grass lands more
than any other.
Primula hakusanensis (August flowering) and Primula hetero-
donta (June flowering) are true Japanese species, closely allied
to or identical with the above plant, and are distributed over
the greater part of Japan, being especially in evidence in the
Northern and Central districts (Mount Hakusan, Mount
Shirouma, Mount Iide). The flower-trusses are of exceptional
merit.
PRIMULA NIPPONICA
Here is another perennial species native to Japan which
would make a good garden plant, found chiefly in the grassy
regions in Central and Northern Japan (Mount Chokai, Kuri-
koma). The flowers, produced in July and August, are white
in colour.
PRIMULA KISOANA
For over two hundred years, it seems, has this plant been
under common cultivation in Japan, but, strange to say, has
apparently not yet found its way to the West. Why that is
so it is difficult to say. It has also been named P. hirsuta. A
native of the Central and Northern portions of Japan, it is
a hardy, perennial plant, with flowers of a deep rose colour,
and seems to be a subject of excellent garden value, although
its general culture is a negligent quantity, and its behaviour
thereunder consequently unknown. The flowering period lies
between April and May.
PRIMULA REINII
This is an easy perennial subject, so far as cultural needs
are concerned; but its hardiness in moist atmospheres is very
doubtful — its hairiness being against it in this respect. This
Primula is of peculiar growth — indeed, very Chinese in appear-
JAPANESE PRIMULAS
353
ance, with its thick, hairy leaf-stalks and rounded foliage; but
the flowers are excellent, of good size, and starry in shape. The
date of its introduction is said to be 1909; but the plant is by
no means common, and is difficult to procure. P. Reinii is a
native of Central Japan (Mount Hakone, Mount Myogi), where
it affects grass lands principally, and flowers during May and
June.
PRIMULA REINII
It is doubtful whether the following Japanese Primulas will
ever enter general cultivation in their present forms, being
either rare, unattractive, or possessing little record of cultural
merits.
P. jesoana (or yesoana) is a perennial plant of grassy woods,
with geranium-like foliage and dwarf stature, and a native of
Central and Northern Japan (Shirouma, Shinano, Hokkaido,
and Mount Ontake). Its occurrence in the province of Yezo
has given it the synonymous name of P. Yedoensis. It has
354 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
not come under cultivation, and is not very beautiful. The
flowers open during August.
P. tosaensis, found in the Shikoku, Nanokawa, Yasui, and
Tosa districts of Southern Japan, is a nice little plant, with
rounded, hairy leaves, fleshy stalks, and fairly large blossoms,
but is not suitable for outdoor cultivation. This plant has
not been introduced to English gardens, nor, probably, to those
of any other country. In its native habitat, P. tosaensis haunts
deep, shady places on rocky mountains, where it flowers during
April and May. It is of perennial duration.
P. eximia is the same plant which occurs in Alaska, North
America.
P. (mistassinica) macrocarpa is an extremely rare species of
small merit found on Mount Hayaschine, North Japan, and
therefore sometimes called P. Hayaschinei. It partakes of the
character of P. farinosa, with mealy leaves, producing one to
three flowers on the stem in July. This is the smallest Japanese
Primula, and a pasture-land subject.
PRIMULA MIYABEANA
A native of Formosa, this species is one which will help to
swell the growing army of tiered or whorled Primulas, when
introduced to cultivation. It has purple flowers. This plant
seems to occur also in Japan, in the shrub-covered regions of
Hokkaido and Mount Iwate, according to Japanese authority;
but the Japanese plant partakes of the character of P. farinosa or
or P. modesta, and is locally named P. farinosa, L. Var. Fanriae
Miyabe. {? Miyabeana). The two plants may be identical
species. It is difficult to say, as is evidenced by the doubtful
Japanese description.
KILDARE, SIDCUP
KENT.
Flower-Names
By Esther Singleton
Y APOLOGY for responding to the compli-
ment extended to me — that I should say a
few words about flower-names— is that I am
a passionate lover of flowers, although I know
nothing about the art of gardening. I can
only endeavor to write,
In the language wherewith Spring
Letters cowslips on the hill
talking of the flowers themselves.
Many of the happiest hours of my childhood were spent in
the beautiful Colonial gardens in the South. I know the
perfume of the great white magnolia in the moonlight; I know
the gleam of the scarlet pomegranate blossom amid the dark
green and glistening leaves; I know the music of the little
bells of the yellow jessamine waving in the balmy breeze.
And I may say here that the flowers of the South have a deeper
pile of velvet on their petals, a more lustrous sheen on their
silk and satin cups, more brilliant colors in their lips and folds
and "falls," and more intense and delicious odors than those
of our colder States. The beauty of our flowers and their
subtle perfume intoxicate the children of the Sunny South,
who play in the Colonial gardens care free like the butterflies
that are so numerous there, and make us look at them and
feel towards them romantically.
Flowers are, therefore, to me living, sentient beings; and
because they are so, I am emboldened to say a few words on
the question of their names.
It is perfectly proper, of course, for flowers to have botanical
names: they have to be catalogued and classified and identified
for scientific and practical purposes; but I think that in common
355
356 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
parlance it is far more sympathetic with flowers to call them
by their sweet, familiar names. It seems to me that it is
much more graceful and gracious for a hostess to say to a
guest: "Do come into the garden and see my lovely Larkspurs"
than "Do come into my garden and see my lovely Delphiniums."
It is true that Delphinium had a meaning for the ancients,
for they imagined the buds to resemble a dolphin; but we do
not associate dolphins with our stately blue flower, cousin to
the graceful Columbine. When we say Larkspur, we picture
in some half dreamy way the lark soaring far into heaven's gate,
and bringing back a little of the blue of the morning sky as
a gift for the flower, on which it also bestows its spurs of
conquest.
When we use the word Snapdragon, the vision arises of a
fascinating blossom with hanging and ferocious lip, and its
savage jaws splashed with carmine, as if it had just finished
a bloody meal upon some unwary insect, a flower in some
mysterious way kin to wyverns and dragons and laidly worms
that lurk around castle walls and in enchanted forests. If we
call this romantic flower Antirrhinum majus none of these
ideas come into our minds. And the name Wall-flower! Does
not that suggest a simple yet rich flower of garnet, or orange-
tawny velvet, growing in some tiny corner in the castle walls,
half unobserved, unintrusive, yet making a tiny spot of rich
beauty in the old gray crevice, the one witness to the whispered
vows of lovers, throwing upon them the benediction of one
of the most subtle and delicious of scents?
It seems to me a little cruel to call a lovely blossom Odonto-
glossom Hartvegense, or Chamaepericlynenum canadense.
Imagine Shelley's verse in the Sensitive Plant:
The naiad-like lily of the vale,
Whom youth made so fair and passion so pale,
That the light of its tremulous bells is seen
Through their pavilions of tender green,
reading as
Convallaria majalis of the vale
Whom youth made so fair and passion so pale
FLOWER-NAMES 357
We all love the old fashioned Lady's Slipper better under
that name than as a Cypripedium; and, by the way, I think
the reason that the delicate, fantastic and glorious orchids
stand somewhat aloof from our affections is because we have
made their acquaintance through names of Latin terminology.
It is something like reading a Russian novel. Try as we may,
we cannot get as near in sympathy to a heroine named Petronia
PovolofTskoffska as we can to one named Ethel Newcome or
Becky Sharp. Therefore Lilium bloomer anium magnificum
splendiosis grandiosa with all its pomposity does not touch us
as plain Lily. Oh! that word Lily, what does it not express —
from the splendors of Persia and Babylon to the "tremulous
bells in pavilions of tender green" and the pure and regal
Madonna Lily? Then again, many Peoplia Upsidedownia is
not so dear to us as the sweet, sorrowful Bleeding Heart.
The Latin names are bad enough; but what shall we say
to the practise of giving to lovely new flowers names of in-
dividuals entirely unassociated with aesthetic ideas, or the
dignity of horticulture? There is some excuse for the Dahlia
from Dahl, the Fuchsia fromFuchs and theWistaria fromWistar;
and in Elizabethan times, when wealthy London merchants
and horticulturists were beginning to develop new species, there
was legitimate reason for Master Tuggie his Princess, Master
Tuggie his Rose Gilliflower, John Tredescant's Great Rose
Daffodil, Gerard's Double Daffodil, Master Bradshaw's Dainty
Lady, Master Hesket's Double Primrose, and so on. Does
it not hurt one's sense of fitness to-day to hear of the Mrs.
Hezekiah Stubbs as the name for an exquisite Tea-rose? And
does it not distress one when visiting a flower-show to look
at the label of a new, spicy-fringed Carnation and read the
Julia O'Rafferty?
Bring hither the pink and purple Columbine
And Gilliflowers
Bring Coronations and Sops-in-wine
Worn of paramours.
Ah! far rather call the sweet flower by its original name,
Coronations, because worn in coronals and garlands, and by its
358 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
pet name Sops-in-Wine, because its blossoms were used to
flavor wine in the days when Spenser sang.
Another name that I should like to hear on the lips of garden
lovers is that of Gilliflower, which seems to me a kind of pet
name. It comes from the Latin caryophyllum, descriptive of
the spicy clove-like perfume of this variety of Carnation. But
the name lost all pedantry in its softened corruption and it
got so far away from the learned men that it was often written
and spoken of as July- flower.
Then the Pansy! 'Tansies for thoughts" as Ophelia says,
coming from the French pensee, trampled Viola tricolor under
foot, as it were. The name is charming, but even that was
not affectionate enough, nor descriptive enough, for this darling
flower. Monks and saints saw in it, as they saw in the Clover-
leaf, or Trefoil, an illustration of the Three-in-One, and so they
called it Herb Trinity. Because it has a coquettish air it was
called Three Faces Under a Hood. Because lovers gave it
to one another, it had the pet names of Meet Me at the Garden
Gate; Kiss Me at the Garden Gate; Kiss Me Quick; Jump Up
and Kiss Me; Call Me to You; Pink of My John; Kiss Me Ere
I Rise; Heartsease; Cupid's Flower and Love-in-idleness; and
a more modern name suggested by the thousands of new varie-
ties with their feline markings and quaint expression — Pussy
faces. This was the flower that Oberon bade Puck gather
and which he squeezed upon the sleeping Titania's eyes in
Midsummer Night's Dream.
How charming are the old names Daffodil, for instance,
coming from the Asphodel, flower of the Elysian Fields, down
to the country wench
Daffy-down-dilly came up to town
In yellow petticoat and a green gown.
and Columbine, Poppy, Morning-glory, Cowslip, Mourning-
bride, Hyacinth, Tulip from the Persian thoulyban, turban;
Blue-bells, Bachelors buttons, Canterbury bells, Heliotrope,
"Sweet William with his homely cottage smell," Periwinkle,
Primrose, Love-in-a-mist, Forget-me-not, Mignonette, Candy-
FLOWER-NAMES 359
tuft, Daisy, Verbena, Marigold and many others. Do you
not love the old roses, the "Cloth of Gold," the "Maiden's
Blush," the Gold of Ophir," "Marshal Niel" "Hundred Leaf,"
"Sweetbriar," "Eglantine," "Baltimore Belle" and "Jaquemi-
not?" Does not a bower where
Honeysuckles ripened by the sun
Forbid the sun to enter,
suggest the clusters of nankin and white cornucopias with
their splayed and pearled horns full of honey better than would
a bower where
Lonicera ripened by the sun?
Moreover, the old garden flowers have whole histories and
beautiful associations locked up in their names. Take for
instance the numerous flowers named for the Virgin — mostly
white ones. We have Our Lady's Comb, Our Lady's Bedstraw
(Galium verum), Our Lady's Cushion (Thrift), Our Lady's Tears
(Lily of the Valley), Lady's Bower (Clematis), Lady's Mantle
(Alchemilla vulgaris) , Lady's Looking-glass (Campanula hybrida) ,
Lady's Fingers (Digitalis purpurea), Lady's Tresses (Neottia
spiralis), Lady's Laces (Cuscuta), Lady's Garters (Phalaris
arundinacea) , Lady's Nightcap (Convolvulus sepium), Lady's
Slipper (Cyprepedium) , Lady's Smocks — Shakespeare's Lady
smocks all silver white — (Cardamine pratensis), Lady's Seal
(Black Briony), Lady's Thistle (Carduus Marianus), Our
Lady's Bunch of Keys (Cowslip), Maiden-hair fern and Mari-
gold. The latter flower was originally the Gold or the Gold
flower, the "Spouse of the Sun," who always woke with him
and followed him lovingly throughout the entire day — as Perdita
says,
The Marigold that goes to bed with the sun
And with him rises weeping.
And to this "Gold," so often spoken of by Chaucer and other
poets, the Mediaeval monks prefixed the name of the Virgin
and created the legend that she loved to wear the marigold
360 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
in her bosom. Hence Shakespeare in his aubade, beginning
"Hark, hark the lark" shows the freshness of the morning by
And winking Marybuds begin
To ope their golden eyes.
And how beautifully the old monks painted and illuminated
their Books of Hours and Missals with exquisite designs of
leaf and bud, berry and blossom, copying the flowers and plants
in the tiny walled garden of the monastery that they tended,
or in the pleasance of the castle that they visited. To them
we are indebted for the preservation of many beautiful legends
in connection with flowers. Many were the flowers consecrated
to St. John, many were the flowers consecrated to St. Catherine,
many were the flowers consecrated to St. Margaret! To
the Aconite was given the name of Monkshood, because its
blue blossoms suggested the cowl of a monk. It would seem
the old monks had a sense of humor! Flowers meant a great
deal in those days when the hand of the sculptor was carving
lessons in stone on the capitals of the columns and porches of
the cathedrals, when the wood-carver created stories beneath
his knife in the choir-stalls, and when the jewelled windows
flashed Bible pictures that the simplest minds could understand.
The English Cathedrals had a regular Calendar of Flowers.
Here it is :
The. Snowdrop, in purest white array,
First rears her head on Candlemas Day;
While the Crocus hastens to the shrine
Of Primrose lone on St. Valentine;
Then comes the Daffodil, beside
Our Lady's Smock at Our Ladyetide;
About St. George, when blue is worn,
The blue Harebells the fields adorn;
Against the day of the Holy Cross
The Crowfoot gilds the flow'ry grass;
When St. Barnabie bright smiles night and day
Poor Ragged Robin blooms in the hay;
The scarlet Lychnis, the garden's pride,
FLOWER-NAMES 361
Flames at St. John the Baptist's tide;
From Visitation to St. Swithin's showers
The Lily white reigns queen of the flowers;
And Poppies a sanguine mantle spread
For the blood of the dragon St. Margaret shed.
Then under the wanton Rose agen,
That blushes for penitent Magdalen,
Till Lammas Day called August's wheel,
When the long corn smells of Camomile,
When Marie left us here below,
The Virgin's Bower is full in blow;
And yet anon the full Sunflower blew
And became a star for Bartholomew;
The Passion Flower long has blowed
To betoken us signs of the Holy Rood;
The Michaelmas Daisy among dead weeds
Blooms for St Michael's valorous deeds,
And seems the last of the flowers that stood
Till the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude,
Save Mushrooms and the fungus race
That grow till All Hallo wtide takes place;
Soon the evergreen Laurel alone is green
When Catherine crowns all learned men;
Then Ivy and Holly Berries are seen
And Yule Log and Wassail come round again.
And then the fairy flowers — the Cowslip in the bell of which
Ariel was wont to hide, the Fox-glove (folks-glove) beloved of
elves, the Tulips, in which fairies rock their tiny babies; and
the plants that are associated with birds — the Cuckoo flower,
Cuckoo buds, Crowfoot, etc. ; and the plants that are associated
with animals — Wolfs-bane, Horehound, Catnip, etc. — all these
have interesting legends that their names call to mind. And
those quaint names Johnny-Jump-Up, Kiss-Me-Twice, Jack-by-
the-Hedge, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, London-Pride, Yellow-Lark's
Heels (Nasturtium), Wake- Robin, Go-to-Bed-at-Noon, — are
they not all and each delightful?
The old name February Fair Maid for the Snowdrop appealed
to Tennyson, who wrote
362 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Many, many welcomes
February Fair Maid,
Ever as of old time,
Solitary firstling,
Coming in the cold time
Prophet of the gay time,
Prophet of the May time,
Prophet of the roses,
Many, many welcomes
February Fair Maid!
These sweet old-fashioned flowers are endeared to us by
our English poets from Chaucer and Spenser and Shakespeare
to Tennyson and Swinburne. No poet has done more to make
flowers beloved than Tennyson, whose poem of The City Child
comes to mind and quotes itself :
Dainty little maiden, whither would you wander
Whither from this pretty home, the home where mother dwells?
"Far and far away," said the dainty little maiden,
"All among the gardens, auriculas, anemones,
Roses and lilies and Canterbury-bells."
Dainty little maiden, whither would you wander
Whither from this pretty house, this city house of ours?
"Far and far away," said the dainty little maiden,
"All among the meadows, the clover and the clematis,
Daises and kingcups and honeysuckle flowers."
These simple, sweet old-fashioned names take us back into
old romance while their beauty and perfume suggest the joys
of a paradise to come; for we may say of flowers, as we say of
little children, "Of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Even
to think of them is to become a child again and to wander far
and far away and into a dream world:
All among the gardens, auriculas, anemones,
Roses and lilies and Canterbury-bells.
IRIS GARDEN AT
EASTHAMPTON
L. S. CUMMINS, ESQ.
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364
The Flower Lovers and Gar-
deners of Ancient Mexico
By Zelia Nut tall
ROM time immemorial a great love of flowers,
an intense delight in their beauties of form
and perfume, combined with a profound knowl-
edge of their useful or medicinal properties
and a passion for collecting and growing rare
and strange plants have been characteristic
of the Mexicans. Commenting on this, the most pleasing trait
of the native character, the Spanish Friar, Acosta, wrote in
the 16th century: "The Indians are great lovers of flowers
and in New Spain more than in any other part of the world."
There is certainly no portion of our globe which can boast
of a more rich and varied flora. The great diversity of altitude
and climate that can be reached within easy distances from the
Valley of Mexico has moreover always rendered it possible
for fresh tropical and semi-tropical fruits and plants to be
carried to the markets of the capital. In sheltered positions
moreover many trees, shrubs and plants from the "terra cali-
ente" or "hot lands" can be cultivated in the City of Mexico
and its surroundings.
Considering that the diet of the ancient Mexicans was
mainly vegetarian and that they had a marvelous wealth of
useful plants to draw upon for food, medicines and their in-
dustrial arts, it is not surprising to find what a great role the
vegetable kingdom filled in their lives. During the countless
centuries in which the maize gradually developed from a lowly
cereal to the stately priceless food-plant under the fostering
365
366 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
care of the women and priests who practiced seed selection as
a religious rite, the ancient Mexicans had time also to evolve
the unique and ingenious botanical nomenclature which is
contained in their language.
In the Nahuatl or Mexican tongue certain words used as
prefixes or suffixes to plant-names convey information as to
their qualities, characteristics, and habitat. The system is
an eminently practical one for, as a rule, the name of each
plant enlightens the ignorant as to its qualities. The majority
of edible plants which can "be eaten" either raw or cooked are,
for instance, designated as quilites and this word enters into
the composition of each name, which also incorporates special
descriptive terms. An interesting example of a plant name is
tonalchichicaquilitl which, in a single word, conveys the infor-
mation that it grows in summer (tonal), is a bitter (chichic)
edible plant (quilitl) which grows near the water (a = abbrevi-
ation of atl = water). Other abbreviations are used to indi-
cate that a plant grows on rocks, mountains, or in sand, etc.
The word path = remedy, is found in names of beneficial
medicinal plants. In those of plants prized for their blossoms,
the word Xochitl = flower, always occurs, accompanied by
some indication which identifies it.
The foregoing summary conveys an inadequate idea of the
ingenious native system of botanical nomenclature which em-
bodies so much observation, knowledge and experience, and
in so original a way deals with the relation of the plants to
the human race. Like the marvelous Calendar system of the
ancient Mexicans it seems to be a legacy from an extremely
old civilization. It appears to indicate that a Nahuatl-speak-
ing race must have shared the habitat of the native flora during
countless centuries. It is a deeply significant fact, moreover,
that in the great botanical work of Doctor Hernandez who
was sent to Mexico in 1570 by Philip II to study its flora, there
are 3000 Nahuatl plant-names as compared with 250 in the
Tarascan, 18 in the Huaxtecan, 3 in the Mixtecan and 1 in the
Otomi languages. Another interesting fact is that, scattered
all over Mexico and as far south as Guatemala are numerous
FLOWER-LOVERS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 367
ancient Nahuatl names of localities which designate these as
"the place" or "land of" different valued trees or plants.
The ancient Mexicans had thus, in course of formation, a
fascinating botanical geography which I recommend to the
notice of modern botanists as furnishing reliable information
concerning the distribution of the native flora in pre-historic
times.
The high value and importance placed on rare plants by the
Mexicans is exemplified by the following curious historical
episode recorded in the native chronicles.
In the second year of his reign Montezuma sent his ambas-
sadors laden with gifts to Malinal the lord of a province near
Oaxaca, to deliver the following message: "Montezuma, our
lord and your kinsman sends us to thee to say that his uncle,
the lord Ahuizotl, left him word that in thy gardens thou hast
a tree named Tlapalizquixochitl which bears beautiful and
fragrant flowers. He desires to have this tree for his garden
and begs you as a relative and friend to give it to him. He
will give you, in return, all you ask for." Malinal, who seems
to have been as enthusiastic a lover of flowers as Montezuma,
refused to part with his tree and dismissed the messengers
with a defiant message.
Greatly angered, Montezuma dispatched an armed force
against Malinal who was vanquished and killed, the victors
returning to the capital with the coveted tree and a number
of captives. From the descriptions preserved it seems that
Malinal's tree was a sport or rare variety with flowers striped
red, of a more common kind which bore an abundance of white
fragrant and highly prized blossoms. Dr. Hernandez saw a
cultivated specimen of the tree with flowers which looked as
though they were dyed red in the State of Morelos. Mexican
botanists have named it Morelosia Huanita {Bourreria Huanita)
a genus belonging to the Ebenaceae.
The Spanish Conquerors were amazed at the enormous quan-
tities of fresh flowers that were brought daily to the capital
for the decoration of the temples, for use in the native dances
and for the personal use of the upper classes. The greater
368 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
part was brought in payment of tribute imposed by the Mexi-
can rulers on the conquered tribes inhabiting the tropical
regions. Friar Duran's native informants related that the
daily tribute from the hot lands consisted of great cargoes of
floral pieces composed of a thousand different kinds of tropical
fragrant flowers, some surpassing all others by the delicacy
of their aroma. They also brought living plants for the gardens
of the lords "who had imposed this tribute to demonstrate
their authority and greatness and because they wished to be
regarded as the lords of all creation, on land and water."
The ancient Mexican rulers, lords and war-chiefs never ap-
peared in public without carrying bouquets composed of fra-
grant flowers in their hands "as a mark of grandeur.' The
most exquisite and rare blossoms were reserved for their ex-
clusive enjoyment, amongst them the Magnolias, certain Arums,
the beautiful Orchid (Stanhopia tigrina) and others of the
same family, and the flowers of the Cacao-tree, which were of
intrinsic value as the cacao bean was employed as currency.
As a mark of respect it was customary to offer bouquets,
chaplets and necklaces of flowers to those in authority. No
one entered Montezuma's audience-chamber without bringing
him an offering of exotic flowers. Torquemada relates a story
which demonstrates how rigidly this etiquette was enforced.
Certain caciques journeyed to Tenochtitlan and on arriving
had forwarded a request to be allowed to present their homages
to Montezuma in the following forenoon. It was after sun-set,
on the evening of their arrival, that they suddenly realized that
they had no flowers or bouquets to offer the Mexican ruler.
Without them they would not be allowed to enter his palace.
As it was imperative that they should keep their appointment ,
they were overcome with confusion and mortification, for no
choice blossoms were procurable in the capitol. The nearest
point where such were obtainable was Cuernavaca, situated at
the other side of the Ajusco mountain range, at a distance of
about twelve leagues. At a venture they summoned a youth
named Nemauhyan, who had won fame as a runner and mes-
senger, and implored him to help them out of their predicament
FLOWER-LOVERS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 369
and to set out at once for Cuernavaca to fetch the much needed
flowers. He agreed to do so and without going to his house to
eat or change clothing started from the Tecpan or palace where
the caciques were lodging and, running all the way, reached
Cuernavaca at midnight. There he gave those in charge of
the flower gardens the gift he brought them and obtained the
flowers. Without resting or sleeping he started back and
reached the Tecpan at sunrise. When the caciques came into
its courtyard after an anxious night, they saw the youth heat-
ing himself by the fire which the guards kept burning. They
had not dared to expect him until mid-day and when they
saw him calmly sitting there they concluded that he had not
fulfilled his mission. However the young athlete arose and
gaily fetched the flowers and gave them to the caciques who
were filled with amazement and admiration and, as a reward
for his wonderful feat, presented him with the mantle and
insignia of a captain and made him a member of their military
order.
Although, as Father Acosta states, the Indians "made many
kinds of nosegaies with such pretty variety and art as nothing
could be more pleasing," there were two conventional forms
which seem to have been in fashion at the court of Montezuma.
The first was the "Quauhxochitl" or single choice flower
mounted on what was presumably a more or less ornamental
stick which was carried in the hand. This mode, which will
commend itself to all true flower-lovers as an exquisite refine-
ment of taste, ministered to the aesthetic enjoyment of the
individual perfume and beauties of each blossom.
The second favorite form was the "Chimalxochitl" or "shield
bouquet" which was made to resemble a warrior's shield, its
round flat top being a compact mass of flowers of different
colours disposed so as to form a variety of designs.
Associated with this form of bouquet were superstitions and
a ceremonial observance which will be described later. The
flowers in the center of the bouquet were dedicated to the
supreme invisible god Tezcatlipoca and it was forbidden for
anyone to touch them or inhale their perfume. The wayside
I ■■
ARCH MADE OF WHITE, RED
AND ROSE COLORED CARNATIONS, LOOKING
LIKE HEAVILY RIBBED SILK FABRIC
MADE BY XOCHINILCO INDIANS
370
FLOWER-LOVERS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 371
shrines dedicated to this god, his temples and images (and
indeed those of all the principal gods and goddesses) were
always profusely decorated with garlands and fresh flowers.
The picturesque dances in which all the dancers wore
wreaths and necklaces of flowers and sustained a massive gar-
land; the pretty floral game in which the women pelted each
other with balls entirely made of the Pachtli or Florida moss
or the orange Tagetes and the profusion of fragrant blossoms
with which the victims were adorned, were in striking contrast
to the hideous human sacrifices which were performed by the
Aztec priesthood during the festivals of their gods. It was
as though these cruel rites had been introduced, for the purpose
of terrorising conquered tribes into the more ancient ritual
which was in contrast, with the teachings of Quetzalcoatl
the culture hero, who recommended offerings of flowers and
butterflies only. His temples were always adorned with these;
but the first fragrant flowers that blossomed in the grounds
of the temple Yopico, in April, were consecrated and offered
to the rain-god Tlaloc, and until this ceremony was performed
no one dared enjoy the perfume of spring flowers.
It was also at the beginning of the rainy season that the
corporation of Xochimanque, the horticulturalists and florists,
celebrated the festival of their patron-goddess, the Earth-
mother, with corresponding floral magnificence. At a period
of the year corresponding to August another "flower festival"
was held and for two days previously everybody went into
the country and corn fields to gather the many kinds of wild
flowers growing at that season. They then assembled in the
courtyard of the temple of Huitzilopochtli where they spent
the night, arising at dawn to string the flowers on numbers
of long cords which were twisted together until they formed
a long thick cord. This was stretched across the great court-
yard on the ground as an offering to the god whose idols in
this temple and elsewhere, were freshly adorned on that day
with the most elaborate floral decorations.
Another "Flower Festival," Xochilhuitl, was held at inter-
vals of two hundred days. When it fell in October, towards
372 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
the end of the wet season it was termed: "The Farewell to
Flowers," and was preceded by a rigid fast lasting four days.
At the "Flower Festivals" a goddess named "Precious Flower"
and two gods, "Five Flowers" and "Noble Flower Youth"
were specially honored.
The demand for flowers and the handiwork of the florist
that the religious and social observances entailed explains why,
in Ancient Mexico, the horticulturists and florists constituted
so important and active a corporation. In the original MS.
of his great work Friar Sahagun dedicates a chapter to a de-
scription of their handiwork which is illustrated by the four
quaint drawings reproduced for the first time herewith, on pages
373, 374, 375. These drawings are in Friar Bernardino De Saha-
gun's Historia General De Nueva Espana, preserved in the Lauren-
tian Library, at Florence.
In the first two gardeners are depicted at work, one with
his wooden pointed hoe making holes in the enclosed bed into
which he is scattering seedlings, a water jug close by recalling
that during these early stages constant watering is necessary.
In the second drawing a gardener is gathering flowers while
his companion executes an elaborate design by means of
flowers — an art which is still practised with enthusiasm by the
Indians in the Valley of Mexico who also employ coloured
sands and seeds to enhance the effect. Once a year, on Holy
Thursday, the gardeners of Coyoacan make an "alfombra"
or "carpet" of flowers on the floor of the parish church in
front of the high altar. Its design is different every year and
has, unfortunately, now taken the form of a framed picture
which is usually a crude copy of some religious painting, skill-
fully executed by means of coloured sands. (Facing page 365.)
The frame in one case was entirely composed of yellow flowers
shaded so as to simulate a massive gold frame. The Coy-
oacan gardeners also excel in making elaborate decorations and
floral arches (facing page 371) on foundations made of the
native reed-grass which resembles a bamboo. This is covered
with what resembles a mosaic of flowers and often with designs
similar to the "carpet" represented in the old drawing from the
Sahagun MS.
FLOWER-LOVERS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 373
ANCIENT MEXICAN GARDENERS SOWING SEEDS
AND TRANSPLANTING SEEDLINGS
W&fc^.
PICKING FLOWERS AND MAKING DESIGN
OF FLOWERS ON GROUND
374
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
In the descriptions of Montezuma's garden given further on,
mention is made of "images of a number of personages skill-
fully made of flowers and leaves" which were, presumably,
flower mosaic pictures of which the present day "carpets"
are survivals.
Returning to the old drawings we find in the third (below) an An-
cient Mexican florist, in front of whom samples of his art are spread.
They consist of two long necklaces made of strung flowers,
recalling the Hawaiian "lies"; three chaplets or wreaths; seven
.•■•
>
ANCIENT MEXICAN FLORIST DISPLAYING
CHAPLETS, GARLANDS, BOUQUETS,
AND THE SINGLE FLOWER STICK
"shield-bouquets" with fringed handles; two "fan-bouquets" in
the shape of small banners, and, finally, a number of the single
mounted blossoms, the "flower-sticks" or "hand-flowers." The
lower ends of the sticks are pointed, a feature which facilitated
their being stuck into the ground or some stand when not
carried.
The fourth drawing (page 375) illustrates the ceremonial offering
and wearing of the above floral decorations. A seated personage
wears a wreath with appendages which fall behind his head,
FLOWER-LOVERS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 375
and necklaces which pass over his right shoulder and under
the left arm. The latter are evidently composed of the blos-
soms of the Plumieria alba or rubra, being similar to a necklace
in the coloured, carefully executed representation of the god
Tezcatlipoca, contained in a native Codex and to the strings
of the same flowers still in use by the Indians on festive occa-
sions. In front of the seated man are two "shield-bouquets"
set on edge and a few single blossoms are scattered on the
ground. In his hands he holds what appear to be bouquets
CEREMONIAL OFFERING OF FLORAL DECORA-
TIONS TO GUEST OF HONOR
and a number of "flower-sticks." The figure advancing
towards him offers a wreath, a necklace and a bouquet, these
constituting evidently the customary gifts of which Father
Acosta wrote as follows towards the end of the 16th century:
"They have a custom amongst them that the chiefest men
offer their nosegays in honour to noblemen and to their guests
and they presented us with such an abundance as we passed
through that country that we knew not what to do with them."
In the Codices are found several representations of Monte-
376 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
zuma, the lord of Texcoco and other notables carrying beside
a "shield-bouquet" the poquitl or smoke-reed, the upper half
of which was covered with a composition made of charcoal,
the finely ground dried leaves of the tobacco and other aro-
matic plants and copal gum. This end was lit and the smoker
drew in the fragrant smoke through the hollow mouth piece.
It is interesting to learn through the hitherto unpublished
chapter of Friar Sahagun's great history dated 1570, which I
copied from the original MS., how his native informants gave
him the following detailed account of the quaint ceremonial
that was observed when bouquets and smoke-reeds were pre-
sented to guests at festivals. The youths who distributed
them on such occasions were carefully selected for their qualities
of nobility and courtesy. When they presented the lighted
smoke-reeds they "held it in their right hand, not by the mouth-
piece but by the part covered with charcoal. In his left hand
he carried the small terra-cotta dish, named iecaxitl on which
the smoke-reed was laid when not in use. Firstly he presented
the reed saying: 'My lord, see here is the perfumed smoke-
reed.' The guest seized it and placing it between his fingers
began to smoke it." This act of courtesy and observance simu-
lated the mode of throwing and catching the darts or spears
that were used in war-fare, and the smoke-reed was cast and
caught with the same martial air and gesture that were em-
ployed in throwing spears in battle, the round dish being held
in the youth's left hand as though it were a shield. This
ceremonial usage was observed whether the guests were military
chiefs or not.
Then the flowers were distributed in the following way. In
his right hand the youth held the "shield-bouquet;" in his
left the "flower-stick" or "hand-flower;" therefore the guest
was able to conveniently receive the first in his left hand as
though it were a real shield and the "flower-stick" in his right
hand as though it were a weapon of war.
The quaint little illustration (page 377) of this text by a native
artist under Spanish art influence, clearly depicts the curious cere-
monial. One guest is about to catch the lighted smoke-reed;
FLOWER-LOVERS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 377
the other has set his "shield-bouquet" on an edge on the ground
in front of him and is inhaling the fragrance of the single choice
flower mounted on a stick, holding his smoke-reed between
the first and second fingers of his right hand. A proof that
the "shield-bouquets" and smoke-reeds were also presented to
women is furnished by a native drawing in the same MS.
which represents a lady of high degree seated with her "shield-
bouquet" resting on edge on the ground in front of her. With
her^right elbow resting on her knee she is leaning forward com-
fortably enjoying her smoking perfume reed.
ANCIENT MEXICAN CEREMONIAL OFFERING OF
BOUQUET, FLOWER STICK, AND LIGHTED
PERFUME REED TO GUESTS OF HONOR
In Friar Sahagun's original Nahuatl text, written under the
dictation of his native informants are a number of words
relating to flowers which afford further picturesque glimpses of
the unknown social life of Ancient Mexico. Amongst them
are a number of verbs describing actions associated with flowers,
such as: "to adorn a person with flowers; to crown him with
flowers; to hang a string of flowers around his neck; to cover
or weigh him down with flowers ; to hide him completely under
378 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
flowers; to kill or smother him with flowers; to caress him by
striking him gently with flowers and to awaken a person at
dawn with a flower-song."
Among the few specimens of Nahuatl poetry that have been
preserved are several of the "Flower-songs" and others which
were chanted at social gatherings by the flower-bedecked hosts
and guests. The following brief excerpts from several of these
rendered in prose will convey an idea of the tenor of these
songs and their inherent beauty and charm.
With hearts intoxicated by the aroma of flowers our songs will unfold (like
flower-buds) and with the hymns we know we will glorify the Supreme
God
Such is my wish, oh friends, therefore gather around me and imitating me
in my old age take the perfumed smoke-reed, gather choice flowers
to crown your heads and let us reverently chant songs to please the
Supreme God
I, a singer, having penetrated into the pleasant flowery gardens where all
is recreation and enjoyment, where the dew is perennial and where can
be heard the cooing of amorous birds and one can listen to the melodi-
ous song of the "bell-bird;" where all of these with sonorous voices
glorify the Supreme God, there I, a singer gained an understanding
of the origin of all songs
My heart blossoms when the perfume of the fragrant flower mingles with
my song
On passing by the rocks I seemed to hear how they were responding to the
sweet melodies of the flowers and the shining, murmuring waters.
The blue fountain sings, then breaks into rain-drops and sings again;
the mocking-bird answers, accompanied by the bell-bird and many
other birds also scatter sweet notes around, making music
To the above must be added an extract from the well-known
song and its sad refrain, by Nezahualcoyotl, the enlightened
lord of Texcoco, and a philosopher and poet, who forbade
human sacrifices, worshipped the "Unknown God" and created
the most beautiful gardens of Ancient Mexico.
FLOWER-LOVERS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 379
. . . . Enjoy for the present the luxuriance and the beauty of the
flowery spring, with its melodious twitter of birds, while butterflies
suck sweet honey from fragrant flowers . . . . all in this world is
like bouquets of flowers that pass from hand to hand, wither and finally
come to an end, even in the present life
Imbued with the same spirit a fellow-poet addressed the
following lines in a "flower-song" to the Texcocan lord:
Oh, Nezahualcoyotl, rejoice in what the present offers; crown thyself with
flowers from thy gardens and listen to my song and music which aim
at pleasing thee ! . . . .
The truth of Father Acosta's statement quoted at the begin-
ning of this article is confirmed by the data which has been
presented in the foregoing pages, to be followed by the
descriptions which have been preserved of the famous gardens
of Ancient Mexico.
CASA ALVARADO
COYOACAN
MEXICO
New or Noteworthy Fruits
By U. P. Hedrick
Horticulturist at the Nenv York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York
ITHOUT new fruits there could be little progress
in fruitgrowing. The history of the apple,
the pear, the peach, the plum or of any domes-
ticated fruit is largely that of discarded varie-
ties. No fruit is perfect and nothing is more
certain than that old varieties are not im-
proved. The introduction of a good new variety is a land-
mark in the development of any fruit. Happily, the divine
curiosity that leads men to invent, discover and originate is
possessed in full measure by some fruit-growers, and there is a
never ending procession of new fruits. It is the duty of fruit-
growers to test such of these new varieties as opportunity
offers and so take part in the march of progress.
Occasionally old varieties take on a profitable new life.
These may be sorts that for one reason or another were lost,
or varieties that have remained for years in the limbo of the
nurseryman's catalog. Some varieties are born to blush unseen
in places or times such that their good qualities have never
been advertised. Many of these lost varieties, when again
brought under cultivation, prove most worthy. Again, the
defective or unmanageable varieties of a generation ago, under
modern methods of care often prove tractable and profitable.
These are the "note worthies" of the title.
All of the varieties discussed have been under probation at
the New York Agricultural Experiment Station where an at-
tempt is made to test every hardy fruit offered in this country.
Most readers will be surprised at the number of fruits thus
tested for few realize how great the number of varieties. It
should be said that as soon as a variety is tested it is cut down,
380
FRENCH DAMSON A
NEW FRENCH PLUM
^
NEW OR NOTEWORTHY FRUITS 381
so that the 2,067 varieties and 179 species in the list given, is
but a part, probably less than half, the number grown on the
Station grounds in the last ten years. The following were the
numbers of varieties under test in 1918:
Apples 368 Currants 35
Pears 175 Blackberries 40
Quinces 19 Red Raspberries 29
Plums 279 Black Raspberries 23
Cherries 110 Purple Raspberries 5
Peaches 373 Yellow Raspberries 1
Apricots 40 Dewberries 8
Nectarines 33 Grapes 390
Gooseberries 74 Strawberries 69
DELICIOUS APPLE
Delicious carries off the palm of merit among novelties in
apples. No other new apple of the times has been more gen-
erally planted or better received by consumers and growers
alike. Delicious was introduced in 1895, since which time its
culture has spread throughout all the apple districts of the
United States. In the orchards of the West and Northwest,
it has been extensively planted and has proved a great com-
mercial success. As grown in the East, it is smaller and not
as handsomely colored as when grown in the West but is even
better in quality. The chief asset of Delicious is its rich,
distinctive flavor, though it is handsomely colored and quite
large enough for a dessert fruit, and with its five-crowned apex
is unique and attractive in appearance. Contrary to the usual
behavior of apples, the fruits of this variety increase in size
and color as the trees grow older. Its faults, in the East at
least, are susceptibility to water-core and to apple-scab. De-
licious is worth trying in commercial plantings wherever apples
are grown in the United States, and every land-owner should
plant a few trees in the home orchard. This variety was
found in 1881 by Jesse Hiatt, Peru, Iowa, and the original
tree is still in productive bearing. The variety was introduced
by Stark Brothers, Louisiana, Missouri.
382 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Tree large, vigorous, hardy, productive. Fruit large, uni-
form, roundish-conic, ribbed, light yellow, nearly to almost
entirely overspread with dark, attractive red, splashed and
mottled with carmine; flesh yellowish, firm, a little coarse,
tender, juicy, aromatic, pleasantly subacid, good to very good;
season December to last of February.
OPALESCENT APPLE
Opalescent is the most attractive of the new apples, perfection
in appearance being so nearly reached that a handsomer apple
is scarcely to be expected. The fruits are large, shapely and
covered with a brilliant red on a yellow background. In
quality, also, it is good, but it is not the feast to the palate
that it is to the eye. The trees are hardy, vigorous, productive
and come in bearing early — all characters thus marking it as
a promising new fruit. Its season is rather short for a com-
mercial variety, ending in January, but in cold storage it keeps
longer; yet it should prove most profitable for late fall and
early winter. So far, it is grown commercially only in the
East where it is growing in esteem as an apple to compete
with the showy fruit from the West. Opalescent was found
about 1889 by the nursery company of McNary & Gaines,
Xenia, Ohio, among a number of apple seedlings grown in an
old orchard and was soon after introduced.
Tree vigorous, productive. Fruit large to very large, round-
ish-conic, symmetrical, obscurely ribbed; color bright pale
yellow nearly or quite overspread with dark, deep red with
faint splashes of purplish-carmine; flesh yellowish, firm, crisp,
tender, juicy, pleasant mild subacid, aromatic, good to very
good; season November to January.
THE J. H. HALE PEACH
Elberta, long the most popular commercial peach, now has
a rival in the J. H. Hale, a chance seedling found by J. H. Hale,
South Glastonbury, Connecticut. The new variety is de-
scribed best by comparing it with Elberta of which it is probably
NEW OR NOTEWORTHY FRUITS 383
a seedling. The fruit of the newcomer is larger and rounder
than that of the supposed parent, the peach being almost a
perfect sphere and so more attractive in shape than the oblong
Elberta. Because of this rotundity the peaches can be packed
to better advantage than those of the older variety. In color,
there is no choice between the two peaches, both are volup-
tuously handsome. The skin of the new fruit is less pubescent
and a little firmer, qualities, which, with greater firmness in
flesh, make it better fitted for shipping and keeping than the
fruit of Elberta. In the characters that make up quality,
(flavor, aroma, texture and juiciness) there is no choice, neither
being of extra good quality. J. H. Hale ripens a few days
earlier than Elberta, although in the markets the two will
compete. In tree characters, the differences are trifling, al-
though it remains to be seen whether the J. H. Hale is equally
adaptable to the various conditions of peach-growing under
which Elberta has become famous.
Tree vigorous, productive. Fruit matures in mid-season;
large, regular, round, with equal halves; color lemon-yellow
overspread with dark red and with mottlings and splashes of
carmine; flesh yellow, red around the pit, juicy, fine-grained,
sweet or somewhat sprightly; good in quality; stone free.
THE ROCHESTER PEACH
Peach-growers have long wanted an early, yellow, free-stone
peach suitable for commercial plantations. One of the latest
candidates is Rochester, of the Crawford group, which in several
respects is an improvement on the well-known Early Crawford.
Rochester precedes Early Crawford several days, ripening in
New York soon after the middle of August. The peaches are
large, yellow, with a handsome over-color of mottled red and
are more rotund than those of Early Crawford. The flesh
meets all the requirements of a good peach. It is thick, firm,
handsomely marbled with yellow, tinted with red at the pit,
juicy, rich, sweet, and is in all respects up to the high standard
of palatability possessed by the Crawfords. The variety is
384 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
classed as a free-stone yet under some conditions the flesh
clings slightly. The tree is sufficiently productive for a
good commercial peach, but it remains to be seen how well
it is adapted to different soils and climates. Should its range
of adaptability be great, Rochester will take a high place in
commercial peach-growing. This new variety came from a
seed planted about 1900 near Rochester, New York. It was
introduced by the Heberle Brothers Nurseries, Brighton, New
York, in 1912.
Tree productive. Fruit matures late in August; round,
slightly oblate, somewhat compressed; color lemon-yellow be-
coming orange-yellow, mottled with red, often merging into
a blush of deep, dark red; pubescence heavy; flesh yellow,
tinged red at the pit, very juicy; very good in quality; stone
nearly free.
IMPERIAL EPINEUSE PLUM
Imperial Epineuse is not surpassed in quality by any other
plum on the Station grounds. Moreover, it is one of the largest
in the prune group and one of the most attractive by reason
of its well-molded form and its handsome reddish-purple color
which is lighter or darker according to the exposure of the
plums to the sun. The tree characters, also, are exceptionally
good, the trees being large, vigorous and hardy. A striking
character of the variety is its strong, upright growth. Im-
perial Epineuse was found as a chance seedling about 1870
in an abandoned monastery near Clairac in the Valley of Lot,
the great prune district of France. It was brought to Cali-
fornia in 1883 and offered for sale under the name "Clairac
Mammoth" in 1893.
Tree large, vigorous, spreading, productive. Fruit late,
large, obovate, purplish-red, darker on the sunny side, mottled,
overspread with thick bloom; flesh greenish-yellow, tender,
sweet, very agreeable in flavor; very good; stone clinging.
NEW OR NOTEWORTHY FRUITS 385
MIRABELLE PLUMS
Mirabelle plums are hardly known in America, but there
are many distinct varieties in Europe, especially in France,
where they are highly esteemed as dessert and culinary fruits.
These Mirabelles may be best described as golden-yellow, sweet-
flavored Damsons. This type of plum is represented by four
varieties on the Station grounds, all of which are worthy the
attention of fruit-growers. These are; Drap d'Or, Reine Mira-
belle, Late Mirabelle and Mirabelle. The small, round, yellow
fruit are most attractive in appearance and the sweet, pleasant
flavor commends them to all lovers of good fruits. The trees
are small, compact, vigorous, hardy, healthy and thrive where-
ever Damsons grow. The varieties come nearly true to seed
and plantations may be established by planting the seed. The
following description is of Drap d'Or though this variety is
no better than the other Mirabelles. Drap d'Or is an old
European plum cultivated at least for 250 years.
Tree small, hardy, productive. Fruit matures in mid-season;
small, round-oval, compressed; color greenish-yellow changing
to golden-yellow, mottled and blotched, occasionally with a
faint bronze blush on the exposed cheek, overspread with thin
bloom; flesh light golden-yellow, juicy, firm but tender, sweet,
mild; of good quality; stone small, free.
THE FRENCH DAMSON
Damson plums, like the Mirabelles, are not appreciated in
America. They have several valuable characters to recommend
them: thus, they are not equalled by any other type of plum
in vigor, hardiness and productiveness of tree, and the plums
are choicely good for all culinary purposes. Commercial plan-
tations of Damsons are usually small, but their owners find
them profitable. There should be a tree or two of Damson
in every fruit-garden. Shropshire is the most commonly grown
Damson, but French is a better variety. Compared with the
well-known Shropshire, the fruits of French are larger, hand-
somer and come in season a week or two later; the trees are
386 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
larger, more productive and carry their fruits and foliage rather
better. In some seasons the stone clings in French and in
others it is free, while the Shropshire is always a clingstone.
French is probably an old European sort re-named.
Tree large, vigorous, hardy, productive. Fruit late; large,
ovate, dull black, overspread with thick bloom; skin thin,
separating readily; flesh greenish, juicy, fibrous, tender, sweet,
pleasant and sprightly; good to very good; semi-clinging or
free.
REINE HORTENSE CHERRY
Reine Hortense is an old French cherry introduced in America
nearly a century ago when amateur fruit-growing was at its
height, and high quality took precedence over all other char-
acters. It is one of the very best cherries for home plantations,
several qualities preeminently fitting it for this use. To begin
with, the trees are small, almost dwarf, and take up little room
in the garden, or, they can be trained on walls or buildings.
The cherries are excellent in quality, the flavor being a com-
mingling of the refreshing acidity of the sour cherry and the
richness of the sweet cherry. The fruits are large, round,
bright, glossy, red, very uniform in shape, size and color. To
add to the desirability of the variety for the home plantation,
the trees are attractive in leaf, flower and fruit, making it one
of the most ornamental of fruit trees. The cherries hang long
on the trees but are too soft for distant shipment.
Tree of medium size, productive. Fruit matures in mid-
season; nearly one inch in diameter, oblong-conic to obtuse-
conic, compressed; cavity somewhat shallow, often lipped;
color amber-red; flesh pale yellow, with colorless juice, tender
and melting, sprightly subacid; of very good quality; stone
free.
ECLIPSE GRAPE
In a collection of over four hundred varieties of grapes,
several new kinds show great promise but before recommending
them they must be kept on probation in other fruit regions.
NEW OR NOTEWORTHY FRUITS 387
Eclipse, however, may be unqualifiedly recommended at once.
It has been fruiting on the Station grounds since 1896, and
has been tried in nearly every vineyard region east of the
Rockies and each year it finds greater favor with those who
are trying it. Eclipse is a seedling of Niagara and therefore
a grandchild of Concord which it resembles, differing chiefly
in being earlier and of much better quality. Unfortunately,
the bunches and berries are a little smaller than those of Con-
cord. The vines are hardly surpassed by those of any other
variety in vineyard characters, being hardy, healthy and pro-
ductive. The ripe fruit hangs for some time without deteriora-
tion and the grapes do not crack in wet weather. Eclipse
should make a splendid forerunner to the Concord. It was
originated by E. A. Riehl, Alton, Illinois, from seed planted
about 1890.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Fruit ripens a little
earlier than Concord; clusters intermediate in size and length,
frequently single-shouldered, compact; berries large to medium,
oval, dull black, covered with abundant bloom; flesh tender,
juicy, sweet next to the skin, tart at the center; resembles
Concord closely in flavor; good in quality; seeds separate very
easily from the pulp.
JUNE RASPBERRY
June is a new red raspberry worthy of extensive planting
on account of several remarkable characters of plant and fruit.
Thus, the plants are exceedingly hardy, healthy and vigorous;
produce but few suckers and these little crowded; are well
able to mature their crop; the yield is heavy and is well distrib-
uted over a long season which begins the earliest of any of
the 70 varieties growing at this Station, ripening as no other
raspberry does in June. The fruit is a bright, handsome red,
large and spherical, and holds up in size unusually well through-
out the season. The new variety gives promise of becoming
one of the most profitable red raspberries grown. June origi-
nated on the Station grounds in 1897 and was disseminated
in 1909.
388 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Plants vigorous, upright, few suckers, hardy, very productive,
healthy. Fruit matures very early, season long, keeps and
ships well, berries very large, and holding their size unusually
well until the close of the fruiting season, firm, bright, hand-
some red, mild subacid; of good flavor.
EMPIRE RASPBERRY
Empire is another promising new red raspberry having hardi-
ness, productiveness, vigor of bush, good health and large,
handsome, firm and well-flavored fruits as its chief assets.
The canes are hardy, productive, unusually vigorous and freer
from disease than most other red raspberries. The berries are
very large, ripen in mid-season and have a long picking season ;
they are mild, rich and sweet, ranking among the best in
quality. The texture of the fruit is firm and the berries stand
shipment well and may be kept long. With such an array
of good characters, Empire must take high standing among
commercial red raspberries. The variety originated with L. E.
Wardell, Marlboro, New York, and was introduced by its
originator in 1916.
Plants vigorous, upright, hardy, very productive. Fruit
matures in early mid-season; large, uniform, retains its size
well to the close of the season, roundish-conical f medium to
dark red, glossy; flesh juicy, firm, mild, high-flavored; very
good in quality.
PROLIFIC STRAWBERRY
Prolific is a new strawberry from the grounds of the New
York Experiment Station which was disseminated in the spring
of 1908. Characters to recommend it are : vigor and productive-
ness of plant; attractiveness of the large, uniform and well
colored berries; perfect blossoms; and well-shaped fruits, pro-
duced in great numbers which hold up in size unusually well
throughout the season. The fruit is a handsome bright scarlet
in color, is pleasantly acid and rich in flavor, and matures in
mid-season, as many as 14,502 quarts having been produced
NEW OR NOTEWORTHY FRUITS 389
per acre in one season. The greatest fault of the variety is
susceptibility to leaf-spot in unfavorable weather.
Plants vigorous, very productive. Fruit matures in mid-
season, ripening period long; berries very large, roundish-conic
to blunt wedge, with blunt apex, handsome bright scarlet;
flesh firm, well colored at the center, juicy, pleasantly acid,
aromatic; of good quality.
A History of Gardening in
England
By The Hon. Alicia Amherst*
MONASTIC GARDENING
"Forsitan, et pingues hortos quae cura colendi
Ornaret, canerem, . . . . "
— Virgil, Geor., iv. 118.
HE history of the Gardens of England follows
step by step the history of the people. In
times of peace and plenty they increased and
flourished, and during years of war and dis-
turbance they suffered. The various races
that have predominated, and rulers that have
governed this country influenced the gardens in a marked
degree. Therefore, as we trace their history, we must not
lose sight of the people whose national characteristics or whose
foreign alliances left a stamp upon the gardens they made.
Nothing worthy of the name of a garden existed in Britain
before the Roman Conquest. The Britons, we know, revered
the oak, and held the mistle-toe sacred, and stained their
bodies with woad, but of any efforts they may have made
for the cultivation of these or any other plants we know noth-
ing. The history of Horticulture in this country cannot fairly
be said to begin before the coming of the Romans. In this,
as in other sciences, the Romans were so far advanced that
it was centuries before they were surpassed, or even equalled
by any other nation.
They cultivated most of the vegetables with which we are
still familiar. At Rome, said Pliny the Elder, "the garden
* Reprinted from the book of this title, published by Quaritele, in London, 1896.' — Ed.
390
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 391
constituted of itself the poor man's field, and it was from the
garden that the lower classes procured their daily food." The
rich indulged in luxury and extravagance in the garden, and
vegetables and fruits were raised at great cost for their use,
which were not enjoyed by the community at large. But most
of the vegetables which are still in general use were common
to all classes, and many of these plants were brought by the
Romans to this country. Some of them took so kindly to
this soil, and were so firmly established, that they survived
the downfall of the Roman civilization. A curious example
of this is one species of stinging-nettle, which tradition says
was introduced by the Romans as an esteemed potherb.
Tacitus, writing in the first century, says that the climate
of Britain was suitable for the cultivation of all vegetables
and fruits, except the olive and the vine. Before long, even
the vine was grown, apparently with some success. It is
generally believed that the Emperor Probus, about the year
280 A.D., encouraged the planting of vineyards in Britain.
Pliny tells us that the cherry was brought in before the middle
of the first century. Perhaps this was some improved variety
as this fruit is indigenous to this country.
We cannot suppose that the Roman gardens in Britain were
as fine as those on the Continent. Gardens on such an elaborate
scale as that at Pliny's Villa, or at the Imperial Villas near
Rome, with their terraces, fountains, and statues, could scarcely
have been made in this country. But the remains of Roman
houses and villas which have been found in various places in
England, so closely resemble those found in other parts of the
Empire, that doubtless the gardens belonging to them were
laid out as nearly as possible on the same lines as those of
Italy and Gaul. The South of England could afford many a
sheltered spot, where figs and mulberries, box and rosemary,
would grow as well as at "Villa Laurentina," seventeen miles
from Rome. A "terrace fragrant with the scent of violets,"
trailing vines and ivy; or enclosures of quaintly-cut trees in
the forms of animals or letters filled with roses, would not there
seem out of place. If the Roman gardens in Britain were like
392 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
this — and why should it be doubted when we see the remains
of villas, mosaic pavements, baths, roads, and bridges left by
that nation? — it was fully a thousand years before anything
as beautiful was again seen in our Island.
The fall of the Roman Empire, and the subsequent invasions
of barbarians, struck a death-blow to gardening as well as to
all other peaceful arts. During the stormy years which suc-
ceeded the Roman rule in Britain, nearly all knowledge of
horticulture must have died out. Only such plants as were
thoroughly naturalized and acclimatized would be strong enough
to continue to grow when not properly cultivated.
The few Saxon names of plants which can be traced to the
Latin seem to identify these hardy survivors, or at any rate
show that the Anglo-Saxons were well acquainted with many
of the Roman plant-names.
It may be that some plants, such as the cherry, cabbage,
lettuce, leek, onion, radish, rose, and parsley, continued in
this country ; although many species which were in cultivation
in Britain, in Roman times, had to be reintroduced into Eng-
land at a later date, having been entirely lost during the years
of Teutonic invasion. On the Continent, the same state of
things followed the dissolution of the Roman Empire, and
horticulture only revived with the spread of Christianity and
the establishment of monasteries after a lapse of centuries.
In this country the revival was due to the same cause, and
in the early years of England's history undoubtedly the monks
were better skilled in horticulture than any other class of the
community. The lines in which their lives were cast tended
to maintain this superiority. They were left quiet, and, to a
great extent, undisturbed by wars; and when other property
was destroyed and plundered, that of the monks was respected.
Many of them were men of skill and intelligence, and they were
able to learn, not only from books, but from their intercourse
with the Continent, both what plants to grow and how to
grow them.
The earliest records of gardens on the Continent (after
Roman times) date from the ninth century. In the list of
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 393
Manors of the Abbey of Saint Germain des Pres, Saint Armand
and Saint Remy, in the time of Kark the Great, mention is
made of various gardens. At other places, as at Corbie, in
Picardy, and at St.. Gall, near the Lake of Constance, there
remains more than a mere mention of the existence of a garden.
At Corbie the garden was very large; either divided into four,
or else four distinct gardens, and ploughs, which had to be
contributed annually by certain tenants, were used to keep
it in order; while other tenants had to send men from April
to October, to assist the monks in weeding and planting. At
St. Gall, the "hortus" is a rectangular enclosure, with a central
path leading from the gardener's house and a shed for tools
and seeds situated at one end, with nine long and narrow beds
of equal size on either side. The "herbularis," or physic
garden, is smaller, with a border of plants all round the wall,
and four beds on either side of the central walk; and the plants
contained in each of these beds are carefully noted.
In England we have no such exact description of any garden,
and it is only by carefully examining the records of the various
monasteries that the existence of gardens or orchards in the
eleventh and twelfth centuries, and a few of even earlier date
can be proved.
A garden was a most essential adjunct to a monastery, as
vegetables formed so large a proportion of the daily food of
the inmates. Therefore, as soon as monasteries were founded,
gardens must have been made around them, and these were
probably almost the only gardens, worthy of the name, in the
kingdom at that time. Still, the number of plants they con-
tained was very limited, and probably many of those grown
on the Continent had not found their way into this country.
The monks may have received plants from abroad, as some
connexion with religious houses on the Continent was kept
up; and in bringing back treasures for their monasteries or
churches the garden would not be forgotten. But plants were
chiefly brought for medicine, and we may infer that they were
imported in a dry state, as our word "drug" is simply part of
the Anglo-Saxon verb "drigan," to dry.
394 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Soon after monasteries had been established in this country,
missionary monks set forth to convert their Teutonic kinsfolk
on the Continent. It has been suggested by Mr. Earle that
some of the German names of plants which resemble old English,
are not cognates, but were derived from words used by the
Saxon missionaries, who first brought with them the knowledge
of the virtues of those plants.
The old word for garden was "wyrtj?erd," a plant yard, or
"wyrttun," a plant enclosure. Also the form "ortj?erd" or
"orceard," which is the same as our word orchard, though the
meaning is now confined to an enclosure planted with fruit
trees. "Wyrt" or "wurt" was used for any sort of vegetable
or herb, and is the same as the modern word "wort," suffixed
to so many names of plants, as "St. John's Wort," or "herb
John." Sometimes a special plant filled most of the enclosure,
thus the kitchen garden was occasionally called the "leac tun,"
or leek enclosure. We still speak of an appleyard, the old
"appultun," or "appul^erd," but we say a cherry orchard
while the old word was equally simply "cherry^erd." A part
of the monastery garden laid down in grass, where no flowers
were grown, was called the "grasjjerd", and in like manner the
space surrounded by the cloisters was the "cloyster^erd."
The modern word garden is another form of this word "j?erd,"
garth or yard, all are derived from an Aryan root meaning an
enclosure.
At this early period, and for many centuries later, gardens
were planted chiefly for their practical use, and vegetables and
herbs were grown for physic or ordinary diet. Flowering plants
were but rarely admitted solely on account of their beauty.
But it does not necessarily follow that bright and pretty flowers
found no place within the garden walls. Roses, lilies, violets,
peonies, poppies, and such like, all had medicinal uses, and
therefore would not be excluded.
The beauty of flowers appeals to nearly every one, and even
in the most disorderly periods of our early history they may
have exercised some softening influence. A pretty story is
told of William Rufus, which shows that monarch, as it were
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 395
for a moment, in a more gentle light than perhaps any other
incident during his turbulent reign. Eadgyth, or Matilda,
afterwards the wife of Henry I., was being educated at the
convent of Romsey, where her aunt Christina was Abbess.
When the child was twelve years old, the Red King wished
to see her, and one day the Abbess was distressed to hear him
and his knights demanding admission at the convent gate.
The good lady, fearing some evil purpose towards the child,
made her wear a nun's veil; then she opened to the king, who
entered, "as if to look at the roses and other flowering herbs."
While the rough king thus inspected her flowers, the Abbess
made the nuns pass through the garden. Eadgyth appearing
veiled among the rest the king suffered her to go by, and quietly
took his leave. The story was told by the Abbess to Anselm,
who narrated it to Eadmer, in whose history this most pictur-
esque scene is recorded.
While the Abbess Christina was adorning her cloister gardens
with roses and flowering herbs, other monasteries were being
beautified in like manner. The first Abbot of Ely, Brithnodus,
was famed for his skill in planting and grafting, and improved
the Abbey by making orchards and gardens around it.
It seems as if there were gardens at Ely earlier than his time
(twelfth century), as the following quaint story implies the
existence of some sort of garden in the neighbourhood of Ely.
It is related among various miracles wrought at the tomb of
St. Etheldrada how the hand of a girl was cured. She was
servant to a certain priest, and "was gathering herbs in the
garden on the Lord's Day, when the wood which she held in
her hand, and with which she desired to pluck the herbs un-
lawfully, so firmly adhered (to her hand) that no man could
pluck it out for the space of five years by the merits of St.
Etheldred (she) was cured." The Saint died in 679, and,
although of no historical value, surely such a curious legend is
worth relating.
The earliest view of a monastery garden in this country
appears to be that in the plans or bird's-eye views of the mon-
astic buildings at Canterbury, made about 1165, and bound
396
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
up with the Great Psalter of Eadwin, now preserved in the
library of Trinity College, Cambridge. These drawings seem
to have been made (probably by the engineer Wibert or his
assistants) to record the system of waterworks and drainage
of the monastery. One of them shows the Herbarium which
occupies half the space between the Dormitory and the Infirm-
- t L I s 1 [
1 *
! J \ X
i ,
i l i
%
m
' ■ vvv\----VO-;v. j
^W-n»4
CANTERBURY MONASTERY SHOWING THE " HERBARIUM"
^GARDEN) FROM A MS. ABOUT 1 165 A.D.
ary, surrounded by cloisters; the other the orchard and vineyard
which were situated beyond the walls. The first plan records
also trees within the wall near the fish-pond. In later times
a further wall was built beyond the fish-pond, including what
was afterwards known as the old convent garden, the site of
which was obtained in parcels between the years 1287 and 1368.
GARDENING IN ENGLAND
397
There must have been another orchard on the west of the great
cloister and a garden into which the palace of the Archbishop
looked, but these were beyond the limits of the plans, although
contemporary with them, as they are associated with the closing
scenes in the life of Thomas Becket (1170). The knights who
were soon after his murderers "Threw off their cloaks and
gowns under a large sycamore in the garden, appeared in their
armour and girt on their swords," and armed men were col-
lected in the orchard so that Becket and his attendant monks
flying to the church had to pass through a small door at the
PLAN OF ORCHARD AND VINEYARD AT CANTERBURY ABOUT
1175 A.D.
back of the cloister, instead of going by the usual passage
through the orchard to the west end of the church.
Few records of such an early date have come down to us,
but monastic life did not quickly change, and probably the
gardens of the fourteenth century differed little from those
of the twelfth. To gain a fuller knowledge of these gardens,
we must pass over two centuries to the time when written
accounts begin. As we get into the fourteenth century there
is more material on which to work. The outlines of the manage-
ment of these gardens is clear, although the details can only be
filled in by imagination.
Each department within the monastery was directed in a
398 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
regularly and orderly way, and was presided over by an officer,
with set duties to perform; who had to keep the accounts of
his office, and was responsible for its management. There
was a Gardener, or Hortulanus or Gardinarius, or Garden
Warder, just as much as there was an Almoner, Sacristan,
Precentor, or any other officer.
In some instances the accounts of the Hortulanus have been
preserved, and further references to gardening matters are
scattered throughout various chartularies. Two very perfect
series are those of Norwich Priory and Abingdon Abbey, and
they are doubtless fair examples of the Gardener's accounts
in the majority of monasteries. There are four accounts at
Abingdon, the earliest for the year 1369-1370. The Norwich
series is far more numerous, there being some thirty rolls,
the earliest 1340, the last 1529; the first years of the fifteenth
century being well represented.
These accounts show the receipts and expenses of the office,
the cost of repairs, the money received from the few products
sold, but they throw no light on the processes of cultivation,
nor do they particularize the plants which were grown.
Like the other officers, or obedientiars, the Hortulanus had
his "famulus" to assist in the work, and was also allowed to
employ labourers, and money was forthcoming for their pay-
ment from the rent of some small piece of land, or some tene-
ments which belonged to the office. At Ramsey Abbey there
were two "famuli" in the garden, and their payment (circ.
1170 A.D.) was "to each of them fourteen loaves," and two
acres of land. But in spite of various small rents and money
recieved from the surplus garden produce, or grain grown on
the lands belonging to the garden office, the accounts do not
always show a balance on the right side, and the receipts not
infrequently failed to cover the expenses.
In early times the monks seem to have worked better, or
at any rate managed more carefully, for the garden paid its
expenses; but at Norwich as the years went on, the office got
more and more into debt. In 1429 "the expenses exceed the
receipts £8.2s.8£d.;" in 1431 there is a deficit of £13.16s.8fd.
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 399
Some items occur without variation every year, such as the
payments to the servants; and their tunics, boots and gloves.
The gloves are not uncommon entries; they appear among the
accounts of Bicester, Bury, Holy Island, and other places.
They were probably thick gloves for weeding.
The O of the gardener is also of regular occurrence, as it
was expenses at a yearly feast, and the O refers to the Psalm
sung on the occasion by the Hortulanus, commencing "O Radix
Jesse." In the Abingdon Accounts it is entered, "To O Radix,
6s. 10d.," and another time (A.D. 1388) still more at length
"In expensis factis pro mittent-exennia ad O Radix XVId."
This "O Radix Jesse" was the third of the seven Roman or
Gregorian Great Os. The first, O Sapientia, was sung on
December 16th, and the day is still marked in the Kalendar
of the Book of Common Prayer. The well-known Advent
hymn, "O come, O come, Emmanuel," is a translation by John
Mason Neale (1818-1866) of a Latin versification of five of the
Great Os written about the thirteenth century; the second
verse of this hymn being a paraphrase of the O of the gardener.
It will be noticed also that in these and other accounts the
tithe is deducted. The year in which it first was enacted that
tithe should be paid "of fruit trees and every seed and herb
of the garden," was A.D. 1305, the decree insisting on the
payment, being issued by the Council at Merton, in Surrey.
The chief variations as a rule are in the tools bought, and
in the repairs. "For a saw," "knives for herbs," "mending a
hatchet," "repairs of the garden wall," "lock and keys for
the gates," etc.; and sometimes fruit, apples, cherries, beans,
onions, or such like, had to be bought when the garden supply
fell short. But this "great garden" under the care of the
Hortulanus was not by any means the only garden. Many
other office holders had gardens too.
In a plan compiled from the remains and the records of
Bicester Priory the relative positions of the various gardens,
the Prior's, Canon's, Infirmarian's, and the Sacrists's, as well
as the great garden, kitchen-garden, and orchard is shown,
and this quantity of distinct gardens is not in excess of the
400 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
usual number. As a rule the Prior had an enclosure of his
own. At Melsa there was both "the garden which is called
the Prior's," and "the garden of the Abbot's chamber." At
the Abbey of Haghmon, in Shropshire, the Prior was allotted
"for his recreations a certain chamber under the dormitory,
. . . with the garden of old called 'Longenores gardine,'
annexed to the chamber before-mentioned, together with the
dovecote in the same."
At Norwich, payments occur to the gardener from the Lord
Prior for a "parcel of the garden," or small piece reserved for
his special use. The "little garden," or "garden within the
gates," at Norwich, was let to the cellarer. The Sacristan,
the Treasurer, the Precentor, and the "Custos operum," all
had separate gardens at Abingdon, and paid rent for them to
the gardinarius. At Winchester, the payment to the gardener,
"Roberto Basynge, custodi gardini conventus," occurs in the
Receiver's account (A.D. 1334) as well as charges for mowing
the Almoner's garden, and besides these the "custos operum"
defrayed the expenses of a garden called "Le Joye." The
Infirmarian's garden was usually an important one, as in it
he grew healing herbs for the sick of the monastery, and for
convenience this plot was, as a rule, placed near the infirmary
or hospital.
In all countries, heathen and Christian, and in all ages, flowers
have played an important part in ceremonies, such as funeral
rites and marriage feasts. England in the Middle Ages was
no exception; and the use of flowers in the services of the
Church, in crowning the priests, wreathing candles, or adorn-
ing shrines, was very general.
The gardens within the monastery walls for providing these
flowers were under the care of the Sacristan. At Abingdon,
he paid the gardinarius four bushels of corn for the rent of
his garden. At Norwich, the Sacristan seems to have had
more than one garden, as a very cursory glance at the MS.
accounts of that office shows the names of both "St. Mary's"
and the "green garden." There was a "gardinum Sacristae"
at Winchester as early as the ninth century, and to this day
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 401
a piece of ground on the east side of the north transept of the
cathedral bears the name of "Paradise," and marks the site
of the Sacrist's garden. The fifteenth century doorway, which
was the entrance to the enclosure, is still standing.
Such a garden as this is referred to when the Abbot of
Ramsey, between 1114-1130, had to come to some agreement
about certain pieces of land in London which adjoined the
property of the Priory of the Holy Trinity; and the Prior
consented "to give up his claim which he had upon the chapel
of the Abbot, and the garden which is before the chapel."
These "gardini Sacristae" were not only found within monastic
precincts, but were attached to many churches and chapels.
The Hortulanus of Abingdon let out a garden "next to St.
Nicholas' Church," to the Rector, for a term of years. There
is an interesting record of the chapel garden in the Manor of
Wookey, in Somersetshire, which belonged to the Bishops of
Bath and Wells, in the account of the Reeve of that place for
the year 1461-2. Three men were employed for four and a
half days at two pence a day, "digging and cleaning the chapel
garden."
Henry VI. left such a garden to the church of Eton College.
The clause in his will runs thus: "The space between the wall
of the church and the wall of the cloister shall conteyne 38 feet,
which is left for to sett in certaine trees and flowers, behovalbe
and convenient for the service of the same church," and it was
to be surrounded by "a good high wall with towers convenient
thereto." Many other such examples of gardens connected
with churches could be enumerated.
At all great functions, both during the processions or while
performing the services, the priests were crowned with flowers.
This was specially the custom at St. Paul's in London; and
when on June 30th, 1405, Bishop Roger de Walde was installed
there, he and the Canons of the Cathedral walked in solemn
procession, wearing garlands of red roses.
The use of these "coronae sacerdotales," or wreaths worn
by the priests on feast days, continued for many centuries,
and their prevalence up to the time of the Reformation is
402
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
ASIIRIDGE
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 403
apparent from various churchwardens' accounts. These entries
however, are not frequent, as the gardens attached to the
churches were evidently, as a rule, able to supply sufficient
flowers for ordinary use, and it was only for great occasions,
or on special feast days, when larger quantities were required,
that they had to be bought.
When such decorating of churches was considered unlawful
after the Reformation, these gardens would naturally fall into
disuse, even where the lands they covered were not at once
appropriated for other purposes.
In 1618, James I. set forth a declaration permitting certain
"lawfull recreations .... after divine service, and al-
lowed that women should have leave to carry rushes to the
church for the decoring of it according to their old custome."
These rushes may have been simply for the floor, and not for
the altar or walls, as, for example, we find in 1580, church-
wardens at Wing, in Buckinghamshire, spent Id. for "one
burden of roshes to strewe the church howse agaynst the
comyssyoners sate there." In the vestry book of the Parish
of St. Nicholas, Durham, 1665-1703, there are several entries
of the purchase of rushes for the floor as well as for birch for
decorating. "For Birkes for the church at Whitsontide, ls.8d.
To Lancelot Dunn for the pewes of the church dressing, and
for rashes laying in every pew the 21st of July 1670. 8s."
Coles, writing as late as 1656, says: "It is not very long
since the custome of seting up garlands in churches hath been
left off with us: and in some places setting up of holly, ivy,
rosemary, bayes, yew, &c, in churches at Christmas, is still
in use." This, however, is looking too far ahead and at the
time we are considering, the monks within the quiet cloister,
week by week and year by year, supplied the best flowers
their skill and knowledge could produce, to adorn their churches
and chapels.
But to return to the consideration of the department of the
gardinarius. He had more than the garden under his care,
for his jurisdiction extended over both the orchard and vineyard.
The orchard, or "pomerium," supplied not only apples and
404 INTERNA TIONA L GA RDEN CL UB
pears for eating and cooking, but apples for cider also. Large
quantities of cider were made each year, except when in an
unusually bad season the apple crop failed. This was the case
in 1352, when the Almoner at Winchester made the following
note in his accounts, "Et de ciserat nihil quia non fuerunt
poma hoc anno." 1412 was another bad apple year, and no
cider was made at Abingdon, and the not unfrequent purchase
of apples and pears for the use of some of the monasteries,
shows they did not always grow sufficient for their consumption,
although in some years there was enough and to spare. The
W'ardon pear, which was such a favourite for many centuries,
originated at the Cistercian monastery of that name in Bed-
fordshire, and they bore three YVardon pears for the arms of
the house. It was a kind of cooking pear, and every early
cookery-book contains recipes for "Wardon pies," or pasties.
They are usually mentioned quite as a distinct fruit, as "apples,
pears, Wardons, and quinces," because they were the best
known variety.
Some of the orchards must have been of considerable size.
In the time of King John the grant of land to Llanthony Priory
included twelve acres of orchard. An oft-quoted example to
prove the early existence of orchards is a Bull of Pope Alexander
III., dated 1175, confiscating the property of the monks of
YVinchenley, in Gloucestershire, with the town of Swiring and
all its orchards."
The cherry was, from the date of its introduction by the
Romans, a popular fruit in this country. The "ciris beam,"
or cherry-tree, continued to be grown in early Saxon times.
In the twelfth century it wTas one of the fruit trees praised by
Necham, Abbot of Cirencester, in his poem, "De laudibus
divinae Sapientiae," and this fruit was not forgotten in any
monastic garden.
At Norwich, besides the "pomerium," the appleyard or or-
chard, there was a "cherry erd," or, as it is called in another
place, "orto cersor," or cherry-garden, and in spite of this we
find cherries had to be bought "for the convent" from time
to time, so great was the demand for this fruit. Perhaps it
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 405
was the too frequent use of it that suggested to Necham the
advisability of warning his readers that "cherries, mulberries,,
and grapes should be eaten fasting, and not after a meal."
The third department, of the "garden Warder," must now
be considered. It has been already pointed out that vines
were grown by the Romans in Britain, and, with the exception
of the gap immediately following Roman rule, their history is
continuous. Tradition points to a place vailed Vine, in Hamp-
shire, as having taken its name from the vines planted there
during the time of the Emperor Probus. Vines, the "Wine-
streow," are noticed as boundaries or landmarks at several
places in Saxon charters of the tenth century, and these might
have been survivals of Roman vineyards.
Bede, writing early in the eighth century, says that Britain
"excels for grain and trees .... it also produces vines
in some places." In the laws of Alfred, which were chiefly
compilations of existing ones, it was notified that anyone who
"damaged the vineyard or field of another, should give com-
pensation." In the tenth century King Edwy confirmed the
grant of a vineyard at Pathenesburgh, in Somerset, to the
Abbey of Glastonbury. The grapes were gathered in October,
and that month was called "Winter filling moneth," or "Wyn
moneth," another proof of the extent to which vines were
cultivated. The pruning of the vine took place in February.
The picture of vine pruners taken from an Anglo-Saxon MS.
in the British Museum, illustrates that month in the calendar.
Necham devotes a chapter of his De Naturis Rerum, to the
vine, but he chiefly moralizes, and does not treat his subject
in its practical sense. He tells us that in gathering grapes,
having reached the final row, the workers in the vineyard
break into a song of rejoicing, but unfortunately, he does not
satisfy our curiousity by handing down the words of their
chant.
In Domesday Book, the "vinitor," or vine-dresser, is only
once mentioned, but some idea of the size of the vineyards
may be gathered from the survey, as about thirty-eight in
many different counties are described. They are usually
406 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
measured by "arpendi," the arpends being equal to about an
acre, or less. The largest was at Bitesham, in Berkshire, on
the land of Henry de Ferrieres, and covered twelve arpends.
Some vineyards were old, others but newly-planted, as at West-
minster four arpends are described as "vineae noviter planta-
tae," and at Ware another vineyard as "nuperrime plantatae."
Some of the vineyards bore grapes, while others did not, and
these are distinguished as "vineae portantes," or vineae non
portantes." The quantity of wine yielded by a vineyard of
six arpends in Essex was as much as twenty "modii," or about
forty gallons, if the season was favourable.
If England could boast of so many vineyards before the
Norman conquest, it was only natural that the influx of for-
eigners from a grape-growing country should infuse fresh
ardour into vine-culture, and monasteries, with Abbots or
Priors from the Continent, lost no time in improving the old
and making new vineyards on their lands. The name "vine-
yard" was often retained long after the monks who planted
it had passed away. Thus "Vineyard," near Gloucester, de-
scribed in Camden's Britannia as the seat of the Bridgemans,
"on a hillet" to the west of the town, was once the vineyard
belonging to the Abbots of Gloucester. Gloucestershire was
famous for its vines, which, wrote William of Malmesbury in
the twelfth century, are "more plentiful in crops, and more
pleasant in flavour than any in England;" for the wines do
not "offend the mouth with sharpness, since they do not yield
to the French in sweetness." Again, we find in towns a "vine
Stree," as in Lond, Grantham, Peterborough, and many others.
Perhaps, at the latter place, the name marks the site of the
vineyards planted by Abbot Martin, early in the twelfth century.
At Hereford, sloping to the South-west, is the spot known as
the "Vinefields," where the terraces, laid out for the vines,
can still be distinguished. The accounts of the Diocese of
Hereford, when the See was vacant by the death of Louis de
Chorlton, in 1369, and the lands were in the hands of the King
(Edward III.) until the next appointment, show the existence
of a vineyard within the Manor of Ledesbury; while in a similar
w
407
408 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
account for the year 1536-7, although the costs of the garden
are entered, there is no mention of a vineyard ; and at another
Manor on the same roll (Prestbury), the "herbage of the pasture
called Yyneyarde" was sold, thus proving the former existence
of vines on the spot, and showing how gradually they died out.
But with our climate, what strikes one as more wonderful than
their passing away, is that they were, at one time, so numerous
throughout England. Even as far north as Cheshire, in the
twelfth century, although there does not appear to have been
any actual vineyard, the vine was not unknown, for Reginald
of Durham notices, at Lixtune in Cheshire, a little church
built of timber with vines climbing over it.
It is difficult to realize the appearance of Ely in the eleventh
century in the days "when Cnut the King came sailing by"
as it rose from out the dreary and undrained fen land. Then
the sunny slopes around its cloisters were so thickly planted
with vineyards, tended by those monks who sang so merrily,
that the Normans gave it the name of the "Isle des Vignes."
Another old rhyme thus celebrates these vines :
Quatuor sunt Eliae: Lan tenia, Capella Mariae,
Et Molendinum, nee non claus Vinea vinum.
"Englished" thus by Austin, in 1653:
Foure things of Elie towne, much spoken are.
The Leaden Lanthom, Marie's chappell rare
The mighty Milhill in the Minster field,
And fruitful vineyards which sweet wine do yeeld.
Ely long continued to be famous for its grapes. From time
to time, when the manors were in the king's hands, during
some interregnum caused by the death of the Bishop; the
papers relative to the administration of the lands give evidence
of the vineyards as well as of the orchards and gardens belong-
ing to the See, from which a profit was derived. The chief
entries refer to the "herbage of the garden," "apples," "pears"
and nuts sold, also hemp and reeds. The farm of the "rosery"
often occurs, but the word is disappointing; and it stands for
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 409
"roseria," "rosar," or bed for reeds or rushes, at places in the
Fens.
In the "Bailiwick of Cambridge, except the island," and at
Somersham Manor, there were vineyards which yielded grapes,
but the principal one was at Ely itself. In 1298 as much as
twenty-seven gallons of verjuice, "veridi succo," from the
grapes, were sold ; and the next year, twenty-one gallons.
The entry runs thus:
"And of 109s. 8d. of pasture and herbage sold in the vine-
yard and elsewhere in divers places in the summer. And of
25s. 3d. of fruit in two gardens and the vineyard, "besides the
grapes, with 21 gallons of verjuice sold. And of £10 for 9\
butts of wine sold, of the remainder of the preceding year."
From another passage in 1302 it appears that cherries were
the other fruit, besides the grapes, which grew in the vineyard,
and also we find in the same year the charges for the livery
of the vine-dresser and the labourer under him, which was
paid for in corn.
The Bishops of Ely also had a vineyard attached to the
garden of "Ely Place," their house in Holborn, the site of
which the present "Vine Street" commemorates. The earliest
records of these gardens date from the reign of Edward III.,
and they are preserved at Ely. They are most interesting
from the names of streets and houses in London mentioned
in them, some with gardens attached, for which rent was paid
to the Bishop. But it is only in a few of the earliest ones that
we find any details of the garden or vineyard, for from the
year 1379-80 to 1480-81, they were let at the yearly sum of
60s. The rent of the garden alone was 20s. The accounts
until the year 1419 are preserved at Ely; the continuation from
1423 to 1483 are in the Record Office. Among the latter in
the time of Bishop John Morton, 20 to 21 Edward IV., we find
the garden is at last again in the Bishop's hands; the entry
states that there is no rent, "quod occupatur ad vsum domini
proprium hoc anno."
The Bishop of Ely's Holbourne vineyard did not stand alone
in that locality. Hard by was another belonging to the Earl
410 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
of Lincoln, from which about fifty gallons of verjuice were
sold in one year (1295-6). A little further on, in Smithfield, a
vineyard was planted by Geoffrey, Earl of Essex, on the land
belonging to the "Canons of Trinity Church, London," which
was restored to that body in 1137.
It would be tedious to enumerate all the vineyards belonging
to monastic houses which are known to have existed, and of
which there is merely the name or some slight record surviv-
ing, as at Canterbury, Beaulieu, Ramsey, Abingdon, Spalding,
Bury St. Edmunds, and many others. Enough has been told
to show how important an item the vineyard was in the gar-
dener's department. His cares, however, did not quite end
there; as the moat and the ponds were also under his charge.
At Norwich the gardener's office bore the expense of cleaning
the ditches which divided the various gardens, the Prior's from
the chief garden, and so on. At Abingdon we find also he
defrayed the cost of cleaning out the moat, and both there
and at Ramsey the gardener purchased nets and baskets for
catching the fish in the moat and ponds.
To get at the details of the management of monastic gardens,
we have to go so constantly to the accounts of the office, and
to look so entirely at the business side of the question, that
one is apt to forget the other aspect, namely, the pleasure
they afforded. But, alas! there are few gardens in existence
which can give any idea of what these were really like. A
thick hedge or a fish pond is generally the only survival. The
wall enclosing a corner of the garden at Ashridge is part of
the old cloister, and near it there is also a thick yew hedge
surrounding another small piece of garden. These, if not
actually the same as in the days when the place was a mon-
astery, are on the same lines, and have been kept as gardens
ever since the days when the monks enjoyed the solitude of
the cloister. In like manner the garden at Newstead Abbey
still retains many pleasing traces of the Black Friars who for
many years lived there. The times we have been considering
were periods of constant strife, when the cloister was the only
place in which quiet and retirement could be found, and to
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 411
those who sought refuge within its walls, how dear must those
peaceful hours in their gardens have been. Perhaps some in-
mate of Sopwell (a cell of St. Albans) was too fond of early
morning or late evening strolls in the garden, for Abbot Michael
(about 1338) made the rule that in winter "the garden-door
be not opened (for walking) before the hour of prime, or first
hour of devotion: — and in summer that the garden and the
parlour doors be not opened until the hour of none (? nine)
in the morning: — and to be always shut when the corfue rings."
Even the warlike Hospitaller Orders, the Templars and
Knights of St. John, contributed something towards the im-
provement of Horticulture. In their wanderings in the East
during the Crusades, they may have remembered some garden
in England, and brought back plants for it, as, for example,
the splendid Oriental plane at Ribston, the planting of which
tradition attributes to the Templars. The surveys of the
manors all over the kingdom belonging to these Orders show
the large number of gardens of which they were possessed.
At the Chancery of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in
England, in Clerkenwell, there was a garden in the time of
Prior Philip de Thame (in 1338) which was still existing in
the reign of Henry VII., and the Hospitallers had also a house
with gardens attached at Hampton, on the site of the present
gardens of Hampton Court. In many ways through those
troublous times the monastic orders kept alive the science of
Horticulture, and spread the knowledge of it to those around
them. Thus by practising, as well as by preaching, they showed
by their useful lives that "to labour was to pray."
THIRTEENTH CENTURY
The rose rayle//* hire rode
The leues on the lyhte wode
Waxen al with wille
The mone msmdeth hire bleo
The lilie is lossom to seo
The fenyl and the fille.
— Springtime, MS., c. 1300.
412 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
During the years which succeeded the Norman Conquest,
the country was constantly plunged in wars abroad and troubles
at home. There could be little thought of the quiet pleasures
of a garden while William I. and his sons ruled the conquered
English with a rod of iron; while Stephen was fighting for the
crown against "the Empress Maud;" while men's minds were
occupied by Crusades to the Holy Land; or while the Consti-
tution of England was being slowly built up, and her liberties
gradually secured by bloodshed and ceaseless struggles.
It was necessary, in these troublous times, for security of
life and property, to live in as inaccessible a position as possible.
Castles were built on the tops of hills, or protection was sought
by placing the dwelling behind some river or marsh, when no
high ground or escarpments of steep rocks afforded a suitable
defence. This was the opposite course from that pursued by
the monks, who, as a rule, chose a fertile valley in which to
place their cloister, and plant their orchards, gardens and vine-
yards. There was no room for much garden within the glacis
of a feudal castle, and as it was not safe for any of the inmates
to venture beyond, it was scarcely worth while making any
garden or orchard outside, merely to see it plundered by some
turbulent neighbour. But, in spite of all these disadvantages,
some attempt at cultivation of fruit was not unfrequently
made.
At Carlisle there must have been gardens round the town,
and outside the castle walls, if the old rhyming Chronicle of
the Wars in 1173 and 1174, between Henry II. and William
the Lion, of Scotland, is to be believed. The supposed author,
Jordan Fantosme, describes the siege of the Castle of Carlisle.
The translation of one verse runs thus:
They did not lose within, I assure you I do not lie,
As much as amounted to a silver denier.
But they lost their fields, with all their corn
(And) their gardens (were) ravaged by those bad people,
And he who could not do any more injury took it into his head
To bark the apple trees; — it was bad vengeance.
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 413
Scattered throughout the Pipe rolls and Exchequer rolls
and Liberate rolls, there are to be found a few entries which
indicate some of the royal gardens in the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries. In 1158-9 occur payments to the king's orchard-
man, "Henricus Arborarii," in London, and to the vine dressers
at Windsor and elsewhere. In 1259, Henry III. made extensive
alterations at the Palace of Westminster, and among payments
to workmen and carpenters and others, occur several to labour-
ers for "levelling the area of the garden with a roller."
In the reign of Edward I. further entries occur for keeping
the garden, and for dressing the vines in the vineyard at West-
minster, and of payment of the daily wage of 2|d. to "Roger
le Herberur," "formerly servant to the Lord the King Henry,
the king's father." In 1276-7, we find the king paying as much
as £97.l7s.7^d. to Master Robert de Beverley, keeper of the
king's woods, "for divers necessary things .... to make
mews at Charing, and likewise to make the king's kitchen-
garden there." Henry III.'s chief garden was at Wood-
stock, but he was not the originator of it, as there had been
a garden there in the time of the second Henry. In it was
the labyrinth which concealed the "Bower," made famous by
the tragic fate of the "Fair Rosamond." A halo of romance
and mystery hangs round this hiding place, but in reality
labyrinths were by no means uncommon. There is evidence
of the existence of labyrinths in very early times, and they,
presumably, suggested the maze of more modern date. The
first labyrinths were winding paths cut in the ground, and the
survival of these is still traceable in several places in England.
Of these, Saffron Walden, with its encircling ditch, is a most
striking example. Camden describes one existing in his time
in Dorsetshire, which went by the name of Troy Town or
Julian's Bower.
In 1250, Henry III. improved the gardens at Woodstock
for his queen. Among certain works which he commanded
the Bailiff of Woodstock to perform, were the following: —
"To make round about the garden of our Queen two walls,
good and high, so that no one may be able to enter, with a
414 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
becoming and honourable herbary near our fish pond, in which
the same Queen may be able to amuse herself; — and with a
certain gate from the herbary which is next the chapel of
Edward our son, into the aforesaid garden." Again, on August
19th, 1252, the order was given to turf the "great herbarium."
The word herbarium may simply mean a place where herbs
were grown, but in this case it seems as if it were used for
"herber," the old English word for arbour, which only means
a shelter, or "harbour."
The same year, among other works at Clarendon the queen's
"herbarium" was to be "remade and amended." This looks
as if it was what is usually understood by an arbour, a covered-
in place. There are many descriptions of such arbours in the
fourteenth century, and it was the custom to turf them. The
herbarium may, however, have been a small private garden,
planted with herbs, with high thick hedges. The garden at
Clarendon was enclosed by a paling, while those of Windsor
and Kinnington were enclosed by a ditch. In 1260 more
alterations were carried out in the garden outside Windsor
Castle; the gardener's house was moved, and a further wall
built. During many successive reigns this garden at Windsor
was kept up, and from time to time improved, and the orchard
or vineyard was extended. Entries of the wages paid to the
gardener and the vine dresser occur in many of the household
accounts preserved in the Record Office. The gardener received
100s. a year, the labourers 2|d. a day. It is curious to note
that the produce of these gardens was sold, and it seems to
have been the exception when all the fruit was consumed by
the king's household. In 1332 there is the following entry
among the receipts — "6s. 6d. received for the fruits and herbage
of the king's garden outside the Castle," and other like entries
occur. In "the account of Walter Hungerford, Knight, Stew-
ard of the Household of King Henry V. and Constable of the
Castle of Wyndsore" (1419-22), "for any issues arising from
fruits of the garden and vines of the king there in the two
second years (sic) in the time of this account, he does not
answer, for that the fruits of the said garden were delivered
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 415
to the Household of the Lord the King there, and the grapes
of the vines there were eaten by the Ladies and others of the
King's Household then being there, so that the same Constable
had not and could not have any profit thereof, as he says upon
his oath."
Besides the royal gardens at Westminster, Charing, and the
Tower, there were others around London. We get a glimpse
of the smaller gardens belonging to the citizens, from a de-
scription of the town by Fitz Stephen in his life of Thomas a
Becket, whose contemporary he was. The passage (translated)
runs thus: — "On all sides outside the houses of the citizens
who dwell in the suburbs, there are adjoining gardens planted
with trees both spacious and pleasing to the sight." The only
other large garden near London, not belonging to a religious
house, of which there is any record, is that of Henry de Lacy,
Earl of Lincoln, in Holbourne. There is an account of all
the manors held by the Earl in the year 1295-6. At all the
places, lists occur of the produce sold, such as hemp, corn,
beans, pulse, &c, but Holbourne appears to be the only garden
of sufficient size to allow of the sale of any of its produce. At
"Grante sete Manor," 7s.4d. was paid for cutting and culti-
vating the vines, but at most of the other large manors, such
as Thoresby and Pontefract, there is no mention of a garden
at all. The Holbourne accounts are most interesting, and
show the wages paid to the gardener and labourers, the number
of gallons of verjuice made from the vines, and the large quanti-
ties of pears and apples sold. Other varieties, probably more
choice than those grown in the garden, were purchased and
sent to the Earl, and slips of apples and pears were bought
to replenish the garden.
Many of the pears mentioned in this and other accounts
appear to be of French origin. The "caloel" occurs in other
places as "cailloel" for "caillou," a pebble, so called, let us
hope, from its shape and not from its hardness. The "pesse,"
or "passe pucelle" is also evidently French. The "S. Rule"
pear was probably named after St. Regolo, or Rule, who was
Bishop of Aries, and first Bishop of Senlis. Rochelle, in France,
416
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
was celebrated for its pears, and one year the Sheriffs of London
imported some from thence to present to Henry III. Further
information regarding these varieties of pears, and the prices
paid for them, is to be gained from some other most interesting
documents preserved in the Record Office. These papers are
bills for the fruit bought for Henry III. and Edward I. at
A GARDEN IN TOWN FROM A FRENCH 15TH CENTURY MS.
different times. The earliest is probably for the year 1223;
the beginning of the document is missing, but it is dated in
the seventh year of some king unnamed. From the internal
evidence afforded by the names of places and dates, it appears
that Henry III. is the king. He was still a minor, and his
movements during the seventh year of his reign are uncertain,
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 417
but the itineraries of all the other possible kings in their seventh
year are known, and do not correspond with the dates in this
document. The first entry is for April 20th, at "Pois," when
six hundred apples, costing 12s., one hundred pears of "S. Rule,"
for 10s., and five hundred nuts for 2s., were brought from Paris.
Henry was journeying towards England, and at each place,
"Arenes," "Aberville," "Gart," and "Bolone," he was supplied
with large quantities of fruit from Paris daily. On April 27th
he was at Dover, and the apples, pears and nuts were still
supplied daily until he reached London. The fruit was supplied
to Edward I. at Newcastle, York, Pontefract, Berwick and
various places in the North. This date was the commence-
ment of the war with Scotland, at the time of Bruce and
Baliol, when Edward held his parliament at Newcastle, and
then at Berwick. It is curious to think that such great events
should be the means of revealing the names of the best known
pears of the period. We still find most of the S. Rule or "Regul
pears," as they are written in this account, and they are bought
in quantities, as in the earlier bills, the cost being usually 3s.
per hundred, but sometimes only lOd. for the same amount.
The pears which come next after the "Regul," in the frequency of
the entries and quantities, are the"Calluewell"or"Calwell," and
the "pas pucell" or "pase pucell," and we also find "Martins;"
all these four sorts being also found in the Earl of Lincoln's
accounts, the prices varying from 4s. to 8d. per hundred.
Besides these, there occur "Dieyes" (or dreyes), "sorell,"
"chyrfoll," and "gold knopes" pears — also apples, quinces,
called "coynes," chestnuts, "chasteynes," and "great nuts."
The only kind of apple specially noticed is the Costard. The
name of this variety, which was the most popular of apples
for many centuries, has been preserved in the word "coster-
monger," originally a seller of this fruit. At Oxford, in 1296,
the Costard apple was sold for Is. per hundred, and the price
of twenty-nine Costard apple-trees, in 1325, was 3s. It is
spoken of by early writers as a distinct fruit, in the same way
as Wardons and pears. Grosseteste mentions them as "apples
and Costards." Another popular variety of apple was the
418 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Pearmain. At an early date we find it being used for cider.
In the sixth year of King John a certain Robert de Evermere
held the lordship of Runham in the Hundred of East Flegg,
in Norfolk, by petty serjeanty, by the payment of two hundred
Pearmains and four hogsheads (modios) of wine, made of
Pearmains, into the Exchequer, on the feast of St. Michael
yearly. These were still being paid annually in the ninth year of
Edward II. One other kind of pear, the "Janettar," is noted
in one of the Wardrobe accounts in the thirty-sixth year of
the reign of Henry III., as being bought with "sorells" and
"cailloels" from "John the Fruiterer of London."
Besides these fruits, which appear to have been common
there were a few choicer sorts, such as cherries, mulberries,
medlars, and even peaches. If proof were needed that this
latter fruit was to be had in England, we have it in the fact
that King John, at Newark, in the midst of his despair and
disappointment, hastened his end by a surfeit of peaches and
ale.
The various accounts which have been quoted, although
tedious from their sameness, are nearly the only trustworthy
source of information about the fruits and gardens of this
period. To supply such large quantities of fruit, there must
have been extensive orchards. It is impossible to imagine
that the fruiterer to the king procured the thousands of apples
and pears required for his royal master, from France, although
a few may have come from abroad. By the early part of the
fourteenth century, many fine and old-established gardens and
orchards must have existed in this country, and were being
cultivated, not by the religious orders only, but under many
secular owners of land. Gardens were being made around the
various colleges at Oxford and Cambridge then coming into
existence. Trinity Hall, Cambridge, had a good garden, with
vines and "herbaria," within a short time of its foundation,
and Peterhouse, a few years earlier. The gardens round
London have already been noticed; something further about
them might be gained by searching old leases. The following
sample gives some idea of the number of gardens in one part
GARDENING IN ENGLAND 419
of London. It is a lease, dated 1375, for "A garden situate
in Tower Ward, near the city wall, which John Seoh lately
held; being between the garden which Geoffery Puppe holds
on the North side, and the garden which William Lambourne
holds on the South." There is no better proof of the great
increase in the culture of fruits and vegetables than a dis-
cussion which took place between the gardeners in and near
London and the Lord Mayor with regard to the locality in which
they were allowed to sell the produce of their gardens.
It appears that for many years previous to 1345 the gardeners
of the earls, barons, bishops, and citizens of London were ac-
customed to sell their "pulse, cherries, vegetables, and other
wares to their trade pertaining, "on a piece of ground" opposite
to the church of S. Austin near the gate of S. Paul's churchyard."
By 1345, however, this fruit and vegetable market had grown
to such an extent, and had become so crowded as to hinder
"persons passing both on foot and on horseback," and the
"scurrility, clamour, and nuisance of the gardeners and their
servants" had become so obnoxious "to the people dwelling
in the houses of reputable persons there," and "such a nuisance
to the priests who are singing matins and mass in the church
of S. Austin, and to others, both clerks and laymen, in prayers
and orisons there serving God," that the mayor and aldermen
were petitioned to interfere, and to remove the market to
some more suitable place. The result of this petition was a
meeting of the mayor and aldermen, and an order "given to
the said gardeners and their servants, that they should no
longer expose their wares. But the gardeners were not to be
so easily defeated. They, in their turn, petitioned the mayor
to reverse his sentence, and their petition runs thus: — "Unto
the Mayor of London, shew and pray the gardeners of the
earls, barons, and bishops, and of the citizens of the same city,
may it please you, sire, seeing that you are the chief guardian
of the said city, and of the ancient usages therein established,
to suffer and to maintain that the said gardeners may stand
in peace in the same place where they have been wont in times
of old, in front of the church of S. Austin, at the side of the
420 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
gate of S. Paul's churchyard, in London, there to sell the garden
produce of their said masters, and make their profits as here-
tofore they have been wont to do, seeing that they have hereto-
fore been in the said place unmolested, and that as they assert
they cannot serve the commonalty, nor yet their masters, as
they were wont to do. As to which they pray for redress."
But the mayor would not give way at first, though it appears
that he afterwards held "a conference between his aldermen,"
at which it was agreed that "all the gardeners of the city, as
well aliens as freemen, who sell their pulse, cherries, vegetables,
and other wares aforesaid in the city, should have as their
place the space between the south gate of the churchyard of
S. Austin's, and the garden wall of the Friars Preachers at
Baynard's Castle, in the same city, that so they should sell
their wares aforesaid in the place by the said mayor and alder-
men thus appointed for them, and nowhere else."
The National Park of the
Abruzzi
By Luigi Parpagliolo
Of the Fine Arts Directorate of Italy
ROFESSOR PIROTTA, of the University of
Rome, has launched through the instrumen-
tality of the Federation Pro Montibus a plan
for a national park in the Abruzzi, and has
done it in a simple yet eloquent form worthy
of a man of science of the good old time when
it was a matter of pride to clothe a scientific conception in a
literary form and to animate it with artistic sentiment. To
many, to most perhaps, in Italy the words "national park"
will sound new; to many, also, will appear strange in the un-
happy days that we are traversing — and during the hard trials
especially to which ancient woods and sylvan shades and smil-
ing parklands have been subjected these last years — the elo-
quent and poetic words in which Professor Pirotta tells of the
beauties of nature, and the noble idealism of his plan for pre-
serving them from further destruction. To me it seems, how-
ever, that the proposal for this national park has come at a
* Reprinted from the Nuova Antologia, May 16, 1918, by the Federation Pro Montibus,
an association for the establishment of national parks and for the protection of the Italian
flora and fauna.
It is a pleasure to print this as a record of the first Italian effort to set aside for the
people a tract of land for the enjoyment of all and which, as custodians of the beauty
of nature, we have no right to allow to degenerate through private caprice or greed.
Readers of the Journal will remember Mr. George B. Dorr's account of the Sieur de
Monts National Monument near Bar Harbor, Me., the establishment of which was
due to his efforts. His interest in this work has led him to kindly translate for the
Journal this account of a similar attempt in Italy. — Ed.
421
422 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
truly opportune moment, when the discussion of an object of
such kind was needed to raise up our national spirit, too much
embittered and cast down by unmerited disasters; and because
it is a work of wisdom in the midst of vast destruction, be it
wrought by an enemy or imposed by necessity, to save what
one still can of natural treasures "that are truly," as writes
Professor Pirotta, "the artistic and scientific patrimony of our
nation."
The idea of a national park in Italy is not new. Publicity
was given it some years ago by the Swiss commission for the
protection of natural beauty and our own Government in con-
nection with a plan for the establishment of a park to the north
of the Valtellina, and east of the Bernina Mountains, in ex-
tension of that splendid and recent park creation made by
Switzerland in the Lower Engadine. But nothing came of it
finally. And this perhaps was well; for, placed there, alongside
of a greater park of similar character beyond our border, such
a park would have added little of independent value, the
aim of the Swiss commission in proposing it being one rather
of practical advantage, to protect their park against Italian
poachers.
The idea of a national park, however, was not abandoned.
It remained in the minds of a number of our leading men of
science as a germ in good earth, awaiting favorable conditions
to sprout and grow. Early in the year 1913 a national league
for the protection of nature monuments, similar to that in
Switzerland, sprang from the initiative of the Italian Botanical
Society, and although it also led to no result it kept the idea
alive. Nor, indeed, could Italy remain passive in the presence
of the world movement for the protection of the flora, the
fauna, the geological documents, the beautiful and significant
aspects of the earth, threatened with inexorable destruction —
a movement spreading through all the civilized nations of the
world from Europe to America, which the war has suspended
but has not suppressed and that once peace is made will retake
its course with added vigor. One of the pioneers of the move-
ment, the leading one perhaps, certainly the one who speaks
THE NATIONAL PARK OF THE ABRUZZI 423
with the greatest authority and has taken the most active part
in it in Europe, is the eminent Swiss naturalist, Paul Sarrasin:
"Upon the heels of the geographic exploration of the earth,"
said he at the International Congress of Geologists at Graz
in August, 1910, "which may be looked upon as ended, has
followed with gigantic strides the impoverishment of its riches,
and the destruction of its living beings, attacked in their happy
and obscure existence. Industrial vandalism, sweeping the
world, has disturbed everywhere the natural associations of
living things, sacrificing to the greed of men and temporary
gain the exquisite and splendid beauties of our hospitable
earth." And in the name of posterity, who will one day anath-
ematize us for having left them desolation for an inheritance,
he invited the naturalists of the whole world to abandon books
and laboratories and run to the defense of nature, in ever
greater danger: "Awake!" he exclaimed, "The world is con-
quered; let us provide for its preservation."
The proofs he brought to this congress of the wasteful and
systematic ferocity with which greedy speculators pursue, year
after year with ever greater fury, the destruction of precious
animals to obtain from them oil, skins, ivory, feathers — objects,
in general, not of need but of luxury — were indeed appalling;
and it was in reference to these, and others scarce less tragic
relating to the destruction of the flora — the Alpine flora es-
pecially— by florists, by collectors, by conscienceless botanists,
that the congress voted to establish an international conference
on the subject in which all civilized states should be invited
to participate officially. This conference took place, on the
invitation of the Swiss Government, at Berne in November,
1913, Italy participating through the medium of her diplomatic
minister. An international congress for the protection of
nature resulted from it, and engagements were entered into
by the states most deeply interested.
Among the various representatives who attended it was
Professor Hugo Conwentz, Director of the Museum of Danzig,
who described the truly splendid organization that he — first
on his own initiative and then as head of an official commission
424 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
established by the government to make a study of the natural
beauties of Germany — created for the protection of nature,
distributing the work in various branches; geology, water
courses, botany, zoology, and prehistoric antiquities. He
founded associations which extended beyond the Empire into
all countries where German was spoken; distributed question-
naires by thousands ; promoted regional and general congresses ;
published illustrated documents rich in plant topography —
created, in fact, such a movement of ideas, activities, and
provision for the future, such an atmosphere of living interest
in the protection of nature, or rather of the "Native-land"
(Heimath), from which one of the most powerful associations
took its name — as to set in motion an undertaking for the
establishment of three great national parks, similar to those
already long since established in the United States of America.
According to this plan, three great tracts were to be set aside,
one in the south, among the Alps, the second in central Ger-
many, a third in the north, in the heathlands of Luneburg, with
the intention of preserving, or reintroducing, in them the native
animals of Germany, such as the beaver and the wild ox.
II
This idea of national parks showed itself, at once, to be
the most practical and efficacious way of rescuing from total
destruction a number of races of animals and species of plants,
of preserving intact characteristic geological features, of pre-
venting the destruction of certain unique aspects of nature
which have claimed, and will always claim, the attention of
men in an almost religious sense.
The more widely this idea has spread, the more clear it
has become that legal enactments alone are not enough. The
Canton of Soleure in Switzerland established in 1894 a fine
of ten lire ($2) for the benefit of the schools of Oltingen, against
the gathering of Daphne Cneorum, Daphne alpina, and Linaria
rediviva; similar provision was made in 1903 by the Communal
Council of Schwytz to prevent the extirpation of Rhododendron
ferrugineum on the Righi, and by the Councils of Andelfingen
THE NATIONAL PARK OF THE ABRUZZI 425
and of Bex to prevent that of Pyrola umbellata. In Bavaria
severe penalties were established against picking Edelweiss.
In the Island of Borneo, in certain districts, it is forbidden by
a law passed in 1895 to gather orchids under penalty of a fine
of $500. And similarly, for certain species of animals that
are continually becoming more rare to the point of extinction,
penalties against hunting, of more or less severity, have been
widely established. But none of these have proved sufficient.
The Proclamation of 21st September, 1821, by the Government
of Sardo to secure the conservation of the wild goat did indeed
result in protecting that precious ruminant of the Alps in the
Val d'Aosta, but we do not know how large a part in this was
due to the fact that this animal was always held to be game
reserved for the Princes of the House of Savoy, and whether
the Royal Preserve of the Gran Paradiso did not give more
protection than the law.
In England they have laws that prohibit the destruction
of wild birds, but these not proving sufficient, various organi-
zations have united to acquire island shelters where the safe
nesting and reproduction of the migratory birds may be secured.
In its colonies, more especially in central Africa, the English
government has had recourse to an indirect means to save
from destruction animals whose species are threatened with
extinction: it has imposed a very high tax on hunting permits,
which limit moreover to but very few the animals that may
be hunted. And in the United States, where special reserves
were established many years ago at the expense of the govern-
ment to preserve the last remaining bison, a proclamation by
President Roosevelt in 1903 created the Federal Reserve of
the Pelicans along the Indian River on the eastern coast of
Florida, to preserve the existence of the black and white peli-
cans. Individual species, it is true, may be protected now and
again by legal enactments but the primitive aspect of nature
produced in the course of centuries by the reciprocal action of
indigenous plants and animals can only be safe-guarded, even
approximately, in regions as yet undisturbed by man or but
slightly altered, by the establishment of absolute protection
426 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
in a complete reserve, a sanctuary for every living form created
by nature that belongs to it and has been saved to our time;
thus only can we hope that native life threatened by the inter-
vention of man can be preserved and continued on to future
generations.
From such reflections sprang the conception of the Swiss
National Park of the Lower Engadine, which became a fact
in 1913. It had however antecedents — in America especially,
where the so-called "practical" people have not launched, as
with us, their bolts against the sentimentality of those who
believe it necessary that the interests of art and science should
once in a while be preferred to those of material advantage.
In the United States it was sufficient that certain travellers
like Doane, Langdorf, and Hayden should send to the Federal
Government enthusiastic reports on what they had seen in
the regions bathed by the springs of the Yellowstone and the
Missouri for a law to be passed — approved by Congress on the
first of March, 1872 — proclaiming a national park a stretch of
territory 55 miles by 65 miles, "which," it was stated, "during
a relatively recent geologic epoch has been the seat of the most
tremendous phenomena recorded in our country." This Region
of Wonders, as it was called, would speedily have been taken
possession of by speculators — so the account goes on to tell —
if by this admirable act of legislative foresight it had not been
consecrated to the benefit of science and the enjoyment of the
people.
But America did not stop here. After the institution of
the Yellowstone Park, Lord Dufferin, the Governor-General
of Canada, interested himself in the threatened impoverish-
ment by industrial use of the Falls of Niagara, and suggested
to his colleague of the State of New York the acquisition by
the two governments of the lands along the river, on both
sides; and to this the sum of 300,000 pounds sterling was
devoted. More recently, these same United States, again to
prevent industrial exploitation, acquired the wonderful Petri-
fied Forest of Arizona, making it also public property. In
sequence to this yet other acquisitions were made, till today
THE NATIONAL PARK OF THE ABRUZZI 427
the Federation counts twelve national parks, besides those
created at their own expense by individual states, as New
York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, California, and Michigan, in
their regions of greatest interest.
ill
This proposal then of a national park in Italy — and of one
especially in the Abruzzi Mountains ''where," as Professor
Pirotta says, "the beautiful name of our country first appeared;
where all is Italian and all proclaims the greatness, the energy,
the art of our ancestors; where the highest mountains of the
noble Apennine range raise their summits, to descend in lesser
peaks and mountain ranges toward one and the other of the
two Italian seas" — is but the expression of a great world move-
ment and must be carried out if Italy is not to fall behind
other lands in culture and civilization. But now comes the
practical question: How can we preserve this territory? How
can we institute this park of the Italian people? Let us see
what others have done; what, to take a concrete example, was
done in our own neighborhood and under similar conditions
by the Swiss commission for the protection of natural beauty.
One of its members drew the attention of his colleagues to
that portion of the Lower Engadine traversed by the River
Inn which includes on the one side the Scarl Valley with its
wild lateral branches and on the other the great mass of the
Quatorvals, and the commission, led by Sarrasin, took a daring
step; it leased, on the 31st of December, 1909, from the Com-
mune of Sornez for the duration of twenty-five years, the
wild valley of Cluoza, for a stretch of 25 kilometers, and so
laid the cornerstone of the future national park. Following
this, it commenced negotiations with five other communes
with the object of enlargement and nine months later, in
September, 1910, Sarrasin was able to announce that the work
would be complete within the following year
"You may ask me," he said to the Congress of Graz, "with
what courage do we commence such an undertaking, one which
428 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
will exact without doubt many and large resources." My
answer is: "Not with courage, but with the faith that conquers
every obstacle."
To procure the necessary means he instituted a Swiss "League
for the Protection of Nature," with dues of one lira a year for
each associate. Faith worked its miracle; the associates in-
creased to 9000 in 1910, to 26,000 in 1913, to 35,000 ultimately.
The moral influence alone of a league so numerous, including
people of every sort and condition, scientific, literary, artistic,
and political, could not fail to incline the government favorably
toward its project. Speedily the interest of members of the
Federal Council was secured for the establishment of a great
Swiss reserve in the Grisons, the canton of the Engadine, and
when in June, 1912, it was decided to ask of the government
a subsidy of 18,200 lire to pay the stipulated rental to the
commune of Zernez the cause was already won before the federal
council, which hastened to make the project of the national
park its own. The legislative chambers did the rest.
Is it then best to follow the same course in Italy? It has
already been entered on, but the coming of the European War
arrested the propaganda which was a necessary preliminary.
Let us recommence it ; we are still in time.
Paul Sarrasin has stated that the Swiss league succeeded in
raising 35,000 lire a year — or, better, in obtaining 35,000 asso-
ciates paying each a lira annually; Italy with its far greater
population should be able to enroll ten times that number.
Numbers apart, however, there are in Italy certain associations
that have become most powerful — the Alpine Club, the Touring
Club, and others, whose associates pay dues far greater than
a single lira, and, without seeking to infuse more active life
into the national league for the protection of nature monuments,
the Federation Pro Montibus that has now taken the lead
with regard to the national park should be able with the aid
of these to carry on the noble work and secure the necessary
financial means, first from the government, then from the
communes, the provinces, the institutions of credit, the cham-
bers of commerce, the art associations, all in a word who have
THE NATIONAL PARK OF THE ABRUZZI 429
at heart the welfare of the nation. The sum required is not
great, for the plan is to follow for the present the Swiss system
of long leases of the communal and provincial domains and
private woodlands included within the intended bounds.
Does this seem visionary? But is it visionary to think that
a nation of thirty-six million inhabitants can find within itself
the resources to accomplish a work of high civilization at the
center of its territory?
I have not sought to lay out a mathematically exact scheme
but rather to set forth an idea that can be discussed, corrected,
dropped perhaps in favor of other and better ideas — more
practical, better fitted to the end. The problem of the National
Park in the Abruzzi lies before us; in some way it must be
solved if we are not to remain alone among the nations in not
adopting this new form of conservation — the conservation of
natural beauty and of opportunity for scientific study.
Such an undertaking, too, must promote a new development
in the Abruzzi country, in that part of it at least which has
the good fortune to find itself within the boundaries of its
national park. It will become the goal of men of science, of
tourists, of nature and landscape lovers; and summer resorts
of the first order will spring up in it. Moreover, one of the
duties of whoever is called to direct and administer the park
will be precisely this, to arouse in all who visit it the eager
desire to bring to it the greatest possible number of persons
who now go elsewhere to seek green spaces, silence, health-
giving air, the restful and consoling view of natural beauty.
Thus will cease to be unknown one of the most beautiful regions
in Italy, and the strangers who after the war — in greater num-
bers than before — will come in pilgrimage to enjoy our sun
and admire our art will not pass directly, as they do today
and have for centuries, from Rome to Naples, but will turn
aside toward the center to behold the wonders enclosed in
our national park, and pass from it upon their southward way.
Onward then! The undertaking is worthy of an association
such as the Pro Montibus which includes within itself men
of the highest standing in the political and administrative life
430 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
of the nation, and whose executive council has given so many
proofs of active energy in recent years and is presided over
by a man of the highest organizing ability, tenacious and culti-
vated, the Hon. Miliani, Minister of Agriculture — the man who
went in 1907 to see with his own eyes the Yellowstone Park
and published an enthusiastic and most instructive description
of it in the Nuova Antologia, where it may be found in the
May 1st issue of 1909.
Outdoor Theatres
By Arthur Westcott Cowell
HE open air theatre was well presented in the
June, 1918, Journal from two contrasting
points of view as regards design: the classic
Greek theatre which by its stern regularity
and architectural feeling may be classified
among other refined formal landscape treat-
ment and the typical sylvan theatre so rustic as to be unde-
fined by line of stage or wings. These are two extremes, both
excellent, and entirely correct in ideal and design. There is
a possibility, however, that the one might not serve the pur-
poses and needs of the other from the mere fact of the strong
character of the theatres themselves — which would in the one
case prove too classic for many a pageant or rustic scene and
the other entirely too "woodsy" for an act portrayed as upon
a village common or in city yard or park. It is exceedingly
difficult for many of an audience to forget the external sur-
roundings of a character portrayed upon the stage in interpre-
tation of a scene or act. Properly, a park should boast of
two garden theatres, the one for classic plays and conventional
kind of scenes, the other for Indian plays and woodland scenes,
and it might be that an enthusiastic audience would follow the
play if necessary from one stage to the other as the play might
demand a change of arboreal setting.
If,, however, we are proposing a single out-of-door space for
presentation of plays, and that is as many as most places will
ever possess, it would seem quite possible that a theatre laid
out in the extreme correctness of either school of design — formal
or informal — might upon occasions be quite unsuited and that
one designed with less emphasis either one way or the other
would err less and prove the most useful and adaptable. Its
431
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OUTDOOR THEATRES 433
very lack of strong character would assist the imagination of the
audience. Such a theatre would partake of the atmosphere
and the delightful repose and refreshing spirit one finds in an
English landscape — not the severity of the formal garden nor
the wild rusticity of the woods. A refined use of foliage en
masse, regular lines of foregrounds and ground lines, or a
recognition of the necessity of the players — and the comfort
of the audience — these would be the consideration for a players
green.
Herewith is a plan and a picture of a transformed quarry
hole upon the Campus of the Pennsylvania State College. It
has been used for a multitude of out-of-door meetings of vari-
ous sorts — amateur theatricals and professional Shakespeare,
childrens folk dances, and religious gatherings, class day ora-
tions, and band concerts — and thus far not one has seemed
out of place or presented amidst incongruous scenes. There
are no limits to its practical uses — except weather! In my
design it was intended to secure an effective background and
side inclosure. This background immediately affords by its
screen a place for dressing rooms "behind the scenes" which
might be a permanent structure but we use tents. The players
are accommodated with stage entrances so laid out by beds of
shrubbery as to secure a waiting actor against premature view
by the audience. These wings are successful practically, and
aesthetically they lend perspective and depth — or apparent
extent — to the open green turf of the terrace stage which they
flank regularly upon both sides. They are balanced in formal
fashion but that is all. They are integral parts of an inclosing
mass of verdure and their formal arrangement is not severe.
Neither is the informal character of the material noticeable.
Rather does it melt into and belong with the refined campus
lawn of which in reality it is a part. The gray green foliage
of Lonicera and Rhus, silver-maple and willow predominate, with
a brightening of red cornel bark and dullness of alder foliage.
Piquancy is afforded by a border of sharp leaved Yuccas — and
a touch of stage refinement and design given by a line of sheared
privet hedge and a white rose arch. The foot lights are concealed
THE PUNCH BOWL THEATRE
PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE
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by leaves at top of the grassy terrace slope — and top lighting
frankly strung from nearby large trees. The audience is shaded
by tall branching elms and the view to the rear screened off
by low branching maples, horsechestnuts and spruces.
This theatre is therefore neither classic nor rustic — it is an
informal-formal lawn arranged for a particular use. It is always
reposeful in the landscape, always charming and interesting
with or without the player folk. It suggests a most practical
device for a college campus or a public recreation park; it
should be provided in every high school yard and in rural village
greens, which is possible because it is not costly — in construction
or maintenance. It comprises good turf, a little terrace for
the players and grading to seat the audience, a massing of
native shrubs, trees and evergreens, and a bit of wiring. It
requires some planning — very little construction, and only the
care bestowed upon any ordinary shrub- bordered lawn. That
is a simple auditorium in the out of doors.
STATE COLLEGE
PENNSYLVANIA
A Sussex Rock-Garden*
By F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S.
DO not propose to take up much of your time
with preliminary remarks. It is necessary,
however, to say a little about the locality,
altitude, geology, and climate of our district, in
order that you may the better understand the
conditions under which we have constructed
and carried out the planting of the Rock-garden.
East Grinstead is in Sussex, about two miles from the Surrey
border. The town is situated on a hill about 460 feet above
sea-level. It is on the London, Brighton, and South Coast
Railway, about thirty miles from London, and the journey takes
an hour, East Grinstead Station being a junction from which
trains run in four directions. I mention these points merely
to show that we are easily accessible from the South-Eastern
Counties.
Brockhurst is the name of my small estate, and it is situated
nearly a mile south-east of the town, on the Lewes road. This
road forms the north-eastern boundary of my land, from which
the naturally undulating ground slopes by a fairly steep gradient
to the south-west.
The range of hills on which we are situated stretches in a
more or less broken line from the neighbourhood of Tunbridge
Wells in the east to beyond. East Grinstead in the west. The
ridge runs parallel to the great chalk ranges which form the
North and South Downs respectively, and is almost equidistant
from each. The rock of which this ridge is mainly composed,
and which shows itself in imposing outcrops at various points,
is of a porous nature, and is geologically known as Lower
* From a lecture before the Royal Horticultural Society, and reprinted, with permis-
sion, from their Journal.
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Tunbridge Wells sandstone, a rock which has proved admirably
adapted to rock-garden purposes.
The site of the Rock-garden is a rounded hill with a steep
escarpment towards the north-west. When we went to Brock-
hurst eight years ago, we had no idea that within a few feet
of the surface of what we called the "Banky Meadow," in which
our cows grazed, there was a mass of solid rock some 30 feet
thick. In fact, we had just previously bought many tons of
very similar stone from a quarry four miles away, when making
our first Rock-garden. This was situated on a wet grassy
slope below the lawn, and descended to the upper of a succession
of four ponds that flow from one to the other down a small
natural glen. We soon discovered that the wetness of the
bank was due to a large spring rising from the natural rock
below, and as soon as the spring was enclosed in cement walls
we had a fine flow of beautiful clear drinking water, which,
at its source, appears to have a uniform temperature of about
51°F. throughout the year. This stream was conducted in a
winding channel through this first Rock-garden, so as to form
miniature waterfalls and pools, and ultimately descend into
the head of the pond. The flow is sufficient to keep all the
ponds fresh, so that trout breed and flourish in them, and
attain to a considerable size. We are fortunate in having five
or six natural springs, and there is a large one in our Wilderness
on the other side of the new Rock-garden that is sufficient to
work a ram, which pumps water to our reservoir a quarter of
a mile away in sufficient quantity to supply all our needs both
for house, garden, laundry, etc. I hope to make good use of
the two or three smaller springs later on.
But to return to the Rock-garden. It was not until we were
planting some new Rhododendrons at the edge of the "Banky
Meadow" that my gardener discovered that he had come on
to a piece of rock. After getting this out, we found that there
was more underneath. This discovery suggested the idea of
making a small Rock-garden close at hand by taking a small
piece off the field ; but I must shorten a rather long story. As
we proceeded our ideas grew as more and more rock was found,
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but before we were able satisfactorily to complete our increas-
ingly ambitious designs we ran short of rock at the spot where
we were working. This led to making boreholes towards the
top of the hill to ascertain if there were rock there also, and it
was the discovery of an almost limitless supply of rock here
that led to our gradually making a deep pit or quarry into the
hill, from which we raised great masses of stone to the surface,
at first with Jim poles and a pulley, but later with a large crane.
The stones, when brought to the surface, were guided down
the hill on wooden rollers, which ran over a track made with
boards. As the Rock-garden below the hill grew, and in doing
so gradually approached nearer to the quarry, so the size of our
excavations grew. It was then that the idea occurred to us
of cutting right through the intervening ground, and making
a winding ravine leading from the Rock-garden we were con-
structing to the quarry itself, and incorporating the latter into
our scheme. I have entered into these details to show you
that, although begun with very modest ideas, the general plan
developed as we went on. The work of construction took
four years.
Before passing on, I must mention my indebtedness to Mr.
Bowles for the valuable hints and suggestions he was good
enough to make, both at the commencement of our work and
later, when he and Mr. Reginald Farrer helped with their
advice in making the moraine-garden, of which I shall say
more directly.
It is superfluous to occupy time with much detail as to the
general principles on which a Rock-garden is built. These can
be obtained from the many excellent books on the subject.
The more novel features in the Brockhurst Rock-garden are
the natural cliffs of solid rock and vents that abound, both
in the ravine and the quarry. The first and lower portions
were made in the usual way, and on the general principle of
cutting wide sunken paths in the ground, and throwing up
the earth thus dug out to form banks on either side. The
poorer soil forms the core of the bank, the better soil being
retained for the surface, which is then rocked upwards from
442
A SUSSEX ROCK-GARDEN US
the bottom, care being taken that each stone placed is firmly
supported by one or more below it. The rocks are also slightly
tilted towards the bank, so that rain falling runs towards the
banks and among the roots of the plants, and not away from
them leaving the plants to perish from drought.
These introductory remarks would be incomplete without a
brief reference to our climate. I will not burden you now with
much detail, but my astronomical assistant, Mr. W. S. Franks,
F.R.A.S., has prepared a careful account of the meteorology
of our neighbourhood. We are in the habit of sending our
records weekly to the local paper, and annually to Dr. H. R.
Mills for his "British Rainfall."
The Brockhurst Observatory is equipped with the usual six
thermometers, the sunshine recorder, and the rainfall gauge.
Owing to the topographical configuration of Brockhurst,
with its downward slope towards the south and south-west,
and through being protected by rising ground to the east and
north-east, it is more sheltered than many other places in the
immediate neighbourhood. It has frequently escaped the effect
of frosts which have done serious damage at East Grinstead
and Forest Row, on either side of it, and it also escapes some
of the heavy rainfalls which sweep along the line of the valley,
especially during thunderstorms.
As regards temperature, our observations prove that, as com-
pared with Greenwich, we are a few degrees warmer in the
winter months and cooler in the summer months, and com-
pared with the Greenwich records we have over 12 per cent
more hours of bright sunshine registered at Brockhurst.
Now as to rainfall. The drainage area is that of the river
Medway, which includes some of the wettest districts in Ash-
down Forest. East Grinstead fortunately possesses a rainfall
record of its own for the last twenty-six years, the mean annual
value of the local rainfall being 31.99 inches — which may seem
a large amount when compared with the Greenwich average
of about 24| inches.
From the above facts it will, I think, be obvious that our
local meteorological conditions should prove very suitable for
A ROCK ROSE AT HOME
CISTUS PURPUREUS
444
A SUSSEX ROCK-GARDEN 445
growing many tender plants which cannot be grown in less
favoured districts. There is little doubt, however, that we
shall sometimes have a winter that will either cut down or
totally destroy many plants that we have succeeded in growing
during the last few years.
Close to the Observatory is the Heath-garden, which runs
round the summit of the hill from which one sees in the dis-
tance Ashdown Forest. There is a large number of varieties
of heaths in this collection, whilst the carriage drive is bordered
by Cornish heath, which I understand was brought to Brock-
hurst about forty years ago by a former owner. It now forms
a dense bank, and is a striking feature of the place in the
autumn.
The portion of our house facing west has a terrace and small
Rock-garden below it. The stone for this little Rock-garden
was derived from the excavation we had to make into the hill
when space was cleared for building the new dining-room and
terrace, and below the terrace wall is a rocked path in which
a number of plants are growing.
The terrace wall itself is the home of many plants we put
in while building it seven years ago, and they have thriven
wrell ever since. On the steps is a fine growth of Erinus alpinus,
in three colours, pink, mauve, and white.
The view down the lawn from the top of the steps just
referred to includes the upper pond, and a fine spring rising
from here, flowing through the Rock-garden below the lawn,
keeps the water in the ponds thoroughly changed. The slope
of the lawn has groups of Rhododendrons upon it, and out
of the northern slope of this hill the new Rock-garden has
been made. On the lawn, our British Spiranthes autumnalis ,
the sweet-scented Lady's Tresses Orchis, grows abundantly,
being a native here. Five or six other species of Orchis are
to be found wild on our ground.
At the upper end of the top pond many water plants grow
behind the stepping-stones, among them Sonchus palustris, a
fine British plant that used to be found in the reed-beds of
the Thames about Plumstead, and also up the Med way. It
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is now nearly extinct. It attains to a height of ten or eleven
feet. Near the stepping-stones also grow water-lilies and Rich-
ardias. The latter have been in the pond for several years,
and are never taken up in the winter. The clumps have in-
creased and flower freely.
Among the trees in the Wilderness is the large spring, from
which there is a fall of twenty-five feet to the ravine we have
already mentioned. A little valley running into the Wilderness
has a small spring of its own, in which some interesting Carices,
Cotton-grass, etc., have been planted, whilst moisture-loving
plants, such as Primula japonica, thrive higher up the banks.
In this part of the wood I have introduced the beautiful Myosotis
sylvatica collected in Teesdale. May I recommend this as a
woodland plant well worth growing? It is of a very attractive
light-blue colour with a yellow eye, and does not require the
same amount of moisture as some of the Forget-me-nots.
We now turn to the Rock-garden proper, but must mention
a rather serious set-back that occurred shortly after we had
begun the building of its upper part. After very heavy rain-
falls, we found that the large stones at the base of the artificial
mound which we had constructed were slowly moving towards
the edge of the quarry, and after watching this movement
for some time with considerable anxiety we saw that the position
was hopeless, and after another heavy rain a vast quantity
of stone slipped right over the edge of the quarry and crashed
down below, breaking all the fine rocks to pieces. This neces-
sitated digging out a quantity of soft layers of clay and rock,
and rebuilding this portion with reinforced concrete, and facing
it with stone. The accident retarded the work for two or
three months. It is extremely fortunate, however, that it
happened when it did, and not later on, when all our tackle
had been removed and the site covered with plants.
A fine thorn marks the commencement of our work of plant-
ing, and it is from under the far side of this thorn that the
Rock-garden is entered from the bottom. Beneath its shade
a group of the true British Oxlip, Primula elatior, grows. This,
as probably many of you know, only occurs in the neighbour-
448
A SUSSEX ROCK-GARDEN 449
hood of Saffron Walden and Bardfield over a small area, partly
in Essex and partly in Suffolk. The plant that is found in
many places throughout the country, and commonly called
the Oxlip, is a hybrid that occurs very frequently between the
Cowslip and Primrose, and is quite distinct from the true
Oxlip, which is a good species. The heads of Oxlips always
grow to one side, and the species has a much less inflated calyx
than either the Primrose or Cowslip.
A small side-path leading from under the May Tree passes
out to the edge of the Rock-garden, and a group of Sparaxis
flowers just above this path.
Walking up the main path, on the left, we see a fine clump
of Nierembergia frutescens, which has proved more or less hardy
with us. It is a beautiful plant, with flowers like a large pale
Linum.
At the foot of the bank on the right, Waldsteinia geoides
scrambles down into the path, while a few paces further along
clumps of Helichrysum angustifolium, and a silver-leaved Thyme
which is sold as Thymus Serpyllum splendens, are seen. I
cannot, however, believe that this silver-leaved Thyme with
a perfume almost identical with the scented Verbena, can be
any form of our common wild Thyme. On the right is a
clump of Hieracium villosum, with its beautiful white shaggy
foliage and brillant yellow flowers, too well known to need
any comment.
Two or three paces beyond the Hieracium villosum is a fine
plant of Coronilla cappadocica, whilst immediately below grows
a much less showy plant, Astragalus monspessulanus .
Another side entrance to the Rock-garden from a little further
up the hill, leads to the same point that we have just left, and
a short distance along it on the right-hand side is a nice plant
of Agave Hanburyana, a species named after my late cousin,
Sir Thomas Hanbury. This plant has stood in the open for
the last four years, and has much increased in size.
I may here mention my indebtedness to the La Mortola
garden for a large number of semi-hardy plants that we have
been able to grow, though we have lost some of those tried.
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Here, too, is a group of the beautiful double Wood Anemone,
which is pure white.
Where these two paths join is a small pool, from which water
flows from the central rock when turned on. Our rocks be-
come entirely covered with Arenaria balearica when situated
in a moist and semi-shaded position. The plant is one of great
beauty and one that no one would like to be without, but at
times it is very troublesome in creeping over and killing many
small plants in its neighbourhood. A gardening friend told
me that his only remedy for it was a scrubbing-brush.
Opposite this pool is an albino variety of our British Musk
Mallow (Malva moschata). The white form is well worth grow-
ing. This particular plant was found wild in our own neigh-
bourhood; it seeds freely, some of the seedlings coming true
white, others reverting to the typical pink form.
Leaving the pool behind us, we pass up the next bend of
the main path, where the rock is now completely covered with
Coton caster adpressa, and the white flowrer above it, a form of
Candytuft, known as Snow-flake. Whilst speaking of Candy-
tuft the planting of Iberis gibraltarica may be strongly recom-
mended. It is a beautiful and showy biennial, which, when
once established, propagates itself by shedding its seed all
round.
On the left of the path is a bank with a medley of plants,
including Genista hispanica, Carpenteria, Erica lusitanica, Cist us
and Heliauthcmum.
Immediately beyond it, on the left of the path, is a very
fine mass of Liihospermum prostratum, with its gentian-blue
flowers. This plant is scarcely ever without some flower
throughout the year. The rock below it is clothed with the
inevitable Arenaria balearica, with double Daisies on the path-
way below that. The rocks at this corner are among the
largest that we were able to move with the tackle at our dis-
posal. Several of them weigh nearly five tons each, having
been brought to this spot from the top of the hill on rollers.
Facing the rock with the Lithospcrmum is a small corrie
containing several plants of interest, including Salix reticulata
A SUSSEX ROCK-GARDEN 453
from Perthshire. A plant of the large silvery-leaved Salvia
argentea grows on the bank at the right. The path up the
steps on the left leads to another side exit from the rock-garden.
At the foot of the rocks is a good bed of Rub us arcticus, which
spreads, and flowers freely here, and by this same corrie is a
fine mass of Sempervivum arachnoideum, the pretty pink flowers
forming a pleasing contrast to the white cottony foliage.
Pursuing the main path, and leaving the large masses of
rock, previously alluded to, on our left, we pass to an irregular-
shaped pool on the right in the centre of the rock-garden.
In the foreground of this picture (page 446) is a fine clump of
the Melancholy Thistle (Carduus heterophyllus), brought from
Killin, in Scotland. In the little marsh round the pool are
such plants as Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), Hyperi-
cum elodes, Soldanella, and several interesting rushes and sedges,
including Carex Biixbaumii from Lough Neagh in Ireland, and
Carex aquatilis from Loch Tummel in Perthshire. A rock by
the path to the right of the picture is covered by a clump of
Polygonum vaccin (folium, which is a plant that can be highly
recommended for decorating prominent rocks with its bright
pink flowers, which last throughout the autumn, and near by
is a group of the bright yellow Ranunculus montanus, a compact
and very attractive species.
A few paces further along the path, and looking back, one
sees the bank on the opposite side of the path to the pool we
have just passed, on which Anchusa myosotidiflora, like a giant
Forget-me-not, and Lavatera Olbia and many other plants grow
well.
Below the Lavatera are steps leading to the upper path of
the rock-garden, where, among other things, is a fine clump
of our beautiful native Campanula patula, found on a few sandy
commons in the South of England. It is an annual of great
beauty, and sows itself freely wherever introduced, if the soil
be sufficiently light to suit it.
Passing the rock with the Lavatera on our left, and another
side entrance on the right, we see in the distance the highest
peaks of the rock-garden. To the left of the steps is a plant
POOL AND DRIPPING WELL
IN CHASM
454
A SUSSEX ROCK-GARDEN 455
of Erica ciliaris alba, whilst on a sunny rock above is Othonnopsis
cheirifolia, a plant admirably adapted to covering hot, dry,
exposed rocks.
On the right of the path, a little further along, is a clump of
Primula 'Mountain Ruby,' whilst on the left is a clump of
Helleborus corsicus. This plant flowers from January onwards
during the spring, and is a species well worth growing.
On the next shoulder to the right is a fine clump of Saxifraga
lingulata superba.
Leaving the Saxifraga on the right, the main path passes
into the ravine This passage is cut through the solid rock.
Above the rock is a bed of very soft sandstone, which was
soon taken possession of by a large colony of sand-martins,
which have nested there every year since. The steps on the
left lead to the moraine, the sheet of white flowers being a
rock covered with Helichrysum bellidioides, while to the left
of this, and just outside the picture, is a fine plant of Aethionema
iberideum. Ascending the steps, we reach the bottom of the
moraine garden, the structure of which I will endeavour to
explain to you; one may see from here the hole through which
the water flows from the moraine after passing the whole length
through it. On the left of this winding path are sunken beds
largely composed of moraine material, which are mainly devoted
to Gentiana verna and G. acaulis; but besides these I have a
collection of some of our rarest Chickweeds and Arenarias,
which thrive splendidly in the small limestone, of which the
Gentiana verna bed is largely composed. Among these I may
mention Cerastium Edmondstonii, found only on Unst, the most
northern island of the Shetlands; and Arenaria norvegica, from
the same island.
Viola arenaria, a plant that probably few of you have seen,
is there too. It grows only on the top of Widdy Bank Fell,
in Teesdale, where it was discovered by the late James Back-
house many years ago. It is our rarest British violet, and is
remarkable for having a downy capsule. The plant attains
finer proportions in my moraine than it does where I found
it in Teesdale, where it is only found on what is geologically
■:ff:
a*#?
SAXIFRAGA LINGULATA AT LEFT,
S. COTYLEDON AT RIGHT, IN CLEFTS
OF THE ROCK
456
A SUSSEX ROCK-GARDEN 457
known as sugar-limestone, so named because it is of the con-
sistence of loaf-sugar, and can be readily crushed by the fingers.
Saxifraga decipiens, at the edge of the moraine, sows itself in
the moraine material.
In making the moraine we first constructed a succession of
cement tanks, the side walls of which go uphill, the tanks being
full at the front, and only half full at the back. A small square
brick building in the lower corner of each tank has a valve,
which is closed in the summer, but left open in the winter. By
this means the water can be entirely drained from underneath,
the plants being kept sufficiently moist by the rain which falls
and soaks through the moraine material during the winter
months.
The next thing to do was to build stepping-stones in the
moraine, so as to be able to walk about it for planting purposes.
The stones being of different thickness, they were all brought
to approximately the same level by the different heights of the
brick piers supporting them.
The moraine was then filled up with the proper material
between the stepping-stones. The natural rock as it lay in
the hill, after having had all the super-soil removed, lies to
the right of the moraine, and is utilized for growing a consider-
able collection of Sempervivums and Saxifrages, which are
thriving exceedingly well and spreading. The upper edge of
this mass of rock is immediately above the ravine, which leads
to the chasm. Draba imbricata grows in a little crevice with
overhanging rock above, and there is a little ledge close by
with Hiitchinsia alpina growing on it, and another close by
with our native H. petraea upon it.
We now leave the moraine, and return to the entrance to
the ravine. In the bottom left-hand corner a clump of Mesem-
bryanthemum edule will be seen, Primula Juliae, Commelina,
and close by Euphorbia Myrsinites, a very attractive plant,
of compact habit and very glaucous, which has proved quite
hardy for three or four seasons. At the foot of the rocks in
the next bend is a good clump of Beech-fern brought by us
from Scotland, and in chinks in the rock above it Asplenium
458 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
viride thrives, whilst opposite grow Asplenium Tridwmanes and
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum.
Matthiola rupestris, a fine species of Stock found round the
coast of the Mediterranean, is also in the ravine. It is very
sweet-scented, and attains to a large size; with us it appears
to be biennial.
The ravine is very beautiful when Saxifraga Cotyledon is in
flower. It forms enormous rosettes in the wide natural vents
in the rock. When planting, it is of course necessary to fill
the vents up with suitable material for the plants to grow in.
Immediately beyond this Saxifrage is the entrance to some
long caves formed by our tunnelling into the hill for more
stone required for completing the upper portions of the Rock-
garden.
In several of the vents Primula Forrestii thrives wonderfully.
The large-leaved Magydaris tomentosa grows just below. Pass-
ing round the bend in the ravine, we come on a vent planted
with Primula 'J. H. Wilson,' a very handsome plant, and one
that is easily grown in such a situation.
We have now turned the last corner in the ravine, and come
in sight of the great chasm, or quarry, that we made in the
hill. A beautiful plant of Saxifraga nepalensis hangs from the
rocks on the right. Just below this will be seen three steps
which are the beginning of a flight of fifty-three steps, which
lead up between the rocks to the level of the ground before
we made the excavations. If the description of 'Banky Meadow'
with the cows be recalled to mind, it will be seen how great
a transformation has been wrought in a piece of ground which,
when we came to Brockhurst, we did not know to contain any
rock at all. Opposite the flight of steps on the right is a still
higher flight of steps passing up the left bank and behind the
bold rock, which was purposely left standing, and which for
convenience we designate the "Pulpit" rock.
Before passing to these steps, we may notice the planting
on the right side of the ravine. Here is Saxifraga nepalensis,
whilst to the right is a crevice filled with S. Burseriana gloria,
which, this year, was in full flower before the end of January
STEPS FROM RAVINE
BEFORE REACHING CHASM
459
if w
g
460
A SUSSEX ROCK-GARDEN 461
and during the month of February. To the right of this again
is Gypsophila repens rosea, and below this native plants of
Myosotis alpestris, brought home with us from Scotland from
the Ben Lawers range in Perthshire.
Our native Vetch, Vicia sylvatica, which we collected from
the northern side of the Malvern Hills, also grows well here.
Last year we saw this plant growing in great beauty and pro-
fusion on the cliffs at Melvich, in Sutherlandshire, whence
we could see the Orkney Islands. It is a plant well worthy
of cultivation in our gardens.
Pursuing the main path to the large chasm, and turning
the corner abruptly to the left, brings us to the deep pool which
we excavated; the dripping well will be seen and to the right
of it a natural vent in the cliff with fine plants of Saxifraga
lingulata superba growing in it and to the right again a few
plants of 5. Cotyledon. One of the Alpine willows grows on a
ledge below and to the left of the dripping well.
A group of our rare native Fern Cystopteris montana, brought
from Ben Laoigh, in Perthshire, after a very long day's excur-
sion to obtain it, thrives well at the base of the cliffs, and a
natural vent is planted with the much commoner Cystopteris
fragilis, brought from the neighbourhood of Killin. The plant
of Saxifraga oppositifolia growing with it is from the same
locality. We also grow in quantity a larger-flowered form of
this species, sold as S. oppositifolia splendens.
Near by are two more interesting native plants, both brought
from the neighbourhood of Killin — namely, the Holly Fern
(Polystichum Lonchitis) and Poa alpina, which is nearly always
found in a viviparous state as it grows here.
The Green Spleenwort grows very luxuriantly in a naturally
damp crevice of the rock, where it never gets direct sunshine.
The leaves produced here are larger than any I have found in
the wild state.
In a sheltered nook in the natural rock at the base of the
steps that go up to the right, I planted Primula Winteri, not
knowing how it would succeed in the open, but my confidence
was not misplaced. The plant faces north-east, and is more
462 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
or less sheltered from above by slightly overhanging rocks,
and it formed a beautiful picture last January. P. Bulleyana
grows at the foot of the cliffs just by.
The steps ascend from the ravine towards the north-
east, and pass immediately below and against the "Pulpit"
rock, and near them specimens of Saxifraga longifolia form
a beautiful feature. Echium plantagineum, a rare plant found
in the Channel Islands, and a fine specimen of one of the New
Zealand Celmisias, C. Munroi, and Saxifraga Kolenatiana also
grow here. Above the last is the graceful and rather rare
English grass, Melica nutans. This we brought from a wood
near High Force, Teesdale. A great mass of our common
Echium vulgare grows on one of the outer sandy banks of the
Rock-garden; although a common British plant, it is very
beautiful, and is extremely attractive to bees and other insects.
Having ascended the steps, the top of the chasm with the
upper portions of the Rock-garden comes into view. The steps
are continued to the left, and when they reach the stage by
the tunnel they again go off to the left and then to the right,
the upper path passing along just below the peaks, and com-
manding a fine view into the chasm and over a large part of
the Rock-garden and the country beyond.
Standing at the level of the tunnel, and looking back, we
see at the bottom of the ravine the path which brought us to
the chasm — the steps leading out of the Rock-garden to the
south, and the commencement of the upper path which extends
the whole way back through the Rock-garden to the point
from which we started. An almost entirely fresh set of plants
is found along this path, and the views, looking down, are
quite different from those obtained when walking up the lower
path. Diascia Barber ae, growing here, is interesting as having
a flower with two spurs.
Tulip Droppers
By A. B. Stout
URING a single season of growth a tulip plant
may burrow downward in the soil and thus
bury its main bulb to a depth of several inches.
Such a plant is shown in figure 1 of the ac-
companying plate. The cluster of roots, the
portion of the stem from which they arose
and the remnants of the old scale leaves at c indicate the level
at which the base of the bulb sat during the preceding summer.
Above this level a leaf extends upward into the air; below this
level a hollow cylindrical column of tissue extends downward
enclosing the bulb at its lower extremity.
The terms "dropper" and "sinker" have been applied by
tulip growers to the part which thus carries the bulb to lower
levels. It appears that the habit of forming droppers is com-
mon in wild species of tulips and especially during the growth
of seedlings. Under ordinary methods of growing bulbs of
garden varieties for display the formation of droppers appears
to be somewhat infrequent. When droppers are observed for
the first time by a gardener his interest is usually aroused
which has led to occasional reports in various publications of
the "discovery" of droppers in tulips.
Descriptions of the true nature of the droppers in Tulipa
(and in other genera also) have appeared from time to time,
but it has seemed desirable to describe in this journal some
unusually fine droppers which the writer has found at the
New York Botanical Garden.
The true nature of the dropper is revealed by a study of
the stages in its development, and by an examination of its
gross anatomy, and most especially of the distribution of the
fibrovascular bundles or veins.
463
464 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
EXPLANATION OF PLATE
Figures 3a to 3e are magnified 3 diameters; Figure 3f, 1? times; Figures 14 to 20 are
purely schematic; all other figures are one-half the natural size.
Fig. 1. Tulip plant with dropper, and two daughter lateral bulbs at old level without
droppers. Blade of leaf removed. Surface of soil indicated.
Fig. 2. Entire plant with dropper slit vertically showing bulb enclosed at base of
the dropper.
Fig. 3. View showing surface of stem portion of dropper. Upper part of leaf removed.
Figures 3a to 3f. Cross sections of dropper shown in figure 3, taken at points indi-
cated. Shows distribution of fibrovascular bundles.
Fig. 4. Longitudinal section of a part of a dropper extending above and below old
level.
Fig. 5. Longitudinal section of base of dropper and the enclosed bulb.
Fig. 6 and 7. View of a plant collected on March 22, showing a dropper in the early
stages of downward growth, and also a small offset.
Fig. 8. Same with old bulb sectioned.
Fig. 9. Same with dropper also sectioned.
Fig. 10. Longitudinal section of a vegetative bulb early in spring. Upper part of
vegetative leaf removed. Base of new bulb beginning to extend beyond the upper portion
of the old bulb. Shows the normal eccentric radial growth of stem and the position of
the bulb in the soil.
Fig. 11. Plant with dropper growing nearly horizontal to the surface of the soil.
Fig. 12. Diagram of a median vertical section of a vegetative bulb at the beginning
of a season of growth.
Fig. 13. Same as figure 12 but at end of the season of growth. Shows relation of base
of new bulb to stem of old bulb. Scales of old bulb are not shown.
Fig. 14. Representing condition of concentric radial growth and with uniform elonga-
tion of nodes {A , B and C) and internodes (a and b) most common in plants.
Fig. 15. Representing an increase in concentric radial growth of a node (B) and of
the adjoining parts of internodes (a and b) over that of other nodes.
Fig. 16. Illustrating eccentric and downward radial growth of a node (B) and the
correlated growth of the internode below.
Fig. 17. As in figure 16, but with unequal elongation of internode below (a) which
is greatest on the side of greatest eccentricity. This is the condition which regularly
develops in the base of the new bulbs of vegetative tulip plants. Compare with figures
10 and 13.
Fig. 18. Same as in Figure 17, with also eccentric and unequal elongation of the inter-
node (b) above.
Fig. 19. Same as above but more pronounced.
Fig. 20. Diagram of a young dropper of the tulip. Same as Figure 19 with also a
coordinated growth of the leaf attached to node B. Region of active growth indicated
by shading.
Fig. 21. Flowering bulb of tulip below, scale leaves attached to closely compacted
nodes. Flower stem arising by marked symmetrical elongation of a few internodes
(a, b and c). Green leaves attached to the nodes {A, B and C) not shown.
TULIP DROPPERS
FOR EXPLANATION, SEE PAGE 464
465
466 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
A longitudinal slit through a dropper (see fig. 2) shows that
it is hollow throughout. The hollow within the leaf above the
old level (c) is continued to the lower level and the bulb en-
closed by the leaf is at the lower extremity. This condition
is in marked contrast to that in a plant which has not buried
its bulb. In the latter, as is shown in the longitudinal section
of figure 10, the roots and stem mark the level of the old bulb,
the base of the one green leaf encloses the main bud and this
bud and the scales immediately surrounding it arise almost
vertically from the stem of the bulb.
In the case of the plant shown in figure 2, there was but one
main or stem bud; all the buds lateral to it and which were in
the axils of the surrounding scales failed to develop. The plant
kept its main growing bud but placed it at a lower level in the
soil.
A series of cross sections of a dropper and of the part of the
leaf immediately above shows the distribution of the fibrovas-
cular bundles and thereby reveals the composition of the
dropper and the mechanism which produces the burrowing
bulb. The cross sections drawn for figures 3a to 3f were taken
from the plant shown in figure 3 at the points indicated by the
lettering. Immediately above the level of the old stem, the
leaf forms a hollow cylinder containing a single ring of bundles.
(See 3a and 3b.) At the level of the juncture of the leaf with
the old stem the cross section appears as in figure 3c; four of
the bundles from the leaf connect directly with the stem. In
the stem itself the bundles tend to form a ring in a solid core
of tissue. The other bundles of the leaf continue on down
in a direct course. Sections below this point, as at d, e and /,
show that the arrangement of the bundles continues to be
quite the same as at c.
The dropper is therefore part stem and part leaf. A segment
is stem and a segment is leaf and the two are united to form
the hollow cylindrical column. A part of the basal circum-
ference of the leaf is attached to the stem of the plant at the
upper level (c) and a part of the basal circumference of the
same leaf is attached to the stem of the bulb at the lower level.
TULIP DROPPERS 467
Between these two extremes the stem and the leaf join as
contiguous parts of the entire cylinder. The stem part is
characterized internally by its double row or ring of vascular
bundles and it is noticeably thicker than the leaf portion. The
general relation of the bundles is also well shown in such longi-
tudinal sections as are given in figures 4 and 5. On the
exterior the stem segment of the dropper is somewhat ridged
throughout its entire length as is indicated in figure 3 and in
the drawings of the cross-sections at c, d, e and /.
The entire bulb of the ordinary non-burrowing plant of the
tulip is somewhat radially asymmetrical and its basal and
stem end stands usually at an angle of about 45° from the
horizontal as is shown in figure 10. The roots arise in a cres-
cent shaped area whose center is at the lowest point. The
bases of the leaves and scales are hollow cylinders and are
attached on a slant that corresponds to the inclination of the
nodes. If a plant is to remain vegetative for a season and
is not to produce a flower, one of its leaves develops as a green
aerial leaf and the scales outside of this together with their
nodes die. The stem segment from which the green leaf arises
increases in diameter and forms the base of the new bulb
which thus becomes of greater width than the old stem seg-
ments immediately below in which growth had ceased. But
the radial growth of scales and stem segments of the new bulb
is eccentric and is greatest toward the lower side. The new
bulb, therefore, protrudes beyond and slightly below the part
of the old stem of which it is an extension. This condition is
readily revealed by a longitudinal section through a bulb (see
fig. 10). The condition is shown diagrammatically in figures
13, 16, and 17. In this ordinary growth of vegetative tulips,
however, there is scarcely any elongation of the segments
between the leaves (the internodes) and the entire stem is
composed almost entirely of nodes to which the leaves are
attached.
The method of growth by which a bulb burrows to lower
depths is a further development or modification of the proc-
esses which give the new bulb its eccentrically expanded base.
468 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
It should be noted that in the development of the dropper the
relative positions of the old scales and their nodes are not
disturbed. Neither are the relative positions of the scales and
nodes within the new bulb changed in the least. The immediate
contact of the green leaf to the bud which it encloses is
unchanged at the lowest side, and the relation of this same leaf
to the scales outside of it is unchanged at the outside at the
upper level. In the development of the dropper of the tulip
plant, therefore, the shape of the basal portion of the green
leaf, the shape of its node, the shape of the internode immedi-
ately above, and that of the internode immediately below have
become greatly distorted. No other parts are directly in-
volved in the growth of the dropper.
The methods of growth here concerned may be compared
to the more usual methods of growth seen in stems. Stems
increase in diameter and also in length. When the radial
growth is uniformly concentric and the elongation is quite the
same for all nodes and internodes there is produced a sym-
metrical and gradually tapering cone-shaped stem, as is the
rule in most shrubs and trees. This condition can be illus-
trated by the diagram of figure 14. When a tulip plant
sends up a flowering stalk there is a marked elongation of
internodes and the radial and longitudinal growth is decidedly
uniform as is shown in figure 21. When a series of nodes and
internodes grows to a diameter greater than that of the inter-
nodes behind them, as is represented in figure 15, such swollen
stems as the tubers of the potato may result. When the radial
growth of an internode is concentric but the elongation is
not uniform the direction of the apex is changed; a result very
commonly attained in plants of all sorts.
If there is a decided eccentric radial growth in a single node
and in the parts of the internode below it, but a rather uni-
form elongation throughout, the result would be as represented
in figure 16. But if at the same time there is unequal elonga-
tion of the internode below and its greatest elongation is on
the side of the greatest radial growth of the node above, some
such figure as is shown in 17 will result.
TULIP DROPPERS 469
It is precisely this last mentioned method of growth that
regularity occurs in the formation of a new bulb in a vegetative
plant of the tulip (see figs. 10 and 13). The radial growth of
all nodes and internodes is eccentric; the increase in diameter
of the node of the green leaf is much greater than that which
the node immediately below made. None of the internodes
elongate much except the one directly below the green leaf
and in this one the elongation is unequal and is coordinated
with the eccentric growth of the node above. Viewed from
below the surface of this, the internode is crescent shaped in out-
line and the form of the entire internode is that of an asymmetri-
cally truncated cone. It is from its crescent shaped surface
that the new crop of roots emerge.
If now the internode immediately above the leaf node also
makes an unequal elongation coordinated with the growth of
the leaf node, then the conditions which make a dropper are
realized (see diagrams 18, 19 and 20). The excessive unequal
elongation of the two internodes is on opposite sides of the
same stem and these come to lie parallel to each other along
the node which has made the extremely asymmetrically radial
growth. The node and the internodes thus become drawn out
into a long ribbon-like structure of stem tissue. The base of
the green leaf remains attached at all points of the periphery
of the node and its growth is so coordinated that no lesions
result. The region of greatest active growth in the stem portion
of the dropper lies just behind the bulb in the region indicated
by the dotting in figure 20.
During the earlier part of the spring season of growth, about
March 20 to 30 at the New York Botanical Garden, a plant
which is burying its bulb appears as shown in figures 6, 7, 8
and 9. The apex of the dropper with the main bud enclosed
protudes through an opening that it has forced through the
surrounding scales which at this stage are still fleshy. In
every instance thus far observed by the writer the dropper
broke through the fleshy scales along the line of their juncture
with the stem and emerged at the lowest point of position
(see figs. 1, 2,3,6, 7, 8, 9 and 11).
470 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
The dropper is anchored at the old level by the roots of the
plant and the pressure of the soil above on the old bulb. Its
own downward growth exerts sufficient force to rupture the
scales and to burrow down into the soil. At first the dropper
is somewhat conical at its lower end. Most of the enlargement
of the new bulb occurs after it reaches a lower level when it
also assumes the shape and position characteristic of tulip
bulbs.
As far as the writer's observations go, flowering bulbs and
the bulbs immediately lateral to the main bud have not bur-
rowed to lower levels. The burrowing bud has always been
the main bud in a vegetative plant and it has been directly
enclosed in the vegetative leaf whose base became a part of
the dropper. Frequently small lateral bulbs form in the axils
of the old scales as is shown in figure 1 at c. Cases where
the lateral buds also developed into droppers have, however,
been reported in certain species of tulips.
Droppers of the tulip are to be distinguished from the so-
called offsets, a small one of which is shown in figures 6, 7 and
9. These offsets are lateral branches which develop from the
stem at points outside of the living scales. They are evidently
developed from adventitious buds or from axillary buds that
have remained dormant for a time.
Occasionally a dropper does not grow vertically downward
but grows somewhat horizontally or even upward. A drawing
of such a plant is shown in figure 11. At the end of a season
of growth the bulbs of such droppers may lie on one side or
even be placed upside down. In such droppers the relative
growth of the leaf and stem portions is irregular and not well
coordinated.
Plantings have been made to study the occurrence of drop-
pers and to test the influence of depth of planting on their
development. Bulbs weighing from 2 to over 40 grams were
sorted into grades by weight. A set of each grade was planted
at depths of 2, 3, 4, and 6 inches. Nearly all of the larger
bulbs bloomed and produced new lateral bulbs of several sizes
while the bulbs of smaller sizes were, as a rule, vegetative only.
TULIP DROPPERS 471
Not one of the bulbs of these special plantings developed a
dropper.
In other plantings of tulips, of the smaller bulbs planted in
autumn at a depth of two inches there has been an occasional
dropper but usually its length was short. It is clear that
vegetative bulbs planted at shallow depths in autumn do not
regularly develop droppers at least in the first year of their
growth. The ability to form droppers, which it seems is
characteristic of seedling tulips, appears to be lost in the small
bulbs of cultivated races propagated by vegetative multipli-
cation.
At the New York Botanical Garden the best cases of droppers
in the tulip have been found in beds whose bulbs have remained
undisturbed for several years and in which the proportion of
flowering plants was greatly decreased. They have been found
in beds planted with bulbs of small size, but by far the greater
number of such bulbs did not produce droppers.
The formation of droppers is also known for species of Gagea,
a genus of bulbous plants indigenous to the old world, and for
Erythronium of which the yellow adder's tongue is a well known
species of the eastern United States.
The droppers of the Erythroniums have been described and
figured in American botanical journals. They differ from
the droppers of the tulip in that the vegetative leaf does not
contribute to the structure. The dropper is formed from the
part of the stem and from the scale next inside the vegetative
leaf. Droppers also develop from lateral buds and the stem
and leaf portions of these are more or less fused with the main
dropper which thus appears to be branched.
The number of species whose seedlings or vegetative bulbs
have the ability to burrow to lower levels by the formation of
droppers is few. Most bulbous plants burrow to lower depths
by means of contractile roots. The dropper is a highly special-
ized structure produced by the extremely asymmetrical but
coordinated growth of a node and the two internodes adjacent
to it.
472 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
LITERATURE RELATING TO DROPPERS
Blodgett, F. H. 1900 Vegetative reproduction and multiplication in Erythronium-
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 27: 305-315.
Blodgett, F. H. 1901 A tulip with a runner. Torreya 1: 78-79.
Blodgett, F. H. 1909 The stem offshoot in Erythronium propullans, Gray. Johns
Hopkins Univ. Circular, June, 1909.
Blodgett, F. H. 1910 The origin and development of bulbs in the genus Erythronium.
Bot. Gaz. SO: 340-373.
Irmish, Thilo 1850 Zur Morphologie der Monokotylischen Knollen — und Zweibelge-
wachse. Berlin.
Irmish, Thilo 1863 Beitrage zur vergleichende Morphologie der Pflanzen. Tulipa.
Bot. Zeit. 21: 177-181.
Knerr, E. B. The riddle of the Erythroniums. Vicks 111. Monthly Mag. 20: 100-101.
Ratjnkiaer, Christian 1895-1899 De Danske Blomster planters Naturhistorie. Bd.
I. Copenhagen.
Robertson, Agnes 1906 The 'droppers' of Tulipa and Erythronium. Ann. Bot.
20: 429^40.
New York Botanical Garden
Notes from the Arnold
Arboretum
WITH SOME ILLUSTRATIONS OF ARBORETUM SPECIMENS
By Charles Sprague Sargent*
RUITS in the Arboretum. The ripening and
ripe fruits of many hardy trees and shrubs
are as beautiful and often more beautiful than
their flowers; and such plants have a double
value for the decoration of northern gardens,
especially the gardens of the northern United
States. For the climate of this part of the world is suited for
the abundant production and high coloring of the fruits of our
native trees and shrubs and of those of northeastern Asia; and
European plant lovers who come to the Arboretum in summer
and autumn are always astonished and delighted with the
abundance and beauty of the fruits they find here. The list
of trees and shrubs with handsome fruits which can be grown
in New England contains many species of Holly, Ribes, Vibur-
num, Cotoneaster, Cornus, Malus, Sorbus, Amelanchier, Aronia,
Rosa, Prunus, Rhus, Crataegus, Ampelopsis, Berberis, Mag-
nolia, Acer, Acanthopanax and Lonicera. On the Red and
White Maples the fruit ripens early in May, and until the
first of November there will be a succession here of ripening
fruits. The fruits of a few trees and shrubs will remain on the
branches and keep much of their brilliancy until early April,
and there is therefore only a few weeks during the year when
one cannot find showy fruits in the Arboretum.
Honeysuckles as fruit plants. It is not perhaps generally
realized that the fruit of several Honeysuckles is more beautiful
* Reprinted from the Bulletin of Popular Information by permission of Professor
Sargent.
473
474 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
than their flowers, and that among the species which are bushes
and not vines are plants perfectly suited to this northern climate
which are not surpassed in the abundance and brilliancy of
their fruits by any plants which ripen their fruit in summer.
The Honeysuckles which produce the earliest and the showiest
fruit are Lonicera tatarica and some of its hybrids. The Tar-
tarian Honeysuckle, which is a native of western Siberia and
central Asia, is an old inhabitant of gardens and one of the
best shrubs for cold countries, for it can support without injury
the excessive cold of the long winter and the burning sun of
the short summer of the north, fatal to all but a few of the
plants which decorate the gardens of more temperate regions.
It cannot be too often repeated that the Tartarian Honeysuckle
and its hybrids are large, fast-growing plants, that they only
thrive in rich, well-drained soil, and that they can only show
their real beauty when allowed sufficient space for free develop-
ment of their branches. Twenty-five feet between the plants
does not give them too much room. There are many varieties
of the Tartarian Honeysuckle in the Arboretum collection
varying in the color of their flowers and in the color of their
fruits. The varieties of L. tatarica which have this year the
handsomest fruit are the var. rosea with scarlet fruit and var.
lutea with bright yellow fruit. The fruits, however, of some
of the hybrids are more beautiful than those of any of the
varieties of the species. As fruiting plants, the best of these
hybrids which are in the Arboretum are Lonicera bella, L.
muendeniensis , L. notha, and L. amoena. L. bella was raised
in the Botanic Garden at Petrograd and is believed to be the
product of a cross between L. tatarica and the Japanese L.
Morrowii. There are several varieties of this hybrid differing
in the color of their flowers. They are large, free-flowering
plants with large, lustrous red fruit. L. muendeniensis, which
originated in the Botanic Garden at Muenden, is probably
of the same parentage as L. bella altered by a cross with
another species. It is a very vigorous plant with large, lustrous,
orange-red fruit. L. notha, which is believed to be a hybrid
of L. tatarica and L. Ruprechtiana, is another large, vigorous,
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NOTES FROM THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM 477
fast-growing plant with lustrous orange-red fruit. L. notha
and L. muendeniensis as fruit plants are the handsomest of
the large-growing Bush Honeysuckles with dark green leaves
and orange-red fruits. More beautiful when in flower is the
hybrid of L. tatarica with the Persian L. Korolkovii which is
called L. amoena. This is a smaller plant than the other
hybrids of the Tartarian Honeysuckle with pale gray-green
leaves, small pink flowers and small red fruits. When it is
in bloom this plant is considered by many persons the most
beautiful Lonicera in the collection. The Japanese L. Morrowii
is more beautiful when it is covered with its large orange-
red fruits than it is when the yellow and white flowers are
open in early spring. This is a round-topped shrub, much
broader than high, with gray-green foliage, and long lower
branches which cling close to the ground. When it can have
sufficient room in which to grow this is one of the handsomest
of the Honeysuckles and one of the best shrubs introduced
into the United States by the Arboretum. There are two
hybrids of this species in the collection, L. minutiflora with
small, translucent, yellow fruit, and L. muscaviensis with large
bright scarlet fruit. They are large, hardy and fast-growing
plants. Very different are the bright blue fruits of the different
geographical forms of the widely distributed Lonicera coerulea.
These fruits are beautiful but they are a good deal covered by
the leaves, and the plants are not as conspicuous at this
season of the year as the Tartarian and several of the other
Bush Honeysuckles. The bright red fruit of Lonicera tricho-
saniha is conspicuous in the last weeks of July. This is a
shrub now three or four feet tall in the Arboretum, with erect
stems, large yellow and white flowers, and fruits rather larger
than those of the Tartarian Honeysuckle. It is a native of
northern and central China and promises to be a useful addi-
tion to summer fruiting shrubs. The fruits of two western
American Bush Honeysuckles, L. involucrata and its varieties
and L. Ledebourii ripen in July and are handsome and pecu-
liar, for the large, lustrous black berries rise from the much
enlarged bractlets of the flowers which are bright red and
478 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
much reflexed. One of the most interesting of these plants
is the variety serotina of Lonicera involucrata. This has bright
yellow flowers flushed with scarlet which do not open until
July; the enlarged bractlets of this Colorado plant are spread-
ing, not reflexed.
The tree with the showiest fruits in the Arboretum in July
is the Tartarian Maple {Acer tataricum) which is an early-
flowering, very hardy small tree from southeastern Europe
and western Asia. The wings of the fruit are bright red, and
their beauty is heightened by the contrast of the dark green
leaves. The female plants of the so-called Mountain Holly
{Nemopanihus mucronata) are handsome in July when their
rose-red berrylike fruits are ripe. Nemopanthus, which be-
longs to the Holly Family, consists of a single species which
is common in cool moist woods in the northeastern United
States and eastern Canada, and is a wide round-topped shrub
with erect stems covered with gray bark, thin pale green leaves
and inconspicuous flowers. It has taken kindly to cultivation
in the Arboretum where there are a number of plants in
the Holly Collection in the rear of the Horsechestnut Collec-
tion. The snow-white fruits of the red and yellow-flowered
forms of the North American Cornus stolonifera ripen in July.
Very beautiful in winter from the bright coloring of its stems
and branches, this Cornel is equally beautiful in July and
August when it is covered with its large and abundant clus-
ters of fruit. A garden form of the Old World Cornus alba
(var. Rosenthalii) is fruiting abundantly this year and promises
to be a valuable addition to July and August fruiting shrubs.
Indigofera. Five species of this genus of the Pea family
bloom in the Arboretum during July. They are small plants
with handsome flowers in terminal racemes, well suited to
decorate a garden border. The three species with pink flowers,
/. Kirilowii, a native of northern China, Manchuria and Korea,
/. Potaninii and /. amblyantha are perfectly hardy and the
last will continue to open its small flowers on the lengthening
racemes until October. The other species, /. Gerardiana and
/. decora, are killed to the ground every winter, but like herba-
479
480 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
ceous plants produce new stems in the spring which never
fail to flower during the summer. /. decora is a native of
southern China, and in the Arboretum the flowers are pure
white. /. Gerardiana, which is a native of the northwestern
Himalayas, has gray-green foliage and rose-purple flowers.
This is the least beautiful of the five species now growing in
the Arboretum. The collection still needs /. hebepetala, another
Himalayan plant which is rarely seen in English gardens. It
has red flowers, in elongated racemes, and, judging by the
picture of it which has been published, is a handsome plant.
This and another red-flowered Himalayan species, I. atropur-
purea, are desired by the Arboretum.
Rubus laciniatus. This European plant, which produces long
red stems and deeply divided leaflets, is one of the handsomest
of the Brambles and is well suited to cover banks or to train
over fences and arbors. In England it is valued for its fruit
which is described as "one of the finest blackberries in size and
flavor." In competition with some of the American black-
berries it will not probably find much favor in this country.
There are two double-flowered Brambles in the collection which
bloom in July and which are also important ornamental
plants, verr well suited to cover arbors and fences. They pro-
duce in a season stems from ten to twenty feet long and their
white or pink flowers in long, many-flowered crowded clusters
resemble minature Roses. These plants are called Rubus ulmi-
folius var. bellidiflorus and R. thyrsoideus flore pleno, and seem
to be little known in the United States.
Schizophragma hydrangeoides must be included among the
shrubs which flower in July. This beautiful climbing plant
has not had a successful career in the Arboretum. Seeds were
first sent here in December, 1876, from Sapporo in northern
Japan with those of Hydrangea petiolaris, Syringa japonica,
Phellodendron sachalinense and other interesting plants. A
large number of Schizophragma plants were raised and sent
to other American and European gardens. Those planted in
the Arboretum never flourished, and soon disappeared, prob-
ably because the right place was not found for them. Plants
~r-, . . ;■.,;■; r
DEUTZIA LEMOINEI
BOULE DE NEIGE
481
482 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
raised later also disappeared; and it is a matter of some satis-
faction at the Arboretum that this beautiful plant, after forty-
three years of failure, is at last established on the Administration
Building where it has flowered this year for the first time. It
clings as firmly to the brick wall as Hydrangea petiolaris; the
leaves are smaller, more circular in shape, more coarsely toothed
and of a darker color. When in flower Schizophragma is more
interesting, although not as showy as the Hydrangea, for in-
stead of the surrounding ring of neutral flowers there are only
two neutral flowers to each of the divisions of the large com-
pound inflorescence; these neutral flowers are white, ovate,
often an inch or more long, and hang on long slender stems an
inch in length. Schizophragma appears to be an exceedingly
rare plant in American gardens in which Hydrangea petiolaris
often passes for it.
Summer Flowering Trees. Several trees with handsome or
interesting flowers bloom in the Arboretum in July and August.
All these and many summer flowering shrubs should find a
place in gardens which are chiefly used during July, August
and September, that is in many northern seashore gardens.
The most important of summer flowering trees here are the
Lindens. Some of the species begin to flower about the middle
of June, but in the Arboretum collection are Linden trees which
are covered until the end of July with their beautiful fragrant
flowers, beloved of bees. In the meadow on the righthand
side of the Meadow Road there is a large collection of these
trees with many species, hybrids and varieties. Among them
are trees of great beauty of habit, and trees which can be suc-
cessfully used in New England to shade streets and roads and
to decorate parks. A careful study of the Linden collection
in the Arboretum during June and July will repay lovers and
planters of trees.
Koelreuteria panicnlata. This Chinese tree blooms during
July. It can be seen on the right-hand side of the Meadow
Road beyond the Evonymus Collection. Koelreuteria is a
medium-sized tree with large, dark green compound leaves and
large erect clusters of bright yellow flowers which are followed
NOTES FROM THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM 483
by conspicuous bladder-like fruits. This tree is now often
planted in this country, especially in the middle states. In
nursery catalogues it often appears as "The Japanese Lacquer-
Tree," an absurd name, for it is not a Japanese tree and it
does not produce lacquer.
The Aralia Family furnishes the Arboretum with three hand-
some trees which flower in late summer and early autumn.
They are Acanihopanax ricinifolium, Aralia spinosa and A.
chinensis and its varieties. The Acanthopanax is a tree which
is common in the forests of northern Japan, Korea and China
where it is often seventy or eighty feet high with a massive
trunk and great wide-spreading branches armed, like the stems
of young trees, with many stout prickles. The leaves hang
down on long stalks and are nearly circular, five- or seven-
lobed and often fifteen or sixteen inches in diameter. The
small white flowers are produced in compact, long-stalked
clusters which form a flat compound, terminal panicle from
twelve to eighteen inches across and are followed late in the
autumn by shining black fruits which do not fall until after
the beginning of winter. This tree is perfectly hardy in the
Arboretum where it has been growing for twenty-four years
and where it has flowered and ripened its seeds now for several
seasons. It is one of the most interesting trees in the collection
and, because it is so unlike other trees of the northern hemi-
sphere, it is often said to resemble a tree of the tropics. Aralia
spinosa, the so-called Hercules' Club of the southern states
where it is a common inhabitant of the borders of woods and
the banks of streams, is a tree often thirty feet high with a
tall trunk and wide-spreading branches covered with stout
orange-colored prickles. The leaves, which are borne at the
ends of the branches, are long-stalked, twice pinnate, and from
three to four feet long and two and one-half feet wide. The
small white flowers are arranged in compound clusters which
rise singly or two or three together above the leaves and are
three or four feet long. The fruit is black, rather less than
a quarter of an inch in diameter, and ripens in early autumn.
It is now well established on the slope at the northern base of
484
NOTES FROM THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM 485
Hemlock Hill in the rear of the Laurel plantation and is now
spreading rapidly there over a considerable area by shoots
from underground stems. The Asiatic tree-Aralia resembles
in habit and general appearance the American Hercules' Club,
but is distinct from that tree in the absence of stalks to the
leaflets. There are a number of geographical forms of this
tree; the one which is most commonly cultivated in this country
is a native of Manchuria and eastern Siberia (var. mandshurica)
which is sometimes found in nurseries under the name of
Dimorphanthus mandshuricus. The Japanese form (var. glabre-
scens) is chiefly distinguished from it by the pale color of the
under surface of the leaflets; it is less hardy than the Man-
churian form and is not often seen in this country.
Sophora japonica, sometimes called the Pagoda-tree, is in
spite of its name a Chinese tree which has been cultivated in
Japan for more than a thousand years, and as it first reached
Europe from that country was long considered a native of
Japan. It is a round-headed tree which in Peking, where it
has been much planted, has grown to a large size and looks
from a distance like an Oak-tree. The leaves and branchlets
are dark green, and the small, creamy white, pea-shaped flowers,
which open here in August, are produced in great numbers in
narrow, erect, terminal clusters. There are also in the collection
the form with long pendent branches (var. pendula) which rarely
flowers, and a young plant of the form with erect branches
(var. pyramidalis) .
Oxydendrum arbor eum, the Sour Wood or Sorrel- tree, so-
called from the acrid taste of the leaves, is the only American
tree in the Arboretum which flowers in August. It is a native
of the Appalachian forests from southwestern Pennsylvania
and is most common on mountain slopes, but reaches the
coast of Virginia and North Carolina. The Sorrel-tree, which
is perfectly hardy in New England, is a beautiful tree with
bright green shining leaves which turn bright scarlet in the
autumn, white Andromeda-like flowers erect on the branches
of spreading or slightly drooping terminal clusters, and pale
capsular fruits which in the autumn are conspicuous among
486 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
the brilliant leaves. There is a group of these trees among
the Laurels at the base of Hemlock Hill.
Summer Flowering Shrubs. Many shrubs with conspicuous
flowers bloom in the Arboretum during the summer months.
The list includes the Heathers (Calluna vulgaris), and several
species of Genista and Cytisus. Of this European group the
handsomest which can be grown here is the bright yellow-
flowered Cytisus nigricans, the yellow-flowered C. capitatus,
the white-flowered C. leucanthus and the yellow-flowered Woad
Wax and its varieties (Genista tinctoria), too well known in
Essex County, Massachusetts, where, escaped from cultivation,
it has ruined many hundred acres of hillside pastures. The
Lespedezas with their abundant purple, pea-shaped flowers,
and the handsomest of the Chinese Buddleias bloom late,
as do the very hardy Acanthopanax sessiliflorum, a vigorous
shrub of eastern Siberia, most conspicuous in winter when the
compact round clusters of the shining black fruits are on the
ends of the branches. The Japanese Hydrangea paniculata
and its varieties, and the Hydrangeas of North America pro-
duce here the showiest July and August flowers. The early-
flowered forms of Hydrangea paniculata (var. praecox) which
are the handsomest of the group, flower in early July. The
most popular of these American plants is the form of H.
arborescens (var. grandiflora) with snow-ball-like heads of white
sterile flowers. There is a similar abnormal form of another
of the American species, H. cinerea. More beautiful, and one
of the handsomest of the genus, H. quercifolia flowers in July.
This is an unusual event for this shrub, which is a native of the
southern states, and is frequently killed to the ground here. In
the middle and southern states it is an important and valued
garden ornament. Of the American Hydrangeas which are
perfectly hardy in the north the handsomest is H. radiata, a
native of mountain slopes in North and South Carolina, once
a popular garden plant but now rarely cultivated. It is a
broad, round-topped shrub with leaves of ample size, dark
green above and silvery white below, and broad flat heads of
flowers surrounded by a ring of white neutral flowers.
DAPHNE MEZEREUM ALBA
487
488 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Amorpha canescens, the Lead Plant, is beginning to open
its small, violet-colored flowers arranged in long, narrow clus-
tered spikes, which are conspicuous by the contrast with the
color of the leaves and branches and are thickly covered with
gray down. This plant is a native of the Mississippi valley
where it grows on low prairies from Indiana and Minnesota to
Texas.
Aesculus parviflora occupies an important place among sum-
mer flowering shrubs. This native of the southeastern states
is hardy in the north, and with abundant space and in good
soil will spread into great thickets with stems seven or eight
feet high. Toward the end of July it is covered with its
tall, narrow, erect spikes of small white flowers which stand up
well above the foliage.
Cornus paucinervis suffered somewhat in the cold winter of
1917-18, as was to have been expected, as it grows naturally
at low levels in central China where the Orange flourishes and
rarely ascends to altitudes of three thousand feet. It has
recovered, however, and flowered in July. If it were a little
hardier it would be one of the best summer flowering shrubs
introduced by Wilson from China. It is a shrub five or six
feet tall with erect stems, small, narrow, pointed leaves with
only two or three pairs of prominent veins, small clusters of
white flowers and black fruits.
Practical Horticultural Notes
RINGING FRUIT TREES
INGING luxuriant branches of fruit trees which
produce few or no blossom buds is a fairly
common practice. This applies to the pippin
fruits, apples and pears; not to plums and
other stone fruits, as with these it is apt to
cause gumming. When applied to the luxu-
riant branches of apple or pear trees that produce large leaves
but few or no blossom buds, ringing, if properly done at the
right time, is almost certain to change their entire character.
The right time to operate is early in June, and the correct
method is to remove a ring of bark about a quarter of an inch
wide, not more, toward the lower part of the branch. This
arrests the upward rush of crude sap, and the downward elabo-
rated current changes the buds from barren wood into prof-
itable fruit producers. An important point to remember is
that the strong young branches should be a sufficient distance
apart for the sun to shine between them and directly on the
leaves. The overcrowding of the branches of young fruit
trees is a serious error. — S. M. Beer.
THE HONEY BEE AND THE GARDEN
A few hives of honey bees ought to be kept and cared for
in every garden. Besides the pleasure and profit there is
in producing ones own honey supply, there is the larger and
more important work done by these most useful and interesting
little insects in the pollination of all fruit and berry blossoms
and thereby securing for the owner a larger crop of well de-
veloped fruit. There is always to be found a suitable spot
in the garden where a few hives of bees can be placed in such
489
490 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
a way that the bees will have a free flight in front of the hives
for a space of ten to fifteen feet and if possible a little shade
from the midday sun. There is no danger of the bees going
out of their way to sting anyone, but they will resent inter-
ference with their free passage directly in front of their hives.
A novice bee-keeper should procure a good book on the subject
such as the "A, B, C, and X, Y, Z, of Bee Culture" by Root.
Bee-keeping is one of the most interesting pastimes and as
one becomes more acquainted with their wonderful organization
and housekeeping order, one will very soon develop a great
affection for those little busybodies, even though one may
receive an occasional sting through carelessness in handling
the frames or in taking away some of their surplus stores of
honey. — S. W. Carlquist.
SUMMER NOTES
Buddleyas are making a wonderful growth this season and
were never seen better. They wintered splendidly, which I
ascribe to two reasons: a mild winter and not cutting them
down at the time winter covering was put on, as formerly we
lost by this practice three quarters of our plantings.
Hollyhocks which also wintered well are making a stately
show with no disease to disfigure and weaken them, which
however, cannot be said of the January sown stock which is
throwing up flower stalks now, and which are already becoming
blighted. — A. Martini.
DISCOVERY OF POTATO WART IN THE UNITED STATES*
The dreaded wart disease of the Irish potato has been dis-
covered in the United States. A letter accompanied by speci-
mens of the disease was sent from Highland, Pa., to Prof. J. G.
Sanders, of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at
Harrisburg, about the middle of last September. Highland
is a small village located near Freeland, in Luzerne County,
* From a recent warning sent out by the Department of Agriculture at Washington.
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 491
in the anthracite coal-mining region of Pennsylvania. A hasty
survey of this region has shown the presence of the disease
in 27 cities and villages in Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Carbon
Counties. All except three of these points of infection lie
within a rather small area, about 18 miles in length and 12
miles in breadth. The three points outside of this area are
not very distant from each other or from the region of general
infection.
In some villages the disease was found in only a few gardens,
while in others 50 or more gardens showed its presence. Its
severity varied greatly in different places. In a few gardens
the infection was so severe as practically to destroy the crop,
and it was learned that in most of these places the wart had
been present for at least four years.
The wart is believed to have come into the United States
on potatoes imported from European countries. This disease
has been gradually spreading over Europe, and in recent years
has done considerable damage, especially in England and Ire-
land. The United States Department of Agriculture gave
warning of the danger of importing this wart in Circular No.
52, issued in 1910 and in Farmers' Bulletin 489. In the hope
of keeping it out of America, the Federal Horticultural Board
in 1912 placed an embargo on potatoes coming from countries
where the disease was known to exist. This embargo became
effective on September 20, 1912. Before it took effect, however,
several million bushels of the crop of 1911 had been shipped
into this country from Europe. Twelve carloads of these pota-
toes are known to have been distributed in the district where the
disease now occurs. Whether or not the wart has established
itself in other parts of the country where European potatoes
were shipped is not at present known. It will not be surpris-
ing, however, if other points of infection are found, and potato
growers, potato buyers, market inspectors, and especially county
agents, should be on the lookout for it in all parts of the country.
Like many other diseases, the wart is easier to prevent than
to control. It is highly important that all localities where
it occurs be discovered as soon as possible, in order that proper
measures may be taken to prevent its further spread.
492 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
As the name indicates, the disease is characterized by warty
outgrowths on the underground portions of the plant. The
warts vary greatly in size, but are frequently as large as a
walnut. Infections usually start at the eyes, but may take
place at other points on the surface of the tuber. Sometimes
entire tubers are converted into a spongy, warty mass. Badly
warted tubers are unsalable and for the most part unfit for
food. The oversucculent tissues of the warts are highly sus-
ceptible to attack by parasitic fungi and bacteria. Many of
the warts rot in the ground before the crop is harvested, while
others rot soon after the potatoes are put into storage. Fre-
quently, however, especially in the case of small warts, the
tissues dry down before being attacked by secondary rot-
producing organisms. In such cases the diseased tubers keep
through the winter. Young warts are usually light brown in
color. After decay begins they turn black, and this has led
English authors to refer to the disease as "black scab" or
"black wart." Some of the warts left on the field at digging
time may remain alive under suitable conditions for months.
Young warts when exposed to light become green. Sound
warts frequently send up sprouts. New warts may arise from
the tender portions of such young sprouts. In this way the
disease may continue to vegetate long after the potato crop
has been harvested.
The warts occur abundantly on the tubers, stolons, and
underground portions of the main stem. They occur sparingly
on the roots and have been reported on potato leaves that came
in contact with infested soil. So far as known, the disease
never seriously affects the growth of the potato vines. It
does not kill the host plant. With the exception of the night-
shade (Solanum nigrum L.) and the bittersweet (S. Dulcamara
L.), two closely related solanaceous plants, the potato is the
only plant known to be attacked by the wart disease.
The wart is caused by a parasitic fungus, one of the lowest
members of the Chytridiacese, a group of parasites that attack
the stems, leaves, and especially the roots of many wild and
cultivated plants. Although it belongs in the same great group
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 493
of fungi as the common bread mold, it produces no mold growth
and is so small that it can hardly be seen with the naked eye.
Wart is usually considered to be one of the most serious of
potato diseases. It has done considerable damage in certain
districts of England and in Ireland. Most English authorities
hold that it is a very serious disease but others seem to consider
it of little economic importance.
The disease has frequently been very severe in small gardens
where potatoes are grown year after year on the same plats. It
has not been so severe in fields where crop rotation is practiced.
One writer says: "The disease has caused most damage in
gardens or allotments where potatoes are grown every year,
but in a few cases there has also been serious loss in potatoes
grown in a 4-year rotation." The writer observed the disease
in gardens in Pennsylvania during the past autumn. In some
gardens the infection was so severe that the crop was practically
a total loss. Three short rows taken at random in one badly
infested garden were dug at harvest time. These rows gave
approximately 150 hills, but not a single sound potato was ob-
tained. All of the tubers were more or less warted, and many of
them were entirely converted into warty overgrowths. Appar-
ently the severity of the disease depends on the degree of in-
festation of the soil. This, in turn, depends on the number of
diseased potato plants that have been grown per unit of area in
previous years and on the thoroughness with which the spores
have been distributed throughout the soil. Each infected crop,
by liberating millions of spores, adds momentum to the disease.
If potatoes are grown year after year on the same field, a point
is finally reached where the soil is so filled with viable resting
sporangia that not a single plant or even a single tuber can
escape infection. In such a soil it is no longer possible to grow
sound tubers, and under such conditions the disease is one of
the most destructive of all those that attack the potato. On
the other hand, it may prove that where a proper rotation of
crops is maintained there is little to fear from the wart disease.
— L. O. Kunkel.
We regret to record the death on August 28 at New-
port of Charles Frederick Hoffman. He was one of the
founders of the Club, helped in its incorporation, and
served on its Board of Governors. His death has re-
moved one of the Club's staunchest supporters who
strove constantly to further the work for which he helped
to organize it.
494
Journal oj the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill DECEMBER, 1919 No. 4
CONTENTS
Pacific Coast Lilies and Their Culture, by Carl Purely 497
Winter Work with Roses, by Alfred W. Greeley 533
The Shakespeare Garden, by Esther Singleton 545
The Californian Tree Yucca, by Ernest Braunton 567
The Gardens of Ancient Mexico, by Zelia Nuttall 572
What Should a Garden Be? by William C. Egan 591
My Garden in Florida, by Henry Nehrling 595
Curiosities of Plant Life, by Alexander Lurie and G. H. Pring. . . . 627
Book Reviews 643
Practical Horticultural Notes 646
495
I.II.IUM IIUMBOI.DTII
4«)6
Journal of the
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
Vol. Ill
DECEMBER, 1919
No. 4
Pacific Coast Lilies and their
Culture
By Carl Purdy
N an article in the June number of the Journal
I gave some notes on general conditions on this
coast as bearing on acclimatization of plants in
the Eastern United States. In this number I
treat the Western Liliums in detail.
Some species of the Western Lilies and nota-
bly L. Pardal inum, L. Washingtonianum type and L.Humboldtii
were sent to the Eastern United States and to Europe at an
early date and for the last thirty years good collected bulbs of
nearly all of the species are available for culture. In Europe
and especially in England they have been well tried out and
many of them quite as successfully as the generality of world
Liliums.
It is difficult to generalize on lily culture. Each species has
some individuality as to likes and dislikes and some are very
decidedly difficult until the exact equation is discovered. Then
there are matters never explained, as for instance why the
common Madonna Lily luxuriates in English cottage gardens
yet is often the despair of the highest trained gardeners. I
497
498 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
feel that no matter how skilled the grower or easy the species
there is an element of experiment in the culture of all lilies
and that the lily grower always has something new to learn. But
against an element of uncertainty as to lilies in general rests
the comforting fact that nearly every grower can succeed with
a number of fine species.
At the Lily Conference held in London July 1901, a paper
on "Western American Lilies" written by the writer was read.
Lately Mr. A. Grove, an Englishman, has written a valuable
monograph on the world's lilies which is the latest authority.
As Mr. Grove's data on Western Lilies was, I think, entirely
secured through cooperation with the writer I take it that,
unless perhaps in nomenclature, our conclusions vary but little.
All of the Western American Lilies would fall under Baker's
Eulirion or funnel shaped flowers, or Martagon with the seg-
ments revolute, but for the purposes of this article I shall dis-
regard this division and group them as to their affinities in bulb
and habitat. This because the article is designed rather to
give data on culture than as a key to species.
I will therefore divide them into three groups.
Group I. Lilium Humboldtii typifies these. They have
ovoid or ovate bulbs composed of long closely overlapping
scales not usually jointed. The flowers are of the Revolute type.
Group II. Lilies with ovate or ovoid bulbs of long over-
lapping scales not usually jointed and with funnel-form flowers
excepting Kellogii in which they are revolute.
Group III. Lilies with rhizomatous running bulbs having
a central core densely covered with small overlapping scales
which are nearly always jointed. The flowers may be revolute,
broadly, or narrowly funnel form. Lilium Pardalinum, L.
Parryii, L. parvum, and L. maritimum respectively typify these
which for convenience will be treated separately, with some
notes on related forms. All of these are usually called Bog
Lilies. All of them are found within the boundaries of the
great state of California. Seven of them extend into Southern
Oregon and three throughout Western Oregon, while but one
crossed the Columbia River and extend to British Columbia.
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 499
One only is certainly found in Arizona and possibly New
Mexico while one possibly grows in Lower California. Neither
the first nor the second group have any close affinities either
east of the Rocky Mountains in America or in the Old World.
Mr. Burbank was unable to cross any of them with Old World
lilies in a cross which showed any signs of interbreeding. All
of them can be and have been intercrossed.
The third group has in Lilium superbum a near relative of
L. Pardalinum and in L. canadense a first cousin of L. parvum.
GROUP I
L. HUMBOLDTII
The bulbs are large, often measuring 8 inches in circum-
ference and not infrequently up to 15 inches, are nearly ovate
and very compact and of thick unjointed scales. They are
very easily handled either dry or in barely moist packing.
The stems are very stout and self supporting and rather
rough as is the foliage. The larger portion of the leaves are
disposed in many whorls, while the large flowers are from six
or eight in small plants, to twenty to thirty very commonly,
and up to eighty in exceptionally fine specimens. As the lower
pedicels are quite long and as they reduce as they ascend the
inflorescence of a fine plant is almost a perfect pyramid. The
perianth is 3 to 4 inches long and closely revolute, nodding,
and of a rich orange color. Many claret colored dots are on the
central portion. In size of flowers it averages about as in
L. speciosum.
It is found only in the Sierra Nevada range of Central Cali-
fornia and usually at an altitude of from 2500 to 4000 feet. There
is an exception however in a large colony on the Sacramento
River at little over 300 feet above sea level. It is a woodland
lily found associated with Yellow Pine (P. ponderosa) and
deciduous oaks, but is more likely to be found in an open forest
where the trees are scattered in a park-like manner. There it
is not confined to any exposure but is scattered widely and
usually in a rather clayey soil. Still I have seen it in an
500 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
alluvial deposit in open canyons and on the Sacramento River
it is in a sticky black clay (adobe).
It might well be supposed that it is strictly a woodland lily
and it is so naturally, but where, as often occurs, the land is
cleared and orchards or grain fields succeed the forests, this
lily can be seen larger and finer than is the rule in woodlands
and the bulbs are wonderfully fine. Undoubtedly the culti-
vation tends to keep the moisture up. But on the other hand
the California summer in that region is very hot and the sun
baking very severe.
I think that without question its natural distribution in
woodlands is only due to the fact that its seeds need the moisture
nearer the surface and the protection, but that when they are
once well started it is immaterial. A year ago I saw hundreds
in a vineyard flowering finely among the grapes.
To diverge a little from the subject, I think that practically
all lilies which flower freely the first season after planting have
a liberal supply of roots above the bulbs, and that the best
forcing lilies are those in which this tendency is most marked.
These upper roots feed the flowering stem but do little to de-
velop the bulb. The basal roots which are the mainstay of the
plant are much slower in developing and we often find this
conspicuous in Lilium auratum. We have a glorious bloom
the first year with heavy roots above the bulb, but in the fall
we find that the bulb has decreased in size or even disappeared
altogether. It is easy to flower Lilium auratum well, hard to
establish it.
Lilium Humboldtii has no roots above the bulb and is a little
slow in forming roots at the base, and so the grower need look
for no flowers the first year or even find that the bulb lies
dormant with no stem at all. But when once established it
is a strong grower and very persistent. I am sure that wild
bulbs are often twenty or thirty years old and I would not doubt
a century.
In California the decay of the old scales proceeds very slowly,
each year a scar is left by the growing stem and I have often
counted fifteen or twenty scars, each recording a year of lily
LILIUM HUMBOLDTII
MAGNIFICUM
:01
502 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
life, while even then a mass of leaf mold shows where still older
growth preceded the earliest of these scars.
In cultivation at The Terraces I find L. Hiimboldtii most easy
and this whether in a reddish soil rather clayey, in gravelly
soil rich with humus, in silty soil with much lime, or in an
alluvium. Elsewhere it takes well to heavy clays. I cannot
see but that in any of the aforementioned soils it does as well
as in its native home.
LILIUM HUMBOLDTII MAGNIFICUM
A large strong growing lily with stem and foliage much like
the type. The foliage is rather darker and smoother. In
form, size of flower and manner of inflorescence it is also similar,
but in color very different. The basic color is rich orange but
there are many purple-maroon dots each encircled with crimson,
and often almost covering the entire orange base. It is a most
striking coloration.
In bulb the two are quite dissimilar. Magnificum has an
ovoid or elongated bulb of thick scales some of which are always
jointed and often several jointed. With slight exposure the
bulb colors a deep purple.
Also most distinct is the fact that a very liberal supply of
roots are formed above the bulb, that even small bulbs flower
and that any fair bulb is sure to give a good bloom the first
year as well as to root well at the base for permanent estab-
lishment. This makes this variety a most excellent garden
lily. I know of few better.
A native of Southern California, it is found in the range facing
the ocean beginning at Santa Barbara and on down to Los Angeles
and in the mountains east of that city. Within this region its
distribution is only in the canyons and a hundred feet or so
from the bottom. This is due without doubt to the need of
its upper root system for surface moisture, which in that rather
arid region would not be found elsewhere.
It is often very deep seated. In some of the Southern Cali-
fornian mountains there are peculiar canyons with flat bottoms
LILIUM HUMBOLDTII
MAGNIFICUM
503
504 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
from 50 to 100 feet wide built up of round boulders and alluvial
soil. In these bottoms I saw this lily as much as 12 feet high
with unbelievably hepv-* stems.
Robert Kessler saw a w ild specimen about 12 feet high and had
85 flowers. At Sierra Mad re in the valley east of Los Angeles a
garden specimen was seen two years ago that produced two stems
with 100 flowers and last year three stems and 85 flowers. The
first year the stems were 11 feet high and last year 8 feet.
Some of the bulbs were fully 3 feet down and many 2 feet.
I take it however that this was rather from debris being washed
over established bulbs than through the bulbs seeking that
level, but it demonstrates that lilies can be planted very deep
if the soil is sweet and well drained.
Early botanical writers described a Lilium Humboldt ii ocel-
latum and their figures and descriptions cover both this lily and
the next. For garden use however I prefer the name given
above as it is now well established.
LILIUM HUMBOLDTII BLOOMERIANUM OR LILIUM BLOOMERIANUM
This lily is exactly like the preceding excepting that it is a
minor form. It is a handsome slender lily growing from 2\ to
4 feet in height with from a few to twenty fine flowers colored
as in magnificum .
Its bulbs are conspicuously jointed with two or three joints
which easily detach so that unless handled very carefully the
bulb becomes truncated. It is easily grown and a sure, free
bloomer.
In the two southern counties of California adjoining the line
of Lower California striking, separate short mountain ranges
rise from a comparatively low country and to quite a height.
I have not the data at hand but I think as high as 10,000 feet.
While very arid at their base the upper reaches are clothed with
beautiful forests of pine and deciduous trees and it is here that
Lilium Humboldtii Bloomer ianum finds its home.
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 505
LILIUM COLUMBIANUM
This beautiful lily has a small bulb seldom weighing over an
ounce and composed like that of Humboldtii of closely appressed
lanceolate scales which are not jointed. Its foliage is a light
pleasing green, smooth and mostly in whorls, the few to perhaps
a dozen flowers are a light orange perhaps well described as
golden, with some small dottings. The segments are closely
revolute. It is hardy, graceful and adaptable — a nice lily to
do with.
Its extremely wide and varied habitat well demonstrates
its adaptability. In California it first occurs close to the ocean
near Humboldt Bay well to the northwest corner of the state.
There it is in sandy soils on raised ocean beaches and in the
open among scattered shrubs. The ocean is near at hand and
the climate is very rainy in winter and foggy in summer. A
little further north in Southern Oregon it is scattered through
open woodland in the moister reaches. In the Willamette
Valley, the great Valley of Oregon, in the Puget Sound region
and north in coastal British Columbia it is very widely dis-
tributed in open woodlands and usually associated with the
Brake ferns. I have seen it among ferns 5 or 6 feet high only
slightly overtopping them. Throughout these regions the
soil varies greatly, now rather clayey, then decidedly sandy,
but always with an abundance of leaf mold at the surface.
East of the great Cascade range in northeast Oregon and on
up into British Columbia it is widely scattered as a woodland
lily associated with ferns. In this region it meets a decided
winter not far from that of New York in cold, but drier.
I find no difficulty with its cultivation in any type of garden
loam, while it is happy in a sandy loam. The bulbs are very
easily handled but being small there is much danger of their
losing vitality by being handled too dry. I think it better
to keep in barely moist peat from the first until planted.
506 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
LILIUM BOLANDERII
This is quite different from the other lilies of this group and
indeed from all other lilies. The bulbs are like those of L.
Colnmbianum but composed of fewer and thicker scales. They
are small. The leaves are smooth, the foliage rather dark
and the few flowers half erect, funnel-formed with spreading
tips and of a peculiar red rather approaching a brick red. The
inner base is faintly dotted and the lily at large rather suggests
a Fritillaria.
It is one of the most local of Lilies, and is found only near
the border of California and Oregon and probably a square of
20 miles would include every wild specimen. It is found mostly
at an altitude of from 3000 to 5000 feet.
It was mistakenly ascribed to Humboldt County, California
by Sereno Watson who named it, but that was due to the con-
fusion of herbarium specimens with Lilum Kellogii. Through
this odd confusion Professor Bolander an eminent early botanist
after whom it was named as its discoverer never saw it until
years later.
In its native home it is either found in very open woods or
associated with low growing shrubs and in a reddish mineralized
soil which is rather clayey than otherwise.
In cultivation a well drained soil either clayey or gravelly
meets its needs and I cannot say that it is a particularly difficult
lily if — There is always an "if."
In this case it is that it is rather difficult to handle the bulbs
without overdrying unless they are collected late, say past
mid October on. If then never allowed to dry but packed
in moist leaf mold or peat they can be kept in good order.
Overdrying is not so dangerous in a large lily bulb but in
the case of a bull) an ounce or so in weight it is decidedly
devitalizing.
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 507
GROUP II
LILIUM WASHINGTONIANUM
The typical Lilium Washingtonianum is a large strong-
growing lily with a bulb composed of long and slender rather
thin, overlapping scales and in the wild bulbs the bulb is much
elongated laterally. This is not true in cultivation.
Both stem and leaves are smooth and of a pleasing light
green, and the leaves are disposed in many-leaved whorls.
The large funnel-formed flowers vary from a few to thirty but
exceptional plants bear far more and even fifty may be found.
Many years ago I visited a mountain side where thousands
were from 4 to 7 feet high and had borne from twenty to thirty
blossoms. If in the shade the stems tend to be slender but in
the open they are often quite stout.
The petals are 2\ to 3 inches long and the tips merely broadly
spreading — not recurved. This makes quite a large flower.
The color is uniformly white in the type and there may be
small purple dots at the center.
It is a gloriously lovely lily in every way but I think that its
greatest charm is in the exquisite spicy fragrance unexcelled
by any flower. In its flowering season it perfumes the moun-
tain sides, yet has not the overpowering sweetness of some of
the Japanese lilies.
As the traveler ascends the long westerly slope of the Sierras
of Central California he finds Lilium Washingtonianum shortly
after he leaves Lilium Humboldtii and from 4000 to 7000 feet
altitude. It is widely distributed from the Yosemite Valley
northward to where the Sierras end southeast of Mount Shasta.
Seldom really in woodlands, it is usually found in copses of
shrubbery through which it grows. If the copses are burned
it simply luxuriates for about three years and numbers of seed-
lings grow. As the shrubbery grows up it dies out excepting
where the shrubbery is least dense. I have seen it wonderfully
happy just below where a melting snow bank watered it in
late July.
508 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
The native soils in these regions are always open and rather
loose. While often of volcanic origin they are usually in
appearance a sandy loam well mixed with mold. Perfect
drainage is ever present.
LILIUM
WASHINGTONIANUM
I wish that I could recommend this grand lily for general
culture but after well toward forty years acquaintance with it
I can point to few successes. Perhaps others will grasp the
point which I have missed.
It has no roots above the bulbs and roots at the base rather
slowly. While strong flowering stems are usually pushed up
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 509
the first year there is not the root system to support them and
they develop poorly.
One great trouble in its culture is the strong tendency of
collected bulbs to go quickly into a soft rot. While I have
handled some lots of it successfully I have never found a way
in which there is any assurance of doing so. The reader will
note that these remarks apply only to the Sierran typical
form.
LILIUM WASHINGTONIANUM MINOR
This handsome lily is found about the base of Mount Shasta
in California and more rarely northwest for about 50 miles.
It has a small compact bulb about one quarter the size of the
type and bulbs weighing 4 ounces are extremely large for it.
The stems are slender and seldom over 4 feet high and a
dozen flowers to the stem are to be seen in well developed
plants. The segments of the flower are rather broader than
in the type but in fragrance and other points it is the same.
The bulb is more easily handled and grown.
In very open woods and among brushy copses it is to be
found in a reddish volcanic soil. The altitude is from 3500 to
6000 feet and the winters quite severe. To Californians this
is the Shasta Lily.
There is a point in the Siskiyou Range where the following
lilies may be found within ten miles. L. Columbianum, L.
Washingtonianum minor, L. Washingtonianum pnrpiireum, L.
Bolanderii, L. Roezlii and L. Kellogii. I doubt if at any other
point in the world as many lily species are found.
LILIUM WASHINGTONIANUM PURPUREUM
With a stout stem, and leaves as in the type but it is fuller
foliaged, from ten to fifteen flowers, and a large rather solid
bulb with heavier scales than in the type and the scales con-
510 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
spicuously jointed. While in some bulbs only a few of the
scales are two or three jointed I have had lots where they were
so much so that in handling them the joints would break off
and leave only a truncated base consisting of the lowermost
joints.
This interesting feature shows an approachment to the
rhizomatous bulbs of the Pardalinum group. I may say in
passing that these scales readily make little bulbs. In sawdust
used in packing one may, the succeeding spring, find hundreds
of perfect little bulbs formed by scales.
It is in the flower that it is most distinct. The segments of
the perianth are shorter than in L. Washingtonianum and over-
lap in the tube to form a short funnel with broad lips. The
fragrance is as with the type.
The name is to a degree a misnomer. In some localities it
is locally known as the White Lily yet perhaps 90 per cent of
the flowers taken at large, open either white tinted purple
and soon becoming purplish wine color or open of that color.
As to soils it has wide adaptability. In clayey soils, in
volcanic soils or in the good clay loams it is alike at home.
Drainage it always has and moisture during its growing season.
About Klamath Lake it meets a climate not very different
from New York while in places it is much milder. It is how-
ever safely hardy.
From the practical garden point of view it is perhaps notable
for the fact that its bulbs are very easy to handle. With any
care they are little harder to pack and ship than potatoes.
As an extreme instance take this. A collector shipped a
thousand to me loosely packed in a large case with only straw
packing. This in the heat of a California September. Very
few were in any way injured by this rough treatment.
An incident that occurred some years ago may be of interest.
In the grain fields of a section of the upper Willamette Valley
in Oregon, a land of hop fields too, this lily was quite widely
scattered. The plowing for the grain was not deep and only
occasionally did a plow cut the top of the deep seated lily bulbs.
They thrived wonderfully with this culture and flowered before
PA CIFIC CO A S T L I LIES 5 1 1
the grain was cut. The bulbs were truly enormous. One
measured 28 inches in circumference and weighed 4 pounds.
The farmers were however so annoyed by people walking
through the fields to gather the lovely flowers that the lilies
were dug out by them. The same stimulation occurs at inter-
vals where woodlands or brushy lands are brought into culti-
vation and always to the benefit of the lilies.
In cultivation it can hardly be said that this is a very easy
lily yet I usually succeed and it is well grown in many regions
in England. A well drained deep soil either gravelly, loamy
or even open clay. Shelter from harsh winds, light shade
where the summer heat is great, and moderate moisture are
the indicated treatment. Not a lily for the careless nor a lily
for any one to despair of who takes care.
LILIUM RUBESCEXS
This was long confused with Lilium Washingtonianum and
was even called L. Washingtonianum purpureum by some. It
is very distinct.
The bulb is always solid and ovoid, the foliage similar but
with more, and more perfect whorls, the flowers are narrowly
tubular with recurving tips. When few they are borne in
umbels while if many are in racemes. At first opening they are
almost white but thickly dotted with purple. The purplish
dottings quickly spread till the flower is all wine purple and on
one stem may be seen all of the colorations from the opening
white to purple. It is a delightful and striking lily.
Almost all notes as to the size of the lilies or the number of
flowers are apt to be misleading. It is oftener a matter of soil
and situation. For instance I have seen a group of L. rubescens
11 feet high with thirty or forty flowers while it is often seen
with two or three flowers on an erect stem 2 to 3 feet high.
Plants 6 to 7 feet with 20 flowers are common in nature.
Like L. Washingtonianum this lily has a delightful fragrance
which persists in pressed flowers for months. I often trace
wild plants by the fragrance.
LILIUM RUBESCENS
512
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 513
It is only found in the Coast Ranges north of San Francisco
Bay for about 150 miles but within that limit meets most
varied conditions. In the Redwood forest it is known as the
Redwood Lily and is found on open ridges in underbrush in
a clay soil. At one point it is on a ridge within 1000 feet of
the ocean. Farther east it is on the north or northeast exposure
of high peaks in a vast region of close shrubberies locally called
Chapparal. There it is the Chapparal Lily. Still further from
the ocean it grows in rocky debris among the Golden Oaks. So
with clayey soil, gravelly soil or broken down rocks mingled
with leaf mold, its soil needs sum up with good drainage, pro-
tection from harsh winds, moisture during its growing season.
Lilium rubescens is a much better garden lily than either
form of Lilium Washingtonianum. I was rather surprised to
be told by a San Franciscan that he grew it very well in the
almost pure ocean sand of that city. Unless collected rather
late, say mid October, its bulb also is rather hard to handle.
LILIUM KELLOGII
This is very similar to the others in bulbs and foliage but very
distinct in flower. It is a true Martagon with segments closely
revolute. The bulbs are of about the size of those of Lilium
Columbianum, the stems often 2\ to 3| feet in height, slender
and often three to eight flowered, although I have grown them
with twenty flowers. The color is a pinkish purple lightly
dotted; and with a pleasing fragrance unlike that of any other
lily.
Like Lilium Bolanderii its habitat is a very small area and
probably 50 miles of a very narrow belt reaching from Humboldt
County north would cover its extremes.
It is found either in very open Redwood forest or in open
pine woods, and in soils always rather clayey.
I have found it quite easy to grow and flower. A very good
percentage of mature bulbs will flower the first year and I have
never known of wild bulbs producing as fine a bloom as I
averaged.
LILIUM KELLOGII
514
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 515
GROUP III. THE BOG LILIES
As this article is designed more to aid in culture than as a
botanic treatise it will be well to digress somewhat to remark
as to bulbs of this group.
In all of this group the rhizomatous bulbs are not deep seated
in the ground nor do they grow where the soil becomes quite
dry. In handling out of the ground they should never be
allowed to dry out in the least. The trained collector digs and
washes his bulbs and packs at once in the field in moist spagnum
or green moss. He sees that the stored bulbs never get dry
at all. He knows that too much moisture may stimulate root
growth in the packing but realizes that this can do little hurt
as compared with loss of vitality through any drying. In
successful culture with Bog Lilies the first essential is good
bulbs full of vitality and fresh.
The purchaser of such bulbs should use like care to keep
implanted bulbs either in moist leaf mold, damp moss or best
of all in damp powdered peat. There is no danger of rot
unless bulbs have overdried at some time after being dug.
In this group we have lilies with creeping rhizomatous bulbs
formed by a narrow core-like substance very densely covered
with overlapping scales which are usually jointed. The flowers
may be either closely revolute as with L, Pardalinum, broadly
funnel-form as with L. Parryii or narrowly funnel form as with
L. parvum. All are so called Bog Lilies. They are seldom
really so, and no one of them does its best in boggy soil.
L. PARDALINUM
Of the bog lilies this is distinguished by a rhizone with one
or two jointed scales which increases by the growing bulb
which may be called an eye of one year forming from one to
five new eyes, each of which may produce a flowering stalk
and in turn multiply in like ratio. The rate of multiplication
of the more prolific strains of this lily when in fine soil is star-
tling. I have seen five hundred closely interlocked bulbs which
had come from a single original. No other Western Lily has
LILIUM PARDALINUM
516
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 517
this mode of reproduction and no other produces more than
one eye excepting in rare instances.
The smooth light green leaves may be broadly or very
narrowly lanceolate, may be scattered thickly on the stem or
in part disposed in whorls.
The large closely revolute perianth is orange red on the
lower third and some shade of red or crimson on the upper
two-thirds and spotted at the center.
There are innumerable variations in the wild plants so that
the lily is hardly the same in any two localities of the very
extensive region over which it is spread. Some of these varia-
tions have been named but the names have not been consis-
tently kept by dealers and signify little, although there are
variations well worth keeping separate.
The form from Mendocino County, California is often put
out as californicum and a most brilliantly colored form was
called Johnson it.
In Southern California there is the very rare form fragrans.
The type is not in the least fragrant while this very light colored
form is. I am satisfied however that it is either a hybrid of
L. Pardalinum X Parryii or a connecting species, as its bulb
character approximates that of L. Parryii.
As a garden lily L. Pardalinum is unexcelled. It will succeed
in any garden loam with moderate watering; it thrives either
in sun or shade and flowers freely. In an alluvial soil it thrives
wonderfully.
Botanists have little to say of bulbs but the lily dealer or
collector is forced to pay much attention to that side of the
matter for bulbs differ immensely as to behavior when out of
the ground. Many lily bulbs which are quite healthy when
left alone are simply hopeless when dug and kept for long out
of the ground. Fungi and bacteria seem to have an especial
affinity for them. They go into a soft rot or a dry rot in spite
of all known precautions.
The bulb of L. Pardalinum is one of the easiest to handle
out of the ground. Of course it should never be allowed to
get dry, but if packed in moist moss, spagnum, or peat it carries
I ILIUM PARDALINUM
CALIFORNICUM
518
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 519
and keeps perfectly for a long period. This insures its reaching
the grower in good order and that fact alone might perhaps
account for the difference between success and failure. A few
years ago an English gardening paper published a series of
reports from lily growers of their experience with different
lilies and I think that no other lily had been a success in so
many places.
As I have said it is very widely distributed on this coast
and is found from the Mexican line near San Diego to
Northern California. It is found in both the Coast Ranges and
the higher interior ranges from sea level to about 5000 feet
altitude.
In the Northern Coast Ranges it is more likely to be along
the banks of some small living stream well up in the mountains
where, rooted in a sandy sedimentary deposit, its roots run down
to the water for a sure supply. Shrubbery lightly shades it
or it overtops a strong growth of perennials. If the banks
are lined with alders its growth is more slender and graceful
but its flowering poorer.
Again in the same region some spring bursts out of the brushy
hill slopes and moistens quite an area of soil which is loose
and rich with mold. In these little meadow-like expanses
Pardalinum is most happy and often forms dense colonies.
Almost as happy and much taller, it grows where a spring
seeps under a deposit of gravelly soil or the debris of a shaly
cliff. Here where apparently the soil is quite dry but where
abundant moisture is to be found a foot to two down the very
finest specimens grow.
In the Sierras they are not nearly as widely distributed but
at times are far more abundant for in the Sierras the best
moisture conditions are to be found in open meadows of black
soil, a sand rich with humus. In one such meadow-like valley
I once saw tens of thousands scattered all over its expanse.
Later it became a hay field (timothy) and the lilies were even
happier.
I have said that there were no varieties of L. Pardalinum
distinct enough for botanical notice although many are well
520 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
worth while propagating for garden color. I should however
make an exception for Lilium Wareii or L. Pardalinum Wareii
which might well be called the Lost Lily. L. Wareii has a
bulb between L. Pardalinum and L. Parryii. Its perianth is
closely revolute and of about the size of L. Pardalinum and the
flower is very fragrant. The color is a clear solid rich yellow,
a most desirable shade. It is a really one of the finest of world's
lilies and its history is most interesting.
F. A. Miller of San Francisco had it from a collector who
found it somewhere in the back country of San Diego County
thinking that he was collecting nothing but L. Pardalinum.
Mr. Miller sent it to T. S. Ware of London, one of England's
great horticultural growers of the day, and when Ware flowered
it he found that he had a most unique lily. It was named Lilium
Wareii, was described in the Garden of London, was the subject
of one of the Garden s superb chromo lithographs and in that
way its identity is perfectly fixed.
Ware wrote to me for further supply and gave me his data
which I followed up, and used the original collector, then an
old man. Not another bulb of this fine lily has ever since been
found. I am of the opinion that research in the peninsula of
Lower California will bring it back, for near the Mexican Line
I have found Lilium Pardalinum fra grans which is L. Wareii
in all excepting that there is quite a little red suffused through
its yellow base color. When L. Wareii was to be had S10
each was the price for its bulbs.
LILIUM PARVIFLORUM
Might be and has been called L. Pardalinum minor.
It is a distinct species, and a much smaller lily than the other.
The bulb differs in having more than two jointed scales and
very rarely producing more than two eyes, never more. It is
therefore a solitary lily and propagates by seeds only.
Its stem is slender and the light green leaves are rather nar-
rowly lanceolate and either scattered thickly or somewhat in
whorls, according to the size of the plant. It is often 2 to 3
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 521
feet high with a few flowers but at its best it is 6 feet with as
many as twenty blossoms.
Its color varies very greatly, just as does L. Pardalinum but
nearly always with an orange center and outer sections of some
shade of red and most usually of crimson. The inner third is
lightly dotted, and it is always fairly fragrant.
I have seen one form in the Southern Sierras in which the
flower is orange yellow throughout but dotted. This form
was confused by botanists with L. Coliimbianum which is a far
different lily. This confusion has led botanists to attribute the
latter to the Sierras where it never occurs.
As I have said L. parviflorum is an extremely variable lily
and there are forms which are very strikingly colored and de-
sirable. None have been named or distributed horticulturally.
The habitat is well marked. Beginning in the Kings River
country of the Southern Sierras (California) it is to be found
at from 3000 to 5000 feet altitude as far north as the base of
Mount Shasta and in the granitic ranges west of Mount
Shasta. It is not found in Oregon or in the Coast Ranges
proper. It is to be found along small streams in alluvial soil
or in small meadows where the soil is alluvial and moist. More
often it is associated with tall perennials or low shrubs which
it overtops. I have never seen it in soil which could be called
boggy.
It is a good lily, not quite as adaptable as L. Pardalinum,
but its fragrance and earlier flowering give it a place. There
are no difficulties in its garden culture in any good loamy
soil where ordinary garden moisture is maintained. It could
not help thriving in a well prepared lily bed.
LILIUM ROEZLII
Has a bulb almost identical in formation with that of
L. Parry ii with scales often three jointed. A perfect bulb
is a very beautiful thing, pearly white and almost lace
like with the innumerable fine jointed scales. The stem is
slender and graceful with very long slender leaves scattered
522 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
thickly on the stem. The closely revolute flowers are oftener
few in number and probably twelve would be an extreme. Its
color is a clear orange very close to golden with no trace of red,
and finely dotted on the inner third. This in the type. To
the west they are orange in the center and deep crimson on
the outer two thirds. I doubt if a well grown specimen is ex-
celled in graceful loveliness by any lily.
It was discovered at an early date and then lost. Its early
discoverer attributed it to Utah which was very misleading to
later botanists although correct, for the early territory of
Utah extended to the Sierras and boundaries were very vague
in the popular mind. Its real home is in the Siskiyou Range,
a distinct range running east and west on the line of California
and Oregon in the gap between where the Sierras end and
the Cascades begin. The Siskiyou Range is one of the richest
botanical regions of America and there is a large number of
very fine species entirely confined to this area one of which
is the superb Weeping Spruce, Picea Breweriana.
L. Roezlii grows at an altitude of from 3000 to 5000 feet in,
as a rule, exactly such soil as would suit L. Pardalinum or
parviflorum with this exception. I have at times found it in
bogs of an almost true peat, and often in an alluvial soil so rich
in humus and so wet as to be well called mucky.
It is well to say a word as to hardiness in general at this
point. The Siskiyous lie far enough north to have quite cold
winter weather even about their bases. Early in the winter
it may freeze quite deeply before there is much snowfall, while
later the higher elevations are covered rather heavily. These
conditions do not vary much from those we will say in New
York excepting that the air is probably much drier early in
the winter.
L. Roezlii experiences all of these variations as do L. Kel-
logii, L. Bolauderii, L. purpureum and a number of species of
Calochortiis, and Brodiaeas. In my garden L. Roezlii does well
in a sandy loam. I do not think that there is any doubt
that the well prepared lily bed fitted for Asiatic lilies will meet
its needs perfectly.
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 523
L. PARRY 1 1
In this the bulb has three or more joints and never pro-
duces more than a single new eye. It is therefore solitary.
The stem is slender and graceful and from 2\ to 5 feet high
with many light green lanceolate leaves either scattered or
with a whorl at base. The segments of the perianth are 3 to
3^ inches long and form a broadly open funnel-formed flower
with slightly recurving tips. In color L. Parryii is a clear
solid pale lemon yellow, with some deeper and approaching
golden. The dotting is not uniform, for some flowers are clear
and others slightly purplish-dotted at base. The flowers are
borne in racemes of from a few to perhaps fifteen at the most
and are delightfully fragrant.
Eulogy cannot be well overdone with this fine subject and
lily growers are willing to take endless pains to grow it well.
In my own gardens I have always flowered it easily the first
year yet for some time failed too often to establish it per-
manently but I am now doing so very successfully. They are
in a sandy loam soil in the full sun but in a fairly cool situation.
The soil is never wet and in the summer the first 2 inches are
quite dry but below that line it is always moist with just about
the degree of moisture that I prefer for Perennial Phlox or
Delphiniums, — that should tell the story to a gardener. Still
it would be well to prepare a bed as follows. Take two to three
parts of sand, one to three parts of either peat or leaf mold,
and a liberal addition of charcoal or grit. See that drainage
is perfect and give a fairly cool situation either with shifting
shade, or in cooler climates in the full sun. Get good bulbs and
plant early. They begin rooting at once even in August.
Robert Kessler of Los Angeles, a lily enthusiast, grew the
flowers from which the accompanying photographs were made
and narrates his methods as follows.
A man who had been at Kew Gardens, London, gave me the method.
I took Japanese flower tubs and burned the insides so that the wood was
well charred and into these I first put seven to eight f-inch drain holes,
then a lot of sphagnum moss, then about 4 inches of granite chips. Over
LILIUM PARRVI
524
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 525
this I put some fine humus mixed with sandy silt, then a good sprinkle of
•coarse charcoal, then about 2 inches of fine river sand. On this the bulbs
were planted and after being sprinkled with fine charcoal they were covered
with 2 inches of sharp river sand.
The tub was then filled with humus and the top dusted with fine soot.
The tallest were 5| feet with fifteen flowers.
The above I think well worth reproducing as it at once gives a
most successful method of growing this particular lily and the
methods used by very successful experts with many other
difficult lily species. It is well to call attention to the very
careful guarding against those molds which kill some subjects,
to the perfect drainage, the sharp sand about the bulbs and to
the top humus which is most excellent to keep moisture well
to the top. While innumerable liles can be grown wonderfully
well without any such care I do not doubt that the above
described method would produce show specimens that would
be surprisingly fine. In application it is not so very different
from my conditions of perfect drainage, constant moisture a
little below the surface and a soil rich with lime to insure
sweetness. And let me again emphasize the necessity of care-
ful handling of the bulbs themselves.
L. PARVUM
In this lily the bulbs are small with three or more jointed
scales. The stems are slender and in most instances few
flowered and a foot or two high, but this is not a specific point,
for in the deeper meadow soil I have seen them growing with
Aconitum Fischer ii 5 to 6 feet high and many flowered. In
small plants the lanceolate leaves are all scattered while in fine
plants they are in part densely whorled. The small funnel-
formed flowers ascend or are semi-erect and have recurving
tips. The color scheme is of a dotted central orange with red
tips. The true L. parvum is of one type and varies little.
It is a near relative of L. canadense of the East and with us is
almost an alpine. I think that it is never found below 6000
feet altitude and mav reach an extreme of close to 10,000 feet
526 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
in a region of very deep snows. Not infrequently its snow
covering has not melted in mid July.
It is found from a little north of the Central Pacific Rail-
road to the Yosemite Region in California, a region not over a
hundred miles in length and very narrow. All of this is where
glacial action was the great factor in making the soils and shap-
ing the country and it is in the little glacial meadows bordering
glacial lakes that this lily is oftenest encountered. The soil is
a granitic sand mixed liberally with humus. Melting snows
supply moisture liberally after the mountain spring comes but
toward fall this is gone and the bulbs may become quite dry
although never dry enough to wither them. The drainage is
always good, the soil sweet and moisture at growing time
plentiful. A multitude of alpine plants accompany them,
none of which are in the least bog plants. They are oftener
in the full sun but at 6000 feet this does not imply the same
in cultivation.
It is neither easy nor hard to cultivate this lily. It is not
a lily for popular culture nor is it a lily in the least to baffle
the trained gardener. The treatment and soil recommended
for Parryi or parviflornm meets its needs.
Lilium parvum luteum. This can be described as a major
form of the last described species, with clear orange flowers
dotted on inner third. It is a good lily.
A striking feature of the distribution of lilies in the Cali-
fornian Sierras is the fact that they lie in strata if we may so
call them at different altitudes. Thus at the summits and
high up on the peaks we have the alpine L. parvum. Where
that ends going down and following stream courses we have
the luteum. This would be found in the Central Sierras at
from 4500 to 6000 feet altitude. At its lower edge it would
approach but not mingle with L. Pardalinum while Lilium
Washingtonianum would be almost coterminous with it.
Below this line would be Lilium Pardalinum and Hum-
boldtii in the Mid Sierras, L. parviflornm and L. Ilumboldtii
in the Northern Sierras while L. parviflornm would go on south
and partially replace luteum farther South.
LILIUM PARVUM, A MOUNTAIN
LILY FROM CALIFORNIA
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 527
As far as I have been able to trace it Lilium parvutn luteum
varies but little and does not extend farther either north or
south than does L. parvum. They do not however intermingle.
L. MARITIMUM AND L. OCCIDENTALE
All of the Bog Lilies that I have so far described are moun-
tain lilies but the two species that I now come to are strictly
seaside. None are found at an elevation greater than 300 feet
above the sea nor at a distance greater than a few miles from
salt water.
The rhizomatous bulbs are densely covered with single jointed
scales (articulated only where they join the core of the rhi-
zome.) They would differ from the ovate bulb in that in the
latter the scales are not articulated. The stems are well fur-
nished with dark green lanceolate leaves which are often scat-
tered. The stems are also dark green. Ordinary plants are
from 1 to 3 feet in height and from one to three flowered but
exceptional plants approach 6 feet with perhaps a dozen
flowers at the most. It is rather a dangerous thing to say just
how tall or floriferous a lily may become for under exceptional
conditions they may surprise one.
The open funnel-like or campanulate flowers of Lilium mari-
timum have recurving tips while in Lilium occidentale the
flower is distinctly of the Pardalinum type and closely revolute.
In both lilies the prevailing color is a deep crimson with the
narrow throat reddish orange and somewhat spotted. Neither
is fragrant. L. occidentale occasionally runs to more yellow at
center and a lighter red at outer section.
Along the Californian Coast at intervals there are raised
sea beaches at an altitude of from 50 to perhaps 400 feet above
tidewater. These areas face the ocean and have a soil either
with a sticky clay subsoil and a peaty top or the same with
a deeper soil of ocean sand mixed with humus. Not infre-
quently there are bogs with quite a depth of peat.
The frequent and heavy fogs and the consequent cool and
equable climate, and the soils have made a fit home for dense
528 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
growths of maritime pines and ericaceous shrubs. The West-
ern Rhododendrons (R. Californicum) are there in endless
numbers while such heathy plants as Arctostaphylos, Vac-
cinums, and Ledums form dense growths in the barrens. The
bogs are full of Ledums and on hummocks among their inter-
lacing roots L. maritimum is largest. The soil would be a
pure vegetable peat, the drainage although in a bog, perfect,
and the roots would go to perpetual moisture. But far more
frequently it is found in ocean sand in the barrens away from
bogs. To be sure the poor soil makes poor plants but they
are quite happy unless the endless shrubs rob them, and,
after a brush fire gives them more room when they are very fine
indeed. L. maritimum is found from a little south of San Fran-
cisco to Northern Mendocino. Doubtless it grew on the site
of San Francisco.
L. occidentale replaces it in exactly the same class of mari-
time country from the Eel River north to the Oregon Line
near Crescent City. I would suspect its presence farther
north along the Oregon Coast but botanical material has not
been available from that region.
In my own garden I have given Lilium maritimum a boggy
soil but claim no success. It ought to be grown well in the
Rhododendron Lily bed and I think has been so grown in
England. Climatic conditions in Southern England should be
very favorable. In the eastern United States experience will
have to be bought.
L. maritimum Var. — In Western Sonoma County in Cali-
fornia an interesting variation of this lily is to be found in a
series of little bogs with very sandy surrounding country.
This is about fifteen miles from the ocean and is rather foggy.
It is the region so commercially successful with the Graven-
stein apple. These forms are rather reddish in color and
unnamed.
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 529
RESUME OF NATIVE CONDITIONS OF WESTERN
LILIUMS
It will be noted that all of the lilies of the Humboldtii and
Washingtonianum groups are either from woodlands or grow
amongst shrubs at higher elevations. That is in woodlands,
they are always in the open woods where the lights are shift-
ing and that if the woods thicken the lilies languish or disap-
pear altogether. Where a fire goes through this open timber
and kills the brush and some of the trees the lilies grow much
finer and where areas of timber land have been cleared
and the soil brought into not too deep culture the lilies have
done better than they ever do in the natural state.
Again it is to be noted that in western forests the soil is
almost always of fair depth with, we will say, 18 inches as the
shallowest. Underlying this soil there is in much of the
western forests a clay which is often impervious to tree root
growth. In the Sierras and Cascades however the soils may
be very deep.
Inasmuch as the same species thrive both in the shallower
and the deep mountain soils it is certain that great soil depth
is not a necessity or even particularly desirable. The indica-
tions in nature are unmistakable that the rhizomatous lilies
which are rather shallow growing like a cool surface. The
fact that they grow so well through shrubs and that a coat
mold is often present rather indicates a love of cool surface.
The indications that such lilies as L. Humboldtii, Bolanderii,
Washingtonianum or rubescens care at all for a cool surface are
lacking. Surely a lily which will thrive in Californian sun
with a shade temperature up to 110° above zero and not a
drop of moisture from April till October does not have any
particular objection to surface baking. I think that the
same facts obtain with the lilies of the Chinese highlands.
But with this surface baking we have well established bulbs
very deep seated where the soil retains considerable moisture
throughout the summer. As to why in nature lilies are seldom
in the open see page 500 in writing of L. Humboldtii.
530 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
A r£sum6 shows that our lilies thrive in a great variety of
soils but that drainage is an essential. In clays and gravels,
in sandy loams and in broken down masses of rocks, and even
in sticky black clays (L. Humboldtii) they are to be found
growing to perfection.
In some of these soils there is a moderate amount of humus
but that cannot be considered a characteristic of our lily soils
for these two groups, for as a rule Californian soils are defi-
cient in humus and the constantly recurring forest and brush
fires which date back to time immemorial prevent any material
accumulation of leaf mold in any but our coastal woods.
But these same fires insure an abundance of potash. Western
soils are all well supplied with phosphates and I think that
without question the use of bone meal with lilies is always
desirable.
Eliminating what appears unessential and averaging con-
ditions it would appear that the lily bed for these two groups
should have a sweet soil and be made at least 18 inches in
depth; shelter from harsh winds; a fair supply of potash
and an addition of phosphates; either a well cultivated sur-
face or that the moisture level below 3 inches should insure
moderate dampness.
While full sun may be all right yet a shifting shade rather
light at that, would be more likely to be a safe general rule.
Beyond this take into consideration the fact that few lilies
are able to reestablish a full system of basal roots the first
year after being moved and it will be apparent that more care
as to moisture is necessary in the newly planted lily bed than
afterwards.
CULTURE OF GROUP III
To a degree the remarks in regard to the first two sections
apply to these as well. For instance forest fires are common
where L. Parryii, L. Pardalinum and L. parviflorum live and are
unknown in the homes of the others. They are always fol-
lowed by unusually fine growth in the lilies affected. Also by
PACIFIC COAST LILIES 531
unusually large and healthy bulb growth. This would rather
indicate that the leaf mold cover is not so essential as we might
have supposed and that in well established lilies the protection
of low shrubs through which they grow is rather a hindrance
than a help. A rather revolutionary sequence yet it seems to
be consistent with facts observed in countless instances.
It will be noted :
1. That they are either at fairly high altitudes or in a cool
coastal climate.
2. That the soils are far more frequently a sandy alluvium
and that as the mountain slopes are usually steep there is
almost sure to be an addition of silt and charcoal as well as
ashes to these alluvial deposits.
3. That they are shallow growers with 3 to 5 inches the usual
rooting depth.
4. That while the surface soil may be even quite dry, mois-
ture is always present within easy reach of the roots and that
the very finest specimens of each species are found where the
bulbs are in well drained soil, and the roots reach living
moisture.
5. That while they are often very fine when growing amongst
low shrubs they are better when a fire has burned those hosts
and that while growing in open timbered canyons they lan-
guish when the timber becomes dense.
There is nothing to indicate that the natural soils are always
rich in phosphates yet their use is safe. Climatically their
hardiness throughout the East is to be supposed from their
native habitats and has been abundantly proved in trials.
Summing up all indicates that the usual preparation of the
lily beds approximate their needs. A soil rather loose and
workable, composed of sandy or open soils either loam or light
gravels with a good component of humus and of a depth of at
least a foot and better 18 inches. Perfect drainage yet abun-
dant moisture, a drainage layer of gravel, grit or broken
stone leading into tiles would give this result in a well pre-
pared lily bed. The bed might be in full sun in a cool climate
yet ordinarily should be lightly shaded at least in the afternoon.
532 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
A mulch of leaf mold will keep the soil cool and equalize mois-
ture yet the lilies will thrive better if its situation makes this
unnecessary and the surface is kept mellow.
The bulbs should be planted from 3 to 4 inches deep and
with the exception of Lilium Pardalinum, which in time
becomes too dense, it is better to leave the plants undisturbed
for a long time. At the most a protection of leaves should be
given for the winter. Those who wish to try for the finest
flowers would do well to follow the methods of culture given
for L. Parryii.
Winter Work with Roses"
By Alfred W. Greeley
O THE amateur rosarian the dead winter
months have their fascination only in degree
less pleasurable than the cultural joys of
spring and summer. Winter is the time for
reviewing and planning; for the analysis of
last year's mistakes and the synthesis of this
year's successes. It is under the study lamp, while the snow
piles deep over the rose-beds and the thermometer flirts with
the nether ranges of the scale, that the strategy of the drive
for the coming season's rhythm of rose bloom is perfected, if
the rosarian is wise.
Success with roses demands knowledge, experiment and
patience — patient, tireless experience that adds ever to the
determined desire to know the whys and hows of the never-
ceasing miracle of rose bloom. It is an instance of appetite
growing by what it feeds upon. He who has watched a rose
through its transformation cycle from swelling bud and pulsing
green leaf to the burst of beauty in the opening petals of the
crowning bloom, and feels no fierce spur to know the why and
how of this wonder-work of nature, may be a grower of roses,
but a rosarian, never! To the rosarian worthy of the name,
the opening rose is an invocation and a benediction, a lyric
prayer that springs attuned in beauty from the very heart of
nature itself.
As a matter of fact, not one rose-grower in a hundred knows,
except in a vague way, whether the roses in his garden, whether
his Ophelia, Lady Alice Stanley, or Radiance, are true to type
and standard in the unit characters of size, color, substance,
number of blooms, and so on, which under average cultural
conditions distinguish these varieties. He does not know
* Reprinted from the 1919 American Rose Annual through the courtesy of the editor
and the author.
533
534 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
whether his Mme. Jules Bouche, or Harry Kirk should give
him twenty-five or seventy-five flowers during the season, and
generally is content if he gets "right smart" of bloom. Lack of
knowledge of the standards for bloom is responsible for the
fact that the great majority of rose-gardens contain plants
that, through inherent inferiority of stock or lack of proper
culture, fail to produce either the quality or the average num-
ber of blooms characteristic of the variety. Such plants are
simply parasites, "free boarders," of the rose-garden. They
take as much care and fertilizer as an honest rose, and return
only a beggar's dole. The small rose-garden of the average
amateur is of too limited space to be cluttered up with under-
average plants. They should be scraped relentlessly.
Profusion of bloom and quality of flowers are the two
things which primarily interest the average amateur in rose-
growing. Not so long ago, June alone was the month of roses,
with only scattering blooms for the rest of the season. The
advent of the Hybrid Tea has revolutionized the rose calendar,
leaving no excuse for months barren of bloom in the rose-garden.
That which is now true of the dwarfs will soon, let us hope,
be likewise true of the climbers. The experts are feeling their
way toward this much-desired end. Last year, in my little
back-yard garden, the first killing frost of November caught
Le Mexique rich in hundreds of blossoms, while Ghislaine de
Feligonde was not far behind. Growing briers for five-sixths
of the season must soon pass out of fashion. For the small
garden of the average lover of roses, profusion of quality bloom
is the main consideration.
The mere rose-grower plants his roses with more or less
careful preparation — sometimes by the signs of the moon —
and lets nature do the rest, oftentimes its worst. The enlight-
ened amateur makes almost a religious ceremony of the plant-
ing of his roses, which generally occurs late in the fall when the
wood is thoroughly ripened and dormant, at which time it feels
the minimum of shock from transplanting.
But the chief distinguishing difference between the mere
rose-grower and the amateur rosarian is in the matter of keep-
WINTER WORK WITH ROSES 535
ing intelligent record of the performance of his roses. The
small daybook which slips conveniently into the pocket of the
old garden coat is the rosarian's alter ego. It is the basis of
such success as may come to him, for it means recorded obser-
vation which later may be analyzed and combined into working
rose facts.
Into the rose day-book should go such matters as dates of
bloom, number of blooms cut from disbudded plants, peculiari-
ties of behavior, growth, bloom, etc. ; appearance and course of
insect and fungus attacks, dates of cultural care; amounts and
dates of application of liquid manure, lime and other fertilizers;
and temperature readings which should include number of
days of sunshine, rainy days, and other data that go to make
up the climatic environment. Temperature data, however,
generally can be obtained from the local weather observation
bureau at the end of the season.
This, in the main, includes the essential facts out of which
knowledge of rose habits and behavior is built up and by which
local standards of rose-bloom and perfection can be established.
Only by this method can the amateur rosarian identify for a
certainty those roses which are doing their bloom-duty for
him, and, at the same time, discover the lazy, defective plants
that are to be weeded out.
A daily bloom-count at the time of cutting in the morning,
is about all that is necessary for this purpose, and it is generally
as far as the average amateur gets the first season in recorded
observation. Afterward his enthusiasm for recorded facts
grows. Every addition to rose knowledge brings to us new
vistas.
It takes only a few moments each day to transfer the facts
from the garden day-book to a set of indexed cards arranged
alphabetically under the name of each rose. This card carries
the name of the rose, date of purchase and transplanting, age,
nursery from which obtained, type, stock, budding and grafting
information, and the like. It is a condensed life history of
each rose from year to year, with all the facts grouped ready for
quick comparison. Another convenient method of permanent
536 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
record is an indexed loose-leaved book of the right size. It has
some advantages over the card system. Other recording meth-
ods will suggest themselves to the enthusiast, growing out of
individual needs and experiences.
The material for observation and record is virtually limitless,
but it is well for the beginner to confine his data to a few rela-
tively simple things at first, such as the discovery of "board-
ers;" effects of mulching in hot weather; bloom-production of
Hybrid Perpetuals, Hybrid Teas, Teas, and Pernetianas;
comparisons of various budding stocks; the response to fertil-
izers of various kinds; special beds; own-root plants compared
with budded or grafted stocks; immunity to insect and fungus
attacks, etc.
It is only by persistent observations, sturdy questioning and
insatiable curiosity that one can attain that almost intuitive
understanding of rose character, temperament, and habit that
constitutes the rosarian's chief satisfaction.
After the completion of the card-index work comes the
tabulation for purposes of comparison, without which the work
is relatively valueless. Here comes the test of the year's work
in the summation of rose performance. A standard of com-
parison is necessary, and for Philadelphia and districts of
similar climatic conditions, the only available standard is that
established by Capt. George C. Thomas, Jr., in his large test-
gardens and published in the latest edition of his "Practical
Book of Outdoor Rose-Growing." For this pioneering test-
garden work and invaluable results American rosarians are
under deep obligations to Captain Thomas. The method of
comparison is indicated in the following extract from the
tabulation of rose performance in my own garden during 1918:
First Class: Fifty blooms or more.
No. Name 1918 1917 Thomas
1. Mrs. A. R. Waddell, H. T 84 54 57
2. Mme. Jules Bouche, H. T 81 — 71
3. La Tosca, H. T 80 — 57
4. Gruss an Teplitz, H. T 79 64 107
5. Harry Kirk, T 76 31 32
6. Frau Karl Druschki (No. 1), H. P 71 64 65
21
54
—
51
—
51
—
49
—
56
45
65
20
38
—
51
—
50
23
35
—
32
25
51
13
—
15
—
WINTER WORK WITH ROSES 537
No. Name 1918 1917 Thomas
6. Betty, H. T 71
7. Radiance (No. 4), H. T 65
8. Radiance (No. 2), H. T 64
9. Mme. Segond Weber, H. T 57
10. Lady Pirrie, H. T 52
10. Frau Karl Druschki (No. 2), H. P 52
11. Mrs. Aaron Ward, H. T 50
11. Radiance (No. 3), H. T 50
Second Class: Forty to forty-nine blooms.
No. Name 1918 1917 Thomas
12. Wm.R. Smith, T 49
13. Mrs. B. R. Cant, T 47
13. Gen. MacArthur, H. T 47
14. Mme. Edouard Herriot, Per 46
15. Radiance (No. 1), H. T 45
16. Baron de Bonstetten, H. P 44
17. Killarney, H. T 42
The third class contains all those producing from 25 to 39
blooms, and all under 25 are put in a class of "shy bloomers,"
from which the weeding-out process takes place after all other
expedients of first aid to rose slackers have been tried in vain.
This comparison shows at a glance the roses which are able to
meet the requirements of a discriminating grower, and it grows
in value with the years.
The card-index record also furnishes material for other
interesting studies, as, for instance : What are the local weather
conditions under which roses thrive best? With the data on the
cards, together with the reports of the local weather station, the
question is easily answered, as shown in the charts on pages 538-
539 and 540. Here we have revealed not only the somewhat
startling correspondence between rose-bloom and temperature
changes, but also the effect of rainfall, sunshine, heat-waves,
and frost, which in various combinations are written plainly on
the chart. We all know in a general way the dependence of
rose-bloom upon a certain range of temperature combined with
a definite degree of moisture and sunshine, but few, save the ex-
perts, suspect the immediate and sensitive relationship indicated
in the quick response the chart shows. Notice how closely the
May
JuNI
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ROSE BLOOM AND
TEMPERATURE IN
MAY AND JUNE
538
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SAME IN JULY
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539
September
Mean
Temper,"
aiure «
Rose J
BlOOTS J
October
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SEPTEMBER AND
OCTOBER ROSE BLOOM
AND TEMPERATURE
540
WINTER WORK WITH ROSES 541
various peaks of rose bloom fit into the peaks of mean tempera-
ture for virtually the entire garden period. The chart likewise
emphasizes the optimum bloom-conditions of heat, moisture,
and sunshine in June, and the depressing effects caused by the
two heat-waves. The discouraging September conditions, an
environment of cold, rainy, cloudy days, with a minimum of
sunshine, are reflected in the September section of the chart,
while the comparatively more favorable conditions which
October presented, resulting in an average higher level of rose-
bloom, are shown in the section for that month. Throughout
the temperature-rhythm and the bloom-rhythm are found in
intimate and sensitive correspondence.
The study of a chart of this character enables the rosarian to
discover just what local climatic conditions are most favorable
to the roses he has under cultivation and development, and it
further enables him to approximate, by mulching, culture,
shading, watering, and the like, these favorable conditions
when he may normally expect unfavorable weather environment.
A further analysis of rose-bloom is presented in the chart on
page 541 . Here a comparison by months is made of the blooming
qualities of the five most prolific Hybrid Perpetuals, Hybrid
Teas, and Teas, as established by the tabulation taken from the
card-index record. The chart graphically indicates the short
period of blooming glory of the Hybrid Perpetuals, so-called,
contrasted with the real perpetual character of the Hybrid Teas
and the Teas, and it likewise demonstrates, so far as the plants
under consideration are concerned, the superiority of both the
Hybrid Teas and the Teas over the Hybrid Perpetuals in total
bloom and period of efflorescence. The comparison is defec-
tive in that the Hybrid Perpetuals were on Brier and Manetti
stock, while the Hybrid Teas, and the Teas, with one excep-
tion, were budded on selected multiflora stock, from which I
have never yet detected a sucker.
But, perhaps, the most significant feature of this chart is
found in the performance of the Teas. August, with its recur-
rent heat-waves, hot, scorching days, and deficient rainfall, is
the month the American rose-grower fears. The August sec-
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WINTER WORK WITH ROSES 543
Comparison of bloom records of five each most prolific Hybrid Pcrpcltials, Hybrid Teas
and Teas, in relation to season, temperature, rainfall and sunshine. (Figures at left indi-
cate number of blooms; below arc varieties used with detailed record.)
Hybrid Perpetuals Teas
Frau Karl Druschki (No. 1) 71 Harry Kirk 76
Frau Karl Druschki (No. 2) 52 Wm. R. Smith 49
Karon de Bonstetten 44 Mrs. B. R. Cant 47
Margaret Dickson 19 Lady Hillingdon 30
Mrs. John Laing 14 Maman Cochet 30
200 232
Average bloom. 40 Average bloom 46
I Rrier and Manetti stock) (Selected Multiflora stock).
Hybrid Teas Per Cent of Total Bloom
Mrs. A. R. Waddell 84 Hybrid Teas 48
Mme. Jules Bouche 81 Hybrid Perpetuals 24
La Tosca 80 Teas 28
Gruss an Teplitz (Manetti) 79
Betty 71
100
395
Average bloom 79
(Selected Multiflora stock).
Count made at time of cutting. All roses except Gruss an Teplitz, disbudded to
assure perfection of bloom.
tion of the chart shows the havoc it brings in its trail. But the
chart on page 539 indicates that August presents a combination
of weather conditions of which the Teas highly approve, for in
August they nearly equaled their June burst of bloom. Pos-
sibly we may find in a development of the hardy Teas a solu-
tion of the problem of the August rose-garden!
The latter chart also is interesting in indicating in another
way the superiority of the Hybrid Teas. It shows that the
average bloom of the Hybrid Perpetuals was 40 for the season ;
for the five Teas it was 46; while for the Hybrid Teas the aver-
age was 79. This gives a bloom percentage of 24 for the
Hybrid Perpetuals, 28 for the Teas, and 48 for the Hybrid
Teas. In the development or reconstruction of a rose-garden,
it is necessary to establish facts of this character before one can
work intelligently and successfully toward rose-perfection.
544 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
If America is to become the promised land of roses — a con-
summation devoutly to be wished — every little rose-garden
must become in a way a test-garden, a rose laboratory for the
perfection of types and standards suitable to American condi-
tions. Without detracting in the least from the splendid work
of American hybridizers and growers, there is yet a big field
for the amateur rosarian who brings to the work of rose per-
fection a point of view quite different from that taken by the
rose-expert, the professional grower, and the technical hybrid-
izer. The standards of rose-perfection are in the hands of the
amateur, for he forms the majority of buyers in America. The
more exacting his demands upon the rose sellers, the harder
will they work to meet them and the higher will the standards
of American rose-production become. Probably 50 per cent
of the roses in American gardens today, through lack of proper
culture, budding on inferior stock, or for many other reasons,
fall far below the type average of bloom and are inferior both
in quantity and quality. It is only through the self-education
of American amateur rosarians, the rose-consumers of the
country, that the standards of rose-excellence can be per-
manently raised to higher levels and the ideals of rose-perfec-
tion approximated.
77?^ Shakespeare Garden
By Esther Singleton
I. THE GARDEN OF DELIGHT: EVOLUTION OF
THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN
HAKESPEARE was familiar with two kinds
of gardens: the stately and magnificent
garden that embellished the castles and
manor-houses of the nobility and gentry;
and the small and simple garden such as he
had himself at Stratford-on-Avon and such
as he walked through when he visited Ann Hathaway in her
cottage at Shottery.
The latter is the kind that is now associated with Shakes-
peare's name; and when garden lovers devote a section of
their grounds to a "Shakespeare Garden," it is the small,
enclosed garden, such as Perdita must have had, that they
endeavor to reproduce.
The small garden of Shakespeare's day, which we so lov-
ingly call by his name, was a little pleasure garden — a garden
to stroll in and to sit in. The garden, moreover, had another
purpose: it was intended to supply flowers for "nosegays,"
and herbs for "strewings." The Shakespeare Garden was a
continuation, or development, of the mediaeval " Pleasance,"
where quiet ladies retired with their embroidery frames to
work and dream of their Crusader lovers, husbands, fathers,
sons and brothers lying in the trenches before Acre and
Ascalon, or storming the walls of Jerusalem and Jericho; where
lovers sat hand-in-hand listening to the songs of birds and to
the still sweeter songs from their own palpitating hearts;
where men of affairs frequently repaired for a quiet chat, or
refreshment of spirit; and where gay groups of lords and ladies
545
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THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 547
gathered to tell stories, to enjoy the recitation of a wandering
trouvere, or to sing to their lutes and viols, while jesters in
doublets and hose of bright colors and cap and bells, lounged
nonchalantly on the grass to mock at all things — even Love!
In the illuminated manuscripts of old romans, such as Huon
of Bordeaux, the Roma nut of the Rose, Blonde of Oxford, Flore
et Blancheflore, Amadis de Gaul, etc., there are many charming
miniatures to illustrate the word-pictures. From them we
learn that the garden was actually within the castle-walls and
very small. The walls of the garden were broken by turrets
and pierced with a little door, usually opposite the chief en-
trance ;the walks were paved with brick or stone, or they were
sanded, or gravelled; and at the intersection of these walks
a graceful fountain usually tossed its spray upon the buds and
blossoms. The little beds were laid out formally and were
bright with flowers, growing singly and not in masses. Often,
too, pots or vases, were placed here and there, at regular
intervals, containing orange, lemon, bay, or cypress trees,
their foliage beautifully trimmed in pyramids, or globes, that
rose high above the tall stems. Not infrequently the garden
rejoiced in a fruit-tree, or several fruit-trees. Stone or marble
seats invitingly awaited visitors.
The note here was charming intimacy. It was a spot where
gentleness and sweetness reigned, and where, perforce, every
flower enjoyed the air it breathed. It was a Garden of Delight
for flowers, birds and men.
To trace the formal garden to its origin would take us far
afield. We should have to go back to the ancient Egyptians,
whose symmetrical and magnificent gardens were luxurious
in the extreme; to Babylon, whose superb "Hanging Gardens"
were among the Seven Wonders of the World; and to the
Romans, who are still our teachers in the matter of beautiful
gardening. The Roman villas that made Albion beautiful, as
the great estates of the nobility and gentry make her beautiful
today, lacked nothing in the way of ornamental gardens.
Doubtless Pliny's garden was repeated again and again in the
outposts of the Roman Empire. From these splendid Roman
gardens tradition has been handed down.
548 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
There never has been a time in the history of England
where the cultivation of the garden held pause. There is
every reason to believe that the Anglo-Saxons were devoted
to flowers. A poem in the Exeter Book has the lines:
" Of odors sweetest
such as in summer's tide
fragrance send forth in places,
fast in their stations,
joyously o'er the plains,
blown plants,
honey-flowing."
No one could write "blown-plants, honey-flowing" without
a deep and sophisticated love of flowers.
Every Anglo-Saxon gentleman had a garth, or garden, for
pleasure, and an ort-garth for vegetables. In the garth the
best loved flower was the lily, which blossomed beside the
rose, sunflower, marigold, gilliflower, violet, periwinkle, honey-
suckle, daisy, peony and bay-tree.
Under the Norman kings, particularly Henry II, when the
French and English courts were practically the same, the citi-
zens of London had gardens "large, beautiful, and planted with
various kinds of trees." Possibly even older scribes wrote
accounts of some of these, but the earliest description of an
English garden is contained in De Naturis Rerum by Alexander
Neckan, who lived in the second half of the Twelfth Century.
"A garden," he says, "should be adorned on this side with
roses, lilies, the marigold, molts and mandrakes; on that side
with parsley, cort, fennel, southernwood, coriander, sage, savory,
hyssop, mint, rue, dittany, smallage, pellitory, lettuce, cresses,
ortulano and the peony. Let there also be beds enriched with
onions, leeks, garlic, melons and scallions. The garden is also'
enriched by the cucumber, which creeps on its belly, and by
the soporiferous poppy, as well as by the daffodil and the acan-
thus. Nor let pot-herbs be wanting, if you can help it, such as
beets, herb mercury, orache and the mallow. It is useful also to
the gardener to have anise, mustard, white pepper and worm-
wood." And then Neckan goes on to the fruit-trees and medic-
THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 549
inal plants. The gardener's tools at this time were merely a
knife for grafting, an axe, a pruning-hook and a spade. A
hundred years later the gardens of France and England were
still about the same. When John de Garlande (an appropriate
name for an amateur horticulturist) was studying at the Uni-
versity of Paris (Thirteenth Century) he had a garden, which
he described in his Dictionarus, quaintly speaking of himself
in the third person: "In Master John's garden are these
plants: sage, parsley, dittany, hyssop, celandine, fennel, pelli-
tory, the rose, the lily, the violet; and at the side (in the hedge),
the nettle, the thistle and fox-gloves. His garden also con-
tains medicinal herbs, namely, mercury and the mallows,
agrimony with nightshade and the marigold." Master John
had also a special garden for pot-herbs and "other herbs good
for men's bodies," i.e., medicinal herbs, and a fruit-garden,
or orchard, of cherries, pears, nuts, apples, quinces, figs, plums
and grapes. About the same time Guillaume de Lorris wrote
his Roman de la Rose; and in this famous work of the Thirteenth
Century there is a most beautiful description of the garden of
the period. L'Amant (the Lover) while strolling on the banks
of a river discovered this enchanting spot, "full long and
broad behind high walls." It was the Garden of Delight, or
Pleasure, whose wife was Liesse, or Joy; and here they dwelt
with the sweetest of companions. L'Amant wandered about
until he found a small wicket door in the wall, at which he
knocked and gained admittance. When he entered he was
charmed. Everything was so beautiful that it seemed to him
a spiritual place, better even than Paradise could be. Now,
walking down a little path, bordered with mint and fennel, he
reached the spot where Delight and his companions were
dancing a carole to the song of Joy. L'Amant was invited to
join the dance; and after it was finished he made a tour of the
Garden to see it all. And through his eyes we see it, too.
The Garden of Delight was even and square, "as long as it
was large." It contained every known fruit-tree — peaches,
plums, cherries, apples and quinces as well as figs, pomegranates,
dates, almonds, chestnuts and nutmegs. Tall pines, cypresses
and laurels formed screens and walls of greenery; and many
550 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
a "pair" of elms, maples, ashes, oaks, aspens, yews and poplars
kept out the sun by their interwoven branches and protected
the green grass. And here deer browsed fearlessly and squir-
rels "in great plenty" were seen leaping from bough to bough.
Conduits of water ran through the garden and the moisture
made the grass as thick and rich as velvet and "the earth was
as soft as a feather bed." And, moreover, the "earth was of
such a grace" that it produced plenty of flowers, both winter
and summer:
"There sprang the violet all new
And fresh periwinkle rich of hue
And flowers yellow, white and red,
Such plenty grew there, never in mead.
Full joy was all the ground and quaint
And powdered as men had it paint
With many a fresh and sundry flower
That casteth up full good savor."
Myriads of birds were singing, too — larks, nightingales,
finches, thrushes, doves and canaries. L'Amant wandered on
until he came to a marvellous fountain — the Fountain of Love
— under a pine-tree.
Presently he was attracted to a beautiful rose-bush, full of
buds and full-blown roses. One bud, sweeter and fresher
than all the rest and set so proudly on its spray, fascinated
him. As he approached this flower, L'Amour discharged
five arrows into his heart. The bud, of course, was the woman
he was destined to love and which, after many adventures and
trials, he was eventually to pluck and cherish.
This fanciful old allegory made a strong appeal to the illus-
trators of the Thirteenth and later centuries and many beau-
tiful editions are prized by libraries and preserved in glass
cases. The edition from which the accompanying illustration
(Fifteenth Century) is taken from the Harleian Ms. owned by
the British Museum. Page 552.
THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 551
II. GARDEN OF DELIGHT: ROMAN DE LA ROSE
The old trouveres did not hesitate to stop the flow of their
stories to describe the delights and beauties of the gardens.
Many romantic scenes are staged in the " Pleasance," to which
lovers stole quietly through the tiny postern gate in the walls.
When we remember what the feudal castle was, with its high,
dark walls, its gloomy towers and loop-holes for windows, its
cold floors, its secret hiding-places, and its general gloom, it is
not surprising that the lords and ladies liked to escape into
the garden. After the long, dreary winter what joy to see the
trees burst into bloom and the tender flowers push their way
through the sweet grass! Like the birds, the poets broke out
into rapturous song, as, for instance, in Richard Cceur de Lion:
" Merry is in the time of May,
Whenne fowlis synge in her lay;
Flowers on appyl trees and perye ;*
Small fowlis** synge merye;
Ladyes strew their bowers
With red roses and lily flowers;
Great joy is in grove and lake."
*Specar.
**Birds.
In Chaucer's Franklyn s Tale Dorigen goes into her garden
to try to divert herself in the absence of her husband:
" And this was on the sixte morne of May,
Which May had painted with his softe shoures.
This gardeyn full of leves and of flowers :
And craft of marines hand so curiously
Airayed had this gardeyn of such pris,
As if it were the verray paradis."
In the Roman de Berte Charles Martel dines in the garden,
when the rose is in bloom — "que la rose est flenrie" — and in
La Mort de Garin a big dinner-party is given in the garden.
Naturally the garden was the place of all places for lovers.
In Blonde of Oxford Blonde and Jean meet in the garden under
a blossoming pear-tree, silvery in the blue moonlight, and in
GARDEN OF DELIGHT
ROMAN DE LA ROSE
FIFTEENTH CENTURY
552
THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 553
the Roman of Maugis et la Belle Oriande the hero and heroine
"met in a garden to make merry and amuse themselves after
they had dined; and it was the time for taking a little repose.
It was in the month of May, the season when the birds sing
and when all true lovers are thinking of their love."
In many of the illuminated manuscripts of these delightful
Romans there are pictures of ladies gathering flowers in the
garden, sitting on the sward, or on stone seats weaving chaplets
and garlands; and these little pictures are drawn and painted
with such skill and beauty that we have no difficulty in visual-
izing what life was like in a garden six hundred years ago.
So valued were these gardens — not only for their flowers
but even more for the potential drugs, salves, unguents, per-
fumes and ointments they held in leaf and petal, seed and root,
in those days when every castle had to be its own apothecary
storehouse — that the owner always kept it locked and guarded
the key. Song, story and legend are full of incidents of the
heroine's trouble in gaining possession of the key of the postern
gate in order to meet at midnight her lover who adventurously
scaled the high garden wall. The garden was indeed the hap-
piest and the most romantic spot in the precincts of the feudal
castle and the baronial manor-house.
We do not have to depend entirely upon the trouveres and
poets for a knowledge of mediaeval flowers. A manuscript of
the Fifteenth Century (British Museum) contains a list of
plants considered necessary for a garden. Here it is: violets,
mallows, dandelions, mint, sage, parsley golds,* marjoram,
fennel, carraway, red nettle, daisy, thyme, columbine, basil,
rosemary, gyllofre,f rue, chives, endive, red rose, poppy, cow-
slips of Jerusalem, saffron, lilies and Roman peony.
Herbs and flowers were classed together. Many were valued
for culinary purposes and for medicinal purposes. The ladies
of the castle and manor-house were learned in cookery and in
the preparation of "simples;" and they guarded, tended and
gathered the herbs, with perhaps even more care than they
gave to the flowers. Mediaeval pictures of ladies, in tall
* Marigold?,
f Gilliflower.
554 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
peaked head dresses, fluttering veils and graceful, flowing
robes, gathering herbs in their gardens, are abundant in the old
illustrated manuscripts.
It is but a step from this mediaeval " Pleasance" to the
Shakespeare Garden. But before we try to picture what the
Tudor gardens were like it will be worth our while to pause
for a moment to consider the Renaissance garden of Italy
on which the gardens that Shakespeare knew and loved were
modelled. No one is better qualified to speak of these than
Vernon Lee:
"One great charm of Renaissance gardens was the skillful
manner which Nature and Art were blended together. The
formal design of the Giardino segreto agreed with the straight
lines of the house and the walls with their clipped hedges, led
on to the wilder freer growth of woodland and meadow, while
the dense shade of the bosco supplied an effective contrast to
the sunny spaces of lawn and flower-bed. The ancient practice
of cutting box-trees into fantastic shapes, known to the Romans
as the topiary art, was largely restored in the Fifteenth Century
and became an essential part of Italian gardens. In that
strange romance printed at the Aldine Press in 1499, the Hyper-
notomachia of Francesco Colonna, Polyphilus and his beloved
are led through an enchanted garden where banquet-houses,
temples and statues stand in the midst of myrtle groves and
labyrinths on the banks of a shining stream. The pages of
this curious book are adorned with a profusion of wood-cuts
by some Venetian engraver, representing pergolas, fountains,
sunk parterres, pillared loggie, clipped box and ilex-trees of
every variety, which gives a good idea of the garden artist
then in vogue.
"Boccaccio and the Italians more usually employ the word
orto, which has lost its Latin signification, and is a place, as
we learn from the context, planted with fruit-trees and pot-
herbs, the sage which brought misfortune on poor Simona and
the sweet basil which Lisabetta watered, as it grew out of
Lorenzo's head, only with rosewater, or that of orange-flowers,
or with her own tears. A friend of mine has painted a picture
of another of Boccaccio's ladies, Madonna Dianora, visiting
THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 555
the garden which the enamored Ansaldo has made to bloom
in January by magic arts; a little picture full of the quaint
lovely details of Dello's wedding-chests, the charm of roses
and lilies, the flashing fountains and birds singing against a
background of wintry trees, and snow-shrouded fields, dainty
youths and damsels treading their way among the flow-
ers, looking like tulips and ranunculus themselves in their fur
and brocade. But although in this story Boccaccio employs
the word giardino instead of orto, I think we must imagine that
magic flower garden rather as a corner of orchard connected
with fields of wheat and olive below by the long tunnels of
vine-trellis and dying away into them with the great tufts of
lavender and rosemary and fennel on the grassy bank under
the cherry trees. This piece of terraced ground along which
the water spurted from the dolphin's mouth, or the Siren's
breasts — runs through walled channels refreshing impartially
violets and salads, lilies and tall, flowering onions under the
branches of the peach-tree and the pomegranate, to where, in
the shade of the great pink oleander tufts, it pours out below
into the big tank for the maids to rinse their linen in the eve-
ning and the peasants to fill their cans to water the bedded out
tomatoes and the potted clove-pinks in the shadow of the
house.
"The Blessed Virgin's garden is like that where, as she prays
in the cool of the evening, the gracious Gabriel flutters on to
one knee (hushing the sound of his wings lest he startle her)
through the pale green sky, the deep blue-green valley; and
you may still see in the Tuscan fields clumps of cypress, clipped
wheel shape, which might mark the very spot."
We may recall here that the early Italian and Flemish paint-
ers were fond of representing the Madonna and the Infant
Jesus in a garden ; and the garden that they pictured was always
the familiar little enclosed garden of the period. The flowers
that grew there were limited by the Church. Each flower had
its significance: the rose and the pink both expressed divine
love; the lily, purity; the violet, humility; the strawberry,
fruit and blossom, for the fruit of the spirit and the good works
of the righteous; the clover, or trefoil, for the Trinity; and the
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THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 557
columbine for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, because of
its dove-shaped petals.
The enclosed garden is ancient indeed.
"0 garden enclosed — a garden of living waters
And flowing streams from Lebanon:
Awake 0 North Wind; and come thou South;
Blow upon my garden that the spices may thereof flow out!"
So sang the aesthetic Solomon.
A garden enclosed, a garden of living waters, a garden of
perfumes — these are the motives of the Indian gardens of the
luxurious Mughal Emperors, whose reigns coincide with Tudor
times.
Symbolism played an important part in Indian gardens.
The beautiful garden of Babar (near Kabul) was called the
Bagh-i-vafa — "The Garden of Fidelity." This has many
points in common with the illustration of the Romaunt of the
Rose, particularly the high walls.
There is also great similarity with the gardens of Elizabethan
clays. The "pleached allies" and "knots" of the English
gardens of Shakespeare's time find equivalents in the vine
pergolas and geometrical parterres of the Mughal Emperors;
and the central platform of the Mughal gardens answered the
same purpose as the banqueting-hall on the mound, which
decorated nearly every English nobleman's garden.
III. BAGH-I-VAFA
Babar's "Garden of Fidelity," shown here, was made in the
year 1508. We see Babar personally superintending the laying
out of the "four-field plot." Two gardeners hold the measur-
ing line and the architect stands by with his plan. The square
enclosure at the bottom of the garden (right) is the tank.
The whole is bordered with orange and pomegranate trees.
An embassy knocks at the gate, but Babar is too absorbed in
his gardening to pay any attention to him.
Fifteen years later Babar stole three days away from his
campaign against the Afghans and visited his beautiful garden.
"Next morning." he wrote in his Memoirs, "I reached Bagh-
558 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
i-Yafa. It was the season when the garden was in all its glory.
Its grass-plots were all covered with clover; its pomegranate
trees were entirely of a beautiful yellow color. It was then
the pomegranate season and pomegranates were hanging red
on the trees. The orange trees were green and cheerful, loaded
with innumerable oranges; but the best oranges were not yet
ripe. I never was so much pleased with the "Garden of Fidelity"
as on this occasion."
Several new ideas were introduced into English gardens in the
first quarter of the Sixteenth Century. About 1525 the geo-
metrical beds called "knots" came into fashion, also rails for
beds, also mounds, or "mounts," and also arbors. Cardinal
YVolsey had all these novelties in his garden at Hampton
Court Palace. It was a marvellous garden, as any one who
will read Cavendish may see for himself; but Henry VIII was
not satisfied with it when he seized the haughty Cardinal's
home in 1529. So four years later the King had an entirely
new garden made at Hampton Court (the Privy Garden is on
the site now) with gravel paths, beds cut in the grass and
railed and raised mounds decorated with sun-dials. Over the
rails roses clambered and bloomed and the centre of each bed
was adorned with a yew, juniper, or cypress tree. Along the
walls fruit-trees were planted — apples, pears and damsons —
and beneath them blossomed violets, primroses, sweet williams,
gilliflowers and other old favorites.
Towards the end of his reign Henry VIII turned his atten-
tion to beautifying the grounds of Nonsuch Palace near Ewell
in Surrey. These gardens were worthy of the magnificent
buildings. A contemporary wrote: "The Palace itself is so
encompassed with parks full of deer, delicious gardens, groves
ornamented with trellis-work, cabinets of verdure and walks
so embowered with trees that it seems to be a place pitched
upon by Pleasure herself to dwell in along with health."
IV. TYPICAL ENGLISH ESTATE IN TUDOR TIMES
An example of a typical Tudor estate shown in the accom-
panying illustration, "Beaufort House," Chelsea, later
" Buckingham House," is said to have been built by Sir Thomas
THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 559
More in 1521, and rebuilt in 1586 by Sir Robert Cecil, Earl of
Salisbury, who died in 1615. The flowers at this period were
the same for palace and cottage. Tudor gardens bloomed
with acanthus, asphodel, auricula, anemone, amaranth, bach-
elor's buttons, cornflowers or "bottles," cowslips, daffodils,
daisies, French broom (genista), gilliflowers (three varieties),
hollyhock, iris, jasmine, lavender, lilies, lily of the valley,
marigold, narcissus (yellow and white), pansies or heartsease,
peony, periwinkle, poppy, primrose, rocket, roses, rosemary,
snapdragon, stock gilliflowers, sweet william, wallflowers,
winter cherry, violet, mint, marjoram and other sweet-smelling
herbs.
During "the great and spacious time" of Queen Elizabeth
there was an enormous development in gardens. The Queen
was extremely fond of flowers and she loved to wear them.
It must have pleased her hugely when Spenser celebrated her
as "Eliza, Queen of the Shepherds" and painted her portrait
in one of the pretty enclosed gardens, seated among the fruit-
trees, where the grass was sprinkled with flowers:
"See where she sits upon the grassy green,
O seemly sight!
Yclad in scarlet, like a Maiden Queen,
And ermines white;
Upon her head a crimson coronet,
With daffodils and damask roses set;
Bay leaves between,
And primeroses green,
Embellish the sweet violet."
So fond was the Queen of gardens that Sir Philip Sidney
could think of no better way to please her than to arrange his
masque of the May Lady so that it would surprise her when
she was walking in the garden at Wanstead in Essex. Then,
too, in 1591, when visiting Cowdry, Elizabeth expressed a
desire to dine in the garden. A table forty-eight yards long
was accordingly laid.
The Tudor mansions were constantly growing in beauty.
Changes and additions were made to some of them and many
new palaces and manor-houses were erected. Architects —
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THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 561
among them John Thorpe — and landscape-gardeners now
planned the pleasure-grounds to enhance the beauty of the
mansion they had created, adapting the ideas of the Italian
Renaissance to the English taste. The Elizabethan garden in
their hands became a setting for the house and it was laid
out according to a plan that harmonized with the architecture
and continued the lines of the building. The form of the
garden and the lay-out of the beds and walks were deemed of
the greatest importance. Flowers also, took a new place in
general estimation. Adventurous mariners constantly brought
home new plants and bulbs and seeds from the East and lately
discovered America; merchants imported strange specimens
from Turkey and Poland and Far Cathay; and travellers on the
Continent opened their eyes and secured unfamiliar curiosities
and novelties. The cultivation of flowers became a regular
fad. London merchants and wealthy noblemen considered it
the proper thing to have a few "outlandish" flowers in their
gardens; and they vied with one another to develop "sports"
and new varieties and startling colors.
Listen to what an amateur gardener, William Harrison, wrote
in 1593:
"If you look into our gardens annexed to our houses how won-
derfully is their beauty increased, not only with flowers and
variety of curious and costly workmanship, but also with rare
and medicinable herbs sought up in the land within these forty
years. How Art also helpeth Nature in the daily coloring,
doubling and enlarging the proportion of one's flowers it is in-
credible to report, for so curious and cunning are our gardeners
now in these days that they presume to do in manner what
they list with Nature and moderate her course in things as if
they were her superiors. It is a world also to see how many
strange herbs, plants and annual fruits are daily brought unto
us from the Indies, Americas, Taprobane, Canary Isles and
all parts of the world.
"For mine own part, good reader, let me boast a little of my
garden, which is but small, and the whole area thereof little
above 300 foot of ground, and yet, such hath been my good
luck in purchase of the variety of simples, that, notwithstand-
562 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
ing my small ability, there are very near 300 of one sort and
another contained therein, no one of them being common or
usually to be had. If, therefore, my little plat void of all cost
of keeping be so well furnished, what shall we think of those of
Hampton Court, Nonsuch, Theobald's, Cobham Garden and
sundrie others appertaining to divers citizens of London whom
I could particularly name?"
V. CRISPIN DE PASSE
Several men of the New Learning, who, like Shakespeare, lived
into the reign of James I, advanced many steps beyond the
botanists of the early days of Queen Elizabeth. The old
Herbals — the great Herbal, from the French (1516) and the
Herbals published by William Turner, Dean of Wells, who had
a garden of his own at Kew, treat of flowers chiefly with regard
to their properties and medical uses.
The Renaissance did indeed "paint the lily" and "throw a
perfume on the violet;" for the New Age brought recognition
of their aesthetic qualities and taught scholastic minds that
flowers had beauty and perfume and character as well as
utilitarian qualities. Elizabeth as Queen had very different
gardens to walk in than the little one in the Tower of London
in which she took exercise as a young Princess in 1564.
Let us look at some of them. First, that of Richmond
Palace. Here the garden was surrounded by a brick wall and
in the centre was "a round knot divided into four quarters,"
with a yew-tree in the centre. Sixty-two fruit-trees were
trained on the wall.
This seems to have been of the old type — the orchard garden,
where a few old favorite flowers bloomed under the trees and
in the central "knot," or bed. In the Queen's locked garden
at Havering-atte-Bower trees, grass and sweet herbs seem to
have been more conspicuous than the flowers. The Queen's
gardens seem to have been over-shadowed by those of her
subjects. One of the most celebrated belonged to Lord Bur-
leigh, and was known as Theobald's. Of this Paul Hentzner, a
German traveller who visited England in 1598, went to see the
garden the very day that Burleigh was buried.
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564 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
He described it as follows:
"We left London in a coach in order to see the remarkable
places in its neighborhood. The first was Theobald's, belong-
ing to Lord Burleigh, the Treasurer. In the Gallery was
painted the genealogy of the Kings of England. From this
place one goes into the garden, encompassed with a ditch full
of water, large enough for one to have the pleasure of going in
a boat and rowing between the shrubs. Here are great variety
of trees and plants, labyrinths made with a great deal of labor,
a jet d'eaa with its basin of white marble and columns and
pyramids of wood and other materials up and down the garden.
After seeing these, we were led by the gardener into the sum-
mer-house, in the lower part of which, built semicircularly,
are the twelve Roman Emperors in white marble and a table of
touchstone. The upper part of it is set round with cisterns
of lead into which the water is conveyed through pipes so that
fish may be kept in them and in summer time they are very
convenient for bathing. In another room for entertainment
near this, and joined to it by a little bridge, was an oval table
of red marble."
Another and accurate picture of a stately Elizabethan
garden is by a most competent authority, Sir Philip Sidney
(1554-1586), who had a superb garden of his own in Kent.
In Arcadia we read:
"Kalander one afternoon led him abroad to a well-arrayed
ground he had behind his house which he thought to show him
before his going, as the place himself more than in any other,
delighted in. The backside of the house was neither field,
garden, nor orchard; or, rather, it was both field, garden and
orchard: for as soon as the descending of the stairs had deliv-
ered they came into a place curiously set with trees of the
most taste-pleasing fruits; but scarcely had they taken that
into their consideration but that they were suddenly stept
into a delicate green ; on each side of the green a thicket, and
behind the thickets again new beds of flowers which being
under the trees, the trees were to them a pavilion, and they to
the trees a mosaical floor, so that it seemed that Art therein
would needs be delightful by counterfeiting his enemy, Error
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566 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
and making order in confusion. In the midst of all the place
was a fair pond, whose shaking crystal was a perfect mirror
to all the other beauties, so that it bare show of two gardens;
one indeed and the other in shadows; and in one of the thickets
was a fine fountain."
VI. GARDEN PLEASURES
There were many such splendid gardens. Shakespeare was
familiar, of course, with those of Warwickshire, including
the superb examples at Kenilworth, and with those in the vicin-
ity of London.
The Elizabethans used their gardens in many ways. They
took recreation in them in winter and summer, and enjoyed
the perfume and colors of their flowers with an intensity of
delight and appreciation rarely found today. In their gardens
the serious and the frivolous walked and talked and here they
frequently were served with refreshments.
It was also a fashion to use the garden as a setting for masques
and surprises, such as those Leicester planned on a grand scale
to pleasure Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth. Several of Ben
Jonson's entertainments were arranged for performance on the
terrace opening from house to garden.
By looking into that mirror of the period, Enphues and his
England, by John Lyly (1554-1606), we can see two charming
ladies in ruffs and farthingales and a gallant in rich doublet
and plumed hat walking in a garden and we gain an idea of the
kind of "garden talk" that was comme il faut:
"One of the ladies, who delighted much in mirth, seeing
Philautus behold Camilla so steadfastly, said unto him: 'Gen-
tleman, what flower do you like best in all this border? Here
be fair Roses, sweet Violets, fragrant Primroses; here be Gilli-
flowers, Carnations, Sops-in-\Vine, Sweet Johns, and what
may either please you for sight, or delight you with savor.
Loth we are you should have a posie of all, yet willing to give
you one, not that which shall look best but such a one as you
shall like best.' "
What could Philautus do but bow gallantly and say: "Of
all flowers, I love a fair woman."
The California Tree Yucca
Yucca brevifolia Englm.
By Ernest Brannton
X SPITE of its wide range and great numbers,
it was predicted in the early '80's that the
tree yucca would be extinct within a few
years. At that time a sample had been sent
to England, to the London Telegraph, to test
for paper-making and it is said one issue of
that journal was printed on yucca paper. A company was
formed and a cargo of pulp from the trunks shipped to Eng-
land, but the material heated on the way and was spoiled. It
seemed impossible to prevent the heating and the cost of
harvesting was so great that the enterprise was abandoned.
Though called the California tree yucca, and there reaching
its greatest size, it ranges through southern Nevada to south-
western Utah. The latter named state reminds one that the
early Mormons christened this gigantic plant "Joshua tree,"
why, we know not, but the name sticks. It extends as far
north in California as Kern River Valley, going over a divide
5000 feet above the sea to be able to reach down into this
valley; but it is on the Mohave Desert and its arms that it
reaches its greatest development. And that development
marks it as by far the world's largest yucca, though there are
other arborescent species in Mexico. The largest specimen
ever found, which is herewith illustrated, is sixty-five feet high
and five feet in diameter of trunk, five feet above the ground.
This yucca still is threatened with extinction for as trans-
portation facilities across the desert are improved they will be
rapidly destroyed through the relentless demands of commerce
unless the Federal Government shall reserve a national park
567
YUCCA BREVIFOLIA
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YUCCA BREVIFOLIA
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THE CALIFORNIA TREE YUCCA 571
where the greatest numbers grow. The writer does not know
of one in cultivation, though they may easily be started from
seeds, for it has been done many times; but the seedlings do
not long endure the loving care of man. The writer has
brought scores, in varying sizes, from the Mohave Desert,
but never succeeded in successfully transplanting a single one,
nor does he know of anyone who has. The wood is very light
and will not split, enduring all changes of the weather without
deterioration. For that reason it is largely used for tree pro-
tectors to fasten around the bottom of young trees to guard
them from sunburn, rabbits and other animals. It is also the
favored material for surgeons' splints, being superior to all
others in that if once moistened and bound to a human limb it
retains the form thus given it.
This plant is one of the curiosities of the desert and gives the
landscape where it grows a weird appearance. The first
flower-spike is terminal and the plant then begins to branch.
Each year, after flowering, the old leaves die, droop, and in a
couple of years drop off. The method of its perpetuation
renders it a curiosity for it is incapable of self-pollination, and
is dependent for this most necessary work on the acts of a
moth, whose antics are such as to lead a novice to suspect it is
trained for the job. The female of this nocturnal species
collects the pollen from the anthers, rolls it into a little ball,
flies to the flower of another plant, deposits her Qgg in the
ovary, climbs up the style and deliberately thrusts the ball of
pollen as far down the tube of the stigma as it will go. Of
course when the larva hatches it eats a few seeds but as the
latter are very numerous there are plenty left to perpetuate
the species, though they are often eaten by other pests. Xo
matter how viewed, the tree yucca is an uncanny object and
presents, even to those used to travel on other deserts, a singu-
larly weird appearance.
THE BATH AND THRONE
OF NEZAHUALCOYOTL,
KING OF TEXCOCO
From a Painting by Velasco
572
The Gardens of Ancient
Mexico
By Zelia Nut tall
n
S a preliminary to a description of the gardens
of Ancient Mexico it should be mentioned
here that in the language of the Nahuas are
found names descriptive of different kinds of
gardens; a significant fact from which a pro-
longed familiarity with horticulture may be
inferred. The name for a garden in general was xochitla, lit.
= flower-place; a variant being xoxochitla = place of many
flowers. A walled garden was xochitepanyo. The pleasure
gardens of the ruling class were designated as xochitecpancalli,
lit. = the palace of flowers. The humble garden of the Indian
was and is a xochichinancalli, lit. = flower-place enclosed by a
fence made of cane or reeds.
These words reveal that the native conception of a garden
was a flowery "hortus inclusus," which brings the Ancient
Mexican garden-lovers very close to us. For a knowledge of
the lordly pleasances which delighted their owners at the time
of the Conquest we have to rely upon the descriptions of Span-
ish eye-witnesses which, exaggerated as they may seem, are
fully corroborated by the native historians and in the case of
the Texcocan gardens by archaeological remains. The most
detailed description of a native garden is that written by Cortes
in his second letter to the Emperor Charles V in 1520, in the
portion referring to his arrival at Iztapalapa, a town seven
miles distant from Mexico on the shore of the salt lagoon. He
writes: "Its lord or chief has some new houses which though
still unfinished, are as good as the best in Spain; I mean as
large and well constructed, not only in the stone-work but also
in the wood-work, and all arrangements for every kind of
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574 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
household service, all except the relief work and other rich
details which are used in Spanish houses but are not found
here. There are both upper and lower rooms and very refresh-
ing gardens with many trees and sweet scented flowers, bathing
places of fresh water, well constructed and having steps leading
down to the bottom. He also has a large orchard near the
house, overlooked by a high terrace with many beautiful cor-
ridors and rooms. Within the orchard is a great square pool
of fresh water, very well constructed, with sides of handsome
masonry around which runs a walk with a well laid pavement
of tiles, so wide that four persons can walk abreast on it, and
four hundred paces square, making in all sixteen hundred
paces. On the other side of this promenade towards the wall
of the garden are hedges of lattice work made of cane, behind
which are all sorts of plantations of trees and aromatic herbs.
The pool contains many fish and different kinds of water-
fowl "
The observant Bernal Diaz, who accompanied Cortes wrote
enthusiastically about Iztapalapa as follows: "The garden and
orchard are most admirable. I saw and walked about in them
and could not satiate myself sufficiently looking at the many
kinds of trees and enjoying the perfume of each. And there
were walks bordered with the roses of this country and flowers
and many fruit-trees and flowering shrubs; also a pool of fresh
water. There was another thing worth seeing; namely that
large canoes could enter into the flower garden from the lagoon
through an entrance they had made of many kinds ol stone
covered with polished stucco and painted, which gave one
much to think about Again I say that I do not
believe that in the whole world there are other countries known
to compare with this one."
It may well be that the gardens of Iztapalapa were in his
mind when, thirty years after the Conquest he wrote how he
and his companions "had been filled with wonder at what they
saw, and said to each other that all seemed to be like the en-
chantments written about in Amadis of Gaul .... for
the things they were seeing never had been seen, heard or even
dreamed of." It is interesting to learn, through Hernandez,,
GARDENS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 575
that "many trees of a kind of cypress had been raised from
seed at Iztapalapa by one of its lords who took infinite pains to
have them cultivated for his enjoyment."
In a chapter entitled: "Of the gardens in which Montezuma
went for recreation," the scholarly Dr. Cervantes de Salazar,
who wrote his famous and long lost Chronicle in Mexico in
1565, and derived his information from the most reliable
sources, records as follows:
"This great monarch had many pleasances and spacious
gardens with paths and channels for irrigation. These gardens
contained only medicinal and aromatic herbs, flowers, native
roses and trees with fragrant blossoms, of which there are
many kinds. He ordered his physicians to make experiments
with the medicinal herbs and to employ those best known and
tried as remedies in healing the ills of the lords of his court.
These gardens gave great pleasure to all who visited them on
account of the flowers and roses they contained and of the
fragrance they gave forth, especially in the mornings and even-
ings. It was well worth seeing with how much art and delicacy
a thousand figures of persons were made by means of leaves
and flowers, also the seats, chapels and the other constructions
which so greatly adorned these places."
"In these flower-gardens Montezuma did not allow any
vegetables or fruit to be grown saying that it was not kingly
to cultivate plants for utility or profit in his pleasance. He
said that vegetable gardens and orchards were for slaves or
merchants. At the same time he owned such, but they were
at a distance and he seldom visited them."
"Outside the city of Mexico he had houses in extensive
groves of trees surrounded by water so that the game could not
escape and he could be certain of his quarry. In these woods
there were fountains, rivers, tanks with fish, rabbit-warrens,
steep high rocks among which were stags, fallow deer, hares,
foxes, wolves and other similar animals which the Mexican
lords hunted much and very often."
Cervantes de Salazar also gives a description of a hunt that
the Mexican ruler watched from his richly adorned litter which
rested meanwhile on the shoulders of its bearers. It was no
576 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
doubt thus that he was often carried from his summer palace
at the base of the hill of Chapultepec, which was surrounded
by a grove of beautiful "Ahuehuetes" or Swamp Cypress,
past the bas-relief portraits of himself and his predecessors,
carved on the rocks, up a broad winding flight of steps to its
summit. From this he could command a panoramic view of
incomparable beauty embracing the whole Valley of Mexico
with its lakes and the snow-capped volcanoes beyond. In
1554 Salazar in his "Dialogues" relates that on the top of the
hill Montezuma had cultivated trees as though it were a garden
and that on its steep sides were terraces with other groves of
trees and hanging gardens. He explains the choice of such a
site for the cultivation of ornamental trees and flowers with
the dictum that "Indians preferred hills to plains;" but an
important reason was doubtless that the native gardeners had
learnt from long experience that many plants thrive best
among rocks which not only preserve moisture but also the
heat of the sun which counteracts the chilliness of the night
temperature in this high altitude.
The fact, however, that not only Montezuma but, as we
shall see, the lord of Texcoco and the Tarascan rulers built
their pleasure gardens on high hills commanding admirable
views indicates that they had a fine taste and a true love of
Nature in all of its manifestations. In this connection it is
interesting to recall here that being a high-priest as well as
"king" it was one of Montezuma's duties to "arise at mid-
night to observe the North Star and its wheel" (the revolving
circumpolar constellations) also the Pleiades and other con-
stellations. From their hill-gardens the ancient astronomer
priests and rulers of Mexico no doubt often contemplated the
heavens, watching for the periodical re-appearance of the
planets and particularly of the planet Venus which was cele-
brated by a solemn festival.
There is a deep pathos in the fact that during his captivity
Montezuma several times besought Cortes to give him per-
mission to visit those of his pleasances which were situated
within one or two leagues of his capital, which naturally in-
cluded the hill-garden of Chapultepec. The Conqueror wrote
GARDENS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 577
to his emperor that the permission was never denied; that
Montezuma went accompanied by a number of his nobles and
lords whom he entertained with banquets and feasting and
that he always returned "very gaily and contentedly" to the
apartment assigned to him by his captor — an assertion one
may be permitted to doubt. Forming a part of Montezuma's
city residence was what Cortes describes as "a house less hand-
some than his palace where he had a very beautiful garden,
overlooked by certain balconies or watch-towers, the stone
facings and flooring of which were of jasper, very finely
worked "
We also know that in the temple precincts flowers were cul-
tivated and that there were "exquisite flower-gardens of dif-
ferent kinds on the upper as well as on the lower stories" of the
houses of those inhabitants whom Cortes describes as "vassal
lords" and the "wealthy citizens" of the capital. At the
Penon, a rocky hill north of the city where a hot spring wells
up, Montezuma had another pleasance. The orchard he
owned near Coyoacan was given later by Cortes to Dona
Marina who had acted as interpreter for the Conquerors.
The most wonderful of all Montezuma's gardens was how-
ever the tropical one at Huaxtepec which he had inherited
from his predecessor and namesake Montezuma the Elder.
The native historians relate that the latter, soon after his
accession to power in about 1450, was reminded by his brother
of the garden of their ancestors at Huaxtepec in the tropical
region south of the Valley of Mexico, "where there were rocks
with carved effigies of his forefathers, rocks, fountains, gardens,
trees with flowers and trees yielding fruit." He thereupon
sent thither his principal overseer named Pinotetl with orders
to inspect and restore the fountains and springs, the streams,
reservoirs and irrigation system. Simultaneously he dis-
patched messengers to the tropical coast region with a request
to the lord of Cuetlaxtla for plants with roots of the vanilla
orchid; of the cacao and magnolia trees and other valuable
vegetable products. With foresight he also asked that these
be brought carefully by native gardeners from the same region,
capable of re-planting them at the proper season and tending
578 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
them in the customary way. On receiving his message the
lord of Cuetlaxtla immediately gave orders to have a number
of all kinds of plants dug up with their roots enclosed in earth,
and with exquisite courtesy he had these bundles wrapped in
beautiful woven mantles and dispatched to Mexico. The
ceremonial observed by the gardeners who accompanied them
before planting the trees, etc., "around the fountains in the
garden" is worth recording here. They fasted for eight days
and, drawing blood from the helix of their ears they anointed
the plants therewith. Asking Pinotetl for a quantity of in-
cense, rubber and paper, they also made a great sacrifice to the
god of flowers offering him many dead quail after having
sprinkled the plants and the soil around them with their blood.
They assured the people that after observing these ceremonies
none of the plants would be lost and that they would soon
bear flowers and fruits.
Their prediction was fulfilled and before three years had
passed all of their charges blossomed so luxuriantly that the
gardeners from Cuetlaxtla were amazed and said that even in
their native soil such plants never flowered so soon. They
concluded therefore that the Huaxtepec region suited these
valuable plants better than their original home. It is inter-
esting to learn that "then Montezuma lifted his hands to
heaven and thanked the God of all Creation for these blessings
and he and his brothers shed tears of joy at the success of their
experiment. For they esteemed as a special mercy and bene-
fit bestowed upon them by the Lord of the Heavens, of the
Day and Night, that they could now bequeath to the Mexican
people and to all the inhabitants of the province of Huaxtepec
the joy of possessing the precious plants they had been obliged
to do without until then."
It was of the Huaxtepec garden that in his letter to Charles
V, dated May 15, 1522, Cortes wrote that "it was the finest,
pleasantest and largest that ever was seen, having a circum-
ference of two leagues." He adds: "a very pretty rivulet
with high banks ran through it from one end to the other.
For the distance of two shots from a cross-bow there were
arbours and refreshing gardens and an infinite number of dif-
GARDENS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 579
ferent kinds of fruit-trees; many herbs and sweet-scented
flowers. It certainly filled one with admiration to see the
grandeur and exquisite beauty of this entire orchard." Other
Conquistadores were equally enthusiastic. In his account of
Cort6s' second expedition, Bernal Diaz wrote: "We went . . . .
to Huaxtepec where is the pleasure garden .... which is
the finest I have seen in all my life. When Cortes and the
Treasurer Alderete saw it and promenaded in it for awhile
they were filled with admiration and said that even in Spain
they had never seen a finer kind of pleasure-garden."
Bernal Diaz also records that on his expedition to the hot-
lands Captain Gouzalo de Sandoval rested and slept overnight
in the Huaxtepec orchard and had pronounced it to be "the
most beautiful he had seen in New Spain. It contained a
greater number of buildings and many more admirable sights
than any other garden. Although he had not finished explor-
ing all of it, as it was more than a quarter of a league in length,
he considered it certainly to be a pleasure-garden worthy of a
great prince."
The historian Torquemada, quoting from original sources
supplements the foregoing descriptions by the information that
beside groves of trees, rest-houses and gardens full of flowers,
fruit and game there were also plantations and fountains and
"several large rocks on which were bowers and oratories and
observatories, with the steps leading to them cut in the solid
rock."
Dr. Hernandez, the Spanish physician who visited "the
royal gardens at Huaxtepec" between 1570 and 1577 mentions
two valuable medicinal trees he had seen there, namely the
"Brazilwood" (Caesalpinia echinata) which had been brought
thither from Panuco on the Gulf of Mexico and a tree belong-
ing to the Bombacaceae which was evidently the curious Macpal-
xochitlquauitl, or Tree of the flower of the hand (Cheirostemon
platanoides) which has always been prized by the Mexicans for
the uncanny simulacrum of a small red hand produced by the
union at the base of its five protruding stamens, and for its
tonic effect on the heart.
580 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
At the present day it shares the popularity of the Yollo-
xochitl, or Heart-flower {Magnolia mexicana) as a sovereign
heart remedy and both figure in the "Farmacopia Mexicana"
and can be bought in a dried condition in every market-place.
The fruit trees which flourished in the famous tropical orchard
were probably different kinds of the Ahuacatl = Avocado
{Per sea gratissima) ; of the Tzapotl (Sapoteae) ; the Texocotl
(Mespilus) a species of medlar which makes delicious pre-
serves; the Xalxocotl = Guava; the Macaxocotl {Spondias
Mombin, the "Hog-plum); the Capolin {Primus capolin) of
which there are three species. Among the ornamental trees
and shrubs were doubtless the tree now known to botanists as
the "Montezuma speciossima, Bombacaceae, the Bombax Ceiba
and other species of the genus; the two Poinsettias; the Cleome
speciosissima; the fragrant Lacepedea insignis; several Acacias,
to say nothing of Aralias, Yuccas and tree ferns and palms.
Among the showy flowers were the Tigridias, the bulbs of
which yield a farinaceous food; Marigolds {Tagetes) of many
kinds and various species of the Orchid, Zinnia, Cactus, Am-
aryllis, Bouvardia, Solanum, Lantana, Bromelia, Convolvulus,
Salvia and Dahlia families; the Hibiscus spiralis, the Sola dra
guttata with countless creepers; possibly the tall showy Huauhtli
= Amaranthus leucocarpus, the seeds of which furnished a
favorite food.
After reading the authentic evidence that has been presented
one can but re-echo the conclusion expressed shortly after the
Conquest by Salazar, then residing in Mexico, namely that
"few princes and perhaps not one ever possessed pleasure-
gardens that equalled those of the great lord Montezuma."
From his delightful hill-garden at Chapultepec, commanding
one of the most beautiful views of the world, this flower lover
could visit the Iztapalapa pleasance as he travelled in his
litter, by easy stages to the terrestrial paradise at Huaxtepec
containing the choicest products of tropical vegetation in full
magnificence and luxuriance, brought together by the unremit-
ting efforts of his forefathers and his own. It is pitiful to
relate that at the present day with the exception of some grand
old ahuehuetes and the perennial springs of clear water nothing
GARDENS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 581
remains to testify of the former beauty and grandeur of the
first tropical botanical garden on the American Continent.
Returning to the Valley of Mexico we will now review what
has been written about the gardens at Texcoco, the ancient
seat of native culture which has been termed "The Athens of
America," and was the residence of the most interesting per-
sonality in the history of Ancient Mexico, whose name would
be voiced oftener if it were not generally considered as so
unpronounceable. Nezahualcoyotl, the law-giver, philosopher
and poet-king of Texcoco was born in 1403 and died at the
age of seventy-one, after a reign of fifty years. Referring the
reader to the works of Prescott and Bancroft for the history of
his life and an account of the remarkable code of laws he for-
mulated, attention is drawn here only to the interesting fact
that, in order to prevent the destruction of forests and woods
he prescribed certain limits to the hewers of trees and severely
punished their transgression.
A descendant of his, Ixtlilxochitl, relates that Nezahual-
coyotl possessed many kinds of gardens for he had inherited
those which pertained to the palaces of his grandfather and
father and had also created no less than eight groves and
gardens. "These contained sumptuous palaces beside foun-
tains, canals, drains, tanks, baths and other intricate water-
works ; and were planted with many strange and wonderful
varieties of flowers and all sorts of trees, brought thither from
remote places. He also had five pieces of land near the lake
where food-plants were cultivated and he always personally
superintended their harvest. Each garden was under the
special care of men from one of eight provinces, whose services
were rendered as a tribute." Another tribute consisted of the
tropical flowers required for the use of the palace, which were
sent daily from Cuernavaca at that time subjected to Texcoco.
Dr. Hernandez, writing between 1570 and 1577 records that
Nezahualcoyotl had devoted himself to the study of plants and
animals and, being unable to have living specimens of many of
the tropical species had pictures of them painted from nature
and copied on the walls of his palace. The drawings of exotic
plants were so excellent that the Spanish botanist was able to
582 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
make use of them. He also mentions seeing the remains of
the new palaces, gardens, and groves of trees planted by the
poet-king.
Writing in the middle of the sixteenth century, Friar Moti-
linia describes as particularly worth seeing the ruins of Neza-
hualcoyotl's palace "with its enclosed garden containing more
than a thousand very large and very beautiful cedar (cypress)
trees;" and a second palace with "many gardens and an im-
mense tank or pool "
In 1850 the American diplomat Brantz Mayer in his work
on Mexico described the same ancient grove of cypresses,
standing in the level plain north-west of Texcoco as "one of
the most remarkable relics of the princes and people of the
Texcocan monarchy" and gave the following details: "The
grove is formed by double rows of gigantic cypresses about
five hundred in number, arranged in a square corresponding
with the points of the compass and enclosing an area of about
ten acres. At the North Western point of this quadrangle
another double row of lordly cypresses runs westwardly to-
wards a dyke north of which there is a deep oblong tank neatly
walled and filled with water. . . . Along the raised banks
and beneath the double line of the majestic trees were the
walks and orchards in which Nezahualcoyotl and his courtiers
amused themselves " In his charming book " Ana-
huac," Professor E. B. Tylor, who visited Mexico in 1856,
wrote of the grove (then called the "Bosque del Contador"):
"This is a grand square, looking towards the cardinal points
and composed of ahuehuetes, grand old deciduous cypresses,
many of them forty feet around and older than the discovery
of America."
In her book on Mexico, Miss Susan Hale mentions having
seen in 1891 "a magnificent grove of lofty ahuehuetes sur-
rounding a large quandrangle." At the present day although
their ranks are sadly thinned, many of the superb old historical
trees exist, furnishing living proof of the grand scale on which
the Texcocan king planned his pleasure-gardens. A sixteenth
century map reveals that at that time not far from the above
quadrangle there was another grove in a large circular en-
GARDENS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 583
closure. It may have been in imitation of this or in accord-
ance with the native mystical ideas associated with the circle
that the king of Atzcapotzalco laid out the beautiful circular
grove of ahuehuetes which still exists, marking the site of
another bygone pleasance.
The most famous of Nezahualcoyotl's pleasances was that on
the high conical hill named Texcotzinco which overlooks a
panoramic view of exquisite beauty with the Lake of Texcoco
lying between the verdant plains and the distant mountains
beyond it. Pomar relates that here the king had "many dif-
ferent kinds of plants of variegated colours and singular odors;
not only those that grow on the spot but also others brought
from the temperate and tropical zones." Here again archae-
rological remains corroborate the truth of the native accounts
of former splendor, and reveal how, by means of an ingeni-
ously constructed aqueduct and the filling in of an intervening
ravine by means of a colossal solid construction, an abundance
of water was brought from the neighboring heights, about
three leagues distant to a reservoir with walls more than eight
feet high, on the top of the hill, whence it was distributed in
all directions by means of stuccoed channels. In 1850 Brantz
Mayer verified that "the hill of Texcotzinco is connected with
another hill on the east by a tall embankment about 200 feet
high upon whose level tops, which may be crossed by three
persons on horseback abreast, are the remains of an ancient
aqueduct hilt of baked clay, the pipes of which are now as
perfect as the day they were first laid."
The hill is approached by a gentle slope from the south. Its
north side ends abruptly in a precipice which resembles a high
wall of rose coloured porphyry. On the crest of the hill are
the remains of a small palace and of an edifice with flights of
steps which may have led to the famous nine-storied tower
described by native historians. There are also vestiges of a
building with a well-preserved niche and a platform which may
have been an out-door theatre such as those of Tlatelolco and
Cholula, described by Spaniards as being of masonry, thirteen
feet high and thirty paces square on which arches made of
flowers and feathers were erected when performances took place.
584 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
As during what has been termed "the Golden Age" of "the
Athens of America" the poet-king had constituted a Council
of Music whose members held sessions and bestowed prizes on
the best songs and poems, it is obvious that some suitable
stage for the presentation and audition of these must have
been provided.
Extremely well preserved are a large circular bathing tank
near a stone seat with a high sloping back and a small cir-
cular fountain on a platform at the base of a flight of steps, all
most skilfully hewn out of the solid and extremely hard rock.
The most remarkable feature of the ruins consists however,
of a circular basin carved in an enormous block of porphyry
which projects into space and has been aptly described by the
English traveller, W. Bullock, as "standing out like a martin's
nest from the side of a house" (picture on page 572). He also
goes on to say: " It is not only an extraordinary bath, but still
more extraordinarily placed. It is a beautiful basin about twelve
feet long by eight wide, having a well five feet by four deep in
the centre, surrounded by a parapet or rim two feet six inches
high with a throne or chair such as is represented in ancient
pictures to have been used by kings. There are steps to de-
scend into the basin or bath, the whole cut out of the living
porphyry rock with the most mathematical precision and
polished in the most beautiful manner." From the poet-
king's throne the view is one of surpassing loveliness and in-
cludes a view of the City of Mexico thirty miles distant on the
opposite shore of the lake. A descendant of Nezahualcoyotl
tells of a similar reservoir on the hill from which a stream of
water was projected into space and, forming a fine spray,
descended like rain on a garden at the base of the hill filled
with all kinds of fragrant tropical flowers, A steep flight of
steps, now partly preserved, led from the projecting rock to
the base of the hill which was "surrounded by a garden in
which were planted a diversity of trees and scented flowers.
It also contained a number of different kinds of birds beside
those the king had in cages brought from distant places, whose
songs were so loud that people could not hear each other talk."
It is recorded that the poet-king, who had the gift of friend-
585
586 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
ship, not only composed an ode on the death of one of his rela-
tives but had an inscription carved on the breastwork of the
stone steps, to commemorate the hour, day, month and year
in which the news of the death of the lord of Huexotzinco "whom
he loved dearly" was brought o him while he was superintend-
ing the engineering work on the hill of Texcotzinco. This
inscription in hieroglyphics and a number of notable statues
and bas-reliefs representing the most important events of the
poet-king's life were entirely destroyed by order of Archbishop
Zumarraga. A richly decorated clay spindle, whorl adorned
with a swastika, which I found on the hill during my last visit,
conjured up visions of the gentle native women who shared the
poet's life and his enjoyment of his earthly paradise with its
enchanting views, murmuring waters, songs of birds and all
pervading beauty of colour and perfume.
In conclusion an account of the history and true nature of
the famous Chinampas or "Floating Gardens" must be given
in order to dispel some of the erroneous ideas concerning them
which were first promulgated by the historian Clavijero and
have since flourished with a well-known exuberant vitality of
error.
In the "Cronica Mexicana" of the native historian Tezo-
zomoc, it is related how at a remote period, after the migratory
Nahuas had left Tula, they went southward and reached
Tequixquiac. There they manufactured beds (for cultivating
food plants) giving them the name of Chinamitl. This work
signifies literally "an enclosed bed surrounded by a fence made
of cane or stakes." The name Chinampa is therefore com-
posed of the word for enclosure and the affix pan-pani, which
conveys the meaning that the enclosed bed was a raised one,
being "on or above the surface." It would seem that these
first chinampas were made in a plain, for Tezozomoc makes
special mention of the fact that later, when they reached
Xaltocan they "made beds in the lagoon and planted seeds of
maize, beans, huauhtli (Amaranthus) squashes, tomatoes and
chili peppers."
Years later, having reached the Valley of Mexico, they
selected a site in the shallow fresh water lagoon and under the
GARDENS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 587
direction of their high priest cut sods of the reeds and other
grasses growing in the water and used these to make a founda-
tion for the mud-beds they built up, inside of a staked off
enclosure, by means of layer after layer of the muddy sedi-
ment at the bottom of the lake. It is exactly in the same
way that new chinampas are made nowadays in the lake of
Xochimilco by the descendants of the ancient agriculturalists
who on account of their use of such beds were and are known
as Chinampanecas = "Chinampa people."
From time immemorial however their oblong raised plots,
the size of which varies between twenty to one hundred feet in
length and seven to forty feet in width, have not only been
staked off with the thick native cane, but have been surrounded
by rows of a species of willow the growth of which resembles
that of a Lombardy poplar. These willows being constantly
pruned give little or no shade and their root-growth is phe-
nomenal. With a certain amount of training their interlacing
roots form a sort of basket-work which retains the banks of
the "chinampas," the age of which can be estimated by their
height, which varies between two and eight feet.
Since the water-hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes) has been
introduced in comparatively recent times, it has been found
very useful in building up the chinampas, being spread in thick
layers which are allowed to partly dry and partly decay and
are then covered with layers of mud. Every year the process
of raising the surface of the bed is repeated in order to counter-
act the erosion produced by the torrential rains in the wet
season. By means of a canvas scoop fastened to the crossed
end of a pole, mud is dredged and cast upon the beds from the
bottom of the innumerable small canals which lie between the
"chinampas" and have also to be kept in a navigable condi-
tion. The same scoops are used by the Indians standing in
their punts to cast water in the high narrow "chinampas"
when irrigation is required. The low "chinampas" need no
irrigation but in the wet season run the risk of inundation.
For countless centuries the inhabitants of the capital have
been almost entirely supplied with vegetables, maize and
flowers by the industrious "chinampa" gardeners who manage
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GARDENS OF ANCIENT MEXICO 589
generally to raise in a year several different successive crops on
their artificial plots of land.*
The foregoing data will suffice to establish that it is erroneous
to refer to Chinampas as "Floating Gardens."
Ancient Mexican history furnishes however, instances of
true "floating gardens" having actually been made and con-
veyed from one place to another. The old native accounts of
these repeated by Spanish and other historians gave rise to
the mistaken idea that it was and is customary for the Mex-
icans to make and cultivate crops on moveable rafts; a method
which the shallowness of the water would render impracticable,
all water traffic in the canals being carried on by means of
punts and small dug out canoes.
In the native chronicles several versions are given of how,
during a period corresponding to A. D. 1350-1400, the king of
Atzcapotzalco and his confederates permitted the newly arrived
Nahuas, or Mexicans, to establish themselves in the lagoon
and to make and cultivate their "chinampas." They exacted
from them, however, "as a token of gratitude and subjection
a tribute of vegetables, fish, frogs and other products of the
lagoon." After some years, angered because the new comers
had presumed to elect a ruler of their own, the king of Atzca-
potzalco decided to demand an additional tribute, the render-
ing of which he thought well-nigh impossible.
His messengers informed the settlers that beside the cus-
tomary tribute they were henceforth to furnish firstly grown
willow and juniper trees for planting in his capital as an embel-
lishment. Secondly: they were to manufacture a raft on top
of which they were to plant all native vegetables and then
bring it by water to Atzcapotzalco. The chronicle records
that the Mexicans were filled with consternation and grief at
so unheard of a demand, but during the night their tribal god
*An important item of sale is that of young plants of annuals which are raised in a
peculiar way. Inside of a raised rim, on a substratum of decayed vegetation a layer of
liquid mud, between six and seven inches deep is poured and allowed to partially dry.
Seedlings are transplanted and set out at equal distances in this bed. When well rooted
and grown the bed is well watered and divided into equal squares by cutting lines in the
mud with a knife. When half dry each square, with its single plant, whose roots are
securely encased in the mud, is lifted out, the compact neat block being easily handled
and packed and buried in the garden beds where the plants flourish rapidly.
590 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
appeared to one of their elders and told him to be of good cheer
for he would lend aid in making the raft. To the amazement
of the king of Atzcapotzalco, who declared the feat "almost
supernatural," they actually delivered not only the trees but
the floating raft-garden full of flourishing food-plants and
flowers.
Summoning the Mexicans to his palace, he addressed them
as follows: "Brethren, it appears to me that you are powerful
and that all things are easy to you. It is therefore my wish
that in future when you pay your tribute you are to bring on
the raft, among the growing vegetables which are to be in
perfect condition, a duck and a heron, each sitting on her eggs.
You are to time it so that on arriving here the eggs will hatch.
If these conditions are not fulfilled the penalty will be death."
Again the tribal god came to the rescue and the extraordinary
tribute was punctually delivered for fifty years by the end of
which time the Mexicans had become powerful enough to cast
off their yolk and bondage. From the foregoing it is evident
that as another native historian remarks, the making of "float-
ing gardens" was always considered "an almost impossible and
most laborious performance" and was entirely exceptional.
The memory of the tyranically exacted tribute and its payment
has however been kept alive through the intervening centuries,
and a feature of the water-pageants and festivals held on the
Yiga Canal in vice-regal and modern times has often been a
simulacrum of a "floating-garden" which has lent countenance
to the popular, absurd, idea that the chinampas were also
"floating" and could be towed at will from place to place.
After reading in the preceding pages of the beauty of the
vanished gardens of Ancient Mexico, the reader will doubtless
share the writer's regret that at the present time there is no
botanical garden in Mexico or any other containing a represen-
tative collection of the wonderful native flora which furnished
so much delight to countless generations of the earliest American
flower-garden lovers.
(To be concluded)
CASA ALVARADO
COYOACAN
MEXICO
IV hat Should a Garden bet
By William C. Egan
GARDEN should be a haven of rest for a mind
fatigued by business cares or the complica-
tions of household duties.
Mrs. J. Willis Martin, President of The
Garden Club of America, on taking her first
view of a certain garden known of exclaimed
"How quietening! How peaceful!" She expressed the very
object the owner — for it was an owner's garden, not a gar-
dener's garden — had been driving at.
Her love for and intimacy with gardens had so trained her
mind that she appreciated at once the picture before her.
Flowers there were galore, still their color effect was subdued
yet enhanced by the modifying influence of the surrounding
tones of green.
In May. 1897, in Gardening I published an article on the
landscaping of the Wooded Island at the World's Fair, that
masterpiece of Mr. Olmsted, who in a short time converted
a dismal swamp into a Fairyland. I then said, "We all saw
the beautiful picture the island presented and felt its quieten-
ing influence amidst the babble of many tongues. It seemed
so natural, so soothing to our tired body that we gave credit to
Nature for what was in reality the art of man." In that paper
I quoted in full the manuscript of instructions given by Mr.
Olmsted to Mr. Ulrich who executed the work. The manu-
script is most interesting and shows evidence of the master
mind that wrote it.
Here is one paragraph.
"Second, to establish a considerable extent of broad and
apparently natural scenery, in contemplation of which a degree
of quietening influence will be had, counteractive to the effect
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WHAT SHOULD A GARDEN BE? 593
of the artificial grandeur and the crowds, pomp, splendor and
bustle of the rest of the exposition."
Regarding the use of flowers he says, "But it is not desired
that there should anywhere appear to be a display of flowers
demanding attention as such, rather, the flowers to be used for
the purpose, should have the effect of flecks and glimmers of
bright color imperfectly breaking the general greenery. Any-
thing approaching a gorgeous, garish, or gaudy display of
flowers should be avoided." A notable feature of the work
was that no colored-leaved trees or shrubs were used to break or
disturb the peaceful influences of the many tones of green
available in the list of hardy material used.
Flowers we must have but flowers alone do not give us a
restful garden. They need the foil of a broad, open lawn and
the backing of shrubbery with its varied tones of green. The
green should predominate.
One of the greatest blessings the Creator gave to man, was
when He decreed that all foliage should be green. It is the
bright red flag that excites a bull to pugnacity not the green.
We all bow in appreciative reverence before a well grown
tree with its verdant foliage reaching to the ground. The
lights and shadows play hide and seek amid its feathery sprays,
varying its tones of green, producing an enchanting effect and
at the same time calms a weary mind. Nature slips a cog
once in a while and produces a purple barbary or a golden
elder — disturbers of the peace. If left alone they would die
a natural death and nature, seeing her error would not repro-
duce them but unappreciative man prolongs their existence by
propagation.
Miss Jeykel plants her long borders with the lighter tones at
one end, gradually intensifying the color until at the center the
reds and other strong colors predominate and then recede in
the same ratio, ending with the lighter shades again. This
method is to rest the eye after the fatigue the reds imposed
upon it.
I like to use a group of shrubs as an eye rester and prefer to
have a backing of shrub greenery behind the flowers, which
594 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
aided by the green of the lawn in front exercise a restful
influence over soul and body. A bouquet lacking in foliage is
merely a lump of color, not a more attractive spectacle than a
spilled pot of paint. The green should predominate and as
far as possible each flower should stand alone, surrounded by
foliage so as to show its individuality, and at the same time
add to the bouquet the charm of "airiness."
So it is in the garden. We need the predominance of the
green to bring out the color value of the flowers, modifying
their brightness, softening their influence and giving peace and
satisfaction to the hearts of those fortunate enough to gaze
upon them.
My Garden in Florida
By Henry Nehrling
"A garden that one makes oneself becomes associated with one's
personal history and that of one's friends, interwoven with one's
tastes, preferences and character, and constitutes a sort of unwritten
but withal manifest autobiography. Show me your garden, provided
it be your own, and I will tell you what you are like."
— Alfred Austin.
HERE is no place in this world that I love so much
as I love my garden. There is nothing like it in
Florida. It has characteristics entirely its own
—features not found anywhere else. Garden
and plant lovers from all parts of the country
are charmed with it. Thousands come and go
each year and enjoy with me its many attractions. Though I
had pictures of tropical beauty in my mind when I planted it I
never followed strictly the rules of the landscape designer.
There are no lawns and broad open spaces. Single specimens,
groups and dense masses of trees, shrubs, palms and bamboos
are the main features of Palm Cottage Gardens. There are
wild portions with narrow paths leading from one place to the
other. Native trees and shrubs form the foundation of the
garden, Japanese and Chinese evergreens, hardy bamboos and
palms closely follow in their wake. The assemblage of plants
is a most refined one, beautiful alike in foliage, form and flowers.
All the real aristocrats of our native flora, as well as those of
the far Orient have found a place in my collection, where they
grow side by side with plants from Australia, South Africa,
Brazil and Argentina. Hundreds of strictly tropical species
were interspersed but almost all of them succumbed to the killing
freezes in the course of time. My losses were quite disastrous
at times but a larger number of the very best and most orna-
mental species came out of the struggle for existence without
595
596
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 597
much harm. All of the plants set out had to struggle for exist-
ence. This is high pineland soil, and it contained originally
not even a particle of humus. It had the appearance of pure
white sand. In its highest parts the clay stratum lies from
twelve to fifteen feet below the surface. During the dry season
all the moisture was rapidly absorbed and the soil became as
dry as dust. Forest fires frequently raged over the place, not
only consuming every leaf and grass-blade but also injuring
and killing the plants that had been set out. Sometimes the
water in the adjoining little lake rose two and more feet during the
rainy season and killed all the plants along its borders. Cattle
and hogs breaking through the fences were a constant menace
for many years. Lack of means handicapped me from the very
beginning, and only by great personal sacrifices was it possible
to reach my goal. Great and many were the obstacles placed
in my way, but I never lost confidence in the final success.
Early in the winter of 1883, a friend of mine the late Francis
von Siller, a kindred spirit, went to Florida to investigate and
study the climate and soil of the state. He made excursions all
over central Florida and finally found a place in the high rolling
pineland, ten miles west of Orlando, which appeared to him a
perfectly ideal locality — healthy, picturesque, dotted with
numerous lakes, and well adapted for orange culture and winter
homes. Mr. H. A. Hempel from Buffalo, N. Y., had settled
here several years before, and had named the place Gotha, after
his place of birth in Thuringia. Mr. von Siller wrote me about
his discovery, and I requested him to select for me a good tract
of forty acres. This land is situated only a half a mile north
of the village. In April, 1886 I made my first trip to the land
of sunshine and flowers to inspect my property and to study its
possibilities. I was very much pleased with the results. After
having closely examined the many tropical plants in the various
gardens, my enthusiasm was aroused and it grew more intense
from year to year, though I realized the nature of the poor dry
soil and the many obstacles in the way before me. My first
start was to have five acres cleared and to plant an orange grove.
The ornamental part was vividly in my mind but my means did
COCOS GAERTNERI IN CENTRE
PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS IS THE
PALM ON THE RIGHT
598
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 599
not allow me to follow my inclinations immediately. Not until
November 1890 was I able to start my garden. Ten acres were
set aside for this purpose, and five acres in the highest and driest
part were cleared and ploughed. The last remnants of a once
magnificent pine forest, about a dozen tall trees, were left
intact, and a number of very small Live Oaks and Willow Oaks
were also preserved. Some of these trees, particularly the Live
Oaks, are now dense broad specimens about fifty feet in height.
Fortunately I found here another kindred spirit, a man well
educated and an ardent lover of nature, Mr. Franz Barthels,
who had settled near my place. He understood me and was
willing to carry out my ideas and care for my plants, while I
was following my occupation as custodian of the Public Museum
in Milwaukee. The very first step I took was to search the
hammock woods, five miles away, for plant material. Mr.
Barthels and I walked this distance repeatedly and carried the
plants home on our shoulders. They consisted of small speci-
mens of Magnolia grandiflora, Osmanthus americana {American
Olive), Loblolly Bay, Wax Myrtle, American Laurel {Ocotea
Catesbyana) , Red Bay {Per sea Borbonia) , Laurel Smilax {Smilax
laurifolia) , Sweet Bay {Magnolia glauca), Pieris nitida, Zenobia
pulverulenta, Leucothoe racemosa and several others. The mag-
nolias are now large and stately trees, the pride of the garden,
at least fifty feet tall ; the Loblolly Bays, though always found
near water, have assumed a good size, being about thirty feet
high, and the American Olives are dense and broad specimens.
The Wax Myrtles have formed round and dense clusters of
bright green, and the Smilax clambers high up into the trees.
We also collected little plants of the Carolina Jessamine, one of
our most beautiful and refined native plants. It covers at
present quite a number of trees in my grounds, and when in
bloom, the brilliant yellow flower-bells exhale a most delicious
perfume which pervades the air of the entire garden. I also
planted several Hollies {Ilex opaca) , the Dahoon {Ilex Cassine) ,
Wild Plum trees, the Prickly Ash {Fagara Clava-Herculis) and a
dense growing Hawthorn {Crataegus) with pendent branches.
Hollies and Dahoons are at present a feature in the garden, but
600 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
the Prickly Ash became a nuisance by spreading over territory
not belonging to it, and it had to be removed. The common
Wild Plum (Prunus umbellata) forms a very dense, reclining,
broad and shapely tree, while the Chickasaw Plum (P. angusti-
folia) has formed dense thickets by underground runners. It
is almost impossible to keep it in bounds, and it never should
be planted where space is limited. Deciduous trees and shrubs
form only a very small and inconspicuous part in my garden.
They should not be planted unless they are exceptionally
beautiful. Such a small tree, one of the very best of leaf-
shedding natives, is the Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginica),
common in many of our hammocks. Its leaves are large and
leathery and almost evergreen, and when in bloom early in
March it is a most lovely object, the pure white fringe-like
flowers covering it like a sheet. This tree or tall shrub was also
collected and carried to the garden.
This first planting was done under considerable hardships.
The November sun was still quite hot and the road and the
trails through the woods often invisible. Plant collecting in a
dense hammock has its unpleasant features. Many of the
thickets were almost impenetrable, and the extremely dense
masses of Saw Palmettos in places were so tall that I at one
time lost my way. This particular hammock had the reputa-
tion of being alive with huge diamond rattle-snakes. And
there were ticks and red bugs, all with the wild desire to get
into your flesh. Such things annoy one at the time, and the
carrying home the collected plants seemed like a huge burden.
But all my various adventures in the Florida hammocks and
swamps were a source of pleasure after I had come home,
and I always felt a strong desire of making these excursions
again, even if I should have to undergo similar or worse
hardships.
In Milwaukee I at once began to build a greenhouse,
partly to imbue my sons with a love for tropical plants and
to train them in their cultivation, partly for my own pleasure, but
mostly for the purpose of growing the plants necessary for my
Florida garden. Good friends helped me along whenever they
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 601
could. Mr. Henry Pfister, for many years head gardener of the
White House, in Washington, sent me many plants which he
thought could be grown successfully in Florida. I received
seeds from many sources, particularly from Blumenau, Brazil,
and from Buenos Aires, from La Mortola, Italy, and from Hong
Kong and Darjeeling. The late Mr. C. Werckle of Ocean
Springs, Miss., and his enthusiastic son, Carlos Werckle in San
Jose, Costa Rica, presented m with many most beautiful
shrubs and bulbs. Carl Sprenger, at that time near Naples,
Italy, one of the most enthusiastic and learned gardeners of
our time, enriched my collection with all the various Crinums
he had brought together, and with all the varieties of Amaryllis
Belladonna he grew in his own garden in southern Italy. Mr.
Erich Wittkugel of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, made excursions
into the mountain forests and tropical lowlands and collected
for me many bulbs, but especially Bromeliads, Orchids and
epiphytic Ferns, which he consigned to me in large dry-goods
boxes. I opened with much anticipation and intense interest
the packages of plants and seeds that came by parcel post from
Trinidad, Jamaica, Caracas (Venezuela), Mexico, Honduras,
Costa Rica, Barbados and Australia. The late Mr. James
Douglas, one of the best-known English gardeners of his time
and a frequent contributor to The Gardener's Chronicle and
The Garden enriched my collection with the finest new Hippeas-
trums (Amaryllis) from his own glass houses. Dr. E. Bonavia
sent me a number of his finest hybrids of Hippeastrum pardinum,
among them the singularly beautiful "Queen of Spots" and
"Spotted Orfeo, " and Mr. James O'Brien added several tubers
of the then new and magnificent Gloriosa Roths childiana, which
since has proved such a great success in Palm Cottage Gardens.
This climbing Lily, one of the most gorgeous of bulbous plants,
is one of the glories of my garden, flowering more or less pro-
fusely all the year round. I have raised a number of fine
hybrids from this species and G. superba and vice versa.
I have two fine specimens of the rare Talauma Hodgsonii in
my garden. When reading in the Himalayan Journals about
this tree and its grand foliage and purplish-red flowers I was
602 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
very anxious to obtain seeds from it. I wrote to Mr. Kennedy,
Superintendent of the Botanical Station at Darjeeling, Sikkim,
India, and at the same time to Sir Joseph D. Hooker, for many
years director of the far-famed Kew Gardens, and one of the
noblest and most amiable men it ever has been my good fortune
to correspond with. The seeds came and I planted them at
once. Several germinated, and I was in possession of a few
fine small seedlings when Sir Joseph D. Hooker's answer came —
quite a lengthy letter and very friendly. He told me that the
seeds of Talauma Hodgsonii, as well as those of other species of
the Magnoliaceae, soon lose their germinating power, and that
so far it had been impossible to raise this species from seeds in
Europe. The best way would be to obtain young plants from
the Himalayas in Wardian cases. Only one specimen of
Talauma Hodgsonii lived. As I was afraid to lose it I sent it
to my friend Dr. William Trelease of the Missouri Botanical
Garden, where Mr. August Koch, one of the head gardeners,
succeeded in raising a second plant by layering. This is the
one now in my collection.
The year 1893 may be properly called a red letter year of my
life. It is the year of the World's Columbian Exposition in
Chicago. Many a day I spent in the White City. It appeared
to me like fairy-land, and the whole is now in my memory
like a dream. The impressions of the combined exhibits of rare
tropical plants and of the many large single specimens of palms
and foliage plants will never fade from my memory. Here I
saw, for the first time in my life, masses of new Fancy-leaved
Caladiums. They came from the largest hybridizer of these
brilliant foliage plants, Adolph Lietze in Rio de Janeiro. When
I admired the richness, brilliancy, delicacy of these often trans-
lucent colors I was reminded of art, not of nature. In this as
in many other cases nature simply surpasses art. Mr. Lietze
has raised in succeeding years much finer, much more varied,
much more brilliant hybrids, but at that time even connoisseurs,
like Dr. L. Wittmack, the editor of Die Gartenflora and others
were of the opinion that the climax had been reached. Today
those on exhibition and most all of Lietze's later hybrids are
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 603
in my collection, and the display in my Caladium lathhouses,
where hundreds and thousands are grown in dense masses,
cannot be compared with anything else, be it flowers or foliage
plants. There is nothing like it. They stand incomparably
above all other plants in lasting beauty, variety and brilliancy.
The thousands of visitors who come and go when the Cala-
diums are at their best, from June to October, have only
an eye for the brilliancy of these foliage masses. They entirely
overlook the orchids, bromeliads, marantas, ferns and palms.
The latest hybrids of Mr. Richard Hoffmann of London and
some of my own even outrival in gorgeous color the Brazilian
kinds. For years the Caladiums have been the greatest attrac-
tion of my garden.
There were many other plants on exhibition that strongly
appealed to me, particularly palms, cycads, gesnerads, marantas,
ferns, and stately tropical foliage plants. In front of the
Arizona building stood four handsome specimens of Dasylirion
Jongissimum. All four grow now in my garden but they scarcely
made any headway in their size, though perfectly healthy. A
fine large plant of Dasylirion acrotriche is one of the features of
the garden, being admired even by those who do not care much
for plants. It is one of the best scenic plants we can grow.
Dasylirion serrulatum is represented by a number of medium-
sized plants. All were acquired from collections on exhibition.
Fine, large, strikingly beautiful specimens of Doryanthus Palmeri
and D. excelsa in large tubs were scattered around on the lawn
in front of the Horticultural Building. They attracted the
attention of all plant lovers. Unfortunately soil and climatic
conditions of Florida were not then well understood. Many
mistakes were made by me, many plants were lost, and these
two Australian Torch Lilies were among them. They need a
rather moist soil and some shade here. The Japanese had
many rare and highly ornamental plants on exhibition though
their dwarfed trees in small tubs struck me as an abomination.
Among palms a dense specimen of the Bamboo Palm (Rhapis
humilis), about three feet high and a picture of elegance was
particularly admired. It finally found a home in my lath-
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house. Having reached a height of about ten feet by eight feet
in diameter it is at present more striking than ever before.
Late in October there were many tine plants of Daphne indica,
of which the Japanese appeared to be especially fond, in full
bloom. The perfume exhaled by the flowers was extremely
delicious. There were white and pink forms, and one with
variegated leaves. Only one small bushy plant on its own
roots was established successfully in the deep shade of my lath-
house, the grafted ones all died. This Daphne is a jewel and
should find a place in all choice collections. Scarcely any other
plant in the Japanese exhibit attracted so much attention as the
Sacred Bamboo (Nandina domestica). Its elegant airy foliage
and its dense growth commanded admiration. An additional
charm are its bunches of rich scarlet berries in late autumn.
This plant belongs to the family Berberidaceae, and its common
name is misleading, as it is not even distantly related to the
Bamboos.
Many other plants were added to my collection after the expo-
sition closed. I remember some fine specimens of Araucaria
Brasiliensis, Dammara robnsta, Dracaenas and Cordylines and
many others. None of them could be coaxed into a vigorous
growth on the high and dry pineland soil. Even the New
Zealand Flax {Phormiiim tenax), of which I succeeded in later
years in growing fine tufts in the moist rich soil of my plant-shed,
refused to start. I was unable to spend my vacation in Florida
during the World's Fair year, but early in November, 1894, I
again enjoyed the balmy breezes of the ideal sunny autumn
days in my wildwood garden. Many new plants were added
and more land was cleared. A lathhouse was built near the
border of the lake for moisture and shade loving plants.
The late Mr. Pliny \Y. Reasoner, whom we must call the real
pioneer of ornamental horticulture in Florida, not only brought
together large collections of beautiful tropical and subtropical
plants for commercial purposes, but was an excellent plantsman,
a good cultivator and an enthusiast. He did more for the pro-
motion of ornamental gardening in Florida than anyone else.
I Ie loved plants intensely and he told about his favorites in
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 607
glowing language. His writings would fill a good sized volume.
Mr. Walter N. Pike, and later Mr. W. C. Steele, worked along
the same line and contributed their share in the columns of The
Florida Agriculturist to make known the possibilities of tropical
gardening to the plant loving world.
Among the many branches of study which nature affords
for man's pleasure, it is difficult to find one which is at once so
full of marvel and beauty, and at the same time so open to the
enjoyment of all as that of ornamental horticulture. The
pleasures never cease. There is always something new and
beautiful to admire. Every new plant that is added is an
object of delight and hope. It is always a great pleasure to me
to study the gardens and collections of other plant lovers, and
many are the discoveries of beautiful things I never had seen
before. Even in the early pioneer days beautiful gardens were
planted in this part of the state. In his garden at Federal
Point the late Mr. E. H. Hart has erected for himself an ever-
lasting monument. Here we find the largest specimens of the
Canary Island Date Palm and the Sugar Date Palm {Phoenix
sylvestris) , of the Chinese Fan Palm (Livis na Chmensis) and the
Washingtonias, in the state. The large <• . very dense specimen
of Podocarpus Nageia, showing a most s.ngular green with a
slight violet cast, is the most exquisite coniferous tree I ever
have seen. Small groups of raretrop cal Zamias and extremely
interesting clumps of the Australian Macrozamia spiralis pro-
claim, more than anything else, the intense love and enthusiasm
of the one who planted and cared for them. I owe much of my
knowledge of plants adapted to our soil and climate to his
correspondence.
At Lake Charm near Oveido another scholarly enthusiast,
Mr. Theodore L. Mead, started in 1885 a most beautiful trop-
ical garden, well laid out and richly stocked with rare plants.
His particular hobby was the cross-breeding of Orchids, and
in order to get a good start for his seeds he had erected high up
in the Magnolias and Live Oaks little lathhouses which he
only could use by the aid of very long ladders. In his rich
shady hammock he naturalized tropical ferns, gesnerads,
608 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
terrestrial orchids and a host of other beautiful and dainty
plants. Most all the plants did well but the constant fight
against the ravages of the Florida "razor backs" forced him
to discontinue his experiments along these lines. His collection
of Palms and Bamboos was the most complete and beautiful
in the early nineties of the last century. The most interesting
garden of Orlando was at that time the one we now know as
"Bishopsted." Many of the rare and tender tropical plants
I admired there in November 1894, were later wiped out by
the heavy freezes, but enough has been left to show the possi-
bilities of what can be accomplished with a little love and care.
There were immense clumps of three species of tender tropical
Bamboos from India. The most beautiful in aspect and color
was Bambusa nutans, the most massive and spreading B.
vulgaris and the most intricately impenetrable B. arundinacea.
I have all these in my garden but they are always killed to the
ground by a heavy freeze. Only Bambusa nutans should be
grown in this region on account of its grace and singular bluish-
green color. In this garden I found a most exquisite rare palm
Diplothemium caudescens, about ten or twelve feet high with
beautiful feathery leaves eight to ten feet long. The color of
the upper side was a deep glossy olive green, while the under
side was silvery white. The trunk was only short but very
thick. The leaves curved gracefully to all sides. I scarcely
ever saw a more elegant and massive Palm. Its picture has
never faded from memory. Many have been the attempts to
add it to my collection but I always failed. Near it stood a
large clump of the Chinese Paper Plant or Aralia (Tetrapanax
papyrifera), about fifteen feet high and as much in diameter,
richly adorned by an abundance of large palmate leaves, silvery-
white on their underside, and by the large dense flower panicles.
A gigantic Dahlia imperialis with single, pure white, bell-
shaped flowers also attracted my attention. Fine dense, well-
grown specimens of this plant are very ornamental and ought
to find a place in every garden. Unfortunately many tropical
plants in this garden and the immense clumps of giant Bamboos
were killed to the ground by the unprecedented freeze of the
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 609
early February days of 1895, and when I again visited the place
a year later only the short stumps of the tall culms were left.
In my own garden all the strictly tropical plants were a thing
of the past, though many had again sprouted from their roots.
In 1893 Prof. C. S. Sargent published his " Notes on the Forest
Flora of Japan" in Garden and Forest. These articles were a
revelation to me. They outlined a new and most important
direction in my horticultural work. Side by side with our
native evergreens those from Japan form today a rrost con-
spicuous feature in my garden. When I came home from
Florida, and after I had again read and re-read these "notes" I
sent an order for all the plants that were obtainable to Japan,
and in May 1895 I received a large consignment of Bamboos,
Camellias and other Japanese evergreens. In November I for-
warded all of them to Florida and planted them in the positions
which they now occupy. I have scarcely lost a single plant except
a few specimens of Michel ia compressa, Damnacanthus indicus
and Podocarpus Nageia. From early in October to Christmas
Camellia Sasanqua is in full bloom. Some of the specimens are
at present ten to twelve feet high and very dense. Their
flowers are large, in form like a single Rose and of a fine rosy-
red color. The double white form of this species is more spread-
ing in growth and not so tall. This is a gem. Nothing can
outvie it in purity and beauty. Camellia Japonica was repre-
sented in many forms, among them a number of semi-double
varieties, the largest and most elegant flowers imaginable.
Though Camellias are slow growers some of the bushes have
attained a height of eight and nine feet. They begin to bloom
early in December. There are early and late varieties. Profes-
sor Sargent found the Broad-leaved Holly {Ilex latifolia) partic-
ularly striking, and he says that it is perhaps the most beautiful
of the Japanese evergreen trees, not only on account of its
brilliant red abundant fruit, but also on account of its large
fine leaves. I received a dozen small specimens, some of them
at present eight to ten feet high. It is a slow grower on high
pineland. It bears its dense bunches of vivid red berries for
the first time this year. Ilex Integra is also a very beautiful and
610 INl^ERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
distinct species, being, like the former, often cultivated in
temple gardens. Its brilliant red berries are very ornamental.
My particular favorite among the evergreens of Japan how-
ever, is the fine, tall, dense and somewhat columnar Ternstro-
emia japonica, invaluable as a single specimen and in groups,
and indispensable in Florida landscape gardening. At present
this first-rate hardy shrub is little known, and I have never
seen it outside of my own garden. Some of my specimens are
at present 15 to 18 feet high. Its flowers appear in June in droop-
ing short racemes, exhaling a very pleasant, though not strong
perfume. The berries ripen in September, bursting open and
displaying in their mealy flesh brilliant red seeds. Among the
plants forming at present very conspicuous objects either as
single specimens or in groups, the Star Anise {Illiciiim religi-
osum) is very prominent. It is also one of the sacred plants of
Japan, with fine, large and very aromatic leaves. It never
forms a tree here but grows in bush-form, being very broad
near the ground and pointed at the top. Coniferous trees were
only represented in two species, both Podocarpi. My two
specimens of Podocarpus japonica have made a splendid growth,
being dense and upright with narrow myrtle-like leaves, deep
glossy green above and silvery- white beneath. The much more
beautiful P. Nageia did not thrive so well. Only one specimen
among a dozen is alive. It grows in dense shade underneath
Magnolias and Oaks. Rich moist soil is what it requires.
The Bamboos were well represented in this consignment.
No one should plant species with running rhizomes for orna-
ment in Florida. Arundinarias, and all the members of the
genus Phyllostachys soon become a nuisance and are extremely
difficult to eradicate. Only those growing in tufts or clumps
should find a place in the garden. A fine large clump of the
hardy tufted species is the embodiment of every grace, elegance
and beauty imaginable. There were about twenty-five different
Bamboos in this collection, which all came under Japanese
names. For quite a while I was unable to identify my plants
until Mr. A. B. Freeman-Mitford (Lord Redesdale) sent me a
complimentary copy of his classic book "The Bamboo Garden"
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 611
early in 1897. One of them labelled Taisan-chiku, appealed to
me at once as a strong-growing, distinct species. I have now
three very large and beautiful clumps of it. It grows over
fifty feet tall with thick blackish culms. This proved to be
Dendro calamus latiflorus, and is the only hardy large-growing
Bamboo. Its native home is Formosa. A fine little specimen,
labelled Suo-chiku, was identified as the most elegant Bambusa
Alphonse-Karri, while the Taiho-chiku proved to be the silver-
variegated B. argentea vittata, and the Oroshima-chiku the
small growing gem B. gracilis. I found all the three in large
and stately specimens in the gardens of Orlando. Mr. Theodore
L. Mead of Lake Charm imported all of them directly from
Japan ten years before I had received mine. They have been
grown in the Mikado's empire since times immemorial for
ornament, but they seem to have been brought there from India.
The hardy Dendroclamus latiflorus was not represented in the
gardens of Florida before I introduced it.
The members of the Cycas family have always been special
favorites of mine. In glasshouses, though of great importance,
they neither attain the size, nor the density of growth, nor
the luxuriance and beauty they assume when planted out in
the open in Florida. Cycas revoluta is a common ornament of
our gardens. As it is an extremely slow grower I decided to
obtain a number of stems in their dry state, ten to forty pounds
in weight, directly from Japan. They came with the above
mentioned plants, and I sent them immediately to Florida.
The largest specimens are now huge plants, pictures of health
and beauty, with trunks four to five feet high and with magnifi-
cent leaf-crowns. As there are male and female plants in the
collection, I am able to gather seeds by the bushel every year.
In the meantime most of the Palm seeds I had received
from South Brazil, Argentina and from Haage & Schmidt
(Erfurt, Germany) had sprouted. I had hundreds of nice little
plants. The most important and beautiful of all Palms for
high dry pineland culture are the hardy species of the genus
Cocos, all natives of southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.
All of them are perfectly hardy as far north as Jacksonville.
612 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Usually their foliage is hard and leathery and its color is a
beautiful glaucous green. Cocos Datil is the largest and most
massive of the genus. Its trunk is of an immense size, and
its leaves stand in straight perpendicular lines along the stem.
The fruit-cluster weighs from 35 to 50 pounds. The fruit,
very aromatic, juicy, as large as a plum, is closely packed
together on small branches along the stem. Cocos australis
also ripens four or five bunches of beautiful, edible, sweetly
aromatic orange-yellow, juicy fruit each summer. The bunches
weigh from 15 to 25 pounds. This is a beautiful silvery-green
Palm, with very broad and densely clustered leaves. C.
Blumenavia is a very distinct Palm in foliage, flowers and fruit.
I received the seeds directly from Blumenau, Brazil. My
specimen is a strong grower with fine glaucous foliage. The
pinnate leaves curve most gracefully and the pinnae are bent
downwards at the apex. The flowers appear in dense clusters
but they are not creamy-yellow as in the two preceding but
violet purple. The fruit clusters weigh about 15 pounds.
The fruit has no perfume and has a very distinct color — white
with a small red point and a rosy-red color around the stem.
C. eriospatha is my especial favorite among the hardy Cocos
species. Its beautiful recurved leaves are usually 6 to 7 feet
long, glaucous, faintly suffused with dark green and the leaf-
stems show a deep purplish violet tint. The flower spathe
distinguishes it from all its congeners. This is covered with a
dense soft felt-like wool of a beautiful chestnut-brown color.
The fruit is as large as a good-sized cherry, yellowish-green in
color, covered with innumerable gray dots, very juicy, not
aromatic and of a most delicious plum-like taste. I have also
fine bearing specimens of C. Yatay, C. odorata and C. Gaertnerii.
The last named species is the most prolific of all, bearing each
year usually ten to twelve clusters of highly perfumed creamy
yellow fruit, the size of a big cherry, each cluster weighing
from 20 to 25 pounds. C. X Bonnetii was introduced by Haage
& Schmidt. This firm received their seeds fron M. Bonnet in
the Riviera. The fruits vary a good deal in the different
specimens, some being quite small and only a few in a cluster,
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 613
others are as large as a cherry and densely packed in the bunch.
I have about a dozen specimens of this hybrid. The im-
portance of these Palms and their great economic value is as
yet little understood in Florida. Their fruit can be used for
preserves, it supplies a good jelly and an excellent wine, or by
distillation a highly aromatic liquor. Chickens, turkeys and
guineas are exceedingly fond of the fruit, and the oily seeds
form an excellent feed for hogs. Their main importance
from the standpoint of the plant lover lies in their great beauty
and symmetry, their hardiness and easy cultivation. They
look best planted in groups of a dozen or more specimens.
Not adapted for low moist lands. I have several other distinct
species of hardy glaucous-leaved Coconut Palms, beautiful
and very ornamental, but not yet determined.
Cocos plumosa, C. fiexuosa, C. Romanzoffiana, C. coronata,
and the true C. australis, all with long feathery, soft, green
leaves were planted at the same time, but they are very tender
particularly when young. All my plants were killed in the
first winter. In later years success crowned my experiments,
and I now can point with much satisfaction to a fine Cocos
plumosa which is thirty-five feet high, though only ten years old.
It bears a magnificent crown of leaves with densely-set pinnae
which reminds of gigantic ostrich-plumes. C. fiexuosa has
attained fifteen feet in twelve years. All these Coconut
Palms are extremely elegant and beautiful, and all are hardy
in ordinary winters as far north as Sanford. Young plants
must be protected during cold weather.
The Phoenix or Date Palm seeds all came from Haage &
Schmidt, who obtained their supply from the Riviera. Their
nomenclature is in a deplorable condition, and many hybrids
came from the same lot of seeds. I planted an avenue of
Canary Island Date Palms running from the house to the lake.
The plants made a good growth, but scarcely one of them is
true to name. They are all hybrids of Phoenix Canariensis
fertilized with the pollen of P. sylvestris and P. dactylifera.
It was necessary to order the seeds from the Canary
Islands directly, and I have now a number of young plants
614 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
which show their true nature. The Canary Island Date
Palm does not do very well on high pineland, where the Indian
Sugar Date Palm (P. sylvestris), the elegant P. rupicola, the
drooping-leaved P. reclinata and the sharp-spined P. spinosa
thrive so well. It is one of the most magnificent Palms in
cultivation. Massive specimens of it can be found in all the
best gardens of Orlando, Winter Park and Sanford and as far
north as Jacksonville. On the south and north sides of the
courthouse at Orlando four small plants were set out, one on
each side of the walk, about fifteen years ago — at present four
immense massive and most beautiful specimens. Their trunks
are about twelve feet high and each as thick as a water barrel.
They begin to flower early in winter and the great clusters of
orange-yellow fruits ripen in April and May. On rich moist
hammock and flatwood soil this Palm is a fast grower and
attains an immense size. The leaf stems have a decidedly
yellowish tint, while the color of the big feathery leaves is a
bright green. I have two very fine specimens of P. sylvestris.
It grows well in my garden, and its massiveness strongly re-
minds me of P. Canariensis. The leaves are over ten feet long and
of a fine glaucous-green color. It is a very beautiful and distinct
tall growing Palm and excellent for large groups and for avenue
planting. P. zeylanica grows in tufts, producing numerous
suckers around the lower part of the trunk. These must be
removed as soon as they appear if a specimen with a single
stem is desired. There are a few single stemmed specimens
in the Laughlin place at Zellwood which are pictures of elegance
and beauty. The color of the foliage is almost as blue as that
of the Colorado Blue Spruce. In my garden P. reclinata and
P. spinosa look very much alike at some distance, but a close
examination reveals the fact that they are very distinct. Both
form immense tufts if the numerous suckers are allowed to
grow. Both have reclining leaves. The leaves of Phoenix
reclinata, however, are soft in texture and the leaflets along the
midrib are not sharp at their apex. In tall specimens the trunk
is very slender and so small in diameter that we wonder how
it can carry the dense leaf-crown without breaking. In P.
COCOS PLUMOSA A SPECIMEN
PALM ONLY TEN YEARS OLD
615
COCOS AUSTRALIS IN FOREGROUND.
BEHIND A TREE OF MAGNOLIA
GRANDIFLORA
616
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 617
spinosa the trunk is always much thicker and much rougher.
The leaves are very hard to the touch and each leaflet ends
in a very sharp spine. This species and several others, like
P. acaidis and P. padulosa, all having sharp-spined pinnae,
should not be planted near walks, as they are liable to inflict
painful wounds. One of the most refined and elegant of all
the Date Palms is P. rupicola from the Sikkim Himalayas.
One of the specimens of this Palm is a feature in my garden,
being about 15 feet high, with a trunk 8 feet high and with
beautiful glossy green leaves each 10 to 12 feet long. Smaller
specimens are extremely ornamental as pot plants, if the suckers
are removed. No other species has such delightfully soft green
glossy leaves, reminding one, especially in small specimens, of
some species of Cycas. The daintiest of all the Phoenix species
is P. Roebelenii, which is represented in several Florida gardens.
It does not thrive in high pineland, but is most successfully
grown in lath houses and in the moist soil of rich hammock
lands in half-shady places. It excels most other small Palms
in grace, elegance and beauty. In the old Abbot garden at
Orlando there is a fine specimen about 5 feet high, a picture of
loveliness, all its leaves being densely arranged around the
slender stem and all recurving elegantly to all sides. On
account of this trait it is popularly known as the Fountain Palm.
I have always been a great admirer of our native Cabbage
Palmetto (Sabal Palmetto), and many were the attempts to
carry it to my garden. I usually failed, and the fine, though
as yet small, specimens, were all raised from seeds and were
grown until large enough for transplanting, in pots in my glass-
house in Milwaukee. I gathered the small black shiny seeds
as large as a pea, when rambling around in the woods, and
received seeds of other Sabals from Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica,
Trinidad, Mexico, and southeastern Texas. As the genus
Sabal and its different species are not well understood I have
been anxious to add all the different kinds of which I could
obtain seeds to my collection. As it would lead too far to
consider here all the species I grew I shall only mention the
most important. All of them grow well on high pineland, but
618 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
in order to insure a rapid growth frequent applications of
fertilizers, rich in ammonia, are necessary. A most important
point in their cultivation is to plant them in very rich soil.
A deep hole must be dug, and this must be filled with very rich
soil, preferably old cow manure. If carefully planted and
watered the growth will be very luxuriant from the beginning.
I have several fine specimens of Sabal texana (S. mexicana).
It reminds one much of our native Cabbage Palmetto, but the
leaf-stalks are longer and the color of the leaves is more bluish-
green. It is altogether a more graceful plant with more slender
stems and a quicker grower. Prof. O. F. Cook, our American
Palm specialist, discovered not long ago a very fine and highly
ornamental new species in a garden of Victoria, Texas. He
had the kindness to send me several fine seedlings. This is
6*. exul. I also have a promising specimen of the Porto Rican
S. causiarum, used so extensively in its native home in the
manufacture of hats. It is a beautiful Palm and perfectly
hardy here as are all the Sabals. 5. Blackburniana is repre-
sented in my garden by several fine specimens. The large
fan-leaves are carried on long petioles. It is a rapid grower
if well fertilized, and its leaf-crown attains an immense size.
My plants were raised from seeds received from Bermuda.
A still more impressive, distinct and very massive species in
my garden is S. umbrae ulij era. Many years ago Sir Daniel
Morris published a very interesting article about this species
in The Gardener's Chrouiele. This fascinating description of
the forests of these Palms in the savannahs of Jamaica created
in me the desire to add it to my collection, and Mr. W. Fawcett,
Director of Public Gardens and Plantations of Jamaica, was
kind enough to send me seeds. The leaves of this species are
very large, hard to the touch, not so much plaited as in other
species and carried on comparatively short petioles. Never-
theless the crown is immense. Even the inexperienced observer
is attracted by its distinctive and massive appearance. I have
quite a number of other Sabals which I received as S. princeps,
S. Havanensis, S. mauritiaeforme, all apparently very distinct,
though all of the Sabals show much family likeness. It must be
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 619
said here that I have nowhere else in Florida seen the different
species of Sabal except in my own garden. Most all of them
show their characteristics only when they have acquired a
rather large size. All of the Sabals retain their old leaf-stalks
close to the trunk for many years. They impart character
and massiveness to these fine Palms. These leaf-stems, usually
called "boot-jacks" by the old inhabitants, should never be
removed until they rot away naturally. It is a mistake and
a sin against good taste and common sense to scrape them off
in order to get a smooth surface. Unfortunately this is done
in many gardens, and thus the characteristic beauty of the
Sabals is destroyed. Of course old dead leaves must be cut
off close to the trunk but a remnant of the clasping end part
should be left intact. These leaf stems gather humus in their
pockets in which the spores of the Golden Polypody find a
foothold. In their native wilds most all of the Cabbage Palmet-
toes bear wreaths of these fine large Ferns just underneath their
crown. Several trunks of Sabals, many of the hardy Cocoanut
Palms in my garden are adorned with dense masses of various
Ferns. Poly podium fraxinifolium, P. Phymotades , P. nigrescens,
Niphobolus lingua, a number oiDavalias and many other tropical
epiphytic Ferns add a charm to these rough Palm trunks
that must be seen to form a correct idea of this beautiful com-
bination. The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), the Sword
Fern (N. biserrata) and the N. tuberosa soon cover the entire
Palm trunk with a dense mantle of green. This decoration
would not be possible if the trunks had smooth surfaces. Only
the other day I came across a massive Cabbage Palmetto in
a shady hammock whose stem was completely covered with
dense dark-green pendent masses of the Grass-Fern (Vittaria
lineata), and a lovelier picture was scarcely imaginable. In
the woods I have sometimes found the Carolina Jessamine
(Gelsemium sempervirens) , the Moonflower (Ipomoea Bona-nox)
and the Foam Climber (Decumaria barbara) covering the tops of
these Palmettos, and when these climbers are in full bloom,
the sight is most enchanting. The Carolina Aster (Aster
carolinianns) often clambers over the trunks and decorates
them with a most beautiful violet-blue.
620 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
The Washingtonias cannot be successfully grown on high
pineland. I planted dozens of seedlings of Washingtonia filifera,
W. robusta and W. Sonorae, fine robust specimens, but all
pined away. In localities where the clay subsoil is near the
surface, in hammock and flatwood soil they are the most rapid
growers of all our garden Palms. In such soils they soon form
fine objects all over the state from Jacksonville to Miami.
No other species, not even the glorious Royal Palm, has found
so much favor with the real estate men in south Florida as
W. robusta, and none is so much used for avenue planting.
It is a peculiar coincidence that these Washingtonias, known to
grow in their native haunts, in California and Sonora, only in
very dry regions, should refuse to grow in Florida in dry soil,
while they thrive admirably in moist, even mucky localities. The
two Erytheas (Erythea armata and E. edulis), which naturally
also grow in the dry regions of California and adjacent localities
and which form such wonderful ornaments of the gardens of
California, will neither grow in moist nor dry soil in Florida.
I have planted several dozen at various times but none ever
started into growth.
Among the Livistonas the Chinese Fan Palm {Livistona
Chinensis) is the most important for central Florida, and thence
southward. In the fall of 1896 I set out quite a number of
three and four year old seedlings. All soon died. I repeated
the experiment and added L. australis, L. humilis, L. Mariae.
The result was the same. All these fine fan-leaved species
require rich moist soil and shade while young. There are tall
specimens of L. Chinensis in the late Mr. E. H. Hart's garden
at Federal Point, and many young specimens at Sanford,
Orlando and many other places. These Palms look particu-
larly beautiful in irregular groups, consisting of a dozen and
more specimens.
The European Fan Palm {Chamaerops humilis) and its quite
distinct varieties are perfectly adapted to our high pineland
gardens. They grow in tufts or clusters forming most elegant
specimens in the course of time. I received seeds of about
four distinct varieties from Haage & Schmidt in 1893 and my
MY GARDEN IN FLORIDA 621
seedlings were set out in 1896. Two of them, C. humilis and
C. macrocarpa, have at present main stems 6 and 7 feet high.
They bloom profusely in February, filling the air with a peculiar
but pleasant odor. The flowers are densely clustered around
the upper part of the trunk in the axils of the leaves, looking
like yellow sponges fastened tightly to the trunk. These
Chamaerops are pigmies compared with the Sabals, Washing-
tonias and Livistonas, but they are extremely graceful and
very elegant. My largest two specimens form the foreground
of a few large magnolias. The European Fan Palm deserves
to be largely planted in high and low lands. It is especially
valuable for small gardens.
The most elegant Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus
excelsus), one of the hardiest of all Palms, has not been successful
in the sandy soil of Florida. I have a very fine specimen near
my study growing among Camellia Sasanqua, Hollies and other
shrubs. It is about 8 feet high and its trunk is constantly
shaded from the sun. It is a most beautiful specimen. I
raised it from seed in 1897 and planted it out in 1900. An
abundant supply of water, shade and a fertilizer rich in ammonia,
is what it requires. This is a fine Palm for the Tallahassee
and other regions in northern Florida where the soil consists
mostly of clay.
One of the most distinct and stately Palms, and hardy as
far north as Federal Point in well protected localities, is Acro-
comia Total, a native of Paraguay. Mr. Theodore L. Mead
introduced it about thirty-five years ago. There are at present
magnificent specimens in many gardens. Near the railroad
station at Lake Alfred in Polk Co., there are two fine young
specimens, about ten feet high, which fill the heart of any lover
of Palms with rapture. They grow on high land in a heavy
red clay soil. It does not do well in the elevated sand hills
except special care is taken before planting to dig a large hole
and fill this partly with clay, partly with old cow manure. I had
two fine specimens near my house but lost both in 1907 after
I had transplanted them to a more favorable position. Xot
only the trunk of this species but also the leaf stems are provided
ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
BAMBOOS IN FLORIDA
BAMBUSA ALPHONSE KARRI
622
fdwm
Ipfj
EUROPEAN FAN PALM
CHAMAEROPS HUMILIS
623
624 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
with a dense armor of formidable spines. It is a most beautiful
and elegant Palm, almost as graceful as Cocos plumosa, but
of a deeper green. It looks best in groups of a dozen or more
specimens and it should be planted largely where soil and
climate favor its growth.
Jubaea spectabilis, the Coquito or Monkey Coconut of
Chili, an exceedingly massive and, in its young state, beautiful
Palm, was also planted. I had raised several good young
plants from seeds. All grew, but only one of them formed a
small healthy looking specimen. While my Cocos Datil, planted
out at the same time, has assumed imposing proportions the
Jubaea is only 2\ feet high. In California this species ranks
among the most massive and beautiful of all garden Palms.
As it is very hardy it undoubtedly can be successfully grown
in the clay soil of northwestern Florida.
In order to succeed with Palms and the other vigorous grow-
ing plants on high pineland a good deal of care is necessary
before planting. The soil must be thoroughly worked and
fertilized and the plants set out must be watered, shaded and
mulched. I have found the following way the best for Palms,
especially for the strong growing species, such as Sabals, Wash-
ingtonias, Livistonas, Acrocomias, Date Palms and Coconut
species: Put stakes in the places where the plants will find a
permanent position. Then dig a hole from five to six feet
deep and as wide. Fill this up to two-thirds with stable
manure, clay, bones, old tin cans, rotten wood, leaves and
grass and other rubbish and finally fill the upper one-third
with leaf mould and surface soil. After six months another
filling up is needed. Surface soil is now advisable, but this
must be mixed with one or two water buckets of cotton seed
meal, Castor pumace, sheep or cow manure. Stir frequently
until the fertilizer is thoroughly decomposed. After five or
six weeks have elapsed the soil will be in the condition to receive
the plant. Select good, thrifty young specimens from 5 to 6
inch pots and about two to three feet high. Plant in such a
way that a saucer-like depression is formed, water thoroughly
and mulch with old leaves, weeds, pine needles, stable manure
UJ
625
626 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
or rotten wood. Always set out your plants in the rainy season,
—or preferably, in November and December — never in the
dry season. About eight years ago I transplanted a number
of small seedling Cabbage Palmettos. For one specimen I
dug a large hole and filled this partly with night soil. All the
others were planted in rather small holes and no manure was
used, but they received strong applications of commercial
fertilizer after they had been set out. The difference in growth
is most remarkable. The specimen treated in the proper way is
at present a large massive and very beautiful plant and at least
ten times larger than most of the others.
The species of the genus Cocos, particularly all those with
glaucous foliage, have a rather shallow root-system and the
holes prepared for them need not be quite so deep. Bamboos
are easily planted and cared for. It is not necessary to dig-
large holes for their reception, but the soil should be good and
rich. They should be provided with a mulch of stable manure
after they have been set out, and they are very grateful for a
few applications of good commercial fertilizer each year. All
my plants, Palms and Bamboos included, were only fertilized
during the first three or four years after they had been set out.
They subsist now entirely on the old leaves and rotten wood
that accumulates around them, which at present consists of
a heavy layer several inches thick. No leaves, old wood and
weeds are burned — everything is used as a mulch for my large
specimen plants. The formerly dry, poor, white sand has been
transformed into a fine rich hammock soil. All the old Palm
leaves which are cut off are thrown on the compost heap and
after thoroughly decomposed are used as a mulch. Chickens,
guineas and turkeys do the cultivating and keep the soil free
from the injurious insects. All the dish water, wash-water,
everything that contains plant food, is used for the plants
near the house. There is no doubt that all my Palms and other
plants would have grown much more rapidly if they could
have been supplied with good applications of commercial
fertilizer, but this was out of the question.
(To be continued)
Curiosities of Plant Life
By Alexander Lurie, Horticulturist, G. H. Pring,
Floriculturist
Missouri Botanical Garden
{Continued from June Journal)
Mimicry
IMICRY or simulation in form, coloration antl
other characteristics is an interesting and not
uncommon occurrence among plants, ap] ear-
ing at its best and in the greatest profusion
in Orchids. The resemblance to animate or
inanimate objects is often so striking as to
produce the impression of artificiality and to cause the query
as to the benefits derived from such assumption of unnatural
characters.
The phenomenon is apparently of no particular benefit to
the plant and occurs incidentally in the process of Nature's
construction of plant parts, adapting them to conditions of
environment, climate, habitat and correlation with particular
insects in the process of pollination and reproduction.
It differs from the protective mimicry of insects, birds,
reptiles and mammals, which affords immunity from attack
and observation by natural enemies; as when an insect known
as a walking stick simulates a dead twig, when a butterfly
assimilates in color to that of the flower it habitually visits, or
a bird's nest is so constructed as to resemble a bunch of moss
on a bough.
In many cases of plant mimicry the popular name suggests
the resemblance which however may be far-fetched and requires
a strong imagination to recognize the similarity. Only such
plants are here described as bear a strong resemblance to the
object for which they are named.
627
X -
H Z
W <
3 c
628
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 629
Bucket Orchid
Coryanthes macrantha
Orchidaceae
This is an epiphytic plant of the West Indies. The sepals of
the flower are most delicate in texture, yellow, spotted irreg-
ularly with dull purple. The bucket or lip on the contrary, is
thick or fleshy and is seated on a deep purple stalk nearly an
inch long, forming an obtuse angle with the column composed
of stamens and pistils. The stalk terminates in a hemispher-
ical greenish purple cap (hypochile) and, contracting at its
front edge, extends forward into a second stalk (mesochile),
of vivid blood color. The latter is turned back and conspic-
uously marked with four or five deep edged plaits. The
plaited edges extending from a second cap (epichile) which is
yellow streaked and spotted with crimson and seems intended
to catch a watery secretion which drops from the two succulent
horns originating from the base of the column.
Bees are attracted to the flower by its peculiar odor, how-
ever, the purpose of the visit is to feed upon the interior lining
of the lip. Coming in large numbers they alight on the rounded
portion of the top of the flower, the apical part of which is
covered with very fine pubescence while the lower part is
slippery. While disputing for a place some are crowded to
the lower glabrous portion from which they slip off into the
nectar of the bucket receiving an involuntary bath. The wings
becoming wet and the inner lining being glabrous, neither
flight nor crawling out are possible and thus the insect is forced
to follow the pathway at the back of the bucket. His move-
ments are facilitated by a step across the passageway which
aids in gaining freedom. During the outbound journey
through the passage the pollen cap is opened releasing the
pollen masses upon the insects back which are held fast by
means of a viscid disk. When the same or other flowers are
again visited by this insect the pollen masses become attached
to the extremely viscid stigma which is located immediately
in front of the pollen sac at the end of the column, causing
pollination.
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630
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 631
Bird of Paradise Flower
Strelitzia Reginae
Musaceae
A south African plant with wide oblong leaves, the petioles
of which are three times as long as the blade and imbricated.
The flower spike is much longer than the leaves, with a prom-
inent purple spathe out of which appear the orange and blue
purple flowers. The brilliant coloration and the shape of the
blooms produces the appearance of a Bird of Paradise. The
roots of the plant are tuberous resembling a bunch of carrots.
Bird's Xest Fern
Asplenium nidus
P oly podiaceae
Native of the Himalayan region where it is epiphytic upon
trees. The leaves are arranged in circular formation produc-
ing a nest-like appearance, which is further enhanced by the
clump of aerial parts at the base. This natural nest is used
as such by birds during the summer. The fern is propagated
by means of spores, which are produced horizontally on the
backs of leaves forming parallel lines. As an ornamental
plant it is a great favorite among florists.
Butterfly Orchid
Oncidium Papilio
Orchidaceae
An epiphytic plant of South America. The flower is pro-
duced singly upon a tall spike resembling the native milkweed
butterfly on wing. The antennae of the butterfly are the
erect linear dorsal sepals, brown with bands of yellow. The
wide brown and yellow petals, and the pondurate yellow lip
suggest the wings. The column at the base of sepals, well
represents the head and the thorax. The flower spike is pro-
BUTTERFLY ORCHID
ONCIDIUM PAPILIO
632
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 633
(luced with the young leaves which show the same characteris-
tic mottled coloration. The flowers are of short duration,
lasting two or three days and are replaced by others in se-
quence, numbering as many as a dozen in the course of a season.
Cradle Orchid
. 1 nguloa Clowesii
Orchidaceae
Native epiphyte of Colombia. The foliage is palm -like, the
pseudo-bulbs are long pear-shaped with several single flowers
produced with the young growth. Before opening the buds
resemble short drumsticks. The sepals and petals are thick,
fleshy, yellow overlapping to form a cradle. The white lip is
fixed at its base by a hinge like appendage, moving at the least
jar to the flower and with its adjacent column representing
the child in its cradle.
Dove Orchid
Peristeria el at a
Orchidaceae
The dove orchid or Holy Ghost orchid, native of Panama,
was named by the early Spanish settlers El Spirito Santa
(Holy Ghost Orchid).
The flower spike is 3 to 6 feet with flowers in raceme covering
about one-third the length of stalk. They are cup-shaped,
creamy white, wax-like and fragrant, 2 inches across. The
sepals are broadly ovate, petals more delicate, lip fleshy, broad
notched and spotted with deep purple. The pure white flower,
with its column and beaked anther combined with the ascend-
ing side lobes, representing the wings, strikingly resembles a
dove.
CRADLE ORCHID
ANGULOA CLOWESII
634
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 635
Dumpling Cactus
Lophophora Will la msii
Cactaceae
A native of Mexico, where it is found in large round clumps,
each grayish head being hemispherical in shape resembling a
dumpling. This is also known by the Indians as the mescal
button and used in their religious rites. It is highly esteemed
and superstitiously revered by these Indians, because of its
narcotic properties responsible for imaginative, highly colored
visions. The taste is bitter and nauseating, accompanied by
loss of sense of time, causing a condition of total content, fol-
lowed by wakefulness. The medicinal value was first brought
to attention of druggists by Airs. Anna K. Nichols of Loredo,
Texas. She called attention to the fact that Indians used the
juices for manufacturing intoxicating liquors and for over-
coming fevers. The tops are cut off, dried, strung and sold by
Mexicans as mescal buttons. The early Spaniards erroneously
mistook these dried portions for mushrooms, while the Aztecs
apply the name of sacred mushrooms to the plants.
Goose Plant
Aristolochia gigas Sturtevantii
A ristolochiaceae
This remarkable climbing plant is a native of South Amer-
ican jungles. It was first discovered through the agency of
the peculiar stagnant odor that is emitted from the flowers.
It is of perennial habit, easily propagated by well ripened wood
cuttings. When cultivated in greenhouses it is better to grow
fresh plants yearly, because the flowers are large and more
numerous upon younger plants. If cuttings are taken in
August or September, they will flower in July or August of the
following year.
The plant gets its name from the peculiar goose-like appear-
ance of the flowers, especially in the bud stage, which are
produced profusely from the axils of the leaves. The varia-
GOOSE PLANT
AR1STOLOCHIA GIGAS STURTEVANTII
636
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 637
tion in size of flowers from the bud stage to maturity suggests
the goose surrounded by its young.
When the flower is open it extends 12 to 18 inches in diam-
eter with the attenuated tail measuring 2 to 3 feet. The odor
emitted from the brownish purple, spotted opening, is that of
decomposed animal matter, being almost overpowering to the
visitors of the Missouri Botanical Garden conservatories.
However unpleasant for human beings, the odor is very attrac-
tive to numerous carrion flies, who act as pollination agents.
The insects enter the outer opening and proceed through the
darker pubescent chamber into the neck of the flower, being
aided by the up-pointing short hairs, provided for the pur-
pose. At the base of the neck is situated a revolute valve-like
contrivance which permits insects to get in but not out. Once
beyond the loop the insect is drawn upward by the light which
is admitted through the window-like apertures at the base of
the petiole.
The stamen and pistils are located immediately in front of
the windows, so that in trying to escape the insect traverses
the club shaped pistil, repeatedly pollinating it with the pollen
from the stamens which are arranged along the sides of the
ovary. The escape of the insect is almost impossible due to
the winged valve along which it travels. Coming to the
opening of the valve it is confronted by the dark chamber and
its subsequent course is decided by the same light which previ-
ously caused the attraction.
The flowers after opening last two days, later presenting a
shriveled appearance. As many as 30 insects have been
found dead in the neck of the flower with numerous live larvae.
The flower is thus as beneficial to the carrion-fly in its repro-
duction as the insect is to the plant.
MEDUSA'S HEAD ORCHID
CIRRHOPETALUM MEDUSAE
638
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE 639
Medusa's Head
Cirrho petal um Medusae
Orchidaceae
Native of Malaya, epiphytic upon trees. The pseudo-bulbs
are small greenish brown, with lanceolate leaves. The flowers
are produced in clusters on old pseudo-bulbs, giving the plant a
remarkable resemblance to the Head of the Medusa. The
color of the flowers is creamy white, sparsely dotted with
purple. The lateral sepals are attenuated to a length of 6
inches, the dorsal sepal being 2 inches. The lip is tongue-
shaped and though small is sensitive.
Monkshood Orchid
Catasetum maculatum
Orchidaceae
All species of this genus are monoecious — that is the male
and female flowers are produced on separate spikes. Owing
to this peculiarity the older botanists assumed that the plants
were of different species. The flower stands with the labellum
uppermost, that is in a reversed position compared with most
orchids. The labellum is helmet shaped, its distal portion
being reduced to 3 small points. On account of its position
it cannot hold nectar but the walls are thick and having a
pleasing nutritious taste attract various insects.
The stigma is functionless, though of large size. The an-
tennae which are similar to the column wings of the Dove
Orchid, are the most singular organs of the flower and occur
in no other genus. They form rigid, tapering horns, consist-
ing of a narrow membrane, with its edges curled inward so as
to touch. The antennae are prolongations of the sides of the
anterior face of the rostellum. The direct connection of the
antennae and the viscid disc is brought about by a little fringe
of membrane on each side.
The insects are attracted to the flower by the strong odor of
the interior lining of the labellum. While feeding the antennae
OLD MAN CACTUS
PILOCEREUS SENILIS
640
CURIOSITIES OF PLANT LIFE
641
are touched by the insect, causing the rupture of the membrane
which connects the viscid disc with the pollen masses. This
action induces the viscid disc to come foremost in such a
manner as to become attached firmly to the body of the insect,
carrying with it the two prominent pollen masses.
SNAKE CACTUS
CEREUS ERUCA
Old Alan Cactus
Pilocereus senilis
Cart (i ccnc
The plant is a favorite among amateurs, native of Central
Mexico, where it attains a height of 35 feet. It is columnar in
shape, 1 foot in diameter, often branching at the base, the
branches growing parallel to the parent trunk. The ribs are
elevated, numbering 20 to 30, each bearing numerous tubercles
with 20 to 30 hair-like bristles at the top. The flowers are
very numerous, 4 inches long, red on the outside and reddish
white within. The fruit is ornamental owing to its violet color.
The white bearded appearance of the plant suggests the
name Old Man Cactus.
642 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
Snake Cactus
Cereus eruca
Cactaceae
This Mexican cactus, unlike the other members of the genus
is procumbent in habit encircling rocks in its course of growth,
suggesting strongly the snake at leisure.
Its manner of rooting at places touching the ground pro-
duces an undulating appearance, thus still more simulating the
snake.
Star of Bethlehem
A ngraecum sesquipcdale
Orchidaceae
The orchid is epiphytic on trees presenting a half starved
straggling appearance. The roots are few in number, fre-
quently extending down the tree on which it grows, 12 to IS
feet and so tough and adhering so tenaciously to the bark that
a considerable force is required to break or detach them.
The sepals and petals and lip are waxy white, star like in
form. To the back of the lip is attached a nectar tube, attain-
ing a length of 1^ to 2 feet. It is hollow, secreting nectar.
As it could be pollinated only by means of a moth with a pro-
boscis equal to the length of the nectar tube, which was
unknown in Madagascar, Darwin prophesied that such a moth
would one day be found. Years afterward Humboldt dis-
covered such a moth. It alights upon the lip and inserts the
proboscis into the nectar tube through a wedge-like append-
age. Upon withdrawing the proboscis the insect lifts up the
pollen sac causing the pollen masses to adhere. Upon visita-
tion to the next flower the pollen masses easily become attached
to the stigma.
(To be concluded)
Book Reviews
The Cactaceae. By N. L. Brixton and J. N. Rose. Vol. I. Pp. 1-236
+303 figures and 36 full page plates, many in color. The Carnegie
Institution of Washington. June, 1919. Price $18.00.
In the March (1919) issue of the Journal Mr. David Griffiths' article
on decorative prickly pears showed some of us the garden value of these
curious and interesting plants of the desert. The colored picture partic-
ularly gave some hint as to the possibilities of grouping them in regions
that would not support better known plants. The present sumptuous vol-
ume by Dr. N. L. Britton of the New York Botanical Garden and Dr. J.
N. Rose of the Carnegie Institution is the first complete account of the
prickly pear and its relatives in English and incomparably the best book
on the subject in any language. It will come as a surprise to find that
there are over 250 kinds known, differing in form from flat-jointed species
that hug the ground to the tall branching kinds, almost tree-like in stature.
Every variety of condition and habitat may be found in their range which
reaches from British Columbia to the Argentine. Various color-forms of
green, red and yellow, mostly the latter are found in their flowers and an
infinite gradation of color in their fruits. The group, therefore, has horti-
cultural possibilities, for dry-land sections of the country.
The book, the first of four to deal with all the cacti, describes carefully
all the species known to the authors as of the Genus Opuntia and its near
relatives. The distribution of each and a picture of either the whole plant
or parts of it, are given; so the gardener or botanist will find this volume a
storehouse of facts of unequalled value. The book has, of course, a decided
leaning to the botanical side of the study of cacti, but its colored plates,
numerous illustrations and notes on hardiness make the book an authorita-
tive one that all succulent fanciers must have and which it would be desira-
ble for most plant lovers to own. — N. T.
The Making of A . Flower Garden. By Ida D. Bannett. 244 pp. Frederick
A. Stokes & Co. Price $1.75.
This is another of those garden books of which the supply seems to be
unfailing, probably in response to an insatiable demand. This is the most
stimulating thing about them: not that they should be published, but that
643
644 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
there should be such a perennial interest in their subject. More people
are wanting to know about gardening all the time, and those who already
know want to learn more.
This book contains a good deal of information about plants and their
cultivation and garden matters in general of the kind that is acquired at
first hand by actual experience, and is therefore more or less valuable. It
is only when the author undertakes to tell her readers how to lay out their
lots that she becomes a dangerous guide. The book contains several queer
plans, and it would be interesting to know if any of them have been carried
out and who were the victims. — H. A. Caparn.
Manual of American Grape Growing. By U. P. Hedrick. Pp. 458-
The MacMillan Co. New York. Price $2.50.
The name of the author is sufficient to recommend the book to all lovers
of the grape. U. P. Hedrick, Horticulturist of the New York Experiment
Station at Geneva, is already known to most grape growers through the
volume "Grapes of New York," now out of print. The newer volume
tells a more complete story, and should be in the library of every horticul-
turist and fruit grower.
The grape, unlike most fruits, though it varies somewhat in price and
yield, can usually be depended upon year after year to give fair . returns.
Professor Hedrick gives outlines of its culture in detail which are invalu-
able to grape growers, and other valuable suggestions that are money-
makers to all those who will carefully follow them.
Pollination, or lack of pollination, has been the cause of thousands of
dollars of loss, because of non-setting of fruit, or because of very irregular
setting of fruit. The chapter dealing with this subject gives the main
causes, and lists the self-fertile, semi-fertile and self-sterile varieties.
The closing pages are devoted to illustrations and descriptions that will
enable growers and prospective planters to identify suitable varieties.
The book is a very suitable and comprehensive treatise on the culture of
the grape in both the East and the West. Unlike most books, it is specific
in detail but general in scope. — F. M. Clement.
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA,
VANCOUVER, B. C.
The Tree Book. By Inez N. McFee. 234 pp.; 15 plates. New York,
Frederick A Stokes Co., 1919. Price $1.75.
This interesting little book takes up the story of the trees in three parts:
(1) The Life and Work of the Trees, (2) The Kinds of Trees, (3) The For-
ester and His Work. The chapter on "Reading Signs" shows how the
BOOK REVIEWS 645
bark and bud-scales tell the life-story of a tree; other chapters deal with
the growth of trees, seedlings, flowers, and tree diseases. In the second
part groups of trees are taken up, approximately by families, such as
locusts and other pod bearers, evergreens, etc. The last part gives a brief
popular account of the various lines of work in forestry, particularly in
connection with the national Forest Service. — A. Gundersen.
The Garden Record Book. By Harriet Pomeroy Thompson. Pp. 366.
E. P. Dutton and Co. New York. Price $3.00.
If any garden or gardener has come to grief from not doing the proper
thing at the proper time, and who has not fallen from this cause more than
enough, this ingenious scheme of Miss Thompson's will make such failure
doubly humiliating in the future. It is simplicity itself as the pages of the
book are dated throughout the year, and on each page there is space for
garden and weather records, for notes and general work. The pages are
ruled to make the record last over three years and by a little ingenuity it
could last more. For those who know that good gardening means keeping
accurate records this is a most convenient method of keeping them. — N. T.
Modern Propagation of Tree Fruits. By B. S. Brown, M. S., Professor of
Horticulture, University of Maine. $1.35; pp. 174. John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., New York.
The subject indicated by the title is interestingly covered. The author
has not cumbered his work with descriptions of freakish and little known
methods of propagation but deals thoroughly with the approved practices
of commercial growers. " It is assumed that the average fruit grower has a
general knowledge of the various methods of propagation, hence the many
confusing details are here omitted." Among the subjects dealt with are:
the source and methods of obtaining seeds used for the production of
stocks; the commonly accepted methods of budding, grafting and propa-
gation by cuttings; the cultivation and after treatment of nursery stock,
including methods of digging, grading, packing and shipping. There is a
table showing the methods adopted in propagating the various fruit trees
and a list of stocks used. A valuable chapter is that on "The Nursery"
which is full of information for those who contemplate making a business
of tree fruit propagation.
The subject as treated by Professor Brown should have a wider appeal
than to the orchardist alone. All who are in any way concerned with
fruit growing, even though it be in a very small way, will find much of
interest in the description of the processes attending the "manufacture"
of our fruit trees. — Montague Free.
Practical Horticultural Notes
JAPANESE ANEMONES
HAT is more beautiful in the garden during
September and October than the wonderfully
chaste Japanese Anemones? At a time when
the annuals have all done flowering, its abun-
dant bloom gives a cheerful tone to the pass-
ing beauty of the garden, and harmonizes
with the highly colored foliage and berried plants which pre-
dominate at this time of year. It is a peer among fall flower-
ing plants, and planted in bold masses or in solitary clumps
it is equally effective.
As a succession plant to a bed of Delphiniums, its ample
foliage covers up the unsightly spaces left by these beautiful
perennials, and later gives a period of bloom, exceeded by no
other plant, governed it is true by the late or early frosts which
sometimes play havoc with the white flowers of A. japonica
alba and A. japonica Whirlwind, but generally is a little kinder
to the pink varieties of which Queen Charlotte is the best,
having large flowers of good substance and pleasing color.
As cut flowers they do not take kindly to the temperature
of a heated room, and soon drop their heads in sorrow on being
deprived of the cool, sweet, fresh outside air, but their wonder-
ful beauty more than compensates for this defect, and every
garden should have a few of these charming plants, even if not
large enough to grow bold masses which are far more effective.
Anemones are easily propagated, and to secure additional
plants, proceed as follows. After the season of flowering has
passed, dig up a good healthy plant, shake away all the soil,
and cut up the roots in small pieces, one to two inches long,
spread them evenly in a flat or pan about half filled with any
ordinary soil, if too heavy, add a little sand, then cover with
646
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 647
about one inch of soil, and keep moderately moist but not wet.
In a short time nodules will form and young growths will show
themselves above the soil; when large enough they can be
transferred singly to pots, and in spring planted out in per-
manent quarters, or if preferred they can be profitably grown in
pots one year before planting permanently. When planting,
the crowns of the plants should not be more than two inches
under the surface, too deep planting often results in failure.
When well established, put a few brush between the growths
as soon as the flower stalks show, to prevent them falling apart
when in bloom.
Care should be taken not to cultivate too deeply around the
plants, but a good dressing of manure forked in annually
while the plants are dormant, will well repay the expense, and
result in flower stalks four to six feet in height.
A winter covering of one foot of leaves in exposed situations
protects them from too severe freezing, and also helps in keep-
ing the plants from getting excessively wet. This practice has
kept my Anemones in good condition, without loss, for the
past fifteen years, and for this reason I give these suggestions
to others hoping it may prove of some help in the successful
cultivation of these beautiful flowers. — Alfred J. Loveless.
MELONS UNDER GLASS
A well grown and nicely finished melon is a fruit appreciated
by most people. In the northern part of the country, owing to
the short summer season, it is very hard to grow good flavored
melons outdoors, even by starting the seeds inside and plant-
ing out in portable or so called melon frames. Even then only
a few of the earliest kinds, such as Emerald Gem and Honey
Drop, can be depended upon to produce finished fruits of good
flavor. On most places with a sizable garden there are one
or more greenhouses which for three or four months' time in
the summer could be utilized to grow a good crop of melons,
with little or no artificial heat. Melon plants thrive best in
heat and sunshine, and the best of the forcing or greenhouse
648 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
varieties should have a growing temperature of from 65° to
85° to properly finish their fruits. An ideal house in which to
grow melons is an 11-foot even span house, with the walk in
the center, and benches on either side; with a wire trellis 12
to 14 inches from the glass. There are many and varied meth-
ods of growing melons under glass. One of the best ways in
which to secure well netted and finished fruits is the single
stem system with but one fruit allowed on each plant, as in
this system the plants may be grown as close as 12 to 14 inches.
Practically the same weight of fruit may be obtained in a given
space as would be if the plants had been given more room and
two or more fruits allowed on the plants, with the added cer-
tainty of a well netted and nicely finished fruit of from 6 to 12
pounds weight, according to variety grown. Varieties differ
a good deal as to length of time it takes to ripen the fruits
from sowing the seeds. The earliest kinds will ripen in twelve
weeks and others take as long as eighteen weeks. It is best to
grow but two varieties in one house or compartment, the two
differing in time of ripening not more than two weeks, as by
having two varieties the crop will not come in all at one time.
The plants can be handled and fruits finished better in ripen-
ing than by growing varieties which differ more in length of
time to finish, as the growing plants require different treatment
from plants on which the fruits are ripening.
Sow the seeds singly in 2-inch pots, using rather sandy soil.
Water well, cover with newspaper or heavy shading material,
and keep the pots in a temperature of not less than 60°. After
germination and when rooted, repot into 4-inch pots and keep
the plants near the glass in a warm house until rooted and
well established but not pot-bound. The best soil for melons
is a rich turfy loam or topsoil mixed with but very little
manure. Place the soil on the 'bench in a rather narrow ridge
nearest the glass, firm down quite hard, and form a small
mound for each plant. Figuring a space of 12 to 14 inches
from center to center, dig a hole and plant not deeper than top
of soil in pots. The reason for planting on raised mounds is
that most varieties are subject to canker or stem rot if water
PRACTICAL HORTICULTURAL NOTES 649
comes too much in contact with the stem near the soil. In
this way the plants may be watered freely and still be kept
dry around the stem. As the plant grows train up the vine to
trellis or stakes, pinching out lower side shoots to about half
of the height the plants are wanted to grow, usually 4 to 5
feet. After the plants have reached this height pinch off the
top, this will cause the side shoots to grow out more rapidly,
on which are produced the fruitbearing or female flower. When
those flowers are fully expanded Dollinate by pulling off a well
opened male flower, pick off the petals and bring its pollen in
contact with the stigma on the fruitbearing flower. Do this
operation in the forenoon and when the flowers are dry. If
properly set the flower will soon wilt and the fruit begin to
swell, after which cut off all other side shoots and pinch off
fruiting shoot to one leaf above the fruit. As the fruit develops
and increases in weight support it by a small piece of netting.
If the roots show through the soil give a good top dressing,
using soil as when planting. Keep plants well watered and
syringe thoroughly to keep red spider and thrip in check. As
the fruit begins to ripen gradually allow the soil to dry out,
but not so as to cause the plants to wilt. Keep a more airy
and dryer atmosphere in the house until the fruits are ripe
and fit to take from the vines. Most varieties will indicate
their ripe stage by cracking around the stem, while others will
have to be cut from the vines at the proper time.
A few good varieties to grow under glass are : Green flesh —
Emerald Eminence, Suttons Perfection, Suttons Emerald
Gem; Scarlet flesh — Superlative, Suttons Scarlet, King George;
White flesh — Veitch's Eminence, Here of Lockinge, Suttons
Royal Favorite. — S. W. Carlquist.
REHMANNIA ANGULATA
Here is another little gem. Not a new one by any means;
it sometimes goes under the name of elata. A plant of Chinese
origin; it is an easy grower, a splendid bloomer both outside
and under glass in cool temperature. Young plants are freely
650 INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB
produced from the roots in the fall of the year. Even small
ones potted up in 2\ inch pots and given a shift into 3§ will
surprise you in April with their large flowers that are freely
produced on the ever-growing flower stalk, and the first flowers
hang on for weeks while new ones will add to the wealth of
bloom. Individual flowers remind one much of Incarvillea
and for lasting qualities they are excelled only by the straw-
flowers. For massing out of doors they can be well recom-
mended, for once seen they are always wanted; grow freely
from seed and are treated as half hardy perennials. Under
glass they are subject to white fly but with present method of
eradication of this pest we have only ourselves to blame if we
permit them to intefere. — A. Martini.
VOLUME in, No. 1 MARCH, 1919
Journal of the W M MM
INTERNATIONAL
Garden Club
n
RENTES FLORIBUS INTERTEXTAE
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
OFFICERS
Honorary President
DR. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER
President of Columbia University
President
Mrs. Charles Frederick Hoffman, f. R. H. S.
Vice-President
DR. GEORGE NORTON MILLER
Secretary
MRS. FREDERICK PEARSON, N. G. C.
Treasurer
MR. THOMAS H. BASKERVILLE
The Club House and gardens are at Bartow, Borough of the
Bronx, New York City. Telephone Westchester 908.
Automobile Route. Up Seventh and Jerome Avenues to 167th
Street, across to Grand Concourse, turn to right through Fordham
to Pelham Bay Parkway, turn to left on Boston Post Road (Shore
Road) to Bartow.
Trains leave Harlem R. R. Station at 133rd Street for Bartow
(City Island Station), every hour.
Inquiries as to membership should be addressed to the Assistant
Secretary, Miss Harriet Johnson, 109 W. 82nd Street, New York City.
The Journal is issued quarterly in March, June, September and
December, and is sent Free to all members. Annual subscription price
to others four dollars a volume, single numbers one dollar.
Make all remittances payable to International Garden Club,
address all business correspondence to 2419-21 Greenmount Avenue,
Baltimore, Md., or to Norman Taylor, Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Brooklyn, New York.
All manuscript or pictures for reproduction, and books for review
should be sent to Norman Taylor, Editor, Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Brooklyn, New York.
Copyright, 1919, by International Garden Club, New York
Entered as second-class matter January 14, 1918, at the Post Office at Baltimore, Maryland, under the
Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in
Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917 wtv^zed T"'" ,0 '0,«
'
\
From National Geographic Magazine, Washington, D. C, Copyright, 1916
This illustration shows in its natural size a quart box of selected Rubel blueberries
grown on the plantation at Whitesbog. These berries have a beautiful color and heavy
bloom, a pleasant tart flavor, and small unobtrusive seeds. Rubel plants are strong and
vigorous in growth, with exceptionally beautiful foilage and flowers.
JOSEPH J. WHITE, Inc.
NEW LISBON, N. J.
WILL SEND PRICES, CULTURAL DIRECTIONS AND
DESCRIPTION OF NAMED
VARIETIES OF
BLUEBERRY PLANTS
ESPECIALLY
SUITED FOR ACID SOILS IN WHICH
RHODODENDRONS, KALMIA AND ARBUTUS FLOURISH
1
''Say it with Flowers"
The Florists Telegraph Delivery Service arranges the delivery of flowers in all cities of the United States.
Hundreds of the best florists in the country are banded together to improve and extend
the service. Two of the best known firms in New York that are members are:
m
&?
!=•*
r
Phone Plaza 7241
•Say it with Flowers"
Through
S(il LING
785 FIFTH AVE.
NEW YORK
New York's Favorite FLOWER SHOP
FIFTH AVENUE AT 58th STREET
Phone Plaza 8190 Established 1881
C. W. MAREDYDD HARRISON
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT— With the Leland Studios
509 Fifth Avenue, New York
Mr. Harrison's very artistic and interesting landscape work is well illustrated in Country Life,
April, 1918; House and Garden, May, 1918; and The Touchstone,
November, 1917 and March, 1918.
CONCENTRATED
MANURES
Superior quality — dried and effectively
sterilized in high temperature driers — ■
finely pulverized — convenient and in
every way most satisfactory natural
fertilizer
FOR LAWN, FRUIT, VEGETABLE
OR FLOWER GARDEN.
Promotes luxuriant growth and won-
derful results in foliage and bloom be-
cause it gives the soil what it needs to
make things grow.
Ask for booklet with prices and freight
rates on a bag or carload today.
The Pulverized Manure Co.
No. 2:5 Union Stock Yards
CHICAGO
NEW EVERGREEN
LONICERAS
(L. pileata and L
nitida)
d
scovered by E. H. Wilson now offere
d
for sale by
us
In 4 in. pots. . .
$1.25 E
In 2\ in. pots. .
.60 E
We offer also for Spring 1919 delivery pot-grown
plants of Cotoneasters, Hardy Heathers, Bear-
berry, and many other hardy ground-covers, as
well as our usual Hardy Trees, Shrubs and
Herbaceous Plants.
EASTERN NURSERIES, Inc.
Henry S. Dawson, Mgr.
HOLLISTON, - - MASS.
Parr's Hardy Plant Specialties
(SIXTH EDITION, [SSI E 01 1918)
The most complete and helpful book of hardy garden
P< v. nnialsj Shrubs and Tr< ■ s that I have ever issued.
SPECIALTIES FOR EARLY SPRING PLANTING
•New French Lilacs, Philadelphus and Deutzias— a complete
collection of Lemoine's new creations.
New Japanese and Asiatic Shrubs — new cotoneasters, enkianthus,
berberis, flowering cherries, coryloj sis, etc., [or the border and rock
garden
Dwarf Evergreens — rare specimens for formal gardens, lawn groups
and nek garden plantings.
Peonies — the most complete collection of herbaceous and tree pennies
in the world.
Irises — many novelties of my own raising. (Awarded the Panama-
Pacific Gold medal.)
Phloxes. Asters, Delphiniums, Chrysanthemums, etc. etc.
This hook, containing 112 pages of text, 30 full page illustrations (13
colored plates) is already in the hands of most well informed garden-
ers, but if you have not received the sixth edition, issue of 1918, or
it has been mislaid, a copy will be sent to you promptly on request.
BERTRAXD H. FARR— Wyomissing Nurseries Co.
1-24 Garfield Avenue Wyomissing, Penna.
A
mawa
lk N
ursery
AMAWALK, Westchester County, NEW YORK
TELEPHONE, YORKTOWN, 128
Devoted exclusively to the development of Specimen Trees.
Among our customers are the owners of the finest
estates in the country, and the Park De-
partments of the largest cities.
pRAND CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS
* — * for the newest and best flowers, vegetables and fruits. Millions
on millions of boxes of the "Burbank" new cherries, plums, prunes,
peaches, quinces, Rhubarb, etc., are shipped East each season.
The "Burbank" Tomato, is the earliest tomato in the whole world.
The home tomato, the great packers' tomato. Half the tomato crop of
the United Stc.tes and Canada is secured by the grower the other half by
Fall frosts. You all know the "Burbank" wonderful rainbow corn, the
finest foliage plant that grows out of doors.
The New Rainbow Chard Beet has all the rainbow colors in its foilage;
this will be offered first in January 1919. Many other new flowers,
vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits.
Shall we add your name to our list. Send a postcard now.
LUTHER BURBANK
SANTA ROSA CALIFORNIA, U. S. A.
To Gladiolus Enthusiasts
The greatest strides in the improvement of these beautiful flowers anywhere
in the world, have been made in the last six years by Mr. Diener of Kentfield,
California. Out of the common, well known varieties he has, by a new method
of his own invention, produced varieties three times the size of the old ones. Not
only so, but the coloring in many cases is of such beauty that it is impossible to
do it justice. The pen fails to give the picture; one must see them to appreciate
their loveliness.
They were, for the first time, shown to the world at the Panama Pacific
International Exposition at San Francisco in 1915. They were the sensation of
the whole Flower Exhibit. During the time the flower spikes of these Gladioli
were opening up many specialists and enthusiastic lovers of Gladioli made daily
visits to our gladiolus beds at the Exposition. They were as intensely interested
as a small boy during fireworks. No flower on earth, not even the orchid,
presents nun-- variations of coloring or more lovely combinations, and at this ex-
position all the highest awards were won by these Gladioli.
We have now increased the quantity of these bulbs to such a degree that
almosl everybody is able to pay the prices we ask for them. Our Catalog for 1919,
describing these new varieties and many other new creations of Mr. Diener, is
free. Write for it to-day.
RICHARD DIENER COMPANY
KENTFIELD Marin County CALIFORNIA
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR AND BACK
NUMBERS OF THIS JOURNAL CAN
BE PURCHASED FROM BRENTANO'S,
5th AVENUE and 27th STREET, NEW
YORK CITY, OR FROM NORMAN
TAYLOR, BROOKLYN BOTANIC
GARDEN, BROOKLYN, N. Y.
*c££?=^w^
Garden bordered with Box-Barberry. Two-year-oia stocK teas used.
Photo taken three months after planting; set four inches apart.
A Distinct Novelty: offered
this spring for the first time
Box-Barberry is a dwarf, upright form of the familiar
Berberis Thunbergii : it is perfectly hardy, thriving where-
ever Berberis Thunbergii grows. It does not carry wheat
rust.
Box-Barberry lends itself most happily to low edgings for
formal gardens, when set about 4 inches apart. It also
makes a beautiful low hedge when set 6 to 8 inches apart.
The foliage is light green, changing in autumn to dazzling
red and yellow.
1 year, frame-grown $20.00 per 100 $175.00 per 1,000
2 year, field-grown 30.00 per 100 250.00 per 1,000
3 year, field-grown 40.00 per 100 350.00 per 1,000
(50 at 100 rates, 250 at 1,000 rates.)
Available stock limited. Orders filled strictly in rotation received.
ELM CITY NURSERY
WOODMONT NURSERIES, INC.
New Haven, Conn. (Near Yale Bowl)
CO.
Our Catalogue, now ready, lists a comprehensive assortment
of choice Shade and Fruit-trees, Evergreens (incl iding Taxus
cuspidata type), Shrubs, Vines, Roses, Hardy plants. Catalogue
mailed the day your request is received.
PATRONS
HONORARY MEMBERS, RECEPTION COMMITTEE
AND ADVISORY BOARD
The Governor of the State of New York and Mrs. Smith
The Mayor of New York and Mrs. Hylan
The President of the Board of Aldermen
The President of the Park Board
The Commissioner of Parks for the Bronx
The Comptroller of the City of New York
The Commissioner of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity
The President of the Botanical Garden
The President of the Horticultural Society of New York
The President of the Florists' Club of New York
Mrs. Richard Aldrich
Mrs. Charles B. Alexander
Mr. Frederick H. Allen
Mr. J. Lawrence Aspinwall
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Astor
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Baker, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Sackett M. Barclay
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies
Mr. Frederick G. Bourne
Mrs. Edward N. Breitung
Dr. N. L. Britton
Director of the New York Botanical Garden
Mrs. Amory S. Carhart
•Hon. Joseph H. Choate
Mr. Lewis L. C. Clarke
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Coats
Mr. Henry A. Coster
Mr. R. Fulton Cutting
Mr. William Adams Delano
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Dickey
Miss Alice A. Driggs
Mr. Henry F. Dupont
Mr. Martin C. Ebel
Secretary of the National Association of Gardeners
Mrs. Newbold LeRoy Edgar
Mrs. Alfred Ely
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Frelinghuysen
Mrs. Henry Clay Frick
Miss Virginia Gildersleeve
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gillespie
Mr. Madison Grant
The Rt. Rev. David H. Greer, D.D.
The Very Rev. Wm. H. Grosvenor, D.D.
Mrs. William Pierson Hamilton
Miss Elizabeth Stewart Hamilton
Mrs. E. H. Harriman
Mr. and Mrs. McDougall Hawkes
Sir Arthur and Lady Herbert
Mr. Arthur Herrington
Miss Sarah Cooper Hewitt
Mr. Charles Frederick Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. William M. V. Hoffman
Mr. F. Burrall Hoffman, Jr.
Mr. Francis L. V. Hoppin
Mr. Henry R. Hoyt
Mr. and Mrs. Archer M. Huntington
Mr. and Mrs. Columbus O'D. Iselin
Dr. and Mrs. Walter James
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Jennings
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jennings
Mr. Otto H. Kahn
Mrs. De Lancey Astor Kane
Mr. and Mrs. Grenville Kane
Miss Mary M. Kearny
Mrs. Van Rensselaer Kennedy
Mrs. Francis King
Mr. and Mrs. George Gordon King
Mr. Adolph Lewisohn
Mr. and Mrs. John Callender Livingston
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Moncrieffe Livingston
'Deceased
*Hon. and Mrs. Seth Low
Mrs. J. Willis Martin
Mrs. Philip Martineau
Dr. and Mrs. D. Hunter McAlpln
Mrs. Junius Morgan
Mrs. J. Archibald Murray
Mr. George V. Nash
Secretary of the Horticultural Society of New York
Mr. Frederick Newbold
The Duchess of Newcastle
Mr. Hoffman Nickerson
Mr. William White Niles
Prof, and Mrs. Henry Fairfield Osborn
Judge Alton B. Parker
Mr. and Mrs. H. de Berkeley Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. William Barclay Parsons
Mrs. Frederick Pearson
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Claiborne Pell
Judge and Mrs. Francis Key Pendleton
General Horace Porter
Mr. George T. Powell
Mrs. Pulitzer
Mrs. James Lowell Putnam
Mrs. Moses Taylor Pyne
Mr. T. J. Oakley Rhinelander
Mr. George L. Rives
*Mr. and Mrs. B. Almar Sands
Professor Sargent
Mrs. Herbert L. Satterlee
Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Scott
Mrs. Charles H. Senff
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Seton
Mrs. William F. Sheehan
Mr. Edward W. Sheldon
Mrs. Frank Sullivan Smith
Mrs. James Speyer
Mr. Wm. Rhinelander Stewart
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Waters Taf t
Mrs. Oakleigh Thorne
Mrs. Henry M. Tilf ord
Miss Amy Townsend
Mr. William Turnbull
Mrs. Hamilton McK. Twombley
Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Van Cortland t
Mrs. Vanderbilt
Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer
M. Le Comte de Vlel-Castel
Mrs. John Hobart Warren
Mrs. Whitney Warren
Mrs. Alexander Webb
Rev. W. Wilks
Secretary, Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Orme Wilson
Prof. E. H. Wilson, F.R.H.S.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Witherbee
Mrs. J. J. Wysong
Mr. John Young
Secretary of the Florists' Club, New York
VOLUME III, No. 2 JUNE, 1919
Journal of the W M M M
INTERNATIONAL
Garden Club
GENTES FLORIBUS INTERTEXTAE
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
OFFICERS
Honorary President
DR. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER
President of Columbia University
President
MRS. CHARLES FREDERICK HOFFMAN, F. R. H. S.
Vice-President
DR. GEORGE NORTON MILLER
Secretary
MRS. FREDERICK PEARSON, N. G. C.
Treasurer
MR. THOMAS H. BASKERVILLE
The Club House and gardens are at Bartow, Borough of the
Bronx, New York City. Telephone Westchester 908.
Automobile Route. Up Seventh and Jerome Avenues to 167th
Street, across to Grand Concourse, turn to right through Fordham
to Pelham Bay Parkway, turn to left on Boston Post Road (Shore
Road) to Bartow.
Trains leave Harlem R. R. Station at 133rd Street for Bartow
(City Island Station), every hour.
Inquiries as to membership should be addressed to the Assistant
Secretary, Miss Harriet Johnson, 109 W. 82nd Street, New York City.
The Journal is issued quarterly in March, June, September and
December, and is sent Free to all members. Annual subscription price
to others four dollars a volume, single numbers one dollar.
Make all remittances payable to International Garden Club,
address all business correspondence to 2419-21 Greenmount Avenue,
Baltimore, Md., or to Norman Taylor, Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Brooklyn, New York.
All manuscript or pictures for reproduction, and books for review
should be sent to Norman Taylor, Editor, Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Brooklyn, New York.
Copyright, 1919, by International Garden Club, New York
Entered as second-class matter January 14, 1918, at the Post Office at Baltimore, Maryland, under the
Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in
Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized July 19, 1918.
WAVERL.Y PRESS. BALTIMORE
John A. Booth's tribute
to Davey Tree Surgery
A portion of the grounds on the estate of J. J. Van Alen, Ochre Point, Newport,
R. I. Many of these priceless trees hate been treated by Davey Tree Surgeons
Gentlemen: I cannot speak too highly of the
efficiency shown by your experts working on
the estate of Mr. J. J. Van Alen. It astonished
me to see the way they cabled some of the fine
specimen maples and elms. Each man worked
like a clock. Each man knew exactly what was
expected of him.
The trees had been previously chained with
heavy chains, but when your men finished with
a tree these chains hung so loose as to be
entirely useless. The cables your men put in
are a great improvement, and can hardly be
seen from the grounds.
In closing, I would say that I was highly
pleased with the courteousness and gentle-
manly bearing of every one of the experts. It
is a great relief to superintendents and gardeners
to have such men around who can be trusted to
be live wires at all times.
Wishing you a prosperous year, very truly
y°urs' JOHN A. BOOTH
The saving of priceless trees is a matter of first importance
on every estate.
Davey Tree Surgery is a fulfillment of the maximum ex-
pectations of those who love and value trees. A careful
examination of your trees will be made by appointment.
DAVEY TREE. SURGEONS
THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO., Inc., 1906 Elm Street, Kent, Ohio
Branch Offices, with telephone connections: 225 Fifth Ave., New York; 2017 Land Title Bldg., Philadelphia; 450 McCormick Bldg., Chicago
Write nearest office
Permanent representatives located at Bos-
ton, Newport, Lenox, Hartford, Stamford,
Albany, Poughkeepsie, White Plains, Ja-
maica, L. I., Newark, N. J., Harrisburg,
Baltimore, Washington, Buffalo, Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, Louisville,
Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas
City. Canadian Address: 252 Laugauchitere
West, Montreal.
Every real Davey Tree Surgeon is in the em-
ploy of The Davey Tree Expert Company, Inc.,
and the public is cautioned against those falsely
representing themselves
JOHN DAVEY
Father of Tree Surgery
SOLD BY SEEDMEN FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS
v*
2ffisOm<7no74c£p ofJuos of&?£
T\
Ysi&7?2/
sCTl'/PPZstS
^ud^n^-
Hammond's slug shot"
Used from Ocean to Ocean?
A light, composite, fine powder, easily distributed
either by duster, bellows, or in water by spraying.
Thoroughly reliable in killing Currant Vorms, Potato
Bugs, Cabbage Worms, Lice, Slugs, Sew Bugs, etc.
and it is also strongly impregnated with fungicides.
(JlgpPut up in Popular Packages at Po; vJar Prices.
Sold by Seed Dealers and Merchants
Send for Pamphlet tu
HAMMOND'S PAINT AND SLUG SHOT WORKS, BEACON, NEW YORK
Bobbink & Atkins
Visit
Nursery
Choicest
roducts
'°*nJnAnieri.<
Ask for
Catalog
Better Grounds — Better Gardens — Everywhere
testify to the character and variety of our stock
Home-Grown Roses
Hardy Old-Fashion Flowers
Evergreens
Vines and Climbers
Trees Shrubs
Rhododendrons
Fruit Trees and Bushes
Rutherford, New Jersey
"Say it with Flowers'
The Florists Telegraph Delivery Service arranges the delivery of flowers in all cities of the United States
Hundreds of the best florists in the country are banded together to improve and extend
the service. Two of the best known firms in New York that are members are:
1U
^ "Say U .
I*?
f
Phone Plaza 7241
ith Flowers"
Through
SCHLING
785 FIFTH AVE.
NEW YORK
New York's Favorite FLOWER SHOP
FIFTH AVENUE AT 58th STREET
Phone Plaza 8190 Established 1881
C. W. MAREDYAD HARRISON
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT— With the Leland Studios
509 Fifth Avenue. New York
Air. Harrison's very artistic and interesting landscape work is well illustrated in Country Life,
April, 1918; House and Garden, May, 1918; and The Touchstone,
November, 1917 and March, 1918.
TKEES
Plant Historic Ones
Plant a living memorial of the restoration of
Peace, of the glorious sacrifice of noble lives;
of the part played by your dear ones.
Our English Elms, scions cut from aged trees,
which we especially obtained from historic
places in England and Scotland; will always
carry the sentimental association of interest
in our Allies.
This special lot of trees is not to be found at
any other source in the world. Ours is the
only supply and is limited.
Send for information and price.
Nunnynrn Jfc Horticulturists
GERMANTOWN, PA.
Subscriptions For
and back numbers of
THIS JOURNAL
can be purchased from
BRENTANO'S
5th Ave. & 27th St.
New York City
OR FROM
NORMAN TAYLOR
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF THE
REVISION OR REPEAL OF PLANT
QUARANTINE NUMBER 37 (SEE
PAGE 329 OF THIS ISSUE OF THE
JOURNAL) PLEASE WRITE TO THE
EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL OF THE
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB,
978 WASHINGTON AVENUE,
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
PATRONS
HONORARY MEMBERS, RECEPTION COMMITTEE
AND ADVISORY BOARD
The Governor of the State of New York and Mrs. Smith
The Mayor of New York and Mrs. Hylan
The President of the Board of Aldermen
The President of the Park Board
The Commissioner of Parks for the Bronx
The Comptroller of the City of New York
The Commissioner of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity
The President of the Botanical Garden
The President of the Horticultural Society of New York
The President of the Florists' Club of New York
Mrs. Richard Aldrich
Mrs. Charles B. Alexander
Mr. Frederick H. Allen
Mr. J. Lawrence Aspinwall
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Astor
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Baker, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Sackett M. Barclay
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies
Mr. Frederick G. Bourne
Mrs. Edward N. Breitung
Dr. N. L. Britton
Director of the New York Botanical Garden
Mrs. Harry Bunyard
Mrs. Amory S. Carhart
•Hon. Joseph H. Choate
Mr. Lewis L. C. Clarke
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Coats
Mr. Henry A. Coster
Mr. R. Fulton Cutting
Mr. William Adams Delano
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Dickey
Miss Alice A. Driggs
Mr. Henry F. Dupont
Mr. Martin C. Ebel
Secretary of the National Association of Gardeners
Mrs. Newbold LeRoy Edgar
Mrs. Alfred Ely
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Frellnghuysen
Mrs. Henry Clay Frick
Mr. Durr Friedley
Miss Virginia Gildersleevc
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gillespie
Mr. Madison Grant
The Rt. Rev. David H. Greer, D.D.
Mrs. John L. Griffiths
Th9 Very Rev. Wm. H. Grosvenor, D.D.
Mrs. William Pierson Hamilton
Miss Elizabeth Stewart Hamilton
Mrs. E. II. Harriman
Mr. and Mrs. McDougall Hawkes
Sir Arthur and Lady Herbert
Mr. Arthur Herrington
Miss Sarah Cooper Hewitt
Mr. Charles Frederick Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. William M. V. Hoffman
Mr. F. Burrall Hoffman. Jr.
Mr. Francis L. V. Hoppin
Mr. Henry R. Hoyt
Mr. and Mrs. Archer M. Huntington
Mr. and Mrs. Columbus O'D. Isclin
Dr. and Mrs. Walter James
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Jennings
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jennings
Mr. Otto H. Kahn
Mrs. De Lancey Astor Kane
Mr. and Mrs. Grenville Kane
Miss Mary M. Kearny
Mrs. Van Rensselaer Kennedy
Mrs. Francis King
Mr. and Mrs. George Gordon King
Mr. Adolph Lewisohn
Mr. and Mrs. John Callender Livingston
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Moncrieffe Livingston
'Deceased
•Hon. and Mrs. Seth Low
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Manship
Mrs. J. Willis Martin
Mrs. Philip Martineau
Dr. and Mrs. D. Hunter McAIpin
Mrs. Junius Morgan
Mrs. J. Archibald Murray
Mr. George V. Nash
Secretary of the Horticultural Society of New York
Mr. Frederick Newbold
The Duchess of Newcastle
Mr . Hoffman Nickerson
Mr, William White NUes
Prot. and Mrs. Henry Fairfield Osborn
Judge Alton B. Parker
Mr. and Mrs. H . de Berkeley Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. William Barclay Parsons
Mrs. Frederick Pearson
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Claiborne Pell
Judge and Mrs. Francis Key Pendleton
General Horace Porter
Mr. George T. Powell
Mr. George D. Pratt
Mrs. Pulitzer
Mrs. James Lowell Putnam
Mrs. Moses Taylor Pyne
Mr. T. J. Oakley Rhinelander
Mr. George L. Rives
Mr. and Mrs . B. Aymar Sands
•Professor Sargent
Mrs. Herbert L. Satterlee
Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Scott
Mrs. Charles H. Senff
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Seton
Mrs, William F. Sheehan
Mr. Edward W. Sheldon
Mrs. Frank Sullivan Smith
Mrs. James Speyer
Mr. Wm. Rhinelander Stewart
Mme. Stransky
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Waters Taf t
Mr. William Oilman Thompson
President of the New York Botanical Garden
Mrs. Oakleigh Thorne
Mrs. Henry M. Tilf ord
Miss Amy To wnsend
Mr. William Turnbull
Mrs. Hamilton McK. Twombley
Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Van Cortlandt
Mrs. Vanderbilt
Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer
M. Le Comte de Viel-Castel
Mrs. John Hobart Warren
Mrs. Whitney Warren
Mrs. Alexander Webb
Rev. W. Wilks
Secretary, Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Orme Wilson
Prof. E. H. Wilson, F.R.H.S.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Wltherbee
Mrs. J. J. Wysong
Mr. John Young
Secretary of the Florists' Club, New York
VOLUME III, No. 3 SEPTEMBER, 1919
Journal of the W M M M
INTERNATIONAL
Garden Club
GENTES FLORIBUS INTERTEXTAE
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
OFFICERS
Honorary President
DR. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER
President of Columbia University
President
MRS. CHARLES FREDERICK HOFFMAN, F. R. H. S.
Vice-President
DR. GEORGE NORTON MILLER
Secretary
MRS. FREDERICK PEARSON, N. G. C
Treasurer
MR. THOMAS H. BASKERVILLE
The Club House and gardens are at Bartow, Borough of the
Bronx, New York City. Telephone Westchester 908.
Automobile Route. Up Seventh and Jerome Avenues to 167th
Street, across to Grand Concourse, turn to right through Fordham
to Pelham Bay Parkway, turn to left on Boston Post Road (Shore
Road) to Bartow.
Trains leave Harlem R. R. Station at 133rd Street for Bartow
(City Island Station), every hour.
Inquiries as to membership should be addressed to the Assistant
Secretary, Miss Harriet Johnson, 109 W. 82nd Street, New York City.
The Journal is issued quarterly in March, June, September and
December, and is sent Free to all members. Annual subscription price
to others four dollars a volume, single numbers one dollar.
Make all remittances payable to International Garden Club,
address all business correspondence to 2419-21 Greenmount Avenue,
Baltimore, Md., or to Norman Taylor, Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Brooklyn, New York.
All manuscript or pictures for reproduction, and books
for review should be sent to Norman Taylor, Editor,
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York.
Copyright, 1919, by International Garden Club, New York
Entered as second-class matter January 14, 1918, at the Post Office at Baltimore, Maryland, under the
Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in
Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized Jury 19, 1918.
WAVERLY PRESS, BALTIMORE
The estate of Mr. J. Ogden Armour.
The treatment of the trees on this
beautiful estate was entrusted to the
demonstrative skill of Davey Tree
Surgeons
Among prominent persons and
places served by Davey Tree Sur-
geons are:
THOMAS A.EDISON
FREDERICK W. VANDERBILT
E. T. STOTESBURY
ISAAC N. SELIGMAN
MRS. JOHN HAYS HAMMOND
MRS. J. W. PEPPER
HARRY PAYNE WHITNEY
THE WHITE HOUSE
JO II. X DAVEY
Father of Tree
Surgery
"VJffHAT is the money value of your fine big trees? No
ordinary amount would tempt you to part with
them. Were it necessary, you would gladly pay any
reasonable sum to replace them — if this could be done.
They are highly valuable of themselves. Locating your
house among them and building your estate around them
automatically multiplies their value. Of course, you can-
not afford to lose them. Therefore, of course, you can-
not afford to neglect them.
Pray, then, do not wait until disease and decay have made the saving of
some priceless tree or trees impossible. Disease causes decay, and disease,
once it starts, can be checked only by the skill of the real Tree Surgeon.
It works incessantly — progressively — while the leaves are still green and
the outward appearance of health docs not yet tell the story of premature
destruction.
For the treatment of your priceless trees, you will want Tree Surgeons
of demonstrated skill and established responsibility, whose very record
warrants your full faith. Davey Tree Surgeons have back of them many
years ot public service, methods of proved value, thorough training, and an
organization of recognized stability. These master Tree Surgeons, who
have satisfied the most exacting clientele in America, will fulfill your high-
est expectations of both finished skill and honest service. A careful
examination of your trees will be made by appointment.
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LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT— With the Leland Studios
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Mr. Harrison's very artistic and interesting landscape work is well illustrated in Country Life,
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IRISES
Iris seed saved from one
of the best amateur col-
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native species as well as
those of a number of
choice hybrids of same.
Price per packet of 50
seeds $1 .00 postpaid.
Catalog and price list of
various species and vari-
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upon request.
The Dean Iris Gardens
Moneta, California
Californiaii Natives
The Lilies, Mariposa Tulips,
Erythroniums and other bulbous
plants native to the Pacific
Coast have been a life long spe-
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them in fine stock and they can
be grown in the East.
Also the Ferns, Shrubs and Trees
and Hardy Plants of all parts of
the West.
A finely illustrated catalog on
application. It gives full cul-
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Carl Purdy, Ukiah, Calif.
Subscriptions For
and back Numbers of
THIS JOURNAL
can be purchased from
BRENTANO'S
5th Ave. & 27th St.
New York City
OR FROM
NORMAN TAYLOR
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
PATRONS
HONORARY MEMBERS, RECEPTION COMMITTEE
AND ADVISORY BOARD
The Governor of the State of New York and Mrs. Smith
The Mayor of New York and Mrs. Hylan
The President of the Board of Aldermen
The President of the Park Board
The Commissioner of Parks for the Bronx
The Comptroller of the City of New York
The Commissioner of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity
The President of the Botanical Garden
The President of the Horticultural Society of New York
The President of the Florists' Club of New York
Mrs. Richard Aldrich
Mrs. Charles B. Alexander
Mr. Frederick H. Allen
Mr. J. Lawrence Aspinwall
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Astor
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Baker, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Sackett M. Barclay
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies
Mr. Frederick G. Bourne
Mrs. Edward N. Breitung
Dr. N. L. Britton
Director of the New York Botanical Garden
Mrs. Harry Bunyard
Mrs. Amory S. Car hart
'Hon. Joseph H. Choate
Mr. Lewis L. C. Clarke
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Coats
Mr. Henry A. Coster
Mr. R. Fulton Cutting
Mr. William Adams Delano
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Dickey
Miss Alice A. Driggs
Mr. Henry F. Dupont
Mr. Martin C. Ebel
Secretary of the National Association of Gardeners
Mrs. Newbold LeRoy Edgar
Mrs. Alfred Ely
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Frelinghuysen
Mrs. Henry Clay Frick
Mr. Durr Friedley
Miss Virginia Gildersleeve
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gillespie
Mr. Madison Grant
•The Rt. Rev. David H. Greer, D.D.
Mrs. John L. Griffiths
The Very Rev. Wm. H. Grosvenor, D.D.
Mrs. William Pierson Hamilton
Miss Elizabeth Stewart Hamilton
Mrs. E. H. Harriman
Mr. and Mrs. McDougall Hawkes
Sir Arthur and Lady Herbert
Mr. Arthur Herrington
Miss Sarah Cooper Hewitt
•Mr. Charles Frederick Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. William M. V. Hoffman
Mr. F. Burrall Hoffman, Jr.
Mr. Francis L. V. Hoppin
Mr. Henry R. Hoyt
■*lr. and Mrs. Archer M. Huntington
Mr. and Mrs. Columbus O'D. Iselin
Dr. and Mrs. Walter James
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Jennings
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jennings
Mr. Otto H. Kahn
Mrs. De Lancey Astor Kane
Mr. and Mrs. Grenville Kane
Miss Mary M. Kearny
Mrs. Van Rensselaer Kennedy
Mrs. Francis King
Mr. and Mrs. George Gordon King
Mr. Adolph Lewisohn
Mr. and Mrs. John Callender Livingston
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Moncrieffe Livingston
*Deceased
•Hon. and Mrs. Seth Low
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Manship
Mrs. J. Willis Martin
Mrs. Philip Martineau
Dr. and Mrs. D. Hunter McAlpin
Mrs. Junius Morgan
Mrs. J. Archibald Murray
Mr. George V. Nash
Secretary of the Horticultural Society of New York
Mr. Frederick Newbold
The Duchess of Newcastle
Mr. Hoffman Nickerson
Mr. .William White Nlles
Prof and Mrs. Henry Fairfield Osborn
Judge Alton B. Parker
Mr. and Mrs. H. de Berkeley Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. William Barclay Parsons
Mrs. Frederick Pearson
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Claiborne Pell
Judge and Mrs. Francis Key Pendleton
General Horace Porter
Mr. George T. Powell
Mr. George D. Pratt
Mrs. Pulitzer
Mrs. James Lowell Putnam
Mrs. Moses Taylor Pyne
Mr. T. J. Oakley Rhinelander
Mr. George L. Rives
•Mr. and Mrs. B. Ay mar Sands
Professor Sargent
Mrs. Herbert L. Satterlee
Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Scott
Mrs. Charles H. Senff
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Seton
Mrs. William F. Shcehan
Mr. Edward W. Sheldon
Mrs. Frank Sullivan Smith
Mrs. James Speyer
Mr. Wm. Rhinelander Stewart
Mme. Stransky
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Waters Taf t
Mr. William Gilman Thompson
President of the New York Botanical Garden
Mrs. Oakleigh Thornc
Mrs. Henry M. Tilford
Miss Amy Townsend
Mr. William Turnbull
Mrs. Hamilton McK. Twombley
Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Van Cortland t
Mrs. Vanderbiit
Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbiit
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer
M. Le Comte de Viel-Castel
Mrs. John Hobart Warren
Mrs. Whitney Warren
Mrs. Alexander Webb
Rev. W. Wilks
Secretary, Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Orme Wilson
Prof. E. H. Wilson, F.R.H.S.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Wltherbee
Mrs. J. J. Wysong
Mr. John Young
Secretary of the Florists' Club, New York
VOLUME III, No. 4 AUG 1 6 1 DECEMBER, 1919
Colli
Journal of the M §f M M
INTERNATIONAL
Garden Club
GENTES FLORIBUS INTERTEXTAE
INTERNATIONAL
GARDEN CLUB
OFFICERS
Honorary Presidefit
DR. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER
President of Columbia University
President
MRS. CHARLES FREDERICK HOFFMAN, F. R. H. S.
Vice-President
DR. GEORGE NORTON MILLER
Secretary
MRS. FREDERICK PEARSON, N. G. C.
Treasurer
MR. THOMAS H. BASKERVILLE
The Club House and gardens arc at Bartow, Borough of the
Bronx, New York City. Telephone Westchester 908.
Automobile Route. Up Seventh and Jerome Avenues to 167th
Street, across to Grand Concourse, turn to right through Fordham
to Pelham Bay Parkway, turn to left on Boston Post Road (Shore
Road) to Bartow.
Trains leave Harlem R. R. Station at 133rd Street for Bartow
(City Island Station), every hour.
Inquiries as to membership should be addressed to the Assistant
Secretary, Miss Harriet Johnson, 109 \V. 82nd Street, New York City.
The Journal is issued quarterly in March, June, September and
December, and is sent Free to all members. Annual subscription price
to others four dollars a volume, single numbers one dollar.
Make all remittances payable to International Garden Club,
address all business correspondence to 2419-21 Green mount Avenue,
Baltimore, Md., or to Norman Taylor, Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Brooklyn, New York.
All manuscript or pictures for reproduction, and books
for review should be sent to Norman Taylor, Editor,
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York.
Copyright, 1919, by International Garden Club, New York
Entered as second-class matter January 14, 1015, at the Post Office at Baltimore, Maryland, under the
Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of pof ta«e provide 1 for in
Section 1103, Act of October 3, lv 17. authorized July 19. 1918
WAVtHlf PHESS, MALTIMORE
PATRONS
HONORARY MEMBERS, RECEPTION COMMITTEE
AND ADVISORY BOARD
The Governor of the State of New York and Mrs. Smith
The Mayor of New York and Mrs. Hylan
The President of the Board of Aldermen
The President of the Park Board
The Commissioner of Parks for the Bronx
The Comptroller of the City of New York
The Commissioner of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity
The President of the Botanical Garden
The President of the Horticultural Society of New York
The President of the Florists' Club of New York
Mrs. Richard Aldrich
Mrs. Charles U. Alexander
Mr. Frederick II. Allen
Mr. J. Lawrence Aspinwall
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Astor
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Baker, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Sackett M. Barclay
Mr. and Mrs Edmund L. Baylies
Mr. Frederick G. Bourne
Mrs. Edward N. Breitung
Dr. N. L. Britton
Director of the New York Botanical Garden
Mrs. Harry Bunyard
Mrs. Amory S. Carhart
'Hen. Joseph H. Choate
Mr. Lewis L. C. Clarke
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Coats
Mr. Henry A. Coster
Mr. R. Fulton Cutting
Mr. William Adams Delano
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Dickey
Miss Alice A. Driggs
Mr. Henry F. Dupont
Mr. Martin C. Ebel
Secretary of the National Association of Gardeners
Mrs. Newbold LeRoy Edgar
Mrs. Alfred Ely
Mr. and Mrs. Gee. Frellngbuysen
Mrs. Henry Cray Frick
Mr. Durr Frledley
Miss Virginia Gildcrsleeve
Mr. and Mrs Lawrence Gillespie
Mr. Madison Grant
•The Rt. Rev David H. Greer. D.D.
Mrs. John L. Griffiths
'I h" Very Rev. Wm. H. Grosvenor, D.D.
Mrs. William Pierson Hamilton
MKs Kllzarx-th Stewart Hamilton
Mrs. E. II. Harriman
Mr. acd Mrs. McDouCall Hawkes
S-'r Arthur and Lady Herbert
Mr. Arthur Hirrington
Miss Sarah Cooper Hewitt
•Mr. Charles Frederick Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. W'SINm M. V. Hoffman
Mr. F Burrall Hoffman. Jr.
Mr. Francis L. V. Huppln
Mr Henry K. Hoyt
Mr. and Mrs. Archer M. Huntington
Mr. and Mrs. Columbus O D. Isclln
Dr. and Mrs. Walter James
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Jennings
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jennings
Mr. Otto II. Kahn
Mrs. De Lancey Astor Kane
Mr. and Mrs. Grenville Kane
Miss Mary M. Kearny
Mrs. Van Rensselaer Kennedy
Mrs. Francis King
Mr, and Mrs. George Gordon King
Mr. Adolph Lewisohn
Mi. and Mrs. John Callendcr Livingston
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Moncrlefie Livingston
'Deceased
"Hon. and Mrs. Seth Low
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Manshlp
Mrs. J. Willis Martin
Mrs. Philip Martlneau
Dr. and Mrs. D. Hunter McAlpln
Mrs. Junius Morgan
Mrs. J. Archibald Murray
Mr. George V. Nash
Secretary of the Horticultural Society of New York
Mr. Frederick Newbold
The Duchess of Newcastle
Mr. Hoffman Nlckerson
Mr .William White Nil'-s
Prof and Mrs. Henry Fairfield Osborn
Judge Alton B. Parker
Mr. and Mrs. H. de Berkeley Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. William Barclay Parsons
Mrs. Frederick Pearson
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Claiborne Peii
Judge and Mrs Francis Key Pendleton
General Horace Porter
Mr. GeorCe T. Powell
Mr. George D. Pratt
Mrs. Pulitzer
Mrs. James Lowell Putnam
Mrs. Moses Taylor Pyne
Mr. T.J. Oakley Rhlnelander
Mr. George L. Rives
•Mr. and Mrs. B. Aymar Sands
Professor Sargent
Mrs. Herbert L. Satterlee
Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Scott
Mrs. Charles H. Sent?
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Seton
Mrs William F. Sheehan
Mr. Edward W. Sheldon
Mrs. Frank Sullivan Smith
Mrs. Jam«>s Spever
Mr. Wm. Rhlnelander Stewart
Mme. Stransky
Mr. and Mrs Henry Waters Taft
Mr. William Gilman Thompson
President of the Ntvc York Botanical Garden
Mrs. Oakleigh Thornc
Mrs Henry M. Tilford
Miss Amy Townseud
Mr. William Turnhu!!
Mrs. Haml'ton McK. Twomblcy
Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Van Cortlandt
Mrs. Vanderbllt
Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbllt
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer
M. Le Cotnte de Vlcl-Castel
Mrs. John llohart Warren
Mrs. Whitney Warren
Mrs. Alexander Webb
Rev. W. Wliks
Secretary. Royal Horticultural Soci'ty of Great Britain
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Orme Wilson
Prof. E. II. Wilson. F.R.ll.S.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank S Wltherbee
Mrs. J. J. Wysong
Mr. John YminO
Secretary of the florists' Club, New York
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