4<K

LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

No._-2A4-9.a„ DATE__5_-_,ac_8_

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

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December 28, 1907.]

THE

GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

tehlg Illustrated Jmirmtl

OF

HORTICULTURE AND ALLIED SUBJECTS.

(ESTABLISHED IN 1841.)

VOL XLII. -THIRD SERIES.

JULY TO DECEMBER, 1907.

LONDON :

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

1907.

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

o

Tfcr

Q- 166

[December 28, 1907.

Jn I ^ _ X)^c

INDEX OF CONTENTS

JULY TO DECEMBER, 1907.

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

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

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

flowering in, 111
Aconitum Napellus var. eminens,

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

389
Agricultural College, South-

Eastern, 32, 234, 313
Agricultural Education, Committee

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

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

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

attacks of, 186
American blight on Apple-tree

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

151
American system of cultivating

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

196
Athyrium Filix-foemina " Kalothnx

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

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

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

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

415
Ballantine, Henry, awarded the

Victoria medal of horticulture,

200
Balsams, the decorative value of,

439
Bamboos in Leonardslee ' gardens,

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

72 ; as food for cattle, 395 ; in

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

189
Black scab disease of Potato, 299,

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

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

of botanical, 51

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

Bordeaux mixture, an economical

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

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

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

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

Bottling), 292
Braiswick Nursery, celebrations at,

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

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

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

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

B. Sanderianum, inflorescence of,

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

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

C.esalfinia japonica, 43

Cairns, Richard, appointment of,

449
Calceolaria hyssopifolia, 48
Calcium carbide refuse as a

manure, 336
Calophaca wolgarica at Comely

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

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

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

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[December 28, 1907. 111.

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

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

Caryopteris Mastacanthus, 408

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

Caterpillars damage Asparagus, 281

Cattleya Warscewiczii, a remark-
able specimen of, 313

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

Celeriac, the culture of, 373

Celery, a disease of, 271

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

Cerasus laurocerasus, timber of, 219

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

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

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

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

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

Chapman's, Samuel, long service,
416

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

Cherry-laurel timber, 219

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

Chelsea Physic Garden, lectures at,
361

Chemical fumes and tree growth,
103

Chermes strobilobius, the Larch-
gall insect, 353

China, plant collecting in, 344

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

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

Cladrastis tinctoria flowering at
Kew, 186

Clerodendron fcetidum, 408

Clethra alnifolia, 45

Clog soles, timber used in making,

112

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

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

Cockroaches, to destroy, 417

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

Cocoanut fibre mats, 33

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

Cold storage of fruit, 346

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

Colman, Sir Jeremiah, 345, 363

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

Colonial products, an exhibition of,
395

Colonies, economic plants in the,
107

Colour variation in Chrysanthe-
mums, 400

Comarella multifoliata, 151

Combretum purpureum, culture of,
246

Commissions, secret, 11

Conference on Plant Hardiness and
Acclimatisation in America, 185

l 'muter, a rare, L09

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

Coniothyrium (disease of Goose-
berry), 341

Convolvulus cneorum, 106

Cornish garden, a, 228

Correvon, H. (Nos Arbres), 92

Coryanthes speciosa, 106

Corydalis cheilanthifolia, 428

Cosmos sulphureus, 150, 267

Costus igneus, cultural note on, 214

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

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

Cricket, gardeners at, 266

Crisp, Sir Frank, 345, 362

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

Crocus pulchellus, 323

Cross-fertilisation of Chrysanthe-
mum, 267, 282

Cuckoo reared in a flower basket,
97

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

Cucumber disease, treatment for,
40

Cupressus lusitanica, 252, 299

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

Currant-gall mite, the, 189

Cuttings, the preparation and treat-
ment of, 67

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

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

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

Cytisus, hardy garden, species of,

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

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

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

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

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

calceolaria, 4 ; D. nudum, 386 ;

D. regium, 122
Destructive Insects and Pests Acts,

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

Victoria Medal of Horticulture,

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

Chrysanthemums, 213; a new, of

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

J.

Ifff

IV, The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[December 28, 1907.

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

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

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

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

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

wellan gardens, 265
Fern, a new, 125

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

Fig, culture of the, 310

Eir Grange, Weybridge, 217

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

Florists' flowers, 251, 293, 307, 355

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

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

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

Flower gardens at Kingston, 314

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

Flowering plants, novelties in, 443

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

Ely, the house, 435

Eodder, Tagasaste as a, 344

Foliage, diversity in, 110

Forage plants, leguminous, propa-
gation of, 396

Forcing Lily of the Valley for
market, 276

Forcing of bulbous plants, 369

Forde Abbey, Chard, 244

Foreign correspondence, 23, 209,
274, 390

Forest, a new state, 249

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

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

Fremontia californica at Bourne-
mouth, 26

Frost, an instrument to foretell, 378

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

Fruit-culture in Trinidad, 377

Fruit-growing in New Zealand, 298

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

Fruit-plantation, notes from a, 257

Fruit-preserving and the Factorv
Act, 28]

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

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

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

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

Fungicide, a new, 389

Gardener, a veteran, 92; legacy

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

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

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

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

186
German nurserymen, an association

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

170
Germination of seeds aided by hot

water, 377
Ghent quinquennial exhibition,

1908, 51
Gillenias, the cultivated species of,

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

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

180
Gooseberry bushes, importation of,

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

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

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

H

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

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

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

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

359, 375, 393, 413, 433, 446

Hares, protecting tree-stems from

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

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

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

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

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

Kew, 171
Hints Hall Gardens, damage by

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

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

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

markets, 11
Hydrangea Hortensia, 152, 252 ; in

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

Impatiens Holstii, 102; I. opposi-

tifolia, 102; new garden species

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

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

417, 430, 438
Insects affecting fruit trees in

America, 185
Insects and other pests, legislation

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

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

250; sibirica orientalis, 28;

sibirica Snow Queen, 28, 45;

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

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

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

390
Javanese Rhododendrons, hybrid,

321
Jekyll, Gertrude (Flower Decoration

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

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

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

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

sis, 163

K

Kapiti Island as a reservation for

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[December 28, 1907.

Lily of the Valley, forcing, for

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

of, 216
Listrostachys vesicata at Tring Park

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

Botany), 449
Llewelyn, Sir John, awarded the

Victoria Medal of Horticulture,

200
Lomatia ferruginea in Castlewellan

gardens, 234
Long Island, market-gardening on,

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

M

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

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

Malacosoma lusitanicum, an insect
pest of Narcissi, 407

Mammillaria rhodantha, a crested
variety of, 290

Manchester University, chair of
cryptogamic botany at, 436

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

Manuring and its effects, 434

Maqui berries at the London drug
sales, 377

Maritzburg Botanic gardens, 63

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

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

Marlow, W. J., presentation to, 314

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

Matricaria inodora Bridal Robe, 16,">

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

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

Measures, the new regulations con-
cerning, 339

Meconopsis racemosa, 30

Medallist, Victoria, three new, 200

Medela, a specific for Peach-blister
disease, 389

Melaleuca hypericifolia, 127

Melon trials'at V islev. 97

Mice and vegetation, 415

Midland Agricultural and Dairy
College at Kegworth, 72

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

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

Miltonia vexillaria, 406

Molasses for extinguishing fires, 362

Monreith, Wigtownshire, 1

Monro, Geo., Ltd., annual dinner
345

Montbretias, propagation of, 306

Moraea iridioides in Natal, 8

Mulching with wood-wool, 115

Mummy Pea, the, 120, 135, 152

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

Mushrooms, poisoning by, 235

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

N

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

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

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

Nerine Bowdenii at Trevince gar-
dens, 362

Nerium Oleander, the culture of,
162

Nest in a bunch of Bananas, 72

Nesting-place, an unusual, 97

New Guinea, agriculture in, 234

New South Wales, the sparrow in,
384

New York Botanical Garden, 33,
151

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

Nitrogenous manures, amount of,
utilised for crops, 396

Norway, plants for a wall in, 173

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

Nursery, a Japanese, 234

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

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

Oak, evergreen, as a hedge plant,

390
Oak trees, two famous, 236

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

Odontiodas, 142," 162

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

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

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

Onion crop in Egypt, 112

Onopordon Acanthium, the Cotton
Thistle, 135

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

Oranges from Australia, 24

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

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

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

Ornithidium miniatum, 4

Oxford Botanic Garden, 357

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

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

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

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

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

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

412, 133, 447
Park Superintendents, American

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

195
Peas : Gladstone, 362 ; Goldfinder,

27s ; l.axtonian, 114; the Crown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

< oanimatophvllum speciosum at,

168
Peridermium attacking Pine trees,

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

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

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

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

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

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

346 ; Apple trees on heavy land.

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

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

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

Plants, fragrant, 389

Plants, New or Noteworthy: —

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

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

Plum, the Yellow fruited Mirabelle,
452

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

Podocarpus Nageia at Pencarrow
gardens, 44

Podosphaera leucotricha, the Apple
mildew, 166

1' isoning by Mushrooms, 235

Poisonous properties of Primula
obconica, 173, 205

Polemonium confertum melitum,
i>4

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

I'olvpodiums, some, in Trinidad,
252

Polystichum aculeatum var. pul-
cherrimum Drueryi, 273

Populus canescens, 124

Potash, effect of, on leaf growth,
340

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

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

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

Prevention of Corruption Act 1906,
439, 451

Primula obconica, the poisonous
properties of, 173, 205

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

VI. The GarJeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[December 28, 1907.

Propagator, the, 67, 148, 341, 431

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

Prunus japonica, 262; P. spinosa,
308

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

Purchasing bulbs, 216, 250

Q

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

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

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

Reading University gardens, 72, 91

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

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

Rhodora canadensis, 103

Rhus Cotinus, the burning bush
plant, 252

Richardia africana hardy at Leon-
ardslee gardens, 54

Rivers, the pollution of, 435

Rocket, the double, 250

Rock garden, the, 197, 292, 428

Rodgersia tabularis at Kew, 48

Roman garden, a, 51, 91, 298

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

Rondeletia strigosa as a basket-
plant, 173

Rood Ashton, Juniperus chinensis
at, 163

Root-action and bacteria, 112, 170

Root solvents in the soil, 435

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

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

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

Rose for cultivation on a pillar, 14

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

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

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

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

Rothamsted, the Hay crop at, 210

Rubber cultivation in the Straits
Settlements, 323

Rubber in French West Africa, 52

Rubber plant, Para, enemies of
the, 415

Rubus bambusarum, 251

Rum, Jamaica, 429

Rural economy, education in, 377

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

Sale of botanical books, 51

Sale of Orchids at Schbnbrunn,
170

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

Salsafy, the culture of, 374

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

Salvias, new varieties of, 36^

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

Saponaria vaccaria as cut flowers,
250

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

Saxifragas, autumn-flowering, 292

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

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

School of Horticulture at Wisley,
64

Schwappach, Professor, appoint-
ment of, 12

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

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

Science laboratory opened at Wisley
Gardens, 70

Scion and stock, mutual relations
of, 414

Scorzonera, 374

Sea, character of plants growing
near the, 287

Seaside planting, 242

Season, the sunless, 275

Secret commissions, 11

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

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

Seed crops in France, the, 112

Seed-germination and hot-water,
377

Seedlings, transplanting, 205

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

Seed trade association, an Ameri-
can, 151

Semele Androgyna in the open, 244

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

Septoria Chrysanthemi, a disease of
Chrysanthemums, 213

Seseli gummiferum, 426

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

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

Shrubberies, winter work in the,
425

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

Silene Fortunei, 310

Silphium albiflorum, 342

Silver-leaf disease of Plums, 205,
265

Sloe, the, 308

Slugs, protection from, by Pine
leaves, 52

Smith, Mr. A. C, 132, 169

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

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

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[December 28, 1907. Vll.

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

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

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

Solanum crispum planted in the
open in Scotland, 103

Sophora viciifolia at Kew, 26

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

Sparrow, the, in New South Wales,
384

Spartium junceum, 226

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

Spiraeas, herbaceous, 243, 260

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

Spruce-gall mite, the, 162

Stanhope, Hon. A. [Weather), 169

Stanley Park gardens, Carnations
at, 74

Stigma of Torenia Fournieri sensi-
tive, 73

Stock and scion, mutual relations
of, 414

Storage, cold, of small fruits, 313

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

Straits Settlements, Rubber culti-
vation in the, 323

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

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

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

Streptocarpus, Burdett's strain, 229

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

Succulent plants, a lecture on, 347

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trenching land, 164, 312, 362

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

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

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

Tropical fruits, a collection of, 445

Tuber in the axil of a Potato leaf,
160

U

Ulmvs alata in exposed positions,

103, 143
Union of nursery employes, 298

Vatican Gardens, the, 265

Vegetable Growers' Association in
Ontario, 186

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

Vegetable trials at Wisley, 378

Vegetation and mice, 415

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

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

Veteran gardeners, 218

Victoria Medallists, three new,
200

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

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

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

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

Vitis vulpina suitable for covering
bare spaces, 73

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

W

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

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

93, 227
Watt, Sir George (The Wild and

Cultivated Cotton Plants of the

World), 341
Weights and Measures Regulations,

the new, 339
Wergs Hall, Wolverhampton, the

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

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

64 ; proceedings at the opening

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

Devon, 164
Wood-wool as a summer mulching

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

395
Wye, South-Eastern Agricultural

College, 32, 234, 313

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

Zenobia speciosa, 45
Zygopetalum rostratum. 291

SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUSTRATIONS.

Arnold Arboretum, winter scene in the (December 28)

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

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

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

Lomatia ferruginea in Castlewellan Gardens (September 28)

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

Oxford Botanic Gardens, view in the (November 23)

Roman Garden, K view in a (July 20)

Romneya tricocalyx (December 14)

Roses at Kew (July 6)

Senecio Wilsonianus (September 14)

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

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

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

"V 111 . The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[December 28, 1907.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

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

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

305
Apple Sykehouse Russet trained as

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

plant of, 113
Aristea (Witsenia) corymbosa, a

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

196
Avebury, Lord, portrait of, 70

B
Bacteria found in the nodules on

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

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

315
Berberis Wilsonae, a fruiting spray

of, 372
Black Currant shoot affected with

Glceosporium, 180
Bog-garden and summer-house at

Fir Grange, 217
Bulbophyllum galbinum, 42; B.

longisepalum, a flower and floral

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

gardens at, 261

C.ESALP1NIA japonica, 43

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

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

Carnation Aristocrat, 429

Carnation house at Eastwell Park
gardens, 128

Caryopteris Mastacanthus, a flower-
ing shoot of, 409

Chance, Sir William, portrait of, 71

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

Chrysanthemum Horace Martin on
the terrace at Gunnersbury
House, 267

Chrysanthemum leaves affected
with Septoria chrysanthemi, 213

Chrysanthemums at the Paris
Show, 364

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

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

Colman, Sir Jeremiah, portrait of,
363

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

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

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

Crisp, Sir Frank, portrait of, 362

Crown or Mummy Pea, 120

Currant shoot affected with Glceo-
sporium, 180

Currant White Dutch, 93

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

Delphiniums, a group of, in flower,
64

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

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

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

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

Dipelta floribunda, a flowering
spray of, 2

Diseases of Apple leaves, 305, 306

Duval, Leon, portrait of the late,
223

Eastwell Park, Kent, 338 ; the

entrance gates, 337 ; Roses on the

lawn at, 339 ; vinery at, 355

Elliott, Sir Thomas, portrait of, 71

Elms, an avenue of pollarded, at

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

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

217
Flower-bed at Hampton Court,

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

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

a collection of exotic, 445

Gladiolus primulinus, 291
Glasgow, a waterfall in the Rouken

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

pot, 136
Greywell Hill, flower borders at,

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

H

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

Hawk-moth, the Death's Head,
176

Ileeria elegans in Edinburgh Bo-
tanic Gardens, 293

Hill, Arthur William, portrait of,
171

Honess, William II., portrait of,
446

Hygrometer, a new horticultural,
'378

I

Impatieks oppositifolia flowering

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

123

J

Jordan, Charles, portrait of the

late, 58
Juniperus chinensis, a remarkable

tree of, at Rood Ashton, 162

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

Lake in the Maritzburg Botanic

Gardens, 63
Larch shoots infested with

Chermes, 353, 354
Leaf section of Chrysanthemum

showing pycnidium of Septoria

chrysanthemi, 213
Lilium Brownii flowering in Kew

Gardens, 67
Lilium longiflorum giganteum, a

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

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

spray of, 233
Lychnis grandiflora, 189 ; L.

Haageana, 243

M

Macrosporium rhaldiferum, a dis-
ease of Peaches, 160

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

Malacosoma lusitanicum, an insect
pest of Narcissi, 407

Mammillaria rhodantha, a crested
form of, 290

Mangles grown with and without
potash manures, 340

Maritzburg Botanic Gardens, lake
in, 63

Matricaria inodora Bridal Robe,
165

Mayne, J., portrait of, 446

Meconopsis racemosa, 31

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

Montanoa bipinnatifida, inflores-
cence of, 419

Moth, the Death's-Head Hawk, 176

Mummy Pea, the, 120

Mushroom, a poisonous, 235

N

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

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

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

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

Oxford Hotanic Gardens, a view
in. 357

P

Peach disease caused by Macro-
sporium rhaldiferum, 160

Pea plants inoculated with bac-
teria, 385

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

.Pear Beurre de Naghan, 444

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

Pettigrew, W. W., portrait of, 447

Thyllosticta disease of Apple
leaves, 305

Folystichum aculeatum pulcherri-
mum Drueryi, 274

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

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

Prunus spinosa, a flowering shoot
of, 308

Quinces, Vranja and Lescovaz, 451

Rhododendron Purity, 15

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

Roots, aerial, of Grammatophyllum
speciosum, 168

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

Rose-garden, plan of a small, 368

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

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

Rubus bambusarum, a new Chinese
species, 251

Ruins, imitation, in Pearson Park,
Hull, 437

Russian garden, view in a, 450

S

Sadler, Prof. Michael, portrait of.

71
Section of Potato showing spores

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

shoot of, 244
Septoria chrysanthemi, a disease

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

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

132
Sphaeropsis, a fungus disease of

Apple leaves, 306
Spores of the fungus causing

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

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

111

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

Botanic Garden, 325
Temperate house, Kew, view in

the, 390
Tomato plant, showing effect of

inoculation, 430

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

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

315; in Pearson Park, Hull, 436,

437
Vincent, Sir William, portrait of,

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

355

W
Waterfall in Rouken Glen Park,

Glasgow, 188
Water garden at the Holland House

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

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

Zaluzianskia maritima, 162

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

■j&Z.

THE

^itrbencrs'Cbroniclc

No. 1,071— SATURDAY, July 6, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Agricultural Education,
Committee on 11

Benevolent Institution,
Gardeners' Royal ... 10

Birthday honours 11

Bones in a vine border 14

Books, notices of —
Flower Decoration in

the House 7

Fruit Recipes 7

Country garden, the ... 3

Colonial notes —

Moraea iridioides ... 8

Examination in horticul-
ture 11

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

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

Gardening, the limita-
tions of 1

Gladiolus, culture of ... 14

Hay crops and the
weather 12

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

Hungarian fruits for the
English market ... 11

Irises, American ... 6

Jnpan, a note from ... 12

Magnolia Campbellii,
the flowering of ... 3

Market Gardening—
Grapes and Tomatos 15

Monreith, Wigtown-
shire ... 1

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

Ornithidium miniatum 4

Obituary-
Laurent, Andre

Miiller, Prof. Dr. Karl

Pear, the Keifer

Plants, new or note-
worthy—

Dipelta floribunda ...

Odontoglossum X

Kenchii

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

Manor

Rosary, the—

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

Rose Madame Plantier

Roses at Kew

Saxifraga Aizoon rosea
Societies —

British Gardeners ...

Colchester Rose

Linnean

National Rose

Richmond Horticul-
tural

Royal Agricultural ...

Koyal Horticultural
(Sc ientific Com-
mittee)

Royal Meteorological

Scottish Pansy
Sweet Pea Countess

Spencer

Strawberry Kentish

Favourite

Strawberry, The Laxton
Strawberries, il.

ing of

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

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Dipelta floribunda. a flowering spray of

Magnolia Campbellii flowering in Leonardslee gardens

3; a flower of

Rhododendron Purity

Rose pergola in Kew Gardens ...

Roses in Kew Gardens (Supplementary Illustration)

Rose Madame Plantier

Rose Pride of Waltham

THE LIMITATIONS OF
GARDENING.

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

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

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

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

MONREITH.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.-

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

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

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

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

CARDCHROrJ

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

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

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

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

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

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

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

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

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

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

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

DIPELTA FLORIBUNDA*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE COUNTRY GARDEN.

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

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.

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

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

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

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

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

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

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ORXITHIDIUM MINIATUM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

DENDROBIUM CALCEOLARIA (SVN.
CALCEOLUS).

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

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

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL NOTES FOR JULY.

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

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

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

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

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

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

ROSA RUGOSA ROSERAI DE L'HAY.

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

[Photograph by F. Mason Good.

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.

AMERICAN IRISES.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

LAYERING STRAWBERRIES

FOR FORCING.

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

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Fruit Recipes.*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Market Gardening on Long Island.— The

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

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.

COLONIAL NOTES.

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

The Week's Work.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

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

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

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

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

THE FLOWER GARDEN-

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

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

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

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

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

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

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE APIARY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, JULY 6—

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

TUESDAY, JULY 9—

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

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

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

THURSDAY, JULY 11—

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

SATURDAY, JULY 13— Woodbridge Fl. Sh.

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

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

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK,

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY—

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

The
Gardeners'
Benevolent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

hi

Id

<

u
o

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

11

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

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

British Gardeners Association. — We are

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

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

Examination in Horticulture.— TheReport

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

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

The Kings Birthday Honours.— It is

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

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

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

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

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

Franco-British Exhibition, 19G8. — A

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

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

At further meetings on June 25, 26 and

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

12

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.

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

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

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

Hay Crops and the Absence of Sun. —

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

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

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

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

{Photograph by C. P. Rajfill.

The German Arboricultural Society.

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

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

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

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

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

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

KEW NOTES

GARDEN ROSES.

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

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

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

Strawberry Kentish Favourite. — By a

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

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

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

14

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

[July 6, It. 3

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees. — I

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

■ During the summers of 1905 and 1906

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

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

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

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

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

A Rock Garden at Baston Manor. — I

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

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

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

Hardy and Yellow Rhododendrons. — In

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

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

RHODODENDRON PURITY.

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

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

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE,

15

MARKET GARDENING.

TOMATOS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GRAPES IN JUNE.

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

Bunches from vineries in which plants are

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 190'/

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

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

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

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

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

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

L.EJGHTON.

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

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

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

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

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

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RICHMOND HORTICULTURAL.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roses.

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

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

July 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

17

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

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

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

Fruit.

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

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

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

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

Vegetables and Roots.

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

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

Non-Competitive Exhibits.

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

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

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

COLCHESTER ROSE AND

HORTICULTURAL.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL: LINCOLN
HORTICULTURAL SECTION.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL.

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

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

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

SCOTTISH PANSY.

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

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

NATIONAL ROSE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Representative Groups.

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

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

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

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

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jri.v 6, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

19

THE WEATHER.

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

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

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

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

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

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

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

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending July 3.

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

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

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

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

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

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

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

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

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

FOREIGN.

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

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

Italy— Bulbs and Flower-roots.

DEBATING SOCIETY.

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

MARKETS.

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

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

&c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

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

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

Myosotis, per doz.

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

2 0-30 crispum, per

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

bunches ... 4 0-80
Pancratiums, per

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

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

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

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

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

Pyrethrums, per

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

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

bunches ... 3 0-40

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

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

— General Jacque-

4 0-60 minot 06-10

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

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

— Mad. Chatenay 10-30
Stephanotis, per

16-20 dozen trusses 30-50

16-26 Stocks, per dozen

bunches ... 2 0-30

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

Tuberoses, per dz.

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

16-20 dozen bunches 20-30

Cut Flowers,

Azalea mollis, per

dozen bunches
Anemones, per dz.

bunches
Eouvardia, per dz.

bunches
Calla asthiopica, p.

dozen

Carnations, per

dozen blooms,

best American

various

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

— Malmaisons, p.
dozen blooms..

Cattleyas, per doz.

blooms
Cornflower, per dz.

bunches
Lucharis grandi-

flora, per doz.

blooms
Gardenias, per doz.

blooms

Gladiolus, The

Bride, per do/..

bunches
Gypsophila elegans

p. dz. bunches
Iris, German, per

doz. bunches...

— Spanish, p. dz.
bunches

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

— candidum.bch.

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

— longillorum ...
Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, white,

p. dz. bunches

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

Cut Foliage, &c: Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiantum cunea-
luin, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per doz.

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

dozen bunches

— French, dozen
bunches

s.d. s.d.

4 0-60

6 0 9 0

16-20
0 6-10

2 0-26
10-16
16-20

10-20

2 0-40

Galax leaves, per
dozen I

Hardy foliage
(various), per
dozen bunches

Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
doz. bunches...

Moss, per gross ...

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

— French, dozen
bunches

Smilax, p. dz. trails

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

2 0-60
2 0-26

16-30

2 0-30

4 0-50

4 0- G 0

10-16
16-26

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

Ainpelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen

AraliaSieboldi.dz.

— larger

Araucaria escelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, dz.
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— ten uissimus
per dozen

Boron i a mega-
stigma, per dz.

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

— ■ in flower
C ocos Weddelli-

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

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

lius, dozen

— laxus, per
dozen ...

Oracc-enas, per doz.

Erica Caveudishii,

per dozen

— ventricosa, per
dozen ...

Euonyinust'per dz".

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80

4 0-60
9 0-12 0

18 0-30 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

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

8 0-90
12 0-18 0

9 0-18 0
3 0-50

9 0-12 0
12 0-3U 0

4 0-50

9 0-24 0

24 0-36 0

18 0-30 0
4 0- 9 0

7 0-10 0

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

4 0-60

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

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

— in 48's, per dz. 4 0-10 0

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

dozen

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

dozen

Hydrangea Thos.

Hogg, per doz. 12 0-18 0

— Hortensia, per

dozen S 0-12 0

— paniculata, per

dozen 12 0-30 0

Kentia Belmore-

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

dozen 12 0-21 0

Latania borbonica,

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

florum, per dz. 12 0-21 0

— lancif o li um,
per dozen

Lily of the Valley

per dozen
Lobelia, per dozen
Marguerites, white

per dozen

— yellow

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

12 0-18 0

12 0-19 0
5 0-60

4 0-80
12 0-13 o

5 0-80
•4 0-5 0

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

— Zonals, per dz. 4 0- 6 0

— show ... ... 6 0-90

Petunias, double,

per dozen ... 4 0-80

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

s.d. s.d.
Rhododendron s,

per doz 24 0-36 0

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

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

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

Willmott, doz. 6 0-90

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

6 6-76

7 6-80

6 0-70
6 0-70

7 0-
6 6-

Apples, per box,
Tasmanian :

— London Pippins 8 6-90

— Scarlet Pear-
mains ...

— Scarlet Nonpa-
reils

— Sturmer Pip-
pins

— French Crabs..

— Cox's Orange
Pippins ... 18 0-20 0

— Alexandras ... 7 6-86

— Prince Alfreds 6 6-76

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

— Monro's Fav-
orite, per box 7 0-90

— Roman Beauty 7 0-80

— Cleopatras ... 7 0-90

— Jonathans ... 10 6-12 0

— New York Pip-
pins

— Five Crowns...

— Cox's Orange
Pippins

— Rymers
Apricots (French),

per box

— French, cases

— French, \ sieve
Bananas, bunch:

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giants ,, ...

— Jamaica

— I £cse, per dz.
Cherries (English),

$ sieve

— i sieve

— French, box ...

— French, \ sieve

— French, | sieve
Cranberries, case
Currants (French),

black, $ sieve...

— French, red,
handle basket..

Dates (Tunis)] doz.

boxes

Figs(Guernsey),dz.
Gooseberries | .1 Ing-

lish), i sieve ...

12 0-16 0

6 0-70

12-14
3 6-60

7 0-76

5 0 —

5 6-60

6 6-76

8 0 —
5 0-66
0 9-13

3 6-80

2 0-46
13-30

4 0-60

3 0-46
8 0-86

4 0-50
16-20

2 6 —

16-60

2 0-29

0 10- 1 6
2 0-40

0 8-13

s.d. s.d.
Grape Fruit, case 19 0-22 0-
Grapes (English),

Hambro's, p. lb.0 10- 1 6

— Alicante, pr. lb. 10-16

— Gros Maroc,
per lb. ..

— English Mus-
cats, per lb

— Belgian Ham-
bro's, per lb....

Lemons :

— Messina, case 8 0-14 0

— Naples, p. case 12 0-20 0
Lychees, per box... 10 —
Mangoes, per doz. 9 0-18 0
Melons{ Guernsey),

each 10-26

— French, Rock,

each 2 0-30

Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz. 3 0-12 0

Nuts, Cobnuts, per

doz. lb 2 6-30

— Almonds, bags 54 0 —

— Brazils, new,
perewt. ... 40 0-42 6

— Barcelona, bag 32 6 —

— Cocoa nuts, 100 12 0-17 0
Oranges, per case :

— Palermos,100's,

box 6 0-66

— Valencia ... 16 0-35 0

— Navels ... 10 0-10 6

— Jaffa 12 0-14 0

— St. Michaels,
per box

— Palermo s,
Bloods, 100s,
boxes

— Murcias, box
Peaches (English),

per dozen

— French, p. box
Pears (Australian),

Eer bundle of 3
oxes

Plums (French), p,

box

Pineapples, each ...

Strawberries (Bng

lish), per peck

— per lb

— English, per
handle basket 0 9-16

6 0-10 0

6 0-80

8 0-14 0

2 0-12 0
10-19

10 0-20 0

13-16
2 0-36

2 0-30

0 5-10

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

Artichokes(French),

per dozen ... 2 0-26

Asparagus (Eng-
lish), p. bundle 0 9-13

— Montauban, p.

bundle 16-19

— French Giant,

per bundle ... 5 0-60
Beans, Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel 3 0 —

— Jersey, per lb. 0 6-07

— French, packet 0 3-04

— Home -grown,

per lb 0 6-08

Beetroot, bushel ... 10 —
Cabbages, per doz, 0 9-10
Cabbage Greens,

bag 10-16

— red, per dozen 2 0 —
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches 10-16

— French, new,

per bunch ... 0 2-0 2*

— per bag, un-
washed ... 5 0-60

Cauliflowers, doz. 2 0-26

Chow Chow (Sec-
hium edule), p.
dozen 3 0 —

Cucumbers, perdz. 16-26

Endive, per dozen 19-20

Horseradish, for-
eign, dz. bndls. 13 0-14 0

Leeks, 12 bundles 16 —

Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score 0 4-06

Marrows(English),

per dozen ... 4 0-70

Mint, per dozen

bunches ... 0 9-10

s.d. s.d.

M ushrooms(house)

per lb 0 8-0 10

— buttons, per lb. 0 10 —

— "Broilers"p.lb. 0 5-06
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Lisbon),

case

— pickling, per
bushel

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches

— Egyptian, bag ,
Peas (English), per

bushel

— English, p. bag
Parsley, 12bunches

— k bushel
Potatos (Canary),

per cwt.

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen 0 4-06

Rhubarb (English),
natural, perdz.

Salsafy,p.dz. bdls.

Spinach, English,
per bushel ..-.

Tomatos : —

— Canary, per
bundle

— selected, per
dozen lbs.

— small selected,
per dozen lbs.

Turnips (French),

new, per bunch 0 3-0 3 V

— English, doz.
bunches ... 2 0-30

Watercress, per

doz. bunches .. 0 4-06

10-16

6 6-70

2 0-26

16 —

7 6-80

2 0-30

3 6-60
16-20
10-16

6 0-70

10-16
3 6-

0 9-10

6 0-80
5 3-56

4 6-50

Remarks.— The supplies of English Peaches and Nec-
tarines are larger, but there is not a good demand for these
fruits owi n g principally to the large quantities of Strawberries
on the market. Prices of English Tomatos have further
advanced, and are selling freely. Strawberries are now very
plentiful, but they are of poor flavour and quality owing to
a continued absence of sunshine. The last consignment of
Australian Apples for this season has arrived. P. L., Covent
Garden Market, July 3\ 1907.

Potatos.

Kents, 7s. 6d. to 10s. ; Bedfords, 7s. to 8s. ; Jerseys, 7 6 !.
to 8s. ; St. Malos, 8s. ; Cherbourgs, 7s. ; Teneriffe, t,
7s. ; old Potatos, 7s. 6d. to 8s. A fair quantity of new English
Potatos are on the market. It is expected that supplies from
Jersey will-finish this week. A. B., Covent Garden, Jul:

20

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 6, 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

At the end of last week there was a slight advance in the

E rices of some cut flowers. Lilium longirlorurn was dearer,
ut I find this morning these flowers are cheaper again. L.
lancifolium of the best quality is not over plentiful. Good
blooms of L. tigrinum are making higher prices than those
of L. longiflorum. Callas may realise fair prices one morn-
ing but the nest day they are not wanted. The market has
received Sweet Peas from under glass for the past two
months, and, now those from the open are in, the public is
tired of them. Roses vary considerably ; a few of the best
•quality blooms make good prices. Carnations are over-
plentiful and are sold by hawkers in the streets for very
little money. Pseonias are seen in large quantities ; a few of
the pure white, blush, and pink coloured varieties sell well,
but the old double crimson flowers are disposed of for very
low figures. Poppies are abundant ; the improved Iceland
varieties sell best, but the Shirley Poppies are also good.
Herbaceous Pyrethrums are abundant ; the single crimson
and the double white kinds are the most appreciated. Gyp-
sophila elegans is arriving in whole van loads. Eucharis.
Stephanotis, Lapageria alba, white Pelargonium, Tuberoses,
&c, are all well supplied, but flowers with short stems have
depreciated in value. There is no lack of cut foliage of
all description.

Pot Plants.

Several growers have cleared their stocks of some subjects
for the season, and special orders may be difficult to execute,
but up to the present supplies have been abundant. Zonal
Pelargoniums have fallen in value, but good Ivy-leaved
varieties have been in demand. Show or Regal varieties
are still over-plentiful. Crassula coccinea is very good;
C. jasminae and hybrid varieties are also on sale. Hydrangea
Hortensia can be had in plants of all sizes up to those 3 feet
high, and with about a dozen good heads of bloom. Ver-
bena " Miss Willmott," Fuchsias, yellow and white Margue-
rites, yellow Calceolarias, and Mignonette are prominent
flowering plants seen on the stands. Chrysanthemum segetum
forms a good pot plant, but it is over-plentiful. Some growers
of Rambler Roses have cleared their saleable stocks for the
season. Good prices have been generally maintained ;
shapely and well-flowered plants of the variety Doro-
thy Perkins have realised two guineas a pair. Ferns
are well supplied in all sizes. Palms vary but little, they are
generally procurable in all sizes. Some well-grown plants
of Pandanus are seen. Ficus elastica is good, but the
demand for this old favourite parlour plant has fallen off
considerably. Aralia Sieboldi and the variety Mosen are
selling at advanced prices. Asparagus Sprengeri is now
extensively used for florists' work. A. H., Covent Garden,
Wednesday, July J, 1907.

TRADE NOTICES.

Messrs. A. T. Sims, Ltd.

A company with this title has been registered with a
capital of £5,000 in £1 shares, for the purpose of acquiring
the Kingsfield Nursery business lately carried on by Mr. A. T.
Sims, at Sewardstone Road, Chingford. There will be no
initial public issue of the shares, and the company will be
registered without articles of association.

Messrs. W. Dennis & Sons, Ltd.

The above-named company has lately been registered with
a capital of £75,000 in £1 shares, for acquiring the potato,
fruit, seed, and other businesses of Messrs. W. Dennis and
Sons and Messrs. J. and H. Dennis. There is no initial
public issue of the shares. The first directors are W.
Dennis, J. W. Dennis, J. M. Dennis, J. H. Dermis, T. E.
Dennis, and F. W. Dennis.

Mr. William N. Lindsay, Leith.

Mr. Alexander Cross, who has severed his connection
with Messrs. Bell & Bieberstedt, has entered the firm of
Mr. William N. Lindsay, as partner. A department for the
wholesale seed business has been added to the firm, and of
this branch Mr. Cross will assume the management.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Botanical Periodicals : S. S. A. Botanical
Magazine, published by Messrs. Lovell, Reeve
& Co., Ltd., 6, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden,
W.C. ; Journal of Botany, West, Newman &
Co., 54, Hatton Garden, E.C.

Buttercups on Lawn : W. H. You cannot
do better than treat the grass with the dress-
ings you mention. The nitrogenous manures
will favour the growth of the grasses, and in
time they may be expected to crowd out the
weeds.

Carnation Leaves Diseased : Ireland. The
injury is called Bacteriosis, and is primarily due
to punctures by aphides. Bacteria gains an
entrance into the tissues of the leaf through the
wounds set up by the aphides and this causes
further trouble. Aphides should be kept down
by spraying with some suitable insecticide.

Carnation Roots : Mack. The white insects on
the roots are known as Ripersia terrestris.
Bisulphide of carbon will destroy them. Make
holes with a piece of stout wire in the soil,
and use two teaspoonfuls of the chemical to
a 6-inch pot. Afterwards shade the plants.
The substance is poisonous to animal life, and
highly inflammable.

Cucumbers Diseased : W . X. Your plants are
affected with the spot disease. See answer to
/. C. in our issue for June 22, p. 416.

Digitalis Flowers : F. E. S. cV Co. This ab-
normal form is by no means uncommon. It

is known as regular peloria, and is often seen
in the Toadflax, Antirrhinum, and many other
flowers.

Fruit Recently Fumigated: Anxious. We
have never heard of any injurious effects fol-
lowing the consumption of fruits that have
been gathered from trees that had been re-
cently fumigated with tobacco smoke. In the
case of fruits from which the skin is removed
before consumption, no bad effects could pos-
sibly follow.

Gardening in the United States : R. J. H.
See articles on this subject in our last volume,
pp. 80, 191.

Gardenia and Azalea Shoots Dying : Kent.
The shoots have the appearance of having been
injured by some external influence such as ex-
cessive fumigation, or an application of too
strong an insecticide. Without knowing all the
circumstances, we are less able to judge of the
cause than those on the spot.

Grapes : H. E. There is no fungus disease pre-
sent in the berries. The cause of the failure is
probably due to some cultural defect. We
suspect that the trouble exists at the roots; see
that the borders are in a satisfactory condition.

Holly Leaves: P. A. The damage is caused
by the grub of a fly. You can do nothing in
the case of those leaves which are already
infested, but by spraying them with quassia
extract you will render them distasteful to the
adult insects, and so prevent the insects
depositing further eggs on the foliage.

Lily Disease : A. H. See reply to G. O. P. in
our issue for June 22, p. 416.

Lupins Dropping their Buds : W. U. The
trouble is caused by a fungus, Sclerotinia sclero-
tiorum, that attacks the roots. The soil in which
they are growing should be treated with quick-
lime, or, better still, with gas-lime, after the
plants are removed. If your stock is not exten-
sive, we advise the destruction of the plants by
burning, and the planting of healthy roots on a
different quarter of land.

Muscat of Alexandria Grapes: G. S. Allow
the vines to remain without disturbance until
the resting season, when they should be lifted,
and the borders thoroughly overhauled. You
will gain nothing by planting out young vines at
this late season, and in any case we should
advise an inspection of the interior of the border.
The wire worms can be trapped with portions of
some vegetable roots, such as Carrot or Potato.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
sse anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both of
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Plants: A. H. Pentstemon glaber and Eri-
geron philadelphicus. — A. E. E. 1, Cephalan-
thera pallens ; 2, Atropa Belladonna ; 3, Cyno-
glossum officinale ; 4, Verbascum nigrum. —
O. W. Libertia formosa. — H.L. 2, Habenaria
conopsea. — H.K. Silene nutans. — A.P.N. 3.
Campanula ramosissima. — \V. D. M. Ceanothus
Veitchianus. — Bids. We are unable to name
the leaf received from Ceylon in the absence
of further material. The shrub is Santolina
Chamaecyparissus. — ■ F. S. 1, Podocarpus
Totara ; 2, Cephalotaxus pedunculata var. fasti-
giata ; 3, Iris versicolor ; 4, Salix triandra ; 5,
Aristotelia Macqui ; 6, Anemone pennsylvanica.
— C. L. L. We are only able to give the name
of one of your Roses, No. 6, Reine Marie Henri-
ette. Send them direct to a nurseryman who
has the opportunity to compare them with other
flowers. — R. W. P. &■ S. Dictamnus fraxinella.
— A. H. Polygonum sachalinense. — A". F. 1,
Deutzia crenata; 2, Azara microphylla ; 3,
Cyperus longus ; 4, Orchis pyramidalis. — Palmer.
a, Weigela rosea ; b, Crataegus pyracantha ;
c, Leycesteria formosa ; d, Centranthus ruber ;

e, Potentilla "Hamlet" ; /, Erigeron philadel-
phicus.— M. &• M . Oleareamacrodonta. — G. M.
1, Swainsonia galegifolia; 2, Astrantia major;
3, Bletia hyacinthina ; 4, Potentilla sanguinea,
garden variety ; 5, Centaurea montana alba : 6,
Lilium Martagon. — H. L. Franciscea (Bruns-
felsia) acuminata. — V.J.T. 1, Odontoglossum
Lindleyanum ; 2, Oncidium caesium; 3, Aerides
japonicum ; 4, Masdevallia swertiaefolia ; 5,
Stelis muscifera : 6, Oncidium triquetrum. —
H. A., Notts. Begonia incarnata metallica. —
/. B., North Wales. 1, Laelia purpurata. a very
good variety ; 2, Dendrobium Calceolaria of the
variety often called D.moschatum; 3, Libertia
formosa; 4, Saxifraga umbrosa serratifolia ; 5,
Saxifraga trifurcata ; 6, Lysimachia nemorum.

E. C. C. D. Limnanthes Douglasi. — S. W.
Probably a Daphne ; send again when in flower.
— W. P. W7e do not undertake to name varieties
of Roses.

Paulownia imperialis : W. N. This is a hand-
some, hardy, deciduous tree, not uncommon in
borders in gardens, where its stately broad foliage
forms a suitable background to flowering plants.
In warm and sheltered localities it blooms early
in the season, producing terminal panicles of
pale violet-coloured flowers. The points of the
shoots usually suffer injury from spring frosts,
in English gardens, but in seasons when the
trees are able to expand their flowers, the
Paulownia is exceedingly effective. It was in-
troduced from Japan nearly 70 years ago. The
genus possesses this species only, and belongs
to the natural order Scrophulariaceae.

Pear Shoots Injured : /. P. The branches at,,
dying as the result of a fungus disease known as
brown-rot. Cut out the diseased shoots, well
below the seat of injury and burn them.

Quince Seedlings: E. B. You may use these
as stocks for grafting varieties of the Pear.

Raspberry Fruits, etc. : Miss P. The failure
of the Raspberry fruits is due to imperfect fer-
tilisation of the flowers, probably the result of
the wet season. The Rose leaves are attacked
by a fungus, Asteroma rosae. Collect and burn
all diseased leaves and spray the healthy ones
with liver of sulphur, using one ounce of the
sulphur in two gallons of water.

Spot Disease of Grapes : P. G. M. The
berries are affected with the spot disease,
which is caused by a fungus Glceosporium
ampelophagum. Dust the bunches with a mix-
ture of one part quicklime and two parts of
flowers of sulphur. The use of stable manure
in the border favours the disease.

Stand for Exhibiting Grapes : S. W . We
know of no regulation size for a stand to hold
two bunches, but those usually adopted for
this number are from 12 to 15 inches in
length, about the same measurement in depth,
and about 12 inches in height.

Tomato Disease : S. W. W. It is advisable to

obtain fresh seeds from healthy plants.
Tomato Fruits with Unripened Patches:

F. W. H. The blotches and hard patches are due
to an absence of potash in the rooting medium.
Dress the soil with light sprinklings of sulphate
of potash and afterwards well water the roots.

Tomato Leaves: H. R. This condition is
brought about by excessive feeding and
watering. The plants have grown with too
much vigour, and have expended their energies
in the formation of shoots and leaves instead of
fruits. The leaves have become more or less
succulent and hence their brittle nature.
Tomato plants should not be too liberally
watered at their roots, and if their root-run is
somewhat restricted, so much the better.

Vine Leaves from the Open : /. P. There is
no disease present ; the injury has been caused
by chills which. have arrested the growth of the
foliage.

Yew Tree at Warblington : F. P. The tree is
mentioned in Lowe's Yew Trees of Great
Britain and Ireland. You may send the
picture for our consideration.

Communications Received.— J. B. (thanks for Is. which has
been placed in R.G.O.F. box)— J. M. L.— Studley— A. B.—
T. C. R— V. C. S.— W. R. C— E. T— S. P.— A. C—
W. D— H. G.— I. W.— Rev. G. H.— E. B.— ]. D.— C. L. L.
A. H.— J. D. W.— H. L. & Co.-H. S.— J. C.—T. S.—

F. B.— F. G. T.-H. B.— W. H. C.-H. C— Dr. A. R. P.—
J. R.-H. S.— A. P.-R. S. H.— R. J. A.— W. B. H.—
C. D. B.— Rev. Geo. H.— Lieut.-Col. Prain— J. H. L.—

G. W.— T. H.

July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

21

THE

6arbcncrsfCbronidc

No. 1,072.— SATURDAY, July 13, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the —

Saxifraga aizoon lutea 23
Irises, some new ... 28

American Gooseberry-
mildew attacking the
Red Currant 26

Aralia Moseri 33

Books, notices of —

Botanical Magazine ... 32

Coicmial notes —

Oranges from Austra-
lia 24

Diospyros Kaki 22

Ferns, British, choice
varieties of 21

Foreign correspondence —
Geneva, a note from 24

Gillenias, the garden
species of 25

Holland House, flower
show at .30,34

Kew, the Rose pergola
at 25

Lime, the uses of, in
soils 24

Magnolia Campbellii ... 33

Meconopsis racemosa... 30

New York Botanical
Garden 33

Obituary —

Eugene Barbier ... 39
Charles Jordan, I.S.O, 39

Plant notes —

Ipomueas

Ismene calathina

Potato, the origin of the
cultivated

Rose Fortune's Yellow

Societies —

National Rose

National Sweet Pea...
Royal Horticultur.il ...
United Horticultural
Benefit and Provi-
dent

Strawberries, Leader
and Kentish Fart ourite

Strawberries, the culti-
vation of

Sum mer pruning of
fruii trees

Sweet Pea, a new

Trees and Shrubs

Violas at the Royal Bo-
tanic Gardens

Week's work, the—
Flower garden, the ...
Fruits under glass
Hardy fruit garden
Kitchen garden, the ...
Orchid houses, the ...
Parks and gardi lis
Plants under glass ...

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Diospyros Kaki, a flowering spray of, 22 ; fruits of

Meconopsis racemosa

Rose Fortune's Yellow

Rose Lady Helen Vincent

Stewartia malachodendron, a flowering branch of
View in the Town Garden, Durban (Supplementary
Illustration)

CHOICE VARIETIES OF BRITISH
FERNS.

I PROPOSE in this article to write mainly
of choice varieties of British Ferns that I
have either found growing wild, or that
have been raised by myself from spores dur-
ing the course of some 30 years of Fern-study
and culture. It has too frequently been my
lot to pronounce very disappointing verdicts
on sports or quasi-sports submitted for my
opinion, learning later, in some cases, that
my reputation as a judge had been utterly
shattered thereby in the opinion of the raisers
of the presumed " gems." In the following
remarks, it is perhaps unfortunate that I am
a self-elected judge of my own favourites, but
I must plead that, so far as I know, my
favourable verdicts have been backed by all
who are best qualified to judge. In the first
place, then, I will put Blechnum spicant
concinnum (Druery), because it was mv
first good find in 1881, and it still
stands unrivalled in its particular class.
The common Blechnum or Hard Fern
has once-divided fronds, with a lance-
shaped outline, that is, they are narrow

at the bottom, with short side divisions,
whi h gradually lengthen towards the middle
and taper rapidly to a blunt top. My variety,
that I found coyly hidden, all but the tip of
one slender frond, in a mass of seedlings in a
roadside dyke on Exmoor, has fronds of the
same width from end to end, all the side
divisions being reduced to round saw-
toothed discs like escallop shells, of which
each frond imitates a string. About an inch
of such a string was displayed to view in a
bunch of ordinary fronds, and on tracing this
to its source, six perfectly characterised fronds
springing from one centre indicated the dis-
covery of an unique and fixed variety, whence
I immediately contracted an attack of Fern
fever, which soon became incurable. I did
not proceed, as some persons would have
done, to cut off these fronds for herbarium
specimens, and thereby destroy the find,
but lifted the whole plant carefully, wrapped
the roots in damp muss, and in course of
time obtained a fine, robust, and typical speci-
men, which produced fertile fronds with
spores, and these furnished me with several
hundred plants, all of which were true to
the new type. Since that time about a
dozen different varieties of the same species
have fallen to my lot ; in one or two of these
the narrow saw-toothed character is partially
developed, but not one is equal to my original
plant in this characteristic. In the Lady
Ferns (Athyrium tilix foemina), I have been
more fortunate, both as a finder and as
a raiser of novelties. A. f.f. cristatum Kil-
rushiense is by far the most beautiful wild-
ling of all its congeners yet found; its long,
graceful pendulous tassels having countless
strands. The finding of this Fern at Kilrush,
in Ireland, was quite by accident. Imagine a
square ditch for drainage, a yard deep and as
much wide, the sides clothed with Blechnums
and other Ferns, and the top covered in with
Brambles, Bracken, &c, so that it was just
possible to creep along below these and in-
spect the Ferns beneath. Two youngsters,
my guides, for I had only just arrived, make
their way along the outside of the ditch and,
out of sight, one of them says something to
me which I cannot quite hear, and somewhat
impatiently I stop, push aside the Bramble
and Bracken aforesaid to get near enough to
hear, and in this gap, on the outer side, is a
poor, little, crushed Lady Fern. I do not
hear what the child says, for I instantly note
the tassels and recognise a fixed variation,
though how good it was I did not know- until
two years later, when, after a spell of stunted
growth, due possiblv to damage, it became
a robust, full-sized specimen, pronounced by
other and better judges than myself, an easy
first among wild forms, and unique in its
way amongst those obtained by selection.
Col. Jones, one of the pioneers of British
Fern culture, had a
a good fairy always
scientious Fern-hunter,
otherwise unsuccessful
" sport " for his delectation, and in
the case of the plant just cited, it would cer-
tainly seem as if such a fairy had inspired the
child's remark, to which the discovery was
undoubtedly due. My next unique example
is also a Lady Fern — A. f.f. revolvens — and
in this the side divisions turn back
so that the frond forms almost a tube.
The side divisions themselves are convex,

pretty fancy that

attended the con-

and if he were

would create a

and all their tips, as do those of the fronds
themselves, turn spirally, ringlet-fashion,
with charming effect. Here, again, fortune
favoured me in its discovery. 1 was stop-
pin- at a cousin's house in Scotland, lamed
with a sprained ankle. Ordinarily, w hen start-
ing on a Fern-hunting expedition, I make
straight for good ground at a distance, but,
being lame, I could only hobble with the aid
of a stick a hundred yards or so from the
house, the result being the discovery of this
beautiful form in a gully close by, where two
beautiful, curly fronds peeped out below a
mass of commoner ones. Lastrea montana
cristata gracilis (Druery), a graceful crested
form of the Lemon-scented Fern, fell to my
. lot in a manner I have too often described
to repeat here in detail. Suffice to say, the
clump of crowns (33) weighed about l\ cut.,
and had to be lifted by two men and con-
veyed by a horse and cart to the Dartmoor
village where I was stopping. The fore-
going varieties represent what I consider to
he the choicest of my wild "finds," but I
have discovered many others, all interesting
certainly, but more on the lines of existing
forms. I will confine my remarks to what
has been done in the direction of cul-
tural selection. I have been peculiarly
favoured, and that quite unexpectedly, by
the sudden sporting of my plants. My
strain of Lady Ferns of the plumose super-
bum type in two generations utterly eclipsed
anything previously known in the species. A
finely-cut, uncrested Lady Fern (A. f.f. plu-
mosum elegans Parsons), a descendant of A.
f.f, Axminster plumosum, yielded a batch of
seedlings that were all crested save two,
and the best of the crested ones gave
two sections of descendants, the one
crested, the other plain, both simply ex-
quisite plumose forms, which require to be
seen to be appreciated. The sowing resulted
in at least a score of distinct varieties, and
the whole batch formed one of those unan-
ticipated triumphs which occasionally so
richly reward the observant cultivator. A
person who has not experienced it cannot
comprehend the pleasure of watching such
plants develop from the first promise noted
by a keen eye in the early fronds, and the
gradual fulfilment step by step in the later
ones, each creating a fresh surprise and de-
light, until the final perfection of a full
specimen is reached. With the wonderful
Shield Ferns (Polystichum) I have not been
very successful as a finder of rare forms, but
it has been my good fortune to have novelties
raised from spores, and these, again, in a
very unexpected fashion. In 1874 a farm
labourer found a Shield Fern (P. aculeatum
pulcherrimum) in a hedge near Dr. Wills'
house in Dorset. Dr. Wills was an assiduous
and successful Fern-hunter, and had, as he
presumed, exhausted the varieties in his im-
mediate vicinity. Yet this Fern, which sur-
passed anything he had found himself, was
dragged out of the- hedge close by and
brought to him, because, as the person who
found it said, it seemed " funny," or words
to that effect. From that time, and until
three or four years since, it was deemed to
be perfectly barren, and its long, slenderly-
divided fronds, with peculiarly gracefully
overlapped tips, did not seem to possess the
capability of bearing spores. Some years

22

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1907.

ago I gave part of my plant to my neigh-
bour, Mr. C. B. Green, who treated the divi-
sion so well that a huge, robust plant re-
sulted, upon which Dr. Stansfield and myself
discovered some spores. These were
gathered and sown by both Mr. Green and
myself, with the result that a batch of very
beautiful plants has resulted. Amongst the
brood are some four or five reversions to the
ancestral form, one or two promise to re-
semble the parent, but the majority promise
to excel it in beauty. Some half-a-dozen of
these seedlings have fronds of such a delicate
silken and attenuated division as to resemble

DIOSPYROS KAKI.

There are good reasons for believing that the
Japanese Persimmon or Date Plum, Diospyros
Kaki, is a hardy tree in the warmer parts of the
British Isles, if not in every part where good
Apples can be grown. For some reason or other
it has been treated as being too tender to thrive
out-of-doors, but there are now young trees out-
side at Kew, which have stood the cold of the
last two winters without injury. When Aucuba
japonica was first introduced to this country
it was grown under glass, and 25 years ago there
was a collection of named varieties of it in the
temperate house at Kew. Professor Sargent
holds that the Kaki is much hardier than is
commonly supposed. He suggests that certain

(see fig. 9). The female flowers (see fig. 8)
are yellow, with a green calyx, and they are fol-
lowed by fruits without fertilisation, there
being no male plant at Kew. There is, there-
fore, no seed, the whole of the contents of the
thin, tough skin of the fruit being, when dead
ripe, a mass of soft, juicy, sweet, strong-
flavoured pulp, requiring a spoon to eat it with
comfort. The treatment afforded the Kew tree
is the same as that recommended for Peaches.
It has fruited every year for the last 13 years.
The fruits hang on the tree till April, although
they are fully grown and appear ripe in October,
when the flesh is still hard. Professor Sargent
says the Japanese eat the fruits when they are-
as hard as paving stones ! W . W.

<T^, F^D Cl H R^o [4

Fig. 8. — female flowers of diospyros kaki,

FROM A PLANT GROWING IN THE SUCC
(Floral details magn. 4.)

nothing in the genus hitherto seen. One of
my own raising may justifiably, I think, be re-
garded as the best of the batch, and I propose
to christen it P. aculeatum gracillissimum.
Some of the others, instead of having this
gracile character, are greatly improved types
of the parental form, so that in this case, as
with the Lady Ferns, a new breed or strain
has been the reward of sowing a minute and
practically invisible pinch of spores, derived,
be it noted, from a thoroughbred plant.
Chas. T. Druery, V.M.H., F.L.S.

varieties that may have originated in the warmer
parts of Japan, when introduced into Europe
and the United States, proved tender ; but that
the varieties grown in Pekin and Central Japan
would be capable of thriving in a lower tem-
perature. It is certainly worth the while of
fruit-growers in this country to try them, for
the tree is decidedly handsome, particularly
when covered with large peach-like fruits, and
the fruit itself is excellent for dessert.

There is a small tree of D. Kaki in the succu-
lent house at Kew, which fruits every year, the
fruit being of the size and colour of a large
first-class Tomato of the " Conference " type

ULENT HOUSE, ROYAL GARDENS, KEW.

THE CULTIVATION OF
STRAWBERRIES.

This fruit has been cultivated from time im-
memorial, and many details of culture have
been handed down from past times, garnished
probably with much f it is hypothetical, yet
with many a maxim that modern cultivators may
well heed.

A rich, fairly heavy loam on a gentle slope
forms a ' favourable rooting medium for the
Strawberry. Land from which a winter crop has
been taken should be deeply trenched in May,
and be dressed with one cubic yard of fresh
farmyard manure to every 108 square yards of

July 13, 1907

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

23

ground, but if the preceding crop has exhausted
the soil, add one-third more dung. The ground
should also be enriched with three barrow-loads
of wood ashes from the garden fire, and half
this quantity of old pounded lime rubble. It is
important that the digging should be thorough,
and the whole of the manure, ashes and lime,
evenly and thoroughly incorporated with the
soil. Ply the hoe in fine weather to destroy any
seedling weeds which may appear.
In preparing the layers, use clean pots, and

plants from their parents, and before doing this
see if any roots protrude from the bottom of the
pots, for the piesence of these may be taken as
a guide in severing the stolons. At this period
the ground which is to receive the young plants
must be thoroughly hoed, and if it is not pretty
firm it must be rolled or trodden to consolidate
it. Plant in rows placed two feet apart, but first
ascertain that the plants are not dry at their roots.
Put the plants at two feet apart in the drills.
■When planting, see that the soil is pressed firmly

rotten farmyard manure or fowls' dung —
pigeons' dung is spoken very highly of for this
crop, but I have never used this substance for
Strawberries, so cannot confirm the statement.
When the flower trusses appear, place a wisp of
straw beneath them to keep the fruits clean, and
to prevent them being injured by rains. In
these gardens the plants are not retained after
they have been planted two years. They fruit well
the first year under the above treatment, and in
the second year also. After the first fruiting

Fig. g. — fruits of diosiyros kaki, var. costata, grown in the isle of wight. (See page 22.)

fill them with loam made mellow by the addi-
tion of some sifted leaf soil. If enough ground
is available, it is an advantage to have separate
plants for the purpose of providing runn-eis
only, and these stock plants should have their
flower trusses removed. Plunge the tiny pots to
their rims, and with pegs made from bracken
fasten the young growths in the soil of the pots.
If the weather is dry, occasional waterings must
be given. Do not separate too early the young

around the "ball," which should be placed at
a proper depth in the soil. It may be necessary
to afford water after planting, but in any case,
first level the ground by hoeing or raking out
the footmarks. Keep down weeds by the use of
the hce, and pinch out all runners. In October
afford a dressing of 28 lb. of fresh superphos-
phate on every 108 square yards of land, and
either hoe or lightly fork it in with a fork. At
the latter part of February apply a mulch of

season the ground is cleaned, a sprinkling of
superphosphate is given in October and a heavy
mulching of manure in Februarj'. With regard
to the question of varieties, Royal Sovereign ia
our best kind ; Sir Joseph Paxton, President,
and Sensation are also in favour here. For
forcing we use the first-mentionea variety, and
the plant-, are layered direct into 6-inch pots
and kept actively growing for as long a period
as possible. H. W., Trcvince.

24

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 13. 1907.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

POLYGONUM BALDSCHUANICUM.

With reference to a note published on p. 399,
vol. xli., respecting this useful plant, I would say
that it has for years been grown in Switzerland,
and there attains to a considerable size. It
flowers, not merely after June, but from the
middle of April until the end of autumn.

I have a plant of this beautiful Turkish species
that covers a large surface, and has been laden
with blossoms since April 12 ; a few days ago
we gathered some ripe fruits from it. It is
sometimes stated that these seeds are not capable
of germinating, but this is not true, for few seeds
germinate as well and rapidly as do those of
Polygonum Baldschuanicum, provided that they
are sown directly after they are gathered. I
have raised thousands of plants from seeds sown
in autumn as soon as ripe, or early in spring.
The fact that this is seldom done is the reason
for the belief that seed-raising is difficult.

ERITRICHIUM NANUM.
The cultivation of this plant has for years
been a subject of discussion in the English hor-
ticultural Press. I have often proved the possi.
bility of raising Eritrichum nanum from seeds
and flowering it in England. Some years ago I
saw in the garden of Sir Charles Ellis, at Hasle-
mere, two pans of the Eritrichium in full bloom
and perfect condition. They were seedlings
raised on a hot-bed and kept dry in a cool house.
We have now, at Floraire, seedling plants of
Eritrichium which interest many, and I shall be
pleased to show them to any English visitors
who may come here this summer. Floraire is
twenty minutes' tram ride from Molard, Geneva.
There is no time to be lost by those who would
see our Eritrichium and the wall planted with
Alpines now in flower. H. Correvon, Floraire,
i 'hine-Bourg, Geneva.

COLONIAL NOTES.

ORANGES FROM AUSTRALIA.
The Sydney Mail for May 22 last states that
it was proposed to ship 4,500 cases of citrus fruits
to London from Sydney by the R.M.S. " Oro-
tava," on June 29. At a recent meeting of fruit-
growers in Sydney, it was stated that there would
be a prolific crop of Oranges this season, and
probably prices locally would be very low. A
large quantity of the yield will be available for
export, and as the consignment will reach Lon-
don at the best time for exporters, namely, when
the market there was bare of citrus fruits, the
prospects of good returns were regarded as very
bright. Fruit-growers, however, have not made
much response when called upon to assist the
movement. In the past, some of the consign-
ments of citrus fruits to England have been
failures, and others have given good financial
returns. When the fruit was landed in good
condition, the shippers have realised up to 18s.
for a case of about 150 Oranges. The A. F. and
P. Company will make all the shipping arrange-
ments, and the cases will be practically what are
known as the bushel size, as they will hold 150
Oranges 2J inches in diameter. It is desired
that only clean fruit of the best quality, and
graded so as to have no variation in size in a
case, should be sent. When clipped, the fruit,
it was recommended, should be showing the
ripening colour, in preference to being on the
green side. The freight charge will be 65s. per
ton, equal to 3s. Id. per case. The cost of the
cases will be 9d. each. The opinion was ex-
pressed that the temperature in the steamers'
cool chamber should be maintained at from 40J
to 50°. The packing and wrapping of each

Orange with wax paper, and stowing on the
ship would have to be carried out carefully. This
precaution, it was considered necessary, as one
agent, who spent a day on a wharf watching
the shipping of fruit, said he saw some cases
knocked about on the wharf as if they were
merely old boots. The grower will be charged
3d. per case.

THE USES OF LIME.*

The effect of lime when applied to garden
soils is often so beneficial to future crops, we
reproduce the following information on the
uses of lime in agriculture, recently issued by
the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Owing
to the intensive culture practised in gardens, and
the frequent applications of farmyard and
other manures they receive, occasional dressings
of lime are essential.

" The practice of liming or chalking the soil
is one of the oldest and most widely-spread
operations of British, agriculture ; unfortunately
for many districts, it is a custom that is less
observed at the present time than probably at
any other period since farming became an
organised industry. Until about 40 years ago
lime was much more extensively used in agri-
cultural practice than it is to-day.

How is it that the practice of liming has
fallen so much into disuse? It may be said
that, in the main, it is due to (1) increased cost
of labour; (2) the increased use of artificial
manures ; (3| the reduction in the value of corn
crops. Several common manures contain lime,
but a clear distinction must be drawn between
free lime, as it exists in quicklime or slaked
lime, and the same combined with an acid, as
in bones, where it is combined with phosphoric
acid, or in gypsum, where it is combined with
sulphuric acid. What is necessary for the soil
is not so much the chemical substance lime, but
a base, i.e., something capable of combining
with the acids produced naturally or artificially
in the soil. In quicklime or in slaked lime this
base is found, and nothing else. Chalk and all
natural limestones contain lime combined with
carbonic acid, which, however, is so weak and
acid that it is easily turned out and does not
interfere with the basic properties of the lime,
whereas in bones or gypsum the lime is already
completely saturated with strong acids, and in
superphosphate there is even an excess of acid,
which demands more lime from the soil to
neutralise it.

Quicklime and slaked lime when applied to
the soil quickly go back to the state of carbonate
of lime or chalk in which they existed before
they were " burnt " in the kiln, hence it is really
this substance, carbonate of lime, that we denote
when we speak of "lime" in the soil. The
superiority of burnt lime over chalk or lime-
stone for application to the soil lies simply
in the fact that it falls naturally into a fine
state of division, some of it also passing into
solution, so that it is more easily disseminated
throughout the soil and acts with greater
rapidity and in smaller quantities. But to re-
turn to the point in question, only freshly burnt
(quick) or slaked lime, chalk, limestone, marl
and basic slag contain " lime " in the farmers
sense, i.e., in the form of a base capable of
neutralising acids; in bones, in superphosphate,
and in gypsum the lime is combined with acids,
and is no longer capable of acting as a base.

Besides its indirect value in neutralising acids
in the soil lime has several other uses, all of
which are of importance to the farmer (and gar-
dener). These uses may be given as follow : —

1. Lime improves the nature of the soil by
coagulating the finest particles of clay and

* Leaflet No. 170, issued by the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries.

renc':ring the land more open and friable. Thus
drainage goes on more readily, the land is
warmer, and it is more easily worked to a good
tilth. It is difficult to exaggerate the value of
this action of lime on the heavier soils ; it is
frequently possible to secure a seed bed when
the unlimed land is still too wet to work, and
the character of the crop may depend as much
upon securing a good tilth as upon manuring.

2. Lime is an essential plant food, and with-
out it soils cannot produce good crops. Soils
are generally considered to be deficient in lime
when they contain less than from .5 to 1 per
cent. Some soils, however, which are provided
with a considerable amount of organic matter
may respond to lime although they contain
much more than these amounts.

3. The insoluble reserves of nitrogenous and
potassic material in the soil are brought into
action and rendered available for the plant by
the presence of lime. The following table shows
the result of applying in January, 1903, 2,000 lb.
per acre of ground quicklime to some of the
grass plots at Rothamsted, where there was a
good deal of residue from past manuring locked
up in the soil: —

Plot 7.

Plot 9.

Year.

Yield with mineral
manures only.

Yield with complete
artificial manures.

Unlimed.

Limed.

Unlimed.

Limed.

1903

1904

1905

1900

Cwl.
49-5
619
44-3
84 4

Cwt.
51-9
61 -8
47-2
41-4

Cwt.
50-1
637
369
390

Cwt.
60-5
69'8
52-2
53-0

4. The leguminous crops usually cultivated on
the farm flourish better when a good supply of
lime is present in the soil. Clover, in particu-
lar, is very intolerant of acid soil conditions,
and is much more subject to Clover sickness
when lime is deficient.

5. It seems to be established that the soil
organism (Azotobacter) which fixes nitrogen
without the aid of leguminous plants, and is pro-
bably a great factor in the gain of fertility when
land is laid down to grass, cannot develop pro-
perly unless a good supply of carbonate of lima
is present.

6. Lime in one form or another is the best
remedy for finger-and-toe disease* in Turnips
and Swedes. These root crops are always liable
to the disease when the soil is deficient in lime.

The fertility of many farms to-day is un-
doubtedly due to the liming and chalking that
was done by the farmers of the eighteenth and
earlier centuries ; they, indeed, made the soil,
for it is through their labours that it remains
in profitable cultivation at the present time.
Owing to the very large amount of chalk and
lime which were then applied, it has been pos-
sible for later generations to live upon the
capital thus accumulated and dispense with any
expenditure of their own in this direction. But
this spending process cannot continue indefi-
nitely, for natural causes alone — the percolating
rainwater — are steadily removing the lime in
the surface soil ; for example, the Rothamsted
soil, which at the beginning of the nineteen:'.!
century must have ct - ained something like a
hundred tons .of chalk per acre, has now less,
than fifty, and many other soils which started
with a smaller initial stock are beginning to run
dangerously short. In many parts of the coun-
try there is evidence that the land, especially on
the heavier soils, is in need of liming, and
though it might not be wise to return to the old
heavy dressings of six to ten tons to the acre,
a much smaller quantity, half a ton or so per
acre, could be profitably applied at least once
in the course of each rotation."

(To be continued.)
* See Leaflet No. 77 (Finger-and-Toe in Turnips).

July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

25

THE ROSARY.

ROSE FORTUNE'S YELLOW.
At fig. 10 is reproduced an illustration of a
bouquet of Roses, comprised of flowers of the
charming variety Fortune's Yellow, the blooms

r

Wantage. Mr. W. Fyfe, who has the charge of
the gardens at Lockinge, succeeds in flowering
the plant every season in one of the plant
houses, and he has frequently exhibited beau-
tiful flowers at the meetings of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. To Mr. Fyfe we are indebted
for our illustration, and readers may learn the

tic

10. E

scribed in a note on p. 5. There is no " brick
colour" in the blossoms, but these are of a
beautiful deep rosy purple. It is more than
semi-double, but has no perfume, which its
description in Monsieur Cochet's catalogue led
me to expect it would have. I have also com-
ing into flower, but not yet open, another hybrid
from the same raiser named Rosier a parfum,
which is said to be the sweetest Rose known,
and yielding far the largest proportion of the
attar or essential oil of Roses of any variety.
I may also mention another very beautiful
hybrid, though not quite so new as the above-
named varieties. It is Souvenir de Christopher
Cochet, and is an immense improvement on
the still older variety Double Blanc de Coubert,
being fully double and of absolutely pure while.
This should be in every collection of such Roses.
W. E. Gumbleton, Belgrove, Queenstown, Co. Cork.

THE ROSE PERGOLA AT KEW.
The Rose pergola illustrated in last week's
issue was constructed in its present form about
six years ago. Situated between the herbaceous
ground and the rockery, the pergola is rather
more than 200 yards long, 13 feet wide, and 9
feet 6 inches high. It is constructed of iron ;
the uprights are placed 17 feet apart opposite
each other along both sides of the path. Over
the path they are connected by iron rods and
along the sides with chains. Some 60 varieties
in all are planted. In one or two instances the
same sort is growing on different parts of the
pergola, but, generally speaking, there are two
plants of each, one on either side of the path.
Two varieties were planted against each upright
when the pergola was first furnished, the idea
being to grow a variety of moderate growth up
the pillar, and a vigorous one over the path and
along the chains. This idea has not worked
very well, and in many instances, unless the
Roses are in flower, it is difficult to see where
one sort begins and the other terminates. D. D.

of which are of a shade of buff marked irregu-
larly with crimson. This Rose has been the sub-
ject of numerous articles in these pages, but it
has proved to be a shy-blooming variety under
cultivation. There are, however, instances where
success has been obtained persistently, and a
very good one is found in the gardens attached
to Lockinge, Berkshire, the residence of Lady

KTUNE S V EL LOW.

details of the cultivation afforded this Rose at
Lockinge by reference to an article by Mr. Fyfe
in our issue for March 21, 1903, p. 178.

ROSA RUGOSA HYBRIDS.
I have now in flower the beautiful new hybri 1
of Rosa rugosa, raised by Monsieur Gravereau,
and named Roserai de l'Hay, which was de-

HARDY FLOWERING PLANTS.

THE GILLEXIAS.

Amongst the more ornamental of hardy flower-
ing plants are the Gillenias — pretty Spiraea-like
plants of elegant habit and appearance,- but
although they are moderately well known in
gardens they are not so largely cultivated as their
merits deserve.

Only two species are in cultivation, and both
are natives of north-east America, where they
are found in woodlands. In this country they
are often planted in dry and sunny borders,
whereas they require partial shade and prefer a
somewhat moist border. Gil'.enia stipulacea and
G. trifoliata bear a considerable resemblance to
each other, and are sometimes confused in
gardens.

Of the two, G. trifoliata is the better garden
plant, not only because its individual flowers
are larger than those of its congener, but also on
account of the greater number of blooms it pro-
duces, and the possession of a persistent red
calyx which are very effective. The flowers are
much larger than those of the Spiraeas.

Both species grow to about 2 or 2i feet in
height, and they are exceedingly ornamental
when in their graceful and slender leafy stems
and pretty flowers. These latter are white and
sometimes red in G. trifoliata, those of G. stipu-
lacea being white tipped with pink. The latter
plant is also more pubescent than G. trifoliata,
while the leaves are also narrower.

They are increased by division or by seeds,
which should either be sown directly they are
ripe or in the following spring under glass.

G. stipulacea is known as the American Ipe-
cacuanha ; G. trifoliata as Indian Physic or
Bowman's Root. Both species flower in this
country from June to August. S.Arnott.

26

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1907.

PLANT NOTES.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

IPOMCEAS.

These plants are not so common in English
gardens as they were some years ago, the reason
for which is. somewhat difficult to discover,
unless it be lack of sunshine. There are many
ways of displaying and employing the plants, as
on rough fences, hiding objectionable buildings,
or objects, and rambling over strong-growing
shrubs, or pea-sticks. The best species is I.
rubro-ccerulea, from Mexico. If it is desired to
grow this plant out-of-doors, in countries in which
there are many dull and sunless days in the
summer months, the seeds should be sown in
gentle warmth in the early part of March, and
be pricked off when a few true leaves have
appeared, and potted two or three weeks later.
In the month of May the plants should be trans-
ferred to large pots, and when there is no longer
any frost to fear these may be sunk in the
ground, and stout stakes 10 feet high given to
each, to which the bine should be fastened.
Means should be taken by placing cinders or
pieces of slate under the pots to prevent the roots
extending themselves in the outside soil. F. M.

ISMENE CALATHINA.
In the OesterreichiscJie Garlen-Zeitung for June,
1907, appears an article by Mr. R. J. Mann con-
cerning the cultivation of this species of
Amaryllidea? and its employment in the garden.
The plant is a native of Brazil, and does not
withstand the trials of our winters out-of-doors ;
but it can be planted in the open in the spring
to make its growth and to bloom in June and
July. The bulbs must be taken up before frosts
occur, and be wintered in a dry, frost-proof
place. The greater worth of this bulbous plant
consists in its ability to stand forcing like a
Hyacinth or other so-called Dutch bulb. Cer-
tainly it is not adapted for early forcing, as its
vegetation is not finished so early as that of a
Hyacinth, and naturally it must have a season
of rest before it is awakened to a new life; but,
just as is the case with the Hyacinth, this rest
period can be shortened very considerably by
placing the bulbs in a warm and moist place.
The blossoms having great beauty and a plea-
sant fragrance, the plant forms a valuable
change to the forced Hyacinths, Tulips,
and Narcissus usually found in gardens.
As a cut bloom with long stalks, and of
large size, Ismene will find as much favour with
the public as the Eucharis, to which its blooms
have some similarity. Treated like Gloxinias,
the bulbs may be started in a warm-house, plac-
ing them in damp sand. In the course of two
or three weeks the roots will show themselves,
and the bulbs may then be potted singly or in
two's and three's in pots of similar sizes, in rich
soil, and provided with good drainage. The pots
should be placed on a warm bed, and not kept
dark as is the way with Hyacinths, &c. In
about three weeks the leaves will begin to show,
and the blooms will appear as soon as the leaves
are fully developed. The flower buds appear at
the top of the 16-inch tall shafts to the number
of 3 — 5, which open in succession, but not so
that all are open at one and the same time, as
even when placed in a cool house the first bloom
to open will be past its best before the next
expands. As a period of 10 to 14 days elapses be-
tween the opening of the first bloom and the
passing of "5 the last, florists must take
notice of this fact and act accordingly. A large
flowered variety, I. c. grandiflora, has found
its way into commerce. The bulbs will, with
suitable cultivation, continue to flower for many
years in succession if after flowering, and the
leaves have turned to a yellow tint, the bulbs
are kept in a perfectly dry condition. F. M.

SOPHORA VICIIFOLIA.

This species is of comparatively recent intro-
duction to British gardens. A native of Central
and Western China, it was introduced to culti-
vation by Dr. Henry, who sent seeds, collected
in the Province of Hupeh, to Kew in 1898, from
which plants were raised which flowered in 1902.
On the Chino-Tibetan frontier at elevations of
from 9,000 to 13,500 feet it is said to form heaths
2 to 4 feet high of considerable extent on poor
soils, and it would thus seem capable of with-
standing both cold and drought as well as a
poor-rooting medium — qualities which may make
it valuable for planting in urban districts.

Near the north end of the succulent house at
Kew is a small circular bed filled with Sophora
viciifolia, which quite recently was a mass of
bloom. The plants are low spinescent shrubs
from 2 to 4 feet in height, clothed with vetch-
like, pinnate leaves 1 to 2 inches long, with six
to ten pairs of elliptic leaflets and a terminal
one. The short, erect racemes are freely pro-
duced at the ends of axillary growths, and
each raceme bears about one dozen pea-shaped
flowers. The contrast presented by the violet-
blue colour of the calyx and pedicels, and the
milk-white petals is most effective. The species
was figured in the Botanical Magazine, tab.
7,883. H. Spooner.

FREMONTIA CALIFORNICA.

The author of that interesting work, Trees and
Shrubs for English Gardens, mentions a fine
plant of this Fremontia measuring 8 feet in
height ; at the present time there is in these
gardens a bush with an average height of 13 feet,
and the spread of the branches measures nearly
15 feet. The whole bush is covered with its
yellow flowers and opening flower-buds.

It is rather unfortunate that this fine flower-
ing shrub should be subject to a sudden col-
lapse, but considering the other valuable quali-
ties of the plant, this fact should not deter
those who have suitable positions from adding
Fremontia californica to their collections.

The plant flowers fairly well even when small.

ABUTILON VITIFOLIUM.
This is a very desirable and quick-growing
shrub, suitable for a warm and sheltered border.
Established seedlings in pots planted in these
gardens in the open in the spring of 1904 have
now attained to a height of 9 to 10 feet. Last
summer only a few flowers were produced on
these plants, but at the present time they are
flowering freely. One specimen has been a per-
fect pyramid of flowers. It is satisfactory to
know that plants of the size mentioned can be
moved with safety. H. S. Crag, Bournemouth.

BUDDLEIA GLOBOSA.
This Chilian shrub has long, greyish, Willow,
like leaves, and in its flowering season produces
a profusion of globular heads of brilliant orange-
coloured flowers. It is one of the most beautiful
hardy exotic plants, and is worthy a place in
every collection of shrubs. In the west and
southern counties of this country the species
succeeds admirably, and often forms a dense
bush from 12 feet to 15 feet in height and measur-
ing from 8 feet to 10 feet through. Frost rarely
injures the plant to any appreciable extent. In
villa gardens, providing the soil is of a light,
rich, loamy nature, it forms an ideal subject for
planting. Should pruning be necessary from
considerations of space, the knife may be used
without fear of permanently injuring the shrub.
F. G. Xutcher.

BUDDLEIA COLVILEI.

This species has been in full bloom on an

open border here for the last three weeks. It is

quite hardy, and is readily increased from cut-

tings of half-ripened wood inserted in August,

but to obtain the best results the bushes should
be planted in a rich, loamy soil. The branches,
which attain to a length of from 5 to 6 feet, are
terminated by long panicles of beautiful rosy-
red-coloured flowers, while at every axillary
shoot an inflorescence, proportionate in size, if
pioduced, making this shrub a very attractive
feature in the garden. /. D. Winter, Cuhean
Castle Gardens, Ayrshire, Scotland.

THE AMERICAN GOOSEBERRY-
MILDEW ATTACKING THE RED
CURRANT.

When investigating an outbreak of the
American Gooseberry-mildew (Sphaerotheca
mors-uvae) in Norfolk a few days ago, I found
that this mildew had passed from the affected
Gooseberry bushes on to some Red Currant
bushes which were growing intermixed with
them.

The facts are as follow : — The Gooseberries,
which are three-year-old bushes, were obtained
last autumn from a certain nursery. Traces of
the winter-stage of the American Gooseberry-
mildew were still to be found on the young
wood of these bushes, so it is evident that they
were diseased when sent out from this nursery.
A few weeks ago the owner noticed the white,
powdery, summer-stage of the mildew on the
berries and leaves of these bushes. At the time
I visited the plantation, the mildew was
vigorously attacking the young wood of the
shoots, covering it, as well as most of the ter-
minal leaves, with a white "mould." On the
surface of some of the shoots the brown, scurfy
spawn, bearing the fruit-conceptacles with the
winter-spores, had already formed.

Intermixed with these Gooseberry bushes, and
in the same row with them, were many one-year-
old "Grape" Red Currant bushes, and the
leaves of a number of these were being attacked
by the American Gooseberry-mildew ; whke
patches of the mildew being visible on the under-
surface of the leaves. These facts show that the
American Gooseberry-mildew is capable of at
once attacking and living on the Red Currant,
and does not require time to iccustoit itself
gradually to this plant

Cases of the American Gooseberry-mildew
attacking the Red Currant have occurred in
America, and, since this mildew has been intro-
duced into Europe, in Ireland, and on the Con-
tinent.

In October last I recorded* a case of the
European Gooseberry-mildew attacking Red Cur-
rant bushes. Although the two mildews are
very similar in general appearance in their
summer-stage, they can be separated easily under
the microscope by certain distinctive characters
shown by the shape, &c, of the spores (conidia).
I should be glad if anyone meeting with a mil-
dew on the Red Currant would kindly forward
me a specimen to the address given below.

I may mention here that I have lately seen a
case where some Gooseberry bushes were at-
tacked by the European Gooseberry-mildew, in
which the mildew was not confined (as is usually
the case) to the leaves, but occurred also on the
green berries. On some of the affected berries
the characteristic fruit-conceptacles (peritheciaj
of this mildew occurred. Mr. F. Smith, of Lod.
dington, Kent, has told me that some years ago
the berries of some of his bushes were attacked
in the same way, and Prof. Eriksson has recently
recordedf and illustrated another case occurring
in Sweden.

On the subject of the spread of the extremely
destructive American Gooseberry-mildew, and
the legislative steps now about to be taken
against this new disease, I would refer readers
to my articles published in this and other papers.
E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., Mycologist to the South-
Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent.

* Gardeners' Chronicle, October 27, 19013.
t Meddel. Centralaust. forsbksv. jordbruks. Nr. 1,
tockholm, 1907).

July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

27

FlG. II. — STEWARTIA MALACHODENDRON. (See "Botanical Magazine" on p. 32.)

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1S07.

TKZ ALPINE GARDEN.

SAXIFRAGA AIZOON LUTEA.

During the past few years the aizoon sertinn
of the Saxifrage family has been enriched by
the introduction of more than one good and
distinct variety. Amongst other kinds are two
bearing names suggestive of yellow or yellowish
coloured blossoms, and of these the one bearing
the varietal name lutea is much the better
garden plant, but it cannot be regarded as a
decidedly clear yellow-flowered variety. The
flowers during their expansion and immediately
afterwards are of pale primrose-yellow, but
later they assume a creamy shade. I have a
few seedlings raised with the object of obtaining
a better yellow-flowered variety, and in this I
hope to be successful. As a free-growing sub-
ject and one full of vigour, with profusion of
flowering, the plant under notice is welcome.
Not only is it free and profuse in its flowering,
but the flowers are also long lived. Individually,
the blossoms are large and of good form,
and I regard its blossoms as the most shapely
of all the flowers of this section of the Saxi-
frage. The inflorescence is about 9 inches high.
The leaves are nearly oblong lanceolate in
shape, with the rosettes lacking the cupped
character ro common in this section. The
plant is easy of cultivation, and must not be
confounded with S. a. flavescens, another variety
having yellowish-coloured flowers, and appa-
rently in growth and stature a counterpart of
S. a. minor. E. J.

IRIS SIBIRICA " SNOW QUEEN."
Several new varieties of Iris sibiriyi have
lately been introduced from Japan, where
apparently they have been grown for genera-
tions. These new introductions are great im-
provements upon the original type known in
gardens in this country, and are to be recom-
mended for planting both in the water garden
and in the flower border. The choicest of the
new arrivals is named "Snow Queen." This
plant attains to 3 feet in height, and has broad,
robust foliage that is quite unlike that of most
Siberian Irises, and more resembles that of I.
laevigata. The flower is exceptionally well bal-
anced, and has broad, horizontally-r .ised falls,
with drooping blades, inconspicuous style
branches, and prettily frilled standard petals
that are half the width of the blade. The flower
is pure white, save for a slight suffusion of
yellow in the claw. The substance of the
flowers and their increased size and vigour
suggest hybridity, one of the parents probably
being a white variety of I. Ksempferi.

I. SIBIRICA ORIENTALIS
is an albino, and whereas most pure white
forms are weaklings compared with the type
from which they spring, in this variety increased
vigour is seen. I have a few clumps growing
in a cool and sequestered corner, where the sun
cannot burn the petals, and the flowers have
been a study in perfect outline and purity of
colouring for many days. This Iris should find
favour as a waterside plant. It has a vigorous
constitution, and is best planted in groups or
colonies.

IRIS DELAVAYI.
This beautiful species was introduced from
Yunnan about 10 years ago, but it has not re-
ceived that measure of popularity that its worth
entitles it to. It is a tall, beardless Iris of free
growth, larger than the sibirica type in every
respect. It has close affinities with I. orientalis
and I. spuria. Its best and most effective use
in gardens is in waterside planting, where it
should be grouped in colonies at the water's
edge in the manner that Iris pseudo-acorus
grows naturally. The leaf-growth, in addition to
being very free, is elegant in the extreme, the
leaves forming loose sheaves more than 3 feet
in height : the leaf tips arch gracefully, and on
the whole the foliage bears a resemblance to

that of a Eulalia. The flower-spikes reach 5 feet
in height, and produce a succession of flowers,
coloured as in Iris reticulata, the standards
being nothing more than enlarged replicas of
those of I. reticulata, whilst the fall petals have
drooping, narrowed blades, that are slightly
blotched with white at the bend of the claw.
This Iris possesses grace and refinement ; its
flowers are unique amongst the grassy Irises in
colour and in form. Cultivation is as easy in
every respect in the case of the common Yellow
Iris of English swamps. The flowering season
commences at the end of June, and continues
throughout July. Planting should be done in
spring only. G. B. Mallett.

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

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

Dahlias. — These plants now require constant
attention. Search must be made for such
enemies as snails, earwigs, and caterpillars,
which do much injury to the young, succulent
growths, and the flower-buds. If extra large
flowers are desired, the growths should he
thinned, disbudding practised, and some of the
younger shoots around the flower-buds of varie-
ties with short stalks removed. Secure the plants
from injury by wind, but do not bunch the
shoots tightly. The Dahlia is a gross feeder,
therefore some manurial assistance should be
given ; the ground being wet from the recent
rains precludes the use of liquid manure, there-
fore lightly sprinkle the surface soil at intervals
with some artificial manure.

Layering Carnations. — The easiest and most
certain method of increasing the stock of these
plants is by layering the growths. A batch of
seedlings may produce some plants that possess
a certain degree of merit, but the majority will
prove inferior varieties, and it is better to in-
crease plants of known worth by layering. This
operation should be performed as soon as pos-
sible, so that the growths may form established
plants before the winter sets in. Lightly disturb
the surface soil around the plants with a hand
fork before placing in position the sifted soil
in which the layers will be pegged. These
mounds of soil must be made fairly flat, or they
will not readily admit water. The operator must
keep the edge of his knife sharp, and the layers
must be pegged firmly into the soil. Apply
water carefully through a fine rose as often as
may be necessary, and lightly damp the layers
overhead towards the close of bright afternoons.
The layers will form roots in about a month,
when they should be carefully severed from
the parent plants, preparatory to being trans-
ferred to their winter quarters.

Lavender. — As soon as the flowers on the lower
half of the spikes are expanded, the inflores-
cences should be harvested. The flowers must
be perfectly dry when they are gathered, or they
will quickly become mildewed ; and for the
same reason they should be made into small
bunches. The Lavender forms a good low
hedge, and when so utilised, the best time to per-
form any necessary pruning is immediately after
the flowering is over. This practice will allow
sufficient time for the new growths to become
hardened before winter sets in.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

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

Young Vines that were planted in a new border
in March last, and whose leading shoots were
pinched when they had attained a length of
4 feet, should be again stopped as soon as the
leading growths reach the top of the roof. Tie
and pinch the lateral growths, and do not favour
the development of gross wood by maintaining
a warm and moist atmosphere in the vinery.
Admit air freely, and allow the top ventilators
to remain open a trifle at night-time. Maintain
a dry atmosphere, and permit a free circulation
of air among the foliage. The atmospheric tem-
perature at night should be 65° Kafir., and by
day 80° ; very little fire-heat should be employed,
unless the weather is excessively cold. Do not
allow the border to become dry at any time,

and when in doubt as to its condition of mois-
ture, use the border-tester. Should red spider
make its appearance, syringe the vines with
clear water once daily.

Tomalos. — Early-fruiting plants in pots, from
which the crop is nearly harvested, should now
be removed, and their places given to a second
batch. Pots 9 inches in diameter are suitable
for these successional plants. Before re-stocking
the house, it may be necessary to thoroughly
cleanse it, especially if fungus disease or insect
pests were present on the older plants. If only a
single row of plants can be accommodated in the
house, place the pots close together. Admit an
abundance of outside air, both by day and night
during the heat of summer. Plants in fruit and
flower will require liberal supplies of water, and
an application of liquid manure twice each week.
All lateral growths must be removed, and the
leading shoot should be stopped when it has
reached to the top of the stake or trellis. If
white fly is present, fumigate the house lightly
with the XL-All insecticide.

Cucumbers. — Plants that have been fruiting for
some time, and which show signs of exhaustion,
should be destroyed and a fresh batch planted.
Remove all the old soil from the top parts of
the border, and replace it with fresh loam.
When the young Cucumber plants have been
planted, give a copious supply of tepid water
to the roots.

Cucumbers in frames. — During dull weather,
the female flowers will require pollinating with
pollen obtained from the male flowers. When
the young fruits are swelling, place a slate or a
piece of glass under each fruit.

Melons in hot-beds. — The fruits should bs
placed on an inverted 6-inch flower pot, and be
exposed to a maximum of sunlight. Remove
any superfluous young growths. Apply a new
lining of fermenting material to the frame when
the heat of the bed is declining.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

The Loganberry. — The strong basal growths of
the current season should be reduced to five or
six of the more robust, and these should be
secured to the wires or trellis work, so that
they do not become broken or twisted at their
bases. The Loganberry resembles the Rasp-
berry in that it requires plenty of feeding during
summer, especially when planted in light soil.
The above remarks apply also to Blackberries.

Fruit trees on walls. — Pinch at the first leaf
all sub-lateral growths on the Peach, Nectarine,
and Apricot. See that no fruits are pressing
too tightly on the wires or against nails, and
if aphis or red spider are present on the foliage
use means to combat them. The frequent hoseing
or syringing of all fruit trees trained against
south, west, or east walls after a hot day is
most beneficial, even if the trees are free from
insect pests ; these syringings promote a free
growth of both wood and foliage. Keep narrow
and shallow borders well supplied with moisture,
using liquid manure whenever it is deemed
necessary.

Hoeing. — The hoe should always be frequently
used at this season in the fruit garden, for
if the atmospheric conditions are wet, the weeds
will need exterminating, and if dry the stirring
of the ground will prevent excessive evapora-
tion of moisture, besides promoting aeration of
the soil.

Raspberries. — The ripening fruits must be pro-
tected from the birds. Nets, however light in
weight, injure, more or less, the new canes, and
their constant removal for gathering the fruits
is often the cause of the points of the shoots
becoming broken, and also the fruit-bearing
laterals. The best plan is to form a kind of net
cage over the rows by inserting a few posts in
the ground, and tall enough to clear the canes,
with pieces of wood on the top projecting some
18 inches on either side in the form of a T.
Over this the nets may be placed without dam-
aging the canes. Every advantage should be
taken of sunshine for gathering the fruits for
preserving, for they must be dry for this purpose.
Thin out the young growths on autumn fruiting
canes, and apply a mulching of manure, if this
has not already been done.

July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

29

THE OECHID HOUSES.

By W. H.White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Catasetums, Cycnoches, and Mormo&es. — These
curious Orchids deserve to be more generally
cultivated. The quaint distinctiveness of their
flowers always attracts the attention of visitors,
while some of them are of handsome appear-
ance. Unfortunately these species are generally
looked upon as being difficult to cultivate in such
a manner as to keep them in good health, but if
their requirements are carefully studied, successful
cultivation is easily possible. At the present time
these plants are growing rapidly, and they should
be suspended on the lightest, or south, side of the
East Indian house in such a manner that the foliage
will be within a few inches of the glass. If the
plants are rooting freely they will need an abun-
dance of water, but if roots are not plentiful, water
must be afforded less freely, as the tender growths
would be liable to turn black and decay if the soil
were made too wet. The flowers appear as the
pseudo-bulbs become mature, and after the (lowers
are past the plants should be given more exposure
to the sunshine, placing them, if practicable, in a
position where fresh air may reach them at all
times. While this ripening process is being car-
ried out, the plants must be plentifully supplied
with water at the roots until the new pseudo-bulbs
are ripe and the leaves have fallen, when water-
ing must be discontinued.

Chysis. —The various species of of Chysis and
their hybrids are now in full growth. The plants
should be suspended in a warm, shady part of the
Cattleya house, and they will require copious
applications of water at the roots until their new
growths have matured. Whether thrips attack the
tender growths or not, our practice is to occasion-
ally place the plants in a house that is being
vaporised, and by such treatment the leaves are
kept fresh and clean and free from unsightly
markings which are often caused by insect pests.

Zygopetalums. — Such species as Z. Perrenoudii,
Z. Murrayanum, Z. Wtganianum, Z. Burkei, Z.
brachypetalum, Z triste, Z. Protheroeanum, Z.
Ballii, Z. Mackayii, Z. crinitum, and Z. maxillare
all require similar treatment to that I have just
recommended for Chysis. If small, yellow thrips
once find their way low down in the young growths,
it is difficult and almost impossible to eradicate
them before much irreparable damage is done,
for such growths as become infested with these
troublesome insects rarely make further progress.
These Zygopetalums thrive well in a cool, shady
corner of the intermediate house, and now that
growth is being made the plants should be
thoroughly watered whenever the compost is dry.
Plants of Z. maxillare and its variety Z. m.
Gautieri that are growing on the stems of tree
Ferns, upon pieces of which they are nearly always
imported, should be suspended well up to the roof
glass in the same house and as near to an open
ventilator as is possible. Now that they are grow-
ing freely it is advisable to take them down every
morning and thoroughly soak them in water.
Should black or damp spots appear on the leaves
of any of these Zygopetalums it will be necessary
to ventilate their surroundings rather more freely
and reduce the amount of moisture in the atmo-
sphere.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Bark, Kent.

Thyrsacanthus rutilans. — Young plants that
were raised from cuttings last spring should now
be ready for re-potting into their flowering pots.
Use a compost consisting of two parts turfy
loam, one part leaf-soil, and one part well-
rotted manure, with the addition of some sand.
After the roots have become active in the new
soil, place the plants in a frame, keeping them
well up to the glass to prevent the growth from
becoming spindly. Syringe the plants, and close
the frame, as early in the afternoon as is con-
sidered safe, in order to take advantage of the
sun's heat. A little shading will be necessary
during the hotter parts of the day in summer-
time, but early in September shading may be
discontinued, and the amount of atmospheric
moisture can then be reduced, but do not with-
hold fire-heat or a check to the plants will result.
Allow them to flower in a minimum atmospheric
temperature of 60° at night-time, with rather
more than this amount of heat during the day.

Keep a watch for red spider and thrips, and take
preventive measures to combat these pests early.

Jaccbinia ( Justicia) earned. — This plant will
thrive under similar treatment to that recom-
mended for Thyrsacanthus, but it is quicker
in growth, and will flower when almost any
size, and in small pots. Jacobinias are easily
propagated ; the young shoots root readily in the
propagating frame if inserted in a light, sandy
soil. If larger plants are required for flowering
in the autumn, the points of the shoots should
be pinched several times during the growing
season, and the plants placed close to the glass ;
they should be re-potted as often as they require
a shift. A plant sometimes described as J.
flavacoma is really Schaueria calytrotricha. It
has yellow flowers, and affords a pleasing change
to the pink flowers of J. carnea.

Climbers in stoves and greenhouses. — At this
season of the year frequent attention is necessary,
in order to regulate all climbers to the space
allotted them, for if they become a tangled
mass of growths, they will prove a nursery for
insect pests. Stephanotis, Dipladenias, and
Cissus discolor are all susceptible to attack by
mealy bug ; they should be closely watched for
this pest, and, as a measure of precaution,
spraved occasionally with an insecticide. The
growths should be thinned and regulated, the
main shoots tied to the wires, and the lateral
growths allowed to hang down naturally. Alla-
mandas, being of a stiffer habit, are not adapted
for this style of training, but the weaker growths
should be cut out. If planted in tubs or con-
fined borders, Allamandas must, when in full
growth, be given copious supplies of water and
manunal stimulants at intervals, for they are
gross feeders. Cobaeas, Solanums, Bougain-
villeas and other climbers in cool houses will
also need attention, weekly or fortnightly.

although the standard of cultivation shall be
equal in both cases.

Colewort. — This useful little Cabbage "turn'.''
in at the end of the season, when Peas,
Beans, and Cauliflowers are becoming very
scarce. Seeds should be sown in two or three
batches, the first at. about the cud of June, the
second in the middle of the present month, and
the third about the end of the same month.
Although often two sowings prove to be suffi-
cient the third sowing in other seasons is very
useful.

Red Cabbage. — Sow seeds of the Red Cabbage
for raising plants to be used for pickling. Bet-
ter results may be expected from a sowing made
at about this date than if it were left until later.

Garlic and Shallots, having by this date com-
pleted their growth, should now be lifted and
spread out under lights, or in a vacant frame,
or in any position where they can be protected
from rains, but where they will be fully exposed
to the light and ?ir.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham t'ark, Surrey.

Peas.— In order to prolong the season of this
vegetable as much as possible, let sowings of
earlv varieties be made at once. It should he
remembered, however, that the plants from such
sowings will have to make their growth during
the hottest period of jummer, and that the
autumn may be cold and wet. The matter, there-
fore, is little more than a speculation, and the
crop cannot in the smallest measure be depended
upon. When the conditions prove to be
favourable, this late crop is so appreciated that
it compensates for any previous failures that
in, i\ have been experienced. The seeds should
be "sown in such a position that the plants may
be given temporary shelter during the hottest
weather, but at other times enjoy full exposure
to the sun, light, and air, especially on the
approach of autumn.

New Potatos.—lt " new " tubers are desired at
Chii-tmas time, the Jersey Potatos now be-
ing imported will provide excellent " seed '
tubers for planting. Great care should
be exercised in order to choose those having the
skins properly "set," and which are therefore
ripest. The ripening process should be assisted
by fullv exposing the tubers to the sunlight and
air until the end of the present month, after
which time they should be started into growth
very steadilv in boxes, previous to planting
them in cold' frames, which should be kept quite
cool until autumn, when a little heat may be
afforded. From this system we obtained very-
good results here last winter.

Mint.— Where a supply of Mint is required for
forcing earlv in the year, cuttings should now
be inserted in boxes, which should be filled with
a compost of loam and leaf soil, but principally
the latter material. Although it is easy to ob-
tain a supply by simply lifting the roots in
autumn or winter and placing them in heat,
much stronger growths can be had from cuttings
inserted as advised.

Cabbages.— Seeds should be sown at any time
from the beginning to the end of the present
month, according to the locality, which must
of necessity be the guide both as to the date
and the best varieties for cultivation. It often
happens that a particular variety that is gener-
ally satisfactory in one district is not capable
of yielding good results in another district,

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Boating. — Very few parks in this country pos-
sess sufficiently large lakes to provide suitable
boating facilities for the public. Those which
are so favourably situated in this respect are ex-
ceedingly fortunate, as boating is always an
attraction, and can be made a considerable
source of revenue to the department concerned.
In such cases it is usually the practice for the
boats to be managed by a contractor, who
pays a stated sum per annum for the privilege of
hiring them out to visitors. In one or two towns
the parks department works the boats with its
regular staff, and thus keeps the whole thing
in its own hands. This, for several reasons, is
undoubtedly the better course to pursue. In the
first place it is rarely satisfactory having men
employed in parks who are not under the dire t
control of the chief official. From the public
standpoint it is only right that where it is neces-
sary to make a charge for any privilege in con-
nection with the use of a park, any profit that
may be derived from it should be applied for
the benefit of the public, and not go into the
pocket of a private individual.

Custom in London. — The London Parks Depart-
ment has within recent years taken over the
boating from its contractor, and now makes con-
siderably more profit than under the old system,
notwithstanding the fact that the hiring-out t cs
have been greatly reduced.

Types of boat. — Where fishing is provided, it is
well to have two kinds of boats on hire. One
kind should be of the punt type for the u 0
fishermen, and the other the light skiff, suitabe
for rowing purposes. Whether the boats belong
to the park authorities or to a private contractor,
it is advisable to have them all tested, and ths
maximum number each is allowed to carry dis-
tinctly marked on every boat. If this is not done,
and the boats are allowed to be overcrowded,
accidents of a serious character are almost sure
to take place. As a further preventive of acci-
dents on the water, it is customary to have a
recognised rule of the "road." By keeping to the
left or right, as the rule may be, the danger of
collisions and their consequent damage to the
boats is reduced to a minimum.

Management expenses— -If the boating is to b?
made to pay a profit, it is essential to keeo the
management and working expenses to the lowest
possible sum. One means to this end is by only
allowing admittance to the boating stage through
a register turnstile. Besides furnishing a pro] .
check upon the receipts, this enables one man to
keep a whole crowd under control, and by per-
mitting only the number for whom boat^ re
available to get on to the stage at one time, it
is quite possible for three or four men to easily
attend to 40 or 50 boats.

Electric launch. — In some parks an elect ic
launch is kept, in addition to the small pleasure
boats. These are always well patronised by
children during Bank and other holida\
house for storing the boats during the wintsr
months, and in which painting and repairing
can be done during inclement weather, is neces-
sary where boating is carried on to any grea
extent.

so

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible, and July
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrationst or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Illustrations.- The Editor will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c, but he
cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraph they wish the Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige bysendingto
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, JULY 16—

Opening of the Laboratory and Research Station at

Wisley by Lord Avebury.
Nat. Sweet Pea Soc. Sh., Horticultural Hall, West-
minster.
Saltaire Rose Sh.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17—

Woodbridge Fl. Sh.

Women's Agric. and Hort. Union Exh. in Bot. Gardens,
Regent's Park.
SATURDAY, JULY 20— German Gard. Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 63'1°.

Actual Temperatures:—

London.— Wednesday, July 10 (6 p.m.): Mas. 61°;
Min. 51'.
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, July
11 (10 a.m.)- Bar.. 80-4; Temp., 62'; Weather—
Bright sunshine.
Provinces. — Wednesday, July 10 (6 p.m.) : Mas. 65-'.
Ireland, N.W. ; Min. 51°, Yorkshire.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK,

TUESDAY—

The beneficial interest in the lease of the Oxford Nur-
sery, Oxford Road, Gunnersbury, at 12; and afterwards
the whole of the stock of Plants, by Protheroe lSc Morris.

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY—

The second portion of the Woodlands collection of
Orchids at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe &
Morris, at 12.45.

Visitors to the Royal Horticul-

The tural Society's summer show at

Holland Holland House, of which a
House , , ,

Show. detailed report appears in our

present issue, could hardly have
failed to be impressed with the high quality
of the exhibits. The numerous groups of
plants and flowers were deserving of praise,
whether regarded as evidence of successful
cultivation, or as selections of the choicest
plants obtainable for the embellishment of the
garden. In the large tent where the
Orchids were exhibited on the central tables,
there were comprehensive groups of mis-
cellaneous plants that successfully vied
with the Orchids for a share of apprecia-
tion. The " Sherwood " Silver Cup, being
reserved on this occasion for the best exhibit
of hardy plants or flowers, was awarded to
one of these groups exhibited by Mr. Brad-
shaw, an amateur cultivator. There were
many collections of hardy plants and gar-
den flowers. All were interesting, and
such exhibits as those of Mr. Amos Perry,
Messrs. R. Wallace and Co., and Messrs W.
Cutbush and Sons, that contained representa-
tions of water gardens, with Nymphaeas and
•other aquatic plants growing in them, were
most charming.

Roses being now at their best, the groups
of Messrs. Paul and Son, Messrs. R. and G.
Cuthbert and other exhibitors were even
more profuse of flower than the Rose groups
exhibited at the Temple Show, whilst several
new varieties of the Rose were shown by
Messrs. A. Dickson and Son.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch and Sons' group of orna-
mental foliage plants, Messrs. J. Peed and
Sons' Caladiums, Mr. L. R. Russell's stove
foliage plants, and other ornamental-leaved
plants from Messrs. W. Bull and Sons were
remarkable for the excellent cultivation they
illustrated as applied to rare and choice
species. Most of these groups were arranged
in the tent containing the Orchids, and so we
might continue enumerating those that were
shown in other tents, but for details of these
we must refer readers to the report.

There were not many novelties of outstand-
ing importance presented for the inspection of
the various committees, but a species of
Crinum, introduced from Burmah, and
shown by Colonel Beddome, created consider-
able interest. The plant was growing in a
pot having a diameter of only three inches,
yet it had produced two inflorescences, which
together bore 13 flowers and flower-buds.
Most species of Crinum are large-growing
plants, which usually flower only after attain-
ing to considerable dimensions ; the present
species, therefore, which deservedly obtained
a First-class Certificate from the Floral
Committee, appeared extremely small and
precocious. It has been named C. Mearsii,
and may possibly prove to have close affinity
to C. humile, of which a figure is given in
the Botanical Magazine, tab. 2,636.

Another novelty likely to become valu-
able as a garden plant was the hybrid
Crinum, raised by Mr. H. J. Elwes from the
species C. Moorei and C. americanum. The
flowers of the hybrid are coloured almost
exactly as those of the Belladonna Lily
(Amaryllis Belladonna). A remarkable
Odontoglossum of the blotched type of
flower was shown by Messrs. Sander and
Sons, and a very richly coloured Laelio-
Cattleya shown by M. Lambeau, Brussels,
obtained a First-class Certificate from the
Orchid Committee. Details of these and
other novelties are given in the report.

The invitation kindly given the Society by
Mary Countess of Ilchester, to hold a sum-
mer show in the paddock in front of her de-
lightful Elizabethan residence affords the
council an opportunity to entertain the mem-
bers of the Committees at luncheon. Sir
Trevor Lawrence, who presided at this func-
tion on Tuesday last, referred to the approach-
ing ceremony in connection with the opening
of the laboratory and research station in the
Wisley Gardens, remarking that, following
this event, the Society would be in a position
to impart instruction to its students on the
more advanced scientific principles that
underlie horticultural practice. The President
made a further remark which directly affects
the convenience of those who visit such shows
as are held in the Temple Gardens and at
Holland House. He said that the firms who
supply the tents must be asked whether they
cannot use some material that is more
transparent than that generally employed.
Exhibitors will have every sympathy with any
effort that is made to obtain marquees which
are less light-excluding than those now in

use, which often are very prejudicial to the
effect of the exhibits. From cursory obser-
vations it would appear that the longer the
material has been in use the more obstructive
it becomes, but it is impracticable to have
new tents for each occasion.

In the interests of the gardening charities
the private grounds of Holland House were
again thrown open to visitors on the
first day of the exhibition, who paid a
small sum for admittance, and we are ex-
ceedingly pleased to hear that a sum of ^167
was thus raised. The beautiful gardens ap-
peared thronged during the greater part of
the afternoon, and every visitor must have
been charmed by the showy Rose borders, in
which the excellent variety Caroline Testout
was as attractive as ever ; the beds of
Epilobium and other equally familiar plants,
.which at Holland House are made to con-
tribute to the general attractions ; the quaint
Dutch garden, the water gardens, and other
features, all of which have been referred to in
these columns on previous occasions.

Since the introduction to Europe

Meconopsis of the handsome species M.

racemosa. integrifolia, which first flowered

in this country in 1904 (see
supplementary illustration to Gardeners'
Chronicle, October 1, 1904), the genus
Meconopsis has received greater attention
from horticulturists. In our own pages we
have figured, since that date, M. punicca
(Gardeners' Chronicle, October 22, 1904, p.
2S9), M. grandis (Gardeners' Chronicle, June
17, 1905, p. 369), and M. bella (Gardeners'
Chronicle, September 15, 1906, p. 197). In
the present issue we are enabled to present a
drawing by Mr. Worthington G. Smith, of
M. racemosa, prepared from material ex-
hibited by Lady Northcliffe at the meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society held on June
11 last. Concerning this species Lt.-Ccl.
Prain, Director of the Royal Botanic Gar-
dens, Kew, who is the acknowledged
authority on this genus, has favoured us by
contributing the following information : —

Meconopsis racemosa is a blue-flowered
" Poppy " with prickly leaves, now fairly well
known as a rock garden plant, where it may
be grown under the conditions suitable for
M. aculeata, which in general features it
greatly resembles. It was first described by
Maximowicz in 1876, from specimens obtained
bv General Przewalski in 1S72 in Kansuh.
To his brief diagnosis of the species Maxi-
mowicz added a note to the effect that M.
racemosa may be distinguished from its
nearest ally M. aculeata, Royle, by its entire
leaves, and from M. horridula, Hook. f. and
Thorns., the only other prickly Meconopsis
known in 1S76, by its racemose flowers; from
both, he says, it may be distinguished by its
five to eight petals. We now know of the
existence of other species of Meconopsis with
prickly leaves; all of them are easily dis-
tinguished from M. racemosa; none of them
are yet known in European gardens.

So far as the distinction between M.
racemosa and M. aculeata, which Maxi-
mowicz considered the nearest ally of M.
racemosa, is concerned, there is another and
very striking difference : the flowers of M.
aculeata arise in the axils of floral leaves and
the stem itself below the flowers is leafy;

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July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

31

FlG. 12. — MECONOPSIS racemosa : FLOWERS blue with purple shade.

the flowers of M. racemosa have no bracts and
the leaves are practically confined to a rosette
at the base of the stem.

But when the case of M. horridula is con-
sidered we find, in the first place, that as
originally described, M. horridula, though
usually having simple, one-flowered scapes,
has these " sometimes agglutinated at the
base," which is another and, as it happens,
more accurate way of stating what Maxi-
mowicz had before him. On the other hand,
we find that the flowers of M. horridula,
though originally described as having four
petals, have in reality almost always five to
eight petals. The characters on which
Maximowicz has relied in separating M.
racemosa from M. horridula do not there-
fore exist, and M. racemosa, where the
flowers are all, or nearly all, racemosely
arranged on a leafless scape, is hardly more
than a state of M. horridula, where the
flowers are usually all, or nearly all, on simple
one-flowered scapes. In an account of
Meconopsis in Annals of Botany, ^jpl. xx.,
pp. 332-333, the question is dealt with as
follows : —

" It is somewhat significant that this,
which the writer takes to be only a condition,
or at most a variety of M. horridula, should
be well known, while true M. horridula is not
known in cultivation. In the higher valleys
of Sikkim, which the species, whereof both M.
horridula and M. racemosa appear to be
states, invades by crossing the inner passes,
this is plentiful; it does not, however, appear
to occur below 14,000 feet or. to the south
of the outer passes and of the line of snowy
peaks like Kinchinjanga, Chumiamo, and
Kinchinjao, that mark the main axis of the
Himalaya in this region.' Below 14,000 feet
and to the south of these peaks the species
is sparingly replaced by M. sinuata, appar-
ently a distinct, though nearly related, species,
which is represented at corresponding alti-
tudes in the Western Himalaya by M.
aculeata, and in Alpine Yunnan and Szechuen
by M. rudis. To the north of these snowy
peaks, and on the inner passes such as the
Kongra-lama and the Tang-la, the form
■usually met with is M. horridula; at or above
16,000 feet this is practically the only form
present. To the north of the inner
passes below 16,000 feet both forms occur
side by side, and there is every transition
between M. horridula proper with all the
scapes simple, discrete, and radical ; M.
horridula still, but with some or all of the
scapes agglutinated at the base; and M.
racemosa, with all the flowers disposed on a
central several-flowered scape in a bractless
raceme-like cyme. In specimens from the hills
above Lhassa we sometimes find that the low-
est and last-opening flower of this cyme is sub-
tended by a leafy bract such as is associated
with the lowest three-fourths to four-fifths of
the flowers of M. aculeata and M. sinuata,
and with the lowest half to two-thirds of the
flowers of M. rudis. When we take into
consideration the fact that the form dis-
tinguished by Maximowicz as M. racemosa
occurs throughout central and eastern, as
well as southern Tibet, and is the only form
that overflows into the high Alpine valleys of
Szechuen and Kansuh, while M. horridula is
confined to southern Tibet and the high Alpine
valleys of Sikkim and Phari, it is reason-
able to surmise that M. horridula may be no
more than a somewhat reduced condition of a
Tibetan species whereof M. racemosa is the
usual state."

32

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1907.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Seventy years ago, writes a correspondent, the
elephant roamed at its leisure where the town of
Durban now stands, but at the present time there
is no settlement along the whole of the African
coast, except Zanzibar, that possesses such a
variety of tropical foliage and flowering plants as
Durban. Beautiful vegetation is found not only
in the Town Gardens (as shown in the illustra-
tion), but also in the streets, private gardens,
and last, but not least, in the Durban Botanic
Gardens. January is the month when most plants
are in full flower. The Flamboyant (Poinceana
regia) is one of the most gorgeous trees seen, its
profusion of scarlet flowers are set in abundant
light green, feathery foliage. It is very similar in
appearance to the indigenous tree, Albizzia fasti-
giata, with which a great many of the streets are
planted. Jacaranda mimosifolia is a rather
smaller tree than the Flamboyant, but it flowers
equally profusely, the blossoms being blue instead
of red. The tree is deciduous, and the flowers are
produced principally when the leaves have fallen.
The tree used more commonly than all others in
street planting is Hibiscus tiliaceus, the Durban
shade tree. It can be propagated very readily
from quite large cuttings, and soon forms a bush-
headed tree which produces numerous large
yellow flowers. It is indigenous along the sea-
shore in the tropics. A feature of Durban is the
the number of Screw Pines (Pandanus utilis) met
with. They thrive almost everywhere on the
coast, and are very ornamental subjects. Two
fine specimens are growing at the entrance to
the Botanic Gardens. Durban owes much of
its beauty to the wild Date Palm (Phoenix re-
clinata), which, though of little economic value,
produces a fine effect, especially when growing in
dense clumps, the stem being from 5 to 15 feet high .
This Palm likes to have its roots always near
moisture, and its presence is one of the best indica-
tions of water in the subsoil. But in stately
beauty as well as in utility its claims are small
when compared with the lofty Date Palm (Phoenix
dactylifera), many specimens of which, growing to
a height of nearly 200 feet, exist around Durban.
Cocos nucifera, the Cocoa-nut Palm, grows suc-
cessfully in the Botanic Gardens, although it does
best by the sandy seashores. Many other Palms
are also to be found in the Botanic Gardens, but
probably the finest is the Royal Palm (Oreodoxa
regia), although Cocos plumosa may have rival
claims to beauty. The great variety of plants used
in the making of hedges impresses the visitor.
Amongst the best and most ornamental are Carissa
grandiflora, Cestrum aurantiaca, the dwarf Bam-
busa Fortunei, Tea (Camellia Thea) Privet, Juni-
perus virginiana, Cupressus macrocarpa, Eugenia
mimi, &c. Araucarias thrive exceedingly well in
Durban, and form a pleasing contrast to the Palms
and other more gorgeous-leaved trees that surround
them. The species that thrive best are A. Bid-
willii, A. brasiliensis, A. Cookii, A. Cunninghamii,
and A. excelsa. Any of these species are
capable of producing valuable timber should they
be planted on a large scale. Among ornamental
landscape plants the Acacias occupy a prominent
place. A. mollissima has dark green and feathery
foliage, in contrast to A. dealbata, which is
glaucous green, although of the same form.
Both species produce an abundance of yellow
blossoms, but the most showy of all the Acacias
in this respect is A. Baileyana. A. spectabilis
is also a free-flowering species ; it has a vigorous,
bush-like habit and silvery foliage.

The Botanical Magazine. — The following
plants are figured and described in the issue for
July:-

Odontoglossum Leeanum, tab. 8,142. (See
also Gardeners'' Chronicle, 1882, vol. xvii.,p. 525;
1883, vol. xix., p. 694; var. Crawshayanum,

1902, vol. xxi., p. 50). — Mr. Rolfe, in describ-
ing this Columbian plant, states that it is now
recognised as being a natural hybrid between
O. gloriosum and O. triumphans. It first ap-
peared in this country in 1882 as a single plant
in Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons' nursery at Chel-
sea. A second plant appeared in 1902, also
unexpectedly, in Messrs. T. Rochfoed & Co.'s
nursery at Broxbourne, and this is now in the
collection of Mr. De Barri Crawshay, Rosefield,
Sevenoaks. The flowers are of a shade of bright
yellow, and are much blotched with brown.

Montanoa mollissima, tab. 8,143. — This
Mexican composite is described by Mr.
Hutchinson. The species of Montanoa, when
cultivated in English gardens, are generally
employed as sub-tropical plants ; they do not
flower freely out-of-doors. The present species
was introduced into cultivation by Ghiesbreght,
who sent seeds from Mexico to the Paris
Botanic Garden in 1843. At Kew it is treated
as a greenhouse shrub. It grows about 6ft.
high, and has sessile, lanceolate, or ovate lan-
ceolate leaves, 4 to 7 inches long and 1J to 4
inches broad. The ray flowers are white. The
plant figured was raised from seeds received
in 1902 from the late Sir Thomas Hanbury,
La Mortola, Italy.

Kennedya retrorsa, tab. 8,144. — This is a
new Eastern Australian species described by
Mr. YV. Botting Hemsley. Plants were raised
at Kew in 1905 from seeds received from the
Sydney Botanic Garden, under the name of
K. procurrens, Benth. ; but K. retrorsa is dis-
tinct from that species, the type of which is in
the Kew Herbarium. K. retrorsa is a twining
shrub, having the young growths clothed with
reddish hairs. The leaves are trifoliolate, dis-
tinctly stalked, and are from 3 to 6 inches long.
The flowers are coloured rosy-purple, with a
white eye on the standard. They are clus-
tered in racemes.

Stewartia Malachodendron, tab. 8,145. —
This is a North American species, which is
better known under the specific name S. vir-
ginica (see Gardeners' Chronicle, 1877, vol. vii. ,
pp. 433-435, fig. 86). Mr. Hemsley describes
the species as a branching shrub, or small tree,
6 to 14 feet high, with slender, pubescent
flowering branches. The leaves are deciduous,
alternate, and very shortly stalked. The flowers
are axillary, solitary, almost sessile, 3^ to 4
inches across. The petals are white, and the
stamens purple, anthers blue. The drawing
for the present figure was made from speci-
mens communicated by Sir Joseph Hooker, in
whose gardens at Sunningdale the species
flowered freely last year. It is not in general
cultivation in Britain. Mr. Bean recommends
that the species should be planted in a shel-
tered position, for it is more likely to be in-
jured by persistent exposure to north and east
winds than by temporary spells of severe cold.
A moisture-loving plant, it should be planted
only where it is not likely to suffer from
drought, and there should be, at least, one-
third peat in the soil. The illustration repro-
duced at fig. 11, affords an excellent idea of
the decorative character of the flowers.

Phyllodoce Breweri, tab. 8,146. — A native
of the Inner Sierras of California, this species
was first observed by W. H. Brewer, who was
attached to Prof. Whitney's surveying party
from 1860-1864. The species varies in habit,
and the better form now figured was discovered
on Mt. Hoffmann, on the north side of the
Yosemite Valley. It is an Ericaceous shrub,
growing about 9 inches high, and, being per-
fectly hardy, is suitable for cultivation in the
rock-garden. The flowers are pink, with a
white centre. Dr. Otto Stapf describes them
as being arranged in terminal short or long,

and sometimes very dense racemes. In an
appended note Mr. W. Watson states that, in
the matter of cultivation, there is no difference
between the several species of Phyllodoce and
Bryanthus.

The National Sweet Pea Society About

180 new members have joined the society this
year, and there are now 22 societies in affiliation
with it. We are informed that the exhibition to
be held at the Royal Horticultural Hall, on
Tuesday, July 16, promises to be a very successful
one. The trials at the University College, Rca ling,
are an important feature of the society's work,
and these will be visited by the members on
Friday, July 19. There are over 300 rows and
40 clumps of Sweet Peas in the trials. On
Monday, July 22, the members of the society will
pay a visit to Wisbech to inspect Messrs. R. H.
Bath's Sweet Peas and other flowers. Full par-
ticulars can be obtained from Mr. C. H. Curtis,
Hon. Sec, Adelaide Road, Brentford.

A correspondent writes to us stating

that, "when the members of the committee of
the National Sweet Pea Society journey to Reading
on Friday next, the 19thinst.,to examine the trials
of Sweet Peas grown expressly for the society
by Mr. Charles Foster, the garden superinten-
dent of the University College, they will find
that the trials are of exceptional excellence and
interest. It is but needful to look over the gardens
of this institution to be satisfied that a trial of
Sweet Peas would be carried out with skill and
the utmost care. Beautiful as were the hundreds of
stocks a few days since, by Friday next the plants
will be at their best, and lowers of Sweet Peas will
find for themselves a great treat. The soil is so
good, the culture so excellent, that all the plants
are very robust."

Sweet Pea " Princess Victoria." — We are

informed that at the National Rose Show Messrs.
Doebie & Co., Rothesay, had a beautiful light
form of the Spencer type which was so much
admired by H.M. the Queen and H.R.H. Prin-
cess Victoria that the latter specially desired it
to be named after her.

South-Eastern Agricultural College.

— The Right Hon. Ailwyn Fellowes will present
the diplomas and prizes on July 24 at the South-
Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent. The
College was awarded the Silver Medal (highest
award) at the Royal Agricultural Society's show
at Lincoln, in a competition of exhibits of im-
portance to British Forestry, for a collection of
insects, &c, injurious to forest trees, which was
made and set up by the Vice-Principal and En-
tomologist, Mr. F. V. Theobald.

The Lincoln Show. — Messrs. Jno. Waterer
and Sons, Ltd., write to say that they were
awarded a Gold Medal at the Lincoln Show for a
group of shrubs.

Agricultural Education. — The Depart-
mental Committee held meetings on the 2nd,
3rd, and 4th inst. The following witnesses
attended and were examined: — Mr. Chris-
topher Middleton, Darlington ; Mr. Albert
Wheatley, F.R.C.V.S., Reading; Mr. Trus-
tram Eve, nominated by the Farmers' Club ;
Major Craigie, C.B. ; Mr. Fitzherbert Brock-
holf.s, nominated by the Lancashire Farmers'
Association ; Mr. A. E. Humphries, President
of the National Association of British and Irish
Millers; Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., Secretary to the>
Royal Horticultural Society ; Dr. J. A.
Voelcker, Consulting Chemist to the Royal
Agricultural Society of England ; Mr. G. Hog-
ben, M.A., Inspector-General of Schools, New
Zealand ; and representatives of the Dorset,
Hereford, and Lancashire County Councils.

July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

33

The Horticultural Club.— The annual
Outing of the members and friends will take
place on Thursday, July 25. The party will
travel by rail from Paddington to Marlow, where
a. steam launch will be in waiting to convey the
visitors to Henley. At Henley a visit will be
made to Friar Park, the residence of Frank
Ckisp, Esq., whose interesting gardens were
described and illustrated in these pages on Octo-
ber 28, 1899. The visitors will be Mr. Crisp's
guests at luncheon and afternoon tea. If the
weather proves favourable the visit promises
to be a most enjoyable one.

Violas at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

— Visitors to the National Kose and the other ex-
hibitions which have recently been held in the
Royal Botanic Gardens have probably noticed
the effective arrangement and the remarkable
health of the Violas in the large bed in front of
the conservatory. Roughly, the bed measures
150 feet long by 8 feet ride. The groundwork is
composed entirely of Viola "White Beauty,'' ex-
cept for a broad belting along the outside edge
of the variety lilacina. It is remarkable that
the latter, one of the oldest of Violas, should
still be so much used in the London parks.
Better flowers there undoubtedly are, but " lila-
cina " seems to have a constitution that braves
all adverse conditions. Into the white ground-
work of the large bed Mr. Hawes has made dia-
mond-shaped patches, filled alternately with the
varieties Molly Pope (bright yellow) and J. B.
Kiding (deep mauve). Small clumps of Vero-
nica Andersonii variegata alternate with the dia-
monds, and behind them, at the extreme back,
are clumps of Coreopsis grandiflora. It is al-
ways interesting to know the methods adopted
by growers who succeed well with Violas in or
near to London. Mr. J. F. McLeod, who culti.
vates them extensively and so well at Dover
House, Roehampton, does all his propagating
under handlights out-of-doors on a partly-shaded
western border. Mr. Hawes, at the Royal
Botanic plants the cuttings, very often pulled
from the old plants with rootlets already formed,
into cold frames in September, and lifts the
plants therefrom in the first week in April, with
as large balls of soil attached as possible, and
plants them out. This rather late planting can
only be successful when special care, such as
Mr. Hawes exercises, is taken to properly carry
out the operation. As a rule the earlier Violas
are planted the better.

The Origin of the Potato.— The origin of
the innumerable varieties of Potatos in commerce,
all known botanically as Solanum tuberosum, is
so far from being clear that a few gentlemen
•were invited by Mr. Arthur Sutton on Mon-
day, the 8th inst., to inspect at the Reading Nur-
series a large collection of plants embracing all
the known species of Potato, with a view to their
examination and, if possible, the determination of
which specie or species could have given rise to
the cultivated varieties. A large number of plants
was displayed in one of the houses, and the pecu-
liarities of each were described by Mr. Sutton,
and discussed by those present from the various
points of view deduced from their varied ex-
periences.

WOODBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL SHOW. — In

our last issue the date of this Suffolk show was,
in error, stated to be July 13. The correct date
is July 17.

Cocoa-nut Fibre Mats. — In the Revue

llorticole lightly-woven cocoanut fibre mats are
recommended as protection against frost and as
shading materials, instead of the rapidlv decav-
ing coverings made from straw. They are 'said
to last for about 10 years.

Midland Carnation and Picotee So-
ciety.—Mr. T. Humphreys, the honorary secre-
tary of this society, writes as follows : — " Owing
to the exceptionally late season, the Annual Ex-
hibition of Carnations, arranged to take place on
July 31 and August 1, has been postponed until
Thursday and Friday, August 8 and 9."

The New York Botanical Garden. — We

note in an American contemporary that efforts
are being made by the board of managers of the
New York Botanical Garden to obtain special
funds to supplement the ordinary income of
the institution. These funds may bear in general
such personal designations as the contributors
may wish to indicate. Twelve foundations
which are greatly desired are specified as fol-
low:— Exploration fund, for which 250,000 dol-
lars is needed ; horticultural fund, 100,000 dol-
lars ; library fund, 50,000 dollars ; conservatory
fund, 50,000 dollars; herbarium fund, 50,000
dollars ; lecture fund, 25,000 dollars ; fund for
the illustration of North American Flora, 30 000
dollars; scholarship funds, several foundations
of from 10,000 to 25,000 dollars; laboratory
fund, 20,000 dollars ; fund for horticultural
prizes, 10,000 dollars ; fund for botanical prizes,
10,000 dollars ; and research funds, are all set
forth in a statement signed by Addison Brown,
chairman of the executive committee of the
board of managers.

Publications Received. — The Women's Agri-
culturaland Horticultural VnionLeaflet. — The Country
Gentlemen s Estate Book, 1VU7, price 10s. od.— The
hath Bird : How to Get L'p Early, published by
David Nutt, price Is.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents. J

Magnolia Campbellii. — As you mentioned
on p. 3 the fine flowering of this magnificent
variety in my shrubbery in 1902, I may inform
you that this was the only time it has done any
good for me. In 1903-4-5-6 it set no buds, and
in this spring, when it bore over 60 buds, none
of them opened, owing either to late frosts or
cold winds, which either burned or tore the
soft and delicate petals borne, as your wood-
cut so well and accurately shows, on the topmost
extremities of the branchlets. The portrait of
this fine Magnolia in the Botanical .1/.;

not do it adequate justice. Readers who
have access to a botanical library, such as those
at Kew and the British Museum, should refer
to the splendid portrait of M. Campbellii in
Cathcart and Hooker's Himalayan Plants, where
it is figured on plates 4 and 5. I fear, however,
we shall never see the species in such excellence
in our uncertain climate. II". E. Gumbleton.

The Rainfall in June. — It is inteiesting to
remark that the rainfall for June, namely, 1 45 in..
was less than that for June last year, when the fall
was 2 41 in. The weather has been dull, but
there has not been an excessive quantity of rain.
W. A. Cook, Leonardslee Gardens, Sussex.

Aralia Moseri. — Will A. H. (see p. 20) kindly
point out in what respect the variety of Fatsia japo-
nica (Aralia Sieboldii) known as Moseri differs
from the ordinary type ? Ignoramus.

This is decidedly an improvement on

the normal form. The leaves are larger and more
regularly lobed, and the plant is shorter jointed.
I at first thought that the system of culture had
made the difference, but afterwards found that the
two growing side by side were quite distinct,
although no botanist would recognise the dis-
tinction. As a market plant the variety is a de-
cided improvement on the type. It has come into
commerce since I discontinued the cultivation of
such plants, but if I were now in the trade I should
certainly discard the original type and grow the
variety Moseri, if seeds are procurable, even if the
cost were much greater. A. H.

Strawberries Leader or Kentish Fav-
ourite.— In last week's issue I reterred to Kentish
Favourite Strawberry as having received an
Award of Merit from the R.H.S. Fruit Com-
CiiUee, and stated that the committee wished

plants to be sent to Wisley Gardens for trial.
On Friday, the 5th inst., a sub-committee visited
Wisley (see p. 38), and amongst varieties of
Strawberries that attracted attention for heavy
cropping and general excellence, including easi-
ness, was Laxton's Leader, a variety not yet
widely known. The foliage of the variety was dis-
tinctive, and the crop was remarkable. A little
farther on was Kentish Favourite, and this was
in every respect so complete a duplicate of
Leader that the committee unanimously agreed
the two were identical. It is worthy of note that
when Kentish F'avourite was exhibited at the
Temple Show, Mr. Laxton declared it to be
Leader, and the trial at Wisley proves that he
was right. Such being the case, and the variety
Leader having already received an Award of
Merit, it is obvious that the new award under
the later name cannot stand. The growing of
Strawberries at Wisley for trial has thus been
thoroughly justified, and has enabled a mistake
to be rectified in good time. A. D.

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees. — It is

satisfactory to know that in the majority of
cases summer pruning, as carried out bv the
skilled practitioner, is a success. Judging,
however, from the dates given by the various
correspondents, it is evident that a considerable
amount of growth is permitted before the shoots
are pruned. A great amount of the tree's energy
is thus thrown away, and a decided check is
given to the tree in the removal of so much foli.
age. In some cases, in order to make the trees
symmetrical and tidy, the side shoots are pruned
to two buds, with the consequent result that
the dormant buds break into growth and the
tree is quickly transformed into a thicket of
shoots. Early stopping the new growths with
the finger and thumb is a much better
practice, and it can be carried out more
expeditiously than pruning with the knife. In
these gardens the trees are gone over early in
the season, and when the shoots have made
from six to eight leaves they are pinched back
to within four or five leaves, according to the
vigour of the individual tree. These shoots
break into growth again usually from the two
top buds, and these secondary shoots are
pinched again to two leaves. Some varieties of
Pears form fruit buds the same year. By this
system of pinching the trees receive no check,
and the result is that the side shoots are kept
within bounds, whilst extra vigour is thrown
into those retained for extension. Thorough
and early maturation of these shortened growths
is brought about by the sun and air, which can
freely reach them the entire season through. I
have no hesitation in stating that the qualifying
term " good," given by many of the correspon-
dents, would have been preceded by " very " if
early pinching of the growths were periodically
practised. W. H. Clarke, Aston Rowant, Oxon.

Mr. Lewis Castle asks (p. 424) a few

pertinent questions regarding the practice of
summer pruning of fruit trees, and Mr. A. Dean
gives a clear and definite answer to his questions
in last week's issue (p. 14). As I have practised
the system for nearly 40 years, not only on wall
trees, but also on standard, bush and pyramid
fruit trees, I may be allowed to supplement Mr.
Dean's remarks on the subject. My experience
proves that the check, which the pinching or prun-
ing back of the young growths to 6 or 9 inches
of their origin involves, causes not only the for-
mation of fruit buds, but also the development
of dormant intervening buds, and thereby a per-
centage of these also become fruit buds
and bear fruit in the following year.
Summer pruning not only aids in the
formation and plumping of fruit buds, but
the practice also promotes a balance of growth
in the trees operated on. Moreover, summer
pruning, by temporarily diverting the flow of
sap, and at the same time admitting more light
to the trees, conduces to the swelling and ripen-
ing of the present season's fruit. The stopping
of the young shoots, when from 18 to 24 inches
long, of Fig trees trained against walls will
result in the production thereon of embryo fruits,
which will develop and ripen in due time. Some
of the strongest growths on young fruit trees
which I stopped about the middle of last month
have already developed miniature fruit buds,
while an examination of the unstopped shoots
reserved for supplying buds for budding pur-
poses have wood buds only. H. IF. Ward, Lime
House, Rayleigh.

34

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1907.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Summer Show at Holland House.

{See also article on p. 30.)

July 9, 10. — This society's summer exhibition
took place on these dates in the grounds of
Holland House, and the function must be again
declared a success. The weather on the opening
day was fair, and at intervals the sun shone
brightly, but at other times the interior of the
tents was dark. The general opinion was that
this was the best summer exhibition held by
the society, and certainly the exhibits were equal
in quality to any that have been seen at Holland
House. As the grounds of this beautiful residence
are large, the crowding which unavoidably takes
place at the Temple Flower Show is not found
here, and visitors can inspect the exhibits with
comfort. The arrangements for such an exhibi-
tion necessitate much extra work on the part of
the secretaries and staff, for on this, as on
former occasions, everything had been done to
make the event an agreeable one. It is very
satisfactory that we are able to note that a
special tent had been erected and was set apart
for the exhibition of novelties submitted to the
committees for certificate.

Floral Committee.
Roses.

Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Ches-
hunt, showed a beautiful exhibit of Roses. At
the back of the display were tall pillar varieties
in pots, and standard plants with bamboo
epergnes filled with choice blooms were inter-
spersed freely amongst vases and baskets filled
with flowers of such beautiful kinds as Mrs. W.
J. Grant, Mrs. John Laing, Frau Karl Druschki,
Ulrich Brunner, Laurette Messimy (charming in
the bud), La France, Heinrich Schultheis, Mar-
quise Litta, &c. We also noticed the single
Gottfried Kellar, Rosa sericea pteracantha,
Goldfinich (new), The Wallflower, handsome
climbing Rose, Una, &c.

Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Nurseries, Waltham
Cross, Herts., showed very fine blooms of
H.P. and H.T. Roses in new and old varie-
ties. The varieties Mad. Jules Grolez, Leonie
Lamesch, Antoine Rivoire, Konigin Carola,
Melanie Soupert, D. R. Williamson, a fine,
double, crimson flower, Dr. W. Gordon, and
Pharisaer were very choice. Roses generally
were lavishly displayed by this firm.

Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., filled one corner of the large tent with
Roses and Carnations, with a few Codiaeums
(Crotons), Dracaenas, &c, as foils. This was
a most pleasing group, effectively staged. There
were banks of Carnations in a setting of the
dwarf Polyantha Rose Mrs. W. H. Cutbush,
with other taller Roses at intervals, principally
climbing varieties, and a pleasing change was
afforded in a bank of the yellow Calla Elliottiana,
and another of Verbenas. The Carnations were
especially fine. We have space only to mention
a few of the choicest, such as Mercia, Maggie
Hodgson, the darkest of the Souvenir de la Mal-
maison type ; Baldwin (rose), King Arthur, a
bright, scarlet-coloured border variety, Lady
Hermione, and Yellow Gal. The new rambler
Rose Paradise was shown well in this group.

Messrs. H. Merryweather & Sons, The
Nurseries, Southwell, Notts., exhibited excel-
lent Roses of most sections ; two boxes of H.P.s
and H.T.s, 36 in all, consisted of very fine
blooms. This firm showed a Polyantha Rose
named Phyllis, a semi-double flower of deep
pink colour, flowering in large clusters.

Messrs. W. and J. Brown, florists, Stamford,
showed popular varieties of the Rose in close
bouquets, with many good flowers among them.
This exhibitor also "had Trachelium coeruleum,
Verbena Miss Willmott, blooms of many varie-
ties of the " Cactus " Pelargonium, which are
so much admired as cut blooms, plants of Lilium
Szovitsianum, Heliotrope, &c.

Mr. Chas. Turner, the Royal Nurseries,
Slough, made a very fine display with Roses
in great variety, many perfect blooms being
noted among them. He also showed many of
the garden Roses so useful for making bouquets,

sprays, filling vases, or for training on walls and
fences, pillars, &c.

Beautiful blooms of cut Roses were shown by
Messrs. Alex. Dickson & Son, Belfast. Several
novelties of the highest excellence were included
(see Awards) in this choice exhibit, which in-
cluded flowers of the varieties Richmond, Peggy
Molyneux, Mrs. P. Blair, Lady Helen Vincent,
Mrs. Harold Brocklebank (creamy-white),
Dorothy Page Roberts (deep salmon, with re-
curving petals), &c.

Mr. R. Chaplin, Joyning's Nursery, Waltham
Cross, had excellent examples of many Rambler
kinds, also blooms of Caroline Testout, Mrs.
W. Grant, Frau Karl Druschki, and others.

Roses and Sweet Peas were freely shown by
E. E. Crimson, Esq., Sutton, Surrey.

Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Braiswick Rose
Gardens, Colchester, had many fine cut Roses.
Mrs. Harvey Thomas, Papa Gontier, Mrs. W.
Grant, Lady Roberts, and the fine white Frau
Karl Druschki being prominent varieties.

Messrs. B. R. Cant & Co., the Old Rose Gar-
dens, Colchester, also set up a most admirable
lot of Roses, among which Irish Elegance,
Madame Ravary, Richmond, Dean Hole, Capt.
Hayward, Mrs. Laing, Mrs. E. G. Hill, and
others were seen.

Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk, made a
very large exhibit of Roses principally of Ram-
bling varieties. Many were shown as standards
on tall, straight stems. The varieties Dorothy
Perkins, Hiawatha, and Minnehaha were note-
worthy among the climbers ; there were also
seen good blooms of La France, Liberty, Caro-
line Testout, Dean Hole, LTnnocence, Frau
Karl Druschki, Papa Gontier, Bessie Brown,
and Richmond.

Messrs. S. Bide & Sons, Farnham, showed
Rose Queen of Spain and a new seedling Tea
variety named Mrs. Sophie Neate, a seeding
from Mad. Lambard x Anna Olivier.

Some Cut Flowers.

Sweet Peas were extensively displayed.
Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, had a grand
assortment of these popular flowers, all of the
highest merit. Marble Queen, Jessie Cuthbert-
son, King Edward VII., Dora Breadmore, Mrs.
Collier, and Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes were some of
the finer varieties in this very large display.

Messrs. Wm. Artindale & Son, Sheffield,
had a comprehensive exhibit of tufted Pansies
(Violas), some 100 or more examples being
staged in the best condition.

Mr. H. B. May, Edmonton, showed cut Pelar-
goniums of good quality.

Tree Carnations from Messrs. Hugh Low &
Co. were extremely fine. This firm also dis-
played varieties of the Souvenir de la Malmaison
section, as well as a representative collection of
the American tree sorts.

A collection of Sweet Peas from Messrs. H.
Cannell & Sons, Swanley, was in every respect
an excellent one. Among the best were those
following : Miss Doris (rosy-carmine), Rosy
Morn (fine colour), Cannell's White, Mrs. Robt.
Cannell (rosy-salmon), Henry Eckford, &c. The
blossoms and sprays were of superb quality.

Mr. W. H. Page, Langley Park Nurseries,
Hampton, staged an admirable lot of blooms of
Tree Carnations in the leading kinds. Enchan-
tress was very fine, as were also White Lawson
and President Roosevelt.

Carnations were also finely presented by Mr.
A. F. Dutton, Iver, Bucks. Christmas Eve is
a very rich and good scarlet variety.

Mr. Jarman, Chard, in addition to showing
beautiful Roses, made a feature of some im-
proved forms of the Sweet Sultans (Centaurea
suaveolens vars.), which were greatly admired.

Messrs. G. Stark & Sons, Great Ryburgh,
Suffolk, and Messrs. E. W. King & Co., Cog-
geshall, Essex, each displayed Sweet Peas in
many good kinds.

Sweet Peas were also well shown by Mr.
W. Breadmore, Winchester. Some 250 square
feet of tabling was occupied by the choicest
and best of these popular flowers.

Another handsome display of Sweet Peas
came from Mr. Henry Eckford, Wem, Salop,
and here, too, many of the finest varieties were
noted.

Groups of Plants.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, staged handsome foliage plants
of exotic species. Many flowering plants were
interspersed in the exhibit ; the centre was occu-
pied by a group of Orchids, and there were also
Cannas, Carnations, greenhouse Rhododendrons,
Angelonia grandiflora, &c. Tall stands accom-
modated well-grown plants of Nepenthes, includ-
ing a choice example of N. sanguinea, with well-
developed pitchers. The foliage plants com-
prised Alocasias, Anthuriums, Marantas, Ara'.ias,
Dracaenas, Codiaeums (Crotons), Ferns, 6cc.
Notable plants were Alocasia macrorhiza varie-
gata, Codiaeum (Croton) Reidii, and Medinilla
magnifica. Messrs. Veitch also exhibited a
collection of Carnations, and another of Roses.

Messrs. Wm. Bull & Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, displayed ornamental-leaved stove
and greenhouse plants. Dracaena Victoria was
shown well in this group, also Alocasia Lowii
grandis, Eugenia myriophylla, Asparagus
Sprengeri variegata, Dracaena Prince Manouk
Bey (with broad, dark-red leaves), Pandanus
Veitchii, Aralia triloba, &c.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, showed hand-
some foliage plants of stove and greenhouse
species. In the centre of the exhibit was a large
specimen of Dracaena Victoria, with healthy
foliage to the ground level ; another notable
plant was Alocasia crystallina, with remark-
ably well-developed foliage. There were also
seen well-grown specimens of Anthurium
Veitchii, Aralia elegantissima, A. Veitchii, Dra-
caena Goldiana, Alpinia Sanderiana, Alocasia
metallica, and many others of equal beauty.

Messrs. J. Peed & Son, West Norwood,
showed Caladiums, not excessively large in size,
but brightly coloured and very fresh in appear-
ance. The varieties were numerous and repre-
sented the finer of these showy foliage plants.
Rio de Janeiro (red with green markings), Prin-
cess Olga (dark red), Lady Dorrington (a pale
green margin enclosing a red groundwork with
darker spots), Silver Queen (a pale coloured
variety), Gerard Dow, Pintado, Mme. J. R. Box,
and John Peed are a selection. Messrs. Peed
also exhibited a large number of Gloxinias, and
a group of Carnations, principally of the
Souvenir de la Malmaison type.

Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill,
London, also displayed Caladiums. The group
was accommodated in the corner of the largest
tent, and was arranged so that the plants at the
back were elevated and gradually sloped to-
wards the foreground. Here again the colours
were well developed, especially in the varieties
Alexander III., King Haakon, and Louis Van
Houtte.

Mr. W. Iceton, Putney, exhibited greenhouse
flowering plants, Liliums lancifolium, auratum,
and longiflorum, Hydrangea Hortensia (with
blue flowers) ; H. H. Mariesii, with flat corymbs
of flowers, having a row of pink outer flowers
larger than those on the disc ; and H. paniculata
were all well disolayed in a setting of small
Palms, Grasses, Ferns, &c. The effect of the
group was further enhanced by Lily of the Val-
ley arranged on tall columns.

Messrs. R. & G. Cuthbert, Southgate, Lon-
don, N., showed handsome flowering plants,
including Hydrangea Hortensia, H. paniculata,
Lily of the Valley, Statice Suworowi, Verbena
Miss Willmott, Lilium auratum and other
species, Roses, including standard plants hand-
somely flowered of Lady Gay, Dorothy Perkins,
&c, the whole being enhanced with ornamental
leaved Maples, Ferns, Caladiums, &c, and
forming collectively an exhibit of great beauty.

July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

35

J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., South Woodford
(gr. Mr. Davis), displayed a collection of Sela-
gin'ellas in more than 50 varieties. All types
were represented from those with broad folia-
ceous growths to those with a moss-like habit.

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries,
Edmonton, exhibited choice Ferns ; the display
occupied an area of 600 square feet, a space
sufficient to allow the plants to be displayed
without crowding. The collection was especi-
ally rich in Platyceriums, Acrostiahums, Daval-
lias, and Adiantums. Some of the best shown
were Davallia solida superba (a magnificent
specimen), Adiantum undulatum, with kidney-
shaped pinnae; Adiantum Veitchii, a coloured
Fern ; Acrostichum aureum, Lygodium japoni-
cum, L. scandens, Nephrolepis exaltata todea-
oides, N. e. superba, N. Mayii, N. elegantissima
(this plant was nearly 5 feet across), and Davallia
Veitchii. Messrs. May also displayed 130 varie-
ties and species of hardy Ferns, amongst which
was a very representative collection of Poly-
stichums. In another tent Messrs. May exhibited
Zonal Pelargoniums and other flowering plants.

Hardy Plants.

A special importance was attached to these
plants this year, inasmuch as the Council set
apart the " Sherwood Cup " in open competi-
tion to exhibitors of hardy plants and flowers,
and it was a matter of some little sur-
prise that a London amateur should secure the
cup with a most excellent group. The cup was
offered for the best collection of herbaceous and
bulbous plants grown in pots or tubs, but a
background of foliage plants was allowed. The
conditions required the exhibit to be shown on a
space nor exceeding 400 square feet. J. BRAD-
SHAW, Esq., The Grange, Southgate (gr. Mr. G.
(",. Whitelegge), was the successful exhibitor, with
plants well cultivated and splendidly staged.
Bold groups of Liliums pardalinum, longiflorum,
tigrinum, Hansoni, and others constituted
a notable feature. There were also Delphiniums
in excellent condition, considering they were in
pots ; white and blue peach-leaved Campanulas,
Spiraeas, Early Gladioli, Iris laevigata, Pentste-
mon barbatus Torreyi, Heucheras, &c. The
method of staging constituted a delightful change
from the conventional bank arrangement, and
the groups, whether viewed from the full front
or from the sides, was in every respect good.

Messrs. Wm. Cutbusk & Sons, Highgate, had
also an admirable group, in which a far greater
number of varieties were seen. A water garden
in one corner, with Iris laevigata encircling the
pool, was a very charming feature. Many very
fine groups of Liliums were seen in this group,
which was composed of beautiful and rare
plants.

Messrs. Wm. Axtindale & Son, Nether Green,
Sheffield, was the other competitor.

Apart from these competitive groups, there
were many other fine exhibits of hardy plants.
Especially good was a group from Messrs. R.
Wallace & Co., Colchester, who had rich
banks of I.ilium auratum, colchicum, Henryi,
Martagon album, Washingtonianum purptireum,
and others ; Eremuri, Larkspurs, early Gladioli
of very fine quality, Ixias, Japanese Irises, and
many other things, all in first-class condition.

Mr. J. H. Burrough, Ketton Cottage, Stam-
ford, snowed some half-dozen vases filled with
the handsome yellow spikes of Lilium col-
chicum.

Mr. M. Prichapd, Christchurch, Hants, had
a very choice and extensive collection, including
Iris aurea, I. Kaempferi, Gaillardias, Astilbes,
Kniphofias, Iris Monnieri, I. aurea (both in
grand form), Delphinium King of Delphiniums,
many choice Liliums, water plants, &c.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden, made
a big display with Ixias, Poppies, earl}'
Gladioli, Paeonies, Liliums, Heucheras, English
and other Irises, and other seasonable plants.

Mr. Amos Perry, Winchmore Hill, set up a
most delightful water garden, which attracted
much notice and which quite surpassed all his
previous efforts in this direction. The arrange-
ment was natural, and demonstrated that much
is possibly in water gardening even within
limited areas. The exhibit was one of the pro-
minent features of the show. Mr. Perry' also
showed a selection of choice hardy herbaceous
plants.

Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Ltd., Dover, con-
tributed a very fine group of hardy perennial

and Alpine plants, Sweet Peas, and other
flowers. Delphiniums were finely displayed in
this extensive exhibit.

Messrs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, staged
representative gatherings of Roses, Sweet Peas,
Delphiniums, and Carnations, all of much ex-
cellence.

A very fine group of hardy flowers was
shown by Messrs. Geo. Jackman & Son,
Woking. Paeonies were particularly good in this
exhibit ; also Larkspurs, Liliums, Iris aurea, I.
Kaempferi, and many others. A large display
of cut Roses occupied one end of this group.

Messrs. T. S. Wake, Ltd., Feltham, filled a
considerable area with showy, flowering hardy-
plants, such as Iris gigantea, Paeonies, Scabiosa
caucasica, Romneya Coulteri, Dendromecon
rigidum, &c.

The Misses Hopkins, Banning, near Maid-
stone, had a pretty group of Alpine and herba-
ceous plants, nicely arranged. Some excellent
Dianthus, Campanula Moerheimii, and Lychnis
Haageana were among the more conspicuous
subjects.

Mr. Howard H. Crane, Highgate, N., showed
a charming collection of Tufted Pansies
(Violas) in conjunction with their miniature
congeners the Violettas. The latter plants are
really Alpine in character, and they carpet the
soil with their dense, bright-green tufts of 1.
above which rise the dainty blossoms. The
colours embrace rosy-mauve, blue, yellow and
gold, white and yellow — some were perfect bi-
tnlors. In all forty named varieties of the two
flowers were exhibited.

Mr. G. Rf.uthe, Keston, Kent, had a most
interesting and varied group, and one in which
the specialist in Alpines and rare shrubs found
much that was interesting.

Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Ches-
hunt, showed a splendid lot of Paeonies, Iris
gigantea, Heucheras, and flowering sprays of
Lonicera Hildebrandtii.

Messrs. William Bull & Son, Chelsea, had
collections of early Gladioli and English Irises.

The Guildford Hardy Plant Co., Guild-
ford, displayed a very interesting groi
plants — Echeverias, Irises, especially I. aurea,
I. ochroleuca, I. longipetala, &c.

Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone,
had a most extensive array of hardy flowers, in-
cluding English Irises, Romneya, many choice
Liliums, lovely gatherings of Iris Monnieri and
I. x Monspur, Potentillas, Larkspurs, &c.

Messrs. Blackmorf. & Langdon, Bath, had
an excellent exhibit of Delphiniums.

Miscellaneous.

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
showed 180 plants of Cannas. The method of
arrangement was in rows, rising in tiers, which
enabled the plants to be displayed to advantage.
Several new varieties were included in the
group, the most notable being those following :
Dr. Balz (a crimson-scarlet variety, splashed
with yellow), Junata (yellow self), Wm. Saun-
der (a variety of dwarf habit, with rosy-scarlet-
coloured flowers, and bronze-shaded foliage),
Dr. Budingen (one of the finest of all Cannas,
with spikes of very large scarlet or crimson
flowers), Frau Phillipp Siesmayer (an improved
form of Monte Rosa), Wm. Watson (salmon-
buff), and Elfe (a shade of fawn, a new colour
in these flowers).

Messrs. Thos. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, made
one of the largest displays of tuberous Begonias,
containing many varieties under names. A pretty
flower of canary-yellow colour was named
Countess of Ilchester, another of an orange tint
was Lady Treloar ; Queen Alexandra is pink,
edged with scarlet ; Picotee is rather like the
last-named, but is a neater flower.

Mr. A. Ll. Gwillim, Cambria Nursery, New
Eltham, Kent, showed tuberous Begonias in
both double and single-flowered varieties, with
petals of clear and distinct colours. Margaret
Gwillim is a beautiful double flower of a
canary-yellow tint; Mrs. H. Harris is of a fine
salmon-pink, with voluted petals, waved at the
margin.

A large display of tuberous-rooting Begonias
was made by Messrs. Blackmore & Langdon,
Tiverton, Bath, and the quality of the blooms
was even better than in the foregoing. Like
the other group, this one consisted of double
flowers. Some varieties of a pendulous habit
were shown as growing in wire baskets. Fleur
de Chrysantheme was of these basket plants the
more graceful and pleasing.

Mr. Vincent Slade, Staplegrove Nurseries,
Taunton, showed a grand collection of Zonal
Pelargoniums, some of the best we have ever
observed, in 72 distinct varieties, and three of
Ivy-leaved varieties, viz., Her Majesty the
Queen (orange scarlet), His Majesty the King
(bright scarlet), and Ryecroft Surprise (cerise).
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, showed
Begonias, fine in regard to colour and form,
of which were Earl Ducie, Lady Grenfell, and
Lady Lichfield were the best.

Mr. C. Turner, the Royal Nurseries, Slough,
showed Pinks in self and laced varieties in large
numbers.

Mr. W. H. Page, Tangley Nurseries, Hamp-
ton, made a large display of American Carna-
tions, and these, being set in a bed of Adian-
tum Fern, had a beautiful effect.

A well-flowered batch of show Pelargoniums
was arranged by J. A. Young, Esq., Putney
(gr. Mr. S. H. Street), and the same gentleman
exhibited a group of Carnations of popular
varieties.

Messrs. H. Low & Co., Bush Hill Nurseries,
Bush Hill Park, London, N., showed a num-
ber of fine plants of Callistemon flori-
bunda; Rose Baby Dorothy, a variety very
dwarf and free in flowering, the colour is pinK ;
: i corymbosa, and a large number of Car-
s of Souvenir de la Malmaison and
American varieties.

Sir G. Faudel-Phillips, Balls Park, Hertford
Ir. Fitch), made a nice display with Sou-
venir de la Malmaison Carnations in cream,
scarlet, crimson, and rose-pink tints.

Mr. T. A. Hummerton, Epping, Essex,
showed a pink-flowered Zonal Pelargonium,
raised from the white Hermione.

srs. Thos. Rochford & Sons, Broxbourne,
displayed a very large number of plants of the
beautiful Nephrolepis exaltata todeaoides.

Mr. R. Rasmussen, Eastville Nurseries, Wal-
tham Cross, had a showy exhibit, consisting
of single-flowered Petunias.

Mr.'T. Jannoch, the Lily Nursery, Dersing-
ham, had a large exhibit of Lily-of-the-Valley,
consisting of the " Fortin " variety, much the
better one, and some of the Berlin variety, with
smaller "bells." (Silver Banksian Medal.)

R. I. Measures, Esq., Camberwell, showed
a large number of Sarracenias, Droseras, and
Nepenthes, including several rare species.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.

Crinutn Mtarsii. — This is a miniature species.
It was shown in a 60 pot, and was carrying two
inflorescences, one of which had seven expanded
flowers, the other six in the bud state. The
plant was not more than 3 or 4 inches in height,
and the spread of the foliage measured about
18 inches. The leaves are of the usual Crinum
type, with somewhat wavy margins. The flower
spikes are produced below the rosette of leaves,
and they spring from the axils of the older scale
leaves. The flower stalk terminates in an
umbel, and each flower has a long calyx-tube
that bears at its extremity a white perianth oi
linear segments, each about 4 lines in width.
The stamens are dorsifixed ; the anther filament
is coloured red for about two-thirds of its upper
portion, the lower portion being white. Shown
by Col. Beddome, Putney.

Awards of Merit.

Crinum X H. J ■ Elwes. — This is a hybrid from
i '. Moorei X C. americanum. The inflorescence
only was shown, and this had seven expanded
flowers and a number of undeveloped flower-
buds, the petals being of a bright shade of pink,
similar to that of Amaryllis Belladonna, with
paler, almost white, bases. Shown by the
raiser, H. J. Elwes, Esq., Colesborne.

Delphinium Alake. — A variety remarkable foi
the size of its spike and individual flowers, some
of which measured nearly 3 inches across. The
outer row of petals are of a rich cobalt blue
colour, the centre ones being violet-purple. The
whole inflorescence formed a column of flowers
2 feet in length. Shown by Messrs. G. & A.
Clark, Dover.

Delphinium Rev. E. Lascelles. — A double-
flowered variety of rich blue colour, with a
white centre. The habit is very robust. Shown
by Messrs. A. A. Walters & Son, Bath.

Heiera deniata variegata. — A variegated Ivy,
with broad patches of silver in the older leaves,
and glades of yellow in the younger. A

36

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1907.

form of the well-known H. dentata. Shown by
Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond.

Rose Joseph Lowe.— A hybrid Tea variety of
rosy-pink colour, said to be a sport from the
variety Mrs. W. J. Grant. The blooms possess
handsome form, with somewhat conical
centres. The inner surfaces of the petals are
very pale, but the outer are a beautiful shade
of pink. Shown by Messrs. Lowe & Shawyer,
Oxbridge.

Rose Goldfinch. — A rambler variety, with ter-
minal corymbs of semi-double flowers that are
■of a coppery-yellow shade in the younger
^blooms, but which passes to a rich creamy white
.in the older flowers. Long growths were shown
-with their bases in water by Messrs. Paul &
Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt.

Sweet Pea Elsie Herbert. — A Picotee flower of
the Countess Spencer type. The margins of the
petals are tinged with rose, which fades in the
centre of the flower to almost pure white. The
blooms are very large. Shown by Mr. C. W.
Breadmore, Winchester.

Sweet Pea Princess Victoria. — Another flower
of the Countess Spencer type, the petals being
suffused with pink on a white ground, and show-
ing an orange sheen. The flowers are very large,
and are borne on long, stout stalks. Shown
by Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay and Mark's
Tey.

Sweet Pea St. George.— A variety of orange
colour, which fades in the older blooms to rose.
The standards are waved. Shown by Messrs.
Hurst & Son, Iloundsditch.

pIG r,_NEW HYBRID TEA ROSE LADY HELEN VINCENT, AWARDED THE GOLD MEDAL OF THE
NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY, AND AWARD OF MERIT OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

COLOUR A SHADE OF PINK.

Rose Lady Helen Vincent (see fig. 13).— The
colour of this new Hybrid Tea Rose is a suffu-
sion of delicate pink. The central petals form a
pointed cone, but the outer ones droop and
«xpand, giving the flower a very characteristic
appearance.

Rose Souvenir of Stella Gray —A Tea variety,
with charming buds of a soft yellow shade ;
•when open the petals assume a ruddy bronze
tint. The blooms are of small size.

Rose Mrs. Munt.—A creamy-white hybrid Tea
variety of first-class form. The petals expand
well from the centre, and their edges are rolled
'backwards. The blooms are large.

Rose Mrs. Harold Brocklebank.— This is another
hybrid Tea variety, with creamy-white petals,
tut of rather different build to the foregoing.
It somewhat resembles the variety Duchess of
Portland. These four Roses were shown by
Messrs. Alex. Dickson & Sons, Newtownards.

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, De B. Crawshay, H. J. Chap-
man,' H. A. Tracy, F. Sander, H G- Alexan-
der, H. Little, T. W. Bond, W. H. White, W.
A Bilney, W. Boxall, W. Cobb, Jeremiah Col-
man, A. Dye, W. H. Young, H T Pitt, Nor-
man C. Ccokson, J. Charlesworth, F. M.Ogil-
vie, W. Bolton, H. Ballantine, and A. A.
McBean. , .,

At the entrance of the large tent, on the side
devoted to Orchids, Messrs. Sander & Sons, bt.
Albans, had an extensive and effective group
rich in fine Laslio-Cattleyas, which were dis-
posed in sections, the forms of L.-C. Martinetii
and L.-C. Canhamiana being especially good.
Two sets of varieties of Miltonia vexillana, some
with very large and finely-coloured flowers, were
on each side of the centre of the group, and at

the back slender-sprayed Oncidiums and other
species were arranged. Among the Odontoglos-
sums, the fine new O. Emperor of India, a
noble hybrid of unrecorded parentage, was the
most striking ; its very large and finely-formed
flowers only slightly showed the white ground
colour between the heavy blotching of rich
claret-purple. It is a very remarkable break,
and quite distinct from any variety previously
shown. Of the Cattleyas, C. Mossiae Reinecki-
ana excelsa represented probably the finest
known white-petalled C. Mossiae, it being of the
finest size and shape and devoid of the ten-
dency to narrowness so common in white forms
of C. Mossiae. C. M. Wagneri was also a pure
white flower of fine shape. Of hybrid Cattleyas,
C. Whitei, Ronsele variety, raised by the Mar-
quis de Wavrin, was remarkable for the almost
uniform glowing rose-purple tint of its flowers,
the only other colour present being the yellow
disc to the lip and the white bases to the mid-
ribs of the petals. Other pretty hybrids wen:
Cattleya Roehrsiana, Phaius Owenianus (a very
rich, reddish-crimson flower), Cypripedium Lady
Maple (Youngianum x Gowerianum), C.
Ultor, and many others. Among the species
noted were the large and singular Maxillaria
Sanderiana, a fine Ccelogyne pandurata (its large
emerald-green and black flowers contrasting
curiously with those of the pretty dwarf C.
Schilleriana), Cycnoches chlorochilon (the Swan
Orchid), three plants of the rare Ansellia nilo-
tica, Galeandra Baueriana, Renanthera Imschoo-
tiana, Oncidium phymatochilum (with branched
spikes of insect-like flowersi, and many other
rare and interesting species.

Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton Park, Rei-
gate (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound), came next with a
very fine group, at the back of which the bright,
orange-scarlet sprays of Epidendrum Boundii
mingled with the large, golden-coloured blooms
of Oncidium varicosum, O. macranthum, and
other elegant species. In the centre was the
pretty Gatton Park form of Laelio-Cattleya Can-
hamiana alba, all with white sepals and petals
and bright, crimson-purple lips. Beneath them
was a selection of Cypripedium niveum and
other dwarf kinds ; on the sides were batches of
the orange and crimson-coloured Laelio-Cattleya
Phcebe and the rose and purple L.-C. Mar-
tinetii. At each end was a very fine selection
of British Orchids, including Aceras anthro-
pophora, Ophrys apifera, O. muscifera, and
other of the insect-like species. In one part of
the group plants of Cypripedium callosum
Sanderae and C. Lawrenceanum Hyeanum were
grouped together; in another the Gatton Park
Spathoglottis, with their bright-yellow and crim-
son-tinted flowers, were effective. Well-grown
plants of Cochlioda Noezliana afforded bright,
orange-scarlet colour, and there were many
brilliant varieties of Masdevallia coccinea. Of
uncommon species noted were Vanda Parishii,
Phalaenopsis Esmeralda, Pleurothallis macro-
blepharis, Oncidium Papilio, Masdevallia mus-
cosa, a very finely-grown plant of Dendrobium
McCarthiae, Ancistrochilus Thomsonianus, the
pretty Epidendrum prismatocarpum, E. alatum,
E. umbellatum, and other Epidendrums ; a good
selection of Miltonia vexillaria, including a good
white form. Of the newer hybrids, Laalio-
Cattleya Geoffrey was a pretty flower, and the
new Brasso-Cattleya Mary secured an Award
of Merit. (See Awards.)

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, staged a very fine group, the plants in
which were of great merit and excellently well
arranged. At the back were sprays of the fine
white Phalaenopsis amabilis Rimestadtiana,
finely-flowered Oncidium macranthum, and
other Oncidiums. In the body of the group were
good representatives of most of the showy
Laelio-Cattleyas, among which was the superb
L.-C. Canhamiana, Rosslyn variety, for which
a First-Class Certificate was given on May 31,
1904, and which has never been surpassed, its
large, finely-formed, richly-coloured flower being
unique in its section. Among forms of Cattleya
Mossiae, C. M. Reineckiana King Edward
VII. was a grand white-petalled flower,
C. M. Wagneri, a charming flower of pure white,
and C. M. Arnoldiana a large white variety with
a slight pink tinge on the petals and a purple-
veined lip. C. Warneri alba appeared as one
of the purest white and rarest Cattleyas, and C.
Mendelii mosaica was a very remarkable pink
and white bizarre-like flower, all the segments
being variegated. Of hybrid Odontoglossums,

July 13, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

37

(here were several new hybrids, including one
derived from O. Hallii and O. hastilabium, a
very distinct and pretty variety, also several O.
Phnebe. Among the species were Ccelogyne
pandurata, Eriopsis rutidobulbon, Acanthophip-
pium javanicum, Pescatorea cerina, Lycaste
Ueppei, L. aroniatica, the white Habe-
naria Susannae, with a spike of five of its singu-
lar flowers ; and a great variety of other interest-
ing plants, including both hybrids and species.

In another tent Messrs. Hugh Low lV Co.,
Bush Hill Park, Enfield, staged a good group,
composed principally of Cattleya Mossiae and
C. Mendelii, one fine specimen of the latter
having over 30 flowers, and another having
very clear white blooms. At the back were the
light spikes of Oncidium Carthaginense, O. leu-
cochilum, Odontoglossum hastilabium, &c. At
one end was a selection of singular species, in-
cluding Bulbophyllum Dearei, B. siamense, and
a form of B. Lobbii ; also Platyclinis filiformis,
the rare Dendrobium GrifHthianum, and Epiden-
drum nemorale. At the other end was a batch
of the orange-coloured Epidendrum vitellinum,
and others remarked were Cypripedium Scho-
fieldianum, C. Gowerianum magnificum, C.
macrochilum giganteum, Peristeria elata, Epi-
dendrum Mooreanum, and Aerides japonicum.

Mrs. Ernest Hills, Kedleaf, Penshurst (gr.
Mr. kingham), showed a group of well-grown
and profusely-flowered Miltonia vexillaria.

Messrs. Stanley & Co., Southgate, staged a
group of Cattleya Mossiae and C. Mendelii, with
which were arranged good plants of Oncidium
varicosum, O. leucochilum, Miltonia Binotii
Harrisii (of very fine colour), M. Cogniauxias,
Cypripedium Transvaal, Masdevallia maculata,
&c.

R. I. Measures, Esq., Camberwell (gr. Mr.
Smith), arranged an interesting group of over
50 species, hybrids, and varieties, among which
were Ccelogyne pandurata, Brassavola Digby-
ana, Cypripedium Curtisii Cambridge Lodge
variety, and the green-tinted C. C. viride,
various Masdevallias, Cirrhopetalum Cumingii,
Cattleya Mendelii, C. Mossiae, and several
hybrids.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, in their fine
group of ornamental plants, arranged an effec-
tive centre of Orchids, in which several forms of
the showy Sobralia Veitchii were attractively dis-
played, also a very handsomely-blotched form
of Odontoglossum crispum, with flowers of large
size, good form, and fine markings ; several of
the spotted-lipped variety of Oncidium sarcodes,
good Cattleya Mendelii and C. Mossiae, Platy-
clinis filiformis, and a selection of Odonto-
glossum crispum of the white typical form.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Wok-
ing (gr. Mr Hopkins), showed Cattleya War-
scewiczii Mrs. Francis Wellesley, a large and
finely-formed flower of the lightly-coloured type
known as giganteum. Its flowers are of good
shape, the petals and lip being very broad. The
sepals and petals are of delicate rose pink, and
the lip is marbled and veined with purplish-rose
with the usual light-coloured sides to the tube.

Walter Cobb, Esq., Normanhurst, Kusper
(gr. Mr. C. J. Salter), showed Odontoglossum
Cobbianum, a fine large flower of the O. Othello
class, with strong evidence of O. Harryanum
parentage in its handsome flower.

W. P. Burkinshaw, Esq., Hessle, Hull,
showed Cattleya Mossiae Reineckiana superba.

J. W. Jessop, Esq., Cliff Cottage, Rawdon,
Leeds (gr. Mr. Wilkinson), sent a grand specimen
of Aerides multiflorum Lobbii, with three spikes
of its pretty rose and white flowers, the longest
spike being branched and 2 feet in length.

Monsieur A. A. Peeters, Chaussee de Forest,
Brussels, showed Odontoglossum crispum La
Dame Blanche, a very fine, clear white variety
of the O. c. xanthotes class.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.
Lcelio-Cattleya Clive, Lambeau's variety (L.
pumila prastans X C. Dowiana aurea), from
Monsieur Lambeau, Brussels. A very remark-
able form, much taller in growth and larger in
the flower tha-.i any which have previously been
shown. Sepals and petals deep purplish rose ;
the finely displayed lip is a shade of ruby-crim-
son, with gold lines from the base to the centre.

Awards of Merit.
Cymbidium Httmboldtii, from Monsieur
Teeters, Brussels. A remarkable species

from Madagascar, with pale Apple-green flowers,
the bases of the petals and the lip having
blackish markings. The flowers bear some re-
semblance to those of Ccelogyne pandurata. It
was shown by C. L. N. Ingram, Esq. (gr. Mr.
T. W. Bond), as C. Loise-Chauvieri, June 7,
1892, when it was awarded a Botanical Certi-
ficate.

Brasso-Cattleya Mary (B. nodosa grandifiora
X C. Lawrenciana), from Jeremiah Colman,
Esq., Gatton Park (gr. Mr. "W. P. Bound). A
very pretty and distinct hybrid raised at Gatton
Park, with flowers about 2 inches across,
and shaped nearest to those of the Brassavola
parent. The flowers are of cream white, lightly
spotted with purple on the sepals and petals,
and tinged with the same colour at the back.
The lip is trumpet-shaped, white, spotted with
bright rose-purple.

Fruit and Vegetables.

A group of fruit trees, principally in 12-
inch pots, was sent by S. Heilbut, Esq.,
Holyport, Maidenhead (gr. Mr. Camp). Several
of the trees were fully 7 feet in height, and all
were well fruited, and especially the Cherries.
There were Brown Turkey Figs, Black Bigarreau,
Bigarreau Napoleon and Emperor Francis Cher,
ries, Early Rivers Nectarine, and Peregrine
Peach. It was unfortunate that this collection
had not one face only, as being disposed with
two fronts, its excellence was much hidden.

Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, had
also a collection of fruit trees in pots. There
were some 36 trees, but they were much smaller
than those in the foregoing exhibits, and in
10-inch pots. Their height ranged from 3 to 5
feet. The fruits included Cherries Geant de
Hedelfingen, Bohemian Black, Black Eagle,
Noble, and Turkey Heart (black), and Governor
Wood, Emperor Francis, Windsor, Florence,
and Alton Heart (reds) ; Peaches Duchess of
Cornwall, Duke of York, and Earliest of All;
Pears Marguerite Marrillat and Louise Bonne of
Jersey ; and Apple Beauty of Bath. All these
trees were well fruited. The collection also had
dishes of well-kept Apples, including the varie-
ties Gooseberry, Calville Malingre, Calville des
Femmes, very fine and firm, Belle du Bois,
Alfriston, Costard, Calville Rouge, Murfitt's
Seedling, and Smart's Prince Albert. There
were also numerous dishes of Strawberrn
(hilling Leader, Louis Gauthier, Sir J. Paxton,
Trafalgar, Dumbarton Castle, Royal Sovereign,
Bedford Champion, President, Givon's Late Pro-
lific, Reward, and others ; also several dishes of
i Ik Tries and of Black Currants, including the
Boskoop Giant, Champion, and other better
known varieties.

In a crowded position, Messrs. Hugh Low &
Co., Bush Hill Park, had a group of Fig trees
in pots, each one carrying an abundance of
small green fruits, but none were named.

Gathered Fruit was represented, otherwise
than already mentioned, by a collection of
Strawberries, staged by Messrs. Laxton Bros.,
Bedford. Large baskets of very fine fruit of
Bedford Champion, a new variety, were con-
spicuous. The new Reward was also shown in
good form. Other varieties in smaller baskets
or dishes were The Laxton, Sir J. Paxton, Royal
Sovereign, Gunton Park, and Mentmore. Gene-
rally the fruits were very fine and well coloured.

Vegetables were limited to three bundles of
very fine Asparagus from Mr. A. J. Harwood,
Colchester, and to samples of the new Pea
" Quite Content," shown under glass cases by
Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co., Holborn.

Groups of Plants Exhibited Outof- Doors.

Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nur-
series, Chelsea, exhibited many hardy plants
of recent cultivation. The chief subjects were
Escallonia langleyensis — this has flowers of crim-
son colour, and they are smaller than those of
E. macrantha ; Fremontia californica has
chalice-shaped flowers of an orange colour — these
are thickly clustered on the old wood ; Aconi-
tum Hemsleyanum is a tall climber from Wes-
tern China, having light-blue-coloured flowers
and digitate, palmate leaves. Other plants in-
cluded Clematis ccerulea odorata, having dark-
blue petals and conspicuous white steams ; Loni-
cera tragophylla, with numerous orange-coloured
long, tubular flowers — it grows to a height of 20
to 30 feet ; Genista tinctoria flore pleno ; Meli-

osma myriantha, with close spikes of minute,
white flowers ; the variegated form of Andromeda
japonica, A. speciosa cassinifolia ; Actinidia
chinensis — the young shoots and leaves of this
plant are hairy and of a crimson tint ; Lonicera
grata, Magnolia Thomsonii glauca, Cytisus
Shipkaensis — a variety having creamy-white
flowers ; Ivies, Bambusas, a few specimen Coni-
fers, Lilium speciosum Vitis Henryi, &c. About
40 large potsful of Sweet Peas, very
robust in growth and finely flowered, formed a
pleasing feature of this exhibit.

Messrs. T. Cripps & Son, Tunbridge Wells
Nurseries, showed a large group of Acers, mostly
of Japanese origin, and amongst them were
several fine specimens of A. palmatum pal-
matifidum, 7 feet in lateral diameter ; Retino-
spora obtusa Crippsii, an effective, golden-leafed
variety ; variegated Ulmus, Liquidamber, Syca-
more, and other species.

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, The Nurseries,
Crawley, Sussex, had a large exhibit of orna-
mental shrubs and trees, including Japanese
Acers, Quercus concordia, Ilex marmorata, a
variety with leaves edged and mottled with
yellow; Kalmias, Abies pungens glauca, Ruta
graveolens variegata, Catalpa Kaehneri, with a
greenish-yellow border to the leaves ; Veronica
Purple Queen, a showy flowered variety ; climb-
ing Roses; purple Beech, Salisburia adiantifolia,
Weeping Birch, Acer Negundo variegata, and
other ornamental trees. This firm also exhi-
bited a pergola made of Larch poles and pleas-
ingly furnished with climbing plants in variety.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond Nurseries,
Richmond, Surrey, showed very extensively tree
Ivies having variegated foliage. The plants-
ranged from 1 foot to 8 feet in height, and they
were robust and of fine colouring. He also
showed two hardy, dwarf-growing Fuchsias,
viz., F. Americana gracilis and V. myrtifolia
minor, and the taller-growing F. Riccartonii
" Klvsee."

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, nurserymen,
Highgate, showed trained specimen Sweet Bays,
and a large array of clipped trees in Box and
Yew, having the form of coffee-pots, dogs, tables,
chairs, sofas, various birds, dolphins, &c.

Messrs. W. Fromow & Sons, Sutton Court
Nursery, Chiswick, had a large number of
Japanese Acers in variety and a number of
Bamboos, Retinosporas, Sweet Bays, cVc.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, the Royal Nurseries,
Reading, showed, in a glass case placed under
a tent open at the sides, a group consisting of
tuberous-rooting Begonias of the finer double-
flowered varieties, Gloxinias, Ferns, Caladiums,
&c. Nemesias grouped at the four en-
trances to the tent were very pretty and flori-
ferous as grown in small pots.

Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn,
London, filled a small tent near the entrance
to the big marquee with showy flowering plants
of tuberous-rooting Begonias and Gloxinias.
They had also vases of Sweet Peas, and in one
corner in the tent pink Petunias. Messrs.
Carter also showed their new culinary Pea
Quite Content and Tomato Sunrise.

Horticultural Sundries.

The very extensive lawns at Holland House
enable the Society to invite exhibits of up-to-
date and standard articles of daily use in the.
garden, such as tools, insecticides, pumps,
sprays, tubs, pottery, garden furniture, &c.

Garden seats, tables, balustrading, &c, were
shown by Messrs. Castles Co., Ltd., 30, Rad-
nor Street, Chelsea. These articles of garden
furniture were made of teak wood from old
ships.

Messrs. Headley & Edwards, Ltd., Cam-
bridge, showed seats, tents, arches in iron,
garden hose, and reels.

Messrs. Duncan Tucker & Sons, Ltd., Tot-
tenham, N., exhibited a conservatory of good
design, span-roofed garden frames, summer-
house and seats.

Messrs. Shanks, Arbroath and London,
showed motor, horse, and hand mowers.

Messrs. Stiff & Sons, London, were exhibi-
tors of garden pottery, such as vases and
pedestals in cream and red coloured ware.

Messrs. Inmans & Co., Royal Rustic Works,
Stretford, Manchester, showed rustic summer-
houses, garden seats, vases, tables, etc.

38

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 13, 1907.

Mr. H. Scoix, Woodside, South Norwood,
showed rustic work and summer-houses.

Messrs. Liberty & Co. showed rustic work,
viz., bordering vases, &c. Messrs. Green showed
lawn mowers in variety. Messrs. W. Wal-
ters & Co., Water Lane, Great Tower Street,
E.C., exhibited screens, cupolas, and arches,
some of the objects stained with carbolineum so
as to show the grain of the wood.

Messrs. Riley, Heme Hill, S.E., showed an
enormous exhibit, consisting of arbours, arches,
seats, and summer-houses.

Messrs. T. J. Syer & Co., 45, Wilson Street,
Finsbury, E.C., showed ladders, steps, and a
repairing bench (portable) for estate work. This
firm also showed a considerable collection of
tools and implements for garden use, including
a malleable iron vice for fitting to a bench.

Mr. J. George, 14, Redgrave Road, Putney,
had an extensive lot of gardeners' sundries
of all sorts, including Orchid peat of fine
quality, chemical manures, fumigating' material,
&c.

Mr. D. G. Cornwell showed the " Handy
Pack " basket for fruits, and cases to hold 50
baskets, and other items.

De Luzy Freres, 99, Lilford Road, Camber
well, showed portable spraying machines
fumigators, bellows, &c.

Mr. H. Pattison, 1, Farm Avenue, Streat
ham, showed lawn boots for horses and donkeys
also weed extractors.

Mr. J. Finches, No. 3, Crown Buildings,
Camberwell, S.E., showed the durable Acme
labels for trees and pot plants.

Messrs. Merryweather & Sons, 63, Long
Acre, W.C., displayed pumps and pumping en-
gines for farm and garden use ; also spraying
machines for fruit trees, motor pumps, water
hose, &c.

Mr. G. H. Sage, 71, Manor Road, Richmond,
had "flower displayers " made of brass wire.
He is agent for the sale of Wakeley's Hop
Manure, of which samples were shown.

The Harrow Nursery Co. showed split bam-
boo blinds for use in glasshouse shading ; they
are very durable.

Messrs. W. Wood & Sons, Ltd., Wood
Green, London, N., showed blind materials,
woven, and of bamboo ; manures, insecticides,
hose for garden use, flower-pots, and pot-holders
of iron, watering; cans, pumps, fumigators,
wood-wool in various colours ; rugs, baskets,
flower sticks, and tying materials.

Messrs. W. Voss & Co., Glengall Road, Mill-
wall, showed insecticides.

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society
had an exhibit of miscellaneous basket work,
trays, &c.

Messrs. D. Dowel & Son, Ravencourt
Avenue, Hammersmith, W., showed garden pot-
tery.

Mr. F. Hickson, Hampstead, showed Messrs.
Vails and Co.'s " Beetlecute," and various
other insecticides.

The Anglo-Continental Co. (late Ollen-
dorff), 15, Leadenhall Street, London, showed
chemical manures and Peruvian guano.

Messrs. W. Herbert & Co., The Hop Ex-
change, S.E., showed sundries for the garden,
chemical manures, insecticides, tools, &c.

Awards made by the Council.

The Sherwood Cup.
J. Bradshaw, Esq.

Gold Medals.
Jeremiah Colman, Esq. ; Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd. ; Paul
& Son; Wm. Cutbush & Son; T. S. Ware, Ltd.; II. B.
May & Sons; Amos Perry ; Sander & Sons; R. Wallace &
Co. ; Alex. Dickson & Sons.

Silver Cups.
R. 1. Measures, Esq.; S. Heilbut, Esq.; Geo. Bunyard
& Co. ; L. R. Russell ; R. & G. Cuthbert ; Hugh Low & Co. ;
Charlesworth & Co. ; C. W. Breadmore ; T. Cripps & Sons,
Ltd. ; Dobbie & Co. ; Barr & Sons ; J. Laing & Sons ;
F. Lilley ; Chas. Turner; H. Cannell & Sons; Hobbies,
Ltd.; Frank Cant & Co.; R. C. Notcutt; M. Priclrard ;
Wm. Artindale & Sons; and Blackmore & Langdon.
Silver-gilt Flora Medals.
R. H. Bath, Ltd. ; G. Jackman & Son ; John Peed & Son ;
T. Che?l & Sons ; Kelway & Son ; E. W. King & Co. ; James
Carter & Co. ; G. and A. Clark, Ltd. ; B. Ladhams, Ltd. ;
Wm. Paul & Son ; J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. ; W. Fromow &
Sons ; and G. Reuthe.

Silver-gilt Knightian Medal.
Messrs. Laxton Bros.

Silver-gilt Banksian Medals,
Messrs. Sutton & Sons; E. E. Grimson ; B. R. Cant
& Sons; A. J. Upton ; A. F. Dutton ; and Sir Geo. Faudel-
Phillips.

Silver Flora Medals.
Messrs. Gunn & Sons ; Wm. Bull & Sons ; T. Rochford
& Sons, Ltd. ; Lt.-Colonel Heseltine; A. LI. Gwillim ; W.
lecton ; J. Forbes; and Mr. Page.

Silver Knightian Medal.
Mr. A. J. Harwood.

Silver Banksian Medals.
Mr. Burroughs; W. R. Chaplin; H. C. Pulham; H. H.
Crane ; H. Merryweather & Sons, Ltd. ; G. Stark & Son ;
S. Bide & Sons; Misses Hopkins; V. Slade ; W. J. God-
frey ; T. Jannoch ; Stanley & Co.; and Mrs. E. Hills.

HORTICULTURAL SUNDRIESMEN.
Silver-gilt Flora Medals.
Mr. G. W. Riley, and W. Wood & Son, Ltd.
Silver-gilt Banksian Medals.
Messrs. Merryweather & Sons, Ltd. ; Inmans & Co. ;
T. Green & Son, Ltd., and Ransomes, Sims, & Jefleries, Ltd.
Silver Flora Medals.
Mr. H. Scott; Castle's Shipbreaking Co., Ltd.; Pulham
& Son; A. S. Shanks & Son, Ltd.; J. George; Headlsy &
Edwards, Ltd.; M. S. Watts; D. Tucker & Sons, Ltd.;
Liberty & Co. ; and T. J. Syer & Co.

Silver Banksian Medals.
Messrs. Champion & Co.; D. Dowel & Son ; Herbert & Co. ;
and J. Stiff & Sons.

Bronze Banksian Medals.
Abbott Bros. ; G. H. Sage ; W. Voss & Co. ; Gillard & Co. ;
Walters & Co. ; and J. Williams.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COMMITTEE'S

VISIT TO WISLEY.
July 5. — Eight members of the Fruit Com-
mittee of the R.H.S. travelled to Wisley on this
date to inspect the collection of Strawberries. The
sub-committee consisted of Mr. O. Thomas
(chairman), and Messrs. Markham, Allan, Bates,
Foster, Dean, Keif, and Rivers. The soil at Wis-
ley is sandy, but Strawberries do well in it, the
exceptions being a few that need stiff land. The
varieties Leader and Kentish Favourite were
both carrying heavy and early crops. Royal
Sovereign proved one of the very best of the
varieties inspected. Fillbasket was carrying a
heavy crop, but the fruits were late in ripening.
Monarch, President, Bedford Champion, La
Grosse Sucree (the earliest to ripen), and Latest
of All were bearing large crops. Most of the
plants were two years old. No award was made
to a variety. The collection of Rhubarb close by
was also examined, and it was agreed that the
best kinds as seen were Daw's Champion, Allis's
Champion (scarcely as good as the first named),
Crimson Perfection, Paragon, and Victoria. It
was considered that a selection of half a dozen
varieties would embrace sufficient for all
purposes, and that the rest might be dispensed
with. Edible Peas do not form a special trial
this year, but Dwarf Kidney Beans, Onions, and
Potatos were all looking extremely well, and
promise to furnish capital trials. In a few cases,
" curl " is much in evidence in Potato haulm,
and in this connection it would be interesting
to know where the seed tubers of these diseased
plants were grown, in what kind of soil, and the
general character of the stocks from which they
were derived. In the houses a primary feature is
a trial of Melons, all the plants being of excep-
tionally good culture. The fruits should be
ready for inspection by the end of the present
month.

NATIONAL ROSE.

July 4. — In our last issue we were enabled
to publish some of the awards made at this
show, but consideration of time precluded us
from giving a detailed report.

Nurserymen's Classes.
In the important class for 72 blooms of dis-
tinct varieties, the 1st prize in which included
the Champion Challenge Trophy, Messrs.
Harkness & Co., Hitchin, were placed 1st.
Their exhibit included the best Hybrid Tea Rose
in the show, and to this a Silver Medal was
awarded. Other fine blooms were shown in the
varieties Comte de Raimbaud, Duke of Teck,
Robert Scott, Bessie Brown, Suzanne Marie
Rodocanachi, Ulrich Brunner, Marie Baumann,
Mrs. T. Roosevelt, Duke of Edinburgh. Mrs.
Sharman Crawford, Gustave Piganneau, Dupuy
Jamain, Gloire de Margottin, and J. B. Clark.
2nd, Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons, Colchester,
with a very even and regular collection of
flowers, consisting of H.P., T., and H.T. varie-
ties. The following were the best examples
shown : C J. Graham, Marquise Litta, Gustave
Griinerwald, Marechal Niel, Florence Pember.
ton, Madame Eugenie Verdier, Medea, Lady M.
Beauclerc, Betty, White Lady, Ulster, Crown
Prince, Ulrich "Brunner, and A. K. Williams.
3rd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co., Braiswick Nur-
sery, Colchester. There were two other exhibi-
tors in this class.

A class was also provided for 48 blooms in dis-
tinct varieties. The 1st prize was won by Mr.
G. Mount, Canterbury, with large, perfect
flowers of well-assorted colours, of which we ad-
mired General Jacqueminot, J. B. Clark, Ulrich
Brunner, Commandant Felix Faure (a very dark,
velvety bloom), W. J. Grant, Richmond, Prince
de Bulgarie, Fisher Holmes, Mrs. Sharman
Crawford, Horace Vernet, Dean Hole, Duke of
Teck, Marquise Jeanne de la Chataigneraye,
Duke of Teck, and Hugh Dickson. 2nd, Messrs.
G. Prince & Co., Longworth, Berks., with a
superior lot of H.T.s, T.s, and H.P.s, includ-
ing fine blooms of Bessie Brown, Comtesse de
Nadaillac, Maman Cochet, Ulrich Brunner, Mrs.
E. Mawley, and Lady Ashtown. 3rd, Messrs. J.
Burrell & Co., Cambridge.

The smaller class for 16 distinct varieties,
three blooms of each, resulted in Mr. G. Mount,
Canterbury, being placed 1st, with a very excel-
lent boxful, consisting of the varieties J. B.
Clark, Libert}', Hugh Dickson, Frau Karl
Druschki, Chas. Lefebvre, Caroline Testout,
Mildred Grant, Mrs. W. J. Grant, Mrs. John
Laing, Duke of Edinburgh, Ulrich Brunner, and
White Lady. 2nd, Messrs. J. Burrell & Co.,
Cambridge, whose exhibit included blooms of
Mrs. Ed. Mawley, Ulrich Brunner, and Hugh
Dickson. 3rd, Messrs. G. and W. H. Burch,
Peterborough.

TEA AND NOISETTE SECTION.

In the class for 24 blooms of distinct varie-
ties, to which allusion was made in last week's
issue, the D'Ombrain Challenge Cup, as well
as the 1st prize, was awarded to Messrs. G.
Prince & Co., Longworth, Berks.

Twelve Tea or noisette blooms, distinct. — 1st,
Messrs. Burrell & Co., in whose box the best
Tea Rose was shown, viz., Mrs. Edward Maw-
ley, to which a Silver. Medal was awarded. The
2nd and 3rd prizes fell to Mr. J. Mattock and
Mr. G. Mount, in the order of their names.

Fourteen varieties distinct, three blooms of each.
■ — The 1st prize was won by Mr. Geo. Prince,
who had in this competition many of the varie-
ties that he showed in others, the exceptions
being Bridesmaid, Madame Cusin, E. V. Her-
manos, Lady Mary Corry, and Madame J. Gra-
vereaux. Mr. Prince states that he uses as a
stock the seedling briar, Roses on this stock
being the earliest and the latest to bloom. 2nd,
Messrs. F. Cant & Co., whose blooms of Sou-
venir d'un Ami, Mrs. E. Mawley, Golden Gate,
and Maman Cochet were very fine. 3rd, Mr. H.
Drew.

Roses in Vases.

The principal class for Roses in vases was that
for twelve distinct varieties, seven blooms of
each, to include not more than six blooms of
Teas or Noisettes. Mr. Geo. Mount won the
1st prize with good quality blooms of Mrs. W. J.
Grant, the lovely blush-coloured Mabel Grant,
Bessie Brown, J. B. Clark, Capt. Hayward,
Dean Hole, Frau Karl Druschki, Killarney, and
Mrs. John Laing. 2nd, Messrs. D. Prior &
Son, Colchester, who showed fine blooms of
Mrs. S. Crawford, Bessie Brown, Frau Karl
Druschki, Liberty, and General Jacqueminot.
3rd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co.

Nine distinct varieties of Teas and Noisettes,
seven blooms of each. — 1st, Messrs. Geo. Prince
& Co., with a beautiful lot of blooms, of which
the following were the finer: — Maman Cochet,
Anna Olivffer, Mrs. E. Mawley, Souvenir de
Pierre Notting, and Comtesse de Nadaillac, this
last being of extra fine quality. 2nd, Mr. H.
Drew, Longworth, Berks., with excellent flowers
of white Maman Cochet, Comtesse de Nadaillac,
Mrs. E. Mawley. 3rd. Messrs. F. Cant & Co.,
Colchester. There were five competitors in this
class.

Eleven distinct varieties, not fewer than three
sprays of each. — 1st, Mr. J. Mattock; 2nd, Mr.
G Prince, who showed his blooms on very long
stalks in metal holders 2\ feet high ; 3rd, Mr.
G. Mount, who showed blooms in close bou-
quets and long sprays on boughs.

DECORATIVE ROSES.
In the class for six distinct varieties, that were
required to be shown on a bamboo stand, Mr.
G. Mount won the 1st prize with the varieties
Laurent Messimy, Marquise de Salisbury, Queen
Mab (a China Rose), Claire Jacquier, Mme. Abel
Chatenay, and Evergreen Gem. 2nd, Messrs.
Geo. Prince & Co.

July 13, 1907.]

1'HE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Open Classes.

Eighteen blooms of any crimson Rose. — 1st,
Messrs. D. Prior & Son, with the new variety
Liberty; 2nd, Mr. G. Mount, with Richmond;
3rd, Messrs. R. Harkness & Co., with Ulrich
Brunner.

Eighteen blooms of any white or yellow Rose. —
1st, Messrs. Bide & Sons, Farnham, Surrey ;
2nd, Messrs. D. Prior & Son, with Frau Karl
Druschki ; 3rd, Messrs. B. R. Cant, with Coun-
tess of Derby.

Eighteen blooms of any Rose other than a white,
yellow or crimson variety. — 1st, Messrs. J. Bide
& Sons, with Queen of Spain, a handsome, com-
pactly-formed flower of the palest flesh tint;
2nd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co.

Amateurs.

Open to growers of fewer than 500 plants. —
Mrs. E. Horne, Park House, Reigate, staged the
best blooms in the class for nine blooms of dis-
tinct varieties, having large, almost perfectly-
formed blooms of T. and H.P. varieties. A
piece of plate given by L. S. Pawle, Esq., ac-
companied the 1st prize.

An extra class was provided for amateurs. —
This was for 24 blooms, distinct. The 1st prize
was awarded A. Leggett, Esq., 24, Macedon
Road, Colchester, for very good blooms of T.
and H.P.s., some being equal to any in the
show ; 2nd, H. W. Richards, Esq., Westridge,
Ryde, with an excellent, even lot of flowers.

Twelve blooms, distinct varieties. — 1st, A.
Tate, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, who was
awarded a Silver Cup ; and his bloom of Mamie
— a full, pink-coloured Rose — was awarded a
Silver Medal, as being the best Rose other than
Tea or Noisette in the show; 2nd, E. B. Lind-
SELL, Esq., Hitchin, Herts.

Nine Teas and nine Hybrid Tea blooms. —
O. G. Orpen, Esq., was placed 1st for good
flowers, but they were unequal in size ; 2nd, Mr.
J. Wakeley, Rainham, Kent.

Six new Roses, distinct. — The 1st prize was won
by E. J. Holland, Esq., Sutton, Surrey, with
good blooms of Dean Hole, Hugh Dickson, Mrs.
J. Bateman, Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, J. B.
Clarke, and Lady Ashton. A piece of plate pre-
sented by Mr. Hugh Dickson, Belfast, went
with this p ize.

Tea and Noisette Roses.

A. H. Gray, Esq., Beaulieu, Bath, won in the
class for 18 blooms of these varieties with
shapely examples of moderate size. The
National Rose Society's Tea and Noisette Chal-
lenge Trophy and Replica for Amateurs was in.
eluded in the 1st prize ; 2nd, Rev. F. R. Burn-
side, Great Stambridge, Essex.

Twelve blooms of Tea and Noisette Roses. —
1st, T. B. Gabrielle, Esq., Hart Hill, Woking,
whose flowers were all of high quality save two ;
2nd, Dr. T. C. Pallett, Earl's Colne, Essex.

A class was provided for growers of fewer
than 100 plants. — 1st, Alan Searle, Esq., Ash-
ton Lodge, Basset, Hants. This prize included
a piece of plate given by the Prince Memorial
Fund.

A class was also provided for exhibitors who
have never won a prize at any exhibition of the
Society. It was for six blooms of Tea or Nois-
ette Roses in not fewer than three varieties. — 1st,
J. F. Blythe, Esq., Hill House, Nayland, Suf-
folk, whose best blooms were Mrs. E. Mawley,
Medea, Midas, and Souvenir de S. A. Prince.

New Roses.

Rose Queen of Spain. — A Gold Medal was
awarded to this pale flesh-coloured H.T. variety,
shown by Messrs. Bide & Sons (see fig. in
Gardeners' Chronicle, July 14, 1906, p. 33).

Rose Lady Helen Vincent. — A Gold Medal was
also awarded for this new variety, which is illus-
trated at fig. 13. (See also description on p. 36.)

Cards of Commendation were awarded to
Messrs. Paul & Sons and Mr. H. E. Weller
for, respectively, "Goldfinch" and "Mrs. H.
Weller "

New Method of Showing Roses.

The 1st prize and a Silver-Gilt Medal was
gained by Mr. L. Collett, Nantwich, for an
arrangement by which the flowers are placed in
metal tubes secured by clips to a light iron
frame that may be put to any angle.

An equal 1st prize was awarded Messrs. G.
Prince & Co. for a somewhat similar arrange-
ment.

A Card of Commendation was given A. Hill
Gray, Esq., Bath, for flower holders fixed in
holes made in a sheet of looking glass.

UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT
AND PROVIDENT.

July 8. — The monthly committee meeting of
this society was held at the Royal Horticultural
Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, on the above
date. Mr. Thomas Winter (vice-chairman) pre-
sided. Five new members were elected, and one
ncminated. The death certificate of Mr. Eli
Cook, of Letton Court, Hereford, was produced.
The sum standing to his credit in the society's
books was passed for payment to his nominee, the
amount being £36 4s. 4d. A cheque was granted
to Mr. John Hy. Hodge, a lapsed member, having
reached 60 years of age, the amount being
£18 16s. 8d. The amount paid for sickness during
the past six months has been heavy, compared
with the corresponding period last year, as the
following figures will show : —

February

March

April

May

June

July

D6.

£ s.

d.

21 7

0

29 15

0

30 4

0

29 8

0

20 10

0

. 20 18

6

£152 2

6

1907.

February

March

April

May

June

July

£
55
49
43
52
24
17

£211 1 0

being a difference of £88 ISs. 6d. in favour of 1906.

Obituary

Eugene-Louis-Celestin Barbier. — We

regret to announce the death of M. Barbier, a
member of the firm of Barbier et Cie, nurserymen,
Orleans, France. M. Barbier, who was 57 years
of age, died on June 22, at Orleans.

Charles Jordan, I.S.O. — Readers will regret
to learn of the death of the able superintendent
of Hyde Park, on the 9th inst. Only in our last
issue we announced the honour conferred upon
Mr. Jordan by his Majesty the King, and now it
is our duty to chronicle his decease. Previous to
his appointment at Hyde Park, the late Mr.
Jordan was superintendent of Regent's Park, and
whilst there he was selected by H.M. Office of
Works to make the necessary alterations in the
grounds of Holyrood Palace before they were
thrown open to the public. Deceased had also
much to do with the extensive alterations in St.
James' Park necessitated by the national monu-
ment to Queen Victoria. Mr. Jordan was a
member of the original committee of the British
Gardeners' Association. The funeral will take
place at 4.15 p.m. on Saturday, the 13th inst.,
at the City of Westminster Cemetery, Hanwell.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending July 70.
Still another cold and wet week. — This proved a cold week
throughout, and was the fourth unseasonably cold one in
succession. Since the month began there has not been a
single unseasonably warm day, and only one warm night.
As regards temperature the most noteworthy feature of the
past week has been the uniformity of the highest day tem-
peratures, which have ranged only between 59Q and 64°. The
ground readings are very low for July, the temperature at

2 feet deep being 5° colder, and at 1 foot deep 6° colder,
than is seasonable. Rain has fallen on all but one day of
the present month, but to the aggregate depth of less than
three-quarters of an inch. So moderate have been the
recent falls of rain that during the past four weeks there
has been on no day any measurable percolation through the
bare soil gauge. The sun shone on an average for 4J hours
a day, which is two hours a day short of the mean daily
duration for the month. The winds were variable in force,
but as a rule of moderate strength, and came almost
exclusively from some southerly or westerly point of the
compass. The average amount of moisture in the air at

3 p.m. exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour by as
much as 9 per cent.

June.
An exceptionally cold, sunless, and windy June, with a re-
markably frequent rainfall. — During the 21 years over which
my records at Berkhamsted extend there has been only one
June in which the mean temperature has been as low, and
that was in 1903. Taking the day temperatures alone they
were colder than in any June of the same period, whereas
the nights were of about average warmth. On the warmest
of the only two warm days the temperature in the thermo-
meter screen rose to 72°, which is the lowest extreme maxi-
mum temperature I have yet recorded here in June. On
the other hand, the lowest reading registered on the sur-
face of the lawn, 36°, is an exceptionally high extreme
minimum for the month. Rain fell on no fewer than 20 days,

and to the total depth of 2J inches, or slightly below the
June average. The sun shone on an average for 4£ hours a
day, which is IJ hours a day below the mean duration for
the month. We have to go back 17 years in order to find
as gloomy a June. In no previous June during the past
21 years has the wind been, as a rule, as high, and yet in no
single hour did the mean velocity exceed 19 miles— direction
W.N.W. The average amount of moisture in the air at
3 o'clock in the afternoon was 5 per cent, in excess of a sea-
sonable quantity for that hour. E. M.. Berkhamsted, July !0,
1907.

MARKETS.

CO VENT GARDEN, July 10.

Cut Flowers,

&c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Azalea mollis, per

Marguerites, white,

dozen bunches

3 0-40

p. dz. bunches

2 0-30

Anemones, per dz.

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

bunches

3 0-40

16-20

Eouvardia, per dz.

Myosotis, per doz.

bunches

2 0-30

bunches

16-20

Calla aethiopica, p.

Odontoglossum

dozen

1 G- 2 6

crispum, per

Carnations, per
dozen blooms,

dozen blooms

2 0-26

Paeonies, per doz.

best American

bunches

4 0-80

various

1 G- 3 0

Pancratiums, per

— smaller, per

dozen fls.

3 0-40

doz. bunches

9 0-12 0

Pelargoniums,

— Malmaisons, p.

show, per doz.

dozen blooms..

6 0 10-0

bunches

4 0-60

Cattleyas, per doz.

— Zonal, double

blooms

10 0-12 0

scarlet

4 0-60

Cornflower, per dz.

Poppies, Iceland,

bunches

2 0-30

doz. bunches...

4 0-80

Eucharis grandi-

— Oriental

4 0-80

flora, per doz.

— Shirley

2 0-30

blooms

2 0-30

Pyrethrums, per

Gardenias, per doz.

dozen bunches

2 0-40

blooms

2 0-30

Ranunculus, per

Gladiolus, The

dozen bunches

4 0-60

Bride, per doz.

Rhodanthe, per dz.

bunches

30-5 0

bunches

3 0-40

— various

4 0-90

Roses, 12 blooms,

Gypsophila elegans

Niphetos

10-30

p. dz. bunches

2 0-30

— Bridesmaid ...

2 0-30

Iris, German, per
doz. bunches...

— C. Testout ...

2 0-30

4 0-60

— Generaljacque

— Spanish, p. dz.

minot

0 6-10

bunches

4 0-90

— MartJchal Niel

16-30

Lapageria alba, dz.

1 0- 1 G

— Kai seri n A.

Lilac, white, per

Victoria

16-30

bunch

10-30

— Mrs. J. Laing

10-30

Lilium auratum ...

2 0-30

— C. Mermet ...

10-30

— candidum, ben,

10-20

— Liberty

— Mad. Chatenay

2 0-40

— lancif oil um,

10-30

rubrum and

Stepbanotis, per

album

16-20

dozen trusses

30-50

— longiflorum ...

16-26

Stocks, per dozen
bunches

Lily of the Valley,

2 0-30

p. dz. bunches

6 0-90

Sweet Peas, p. doz.

— extra quality ...

10 0-15 0

bunches

10-30

Mignonette, per dz.

Tuberoses, per dz.

bunches

3 0-40

blooms

0 4-06

Cut Foliage,

&c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Adiantum cunea-

Galax leaves, per
dozen bunches

tum, per dozen

2 0-26

bunches

4 0-60

Hardy foliage

Asparagus plu-

(various), per

mosus, long

dozen bunches

2 0-60

trails, per doz.

8 0-12 0

Ivy-leaves, bronze

2 0-26

— — medium,

— long trails per

bunch ...

16-20

bundle

16-30

— Sprengeri

0 6-10

— short green,

Berberis, per doz.

doz. bunches...

2 0-30

bunches

2 0-26

Moss, per gross ...

4 0-50

Croton leaves, bch.

10-16

Myrtle (English),

Cycas leaves, each

16-20

small-leaved,

Fern, English, per

doz. bunches...

4 0-60

dozen bunches

10-20

— French, dozen

— French, dozen

bunches

10-16

bunches

10-30

Smilax, p.dz. trails

16-26

Plants in Pots

, &c: Av«

rage Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Ampelopsis Veit-

Ferns, in thumbs,

chii, per dozen

6 0-80

per 100

7 0-10 0

Aralia Sieboldi, dz.

4 0-60

— in small and

— larger

9 0-12 0

large 60's

16 0-25 0

Araucaria excelsa,

— in 48's, per dz.

4 0-10 0

per dozen

12 0-30 0

— in 32's, per dz.

10 0-18 0

Aspidistras, green,

Ficus elastica, per

per dozen

18 0-30 0

dozen

8 0-10 0

— variegated, dz.

30 0-42 0

— repens, perdoz.

4 0-60

Asparagus plumo-

Fuchsias, per doz.

4 0-80

sus nanus, doz.

9 0-12 0

Heliotropiums, per

— Sprengeri, dz.

9 0-12 0

dozen

4 0-60

— ten uissimus

Hydrangea Thos.

per dozen

9 0-12 0

Hogg, per doz.

12 0-18 0

Boronia mega-

— Hortensia, per

stigma, per dz.

12 0-30 0

dozen

8 0-12 0

— heterophylla ...

12 0-24 0

— paniculata, per

Calceolarias, yellow

4 0-80

dozen

12 0-30 0

Clematis, per doz.

8 0-90

Kentia Belmore-

— in flower

12 0-18 0

ana, per dozen

12 0-18 0

C ocos Weddelli-

— Fosteriana, p.

ana, per dozen

9 0-18 0

dozen

12 0-21 0

Coleus, per dozen

3 0-50

Latania borbonica,

Coreopsis, per doz.

6 0-10 0

per dozen

12 0-18 0

Crassulas (Kaloz-

Lilium longi-

anthes), perdz.

9 0-12 0

florum, per dz.

12 0-24 0

Crotons, per dozen

12 0-30 0

— lancifolium,

Cyperus alternifo-

per dozen

12 0-18 0

lius, dozen ...

4 0-50

Lily of the Valley,

— laxus, per doz.

4 0-50

per dozen

10 0-12 0

Dracaenas, per doz.

9 0-24 0

Lobelia, per dozen

5 0-60

Erica Cavendishii,

Marguerites, white,

per dozen

24 0-36 0

per dozen

4 0-30

— ventricosa, per

— yellow

12 0-18 0

dozen ...

18 0-30 0

Mignonette, perdz.

5 0-80

Euonymus, per dz.

4 0-90

Musk, per dozen...

4 0-50

40

THE GA RDENERS* CHR ON I CLE.

[July 13, 1907.

Pelargoniums,
I v y-1 e a v e d,
Mde. Crousse
and Galilee, p.
dozen

— Zonals, per dz.

— show ...
Petunias, double,

per dozen

Plants in Pots, &c: Average Wholesale Prices tContd.)
s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d.

Rhodanthe, per dz. 4 0-60
Roses, H.P's., dz. 12 0-24 0
— Ramblers, each 5 0-21 0
Saxifraga pyramid-
4 0-60 alis, per dozen 12 0-18 0

4 0- 6 0 | Selaginella, dozen 4 0-60
6 0- 9 0 I Spiraea japonica,

per dozen ... 5 0-80
4 0- 8 0 Verbena, Miss

— single, per dz. 3 0- 6 0 | WillmotE, doz. 6 0-90

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d s.d. i s.d. s.d.

Apples, per bos,
Tasmanian :

— LondonPippins 8 6-90

— Scarlet Pear-
6 6-7 6

7 6-80

6 0-70
6 0-70

6 6-76

7 0-7 6

7 0-90
7 0-80
7 0-90

7 0-90
6 6-70
6 0-70

12-14
2 6-36

mains ...

— Scarlet Nonpa-
reils

— Sturmer Pip-
pins

— French Crabs..

— Prince Alfreds
Alfristons

Australian, box

— Monro's Fav-
orite, per box

— Roman Beauty

— Cleopatras ...

— Jonathans ... 10 6-12 0

— New York Pip-
pins

— Five Crowns...

— Rymers
Apricots (French),

per bos

— French, cases

— French, \ sieve 4 6-50
Bananas, bunch :

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giants ,, ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (English),

k sieve

— J sieve...

— French, box ...

— French, 2 sieve

— French, \ sieve
Cranberries, case
Currants (English),

Red, % sieve ...

— French, black,
A sieve

— French, red,
handle basket.. 16-20

Dates (Tunis), doz,

boxes

Figs (Guernsey), p,

dozen

Cooseberries (Eng<

lish), £ sieve

5 0

5 6-

6 6-
8 0
5 0-
0 9-

3 6-10 0

2 0-50
13-30

4 0-80

3 0-46
8 0-86

3 0-46

4 6-50

2 6 —
16-60

16-40

Crape Fruit, case 19 0-22 0

Grapes (English),
Hambro's, p. lb.

— Alicante, pr.lb.

— Gros Maroc,
per lb.

— English Mus-
cats, per lb. ...

— Belgian Ham-
bro's, per lb....

Lemons :

— Messina, case

— Naples, p. case
Lychees, per box...
Mangoes, per doz.
Melons( Guernsey),

each

— French, Rock,
each

— Valencia, per
case

— Canteloupe,
each

Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz.

Nuts, Cobnuts, per
doz. lb

— Almonds, bags

— Brazils, new,
per cwt.

— Barcelona, bag

— Cocoa nuts, 100
Oranges, per case :

— Valencia

— Navels

— Murcias, box
Peaches (English),

per dozen

— French, p. box
Pears (Australian),

per bundle of 3
boxes

Plums (French), p.
box

Gages (French),
per box

Pineapples, each ...

Raspberries (Eng-
lish), handle
basket

Strawberries (Eng-
lish), per peck

— per lb

— English, per
handle basket

8 0-16
10-16

0 9-16

16-30

0 8-13

10 0-14 0
20 0 25 0

1 U —

9 0-18 0

10-26

2 0-30
12 0 —

0 4-05

3 0-12 0

2 6-30
54 0 —

40 0-42 6
32 6 —
12 0-17 0

16 0-35 0
10 0-10 6
12 0-16 0

1 0-12 0

10-16

10 0-20 0
10-12

12-19

2 0-36

2 0-26

19-26
0 3-09

0 9-10

Vegetables

Artichokes(French),
per dozen

Asparagus (Eng-
lish), p. bundle

— Beans(French),
per pad

— Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel

— Jersey, per lb.

— French, packet

— Home-grown,
per lb

Beetroot, bushel ...

Cabbages, per doz.

Cabbage Greens,

bag

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— French, new,
per bunch

Cauliflowers, per

dozen

Chow Chow (Sec-

hium edule), p.

dozen

Cucumbers, per

dozen

Endive, per dozen
Horseradish , for-
eign, dz. bndls.
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score
^Marrows (English),

per dozen
Hint, per dozen

bunches

Remarks.— Large quantities of Melons of good quality are
arriving from Guernsey, but they are not selling freely.
English Grapes and Peaches are plentiful, but the trade is
very quiet for these fruits. Raspberries and Red Currants
from Kent are now on the market. The first consignment
for this season of Valencia Melons arrived this week. An
anusual advance in the price of Onions for this season of the
year is noticeable. Strawberries are plentiful and cheap.
,P. L., Covent Garden Market, July 10, 1907.

PoTATOS.

Kents, 6s. to 8s.; Bedfords,5s.6d. to 6s. 6d.; Jerseys, 5s. 6d.
to 6s. ; St. Malos, 6s. to 6s. 6d. ; Teneriffe, 8s. to 9s.; old
Potatos, 6s. Cd. to 7s. The market has now a good supply
of English Potatos, and these are meeting with a brisk
demand. A. B., Covent Garden July 10, 1907.

: Average Wholesale Prices
s.d. s.d.

Mushrooms(house)

per lb 0 8-0 io

— buttons, per lb. 0 10 —

— "Broilers"p.lb. 0 5-06
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun
Onions .(Lisbon)
case

— pickling, per
bushel

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches

— Egyptian, bag .
Peas (English), per

bushel

— English, p. bag
Parsley, 12 bunches

— £ bushel
Potatos (Canary)

per cwt.

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen 0 4-06

Rhubarb (English),
natural, per dz,

Salsafy, p.dz. bdls,

Spinach, English,
per bushel

Tomatos: —

— Canary, per
bundle...

— selected, per
dozen lbs.

— small selected,
per dozen lbs. 4 0-46

Turnips (English),

doz. bunches... 2 0-30
Watercress, per

doz. bunches

2 0-26
0 9-13
5 0-80

3 0 —

0 6-07
0 3-04

0 6-08
13 16
0 9-10

10-16
2 0 —

10-16

0 4-0 4$

2 0-26

3 0

16-26
16-19

13 0-14 0
1 6 —

0 4-06
3 0-60

0 9-10

i.d. s.d.

10-16

7 6-8 0

2 0-26

16 2 0
9 0-10 0

2 0-30

3 6-60
1 6- 2 0
10-16

8 0-90

10-16
3 6 —

0 9-10

6 0-80
4 9-50

0 4-06

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Business in pot plants is now falling off considerably.
Good Mignonette is not plentiful, and Rhodanthe is over
with most growers. Other plants almost finished for the
season are Ericas, Boronias, and Saxifraga pyramidalis.
Hydrangea Hortensia, with blue flowers, make the best
prices. H. paniculata grandiflora is marketed in hue
condition. Plants of H. H. Mariesi are also seen. Zonal
Pelargoniums are plentiful in well-flowered plants. Some
growers have finished with the Ivy-leaved varieties, and
other stocks are very low. Show varieties are plentiful
and good. Yellow Calceolarias are to be found in
fine condition. Hybrid varieties of Crassulas are getting
past their best, but C. coccinea is still good. Tuberous-
rooting Begonias are plentiful ; those in 48 and in 60
pots are equally good. Fuchsias, Marguerites (both yellow
and white), Heliotropes, Harrison's Musk, and Lobelias
are prominent plants in the market. The double-flowered
blue Lobelia sell well when marketed in small plants,
but plants in 48's have a slow trade. This is not sur-
prising, as a demand for new plants does not exist until
their merits have been proved, and buyers are loath to
purchase plants except such as are well known.

Cut Flowers.
Hardy flowers are prominent at the present time, and they
are more appreciated than they were some few years ago.
Coreopsis grandiflora is a favourite subject and lasts fresh
for a long time. Gypsophila is over plentiful. In choice
flowers Lilium longinorum may advance in price. Good
blooms of L. lancifolium album were making 2s. 6d. per
bunch this morning. Lily of the Valley is not abundant.
Callas are seen ; there is little demand for them. Some very
fine varieties of English Irises are seen. Spanish Irises are
still plentiful, also Gladiolus in some of the best varieties of
the Colvillei and Brenchleyensis types. A, H.t Covent Gar-
den, W-ednesday, July 10, 1907.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Aster : E. W. L. The stem has been hollowed
out by some mining maggot that entered the
plant at a point below the soil level.

Best Time to Prune Certain Kinds of Shrubs :
E. B. Hollies, Yews and Box are best pruned
in July. Laurels should be cut back early in
spring before growth commences. It is always
best to choose dull weather for carrying out
pruning operations.

Cucumbers Diseased : W. X. The plants are
attacked by the fungus Cercospora melonis,
which is generally favoured by the presence of
too much moisture in the atmosphere, too free
use of manure, and a deficiency of ventilation.
Spray every portion of the soil in the house with
the Bordeaux mixture once each week. Plants
at present free from the disease should be
sprayed with sulphide of potassium, 2oz. in three
gallons of water, in which 2oz. of soft soap is
dissolved. Infection can take place on the under
surfaces of the leaves only, hence the fungicide
should be well applied from below upwards.
Use this solutiou every other day instead of
water for the ordinary syringing. When this crop
is finished thoroughly sterilise all parts of the
house by drenching with Bordeaux mixture, and
treat the soil with gas lime at least two months
before it is placed in the house.

Flowering of Dasylirion acrotrichum : En-
quirer. Your plant should be treated as an
ordinary greenhouse subject during spring and
summer, when growth is taking place. During
late autumn and winter less water will be needed
at the roots and less moisture in the atmosphere,
as it is only necessary at those periods to keep
the plants from shrivelling. The production of
such a strong inflorescence will entail a great
strain on your plant, and you might therefore
afford weak manure-water to the roots once
each week. The flowers are small and dioecious,
therefore no seeds can be expected.

Grapes Diseased : IF. D. See answer to R G.
M. in our last issue, p. 20.

Insects Attacking Brussels Sprouts : W . H.
The pests you send belong to the family of
Turnip flies or flea-beetles (Phyllotretal. They
lay their eggs on the leaves of the plants, and
the grubs hatch later and mine in the tissue
of the leaves, feeding upon the softer parts.
These give rise to the small, jumping beetles,
which also feed upon the same plants. These
insects have been unusually abundant this
year, though it is said that they do not injure
crops — Turnips, Radishes, Cabbages, &c, in
wet seasons ! The beetles may be caught by
gently tapping the infected plants over a
freshly-tarred tray, board, or tightly-stretched
canvas. The pests should be hunted at least
twice a week until the plants have outgrown
the attack. Soot placed about the plants is
said to act as an excellent deterrent. If
the land is poor in plant food, give it a
dressing of artificial manure.

Melon : Banffshire. The s'.ems are killed by the
fungus — Hypochnus cucumeris. Spray the re-
maining plants with a solution of sulphide of
potassium, employing -| oz. of potassium in one
gallon of water. Sprinkle the soil with crushed
sulphate of potash, using 1 oz. of potash to the
square yard.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruiis.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ot
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Plants ; /. M. L. 1, Sempervivum arboreum
variegatum ; 2, Begonia (garden Hybrid) ; 3,
Abutilon Savitzianum ; 4, Abutilon mega-
potamicum var. variegatum ; 5, Selaginella
caulescehs ; 6, Acalypha marginata ; 7, Rho-
dodendron hirsutum ; 8, Berberis empetrifolia.
— /. M. Raphiolepis ovata. — Studley Castle.
Clytostoma noterophilum (Bur. et K. Schum).
— /. H. C. 1, Aerides virens ; 2, Eria acervata ;
3, Epidendrum cochleatum. — R. D. Cypri-
pedium pubescens. — T. L. A. 1, Aerides japoni-
cum ; 2, Bulbophyllum Careyanum ; 3, Cirrho-
petalum Mysorense ; 4, Stehs ophioglossoides.
— E. L. 1, Sanlolina incana; 2, Clematis
integrifolia ; 3, Habrothamnus (Cestrum) ele-
gans ; 4, Buddleia globosa ; 5, Spiraea fili-
pendula flore pleno ; 6, Send when in flower. —
V. A. 1, Cattleya Forbesii ; 2, Laelia Dayana ;
3, Oncidium flexuosum ; 4, Pleurothallis obo-
vata ; 5, Masdevallia simula ; 6, Brassia ver-
rucosa.— E. N. Oncidium crispum. A very
good variety. — G. E. \V . Doronicum caucasi-
cura. — M. K. 1, Alstromeria aurantiaca; 2,
Spiraea Douglasii ; 3, Lonicera Ledebouri ; 4,
Spiraea callosa Anthony Waterer ; 5 and 6, S.
ariaefolia. — J. S. Muscari comosum. — H. A. P.
The Melon Pear or Pepino, sometimes called
also Melon Shrub, is one of the edible Solanums,
S. muricatum.

Peach Leaves : T. C. R. There is no disease
present, the roots have got into some unsuitable
material and will require to be lifted in autumn
and replanted. — IV. R. C. The Shot-hole
fungus (Cercospora Circumscissa) is present on
both Peach and Vine leaves. Spray with a
rose-red solution of permanganate of potash.

Rose : V. C. S. The injury is caused by aphides
or plant-lice. Spray the bushes with a soft-
soap wash, dissolving 1 lb. of soap in 10 gallons
of water. This wash is most effective when
used on the first appearance of the pest.

Seedling Border Pinks : Castle House: The
flowers you send are of large size, and the
petals are pure white ; but we should not con-
sider them superior to white varieties already in
commerce.

Soil and Manure Analysis : G. S. L. Before
undertaking this work it is essential you should
possess a good knowledge of chemistry, and
have access to a complete chemical laboratory.
You will find much information on the subject
in A Treatise on Manures, by A. B. Griffiths,
price 7s. 9d. ; and The Soil, by A. D. Hall, price
3s.l0d. Both these works can be obtained from
our publishing department.

Vine Leaves : S. Popplewell &■ W. H. The warts
on the leaves indicate that there is too much
moisture in the air. Better ventilation early in
the day will put matters right. — A. B. There
is no fungus or other disease present in the
leaves. The injury has been caused by the
sun's rays shining directly on the foliage, at
a time when the leaves were partly covered with
moisture. Employ a little ventilation early in
the morning that the foliage may become dry
before the sun's rays have become powerful.

Communications Received. — Col. Beddome — W, H. —

J. C. & Sons— J. C. T.— W. W. P W. C— S. A. S.-

W. T., Paris— M. L.— W. G.— H. M.-E. M.— A. G. L.-
C. R.— Peach-W. T— F. P.-R. A.— de B. C— W. H. L.
—A. P.— T. S— F. M. W.-J. D. G.-Rev. H.-C. S. D.
& Son.

July 20, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

41

^**d&a

THE

^arbcnct^CbronicIc

No. 1,073.— SA TURD A Y, July 20, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the—

Campanula Michaux-
ioides

Iris sibirica " Snow

Queen"

American Gooseberry-
mildew, and legislation
Biologists, a meeting of

Books, a sale of

Books, notices of—

Rock and Alpine Gar-
dening

Publications received

Broad Beans

Buddleia Colvilei in the

open

Camphor industry, the...
Diospyros Kaki as a

hardy fruit-tree
Egypt, horticulture in...
Fruit trees, the summer

pruning of

Ghent Quinquennial

Flower Show, 1908 ...

Kew notes

Lime, the uses of, in soils
Narcissus poeticus as a

market flower

Obituary —

Ewing, Joseph

Jordan, Chas

Lacroix, Louis
Plants, new or note-
worthy—

Bulbopbyllum galbi-
num

Odontoglossum As-
tarte

O. Astrjea

Potato species, a trial of
Richardia africana,

hardy, at Leonardslee
Rome, a garden in
Rose aparfum de L'Hay

Roses, new, in America
Societies —

Birmingham Botanical
and Hort

Croydcn Horticultural

Gloucestershire Rose

Hanley Floral Fete ...

Manchester and N. of
England Orchid ...

National Sweet Pea-
Southampton Royal
Hort

Wolverham p ton

Floral Fete

Spruce foliage and slugs
Strawberry crop, the ...
Strawberry Kentish

Favourite

Sweet Pea sports
Tomatos, experiments

ingrowing

Tomatos in Canada
Trees and shrubs —

Caesalpinia japonica...

Clethra alnifolia

Escallonia rubra

Ledum palustre

Libocedrus macro-
lepis

Olearia macrodonta...

Podocarpus nageia ...

Zenobia speci isa
Trees, protecting, from

hares

Violas, the propagation

of

Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ...

Fruits under glass

1 1.udv ft mi gai den

Kitchen garden, the ..

Orchid houses, the ...

Parks and gard n ...

Plants under glass ...

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Bulbophyllum galbinum

Caasalpinia japonica

Cascades, fountains and Agaves in a Roman garden

(Supplementary Illustration)

Crinum x H. J. Elwes

Group of fine foliage plants, exhibited at the Holland

House Show

Portrait of the late Charles Jordan, I. S.O.

Rose Joseph Lowe

Stand for exhibiting vegetables

Water-scene at the Holland House Show

53

58
57

57
58

58
55

56
52

45

54
53

50
52

43
45
44
45

44
Jl
44

If,

18

49
is
19
49
49
is

HORTICULTURE IN EGYPT.

HORTICULTURE has been practised in
Egypt for some thousands of years, but
no remains of these ancient gardens
exist, and all the gardens of any note now
existing in that country are the work of
Europeans.

Mohammed Aly Pacha and his son Ibrahim,
in the first half of the nineteenth century,
brought gardeners from England and France
to lay out the gardens on the Isle of Roda
at Cairo, and these became famous both
for their beauty and for the collection of
trees Later, Ismail Pacha, Khedive of
Egypt, employed European gardeners and
spent large sums of money in constructing
extensive parks around his palaces at Giza
and Gezireh. The public gardens of the
Esbekieh, and most of the trees now grow-
ing in the streets and suburban roads of
Cairo, were also planted under this ruler's
direction. Rich Europeans and natives fol-
lowed his example, so that many of the best
. Egyptian gardens of to-day date from the
reign of Ismail Pacha. Since the time of the

occupation of the country by the British, the
Government has been unable to attend to
any matters other than those which are
capable of providing revenue, and this may
be also said of many private persons who
before had taken an interest in horticulture,
so that, speaking generally, gardens in Egypt
have during the last twenty-six years been
greatly neglected. During the recent boom
in land speculation, numbers of estates were
sold and parcelled out for building purposes.
Of the beautiful gardens on the Isle of Roda
little remains excepting a few trees, which,
by chance, were not in the way of the road-
makers and builders, whilst at Giza and
i ,i ireh the only remnants are the Zoological
ami Palace Hotel gardens. One, however,
still finds beautiful but solitary specimens of
exotic trees which tell their own tale of the
past. At the present time interest in horti-
culture is again growing, and almost all the
European residents living outside the towns
have their own gardens.

Native gardeners are employed chiefly,
although a few of the wealthier proprietors
have brought men from Europe. At Alex-
andria there is a thriving horticultural
society, which is subsidised by the Govern-
ment, and this association numbers amongst
its members the best horticulturists and
botanists in Egypt. Mr. David Fish, late
of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Edinburgh,
is the secretary. An experimental stalion has
been established; seeds are being distributed,
and exhibitions, which would do credit lo any
j in England, are held twicr < at h year.
The Khedivial Horticultural Society at Cairo
is now being reorganised under the name of
la Soci« !('■ d'Horticulture Commerciale.

Commercial horticulture in Egypt has un-
doubtedly a great future before it. A con-
siderable and profitable trade is done in cut
flowers, but it is mostly in the hands of small
growers who give little or no attention to im-
proving the quality of the produce which they
offer for sale. Roses, which may be said to
grow like weeds, are by far the commonest
market flowers. Good blooms sold at Cairo
la-.t Christmas 'for a shilling r.uh. Violets
and Chrysanthemums are also largely gi wn
for supplying cut flowers, but Chrysanthe-
mum flowers seldom compare favourably with
those one sees in the florists' shops of Europe
and America.

Owing to the increasing number of people
who spend the winter months in Egypt, the
florists' business must in time become an
important industry. The nursery trade is .
also capable of great development, and at
present a demand exists for ornamental
trees and shrubs, as well as for trees for the
production of firewood, telegraph poles, &c.
With few exceptions the nurserymen content
themselves with the propagation of those
kinds which are already common in the
countrv, and even for these the demand is
greater than the supply, but there are
hundreds of beautiful and useful plants
which only need introducing to become
popular.

The subjects now grown are natives of
varied climes; trees from the Northern States
of America may be seen growing side by
side with others from Brazil and India.
Manv species of Palms will grow in the
open air in Egypt, and plans are in prepara-
tion for the propagation, on a large scale,

of these and other foliage plants for export
to European markets. Plants grown in the
open air are much hardier than those grown
in hothouses, and there appears little doubt
of the success of the enterprise, especially as
the cost will be small. Another branch of
commercial horticulture in which great de-
velopments may be expected in the near
future is the cultivation of fruit and vege-
tables for export. Hitherto cotton and other
purely agricultural crops have occupied the
attention of cultivators, to the exclusion of
what have been regarded as garden crops.

As the production of cotton is increasing in
other countries, people in Egypt are asking
themselves whether they are wise in relying
so fully on this crop. Many growers have
probably been deterred from fruit growing by
knowing that they must wait three, four, or
six years before receiving any returns from
the trees, but they ignore the fact that
vegetable crops may be grown between the
trees almost up to the time they begin to
fruit.

The profits derived from the cultivation of
vegetables and fruits have in several cases
far exceeded those derived from agricultural
crops.

Bananas.

Growers of Bananas rarely realise less than
£6o clear profit per year per feddan (a little
over an acre), and from one plantation of 25
feddans in the province of Galoubieh, the
owner has this year made a profit of over
^2,000. Many Bananas are yearly imported
into Egypt, so that for home consumption
alone there is already a market, but a local
market alone would not be sufficient to
warrant the institution of a Banana industry.
Egypt, however, is more favourably situated
than any other country for a Banana trade in
the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Sea
ports. As compared with the Canary Islands,
the cost of transport from Egypt is in most
cases less than half. The export trade of Alex-
andria and Port Said is served by numerous
lines of fast and up-to-date boats, which daily
leave those ports for all parts of the world. The
Chinese Banana, which fetches the highest
price in the European markets, thrives
exceedingly well in Egypt, and bears crops
equal in weight to any produced in the West
Indies or Canary Isles. Clumps planted 10
feet apart annually produce 4 bunches of
fruits containing from 8 to 10 hands each.
Banana cultivation was considerably checked
a few years ago by the appearance in the
plantations around Alexandria of an eel-
worm which attacks the roots of the plants.
Fortunately this trouble has since almost
disappeared, and it will probably give little
further trouble if a systematic course of
transplanting is followed.

Oranges and Lemons.
The cultivation of Oranges and Lemons is
also capable of great development in Egypt,
although for various reasons it will probably
be slower than in the case of Bananas. All
the best varieties of Oranges are grown to
some extent, including the Jaffa, Blood
Orange, Mandarin, and Washington Navel,
or seedless Orange. Lemons and ordinary
sweet Oranges of excellent quality are grown
evervwhere. Experimental shipments sent
to England have been, most favourably re-
ported upon and have brought excellent

42

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1807.

prices. As in the case of almost all other kinds
of fruits, the Orange supply is not sufficient to
meet the local demand, and large quantities are
imported yearly from Italy, Syria, arid else-
where. Properly managed Orange plantations
in Egypt yield a margin of £20 per year per
feddan, after rent, water-tax, and all working
expenses are paid. As a rule, however, the
methods of cultivation followed admit of great
improvement. The majority of the trees have
been raised from seeds, but the Citron, (Citrus
medica), where grafting has been practised, has
been largely used as a stock instead of the Sour
Orange. In the month of March cuttings of the
Citron are made about 9 inches long, and two
buds of the variety to be propagated are inserted
in the upper half of each cutting, which is then
inserted in ordinary soil, care being taken that
the buds face to the north and south. About 50
per cent, of the cuttings thus planted form roots so
that it is a quick and easy method of propa-
gation. But such trees are short-lived ; they
have a bad straggling habit, and produce fewer
fruits of poorer quality than those grown on
stocks of thei Sour Orange. During the last ten
years the Citrus scale (Lepidium asperidium),
has spread largely in the Orange plantations
and has done much harm to the trees. Although
in other countries it has been found a fairly easy
matter to keep this pest under by spraying,

Hort. bog., 39; Fl. bot. Zeit., 1842, Beibl. II.
1; Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat III., 646; and gives as
synonymous B. Reinwardtii Rchb. f. in Walp.
Ann. VI., 246; B. galbinum, Ridley in Journ.
Linn. Soc. xxxii., 267. Ephippium uniflorum,
Blume Bijdr, 309 (the earliest reference) ; Cirr-
hopetalum compressum, Lindl. ; Sarcopodium
Reinwardtii Lindl. Fol. Or. ; Phyllorchis uniflo-
rus, O.K., and Phyllorchis Reinwardtii, O.K.
Dissimilarity between even the few specimens
available was remarked by Lindley, for in Folia
Orchidacea, under Sarcopodium Reinwardtii, he
remarks : " There are two varieties known to me,
one with leaves 8| inches by 3J inches — ■
Rcinwardt ; the other with leaves 6J inches by
If of an inch, and thinner — T. Lobb. Flowers
greenish, If inch from tip to tip of sepals.
Column, column-foot, and lip crimson."
Those remarks apply to the plant and not the
flowers. But with the flowering of the Bulbo-
phyllum galbinum here illustrated, there is evi-
dence that there are specific differences in at
least two of the plants enumerated as one
species.

For the present the question of the identity of
Bulbophyllum Reinwardtii with the Bulbophyl-
lum uniflorum of Hassk., and with the other
synonyms cited may remain, for the earliest re-
ferences are so brief that they help but little.

The real question which concerns us is the

FlG. 14. — BULBOPHYLLUM GALBINUM : FLOWERS YELLOW WITH REDDISH LINES AND

CRIMSON SPOTS.

nothing has yet been done in Egypt to prevent
its ravages. The Government, through the
agency of the various horticultural societies, is
now devoting attention to this matter, so that
something may be done in the near future to
minimise this evil. T. W. B.

(To be continued. J

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

BULBOPHYLLUM GALBINUM, RIDLEY.
The illustration at fig. 14 has been prepared
from a specimen which flowered recently in the
garden of the Right Hon. Lord Rothschild,
Tring Park, Tring (gr. Mr. A. Dye), the plant
having been obtained by the Hon. Walter Roths-
child as Bulbophyllum Reinwardtii Rchb. f.
The flowering of this interesting plant seems to
solve one important question relating to this
group of Bulbophyllums, and opens up other in-
teresting matters, which for want of original ma-
terial, cannot so easily be solved. J. J. Smith,
in his clever and useful work Die Orchidecn von
Java, refers both B. galbinum and B. Rein-
wardtii to Bulbophyllum uniflorum, Hassk., Cat.

relation of B. galbinum to B. Reinwardtii, and
reference to the material in the Kew Herbarium,
in which there are both Lindley's original speci-
men and the drawing of B. Reinwardtii, and
authentic material of Ridley's B. galbinum, in-
dicates tolerably clearly that those two at least
are distinct species, and such is the opinion of
Mr. R. A. Rolfe, who has carefully examined the
material. Lindley's specimen of B. Reinwardtii
has a much narrower labellum than the B. galbi-
num here illustrated, and a greener ground col-
our to the sepals and petals.

The B. Reinwardtii for which Sir Trevor Law-
rence, Bart., obtained an Award of Merit at the
Royal Rorticultural Society on May 9, 1905, and
of which there is a drawing in the Society's col-
lection, is probably the true plant, the length
in proportion to the breadth of the labellum com-
pared with B. galbinum being very marked. The
growth of the plant is similar to B. Ericssonii,
the narrow, compressed, dark-green pseudo-
bulbs bearing ovate oblong leaves on short, stout
stalks. The flowers are light honey-yellow, with
slight reddish lines on the sepals and petals, and
crimson spots on the bases of the lateral sepals,
lip and column. One flower represents the lip
down, the other has it tilted upwards.

The plant is Malayan, but the exact locality in
which it was collected is not known.

The case of the Bulbophyllum uniflorum is
still farther complicated by the name being used
for another species by Griff. Notul. III. ; Sesto-
chilus uniflorus, Orch. Java. t. 3 ; and Sarcopo-
dium uniflorum figured in Revue Horticole, 1866,
p. 152, and which is also at Tring Park with,
others of the Bulbophyllum Lobbii section.
Drawings are being prepared of each as it
flowers, and already the differences shown are
too great to reconcile with the opinion they are
all of one species. /. O'B.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ASTARTE.
(O. Harryanum s x O. tripudians <? .)

This may be considered one of the least showy
of the great O. Harryanum family, but it is not
always easy to see what future plants of the
same cross may be ; its lip, at least, is a fine
feature.'

A small plant, blooming with only two flowers
for the first time, does not fully indicate its final
development. I raised it more for experiment
to see what parallel influence would be seen
upon O. crispum and O. Harryanum by cross-
ing with O. tripudians as the pollen parent. It
has appeared in the lip in a decided manner, as
it does in the lips of all forms of O. X
bellatulum.

The sepals are brown, this colour being
only broken by two bars of yellow that do not
extend to the edges, and by the tips, which are
also yellow.

The petals are similarly coloured with the
addition of some violet-purple, shaded into the
basal marks. The lip has a white ground, but
the lower two-thirds portion is heavily spotted
with deep lilac, the yellow around the crest being
almost suppressed by it ; the apex is white, with
a somewhat widened blade, as in O. tripudians.
The central keels are elongated much more than
is usual in O. Harryanum hybrids, from the
influence of the similar character in the male
parent.

The column is cream-white, with very small
lacerate wings, slightly marked with brown.

In form it is somewhat poor, the segments
being rather narrow and the petals standing for-
ward at an angle of 35° to the plane of the flower.
De B. Crawshay.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ASTR.EA.

(O. x Fascinator (nat. hyb.) ? x Wattianum

Crawshayanum $ .)

This hybrid also has inferior form, but its
colour scheme is most pleasing.

The greater influence in respect of colour
comes from the female parent ; but in form the
flower is more like O. Lindleyanum, the
female parent once removed. I expected this,
therefore am not disappointed, for it proves what
I have often stated, viz., that reversion to-
ancestors will be in relation to the individual
strength of those ancestors to impart their
characters upon their descendants.

To explain these details without the aid of
photographs or paintings, I must state that the
ground colour of the O. x Fascinator I used was
creamy-yellow, with some rose in it ; it was very
lightly spotted in both the sepals and petals
two-thirds distance from their bases, and also
had a group of " punctatum " spots in their
lower areas. In form it was ordinary.

The ground colour of the O. Wattianum was
yellow, copiously spotted with brown, its lip
being also yellow, with a heavy brown blotch
under the crest.

This new hybrid, of which I have as yet only
bloomed one plant, may show as great an im-
provement in the future as in the case of the
male parent. The sepals are greenish-yellow,
with a little rose suffusion, containing one brown
blotch at two-thirds distance from the base,
also a broken line of spots around the margins,
and an incipient inferior bar made up of a few
spots.

The petals are of a pleasing shade of rosy-
yellow, with a smaller blotch placed as in the

July 20, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

43

sepals; in their lower area thickly spotted on
the rosy ground.

The lip is pure white, but has a large spot and
a very few small ones on each shoulder ; in form
it is similar to O. Lindleyanum, but smaller,
its crest and adnation to column being about
identical; the influence here has. been so great
that there is but a .filament on each side of the
centtal keels.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

C/ESALPINIA JAPONICA.

The warm summer experienced last year evi-
dently suited the requirements of this shrub, for
it has flowered very freely this season. Intro-
duced from Japan by Messrs. Jas. Veitch &

sufficiently hardy to endure the winters of this
country. Left to itself, it forms a loose, spread-
ing shrub, needing a trellis or wall for its sup-
port. The stems and branches, armed with
stout, recurved prickles, are clothed with bright,
green, feathery foliage, composed of bi-pinnate
leaves, and the foliage provides a pleasing set-
ting to the yellow flowers. These are produced
in erect racemes, about a foot in length, each

FlG. 15.— CESALPINIA JAPONICA : FLOWERS YELLOW, HALF NATURAL SIZE; DETACHED FLOWER REAL SIZE.

The column is almost like that of O. Lindley-
anum.

The seed pod was produced by using O. Watti-
fenum Crawshayanum when it bloomed for the
second time in 1901, and had not then acquired
the great development which it showed when
it bloomed in 1903 and was awarded A.M.
ft.H.S. on May 19. De B. Crawshay.

Sons, it flowered with them for ri;e first time in
1887, but it does not seem to be a very well-
known plant, although several nurserymen have
exhibited cut sprays in their groups this season.
The genus Caesalpinia, which commemorates the
name of the Italian botanist Andreas Ceesal-
pinus, is essentially tropical, and of about 50
species known, C. japonica is the only one

bearing from 20 to 30 blooms. Each flower is
about an inch in diameter ; the petals are a rich,
canary shade of yellow, which contrasts well
with the crimson of the filaments and anthers.

A plant in the Coombe Woqd Nursery is grow-
ing in gravelly clay soil, and the shoots are sup-
ported on a trellis. At Kew the plant is afforde 1
the protection of a wall. //. Spooner.

44

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1907.

LIBOCEDRUS MACROLEPIS.
A young specimen of this Conifer planted at
Pencarrow last autumn and partially protected,
has survived the severe cold of the past winter,
and is now growing freely. The young growths
have a healthy, bronzy tint, but generally the
tree looks soft and sappy, and one would hesi-
tate before pronouncing it perfectly hardy. It is
a coniferous tree of a distinct character, and it
should be established in this country if pos-
sible. The past winter was an exceptionally
severe one — as much as 18° of frost was regis-
tered on one occasion here — and such trying
conditions may not again be experienced for
some years to come, and the trees may then be
established and better able to withstand cold.

ESCALLONIA RUBRA.

Escallonia macrantha is extremely com-
mon in seaside gardens in the West of England,
where, no matter whether it is planted in good
loam or left to battle for itself on the top of a
stone hedge, it flourishes well. The smaller
and less showy species, E. rubra, is very
rare. It is just as accommodating as its con-
gener in the matter of soil, and is even more
free in flowering, the season of which extends
from July until late in autumn. As the specific
name indicates, the flowers are red in colour,
and seen from a short distance the plant much
resembles a broad bush of Fuchsia gracilis. It
has an additional recommendation in that it
thrives well under the shade and drip of
deciduous trees. I have never seen the flowers

colour and sickly in appearance, and the severe
weather of last winter practically killed it, for
it was cut down to the ground and only one
tiny branch retains any life. In its habit and
superficial appearance it has practically nothing
in common with the rest of the members of the
genus. A well-grown specimen would have
value and interest in a large conservatory. A
solitary example of Agathis australis (Dammara
australis) struggled hard for existence at Mena>
billy, but the result was far from encouraging
A. C. Bartleit, Pencarrow Gardens, Cornwall.

OLEARIA MACRODONTA.

This plant is generally considered somewhai
tender, and a sheltered position is usually recom-
mended for its planting, but at Bagshot a speci-

Fig. i6. — group of ornamental foliage plants exhibited at the Holland house show by Messrs. \v. bull and sons.

(See the report published in the issue for last week p. 34.)

I selected, as a probably suitable place for the
planting, a sunny slope at a good altitude, and
one that is sheltered by trees, from the
prevailing winds. The soil was a loam of
medium quality, and my object was to ensure
that the tree should be fairly dry at the roots
during the winter. I anticipated that in a
moderate loam the new growths would be firm
and not so susceptible to injury during the
winter. An extremely healthy and well furnished
specimen growing in a large pot in the tem-
perate house, Kew, proves that this species is
a suitable subject for the decoration of the cool
conservatory.

of the normally white species E. floribunda
(known in Cornwall as E. montevidensis) so
universally rose-tinted as they are this year.
The flowers attract numbers of flies, which fall
victims to the clammy resinous exudation.

PODOCARPUS NAGEIA.
This species, the most interesting member of
the genus, is, unfortunately, far too tender for
planting out-of-doors except in some unusually
favoured district. A small specimen in these
gardens survived during two winters, and
during the following summers made a fair
amount of new growths, but it was pale of

men has been growing uninjured in a fully-
exposed position for the past two years, and that
notwithstanding 20° of frost has been registered
on more than one occasion in this neighbour-
hood. This species forms a handsome ever-
green shrub 6 feet or more in height, and affords
a welcome change among hardy evergreens. Its
alternately disposed leaves measure from 3 to 4
inches in length and li inches in width, and
they bear a strong resemblance to those of the
common Holly. The margins are irregularly
cleft, and appear at first sight to be armed with
stout spines, but on touching them they are
found to be very little harder than the remainder

July 20, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

45

of the leaf. The upper surfaces of the foliage
are of a pale, shining green colour, and the
undersides are covered with a silvery tomentum,
wlin h is also present to a lesser extent on the
points of the young growths. These latter are
of a brownish-red hue, and roughly five-angled.
The white flowers appear in July, and they are
borne in axillary, branching clusters, individu-
ally resembling a tiny white flower of Cineraria
stellata. The plant is a vigorous grower, and
should be given a position that is fully exposed
to the sun, in order that the wood may become
thoroughly ripened. This Olearia is easily in-
creased from cuttings of half-ripened wood in-
serted in summer time in a plant-house, or from
fullv-ripened growths cut into 6-inch len.t s,
inserted out-of-doors in a sheltered spot in
autumn.

ZENOBIA SPECIOSA.
Probably no plant is more neglected than
this, and yet, when in bloom, it is one of the
handsomest of the smaller members of the
Ericacea?. It grows about 4 feet in height, and
produces graceful, drooping or upright branches
that are clothed in June and August from end
to end with axillary clusters of comparatively
large, pure-white, bell-shaped flowers. The
ovate leaves are about 2 inches in length]
coarsely toothed, dull-green above, and shining
beneath, a rather rare condition in hardy
shrubs. The variety pulverulenta resembles the
type, except that the under surfaces of the
leaves are silvery and glaucous, which also ob-
tains, to a certain extent, on the stems and the
upper surfaces of the leaves. Zenobias are pro-
pagated by means of layers or seeds.

LEDUM PALUSTRE.
This has proved by far the best of the
Ledums here, being more free-flowering and
easier to cultivate than the other members of
the genus. It makes a shrub 3 feet in height
and as much in diameter, and is covered in
May with terminal clusters of small, pure-white
Sowers. The ovate-lanceolate leaves are 1.1
inches in length, narrow, and turned down
at the edges. They are glabrous on the upper
surface, and are covered beneath with a brown,
woolly tomentum, as is also the young wood.
The plant has a pleasing aromatic scent when
rubbed by the hand. It is a native of the
Northern Temperate Zone, and its habitat ex-
tends into the Arctic Circle. The species is
easily increased by layering.

CLETHRA ALMFOLIA.

This is a native of North America, and is an
upright, deciduous shrub 5 or 6 feet in height ;
it will grow freely in almost any soil or situa-
tion. The leaves are from 4 inches to 5 inches
in length, shining above, and serrated on the
edges. The pure-white flowers are produced in
July and August in upright, terminal spikes, and
are very sweet-scented. The variety tomentosa
is an improvement on the type, the leaves being
distinctly woolly, and the flower-spikes larger
and purer in colour. Both are readily propa-
gated from layers or suckers. /. Clark, Bag-
shot, Surrey.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Rock and Alpine Gardening.*

I his handy little volume consists of 80 pages
of letterpress, with illustrations. The chapters
include the following subjects : " Introduction,"
" Choosing the Site," " Selecting the Material
-for the Rockwork," " Hints on Building," " The
Planting of Rockeries and Rock Gardens," " The
Question of Labels," " Insect and other Pests,"
" Wall Gardening," &c. Upon each cf these in
turn some practical advice is offered, but in
not a few instances much more might have been
added with advantage. The chapter on " Wall
Gardening," p. 26, is, we think, all too brief and
incomplete for this highly interesting phase of

" " Rock and Alpine Gardening," by H. Hemsley, pub-
lished by J. Cheal & Sons. Price 8s. 6d.

modern gardening, and it is not quite in accord-
ance with general experience to say that " the
large majority of plants suitable for growing
in walls prefer a sunny position, and this being
the case, preference would be given to one facing
south." As a matter of fact, the shaded or half-
shaded wall may be furnished just as readily
as one with a south aspect, and the same sub-
jects may, to a large extent, be employed in
both, the chief observable difference being excess
of vigour and freedom of growth where the
partial shade exists. Much of the success in
wall gardening depends upon the manner of
structure, and the components of the wall itself.
The illustrations include views of natural
Alpine scenery, and artificially constructed rock
gardens in various parts of the country. Among
those of the latter description, amateurs and
others interested in this style of gardening will
fin,! much that is suggestive and useful, one of
the best illustrations being the rock and water
scene on page 29. " The Shady Nook," page 49,
is also pleasing. Pages 36 to 59 are devoted to
brief descriptions of some of the better-known
Alpine and rock plants. The extreme brevity
of the text, the collective references, in not a
few instances, to species of widely-varying
character and requirements are likely to cause
some difficulty to amateurs. The concluding
pages of the book contain lists of plants suited to
special soils and positions. The work is written
by a cultivator, and the information on cultural
matters may be therefore depended upon, but in
the preparation of a second edition, the descrip-
tive matter might be much improved.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

IRIS SIBIRICA "SNOW QUEEN."
This Iris does not seem much like any form
of I. sibirica that I have seen, and I think that
Mr. Mallett may have some reason for suggest-
ing, on page 28, its possible hybrid origin.
There is, as Mr. Mallet says, in the foliage a
breadth and robustni ss which mure resembles
that of I. laevigata than that of I. sibirica, and
the whole character of the flower brings it
closer to I. laevigata than to any other species
known to me, and much cultivated in Japan.
This Iris is by far the finest of the white Irises
of the I. sibirica type, but it has a slight suffu-
sion of yellow on the claw. My own plant is
only a small one, but it is suffii iently large to
give one a good idea of its future beauty.
S. Arnott, Sunny mead, Dumfri

I VMPANULA MICHAUXIOIDES.

Among my acquisitions of last vear was
a plant of the scarce Campanula michauxioides,
a somewhat awkward name, as it might be con-
fused with the allied Michauxia campanuloides.
So far as its resemblance with the latter is con-
cerned, it cannot be said that the name is in-
appropriate, as there is about its ■ general
appearance a considerable likeness to that plant,
given generally by the looseness of the in-
florescence and the form and pose of the star-
like flowers. These are drooping, on slight, but
rigid pedicels, and are scattered sparsely
over the numerous branchlets which fork
from the branches, produced from the main
stem, which rises to a height of about 4 feet.
The flowers are a pale shade of blue, about the
size of a shilling, and are decidedly attractive.
The whole aspect of the plant is distinct and
attractive, although far from being showv. The
leaves may be roughly said to resemble in form
those of C. Trachelium, but are more deeply
serrated. This Campanula was first de-
scribed by Boissier, but I have not access to
the work at present. I think, however, that my
specimen is correctly named. One is afraid
that the plant will prove to be a biennial. It
came into flower here about the second week of
June, and it will probably last until the end of
July, the dull weather having been favourable
to the prolongation of the period of bloom.
S. Arnott, Sunnymead, Dumfries.

THE STRAWBERRY CROP.

This year the earliest fruits from the open
were marketed during the second week in June,
or nearly a week earlier than in 1906, when the
first baskets of fruits were not marketed until
after the middle of that month. Every year,
too, the season seems to last a little longer than
usual, and it appears quite reasonable to antici-
pate the Strawberry being in season from the
beginning of June to the end of July.

The increase of early supplies of Strawberries
from the Continent has seriously affected the
prices of these fruits grown under glass in this
country. Not many seasons ago it was possible
to realise from 8s. to 10s. a pound for fairly
good fruits in April, and 3s. a pound for the last
of the indoor crop during the early days of
June. Such prices as these can nowadays only
be looked for upon those rare occasions when
some sudden demand or a period of bad weather
causes an unusual amount of business. It seems
likely that Strawberry production under glass
will not show any great increase in years to come,
except, perhaps, in the case of those fruits pro-
duced in cold frames or unheated houses, which
fruits, it may be stated, are the most satisfactory
of all the forced crop. The superiority, indeed,
of the fruit grown in unheated houses over that
which is forced by fire-heat is as great as the
difference in excellence between the outdoor
crop and that which is grown under glass under
any conditions.

The enormous increase in the demand for
Strawberries — still the most popular of all sum-
mer fruits — is best illustrated by the figures with
which the writer has been kindly supplied by the
various railway companies whose business it is
to deal with these huge consignments. Taking
the foreign crop first, and this comes chiefly
from France; in 1906 no fewer than 1,416 to:;,
of fruit uere brought by the ilreat Western Hall-
way Company to London in the spring and early
summer of that year. These quantities are - i
remarkable that one felt obliged to enquire
whether they applied to Strawberries alone, or
whether they included other products. But it was
found that these figures related almost entirely
t . Strawberries; and that although a few con-
signments of early culinary Peas were included
in the total, these vegetables form onlv a verv
small proportion. So large, indeed, has the
Continental traffic in Strawberries latterly be-
come, that the growers now find it worth their
while to charter special steamers for the con-
veyance of their fruits from Brest to Plymouth.
Coming nearer home, the Strawberry traffic
from the West of England supplies some equally
large figures. The industry is pursued chiefly
in the districts of Saltash and Tavistock, and
from these two places the C.reat Western Rail-
way Co. carried last season no fewer than 428
tons of produce, of which the bulk was
Strawberries. These figures, although they con-
cern two districts only, are particularly striking,
because they do not refer to the main crop, in
the market interpretation of the term, but only
to the early crop, which pays to send all the
way to London.

Before leaving the subject of Strawberry pro-
duction in the West of England it may be per-
missible to add a few words regarding the pack-
ing and proper marketing of the berries — ques-
tions to which the English grower has never
given such careful attention as the subj
warrant. But this year there is a marked im-
provement in the appearance of the fruits on
their arrival in the market, and certainly none
has arrived in better condition than the Cornish
berries that are put up in half-pound chip pun-
nets, the latter being firmly packed in layers
one above the other in light cases containing
from two to four dozen baskets. There is still,
however, much room for improvement in these
matters, and the sooner that the British grower
learns that it is a mistake to pack as much as
12 lbs. of immediately perishable fruit in a

Co

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1907.

single basket, the better will it be for his poc-
ket. The Kent "peck" basket, containing
12 lbs. of fruit, is quite unsuited for the transit
of Strawberries, and there can be no doubt that
the Hampshire gallon handle-basket is quite the
largest that it is advisable to use. Those who
wish to learn how Strawberries should be packed
in bulk should inspect the French fruits sent
over here in crates, in which flat, baskets con-
taining about 2 lbs. of fruit apiece are packed
in a single layer. The fruits arrive in London
after their long journey in the very finest con-
dition, and have the appearance of having
recently been picked.

Even more astonishing than the figures of the

half this enormous total, and the rest goes to
Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle,
Glasgow and Edinburgh in through carriages to
its destination.

As is only to be expected under the circum-
stances, the railway company has made a special
study of the business, and has built vans on the
most approved principles for the carriage of
these fruits. The baskets stand on shelves side
by side, and, having handles, they cannot be
stood one upon the other and thus damage the
fruits. At times of great pressure old passenger
carriages, fitted with movable shelves, are
utilised. Between 60 and 70 thousand baskets
do not constitute an unusual daily consignment,

thing for a child to fill 30 or 40 baskets in the
day.

Kent contributes largely to the Strawberry
supply of Great Britain, but actual statistics
are not available.

This year's Strawberry crop has been a good
one, but the berries have suffered greatly from
want of sunshine, and frequent showers have
interfered with picking operations. Prices have
been about average ; the earliest and the best
of the fruits fetched Is. a pound wholesale, but
they dropped in value day by day until their
value became fairly stationary at from 3d. to 4d.
per pound. The smaller fruits, towards the end
of the season, are not worth more than about
2d. or 2id. per pound, and when these prices

[Photograph by J. Gregory.
FlG. 17. — HYBRID TEA ROSE JOSEPH LOWE, WHICH OBTAINED THE R.H.S. AWARD OF MERIT AT THE HOLLAND HOUSE SHOW WHEN
EXHIBITED BY MESSRS. LOWE AND SHAWYER : COLOUR A SHADE OF PINK. (See report on p. 36 in last week's issue.)

Strawberry traffic from the Continent and the
West of England are those which have been
supplied by the London and South Western
Railway Co. concerning the average amount of
these fruits handled annually by them in the
Southampton district. Every season from the
neighbourhood of Swanwick, Wickham, Fare-
ham, Sarisbury, Burslcdon, Sholing, Netley,
&c, it is necessary to run six or eight special
trains each day to convey the fruits to London
and large towns in tho Midlands and North of
England. An average season's picking amounts
to some 3,500 tons, represented by about
1,500,000 gallon baskets, London takes about

this total representing between 300 and 350 van-
loads of Strawberries.

At the present time there are about 150 Straw-
berry growers in the Southampton district, and
the varieties chiefly grown are Royal Sovereign,
Sir Joseph Paxton and Laxton's Noble. The
persons who gather the fruits earn much money
during the three weeks or more that the crop
lasts, and many of them can make from 10s. to
15s. a day when the crop is a good one, and
they are paid at the rate of l£d. per basket.
They work from early morning till about 2
p.m., and then, after an hour or two's rest, they
resume picking until dusk. It is no unusual

rule, the growers place the fruits into tubs and
sell them for jam making.

Marvellous as the development of the Straw-
berry-growing industry has been of late years,
it must not be supposed that fortunes are being
made. It is essentially a speculative under-
taking from start to finish, and the crop is an
expensive one to cultivate and to market. With
all its difficulties, however, those who carry it
out thoroughly make a good living out of it, and ,
will continue to do so as long as they cultivate
improved sorts and attend to the all-important
matters of careful grading and packing. East
Sussex.

July 20, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

47

THE USES OF LIME.*

(Concluded from page 24.)

The Influence of Manures on Lime in the
Soil.
The various classes of manures used in farm-
ing have some bearing upon the rate at which
lime is washed out, and this question has been
investigated at Rothamsted. The results of the
investigations may be given briefly as follow: —

(1) Superphosphate, sulphate of potash,
kainit, and kindred manures do not increase the
loss to any appreciable extent.

(2) Farmyard manure and probably all organic
manures diminish the loss of carbonate of lime.

(3) Nitrate of soda also diminishes the loss.

(4) Sulphate of ammonia increases the loss,
removing about half its own weight of lime or
nearly its own weight of chalk.

Lime sinks in the soil of grass land from
purely mechanical reasons ; in arable land this
sinking is less marked, but the lime is subject
to a greater wastage by solution in the rain-
water percolating through the soil.

The Classes of Lime.

In nature lime generally occurs as carbonate
of lime, in the form of chalk, limestone, marble,
marl, and other substances. Perhaps one-sixth
part of the rocks composing the earth's crust
consists of this material.

Those materials containing lime which are
of any agricultural importance may be tabu-
lated as follow : —

1. Bases, capable of neutralising acids.

Quicklime, burnt lime, lime-shells, caustic

lime = lime.
Slaked lime = lime and water.
Chalk, limestone, marl, old mortar, &c. =
' lime and carbonic acid.
Basic slag = lime and phosphoric acid

(lime in excess).

2. Neutral salts, in which the lime is already
neutralised by a strong acid. Compounds
of this class occur in : —

Gypsum = lime and sulphuric acid.
Bones and mineral phosphates = lime
and phosphoric acid.

3. Acid salts, which contain more acid than
the lime can neutralise. Compounds of this
class occur in : —

Superphosphate, dissolved bones = lime
and phosphoric acid (phosphoric acid
in excess).

Quicklime and slaked lime. — The most common
form in which lime is purchased by farmers is
that known as burnt lime, lime-shells, quick-
lime, or caustic lime. It is obtained by burning
either chalk or limestone in a lime-kiln. Quick-
lime greedily absorbs and combines with water,
forming slaked lime, while it also readily takes
up carbonic acid gas from the atmosphere, form-
ing carbonate of lime which is similar in com-
position to pure chalk or limestone. For this
reason quicklime should be exposed as little as
possible to rain and to the atmosphere, but
should be applied to the land without delay.

Where coal is cheap the price of good lime at
the lime-kiln averages perhaps 9s. per ton. A
guarantee should be obtained that it contains
not less than 85 per cent, of quicklime and not
more than 4 per cent, of magnesia.

Ground lime. — This consists of burnt lime
(quicklime) which has been ground to a fine
powder. It should be similar in quality to
quicklime, but is often impure and contains less
lime than ordinary quicklime.

Ground lime is more expensive than lime-
shells, owing to the cost of grinding, which may
amount to 6s. per ton, while an additional 3s.
must be added for sacks. A good sample there-
fore may cost about 18s. a ton at the lime-kiln.

Chalk. — This substance is really a soft lime-
stone, and, when the flints are removed, is

* Leaflet No. 170, issued by the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries.

usually a very pure form of carbonate of lime.
When fairly pure it will contain about half its
weight of lime.

Marls. — These are mixtures of earthy matter
and carbonate of lime, but their consideration
is beyond the scope of this leaflet.

Gypsum. — This compound of sulphuric acid
and lime is seldom employed as a separate
manure, but it forms about two-fifths of the
weight of ordinary superphosphate.

Gas lime. — This form of lime is a by-product
in the manufacture of coal gas, for which lime
is employed as a purifying agent. It consists of
slaked lime more or less saturated with com-
pounds of sulphur ; it is liable to considerable
variation in composition, and often it has but
little basic property left in it and so cannot take
the place of lime or chalk. It contains small
proportions of certain compounds of sulphur
which are virulent plant poisons, this fact neces-
sitating great care in its use. It is unprofitable
to use it at considerable distances from a town,
or where high railway rates prevail, as the per-
centage of lime present is usually small.

half a ton of sand for each ton of lime. The
lime in such a heap will keep for a considerable
time. Before using, the heap may be screened
through a three-eighth-inch gauge locking screen.
Lime thus slaked should be in a fine powdery
condition, and the sand mixed with it renders
the spreading a somewhat less dusty process.
Lime when overslaked becomes pasty, after
which even distribution in the soil is impossible.
The lime may be carted to the land and distri-
buted by hand direct from the carts, a process
which must be thoroughly done. It is much
better, however, when small quantities are being
applied to adopt the American plan, i.e., to
use a suitable manure distributor, to which old
bagging should be attached at the sides and
behind. This trails along the ground, insures
better distribution, and prevents much of the
discomfort that is otherwise caused by the blow-
ing about of the fine lime. Glasses for the eyes
and protective devices for the nostrils and mouth
are also used by men who do this work.

Since lime is used for many purposes, th^
proper quantity to apply varies widely. Common
dressings are from two to three tons of lime-

[Pliotogiaph by J. Gregory.

Fig. i8. — portion of mr. amos perry's water garden as exhibited at the
HOLLAND HOUSE SHOW. (See report in the issue for last week, p. 35.)

Basic slag. — Basic slag is a by-product in the
manufacture of steel, and is very largely em-
ployed as a phosphatic manure. It usually con-
tains about 45 per cent, of lime, and from one-
third to one-half of this is probably in the
caustic form. Half a ton of basic slag may
therefore supply as much lime as is contained
in from 2 to 4 cwt. of ground lime.

The Application of Lime.
The most common method of liming is to put
quicklime on the land in small heaps and allow
it to slake naturally, or to slake it with water
from a water-cart. It may then be spread from
a shovel and harrowed in at once. Lime-shells
may also be slaked as is done by a mason's
labourer, reducing them to a fine powder. They
are spread in layers a foot deep, one above the
other, each layer receiving about 6 cwt. of water
per ton of lime, or rather less water if the lime
is inferior. The heap is then covered with about

shells at intervals of from six to ten years.
Smaller dressings of about one ton per acre once
in four or five years are now becoming common.
Considerably larger quantities than the above
may be used in the treatment of newly-reclaimed
land rich in organic matter and plant food.

Ground lime. — This is usually applied by
means of a manure distributor at the rate of
from 5 to 30 cwt. per acre.

Gas lime. — Owing to the presence of certain
poisonous compounds already mentioned, gas
lime should be carefully spread on the land six
or eight weeks before ploughing. It is best
applied to lea in the autumn or early winter, at
the rate of from two to four tons per acre. On
most soils the oat crop which follows will be
considerably benefited.

Chalk. — This material is not so easily distri-
buted as lime, and as one ton of quicklime will
contain as much lime as 1J tons of chalk, it is
necessary to apply the latter in much larger
quantities than the former.

46

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1907.

KEW NOTES.

RODGERSIA TABULARIS.
Quite unlike any of the other Rodgersias,
except in the form of the inflorescence, this
species is a distinct and interesting plant. It
is a native of Northern China and Korea, and
is said to grow in dense masses among coarse
vegetation close to water. It is now flowering
for the first time in the rock garden at Kew,
plants having been raised from seeds obtained
from the Imperial Botanic Garden of St. Peters-
burg in 1905. The peltate leaves, which resem-
ble those of Saxifraga peltata in shape, are light
green in colour, and from 9 to 12 inches in
diameter. They are irregularly 7-lobed and
borne on petioles 18 inches to 2 feet long, cov-
ered with stiff, white hairs which have a red-
brown base. These disappear, to a great extent,

■ as the plant gets older in the season. The
stems grow about 3 feet high, and bear an arch-
ing panicle of white flowers. Dried herbarium
specimens show a very luxuriant growth both
in size of leaves and inflorescences, so that it
is evidently an acquisition for the waterside and

_pog garden. More in general appearance like a
Saxifraga, it has been formerly given a place in
that genus under the name of S. tabularis.
Another species also in flower at the present
time is R. pinnata, with its crimson stems and
petioles, and panicles of bright pink flowers.
This is certainly the most handsome of all the
Rodgersias when well grown. It flowered for
the first time in this country at Kew in July,
1902, seeds having been sent from Eastern Yun-
nan by Dr. Henry in 1898. Both kinds enjoy a
deep, rich and moist soil, with partial shade.

CALCEOLARIA HYSSOPIFOLIA.
The various species of South American Cal-
-' 1 .i rias are so distinct and graceful in habit,
and so rich and varied in the colour of their
flowers, that it is strange that they are not more
■often seen in. cultivation. Although the present
species was introduced in 1865 from Quito,
where it grows <>n the Andes at an elevation of
10 to 11,000 feet, it is somewhat rare in gardens.
Its value as a bedding plant may be judged by
a small, round bed of plants at Kew just pro-
ducing their cymes of rich canary-yellow flowers.
Growing about a foot or more high, this species
is of free-branching habit, every shoot being
floriferous. The Hyssop-leaved Calceolaria is
much more easy to keep through the winter than
the white one, C. alba, as it stands well in a cold
frame. Cuttings also strike freely, so that it
is easy to wor-k up a good stock. Close by is
another bed of the free-flowering C. polyrrhiza,
which is a useful plant for carpeting the ground
beneath plants that do not make much foliage,
like Delphinium sulphureum.

LATHYRUS FILIFORMIS.
Of all the. low-growing members of this genus
L. filiformis is one of the most charming and
free-flowering. It is of bushy habit, growing
about 1 foot high, and has pinnate leaves of two
pairs of narrow leaflets, and racemes of 8 or
more large violet-purple flowers. It is found
•over a great part of Southern Europe, and is
somewhat variable in habit. A form of this
species shown by Mr. Prichard, of Christchurch,
obtained an Award of Merit at a recent meeting
of the R.H.S. under the name of Ervum gracile.
It produces its flowers freely in the month
of June, and is an excellent plant for the rock
garden as well as for the border.

PENTSTEMON HETERl IPHYLLUS.
Apart from the beautiful strains of florists'
Pentstemons, there are many charming species
quite as well worth growing.' One of the pretti-
est of all the dwarf kinds is P. heterophyllus,
which is a native of North-western America. It
is almost a sub-shrub in its general aspect, mak-
ing neat little bushes 1 foot to 15 inches high,
with narrow, entire leaves, and racemes of clear
blue, or rose-flushed flowers. It may be planted
out in warm, sheltered parts of the rock garden,
where it will stand through moderate winters.
Tor bedding-out in the open, the plants should

be grown in pots in a cold frame during the
winter, and planted out early in May. They
come into flower early in July, and remain iii
bloom for a considerable time. Seeds are freely
produced, and cuttings with a heel strike readily-
after the flowering period is over. Somewhat
earlier in flower is the beautiful P. secundiflorus
from the same country. It grows up to 2 feet
high with single stems, the upper half composed
of a one-sided, many-flowered inflorescence.
The flowers vary in colour from azure-blue to
purple. This species seeds freely, and is best
treated as a biennial.

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES.
Among other interesting plants in flower are
two forms ofjLilium concolor, namely, var. sini-
cum, scarlet with black spots, and var. parthe-
neion (coridion), with golden-yellow flowers,
from bulbs which were recently received from
Wei-hai-wei. Saxifraga Brunoniana is a newly
introduced species of the set which includes S.
flagellaris, from the Himalaya. It has rosettes
of narrow leaves like S. aizoides, and yellow
flowers. The chief feature, however, is the
numerous crimson, thread-like stolons, which
have a charming appearance. W. I.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Easuvell Park, Kent.

Acalyfha hisfida $&ideriana). — Young plants
raised from cuttings inserted last spring will
now be growing strongly, and if the work has
not already been done, they- should be re-potted
without delay into the pots in which they will
flower. A good turfy loam will suit them well,
but if it is of a close and heavy nature some
manure from a spent Mushroom-bed and some
leaf-soil may be added with it. Use p<jts
of various sizes, according to the particular
purposes for which the plants are required.
Large specimens m 7-i:uh or 8-inch puts aire
very effective when in bloom. Fur the first
few months the blooms should be pinched out
as soon as they are seen, as the flowers show to
greater advantage when the plants have
lengthened somewhat.. If grown on without a
check they will soon reach a height of 4 or 5
feet, these, as a rule^ attracting considerable
attention, where an ordinary small and starved-
looking plant would be passed without notice.
It is a capital plant fur house decoration,
standing well for some weeks if not exposed to
cold draughts. When the plants are in full
growth, they should be liberally supplied with
water, or the leaves will soon lose that luxuriant
and fresh appearance which is a sure indication
of good culture. Occasional weak applications
of manure-w iter will be of great assistance.
The plants should be grown in a light position
in a warm house or stove, shading them lightly
during the hottest parts of the day. When the
long crimson spikes are fully developed, a drier
and slightly cooler atmosphere will be suitable
and will render the flowers less liable to damp
off. The plants are very susceptible to attacks
of red spider and thrip, but must be kept free
from these pests. A. macrophylla, A. musaica,
and A. Godsefliana are all worth growing, the
latter being a particularly useful plant if
grown in small pots for table decoration.

Achimcncs. — The main batch will now be fast
approaching the flowering stage. Attend to the
details of staking and tying, using small incon-
spicuous sticks, such as the fast-dyed green
Bamboo tips. As the flowers begin to develop,
reduce the atmospheric moisture and gradually
admit more air, to harden the plants slightly,
for removal to a cool conservatory, or for use
for indoor decoration in the dwelling-house.
Achimenes will continue to grow and bloom for
a long time provided that sufficient water is
given them, copious supplies being necessary
for strong-growing plants in full bloom. After
the flowering stage is over, they should be
returned to slightly warmer conditions, and
water must be afforded the roots until the tops
begin to wither, when it should gradually be
withheld, keeping the roots dry and not too
warm all the resting season. Achimenes are
especially suitable for cultivation in hanging
baskets, giving them the same cultural con-
ditions as I have advised for plants in pots.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.
Budding Hoses. — The time for performing this
operation must depend on the condition of the
stocks and on the season ; but, generally, the
next fortnight will be found a suitable period.
Neither the prepared bud nor the incision on the
stock must be exposed to the drying influence
of the air for a moment longer than is absolutely
necessary, and for this reason budding is most
successful when performed in the cool of the
evening. The bud should be tied in position
directly after insertion, but the bud itself must
be left free, and the binding must not be so
tight as to check the flow of the sap. In the
case of standard Briars the bud should be
placed as near to the main stem as is possible ;
with dwarf Roses the bud should be placed
low on the stock and near to the ground.
After three to four weeks from the bud-
ding process the tying material should be
loosened. It is usual to advise the cutting back
of the Briar shoot at the same time as the liga-
ment is cut, but as the bud needs to remain
dormant until the following spring, it will there-
fore be wise to allow the Briar shoot to remain
uncut.

Water Lilies. — As the older leaves begin to
turn yellow they should be removed. The
stronger^growing Nymphaeas should have many
t>f their green leaves removed in order to allow
the flowers to be the better displayed. In such
places as they can be easily reached, the faded
.flowers should be removed, for their removal will
assist in prolonging the flowering period. This
practice is especially necessary in the case of
the fragrant Aponogeton distachyon, for this
plant seeds so freely that unless the old scapes
are removed the plant soon ceases to flower
With attention to this detail, the species may be
kept in flower throughout the greater part of the
year.,

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Maynk, Gafcdenef- to Lord Clinton, Bicton,

East Devon.
Early Pea, hi ., unhiding the varieties Amsdert
June, Alexander, Early Rivers, and Waterluo,
are ripening in the warmer parts of the country,
and will require gathering as soon as they can
be parted readily from the tree. Much care must
be .taken not tu bruise the fruits in gathering
them. In order to expose the fruits to the sun,
tie back any growths that are shading them, and
remove a few leaves for the same purpose. Set
traps of hollow pieces of Bamboo or stalks of
Broad-bean for earwigs, which often spoil many
fruits.

M, >i,!/,- Cherries are changing colour, and un-
less these fruits are well protected by nets, the
birds will eat many of- them. Although the
Morello Cherry is usually planted in a cool posi-
tion, such as at the foot of a north wall, they are
benefited by an occasional watering, especially
if it takes the form of diluted stable or cow-
stall drainings. As soon as sweet Cherries are
harvested, examine the foliage, and, if black-
fly is present, syringe the trees with extract of
quassia. Apply the hose in any case, for dirt
and rubbish accumulate at the back of the
branches against the wall. Secure the' leading
shoots to the wall, and pinch any that are mak-
ing a too luxuriant growth. This practice of
stopping the shoots in summer is far preferable
to using the knife in winter or early spring.

General remarks. — This month is always a
busy one for the fruit-grower. The Strawberry
beds must be examined every other day and the
fruits gathered. If wet, lay' them out 'singly m
a dry, airy room. The leaves of a Lime tree that
have been grown more or less in the shade, form
an admirable material for packing these soft
fruits in. Black Currants must be gathered
within a few weeks of their ripening, or the
berries will shrivel. Both Red and Black Cur-
rants should be placed in wide-mouthed bottles
if intended for transit by rail, and this is also the
best method of sending other soft fruits, such as
the Raspberry, which, similar to the Strawberry,
requires to be gathered in as dry a condition as
possible. Ripe Gooseberries travel badly ; only
one layer of these fruits should be placed in a
box. Cover the fruits with soft leaves and thin
tissue paper, and complete the filling of the box
with soft packing material, so that when the lid
of the box is placed in position the fruits will
not move.

July 20, 1G07.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

4&

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

The Vinery. — Ventilation should be very care-
fully applied to houses in which Muscat of
Alexandria Grapes are ripening. During the
present summer we have not, up to the time of
writing these notes, opened the front ventilators
of the Muscat house once. Unless the cold, un-
seasonable weather departs, keep the hot-water
system in operation, but should the day promise
bright, the valves should be closed in the morn-,
ing. Damp the paths and the borders' very
lightly each morning and evening, as Muscat
Grapes delight in a warm, humid, but in no wise
a stagnant atmosphere, when the fruits are
colouring. The presence of rust on the berries
is caused by a dry, arid atmosphere, the result
of too much artificial heat ; but an excess
of moisture will cause water to condense on the
berries. This latter condition can be prevented
by always allowing the top ventilator to remain
open a trifle at night-time. Do not expose the
bunches to the full rays of the sun, or some of
th; berries may become injured by scorching. -
A light shading material placed on the glass, or
a piece of thin tissue paper pinned above the
bunch, will obviate this injury.

Graft Lady Downe's. — The fruits, having
commenced to colour, are now in no danger
from scalding. The Vines will require a higher
day temperature, and the atmosphere of the
house should be kept in a more humid condi-
tion, with plenty of top ventilation both by day
and by night. Examine the inside border with
the soil tester, and, if it is found to be dry, give
a copious watering, which should be the last
for the season, unless the weather becomes
warmer.

Peaches and Nectarines that are colouring
should have an abundant circulation of fresh
air about them both by day and by night, and
syringing should be discontinued. The young
growths should now be trained in position,
superfluous growths removed, and also any
leaves that obscure the fruit ; from the sun's rays.
Secure the fruits by tying them according to
the directions given in the Calendar for May
IStli. Some persons hang a net under the trees
to catch the fruits when they drop, but such
fruits become more or less injured for dessert
purposes, and tying is preferable. See that
the inside borders are sufficiently supplied with
water. Trees in the latest houses, and on which
fruits are now swelling, should be occasionally
supplied with manure water. Syringe the foli-
ag< in very fine afternoons, but never on dull
or wet days. Discontinue syringing altogether
as soon as the fruits commence to colour. If
traces of red spider or mildew are seen, syringe
the foliage with the mixture recommended in
the Calendar for May ±2. Thin the young
growths, and save only those necessary for next
year's fruiting.

Strawberries. — The first batch of runners
■which were pegged down into 3-inch pots last
month should now be detached from the parent
plants. Remove the pots into a cold frame,
where they may remain until well rooted, after
which they should be potted into their fruiting
pots.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Habenaria pusilla (militaris). — This brilliant,
scarlet-flowering, terrestrial Orchid from Cochin
China is a species that deserves every attention,
being extremely useful as a decorative plant, and
its flowers are valuable for use in a cut state.
H. rhodocheila, which produces bright ver-
milion flowers, H. carnea, of soft flesh colour,
and H. c. nivosa and H. Susannae, both of which
arc pure white, are equally worthy of extended-
cultivation. Growers who have hitherto failed to
cultivate these Orchids satisfactorily may be
encouraged by the fact that their cultivation be-
comes an easy matter when the needs of the
plants are properly understood. At the present'
time the plants are growing freely, and should be'
housed in the East Indian house, or plant stove,
where the atmosphere is hot and moist, placing
them near to the roof glass in order that
th» stems may not become drawn and the
flower spikes develop weakly. In addition to
the ordinary shading, the glass immediately over

them should be stippled as advised in a former
calendar, and the diffused light thus afforded is
the most suitable for them. Afford the plants
plenty of water at the root until such time as
the flowers open, when the quantity should be
gradually reduced. Thrip insects are particu-
larly fond of these species, but may be easily
kept down by vaporising the atmosphere, or by
dipping the plants occasionally in some safe
insecticide.

Ef-idcndntnv radicans. — The long panicles of
bright orange-coloured flowers of this species
are particularly adapted for furnishing vases,
&c. Plants which have been in bloom for
several months past should have the flower
spikes removed from them, growth having
already commenced. It is a plant of scandent
habit, and a number of stems may be planted
in well-drained sphagnum-moss at the lighted
end of the Cattleya house. If they are put
against a glass or brick-wall partition, the stems
may easily be trained up towards the roof glass
by means of cord or wires. The plant may be
rapidly propagated by taking the off-shoots
which appear on the old growth and flower,
stems and inserting them thickly in a large pot.
Very soon numerous young roots will appear on
the stems, and, as they increase in length, as
many as possible should be guided into the
sphagnum-moss. Throughout the growing sea-,
son the plants should be kept moist, and be
afforded frequent overhead syringings.

Efidendrum vitellinum. — This is another use-
ful bright-flowered species, plants of which have
been in bloom for a long time. When growth
re-commences the plants may be re-potted if
this is required. This species does not require
much root-space, therefore the hanging pots,
these being preferable to shallow pans, should
be of a comparatively small size. Thoroughly
drain the pots, and for a potting compost I
have found nothing so valuable as the follow-
ing mixture : good fibrous peat, leaf soil, and
sphagnum-moss used in equal proportions, cut-
ting the peat and moss up moderately small,
and well mixing all the ingredients together. Pot
each plant moderately firm, and surface the com-
post with about half an inch of chopped sphag-
num-moss. Suspend the plants in a light position
in the coolest part of the intermediate house,
and afford them much moisture at the roots until
they have completed their growth.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobhani Park, Surrey.

Affording water and mulches. — In gardens
where the soil is of a light nature it may now
be necessary to apply mulches and afford water-
ings. Though the weather has been cold and
dull, the amount of the rainfall has been rather
below the average in most districts, and in the
event of a spell of hot, dry weather, vegetable
crops would soon suffer ill effects if they were
not assisted in the manner now recommended.
Peas, Runner Beans, Cauliflowers, and such
crops are the first to require much attention, and
the ground should be well hoed before the
mulching is applied. The mulching should
a nsist of half-rotted manure, but if this is not
available, litter from the stables will have to
be used instead, or even the mowing grass
obtained from the lawns would make a good
substitute, but this should have a sprinkling
of litter thrown over it in order to make it more
convenient for treading upon.

Winter vegetables. — These green crops should
still be planted on the various plots of ground
as they become vacant, and although the plants
to be used now will be the small ones that were
left from the first planting, they will have made
nice sturdy specimens since the bed was thinned.
If they fail to make such large plants as the
earlier ones, they may " turn in " at an oppor-
tune time when such vegetables are becoming
scarce. Whilst this work is proceeding, let an
inspection be made of the previous plantings,
that all vacancies that have occurred may be
filled up. The season having been such a
favourable one for the transplanting of brassicas,
failures are likely to be fewer than usual.

Marrows, Gourds, and Cardoons will require
frequent waterings to keep them growing.
Owing to the cold nights and winds, mildew
will in some cases be appearing on Marrows and

Onions. 'Where this' happens to be the case, it
will be necessary to spray the plants overhead
with sulphide of potassium (liver of sulphur! or
with an approved mildew compound. Do not
let the mildew spread unnecessarily before
commencing to spray.

Salads — Continue to make sowings of Cab-
bage and white-seeded Cos Lettuce, Radishes,.
Onions, etc. Towards the end of the present
month and early in August the Brown Bath
and black-seeded varieties of Cos Lettuce should
l.«- sown for raising plants to stand through the
winter.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Pari by-laws. — For the maintenance of good
conduct and order among visitors, and the pre-
servation of property in public parks, it is.
usual to have them governed by a special set of
by-laws. Common law is, as a rule, not specific
enough, and too difficult of application to be of
any great assistance in dealing with many of the
matters which crop up from time to time in
the management of a park. To give a simple
illustration, let us take the case of trespass. It
would be most difficult (if not impossiblel to
punish a person for being inside a public park
during closed hours, by a process of common
law, whereas the existence of a by-law to the
effect that persons are not allowed within a park
during certain hours makes it easy to do so, and
thereby stop trespass. In the same way common
law has no power to prevent visitors in a public
park from playing football or any other game
they choose on the best-kept lawn or among the
flower beds so long as wilful damage could not
be proved against them. By-laws, however, can
deal with all such matters and make it a crime
to do any of these things.

Legality of by-laws— -In England before
by-laws can come into force thev have to be
sanctioned by the Local Government Board.
In Scotland I believe this power belongs to the
Court of Session. For the guidance of those
about to draw up park .by-laws the Local
Government Board supplies a model set, whji h
is exceedingly useful for the purpose. 1
are capable of meeting most requirements, but
there are invariably local circumstances which
make certain by-laws necessary in one place
which are quite inapplicable in others. It
would be as absurd to make by-laws regulating
bathing, boating, and skating "in a park devoid
of water, as it would be unwise to omit them
where a large lake existed.

Framing of by-laws.— Although the work of
framing by-laws naturally devolves upon a.
lawyer, it is the park officials themselves who
are best able to draw up the subjects about
which they are needed. In drawing up such a
list it is well to prepare for every- contingency,
and to make it as hard as possible for anyone
to do mischief in a park by making it easy to.
punish them for doing so. I had once occasion
to remark to the head of one of the largest park
systems in this country that for a democratic
city the by-laws in force in the parks under his
charge were the most drastic I had ever known.
His reply put the question in the proper light,
when he said that they were made in the
interest of the general public and for the ex-
press purpose of protecting their propertv in
the most efficient manner — only evil doers had
any reason to fear them.

Employment of by-laws. — Although the general
idea of by-laws is that they are drawn up for
the use of the authorities, it is well to bear in
mind the fact that once they become law they
can be put in force by any ratepayer who
chooses to do so. For this reason great care
has to be exercised in drawing up many of the
by-laws so as not to hamper the department
itself m the carrying out of its duties. For
instance, in prohibiting the use of firearms in a
park, it is policy to make a proviso that such
prohibition will not apply to servants of the cor-
poration when destroying vermin, &c, otherwise
it would, in all probability, be quite within the
rights of a ratepayer to take proceedings against
a corporation for destroying rabbits by shooting
them. What in many instances would be v
for the public to do is needful on the part of the
corporation's .servants, in the proper discharge
of their duty.

50

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1907

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,

w.c.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communi cat tons should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible , and July
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
■ printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith*

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Illustrations.— The Editor will beglad to receive and to select
photograplis or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c, but he
cannot be responsible for lossor injury

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish tlie Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, JULY 20— German Gard. Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, JULY 23—

Roy. Hon. Soc. Corns, meet.

Brit. Gard. Assoc. £x. Council meet.

Rose Sh. in Manchester Botanical Gardens.

WEDNESDAY, JULY- 24—

Nat. Carnation Soc. Sh. in R.H.S. Hall, Westminster.
Cardiff and County Hort. Soc. Sh. (2 days).
Harpenden Fl. Sh.

THURSDAY, JULY 25—

Roy. Ulster Agricultural Society's Esh. and Fl. Sh.,

Balmoral, Belfast (2 days).
Horticultural Club (annual outing).

FRIDAY, JULY 26— Roy. Bot. Soc. meet.

SATURDAY, JULY 27-LydneyFl. Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — G2'6\

Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, July 17 (6 p.m.): Mai. 73°;
Min. 5o\
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, Jtdv
18(10a.m.): Bar.. 30-2; Temp., 62"; Weather—
Bright sunshine.
Provinces- — Wednesday, July 17 (6 p.m.): Max. 68°.
Ireland, S.W. ; Min. 62', Lancaster.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

FRIDAY—

Choice imported and established Orchids in large
variety, Orchids in flower and bud, at 67 & 68, Cheap,
side, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

From the results of some care-
Tom atos. fully conducted experiments with
about ioo varieties of Tomatos,
at the Maryland Agricultural Experimental
Station, it was found that the varieties tested
yielded produce which varied from 2 tons to
about 20 tons, or 66o bushels, of fruit per
acre. The average yield of all the varieties
was at the rate of n§ tons, or 390 bushels, per
acre. The best ten varieties averaged 18 tons,
or 603 bushels, per acre. The results show-
that the greater the number of cells in a
Tomato fruit, the higher is the percentage
of solid fruit. In 12 varieties having in
their fruits more than 80 per cent, of flesh
there was an average of 10.7 cells per fruit.
The varieties having between 77 and 80 per
cent, of flesh had 8.4 cells per fruit, and as
the percentage of flesh decreases the average
number of cells also decreases.

This fact points out one way in which the
Tomato can be improved. The number of
cells can be increased by the selection of seed
from fruits having the greatest number of
cells, and thus may the solidity of the fruit
be increased.

In regard to manurial applications the

results showed that potash increased the crop
more than either of the other elements of
plant-food, and nitrogen stood next in this
respect.

On a chemical analysis of the fruits grown
with different artificial manures, it was
found that potash has a tendency to produce a
fruit with slightly less sugar, and more malic
acid. Some of the sweetest Tomatos were
grown by the aid of phosphates. Nitrogen
and potash, when applied together, seem to
have the most marked effect on the growth of
Tomatos.

The following table shows a chemical
analysis of 24 samples of Tomatos, compris-
ing fruit, vines and roots : —

Fruit.

Haulm.

Root.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Water

95-45

7i)Jl

73 31

Dry organic matter

4-55

2059

2669

Mineral matter lash)

042

3-72

11-72

Phosphoric acid in the ash

005

0-04

006

Potash in the ash

027

0-39

0-29

Lime in the ash

—

0-55

0-30

Nitrogen in organic matter

016

031

024

Ten tons of Tomato fruit would remove
from the soil about the same quantity of
nitrogen and potasTi as 150 bushels of
Potatos, but somewhat less of phosphoric
acid.

Attention is directed to those portions of the
plant which seldom receive consideration,
viz., the haulm and roots. When the haulm
is dug into the soil, both it and the roots de-
compose and their manurial properties be-
come more or less speedilv and completely
available for succeeding crops. [The haulm
should be removed from the ground and burnt
if there is any reason to suspect that the plants
have been attacked by disease ; otherwise the
disease may be communicated to future
crops.] The crop that leaves the largest
amount of these materials in and upon the
soil adds most to the next year's store of
plant-food, and to the fertility of the land.

The proportions of haulm and roots vary
with different crops, and with the same crop
according to its character. The relation be-
tween the amount of roots and tops is quite a
variable factor, generally; however, with any
t^iven crop the greater the produce of fruit,
the greater will be the amount of haulm and
roots.

In the following table is shown the amount
of valuable manurial elements in haulm and
roots left on one acre of land from Tomatos
and Potatos :

Haulm

and
Roots.

Nitro-
gen.

Phos-
phoric
Acid.

Potash.

Tomatos

Potatos

lb.
8500
2000

lb.

27

9

lb.
4
3

lb.

84
10

The Tomato is not what may be called an
exhausting crop, because, by its haulm and
roots, if these are returned back to the soil,
they impart four times as much organic
matter or humus, three times as much
nitrogen, and three times as much potash,
with a little more phosphoric acid, than do the
vine and fibrous roots of an average crop of
Potatos.

The following experiments were conducted
by Dr. Bernard Dyer, at Tonbridge, to ascer-
tain the effect of nitrogenous manures upon
Tomatos. The plants were grown out in the

open and were manured with dung- at the
rate of 25 loads (12J tons) per acre, together
with 6 cwt. of superphosphate and 1 cwt. sul-
phate of potash per acre. One plot was left
without any further nitrogenous manure than
was comprised in the dung ; the other re-
ceived a dressing of 2 cwt. of nitrate of soda
per acre.

The results of two years' trials were as
follows : —

Manures per acre.

Annual cost

of Manure

per acre.

Weight of Tomatos
per acre.

1901.

1902.

12* tons London dung,
6 cwts. of super-
phosphate, and 1
cwt. sulphate of
potash

12Uons London dung,
6 cwts. of super-
phosphate, 1 cwt. of
sulphate of potash,
and 2 cwts. of nitrate
of soda

£ s. d.

6 5 0

7 7 0

Tons. Cwts.
6 0

6 16

Tons. Cwts.

7 16

8 14

For the extra outlay of 22s. spent in nitrate
of soda an increase of 16 cwt. of Tomatos was
obtained per acre in 1901, and an increase of
18 cw-t. per acre in 1902. Reckoning the fruit
at id. per lb., the extra gain in 1901 would
represent £,- 9s. per acre, and in 1902 £S Ss.
per acre.

The following formula has been recom-
mended as a manurial mixture for Tomatos :

Sulphate of ammonia —
Superphosphate
Sulphate of potash

Quantity
per half

320 lb.
500 lb.
300 lb.

Cost at
Wholesale

Prices.

£ s. d.
1 15 8
0 14 8
16 9

10 cwt. £3 17 1

This mixture contains about : — 6 per cent,
of nitrogen, 7J per cent, of phosphoric acid,
and 133 per cent, of potash. If applied at the
rate of 4 cwt. per acre, this will give about
26 lb. of nitrogen, 33 lb. of phosphoric acid,
and 60 lb. of potash per acre.

This manurial mixture at wholesale prices
would cost about £1 10s. 9d. per acre.

For potting purposes the soil in which
Tomato plants are to be grown should be
well mixed with the manure in the propor-
tion of about half a pound to a bushel of soil.
After the fruit is set mix with the surface soil
A oz. of the mixture per plant about every
three weeks until the fruit is ripe.

Plants cultivated in pots indoors require
more manure than Tomato plants in the open
garden, owing to their restricted soil area.

Our Supplementary Illustration repre-
sents a view in one of the remarkable Italian
gardens, found so numerously about the city of
Rome, and in which architecture, statuary,
fountains and other adornments occupy as pro-
minent positions as the floral subjects. Many
of these old gardens have been allowed to fall
into decay, but in their ruined state they are
interesting as showing how certain species of
plants will survive and multiply under condi-
tions of neglect. Mr. James Hudson, Gunners-
bury House Gardens, Acton, who kindly sent us
the photograph from which the illustration has
been prepared, writes as follows : — " One of the
most delightful excursions from Rome is that to
Tivoli, 18 miles distant. It can be undertaken
either by railway, by the steam tramway, or, if
one has the time, by horse carriage. A visit
to the Villa d'Este, on the west of the town, will

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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

51

repay the traveller. Unfortunately, the Villa is
not now occupied, nor, indeed, to all appear,
ances, has it been for several years past. The
views, which extend to Rome and beyond, from
the terraces are magnificent, the most prominent
feature in the distance being the dome of St.
Peter's Cathedral. The gardens, which slope
rapidly towards the north, were designed with
considerable skill. Towards the west are many
acres of vineyards. The most prominent shrubs
are the Sweet Bay, the Olive, and the upright-
growing Juniper. The latter shrub has been
planted at points of vantage, and there is a noble
avenue formed of it, many of the trees being
from 60 to 70 feet in height. The waterfalls,
cascades, and fountains are most noteworthy.
Evidently the designers had in view the im-
portance of these adjuncts to a garden attached
to a summer residence in a climate which is
noted for its high temperature. These water-
features are boldly executed, and a large supply
of water is readily attainable from the River
Arno. To wander in the shady groves of these
gardens when they were in their former degree
of splendour must have been delightful after the
heat of Rome during the summer season. The
Villa itself, which was built in 1549, is said to
be one of the finest examples of architecture of
the Renaissance period. It now belongs to a
member of the Austrian Royal family."

The Ghent Quinquennial, 1908. — How

quickly these quinquennials seem to succeed
each other, becoming formidable mile-stones !
The schedule of prizes to be offered at the ex-
hibition to be held next spring is now before us,
and it is even more important than previous
ones have been, because this exhibition will
mark the centenary of the Societe Royale d'Agri.
culture et de Botanique de Gand. The show
will be opened on April 25, and remain open
until May 2. Extra pains have been taken to
ensure an even finer show than any previously
seen at Ghent, and to the many British horti-
culturists who regularly attend the famous Ghent
Quinquennials, and have appreciated their
magnificent features in the past, that statement
will convey much. There are 760 classes,
divided into 29 groups, and in each class
liberal prizes are offered. For new plants there
are twenty classes ; Orchids are invited to fill
eighty-two classes, and as some of them are for
large collections, there should be a magnificent
display. In the twenty-sixth group there
are fifty-two classes of a more or less
scientific nature, and in which the exhibits
will have some bearing upon the important
questions of heredity, fixity of varieties, muta-
tion, artificial selection, adaptation to environ-
ment, morphology, and many other important
subjects. In the other groups nothing seems to
have been forgotten in the matter of providing
classes for everything likely to be available.
Many British horticulturists look forward to the
Ghent Quinquennials with pleasure, for, at these
shows, they can combine business with pleasure.
Since the last gathering in 1903, death has re-
moved the popular president, Comte Kerchove
de Denterghem, and the secretary, M. E.
Fierens, whilst many who regularly visited
these exhibitions from this country are now no
longer with us.

Royal Horticultural Society. — The next

meeting of the committees will take place on
Tuesday, July 23. In the afternoon a lecture
will be given by the Hon. Vicary Gibbs, on
" Rare Trees and Shrubs in the Open Air."

Presentation. — Mr. T. Blencowe, who has
filled the office of secretary to the Kingston Gar-
deners' Society for the past 12 years, was pre-
sented by the members, on the 12th inst., with
a watch, on his leaving the district to take up
new duties at Henley-on-Thames.

Flowers in Season. — Messrs. C. S. Daniels
& Son, Wymondham, have sent us flowers cf
their strain of Sweet William (Dianthus barba-
tus), which they describe as "Auricula-eyed" on
account of the colouring being in a clearly-
defined ring on the usual white ground. The
flowers are large, and the markings are in many
beautiful shades of colours, some approaching
blue.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd.,

send from their Coombe Wood Nursery flower-
ing sprays of Magnolia macrophylla and Stuartia
pseudo Camellia. The former has a very large
flower of pale yellow colour, set in a rosette of
leaves which measure more than 2 feet in length.
The plan* was figured in our issue for November
3, 1900, p. £25. The species of Stuartia forms
a remarkably handsome shrub, and bears an
abundance of white flowers along the whole
length of the shoots. It was figured in the
Gardeners' Chronicle for August 18, 1888, p. 187.

The American Gooseberry-mildew in
England." — Mr. Ernest S. Salmon writes us
on this subject as follows: — "Royal assent
was given on July 4 to ' The Destructive
Insects and Pests Act, 1907,' and the
Board of Agriculture will now be able,
under this new law, to issue an Order against
the American Gooseberry-mildew. I wish to
point out how matters stand at this juncture,
and especially to emphasise the necessity for
growers to co-operate with the Board to stamp
out this new pest. During the past few weeks
I have visited affected Gooseberry plantations
in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Norfolk,
and in many cases I have seen the berries, leaves,
and young shoots smothered with the white,
powdery masses of spores of the American
Gooseberry-mildew. Experience in this country
has already shown (as it has in other countries
on the Continent) that severe pruning in the
winter and frequent spraying during the spring
and summer months do not eradicate this
disease, and that the only certain way of dealing
with this pest, if we wish to stamp it out before
it spreads through the country, is to grub up
and burn the affected bushes. Already instances
have occurred of considerable losses to growers
caused by this new disease. In one case a
grower discovered the disease in his nursery,
and it was not until he had grubbed up and
burnt the whole of his nursery stock, of the
value of some £70, that the danger of the
disease spreading to adjacent and extensive
Gooseberry plantations was removed. In
another case the loss was more serious still ; for
in a plantation of some 14 acres not only had
all the Gooseberry bushes to be destroyed, but,
as I found the mildew had spread to Red Cur-
rant bushes growing intermixed with the Goose-
berries, it was necessary to grub up and burn
these also, in order to ensure the eradication of
the disease and safeguard the surrounding un-
affected plantations. The total loss in this
case amounted to some hundreds of pounds. In
a third case a nurseryman lost a considerable
sum of money through the necessity of having
to burn a large stock of recently-imported
standard Gooseberries affected with the disease.
It is clear that growers are just beginning to
experience the spread of a disease which, unless
resolutely stamped out, will gradually invade
and ruin their Gooseberry plantations, just as
the ' Big Bud ' mite has ruined Black Currant
plantations. The disease has been allowed
seven years' start in Ireland and two or three
years' start in England. Now that the Board
have at length acquired the necessary legislative
powers to deal with the disease, it behoves all
growers, and gardeners generally to co-operate
heartily with the Board if they wish to see the
American Gooseberry-mildew destroyed and their
Gooseberry plantations remain healthy. Up

to the present the outbreaks that have occurred
in England are as follow: — Kent: on standard
Gooseberries only in one nursery (disease be-
lieved to be now stamped out). Worcester-
shire: 31 outbreaks in Gooseberry plantations.
Gloucestershire: one outbreak. Warwickshire:
one outbreak. Wisbech and district : two out-
breaks."

Sale of Botanical Books. — The following
are some of the more important works disposed
of at a recent sale held at Messrs. Christie's
auction rooms, King Street, St. James's: —
Salic turn Woburnense, or, a Catalogue of Wil-
lows Indigenous and Foreign at Woburn Abbey,
by the Duke of Bedford, 2 vols., fintly-coloured
plates, 1829 (only 50 copies were printed),
£12 10s. ; Botanical Magazine, by William
Curtis, complete from 1793 to 1903, £86;
Edwards's Botanical Register, 33 vols., 1815-47,
£28; Arboretum et Fruticctum Britannicum, by
J. C. Loudon, 400 plates, 8 vols., 1844, £2 4s. ;
James Sowerby'S English Botany, coloured
plates, original edition, complete in 30 vols.,
1790-1814, £14 10s. ; ditto, third edition, 1863-86,
£14 ; Robert Sweet's British Flower Garden,
£12 ; John Evelyn's Silva, with portrait by
Bartolozzi and coloured plates, a fine copy in
contemporary tree-calf extra, 1776, £12 5s. ; The
Orchidacece of Mexico and Guatemala, bv J.
Bateman, 1843, 40 coloured plates, £7 5s. ; .
Florce Danicee Iconum, over 1,000 coloured plates,
17 parts in 6 vols., bound in morocco, 1764-87,
£11 10s. ; John Gerakde's Herball, enlarged
and amended by Thomas Johnson, 1636, £4 6s. ;
Selectarum Stirfium Americanarum Icones, by N.
J. Jacquin, 1750, 246 coloured plates, £17;
Description of the Genus Pinus, by Ayi.mer B.
Lambert, second edition, enlarged by Professor
Don, 3 vols., 1838, £68 (Quaritch) ; Reichenbachia,
Orchids Illustrated and Described, 192 coloured
plates, Imperial paper edition, both series, 7
vols., 1888-94, £14; James Sowerby's English
Fungi or Mushrooms, with supplement and index,
440 coloured plates, 1797-1803, £11; Plantce
Asiaticce Rariores, by Nathaniel Wallich, 300
coloured plates, 1830-2, £13 ; Les Liliacees, by P.
J. Redoute, 486 coloured plates, fine copy,
1802-16, 8 vols., £90.

The Association of Economic Biologists

held its fifth general meeting in the Imperial
Institute on Thursday, July 4. The President,
Mr. A. E. Shipley, M.A., F.R.S., occupied the
chair. After the formal business, the following
papers were read :• — By Mr. Cecil Warburton,
"Some Notes on Ticks." The author dealt
with the classification, means of distribution,
and the leading generic characters. Mr. E. R.
Burdon detailed the results of his experiments
with the Spruce-Gall and Larch-Blight disease.
His results showed that paraffin emulsion, ap-
plied early in the year, before the buds open,
and whilst the insects are still hybernating, is
the most effective insecticide. Mr. Walter E.
Collinge gave an account of his work on the
Cecidomyidae or Gall Midges, and appealed to
entomologists and others for assistance in work-
ing out the life-histories, &c, of this very diffi-
cult family of Diptera. An abstract of a paper,
by Professor A. D. Imms, on a " Disease of
Bees in the Isle of Wight," was read. Mr. E.
S. Salmon read a short paper on the American
Gooseberry-mildew, and the proposed legisla-
tive measures to check the importation of
diseased plants. Mr. C. Gordon Hewitt dis-
cussed the binomics of the Calypterate Mus-
cudae, and their economic significance. A
demonstration was given by Mr. W. G. Free-
man, the Superintendent of the Colonial Collec-
tions at the Imperial Institute, and visits were
also paid to the Research Laboratories. The
next meeting will be held at Edinburgh about
Faster, 1908.

52

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

Lfc'LY 20; 1907; "

Agricultural Education. — The Depart-
mental Committee held meetings on the 10th
and 11th inst. The following witnesses at-
tended, and were examined : — Mr. E. S. Beaven,
Warminster, Wilts ; Mr. Christopher Turnob,
representing the County Councils Association ;
Mr. J. A. Smith, Eastern Counties. Dairy Insti-
tute, Ipswich ; Mr. T. W. Cowan and Mr. Wal-
ter F. Reid, nominated by the British Bee-
Keepers' Association; the Right Hon. Henry
Hobhouse, Chairman of the Somerset County
Council, nominated by the Count}' Councils
Association.

The "City Press." — This paper having been
founded by Messrs. W. H. & L. Collingridge
in 1857, has just celebrated its jubilee. It has
recorded the principal details of the municipal
government and social doings of the Metropolis
for the past 50 years.

Prince of Wales at the Scotch Agri-
cultural Show. — At the conclusion of the
luncheon given in honour of the visit of the
Prince and Princess on the 9th inst. to the
Highland Society's Agricultural Show at
Prestonfield, Mr. John Methven, of Messrs.
Thomas Methven & Sons, Edinburgh, under
whose direction the grounds surrounding the
pavilion were laid out, was presented to the
Prince, who expressed admiration of the
manner in which the pavilion and the grounds
had been arranged.

Propagation of Violas. — Mr. J. F. McLeod,
Dover House Gardens, Roehampton, writes as
follows: — "As an admirer of Violas, I was
pleased to read (see p. 33) of Mr. Hawe'S
success in the massing of them in beds. I have
grown Violas in these gardens since the summer
of 1890, and in no year have I had any serious
disappointment in their cultivation. With the
exception of injury from wire-worm, my plants
have not caused me any anxiety. In 1893,
which season, it will be well remembered, was
very hot and exceptionally dry, I had a
large bed planted with Violas, and by water-
ing them once each week and damping
them overhead every evening, the plants were
enabled to last throughout the season re-
markably well. There is no bedding plant
that so well repays for the attention given it.
We do not root the cuttings in hand-lights,
however ; this we have never done, as it is
unnecessary, and much stronger plants can be
produced by a full exposure to atmospheric
influences. The cuttings are put in at about the
end of September or early in October in a
western border against a quick-set hedge. The
position is not selected from choice, but simply
as a matter of convenience. Young, soft cut-
tings are selected when these are forthcoming,
and with the exception of occasionally damping
them during dry weather, nothing further is
done, and, although they have had 2 to 3
inches of ice over them, they have not suffered
any ill effect. We root about 98 per cent, of the
cuttings put in, and being thus exposed they
form stocky plants which can be lifted early in
March with an abundance of healthy roots and
numerous side growths. In a short time they
form the class of plant from which the best
flowers may be expected."

ToStuc/ Fruit Tree Pests.— The United
States Bureau of Entomology will shortly estab-
lish somewhere near San Jose a big experiment
station to study the insect pests which afflict
the deciduous fruit trees of California. A liberal
appropriation has been made for the support of
the station for a period of two years, and at
the expiration ot th.it time it is expected that
measures will be taken to make it a permanent
institution.

Rubber in French West Africa.— The

French Government is turning its attention to
the better administration of the rubber forests of
French West Africa. On the whole the quality
of the rubber produced continues to improve,
and prices have risen, all round. The rubber,
however, from the Ivory Coast and the Casa-
mance district is still inferior to that from the
other colonies, and somewhat strict measures are
to be taken to' improve it. The shortage in the
export of rubber is due to adulteration which
has made Ivory Coast rubber to a certain extent
unacceptable in Europe, and, secondly, less
rubber has been brought across the Gold Coast
frontier from Ashanti to exchange for gunpowder
at Aborisso. A special survey is being made of
the chief rubber-producing districts, which will
eventually be divided into three categories as
follow: — (1) Unexploited districts'. These con-
sist only of a few regions in the Ivory Coast
forests. (2) Districts which are exploited but
have not been spoiled by excessive production
and unscientific methods of collection. (3) Dis-
tricts which have been spoiled for the above
reasons. These latter are in the majority. When
the survey and classification are complete, the
Governor-General will, by decree, close the
worst districts to rubber collection, so as to give
the plants time to recuperate. A beginning will
probably be made in 1908. Journal of the
Society of Arts.

Needles of the Common Spruce as a
Protection for Strawberries. —At this
season, writes a correspondent, attention might
be called to the use of the needles of the Spruce
Fir as a protective means against slugs. The
branches of this species of Fir are often em-
ployed by gardeners to prevent the too early
opening of the blossoms of the Apricot and
Peach, and as a protection of the young fruits
from late spring frosts. When these branches
are taken from the trees, they should be placed
in layers on the ground, and turned over several
times, and they will cast their needles entirely,
which, without much trouble, answer capitally
for strewing over the spaces between the Straw-
berry plants. The slugs are careful not to
trespass on ground thus treated, the needles
attaching themselves to their slimy bodies and
remaining thereon, ultimately causing death.
Later in the summer, the needles may be dug in.
There is a slight disadvantage attached to the
use of this means — they stick here and there into
the soft fruits, but are readrly removed when
gathering. Fir needles can be purchased cheaply
in great quantities, or obtained for the gather-
ing in the woods in many parts of the country.

The Camphor Industry.— Mr. James G.
Wilson, of the American Department of Agri-
culture, recently declared that the United States
was successfully experimenting in the produc-
tion of camphor. He said that for years past
the Department has been distributing camphor
tree seed, and thousands of trees are now grow-
ing throughout the South and in the Pacific
Coast States. Two years ago a serious effort
was made to develop the manufacture of cam-
phor from these trees. By improvements in
manufacturing processes satisfactory results have
been accomplished and a large manufacturing
concern is now building up a camphor grove of
2,000 acres in Florida, from which it hopes to
make its camphor. This firm uses more than
500,000 dollars' worth of camphor every year.
From another source we learn that the Tokyo
Government has on foot a project for the ex-
tensive planting of forests of camphor - trees.
The demand for camphor increases, having now
reached over 10,500,000 pounds annually, and
it will not be long until it reaches 13,000,000
pounds, says the Japanese authority.

A New Horticultural Journal. — A horti-
cultural journal in the Swedish language has
been started at Helsingfors for circulation in
Finland. The editor is a nurseryman, having
a business in that town. The name of the new-
comer is Finske Tradgardsolarc.

Tomatos in Canada. — The summers in the
Toronto district, if shorter than in England,
are warmer, and the Tomato is largely planted
as a field crop. When Tomato seedlings, states
a Canadian contemporary, are about a month
old from the date of sowing the seeds, they are
pricked off about 3 inches apart ; and when
they begin to get crowded they are again trans-
planted at from 5 to 8 inches apart. The soil
of the beds to which they are removed is made '
just rich enough to support the plants, as a very
rich soil would favour too rapid growth, making I
the plants' soft, which would retard their growth t
after they are planted in poorer soil. The 1
manure is spread over the fields evenly and is '.
afterwards worked with a disc-harrow twice or .
thrice to cut the manure very finely -
The ground is then ploughed. This is
done early in the year. Subsequent till- ',
age consists of working the soil with a cultiva-
tor, the last time being a week before planting. .
The plants are set out in lines drawn at 8 feet
apart, putting the plants at distances of 3 feet
from 'each other. Plenty of space is thus al-
lowed for the' sun's rays to penetrate between
the plants into the soil. The line is stretched
across the field, and a man goes along it with a
3-feet measuring rod furnished with a tooth at
one end, and with this he marks the stations,
where the plants will be set. It would appear
that the practice of the ordinary cultivator in
Canada is to place no stakes to his plants, but,
on the contrary, to allow them to cover the
soil ; by the lining-out method, however, stakes "
are employed, as with us. A method called
"square planting" is common, but the line
method admits of as many plants being planted
per acre with the advantages of greater heat in
the soil, as stated above. The black rot in
Tomatos is developed mostly in late-planted
plots and those which have had too much
manure.

Certificated Roses in the U.S.A. — On

the occasion of the meeting of the Executive
Committee of the American Rose Society, held
on May 28 last, in New York, at which meeting
there was taken up the matters pertaining to the
Washington Exhibition, it was resolved that a
Certificate of Merit be awarded to the varieties
Queen Beatrice (scoring 83 points), Rhea Reid ■
(80 points), and a variety shown by Messrs.
Myers & Samb-man (81 points).. The follow-
ing varieties of climbing Roses, viz., Paradise,
La Flamma, Delight, and Juanita, shown by
Mr. H. Walsh, of Woods Hole, Mass., were
awarded a Certificate of Merit, as recommended
by the judges of the Washington Exhibition,
March, 1907.

Publications Received. — Liste des Plantes
Cultivees dans les Serres Chaudes du Javdin Bo-
tanique de L'etat a Bruxelles, by Louis Gentil. — '
Report on Economic Zoology for year ending Afril 1,
1907. by Fred. V. Theobald, M.A., and issued by the
South Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent. —
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information. No. 6. From
the Royal Gardens, Kew. This contains articles on
"The Grasses of British Somaliland," by Dr. Otto-
Stapf (24 pages). " The Flowering of Cultivated Bam-
boos," by Mr. W. J. Bean. "Accession of Tropical
African Plants from 1899-1906," by Dr. Otto Stapf.
"New Species of Wild Fungi found in the Royal
Gardens, Kew" (illustrated), by Mr. Geo. Massee. '
■' Rhododendron Mariesii," by Mr. W. Botting
Hemsley, F.R.S., &c. — The Significance of Latent
Characters : Some Latent Characters of a White Bean.
by Dr. George Harrison Shull. This article is re-
printed from Science, pp. 792-794, Vol. xxv. — The
Country Gentlemen's Estate Book, 1907. This work is
the Year Book of the Country Gentlemen's Associa-
tion, Ltd., 24-25, St. James's Street, London, S.W. —
A Simple Method of Bookkeeping for Farmers, Market
Gardeners, and Dairymen, by H. W. Kersey. The
author is lecturer in bookkeeping at the South-Eastern
Agricultural College, Wye. — Quarterly Journal of
Forestry, edited by VV. R. Fisher.

Jcly 20, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

53

THE SPECIES OF POTATOS.

On Monday, the 8th inst., at the invita-
tion of Mr. Arthur Sutton, a party of gentlemen
visited the Reading Nurseries for the purpose
of inspecting an interesting collection of plants
representing almost all the known species of
Potatos, i.e., tuber-bearing Solanums. The
primary object of the inspection was to
determine if possible which species was
the parent of the Potato of commerce —
Solanum tuberosum — since, strange to say, this
point has never yet been determined, S.
tuberosum being, presumably, so named by
Linnaeus from the cultivated plant of his time,
and not from a wild form. The first exhibits
consisted of plants raised from seeds and tubers
received from Mr. W. Stuart, of the Vermont
Agricultural Station, and assumed to be of the
purely wild type of S. tuberosum, having been

these, however, agreed sufficiently with the
cultivated Potato to. be accepted without reserve
as its progenitor, and the same may be said of
S. polyadenium and S. verrucosum, of which
plants raised both from seed and tubers
were exhibited. Solanum Maglia was the next,
and in connection with this it transpired that
presumed specimens of this species raised from
tubers first received from Kew in 1886 were
not the same as the S. Maglia now grow-
ing at Kew, a fact attributed to the habit the
species possesses of producing tubers a very
long distance away from the haulm, and conse-
quently liable to invade the area occupied by
other plants Solanum Maglia appears rarely,
if ever, to produce fertile seed, but Professor
Heckel, of Marseilles, reports that he has
obtained a mutation from Solanum Maglia by
"bud variation," that is to say, one of the
tubers of Solanum Maglia gave an absolutely

Fig. 19.— crinum x h. j. elwes (c. moorei a c. americanum) : colour of flowers pink,

OF A SHADE SIMILAR TO THAT OF AMARYLLIS BELLADONNA, BUT HAVING WHITISH CENTRES.
(See note on page 35 in the issue for last week )

collected in the wild state in Mexico.. This
species grows less than a foot high, comes
perfectly true from seed, and seedlings are
vigorous, but when cultivated from the tubers
(which are not much larger than filberts) the
plants are very weakly and consequently de-
generate. This latter feature and the con-
stancy found in the seedlings markedly dis-
tinguish the plants from the cultivated Potato,
seedlings of which are notoriously variable,
while the tubers produce healthy plants almost
indefinitely. A quite distinct form, termed " S.
tuberosum new species," also from the United
States, was much stronger in habit, and like the
former comes true from seed ; this has its tubers
mottled. A third distinct form, S. t. boreale,
collected in Arizona, and received from the
Rev. Aikman Paton, was next shown. None of

distinct type of Potato, originating while the
parent tuber was under • the surface of the
ground, and that this variation when planted
had produced a Potato apparently indistinguish-
able from the well-known cultivated Potato
" Vicar of Laleham." It will be remembered
that in the case of the so-called mutation from
Solanum Commersonii, claimed by Mons.
Labergerie, the result was a Potato considered
by many expests as identical with the German
Potato "Blue Giant." French scientists are
divided in the opinions they hold, but in
England few experts admit the possibility of
one distinct species of Solanum or any kind of
Potato having transformed itself directly into
another by bud variation.

It is noteworthy that seedlings of this sup-
posed mutation from self-pollinated flowers,

instead of reproducing the parent type, showed
the same remarkable variation in the seedlings
which is common to the cultivated Potato when
grown from seed, and not from tubers.

The next exhibit was S. etuberosum (grown
at Reading successively for 20 years from tubers
received from the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens),
or the non-tuberous Solanum, a most misleading
name, for it not only produces tubers and
edible ones, but the Solanum genus is a. very
large one and includes many non-tuberous
species. This species was considered by Mr.
Sutton to be the most likely progenitor of the
culinary tuber, and the bulk of evidence cer-
tainly supported that view as opposed to the
idea that any of the S. tuberosums so-called of
the first exhibits could claim that distinction.
S. Commersonii, together with some interesting
crosses, were then shown side by side with its
reputed offspring (by bud variation), " S.
Commersonii Violet," an exhibit, however,
which only tended to confirm the now generally
accepted view that the two are quite uncon-
nected, the latter being to all appearances only
the well-known Potato "Blue Giant."

An unnamed species, termed merely "the

African Potato," was remarkable for producing

a large number of long thin stolons from its

•base, radiating in all directions over the surface

of the soil.

As a sort of supplementary exhibit Mr. Sutton
showed a facsimile of a water-colour drawing
(see Gardeners' Chronicle, March 17, 1900, fig.
50), dated 1588, showing the cultivated Potato
of that date, signed by the botanist Clusius and
contemporaneously authenticated in other ways.
Its exact resemblance to the Potatos of
to-day in flower, fruit, and foliage, and in
everything but the size of the tuber, which is
small and irregular in shape, is remarkable,
while it certainly was far from, agreeing exactly
with any of the wild species shown. The
curious fact that in more than one of the wild
species propagation by the tuber tends to de-
generation, while the seedling plants are far
more vigorous, finds a singular inversion in the
fact that now that the habit of abundant and
vigorous tuber production in cultivated Potatos
is so common, the production of seed pods has
become comparatively rare. Ckas. T. Druery,
VMM., F.L.S.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed ty his correspondents.)
Sweet Pea Sposts.— The knowledge that
Sweet Peas of the Countess Spencer type are
specially amenable to cross-fertilisation because
of their projecting stigmas, and hence their ex-
cessive sporting, is not new, for it has been
known to many growers of Sweet Peas for some
time past. I consider it is very doubtful that
this structural peculiarity is entirely the cause
of the sporting, for other' varieties that have not
a projecting stigma have sported appreciably,
though none so freely as the Countess Spen-
cer type. But the Sweet Pea is, of all seed-
raised plants, peculiarly susceptible to sport-
ing ; indeed, the same thing is largely seen in
edible Peas, and every seed-grower knows this
is the case, even with old-fashioned stocks.
A. D.

Protection of Trees from Hares.— Mr.

F V. Theobold, in his recent report, mentioned
that he is unaware of the existence of any sub-
stance which will render trees distasteful to
hares and rabbits ; and he has suggested that
information which I have been able to give him
about one such substance might be of use to
many fruit-growers. The substance which I
have used for several years in Devonshire is
called Smearoleum, and is obtainable from
Thomas and Co., Ceres Chemical Works, Liver-
pool, at about 2s: 6d. the gallon. It is certainly
effective, and though I do not quite like the
appearance of the tree-stems after they have been
treated with it, I have not yet traced any injury
due to its use. Spencer Pickering.

54

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1907.

Narcissus poeticus as a Market Flower.

■ — Some of the newer hybrids of Narcissus
Poeticus have now multiplied sufficiently to be
available for market planting, and it will be in-
teresting to observe whether or not they will
prove a profitable crop. I have every confidence
in them. When in conversation with a large
market-grower, several years ago, he informed
me that when he sent new and choice varieties
of Trumpet Daffodils to market he found that
they did not realise higher prices than did such
standard and well-known kinds as Emperor, Gol-
den Spur, &c, but that when he had sent new
and improved varieties of N. poeticus he found a
marked improvement in their price over those
of the old Ornatus and others of the type. Re-
cently I had occasion to write to a large grower
for some bulbs of a new Poet's Daffodil, as I
knew he held the main stock of the variety, but
the reply I received was that he did not care to
part with more than a very few bulbs, as he in-
tended growing this plant for his cut-flower
trade. Within the past two or three seasons
stocks of improved varieties of N. poeticus have
been sold for very high prices, in some cases
the purchaser being a market-grower. There
is certainly a scarcity of some varieties, which
can only be explained by the fact that there is
an extra demand, and in several cases prices
have actually risen. All these things, to my
mind, go to show that there is a good future
for this beautiful and useful section of the genus
Narcissus, and growers who are the first to cul-
tivate the best of the " Pheasant-eye " Narcis-
sus for market will find the investment a
remunerative one. F. Herbert Chapman.

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees.— The
tabulated results of summer pruning and
the dates recommended for the practice
on pp. 400-403 vary in an extraordinary
manner, and set one thinking. It is obvious
that some of the contributors confuse summer
pruning with early disbudding, but they are
quite different. It is also apparent that the fear
indicated in the leading article on p. 404, that
summer pruning may be performed too early,
and thus cause basal buds which ought to
remain dormant and in due time become fruit
buds to burst before autumn into leafy shoots,
is largely entertained. It is doubtful if this has
ever been proved to have happened. Personally
I have never seen it occur, and I have experi-
mented not only on out-of-door fruit trees,
but also on indoor ones, particularly vines.
Reasoning from analogy, it is the buds on the
hardened shoots which ought to burst from the
base. If a soft-stemmed Carnation is pinched,
the upper buds only break into growth, the
lower ones remaining dormant ; the same thing
occurs in the case of the Fuchsia, the Verbena,
and other flowering plants. In the limited
space of a. circular it is impossible to express
one's opinions exactly, and after perusing the
table in question I notice that my own meaning
is not quite clear. Apples, it is remarked, are
not treated. That refers to bush Apples, the
only summer pruning which these receive being
the removal of " water " shoots on over-vigorous
trees, and these are burst off at the junctions of
the shoots with the main stem. In the case of
Apples trained to wires, practically all the
pruning they receive is effected during the grow-
ing season. But the knife is employed as spar-
ingly as possible, and mainly to cut off parts of
spurs which are unfruitful and weak and in
positions where they could never be otherwise.
Most of the summer growths are rubbed off, but
some broken off, and they are removed princi-
pally to admit sunlight to the foliage on the
fruiting spurs. Plums require somewhat different
treatment from other stone fruits, for their spurs
may be allowed to extend several inches from
the wall. But even with these trees one has to
discriminate, for Magnum Bonum, Monarch,
and other big-leaved varieties are grown more
satisfactorily when they are closely pruned.
Plums should be knife-pruned, leaving three to
five leaves, but at the same time being careful
to remove weakly shoots. Apricots require very
little pruning if disbudded early in the year, and
as a rule the knife is not needed in the case of
these trees. In the case of Peaches, disbudding
in early summer leaves nothing but the shoots
ing the present year's crops and those neces.
sary for the next year's fruiting. At present the
young growths require fastening to the wall and
the lateral growths rigidly suppressed. Later,
when the fruits have been gathered, any useless
branches may be removed. Root pruning is

referred to by some of the compilers. In the
rather light soil here, while it is essential to
root-prune young trees in order to get them into
training, after this has been secured it is bene-
ficial in a greater degree to perpetuate a succes-
sion of fibrous roots by means of manurial
dressings either forked lightly into the soil above
the roots, or to skim off the surface soil down
to the roots and apply a dressing immediately
above these, a surfacing of soil finishing the
operation. This latter method is the best system
for espaliers and cordons. A simple and effi-
cient method of root-pruning consists in turning
out a narrow trench all round the tree to the
depth of a spade, and then pushing that imple-
ment as deep into the ground as it will go all
around the tree. ~R. P. Br other ston, Scotland.

— ■ Most gardeners will admit that sum-
mer pruning is especially necessary in the case
of cordon," espalier, and wall-trained trees,
because of their restricted growth and train-
ing ; but pyramid, bush, and other trees of
larger size, and whose growths are not _ so
severely curtailed, do not require much pruning
in summer. The results on pp. 400-403 are in-
teresting, and, in some instances, amusing. On
p. 424 Mr. Lewis Castle sums the matter up
briefly, and, like Mr. Castle, I should like to
have evidence that summer pruning produces
fruit buds in the one season. I have never found
it have that effect : the result is more biennial
than annual. T. H. Slade, Devonshire.

Buddleia Colvilei. — As I was the first to
bloom this beautiful Himalayan Buddleia in
Europe, in or about the year 1891, and as I
have grown and flowered it every year since, I
must, with regret, take exception to the state-
ment by the gardener at Culzean Castle (see
p. 26) that it is perfectly hardy. It may be so
at Culzean, and in ordinary years it is so on
this mild sea-border, but in 1895 we had here
on January 5 as much as 29 degrees of frost,
and this very nearly killed my big plant. All
but the central or main stem succumbed, and
had to be cut away. Any severer frost would
certainly kill it, so it can not be called perfectly
hardy. Neither have I ever seen on it any of
the subsidiary or axillary inflorescences men-
tioned by your correspondent, only the ter-
minal bunches being produced on my plant,
and even those are by no means abundant.
W. E. Gumblelon.

As I had the pleasure of seeing the

handsome Buddleia Colvilei in bloom a short
time ago in the south-west of Scotland, it is
with pleasure I read Mr. Winter's note on p. 26
in the issue for July 13 recording its flowering
at Culzean in Ayrshire. It has just flowered
for the first time in the garden of Mr. W. D.
Robinson-Douglas, of Orchardton, Castle-
Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, on the shores
of the Solway Firth, after having been in the
garden for several years without showing flower.
At Orchardton it is cultivated against a wall
facing almost due west, where it occupies a con-
siderable space and reaches a height of 10 or
12 feet. The weather last winter cut it rather
severely, but in June it opened its first flowers,
which were very beautiful with their handsome,
rosy-red racemes. One would gather that the
Culzean plant is not against a wall, and perhaps
Mr. Winter will kindly give us some particulars
of its precise position. Culzean Gardens are
famous in Scotland for their tender shrubs, and
the district seems to have a slightly milder
climate than that in this part of the south-west
of Scotland. I may add that the Edwardsia
flowered for the first time at Orchardton along-
side Buddleia Colvilei. The Index Kewensis
spells the specific name of the latter
plant as " Colvilei," while the Kew Hand-
list makes it " Colvillei." The difference
is not a great one, but it is well to be
correct whenever possible. S. Arnott, Sunny-
mead, Dumfries. [B. Colvilei is correct, the
species having been named after Sir James Col-
vile, F.R.S., who at the time of its discovery
was Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Cal-
cutta, and President of the Bengal Asiatic
Society. See Botanical Magazine, t. 7,449. —
Ed.]

Richardia africana.— These plants have
survived several winters uninjured in the
waters of these gardens, where they are planted
in clumps between other aquatics. They are
now in flower, and the large, white spathes are
borne a couple of feet above the water. W. A.
Cook, Lconardslee Gardens, Horsham.

Strawberry Kentish Favourite (seep. 33).
— The appearance of this variety is similar to
Leader, but the difference in flavour is marked
even in a season like this, when all Straw-
berries are at a disadvantage in this respect on
account of the lack of sunshine. Kentish Favour-
ite is a remarkable cropper, and Mr. T. Challis, of
Wilton, writing in the Gardeners' Chronicle of
June 15th, says : " I forced a few plants of this
in the same house and concurrently with Royal
Sovereign . . . the fruits set well, and
ripened eight days before Royal Sovereign.
They were solid and firm in texture, somewhat
sweeter, and deeper in colour than Royal
Sovereign, and possessed a distinct pine
flavour." I doubt if the above remarks could
apply to Strawberry " Leader." In addition to
the Award of Merit from the Royal Horticul-
tural Society, Kentish Favourite received the
Royal Agricultural Society's " Certificate of
Merit " at Lincoln this year. Laurence J. Cook.

Since taking some plants and fruits of

this variety to the Temple Show I have received
so many requests for information as to how it was
raised that I shall be glad if you will kindly insert
the following particulars : Kentish Favourite was
raised from seed saved from Captain, Waterloo,
and Sensation, and was the only seedling worth
saving out of all the batch. It is a little earlier
than Royal Sovereign and produces at least four
times the weight of fruit per acre and is of much
better flavour. It has proved hardier than
Royal Sovereign, and I have never seen a trace of
mildew on it. Being a very dwarf, compact
grower it can be planted closer together than other
varieties, and if planted early will produce a heavy
crop of fruits in the first season. Walter R. Pierce,
St. Dunstan's Nurseries, Canterbury.

The Rainfall in Carmarthenshire. —

Referring to Mr. W. A. Cook's statement on p. 33
as to the rainfall at Leonardslee Gardens, Sussex,
it may be interesting to some readers to know
what a difference there is between the rainfall in
Sussex and that in Carmarthenshire. The rain
measured here during the last six months is as fol-
lows : — January, 282; February, 290; March,
215; April, 399; May, 548; June, 627; total,
2361. I may mention also that on July 11 our
thermometer registered 1" of frost. F. Surman,
The Gardens, Golden Grove.

The Kaki. — Having grown the Diospyros Kaki
for more than 10 years I can fully support the
statements of W. W . in last week's issue, p. 22.
My trees stood the winter of 1906-7 without injury
on Streatham Hill, but a little shelter from extreme
frost and cutting winds is desirable even in the
south of England. The flavour varies consider-
ably in the different vatieties. The flavour of my
fruits is mild and pleasant. They are free from
seeds and easy to eat with a spoon when " bletted."
W. Roupcll, Harvey Lodge, Roupell Park, S. W.

Broad Beans Cooked as Scarlet Run-
ners.— Those who want a nice vegetable for the
table should pick Broad Beans when they are
young — that is, when the Beans inside are no
larger than an ordinary Pea. Cut the pods into
thin slices, as is done with Scarlet Runners,
and cook them in the same manner. When
dished up they will have excellent flavour. I
think all who do this will be pleased with the
result. L. H. Hallett.

Darlingtonias and Sarracenias. — These
insectivorous subjects are planted in the open
at Leonardslee. They appear very brilliant when
viewed in the sunshine. Darlingtonias do not
flower with the same freedom as the Sarra-
cenias, but they are nevertheless very pretty.
W. A. Cook, Leonardslee Gardens.

Rose a parfum de l'Hay. — With referenee to
Mr. Gumbleton's note on this Rose in last week's
issue (p. 25), I may state that it flowered here
last year, and it is blooming at the present
time. It is very fragrant, biTt it has certain
defects. Colour is a matter of taste, but
I do not care for its purplish tone. More
serious, however, is the weak character of the
flower-stalks, which are not strong enough to
bear the flowers up, and the latter consequently
droop when nearly expanded. It is not suited
to a wet season, and both during last year —
which was not by any means a wet one — and
also this, many of the flowers did not open and
the others were soon disfigured. In its perfume
it reminds one greatly of some of the old garden
Roses, such as the Damask Rose, and this is
certainly a strong point in its favour. S. Arnott,
Sun'nymead, Dumfries.

July 20, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

55

SOCIETIES.

NATIONAL SWEET PEA.

July 16. — The seventh annual exhibition of
this Society was held on this date in the Royal
Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westmins-
ter. The show was a success in every respect,
and the finest ever held by this young and en-
terprising Society. The entries were more
numerous than those of last year ; they numbered
797, spread over 88 classes, and the bunches of
flowers totalled 3,217, or 1,200 more than at the
corresponding show of last season. The whole
of the spacious Hall was filled with exhibits,
even in the annexes, and three rooms were fur-
ther requisitioned upstairs to hold some of the
displays that could not be accommodated on
the ground floor. That the exhibition is a
popular one was evidenced by the large patron-
age afforded it by the general public. The
weather was perfect. The arrangements left
nothing to be desired, and the Secretary, Mr. C.
H. Curtis, is to be congratulated on the success
of the exhibition — the first during his term of
office. Mr. Beeadmore again met with remark-
able success in the principal open classes ; but
in the amateurs' section the principal winner of
last year's prizes was excelled by other ex-
hibitors. New varieties were numerous, and of
these seven were selected for Awards of Merit,
but none was deemed worthy the Society's First-
class Certificate. The finest new flower was the
orange-scarlet variety, St. George. In more
than one instance flowers shown under the name
of John Ingman were disqualified. The only
apparent difference was that they had hooded
instead of waved standards.

Special Audit Class.

This was for 15 bunches of Sweet Peas, dis-
tinct. The schedule required the varieties to be
selected from those following, which were the
highest on the audit list of 1906 : — King Edward
VII., John Ingman, Gladys Unwin, Helen Lewis,
Duchess of Sutherland, Dainty, America, Prin-
cess of Wales, Hon. Mrs. E. Kenyon, Jeannie
Gordon, Navy Blue, Mrs. Walter Wright, Duke of
Westminster, Black Knight, Lady Grizel Hamil-
ton, Dorothy Eckford, Agnes Johnston, George
Gordon, Helen Pierce, and Coccinea. The 1st
prize consisted of the Sutton Silver Challenge
Cup, the Gold Medal of the National Sweet Pea
Society, and a monetary prize. Trade growers
were excluded. Nine excellent exhibits were
staged, and that shown by Mr. Thomas Steven-
son, Woburn Place, Addlestone, was adjudged
the best. His varieties were : King Edward VII.,
John Ingman, Gladys Unwin, Helen Lewis,
Dainty, Princess of Wales, Hon. Mrs. E. Ken-
yon, Jeannie Gordon, Navy Blue, Mrs. Walter
Wright, Duke of Westminster, Black Knight,
Lady Grizel Hamilton, Dorothy Eckford, and
Helen Pierce. The 2nd prize was awarded Mr.
T. Jones, Bryn Penylan, Ruabon, Wales, whose
best blooms were those of Helen Pierce, Dainty,
Mrs. Walter Wright, Helen Lewis, Hon Mrs. E.
Kenyon, King Edward VII., Jeannie Gordon,
and Dorothy Eckford. 3rd, Mr. H. H. Lees,
Warblington Cottage, Havant.

In this class some of the exhibits were dis-
qualified as not being true to name. This was
seen in the case of flowers shown under the
name John Ingman, but which had not the
waved standard associated with that variety.
Mr. A. E. Usher, Banston House, Blandford,
Dorset, showed a splendid collection, but was
disqualified for his specimens labelled John
Ingman and George Gordon.

■ Classification Class (Open).
This was for a collection of 20 varieties of
Sweet Peas including one variety only of each
colour given in the Society's Classification
Tables. It is intended to illustrate the colour
distinctions in the Society's classification, and
to bring into special prominence the finest varie-
ties in the several colours. The prizes were
given by the President, Sir George Cooper, Bart.,
Hursley Park, Winchester. The best display
was staged by Mr. C. W. Breadmore, 120, High
Street, Winchester, although it was not much in
advance of the 2nd prize exhibit shown by
Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Ltd., Dover. Another
good collection shown by Messrs. Saltmarsh &
Sox, Chelmsford, was awarded the 3rd prize.
Mr. Breadmore had superb flowers of Coccinea,
Lady Grizel Hamilton, Jeannie Gordon, Lottie

Eckford, Countess Spencer, Romolo Piazzani,
King Edward VII., Princess of W'ales, Helen
Lewis, Duke of Westminster, Duchess of Suther-
land, Mrs. H. Wright, Black Knight, Agnes John-
son, John Ingman, Jessie Cuthbertson, Helen
Pierce, and Dora Breadmore. Amongst Messrs.
Clarke's varieties were excellent examples of
Gladys Unwin, America, Lady Grizel Hamilton,
Beacon, Helen Pierce, Henry Eckford, George
Gordon, &c.

Collections of Sweet Peas (Open).

The largest class was that for 36 bunches of
Sweet Peas in distinct varieties. This brought
a good competition amongst five exhibitors.
Mr. Breadmore was again to the fore with a
remarkably fine exhibit of flowers of large size
on strong stalks, and with beautifully-developed
colours, of such standard varieties as Mrs. A.
Watkins, King Edward VII. (very fine), Agnes
Johnson, Evelyn Breadmore (white, with a faint
suffusion of pink), Audrey Crier, Miss Will-
mott, Janet Scott (a suffusion of pink on a yel-
low ground), Lady Cooper, Helen Pierce, Phe-
nomenal, Mrs. 'Collier (yellow), Henry Eckford,
and several seedlings of merit.

Messrs. Clark were again 2nd. This firm had
choice blooms, but they were shown with shorter
stalks, and did not stand up so as to appear to
the best advantage. Their best varieties were
Dora Breadmore, Helen Lewis, King Edward
VII., Dorothy Eckford (white), America (a beau-
tiful flaked rose variety), Janet Scott, Beacon,
&c. 3rd, Messrs. G. Stark & Son, Great Ry-
burgh, Norfolk.

Twenty-four bunches of Sweet Peas, distinct. —
This important class was represented by six
exhibits, and keen competition resulted. Mr.
Breadmore again won the premier prize, this
time easily, with flowers of high quality, bold in
spike, fine in colour, and clear of petal. His
best bunches were those of J. T. Crier, George
Herbert, Vera Jeffery, Princess of Wales,
Tweedy Smith, Etta Dyke (white), Nora Bread-
more, Helen Lewis, Audrey Cirier, Bolton's
Pink, and America. Again Messrs. Clark,
Ltd., won the 2nd prize; 3rd, Messrs. Salt-
marsh & Son, Chelmsford.

Twelve bunches of Sweet Peas, distinct. — This
brought forth 12 displays, amongst which the
flowers generally were of choice quality. None
was, however, equal to those shown by Mr.
Breadmore, and he was again placed 1st for
huge spikes of massive flowers, well selected in
the matter of colours. We may select Prince of
Asturias (dark crimson), Helen Lewis, Etta
Dyke, Vera Jeffery (a suffusion of pale pink),
Evelyn Breadmore, George Herbert (fine of
colour), Mrs. H. H. Lees, &c, as the more nota-
ble varieties. 2nd, Messrs. Isaac House & Son,
Coombe Nursery, Westbury-on-Trvm, Bristol.

Amateurs' Classes.

Twenty-four bunches of Sweet Peas, distinct. —
The 1st prize in this important class carried
with it the Silver Medal of the Society. It was
gained by W\ N. Rawxsley, Esq., Afford, Lin-
colnshire (gr. Mr. T. Vickers), for a display re-
markable for the length of the flower stalks, the
fine colours of the flowers, and general excellence.
He showed David R. Williamson, Nora Unwin,
Henry Eckford (one of the finest vases of this
superb variety seen in the Hall), Helen Lewis,
Queen Alexandra, James Grieve (a fine yellow
variety). Black Knight, Countess Spencer, Mrs.
Walter Wright, Dorothy Eckford, &c. 2nd, Mr.
Silas Cole, Althorp Park Gardens, North-
ampton.

"Eighteen bunches of Sweet Peas, distinct. — The
best exhibit amongst six was that shown by
G. D. Faber, Esq., C.B., M.P., Rush Court,
Wallingford, Berks (gr. Mr. J. Dymock) ; 2nd,
Mr. A. H. Hickman, Eagle and Spur Inn,
Cookley, near Kidderminster.

Six bunches of Sweet Peas, distinct. — This class
evoked a strong competition, and no fewer than
17 exhibits were displayed, the majority of which
were of excellent quality.

Mr. Silas Coles, Althorp Park Gardens,
Northampton, won the 1st prize for choice
examples of Lady Sarah Spencer, Helen Lewis,
Navy Blue, Countess Spencer, S. Cole, Dorothy
Eckford, Hon. Mrs. Kenyon, &c. 2nd, Mr. A.
E. Usher, Ranston House, Blandford, Dorset,
who had a remarkably fine bunch of the variety
Henry Eckford.

\\. :.■ varieties. — The best twelve bunches of
Sweet Peas three of each of the following new

varieties : Mrs. Alfred Watkins, E. J. Castle,
Nora Unwin, and Frank Dolby, were shown by
Mr. J. Jones, Providence Cottage, Soulton
Road, Wem.

Kckford Challenge Cup.

A trophy called the Henry Eckford Memorial
Challenge Cup, of the value of 50 guineas, was
offered for 12 bunches of Sweet Peas of dis-
tinct varieties. The first prize also included
the Gold Medal of the National Sweet Pea
Society. The Cup must be won three times in
direct succession before becoming the absolute
property of any exhibitor. It was won for the
first time last year by Mr. Thomas Jones, Rua-
bon, but this year Mr. Jones was 2nd to Mr.
THOS. Stevenson, Woburn Place Gardens,
Addlestone. This formed the strongest class in
the show, and no fewer than 18 displays were
staged. The judges had no light task in arriv-
ing at a decision, for the exhibits generally were
of high merit, and not much difference was
seen in the first half-dozen displays. The de-
cision went in favour of the exhibitor named,
with Mr. Jones 2nd, and Mr. V. B. Johnstone,
Ryhall Hall, Stamford, 3rd. Not a weak bunch
was seen in Mr. Stevenson's display. His
dozen varieties comprised Paradise (a magnifi-
cent bunch), Henry Eckford, Mrs. Collier, Rosie
Adams (new), Nora Unwin, Helen Lewis, Black
Knight, King Edward VII., Doris Stevenson,
Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes, and Romolo Piazzani.
Mr. Jones had very tall bunches arranged
somewhat straggling, of Helen Lewis, Henry
Eckford, Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes, John Ing-
man, Clara Curtis (yellow), Frank Dolby
(heliotrope), &c. 3rd, Mr. V. B. Johnson, Ry-
hall Hall, Stamford, with a bright, clean lot,
not so big as some, but of fresh appearance.
Helen Pierce, Helen Lewis, Henry Eckford, Bol-
ton's Pink, Jeannie Gordon, and Paradise were
his best flowers.

Horace Wright Challenge Bowl.
This trophy was offered for nine bunches of
Sweet Peas, distinct, and the class was de-
signed to draw special attention to varieties
suitable for garden decoration. Competitors
were required to make their selection from those
following : — Apple Blossom, Lady Grizel Hamil-
ton, Countess Spencer, Janet Scott, Venus,
Peach Blossom, Princess Beatrice, Navy Blue,
Little Dorrit, Dorothy Eckford, King Edward
VII., Bronze King, Triumph, Mrs. Walter
Wright, Lady Beaconsfield, and Salopian. It
is required that the Cup be won three times,
not necessarily in succession, to become the
absolute property of an exhibitor. Five growers
competed, with the result that Mr. A. Basile,
Woburn Park Gardens, Weybridge, was pin ed
1st for remarkably tall inflorescences of big
flowers. He had King Edward VII., Tanet
Scott, Dorothy Eckford, Countess Spencer, Lady
Grizel Hamilton, Mrs. Walter Wright, Peach
Blossom, Venus, and Triumph. 2nd, W. H.
Rawxsley, Esq. (gr. Mr. T. Vickers), Well Vale,
Alford, Lincolnshire.

Special Colour Classes.

Prizes were offered for single bunches of Sweet
Peas of certain colours. The winning varieties
were as follow :— White, Dorothy Eckford ;
Blush, Duchess of Sutherland ; Crimson, Queen
Alexandra ; Cerise, Coccinea ; Rose and Car-
mine, John Ingman ; Pink, Countess Spencer ;
Orange, Henry Eckford ; Yellow and Buff, Dora
Breadmore; Lavender, Lady Grizel Hamilton;
Blue, Navy Blue ; Mauve, Mrs. Walter
Wright ; Violet and Purple, Duke of Westmin-
ster ; Maroon and Bronze, Black Knight ;
Magenta; George Gordon; Picotee-edged,
Dainty ; Striped and Flaked Red and Rose,
America ; Striped and Flaked Purple and Blue,
Princess of Wales : Bi-color, Jeannie Gordon ;
Fancy, Agnes Johnstone; Marbled, Helen
Pierce.

Varieties with waved standards. — Classes were
provided for both trade and amateur growers,
for varieties with waved standards. The best
twelve bunches in the amateurs' section were
shown by Mrs. Tigwell, Harrow View, Green-
forcl. This exhibitor had excellent examples of
Helen Lewis, Mrs. Alfred Watkins ipale pink),
Phenomenal, Enchantress (pink), E. J. Castle
(carmine), Countess Spencer, Mrs. Hardcastle
Sykes, Gladys Unwin, Geo. Herbert (carmine),
Frank Dolby, Nora Unw-in, and A. J. Cook.

56

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1C07.

The best collection in the traders' classes com-
prised the varieties Mrs. Alec Ware (white,
tinged with pink), Olive -Bolton (pink), Queen
of Norway (heliotrope), Clara Curtis (yellow),
Tom Bolton (dark maroon), Mrs. Chas. Foster
(pale lavender), May Malcolm (pink), and Purity
(white).

Awards of Merit.
Sweet Pea St. George. — This variety, the
deepest and best of the orange-shaded flowers,
is described on p. 36. It received an Award of
Merit at the recent Holland House Show. From
Messrs. Hurst & Son, Houndsditch.

Elsie Herbert. — A flower suggestive of the
variety Dainty, see p. 36. Shown by Mr. C. W.
Breadmore, Winchester.

Silas Cole.— A flower of the Black Knight
type. The parts are very big and expanded ;
the colour is bluish-violet in the centre, shad-
ing to a deep maroon in the outer parts of the
petals. Shown by Mr. Silas Cole.

Nancy Perkins. — A flower of pale orange-scar-
let shaded with terra-cotta. The standard is
frilled. Shown by Mr. H. A. Perkins, York
Lodge, Reigate.

The Marquis. — A large flower of lavender
shade, with a big waved standard. The best
variety of its colour. Shown by Messrs. Dobdie
& Co., Rothesay.

Rosie Adams. — A variety of unique shades of
colours. The central parts are violet or helio-
trope, and this merges to rose in a large stan-
dard. The inflorescence is of large size. Shown
by Thos. Stevenson, Woburn Place Gardens,
Addlestone.

Evelyn Hemus— A. creamy-white variety with
rose-coloured margins (see our issue for June
29, 1907, p. 427). Shown by Miss Hemus, Upton-
on-Severn.

Non-Competitive Exhibits.
Displays of Sweet Peas were shown by Mr.
W. J. Unwin, Histon, Cambridge (Gold Medal) ;
Mr. C. W. Breadmore, Winchester (Silver-Gilt
Medal) ; Mr. Henry Eckford, Wem, Shropshire
(Silver Medal) ; E. W. King & Co., Coggeshall,
Essex (Silver-Gilt Medal) ; Gilbert & Son,
Bourne Lincolnshire ; Bakers, Wolverhamp-
ton (Gold Medal) ; J. Carter & Co., Holborn
(Silver-Gilt Medal) ; Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham,
Norfolk (Gold Medal) ; H. Cannell & Sons,
Swanley, Kent (Silver-Gilt Medal) ; James
Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's Road, Chelsea
(Silver-Gilt Medal) ; Dobbie & Co., Rothesay,
N.B. (Gold Medal) ; R. H. Bath & Co., Ltd.,
Wisbech (Silver Medal) ; Mr. T. W. Darling-
ton, Warton, Carnforth (Bronze Medal) ; Miss
Hemus, Holdfast Hall, Upton-on-Severn (Silver
Medal) ; Webb & Soxs, Wordsley, Staffordshire
(Silver-Gilt Medal) ; G. & A. Clark, Ltd.,
Dover (Silver Medal) ; Mr. Robt. Sydenham,
Tenby Street, Birmingham (Bronze ; Medal) ;
Toogood & Sons, Southampton (Silver Medal) ;
G Stark & Son, Great Ryburgh (Silver Medal).

WOLVERHAMPTON FLORAL FETE.

July 9, 10, 11. — The annual floral fete, which
took place on the above dates, compared favour-
ably with the best of the 18 previous shows held
in the West Park, Wolverhampton. If we ex-
cept last year, when Roses and Sweet Peas were
so splendidly shown, it is doubtful if a bigger
or better exhibition has been seen at Wolverhamp-
ton. The exhibits were contained in five large
marquees, and several new features were intro-
duced. One was the provision of a special
class for foliage plants, and another a class for
pot fruit trees, prizes amounting to £57 10s.
being offered in the former class, and £46 Is.
in the latter. Unfortunately, rain fell heavily
during a portion of the first day. Mr. W. E.
Barnett, the courteous secretary, is to be con-
gratulated upon the arrangements made for the
convenience and comfort of visitors to the show.

Plants (Open).
This section was divided into seven classes,
for which upwards of £190 was offered in
prizes. The two leading classes were for groups
arranged for effect on ground spaces not exceed-
ing 350 square feet. One was for plants in and
out of bloom, and the other for foliage plants
only. Ther were three competitors in each
class, and their exhibits were arranged in circles
near each end of the tent containing the speci-
men plants. The 1st prize of £25 for plants in
and out of flower went to last year's champions,
Messrs. James Cypher & Sons, Queen's Road,

Cheltenham. The plants used were of excellent
quality, and the arrangement light and graceful.
A large Kentia crowned the centre of the group,
around which brightly-coloured Codiaeums,
Caladiums, and well-flowered plants of Fuchsia
triphylla and Clerodendron fallax, &c, were
arranged. Eight small mounds in the body of
the group, composed of a rich variety of flower-
ing and foliage plants, together with sprays of
choice Odontoglossums, were exceedingly pretty.
The 2nd prize went to Mr. W. Holmes, West
End Nurseries, Chesterfield, and the 3rd to Mr.
W. Vause, Leamington.

In the class for ornamental foliage plants,
Ferns, &c, the Leamington Nurserymen &
Florists, Ltd., Leamington, were placed first,
with a very bright and well-balanced group, in
which plants with silvery-grey, yellow, and red-
dish-coloured foliage prevailed. The 2nd and
3rd prizes were taken by Mr. W. Holmes and
Mr. W. Vause respectively.

In a class for 20 plants (of which eight were to
be in flower) growing in pots not exceeding

8 inches in diameter, Messrs. James Cypher &
Sons beat the other two competitors, Sir A.
Mr.vrz, Bart., M.P., Rugby (gr. Mr. H. Blake-
way), and Mr. W. Vause, who were placed
2nd and 3rd respectively. The 1st prize collec-
tion contained 17 beautiful flowering specimens
and three Codiasums.

The 1st prize of £10 for 12 plants (not fewer
than six to be in flower) was also secured by
Messrs. James Cypher & Sons. The principal
plants were : Ixora Williamsii, Rondeletia
speciosa, Bougainvillea Cypheri, Statice inter-
media, and Erica Cavendishii. 2nd, Mr. W.
Vause.

In a class for a collection of flowering plants,
one kind only (any number of varieties of the
same kind allowed), to occupy ground spaces

9 feet by 5 feet, there were four exhibitors, and,
as in the previous classes, the premier award
went to Messrs. James Cypher & Sons, whose
plants of Begonia Gloire de Lorraine and Turn-
ford Hall were of large size and abundantly
covered with flowers. J. A. Kenrick, Esq., Ber-
row Court, Edgbaston (gr. Mr. A. Cryer), was
2nd with a beautiful iatch of Streptocarpus,
bearing large flowers of good colours.

The best group of tuberous-rooting Begonias
came from Mr. F. Davis, Pershore, whose
double-flowered varieties were of immense size.

The best half-dozen exotic Ferns were staged
by J. A. Kenrick, Esq., Edgbaston (gr. Mr. A.
Cryer).

Plants (Amateurs).

The 1st prize of £10 offered for a group of
plants in or out of flower, arranged for effect,
was won by J. A. Kenrick, Esq., with a collec-
tion of well-grown plants artistically arranged.

Sir A. Muntz, Bart., M.P., Rugby (gr. Mr. H.
Blakeway), showed the best collection of six
stove and greenhouse plants ; and C. Marston,
F.sk., Compton (gr. Mr. W. E. Wall), won the
1st prize for Gloxinias.

Roses (Open).

Notwithstanding the unseasonable weather,
Roses were shown in good condition.

The 1st prize of £20 for 72 distinct varieties
was won by Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Col-
chester, with superb flowers, amongst which
Medea, Rev. Alan Cheales, Marie Baumann,
Mrs. R. G. Sharman Crawford, Frau Karl
Druschki, Killarney, and Florence Pemberton
were particularly good. 2nd, Messrs. D. Prior
& Son, Colchester.

In the class for 48 blooms, distinct, out of
eight exhibits, the best came from Messrs. R.
IIarkness & Co., Hitchin, whose flowers, es-
pecially those of Ulrich Brunner, Mrs. W. J.
Grant, Mrs. John Laing, and A. K. Williams
were above the average merit. 2nd, Messrs. D.
Prior & Son ; 3rd, Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons,
Colchester.

For 12 distinct varieties (trebles), Messrs. D.
Prior & Son were most successful, and showed
lovely specimens of Bessie Brown, Mrs. W. J.
Grant, and Countess of Caledon.

Messrs. Prior & Son also won the 1st prizes
in the classes for (1) 24 distinct varieties, (2) 12
blooms of any dark variety, (3) 12 blooms of any
light variety, and (4) nine varieties of Teas and
Noisettes, as well as the Gold Medal and a sum
of £2 offered for 12 varieties put into commerce
during the years 1904-5-6. In a class for 12 Tea
Roses, Mr. George Prince, Oxford, beat
Messrs. Frank Cant & Co.

The best exhibit of 12 bunches of Roses with
foliage and buds as cut from the plants was
from Mr. George Mount, who had exquisite
flowers of J. B. Clark, Mrs. W. J. Grant, an*
Killarney ; 2nd, Mr. John Mattock, Oxford.

Bouquets and Cut Flowers.

Competition for bouquets was poor, only two
competitors staging exhibits in each of the three
classes provided for these.

The exhibits with which Messrs. Perkins &
Sons, Coventry, gained the 1st prize for (1)
bouquet for the hand, (2) bridal bouquet (with
Orchids) and two bridesmaid's bouquets (Or-
chids excluded), and (3) feather-weight bouquet,
were excellent. Mr. J. Garner, Hale, was
awarded the 2nd prize in each class.

Of the four exhibitors who competed in the
class for a collection of hardy flowers covering
a space of 15 feet by 5 feet, Messrs. G. Gibson
& Co., Bedale, won the 1st prize with a beauti-
fully fresh group, in which were large masses
of Iceland Poppies, Tritoma Tuckii, Gladiolus
Blushing Bride, Gaillardias, Campanulas, Py-
rethrums, &c. ; 2nd, Messrs. Harkness & Sons,
Bedale.

Mr. A. Bastock, Moseley, was responsible for
the most tasteful arrangement of Pansies and
Violas covering a space of 7 feet by 3 feet.

Dixxer-Table Decorations.

Eight tables were placed before the judges,
who awarded the 1st prize to The Leamington
Nurserymen & Florists, Ltd., for a dainty
arrangement of flowers, consisting of small-
flowered Orchids, relieved with Selaginella,
Asparagus, &c. ; 2nd, Mr. W. J. Garner, Hale.'

The best collection of decorative plants and
cut flowers arranged on a table measuring 6 feet
by 4 feet came from C. T. Mander, Esq., Comp-
ton (gr. Mr. J. F. Simpson), who made an effec-
tive display with Carnations, Cannas, and orna-
mental foliage plants.

Sweet Peas.

For a collection of 18 varieties, the 1st prize
of £3 and the National Sweet Pea Society's
special Gold Medal was worthily awarded to
Mr. C. W. Breadmore, Winchester, for a superb
collection. The varieties Audrey Crier, Vera
Jeffrey, Helen Lewis, Dudley Lees, Queen Alex-
andra, and Evelyn Breadmore were very meri-
torious. Mr. T. Jones, Ruabon, secured £2 and
the National Sweet Pea Society's special Silver
Medal offered as 2nd prize.

Prizes offered by Mr. Henry Eckford, Wem,
for 12 varieties only tempted three exhibitors.
1st, Mr. A. H. Hickman, Cookley.

Five competitors entered for the four prizes
offered by Mr. Robert Sydenham, Birmingham,
for 12 varieties. 1st, A. Hughes, Esq., Knowle
(gr. Mr. T. Parry), with a beautifully fresh lot;
2nd, Mr. T. Jones, Ruabon, who also gained the
first prize of £3 offered by Messrs. Baker's,
Wolverhampton, for 12 varieties.

Fruit and Vegetables.

These were well shown, the principal awards
being as follows : — ■

The premier prize of £7 10s. offered for a col-
lection of eight dishes of fruit was won by Lord
Savile, K.C.V.O., Rafford Abbey (gr. Mr. J.
Doe), with beautiful examples of Madresfield
Court Grape, Stirling Castle and Dymond
Peaches, Pine Apple and Downton Nectarines,
&c. 2nd, The Duke of Westminster, Eaton
Hall, Chester (gr. Mr. N. F. Barnes), whose ex-
hibit included shapely, well-finished fruits of
Lord Napier Nectarine and a splendid dish of
Lady Sudeley Apples.

Lord Savile, K.C.V.O. (gr. Mr. J. Doe), also
won 1st prizes in the classes for (1) four bunches
of Grapes in distinct varieties ; (2) two bunches
of white; and (3) two bunches of black Grapes.
J. H. King, Esq., Ashford, Kent (gr. Mr. J. G.
Weston), being 2nd in the first two classes,
and the Duke of Westminster, Eaton Hall (gr.
Mr. N. F. Barnes), 2nd in the other classes.

Lord Hatherton, Penkridge (gr. Mr. H.
Taylor), staged the best green-fleshed Melon
(Earl's Favourite) ; and W. D. Winter-
bottom, Esq., Derby (gr. Mr. G. Brown), won
the 1st prize in the class for scarlet-fleshed
varieties.

Competition was strong in the Peach and
Nectarine classes. The Duke of Westminster,
Eaton Hall (gr. Mr. N. F. Barnes), had a lovely
dish of Royal George Peach, and the dish of
Humboldt Nectarine from Messrs. T. Rivers &

July 20, 1907.]

THE GARB ENER S' CHR 0 NI CL E.

57

of Sawbridgeworth, was one of the best in
the show.

A. Hvghes, Esq., Knowle (gr. Mr. T. Parry),
carried off the 1st prize for three dishes of
Strawberries, distinct varieties ; and Lord AL-
DENHAM, Elstree (gr. Mr. E. Beckett), showed the
three dishes of Tomatos, distinct varieties.

Fruit Trees in Pots.

This new feature was a source of attraction to
man}' visitors. The 1st prize of £20, given by
the society, and £5 added by Mr. Alderman
Craddock, J. P., for fruit trees in pots was well
won by Messrs. T. Rivers A: Son", Sawbridge-
worth, whose collection was displayed on low
staging 20 feet by 9 feet erected in the centre of
the specimen plant tent, and included trees
bearing handsome fruits of Thomas Rivers and
Sea Eagle Peaches, Early Rivers and Victoria
Nectarines, Lemons, Oranges, Plums, Cherries,
and Grapes. 2nd, The King's Acre Nurseries, .
Ltd., Hereford; 3rd, Earl of Harrington,
Elvaston Castle, Deiby (gr. Mr. J. H. Good-
acre).

Vegetables. — Messrs. Sutton & Sons' prizes
were offered for six distinct kinds of vegetables,
and of the six competitors, it was found that
Lord Aldenham, Elstree (gr. Mr. E. Beckett;,
had the best collection ; the Earl of Lathom,
Ormskirk (gr. Mr. B. Ashton), being 2nd.

Messrs. Webb & Sons' prizes were for eight
distinct kinds of vegetables. In this class the
la-4-named exhibitor was placed first, and the
Marquis of Northampton, Northampton, (gr.
Mr. A. R. Searle), 2nd.

Messrs. Webb & Sons also offered prizes for

vegetables restricted to gardeners and amateurs

ing within ten miles of Wolverhampton.

1st, Lord Hatherton, Penkridge (gr. Mr. H.

Taylor).

The best collection of six varieties of fruits
(Pines excluded; staged bv amateurs, came from
Lord Savile ir. Mr. J. Doe) ; and the 1st prize
for a collection of ten kinds of vegetables was
won bv Lord Aldenham, Elstree (gr Mr. E.
Beckett).

Honorary Exhibits.

Messrs. Jarman & Co., Chard, Somerset,
staged Roses, Sweet Peas, and sprays of Zonal
Pelargoniums. (Silver Medal.)

Me-srs. E. & H. Suckling, Wolverhampton,
sent floral designs and miscellaneous cut flowers.
1 Medal. j

From Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, came
a nice display of fruit and vegetables, inter-
mingled with graceful foliage plants and cut
rs. (Gold Medal.)
-rs. Hewitt & Co., Solihull, Birmingham,
had a very bright collection of hardy border
flowers and Roses, in which Paeonies, Gladiolus,
Liliums, Campanulas, and new Violas were con-
spicuous. (Gold Medal.)

The Baths and Parks Committee of the
Wolverhampton Corporation (Supt. Mr. A.
Webster j, contributed a large group of miscel-
laneous flowering and foliage plants. (Gold
Medal, i

Mr. Robert Sydenham, Birmingham, occu-
pied a table with rustic stands decorated with
Sweet Peas. (Silver Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Boyfs & Co., Leicester, sent cut
Carnations. (Silver Medal. |

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothsay, contributed
a large bank of flowers of a very fine strain of
Antirrhinums, together with ' Delphiniums,
Sweet Peas, and a large collection of Pansies.
(Gold Medal.)

Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, occupied
upwards of 900 square feet with hardy flowers,
Sweet Peas, Roses, sprays of Zonal Pelargo-
niums, and a number of well-executed floral
devices. (Gold Medal and Silver Cup.)

Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth,
staged pot fruit trees and gathered fruit. (Gold
Medal.)

Messrs. James Randall & Sons, Shirlev, Bir-
mingham, sent a prettily-arranged group of cut
Carnations. (Gold Medal. \

Mr. C. F. Walters, Balcombe, Sussex,
showed a splendid lot of cut Carnations of the
Malmaison, American and Border varieties.
(Gold Medal.)

Me-srs. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge, showed a
group of flowering plants, Sweet Peas, and a
small collection of fruit and vegetables. (Silver
Medal. I

■5* Messrs. Clibrans. Altrincham, sent a pleas-
ing group of kardy shrubs, in which variegated

Ivies, Japanese Maples, and the gold and silver-
leaved varieties of Aralia sinensis were con-
spicuous. (Gold Medal.)

From Mr. John E. Knight, Wolverhampton,
came a group of flowering and foliage plants
and cut flowers. (Gold Medal.)

Messrs. Dickson, Chester, sent Roses and
hardy flowers. (Silver Medal).

Messrs. Tom B. Dobbs & Co., Wolverhamp-
ton, made a large display on the lawn with
rustic arches, &c, and flowering plants arranged
in small groups. (Gold Medal.)

CROYDON HORTICULTURAL.

July 10. — This society held its annual show
iii the grounds of Brickenden House on this
date. The weather was cold and rain fell at
intervals, with the result that the visitors were
comparatively few in number.

Roses.

These flowers were abundantly shown, and
generally the blooms were of fine quality. In
the open classes, in which nurserymen com-
peted, most of the prizes were won by Colchester
firms.

In the class for 48 distinct varieties, Messrs.
B. R. Cant & Sons, Colchester, were awarded
the 1st prize and a Silver-Gilt Medal of the
N.K.S. for fine large blooms, in the best con-
dition, of such varieties as J. B. Clark, Caroline
t, Maman Cochet, Comtesse de Ludre,
Mildred Grant, Bartholomew Joubert (a fine
crimson flower), Frau ,K. Druschki, and Gustave
Griinerwald, the lighter coloured Roses being
generally the finer. 2nd, Messrs. F. Cant &
Co., Colchester, with an almost equally fine lot
of flowers.

The best exhibit of 24 blooms, distinct, shown
in triplets, were exhibited by Messrs. B. R.
Cam & Sons. The following were notable
varieties : Capt. Hayward (generally extra fine
this year), A. K. Williams, Tom Wood, A.
Colomb, and Duchess de Morny. 2nd, Messrs.
D. Prior & So.x, . Colchester, for excellent
blooms.

In another class for 24 blooms, distinct,
Messrs. Hicks & Bloomfield, of Bath Road,
Reading, were awarded the 1st prize; blooms
of Mildred Grant, Frau K. Druschki, Killarney,
Capt. Hayward, Mrs. J. Laing, Mme. Jules
Gravereaux were well shown in this exhibit. 2nd,
Mr. F. J. Jefferies, nurseryman, Willis Road,
West Croydon. His blooms were inferior in
size to the Colchester Roses, yet many, such
a- Marquise de Lata, Mrs. McKee (a lovely
creamy-white flower), and Countess Caledon,
were very good examples.

In a class for 18 Tea or Noisette varieties,
distinct, Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons had the
best display. In this exhibit we noted Souvenir
d'Elise Vardon, S. de Pierre Notting, Maman
Cochet, Bridesmaid, Mme. de Watteville, and
Ernest Metz. 2nd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co.
3rd, Messrs. D. Prior & Sox.

The best 12 Roses of one variety were shown

by the last-named firm, the variety being Lady

<ro. 2nd. Messrs. Hicks & Bloomfield.

with Mildred Grant. 3rd, Messrs. F. Cant &

Co., with Frau K. Druschki.

In the similar class for 12 Teas or Noisettes,
Messrs. B. R. (ant & Sons won with the
variety Mrs. E. Mawley. 2nd, Messrs. F. Cant
& Co., with the same kind. 3rd, Messrs. D.
Prior & Son, with Maman Cochet.

Amateurs.

The schedule provided for a new challenge
cup competition, offered for 36 blooms, distinct.
Many of the blooms shown in this class com-
pared favourably with those grown in Col-
chester. The 1st prize was awarded to Alfred
Tate, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, whose
blooms of Gustave Piganeau, Capt. Hayward,
Mme. Verdier, La France de '89, J. B. Clark, and
Beauty of Waltham could scarcely be excelled.
2nd, E. J. Holiand, Esq., Silverdale, Sutton,
with hardly an inferior bloom in his collection.
The varieties Hugh Dickson, Suzanne Marie
Rodocanachi, and Francois Michelon were all
superb. 3rd. E. M. Eversfield, Esq., Denne
Park, Horsham.

Mr. Tate was also 1st for 24 Roses, distinct.
2nd, G. A. Hammond, Esq., Cambrian House,
Burgess Hill.

For the best 18 Tea or Noisette blooms the

1st prize was won by F. Slaughter, Esq.,
Steyning, who showed in good form the varie-
ties Mrs. E. Mawley, Maman Cochet, Cleopatra,
and Comtesse de Nadaillac. 2nd, A. Tate, Esq.

Mr. Tate was 1st in the class for 6 Roses, 3
trusses of each.

The class for 12 Roses, one variety, brought
some very fine blooms. E. J. Holland, Esq.,
was awarded the 1st prize. 2nd, G. A. Ham-
mond, Esq.

The best 12 Teas were shown by Mr. E. M.
Eversfield ; and in the class for 4 Roses,
distinct, shown in triplets, G. A. Hammond,
Esq., won the 1st prize. This last-named exhibi-
tor won in the class for 12 Roses, distinct varie-
ties, with excellent blooms of J. B. Clark, Mil-
dred Grant, Hugh Dickson, and Mrs. S. Craw-
ford, &c.

The schedule made provision for local Rose
classes. The chief was that for 12 Roses, dis-
tinct, the 1st prize for which included a Chal-
lenge Bowl, of the value of 12 guineas, and the
N.K.S. Medal. They were won by Percy F.
Beck, Esq., Hambrook, Wallington, for quite
a moderate lot of flowers, the Silver-Gilt Medal
being awarded for a bloom of Frau K. Druschki.

Table decorations were rather numerous, and
.showed good taste generally. Hardy cut flowers
were greatly in evidence ; Gloxinias were
numerous and of good quality, and the same
may be said of the display of Sweet Peas.
There were many groups of various dimensions
and these were pleasing in arrangement.

Begonias of the tuberous-rooting section were
largely shown, and among them were exhibits
showing good cultivation. Mr. Martin, gar-
dener. Shirley Lodge, and Mr. Slater, gardener,
Homedale, exhibited the best Begonias.

The fruit consisted chiefly of Royal Sovereign
Strawberries of great size, and bunches of white
and black Grapes.

There were seen excellent vegetables, roots,
saladings. and Potatos, mostly cottagers' pro-
duce. The society assists greatly in forwarding
the cultivation of vegetables in and around the
town, and with admirable results.

Non-competitive exhibits from the trade were
of much interest.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ROSE.

July 9. — The 19th annual exhibition of this
Society was held in the Corn Exchange.
Gloucester, on this date. The entries totalled
192, as against 190 last year, and, notwithstand-
ing the wetness and backwardness of the season,
the quality of the blooms was excellent.

The cottagers' classes were a marked and en-
couraging feature of the show, both in point of
view of number of entries and the quality and
variety of the blooms shown. A new class for
cottagers — three vases, any varieties, six blooms
in each vase — secured a goodly number of en-
tries.

In the nurserymen's classes the chief prizes
fell to Messrs. Alex. Dickson & Sons. Ltd.,
Newtownards ; Mr. John Mattock, Oxford ; Mr.
Henry Drew, I.ongworth, Berks : Messrs. G.
Prince & Co., Longworth ; and Messrs. John
Jefferies & Sox, Cirencester.

In the open amateur classes Mr. Conway
Jones, of Hucclecote (who was a strong
competitor for the champion trophy at the recent
National Rose Society's show), secured all the
first prizes, and was also awarded the N.R.S.
silver medals for the best hybrid perpetual
bloom, and for the best tea bloom in the varie-
ties Mrs. John Laing and Mrs. Edward Mawley
respectively.

In the Gloucestershire amateur classes, in
which Mr. Conway Jones did not compete, Mr.
W. J. Thorpe, of Hucclecote, won a silver cup
presented by Messrs. Jefferies & Son, Cirences-
ter, for 18 varieties of Roses.

In the City of Gloucester amateur classes Mr.
W. H. Pickford was awarded a silver salver,
presented by the Mayor and Corporation, for
the best display of Roses and Rose foliage only.
Mr. A. V. Wright won the Corporation triple
Rose bowl for a display of Roses, and he also
won the City High Sheriff's piece of plate for
six varieties. Mr. W. H. Pickford was
awarded the N.R.S. silver medal for the best
hybrid Tea Rose in a bloom of Mildred Grant.

In the cottagers' classes, Mrs. Bolton,
Gloucester, was awarded a clock, presented by
Mr. H. Terrell, K.C., for six Roses.

58

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1907.

SOUTHAMPTON. ROYAL
HORTICULTURAL.

July 2 & 3.- — The summer exhibition of this
Society was held on these dates in the County
Cricket Ground. The show was a great suc-
cess, the exhibits being more numerous than
usual and their quality good.

Roses. — Nineteen classes were provided for
Roses, the principal one being that for forty-
eight blooms of distinct varieties. Four growers
competed in this class, and the 1st prize was
won by Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons, Colchester,
with medium-sized well-coloured examples, of
which the following were especially noticeable :
— Mildred Grant (this was the premier bloom of
the show), A. K. Williams, Helen Keller, Comte
de Raimbaud, Dean Hole, Mme. Jules Gra-
vereaux, and Richmond. 2nd, Messrs. D.
Prior & Sons, Colchester, with slightly smaller
flowers. Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons also won
the premier place for twelve triplets, with simi-
lar examples to those in the preceding class.
2nd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co., Braiswick Nur-
series, Colchester.

Exhibits in a class for Tea or Noisette Roses
in twelve distinct varieties were not numerous,
but of high quality. Messrs. G. Prince & Co.,
Longworth, Faringdon, won the 1st prize with
flowers of high merit, including such kinds as
Mrs. E. Mawley, Boadicea, Princess Beatrice,
Mme. Jules Gravereaux, and Innocente Pirola.
2nd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co.

Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons won in the class
for six blooms of any dark variety, with hand-
some, if small, examples of Richmond. Messrs.
G. Prince & Co. won in a similar class for
light-coloured blooms with Frau Karl Druschki.

Messrs. Prince & Co. also won easily in the
class for garden or decorative Roses, with ex-
amples of Rainbow, Lady Battersea, Tea Ram-
bler, Una, Climbing Papillon, &c, and for six
bunches of single-flowered varieties.

A silver Challenge Cup, open to gentlemen's
gardeners and amateurs, was offered for eighteen
distinct Roses. This coveted award was secured
by Mr. H. W. Richards, Westridge, Ryde, with
an exceedingly fresh, well-coloured set of popu-
lar varieties.

Tea or Noisette varieties were well shown in
this section by Mr. F. W. Flight, Cornstiles,
Twyford, Winchester : The Bride, Bridesmaid,
Mrs. E. Mawley, Maman Cochet, and Muriel
Graham were some of his best blooms. Miss
Minnie Snellgrove, 10, Oxford Road, South-
ampton, worthily won the premier position for
the best-arranged basket of Roses.

Sweet Peas were very finely and numerously
shown in the many classes that were provided
for these flowers. For fifteen bunches, distinct,
the National Sweet Pea Society offered Gold
and Silver Medals as the 1st and 2nd prizes.
Mr. C. W. Breadmore, Winchester, won easily
with excellent bunches ; 2nd, Mr. H. H. Lees',
Warblington Cottage, Havant.

In the class for six bunches, the prizes for
which were given by Messrs. Toogood & Sons,
Southampton, Mr. Usher (gr. to Sir R. Baker,
Branston, Blandford) was successful with good
blooms well staged.

Hardy cut flowers were a feature of the show.
Messrs. Ladhams, Shirley, Southampton, won
easily in the class for twelve bunches with a
choice collection.

Messrs. Perkins & Son, Coventry, showed the
best bridal and the best ball bouquets.

Exhibits of plants were numerous and good.
Mr. Hill (gr. to G. Mercer, Esq., Bassett,
Southampton) had a highly-interesting group of
miscellaneous plants arranged for effect, for
which he secured the leading award.

Fruit was not plentiful, but it was good in
quality. Mr. G. Ellwood (gr. to W. H. Myers,
Esq., Swanmore House, Bishop's Waltham)
won in the classes for two bunches of black
Grapes, and for one Melon. Mr. H. C. Sivyour
(gr. to C. H. Farman, Esq., Rownhams House,
Southampton) showed the best white Grapes in
his bunches of Foster's Seedling.

Vegetables were very extensively displayed,
and as many as 17 competitors were seen in a
class for six dishes, and in which Mr. H. Pearce
(gr. to Mrs. Tragett, Awbridge Danes, Rom-
sey) won the 1st prize with a high-class exhibit.
Messrs. Toogood and Sons, Southampton, pre-
sented the prizes in this class.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, offered prizes
for six dishes of vegetables, and this class pro-
vided a stiff competition. Mr. E. Beckett (gr.

to Lord Aldenham, Aldenham House, Elstree)
won with produce of high quality. Mr. Ellwood
followed closely. The last-named exhibitor
won in the class in which prizes were given
by Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn,
London. r

Trade exhibits were numerous, and they added
much to the displays of the show. Mr. C. W.
Breadmore, Winchester, arranged eighty
bunches of Sweet Peas in first-class style.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, also had a
fine display of these popular flowers.

Mr. Dutton, Iver, Bucks, showed Carnations
of good quality, and Mr. Burnett, St. Mar-
garet's Nurseries, Guernsey, also snowed fine
blooms of these flowers.

Messrs. B. Ladhams & Son, Shirley, had her-
baceous flowers in much variety.

Messrs. Rogers & Son, Southampton, showed
Roses, shrubs, &c.

HANLEY FLORAL FETE.

July 3, 4. — This annual exhibition was held
on these dates, and although the number of
entries was somewhat smaller than at last year's
display, the function proved a success. It was,
perhaps, unfortunate that the show followed so
closely upon that at Lincoln, for it undoubtedly
prevented some growers from competing who
would otherwise have done so. For this reason
there were fewer entries in the group, Orchid,

THE LATE CHAS. JORDAN, I. SO.

and Carnation classes, and the tent devoted to
this section was in consequence not so well
filled as it has been in some recent years.

The 1st prize for a group of plants occupying
an area of not more than 300 square feet was
secured by Mr. W. A. Holmes, Chesterfield ;
2nd, Messrs. J. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham.
The best group of Orchids was shown by this
latter firm.

Lord Grosvenor, Tittensor Chase, Stoke-on-
Trent (gr. John Scotney), exhibited the best
group of Carnations in pots, and he was fol-
lowed by Lord Shrewsbury, Ingestre, Stafford
(gr. Mr. E. Oilman).

In the class for 72 blooms of Roses of distinct
varieties, the 1st prize was awarded Messrs. R.
Harkness & Co., Hitchin, and this firm also
won the 1st prize for 48 blooms, and 1st prizes
in six other classes for these flowers.

The best collection of hardy flowers was
shown by Messrs. G. Gibson k Co., Leeming
Bar, Bedale.

In the classes for fruit? and vegetables, the
principal prize-winners were the Earl of Har-
rington, Elvaston Castle (gr. Mr. J. H. Good-
acre) ; Earl of Londesborough, Market Weighton
(gr. Mr. J. C. McPherson) ; Earl of Carnarvon,
H;>>hclere Castle, Berkshire (gr. Mr. Pupe) : and
Lord Bagot, Blithfield, Rugeley (gr. Mr. Thos.
Bannerman).

BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL AND
HORTICULTURAL.

July 3. — The exhibition at the Edgbaston
Botanical Gardens on this date was a good one,
but the weather was cold and wet. Two Silver-
Gilt, two Silver, and two Bronze Medals were
awarded. No awards were made to novelties.

The Rt. Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P., High-
bury, Birmingham (gr. Mr. J. Deacon), fur-
nished nearly 300 square feet near the end of
the exhibition hall with a beautiful group of
flowering plants, consisting of varieties of Sou-
venir de la Malmaison and American Tree Car-
nations, Regal and Zonal Pelargoniums and
Clerodendron fallax. Of the " Malmaison "
Carnations, Princess of Wales (pink), H. J.
Jones (deep crimson), Nautilus, and Sault were
particularly good. The whole exhibit was well
arranged. (Silver-Gilt Medal.)

Messrs. James Randall & Sons, Shirley, Bir-
mingham, showed a large group of cut flowers
of American Tree Carnations and retarded Lilies
of the Valley intermingled with foliage and mis-
cellaneous flowering plants. (Silver-Gilt Medal.)

C. F. Price, Esq., Chad Mont, Edgbaston
(gr. Mr. J. Beasley), sent a number of plants of
Hydrangea Hortensia. (Vote of Thanks.)

Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton and Cod-
sail, sent a collection of Sweet Peas, including
several new seedlings. (Bronze Medal.)

The most representative and best-arranged
group of hardy flowers came from Mr. C. H. Her-
bert, Acocks Green, who had large clumps of
Heuchera macrantha, Gypsophila paniculata fl.
pi., Pyrethrum James Kelway (flowers rich
crimson), Delphiniums, Alpine species of Dian-
thus, and many uncommon rock-garden plants.
(Silver Medal.)

R. Fenwick, Esq., Edgbaston, contributed^ a
few well-flowered plants of Odontoglossum cris-
pum. (Vote of Thanks.)

Mr. Robt. Sydenham, Tenbv Street, Birming-
ham, staged two dozen vases of Sweet Peas, and
tVe same number of vases of Spanish Irises.
(Silver Medal.)

From Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., Worces-
ter, came a nice collection of Paeonies and mis-
cellaneous border flowers. (Bronze Medal.)

R. Wilson King, Esq., Edgbaston (gr. Mr. D.
Johnson), sent a small group of Gloxinias and
foliage plants. (Vote of Thanks.)

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

July 4. — Committee present : Messrs. Ash-
worth, Ward, Smith, Cowan, Sander, Warbur-
ton, Leemann, Keeling, Walmsley, and Parker.

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden, staged a
good group, consisting of Cattleyas, Odonto-
glossums, and some well-grown plants of Odonto-
glossum vexillarium. Laslia tenebrosa, var.
Victor, was also included in the group. It is
a beautiful variety with vellow sepals and petals.
(Silver medal.)

Messrs. Keeling & Sons staged a small group
of interesting plants, which included a fine
plant of Stanhopea bucephalus ; there were also
some distinct varieties of Masdevallia in this
group which was awarded a bronze medal. An
Award of Merit was given to a new hybrid
Cypripedium.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rainhill, exhibited
Cypripedium Godefroyae "Ran Lea var."

E. D. Bostock, Esq., Stone, exhibited a good
variety of Cypripedium niveum, var. "Supreme."
P. W.

Obituary.

Charles Jordan, I.S.O. — In our last issue
we briefly announced the death of this distin-
guished gardener, which occurred at New
Lodge, Hyde Park, on the 8th inst. The late
Mr. Jordan commenced his horticultural train-
ing in the gardens of Baron Pollock, Hatton
House, Hounslow, in 1860, and two years later
he entered the gardens at Syon House. From
Syon House he proceeded to Floors Castle,
Kelso, and from thence, in 1868, became fore-
man in the gardens of Claude B. Hamilton,
Esq., at Dalkeith, subsequently entering into
business for himself as a nurseryman at
Isleworth. He relinquished this business
to assume control of the public parks

July 20, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

59

of Greenwich and Victoria. When the
management of the latter was transferred
by the Metropolitan Parks Act, 1887, to
the Metropolitan Board of Works, the late Mr.
Jordan was given the post of superintendent of
Regent's Park, which office he held until his ap-
pointment in February, 1903, to the superin-
tendency of Hyde Park, rendered vacant by the
retirement of Mr. William Brown. The late Mr.
Jordan was one of the ablest of park superin-
tendents ; he was most zealous in the discharge
of his duties, and the vast amount of work he
accomplished was remarkable. The post of
superintendent of London's chief park involves
the management of Kensington Gardens, St.
James's Park, Buckingham Palace Gardens, the
Green Park, Marlborough House Gardens, Par-
liament Square, and many minor gardens at-
tached to public offices, and the present condi-
tion of each of these open spaces testifies to the
skill and management of their late director. The
new range of glasshouses and propagating pits in
Hyde Park were designed by the late Mr. Jor-
dan, and they will remain a monument to his
capability. The many fine avenues in both the
Green Park and the Mall, which serve as vistas
leading to the national monument to Queen
Victoria are also the result of the late Mr. Jor-
dan's labours. During the 16 years he was
superintendent of Regent's Park, he con-
verted it into a veritable flower garden, and he
added dells and water gardens, and other at-
tractive features. The glass and nursery depart-
ments were entirely remodelled under his guid-
ance, and the frame ground of this park was his
especial pride. The late Mr. Jordan's nature
was one of extreme kindliness, and he was be-
loved by all whose pleasure it was to serve under
him, as the present writer can testify. The in-
vestiture of the Imperial Service Order so re-
cently conferred by the King was to have taken
place on the 15th inst. Deceased leaves a
widow, but no family.

Louis Lacroix. — We have to record the death
of M. Louis Lacroix, who was once a well-
known raiser of Chrysanthemums. Soon after
the year 1880, when the popularity of the Chry-
santhemum was advancing by rapid strides, M.
Lacroix enriched our collections by introducing
some excellent novelties from his nursery at
Toulouse. Among them may be remembered
such flowers in the Japanese section as Dor-
millon, Mdlle. Lacroix (a popular white flower),
Roi des Japonais, Tendresse, M. Ardene, M.
Brunet, Mdlle. Moulis, Parasol, Mdlle. Marie
Hoste, and several others, not the least impor-
tant of which were Phcebus and Viviand Morel,
two varieties that continued for many years to
be regarded as good exhibition flowers. Jeanne
d'Arc, an Incurved flower of great merit, was
also sent out by M. Lacroix, as were several
interesting Japanese-Anemone varieties, of
which Fabian de Mediana was a conspicuous
example. M. Lacroix was 66 years of age at the
time of his death. C. H. P.

Joseph Ewing.— We regret to hear, through
our correspondent, Mr. Jno. Forbes, that this
well-known gardener died about a fortnight ago at
Strathtay, near Aberfeldy, in his 90th year. The
late Mr. Ewing was gardener at Castle Menzies,
Aberfeldy, for a period of 60 years. A few years
ago he retired from the active management of the
gardens and was succeeded by his son James,
but continued to reside at Castle Menzies until
May last.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

BATH AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'. —The

annual outing of this association took place recently,
when a visit was made to Bournemouth. The weather
fortunately was fine. The central and other local park?
were visited by some members of the party, and others
made a trip to Boscombe to visit the nurseries of Mr. M.
Prichard, Christchurch.

BRIXTON, STREATHAM AND CLAPHAM

HORTICULTURAL.— Through the kindness of Messrs.
Sutton & Sons an opportunity was afforded the members on
July 3 of visiting their nurseries at Reading. The trials of
Peas and Lettuces were instructive. The copious rains have
been favourable to both these crops. The breadths of annuals
were Interesting. Nemesia strumosa was seen in almost
endless shades of colour. If. Row pell.

MARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN, July 17.
[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Ed.J

Cut Flowers, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Alstromerias, per

dozen bunches
Anemones, per dz.

bunches
Eouvardia, per dz.

bunches
Calla asthiopica, p.

dozen

Carnations, per

dozen blooms,

best American

various

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

— Malmaisons, p.
dozen blooms..

Cattleyas, per doz.

blooms
Coreopsis, per doz.

bunches
Cornflower, per dz.

bunches
Eucharis grandi-

flora, dz. blms.
Gardenias per doz.

blooms

Gladiolus, The

Bride, per doz.

bunches

— Brenchleyensis

— various
Gypsophila elegans

p. dz. bunches

Iris, German, per

doz. bunches...

— Spanish, p. dz.
bunches

Lapageria alba, dz.
Lilium auratum ...

— candidum.bch.

— lancif oli uin,
ru br u m and
album

— longiflorum ...
Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, white,

p. dz. bunches

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

3 0-40

1 C- 2 6

9 0-12 0
6 0 10-0

2 0-30
2 0-30

3 0-50

4 0-80
4 0-90

2 0-30

4 0-60

4 0-90

10-16
2 0-30
10-20

16-20
2 0-30

6 0-90
10 0-15 0

2 0-30
16-20

s.d. s.d.

Mignonette, perdz.

bunches
Myosotis, per doz.

bunches
O dontoglossum

crispum, per

dozen blooms 2 0-26
Peeonies, per doz,

bunches
Pancratiimis, per

dozen tls.
Pelargoniums,

show, per doz.

bunches

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Pinks

Poppies, Iceland,
Jo/, bunches...

— Oriental

— Shirley
Pyrethrums, per

dozen bunches 2 0-40
Ranunculus, per

dozen bunches 4 0-60
Rhodanthe, per dz.

bunches
Roses, 12 blooms,

Niphetos

— Bridesmaid .,,

— C. Testout ..,

— General Jacque-
minot

— Marechal Niel

— Kai serin A.
Victoria

— Mrs. J. Laing

— C. Mermet

— Liberty

— Mad. Chatenay
Statice, per dozen 3 0-40
Stephanotis, per

dozen trusses 3 0-50
Stocks, per dozen

bunches
Sweet Peas, p. doz.

bunches
Sweet Sultans, per

dozen bunches
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms

3 0-40
16-2 0

4 0-80
3 0-40

4 0-60

4 0-60
10-30

4 0-80
4 0-80

2 0-30

3 0-40

10-30
2 0-30
2 0-30

0 6-

1 6-

1 0
3 0

16-30
10-30
10-30
2 0-40
10-30

... 3 0-40
10-30
30-40

0 4-06

Cut Foliage, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Adiantum cunea-

tum, per dozen

bunches
A sparagus plu-

mosus, long

trails, per doz. 8 0 12 0

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per doz.

bunches
Croton leaves, bch.
Cycas leaves, each
Fern, English, per

dozen bunches 10-20

— French, dozen
bunches ... 10-30

4 0-60

16-20
0 6-10

2 0-26
10-16

16-20

s.d.

s.d.
2 6

Galax leaves, per

dozen bunches 2 0-

Hardy foliage
(various), per
dozen hunches 2 0-

Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
doz. bunches... 2 0-

Moss, per gross ... 4 0-
Myrtle (English),

small-leaved,

doz. bunches... 4 0-60

— French, dozen
bunches ... 10-16

Smilax, p. dz. trails 1 6-

6 o
2 6

16-30

a 0
5 0

2 6

Plants in Pots, &c: Average Wholesale Prices.

Ampelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen

Aralia Sieboldi, dz.

— larger

Araucaria escelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, dz.
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— ten uissimus
per dozen

Boronia mega-
stigma, per dz.

— heterophylla ...
Calceolarias, yellow
Campanulas, p. dz.
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen
Coleus, per dozen
Coreopsis, per doz.
Crassulas (Kaloz-

anthes), perdz.
Crotons, per dozen
Cyperus alternifo-

lius, dozen

— laxus, per doz.
Dracaenas, perdoz.
Erica Cavendishii,

per dozen

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80

4 0-60
9 0-12 0

12 0-30 0

18 0-30 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

12 0-30 0
12 0-24 0
4 0-80
6 0-90

8 0-90
12 0-18 0

9 0-18 0
2 0-40
6 0-10 0

9 0-12 0
12 0-30 0

4 0-50
4 0-50
9 0-24 0

24 0-36 0

s.d. s.d.
Erica ventricosa,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Euonymus, per dz. 4 0-90
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 7 0-10 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 16 0-25 0

— in 48's, per dz. 4 0-10 0

— in 32's, per dz. 10 0-18 0
Ficus elastica, doz. 8 0-10 0

— repens, perdoz. 4 0-60
Fuchsias, per doz. 4 0-80
Heliotropiums, per

dozen 3 0-40

Hydrangea Thos.

Hogg, per doz. 12 0-18 0

— Hortensia, per

dozen 8 0-12 0

— paniculata, per

dozen 12 0-30 0

Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 12 0-18 0

— Fosteriana, p.

dozen 12 0-21 0

Kochia scoparia,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Lilium 1 o n g i-

florum, per dz. 12 0-24 0

— lancif o li um,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 10 0-12 0

4 0-80

3 0- G 0

4 0-60

Plants in Pots, &c: Average Wholesale Prices (Contd.)

s.d. s.d
Lobelia, per dozen 5 0-60 Petun-'^s, double,
Marguerites, white, per dozen

per dozen ... 4 0-80

— yellow 12 0-18 0

Mignonette, perdz. 6 0-90
Musk, per dozen... 4 0-50
Pelargoniums,

I v y-1 e ave d,
Mde. Crousse
and Galilee, p.
dozen 4 0-60

— Zonals, perdz. 4 0-60

— show 6 0-90

12 0-24 0
5 0-21 0

— single, per dz.
Rhodanthe, per dz.
Roses, H.P's., per

dozen

— Ramblers, each
Saxifraga pyramid-

alis, per dozen 12 0-18 0
Selaginella, dozen 4 0-60
Spiraea japonica.dz. 5 0-80
Verbena, Miss

Willmott, doz.

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Apples, per box,
Tasmanian :

— LondonPippins 8 6-90

— Scarlet Pear-
mains ,

— Scarlet Nonpa
reils

— Sturmer Pip
pins

— French Crabs..

— Prince Alfreds

— Alfristons
Australian, box :

— Monro's Fav-
orite, per box 7 0-90

— Roman Beauty 7 0-80

— Cleopatras ...

— Jonathans

— New York Pip-
pins

— Five Crowns...

— Rymers
Apricots (French),

per box

— French, cases

— French, ^ sieve
Bananas, bunch:

— No. 2 Canary ,

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giants „ ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (English),

£ sieve

— £ sieve _

— French, $ sieve 4 0-80

— French, J sieve 3 0-46
Cranberries, case 8 0-86
Currants (English),

Red, A sieve ...

— French, black,
i sieve

— Black (Eng-
lish), ft sieve ...

— White, p. peck
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

Figs (Guernsey), p.
dozen

Gooseberries (Eng-
lish), J sieve ...

Grape Fruit, case 19 0-22 0

Grapes (English),

Hambro's.p.lb. 0 8-1

6 6-76

.. 7 0-80

6 0-70
6 0-7 0

6 6-76

7 0-7 6

7 0-90
10 0-11 0

7 0-90

6 6-7 0
6 0-70

12-14

2 6-36
5 0-56

5 0 —

5 6-60

6 6-76

8 0 —
5 0-56
0 9-13

3 6-12 0
2 0-66

2 6-36
4 6-50

5 6-60
2 9-30

26 —
10-40

16-40

6 0-90

s.d. s.d.

Grapes, Alicante

per lb 0 9-13

— Gros Maroc,

per lb. 0 9-16

— English Mus-
cats, per lb. ... 10-30

— Belgian Ham-

bro's, per lb.... 0 8-13
Lemons :

— Messina, case 10 0-14 0

— Naples, p. case 20 0-25 0
Lychees, perbox... 10 —
Mangoes, per doz. 9 0-18 0
Melons( Guernsey),

each 0 9-20

— French, Rock,

each 2 0-36

— Valencia, per

case 8 6-10 0

— Canteloupe,

each 0 4-05

Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz. 3 0-12 0

Nuts, Cobnuts, per

doz. lb 2 6-30

— Almonds, bags 54 0 —

— Brazils, new,

Eercwt. ... 40 0-42 6

arcelona. bag 32 6 —

— Cocoa nuts. 100 12 0-17 0
Oranges, per case:

— Valencia ... 16 0-35 0

— Navels ... 10 0-10 6

— Murcias, box 12 0-16 0
Peaches (English),

per dozen

— French, p. box
Pears (Australian),

per bundle of 3

boxes

Plums (French), p.

box 0 10- 1 0

— Italian, basket 2 0-23
Gages (French),

per box ... 14-19

— French, A sieve 11 6-13 6
Pineapples, each... 2 0-36
Raspberries (Eng-
lish), handle

basket 13-16

Strawberries (Eng-
lish), per peck 19-30

— per lb 0 3-09

— English, per

handle basket 0 9-10

10-90
10-13

10 0-20 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Artichokes(French),

per dozen ... 2 0-26

Asparagus (Eng-
lish), p. bundle 0 9-13

— Beans(French),
per pad

— Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel

— Jersey, per lb.

— French, packet 0 3-04

— Home -grown,
per lb

Beetroot, bushel ...

Cabbages, per doz.

Cabbage Greens,

bag

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— French, new,
per bunch

Cauliflowers, per

dozen

Chow Chow (Sec-

hiutn edule),p,

dozen

Cucumbers, per

dozen

Endive, per dozen
Horseradish, for-
eign, dz.bndls. 13 0-14 0
Leeks, 12 bundles 16-
Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score
Marrows (English),

per dozen
Mint, per dozen

bunches

5 0-80

3 0
0 6-

0 6 —
13 16
0 9-10

10-16
2 0 —

10-16

0 5 —

2 0-26

3 0 —

16-26
10-13

0 4-06
3 0-60

0 9-10

s.d. s.d.
Mushrooms(house)

per lb 0 8-0 10

— buttons, per lb. 0 10 —

— "Broilers"p.lb. 0 5-06
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Lisbon),

case

— pickling, per
bushel

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches

— Egyptian, bag ,
Peas (English), per

bushel

— English, p. bag
Parsley, 12bunches

— J bushel
Potatos (Canary),

per cwt.

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen 0 4-06

Rhubarb (English),
natural, per dz.

Salsafy, p.dz. bdls.

Spinach, English,
per bushel ...

Tomatos : —

— Canary, per
bundle

— selected, per
dozen lbs. ...

— small selected,
per dozen lbs. 3 0-3

Turnips (English),

doz. bunches...
Watercress, per

doz. bunches ..

10-16

7 6-80

2 0-26

16 2 0
9 0-10 0

16-26

3 0-50
16-20
10-16

8 0-90

1 0-
3 6

1 C

0 9-10

6 0-80
3 6-39

2 0-30

0 1-06

Remarks. — English Tomatos are arriving in increased
quantities and are considerably cheaper. Cherries are sold
at low prices, except very superior varieties. The trade
for Hot-house Grapes and Peaches continues to be very
quiet. Strawberries generally are now of poor quality and
supplies are nearly finished, P. L., Covent Garden Market t
July 77, 1907.

POTATOS.

Kents, 5s. 6d. to 7s. ; Bedfords, 5s. to 5s. 6d. ; Lincolns,
6s. 6d. to 6s. ; Jerseys, 5s. 6d. to 6s. ; St. Malos, 6s. ;
Teneriffe, 9s. to 10s. ; old Potatos, 6s. 6d. to 7s. Large
consignments of Potatos have been received during the past
week, and prices have dropped accordinglv. Trade generally
is good. A. £., Covent Garden, July 17, 1'JiC.

GO

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 20, 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Many growers of spring and summer flowering plants
have finished marketing these for the season, and some few
things are realising good prices. Generally, however,
plants are plentiful and the prices are low. Zonal,
Ivy-leaved, and Show Pelargoniums are all plentiful.
Amongst the best of Crassula (Kalosanthes) coccinea is the
variety Phcenix ; some of the cross-bred varieties of this plant
are also good. Fuchsias are seen in well flowered plants.
Companula Mayi, well flowered, is noticed on the plant
stands. Supplies of Hydrangeas are falling off a little, but
there are many good plants of H. paniculata grandifiora.
Kochia scoparia, or what is known by some persons as K. tri-
chophylla, is now very good. In Roses I noticed well
flowered plants of the variety Hiawatha; other Rambling
varieties are plentiful, but the plants are chiefly those that
have been grown in the open and afterwards potted. Coleus
in well coloured plants are plentiful, but there is only a
small demand. I noticed some well grown plants of Eu'alia
japonica variegata from Mr. T. Child's nursery. Ferns,
Palms, Aspidistras, Asparagus, Ficus, Aralias, Pandanus,
Crotons, and other useful foliage plants are all well
supplied.

Cut Flowers.

White, yellow and blue flowers of Statices are prominent.
Alstroiner'ias are seen in various shades of colours. Iceland
and Shirley Poppies are still very pretty. Several
growers send these flowers when in the bud state ; they open
well in water, and last much longer than flo%vers that are fully
expanded when cut. Spanish and English Irises are pro-
minent flowers, these also last much longer if they are cut
before they have fully opened, and the same is the case with
many other flowers. Some Carnations have a reputation
for remaining fresher longer than others, but the only dif-
ference I have ever been able to detect is that those which are
the more readily fertilised deteriorate the quicker. This is seen
in the case of the Marguerite varieties which seed freely,
for these flowers pass as soon as fertilisation takes place.
Sweet Peas have been over plentiful, and there must have
been much waste in these flowers. Roses vary, the best sell
well, but many of lesser quality cannot be cleared other
than very cheaply. Souvenir de la Malmaison Carna-
tions are prominent. The American varieties quite eclipse
our ordinary type. Liliums have advanced a little in prices.
The market is well supplied with all seasonable flowers and
prices are, generally, very low. ^1 . H., Covent Garden,
Wednesday, July 17, 1907.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Apple Leaves : Rev. G. H. E. There is no
disease present. The blotches are caused by a
deposition of moisture followed by a chill.

Apple Spot : G. if. The markings are caused by
a fungus, Fusicladium dentriticum. Spray the
trees now with the Bordeaux Mixture (half
strength), and again in the winter with a solution
of sulphate of iron.

Aster Disease : F. E. S. &■ Co. Select fresh
ground for next year's planting, and take the
precaution to spiay the plants, before the disease
appears, with the fungicide recommended in our
issue for June 22, p. 416. The disease may be
transmitted by the seeds, but this is improbable ;
fresh seeds, however, obtained from a healthy
• stock should be used for next year's sowing. If
you do not wish to do this, treat the seeds from
the affected plants with a weak solution of per-
manganate of potash in order to kill any spores
of the fungus that may be present on them.

Book : /. F. Holstein. " Windsor Park and
Forest " ; published by Oxley & Son, High
Street, Windsor.

British Gardeners' Association. — W. F., North-
allerton. The secretary is Mr. John Weathers,
Talbot Villa, Talbot Road, Isleworth.

Camellia Leaves : W. H. P. The injury is
caused by Pestalozzia Guepini, the dreaded
"grey blight" of the Tea plant, which often
attacks Camellias. The only certain remedy is
to cut off every diseased leaf, as the spores are
spread from one leaf to another by syringing the
plants.

Coloured Plates: W. T. A., Capetown. We
are unable to tell you where you could obtain
the kind of plates you require.

Cocumber Disease: Old. SuUia iber. The leaves
are affected with the spot disease that has been
so often described in these columns. You can
check the spread of the complaint by spraying
with liver of sulphur, £ oz. to 2 gallons of water.
All diseased plants should be burned and fresh
soil should be used for future planting.

Cucumber Plant : E. T. There is not any evi-
dence of eelworms in the roots received. If
you are a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural
Society, you can have the water analysed on
payment of a small fee, by sending a sample
to Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker, M.A., 22, Tudor
Street, New Bridge Street, London, E.C. The
splitting of the Grapes is due to some fault
in the regulation of heat and moisture, par-
ticularly in respect to the water applied to the
roots.

Elm Leaves: L. G. The fungus on Elm leaves
is Phyllachora Ulmi, a parasite causing the
early fall of the leaves when present in quantity.

Grape Spot Disease : F. G. B., W. W. W. S.,
and Korth Essex. The berries aie affec.ed with
the spot disease, which is caused by a fungus
Glaeosporium ampelophagum. Dust the
bunches with a mixture of one part quicklime
and two parts of flowers of sulphur. The use
of stable manure in the border favours the
disease.

Hollyhock Disease : C. The following pre-
paration is recommended by Messrs. Webb
and Brand, the well-known cultivators of this
flower: — To 1 lb. of Tobacco powder add
J oz. of finely-powdered sulphate of copper ;
well mix these, and dust the undersurfaces of
the foliage with the mixture, at intervals of
two or three weeks during the growing season,
choosing a dull day with a still atmosphere
for carrying out the operation.

Exhibiting Vegetables : W. T. We know of
no standard size for a stand to exhibit a cer-
tain number of vegetables, and you must be
guided by your own discretion in this direc-
tion. It is necessary to afford sufficient space
between the individual varieties to allow them
to be displayed to advantage. A suitable
stand for exhibiting vegetables is shown at
fig. 21 (A) the back. (The diagram does not
show this back as high as it is usually seen,
but the exhibitor can modify the height as
required). The back can be made of light
boarding, and in front is a square portion (B)
upon which the boards forming (C) rest, and
slope to the front. The boards forming the
platform (C) often meet (B) about three parts
up, and not quite at the top, as is shown in
our diagram. Against (A) are usually placed

Fig. 21. — stand for exhibiting vegetables.

Cauliflowers, Cabbages or Broccoli in pyra-
mids, with Marrows, Cucumbers and similar
large vegetables on (B). The space (C) is
usually reserved for dishes containing Toma-
tos, Mushrooms, Capsicums, Potatos, &c,
with the larger subjects at the back. A bed-
ding of Parsley is placed over the whole stag-
ing before arranging the vegetables. The
table (Ei, upon which the stand rests, is re-
presented by the three bottom vertical Lines
in the diagram.

Names of Fruits : reach. Thefruitswerenotpacked
with sufficient care, and they suffered badly
during transit. Correspondents would do well
to remember that such soft fruits can onlv be
identified with difficulty, and it is therefore
imperative that every care should be taken in
the packing of them, and that it is necessary for
us to recehe two fruits of each variety, also
specimens of the foliage.

Names of Plants ; A.J. Polygonum cuspidatum.
— W. H. and A . K. We do not undertake to name
varieties of Roses or other florists' flowers. —
C. II'. Calycanthus floridus.— R. A. H. 1,
Spiraea ariaefolia ; 2, RhusCotinus; 3, Cistus
ladaniferus maculatus ; 4, Erigeron speciosus.
— F. R. 1, Escallonia rubra; 2 and 3, Rosa
spinosissima var. ; 4, Veronica salicifolia ;
5, Azalea viscosa ; 6, Coronilla Emerus. —
A. T. B. Jasminum humile (J. revolutum). — ■
A.C. 1, Picea nigra; 2, Cephalotaxus pedun-
culata ; 3, Berberis vulgaris var. ; 4, send better
specimen. — W.J. S. 1, Robinia Pseudacacia ;
2, Cupressus Lawsoniana ; 3, C. macrocarpa ;
4, Pinus excelsa.— G. F. 31. 1, Rhodotypos
kerrioides ; 2, Lonicera Ledebourii ; 3, Phila-
d.elphus Lemoinei ; 4, Olearia Gunniana; 5,
( iaultheria Shallon ; 6, Verbascum phceniceum.
— A. N. 1, Euonymus europceus ; 2, Rhus
Cotinus ; 3, Veronica salicifolia ; 4, V. speciosa

var. — G. B. 1, Lonicera japonica; 2, Crambe
sp., probably C. orientalis, but we are unable to
name it definitely without complete material. —
K. &• B. The Retinospora, or juvenile form
of Juniperus virginiana. — G. 11'. R. Poten-
tilla variabilis, P. coccinea of gardens. — if. A . 1,
Cystopteris bulbifera ; 2, Lastrea dilatata ; 3,
Polypodium vulgare cambricum; 4, Pteris
arguta ; 5, Pteris umbroSa ; 6, Woodwardia
orientalis. — Veritas. 1, Aerides odoratum ; 2,
Sarcanthus pugioniformis ; 3, Saccolabium
ampullaceum ; 4, Schomburgkia tibicinis. —
if. 7". S. 1, Kalmia latifolia; 2, Primus Pis-
sardii ; 3, Acer Negundo ; 4, Aconitum Napellus ;
5, Malva moschata ; 6, Achillea Ptarmica flore
pleno. — A.B. 1, 2, and 3, varieties of Iris
xiphioides, commonly called English Iris ; 4,
Penstemon barbatus ; 5, Deutzia crenata flore
pleno; 6, Robinia Pseudacacia. — Juno. Phyllo-
cactus crenatus .— It'. J. F. 1, Calycanthus
floridus ; 2, Spiraea salicifolia ; 3, Spiraea
brumalis variegata ; 4, Melianthus major ; 5,
probably Convolvolus Cneorum. Send when
in flower. 6, Rehmanniaangulata. — Miss M. C.
Astrantia major. — G. S. ]. Your labels were
nearly all detached from the specimens ; the red
flower is Calycanthus floridus, the yellow flower
Grevillea juniperina sulphurea ; 2, Phlomis
fruticosa ; 3, Cotoneaster frigida.

Pear Leaves Injured : A. G. L. &• II'. K. The
injury has been caused by the Pear-leaf blister-
mite. Spray the trees thoroughly with paraffin
emulsion prepared by boiling together equal
proportions of paraffin and soft soap. This
should be thoroughly mixed with 25 times its
bulk of water. Spray in the autumn and again
in the early spring when the leaf buds are ex-
panding.

Plants Losing their Leaves after Purchase :
A. T. It often occurs that plants sent to mar-
ket are not sold on the first day, and after
they have been confined in the close atmo-
sphere of the market-hall the leaves suffer '
when they are again exposed to the air and
light. It is much the same with many plants
used for the decoration of dwelling rooms ;
they may not appear to suffer at the time, but
when returned to their usual position the
leaves soon fall, or turn a bad colour. There
is also another cause for plants purchased
from the market failing in the manner de-
scribed. Such plants are often fed excessively
with manures, and when these are withheld
they suffer. In other instances they may have
been subjected to an excessive degree of forc-
ing. We may be able to give you the names
of the Poppies, Convolvulus, &c, in our next
issue.

Roses : J. A. There is no disease present; the
trouble is caused by the weather, against which
there is no remedy. — W. K. The Rose leaves
are attacked by a fungus called Actinonema
rosae. Spray with a rose-red solution of Condy's
Fluid. Collect and burn diseased leaves.

Strawberries: G. S. We are unable to ac-
count for the pilfering.

Sycamore : B. L. The leaf you send is that of
Corylus maxima var. atropurpurea. There is
no form of the Norway Maple or the Sycamore
with foliage of so deep a colour, though some of
the forms of the latter, such as purpurascens
Nizeti are somewhat like it in early summer.
There is no purple-leaved Plane, but there is a
purple-leaved Elm (Ulmus montana var. atro-
purpurea) which you might easily have mistaken
at a distance for an Acer.

Tomatos Diseased: /. S., Holyrood. The black
spots on the fruits are caused by a fungus —
Macrosporium Solani. There is no known
remedy for this disease once the fruits are
attacked, but the spread of the complaint may
be 1: rgdy checked by burning the affected fruits
as soon as the disease shows itself. Later
batches should be sprayed with the Bordeaux
mixture.

Communications Received.—]. D. S.— W. E. B.— W. G.—
Col. Beddome— S. A. S. -T. S.— C. T. D.— A. W. S.—
T. H.— C. F. C— W. H. W.— Geo. Wassell— W. C. S.—
R. Humphrey— X, Y. Z., Barnet— H. B. G., Honiton—
Mrs. J. L. R— L. Castle— W. J. Vasey— J. D.. New
Zealand-J. I. and Son— W. E. B.— S. C— J. E. Holden
(Thanksfor two shillings for R. G. O. F. Box).— P.Wc-athers.
— O. R.— J. T. C.-W. H.— F. G.— G. F. E.-T. M. —A. W.
— Elap-W. E. M.— H. G. H.— E. B.-G. E. W.— G. B.—
F. C— R- N. (2s. for R. G. O. F. box) - M. L.— W. H. D.—
H. W. W.-F. P.— F. M.-E. H. J.-G. E.— W. S.—

F. M. W.— E. P., Cape Town— S. C— W. H. L.-D. J.—

G. H. B.

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

61

THE

^arbcncrs'CbronicIc

No. 1,074.— SATURDAY, July 27, 1907.

CONTENTS.

American park superin-
tendents ' 69

Bones for a vine border 75

Books, notices of —
The Flora of Palestine 61

Carnations Souvenir de
la Malmaison 74,75

Colonial notes —
A plague of locusts 66

Egypt, horticulture in... 73

Fruit crops of the season 66

Gardiner, J. A., appoint-
ment of, to Hyde Park 69

Gooseberries and Cur-
rants 75

Hardy flower border,
the ... .„ ... 61

Lilac bud-mite ... ... 73

Lilium Brownii as a
bedding plant 67

Maritzburg Botanic Gar-
den 63

Nest in a bunch of
Banana fruits 72

Orchid notes and glean-
ings—
Odontioda Vuylstekeae

Kingsmillii 63

Odontoglossum

Smithii 62

Oncidium macran-
thum 63

Paeonia Madame Louis
Henry 75

Pine trees, a disease of 74

Plant acclimatisation in
the tropics 73

Plants, new or note-
worthy—
Crinum amcenum var.
Mearsii

Pomology, a French
work on

Propagator, the

Reading University Gar-
dens, appointments at

School of Horticulture
at Wisley, establish-
ment of a

Scientific research sta-
tion opened at Wisley

Societies-
National Carnation

and Picotee

Rayleigh and District

Horticultural
Royal Horticultural ...
Southend - o n - S e a
Horticultural ...

Stigma of Torenia

Strawberry The Laxton

Summer pruning of fruit
trees

Sweet Peas disqualified

Thunderstorm, a heavy

Vine, an ornamental ...

Week's work, the —
Flower garden, the ...
Fruits under glass ..
Hardy fruit gai den
Kitchen garden, the ...
Orchid houses, the ...
Parks and gardens ...
Plants under glass ...

Yuccas, a list of

ILLUSTRATIONS.

■Amphicome Emodi

Avebury, Lord, portrait of

Balfour of Burleigh, Lord, portrait of

Chance, Sir William, portrait of

Crinum amcenum var. Mearsii

Delphiniums flowering in a plant border-
Elliott, Sir Thomas, portrait of

Lilium Brownii flowering in Kew Gardens
Locusts, a plague of, in a Johannesburg garden

Sadler, Prof. Michael, portrait of

View of a lake in Maritzburg Botanic Garden ...
Vincent, Sir William, portrait of

75

78
73
75

75
75
75
73

69
68
69
68

(is
69
69
75

74
70
71
71
62
64
71
67
66
71
OS
71

ARRANGEMENT OF THE

HARDY FLOWER

BORDER.

IN undertaking the construction or re-
arrangement of an herbaceous border,
the experienced gardener very properly
aims at obtaining as prolonged a succession
of colour as possible.

A well-arranged border of carefully-selected
flowering plants is always a thing of beauty,
but how much of that possible beauty is often
sacrificed by faulty selection and disposition
in the beginning? A brilliant colour display
may be striking, but it is not necessarily
artistic. To be artistic it must possess a cer-
tain individuality of its own, obtained by
planting with a view to obtaining contrast
and bold effect, and, in considering the choice
of material for such a border, diversity, not
only of colour, but of foliage should be taken
into careful consideration. It is to the in-
troduction of bold and effective foliage
plants that the well-conceived border owes
much of its artistic character.

The practice of arranging the taller plants
in rows along the back, and the smaller ones

in similar rows along the front of the border,
should be avoided, or the effect is sure to be
monotonous. Care, however, should be taken
that each plant is so disposed that it will be
displayed to good advantage. The outline of
a border presents an ever-varying change of
front, effected by allowing the bolder subjects
to project to the front and the dwarfer kinds
to recede towards the back of the border at
irregular intervals. Bearing these princi] les
in mind, their employment must be regulated
according to the size of the border and the
purpose for which it is intended ; much de-
pends, for instance, upon whether the border
is intended as a constant ornament for the
more select part of the garden, or mainly for
the production of cut flowers. From a border
of the latter type many highly ornamental
subjects must necessarily be excluded, and its
effect will consequently depend largely upon
the manner in which the plants are arranged.
In the case of the ornamental flower border,
there is a much wider scope, and few
branches of gardening offer greater oppor-
tunities for the exercise of artistic skill. An
important adjunct to the ornamental flower
border is an effective background of flowering
shrubs, in conjunction with which herbaceous
plants of the boldest type can often be
utilised. The outline of the shrubbery itself
should be thoroughly broken up, now pro-
jecting, now receding in such a manner as to
allow plenty of room for the adornment of
the open spaces with suitable herbaceous
plants. The position of the shrubs of which
such a background is composed should be
graduated in such a manner that the coarser
and more spreading kinds are put well into
the background. Flowering shrubs of a
smaller and more select type are also valu-
able for planting singly, or in smaller groups
among the herbaceous plants, and not only do
they impart to the border much additional
character during the summer months, but
help to maintain that character throughout
the winter, at which season they brighten
what might be otherwise a more or less
dreary stretch of bare ground.

However desirable the inclusion of flower-
ing shrubs may be, it is necessary that their
characteristics and uses should be thoroughly
understood, otherwise the result may prove a
failure. Having decided upon the position
of the border, and the principles upon which
it is to be planted, the selection of suitable
plants that will impart an appearance of
individuality comes into consideration. The
following are lists of desirable subjects for
the purpose : —

Herbaceous Plants of Boldest Type.
These are only suitable for cultivation in large
borders of a semi-wild character: Bocconia cor-
data, Beracleum in variety, Rheum, Polygo-
num in various species, of which P. cuspidatum
and P. sachalinense are the best, Silphium in
variety, Lavatera, Grasses, Gynerium argen-
teum, Eulalia japenica, Arundo conspicua, &c.

Plants of Sue-tropical Appearance.
Aconitums, Acanthus, various species of
Astilbe (of which the new A. Davidii is the
best), Centaureas (of which C. babylonica and C.
macrocephala are the most striking), Del-
phiniums in variety, Echinops (of which E.
ruthenicus and E. sphaerocephalus may be re-
commended), Hollyhocks in variety, Ferulas in
various species {of which F. gigantea is the

tallest), Romneya Coulteri, Galega officinalis,
Michauxica campanuloides, Molospermum cicu-
tarium, Rudbeckia laciniata, Ostrowskia mag-
nifica (a recent introduction of very bold ap-
pearance), Lupinus in variety. Podophyllum
Emodi, Senecios of various species (such as S.
Clivorum, S. japonicus, S. pulcher, and the new
S. tanguticus), Crambe cordifolia (especially de-
sirable), Morina longifolia, Papaver orientale,
Eryngiums in variety, &c.

Plants with Sword or Grass-like Foliage.
Aciphylla squarrosa, Asphodelus in variety,
Libertia formosa, Hemerocallis in variety, Gal-
tonia candicans, Kniphofia (various species,
among which K. caulescens, K. nobilis, K.
grandis and K. Tuckii are the tallest and most
distinct), Montbretia crocosmasflora, Eremurus in
variety (of which E. robustus and E. Himalai-
cus are the tallest growers), Iris, various species,
such as I. Monnieri and other strong-growing
kinds ; species of Yuccas, Phormium tenax,
Liatris (Snake Root) in variety, Sparaxis pul-
cherrima, &c.

Plants of Dwarfer Growth.
Anemone japonica and its varieties, Funkia
species, Ranunculus aconitifolius, Helleborus in
variety, Megasea (various species), Paeonies in
variety, Spiraeas (Astilbes) such as S. palmata
S. japonica, Tiarella cordifolia, Incarvilleas,
Heucheras, Galax aphylla, &c. Borders that are
situated in partial shade should also include
such plants as Tradescantia virginica, Polygon-
atum multiflorum, and hardy Ferns.

Flowering Shrubs.
The following species are suitable for asso-
ciating with herbaceous plants : Berberis Dar-
winii, B. stenophylla, and B. empetrifolia,
Cytisus (several species), Erica lusitanica, E.
mediterranea, E. Veitchii, and E. carnea,
&c, Pernettya mucronata, Skimmia japonica,
Veronica Traversii and V. buxifolia,
Daphne (several species), Olearia Haastii,
Euonymus japonicus, Forsythias in variety,
Choisya ternata, Cistus (several species),
Escallonia macrantha and E. flori^unda,
Andromeda polifolia, Kalmia angustifolia
and K. latifolia, Phillyreas in variety^
climbing Roses, Lavendula vera, Rosmarinus
officinalis, Artemisia, and others. P. Meyer,
Abergele, N. Wales.

'rpl

THE FLORA OF PALESTINE.*

t-\HE idea of this little book grew out
of a tour in Palestine. ... It
seemed to me that a short account of
the trees and flowers, with special reference
to those mentioned in the Bible, might be of
use to travellers . . . and also of inter-
est to students of the Bible." The informa-
tion, we are told, was partly gleaned from
Canon Tristram's work, the Treasury of
Botany, and Dr. Post's Flora.

The book consists of four chapters dealing
with the characteristic flowers of Palestine,
e.g., thorny plants, tropical and Alpine
plants and trees, occupying 44 pages ; the
remainder of the book of 128 pages is an
alphabetical list of the majority of species,
with brief descriptions of the genera. This
part will be useful to students, but a beginner
would have some difficultv in recognising
n genera without any description of the
family or order to which they belong. Thus,
an " annual or shrubby perennial herb with
linear leaves " would do for other plants than
the old genus Odontites; but, as fat as

* Flowers and Trees of Palestine, by Augusta A. Temple,
with 44 photographic illustrations. Crown 8vo., 172 pages.
Elliot Stock.

62

THE GARDENERS' Z/HRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

extreme brevity will allow, the authoress has
generally seized upon some characteristic fea-
ture in each case. With regard to the four
chapters a few observations may be made.
Because Arabs to-day use the word "Shusan"
as a general term for flowers of the Lily kind,
such as " Tulip, Iris, Anemone, Ranunculus,
&c," therefore references in the Old Testa-
ment to " Lilies " " probably signified any
or all of these." Surely the authoress does
not consider Anemone as of the " Lily "
kind? It requires a study of the use of the
word " Shushan," as well as of the Greek
" Krinon," to show that the ancient Greeks
and Jews were quite familiar with the true
Lily, and meant it. Linum usitatissimum,
not L. sativum, is the botanical name for
Flax. The " Rose of Jericho" is described
as " having leaves like a Lycopodium." The
authoress is confounding its habit of rolling
up into a ball with the totally different foli-
age of Selaginella convoluta, which also rolls
up when dry. The Caper is not now " gen-
erally understood to be the Hyssop." There
are more reasons for suggesting Thymbra.
The Date and Castor-oil are not " tropical,"
but belong to the warmer temperate regions,
as of North Africa. Lign Aloes had no-
thing to do with the modern plant, but is a
mistranslation of the Hebrew word for tents,
" ahalim." Mignonette is recorded as "wild"
south-west of the Dead Sea. We should
like to know if this is a fact, and that it is
not " naturalised." In speaking of the
different plants in the text, the beginner has
no clue as to whether any one of them is
indigenous or whether it has been introduced.
He must refer to the list for such informa-
tion ; in reading these four chapters he would
have no reason for suspecting an introduced
species. If he has some little preliminary
knowledge of the main features of the
families or orders, then he will find the
descriptions of the genera most helpful. But
in order to obtain fuller information he must
consult Dr. Post's Flora. Thus far, then,
the authoress has successfully done what she
set out to do, and the little book ought cer-
tainly to be a great help to all who really
wish to know all that is possible about the
plants of Palestine. H.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

CRINUM AMCENUM, ROXBURGH, VAR.
MEARSII.
Bulb round or rarely ovoid and slightly
tapering towards the apex up to 2 inches in
diameter ; leaves ensiform rather thin, undu-
late, 8 inches to 1 foot or more long, 1 inch
wide, tapering gradually to a point, very
smooth, closely veined, margin entire ; peduncle
moderately stout, somewhat flattened, a little
more than $ inch broad, 3 to 4£ inches
long, umbel 6 to 10 flowered, spathe-valves about
2'. inches long, thin, pale coloured, about f inch
broad at base, gradually tapering to a point ;
filiform processes present round the spathe and
between the pedicels ; pedicels \ inch long,
perianth hypocrateriform, tube slender, white,
up to 5 inches long, erect at first, cernuoiis
before the buds open ; segments white, lanceo-
late, spreading, 2J inches long, \ inch broad,
tapering and incurved near the acuminate apex ;
stamens not quite so long as the segments, the
upper half reddish ; anthers linear, £ inch long,

style of the same length as the segments, upper
half reddish, stigma with three short lobes.
Whole plant when not in flower only 2 to 3
inches high, flowering well in a 60 (3-irch) pot.
This variety, of which a plant was exhibited at
the Holland House show [see p. 35], was dis-
covered in Upper Burma by Major Arthur
Mears in a dry Teak wood forest on bills (2,500

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ODONTOGLOSSUM SMITHII.
A splendid example of this beautiful hybrid
obtained by crossing O. Rossii rubescens and O.
crispo-Harry.mum is in flower in the fine col-
lection of J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands,
South Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis). This por-

FlG. 22. — CRINUM AMCENUM VAR. MEARSII. HEIGHT OF PLANT AP.OUT 3 INCHES. FLOWERS WHITE.

feet elevation), a little to the north of Mingin. It
differs from the type in being a smaller plant
with smaller leaves which have glabrous edges ;
the peduncle also is shorter and flattened. This
is probably the only form of C. amcenum in cul-
tivation in this country. R. 11. Beddome.

tion of the plant displays the unique beauty
of its flower even in a more marked de-
gree than was the case in the original speci-
men which was shown at the Royal Horticultural
Society by the raisers, Messrs. Charlesworth &
Co., on Dec. 5, 1905, when it obtained a First-

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

63

Class Certificate, and was illustrated in the
■Gardeners' Chronicle, Dec. 16, 1905, p. 4^7.

There is a remarkable combination o( colour
in its fine showy flower, which on close exami-
nation reveals many charming points not pos-
sessed by other Odontoglossums. The ground
•colour of the broad sepals is white, with a slight
sea-green shade, the margin being deep rose-
purple, and the central part bearing distinct,
nearly black blotches. The central area of the
petals is clear white, and the broad margin rose-
purple, the inner white portion having blackish
blotches as on the sepals, and both sepals and
petals a short, broad and nearly black line radi-
ating from the column. The lip is white at the
base, the elongated front bright rose-purple, and
the crest yellow.

ODONTIODA VUYLSTEKE^E KINGSMILLII.
(O. PESCATOREI X C. NOEZLIANA.)

A flowek of this beautiful hybrid from the

It is a very attractive and unusual combination
of colours, and the tone of these latter varies
considerably in different aspects. The collec-
tion of Odontoglossums and hybrids in the
house constructed for them by Mr. J. Gurney
Fowler is in splendid health, and the progress
the plants have made since the new house was
available is satisfactory.

ONCIDIUM MACRANTHUM.
In a row along the centre staging of the
largest Odontoglossum house in the nurseries of
Messrs. J. and A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge, a
number of this showy Oncidium has been mak-
ing a fine show for several weeks past, and the
plants are in a condition to continue flowering
for some time to come. The long spikes are
trained around sticks, so that the lateral branches
form dense iieads of large, yellow flowers, some
of them with bronzy-coloured sepals, and all
with purple markings on the lip. As each flower

MARITZBURG BOTANIC GARDEN.

This garden was established about the year
1874 with the object of determining the most
suitable trees for planting in the midland dis-
trict of Natal. The work, and the distribution
of suitable trees has now been taken over by the
Natal Government. The Botanic Society there-
fore devotes its attention to the introduction
of herbaceous plants and shrubs suitable
for the colony. The tall trees growing around
the lake, shown in fig. 23, are examples of
Eucalyptus citriodora, a species that is
valued on account of its lemon-scented foli-
age. This tree grows rapidly, and forms very
tall, unbranched stems, and is in consequence
not of much value as a shade plant. Its timber
is largely used for studs, which, after 20 years
wear, show no decay ; the wood is also used
largely for making fences, as it splits well, bends
very readily, and, above all, is praciically

Fig. 2j — view of a lake in the maritzburg botanic garden.

collection of J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., well de-
monstrated the pleasant side of Orchid hybridi-
sation, as it proves a perfect gem in colour and
form. The arrangement of the sepals and petals
is perfectly flat ; the lip is extended a little in
front of the plane of the other segments. The
sepals are bright reddish-carmine, with a white,
irregular margin tinted with rose. The petals
have the middle portions filled with confluent,
reddish-carmine lines, the white ground colour
showing through at the base and on the outer
extension of the colouring, the margin being
tinged with rose as in the sepals. The base of
the lip is bright orange ; the column is
tinged with the same colour and marked with
red. The crest is yellow, and the extended side
lobes of the lip tipped with rose, a reddish rose
blotch being in front of the crest. The front of
the lip is cream-white, with a slight rose shade.

is between 3 and 4 inches across, the effect
is very striking. Very few growers obtain such
complete success with this species, and many
fail to do anything more than induce it to
make a few flowers on a very straggling
spike. The trouble generally arises from the
plants being kept too warm and dry, and
hence the remarks about the simple manner
in which Messrs. McBean grow it will be
useful. Oncidium macranthum and the violet
Odontoglossum Edwardii, which requires simi-
lar treatment, and flowers finely at Cooks-
bridge, are both grown with the Odontoglossum
crispum and treated in a similar manner as re-
gards water, &c, their place being the middle
row of the central staging in the house. There
is, therefore, no reason why all successful
growers of Odontoglossums should not succeed
equally well with Oncidium macranthum.

immune from the attacks of the white ant.
Salix babylonica, the tree seen to the right
of the Eucalyptus, is a great favourite with the
colonists. It has a pendulous habit, such as is
not found in any other tree in Natal. It forms
a very large specimen, and is easy of cultiva-
tion and propagation, for large or small cuttings,
root very readily. This species thrives best on
the banks of streams. The timber burns readily,
even when it is freshly felled. Acer Negundo
succeeds better in Natal than any other species
of Maple. It forms a good shade tree, and is
very ornamental, but its timber is valueless.
Tin- tree also does well when planted by the
water side.

The handsome Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip
tree) grows as rapidly as Poplars in this part
of Africa, especially when it is planted in deep,
alluvial soil. It is perhaps the most successful

64

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

deciduous tree in Natal, where, as a rule, de-
ciduous trees do not form good specimens.

A great many examples of Ceratonia Sihqua
(The Carob) are met with in Natal, but up to
the present time the timber of this species has
not been put to any commercial use.

Cassia fistula is a deciduous, yellow-flowered
species closely resembling a Laburnum when

other foliage. The Flame Tree of Australia,
Sterculia acerifolia, is one of the most orna-
mental of all shade trees, and when in flower
it is draped with crimson blossoms. Syncarpia
laurifolia (Turpentine tree) is a large Australian
species, closely allied to the Eucalyptus. Its
timber is especially valuable for the making of
piles to withstand the action of salt or fresh

i

1

**-

■

M

JftNi. -^

£>•*■ <-*•

X-jT 5K .

[Photograph by F. Mason Good.

Fig. 24.— a group of delphiniums, now a familiar feature in most gardens.

dens is Cedrus deodara. The colonists are
planting this Cedar very extensively in the up-
land districts of Natal.

Other valuable trees introduced and distri-
buted from this Botanic Garden include Cedrus
atlantica, Juniperus bermudiana, and J. vir-
giniana, Cupressus lusitanica, Cryptomeria
japonica, Sequoia sempervirens, Cediela odo-
rata, C. Toona, Taxodium distichum, Callitris
australis, Cupressus macrocarpa, Eugenia Mini,
Sapindus longifolius, Pinus Pinaster, P. insig-
nis, Cupressus pyramidalis, Casuarina suberosa,
Podocarpus elongata, Platanus orientalis, Ail-
anthus glandulosa, Juglans cinerea, Ficus elas-
tica, Gleditschia triacanthos, and Laurus Cam-
phora. A. H.

seen at a distance in flower. The wood is in
common use in India.

Members of the genus Rhus succeed well in
the Maritzburg district, especially R. coriaria
and R. vernicifera. The latter species yields
Japan varnish, and in autumn its leaves show
various tints as Ampelopsis Veitchii does in
England, producing a very pretty effect amongst

water ; the species should prove a valuable
timber tree for the colony.

Tristania conferta, a large ornamental ever-
green tree, will no doubt be largely grown in
the future for its timber. The soil of Maritz-
burg suits this tree, which is exceedingly rapid
in its growth.

The most graceful tree to be seen in the gar-

SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE.*

(See also article on p. 70.)
The society admits a limited number of
young men to study the principles and operations
of horticulture in their gardens at Wisley, near
Ripley, in Surrey.

Conditions of Admission.
The following are the principal conditions of
admission : —

1. Applicants for admission as working
students into the Royal Horticultural Society's
gardens at Wisley are furnished with a copy of
this paper, which, when signed, must be re-
turned to the secretary, R.H.S., Vincent Square,
Westminster, accompanied by a letter in the
applicant's own handwriting.

2. Applicants must not exceed 22 years in
age, and they must be healthy, free from pyhsical
defect, and not so much below average height
as to interfere with their prospects as gardeners.
They must also be prepared to perform all kinds
of gardening work, including the humblest.

3. Two testimonials as to character should
accompany the application.

4. The applicant will be informed if his name
has been entered for admission, and, on a
vacancy occurring, he will receive notice to that
effect. Should there be no vacancy within nix
months, the application must be renewed if
admission is still desired. If not renewed, the
applicant's name will be removed from the list.
The terms begin on the last Monday in Septem-
ber, and the last Monday in March, when only
can students be admitted.

5. After any applicant has received notice of
his admission, a fee of £5 5s. must be forwarded
to the secretary of the society before the order
for admission can be issued. This payment
covers all charges for two years, with the excep-
tion of books, stationery, note books, and such
like.

6. No wages are given to students.

7. On appointment the student will have to
sign the following agreement to abide by the
rules and regulations of the gardens, and to stay
not less than two years, the council having full
power to terminate the engagement sooner
should conditions arise rendering such a course,
in their opinion, desirable.

8. Students are required to conform to the
following regulations: —

(1) Obedience.— Implicit obedience to the director,
superintendent, foremen and others appointed as in-
structors, and to conform to the ordinary rules of the
gardens.

(2) Regularity and Punctuality.— To observe regularity
and punctuality in daily attendance. Hours, 8.45 a.m.
to 6 p.m. in summer, and in winter as may be arranged.

(31 Holidays.— Each student will be allowed the Bank
Holiday?, Sundays, Saturday afternoon (from 1 p.m.),
and 21 days during the year. The 21 days holiday must
be arranged, as to date, with the consent of the director

* Prospectus issued by the Royal Horticultural Society.

July 27, 1907 ]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

65

and superintendent, and may be taken either one week's
holiday at Easter, or Christmas, and two weeks in
August or September ; or if preferred, three weeks in
August or September.

(4) Students misconducting themselves or breaking
these rules will be subject to instant dismissal.

Certificates.
Certificates of proficiency are granted to each
student at the end of the two years' course pro-
vided that, in addition to fulfilling the foregoing
conditions, he

(1) Pass written and practical examinations in the
principles and operations of horticulture upon the
syllabus laid down for study.

(2) Present an essay written by himself upon some
approved horticultural or scientific subject.

(8) Submit a collection of at least 200 properly dried,
named and localised plant specimens collected outside
the Wisley Gardens.

(4) Submit a collection of insects either injurious or
helpful to horticulture.

One or two student demonstratorships or
travelling scholarships will be awarded by the
council, at their discretion, after considering the
reports of the director, superintendent and
examiners, to enable the student to acquire
special knowledge of some particular branch of
horticulture. Students to whom these awards
are made will receive a small remuneration and
will be required to assist in demoiTstrating to
the junior students.

Courses of Instruction.
There will be two courses of instruction, an
elementary or first year, and an advanced or
second year course. Each course will include
laboratory instruction in elementary science as
applied to horticulture together with field work,
and garden instruction in the practical opera-
tions of horticulture. Every student will have
an opportunity of spending part of his two years
in each department of the garden, and the prac-
tical work will be supplemented by lectures.
Students will have an opportunity of seeing the
various trials and experimental work in progress
in the garden. Selected students have also the
advantage of attending certain of the society's
ihows and lectures in London.

The Laboratory.

The laboratory accommodates 24 students and is well
lighted, ventilated and heated.

Lockers are provided for the use of each student so that
books and apparatus may be kept under lock and key when
not in actual use.

Apparatus.— Each student is provided with all the instru-
ments and materials needful in the practical work of the
laboratory (except knives, books and such like). Great care
must be taken of these and they must always be left in good
condition. Breakages will have to be paid for by the
breaker.

Microscopes.— The microscopes provided must be placed
in their proper compartments in the microscope cupboard
when not in actual use.

Tables. — Students are expected to keep their work tables
clean and tidy at all times.

Library. — A library of books useful to horticultural
students is available for general use.

The Garden.
The garden consists of about 60 acres of land
presented to the society by the late Sir Thomas
Hanbury, K.C.V.O., and includes the celebrated
wild garden of the late Mr. G. F. Wilson,
V.M.H. Several acres of fruit trees have since
been planted, and an outdoor vineyard has been
started as an experiment ; fine collections of
flowering shrubs and of Roses have been pre-
sented ; trials of vegetables and of hardy flowers
and plants are continually in progress ; and an
extensive range of glasshouses, including orchard
house, vinery, stove, propagating pits, &c, have
been erected, so that all departments of horticul-
ture are represented. Each student also has a
small plot allotted to him ; and a botanical
garden in which plants are systematically
arranged according to a natural system of classi-
fication is in course of formation. A well-
equipped meteorological station is situated in
the garden.

SHORT SYLLABUS OF INSTRUCTION.

Note. — The following outline syllabuses are not intended
to indicate more than broadly the subjects of instruction and
do not show the sequence of instruction, as although
arranged under different heading as Plant Life, Physics,
Chemistry, Soil, &c, the inter-relation between the parts is
not indicated and can only be shown in a very full syllabus.
Almost everything in the following Syllabus will be studied
practically by observation and by experiment.

I. — Elementary Course.
A. — Plant Life. Flowering Plants.

Study of a typical plant.

Study of seeds. Structure, uses of various parts.
Conditions of germination. Fate of food
stuff stored in seed. Respiration. Testing
of seeds.

Roots. Functions of roots. Fixation. Absorp-
tion of water and earth salts. Osmosis.
Root pressure. Bleeding of wounds. Study
of substances absorbed. Water culture ex-
periments. Mode of growth of root. Manner
in which it is placed in a position to do its
work. Transplanting, &c.

Leaves. Structure. Functions. Transpiration.
Source of water and course of current. Con-
ditions affecting transpiration. Reciprocal
action of root and foliage. Absorption of
carbon dioxide. Influence of light on.
Photo synthesis and conditions affecting the
making of starch in the leaf.

Buds and stems. Structure of buds. Growth
and development of buds. Growth of stems.
Conditions affecting growth of stems. Struc-
ture and function of various parts. Healing
of wounds. Formation of roots from stems.
Effect of pruning, ringing, notching, bend-
ing, &c. Grafting and budding. Climbing
plants.

Storage of food and water. Parts of plant used
for vegetative reproduction. Tubers, corms,
runners, &c.

Flowers. Uses of various parts. Pollination.
Cross pollination natural and artificial.
Fertilisation. Formation of seeds.
Fruits. Structure of common fruits. Seed

saving.
Study of plant relationships. The more common

orders of flowering plants.
Field study of the influence of environment on
plant growth. The vegetation typical of
certain soils, and so on. Plant societies.
Use of a flora.

B.- — Physics and Chemistry.

Heat and temperature. Expansion and contrac-
tion thermometers. Changes of state in
matter. Conduction. Radiation and absorp-
tion. Chemical changes.

Light. Chemical change under. Passage through
prism.

Air. Its physical properties (barometers). Nitro-
gen, oxygen, carbonic acid gas, water vapour
in air (hygrometer).

Water. Chemical composition of. Physical pro-
perties. Hard and soft water. Solution and
solubility.

Acids, alkalis, and salts.

Carbon and some of its compounds. Carbon
monoxide and dioxide, carbonates. Carbon
in vegetable and animal matter. Fats and
oils, starch, sugar, gluten, and albumen.

C.—Soil.

The origin and compo. tion of soils. Mechanical
analysis of soils of various kinds, loams,
peats, sands, clays, &c. Physical properties
of the constituents, capacity for water, &c,
clay, sand, lime, humus. Soluble and in-
soluble constituents. Action of acid solu-
tions, &c. Relation of plant to soil. Recog-
nition of some of the more important salts
in soils.

II. — Advanced Course.
A. —Plant Life.

A more advanced treatment of certain subjects in
the elementary course, particularly with
reference to plant physiology and composi-
tion, and classification. Life history and
mode of life of Ferns. Study of fungi, par-
ticularly in relation to plant diseases.
Geographical distribution of plants. Origin
of races, varieties, &c, hybridisation, selec-
tion and fixing of varieties.

B. — Insect Life, &c.
Insects, with special reference to those injurious
and helpful to plants. Life histories and
habits. Treatment to destroy insect pests,
mites, centipedes and millepedes, woodlice,
eelworms, earthworms, snails and slugs, &c.

C— Soils.

Further study of soil physics. " Heavy " and
"light" soils. Action of lime on soils, &c.
Humus — origin of, and effect on texture of
soils. Water in soils. Temperature of soils
and source of heat in soils, hotbeds, &c.

Chemistry of soils. Sand, clay, lime, humus.
Weathering of soils. Life in the soil. Re-
sults of decay. Nitrification and denitrifica-
tion. Minerals in soil. Fertility of soil.
Rotation of crops. Manuring. Changes due
to tillage, &c. Source and composition of
artificial manures and their effect on plant
growth.
D. — Economic Botany. (Lectures on.)

III. — Operations of Horticulture.

The garden affords ample opportunities for
insfruction in all the practical operations of
horticulture both outdoors and under glass and
actual work will be done by the students (who
will spend the greater part of their time in the
garden according to the accompanying time-
table) in all the departments. Experiments in
the use of insecticides and fungicides will be
carried out.

The practical work will be supplemented by
lectures and revision in the class-room and by
friendly debates and discussions between the
students themselves under the chairmanship of
the director or superintendent or other capable
person.

TIME TABLE FOR

STUDENTS.

Morning.

Afternoon. Evening.

8-45-10.

10-1.

1-2.

2—5.

6.30-8.

Monday 1st Year
2nd Year

6

c£
u

o
a

<

Garden Work.
Garden Work.

a
o

X

u

c
c

p

Garden Work.
Science.

Tuesday 1st Year
2nd Year

Science.

Garden Work

or Show.

Garden Work.

Garden Work

or Show.

Wednesday 1st Year
'2nd Y^ar

Garden Work.
Garden Work.

Garden Work.
Science.

Paper by Student
and Discussion.

Thursday 1st Year
2nd Year

Science.
Garden Work.

Garden Work.

•Garden Work

and Revision.

Friday 1st Year
2nd Year

•Garden Work
and Revision.
Garden Work.

Garden Work.
Science.

r

Saturday 1st Year
2nd Year

Science.
Garden Work.

Holiday.

* Garden Work

L hour. R

evision 2 hours.

GC

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

COLONIAL NOTES.

A PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS.

Gardeners in this country experience much
trouble with numerous plant-pests, but they are
fortunately exempt from the plague of locusts
so common in Africa and other tropical coun-
tries.' Locusts often attack the vegetation in
such immense numbers that they eat almost
everything in their path. Our illustration at
fig. 25 is kindly sent us by Mr. Stirrat from
Johannesburg, and it affords some conception of
what an invading host of these creatures ap-
pears like. Mr. Stirrat writes as follows: —

" It is disheartening, after one of the finest
growing seasons this locality has experienced
for several years past, to see the result of one's
labours destroyed by millions upon millions of
locusts, which have recently visited the Rand
and spared scarcely any vegetation in their path.

" In the various parks under my control thou-
sands of winter-bedding plants, some two
months planted, have been eaten. The grass
lawns are now in such a condition that the
casual visitor can scarcely determine between
the paths and the flower-beds. Every precau-
tion was taken to keep these destructive crea-
tures at bay, but without any apparent effect.

" It is hopeless to attempt to kill the locusts
in their adult condition, and effective measures
can only be instituted when they are in the
wingless stage, when various arsenical sprays
can be used with beneficial results.

" The photograph was taken in one of our
parks in the centre of the city, and it conveys
a very inadequate conception of the numbers of
the pest present. One's sympathies are with the
farmers, many of whom, living quite close to
Johannesburg, have been practically ruined by
this pest." A. H. Stirrat, Superintendent of
Parks and Cemeteries, Johannesburg, May 27.

moderate crops, while the variety Victoria
is overloaded with fruit, and Czar and
Gisborne have great crops on them. Pond's
Seedling alone has "stoned" badly. With
me it is the weakest grower, and the most
infested by aphis. Even Coe's Golden Drop
has a moderate crop, and Old Greengage a
small one. Black Diamond, grown only in my

and burnt. This new victim, although a fine
tree, will share the same fate as soon as the
fruit has been taken from it. The Damson crop
with me is a good one.

The Apple crop, in spite of the profuse blos-
soming of the trees, is not far short of a failure,
not only in my plantations, but throughout my
district also. This may probably be attributed

FRUIT CROFS OF THE SEASON.
Green Gooseberries, now all marketed, were
a great crop with me, but were sold at unre-
munerative prices. Even when only about half
their full size, they made no more than 3s. 6d.
per half-sieve of 241b. When about three-quar-
ters grown, half-sieves of 281b. made only 2s. 6d.
in London, and the rail carriage was b\d., com-
mission 3d., and porterage Id., making 9^d. for
expenses, besides 4d. for picking. A little later
the price was 2s. in London, with the same ex-
penses to deduct, leaving me lOJd. for \ cwt.
of Gooseberries. Finally, the price fell to
Is. 9d., leaving me 7Jd., after paying for pick-
ing, or 7d., if I charge for carting to the station.
The sample was not first-rate, it is true, as the
bushes on the largest piece of land are young,
but they were greatly over-cropped for their
size. Although thinned once, they did not pro-
duce berries of the full size, partly because there
was no summer heat to help them, and partly
on account of the fruit being very thick, even
after half had been taken off. But the top
quotation was only 3d. more than I received,
and 8s. per cwt. cannot be regarded as a very
remunerative gross return for Gooseberries, even
in the latter part of their season.

Black Currants are now ready. They are
thick on the bushes, but do not look like swell-
ing to the proper size; and, probably owing to
the cold and sunless weather, they are ripening
irregularly. Red Currants, grown only for
home use, are a tremendous crop. Strawberries
are nearly a failure here, but the soil does not
suit them, and they are not grown for market.
Raspberries, which the soil does suit, show great
promise.

Cherries are moderately thick on the trees,
but are small. For the first time I have " brown
rot " on Cherries, one of the many bad results of
this miserably cold and wet season.

Plums, in my plantation, are abundant on
the whole, but a good many have turned red and
are dropping. Early Rivers and Monarch show

Fig. 35.— a plague of locusts in a Johannesburg garden.

private orchard, has only half a crop, while Den-
niston's Superb Gage bears a good one, and
Reine Claude Violette hardly any. I have a
little "brown rot" in Plums for the first time.
A tree of the variety Victoria is noticeable as
attacked by " silverleaf," but yet bearing a
good crop of Plums. All similarly-affected trees
that were noticeable last season were dug up

to two causes— the first, the cold and wet period
of blossoming; and the second, the over-pro-
duction of last season. Some varieties which
fruited heavily last year have hardly any Apples
upon them. These include Domino, Lord Gros-
venor, Lady Sudeley, Blenheim Pippin, Stir-
ling Castle, and Allington. The last two have
never before failed to bear good crops, potts's

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

07

Seedling did not bear well last year, and this
season it is almost entirely fruitless. Next to
King of the Pippins and Ribston it is the most
cankered variety that I grow. Lane's Prince
Albert bears half a crop, and Queen, Bramley's
Seedling, and Royal Jubilee about the same.
Newton Wonder is somewhat more fruitful. The
only fair crops here are those of the variety last-
named, Early Julyan (on some trees only), Mr.
Gladstone, Irish Peach, Beauty of Bath, and
Duchess of Oldenberg. King of the Pippins has
barely half a crop.

The deficient yield, unfortunately, is not the
only trouble, for the bulk of the fruit is dwarfed,
and much of it is scabby, while there is the
worst attack of the Sawfly maggot that my trees
have suffered. The dwarfing of much of the fruit
is due to a persistent attack of the pestilent
aphis, which smothers the foliage of nearly every
truss of fruit. Last season I sprayed three times
with quassia and soft soap, but failed to ma-
terially check the aphis attack. This season
I was not disposed to spend money for nothing

Plums also will flourish there. But a little scab
is to be seen on Cox's Orange Pippin in a young
plantation on heavier land, where other varieties
are free from the disease, and this is discourag-
ing, as the variety is the one which, above all
others, it is desirable to be able to grow.

To return for a moment to the aphis attack,
in order to notice an experiment which should
have been mentioned above, a large fruit-grower
here has dusted his infested trees with
lime and sulphur in equal proportions, reporting
favourably upon the result. Accordingly, I tried
the remedy on a dozen badly-infested trees,
doing them thoroughly. Two days later they
were carefully examined, and there was the con-
flict of evidence which is so annoyinglv com-
mon when the results of experiments for the de-
struction of pests are searched for. On some
leaves well covered with the dust the aphides
were dead, only their dry skins being left, while
on others they were as full of life as ever.
Moreover, on trees not dusted, leaves were found
with only aphis skins upon them. Clearly, then,

[/ holograph by C. P. Raffill.
FlG. 26. — LILIUM BROWNII FLOiVERING IN A BED OF HEATHER AT KEW.

in spraying specially for this pest, but trusted
to the Bordeaux mixture, applied to check scab,
as, when hot sunshine follows its application,
this wash has a drying effect which is fatal to
the green fly to a great extent. As for fungus
pests, scab and brown rot are more extensive
even than they were last season. Cox's Orange
Pippin is affected with scab so badly that the
crop is quite ruined, while nearly all the leaves
have fallen off the trees, and Bismarck is nearly
as bad. It is obvious that neither variety will
flourish in my lightest soil. Very severe cutting
back — to the main branches — and drenching with
sulphate of iron in the autumn, and with Bor-
deaux mixture in the following season, will be
tried, in order to see if a new and more vigorous
growth will result. But Plums will be planted be-
tween the Apples, so that they can replace them
if the latter do not recover. Strange to say,
Damsons grow with the greatest vigour where
Apples fail, and, therefore, it may be hoped that

no certain conclusion was to be derived from the
evidence of the dusted trees. But I was not at
the e i of my resources. I placed some leaves
covered with aphides in a small box, and
smothered them with lime and sulphur dust.
Two days later they were examined, and the
great majority of the aphides were fully
alive, struggling with the dust which enveloped
them. This satisfied me as to the failure of
lime and sulphur to destroy the aphis.

Pears, which blossomed with the utmost pro-
fusion, have set very badly as a rule. The only
varieties bearing fairly here are Louise Bonne
of Jersey, Doyenne du Cornice, and Jersey Gra-
tioli. Clapp's Favourite has half a crop, and
Williams' Bon Chretien a smaller one ; but most
other sorts are nearly barren. A tree of Catillac,
which was about as densely covered with
blossom as it could possibly be, bears one Pear,
while Marie Louise has no fruit at all. A Work-
ing Grower.

LILIUM BROWNII AT KEW.

We are sometimes asked for information in
regard to the planting of Liliums, such corre-
spondents appearing in doubt as to the condi-
tions of soil and position that are most suitable
for their cultivation. Iri the Royal Gardens,
Kew, there may be seen at the present time
plenty of illustrations of Liliums growing and
flowering well in Rhododendron beds and in
other beds that are planted with various species-
of Erica. In the preparation of beds for these
plants it is usual to employ a proportion of
peat, which is mixed with the staple soil, or
with loam procured for the purpose, and such a
compost is well adapted for the cultivation of
Liliums. But, furthermore, the bulbous plants
appear to be favoured by the surface of the
ground being more or less shaded from the rays
of the sun by the Rhododendron bushes, or
dwarfer-habited heather. It should be pointed
out, however, that in order that the effect may
be good when the Liliums flower, the bulbs
should only be planted amongst Rhododendrons
of such stature that the Liliums will be able to
develop their flowers well above the tops of
the shrubs. It may be necessary to lift the bulbs
after several years have elapsed, and re-plant
them amongst Rhododendrons of a lesser size.
It is no disadvantage that the lower portion of
the Lilium stems is hidden from view, but in
some cases, as in that of the elegant species L.
testaceum, which is apt to become shabby of
foliage, it is a distinct advantage. Mr. Raffiirs
photograph, which is reproduced at fig. 26,
shows the species L. Brownii flowering abun-
dantly in a bed of heather. The flowers of L.
Brownii are white, with brownish-purple on the-
outer surface of the petals.

THE PROPAGATOR.

Treatment of Cuttings.
These should be taken from perfectly healthy
plants, and made with a very sharp knife, and
preferably a penknife having a fine, thin blade,
so that the cuts may be smooth. Cuttings of
plants which put forth roots from the surface
of the cut should be severed just beneath a bud
or joint, and in a horizontal direction. The
formation of roots is preceded by that ol a
callus — a spongy tissue which forms between the
bark or rind and the inner tissue, and from out
of which the roots emerge. The formation of
a callus indicates the certainty, barring acci-
dents, of the development of the cuttinginto a*
plant ; and the healthier the plant of winch the
cutting formed a part, the more quickly does
callus-development proceed. In the case of
plants which have two periods of growth in a
year, the cuttings are best when taken from the
first growth of shoots ; and by those which grow
continuously the cuttings should be selected
from shoots whose rind has begun to change
colour. Cuttings which root from any part of
the rind need not be cut at a joint, and such
cuttings will form roots even when laid on the-
propagating bed, if the warmth be sufficient.
Cuttings of soft-wooded plants should be cut at
the base horizontally, just below an eye or a.
bud, in order to make certain of their rooting.
Do not allow cuttings to remain out of the soil
long enough for the cut surface to become dry,,
unless the plants have milk}' sap, as in the case
of Ficus, Euphorbia, &c, but put them into the*
cutting-pots, pans, or the sandbed forthwith,
making them firm therein and affording a slight
application of water. If one cutting per pot be
the method in use for certain species, the pots
should have no greater internal diameter than
If inches, the cutting being placed in the centre.
Always make use of a dibber of a suitable size
to make holes for the cuttings, as forcing a cut-
ting into the sand or soil is sure to cause injury
to the rind at the base. Do not cover any cut-
tings with a bell-glass before the leaves are dry,
and do not insert cuttings of divers species of
plants under the same bell-glass, for the rooting
often occurs at different times. Cuttings which
emit roots from the surface or exterior of the
rind may be inserted deeper than those which
form roots from the base. In the case of plants
with milky sap, the cuttings should be trimmed
and afterwards be placed head downwards in
moistened soil, keeping them therein for 24
hours or longer time (Euphorbias of some species
for a month) till the sap dries on the wounds

68

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

made ; afterwards wash the base with a wet
sponge to remove the dried juices, an act that
favours the rooting processs.

In the present month, cuttings of Tea, Noi-
sette, Hybrid Tea, China or Monthly, and Ben-
gal Roses may be rooted in frames placed on
mild hotbeds of tree-leaves and stable litter,
sweetened by three turnings and mixings pre-
viously to making the beds. If the bed be made
of a thickness of '2\ feet, sufficient warmth will
be afforded for rooting the cuttings within four
or five weeks. (See pages 5 and 6,_ July 7 last
year, for full directions as to carrying out the
propagating of Roses from cuttings. J Most of the
Roses mentioned above do well on their own
roots, and are seldom injured severely by frost,
whereas budded Roses suffer from this cause in
hard winters when the snowfall is very light or
is absent. Budding of dwarf Roses is the
nurseryman's plan of raising a large number of
plants, but the amateur and gardener has seldom
any motive to employ it for the class of Roses
named.

Decorative Plants for the Flower-garden.

From the middle of July to the middle of
August is the most suitable period for the propa-
gation of the following plants, either several
together in store pots of 6-8 inches inside mea-
surement, or singly in 60s : — Alternanthera
Angelonia, Anthemis, Bouvardia, Cineraria,
Chelone, Gazania, Gnaphalium, Fuschia (tor
early flowering in pots in the greenhouse), Helio-
trope, Lantana, Pelargoniums, including Cape,
fancy, decorative, zonal, Ivy-leafed, and the
scented-leafed varieties and species ; Pentste-
mon, Petunia, Phlox, Phygelius capensis, Ire-
sine, Salvia, Senecio, Solanum, Tropasolum,
Verbena, Lobelia erinus varieties, Cuphea,
Ageratum, Coleus, Ferdinanda, Ficus, and Dra-
caena.

Most of the foregoing plants require to be
merely afforded frame protection, and to be kept
close and shaded from sunshine, with moderate
applications of water and a sprinkling over-
head, about 4 p.m. on hot days. Damping off
can be avoided by an early removal of the lights
each morning, if the weather be fine.

The sub-tropical and tender species root the
more readily if slight bottom heat can be ap-
plied. Pelargoniums of the Cape, fancy, Odier,
and decorative sections, strike freely from cut-
tings of ripened shoots, inserted singly in small
<50's, or to the number of four to six in 48's, and
Zonals root freely in sandy soil in beds in the
open air in full sunshine.

They may likewise be rooted in cutting-boxes,
each holding l£-2 dozen cuttings, if wintering
space be limited. Fine varieties of Phlox decus-
sata, P. Drummondii, and double-flowered
Senecio etegans, which may not be ob-
tained true from seeds, may be struck from
cuttings of the short shoots taken from near to
the base of the plants, which are the more suit-
able for rooting than shoots growing on the
upper parts of the plants. They should be cut
•close under a joint, and if they are put into a
bed enriched with leaf-soil, and afforded a layer
of sharp sand on the surface, shaded with reed
or other mats from hot sunshine, and the soil
kept moderately moist, success is tolerably cer-
tain to follow. An ordinary garden frame is
-also a suitable aid in rooting these cuttings.

Kennedya.

This plant may be increased by means of cut-
tings at this season, if afforded a bottom heat of
60°-65° and a moderate degree of moisture. The
short shoots coming from the stems form the
most suitable cuttings. They should be covered
with a bell-glass.

Layering.

There are numerous plants which root with
difficulty by the cutting method, and that make
Toots readily when layered. The shoots should
have reached a certain degree of maturity, which,
with some subjects occurs in the month of June.
The following is a list of common garden plants
which should be propagated by layering: —
Amorpha, Azalea, Berberis, Bignonia, Calycan-
thus, Ceanothus, Cercis, Clematis, Cornus,
Deutzia, F.uonymus, ^sculus macrostachya,
Laurus, Magnolia, Ornus, Paeonia, Rhododen-
dron, Rhus, Ribes, Spiraea, such as S. laevigata,
and some of the Viburnums. 1- . M.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Oncidium leucochilum is a useful subject for
providing a supply of cut flowers, and for
decorative effect in the plant houses. For
several seasons past plants of this species have
formed a prominent feature in one of the cool
intermediate houses at Burford ; they have de-
veloped flower-spikes from 5 to more than
6 feet in length, and branched almost from
the base, each spike carrying a large number of
white-lipped flowers. They remain in flower
for at least a month. After the inflorescences
are removed, the plants should be placed at the
cool end of the house, and be given plenty of
fresh air. In some cases, owing to the strain
of carrying such large flower-spikes, the pseudo-
bulbs shrivel considerably, and it is only with
care that the plants are brought to their normal
condition again. Instead of affording water in
large quantities with the object of making the
bulbs plump, the safer plan is to damp the
growths lightly overhead with a fine spray two or
three times each day until growth recommences.
At the same time, the plants' surroundings must
be kept in a fairly moist condition. Repotting
should be done soon after growth has started.
The plants at Burford are potted in a compost
consisting of equal parts fibrous peat and leaf
soil, with a moderate quantity of chopped
sphagnum-moss and small crocks. \Vhen
grown in this material, the plants require repot-
ting annually. Place a few crocks over the bot-
tom of the pot, and repot them in a similar
manner as an ordinary garden plant is potted.
Fill the pots with the compost to within half
an inch of the rim, and finish with a surfacing
of living sphagnum-moss, which should be
placed quite firmly around the base of the plant.
Such Oncidiums as O. concolor, O. Forbesii, O.
crispum, O. praetextum, O. varicosum, O.
ramosum, &c, which have started into growth,
should also be repotted in the same material.
These are all cooler growing species, and they
thrive best in the Odontoglossum house.
Orchids that are grown in this mixture should
never be thoroughly saturated with water at
their roots, and moisture sufficient only to keep
the sphagnum in a fresh condition must be given
them. Use a fine rose when watering. O.
macranthum is now in bloom. When in flower
this plant should be given a maximum supply
of water at its roots, and more than at any other
period.

Dwarf-habited Odontoglossums, including
Odontoglossum cordatum, O. maculatum, O.
CErstedii, O. aspersum, O. Humeanum, and O.
Duvivierianum, can be accommodated very well
in shallow pans suspended from the roof. They
succeed in the same compost as advised for the
Oncidiums.

Lxlia harpophylla may also be repotted now,
in a mixture of peat and moss, with ample
material for drainage. Throughout the summer
keep this plant in the cool intermediate house.

Platyclinis filiformis is sending up numerous
thread-like flower-spikes. Suspend the plant in
a light, moist position in the intermediate house,
and afford it plenty of moisture overhead from
a fine sprayer until the flowers begin to open,
after which any water must be applied without
wetting the flowers. P. glumacea, P. Cobbiana,
and P. uncata all thrive well under the same
conditions of temperature. They are now at
their resting season, but they still require suffi-
cient moisture to preserve the small bulbs and
leaves in a plump condition. Spray the under
surfaces of the leaves occasionally, in order to
keep insect pests in check.

rise with sun-heat to 95° or 100°. The
weather being warmer, very little fire
heat will be required in the pits during
its continuance, except that the supply
of bottom heat must be maintained. i ine
sprayings over the plants with the syringe on
bright, warm afternoons are advisable, but care
should be taken to avoid unduly wetting the
crowns. The structure containing fruits now
developing colour should be freeiy ventilated
on warm days, keeping the atmosphere some-
what dry at all times. Such plants require no
more water at the roots than is sufficient to
keep the leaves in a condition of health. Plants
bearing fruits already ripe should be removed
to a cool, well-ventilated fruit room.

Successional Pines. — Plants which will fruit
next summer should be well established in their
fruiting pots by the end of the next month. They
must not be kept growing until late in the
autumn. Do not let them suffer from dryness
at the roots, but be just as careful not to over-
water them All that they require is sufficient
water to prevent flagging.

Vines which were raised from " eyes " last
spring, and planted out into new borders in
June, should be making a short-jointed, steady
growth. If they are showing signs of becoming
excessively strong in growth, pinch the leading
shoot at 5 feet trom the ground, but if such
is not the case, do not pinch the shoot until
it has reached the top of trellis or rafters.
Those pinched at 5 feet from the ground must
again be stopped at top of trellis. All lateral
growths upon very strong-growing canes may
be pinched at the first leaf ; in the case of
weaker Vines no pinching is required, but the
tieing in of the shoots is very necessary.
Allowing this freedom of growth encourages
root action, and this is exactly what weak Vines
require. Test the borders, and if the soil is
dry, afford tepid water. Damp down the sur-
faces in the house every night and morning.
An atmospheric temperature of 70° at night,
and 80° to 90° by day will be sufficient. Re-
duce the ventilation early in the afternoon, and
leave the top and bottom ventilators partly
open throughout the night. Use as little fire
heat as possible. Keep a sharp look-out for
red spider, and, if it is discovered, syringe the
Vines every afternoon.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Pine Apples. — Plants which are now showing
their fruit may be given liquid manure at every
watering, but care must be taken to supply this
at the exact time it is needed. They
should also be given a top-dressing of
horse droppings, mixed with an equal quantity
of finely-broken, rich loam. Keep the atmo-
sphere of the house moist by damping down
two or three times a day. Close the pit early
in the afternoon that the temperature may

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, tjardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cob-ham Park, Surrey.

Early Celery is now large enough for earth-
ing-up, but before doing this see that the plants
are in a moist condition at their roots and that
the top growths are thoroughly dry. Earth ap-
plied about the stems when the latter are wet
will set up damping in the plants. The whole
practice of earthing-up is most important, for the
crop is liable to be ruined if the work is per-
formed in a careless manner. The tying of the
stems previous to earthing-up the plants is not
so generally practised as formerly, but if this is
done, care must be taken that they are not tied
tightly, so as to prevent the inner leaves from
developing. If tying is dispensed with, place
the leaves in their proper position, and grasp
them with the left hand, and with the right draw
the soil well up and around the plant, at the
same time pressing it well. After each plant
has been treated in this manner, fill up the
trench with soil to the level of that placed about
the plants by the hand. Earthing-up should be
done gradually and at intervals of about 10 days,
but the progress of the plants should be the
best guide as to when more soil is necessary.

Celeriac on light soils must be given frequent
waterings. Remove the short, outer leaves, or
any side shoots that may appear, also any un-
necessary roots that develop towards the base
of the stem. Do this work at intervals of from
three weeks to a month.

Carrots. — A sowing of such early varieties as
Early French Horn, or Early Gem, should now
be made on a warm border, or in a partially
protected position. The roots will be most
useful in late winter and early spring, especially
in places where young Carrots are in demand
and frames are not available for their sowing.
Select a spot for the sowing so that the plants
can receive the protection of some dry leaves,
later on, without causing an untidy appearance
in the garden. These Carrots should be left in
the ground until they are required for use.

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

69

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Hark, Kent.

Souvenir de la Malmaison Carnations. — As the
plants pass out of bloom, no time should be
lost in making preparations for carrying out the
operation of layering, in order that there may
be sufficient time afterwards for the layers to
become strong and well-established before the
commencement of winter. Select only strong,
healthy plants for use in layering, it being likely
that the employment of weak and unhealthy
plants for this purpose is partly responsible for
the deterioration seen in some stocks. A frame
is undoubtedly the best place in which to layer
the plants, for in such a place they can be pro-
tected from heavy rains, which are injurious if
they keep the roots in a condition of more
or less saturation. In frames, the grower can
use his discretion as to whether the lights
should be used or not at any particular time,
but by no means should he keep the frames
I Li ised. Our usual practice here is to layer the
plants in the frames lately occupied by Potatos.
The soil which was used for that crop may be
made quite suitable by adding a quantity of
gritty matter or sand, mixed with some leaf-soil,
this fresh material being placed immediately
around the plant for the young roots to work
into. Let the old plants be thoroughly watered
before planting them. As the work proceeds,
water the plants overhead slightly, and, in
bright weather, such as is usually experienced
at this time of the year, afford a slight degree
of shade for a few weeks ; but admit air freely
at all times. When the young layers show
signs of growth, provided the weather is fine,
withdraw the lights altogether in the evening,
thus allowing the plants to have the full benefit
of the night dews.

Gtsneras. — The portion of the stock required
to bloom early in the winter should now be
shaken out of the pots, and, after repotting the
tubers, be placed in a warm house or stove.
Use a compost consisting of turfy loam, peat,
and leaf-soil in equal parts, with sand and
charcoal added to keep the whole porous. Be
careful not to use pots of a larger size than is
necessary. Gesneras succeed well in pots mea-
suring from 3 to 4| inches in diameter. If large
specimens are required, the strongest plants may
be selected when they have made a good start
for the purpose of placing several together in
pans or pots of such sizes as may be required
for the special purpose in view. The tubers
require very little water at first, the atmospheric
moisture being sufficient to start them into
growth. Afford water carefully as growth in-
creases, but at no stage do these plants require
large quantities. Arrange the plants thinly on
the stage to allow the leaves proper room to
develop, and shade the plants- rather heavily
during hot sunshine. As the flower-spikes
develop, a small, neat stake will be necessary
to keep each plant in position. When the plants
are in bloom, reduce the atmospheric moisture,
but do not have a lower atmospheric tempera-
ture than 57° to 60° at night at that period,
allowing a rise of 10° in the day.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Strawberries. — If the ground for the planting
of new beds is not yet prepared, it should at
once be trenched, or double-dug. A moderate
amount of good manure should be incorporated
between the two spits, and the ground should
be made firm by treading before planting.
Well-rooted runners may be planted at once,
a suitable distance being 1 foot apart in the
rows, the latter being separated by a distance
of 2 feet. Next season, after the fruits have
been gathered, every alternate plant in the rows
should be removed ; this will afford a space
of 2 feet between the plants every way.
Give the young plants a good watering in their
pots an hour or more previous to planting them
in the rows. Make the soil about them firm
with the feet, and form a small hollow in the
soil around each plant, so that water can be
conveniently applied to the roots. In the case
of the variety Royal Sovereign, allow a further
6 inches of space both in and between the
rows, on account of the wealth of foliage
which this variety produces on most soils.

As soon as the fruit has been cleared from
the established beds, trim off the rough bottom
leaves, sever any runners with the knife, and
remove all rubbish and litter from the rows.
When this has been done, stir the surface of
the soil with the flat hoe to destroy weeds, and
to lighten the ground which has become hard
and consolidated from persons walking in the
rows to gather the fruit. Plants that were
forced, and afterwards planted out in May or
June, must not be allowed to develop a fur-
ther crop of fruits this season. All flower-
spikes must be removed as soon as they appear,
and any runners be destroyed, so that the plants
may build up strong crowns for next year's
fruiting.

The Fig. — With the beneficial change in the
weather these trees have made rapid growth,
and the new shoots will need securing to the
wall or trellis so that the fruits may be ex-
posed as much as possible to the sunshine.
Continue to apply copious waterings to trees
carrying heavy crops, which appear to be
general this season. Stop any shoots not re-
quired for the extension of the trees, and rub off
superfluous growths on the fruiting wood, as
well as any on the older branches that are not
required.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Watering plants in the open. — It is a matter of
controversy as to whether the morning or the
evening is'the better time for affording water to
plants in the open. My practice is to select
the late afternoon and evening for this work,
providing the nights are warm, but if the night
temperature is low, the watering is done during
the mornings. This work should not be com-
menced too early in the afternoons, nor con-
tinued too late in the mornings, or the foliage
will be liable to scorching by the sun's rays, and
it is wise to cease the work sufficiently early in
the evenings to allow the plants and their sur-
roundings to become moderately dry before night
time arrives. One thorough soaking is better than
several light waterings, which occasionally do
more harm than good. If the surface soil is stirred,
either with the Dutch hoe or with a light rake,
soon after the watering is done, evaporation will
be largely checked, and the effects of the water-
ing will be more lasting. If circumstances do
not permit of much watering being done, fre-
quent hoeing of the surface soil and application
of mulchings will be found good substitutes.
Providing that they are not allowed to suffer
from drought, Pelargoniums and similar bed-
ding plants, once they have become established,
will give a better display if they are not watered.
Many other subjects, however, including Lobelia
cardinalis, Cannas, and most large or orna-
mental-foliaged sub-tropical plants, must be
freely watered during dry weather. Trees and
shrubs which were planted late in the spring
should now be drawing plenty of moisture from
the soil, and may generally be left to themselves,
but should any appear to be suffering from lack
of moisture, they must be copiously watered,
have a mulching of manure placed over their
roots, and be syringed towards the close of hot
afternoons. After a period of three weeks or
more from this date a moderate dryness at the
roots will be beneficial to shrubs.

Flower-beds. — If the beds are surrounded by-
grass, their edges must be frequently clipped.
All dead or disfigured leaves, faded flowers, and
seed pods must be removed, and all flower-buds
on plants which are grown solely for their
foliage must be destroyed. The plants form-
ing bands or borderings to the beds must be re-
stricted to a suitable size, and the growths of
trailing subjects pegged down. When these
latter plants have filled their allotted spaces,
they should have some of their side shoots re-
moved in order to promote a sturdy habit of
growth. This is especially necessary in the case
of Verbenas, for when the foliage of these plants
becomes crowded, the dreaded mildew soon
makes its appearance on them.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.
Preparations for spring bedding. — The season
has now arrived, when, as a rule, in most parks
arrangements are being made for next year's
spring bedding, and the orders for the various

bulbs required are placed with the successful
contractors, ready for execution in the autumn.
In many parks spring bedding schemes are con-
ceived on a very elaborate and extensive scale,
and, as a consequence, large sums of money
are needed for the provision of the material —
especially bulbs — necessary for carrying them
into effect. Until within recent years Hyacinths
and Tulips were the two plants most used for
this work, and as a result spring bedding, al-
though brilliant and striking, was characterised
by monotony and stiffness. Latterly it has be-
come customary to utilise many different
kinds of bulbous plants in addition to
numerous other spring flowering plants.
Park officials are realising more and more
that the use of Hyacinths and Tulips in large
quantities is not only extravagant, but in many
instances gives less satisfactory results than
may be obtained by the use of cheaper home-
grown material.

Other plants. — We find that Hyacinths and
Tulips are so easily damaged by wind and rain,
and their period of blooming is of such brief dura-
tion, that preference is naturally given to more
suitable subjects such as Aubnetias, Polyanthus,
Primroses, Double Arabis, Myosotis, Violas,
Alyssum, Double Daisies, &c. These have all a
long period of flowering, and are, as a rule,
little injured by the effects of the weather, while
in addition they are exceedingly cheap, being
easily propagated in great quantities by means
of seeds, cuttings, or division.

Wallflowers, when they succeed, are delight-
ful objects in the spring garden, both on account
of their colour and perfume. We find them,
however, so susceptible to injury from frost or
excessive winter rains that they are quite un-
reliable for taking a place in any colour ar-
rangement, and are better adapted for the
general spring border than for a design.

Aubrietias, Arabis, and Alyssum are best raised
from cuttings taken each year just as the old
plants finish flowering. Although Aubrietias are
invariably increased by division, it can hardly
be denied that cuttings give the larger and
better coloured flowers. Polyanthus, when re-
quired in special shades of colour, have to be
propagated by division, but are hardly fit for
use until the second year. With the exception
of the Violas, most of the ordinary spring-
flowering plants are raised from seed.

American Association of Park Superin-
tendents.— The June number of the Bulletin ol
this society just to hand contains a great amount
of information upon public park matters, which
is interesting and suggestive reading to all who
are engaged in park work. The Bulletin is in the
first instance type-written, and is passed on from
member to member throughout the States, most
of whom before passing it on give their views,
upon, or state their experience regarding, the
subject under discussion. In this way every
matter taken up is dealt with in the broadest
possible manner, and regarded from a great
variety of standpoints. In the present issue the
most important questions considered are " The
Construction of Roads, Paths, and Drives,"
" Evergreens for Parks," and " Fertilisers." On
reading through the various articles, one can-
not fail to notice many differences in the prac-
tices adopted on this and the other side of the
Atlantic. For instance, the use of sawdust as
a mulch, or sand as a fertiliser, and a gasoline
heater as a weed-killer, all appear strange to
British cultivators. Copies of the Bulletin can
be had for a very small sum from the secretary
of the association, Mr. F. L. Mulford, Superin-
tendent of Parks, Harrisburg, Pa., U.S.A.

The Superintendency of Hyde Park. —
We learn that the late Mr. Jordan's successor
in the post of superintendent of Hyde Park ami
some other open spaces is Mr. J. A. Gardiner,
who has held the important position of super-
intendent at Hampton Court Palace Gardens
and Parks for the past 11 years. During that
period quite a revolution in the garden decora-
tion and summer bedding has been wrought, and
in many directions improvements have been
made. Mr. Gardiner came to Hampton Court
from Greenwich Park. He is by seniority en-
titled to the promotion. His successor at Hamp-
ton Court will be Mr. Marlow, who is now at
Greenwich Park, and was at one time foreman
in the Park where he will now be the head.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters lor Publication, as well as specimens and plants
lor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
4i» Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week' as possible ,and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee 0/ good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents. — The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or il lust rat ions, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Illustrations.- The Editor will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c, but he
cannot be responsible for lossor injury,

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

'Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to

the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring undo the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, JULY 27-Lydney Fl. Sh.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31—
Chesterfield Fl. Sh.
Bishop's Stortford Fl. Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 62*2°.

Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, July 24 (6 p.m.) : Max. 67°;
Min. 50".

Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, Julv
25 (10 a.m.): Bar.. 29-9; Temp., 68'; Weather—
Bright sunshine.
Provinces — Wednesday, Julv 17 (6 p.m.) : Max. 68°.
Ireland, S.W. ;' Min. 52", Scotland, N.E.

Friday in last week is likely to
Science be regarded in the future as a
Wisley. red-letter day in the history of
the Royal Horticultural Soc'n tv.
On that day there was formally inaugurated
a scheme by which it is hoped much will be
done to compensate for the many years dur-
ing which the Society has not been able to
assist in the important work of scientific re-
search. Its earlier history is marked by
the invaluable services rendered to horticul-
ture in the introduction of new species of
plants to this country through the indefatig-
able collectors the Society sent into distant
parts of the world. Their names, which in-
clude those of David Douglas, Robert For-
tune, and others, have been enumerated in
these pages: again and again, and they will
always deserve to be remembered with ap-
preciation. During the long period the Society
held the Chiswick gardens under a lease from
the Duke of Devonshire it promoted import-
ant exhibitions and conferences; it also con-
ducted trials of varieties of fruits, flowers,
and vegetables, all of which were of greater
or less interest, and most of them were of
some permanent value to cultivators.

The period during which the Society was at
Scuth Kensington so impoverished its funds
that for many years afterwards a policy of
severe retrenchment was enforced upon those
charged with the management, and in no
direction was this felt more acutely than in
the management of the Chiswick gardens,
which, in spite of their glorious traditions,
•were permitted to deteriorate so greatly that
'they became almost an object of contempt.

In such circumstances, there is little won-
der the Society felt itself unable to undertake
fresh work which would be certain to im-
pose additional financial obligations. As
was pointed out by several of the speakers at
Friday's ceremony, the conditions which ob-
tained at the time when Sir Trevor Lawrence
was appointed president were anything but
satisfactory. The years which intervened
between that period and the celebration of
the centenary of the Society in 1904 were
devoted to husbanding its resources and in-
creasing its membership and prestige. In
the meantime the need for facilities for the
prosecution of research work became recog-
nised more clearly, and it was expressed so
frequently and persistently in these pages that
it may sometimes have appeared monotonous
by its reiteration. The gift of the Wisley
Gardens to the Society in 1904 by the late Sir
Thomas Hanbury, who purchased them for
the purpose from the executors of the late
Mr. G. F. Wilson (see Gardeners'1 Chronicle,
August 15, 1903), gave a fresh impetus to

Photo by] [Rvss:ll & Sons.

LORD AVEBURY, P.C., F.R.S., WHO OPENED THE

RESEARCH STATION AT WISLEY.

the demand for a scientific department, and
this demand was urged upon the Council by
Professor Bateson and other speakers at
the last important function held in the
Chiswick gardens on September 29, 1903, in
connection with the exhibition of vegetables.
That the scheme is now in actual operation is
due mainly to the unparalleled success of the
Society in recent years, but thanks are due to
the present Council for having determined to
apply part of the increased income to this
purpose.

We need not enter into a detailed descrip-
tion of the new laboratory as this was the
subject of an article in our issue for April 13
last, when the exterior of the building was
illustrated. As will be seen on reference to
page 64 of our present issue, the Council is
establishing a school of horticulture for train-
ing young gardeners, and for the first time in
the history of the Society it will be able to
instruct the students in the science of gar-

dening as well as in the arts of cultivation.
It is scarcely necessary at this date to insist
on the value of instruction in the principles
that underlie practice. An intelligent know-
ledge of the means and processes by which
plants subsist, of the conditions that ac-
celerate or retard growth, of the various
organisms in the soil that conduce to fertility,
of the nature and effect of various manures
on different plants, of the habits of insects
and the life histories of fungus diseases is
as necessary to the making of a perfect
gardener as familiarity with the actual details
of pottingi digging, pruning, and other
operations of practical gardening. The ob-
jections that have sometimes been made to
scientific training have generally arisen from
the fear that in the acquiring of such know-
ledge the student neglects to obtain the prac-
tical experience equally essential to success-
ful cultivation.

The Society must therefore insist that its
students, whilst acquiring theoretical know-
ledge, shall be encouraged to develop an
appreciation and enthusiasm for plant-
culture. A student who exhibits an indiffer-
ence to cultural details, and has no desire to
learn by experience the best methods of carry-
ing out the various operations of gardening,
or the proper seasons in which to do them,
will certainly never become a good gardener.
A gardener's highest quality lies in his skill
as a cultivator, therefore the science he
studies should be such as will help him to
( xcel in the art of cultivation — it is an im-
portant means to an end, rather than a goal
in itself. Mr. Chittenden, who has been ap-
pointed director of this department at Wis-
ley, and whose portrait was published in our
issue for April 13 last, may be trusted to take
the proper view of this question, and so ar-
range the syllabus for his students that they
will be able to learn those scientific prin-
ciples which have the nearest relation to gar-
dening practice.

The Surrey County Council has arranged
with the Royal Horticultural Society to send
a number of boys from the county schools
for instruction at Wisley, but whether this
will eventually lead to that Council hav-
ing any voice in the management of the
Wisley School we do not know. From re-
marks made by several of the speakers it is
evident that the Society will do its utmost to
obtain grants from the State, and in the event
of these efforts meeting with success there is
little doubt but that the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries will impose some condition or
at least satisfy itself that the school is con-
ducted in a manner the Board could approve.
State aid, it may be pointed out, is always
accompanied, in some degree at least, with
State control.

But it is greatly to be hoped that the
time and energies of the department will
not be wholly absorbed by the school of
horticulture. The mere teaching of science
to students, important as it is, is not
quite the work that those who have most
tlesired the institution of a scientific depart-
ment at Wisley had in their minds. It is in
the making of science, rather than in its
teaching, the Fellows are most interested, and
the success or failure of the department will
be largely determined by the amount of re-
search work accompli. hed. Mr. Chittenden

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July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

71

is just the man to undertake work of this
description, but in order that he may do so
it is necessary that his hands should not be
tied, and all his time occupied, in the in-

Pholo by] [Langfier, Ltd.

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH, K.T., WHO REPLIED

FOR THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

struction of the students. We have no reason
to think that this will be the case, but at the
verv commencement it should be clearly
understood by the Council what is expected
of them by the Fellows, audit is that energetic
research shall be made into such subjects as
were mentioned in our issue for April 13
last, and which were quoted by Lord Avebury
in his opening speech at Wisley. From time

Photo by]

SIR WILLIAM CHANCE,

[Elliott & Fry.

BART.

to time problems arise in connection with the
combating of fungus diseases and insect
pests, and in other matters concerned with
the cultivation and forcing of flowers, fruits,

and vegetables. It is for the solving of
these by experiments conducted in the labora.
tory and in the garden that the scientific de-
partment will find its justification. The
Society may also be able to provide facili-
ties that may be placed at the disposal of
properly qualified and accredited investigators
who may wish to pursue scientific research
upon special subjects, but who have not the
facilities that may be obtained in a labora-
tory. How far arrangements can be made
for such cases, however, can hardly be de-
termined before the station has been in work-
ing order for some time.

THE company which assembled at
Wisley for the opening ceremony
consisted of about ninety ladies anil
gentlemen. Amongst those present were
the President Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart.,
Lord Avebury, Lord Balfour of Bur-
leigh, Sir William T. Thistleton Dyer, Sir
John T. D. Llewelyn, Sir Albert K. Rollit,
Sir William Vincent, Sir William Chance,
Sir Thomas H. Elliott, Prof. Michael E. Sad-

Pholo by] [IV. Crocks.

SIR THOMAS ELLIOTT, K.C.B., SECRETARY TO THE

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

ler, Mr. Jeremiah Colman, Sir Geo. Walt,
Mr. Harry J. Veitch, Mr. Arthur W. Sutton,
Mr. W. A. Bilney, the Rev. W. Wilks, most
of the members of the Society's Council, and
of the Scientific Committee, and a few-
friends connected with the Surrey County
Council. Luncheon was served in the gar-
dens, at which Sir Trevor Lawrence presided.
The toast of the Royal Horticultural Society
was proposed by Lord Avebury in the fol-
lowing terms : —

While very sensible of the honour you
have done me in inviting me to open this
interesting laboratory, I cannot but feel,
especially when I look round, that there are
others who might have done so much more
appropriately. One name especially — that of
my friend Sir Trevor Lawrence, your presi-
dent, who is himself so great an authority,
and who has done so much to bring the
Society to its present climax of prosperity —
will occur to everyone.

As we stand here to-day, two men will be
in all our thoughts — Mr. Wilson, whose lov-
ing care and horticultural skill originally
made the garden what it was, and Sir

Thomas Hanbury, who prevented it from be-
ing broken up, and, with his usual liberality,
presented it to the Society. The Society
dates back more than 100 years, having been
founded as long ago as 1S04 by Mr. Thomas

Photo by] \Tlu Dover Street Studios,

PROFESSOR MICHAEL E. SADLER, LL.D.

Andrew Knight, Sir Joseph Banks, and other
distinguished botanists, but for many years it
vegetated rather than flourished.

When your President was elected in 1885,
the Society had 1,108 members, a goodly
number certainly, but not enough, and the
l- iciety was in some pecuniary difficulties.
Owing largely to his ability and energy it
has now nearly 10,000 members, has assets
without counting Wisley of some ,£70,000,
and an annual income of £18,000.

Photo by] [Mayall & Co., Ltd.

SIR WILLIAM VINCENT, BART., J. P., WHO RESPONDED
FOR THE SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL.

Your centenary in 1904 was marked by the
erection in Vincent Square of an exhibition
hall and library' costing £42,000, raised
mainly by private subscription, and also by

72

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Jvly 27, 1907.

Sir Thomas Hanbury's munificent gift of this
property — one of his many public benefac-
tions. Mr. Wilson, one of our many City
men who have taken a warm interest in
science, devoted his leisure during 24 years
to the planting, arrangement, and develop-
ment of the garden, which comprises 60
acres.

In accepting this important gift you have,
I understand, two main objects in view : —

(1) The improvement of horticulture by
giving the best possible training to a certain
number of young gardeners, and

(2) The promotion of horticultural and
botanical science by experiment and investi-
gation.

The erection of this laboratory and re-
search station meets a long-felt want in con-
nection with the Society's work. In the
United States and in our Colonies there are
several such stations under Government
supervision and maintenance, but in the
home country the initiation, direction and
support is left to private enterprise. The
good work being done at the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew, at the Botanic Gardens of
Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh and other
Universities is well known and appreciated,
as is also the experimental work for some
years past undertaken at Rothamsted by the
late Sir John Lawes and by the Duke of Bed-
ford at Woburn.

Among " *the subjects it is hoped to ex-
periment upon in the near future are soil-
sterilisation by steam as a means of destroy-
ing pests of plants which live in the soil; an
investigation into the influence of sterilisa-
tion on the plants cultivated in the soil ;
study of the bacterial flora of the soil ; etheri-
sation of plants; and certain plant diseases.
Each of these subjects will entail a large
amount of laboratory work, as well as ex-
periments in the garden."

When we look round us at the endless
variety of trees, shrubs and herbs, no two
alike in their form, their leaves, their flowers,
their fruit, or their seeds, and when we re-
flect that for every difference in form and
texture, in colour or scent, there is some
cause and explanation, comparatively few of
which are yet known to us, we see what a
rich and beautiful field of enquiry botanists
have before them.

In fact, the range of research and enquiry
is so wide as to be practically inexhaustible ;
I cannot doubt that, in addition to its other
services to the community, the Society will,
in connection with the garden, do much to
promote horticulture both in its aesthetic and
scientific aspects, and I have much pleasure
in proposing the toast — Prosperity to the
Royal Horticultural Society.

Lord Balfour of Burleigh, replying, re-
ferred to the progress the Society had made
since Sir Trevor Lawrence became president,
and, after mentioning some details in connec-
tion with the membership and income, said
twenty years ago the Society's investments
consisted of a debt of ^Ji.ioo; they had now
.£.26,000 besides real property. The pre-
dominant feeling in their minds that day was
that they were opening up a new era of
prosperity by making the practice and theorv
of horticulture go hand in hand. In that they
were like the sister pursuit ot agriculture. A
few years ago there was almost a war
between the practical and the scientific agri-
culturist. They looked upon each other with
mistrust and contempt, but all that had now
changed. If science were of use to agricul-
ture how much more was it of use to horti-
culture? He did not belittle agriculture, for
in a humble way he was an agriculturist,
but, after all, the agriculturist only dealt with
about a dozen different kinds of plants and
half-a-dozen different kinds of animals,

* Gardeners' Chronicle, April 13, 1907, p. 233.

whereas the horticulturist had- thousands of
plants to deal with, plants from every part of
the world. The work the Society were under-
taking was very necessary. Those engaged
in the practical work of gardening came from
a class who, when they had families, required
to consider carefully how long they could
keep their sons at home, and the temptation
to turn them out at the earliest possible day to
help the earnings of the family was a very
great one, and, if it were yielded to, was
likely to do a greater amount of harm to the
young gardener than to a youth in any other
profession at all similar.

Sir William Chance proposed " The Board
of Agriculture," and, referring to the liability
incurred by the Royal Horticultural Society
in establishing a scientific department, be-
sought Sir Thomas Elliott to convey to Lord
Carrington such an idea of the proceedings
that day that pressure might be brought to
bear on the Privy Purse in favour of granting
some degree of State aid to the scheme.

Sir Thomas Elliott, Secretary to the Board
of Agriculture and Fisheries, contrasted
official action with private enterprise, and re-
marked that when official action went on too
quickly, private enterprise was apt to recede.
But he was glad to be there that dav, be-
cause in one instance recently politicians had
forgotten their politics, and the Legislature
had passed " The Destructive Insects and
Pests Bill." This would probably mark the
commencement of a new era. The Act
armed the Board with considerable powers,
and the Board would be careful to consult
with its specialists before using those powers
in particular instances. The Board, com-
mencing with what appeared at the moment
to be nearest to jtheir hand, had instituted a
crusade against the American Gooseberry-
mildew, a disease which threatened to do
considerable mischief in this country. In
conclusion, Sir Thomas Elliott assured the
company that his department would consider
the needs of their horticultural clients just as
much as they considered the needs of their
agricultural clients.

Professor Michael E. Sadler proposed "The
Surrey County Council," and complimented
this authority upon the liberal patronage thev
had extended to horticulture in connection
with their elementary schools and in other
ways. In future, said Professor Sadler, the
Council would elect year by year a number of
boys from the schools, and these boys would
be received at Wisley by the Royal Horticul-
tural Society free of cost. They would receive
at Wisley a scientific and practical education
extending over two years. In September next
a commencement would be made by the
Council selecting five boys. Reference was
then made to the historic character of the
Wisley district, and mention made of Wil-
liam of Ockham, Thomas Day, and William
Cobbett, all of whom had lived in the locality.

Sir William Vincent, Vice-Chairman of the
Surrey County Council, after referring to the
large amount of money the Council had to
spend on the upkeep of the roads, said that
last year the Council spent on special subjects
(of which horticulture was the principal) a
sum of ^614. The estimates for the current
year included a sum of ^750 for similar pur-
poses. Last year there were organised gar-
dens in connection with 59 of the elementarj
schools, at which 993 scholars received in-
struction in gardening. Thirty-five of the
teachers had spent their vacation at the
South-Eastern Agricultural College at Wye,
for the purpose of acquiring gardening know-
ledge.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., expressed the
thanks of those present to Lord Avebury,
after which he read an extract from a
letter received from Sir Joseph Hooker in
reply to a letter of congratulation sent to Sir
Joseph on the attainment of his ninetieth

birthday. Sir Trevor said the progress of the
Society had been most satisfactory, but it was
not due to himself or his own work, but
largely to the Council and the Rev. W.
Wilks, their excellent secretary.

Sir John T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., said that
Sir Trevor Lawrence had show good general-
ship in that he had selected such excellent
officers as the secretary and garden superin
tendent to carry out the work of the Society,
but beyond that he was certain that much of
the Society's success was due to the Presi-
dent, and it was owing to his influence that
the questions connected with the establishing
of the Hall and gardens had been settled so-
satisfactorily.

Thus terminated the formal proceedings
connected with the opening of the Research
Station. Many of those who most desired
the Society to undertake this work have
passed away before the consummation of
their ideas, and three names seem particu-
larly present in our mind, those of the late
Sir Michael Foster, Sir Thomas Hanbury,
and Dr. Maxwell T. Masters. Dr. Masters
has written on this subject several times in
these pages, even during the present year.

We have pleasure in publishing the por-
traits of most of the speakers at the open-
ing ceremony.

The Swanley Horticultural College. —

The inaugural address of the nature study
course will be given on Saturday July 27, at 5
p.m., by Sir Douglas Fox. The course pro-
mises to be an interesting one, over 60 students-
having entered for it. A copy of the syllabus may
be obtained from the secretary, Miss M. Keke-
WICH.

Reading University Gardens. — Professor
Percival has been appointed Professor of Agri-
culture and Horticulture at the Reading Uni-
versity, and Mr. Charles Foster, superintendent
of the experimental garden, has been made
Assistant Director of Horticulture. Those who
have seen the excellent cultivation that is
practised in this garden will be glad to know
of Mr. Foster's appointment.

The Midland Agricultural and Dairy
College. — The annual meeting will be held at
Kegworth on Monday, July 29, at 3.15 p.m., when
the report on the year's work will be presented.
Sir John Rolleston will address the meeting,
and present the certificates gained during last
session.

Botanical Gardens, Christchurch, New
Zealand. — We are informed that Mr. James
Dawes has been appointed superintendent of
these gardens. Belore leaving England Mr.
Dawes was head gardener for upwards of 20
years to Lord Biddulph. at Ledbury, Hereford-
shire, from which establishment he frequently
exhibited fruit at the principal shows.

A Curious Nesting Place. — The following
paragraph is taken from a recent issue of the Devon
and Exeter Gazette: — " A strange find is recorded
from Crediton. As some Bananas were being
pulled from a large bunch a birds' nest, contain-
ing two eggs, was revealed. The nest was com-
posed of cocoanut fibre and sticks. The eggs were
dark spotted and quite perfect. . It is supposed that
the bird left the nest and was unable to find its way
back. As the Bananas grew the nest and eggs
were concealed and preserved." That the bird
was a native of the country where the Bananas
grew is evident from the fact of the nest being
partially composed of cocoanut fibre, and it
would have been interesting to know the name of
the bird, which could have been ascertained by
submitting the eggs to an ornithologist.

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

to

Experiments in Acclimatisation in the
Tropics. — Until the present time researches in
acclimatisation of European and other plants
have been confined to relatively few species, not-
withstanding which interesting results have been
obtained. These have proved it to be essentially
necessary to experiment with every species, it
having been observed that two species of
the same genus, and natives of one and
the same climate, behave . in a perfectly
contrary manner in the Tropics, the one
vegetating as in its native country, the
other dying out. Artemisia vulgaris, a well-
known European plant, growing in the Botanical
Garden at Saigon, ripens its seeds there. Sam-
bucus canadensis, a Canadian Elder which
withstands an enormous degree of cold in its
native country, succeeds quite well in a botani-
cal garden in Central Africa, not far distant
from the equator. Taraxacum officinale, the
common Dandelion of Europe, grows between
the Tropics ; and the common Milk Thistle
(Carduus Marianus), a most troublesome weed,
found almost everywhere, is likewise a
tropical weed. It is likewise a fact that
many plants, natives of the warmer regions of
the world, as, for example, those of the Medi-
terranean region, will not exist in tropical coun-
tries, and it is tolerably certain that here lies
an enormous field for the experimen-
talist's work. " When I have established my-
self in Java," writes M. BUYSMAN, of Middelburg,
Holland, in Die Gartenwelt, of June 15, " I shall
make experiments with every kind of plant of
which I can obtain seeds, and eventually record
the dimensions arrived at by each individual
plant. That plants which will withstand the
heat of tropical countries usually reach enor-
mous dimensions is a well-known fact. A resi-
dent in Queensland — that is, in tropical Aus-
tralia— informs me that an Oleander growing in
his garden has reached a height and diameter
of 36 feet. In Java, with its magnificent cli-
mate, experiments may be carried out during
the entire year, and I intend to carry out exten-
sive researches in acclimatisation, the results of
which I hope will be of importance to horticul-
ture in general."

The Bud Disease of Lilac. — In parts of
Germany, a condition of the buds of the common
Lilac has been noticed, to which has been given
the names " Bud disease " and " Witch-knot,"
or "Witches' broom," under- which two last
names something rather different is understood.
The cause of the disease has been determined by
Dr. R. Laubert to be a mite so minute as not
to be visible to the naked eye — Phytoptus Loewi,
one of the gall-mites which are the causes
of so many diseases and malformations in
plants. This minute creature is impervious to
heat and cold, and is capable of existing in the
perfect state throughout our coldest winters. It
is seen as a reddish mass under the bud scales
of the plants, consisting of numerous cylindrical
caterpillar-like forms \ mm. long, 1-20 mm.
broad, furnished at the fore end with four short
legs. These mites were discovered in diseased
buds taken from Lilac bushes on January 25
last, which had been exposed to \2\° and 20°
Celsius. They became lively after being in a
room for a short time, so that neither the great
cold nor the sudden warmth of the room had
any injurious effects on them. As with the Black-
currant bud mite, so with this new-comer ; it is
a matter of extreme difficulty to discover a
method reasonably practicable of dealing with
this enemy of the gardener. The likeliest means
for their destruction would be to apply some
kind of wash or powder to the affected bushes
in the second half of the month of May, when
the mite leaves its place of concealment
and is searching for a new one. The notice from
which these details are taken appeared in

Die Gartenwelt for June 15 last, from the pen
of Dr. Laubert, and it may induce other ob-
servers to give their experiences concerning this
mite, for there is but little existing literature on
the subject, beyond disconnected notices concern-
ing bud disease and witch-knot disease of Syrin-
ga, as, for instance, those of Loew (Vienna, 1879) ;
WlTTMACK (Berlin, 1882) ; Frank, 1896 ; and
Von Tubeuf, 1901 and 1905.

Sensitiveness of the Stigma in Torenia
Fournieri. — At this season the flowering of
Torenia Fournieri is at its best, and it may
not be without interest, writes C. Rimann in
Die Garten-cvclt for June 22, to observe the move-
ment of the stigma when touched. The flower
of this plant exhibits an extended stigma, at the
end of which are two slightly-bent-asunder seg-
ments. When the stigma is touched with a lead
pencil point, or camelhair brush, the segments
close in the manner of the leaves of Dionaea
muscipula. A further discovery showed that
these expanded again after a short period of
time. Flowers were observed which remained
closed. When pollen was conveyed on a pencil
to the stigmas, it was noticed that these seg-
ments of the female organ became permanently
closed, so that one came to the conclusion that
the closing was due to effective pollination of
the flowers, and the movement observed was in-
tended to hold fast any insect which might be a
pollen carrier ; but as an insect might visit a
flower and bring no pollen, the opening of the
segments after an interval would allow it to
escape.

The Best Fruits.— The Pomological Section
of the National Horticultural Society of France
has published a work for the use of members
who are interested in fruit-growing. In size,
Les meilleurs Fruits, au debut du xxe siecle, is
llin. x 7in., and consists of 632 pages of
well printed text. It is issued in paper wrap-
pers and liberally illustrated in black and white.
The general plan of the work, like most of the
publications of this society, enables the reader
to have easy access to the information contained
in it. The book begins with a brief history of
the science of pomology, which is followed by
a treatise on diseases and insect pests, with
directions for the necessary treatment. The
body of the work contains a very full account of
the varieties of fruits selected by the compilers,
and they number in all about 250, all of them
being arranged in alphabetical order. The de-
scriptive matter gives the name, synonyms,
origin, followed by details concerning the tree
or plant, as the case may be, foliage, and full
description of the fruit. There are several good
tables, one of which deals with the season of
maturity of the fruits recommended : another,
with the form it is considered best for the trees
to be grown in. Notwithstanding the size of
this work, reference is greatly facilitated by the
excellent arrangement. The book is primarily
intended for members of the society, and we do
not know whether it can be obtained by the
general public, but in any case it is an ac-
ceptable addition to pomological literature.

Vitis vulpina. — A correspondent writing on
this species in the issue of the Oesierreichisclie
Garten-Zeitung for July states that there is no
more suitable plant for quickly covering tree
trunks, buildings, walls, fences, and arbours and
in particular in forming festoons along or above
garden fencing, than the Fox Grape vine, Vitis
vulpina, a smooth-stemmed, tall, climbing
species, which makes annual shoots 9 feet in
length. The heart-shaped leaves of this plant
are of a bright green colour on both sides ; the
greenish-yellow flowers which appear in June
are fragrant and the unpalatable berries that
follow are of a dark blue tint. The effect of this

but little-known plant is exceedingly graceful
when the shoots are trained festoon-wise over
iron standards or lattice work. For such purposes
the plants are set out at distances of from 2J
to 3 yards, or wider, apart, and a pole of iron
or hard wood is placed to each plant with sus-
pended chains stretching from one to the other.

Publications Received.— The Dahlia News
(America) for June. — Annual Report of the Royal
Botanic Garden, Calcutta, and the Lloyd Botanic
Garden, Darjeeling, for the year 1906-1907. — Bees for
Pleasure and Profit, by G. Gordon Samson. Published
by Crosby, Lockwood and Son, price one shilling.

HORTICULTURE IN EGYPT.

(Concluded from page 42.)
Temperate Fruits.

The number of fruits which can be success-
fully cultivated in Egypt is remarkable. Among
tree-fruits from temperate regions the most ex-
tensively grown is the Mish-mish, a very poor
variety of the Apricot, which is common
throughout the north of Africa from Egypt to
Morocco. The trees are almost always grown
from seeds. There is little doubt but that with
reasonable treatment the better varieties of
Apricots could be grown with equal success.
Plums, Pears, and Peaches are all of poor
quality, but what is possible by proper cultiva-
tion and the introduction of better varieties has
yet to be proved, although the presence of about
half a dozen Plum trees of European varieties
bearing good crops of excellent fruit places the
question in the case of this fruit beyond doubt.

Large quantities of excellent Strawberries are
grown around the towns in Upper Egypt. The
plants continue bearing for six months, and the
value of a good crop is about £50 per feddan :
in one case which came under my notice, the
crop was sold for £72 per feddan. The ex-
penses connected with the cultivation of this
crop, including rent and water charges, are
rarely more than £30. Many Europeans grow
their own Strawberries, as the native has a
habit of licking off any dirt which happens to
be present on the fruit !

The most important sub-tropical fruits are the
Grape and the Fig, and of these good varieties
exist, therefore both are profitable crops. Pome-
granates are. also common throughout the
country, but the fruits are usually picked when
green for use in dying and tanning leather. If
they are not gathered until they are ripe it is
necessary to enclose each in a muslin bag, to
ward off a caterpillar which lays its eggs inside
the pulp.

The Japanese Date Plum, Diospyros Kaki,
grows very freely and bears heavy crops
of luscious fruits, which sell in the market at
from l^d. to 2id. each. Unfortunately the
tree is not common, but it is easy of propaga-
tion, and its planting will no doubt spread
quickly throughout the country. The Japanese
Loquat is more common, but this fruit is much
less esteemed than the preceding. The most
important ground-fruits in Egypt are Water and
Sweet Melons, and Tomatos. All these grow
with the utmost ease without staking or other
care except watering.

Tomatos.

Large numbers of persons are engaged in the
marketing of Tomatos, and a considerable export
trade is done with Austria, Russia, &c. Last
year the value of Tomatos exported amounted to
more than £20,000. j

Purely tropical fruits appear to thrive in
Egypt, as well as those from more temperate
regions, in spite of the cold weather often ex-
perienced in winter. Mangos are bearing good
crops at the present time, and bringing enor-
mous profits to their owners. Sapodilla Plums,
Indian Damsons, Avocado Pears, Guavas and
Sweet Sop are all growing well, in addition to
various other fruits of minor importance, such
as the Rose Annie and Brazil Cherry. Unfor-
tunately, however, no one has been sufficiently
enterprising to propagate them in quantity, so
that in the case of many species there are but
few trees in the country. Something will no
doubt be now done in this matter by the horti-
cultural societies.

74

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

When the supply of these tropical fruits be-
comes sufficiently great to allow their being
exported, Egypt will be able to send to the
European markets kinds which are as yet un-
known outside tropical countries.

of the industry, and starting operations. For
English gardeners with a little capital and busi-
ness training, there are good prospects in all
branches of commercial gardening in Egypt.
T. W. B.

FlG. 33. — AMPHICOME EMODi: FLOWERS ROSE-COLOf RED, WITH ORANGE-TINTED THROAT.
(Exhibited at R.H.S. meeting by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons.)

In the production of vegetables, as in the cul-
tivation of fruits, there is a great future for
the country. The quantity of Cabbages and
other vegetables exported yearly is growing, and
it is not any exaggeration to say that Egypt will
at no distant date become the market garden of
Europe. Several land companies and private
land owners are recognising the vast possibilities

AMPHICOME EMODI.

The genus Amphicome consists of only two
species, both natives of Northern India. They
are closely allied to the Incarvilleas, and the
plant now illustrated at fig. 33 was described by
Dr. Wallich as Incarvillea Emodi. Amphicome
arguta was the first species to flower in this

country in the Horticultural Society's garden in
1837. It is taller and more elegant in growth
than A. Emodi, the leaves and flowers being
smaller. It grows at an elevation of 6,000-
8,000 feet in the North-west Himalayas.

A. Emodi received an Award of Merit from
the Royal Horticultural Society, when exhibited
by Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, on
June 25 last. It is the more ornamental of the
two species for garden purposes. The flowers
are larger than those of A. arguta, and very
much resemble Incarvillea Delavayi, though
smaller. The racemose inflorescences are 1 foot
to 2 feet in height, and they bear numerous
flowers. These open in succession, there being
sometimes as many as 36 in all. Some of the
racemes are branched. The flowers are rose-pink
in colour, with an orange throat. The habit of
the plant is dwarf, almost creeping ; the leaves are
green, glabrous and bear numerous leaflets. Seeds
of this plant were received at Kew from India in
1852, and being grown in a cool pit, flowers
were produced in 1855. A. Emodi inhabits the
mountains of Emodi. The species is figured in
the Botanical Magazine, tab. 4,890. ^

Although found at high altitudes, neither of the
species of Amphicome is hardy in this country,
although in the mild climate of the south-western
counties the plants will live through the winter
if protected from excessive moisture and
s?vere frosts. The greenhouse affords the
most suitable place for the cultivation
of the plants. Propagation is effected by
seeds and cuttings. The seeds should be
sown in spring, and some of the plants thus
raised will flower in the second year, Cuttings
can be rooted in sandy soil from March on-
wards. The most suitable soil for use in pot-
ting is one consisting of fibrous loam, peat or
leaf-mould and sand. It must be well drained,
as Amphicomes dislike excess of water at any
season, and during winter they require very
little water. O.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

Carnations at Stanley Park. — At Stanley
Park, Stroud, the residence of Sir William Mar-
ling, Bart., Souvenir de la Malmaison Carna-
tions are grown in large numbers. The plants
are accommodated in a large span-roofed struc-
ture, and they are in the finest condition of cul-
ture. The varieties include Princess of Wales,
Old Blush, Margaret, King Oscar, Duchess of
Westminster, Mercia, Grace, Lady Grimston,
Cecilia, Albion, Mrs. Trelawny, Mrs. Martin
Smith, Lord YVelby, Nell Gwynne, and many
others. Mr. Walton, the gardener, is to be con-
gratulated upon the beautiful show of these
flowers. William Driver, Hope Cottage, Stone-
house.

Pines attacked by Peridermium. — Small
trees of Pinus Strobus, P. Lambertiana, P. mon-
ticola, and P. aristata growing in these gardens
have been attacked by this fungus. From a close
examination of the infested trees, the progress
of the disease appears to be as follows: — The
small branches are attacked first and the bark
around the branch for a distance of a few inches
swells, and later small bladders are formed on
it. These burst in April and shed innumerable
scores, which, to the naked eye, resemble yellow
pollen. Just previous to the ripening of the
spores the disease may perhaps be checked, and
the tree saved by cutting away the affected parts,
but, unfortunately, the latter being small, they
are easily overlooked. The diseased parts are
only conspicuous when the bladder-like swel-
lings burst, and they are more often present
where the branches are thickest. The following
season the disease encircles some of the larger
branches, and frequently the main stem, the
rings being sometimes 9 to 12 inches in width.
Much resin is exuded at the seat of injury ;
the wood at this spot is rendered peculiarly soft,
and when cut through it is found to be soaked
with resin. In spring the colonies of yellow
spores are very noticeable. When the central
stem is affected there appears to be no remedy,
and the part above the injury soon dies. In the
case of our trees as many as possible of the
diseased parts have been removed and burnt,
and the remainder, together with the soil,
sprayed with a solution of sulphide of potassium.
/. Comber, The Gardens, Nymans, Crawley,
Sussex.

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

75

Strawberry the Laxton. — I read Air. L.
Castle's defence of this new Strawberry (see
p. 13) with interest, because there can be no
doubt that it does splendidly at Bedford, v, here
it is planted in large breadths and fruits heavily.
When it was presented to the Fruit Committee
of the Royal Horticultural Society, the variety
raised hopes, for not only were the fruits rich in
colour and of good form, but they were specially
rich in flavour. Has the cause of its failure
in some directions been due to a too rapid in-
crease from late weak runners, or to the plant
requiring stiff, strong loams, such as is seen
at Bedford, in preference to lighter soils? Mr.
Markham's practice of obtaining plants by select-
ing the earliest runners from young non-fruiting
plants is no doubt the best, and it is the plan
most generally adopted by good growers. Were
The Laxton propagated in this manner only, it
is very possible that good results would follow.
It is certainly a delicious fruit. D. A.

Rose.— I recently discovered a Rose with
flowers somewhat resembling the variety Aus-
trial Copper in colour, but rather brighter in tint
and much smaller in size. The foliage and habit
of growth were like those of the common Sweet
Briar, and the wood was covered with a bronze-
coloured bark. Upon examination, I found this
was an old stock, upon which had been worked,
presumably, a trailing variety, as it was planted
at the foot of a garden arch. The plant had evi-
dently been in this position many years, as the
wood at the base was very large, and showed
evidence of much pruning. This stock was
unknown to me, and when reading Dr.
Bonavia's note on p. 14, I thought that
my variety might be the same as his. Unfor-
tunately I am not able to send specimen flowers
for comparison, as the plant has since been de-
stroyed. C. R.

Sweet Peas to Name. — As one of the judges
of the audit class for Sweet Peas at the recent
Sweet Pea Exhibition, I wish to say that it was
with extreme reluctance myself and colleagues
found it needful to disqualify three collections.
In two cases flowers that were probably Lord
Rosebery were shown as John Ingman, and in
one other exhibit two spikes of a somewhat simi-
lar, yet diverse variety were found in a vase
in which the rest of the flowrs were properly
named. In this latter case no excuse can avail,
as anyone could readily see that the two spikes
were distinct from the true variety. In the case
of the two other collections, it is probable that
the exhibitors received from some seedsmen the
variety under the name of Jblin Ingman, and
showed it in the belief that it was correctly
named. If that were so, I would suggest that
in future the competitors be required to state on
their name cards the name of the vendor from
whom the seeds were obtained. That might
lead to the exercise of greater care. A. D.

A Heavy Thunderstorm in North Wales.
— On the 21st inst. we experienced a terrific
thunderstorm that caused much damage to the
growing crops. The lightning killed several
sheep, and shattered some trees to pieces. In
less than three hours 1.75 inch of rain fell, and
the rain was accompanied by hailstones as large
as marbles. One farmer had his Swedes in a
field washed away by the heavy rush of water.
Many things in the gardens are splashed to
such an extent that they are useless for the
time being, and the effect of this is seen as
high as 2 feet 6 inches from the ground. Other
plants were battered to the ground. The storm
lasted for more than 13 hours. /. S. Higgins,
Shug Gardens, Corwtn.

Storm in Staffordshire. — We experienced
a severe thunderstorm in this neighbourhood on
the 2'2nd inst., between 1.30 and 4.30 a.m. On this
estate a very large Oak tree was torn completely
up and the bole was split into four large pieces ;
one piece weighing about 10 cwt. was thrown
a distance of 30 yards, and some of the other
pieces were hurled 100 yards. The top of the tree
finally rested where the roots of the tree should be.
Arthur Batsman, Hints Hall Gardens, Tamworth,
Staffs., July 23, 1907.

The International Horticultural Ex-
hibition, 1866. — A few weeks ago the Gardeners'
Chronicle published a photograph of the members
of the committee in connection with the lamented
death of Dr. Masters. It was mentioned that Mr.
Harry J. Veitch, V.M.H., is now the only survivor.
In scanning the group my attention was arrested
by a remarkable likeness between one of the

gentlemen figured and a well-known engineer, Mr.
Edward Easton, who has a country house in this
district. This morning I met Mr. Easton and
mentioned the circumstance. He smilingly assured
me that he is the same Mr. Easton as formed one
of the famous committee. Mr. Easton gave me
some very interesting recollections of the opening
day, one item which dwells in his memory being
that he was compelled to collect admission money
in his hat! Walter P. Wright, The Grey House,
Lyminge, Kent, July 22, 1907.

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees. — A

large percentage 'of prominent woodbuds on
strong shoots of the current year's growth are,
as the result of summer pruning, converted into
fruit-buds which will blossom the following
spring. A number of the less prominent wood-
buds on the weaker and later summer-pruned
shoots are changed into embryo fruit-buds
that will duly mature during the following
spring, summer and autumn, and develop blos-
soms in the spring of the next year. H. W.
Ward, Rayleigh.

New Hybrid Tree P/eony, Madame Louis
Henry. — This apparently beautiful and interest-
ing hybrid is described by its raiser, Monsieur
Henry, in tfie current number of the Paris Rt mu
Horticolc. It is botanically interesting as being
the first result of an endeavour to fertilise the
flowers of the golden yellow-flowered P. Delavayi
or P. lutea with the pollen of one of the rose-
coloured forms of P. Moutan. The initial dif-
ficulty that had to be overcome in effecting this
cross was that P. lutea flowered about a fortnight
earlier than the Moutan varieties, but pollen was
ultimately secured from one of the handsomest of
the Moutan varieties, named Elizabeth. Seventeen
seeds were obtained, only five of which ger-
minated, of which only two could be reared. The
flower is said to show all the characteristics of
both parents, borrowing from its pollen bearer
the beautiful red ground colour with which is
mingled the bright, intense yellow of the seed
bearer, producing a beautilully striped flower
at least three times the size of that of P. lutea,
which much resembles the flower of a Trollius.
II7. E. Gumblcton.

Souvenir de la Malmaison Carnations. —
A magnificent collection of these plants in
flower was noticed at Luton Hoo Gardens on
the occasion of a recent visit, and Mr. Metcalfe,
the gardener, is to be congratulated on having
such a clean, healthy stock. This grower layers
his plants early in the season, and the largest
he places in 9-inch and others in 6-inch pots.
This does not provide much root room, but it
is sufficient, as the larger plants were many of
them upwards of 6 feet in height and flowering
profusely, some of the blooms being upwards
of 5 inches in diameter. The collection at
Luton Hoo includes the varieties Jane Sey-
mour (pink), Princess of Wales (pink), Thora
(flesh colour), Calypso (blush), Lord Welby (red,
an extra large variety), Grace (rose-pink), W. H.
Cutbush (crimson), H. J. Jones (dark crimson),
King Arthur (dark crimson), Mrs. Trelawny
(light red I, Churchwarden (scarlet), and
Duchess Consuelo (yellow;. Among the many
improvements made in these gardens, it is
pleasing to find that the young gardeners have
not been forgotten, for a new bothy has been
built, fitted with every convenience and means
of comfort. This thoughtful consideration and
kindness to the employees on the estate is much
appreciated. W. H. Divers, Belvoir Castle Gar-
dens.

Names for Yuccas. — The following is a
supreme effort at name-making which would be
hard to beat, and is a list of Yuccas — 50 in number
— which have come to hand in one lot. When the
Yuccas increase at this rate the lists of the future
will be quite formidable. /. Smith, Neicry. [Mr.
Smith appends a list containing 50 names. — Ed.] .

Bones for a Vine Border. — It is perfectly
true that half-inch bones are in most soils a
long time in decaying, and consequently they
yield but little nourishment to vines. I have
long discontinued using them, although I usually
prepare one or more new borders every season,
and now use steamed bone flour with good ue-
sults. I have no means of knowing how long
this material lasts in the border, for it soon be-
comes invisible. A good dressing of powdered
bones should be applied to the surface of the
border every alternate autumn, and it will
speedily find its way down into the soil. In one

case that came under my notice, half-inch bones
almost wholly disappeared in one seasoi,, but
the soil in which they were placed was • ery
deficient in lime. Wm. Taylor, Batn.

Is W. P. R. engaged (p. 14) in knock-
ing a hoary tradition on the head, when lie
impugns the value of half -inch bones ss a
manure for vines, and, as a natural corollary,
other plants? The tradition has had in its dav
many strong believers, and amongst others
the late Mr. A. F. Barron, whose book
on the vine is still the standard work on
the subject, and who advises the use of small
bones because they continue to furnish plant
food for many years. W. P. R.'s experience
seems to have been that half-inch bones are
practically insoluble. Their ready conversion into
plant food may largely depend on certain chemi-
cal constituents in the soil. Mr. Barrou. how.
ever, lays emphasis on the value of bone meal,
dissolved bones, and horn shavings (practically
soft bone), as being most valuable manures. A.

Gooseberries and Currants. — It is far

from being a pleasant vocation to pose as a
prophet of evil. Still, some writers — even
scientists — seem to revel in the function. In the
observations on the Gooseberry-mildew under
the name of Mr. Salmon, I observe it is said :
" The disease, which unless resolutely stamped
out, will gradually invade and ruin their Goose-
berry plantations just as the ' Big Bud ' mite has
rumed Black Currant plantations." It is an odd
comment on this prediction that we have never
had finer crops of both Gooseberries and Black
Currants than this year. I think, when the
crop returns are published in your pages, it
will be found that this state of things is wide-
spread. That being so, one fails to see why in-
dulgence should be given to such gloomy an-
ticipations. They remind one of what was said
many years ago respecting the Potato crops, yet
without repressive legislation Potatos to-day are
better in health and strength than ever. After
all, the optimistic cultivator is the more reli-
able worker and adviser. A. D:

The Weather in Durham. — We have never
before experienced such a cold, wet spring and
summer as those just past. The Apple crop is
a complete failure here, for although we have
a large number of treys, not a single fruit is to
be seen upon them, except in the case of three
young trees planted at the foot of a wall. Early
in the spring there was every prospect of an
abundance of bloom, but owing to the continued
cold and wet weather the blossoms rotted on the
trees. Other fruits, including Plums, Currants,
Gooseberries, Strawberries, &c, are promising
fairly good crops. Pears are scarce. I have not
seen an account of the Apple crop in southern
counties, but am anxious to do so. Hailstones
fell in the first week of June, at which time we
also had cold, frosty nights. W. H. Lund,
Egglesione Hall Gardens, near Darlington.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Jvly 24. — The ordinary fortnightly meeting
of the committees took place on Tuesday last
in the Society's hall in Vincent Square.

The Orchid Committee recommended four
Awards of Merit to novelties.

The Floral Committee recommended four
Awards of Merit, and there were as many as 31
groups staged for inspection by this committee.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee re-
commended an Award of Merit to a known
variety of Strawberry, namely, Fillbasket.

At the afternoon meeting 78 new Fellows were
elected. A paper on " Rare Trees and Shrubs in
the Open Air'" was announced for reading by
the Hon. Vicary Gibbs, of Aldenham, but this
gentleman was unable to be present, and the
paper was not delivered. The lantern slides,
however, which were to illustrate the paper
were shown on the screen, and the secretary,
the Rev. W. Wilks gave a short description of
each as it was presented.

Floral Committee.

Present: Henry B. May, Esq., in the chair;

and Messrs. C T. Druerv, Jno. Green, T. W.

Turner, R. C. Nctcutt, J. T. Bennett-Poe, J. W.

Barr, H. J. Cutbush, W. Howe, Geo. Reuthe,

76

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

Jas. Douglas, Arthur Turner, Chas. Dixon, H.
J. Jones, C. El Pearson, C. E. Shea, W. P.
Thomson, E. H. Jenkins, W. J. James, R. C.
Reginald Nevill, E: T. Cook, and R. Hooper
Pearson. ^

Lord Aldeneam, Elstree (gr. Mr. E. Beckett,
V.M.H.), displayed a large and interesting ex-
hibit of sprays of flowering and ornamental-foli-
aged trees and shrubs. The exhibit was of
much educational value, as affording a know-
ledge of showy species and varieties for the
shrubbery and garden. The display was ar-
ranged across the whole of the platform end of
the Hall on one long table. Some of the best
specimens amongst this fine collection were
Buddleia variabilis, Acer rubellum, Philadel-
phus grandiflorus, Jasminum revolutum, Cas-
sinia fulvida, Cistus laurifolius (finely in flower),
Zenobia speciosa, and Berberis Darwinii. Near
by, and from the same gardens, was a well-
flowered batch of Streptocarpus, with flowers in
shades of violet, purple, pink, white, &c. The
plants were in all cases abundantly flowered,
those of the first-named colours being especially
strong, with flower stems a foot or more in
height. The white-flowered varieties were of
dwarfer habit, but also very freely flowered.
(Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, showed a miscellaneous group of
greenhouse flowering and foliage plants. Lobelia
Richardsonii was shown on an elevated stand
with long growths overhanging and terminating
in bunches of pale blue-coloured flowers ; it
would form an admirable subject for planting
in hanging baskets. Impatiens Holstii has
flowers of a rich orange-scarlet shade ; I. The
Sultan is a magneta self-coloured flower.
Boxes contained Spiraea Bumalda and the
finely-coloured variety Anthony Waterer. Cea-
nothus " Georges Simon " has large terminal in-
florescences of a pale pink colour. We also
noticed a spray of the beautiful Stuartia Pseudo-
Camellia described in our last issue, p. 51.

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Edmonton,
showed big clumps of Ixora Williamsii (coral
red), I. Fraserii (pale red), and I. macrophylla,
in a collection of other flowering plants and
choice Ferns. The last-mentioned Ixora was
shown in 5-inch pots, each with a terminal head
of bright-red flowers, the inflorescences measur-
ing over 1 foot in diameter. Amongst the
other flowering plants we may mention Clero-
dendron fallax, Salvia " Zurich," Solanum jas-
minoides, and Hydrangea paniculata. (Silver-
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Bark & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, London, W.C., showed 13 species of
Eucalyptus in small pots, raised from seeds
sown in January of this year.

Messrs. S. Bide & Sons, Farnham, Surrey, ex-
hibited an extensive group of Roses, all of their
new variety Queen of Spain. Some of the
flowers were shaded pink, and others were
cream-coloured, according to the age of the
bloom. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Paul & Sons, Waltham Cross,
Herts., showed a pretty display of Roses in
baskets, stands and boxes. Several were new,
and one is described under Awards. Another
new variety is Mrs. Isabelle Milner, a hybrid
perpetual Rose, with white petals flushed with
pink ; Marquise de Sinety is also new — the petals
are of a bronzy-yellow shade. The exhibit
included Pharisaer Celia, Perle des Jaunes
(bronzy orange), Earl of Warwick, Konigin
Carola (pink), Commandant Felix Faure (dark
crimson), Prince de Bulgarie, Joseph Hill, and
many other varieties. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. A. F. Dutton, Iver, Bucks., had a superb
lot of Carnations, border kinds in pots, being
shown side by side with the American tree varie-
ties. In the former section, Mrs. Forbes and
Daffodil stood out conspicuous among those
with self yellow-coloured flowers, while Trojan
and Albion, among whites, were equally good.
The tree varieties were shown in good style,
and in the best varieties. The group was one
of the finest of these flowers exhibited in the
Hall during the present year. (Silver-Gilt
Banksian Medal.) / >

Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Sons, Highgate, N.,
displayed Carnations of Souvenir de la Mal-
maison and border kinds. One handsome
batch was of well-grown plants of the variety
King Arthur, and as a companion to this fine
scarlet-coloured variety was another group of
the pure white Trojan. Of the " Malmaison "

type were shown Yaller Gal, Monk, and Princess
of Wales. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Mr. James Douglas, Edenside, Great Book-
ham, displayed a fine collection of Carnations in
about 60 varieties. The pick of both the border
and the Souvenir de la Malmaison types were
seen in this display, and all were shown in
the best condition of culture. Amongst the
border varieties were seen Goldfinder, of the
shade known as apricot ; Miss Willmott, a per-
fectly-formed flower of coral-pink shade; Helen
Countess of Radnor, one of the finest of all,
with flowers a rich crimson ; Cupid ; Manda-
lay ; Duchess of Wellington ; Lady Hermione.
Amongst the Souvenir de la Malmaison varie-
ties were noticed Gemma, of rose-pink colour
with a trace of salmon ; and Maggie Hodgson,
the finest of all the dark-coloured flowers. (Sil-
ver Flora Medal.)

Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, was
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a display of
Carnations.

Mr. Amos Perry, Hardy Plant Farm, Enfield,
arranged a water-garden on similar lines to that
staged by him at the recent Holland House show.
The quality of the exhibit, its conception, and
mode of arranging left little to be desired, and
from the group much instruction was gleaned.
Amongst noteworthy plants in the display were
the yellow-flowered Calla " Mrs. Roosevelt " ;
many good Liliums, such as L. pardalinum, L.
canadense, L. Grayii, and L. Humboldtii mag-
nificum ; Water Rushes, Spiraeas, Gunneras,
Bamboos, and many other moisture or water-
loving plants. On an adjoining table Mr. Perry
staged a collection of many of the best herba-
ceous plants in season, and in which Oriental
Poppies were a notable feature. (Gold medal.)

Mr. Maurice Prichard, Christchurch, Hants,
showed seasonable hardy flowers of good
quality. In the centre of the exhibit was a group
of Astilbe "Silver Sheaf," a very floriferous
variety. Another plant with tall spikes of white
flowers is Cimicifuga americana. Two yellow-
flowered Richardias were labelled Solfatari and
aurata. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. B. Ladham, The Shirley Nurseries, near
Southampton, showed a number of varieties of
Gaillardias with flowers ranging from light yel-
low to shades of red. The best varieties were
Yellow Prince, Superb (a fine, dark-coloured
variety), Aurora, Shirley, and Sulphur Gem.
Mr. Ladham also showed bunches of perpetual-
flowering Pinks.

Messrs. V. N. Gauntlett & Co., Chidding-
fold, Surrey, showed about 40 varieties of Iris
Kaempferi. Kimono is a fine flower, with broad,
white segments that are tinged with blue.
(Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex,
exhibited vases of Sweet Peas of popular varie-
ties, and as a background were a number of
hardy flowers, including the rose-coloured
Lupinus polyphyllus, Galega bicolor, Telekia
speciosa, Chrysanthemum maximum Mrs.
Charles Lowthian Bell, a large-flowered form of
this well-known herbaceous plant, with clear,
white petals ; Eryngiums, Delphiniums, &c.

Herbaceous Phloxes were displayed by Messrs.
Gunn & Sons, Olton, Birmingham, in large,
effective masses of distinct kinds. Their frag-
rance was very noticeable. A few of the best
shown were Etna, Iris, Sheriff Ivory, Eugene
Danzanvilliers, Tapis Blanc, and Sylphide. (Sil-
ver Banksian Medal.)

Exhibits of hardy flowers were also shown by
Mr. John Forbes, Hawick (Silver Banksian
Medal) ; Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham
(Silver Flora Medal) ; and Mr. G. Reuthe,
Keston (Silver Banksian Medal).

Messrs. J. Peed & Son, West Norwood, S.E.,
filled a large table with double-flowered Be-
gonias and Gloxinias.

A large table was filled by Messrs. Wm.
Artindale & Sons, Nether Green, Sheffield,
with showy hardy flowers in variety, and
amongst these were fine Lilies and Carnations
of the border section.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond Nurseries,
Richmond, Surrey, showed an interesting collec-
tion of hardy Ericas, including many forms of
our native species, and hardy Fuchsias of the
Ricartonii type in several varieties.

Mr. J. Bruckhaus, Orleans Nursery, Twicken-
ham, showed a fine lot of ten-week Stocks. The
plants in their large size and handsome spikes of
fragrant flowers exhibited the highest degree of
culture.

Messrs. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, staged a
fine assortment of Stocks, having complete
plants pulled from the ground. The plants
were free in flowering and of perfect bush-like
habit of growth. A brilliant display of Antirrhi-
nums was also exhibited by this firm.

Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn,
London, staged a very pretty display of Sweet
Peas as a foil to their extensive exhibit of culin-
ary Peas.

Vases of Sweet Peas of standard varieties were
shown well by Messrs. John K. King & Sons,
Coggeshall, Essex ; and another good exhibit of
these popular flowers was displayed by Miss
Alexander, Oakbank, Seal, Sevenoaks (gr. Mr.
John T. Tubb). (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park;
Enfield, arranged a very pretty exhibit of Car'-
nations, Roses, and Hydrangeas. Rose Baby
Dorothy is a small polyantha variety, with big
clusters of bright pink flowers.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, and Mark's
Tey, Essex, showed a dark red-coloured Sweet
William Dianthus barbatus, with double flowers,
and a handsome, white Godetia named Duchess
of Albany Improved.

Awards of Merit.

Campanula persiei folia var. Wm. Lawrence. — A
variety with blue flowers that expand more widely
than those of the type. Shown by Mr. W. Law-
rence, Egglescliffe.

Delphinium Mrs. G. Ferguson. — An excellent
double-flowered variety with perfectly cream-
coloured flowers. Shown by Mr. G. Ferguson,
Weybridge.

Rose Hugo Roller. — A beautiful and fragrant Tea
Rose, the outer petals of which are red, almost
crimson, and the inner petals cream-coloured.
Shown by Messrs. W. Paul & Son.

Spima camtschatica rosea. — A plant was shown by
Mr. Amos Perry with fine rose-coloured inflor-
escences under the name of S. venusta " Beauty,"
but the committee considered it to be a form of
S. camtschatica (gigantea) rosea. Mr. Perry
stated subsequently, however, that he had raised
the plants from seeds of S. venusta, and though the
differences between the two species do not appear
very great, the plant shown appeared to us most
like S. venusta, which is synonymous with S. lobata.
It is less gross in growth than S. camtschatica.

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the chair),
and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec), Harry J.
Veitch, De B. Crawshay, W. Bolton, W. A.
Bilney, H. Little, W. Boxall, G. F. Moore,
R. G. Thwaites, A. A. McBean, H. T. Pitt, A.
Dye, W. Cobb, W. H. Young, H. G. Alexan-
der, H. A. Tracy, F. J. Hanbury, and J. Wilson
Potter.

Major G. L. Holford, CLE., C.V.O., Wes-
tonbirt, Tetbury (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), was
awarded the society's Gold Medal for a mag-
nificent group, each plant in which exhibited
the highest degree of culture. Included were
many choice hybrid varieties that have been
raised at Westqnbirt, and among these Cattleya
Hardyana far surpassed in quality, the imported
natural hybrid forms. At one end of the group
was a noble specimen of Cattleya Warscewiczii,
with 26 well-developed flowers, grown from a
single imported plant ; above it was a plant of
Miltonia vexillaria, with 45 flowers, and another
specimen of this species in the group had even
a greater number. Plants of the Westonbirt form
of Cattleya Lord Rothschild were also shown
well, the large rose and crimson flowers having
the greater part of their lips of a rich orange
colour. This is said to last longer in bloom
than almost any other Cattleya. Laelio-Cattleya
callistoglossa Earl Grey had very fine rosy-lilac
flowers, with the large and showy labellums en-
tirely of a rich claret colour. At the back of
the group, which was well arranged in a set-
ting of green moss and Adiantum Ferns, were
a number of light inflorescences of the spotted-
lipped form of Oncidium sarcodes ; also O.
pratextum, O. Gardnerianuui, the white Phalae-
nopsis amabilis, and Odontoglossum Pescatorei,
with a branched spike of 63 flowers. In the
front portion of the exhibit was a noble speci-
men of the large, white Miltonia vexillaria
Queen Alexandra, with six flower spikes, bear-
ing altogether 33 flowers, and a pan containing
the charming reddish-crimson-coloured Sop^ro-
Laelia laeta Orpetiana, with five flowers. Ot'.icr

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

i i

interesting Orchids noted were Lslio-Cattleya
Clive, Westonbirt variety, a very large and beau-
tiful flower ; the new Laelio-Cattleya Caligula
(C. Warscewiczii X L.-C. callistoglossum) ;
Brasso-Laelia Helen, and some other Brassa-
vola Digbyana hybrids ; specially good Laelio-
Cattleye callistoglossa, and further hybrids
raised at Westonbirt, and included two fine
novelties. (See Awards.)

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an
interesting and varied group, which contained a
good selection of uncommon species, including
the singularly-formed Bulbophyllurn Lobbii
colossum ; Cycnoches Egertonianum, with a
long raceme of curious flowers ; Oncidium
Waluewa, a graceful species with drooping
sprays of pretty, cream-coloured flowers that
have bars oi a rose colour ; Odontoglossum
blandum, irichopilia Turialvae, Oncidium
stramineum, Stelis tristyla, and other singular
species. Among the showier flowering plants
were Odontoglossum Pescatorei Golden Gem,
with clear, canary-yellow flowers that have a
darker yellow crest, which showed little depar-
ture from that of a typical flower of O. Pesca-
torei. Among the hybrids were the new and
pretty Laelio-Cattleya Klba (L.-C. Ingrainii x
C. Warscewiczii), a very neat flower, with ruby-
purple lip, and having the orange-coloured disc
extended into two clear blotches, one on each
side, as in C. Warscewiczii ; L.-C. Mollie, with
buff-tinted sepals and petals and ruby-claret lip,
with an orange-coloured disc ; Odontoglossum
Kolfeae, &c.

Messrs. Cripps & Son, Tunbridge Wells Nur-
series, Kent, were voted a Silver Flora Medal for
a small but bright group of the brilliant scarlet
Disa grandiflora, which they cultivate appa-
rently with ease, although many expert gar-
deners fail to grow it satisfactorily. The plants
were well furnished with flower-spikes, and in
the aggregate there were some 70 or 80 flowers.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, were
awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for a group
in which the principal novelty was the new
hybrid Odontoglossum Memoria Lambeauiae,
the result of crossing a remarkable plant which
they exhibited at the Ghent Quinquennial show
as O. Prince Albert, but which some considered
to be a distinct and nearly black-sepalled form of
Odontoglossum sceptrum, crossed with O. Harry-
anum. The new hybrid flowered for the first time
from a small pseudo-bulb, and bore a spike of
two flowers of great promise, and an advance in
dark-coloured hybrid Odontoglossums. The
flower in size and shape partakes much of O.
Harryanum. The sepals are of a blackish-choco-
late colour, with a slight whitish tip and base,
and crossed with two thin, whitish, wavy lines.
The petals are cream-white at the base, spotted
with dark chocolate, the margin and outer half
being blackish chocolate similar to the petals.
The lip is broad, coloured pale primrose in
front, spotted with purple at the base and
around the dark yellow crest. Examples of un-
common and pretty species in the group were
two good groups of Aeropera Loddigesii, several
Masdevallias, the new white form of Phaius
maculatus, several Ancistrochilus Thomp-
sonianus, Trigonidium Amesianum, Galeandra
lacustris, Fpidendrum rigidum, Eria acervata,
Trichopilia marginata, Aerides expansum, &c.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, gained a Silver
Banksian Medal for a group composed of Brasso-
Cattleya Digbyano-Warscewiczii, with very fine
rose-coloured flowers with fringed lips ; Laelio-
Cattleya Vesta, with bronzy petals and purple
lips ; Disa Luna, a pretty hybrid, with rose-
purple flowers ; Masdevallia Imogen, and other
Masdevallias ; two plants of the showy yellow
and rose-coloured Sobralia Veitchii ; the scarlet
Cochlioda Noezliana ; Cypripedium Wiertzi-
anum ; Oncidium leucochilum, &c.

R. I. Measures, Esq., Camberwell (gr. Mr.
Smith), received a Silver Banksian Medal for a
group in which were Maxillaria ochroleuca (with
many cream-white flowers), two specimens of
Ccelogyne speciosa, C. Massangeana, Miltonia
vexillaria albens, Laelio-Cattleya Clive, Cypri-
pedium Curtisii, Cambridge Lodge variety,
several Masdevallias, and a pan of Dossinia
marmorata. (See Awards).

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, showed
Cattleya Gaskelliana alba, with four flowers ; C.
Gaskelliana Phyllis, with pale-rose flowers ; and
two good forms of Odontogossum Pescatorei.

J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), showed an in-
florescence of the rare Cattleya Warscewiczii
saturata of fine colour, and in which the usual
blotches of yellow on the lip are suppressed, the
lip being wholly dark crimson-purple ; also
Laslio-Cattleya Henry Greenwood, Glebelands
variety, a pretty light-coloured form.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), showed Laelio-Cattleya
Clonia gigantea (L.-C. elegans Turneri x C.
Warscewiczii), a brilliantly-coloured flower, with
rose-coloured sepals, having the bronzy tint of
L.-C. elegans, and broad, rose petals veined with
rose-purple ; the expanding, crimped front lobe
of the Up and the tips of the side lobes are of a
bright magenta-purple tint. The spikes bore
three large flowers.

H. T. Pitt, Esq., Rosslyn, Stamford Hill,
exhibited the singular little Oncidium pumilum
and Dendrobium ciliatum annamense, both well
flowered.

F. W. Moore, Esq., Royal Botanic Gardens,
Glasnevin, Dublin, sent an inflorescence of the
rare Lueddemannia Pescatorei, with wax-like,
orange-coloured flowers and sepals of a coppery
tint. A plant of this species, with an inflores-
cence 4 feet in length, was exhibited by Miss
Wilhnott, June 12, 1!<06, and it was then awarded
a Botanical Certificate.

AWARDS.
Awards of Merit.
Cattleya Waldcmar (Whitei x Dowiana
aurca), from Major G. L. Holford, LIE.,
C.V.O. (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander). — A very pretty
and distinct hybrid, with sepals and petals of a
cream colour ; tinged and flaked with rose ;
the broad, crimped labellum is blush-white and
closely veined and marbled with varying shades
of purple. The base is marked with clear, gold
lines.

Cattleya Maca-nas var. Thor (superba x
Warscewiczii). — In this charming hybrid the
beauties of both parents are admirably blended.
The sepals and petals are blush-rose colour ; the
front of the showy labellum is ruby-purple, the
throat and disc white, with an orange band. The
plant exhibited bore an inflorescence of six
flowers.

Miltonia vexillaria, Lambeatt's variety, from
Monsieur Lambeau, Brussels. — The best and
largest of the coloured forms, and of fine shape.
The sepals and petals are coloured bright rose,
with a white margin. Lip 4 inches across, bright
purplish-rose, with darker veining, the base being
white, with several red lines. The plant bore a
well-developed spike.

Dossinia marmorata, from R. I. Measures,
Esq., Camberwell (gr. Mr. Smith). — A species
with large, velvety, green leaves that have bronze
and gold-coloured veining. It is usually known
in gardens as Anaectochilus Lowii.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: Geo. Bunyard, Esq., and Messrs. W.
Bates, Ed. Beckett, A. Dean, H. Parr, A. R.
Allan, J. Davis, Geo. Keif, Chas. Foster, Jno.
I.yue, C. G. A. Nix, Geo. Reynolds, J. Jaques,
II. Somers Rivers, P. C. M. Veitch, Owen
Thomas, W. Poupart, and Jas. Vert.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, filled one
side of a long table with an exhibit of culinary
Peas, gathered from trial rows in their experi-
mental grounds at Reading. The collection em-
braced over 50 varieties and about 20 seedlings,
the latter being shown under numbers in a
large glass case. The exhibit was noteworthy
for the remarkable quality of the pods, each
dish was shown in the best exhibition style, and
the varieties were representative of the best in
the various sections — early, late, dwarf, tall, &c.
Of course, the display furnished no evidence of
ths cropping qualities of the individual varie-
ties, nor their freedom from disease, &c, but,
as seen, the finest were Early Giant, one of the
best of the early-season kinds ; Green Gem,
Prizewinner (when opened the pods were found
to contain 11 very large Peas) ; King Edward (the
pods being full to almost overflowing ; Little
Marvel, and Harbinger, two good dwarf kinds ;
Selected Gladstone, Superlative (remarkably
handsome pods, of a deep-green colour); and
World's Record. The manner of staging was
pleasing, a dark velvet cloth being used as a

groundwork, with foils of palms and vases of
flowers. The collection of seedlings contained
many varieties of great promise. (Silver-Gilt.
Knightian Medal.)

Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn,
London, also showed an exhibit of Peas, in all
some 250 varieties. This very large collection
was from their trial ground at Mortlake, and as
all were sown on the same date (March 27), it
was of much educational value as demonstrat-
ing the season of each kind ; some were yellow
in the pod, and others were just forming their
seeds. Attached to each dish was a label afford-
ing information as to the season, habit, &c, of
the variety displayed. The manner of staging
was effective, for interspersed in the group
were vases of Sweet Peas, and arches filled with
the same flowers were arranged down the centre
of the table. The large pods of Quite
Content were conspicuous, and quite the largest
in this extensive display. Other varieties that
were especially noticeable in this display were
Duke of Albany, Duchess of York, Stratagem,
Carter's Exhibition, Alderman, Gladstone,
Dreadnought, New Model, Daisy, and Torpedo.
Several seedlings of merit were also shown, and
selected stocks of standard kinds. (Silver-Gilt
Knightian Medal.)

Two further exhibits of Peas were shown
by Messrs. G. W. King & Co., Coggeshall,
Essex, who showed 80 distinct varieties, all of
which were sown on March 22 of this1 year, and
Mr. William Deal, Brooklands, Kelvedon, Es-
sex. Messrs. King snowed Quite Content, Alder-
man, Centenary, Gradus, Superlative, Glory of
Devon, Stratagem, Prize-Winner, Abundance,
&c. They also exhibited haulms of some varie-
ties in fruit, amongst which was a new variety
named The Jap, carrying a very large number of
fine pods. (Silver Banksian Medal.) Mr. Deal
displayed Duke of Albany, Telephone, Sutton's
Al, Essex Star, Masterpiece, and many other
varieties of proved worth. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth,
showed a collection of Cherries from pot-grown
trees. Of black kinds they had May Duke,
Geante d'Hedelfingen, Turkey Black Heart,
Bigarreau Noir de Guben, Early Rivers (deep
black), Bigarreau Noir de Schmidt (the largest
fruits in the collection), Late Black Bigarreau,
Black Tartarian, and of white kinds White
Bigarreau, Emperor Francis, Guigne Choque,
and Reine Hortense. The whole of the fruits
were of exceptional quality. (Silver-Gilt Knigh.
tian Medal.)

Messrs. Laxton Bros., Bedford, displayed
boxes of Strawberries of the varieties Reliance
and Progress. Both are late-season fruits, the
former is a very fine-flavoured variety raised by
crossing Vicomtesse H. de Thury with a seed-
ling of the St. Joseph, or perpetual fruiting type.
The flesh is firm and of splendid eating quali-
ties Messrs. Laxton also showed a new Rasp-
berry named Prosperity, and fruits of a Japanese
Plum.

A large, yellow- fruited Tomato named Home-
wood Favourite was shown. It much resembles
the variety Golden Jubilee.

Mr. G. Goddard, Norwood Green, Southall,
showed young plants of Black Currant labelled
Monarch. The small bushes were heavily
fruited.

Mr. S. Attrell, North Common, Chailey,
Sussex, exhibited canes of a new variety of
Raspberry named Attrell's Magnum, that were
carrying big clusters of large fruits.

Award of Merit.

Strawberry Fillbasket. — This variety was
awarded this distinction after trial at Wisley.
It is not new, and fruits were exhibited by the
raisers, Messrs. Laxton Bros., Bedford, at York
Gala in 1900. We were unable to find any of
the fruits after the committee had risen. The
following is abridged from the raisers' descrip-
tion : — "Raised from 'Royal Sovereign' and
' Latest of All.' The colour is bright scarlet, ,
similar to Royal Sovereign ; the flesh is white
and firm, with no hollowness in the centre ; in
size of fruit it is between its two parents ; ex-
ternal skin glossy scarlet, and seeds set in shal-
low basins, making it a good traveller, of rich
flavour. The cropping qualities are remarkable.
The habit of the plant is compact and robust,,
leaves thick and leathery, resisting mildew."

/:

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

NATIONAL CARNATION AND

PICOTEE.

July 24. — This society held its annual exhibi-
tion on the ^bove date at the Royal Horticul-
tural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster. The
quality of the blooms was generally excellent,
and the colours distinct and cleats, a " run "
flower being rare.

Dressed Flowers.

In the class for 18 blooms, on cards, bizarres
and flakes, the 1st prize was won by Martin R.
Smith, Esq., Hayes (gr. Mr. C. Blick). The
varieties consisted of Consuelo, Norseman, Fra
Diavolo, Zoedone, Gaylad, Mine Host, Isolde,
Amyas Leigh, Algot, Phaeton, Emigrant,
.Carissima, Abbess, Shamrock, Silver Queen,
Lord Macaulay, and Merry Lass. There were
several weak and disfigured blooms in the 1st
prize exhibit, but all were fairly large ; 2nd,
Mr. R. G. Rudd, Kings Norton, who had fine
blooms of Master Fred, Guardsman, W. Shir-
ving, Mrs. T. Lord, Gordon Lewis, Chas. Hen-
wood, and Merton ; 3rd, Mr. C. Turner, Royal
Nurseries, Slough, with good blooms of (/has.
Henwood, Mrs. T. Lord, G. Herbert, G. Nesbit,
&c.

Eighteen blooms of Self-coloured. Carnations. —
Martin R. Smith, Esq., was again 1st, and this
time easily, with very superior blooms of the fol.
lowing varieties, viz., Daffodil, Ashantee, Snow-
drift, Sir Galahad, John Pope, Much the Mil-
ler, Lady Linlit.igow, W. H. Parton, Bonnie
Dundee, Fleur de Lis, Vesta, and Imogene ;
2nd, Mr. R. G. Rudd, with Daffodil, Chancel-
lor, Mrs. Eric Hambro, Mrs. R. C. Cart-
wright, Bridegroom, Benbow, and Captivation ;
3rd, Mr. C. Turner.

Fancy Varieties. — In the class for 18 Fancy
flowers, in not fewer than 12 varieties, the
1st prize was won by Martin R. Smith, Esq.,
with a very fine, showy lot of large, clear-
coloured blooms. The back row consisted of
The Skipper, Linksman, Sam Weller, Miss H.
Thompson, and Bonnie Buchanan ; Buboshes,
Mohawk, and Mandarin were in the middle
row ; and in the front were Tattycoram, Seneca,
and Rayon d'Or ; 2nd, Mr. R. G. Rudd, with
large blooms, but lacking generally in brilliancy.
The finest examples were those labelled Vol-
taire, Sam Weller, Cavalier, Liberte, Sir
Lancelot, Tohn Sebright, and Le Beau ; 3rd,
Mr. C. Turner.

White-ground Picotees. — The best 18 varie-
ties were shown by Mr. R. G. Rudd,
with perfect blooms that were nearly all
of equal size. These were Cato, Miss
Evelyn Cartwright, Fanny Tett, Amelia,
Little Phil, Mrs. H. Hoskins, Lavinia,
Favourite, Brunette, Mrs. Sharp, Mrs. Bes-
wick, and Mrs. Openshaw ; 2nd, Martin
R. Smith, Esq., whose blooms of Ariadne,
Lavinia, Dolores, White Heather, Favourite,
Lady Macbeth, and Snowdrop, were most meri-
torious; 3rd, Mr. C. Turner,.

Yellow-ground Picotees. — In the class for 18
yellow-ground .Picotees, in not fewer than
12 varieties, the 1st prize was won by
Martin R. Smith, Esq., with an exceptional
lot of blooms. We noticed, as especially good,
Lady Gascoigne (a light-edged bloom), Sunbeam,
Morgan le Fay, John Ruskin, Her Majesty,
Ladybird, Ace of Trumps, Mithra, Leonora,
Orby, and Mrs. W. Heriot ; 2nd, Mr. R. G.
Rudd, with Lucy Glitters, Lauzan, Mrs. W.
Heriot, Calais, Cymbeline, Carlyle (a fine
heavy-edged bloom), Dalkeith, and Cadogan.

Undressed Flowers.

Mr. J. Douglas, Great Bookham, won the
1st prize in the class for 12 varieties of Self-col-
oured Carnations. His flowers included such
fine varieties as Apricot (a cerise pink), St. Peto
(a rich purple), Trojan (white), Cupid (rose-
pinkj. Daffodil, and Miss Willmott (rosy-scar-
let). This last flower was selected as the premier
Self flower in the show, the exhibitor being also
the raiser ; 2nd, Mr. R. G. Rudd, with varieties
different to the foregoing. We noted Hermione,
W. H. Parton, Mrs. Flight, Camilla (a rich
rose-pink), and Capurnia (pinkish-buff colour) ;
Mr. C. Turner and Martin R. Smith, Esq.,
were placed equal 3rd in this class.

Fancy Carnations. — The best blooms of un-
dressed Fancies were shown by Martin R.

Smith, Esq., in whose stand a bloom of
Pacquin took 1st prize for an undressed Car-
nation. In the collection we noted grand
blooms of Rayon d'Or, Hengist, Merlin, Sam
Weller, Charlemagne, Keogh, Merriden, &c. ;
2nd, Mr. J. Douglas, among whose blooms
the more distinct and novel coloured flowers
were Nizam, Buchanan, Galilee, and Tintagel ;
3rd, Mr. R. G. Rudd.

Picotees. — These were required to be shown in
not fewer than 12 varieties ; the 1st prize was won
by Mr. Martin R. Smith, with varieties similar
to those we had noted in the previous competi-
tion, and mostly those which possess wire edges,
Her Majesty being the best of the heavy edges ;
2nd, Mr. R. G. Rudd, with well-chosen varieties
that were rather small.

Twelve distinct varieties, including Selfs,
Fancies, and Yellow Grounds. — The schedule
required these to be shown in 12 vases, three
blooms of each. The winner of the 1st prize
was Martin R. Smith, Esq. ; 2nd, Mr. J.
Douglas ; 3rd, Mr. R. G. Rudd. The method
of showing the blooms in triplets was pleasing,
and the flowers generally were of good quality.

Classes open to exhibitors in either the ist or 2nd
divisions of the schedule. — A class was provided
for a stand of six blooms of any Self Carnation
and in this the 1st prize was won by H. R.
Taylor, Esq., Cheam (gr. Mr. J. Gilbert), his
variety being Mrs. Eric Hambro ; 2nd, Martin
R. Smith, Esq., with the same variety; 3rd,
Mr. R. G. Rudd, with Sir Galahad.

Six blooms, dressed, of any Yellow or Buff
Ground Fancy Carnation. — 1st, Mr. R. G. Rudd
with very fine blooms of W. Pemberton.

Six blooms, dressed, of any Carnation other
than Yellow or Buff Grounds. — All must be of
one variety only. The 1st prize was awarded
Martin R. Smith, Esq., for very beautiful
blooms of The Nizan ; 2nd, Mr. R. G. Rudd,
with Nellie.

Six blooms of any Yellow Ground Picotee.- — 1st,
Messrs. Phillips & Taylor, with Leonora ; 2nd,
Martin R. Smith, Esq., with Lady Fremantle ;
3rd, H. R. Taylor, Esq., with Pilgrim.

There were several exhibits in classes for un-
dresed flowers, but nothing was shown that calls
for comment.

Groups of Carnations. — Two groups were
shown, and Martin R. Smith, Esq., was placed
1st for a semi-circular group, 10 feet in longest
diameter, consisting of only the finer varieties ;
Mr. H. Lakeman, Thornton Heath, Surrey, was
2nd. Mr. Smith took the 1st prize for a
dinner table set out with Picotees. He used a
bowl and six small vases to display his flowers,
and these occupied much of the table space.

The premier heavy-edged white-ground Picotee
John Smith and premier light-edged white-
ground Picotee Fortrose were both shown by
H. R. Taylor, Esq., of Cheam, in his 1st prize
exhibit in a class for 12 white ground flowers.

The premier rose-flaked and premier bizarre
Carnations were shown by H. R. Taylor, Esq.,
in Merton and Robert Lord respectively.

Many of the exhibits from the previous day's
exhibition remained in the Hall, and added
greatly to the display as a whole.

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA HORTICULTURAL.

July" 10. — The annual exhibition of this so-
ciety was held on the foregoing date in the
Palace Hotel, Southend-on-Sea. The show
proved to be highly satisfactory as regards the
quality and number of the exhibits, but, unfor-
tunately, rain fell during the afternon, and this
affected the attendance of visitors.

Roses formed the most attractive feature of
the exhibition, and these were arranged — as also
were Sweet Peas — in one of the large ballrooms.
The Winter Garden was rendered beautiful by
groups of miscellaneous plants.

Roses. — In the class for 48 blooms of distinct
varieties, Messrs. D. Prior & Son, Colchester,
won the 1st prize with a grand display of large,
well-shaped blooms, and they were followed by
Messrs. F. Cant & Co., Colchester. The 1st
prize stand included extra fine blooms of the
varieties Caroline Testout, Captain Hayward,
A. K. Williams, Marie Verdier, Gladys Hark-

ness, Bessie Brown, Magna Charta, Frau Karl
Druschki, Countess of Caledon, Souvenir de
Pierre Notting, and Duke of Edinburgh. The
most prominent blooms in Messrs. F. Cant &
Co.'s stand were those of Aimee Cochet (very
fine) and Niphetos.

In the class for 18 Tea or Noisette blooms the
positions of these two firms were reversed on the
prize-list.

In the class for 12 distinct varieties, Messrs.
Prior & Son beat Messrs. F. Cant & Co. Both
these growers staged fine blooms.

Messrs. Prior & Son also had the best 12
blooms of one variety, in grand blooms of the
variety Liberty. 2nd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co.,
with magnificent blooms of Frau Karl Druschki.
Five exhibits were staged in this class, including
a stand of good blooms of Mme. Wagram, shown
by the Rev. F. R. Burnside, Stambridge
Rectory, Rochford.

Amateur Classes.

In the class for 36 distinct varieties of Roses,
the Rev. J. H. Pemberton, Havering-Atte-
Bower, was the only exhibitor. His flowers
were of excellent quality, and included J. B.
Clark, Lady Ashtown, Alice Lindsell, Mildred
Grant, M. Hoste (a fine yellow), Ulrich Brunner,
white Maman Cochet, and Frau Karl Druschki.
This last-named bloom was awarded the
National Rose Society's Silver Medal as being
the best Hybrid Perpetual Rose in the show.

The Rev. J. H. Pemberton was again to the
front in the class for nine distinct varieties of
Roses, three blooms of each variety, with a
meritorious array of blooms, including the
varieties Frau Karl Druschki, Mrs. VY. J.
Grant, Caroline Testout, Mildred Grant, &c.
2nd, Mr. Wakeley, whose example of White
Maman Cochet was awarded the N.R. Society's
Silver Medal offered for the best Hybrid 'lea
Rose in the show.

Mr. H. Robins had the best 18 blooms of Roses
in distinct varieties ; and the Rev. F. R. Burn-
side was 1st for 12 distinct varieties, and for
eight blooms of Teas or Noisettes in distinct
varieties.

The classes provided for local growers were
well contested, and the blooms staged were
meritorious. The same remark applies to the
ladies' classes for floral decorations.

Mr. W. G. Hatch, nurseryman and florist,
Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, was awarded a
Gold Medal for an effectively arranged group of
miscellaneous plants. Mr. A. Davey, Leigh
Nursery, Leigh-on-Sea, was granted a Silver-Gilt
Medal for a similar but less effective arrange-
ment.

A Silver Medal was awarded Mr. M. Longman
for a display of plants, &c.

Dr. G. F. Jones, J. P., Westcliff-on-Sea, was
granted a Certificate of Merit for a collection
of Cacti.

RAYLEIGH AND DISTRICT
HORTICULTURAL.

July 17. — The seventh annual exhibition of
the above society was held on this date under
most favourable weather conditions. The at-
tendance of visitors was satisfactory, and the
show taken altogether was the best held by the
society. The most successful exhibitors in the
open classes and the classes confined to gentle-
men's gardeners residing within 10 miles of
Rayleigh, were Mr. A. Epps (gr. to Mrs. Miller,
Leigh-on-Sea), who won seven first and
three second prizes ; Mr. S. Taylor, Rayleigh ;
Mr. E. Jackson, Rochford ; and Mr. J. Polly
(gr. to A. Chapman, Esq., Fairview, Ray-
leigh). The most successful exhibitors in the
amateur classes were Mr. W. J. Vickers (hon.
sec), who secured seven prizes, including four
firsts, and Mr. W. A. Voss with five firsts and
four second prizes. In the ladies' classes, Mrs.
Devenish was accorded first prize for a deco-
rated dinner table. Mrs. Taylor had the best
arranged wicker basket of cut flowers, as well as
the most effectively composed bouquet and
lady's spray.

In the class for a group of miscellaneous
plants arranged for effect, Mr. Davey, Leigh-
on-Sea, was awarded the 1st prize, and Mr.
A. Epps the 2nd prize. Mr. Harolt. H.
Brown, Clements Hall, Hawkwell, staged three
stands of Roses, not for competition, but they
were the best Roses in the show.

July 27, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

79

MARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN, July 21.
[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They arc furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several ot the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general a', i i ages tor the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Ed.]

Cut Flowers,

&c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Alstromerias, per

Mignonette, per dz.

dozen bunches

2 0-40

bunches

3 0-40

Eouvardia. per dz.

Myosotis, per doz.

bunches

2 0-30

bunches

16-20

Calla aethiopica, p.

Odonto glossum

dozen

2 0-30

crispuin, per

Carnations, per

dozen blooms

2 0-25

dozen blooms,

Paeonies, per doz.

best American

bunches

4 0-80

various

16-30

Pancratiums, per

— smaller, per

dozen rls.

3 0-40

doz. buncues

9 0-12 0

Pelargoniums,

— Malmaisons, p.

show, per doz.

dozen blooms..

6 0 10-0

bunches

4 0 6 0

Cattleyas, per doz.

— Zonal, double

blooms

10 0-12 0

scarlet

4 0-60

Coreopsis, per doz.

Pinks

10-30

bunches

2 0-30

Poppies, Iceland,

Cornflower, per dz.

Joz. bunches...

4 0-80

bunches

2 0-30

— Oriental

4 0-80

Luchans grandi-

— Shirley

2 0-30

flora, per doz.

Pyrethrums, per

blooms

2 0-30

dozen bunches

2 0-40

Gaillardias, per dz.

Ranunculus, per

bunches

2 0-30

dozen bunches

4 0-60

Gardenias, per doz.

Rhodanthe, per dz.

blooms

2 0-30

bunches

3 0-40

Gladiolus, The

Roses, 12 blooms,

Bride, per doz.

Niphetos

10-30

bum lies

3 0-50

— Bridesmaid ...

•z U- 3 0

— Brenchleyensis

4 o- a o

— C. Testout ...

2 0-30

— various

4 0-90

— General Jacque

Gypsophila elegans

mini it

0 6-10

p. dz. buucnes

2 0-30

— Marechal Ni< l

16-30

Iris, German, per

— Kai serin A.

doz. bunches...

4 0- G 0

Victoria

16-30

— Spanish, p. dz.

— Mrs. J. Laing

1U-30

bunches

4 0-90

— C. Met met

i 0- ;s 0

Lapageria alba, per

— Liberty

2 0-40

dozen

1 0- 1 (j

— Mad. l. h

10-30

Lilium auratum ...

2 0-30

Sapomin.i, per dz.

— candidum, bch.

10-20

bunches

16-20

— lancif oli urn.

Staticc, |'(i di i . ■ :i

3 0-40

rubrum and

Stephauotis, per

album

16-20

dozen tru: ses

3 0-50

— lon^'inorum ...

2 0-30

Stocks, per dozen

Lily of the Valley,

bunchi

3 0-40

p. dz. bunches

6 0-90

Sweet Peas, p, doz.

— extra quality ...

10 0-15 0

bunches

10-30

Marguerites, white,

Sw i el Sultan, per

p. dz. bundles

2 0-30

dozen bunches

3 0-40

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

Tuberoses, per dz.

16-20

blooms

0 4-06

Cut Foliage,

Sic. : Aver

age Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Adiantum cunea-

Galax leaves, per

lum, per dozen

dozen bunches

2 0-26

bunches

4 0-60

Hardy foliage

A sparagus plu-

i various), per

mosus, long

dozen bunches

2 0-60

trails, per doz.

8 0 12 0

[vy-leaves, bronze

2 0-26

— — medium,

— Iohi; trails per

bunch ...

16-20

bundle

16-30

— Sprenyeri

0 6-10

— short green,

Berberis, per doz.

do/, bunches...

2 0-30

bunches

2 0- 2 6

Moss, per gross ...

4 0-50

Croton leaves, bch.

10-16

Myrtle [English),

Cycas leaves, each

16-20

smal 1-U aved,

Fern, English, per

doz. bunches...

4 0-60

dozen bunches

10-20

— French, dozen

— French, dozen

bunches

10-16

bunches

10-30

Smilax, p. dz. trails

16-26

Plants in Pots, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.
s.d. s.d

Ampelopsis Veil-

chii.per dozen 6 0-80
AraliaSieboldi.dz. 4 0-60

— larger 9 0-12 0

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen ... 12 0-30 0
Aspidistras, green,

per dozen ... Is 0-30 0

— variegated, dz. 30 0-42 0
Asparagus pluino-

sus nanus, doz. 9 0-12 0

— Sprengeri, dz. 9 0-12 0

— ten uissi mus

per dozen ... 9 0-12 0
Boronia mega-
stigma, per dz. 12 0-30 0

— helerophylla ... 12 0-24 0
Calceolarias, yellow 4 0-80
Campanulas, p. dz. 6 0- i) 0
Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90

— in flower ... 12 0-18 0
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen 9 0-18 0
Coleus, per dozen 2 0-40
Coreopsis, per doz. 6 0-10 0
Crassulas (Kaloz-

anthes),perdz. 9 0-12 0
Crotons, per dozen 12 0-30 0
Cyperus alternifo- * •

lius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Dracaenas, perdoz. 9 0-24 0

s.d. s.d.
4 0-90

Euonymus, per dz.
Ferns, in thumbs,

pei mi! 7 0-10 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 16 0-25 0

— in 48's, per dz. 4 0-10 0

— in 3^'s, per dz. 10 0-18 0
Ficus elastica.doz. S 0-10 0

— repens, perdoz. 4 0-60
Fuchsias, per doz. 4 0-80
Heliotropiums, per

dozen 3 0-40

Hydrangea Thos.

Hogg, per doz. 12 0-18 0

— Hortensia, per

dozen S 0-12 0

— paniculata, per

dozen 12 0-30 0

Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 12 0-18 0

— Fosteriana, p.

dozen 12 0-21 0

Kochia scoparia,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Lilium 1 o n gi-

florum, perdz. 12 0-24 0

— lancif o lium,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 10 0-12 0

Plants in Pots, &c.

Lobelia, per dozen

Marguerites, white,

per dozen

— yellow

Mignonette, perdz.
Musk, per dozen...
Pelargon i u in s,

I v y-1 ea v e d,
Mde. Crousse
and Galilee, p.
dozen

— Zonals, per dz.

: Average Wholesale Prices (Contd.)

s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d.

5 0-60 Pelargoniums,
show ... ... 6 0-90

4 0-80 Petunias, double,

12 0-18 0 per dozen ... 4 0-80

6 0-90 — single, per dz. 30-60
4 0-50 Rhodanthe, per dz. 4 0- 6 0

Roses, H.P's., dz. 12 0-24 0

— Ramblers, each 5 0-21 0

Selaginella, dozen 4 0- ti 0

Spiraea japonica.dz. 5 0-80

40-60 Verbena, Miss

4 0-60 Wilhnott, doz. 60-90

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices
s.d, s.d.

6 6-7 6

7 0-80

6 0-70
6 0- 7 0

6 6-76

7 0-7 6

... 10 0-11 0

Apples, per box,
Tasmaniati

— LondonPippins 8 6-90

— Scarlet Pear-
mains ...

— Scarlet Nonpa-
reils ...

— Sturmer Pip-
pins

— French Crabs..

— Prince Alfreds

— Alfristons
Australian, box

— Monro's Fav-
orite, per box 7 0-90

— Roman Beauty 7 0-80

— Cleopatras ... 7 0-90

— Jonathans

— New York Pip-
pins

— Five Crowns...

— Rymers
Apricots (French),

per box

— French, cases

— French, \ sieve
Bananas, bunch :

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 Jf ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giants „ ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (English),

£ sieve

— i sieve

rries, >ii
Currants (English),
■

— Bia c"k U.ng-
lish), h sieve ...

— White, p. peck
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

i < -uernsey), p.
dozen

Gooseberries (Eng-
lish), k sieve ... _

Grape Fruit, case 11 6-13 0

Grapes (English),

Hanibro's, p. lb. 0 6-10

— Alicante, perlb. 0 8-10

— Gros Maroc,

per lb. 0 9-13

— English Mus-
cats, per lb. ... 0 9-26

7 0-90
6 6-70
6 0-70

12-14
2 6-36
5 0-66

5 0 —

5 6-60

6 6-76
80 —
5 0-56
0 9-13

3 6-
2 0-
8 0-

2 6-36

4 6-50
2 9-30

26 —

10-40

16-40

0 9-26
2 0-26

7 0-10 0
0 3-04

2 0-90
13-16

2 6-30

s.d. s.d.
Belgian
Jlambro's, per

lb 0 6-09

Lemons :

— Messina, case 10 0-14 0

— N.iples, per

case 18 0-23 0

Lychees, perbox... 10 —
Mangoes, per doz. 6 0-12 0
Melous( Guernsey),

each

— French, Rock,
each

— Valencia, per
case

— Canteioupe,
each

Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz.

— French, p. box
Nuts, Cobnuts, per

doz. lb

— Almonds, bags 54 6

— Brazils, new,

Sercwt. ... 40 0-42 6

arcelona. bag 32 6 —

— Cocoa nuts. 100 12 0-17 0
Oranges, per case :

— Valencia ... 18 0-30 0

— Navels ... 10 0-10 6

— Murcias, box 10 0-14 0
Peaches (English),

per dozen
fists ...
I2nds...

— French, p. box
Pears (Australian),

per bundle of 3
box i
Plums ^French), p.

0 10- 1 0

— French, J sieve 4 9-56

— Italian, basket 2 0-23
Gages (French),

per box

— Italian, basket

— French, A sieve

Pineapples, each...

Raspberries (Eng-
lish), handle
basket ...

— English, p. dz.
punnets

Strawberries (Eng-
lish), per peck 19-30

— per lb 0 3-09

10-90
6 0-80
10-30

10-16

10 0-20 0

13-16
10 1 0
6 0-90
2 0-36

13-16

2 6-40

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Artichokes(French)

per dozen
Aubergines( French)

perdoz.

— Beans(French),
per pad

— Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel

— Jersev. per lb.

— French, packet 0 3-04
■ — Home -grown,

per lb

Beetroot, bushel ...
Cabbages, per doz.
Cabbage Gi

bag

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches
Cauliflowers, p. dz.
Chow Chow (Sec-

hium edule), p.

dozen

Cucumbers, per

dozen

Endive, per dozen
Horseradish, for-
eign, dz.bndls.
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score 0 4-06
Marrows (English),

per dozen ... 3 0-60
Mint, doz. bunches 0 9-10

s.d. s.d.

2 0-26
'-2 0 —

5 0-80

3 0
0 6-

0 6 —

13 16
0 9-10

10-16
2 0 —

10-16
2 0-26

3 0 —

16-26
13-16

13 0-14 0
16 —

Mushrooms(house)
perlb

— buttons, per lb.

— "Broilers"p.lb.
Mustard and Cress,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Lisbon),

case

— pickling, per
bushel

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches

ptian, bag. 8 0-86
Peas (English), per
bushel

— English, p. bag
Parsley, 12 bunches

— h bushel
Potatos (Canary),

per cwt.
Radishes (Guern-

sej >, per dozen
Salsal'v.p.dz.bdls.
Spinaci i, i

per bushel ...
Tomatos: —

— selected, per
dozen lbs. ...

— small selected,
per dozen lbs. 2 6-29

Turnips (English),

doz. bunches... 2 0-30
Watercress, per

doz. bunches... 0 4-06

0 S-0 10
0 10 —
0 5-06

10-16

6 0-70
2 0-26
16 2 0

16-26
3 0-50
16-20
10-16

8 0-90

0 4-06
3 6-

0 9-10

3 0-33

Remarks.— Cherries are now arriving from Kent in large
quantities, but these fruits have been considerably damaged
by the recent storms. A consignment of Trinidad or claret-
coloured Bananas was received by Mr. H. Rides, of the
Central Avenue, during the past week ; they were of
fine quality and in good condition. English Peaches
are plentiful and their prices are very low. Home-grown
Tomatos are also cheaper. Strawberries can still be obtained,
but the consignments are small. P. L.. Covcnt Garden
Market, July 24, 1907.

Potatos,

Rents, 4s. 6d. to 6s. ; Bedfords, 4s. to 5s. ; Lincoms, 4s. to
5s. ; Blacklands, 3s. 9d. to 4s. 3d. The rain which fell on Sun-
day and Monday has caused the consignments to be small.
The demand for tubers is good, but prices have a slight
downward tendency. /. D. C, Covcnt Garden, July 24, 1907,

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

The supplementary stands in the Jubilee market are now
removed, and there are many emptv stands in the new por-
tion of the ordinary Flower market, yet some yrov, <
have large supplies of useful plants. Fuchsias are still very
good and supplies are likely to continue. Crassula coc-
cinea has been very fine this season, the plants being dwarf
and well flowered. The hybrid varieties which come into
flower earlier than the species are now almost finish, d for
the season. Dorothy Perkins and Lady Gay Roses are held
by some to be almost identical, but the latter variety
seen at its best, is of the more deeper and more pleasing
shade of colour. A few fairly good plants of Rose Hia-
watha have been seen. Plants that are not quickly sold
drop their petals, but the Flower market is one of the
places for retaining flowering plants in a good con-
dition, and the cause may not altogether be due to the
vaT,ie7' .-Zonal, show and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums are
still plentiful; also Marguerites in both white and yellow-
flowered varieties. Other plants seen include Coreopsis
Chrysanthemum segetum, Verbena Miss Willmott, and
Mignonette. Lobelia appears to be finished for the season
except the double-flowering variety, which is now better
than ever.

Cut Flowers.
Hardy flowers are now a great feature; these include
Poppies, Alstromerias, Coreopsis, Corn flowers (Centaurea
cyanus) in several shades of colours, Altheas in white and
crimson, and Dink and white Saponaria. Asters are already
arriving, chiefly from France, Sweet Peas are much over-
done, and very many are left unsold. Roses vary, those of
best quality sell fairly well. The blooms from the open
show traces of damage caused by the bad weather. Carna-
tions are still abundant. The yellow-flowered Sweet Sultan
is good, except those flowers which have been cut when in
a wet condition. All flowers of this class travel much better
it the flowers are quite dry when cut and packed. Sprayers
have come largely into use and many persons use them too
freely on their flowers for transit. Liliums are not too
plentiful. Lily of the Valley is still sufficiently abundant
to meet all demands. Stale flowers deteriorate very
quickly in vases, &c., and the buyers are then disappointed,
and do not purchase cut flowers again unless on
special occasion. — A. H., '
July 24, 1907. ^___

Covcnt Garden.

some
Wednesday,

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
ending J uly 20. is furnished from the Meteoro-
logical Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather was very fine, especially in the western dis-
tricts where the amount of bright sunshine was much
greater than in the east, and the atmosphere was con-
sequently warmer. Thunder and lightning occurred in
several parts of Ireland on Thursday, Friday and Saturday ■
on the last mentioned day it extended also to Wales and tfij
West of England. Lightning was seen at Epsom on the
evenings of tin- LBth and 18th.

The temperature was above the average generally, the
excess amounting to 7° in Ireland S., and to nearly 8° in
Scotland \\ 1 1; England N.E., however, the excess was
" 5J w^ile in England S. there was a deficit of 01°,
and in England E. of 1-8". The highest readings were
mostly registered on Tuesday in Scotland, and later at the
majority of stations in England and Ireland. In Scotland N.
(at Lairg) the thermometer rose to 86", and in Scotland W.
and Ireland S. (at Killarney on Thursdav) to 83°, while else-
where the maxima varied from 84° in Scotland E. to 76" in
Scotland N.E. During the later days of the week, the
maxima were below 60" at some stations in the east and
north-east coasts of Britain. The lowest of the minima,
which occurred, as a rule, rather late in the week, ranged
from 40° in Scotland N. and England E. to 48° in Engllnd
N/rt . and the English Channel, and to 51° in Ireland.

The mean temperature of the sea. The water was much
warmer than during the preceding week, the increase ot
temperature amounting to more than 4° in some places.
I he actual values for the week ranged from 61-7° at East-
bourne, 61 T° at Margate and Seafield, and about 60° on the
north-west coast of Ireland and at Newquay, to 51-3' at
Lerwick and to 50-8" at Wick.

The rainfall was below the average very generally. Over
a i^ge Part Great B"tain the week was rainless.

The bright sunshine exceeded the average in all districts,
the percentage of the possible duration ranging from 73° in
the English Channel, 67* in England S.W., 58° in England S.,
and p7° in England N.W. to 43° in Scotland E., and to 39* in
England N.E.

* THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending July 24.
too wettest consecutive days for eight months.— The
first three days of the week were warm, but since then the
day temperatures have been cool for the time of year. The
nights have been, as a rule, of about seasonable warmth.
On the warmest day the temperature in the thermometer
screen rose to 77°, which, although only about 6° higher
than the average for the middle of July, is the highest
reading as yet recorded here during the present summer.
The ground has been warmer than at any previous time this
month, but is still 1" colder at 2 feet deep, and 2° colder at
1 foot deep, than is seasonable. After 10 dry days there
came two wet ones, indeed, taking them together more rain
fell than in any two consecutive days during the previous
eight months and yet the aggregate fall amounted to only
1J inch. This heavy fall, which was deposited almost
entirely during thunderstorms, restarted even the percola-
tion gauge on which short grass is growing, through which
no rainwater at all had come for over a month. The
sun shone on an average for 4| hours a dav, which is
more than 1J hour a day short of the July average.
On two days no sunshine at all was recorded. The
weather has now been calm, or with very light airs, for a
fortnight, the direction of the air currents being mostly some
point of the compass between north and east. The
amount of moisture in the air at 3 p.m. exceeded a seasonable
quantity for that hour by as much as 10 per cent.

Correction. In my previous report I said that the highest
temperature of the week, 76°, was the warmest as vet
recorded here this year, but I find that in the middle i I
I registered 78°. E. M., Bcrkhairisted,July 24, 1907.

so

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[July 27, 1907.

rrtaporuknUM

* * 2m owf n«« t!s«c we hope to publish the repot ts
kindly furnished by our correspondents on the condition
of the hardy fruit crops.

Apple Leaves : W. E. M. The leaves are not
affected with any disease, but the tissue has
been injured by chills when moisture was pre.
sent on the surface.

Books: G. W. S. The Fruit Grower's Year Book
can be obtained from our publishing depart-
ment, price Is. 3d. free by post. — Correspondent.
Rock and Alpine Gardening may be obtained from
our publishing department, price 3s. 6d. post
free. Owing to a printer's error the price was
described as 8s. 6d. on p. 45 of the last issue.

Clematis Dying : G. H., Windermere. The ma-
terial you send is insufficient for correct de-
termination of the cause of the complaint.

Cucumbers diseased: D.D. The foliage you
send is affected with the " spot " disease, caused
by a fungus Cercospora melonis. This is
generally the result of growing the plants in a too
moist atmosphere, using too much manure, and
not providing sufficient ventilation. Spray every
portion of earth in the house with Bordeaux
mixture once a week from the first, even when
there is no evidence of the disease. With
persistent attention the disease can be stamped
out ; or, better, it can be prevented from appear-
ing by spraying with sulphide of potassium,
2 ounces in 3 gallons of water in which 2 ounces
of soft soap is dissolved. Infection can only
take place on the under-surface of the leaf,
hence this portion should be thoroughly wetted
with the fungicide. Syringe with this solution
e\ery alternate day.

Figs Unhealthy : Elap. We have failed to
discover any disease on your specimens ; the
unhealthy appearance is the result of some
cultural defect.

Crapes Diseased: T. C, W. M. The berries
are affected with the spot disease. See reply
in our last issue to F. G. B., p. 60.

List of Popular Herbaceous Plants, &c. :
G. E. You should have furnished us with some
particulars of the position, area, &c. The
perennials could be planted any time after
August, or, by obtaining pot grown plants, the
planting could be done at once. We do not
advise the latter method for your purpose, how-
ever, and by waiting till September next — it is,
of course, too late to expect any display this
year whatever is done — larger plants would be
available, and these would give a good display of
flowers next year. Perennial herbaceous plants :
Coreopsis grandiflora, Gaillardia grandiflora.
Erigeron speciosus superbus. Campanula
persicifolia var Moerheimii, C. p. alba
coronata, C. p. " Newry Giant," C. p. grandi-
flora, C. van Houttei, C. nobilis. Trollius
"Orange Globe," T. asiaticus. T. napelli-
folius, Iris Mrs. Chas Darwin, I. LTnnocence.
I. Mme. Chereau, I. aurea, I. pallida, I. Dr.
Bernice, I. gigantea. Aster acris, A. Amellns,
A. ericoides, A. laevigatus, A. densus, A.
arcturus, A. cordifolius. Pyrethrum roseum
Hamlet, P. r. Mrs. Bateman Brown, P. r. Carl
Vogt, P. r. J. N. Twerdy, P. r. Pericles, P. r.
Ne Plus Ultra. Achillea alpina, A. ptarmica fl.
pi. and the variety The Pearl, Lathyrus lati-
folius. Montbretias, Chelone barbatus Torreyi,
Delphiniums in variety, herbaceous Phloxes,
including the varieties Mrs. E. H. Jenkins,
EtnaandWm Robinson. Helianthus multiflorus.
Dianthus barbatus magnificus. Pinks of several
sorts, &c. If to the above you add the follow-
ing bulbous rooted plants, the season of flower-
ing would be greatly prolonged. Not all, how-
ever, of these should be planted in Septem-
ber, Galtonia candicans, Spanish Irises in
variety, Lilium tigrinum, L. croceum, L. can-
didum, Narcissus Emperor, N. Sir Watkin,
N. princeps, N. Barrii-conspicua, N. poeticus
ornatus, N. Empress. Of these bulbous plants
you should purchase six or a dozen of each to
form a group ; plant the bulbs 4 inches deep.

Of the Spanish Irises, a hundred may be pur-
chased for a small sum. The annuals should
include Mignonette, Godetia, 'Cornflowers (Cen-
taurea cyanus), Candytuft, Sweet Sultan
(Centaurea), Stocks, Marigold, 'Sweet Peas,
Chrysanthemum, Salpiglossis, Nasturtium,
Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella), Nemophila, &c. Sow-
ings of these should be made from March to
May. The Sweet Peas and the Cornflowers
marked thus * should be sown in February, or
Sweet Peas could be sown in autumn.

Melon Roots Killed : G. B. We suspect the
injury has been caused by either wire worms
or some insect pest that was introduced with
the freshly-cut turves. Soil obtained from a
pasture and intended for the cultivation of
Melons and other plants in a glasshouse
should be stacked for a period before being
used.

Names of Fruits : T. M. The Gooseberries are
badly grown fruits, and owing to their small size
we cannot name them with any degree of cer-
tainty. They resemble the variety Lancashire
Lad.— A. B. H. Peach Dymond.

Names of Plants : H. G. H. 1, Cupressus
Lawsoniana ; 2, C. pisifera var. plumosa ;

3, Streptosolen Jamesoni; 4, Juniperus chi-
nensis var. aurea. — F. C. We do not under-
take to name varieties of Carnations or
other florists' flowers. — Avonhuist. We do
not undertake the naming of Roses. The
shrub is Lycium Chinense, the Tea Plant. —
T. \V. C. 1, Dictamuns fraxinella ; 2, Lychnis
viscaria flore pleno ; 3, Sedum Sieboldii ; 4,
Bambusa Fortunei variegata. — IF. Coryanthes
speciosa. — Mill Hill. Lapeyrousia cruenta, more
commonly known as Anomatheca cruenta. The
spots on the Begonia foliage are caused probably
by condensed moisture settling on the plants at
night. — P. H. 1, Masdevallia demissa ; 2,
Babiana sambucina ; 3, Stelis ophioglossoides ;

4, Epidendrum ochraceum ; 5, Seraphyta
multiflora. — Don. Agrostemma coronana. —
L H. 1, Fuchsia procumbans ; 2, Verbascum
Thapsus ; 3, Campanula rotundifolia alba; 4,
Lapsana communis ; 5, Phalaris canariensis. —
J.W.W. 1, Robinia hispida; Erigeron phila-
delphicus.

Nectarines : C. D. The markings on the foliage
are not due to fungus, but to a deposit of lime
from the water with which they have been
syringed. The cracking in the fruits is the
result of some irregularity in watering the
border, or to some defect in the drainage of
the latter.— Elap. The splitting of the fruits is
caused by the presence of too much moisture at
the roots.

P.eonies Diseased : E. B. Your plants are
affected with the drooping disease caused by
a fungus Sclerotinia paeoniae. Cut off the
drooping stems and burn them. Early next
spring remove the upper 2 inches of soil
over the roots and afford fresh soil that has
some quicklime mixed with it.

Peach Leaves Injured : G. H. B. The mark-
ings on the foliage are caused by the shot-hole
fungus — Cercospora circumscissa. Spray the
trees with an ammoniacal solution of copper
carbonate at intervals.

Peaches Rotting : Correspondent. The fruits on
reaching us were a mass of pulp, and it was
quite impossible to determine the nature of the
trouble. The foliage received shows no trace of
fungus disease.

Pear Leaves Injured : Leven. The injury has
been caused by the Pear-leaf blister mite.
Spray the trees thoroughly with paraffin emul-
sion prepared by boiling together equal pro-
portions of paraffin and soft soap. This should
be thoroughly mixed with 25 times its bulk
in water. Apply the spray in the autumn and
again in the following spring, when the leaves
are expanding.

Plants for Supplying Cut Flowers : T. H. S.
The following is a selection from the list given
in our issue for February 10, 1906, p. 96: —
Roses, Carnations and Pinks, Campanulas,
herbaceous Phloxes, Michaelmas Daisies,
Sweet Peas, and Pyrethrum roseum. We may
also include Dahlias and any of the Sun-
flowers, especially Helianthus multiflorus.

Any of the varieties mentioned in our previous
reply will be found excellent garden plants.
The Chrysanthemums enumerated are varieties
of the hardy C. maximum and not the Japa-
nese winter-flowering type. Mrs. Head is cor-
rect.

Plants Observed at Kew : Amateur. The Petu-
nias noticed in the beds near to the main walk
leading from Kew Green are the varieties Superb-
issima and Inimitable, the former having
varied and spotted flowers, and the latter
striped flowers. The Poppies growing in a
bed near to the temperate house are varieties of
Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy). The
variety paeoniaeflorum has double flowers. The
Convolvulus near to the entrance to the grounds
attached to the Queen's Cottage is C. sylvaticus,
also known as Calystegia sylvatica. There is a
form with pink flowers named incarnata.

Public Parks Employment : A "Reader. Your
better plan will be to write to the superinten-
dent of any of the parks you may prefer to
work in, asking for a form of application. Al-
most all parks are provided with glass struc-
tures ; some have very extensive and up-to-
date plant houses and frames.

Rhododendrons Diseased: A. IV. The galls
on the leaves are formed by a fungus — Exoba-
sidium rhododendri. The spores of the fun-
gus are not yet matured on your plants, so
that if all the diseased leaves are collected
and burnt the disease will not spread.

Roses Diseased : D. Bros. The foliage is at-
tacked by the orange rust fungus Phrag-
midium subcorticatum. Spraying with diluted
Bordeaux mixture or ammoniated carbonate of
copper solution at intervals during summer
will check the spread of the disease. Burn
all the diseased leaves now and all fallen
ones in *he autumn.

Strawberries Injured: A. B. Bosworth. The
insect attacking your Strawberries is one of the
millipedes, "the spotted snake millipede"
(Blanjulus guttulatus). These generally feed
on the roots of plants, but they are also fond of
Strawberries. Straw or lawn mowings placed
about the plants provides them with a conveni-
ent shelter. They may often be attracted from
the roots of other plants by burying slices of
Turnips, &c, but millipedes are especially
fond of Strawberries and it is difficult to
suggest what to do under the circumstances.
Raising the fruits from the ground by means of
wire or other supports would largely prevent
this and other insect pests from attacking
them, but it would be expensive and trouble-
some in the case of large beds. Perhaps the best
thing to do would be to go over the beds and
gather all the fruit that was infested and burn it.
As soon as the fruits are all gathered collect and
burn any infested fruits, rubbish, dead leaves,
&c, on the beds.

Urine : /. D. S. Human urine contains a large
proportion of ammonia, and is more than
twice as rich in plant-food as pigs urine, one-
third richer than cow's urine, but not so rich
in this nitrogenous food as horse or sheep
urine. It also contains some phosphates.
The best plan for utilising this liquid is to
put it into a tank or tub with all the house-
hold slops (suds but not grease), or with twice
its bulk of common water. Allow it to stand
for three or four days to ferment, then apply
it during wet weather to Cabbages, Lettuce,
Celery, Ferns, shrubs and fruit trees. It is
not adapted for flowering plants, as it favours
the development of foliage at the expense of
flowers, which is the case with all manures
that are strong in ammonia.

Warts on Vine Leaves : G. H. B. The warty
excrescences are due to a too luxuriant growth
in the cellular tissue, brought about by an
excessively moist and close atmosphere in the
vinery. Ventilate more freely, and place less
moisture about the house.

Communications Received.— E. H. J.— J. G. W.— Sir J.
T D. LL— Lord Avebury— A. D.— Lord B.— Lady Plow-
den-W. L.-W. H. C.-T. H.-S. T. W.-Sir W. V.-
G. T. G., Paris-W. A. C.-Sir W. C.-S. and S.-T. R.
and Sons-J. E. M.-G. F. R.-O. B.-L. S.-W. E.-J. C.
—I. VV. P.— Mrs. M.— J. I. M.— Hargrave— W. G.-G. W.
_]; T.-Glasnevin-F.O.-J. J. F.-J. M.-WT.-W G.
A E -J. M. W.— W. H.-H. C— R. T. H.— W. E. G.—
SA-J. L.-E. A.-W. M.-A. P.-J. C.-F. M.-East
Sussex-C. B.-W. S.-R. N.-T. S.-H. W. W.

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

81

THE

(!5arbcncrs'CbronicIc

No. 1,075— SATURDAY, August 3, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Eooks, notices of —

Flowers and Trees of
Palestine

Nos Arbres

Quarterly Journal of
Forestry

Rock & Water Gar-
dens

Publications received
Campanula punctata ...
C hanties, garden, an

aid to

Colonial note —

Watsonia Ardernei ...
■Country garden, the ...
Cuckoo reared in a hang-
ing flower-basket
Currant, the white

Cytisus albus

Fruit crops, reports on

the condition of the
■Gardener, a veteran ...
■German Nurse _y men's

Association

Half-hardy plants, a

suitable house for ...
Hooker, Sir Joseph
Horticulture at Reading

Kew notes

Law note —

Claim for damage
caused by creosote

fumes

Market gardening —

Crops in the Worthing
district
Melon trials at Wisley ...
Nursery notes —

Cannell & Sons, H.,
Swanley

93
81

97
93
91

84-90
92

96

for

94 I

Obituary —

Ward, George

Summermeyer, G. ...
Plants, new or note-
worthy—

Felicia petiolata

Polemonium confer -
turn melitum

Potato mutation

Rome, the garden at the

Villa d' Este, near ...
Rosary, the —

Cultural notes

August

Societies —

British Gardeners'
Association

Cardiff and County
Hort

Crawley Gardeners*...

Debating

Horticultural Club ...

Royal Horticultural...

(ScientincCoiiiim: I*
Summer - pruning of

fruit tree s

Trees and shrubs —

Choice shrubs at Leo-
nardslee gardens ...

Olearia nitida

Viola trials at Glasgow-
Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ...

Fruits under glass „

Hardy fruit garden ...

Kitchen garden, the ...

Orchid houses, the ...

Parks and gardens ...

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ILLUSTRATIONS.

Campanula punctata

Currants, White Dutch

Felicia (Agathsea) petiolata

Olearia nitida, a plant of, 94 ; flowering spray of

Rose Hugo Roller

View in the Garden attached to the Villa d'Este, Rome
(Supplementary Illustration)

THE COUNTRY GARDEN.

CONTINUING the subject of the wild garden
as a desirable and decorative feature in
the garden proper, I would remind my
Teaders that the seeds of some of the best indi-
genous plants are obtainable from certain seeds-
men. It should go far to facilitate their cultiva-
tion, for there is no method so conducive to
beautiful effect as growing from seed, as it en-
sures, or should ensure, an ample supply of
plants for the making of a broad effect.

Where the wild garden is large enough, it
adds greatly to its interest, and that is much
the same as saying, its beauty, to include a por-
tion of wild rock-garden. It may well take the
form of a sunny, sloping bank at one of its
boundary limits ; and a really effective and
long-sustained display can be achieved by our
native wildings alone. A broad stretch of Toad
Flax makes a charming patch of clear yellow —
it is one of the most decorative plants to use
for a summer display. For the same season
Campanula latifolia is an equally suitable sub-
ject ; and besides this species may be included
C. Trachelium, C. hederacea, and our wayside
C. rotundifolia. There is almost as much
daintiness and grace in the yellow-flowered and
white^flowered Galium verum (Lady's Bed
Straw) as there is in the popular garden Gyp-
sophila ; they grow in wide-spreading masses,
and before the flowers appear the foliage has
long .been attractive with its gracefulness. Fox-
gloves and Mulleins are distinct and character-
istic upstanding plants — upstanding, yet need-
ing no artificial support, and that fact adds
much to their charm. I have no hesitation in
recommending these tall subjects for the wild
rock garden, because a fair proportion of tall

plants adds much beauty. Another good sub-
ject is the yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vul-
garis). It flowers in July, and will succeed with
far less moisture than is generally known. So,
for that matter, will the Purple Loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria), but these plants succeed
better on the level or in a slightly dug-out posi-
tion than where the drainage is sharper. In the
case of the Purple Loosestrife, however, it is
worth while to forego the wild species for the
more brilliant variety L. s. superbum.

\\ ild plants of annual habit prolong the sum-
mer display, the Corn Marigold (Chrysanthe-
mum segetum), and the blue Cornflower (Cen-
tauria Cyanus), and even Red Weed or Poppy
(Papaver Rheas) are not to be wholly de-
spised. A charming evergreen plant of shrubby
growth is the yellow Rock Rose (Helian-
themum vulgare). It cannot have too sunny
a position, and during its flowering season
it forms a grand patch of colour. Ling
(Calluna vulgaris) and Heather should be
planted largely enough to form a conspicuous
patch when in flower, and certainly ample
space may be left for the Welsh Poppy (Meco-
nopsis cambrica) and the Mountain Avens
(Dryas octopetala). The Welsh Poppy flowers
well when exposed to a minimum of sunshine,
and under fairly dense shade. I look upon it as
one of the invaluable plants for a shaded posi-
tion, especially if planted in a site with a north
aspect. Among the more characteristic plants
suitable for carpeting a rockery may be men-
tioned Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. hypnoides, S.
granulata, S. umbrosa, and S. aizoides ; Sedums
of such species as S. anglicum, S. reflexum, S.
acre, S. album, S. Telephium, and the charming
old-fashioned native Sempervivums ; to these
may be added the Thrifts (Armeria), Thymes,
Sandworts (Arenaria), and the varieties of bril-
liantly-coloured wild Dianthuses.

There is, however, no need to give an ex-
haustive list, but I may add that a touch of
blue colouring, especially in summer time, is
attractive, and, perhaps, is best achieved in
Echium vulgare, Succory (Cichorium Intybus),
and Veronica spicata. Both Echium vulgare
and the Succory are best grown in poor soil ; in-
deed, the former will flourish in gravel, and, as
to Veronica spicata, it is one of the showiest
of rock-loving plants. Besides these there is
the annual Cornflower already mentioned.

Other nati.e plants often found in gardens,
and that are really pleasing, are Valerian, Tansy
(Tanacetum vulgare), and Cranesbill (Gera-
nium). So much for the wild rock garden, and
I cannot help thinking that even a small portion
uninvaded by plants of alien birth has a pecu-
liar interest if well and effectively planted.
Some of our native plants improve wonderfully
under garden cultivation, and when this is the
case, it is highly interesting to grow such plants
from seeds, and to watch the results.

I have not yet touched on the subject of in-
troducing alien plants into portions of the wild
garden other than the rockwork portion. It is
a subject that needs the most careful considera-
tion. The inclusion of plants that seem to
have bed or border stamped upon them, that is
to say, have nothing in common with the wild-
ings with which they are to be associated, is
hopelessly to mar the general effect. But there
are numbers of plants that can be introduced
in the wild garden with no sense of incongruity.
Among these I would mention the handsome
Heracleum giganteum, almost an}' varieties of
Solidago (Golden Rod), Linaria dalmatica, and
any of the other Linarias, the Polemoniums ;
such of the Geraniums as G. ibericum, G. Gre-
villeanum, &c, many of the Spiraeas, and the
herbaceous Veronicas. I have always found it a
good test of suitability for a plant to possess some
allied species in our native flora. Thus it appears

to me, that such a plant as Anthemis tinctoria
is perfectly in keeping in the wild garden, but
a Helianthus would appear out of place, and
so would a Gladiolus. The main thing in plant-
ing a wild garden, so far as the introduction
of alien plants is concerned, is to satisfy one's
sense of the fitness of the subject for its sur-
roundings. Practical Gardener.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

FELICIA (AGATH.EA) PETIOLATA.

This species is a new introduction to cultiva-
tion. It was first described by Harvey in his
Thesaurus Capensis, vol. ii., p. 35, t. 154, as
Aster petiolatus, and under this name is in-
cluded in Harvey and Sonder's Flora Capinsis,
vol. iii., p. 80. The material on which Harvey
founded the species was collected by Mr.
Thomas Cooper in Basutoland and the District
of Albert in 1861, since which time it appears
to have altogether escaped notice until M.
Dieterlin recently sent a specimen from Basuto-
land to the Montpellier Botanic Garden. The
plant has pendulous or procumbent slender
pubescent steins 1-2 feet long, or sometimes
longer, which, as described by Mr. Cooper, hang
in festoons over the edges of precipices. The
shortly-stalked, ovate, pubescent leaves are J-l
inch long, acute, and two or three-toothed on each
.side. The plant is free-flowering, and the heads
are J-l inch across, solitary on slender peduncles
about 2 inches long ; the ray-florets are of rosy-
purple colour, and the disc florets yellow. Folio ly-
ing Bentham and Hooker's Genera Plantarum, the
plant should be regarded as a Felicia, depend-
ing chiefly on the characteristic feature of this
genus, namely, a one-seriate pappus, while in
Aster the pappus is two or three-seriate. From
the well-known Agathsea ccelestis (or amelloides)
it is easily distinguished, among other characters
by its procumbent or pendulous stems and its
alternate, toothed leaves.

The illustration at fig. 34 has been pre-
pared from fresh material kindly sent us
by M. F. Denis, Balarac les Bains, Herault,
France, who writes as follows: — "The Mont-
pellier Botanical Institute in 1903 received
some dried plants from Basutoland from M.
Dieterlin. M. Daveau, Curator of the Botanic
Garden here, who examined these, noticed an
interesting composite, which bore only its native
name of Ketolica es Rhaba. He provisionally
identified it with Agathsea (Aster) petiolata
(Harvey and Sonder).

" The specimen bore several ripe seeds, which
were sown in 1904. One of the seedlings which
sprang up was put in a composite border, and
another in a small rockery exposed to full sun-
shine and quite unsheltered. The first plant
was killed by frost early in the winter, the
second lived for three winters with no protec-
tion, and is in excellent condition, although on
several occasions the temperature of the at-
mosphere fell below 10°C. I have three plants
raised from cuttings given to me by M. Daveau,
which survived last winter perfectly. The plant
may therefore be considered to be hardy in the
climate of Montpellier, and so, probably, in
England also.

" The plant has a creeping habit, and rapidly
spreads its long flagelliform branches, which root
freely. It is very floriferous, and its pretty mauve
flowers are rather smaller than those of Agathsea
amelloides, and are open the greater part of the
year. The plant requires no special kind of
soil, and it can be easily increased fiorn cut-
tings or seed. If any readers of the Gara
Chronicle wish to cultivate the plant, I have some
seeds which were gathered this year in our
Botanic Garden at Montpellier.''

82

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey,
Newly-imported plants of Cypripediums, in-
cluding C. niveum, C. concolor, C. bellatulum,
C. Godefroyae, and its variety leucochilum, in-
variably thrive and flower well for several years
after their introduction if left undisturbed, but
when it becomes necessary to repot them, or to
disturb them at their roots in any way, they do
not as a rule appreciate the operation. There-
fore, unless a shift is absolutely needful, it is
better not to repot them, but rather to pick out
a portion of the decayed material, and to refill
the spaces with fresh compost. Plants that must,
from various causes, be repotted, should now
receive attention, and those which are well
rooted will require exceptional care, because
the roots, being of a very brittle nature, fre-
quently snap off by the merest touch. The pot
in which the plant is growing should be gently
broken round, and the pieces of crock that
formed the drainage material carefully removed.
Some roots may adhere to these potsherds, and
they should be detached with the thin blade of
a penknife, but should there be the least fear
of breaking a root, it is better to leave it adher-
ing to the crock rather than to break it in at-
tempting to remove it. If the drainage be per-
meated with roots, do not interfere with it, but
place the whole mass into a larger pot or pan,
whichever may be preferred, and fill up to the
level of the old drainage with fresh crocks and
pieces of bruken bricks. I have grown these
plants in several kinds of compost, and have
succeeded best with the following mixture: —
Two-thirds fibrous loam, one-sixth coarse leaf-
soil, and one-sixth small brick-rubbish. In re-
potting, keep the base of the leaves on a level
with the rim of the pot, make the drainage
secure with the roughest of the compost, and
press the latter down firmly around the base of
the plant, leaving sufficient space for watering.
These species thrive best when suspended from
the roof of the Cattleya house. C. niveum and
C. concolor require a plentiful supply of water
the whole year round. Instead of watering
them in the usual manner with a can, dip them
in a pail of water half-way up to the rims of
the pots. A watering in this manner about
once a week will be generally sufficient. The
other species mentioned do not require so much
water at their roots as is needed by these two
species.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
Vineries.— The fruits of Black Hamburg and
Madresfield Court Grapes are now rapidly col-
ouring, and the vinery should, therefore, be kept
cool by opening both the top and the bottom
ventilators to their fullest extent during the day
time, and allowing the top ventilators to remain
open for a space of 6 or 8 inches and the bottom
ones a trifle only during the night time. Allow
a little heat to circulate in the pipes at night
time, and also on wet, cold days, for this will
ensure a circulation of fresh, dry air that is
essential to the best colouring of Grapes. On
bright, sunny days it is advisable to shade the
bunches unless they are well protected by the
foliage. A suitable shading material is one com-
posed of 2 lb. of whiting mixed in a pail of
water. Syringe this substance on to the glass
of the roof in the morning as soon as the mois-
ture has evaporated from the glass. The fruit
of the varieties Black Hamburg and Madresfield
Court finish best under cool conditions. When
the temperature in the vinery reaches 100° or
more, and the direct rays of the sun shine on the
bunches, the berries of any variety of Grape
will surely be disfigured. Test the borders with
the soil tester, and if the soil is found to be dry
afford a surface watering, and afterwards apply
a mulching, unless the border is already covered
with litter. This should afford sufficient water
at the roots until the end of the season. Guard
against attacks of red spider on the foliage, and
see that wasps and flies do not damage the
ripened berries.

Pot vines intended for fruiting again next year,
should have well-ripened shoots by the begin-
ning of August. The canes should be fully ex-
posed to the sunshine and be allowed a free cir-

culation of air about them. If they continue to
grow freely when they should be ripening their
shoots, remove them to the open and tie their
shoots to a trellis. Do not expose them to cold
winds, for these would cripple the ioliaae.

swell ; and whether planted in pots, or in con.
fined borders, the roots must be well supplied
with moisture, and be fed with manure water
once a week. A handful of fine grade vine
manure, well mixed in three gallons. o£ water,

Fig. 34. — Felicia (agath^ea) petiolata : colour of ray florets rosy-purple;
disc florets, yellow. (For text see page 81.)

Apply water very carefully, and give a little
weak manure water occasionally, for this
stimulant will help them to mature their buds.

Figs. — As soon as the first crop of these fruits
is gathered, the second crop will commence to

will be beneficial to the formation of the fruits.
Cut out superfluous growths, and allow a maxi-
mum amount of light and air to reach the fruit
and foliage. Guard against insect pests by
syringing with clear water twice daily.

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

83

THE HAEDY FRUIT GARLJN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Plt,Ms. — The local crops of this fruit are
heavy, and thinning has been necessary in the
case of trained trees on walls, &c. Such varie-
ties as Early Rivers, Orleans, Early 'Prolific,
and The Czar will require protection from the
birds as soon as they show signs of colouring.
Wash the foliage of wall trees with a strong
hosing by means of the garden engine : this will
remove much dirt and rubbish that is apt to
collect behind the branches. Syringe the foliage
of late varieties, if the leaves are infested
with aphis or red spider, with a suitable in-
secticide.

Raspberries. — After the fruits have been gath-
ered, cut out all the old fruiting canes, in order
that the sun and air may reach the young rods
and thus greatly aid their ripening. It may also
be found necessary to reduce the number of new
growths, especially if this was overlooked earlier
in the season. The mulching applied some few
weeks ago is now exhausted of its manurial pro-
perties, and should be replenished with some
good manure. The remaining canes should be
loosely tied to the wires or poles, to prevent
the wind from twisting them off at their bases :
the final tiaining must be deferred until the
winter.

Fruit trees on walls require frequent attention
in the matter of training the growing shoots to
the trellis or wall ; if this is persistently prac-
tised, the fruits will receive all the benefit of
air and sunlight. Peach and Nectarine trees
have both made rapid growth. The fruits of
early varieties must be examined each day, in
order to gather those that will part freely from
the tree. Continue to syringe with clear water
trees of late-fruiting varieties, and do not neglect
t ' furnish ample moisture at the roots now that
the fruits are swelling.

Apricots. — In gathering early fruits, exercise
great care, as they are easily damaged. It is
not often that birds interfere with Apricots in
these gardens, but a watch must be kept as the
Apricots ripen, and if the fruits are molested the
trees must be netted. Set traps for earwigs, as
advised in the Calendar for July 20.

Sweet Peas now require longer sticks. The
faded flowers must be daily removed, for if the
plants are allowed to produce seed, the supply
of flowers will cease. If not already done, lay
a mulch along each side of the rows to conserve
the moisture in the soil.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Herbaceous flowering plants. — Continue to
stake and tie all plants which need support, as
often as may be necessary. Care and judgment
must be exercised in respect to such subjects
as Michaelmas Daisies that they are not tied to-
gether too tightly, and so present a bunched-up
appearance, thus destroying that- free, graceful
habit which is one of the charms of these plants.
Liliums and all plants with stout stems will
need a stake to each stem. The stake should be
placed behind the stem, and be as inconspicuous
as possible. Although the appearance of the
border of herbaceous plants is greatly enhanced
when the dwarf, creeping plants at the front
are allowed to ramble beyond the strict confines
of the border, yet when the edge is composed
of clipped Box, these front row plants must not
be allowed to cover the Box edging for more
than a few weeks, or portions of the Box will be
killed outright. Frequent hoeing and weeding
are now necessary to keep the borders clean.
As the earlier flowering plants ripen their
foliage, it may b9 cuf away ; the time has come
for so dealing with the Paeonies, and the gaps
thus made should be filled with annuals or other
plants, the preparation of which was recently
advised. These plants should be lifted care-
fully, and after they have been re-planted, b;
afforded a good watering, and provided with
shade during sunny weather.

Roses. — As the flowers fade, they should be
cut off, so that the strength of the plant will
not be exhausted in the forming of seeds. Con-
tinue to syringe Rose plants with an infusion
Df quassia chips to prevent green fly establishing
itself on the shoots. Some manurial assistance is
very beneficial to Roses at this period, and where
the beds are carpeted with Violas, or other dwarf
plants, more water will be needed than is the
case where the beds are reserved for Roses alone,
and a mulch has been applied.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Perpetual - flowering Begonias.- — The charming
variety known as President Carnot being ever
green, and of a very robust habit, is specially
suited for training on upright pillars, or on wires
under the roof-glass. The latter situation is prob-
ably best of all, as the large pendulous clusters of
rich carmine-coloured flowers show to great advan-
tage in such a position. A warm or intermediate
house is the most suitable for this class of Begonia,
and when once established the plants will flourish
for a considerable time, needing very little atten-
tion beyond the cutting out of the old growths in
spring and occasionally thinning out the young
shoots. In the operation of potting, employ a com-
post consisting of equal parts turfy loam, rough
leaf soil, and manure from a spent mushroom-bed.
Other good varieties suitable for growing in the
same conditions are B. fuchsioides and B. coc-
cinea. B. fuchsioides has small, bright coral-red
coloured flowers, which are produced in great
profusion ; coccinea has a larger habit in both leaf
and flower, the bloom being produced in panicles
similar to those of President Carnot, but of a more
vivid colour. These are strong-growing varieties,
and they succeed better when planted out in a
border than when the roots are confined to pots.
Keep a careful look out for " rust," small thrips,
fly, and other pests. A mild fumigation at regular
intervals will be the best preventive.

Primulas. — Repot the early batches as this
becomes necessary, using a light porous compost
containing plenty of sand. Large pots are not
necessary, those of medium sizes being generally
most useful. If, however, large specimens are
required, strong plants of the P. stellata type will
make good specimens in 8-inch pots, and if well
cultivated will become perfect pyramids of bloom
in the winter and early spring months. Later
batches of seedlings should be carefully pricked
off into very light soil as soon as they are large
enough, not allowing them to become "drawn"
in the seed-pan. P. x kewensis is a useful
hybrid, which makes a good companion to P.
obconica, requiring the same cultural conditions ;
its clear yellow flowers are very attractive, and
the plants continue in bloom for months together.

Cinerarias. — Repot the plants before they become
pot-pound, remembering that Cinerarias are liable
to suffer greater harm In nil this cause than most
plants. After repotting the plants replace them on
an ash bottom in a frame ; and it will be
better if the frame is situated behind a partially
shaded wall ; in any case the plants will need
shade during the hottest part of the day. For
potting, use good loam, leaf-soil and well rotted
manure in equal proportions. When the plants
have been potted for the last time and have filled
the pots with roots, applications of weak manure
water should be afforded them, alternating these
with soot-water. Green-fly must be fought un-
ceasingly, Cinerarias being particularly susceptible
to attacks from this pest.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Turnips. — No time should now be lost before
making the final sowing of Turnip seed, for
raising a crop for use during late autumn and
winter. Although the bulk of this sowing
should consist of the hardy varieties such as
Green Top and Chirk Castle, if the present
supply is at all scant a few rows of early Snow-
ball will prove very useful. The ground in-
tended for Turnips should be richly manured,
and the manure should be kept close to the
surface — to promote a quick growth, whilst the
plants are young — thus assisting them the bet-
ter to withstand the attacks of the fly which
in some districts, and in some seasons, proves
so fatal to Turnip crops. A light sprinkling
of soot applied overhead when the plants are
damp will check this pest if used as soon as
the attack is observed.

Parsley. — If sowings have not already been
made for raising Parsley for use during winter
and early in spring, the work should be given
attention without delay. Two of the most decora-
tive and hardy varieties are Ex Ex Garnishing
and Imperial Curled. The ground should already
have been well prepared. In cold districts the
seed should be sown in short drills, that the
plants may be given the protection of some old
glass " lights " during severe weather in winter,
and when a fall of snow is expected.

Autumn-sown Onions. — With the object of
checking top-growth and diverting the strength
more into the bulbs, the necks of these plants
should now be twisted, or bent down with the
back of a wooden rake. This will also alhuv
the light and air to reach the bulbs more easily.

Peas. — The early and second early crops of
Peas being now past, the plants should be cleared
off the ground, and the sticks may be again
utilised for the plants raised from the latest sow-
ings. The ground thus cleared may be prepared
for the planting of Cabbages. It will be all the
better for being prepared some time before it is
required for use. These remarks will also apply
to the ground on which it is intended to sow the
Onion seed during the present month.

Early Potatos. — These should now be lifted,
particularly those that have Cauliflowers or
winter Greens planted between the rows. If
the tubers can be suitably stored, there is no-
thing to be gained by leaving them longer in
the ground.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. I'i rTIGRBW, Superintendent of the Parks and
' 'pen Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

The August Bank Holiday. — This holiday, for
various reasons, is usually the busiest day of all
the year in the majority of British public parks.
Being practically the last national holiday ot the
year suitable for the enjoyment of out-of-door
amusements and sight-seeing, it is invariably
taken advantage of by all classes of the com-
munity. Many of the excursionists who flock
into all large towns and cities on that day
naturally find their way to the public parks and
open spaces, where there is plenty of room and
ample freedom for families to enjoy them-, lv< .,
at little or no cost. Although nominally the
first Monday in August is the holiday, the whole
week is generally given up to holiday-making,
thus causing popular parks to be filled witn
visitors the whole time. At such seasons it is
found necessary to greatly increase the staff of
park police, as more wilful damage is often
done during holidays than at any other period of
the year. It i^ undoubtedly false economy to
forbear from putting on extra men, even at an
enhanced wage, during holiday time.

Special amusements. — Since the average victor
out for the day soon tires of walking about the
parks admiring the trees, flowers, and grass
swards, it is well for the authorities to provide
some special amusements and attractions suit-
able to the occasion. Where the power exi^s
to make charges, well-organised entertainments
not only help visitors to spend a pleasant day,
but considerably assist in filling the coffers of
the department. Some park authorities, wlife
they have ground suitable for the purpose, pro-
mote athletic sports, from which they reap a
rich harvest ; others hold flower shows, while
nearly all provide a number of bands. Parks
which make provisions for such games as bowls,
quoits, croquet and tennis, or offer facilities for
cricket and other open-air sports, help great
numbers of visitors to pass the time pleasantly
either as onlookers or participants in the
various games. The more that can be done in
any of the directions indicated, the better will
it eventually be for the public.

Work of clearing-up. — A public park after a
general holiday in summer is usually a sorry
sight, with trampled lawns and every space
freely littered with paper, banana skins, and
other refuse. Notwithstanding the presence
of refuse boxes and baskets and the existence of
stringent by-laws on the subject, the freedom of
the British holiday-maker in his method of dis-
posing of his paper bags, newspapers, &c,
cannot be restrained. Under these circum-
stances, it is not surprising that park officials
are invariably relieved when August Bank
Holidav week is over, and matters once more
assume their normal condition.

.84

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 190T.

REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF THE OUT-DOOR FRUIT CROPS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.]

The words "Average," "Over," or "Under," as the case may be, indicate the amount of the crop;
and "Good," " Veuy Good," or "Bad," denote the quality.

Fuller comments will be given in the following numbers. See also Leading Article on page CO.

COUNTY.

APPLES.

PEARS.

PLUMS.

CHERRIES.

PEACHES
and NEC-
TARINES.

APRICOTS.

SMALL
FRUITS.

STRAW-
BERRIES.

NUTS.

NAME AND ADDRESS,

SCOTLAND.

0, Scotland, N.

CAITHNESS

Average ;

Average ;

Under; bad

Average ;

Average ;

W. F. Mackenzie. Thurso

good

good

good

very good

Castle Gardens, Ihurso.

MORAYSHIRE

Over ;

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; very

Over; good

Over; good

Average ;

Average ;

William Ogg, Duttus House

very good

good

good

good

good

good

Gardens, Elgin.

Over

Over

Over

Average

Average

Over

Over; good

Under; good

D. Cunningham, Damaway.
Castle Gardens, Forres.

ORKNEYS

Average ;
good

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Thos. MacDonald, Balfour
Castle Gardens, Orkney.

SUTHERLANDSH1RE

Average ;

Under; bad

Average ;

Average ;

Under ; bad

Over ; very

Over; very

John Mclver, Skibo Castle

good

good

good

good

good

Gardens, Dornoch, N.B.

U nder

Average

Under

Under

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Average

D. Melville, Duniob.n Castle
Gardens, Sutherland.

1. Scotland, £.

ABERDEENSHIRE ...

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; good

Over ; very

Average ;

bad

bad

good

good

good

Under ,

Under

Average

Over; good

Under ; bad

John Brown, Delgaty Castle
Gardens, Turriff.

Average

Under

Over ; very
good

Over ; very
good

Average ;
good

Over ; very
good

Simon Campbell, Fyvie Castle
Gardens, Fyvie.

Average ;

Under

Average ;

Over ; good

Over ; good

Under ; fair

John M. Troup, Balmoral Castle

BANFFSHIRE

good
Average

Average

good
Over

Average ;

Over ; very

Average ;

Gardens, Ballaler.
Geo. Edwards, Ballindallorb

good

good

good

Castle Gardens, Ballindal-

BERWICKSHIRE

Under

Under

Over ;

Over ; very

Over; very

Average ;

loch.
Robert Stuart, Thirlestane

CLACKMANNAN-
SHIRE
EAST LOTHIAN

Under

Average ;

good

Over;

very good

Under

Under
Average ;

very good
Average

Over ; good

good
Over

Average
Over ; good

Average
Over; good

good
Over

Over ; good

good
Average

Under; poor

Castle Gardens, Lauder.
Alexander Kirk, Norwood

Gardens, Alloa.
R. P. Urotherston, Tynning-

good
Under ; good

Average ;

Under

Over ;

Average ;

Over ;

Over; poor

hame Gardens, Prestonkirk.

FIFESHIRE

Under

good
Under

Under

very good

good
Average

very good
Over; good

Average

Gardens, Longniddry.

William Henderson, Balbir-

Under

Under

Under

Average ;

Over

Over

Over

nie Gardens, Maikinch.
Chas. Simpson, Weinvss

FORFARSHIRE

Under

Under

Average

good
Average ;

Average

Average ;

Average ;

Castle Gardens, E. Wemyss,

Thos. Wilson, Glamis Castle

Under

Under

Under

good
Average

good
Average

good
Average

( l;irdcns, Glamis.
William Alison, The Gardens,

KINCARDINESHIRE

Average

Average

Under

Under ; good

Under

Over ; good

Over; good

Si .i\ iew, Monifieth.
John M. Brown, Blackhall

Under

Under

Average

Average ;

good
Average

Average

Average ;

Castle Gardens, Banchory.
William Knight, Fasque Gar-

MIDLOTHIAN

Under

Under

Over

Average

Average ;

good
Average

dens, Laurencekirk.

Wm. G. Pirie, Dalhousie

Average ;

very good

Average ;

good

Under

Average ;

Under

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

good
Over; very

Over ; good

Castle Gardens, Bonnyrigg.
James Whytock, Dalkeith
Gardens, Dalkeith.

PEEBLESSHIRE

very good

Over ; good

good
Average ;

good

good

good
Over; very

Average ;

good

good

good

Under

Under

Over

Over

Average

Wm. McDonald, Cardrona,.

PERTHSHIRE .... ...

Under ; good
Over

Under ; bad

Over; very
good

Average ;

^ 1

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over ; very
good

Average ;
good

fraquair, Innerleithen.
J. Farquharson, Kinfaur.s

Average

Over

Over

Over

Over

Average

John Robb, Catherinebank,

Average ;
good

Under ; bad

Over ; good

Average ;
very good

Under; good

Under ; good

Over;

Over; bad

Mdnab Terrace, Crieff.

very good

zies Gardens, Aberfeldy.

6. Scotland, W.

ARGYLLSHIRE

Under ; bad

Under; bad

Average ;

Average ;

Average

Average ;

Average ;

Under

D. S. Melville, Poltalloch

Under

good

good

very good

good

very good

Gardens, Lochgilphead.

Under

Under

Average

Average

Under

Under

Henry Scott, Torloisk Gar-

AYRSHIRE

Average

Under

Average

Average

Average

Under: bad

dens, Aros, Isle of Mull.

\\ illiam Priest, Eglinton Gar-

Average;

Under ; good

Under; bad

Average ;

Over ; very

Average ;

dens, Kilwinning1.
John Mclnnes, KirkmichacI

good

good

good

Gardens, by Maybole.

Average ;
very good
Under ; bad

Average ;

Average ;

Over : good

Average ;

Over ; good

Average :

Average ;

I 'in In

D. Buchanan, Bargany Gar-

BUTESHIRE

very good
Under

good
Average

Under

good
Under

very good
Average

very good
Under

dens, Dailly.

M. Heron, Mount Stewart

DUMBARTONSHIRE

Under

Under

Average

Average

Under

Over

Average

Under

Gardens, Rothesay.
George McKay, Balloch

Average

Under

Average

Average

Under; good

Over : good

Castle Gardens.
D. Stewart, Knockderry

DUMFRIESSHIRE ...

Under ; good

Average ;

Average

Average

Average ;

Average ;

Castle Gardens, Cove.
John Urquhart, HoHdom.

Under ; bad
Under ; bad

Under; bad
Under bad

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

Under ; bad
Average ;

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

good
Under; bad

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ,

Under

Castle Gdns., Ecclefeehan.
John MacKinnon, Terregles.

James MacDonald, Dryfe1. ol a

KIRKCUDBRIGHT-
SHIRE

Under ; bad

Average :

good

Under; good

good
Over ; good

good
Average ;

good
Average

u.irdens, Lockerbie.
N. Mocfadyen, Glenlce Park

Under ; bad

Average ;

Average ;

good
Over ; very

good
Over; very

Gardens, New Galloway.
Wm. Thomson, Cally Gar-

RENFREWSHIRE

Under

Under

good
Under

good

Average ;

good

Under

l; 1

Under

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

dens, Gatehouse.
John Methven, Blvt>swood

Under

Under

Under

good
Average ;

good
Under ; bad

Gardens, Renfrew.
Thomas Lunt, Ardgowan Gar-

STIRLINGSHIR1

Under

Under

Average;
good

Average ;
good

Under

bad

Average ;

gdod

Average ;
good

dens, Inverkip.
Alex. Marshall, Ballikinrain
Castle Gardens, Balfron

WIG TONS HIRE

Under ; bad

Under; bad

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Average;

Average ;

Station.
John Brydcr, Dunragit Gar-

Under

Under

Average

Under; bad

Average

Average

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

Under

dens, Dunragit.
James Day, Galloway House

■

good -

good

Gardens, Garlieston.

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

85

CONDITION OF THE FRUIT CROPS— (">"'»'«"/)•

COUNTY.

APPLES.

ENGLAND:

2, England, N.E.
DURHAM

YORKSHIRE

3, England, E.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE

-ESSEX

EINCOT N'SHTPE

.NORFOLK.

SUFFOLK

4, Midland Counties.
BEDFORDSHIRE ....

BUCKINGHAM-
SHIRE

•CHESHIRE

DERBYSHIRE

•HERTFORDSHIRE

Under
Under
Under
Over
Under ; good
Under
Under

Average ;
good
Under

PEARS.

PLUMS.

Average

gOOi

ige;
id
Under

Average ;
good
Under

Under

Average ;

good
A vi rage ;

good
Under ; bad

Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Under ; good

Under

Under; bad

Under

Average

Average ;
good

Under ; bad

Average ;

good

Under; bad

Under ; bad

Under
Under; good

Under

Under

Average *,

good

Under ; good

Under

Under

Under ; bad

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Under

Under

Over ; good

Under ; bad

Average ;
good
Under

Under ; good

Under ; bad

Average
Under
Under
Average

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Under

Average ;

good
Average

Over ; very

good

Average

Under ; bad

Average

Under

Under; good

Under; good

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

J;ood
er ; bad

Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Average ;
good

Over

CHERRIES.

Under ; bad

Average

Under

Average ;
good

Average ;
- bad
Average ;

good
Under ; bad

Average ;

good

Under ; good

Under; good

Under

Average

Under

Under; good

Under

Average

Average

Over ; good

Average

Average

Under

Average ;

good

Average ;

very good

Over ; good

Average

Average ;

good
Average

good

Average ;

good
Average

Over

Over

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Over ; good

Over ;

very good

Over

Over ; very

good

Average

Over ; good

Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Under; good

Under; good

Average

Average

Over ; very

good
Over ; very

good

Over; very
good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Over; good

Average ;
good

Over; good

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Under; good

Average

Under

Under ; bad

Over ; good

Under

Average

Average

Average ;

bad
Average ;

good
Average

Over

Over ; very

good

Over ; very

good
Under; good

Over

Over ; very
good
Average ;
good *

Average ;
good
Under

Under

Average

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Average ;

good
Average

Average ;

good
Average

Average ;

gHOi.l

Under
Average

Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Under

Under ; bad

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

PEACHES
and NEC-
TARINES.

Over ; very

good

Average ;

good

Over

Over ; very

good

Average

Over ; very
good
Over

Average

Average

Over

Over ; very

good

Average ;

good

APRICOTS.

SMALL
FRUITS.

Under

Average

Over ; very
good
Over

Over; good

Average ;
very good
Average

Over ; very
good
Over

Over; very

good
Over ; good

Average

Avrr,u;r ;

Average ;

very good

good

Average ;

Over ; very

good

good

Average ;
good

Average ;

good

Average ;
good

Average ;

good

Under

Average ;

bad
Average

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Average

Over; good

Under ; good

Under ; bad

Average

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Average

Average

Average ;

good
Average ;

bad
Average

Over ; good

Under ; bad

Average ;

good
Average

Under ; bad
Over ; good

Under ; good

Under

Over ; very

good

Average ;

good

Under

Average ;

bad
Over ; good

Average ;

good

Over ; very

good

Over ; good

Average ;

good
Average :

good
Average ;

good
Over ; good

Average ;
good

Average

Over ; good

Average ;
very good
Over ; good

Over ; good

Over; very

good

Average ;

good
Average

Over ; very

gotjd
( h ei ; vi iy

good
Over ; very

good

Over ; very
good

Average ;

good

Over, good

Over; good

Over ; very
good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Over ; very
good
Under

STRAW-
BERRIES.

NUTS.

Average ;
good
Under

Average

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Average

Under ;
bad

Under

Average ;

good

Under

Average

Under
Average

Over; very-
good

Average

Over ; very
good

Average

Average ;
good
Under

Over

Over; good

Over ; good

Over

Average ;
very good
Average ;
very good
A\ erage ,

g. iod
Average

Over ; good

Over

Average ;

good
Average ;
very good
Ovei . very

good
Over; good

Over; very

good
Over ; very

good
Over ; very

good

Average ;

good
Over ; very

good
Over ; very

good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average ;

good
Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; very

good

Average ;

good
Average ;

Average ;

very good

Average

Over ; very

good
Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; very

good
Average ;

good
Over ; good

Under

Over ; good

Over; good

Average ;

very good

Under

Average ;
good

Over; very

good
Over; very

good
Average ;

good

Over

Over; good

Average ;
bad

Average

Average ;
good
Under

Under

Under; bad

Average

Under ; good
Average

Over ; good
Under

Under; good
Average

Am rage ;

bad

Over ; very

good
Under ; good

Average ;

good
Ai erage ;

good

\ . erage;

good

Over ; very

good

Under ; bad

Average ;

bad

Average ;

good

Average ;
good

Under
Average
Under
Under

Average
Under
Under

NAME AND ADDRESS.

Under

Under ; bad

Under
Under ; good

Average

Average ;

y. i

Average ;
good

Average ;

bad
Average

Average ;

good

Over ; bad

Average ;

bad
Average

Average

L i

Under
Average

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Under

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Under

Under ; bad

Average ;

good
Aver, ge ;

good
Under

Average ;
good

Average

Under

Average ;

good
Average

Average ;

very good

Under ; bad

Average

Under

Average
Average

Under

Average ;
good
Under

Average ;
good
Under

Under

Under

Under

Under
Average

Average

Average ;

good

Over; good

Average

Under

Robt. Draper, Sealiam Hall

Gardens, Seaham Harbour.
James Mat liar, bmett House

Gardens, Howden-lc-Wear.
J. Simpson, Studiield, near

Sheffield.
Jas. E. Hathaway, Baldersby

Park, Thirsk.
J. Allsop, Dalton Hall Gdns.,

Dulton Holme, Beverley.
Henry J. Clayton, Wharfe Bank

House, Ulleskeli, York.
A. E. Sutton, Castle Howard

Gardens, Welburn.

R. Alderman, Babraham Hall
Gardens, Cambridge.

T. W. Birkinshaw, Hat ley
Park Gardens, Gamlingay,

A. Bullock, Copped Hail Gar-
dens, Epping.

Henry Lister, East on Lodge
I i.i i dens, Dunmow.

W. K. Johnson, bianway Hall
Gardens, near Colchester..

II. \V. Ward, Lime House,
Rayleigh.

U. \ unhn, Harlaxtoo Manor
Gai dens, Grantham.

F. C. Stainsby, Brock 1
Park Gardens.

F. Barton, Hainton Hall Gar-
dens, Lincoln.

H. Louth, Boothby Hall Gar-
dens, Grantham.

F. J. Fleming, Weelsby Old
Hall Gardens Grimsbv.

J. Wynn, Sedgeford Hall
Gardens, King's Lynn.

J. W. Bradbrook, Kettering-
ham Park Gardens, \\ y-
mondliarn.

W. N. Thurston, Witton Park
Gardens, North Walsbam.

Thos. Simpson, Henham Gar-
dens, Wangford.

Alfred Andrews, High House,
Campsea Ashe, Wickham
Market.

W. Messenger, Wool verst one
Park Gardens, Ipswich.

James P. Reid, Cranfield
Court Gardens, Wobuni
Sands, R.S.O.

H. W. Nutt, Flitwick, Amp-
thill.

George Mackinlay, Wrest
Park Gardens, Ampthill.

Wm. F, Palmer, Froxfield
Gardens, Woburn.

C. J. Ellen, Chicksands
Priory Gardens, Shefford.

James Wood, Hedsor ParK
Gardens, Bourne End.

John Fleming, Wexham Park
Gardens, Slough.

W. Hedley Warren, Aston
Clinton Gardens, Tring.

James MacGregor, Hentmore
Gardens, Leighton Buz/.ar<J.

Chas. Page, Dropmore Gar-
dens, Maidenhead.

J. Bridge, Moreton Hall Gar-
dens, Congleton.

W. E. Wright. Alderley Park
Gardens, Chelford, Cheshire.

Peter Wilkinson, Walton Lea
Gardens, near Warrington.

N. F. Barnes, Eaton Gardens,
Chester.

J. C. Tallack, Shipley Hall
Gardens, Derby.

Bailey Wadds, i8i, Utto.\eter
New Road, Derby.

T. Keetley, Darley Abbey
Gardens, Derby.

F. Jennings, Chatsworth Gar-
dens, Chesterfield.

F. G. Mills, Laneside Home
Farm, Glossop.

James Tully, Osmaston Manor
Gardens.

J. H. G.odacre, Elvastcri Castle
Gardens, Derby.

Thomas Hedley, Lane House
Gardens, King's Walden,
Hitchin.

C. E. Martin, The Hoo Gar-
dens, Welwyn.

Thos. Rivers and Son, Saw-
bridgeworth.

H. Prime, Hatfield House
Gardens, Hatfield.

F. W. Gooch, Edge Grove
Gardens, Watford.

Edwin Beckett, Aldenham
House Gardens. Elstree.

Arthur Dye, Tring Park Gar-
dens, Tring.

86

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

CONDITION OF THE FRUIT CROPS- (continued).

COUNTY.

APPLES.

PEARS.

PLUMS.

CHERRIES.

PEACHES
and NEC-
TARINES.

APRICOTS.

SMALL
FRUITS.

STRAW-
BERRIES.

NUTS.

NAME AND ADDRESS.

4, Midland Counties.

HERTFORDSHIRE ...

Under; bad

Average ;

Over ; very

Average

Average ;

Over ; very

Over; very

Average ;

Average ;

Wm. Whitelaw, Eatchwood

good

good

good

good

good

good

good

Gardens, St. Albans.

Under

Average ;

Average ;

Average

Average ;

Over ; very

Average ;

Average

Under

Hy. Parr, Trent Park Gar-

good

good

good

good

good

dens, New Barnet.

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; very

Under ; bad

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; good

Average ;

C. R. Fielder, North Mymms

bad

good

good

good

good

good

Park Gardens, Hatfield.

Average

Average

Over

Average ;
good

Average ;
very good

Over

Average ;
good

Under

William Poole, Hadham Hall
Gardens, Ware.

Average ;

Over ; very

Over ; good

Average ;

Over ; very

Over : good

Average ;

Under ; bad

Over; good

Stephen Uzzell, Gladstone

good

good

good

good

very good

Court Gardens, Ross.

LEICESTERSHIRE ...

Under ; bad

Under ; good

Average ;
good

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Average :
good

Daniel Roberts, West wold Hall
Gardens, Loughborough.

Under; bad

Over; very

Average ;

Over ; very

Over; very

Over; very

Over ; very

Under ; good

Under ; bad

W. H. Divers, Belvoir Castle

good

good

good

good

good

good

Gardens, Grantham.

Under

Average

Over ; good

Under

Over ; very
good

Under ; very
good

W. Wadsworth, The Nurseries,
BarkleyLane, Queensborough.

Under ; good

Under

Under ; good

Under

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Average

F. Ibbotson, Rolleston HaH
Gardens, Leicester.

NORTHAMPTON-

Under; good

Average ;

Over ; good

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; very

Average ;

Average ;

Robert Johnston, Wakefield

SHIRE

good

good

good

good

very good

very good

Lodge, Stony Stratford.

Under

Under ; good

Under

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; very
good

Average ;
very good

Average ;
bad

H. lurner, l-ineshade Abbey
Gardens, Stamford.

Under

Average

Average

Average

Average

Over

Average

Average ;
good

John Blayson, Cotterstock
Hall Gardens, Oundle.

Under

Bad

Under

Average ;
very good

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over

Over

Average

Thos. Masters, Lower Shuck-
burgh, Daventry.

NOTTINGHAM-

Under; good

Under; good

Under; good

Under ; bad

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Under; good

Average ;

Amos Parr, Holme Pierrepont

SHIRE

good

good

good

g< Mill

Hall Gardens Nottingham.

Average ;

Over ; very

Average ;

Under

Average ;

Over ; good

Over ; very

Under

Under ; bad

James Gibson, Welbeck Gar-

pood

good

good

good

(protected)

good

dens, Worksop.

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average

Over ; good

Average ;
good

Average

James B. Allan, Osberton
Gardens, Worksop.

Under

Over

Over

Under

Average

Over

Over

Under ; bad

Under

J. R. Pearson and Sons,
L o w d ha m

Average

Under

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Average

Average

Average

Average

A. W. Culloch, Estate Office,
Newstead Abbey.

OXFORDSHIRE

Average ;

Average ;

Over; very

Average

Over ; very

Over; very

Over ; very

Under

Over; good

John A. Hall, Shiplake Court

good

good

good

good

good

good

Gardens, Henley-on-Thames

Under

Under

Over

Average

Over

Over

Over

Average

Under

A. J. Long, Wyfold Court
Gardens, Reading.

Under; poor

Under ; bad

Over ; good

Average

Average ;
good

Over ; very
good

Average ;
very good

Over ; good

Average

J. Broadfoot, Shot over Park
Gardens, Wheatley.

SHROPSHIRE -

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Over

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average ;
bad

Average

A. S. Kemp, Shifnal.

Over ; very

Average ;

Under; fair

Under; poor

Over ; good

Average ;

Average ;

Under ; poor

Average ;
good

John Taylor, Hardwicke

good

good

good

good

Grange Gardens, near

Shrewsbury.

STAFFORDSHIRE .-

Under; bad

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; very

Over ; very

Average ;

Under

T. Bannerman, Blithfield

bad

good

good

good

good

very good

Gardens, Rugeley.

Average

Under

Under

Under

Average

Average

Over

Under

Under

G. Woodgate, Rolleston Hall
Gardens, Burton-on-Trent.

WARWICKSHIRE ...

Under ; bad

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Under

W. Miller, Berkswell.

bad

good

good

good

good

good

good

5, Southern Counties.

BERKSHIRE

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Average ;
good

Over; good

Over; good

Average ;

g 1

Over; good

Average ;

p (Ud

Geoffrey Cooper, Oakley Court

Gardens, Windsor.

Over

Average

Over

Average

Average

Over

Average

Under

Average

J. Howard, Benham Park
Gardens, Newbury.

Under

Under

Average

Under

Over ; very
good

Average ;
good

Average ;
very good

Under

William Fyfe, Lockinge Gar-
dens, Wantage.

Average

Under

Over

Average

Average

Over

Over

Average

Average

James Coombes, Englt field
Gardens, Reading.

DORSETSHIRE

Under

Average ;
good

Over; good

Average ;

Average ;
good

Over ; very

Under; good

Under ; bad

H. Birkinshaw, Chedington

good

good

Court Gardens, Crewkerne

Under ; bad

Under

Average

Average

Over

Over ; very
good

Over ; very
good

Average

Under

T. Turton, Castle Gardens,
Sherborne.

Under

Under ; good

Over ; good

Under ; good

Average ;
good

Over ; very

Over ; very

Over

Thi is. Denny, Down House

•

good

good

Gardens, Blandford.

Under ; bad

Over; very

Over; good

Average ;

Over ; very

Over; good

Average ;

Average ;

Under ; bad

David C. Fyfe, Kingston

good

good

good

good

very good

House Gardens, Dorchester.

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Over ; very
good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average ;
good

Over ; very
good

Over ; very
good

Over

Edwin Molyneux, Swanmore

Park. Bishop's Waltham.

Under

Under ; bad

Over; good

Average

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Average ;

Under

C. H. Snook, West Hill Gar-

good

dens, Shanklin, Isle of Wight.

Average ;
good

Under

Average ;
good

Morellos

Over; very

Over ; very

Under; good

Over; Wal-

A. G. Nichols, Strathfield-

average ;

good
Average ;

good

good

nuts average

saye Gdns., Mortimer, R.S.O.

Under

Average

Over ; very

Average ;

Average ;

Average

James Wasley, Sherfield

good

good

good

good

Manor Gdens., Basingstoke.

Average

Average

Over

Average

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over ; good

W. S. F. Sparks, Walmer

Place, Walmer.

Under; good

Under ; good

Over ; good

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

George Woodward, Barham

bad

good

good

good

good

Court Gardens, Maidstone.

Under ; bad

Average

Over; good

Average

Over

Under

Average ;

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

George Bunyard, Maidstone.

good

Under

Over

Over

Average

Over

Over

Over; good

Average ;
good

Over

Alfred 0. Walker, Ulcombe
Place, near Maidstone.

Under

Over ; good

Over; good

Under; bad

Over

Average

Average

Over; very
good

Under

Wm. Lewis, East Sutton
Park Gardens, Maidstone.

Under

Average ;

Over ; good

Average ;

Average ;
good

Average ;

Average ;

Over; good

Geo. Fennell, Bowden, Had-

good

good

good

good

low Road, Tonbridge.

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Over

Under

Average ;
good

Under ; good

Over; good

B. Champion, Baron's Place,
Mereworth.

Average ;

Under; good

Over ; very

Under; good

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; very

Over; good

Average ;

H, Cannell and Sons, Eyns-

very good

good

good

good

good

very good

ford.

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Average

Under

Average

Under

George Lockyer, Mereworth,
Maidstone.

Over ; good

Average :

Under ; good

Average ;

Over; good

Average ;

Over very

Average ;

W. E. Humphreys, Blendon

very good

good

very good

good

good

Hall Gardens, Bexley.

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; good

Over ; very

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Average ;

Under; good

W. J. Sims, Eetteshanger Gar-

good

good

good

good

good

good

good

dens, Eastry, S.O.

Over ; good

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Average ;

Over ; good

Over ; very

Over; good

J. G. Weston, Eastwell Park

good

good

Gardens, Ashford.

MIDDLESEX .....

Average ;

Average ;
good

Average ;

Average ;

Over ; very

Average ;

Average ;
good

Average ;

Average

H. Markham, Wrotham Park

good

good

good

l: 1

good

good

Gardens, Barnet,

Average ;

Under; fair

Over; good

Average ;

Average ;

Over; good

Average ;

Average ;

Average

W. Watson, Ha re field Place

bad

fair

fair

good

fair

Gardens, Uxbridge.

Over ; good

Under

Average ;
good

Average

Over; good

Average

Average ;
good

Over; good

Average

W. Bates, Cross Deep Gar-
dens, Twickenham.

Average ;

Under ; good

Over; very

Average ;

Over ; very

Over ; very

Over ; very

Over; very

A. R. Allan. Hillingdon

good

good

very good

good

good

good '■

good

Court Gardens, Uxbridge.

Aver.i

Average ;

Over ; good

Average ;
bad

Over ; very

Average

Under

James Hawkes, Osterley Park

good.

good

good

Gardens, Isleworth.

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Over ; very

Over ; very

Over ; very

Over ; very

John Bates, Syon Gardens,

good

good

good

good

Brentford.

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

S7

CONDITION OF THE FRUIT CROPS— (*>«tf«w«*).

COUNTY.

5. Southern Counties.
SURREY

SUSSEX

WILTSHIRE

7, England, N.W.
CUMBERLAND ...

LANCASHIRE

WESTMORELAND

8. England, S.W.
CORNWALL

DEVONSHIRE

APPLES.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Average
Average
Average
Average ;

good

Average

Under

Under ;
fair
Over

Under

Under ; bad

Average ;
good
Un'der

Under
Average

Under

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Under ; very

good
Under ; bad

Under

Under

Under ; good

Under; bad
Under; bad

Average ;

gor.d

Under

Under ; bad

Over ; good

Under ; good

Average ;

good
Average

Under ; good

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Under

Under
Under ; good
Under ; bad

Average
Under ; good
Over ; good

Average

Under

Under; good

Under ; bad

Under

Under

Under ; bad

Average

Under

Under

Under

Average ;
good

Under

PLUMS.

CHERRIES.

Average ;

good

Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Under

Over

Average ;

fair
Average

Average ;

good

Over; good

Over ;

very good

Average ;

good

Under

Average

Average ;

■

Over ; very

good

Over; very

good

Average ;

good
Average ,

good
Average

Average ;
good

Under; good

Average ;
very good

Average ;

good
Aveiage ;

good
Under; bad

Over ; good

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Under

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Under; bad

Under ; bad

Average

Average

Under; good

Under ; bad

Under ; good

Average ;

very good

Average ;

good

Average

Under

Under ; good

Under; bad

Average

Average ;
good
Under

Over

Under

Average

Under

Over; good

Average

Av erage

Average

Over; good

Over ; very

good
Over; very

good
Vastly over

Over ; good

Over

Over; very
good

Over

Over ;

very good

Over

Over
Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; good

O ver ; very

good
Over; very
good
■
good

( >YLT ; ^i.n.d

Average
Under ; good

Under; bad

Over ; very
good

Average ;

good

Over ; very

good

Am rage :

good

Over ; very

good
Under; good

Average ;
good
Under

Under ; bad

Over; good

Under ; bad

Under

Average

Average ;

good
A\ erage ;

good
Over ; good

Over ; very
good

Average ;
good

Over

Average

Over; good

Under

Average

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Aveiage

Over ; good

Over

Average
Over; good

Average

Under

Average ;
very good

Over; good
Over

Over

Over ;

very good

■■. . , .

good

Average

Averag e

Average ;
good

good

Over; very

good

good

Average ;

good

Under

Under

Average ;
good

Average ;

good
\ .
good

Average ;
\iT\ good

Average ;

good
Over ; very

good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Average ;

good
Am rage ;

good
Over ; good

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Morellos ;

under

Over; good

Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

fair
Average ;

good

Over ; good

Average

Under

Average ;

very good

Average

Under

Under

Average

Average

Average ;
very good

Average ;

eood
Average

Over;
very good

Average

PEACHES
and NEC-
TARINES.

Average ;

good
Average

Over

Over ; good

Average

Average ;

L-. h id

Over; good

Average !
:
Over
Average

■ ■
■
Ov< r ; good

Average ;

Ovei ; very

Am i

good
Over

Over

Over ; very
good

Average ;

good
Average ;
very good

A\ i rage ;

good
Average :

good

APRICOTS.

Over

Over; good'

Average;

good
Vverage

i ; good

Over ; verj

good
Average ;

■

IP?<J

Over ; good
Over

pVer; good
Over ; good
Over ; good

Average ;
good

Over ; very

good
Over ; good

Average

Under

Over ; very

good

Average;

good

O^er; good

Average ;
very good

Under
Average

Over; good
Average
Average

Over ; good
Average

Over ;
very good
Average

Average

Over; good

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over; good

Over

Over ;
good

Ave I ■:

good
Average .
very good

Over ; good

Average

Average ;

good

Over ; very

good

U Ildtrr

SMALL
FRUlTS.

STRAW-
BERRIES.

NUTS.

NAME AND ADDRESS.

Over ; good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Over; good

Over ; good

Under ; bad

Under

Under

Over ; good

Over; good
Over; good
Over; good

Over; good

Over

Over

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over

Over ; good

Over

Average;
iod
Over ; good

i iver;
very good
Over ; good

Over
Average;

good
Average ;

good
A\ erage ;

good
Average ;

good
Over ; very

good
Average ;
■ i
Over ; very

good

Over

Average ;

good

Am rage ;
vt tv good

0 ''I .

very good

Over ; very

good
Over ; very

good
i .ige ;

g. ■' >d

Over ; very

good

Average:

very go~od
Over ; very

good
Average ;

good
Over ; good

Over ; good

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

Over

Over ; very

good
Over ; very

good
Over; very

good
Over ; good

Average ;
very good

Over ;
very good

Over

Average

Average ;

very good

Over

Average

Over; good

Over; good

Over

Over ;

very good
Average ;

good
Average

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average

Average

Over; good

Under; good

Average ;

very good

Under

Average ;

fair

Under

Over ; very

good

Average ;

good

Average ;

very good

Under ; bad

Under
Under ; bad

Average ;

fair

Under ; bad

Average ;

good

Under ; good

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Over ; good

Average ;
very good
Over ; good

Over ; very

good
Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Over ; very

good
Under ; good

Over ; very
good

Under

Average ;

,tM< -d

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Over ; bad
Under ; bad

Average ;

good
Average ;

bad
Average ;

fair
Average ;
very good
Average ;

good

Average ;

bad

Under

Average;

good

Over ;

very good

Average

Average ;

good

Over ;

very good

Average

Average ;

good
Over ; bad

Over

Over;
very good

Average ;
good

Average

Under

Average ;
good

Average

Average ;
good
Over

Average ;
got id

Average

Over
Average

Average ;
good

Average ;

good
Over ; very

good
Average ;

good
Average

Average

Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Not grown

Under

Under

Average

Average
Average

Average

Average ;
good

Under

Under; bad

Average

Under

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Over

William Bain, Burford Gar-
dens, Dorking.

James Lock, Oatlands Lodge
Gardens, Wc> bridge,

S. T. Wright, R.H.S. Gar-
dens, Wisley, Ripley.

W. P. Bound, Gatton Park
Gardens, Reigate.

Geo. Jackman and Son, Wok-
ing Nurseries.

W. Wilks (Rev.), Shirley
Vicarage, Crovdon.

Alex. Dean, Richmond Road,
Kingston.

Geo. Kent, Norbury Park
Gardens, Dorking.

Geo. Halsey, Riddings Court
Gardens, Caterham Valley.

W. H. Honess, Cobham Park
Gardens, Cobham.

G. J. Hunt, Ashtead Park
Gardens, Epsom.

A. Wilson, Eridge Castle
Gardens, Tunbridge Wells.

W. E. Bear. Hailsham.

A. B. Wadds, Paddockhurst
Gardens, Worth.

Alex. Reid, Possingworth
Gardens, Cross-in-Hand.

W. H. Smith, West Dean
Park Gardens, Chichester.

Wm. Erunsden, Bramble rye
Gardens East Grinstead.

W. J. Langridge, Ote Hall
Gardens, Burgess Hill.

W. A. Cook, Leonardslee
Gardens, Horsham.

H. C. Prinsep, Buxted Park
Gardens.

John Bannerman, Laekham
Gardens, Lacock.

Thomas Challis, Wilton
House Gardens, near Salis-
bury.

George Brown, Bowood Gar-
dens, Calne.

W. Tinley. Malmesbury.

William Scott, Eden Hall Gar-
den'-, Langwatbby, R.S.O.

The mas Tunstall, Carleton
Hill Gardens, Penrith.

F. Clarke, Lowther Castle
Gardens, Penrith.

J. Coupland. Brougham Hall
Gardens, Penrith.

E. 1- . Hazelton, Knowsley
Gardens, PrescoL

Wm. Ashton, Wright ing ton
Hall Gardens, Wigan.

B. Cromwell, Cleveley Gar-
dens, Allerton, Liverpool.

Ben. Ashton Lathom House
Gardens, Ormskirk.

Wm. P. Roberts, Cuerden
Hall Gardens, Preston.

Thomas Wyton, Abbey stead
Gardens, Lancaster.

W. A. Miller, Underley Gar-
dens, Kirkby Lonsdale.

Archibald Mitchell, Tehidy

Park, Camborne.
A. C. Bartlett, Pencarrow

Garde as, \\ a: baway.

Alfred S. Read, Port Eliot
Gai -itns, St. Germains, R.s.O.

W. H. Bennett, Menabilly,
Par Station.

Andrew Hope, 38, Prospect
Park, Exeter.

James Mayne, Bicton Gar-
dens, East Budleigh.

E. E. Bristow, Castle Hill
Gardens, South Molten), N.
Devon.

G. Foster, Dawlish Road
Gardens, Teignmouth.

T. H. Slade, Poltimore Gar-
dens, Exeter.

John Coutts, Killerton Gar-
dens, Broadclyst.

Geo. Baker, Mcmbland Gar-
dens, near Plymouth.

William Keen, Bowden Hall
Gardens, near Gloucester.

John Banting, Tortworth
Gardens, Falfield.

Wm. Nash, Badminton Gar*
dens.

George Ketteringham, Ey-
ford, Lower Slaughter, R.S.O.

F. C. Walton, Stanley Park
Gardcas, Stroud.

A. Chapman, Westonbirt
House Gardens, Tetbury.

T. Cooper, Sedbury Park
Gardens, Chepstow.

A. E. T. Rogers, Sudeley
Cas'le Gardens, Winch-
combe.

W. H. Berry, Higham Court
Gardens, Gloucester.

'88

TI1E GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

■{August '6, 1907.

CONDITION OF THE FRUIT CROPS— (continued).

COUNTY.

8, England. S.W.
HEREFORDSHIRE

MONMOUTHSHIRE

SOMERSETSHIRE

WORCESTERSHIRE

WALES

ANGLESEY

CARMARTHEN-
SHIRE

CARNARVONSHIRE

DENBIGHSHIRE

FLINTSHIRE

GLAMORGANSHIRE

MERIONETHSHIRE

MONTGOMERY-
SHIRE

PEMBROKESHIRE ..

RADNORSHIRE

IRELAND

9, Ireland, N.
DUBLIN

GALWAY

MAYO

meath

TYRONE

WEST MEATH

APPLES.

Under ; good

Under ; bad

• Under

Under

Under

Under

Under

Average ;
good
Under

Under ; good

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Average

Under

Average ;
bad

Under ; good

Average ;

very good

Under ; good

Under ; good

Under; good

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Average ;
good
Under

Under ; bad

Average

Average

Average ;

good
Average

Average

Under; good

Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Under

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Under; good

Under; good

Under;
very good

Under

Under

Under

Under ->od

Under ; bad

Under

Under

Under

PEARS.

Under ; good

Average ;

good

Under; bad,

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Under

Average ;
very good
Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Under ; good

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Under

Average

Under ; good

Under; good

Under

Under ; very

good
Over ; good

Under; good

Over; good

Average

good

Average

good

Average ; bad

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Under

Under

Average ;

good
Average

Average

Average ;
good
Under

Under; good

Under; bad

Under

Average

Average ;

good

Under; bad

Under; good

Average ;
good

Average ;
good

Average ;

good

Under; bad

Average

Under

Average

Average ;
good
Under

Over ; good

PLUMS.

Over; good
Over ; good

Average
Over ; good
Over good

A verage

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Under; good

Average ;

good
Average

Average ;

good
Average

Over; good

Over ;
very good
Average

ver
very good
Average ;

good
Average

Over ; good

Under ; bad

Average ;

good

Under ; good

Under

Under; bad

Average

Under

Over ; good

Average

Under

Average ;
good
Under

Over ; very

good
Under; bad

Average

Under ; bad

Under; bad

Over;

average

Average ;

good

Under ; good

Average ;
very good

Under
Under ; bad

Under
Over; good
Under
Over
Under
Average

CHERRIES.

A verage ;

good
Average.;

good
Average

Under

Average ;

good
Average .

Average

Under ; good

Average

Average ;

good
Average

Average

Under

Over ; good

Average ;

bad
Average

Over; good

Average ;

good
Average

Over ; good

Average ;

good
Average ;

good

PEACHES
and NEC-
TARINES.

Average

Under ; bad

Under

Under

Average ;

bad

Over ; very

good

Under

Under ; good

Average

Under; bad

Average ;

bad
Average

Average ;

good

Under; good

Average

Over ;

very good

Under ; good

Average ;
very good

Average ;

go 3d
Average ;

good
Average

Under

Over ;
very good
Average ;

good
Average

Average

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average

Over; good

Average ;
good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; good

Average ;

very good

Over

Average ;
good

Over; very
good

APRICOTS.

Over ; good

Average ;
good

Average

Average ;
good

Average

Over;
very good
Average

Over; very
good

Over ;
very good
Over; good

Under ; bad

Over;
very good

Over ;
very good

Average;
very good

Over

l fader

Over;
very good

Average;

good

Over ;

very good

Average

Average

Average ;
good

Under

Average

Over

Average ;

Over ; good

Over

Over ; good

Average ;
very good
Average

Over ; good

Over ; good

Over

Over; very

good

Over ; good

Over; good

Over;

very good

^MALL
FRUITS.

Under

Over

Over ; good

Under

Average ;

good

Over ;

very good

Over ; very
good

Over ;
very good
Over ; good

Average ;
good
Over ;

very good

Over ;
very good

Average

Over ;
very good

Over ; good

Over;
very good

Over ;
very good
Average ;

good
Over ; good

Average :

good

Over ;

very good

Over;
very good
Average;
very good
Over; very

good

Over ; very

good

Average ;

good

Over ; very

good

Average ;

very good

Over ; good

Over ; very

good
Over ; good

Over

Over; very

good
Average ;

good
Average ;
very good
Average;
very good

Over; very

good
Over ; good

Over ; very

good
Over; very

good
Average ;

good
Over ; very

good
Over ; good

Over ; very

good

Over ; very

good

Average ;

good

Over ;

very good

Average ;

very good

Over ; very

good

Over;

very good

Over

Over ;
very good

Over ;
very good
Average ;

good

Over ;
very good

Over ;
very good

Over ; good

Average ;

good

Over ; good

Over

Average

Over ;
very good

Over ;
very good
Over ; good

STRAW-
BERRIES.

Average;

fairly good

Average;

good

Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

bad
Average

Under; bad

Average

Over; very

good

Average ;

good
Average

Average ;
very good
Average

Over ; good

Over ; good

Under ; bad

Average

Average ;

good

Under; bad

Under

Under; bad

Under; bad

Over ; good

Average ;
good
Under

Under ; bad
Under

Under ; bad

Under ;good
Average
Average

Over; good

Average ;

good

Under ; bad

Under ; bad

Average

Under; bad

Average ;

bad

Under ;

average

Over;

very good

Average ;

good

Average ;
good

Average ;

good

Over ;

very good

Over

Average

Over ;
very good
Under ; bad

Average ;

bad
Average ;

good

Average ;

good
Average

Average ;
good
Under

Average

Over

Average

Average

Average ;
good
L nder

Under

Average

Average

Average ;
good

Average

Average ;
good
Under

Over ; good

Under

Under; bad

Average ;
good
Under

Over ; good

Under

Average ;
good

Under

NAME AND ADDRESS.

Under

Tlios. Watkins, Newport Hall
Gardens, Eardisley.

W. E. Hyde, The Holt, Led-
bury.

vV. Powell. Croft Castle Gar-
dens, Kingsland.
Thos Spencer, Goodrich
Court Gardens, Ross.

George Mullins, East nor
Castle Gardens, Ledbury.

Chas. Smith, Barton Court
Gardens, Colwall.

Win. Humphries, Holme Lacy
Gardens, Hereford.

J. Rick, Moraston House Gar-
dens, near Ross.

\V. F. Wood, Llanfrechfa
Grange Gardens, Caerleon.

Thos. Coomber, The Hendre
Gardens, Monmouth.

John Basham, Fair Oak Nur-
series, Bassaleg, Newport.

Jas. Bone, Tredegar Park,
Newport, Mon.

Joseph Wiggins, Nevill Hall
Lodge, Abergavenny,

William Halle tt, Cosstngton,
Bridgwater.

Geo. H. Head, Kingsdon
Manor Gardens, Taunton.

John Crook^ Forde Abbey
Gardens, Chard.

Samuel Kidley, Chipley Park
Gardens, Wellington.

A. Young, Witley Court Gar-
dens, Stourport.

A. A. Pettigrew, Hewell Gar-
dens, Redditch.

C. A. Bay ford, Davenham
Gardens, Malvern.

William Crump, V.M.H.,
Madresfield Court Gardens,
Malvern.

Win. Pilgrim, Bodorgan Gar
dens, Anglesey.

William Parker, Neuaddtawr
Gardens, Llandovery.

A. Richardson, Dynevor
Castle Gardens, Llandilo

H. Weaver, Vaynol Park Gar-
dens, Bangor.

W. Speed, Penrhyn Castle,
Bangor, N. Wales.

T. Evans, Gwydyr Castle
Gardens, Llanrwst.

J. Martin, Bryn Estyn Gar-
dens, Wrexham.

J. A. Jones, Chirk Castle
Gardens, Chirk Ruabon.

Hy. Foider, ' West Ruthin
Castle, Ruthin.

John Forsyth, Hawarden
Castle, Chester.

R. Milner, Margam Park Gar-
dens, Port Talbot.

C. T. Warmington, Penller-
gatr Gardens, Swansea.

Hugh A. Pettigrew, St. Pagan's
Castle Gardens, Cardiff.

John S. Higgins, Rhug Gar-
dens, Corwen.

R. R.

E. L. Evans, Vaynor Park

Gardens, Berriew.
John Lambert, Powis Castle

Gardens, Welshpool.
Geo. Griffin, Slebeck Park

Gardens, Haverfordwest.
W. A. Baldwin, Clynfiew

Gardens, Boncath, R.S.O.
J. MacCormack, Maesllwch

Gardens, Glasbury, Here-
ford.
A. Buckingham, Stanage

Park, Brampton Brian.

A. Campbell, St. Anne's Gar-
dens, Clontarf.

Thomas Dunne, Lough Cutra
Castle Gardens, Gort.

Patrick Connolly, Cranmore,
Ballinrobe.

Michael McKeown, Julians-
town, Drogheda.

S. B. T.

Fred. W. Walker, Sion House

Gardens, Sion Mills,
lames Small, Caledon Park

Gardens, Caledon.
George Bogie, Pakenham Hall
| Gardens, Castlepollard.

Al-gvst 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

CONDITION OF THE FRUIT CROPS-H""""'')

89

COUNTY.

10, Ireland, S.
ATHLONE

APPLES. PEARS

Average

CARLOW Average

good
CLARE ,

CORK

KILDARE

ROSCOMMON

VVATERFORO
WICKLOW ...

CHANNEL
ISLANDS:

GUERNSEY

J I RSEY

ISLE-OF-

MAN

Under ; bad

Under

Under; very

good
Under ; bad

Average

Under
Average
Under
Under

Average

Average

good
Average

Average ;
good

PLUMS.

Under

Over;

very good
Under ; bad

Under

Under ; good

Average

Average

Under
Average
Under
Under
Under

Average ;
good
Under

Under; good

PEACHES
CHERRIES. andNEC-
TARINES.

Average ;

Under; very
■ good

Under
Over; good
Under; bad

Average

Under; good

Average ;

good
Average

Under

Under

Under

Over; good

Average ;
good

Average

Under

Over ; very
good

Over; good
Under; good

Average
Under ; bad

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Average ;

g I

Average

Under; bad

Average ;

good
Average

Average ;

Average ;

good
Average

Under

Under ; bad

Average

Average ;

good

Average ;

good

Average
Under ; bad

Over ; very

J;ood
er ; bad

Average ;
good
Under

Under ; bad

Over ; very

good

Average

Over

Average

Average

Average ;
good

APRICOTS.

Average

Average ;
good
Over ;

very good

Average ;

good

Average ;
good

Under ; good

Over

Average
Under; bad
Under ; bad

Under
Over ;

V' IV g 1

SMALL
FRUITS.

STRAW-
BERRIES.

Under ; bad

Over ; good

Over;

very good

Average ;

very good

Average

Average ;

very good

Over ; very

good

Average

Over
Over ; good

Over; very

good
Average ;

good
Over ; good

Over ; good

Over ; very

good

Over ;

very good

Average

Over ; very
good

Over ; very

good
Over ; good

Average ;

bad
Under

Average ;

good
Average ;

good
Under

Under

Under

Over ; very

good
Under ; bad

Average ;
good

Over ; good

Average
Under ; good

Under ; bad

Average ;
very good

NUTS.

Under

Average ;
good

Bad

Under

Under

Under

Average

NAME AND ADIMi

J. Murray, Moydrum Castle

Gardens.
V. F; Browne, Borris Kousc

Gardens, Borris.
Alfred Barker, Carrigoran,

Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Head Gardener, Ahern,

Conna.
C. Price, Mitchelstown Castle

Gardens.
W. J. Keywood, Castle Ber-
nard, Bandon.
Frederick Bedford, Straffan

Hous" Gardens, Straffau

Station.
A. Black, Carton, Maynooth.

Terence Rogers, Frenchpark

House Gardens.
Edward Connor, Mote Part

Gardens.
David Crombie, Curraghmorc

Gardens, Porilaw.
William Owen. Powerscourt

Gardens, Enniskerry.

Chas. Smith and Son, Cale-
donia Nursery.

T Sharman, St. Mark's
Road, St. Hellers'.

Philip Le Cornu, The Jersey
Nurseries, Jersey.

James Inglis, Brunswick

Road Nurseries, Dougla
E. B.

SUMMARY.

Records.

Apples.

Pears.

Plums.

Cherries.

Peaches

and Nec-

tarini s.

Apricots.

Small
Fruits.

' St raw -
bi rrii

Nuts.

SCOTLAND.

Number cf Records...

i

Ovei

Under

(46)

16

4

26

(44)

11

1

32

(44)
22
10
12

ill' (18)
24 9
10 3
10 6

(18)
9
5
4

[461

•21

22

3

(46)

2

10
8 6

1

ENGLAND.

Number of Records ..

-■

Over

Under ...

(187)
:,4

11

12'2

(186

91
24
71

(186
61

92

27

(179)
115

24
40

ill:-))

74

64

5

(146)
50

S4
12

(187)
75

in-

4

(186) (12GI
mi 62
39 14
53 50

WALES.

Number of Records .

Av< rage -

Ovei

Under

(21)
10
0
11

(21)

12

0

9

(21)
7
3

11

(19)

10

2

7

(13)
6
5
2

(12)
2
8

1 2

(21)

4

17
0

(20) (111
s 4
3 2
9 5

IRELAND.

Number of Records..

Average

Over

Under

(20)

5

0

1 15

(20)

7

2

• 11

(201
5
4
11

(20)
15

1
4

(14)
5
5
4

(10)
3
4
3

(19)

7
12
0

l

(20)
8
6
6

(9)

1

0

8

CHAN

NEL ISLANDS.

Number of Records..

Average

Oyer

Under

(3)
3
0
0

(S) 1 (3)

1 1
0 1

2 1

(3)
3
0
0

(3)
2
1
0

(2)
0
1

1

(3)
n
:)
0

(3)
1

1
1

(i:

i

0
0

ISLE OF MAN.

Number of Records

Average

Over

Under

. | (2)
1
0
1

.(2)
0
1

1

(2)
1
0

1

(2)

1
0

1

(1)
1
0
0

0
0

1

(2)
1
1
0

2)
1
0
1

np mnf,

AND 1

.90? SEE

PAGE !

w.

90

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Harden.
W.C.

Letters tor Publication, as well as specimens and plants
lor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible ,amt duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undeitake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Illustrations.- The Editor will be glad to receive andto select
photograplis or drawings, sir- for reproduction, of

gardens, or of remarkable Hants, .us, trets, &c, but he
cannot be responsible for lossor irijiuy

Newspapers. — Correspondents sending newspapers should be
carefulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

Local News.— Correspondents will greatly oblige bysendingto
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR AUGUST.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3-

Soc. Franc. d'Hort. de Londres meet.
German Gard. Soc. meet.

MONDAY, AUGUST 5—
Bank Holiday.
Ramsey Fl. Sh.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet.
Scottish Hort. Assoc, meet.
Nat. Amateur Gard. Assoc, meet.
Leicester Abbey Park Fl. Sb. (2 days).

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8—

Midland Carnation Sh- in Birmingham Botanic Gardens

(2 days).
Swansea Fl. Sh.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9—

Wellington (Som.) and District Fl. Sh.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10—

Ann. meet. Roy. Botanic Soc, 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13— Exmouth Fl. Sh. (2 days).

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14—
Taunton Deane Fl. Sh. (2 days).

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17-
Sheffield Fl. Sh.
German Gard. Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet.
Brighton Fl. Sh. (2 days).
.Brit. Gard. Assoc, Ex. Council meet.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21—

Shropshire Hort. Soc. Sh. at Shrewsbury (2 days).

Charlton Kings Fl. Sb.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22— Aberdeen Fl. Sh. (3 days)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23—
Roy. Bot. Soc. meet.
Rose Sh. in Manchester Botanic Gdns.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30— East Kilbride Fl. Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 62*4°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, July 31 (6 p.m.) : Max. 66°;
Min. 50'.
Gardeners1 Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, August
1 (10 a.m.): Bar.. 30-0; Temp., 62'; Weather—
Bright sunshine.
Provinces. — Wednesday, July 31 (6 p.m.) ' Max. 62°.
Cambridge; Min. 51°, Scotland, N.E.

In presenting our annual report

The on the condition of the hardv
Fruit . . . . r .

Crops. rrult crops it is sat sfactory to be

able to state that the crops are

not likely to be less than the average, or

inferior to those obtained last season. The

weather since April has been so unseasonable,

and the temperature of the atmosphere so

much below that which is normal, it would

not have been surprising had the return

proved of a somewhat depressing character.

It is partly for these reasons that we regard

the present crops as satisfactory. The weather

will always continue the determining factor

in the cultivation of hardy fruits, and it is to

some condition of the weather at a particular

time that success or failure may generally be

attributed. The cultivator can do much to

deserve success, by exercising care in the
selection of a proper situation for the trees,
by thoroughly preparing the soil before the
work of planting is commenced, by carefully
determining the most suitable varieties for
particular districts, seeing that such trees are
purchased as have been grafted on to the
best stocks, and that skilful management is
brought to bear on the trees. He can employ
means for preserving the trees from insect
and fungus attacks, and in some cases, but
not all, it is within his power to afford arti-
ficial waterings during periods of drought,
and manures to soils known to be deficient
in plant foods. But after all has been done
that is possible, in our present state of know-
ledge, the cultivator cannot command suc-
cess. This most desirable result can only be
achieved after the gardener has done his part
skilfully and faithfully, and the conditions
of the weather during critical periods in
the development of the trees are favour-
able. Thus it is that on occasions such
as this our thoughts arc taken back
to the spring of the year, and we recall
the condition of the trees at the stage when
the buds were beginning to burst, and the
brightest hopes were entertained in respect
to the future crops. At that particular time
this season the fruit trees were, in the words
of many of our correspondents, " full of pro-
mise." The month of September in las) yeai
was remarkable for high atmospheric tem-
peratures and brilliant sunshine, conditions
which may have had something to do with
the production of a rich supply of flower buds
on the trees. The observations to be pub-
lished in subsequent issues, and furnished by
contributors to the report, are almost unani-
mous in stating that the trees blossomed
with great freedom. Only one or two re-
porters state that owing to the production of
heavy crops last year the trees failed to flower
this season so well as could have been
desired.

We think that it is the case also that fewer
blossoms were destroyed by late frosts than
is often the case in this country, and that the
comparative failure of the Apple crop is at-
tributable to low atmospheric temperatures,
and cold winds, which prevailed for long
periods together, and to the extraordinary
lack of sunshine experienced during the
months of May and June. But if these con-
ditions have brought about a deficient Apple
crop, they have not so greatly affected Pears,
whilst Plums are much above an average
crop.

If we consider the crops in detail we find
that, concerning the Apple crop in Scotland,

out of forty-six returns, twenty-six report the
crop as being under the average, whilst six-
teen report average crops, and in only four
cases are they described as more than aver-
age. In England, out of 187 returns, there
are 122 reported under the average, whilst
only sixty-five report crops up to, or above,
the average. In Wales eleven correspondents
report that the crop is under the average, and
in not a single case is it described as more
than average. In Ireland the conditions are
worse than in England, Scotland, or Wales,
for out of twenty returns there are fifteen
which report the crop as under the average.

The Apple crop, therefore, over all the
country is of less value than last year, and
readers may see this for themselves by com-
paring the grand summary for the present
season with that for 1906, which we have
reproduced for this purpose.

Pears are variable, being less scarce in
England than they were last year, but not so
in Scotland. Out of forty-four returns from
Scotland, thirty-two report the crop as under
the average, and in only one instance is it
reported as above the average. In England,
among 1S6 returns there are seventy-one un-
der average, and the rest all report the crop
as average or above average. In Wales nine
out of twenty-one reporters, and in Ireland
eleven out of the same number, state the crop
to be under the average.

Plums are much more abundant than usual
in most parts of England, and in Scotland,
but the crop in Wales and Ireland is not so
plentiful. Out of forty-four returns from
Scotland only twelve report the crop as being
under the average, whilst in thirty-two in-
stances it is described as equal to, or above,
the average. In England, out of 186 returns,
ninety-two report the crop as being above the
average, sixty-seven as equal to the average,
and only twenty-seven as deficient.

Cherries are a good crop in most parts of
the country, being much above the average,
and the same remark applies with even
greater force to Peaches and Apricots. The
soft fruits, such as Gooseberries, Currants,
and Raspberries, grouped together under the
term " small " fruits, appear less liable to
miss cropping than Apples, Plums, or Pears,
and reference to the returns published in
these pages for some years past will show
that, as a rule, the crops of small fruits have
been good. But this year they are certainly
above the average, for in England, out of 187
returns, all but four report average crops or
crops above the average. The returns in
respect to Strawberries appear fairly satis-
factory in the report, but we are afraid that

GRAND SUMMARY. 1907

Records.

Apples.

Pears.

Plums.

Ch ernes.

Peaches
and Nec-
tarines.

Apricots.

Small
Fruits.

Straw-
berries.

Nuts.

Number of Records
Average

Over

Under

(279)

89

15

175

(276)
122
28
126

(276)
105
109
S3

(2671
163
37
67

(19?-)
98
78
16

(189)
62
101
26

(278)

106

165

7

(277)
141
56
77

(155)
68
18
69

SUMMARY OF 1906 FOR COMPARISON.

Records.

Apples.

Pears.

Plums.

Cherries.

Peaches
and Nec-
tarines.

Apricots.

Small
Fruits.

Straw-
berries.

Nuts.

Number of Records

Average

Over

Under

(253)

109

40

104

(249)

36

7

206

(228)

20

1

207

(229)
86
12
131

(161)

70

6

85

(147)

30

8

109

(253)
162
55
46

(253)
165
54
34

(131)
61
10
60

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle."

■

New Sweet Peas which received Awards of Merit at the National
Sweet Pea Society's Show on July 16, 1907.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

91

the crop generally was not equal to the aver-
age, although it lasted for a longer period
than usual. Owing to the lack of sunshine
the earlier fruits ripened but very slowly, and
many decayed during the process. At the
best, the fruits were of inferior flavour.

Reviewing, therefore, the details to which
we have just referred, and bearing in mind
that Apricots, Peaches, Cherries, Plums,
Raspberries, Gooseberries, and Currants
are plentiful crops, also that Pears are less
scarce than they were last year, the fruit
crops of 1907 cannot fairly be described as
unsatisfactory, notwithstanding that the
most important crop, that of Apples, is below
the average. Full crops of all kinds of
hardy fruits cannot be reasonably expected
in any season, for they are seldom, if ever,
■obtainable.

We thank our correspondents for the in-
formation so freely accorded; in mo-t in-
stances it has been contributed by cultivators
who have reported on the subject for many
years past, and who are therefore the I" -1
able to furnish comparative estimates.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — In

our issue for July 20 a supplementary illustra-
tion was given of a scene in the gardens attached
to the Villa d' Este, near Rome, and an ac< ount
of these gardens was contributed by Mr. James
HUDSON, gardener to Mr. Leopold de Roth-
schild, at Gunnersbury House, Acton. The sup-
plementary illustration to the present issue
affords another view in the same gardens, with
the Villa showing in the background. Mr.
Hudson describes the gardens as capable of
affording a delightful retreat during the hot,
dry, Italian summer, and this may well be
imagined when viewing the illustration of the
series of water-ten ices, that are fed by the
cascade seen in the background. The Villa
itself is said to be one of the finest examples
of architecture of the Renaissance period.

Royal Horticultural Society. — The next
meeting of the committees will be held in the
Society's hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, on
Tuesday, August 6. At the afternoon meeting a
lecture on Water Lilies will be delivered by Mr.
Arthur Bedford.

Sir Joseph Hooker and the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. — The following letter from
Sir Joseph Hooker, O.M., to Sir Trevor Law-
rente, in reply to the congratulations of the
Royal1 Horticultural Society on the occasion of
his 90th birthday, appeared in the Times for
July 29: — "The Camp, Sunningdale, July 15,
1907. My dear Sir Trevor, — Your letter of the
25th June conveying the hearty congratulations
of the President, Council, and Fellows of the
Royal Horticultural Society on the approach of
my 90th birthday has gratified me more than I
can express. It is not by many times the first
instance I have experienced of the friendly and
all too liberal estimate of my labours in the
cause of horticulture that the society has enter-
tained. It has been a source of great regret
that I was obliged, when resigning my post of
chairman of the Scientific Committee, to aban-
don all hope of attending our meetings on
account of having to devote my energies to the
Directorship of Kew, and to the completion of
labours on botanical works I have in progress.
I had also to endeavour to overtake arrears of
work extending ever many years, which are still
far from being overtaken. As a botanist I have
hereby lost much, for since the days of David
Douglas, the Royal Horticultural ' Society has
contributed more for botanical science, as repre-

sented by collections, publications, and experi-
mental research, than any other establishment
in Europe. I have now to request you as their
president to accept yourself, and convey to the
council and to my fellow-members, my pride
and gratitude for this most welcome evidence of
their friendship and esteem. With every good
wish for the continued welfare and renown of
the society, — Believe me, dear Sir Trevor,
sincerely yours, Jos. D. Hooker."

German Nurserymen's Association, —

About a year ago the project of the formation of
a confederation of nurserymen was brought for-
ward by the Hon. II, Muller. nurseryman at
Langsur, and president of the Club of Rhenish
nurserymen. Since that time the representatives
of the nursery interests have not been allowed to
rest, but it has been repeatedly referred to in the
German horticultural Press, and the views of the
Hon. Muller, and other nurserymen, have been
made public with the result that the project has
taken a definite shape, and at the Mannheim ex-
hibition, where many members of the trade were
present, it was decided to form an association with
the Hon. Muller as president ; a statement of the
proceedings will shortly be published. The next
meeting will take place at Eisenach in 1908. The
matters that will be the first to be discussed are rail-
way tariffs for the dispatch of nursery productions ;
means by which businessexpenditure, in view of the
rise in wages, can best be reduced ; tax on imports ;
unity in prices for certain plants, and their size
and form, as for example Roses, avenue trees,
ornamental shrubs, &c. ; and the existing stocks of
these. The principle of the "Open Door" will
also come under discussion, and cm this point the
views expressed in general are that there should be
no hindrances as regards the trade in nursery stock
as between one province and another in the
Empire. But the foreigner should be taxed.
Then there will be discussions concerning circuit,
communal, provincial and school nurseries, and
the injury to the trade which results from their
competition. These are the more important matters
for discussion at next year's meeting.

The Quarterly Journal of Forestrv.

— In the last issue of this excellent publication,
edited by Mr. W. R. Fisher, and published in
July, there is a very informative and illustrated
article on the life history of the Beech. Other
articles include one recommending the conver-
sion of underwood into high forest, and one on
the mismanagement of Quick-Fences in Eng-
land. Dr. Somervili.e has an article on the
caterpillars of Argyresthia laevigatella attacking
Larch trees, with illustrations. A report of a
lecture delivered by Dr. A. Henry to the Ash-
molean Natural History Society, at Oxford,
gives an interesting account of Dr. Henry's
recent tour in the forests of the Rocky Moun-
tains, Spain, Corsica, and Algeria.

Cytisus albus (Link). — This is one of
the more promising species of Cytisus for
forcing, and it is occasionally quoted in
lists of hardy shrubs. Xot by any means a
newly introduced plant, it is rare in gardens,
and is generally confounded with C. prascox,
which is equally good for forcing ; and there is
the risk of confounding it with C. albus
[Hacquet], of which one form is known in nur-
series as C. Shipkffinsis. C. albus [Link] belongs
botanically, as well as C. praecox and C. purgans,
to the sub-genus Spartocytisus, and reminds one
in outward appearance, in the slender rod-like
shoots of dull green colour, of Spartium
scoparium and Genista Andreana. The shrub
is of an evergreen or half-evergreen character,
and the flowers are of the size and form of
those of G. Andreana, and other small-
flowered species, the colour white. It comes
into bloom at the same time as C. purpureus —

i.e., in early June, and reaches a height of
4J feet. As a standard worked on the Labur-
num stock it has an excellent effect. The plant
is a native of South-west Europe and Northern
Africa, as is evident from the name, Genet
blanc du Portugal, given to it in French lists.
Tlialaeier's Handclsgartner.

Viola Trials. — Under the auspices of the
Scottish Pansy and Viola Association, and
with the co-operation of Mr. Whitton, super-
intendent of the Glasgow parks, an extensive
trial of Violas is being made in the Queen's
Park, Glasgow. They are grown by Mr.
McIver, who has charge of this beautiful park.
The object aimed at is to find out which kinds
are best suited for bedding purposes. Six
plants of each variety to be grown were sent
from cultivators in different parts of the
country, there being about 40 to 50 lots of each:
of the leading colours. On July 24 they were-
inspected by four judges, under the guidance
of Mr. Milne, president, and Mr. Smellie,
secretary of the Scottish Pansy and Viola Asso-
ciation. The following varieties were placed in
the order of merit as follows, the first-named
variety receiving the greatest number of marks :
—White varieties. — Christiana, Alexandra, and
Bethea, equal (24 marks each), Marchioness,
Countess of Hopetoun, and E. C. Barlow (20
marks each), Blanche (16), and Niphetos (4
marks). Yellow varieties.— Red Braes (32), King
Cup (20), Grievii, Canary, and Meteor (16 each).
1 Ifs — Kitty Bell and Lavender Queen

21 .nli,,, Florizel (20). Blue varieties.— -Wm.

Ha (28), Blue Bedder and Mary McLean (20
■■■'■ h , Max ,Kobb and Royal Scott (16 each).
.' and Faneies.— Maggie Currie (28), Jenny
Mi Gregor, Dr. McFarlane, and T. W. R. John-
stone (24 each), J. H. Watson (20). /
varieties.— James Pilling (32), Willie Farmer
and Mrs. Chichester (24 each). In the evening
the society met in the Religious Institution
Rooms, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, when a
goodly number of promising seedling blooms
were presented for inspection. The following
fancy Tansies were awarded First-Class Certifi-
viz. :— Wm. Cuthbertson, Mrs. S.
Mitchell, Arthur Brown, and Jenny Morris.
Certificates of Merit were also awarded to
several other varieties of Pansy and Viola

The Garden Charities.— We are informed
that the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institu-
tion and the Royal Gardeners' Orphan 1
have recently received substantial sums of
money from Mr. Frank Crisp, LL.B., J.P.,
being part proceeds of fees received for admis-
sion to view his interesting gardens at Friar
Park, Henley-on-Thames. It is very pleasant
to record such instances as this, and we com-
mend Mr. Crisp's example as one worthy of
more general imitation.

Horticulture at Reading. — That horti-
cultural activity is one of the distinguishing
characteristics of Reading is well known to most
of our readers. The fact is illustrated very
plainly in the issue of the Reading Standard
for July 27, which contains reports of the visit
of the Reading Gardeners' Association to Wel-
beck Abbey, the residence of the Duke of Port.
LAND, on July 17, and of the visit of the
National Sweet Pea Society to Reading on July
26. In connection with the Reading Society's
visit to Welbeck there are several photographs
of the party, and separate portraits of Mr. W.
Turnham, chairman of the association, Mr. F.
W. MacDonald, treasurer, and Mr. H. G.
Cox, secretary. The visit of the Sweet Pea
Society is marked by the reproduction of two
photographs of the visitors, one of which shows
the members in the act of inspecting the trials.
There is also a portrait of Mr. Charles Foster,
Assistant Director of the Horticultural Depart-
ment, Reading College, under whose superin-
tendence the trials have been cultivated.

92

THE GARDENERS'

CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

A Veteran Gardener.— On July 23 last Mr,
Robert Anderson completed his 80th year of
age, and also 44 years' service as head gardener
at Sewerby House, near Bridlington, East York,
shire. Born in Banffshire he has served in many
famous gardens, including- those at Haddo
House, Aberdeenshire, and Trentham, in Staf-
fordshire. On his 36fh birthday he went to
Sewerby House as head gardener, where he still
remains active and well. Mr. Anderson raised
the beautiful Tacsonia x Andersonii (see Gar.
deners' Chronicle, August 7, 1875, p. 167). Of his
five sons throe have followed the gardening pro-
fession, two having commenced business on
their own account, and one is in the United
States of America.

Kew Gardeners at Cricket. — The annual
cricket match between past and present Kew
gardeners was played at Kew on July 27, and
resulted in a win for the present men by 66
runs.

" Nos Arbres." — A book has been issued in
Geneva and Paris by M. H. Correvon, President
of the Societe pour la Protection des Plantes. He
pleads for the preservation of fine native and
exotic trees. The work is well written and in part
admirably illustrated. The first portion is con-
cerned with historical trees, the forests, the story
of disforesting and afforesting in Switzerland and
adjacent countries ; the second part treats of
the trees of the woods, parks and avenues of
Switzerland.

Publications Received.— Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries. Report on the Prospects of Crops. —
The Book on W ater-Gardening, by Peter Bisset, pub-
lished by the A. T. De La Mare Printing and Publish-
ing Company, Ltd., New York. — Tourist Guide to the
Continent, published by the Great Eastern Railway
Company, price 6d. — Staffordshire County Council
Education Committee. Directory for Higher Education
1907-1908, containing the regulations of the committer
and details of schemes in operation throughout the
administrative county. — Journal of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society , Vol. xxxii., June, 1907.

MARKET GARDENING.

CROPS IN THE WORTHING DISTRICT.

The season for most crops is quite a fortnight
later than the average. The prospects for Chry-
santhemums are good. A stock of the variety
Souvenir du Petit Ami that came under my in-
spection was remarkably fine. One of the large
growers, Mr. F. E. Sparkes, has 80,000 of these
plants under cultivation, and another market
nurseryman, Mr. Dorey, Sea View Nurseries,
has 20,000 plants. In both instances the owne's
were satisfied with the appearance of their
plants.

Tomatos promise a late crop, especially those,
grown in unheated houses. The system of cul-
ture generally adopted is to level the beds in
which Cucumbers have been grown and to plant
the Tomatos in soil of a very little depth upon a
hard bottom. One large nurseryman, Mr. \V.
Magness, plants the- variety Tuckswood
Favourite for a main crop. Bright sunshine is
especially welcome to Tomato-growers, for the
fruits sell cheaply, and the returns do not allow
of expenses for fuel.

Grapes are the staple crop of the district. Mr.
T. Blissett has a very regular crop of Gros.
Maroc, each vine averaging 20 bunches. Black
Alicante is a very level crop. In four establish-
ments I visited some of the vines were trained
as double, and others as single rods ; in each
instance they were doing well. Mr. W. Magness,
of West Worthing, has a span-roofed vinery 450
feet long, from which he obtained 8,000 lb. of
Grapes last season, and the present crop pro-
mises to be equally as heavy. ;

Early, mid-season, and late crops of Gros
Colmar were, without exceptions, good. The
variety Muscat of Alexandria is largely grown in

the Worthing district, and fc>oth the early and the
mid-season crops (very few late ones are grown)
were promising.

In the houses in which Grapes will shortly be
cut, the foliage was being tied back, in order

Peaches are being supplanted by vines, for in>
more than one house this season vines have been
planted in their stead. I noticed a very heavy
crop of Peaches in one nursery. The fruits are
sent to the Midlands, where they are realis-

FlG. 35. — ROSE HUGO ROLLER, A NEW TEA VARIETY WITH CREAM-COLOURED PETALS, THE
OUTER ONES WITH A DEEP SUFl-'USION OF CRIMSON. (See page 76 ante.)

that more light might be admitted to the berries.
Copious waterings and heavy feeding are prac-
tised by all the growerr Ntfh in the case of inside
borders and those outsld*

ing from Is. to 2s. per dozen — a poor return, but
one which, the grower informed me, pays.
Peach houses are used for Chrysanthemum cul-
ture later in the season. Stefhen Castle.

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

93

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL NOTES FOR AUGUST.
The first blooms of the early-flowering varie-
ties are nearly over, and now is a suitable
time to remove all weak and badly-ripened
shoots. Seed capsules and untidy flowers of
Tea and Hybrid Tea varieties should be re-
moved, and the flowering stems be pruned back
two buds from the base. Any rampant-grow-
ing shoots should also be shortened, for, if this
is done early in the present month, a free and
continuous display of bloom may be expected.
All plants in an active condition of growth
should be given copious applications of liquid
manure, alternated occasionally with a sprink-
ling, on the loosened surface of the ground, of

now be made in budding the Manettii and De la
Gnfferie stocks. The latter are specially
suited as stocks for strong-growing varieties of
the Rambler type, and climbing Noisettes and
Tea varieties, such as W. A. Richardson,
Lamarque, Ophirie, Aimee Vibert, Cheshunt
Hybrid, and Kaiserin Frederic. The Manetti
stock is most suitable for the Hybrid Per-
petual type of Roses. Hybrid Tea varieties
are really more perpetual in flowering than the
former, and they deserve to be more exten-
sively cultivated than at present. Insert the
buds as low down on the stem as is possible,
and even remove some of the soil just above
the roots to. allow of this being done. If any
buds that were inserted early this season have
failed to grow, insert others to take their places
as near to the main stem as is possible.

[/ Holograph by Clias. Jones.
FlG. 36. — CURRANT WHITE DUTCH.

Clay's Fertiliser. In dry seasons there is
often a difficulty in conveying moisture to the
roots in a sufficient quantity by surface water-
ings. To ensure water reaching the roots, make
holes in the soil with pointed iron rods deep
enough to allow the water to penetrate to the
roots. This system will prevent the roots
growing too near to the surface of the soil,
and thus becoming, unless well covered with a
mulching, scorched by the sun. As soon as
the buds on the early-worked stocks commence
to swell, the material used for tying should
be loosened, and the shoots on the briar pruned
back a few inches. Buds being now plenti-
ful and in the best condition for inserting,
the opportunity should be taken of perform-
ing any budding that is needed. A start may

The present is a suitable time for inserting
cuttings of Roses. Select for the purpose
short-jointed sideshoots, taken off with a heel,
and insert them singly in small, well-drained
pots filled with sandy loam, and covered on
the surface with a little pure sand. Water the
cuttings after they have been inserted, and keep
them shaded whenever necessary. Stand the
pots in a cold frame and shut the frame close.
Some of the cuttings will form roots during the
autumn, but if the frame be placed on a hot-
bed of moderate heat and the pots be plunged,
all the cuttings should form roots and become
established before the winter arrives.

Ply the hoe to free the borders and the beds
from weeds. July is the best month for layer-
ing Roses, a simple and sure method of

increasing new and desirable varieties: among
the Hybrid Perpetuals or other strong-
growing kinds that lend themselves to this
mode of propagation. Choose the best-ripened
shoots from among those springing from near
the soil, and at about 1 foot or more distant
from the main stem. Cut a slit or notch,
about one inch long, half-way through on the
under side of the shoot. Remove about six
inches of the soil so as to cover the shoots, and
mix some sandy grit and burnt earth with the
excavated mould. Place the shoot carefully,
and without breaking it, in the hole, and
cover the cut portion with soil, after first
making the shoot firm with a hooked peg
or iron pin inserted just above the notch.
Level the soil and make it quite firm
about the shoot. If dry weather prevails,
afford copious waterings and well mulch the
surface of the ground. Pot-plants and grafted
Roses, and those on their own roots that were
stopped for the last time as directed in July,
will now be ripening their growths previous to
their season of flowering, which extends from
September onwards. /. D. G.

THE WHITE CURRANT.

The White Currant ranks amongst the best
of hardy bush fruits for dessert purposes, and
although its flavour and general eating qualities
are far superior to those of the Red Currant, it is
merely an albino form of the same species— Ribes
rubrum. It is quite distinct, however, from the
Black Currant, for this is derived from Ribes
nigrum, and the Currants of the grocer are simply
a small species of Grape. The White Currant is
seldom eaten in a cooked condition, but for the
dessert table they form a choice dish, and
sometimes the choicer bunches of the Red
Currant are mingled on the same dish as the
White, the two forming a pleasing effect. The
White Currant is the least hardy of the three
types, but given a favourable soil and situation it
is not difficult of culture if treated according to the
general principles of training, pruning, &c. , afforded
the Red. The best mode of propagation is by
means of cuttings, and these should be inserted in
the autumn when the young shoots are mature,
but they will form roots if inserted any time
before March of the following year, although a
season is saved if they are rooted by early autumn
propagation. The standard variety and the one
most often met with in gardens is White Dutch
(see fig. 36), and this has numerous synonyms,
being known as Blanche d'Hollande, New White
Dutch, Jeeve's White, Morgan's White, White
Crystal, White Leghorn, &c. Of late years a new
variety of much merit, known as Transparent, or
Versailles, has been extensively planted. Other
varieties are Wilmot's Large White, Blanc de
Iioulogne, and Yellow German.

COLONIAL NOTE.

WATSONIA ARDERNEI.
Your correspondent, F. W. G., complains (p.
373) of the non-success which followed his treat-
ment of the bulbs of W. Ardernei. Here, living
in the midst of these beautiful bulbs, we find
that the best flowers are always obtained from
bulbs that are not shifted during their dormant
stage. It is also a mistake to allow the bulbs
to become thoroughly dried ; it is far better to
keep the soil somewhat moist, and to grow
them undisturbed in the ground instead of in
pots. In their natural habitat they flourish in
very wet situations, starting into life in winter
and blossoming in spring. It will also be found
that when the bulbs are left undisturbed in the
ground, they will rapidly increase in numbers,
and produce stronger growths and blossoms than
otherwise. This Watsonia is one of the hardiest
species, and it resents being coddled. E. P.,
Cafe Town.

94

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

NURSERY NOTES.

OLEARIA NITIDA.
This species was introduced from New Zea-
land in 1886. Though an extremely handsome
flowering shrub, it' is, curiously enough, rarely
seen in gardens, although such species as O.
Haastii, O. stellulata, often misnamed O. Gunnii,
and O. macrodonta, are fairly common. In New
Zealand it is said to reach the size of a small
tree, and to grow at an elevation of 4,000 feet.
It is probably as hardy as O. Haasti, which is
found at the same elevation, and hardier than
O. stellulata, but, the number of plants grown
in the open in this country being limited, this is,
at present, rather a matter of conjecture. The
specimen illustrated at fig. 37 is 5 feet 6 inches in
height, and it endured 10J of frost on four nights
in the last winter, but not a leaf or shoot was
injured. As will be seen, it is an attractive
object when in full bloom. The small, white,
Hawthorn-like blossoms are about half an inch
across, and are borne so freely on loose, branch-
ing racemes, that, as is shown in the illustra-
tion, they entirely hide the foliage. The leaves
are leathery in texture, 3 inches in length and
2 inches in breadth, deep green on the upper
surface, and silvery white beneath. The flowers
were borne in such profusion on the plant illus-
trated that when the withered bloom-clusters
were cut off, they completely filled two bushel
baskets. S. W . Fitzherbert, South Devon.

CHOICE SHRUBS AT LEONARDSLEE
GARDENS.

One of the most beautiful shrubs in flower at
the present time is Styrax japonica. The flowers
hang like Snowdrops from the underside of the
branches, which are covered with thousands of
the pretty white blossoms. This specimen is
about 20 feet high, and there is another, not
quite so large, planted in a cold, heavy soil,
where it is flowering grandly. These trees are
given no protection whatever, and they need no
pruning. Stuartia pseudo-camellia is just now
one mass of flowers, which resemble those of a
single Camellia. They are pure white, with
yellow anthers, and measure about 3 inches in
diameter. This plant also grows well in a heavy
soil.

Cytisus nigricans is a lovely variety of Broom,
with a somewhat bushy habit. It grows and
flowers with freedom. The specific name is de-
rived from the black colour of the flowers when
they are dried.

Cistus ladaniferus is now a fine feature in
these gardens. It is one of the best of all the
Rock Roses, is perfectly hardy, and very
floriferous.

Chionanthus retusus is covered with its fringe-
like flowers in white and drooping racemes. The
plant is hardy and does well in a cold soil.

Caesalpinia japonica is an interesting plant,
with canary-yellow-coloured flowers produced in
racemes, somewhat after the manner of a small
Acacia. The plant requires a liberal treatment
in order that it may succeed. The wood has
long prickles, which are turned the reverse way
of the growing plant. W. A. Cook, Leonardslee
Gardens, Horsham, Sussex.

PLANT NOTE.

POLEMONIUM CONFERTUM MELITUM.
This exceedingly pretty plant, a native of the
Rocky Mountains, is very useful for culture as
a pot plant in a cool greenhouse. Ine long,
narrow, rich-green, pinnate leaves give a grand
effect to the dainty, fragrant, creamy-white
flowers, which are borne in terminal axillary
racemes on stems 10 inches in height. It should
be planted out-of-doors in deep, sandy soil, and
be watered freely during hot, dry weather. A
suitable soil for its culture in pots is one com-
posed of equal parts rich loam and sand. The
plant needs to be freely watered in dry weather.
W. Glover, Langfort.

MESSRS. H. CANNELI. & SONS.
On the occasion of a recent visit, the day
being stormy and unfavourable for viewing
the outdoor plantations at Eynsford and the
adjacent orchards and fruit gardens, I had to
be content with an inspection of the glasshouses
at the Swanley branch. The first one entered
was filled mainly with Gloxinias, then past their
best and in process of maturing and seed
setting. The plants were large, with very robust
leaves quite concealing the pots. Some possessed
blooms 3 or 4 inches in diameter. One new

of the beautiful colours and large size of the
blooms, more especially the varieties cinna-
barina, aurantiaca (an orange-scarlet), albo
rubra maculata, alba rosea, violacea, delicata,
rosea, and the peculiarly coloured salmonea.
These plants bloom early, and are almost con-
tinuously in flower. The height of the plants
is 1£ to If feet, and the habit of growth bushy.
Of Streptocarpus, many were noted carrying
immense numbers of blooms of various colours
and markings, rivalling the finer Gloxinias.

In the Canna house my attention was arrested
by the following: C. Venus, rose-pink edged
with yellow ; C. Niagara, only 1± feet high, of a
brilliant shade of scarlet edged with golden ye!.

{Photograph by S. Wyiutham Fttzherbcri.
Fig. S7- — OLEARIA nitid/, a hardy shrub.

variety has a white throat and overlapping seg-
ments— the flower of the future, as Mr. Cannell
hopes. Some have spotted throats, and others
have pretty spots on the margins of the seg-'
ments, whilst striped throats were observed in
some ; and in others crimson lobes and pure
white throat. One named "Her Majesty" is
white, of imnense size and fine shape. Another,
" The Giant, '; is quite 6 inches in diameter, and
a variety " Miss Willmott " is a fine one of the
colour of the Verbena so called. A nice collec-
tion of impatiens Sultani and I. Hol«t i varieties
— Ger.nan raised — called. for attention by reason

low, with scarlet spots — the flowers large; C.
Mrs. C. A. Strohlein, a fine crimson variety;'
Evolution, a fine, old variety of buff and yel-
low colours and a big spike ; Duke Ernest, a
scarlet which, though of large size, stands the-
weather well ; Frau E. Kracht, of a salmon-1
pink tint having a yellowish tinge ; Julius Metz,
an orange-scarlet-coloured bloom — a very fine
thing. Others possessing high merit were
Papa Crozy, W. Watson, Gladiator, Elfe, Jean
Monval, W. Tell, and Hermann Aldinger, a-
rich crimson flower.
In' the Carnation house there were noted"

'

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

95

Souvenir de la Malmaison Princess of Wales
(Newton Don variety), a fine flower of a light pink
colour ; and Duchess of Marlborough, also pink
in i-ulour with stripes of darker tint, a fancy,
having a perfect flower, very good for cutting
purposes. Numerous American varieties were
observed, of which Prosperity, having carmine
stripes, on a white ground, deserves notice.

The Begonias in another house were a beauti-
ful lot that could scarcely be excelled. Mr.
Cannell has been raising Begonias for the past
20 years. One of his new varieties, of which
there can be only one opinion, has imbri-
cated petals like those of Camellia imbricata
alba ; and, like others of the collection, it never
produces seeds, but must be raised from cut-
tings. Comet is a double flower of a scarlet

leaves partake of the Oakleaf form, and the
colour of the flowers is pleasing. The winter-
flowering Zonal Pelargoniums were making fine
growth, and will keep in bloom for an entire
year — a most valuable class. Among varieties
of double and single flowered Pelargoniums
raised at this nursery, mention should be
made of Arabic, scarlet with an eye of white,
and a fine truss ; Saxonia, even larger, and
of the same colour ; Lucania, likewise scarlet
in colour, with very large blooms and truss ;
Carmania, of a rosy-scarlet tint, producing a
very big truss, the individual pips of which are
big, and the foliage distinctly zoned ; and
Chauteraine is a pale pink flower having an
edge of a darker shade. Of double-flowered
varieties in bloom there were Val Fleuri (a deep

FlG. 3S. — A FLOWERING SPRAY OF OLEAR1A NITIDA: FLOWERS WHITE.

(See page 94.)

colour ; Blush Queen is an extremely large
flower; Lord Stradbrook is a grand scarlet
bloom, and W. H. Grenfell ; Lady E. Mallet,
rose-coloured 'with a white centre ; Sunflower,
of a pale yellow tint, double and large ; and
Enchantress, of, pink and buff colours, are all
good varieties. A new strain of tuberous
Begonia has channelled petals, very pleasing,
and scalloped margins.

Pelargoniums, for which the firm has achieved
great reputation, were in fine bloom ; and
of these I may mention Omphale, a flower
of a salmon-pink colour, with large pips and
trusses ; Clorinda, one of Dr. Bonavia's raising,
blooms in mid-winter, and at other seasons ; the

cerise), MM. Fournier, Sarloveze (of a charming
pink tint), Mdlle. Meindre (a distinct salmon-
pink), Paul Rebaux (pinkish crimson), Queen
of Spain (cerise), Paul Crampell (one of the
best for potwork as for bedding), and very
bright. Of this last, it is said Her Majesty the
Queen will have no other variety planted in
the gardens at Buckingham Palace.

On visiting one of the mixed fruit plantations,
one could but be impressed by the extraordinary
heavy fruiting of the Raspberry canes, every
blossom of which appeared to have set, the crop
being the heaviest possible, and the fruits en-
tirely free from insects of every kind injurious
to this fruit. The value of this freedom

from insects is fully appreciated by the London
salesmen to whom the fruit is consigned, and
the prices obtained are therefore much in excess
of the ordinary ones paid.

A wash, non-poisonous and colourless, manu-
factured by Messrs. Cannell and Sons, is applied
by means of a " Vermorel " sprayer at all stages
of growth, excepting when the fruits are ripen-
ing, to all kinds of fruit bushes and trees. .1/.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Rock and Water Gardens.*

This book is written, as the authoi informs
us in the preface, for those who love the flowers
of mountain and stream, of Alpine pasture, and
reed-fringed pool ; for those who gladly welcome
into their gardens a class of plants whose
beauty and charm is not surpassed by any other.
It is also written with the hope that it may
arouse interest in those who have ho knowledge
of rock and water plants, and yet have facilities
for growing them.

The book embraces some 90 pages, and in its
twelve chapters deals with: I., "Rock and Al-
pine Gardens " ; II., " Rock Garden Construc-
tion " ; III., "The Garden of Alpines"; IV.,
" The Rock Garden in Spring " ; V., " Rock
Garden Plants"; VI., "Rock Shrubs"; VII.,
"Wild Water Margins"; VIII. , "Small Water
Gardens"; IX., "Bog and Marsh Gardens";
X., "Lily Tanks"; XL, "Water Lilies"; XII.,
" Aquatics and Bog Plants."

There are numerous illustrations which
have a direct bearing upon the varying phases
of the work with which the book deals, and a
more or less complete index will afford some
assistance for reference. The book is written in
an interesting and intelligent manner, ami the
pleasure excited by a glance at the early pages
of the book increases with further reading.

Chapter I. deals with rock and Alpine gar-
dens, and defines the difference between the
rock garden and the rockery. The latter, with
its collection of clinkers, pottery, and the like,
" no good gardener will tolerate, contravening,
as it does, all ideas of good taste and artistic
perception."

The rock garden, we are informed, "is a
definite piecing together of natural rock and
stone, and is so formed that it shall offer ideal
conditions for the growing of Alpines and such
plants as occur naturally on mountain sides and
at high elevation." We can scarcely agree with
the author when he states, on page 3, " It is
not so much the altitude that suits these minia-
ture flowers, but rather the absence of plants
of robust habit and coarse growth," for there
are many native plants of the higher altitudes)
that miss the great snow-mantle that for
many months each year protects them, keeping
them dry and free from the changes from wet
to frost so frequent in a lowland garden.

The need for a greater depth of a proper
rooting medium than is usually afforded these
plants, and "the rich soil they certainly do not
need," are items of importance commented
upon. We note with pleasure, on page 6, a
condemnation of those perpendicularly set
stones, or others that form " a roof to the plants
beneath," for there is nothing more opposed to
good effect, or to the growth of Alpine plants,
than these nearly perpendicularly-placed stones,
all the more incongruous when of clearly strati-
fied rock. These " impossible pinnacles " are
worse than useless.

Valuable, and full of sound instruction, is
the chapter on " Rock Garden Construction."
The chapter dealing with " The Garden of
Alpines " is especially helpful in that it deals
minutely in not a few instances with the likes
and the dislikes of many Alpine plants ; and
the information afforded on these points merits

* " The Book of Rock and Water Gardens," by Charles
Thonger. Published by John Lane, London. Price 2s. (kl

96

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

careful perusal. Nor will the reader be over-
done with these hints at any point of the story ;
rather does he come upon them at intervals, the
results, as it would appear, of diary notes made
on the mountain side, and amplified at leisure.
But if in this sense disconnected somewhat,
the freshness and the interest remain through-
out.

The lists of plants supplied at the end of
Chapter V. is very meagre, and no mention is
made of some of the choicest plants, such, for
instance, as Adonis amurensis, Androsaces lanu-
ginosa, pyrenaica and sarmentosa, and Alpine
Columbines. In the list of Dianthuses, D.
alpinus is absent, but D. caesius and D. del-
tcides find a place. Anthemis aizoon, cited on
page 38, and which we have found of doubtful
hardiness in some parts, and wholly unreliable
in others, is now referred to as Achillea agerati-
folia.

"Lily Tanks" and "Water Lilies" are
treated of in the concluding chapters, and, of
the latter plants, a full descriptive list is given.

The illustrations facing pages 6 and 8 afford
proof of what may be done in quite a small
way in this style of gardening. The " Wild
Garden " scene, page 20, is also of educational
value.

KEW NOTES.

CAMPANULA PUNCTATA.
This very distinct bell-flower (see fig. 39) pro-
duces long, pendent, white flowers. It requires
good culture and an ample supply of moisture at
the roots to be seen at its best. When growing
in rich, deep soil, with a plentiful water supply
it forms a plant of very different appearance to
specimens in poor, dry ground, where it becomes
so changed in character for the worse as to be
hardly worth growing. It is an old garden
species, but one rarely met with nowadays. It
attains to a height of 2 feet, and its drooping,
white flowers are rather over 2 inches in length
and about an inch across at the mouth. Although
pure white on the outside, these flowers are
spotted in their interiors with innumerable small
purple-red dots. The blossoms are hairy. In
some cases the flowers, instead of being white,
are of a soft rose-colour. This plant has a very
wide range of habitat, being found in Siberia,
China, Japan and Corea. In places not suited
to its culture it often dies in the winter, and has.
in consequence, sometimes been classed as an
annual, but it is a true perennial. S. W . Fitzherbert .
[An excellent illustration of the flowers of this
species was given as a supplement to Gardeners'
Chronicle, August 26, 1905.— Ed.]

LAW NOTE.

PLANTS DAMAGED BY CREOSOTE
FUMES.

A nurseryman carrying on business in Chel-
tenham Road, Bristol, recently made a claim
against the Bristol Tramways and Carriage. Co.
for damages for injury to plants alleged to have
been caused by fumes from newly laid creosoted
wood-paving blocks. The company said that
nothing they had done had caused the injury to
the plaintiff of which he complained, and in
the second place they said if they had done it
they were protected by Acts of Parliament which
empower them to do the injuries complained of.

The jury, after having been absent for 1J
hours, returned the following answers to the
questions : —

(1) Do you find that the injury to the plain-
tiff's plants was caused by the wood paving or
not? — We find it was.

(2) Do you find that it was reasonably neces-
sary for the defendants to repave the road in the
way they dad, and at the time they did? — Yes;
but in the light of the evidence given at the
liearing, No.

(3) Do you find it was absolutely necessary
for the defendants to repave the road as they
did, and when they did, or not? — No.

Mr. Inskip, upon these answers, asked for
judgment for the plaintiff.

Mr. Salter asked for judgment for the de-
fendants as the answer to the second question
was quite conclusive. He contended that the
defendants were entirely protected by statute.

Eventually the judge entered judgment for the
plaintiff, but stay of execution was granted, with
a view of entering an appeal.

A GLIMPSE OF THE GARDENS IN JULY.
July is rather late for the Kew rock garden,
as the Ramondias and most species of
Meconopsis are then out of flower, but there are
many interesting plants still to be seen. Two
tall specimens of the blue Himalayan Poppy,
Meconopsis Wallichii, were still in bloom, and
in a damp situation two of the new Rodgersias
were very handsome. R. pinnata, with large,
deeply-corrugated leaves, divided into seven
sections and great, branching heads of small,
white, red-centred flowers, carried well above
the foliage, was very fine ; and R. tabularis,
with finely formed leaves and bearing a
feathery, white flower-head, was attractive. A
group of Orchis foliosa, from Madeira, was in
good bloom. Linaria dalmatica, with tall,
branching spikes of yellow flowers, 4 feet in
height, was very effective ; and the mauve-
flowered, creeping Pea, Lathyrus maritimus,
was pretty. Linum flavum was a mass of bright
yellow ; Polygonum affine, set with long, pink

persicifolia and varieties, C. glomerata dahurica
and C. g. alba; C. garganica, a sheet of sott
blue ; C. carpatica and its beautiful variety C. c.
pelviformis, C. latifolia macrantha, C. lacti-
tiora, C. Burghaltii, with drooping, lavender-
pink coloured flowers ; C. G. F. Wilson, C.
mirabilis, with pale-purple, bell-shaped blossoms
on a branching spike 9 inches in height ; C.
lindfolia, purple, 1 foot ; C. phyctidocalyx, 2
feet in height, with purple, bell-shaped flowers ;
C. spicata, with long, lavender-purple flowers
closely set on a spike 2 feet in height ; and C.
tomentosa, bearing small, star-shaped, mauve-
blue coloured flowers on a low spike. Dianthus
callizonus, D. caesius, D. deltoides, D. Stern-
bergi, D. superbus, D. viscidus, and D. Wald-
steinii were in bloom; and of Geraniums, G.
argenteum, G. armenum, G. cinereum, G.
nodosum, G. sanguineum, with its varieties G.
s. album and G. s. lancastriense and G. sub-
caulescens, were in flower. Among the Gentians
were G. decumbens, the tall G. lutea, G. Walu-
jewi, clear blue, and G. Kesselringii, white
purple-spotted, both from Turkestan ; G. phlogi-
folia, deep blue, from Transylvania, and G.

[Photograph by S. Wyiidham Fitzlurbirt.

Fig. 39. — campanula punctata: flowers white or pale rose-colour with

purple-ked spots.

flower-spikes, was clambering over an old tree
stump ; and P. sphaerostachyum, from the
Himalayas, was bright with crimson blossoms.
A mass of Acantholimon glumaceum, 3 feet
across, was covered with pink flowers, but A.
venustum is a prettier plant. The blue-flowered
Pentstemon heterophylla, a foot in height, was
attractive ; as was Potentilla nepalensis, with
buff, crimson-eyed blossoms, and Sphaeralcea
acerifolia, 4 feet in height, with pale, pink
flowers \\ inches across, having a black blotch
at the base of the petal, was good. Another
charming plant was Symphyandra ossetica, from
the Caucasus, with heads of lavender-blue,
drooping flowers an inch in length ; while Ziga-
denus elegans was very graceful with its branch-
ing flower spikes, 3 feet in height, of small,
greenish blossoms. Many Campanulas were in
flower, these including C. pusilla in large
groups, C. rotundifolia soldanellaeflora, a very
pretty form of the common Harebell, of which a
mass was hanging over a rocky ledge ; C.

straminea, from China, with white flowers
spotted with purple on the exterior.

In the garden of herbaceous plants, a group
of the annual Meconopsis heterophylla, with
dark-eyed, orange-coloured flowers, was very
handsome.

At Kew the good effect produced by planting
single varieties of Roses in masses may be
appreciated. A large round bed was filled with
Caroline Testout. Other good beds were those of
Frau Karl Druschki, Mme. A. Chatenay, Captain
Christy, and Mrs. John Laing. In the Rose
dell a great breadth of Fellenberg in full bloom
was a picture, and rambling masses of Psyche
and Clothilde Soupert were charming. A large
bed of Spiraea discolor, better known as S.
ariaefolia, in the zenith of its blossoming, was a
lesson in effective grouping, and a Conifer
shrouded with Polygonum baldschuanicum in
full flower was a lovely sight, and showed how
well suited this hardy climber is for beautifying
trees that are past their best. S. W. Filzlierbert.

August 3, 1907.]

1HE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

fJ7

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.}

Flora of Palestine. — In the review (on p.
62), of the Flowers and Trees of Palestine, it is stated
that Lign-Aloes had nothing to do with the modern
plant, but is a mistranslation of the Hebrew word
lor tents. I have discussed the word in the Ency-
clopedia Bibli.a, and in Numbers 24, 6, the word
is not a mistranslation or rather misreading for
"tents," but for terebinths. But the Aloes men-
tioned in three other passages was the same thing
as Lign-Aloes and was not the medicinal drug. The
philological evidence is convincing that it was
identical with the Eagle-wood of the east which
was certainly known to the Greeks. The evidence
for identifying Hyssop with Satureia Thymbra is
plausible. I incline, however, myself to think it
was the Caper, which is a ubiquitous wall plant in
the eastern Mediterranean countries. W . T.
Thiselton-Dyer.

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees. —

Having read the correspondence published on
this subject and studied the tables (pp. 400-403),
it seems to me that many correspondents have
confused the practices of summer pinching and
summer pruning. The former I look upon as
perhaps the most useful operation in the culture
of garden fruit crops, and the latter the most
fruitful source of failure. I believe that more
trees are spoilt by summer pruning than from all
other causes combined, save natural ones, such
as indifferent soil or adverse climate, over
which the gardener has only very partial i on.
trol. '1 he dates given by the compilers of the
tables show to a great extent what their
practice is, for when one reads June as the
date of summer pruning one knows that pinch-
ing is implied, and when August is named then
pruning is the practice. To consider the differ-
ence between the two, we will take, for example,
any of the trees which bear their fruit on spurs,
such as the Apple, Pear, Plum, and most
Cherries, and for a typical tree a single cordon.
If the side shoots of such a tree are pinched
when they have made six leaves, they are
pieventcd fri m becoming gross, and the lower
buds become plump and develop into fruit
spurs. These pinched shoots will grow again
from the two end buds, and the secondary
shoots should be pinched again, say, in July.
In winter" pruning, the side shoots of young
and vigorous trees should net be cut below four
buds until a fruit bud is formed, when they
may be cut back to the fruit bud. If the shoots
are closely pruned to two buds, as many are,
the result is that both the buds left make growth
the following season, and the tree becomes
crowded with leaves and produces no fruit until
it is so exhausted by the trc-itment that it
refuses to grow rriore or until th_; drastic opera-
tion known as root-pruning is resorted to.
When the date of summer pruning is deferred
until August the effect may be beneficial, but
if rains are frequent most of the buds left will
break into growth and thus prevent the forma-
tion of blossom buds, but be this as it may, the
side shoots will have become very strong and
will be less inclined to produce fruit spurs than
the thinner growths, resulting from the pinching
system. If strong side shoots are pruned in
July the buds must break into growth, and the
result is a thicket of growth. The preceding
remarks apply, of course, to young and vigorous
trees growing in good soil ; older trees, which
are in full bearing or which are growing in poor
soil, will bear closer pruning because they have
a weaker flow of sap and more outlets for it,
but even with these I think pinching is in every
way preferable to pruning later. With the
question of pressure of work at the time when
the trees should be pinched I am not concerned,
but I know that in many cases this is a serious
consideration, and I would advise the breaking
of the shoots half across at some six or eight
buds from the main shoot. Leave the ends of
the broken shoots hanging by a portion of wood
and bark, and the end portion will absorb some
of the sap, whilst the check will cause the basal
buds to plump up and develop into fruit buds.
I have taken a sin?le cordon tree as an
example-, for the shoots of a horizontally
trained tree are really many cordons, and a
pyramid trained tree should consist of many
cordons radiating from a central stem. lew-

market growers will entail the expense of this
kind of restrictive pruning, and they prefer their
trees to grow practically naturally after the first
few seasons, though one may see hundreds of
acres of fruit plantations in Worcestershire
where every tree is grown as an open bush and
in which each branch is pruned like a single
cordon, and the growers make money by the
practice. I need scarcely assert what every
practical gardener knows, that pinching is far
better for stone fruits than pruning, for pinching
is never followed- by gumming whilst pruning
frequently is. Nurserymen know this so well
that they pinch the leader out of yearling
Peach, Apricot, Cherry trees, &c, required for
training, and induce the side shoots to form the
first season instead of growing them as maidens
and then cutting them back the following
winter, the result being that gumming is reduced
to a minimum. .4. //. Pearson, Lowdham.

Potato Mutation. — A white small-tubered
species is assumed to have converted one of its
tubers into a huge blue one, and whilst to every
simple gardener the finding of such a tuber
under such conditions would have been at once
attributed to a common-sense cause, it is by
other persons regarded as a product of " muta-
tion." In another case Solanum Maglia has
•-aid to produce a tuber of the variety
Vicar of Laleham — again by mutation. How
profoundly misleading it all is ! How like is it
all to the credulity of a correspondent who last
autumn sent me two tiny seedling iKidney
Potatos, one white, the other red, and which he
declared had originated from the same seed and
plant. I assured him he was mistaken, and this
year planted bi th tubers, and these have tops as
dissimilar as Potato tops well can be. A. D.

Melon Trials at Wisley. — The extensive
trial of Melons which is this year being under-
taken by the Royal Horticultural Society at
Wisley offers an opportunity of determining the
relative value of the many varieties of this
fruit, and should result in eliminating from the
long list of kinds many of the synonymous and
inferior varieties. It will also enable the
fruits to be classified according to the colours
of their flesh, as well as to note the best Melon
in the collection irrespective of class or colour.
About 70 varieties are growing under precisely
the same conditions. The earliest planted
batches of plants are accommodated in light
span-roofed houses, and the later batches are
grown in low frames or pits. The earliest fruits
will be ripe in the course of a fortnight or three
weeks. I have seen the plants on two occasions
during the past six weeks, the most recent occa-
sion being a little over a week ago, and healthier
or better cropped plants it would be difficult to
find. The trials, when judged, will be interest-
ing in many ways. One wonders how, those
ties which have been certificated by the
society from time to time will fare ! It is
asserted by some growers that a variety of
Melon deteriorates in the course of time, hence
the necessity for occasionally raising a new kind
by cross fertilisation ; but other persons hold
that once a good Melon, always a good Melon.
This trial should throw some useful light on
this point. Flavour, however, will be the test
of highest merit. At the same time it would be
useful to note which varieties are the earliest
to ripen their fruits, the heaviest croppers, and
which are the handsomest and most attractive
fruits. This would all be useful information,
for growers for market attach importance to
weight and appearance in Melons. It will be
impossible to arrange a day when the fruit of
all the several varieties will be ripe together,
and to judge some growing on the plants and
others in a cut state at the Fruit Committee's
table in London would scarcely be fair treat-
ment. Apart from the quality of high flavour —
which is, of course, the most important of all —
there are other considerations, such as robust-
ness of growth, cropping capabilities, &c, which
influence the judges in their award to growing
plants that cannot be seen when a fruit is shown
singly on a plate. It is also well known that
ripe Melons in hot weather soon lose their
flavour when cut. It is to be hoped that as
many varieties of these Melons as is possible
to be had will be exhibited at the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's exhibition at Vincent Square,
as much public interest is evinced in this
delicious and refreshing summer fruit. Owen
Thomas.

A Warning: — I wish to warn readers of the
Gardeners' Chronicle of a man who offers books for
sale and who requires cash with the order, as he
states he is going to Australia. A friend of mine
living in London went to inspect the books -o

offered at the address given by Mr. before

my sending the cash. He found that the seller
was not known there, neither had he ever lived
there, but a stranger had called for letters addressed
to the name I enquired for. HarryCurtis, Lttiicashirt .

An Unusual Nesting-place. — I recently
saw a young cuckoo in a nest in a hanging wire
basket containing Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, and
suspended on the verandah in front of a drawing-
room not 5 feet from the front window. A
pair of water wagtails had built a nest in the
basket, and I was informed that the young cuckoo
had turned out four eggs of the wagtails' to accom-
modate itself. The wire basket is about 16 inches
in diameter and is suspended by three wire
chains. It appears almost impossible for an adult
cuckoo to pass between these wires, and this fact
lends some evidence to the statement that the
cuckoo lays its egg on the ground and afterwards
deposits it in the foster mother's nest by its bill.
Jas. Jno. Foster, Stanmore, Middlesex.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

July 23.— Present : E. A. Bowles, M.A.,
F.L.S. (in the chair); Rev. W. Wilks ; Prof.
Boulger ; Dr. Cooke; Messrs. Worsdell, Shea.
Spencer Pickering, Giissow, Worsley, Bennett-
Poe, Douglas, Sutton, Massee, Holmes, and
Chittenden (hon. secretary).

Dying Beech trees. — Mr. GusSow reported that
he had examined the wood of the Beech sent
to the last meeting and found the mycelium of a
Polyporus growing in it. He had little- doubt
that the death of the tree was due to this para-
site.

Fuchsia, Vine, and Aucuba. — Messrs. Massee
and Gussow reported that no fungi could be
found in the tissues of either of these sent to
the last meeting.

Memorial of Dr. Masters. — Rev. W. Wilks
repeated a suggestion he had already brought
forward in the Press (see Gardeners' Chronicle.
June 22, p. 408) concerning the establish-
ment of a permanent memorial of the late
Dr. Masters, to take the form of a series of
lectures to be delivered annually before the
Royal Horticultural Society by some eminent
scientific man upon some phase of the relation-
ship between science and horticulture, these lec-
tures to be published broadcast among gar-
deners. The suggestion met with the cordial
approval of the committee, and a sub-committee
was appointed to further the matter, consisting
of Messrs. E. A. Bowles (chairman), Sir Trevoi
Lawrence, Arthur W. Sutton, C. E. Shea,
J. T. Bennett-Poe, James Douglas, SirJ.T. D
Llewelyn, Dr. Cooke, Rev. George Henslow,
M.A., Lt.-Col. Prain, Miss Willmott, Dr.
Rendle, Professor J. Bretland Farmer, W. Barte-
son, H. J. Vaitch, G. Nicholson, Professor
Church, and Rev. W. Wilks (secretary), with
power to add to their number.

Germination of seeds in sterilised soil. — Mr.
Spencer Pickering raised the question of the
germination of bacillus-free seeds in sterilised
soil, stating that he had found that the heating
of soil to 60° C. and upwards retarded the
germination of the seeds to a very marked
extent, just as he had found the growth of trees
in, heated soil was retarded. The seeds (Rye-
grass and Mustard) had been sterilised with
carbon bisulphide, and had germinated after
treatment quite freely in ordinary soil. Different
members of the committee mentioned sources
of information upon this point.

Galls on Willow. — Prof. Boulger showel
some galls upon Willow similar to those shown
last year by Mr. Chittenden, due to the attacks
of a mite. The galls were this year very com-
mon around Loughton and Buckhurst Hill in
F^ssex, and formed large masses of short shoots
with crowded, much-shortened leaves.

Fasciated Lilium candidum. — Mr. BOWLES
showed on behalf of Mr. Hvde, of Enfield High-
wav, a fasciated stem of this Lily. The stem

98

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

■was about 3£ indr.es broad, and bore a very
large number of small flowers.

Lueddemannia Pescatorei. — Mr. Bowles also
exhibited a large spike of this remarkable
species, which has already received a botanical
certificate.

Chlorosis in fruit trees.— Specimens of Apples
en the Paradise stock; Pears on the Quince,
Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Raspberries, and
Vines were received from near Glastonbury, all
with their leaves showing yellow spots or being
wholly yellow. A variety of causes may bring
about this condition, such as lack of iron, lime,
or potash m the soil, and at times insufficient
drainage, combined with lack of sun, &c, may
produce similar results.

THE HORTICULTURAL CLUB.
July 25. — The annual outing of this club took
place on the above date, when about 80 of the
members and their friends visited Friar Park,
Henley-on-Thames, the residence of Frank
Crisp, Esq., by whom the club had been kindly
invited, the weather was good, except that in
the afternoon rain fell for about one hour,
which, however, hardly affected the visitors at
all, as the time was fully occupied in inspecting
the' conservatories containing the collections of
rare plants which Mr. Crisp has acquired. Start-
ing from Paddington, three saloon cariiages
were provided, which conveyed the party to
Marlow. From Marlow the visitors pro-
ceeded on foot through the pretty and
quaint village to the river-side, where Mr.
Crisp himself welcomed his guests on board
a handsome steam launch provided by him
to convey them to Henley. A delightful
trip through the lovely river scenery followed,
a charming panorama of umbrageous wooded
hills, interspersed here and there with beautiful
mansions, unfolding itself as the vessel glided
noiselessly along, the host giving the history of
the various interesting features as they were ap-
proached. Reaching Henley, the party disem-
barked at Mr. Crisp's boat-house, a very
unpretending name for a handsome building,
which not only accommodated boats below, but
permitted of over four score guests being enter-
tained in the hall above it. Mr. < i i^p made a
humorous speech, intended to forestall a toast in
his honour, but, vainly, for Mr. Harry Veitcli
declined to be thwarted, and, in proposing the
host's health, coupled with it the hope that Mr.
Crisp would accept the vice-presidency of the
club, which he consented to do.

Carriages then conveyed the ladies of the party
to Friar Park, the gentlemen following on foot,
and here the beautiful house and surroundings
met with full appreciation. In many respects
the gardens appealed to be unique, for, apart
from their waterscapes and super-terrestrial
landscape arrangements, the ground is honey-
combed with a labyrinth of caverns and grottoes
teeming with weird and curious effects. The
rock-garden is astonishing in its extent and de-
sign ; no fewer than 7,000 tons of rock, some of
the masses weighing 5 to 7 tons, cover a steep
declivity in such a fashion as to represent a
mountain stream-bed deviously descending a
rocky ravine, while from a comfortable chalet at
the lower level the eye travels upwards from
one towering mass to another, until, apparently
iar away beyond the farthest bluff, a peak which
one might imagine to be the Matterhorn itself
abruptly pierces the sky-line, its sides
seamed with apparent snow, and the snow-
clad slopes on its lower flanks carrying
, . , ownwards behind the rocks in the most
deceptive fashion conceivable. The rocky fore-
ground is the congenial home of a magnificent
collection of Alpine plants, which in the late
spring are sheets of floral beauty, and even at
the present time are charming in their varied
\ mure aad habit. Beneath the Matterhorn
there is an ice cavern, whose artificial nature
was only betrayed by the temperature, curiously
arranged and hidden electric lights imparting a
blueness and transparency heie-and there to the
walls and roof which was most illusive, while
in some places stalactites and stalagmites
coveied roof and floor.

Lower down the val'.ey, so to speak, we plunge
down some rocky steps to another cavern, teem-
ing with gnomes and pixies, owls and bats, cats
and spiders, and a thousand and one other

quaintities of a romantic underland and wonder-
land, while in recesses are deftly inserted mir-
rors, which in some cases reflect the visitors
themselves in gnome guise to fit their surround-
ings, and in others multiply their numbers in-
definitely. Another series of caves elsewhere
are only traversible by boat, as they form a
subterranean channel from one part of the lake
to a distant one. Space precludes more than
a brief allusion to the conservatories, with a
wonderful collection of Cacti, and embracing a
newly-designed and very beautiful sunken
Fernery, representing a deep ravine with Fern-
clad walls, which Mr. Knowles (Mr. Crisp's able
gardener) has constructed on the lines of the
Fern-house in the Belfast Botanic Gardens.

In the afternoon the party had tea in a tent
on the lawn, and subsequently were driven or
■walked to the station, whither the saloon car-
riages had been transferred for their accommoda-
tion after a most delightfully instructive and
amusing day in many respects. T.

[An illustrated article upon the;e remarkable
gardens was published in our issue for October
28, 1899— Ed.]

CARDIFF & COUNTY HORTICULTURAL.

July 24 & 25. — The annual exhibition held in
connection with this society took place in the
Sophia Gardens on the foregoing dates. Taking
into consideration the cold, wet season experi-
enced till within the previous fortnight, the ex-
hibits were of a very creditable character. The
backwardness of many subjects was evidenced
in the exhibits, but nowhere more than in the
collections of hardy cut flowers, for many
usually over by this date were staged in good
condition, whereas others generally in evidence
during this period were missed, presumably on
account of their not being forward enough. Not
only had the backward season an effect upon the
classes devoted to cut flowers, but the recent
hailstorms, by the damage they had wrought,
were responsible for the absence of several com-
petitors in the Rose and Sweet Pea classes.
Groups.

The class for a group of miscellaneous plants
arranged for effect in a space measuring 150
square feet was open to all. Lady Hill, Llan-
daff (gr. Mr. Mclntyre), was placed 1st for an
artistically-arranged collection. The centre was
in the form of an arch, crowned with a specimen
of Cocos Weddelliana, and the whole design was
characterised by lightness of arrangement.
Plants of Humea, Campanula pyramidalis,
Liliums, fine-leaved Bamboos, and Francoa
were the most noticeable features in this exhibit.
2nd, Col. Wallis, New-port (gr. Mr. D. Powell) ;
3rd, Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Co., Cheltenham.

In a class restricted to amateurs, Mrs. E.
Lewis, Llandaff (gr. Mr. Wall), secured the 1st
prize for a group occupying a space of 50 square
feet. Cocos Weddelliana, Coleus, Schizanthus,
and variegated Eulalias were the prominent fea-
tures of this group. 2nd, Mr. James Howell
(gr. Mr. Brown).

The Marquis of Bute (gr. Mr. II. Farmer)
exhibited a non-competitive group of choice
stcve and greenhouse plants, arranged with
pleasing effect in a space of over 200 square feet.

Cut Flowers.

Roses. — For a collection of 36 Roses, in 12
distinct varieties, Messrs. J. Jefferies & Son,
Cirencester, were awarded the 1st prize. Their
best blooms were those of Bessie Brown, Horace
Vernet, Mildred Grant, and Her Majesty. 2nd,
Messrs. S. Treseder & Sox, Cardiff. In this
exhibit were specially good blooms of the varie-
ties Frau Karl Druschki and Caroline Testout.

Messrs. J. Jefferies iV Son were equally suc-
cessful in the collection of 36 Tea or Noisette
Roses in 12 varieties. Madame J. Gravereux,
Catherine Mermet, and Souvenir de Pierre Not-
ting were three outstanding varieties in this col-
lection.

The King's Acre Nursery Co., Hereford,
were awarded the 2nd prize-in this class. They
had Medea, Marie van Houtte, \Yhite Maman
Cochet, &c.

Messrs. Jefferies & Son again beat all other
competitors in the class for a collection of 24
distinct varieties of Roses, and also in that for
18 varieties of Tea or Noisette Roses. Messrs.
Jarman & Co., Chard, took the first prize for a
box of 12 blooms of one variety of a Tea Rose
with the variety Mrs. Ed. Mawley. White

Maman Cochet, exhibited by Messrs. S. Trese-
der & Son secured the 2nd prize.

Sweet Peas were well shown in the various
classes devoted to these flowers. Messrs. S.
Stark & Son, Great Ryburgh, Norfolk, gained
the first prize for 19 bunches of distinct varieties
of Sweet Peas, amongst which were Henry Eck-
ford, Enchantress, and Queen Alexandra. 2nd,
Messrs. Jarman & Co., Chard. In the audit
class, Mr. R. Bathurst, Culdleigh, and Lady
Morel, Penarth, were respectively awarded the
1st (which included a gold medal) and the 2nd
prizes. Mrs. Jenner, Wenvoe Castle (gr. Mr.
Harris), staged a collection of 12 distinct varie-
ties of Sweet Peas, tastefully arranged with
Fern, Gypsophila, and grasses, and for which
a 1st prize and a silver medal were awarded.

Miss Hemts, Upton-on-Severn, exhibited two
new varieties of Sweet Peas, which had already
secured Awards of Merit, including the R.H.
Society's. These were Evelyn Hemus and Para-
dise Ivory. Messrs. Stark & Son showed a
number of novelties amongst Sweet Peas, of
which Olive Ruffell is a richly-coloured flower
of the Countess Spencer type, with an ivory-
coloured base; Geo. Stark, of the colour of
Queen Alexandra, but with the Countess Spencer
form ; and New Waved Mauve, one of the bes;
mauves in the show.

Hardy flowers.- — The flowers of hardy plants
were much in evidence, and added colour and
interest to most of the tents. Although certain
classes were restricted to hardy flowers, no stipu- ,
lation was made that they should not be grown
under glass ; in consideralion of this fact several
of the successful exhibitors added greatly to the
value of their gr. ips by including Lilium aura-
lura, L. speciosum, and L. Harrisi, none of
which are as yet in bloom in the open.

Mr. W. Treseder, Cardiff, was placed first
with a prettily-arranged collection of hardy
flowers, occupying a space of 45 square feet.
Spiraea Davidii, Catananche bicolor, Iceland
Poppies, Carnations, and Water Lilies were the
outstanding features of this group.

Messrs. H. & W. Evans, Llanishen, were a
close 2nd, with a fine array of well-grown
flowers, amongst which Iris Kasmpferi in
variety, Spirjea venusta in variety, S. palmata,
Cimicifuga racemosa, Dwarf Gladiolus, and
Lilium testaceum were noticeable.

Fruit and Vegetables.

Competition in the classes for Grapes was
keener than usual, and in spite of the sunless
season the berries on the whole were _ well
coloured. As might be expected, the culinary
Apples shown at this early period of the year
were very inferior samples, and it is difficult to
see the reason for including them in the schedule
of an early summer show.

In the class for a collection of dessert fruits,
to include six dishes of distinct soits, Col^
Henry, Ledbury (,!;r. Mr. Sikes), carried off the
1st prize. The collection consisted of a dish of
three bunches of large, deeply-coloured Black
Hambro Grapes, a Countess Melon, Early Rivers
Nectarines, Frogmore Early Cherries, Hale's
Early Peaches, and Brown Turkey Figs. 2nd,
G. A. Gibbs, Esq., Flax Bourton (gr. Mr. Wil-
kinson).

Vegetables were, perhaps, the most meritorious
exhibits at this show, and were greatly admired
by those interested in this side of gardening.
The 1st prize, including the Royal Horticultural
Society's Bronze Medal, was won by Lord
Aldenham, Elstree (gr. Mr. E. Beckett), for a
collection of nine distinct kinds of vegetables,
arranged in a space measuring 20 square feet.
The following were the kinds and varieties in-
cluded : — White Leviathan Onion, Globe Arti-
choke, Early Giant Cauliflower, Sutton's Black
Beet, Gladiator Potato, New Red International
Carrot, Centenary Pea (extra fine), Perfection
Tomato and Canadian Wonder Bean. 2nd, Mrs.
Jenner, with an exceedingly clean, well-grown
collection.

CRAWLEY FLOWER SHOW.

July 24. — The fourth annual exhibition of the
Crawley and District Gardeners' Association
was held on this date in the grounds of Goff's
Hill. The weather was favourable, and a large
attendance of the public resulted.

Mr. A. B. Wadds (gardener to Sir Weetman
D. Pearson, Bart., Paddockhurst), won the

August 3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

09

Silberberg Challenge Cup in competition with
nine other competitors. Competition was keen
throughout the show, and the quality of most of
the exhibits was good. There were 450 entries
staged by 190 exhibitors, the gardens competi-
tion attracting no fewer than 16 entries against
the seven of last year. In spite of the fact that
three marquees had been prepared to receive the
competitors' produce, they were unable to ac-
commodate all that was brought. Several ex-
hibits were placed in outside stalls, and others
could not secure even that opportunity for dis-
play. The non-competitive exhibits were very
numerous and of remarkably good quality.

MARKETS.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

July 23. — A meeting of the Executive Council
was held on the above date in the Royal Horticul-
tural Hall, Vincent Square. Mr. Chas. Foster
presided. Six new members were elected, bringing
the total membership up to 1,078. One candidate
was rejected.

Mr. Lewis Castle was appointed editor of the
Society's Journal. The question of supplying each
member with a certificate for framing was con-
sidered. The granting of a special diploma for
those members who had distinguished themselves
as horticulturists was proposed, and a scheme will
be submitted at the next meeting.

A scheme for the examination of gardeners v. ill
also be submitied at the September meeting.
/. Weathers, Secretary.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

DONCASTER GARDENERS'.-Forty members of
the above association visited, on July 16, the nurseries of
Messrs. Clibrans, at Hale. The weather was beautifully
fine. The stock of trees and shrubs was inspected, also the
quarter devoted to Roses where upwards of 100,000 Rose
trees are cultivated. The fruit plantations, which are some
15 acres in extent, and the beds of Viola?, Pansies and Her-
baceous plants were each visited. The glass-houses were
also inspected. \V. Wettman,

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'. -A

meeting held on Thursday, July 25, was entirely concerned
with Sweet Peas. A competition was provided for under*
gardeners for the best basket of Sweet Peas arranged at
the meeting, and the prize was awarded to Mr. Coombes.
Prizes were also offered for six vases of Sweet Peas, and
these were won by Mr. Harford and Mr. Garnish. Several of
the members spoke fora few minutes upon Sweet Peas, and
the chairman, Mr. J. C. House, closed the discussion with
a discourse, lasting half an hour, on these flowers. H. W.

CROYDON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL.

— About 40 members of this society visited Wood Hall
Gardens, Dulwich, S.E., on the evening of Wednesday,
July 24. An enjoyable time was spent in inspecting the
grounds, which in different parts command some excellent
views of London. The glasshouses were also examined
and darkness set in all too early for the visitors.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Abbott Bros., Southall, near London— Fruit preserving

bottles, &c.
Chas. W. Breadmore, Winchester— Sweet Peas.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending July 31,

Cool days and variable nights,— On the warmest day of the
past week the highest reading in the thermometer screen was
only 72°, which is but slightly in excess of the average for
the time of year. On the contrary, on the coldest day the
same thermometer never rose above 60° — or 10° colder than
is seasonable. The nights proved very variable, the read-
ings of the exposed thermometer on two of them being re-
spectively as high as 49° and 52°, while on two others
temperatures within 9° of the freezing point were indicated
by it. At 2 feet deep the soil is now 1° colder, and at
1 foot deep 3° colder, than is seasonable. Rain fell
on four days, but to the aggregate depth of only about a
quarter of an inch. The percolation gauge covered with
short grass, which had been re-started by the two heavy
falls of rain in the previous week, has now become quite
dry again, while only a few drops of rain-water trickles
through the bare soil gauge. The sun shone on an average
for less than 4£ hours a day, or for nearly 2 hours a day
less than the mean duration for the end of July. The first
two days of the week proved very calm, but since the
winds have been moderately high, and have come ex-
clusively from some southerly or westerly point of the
compass. As was the case in the preceding week the air
has remained very damp, the mean amount of moisture at
3 o'clock in the afternoon again exceeding a seasonable
quantity for that hour by as much as 10 per cent. A selected
Harebell came first into flower in my garden on the 27th.
This is not only 15 days later than its average date of first
flowering in the previous 15 years, but also later than in any
of those years. E, M., Berkhamstcd, July 31t 1907.

COVENT GARDEN, July 31.
[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Ed.]

Cut Flowers, 4c: Average Wholesale Prices.

Alstromerias, per
dozen bunches

Asters, dz. bunches

Bouvardia, per dz.
bunches

Calla asthiopica, p.
dozen

Carnations, per
dozen blooms,
best American
various

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

— Malmaison?, p.
dozen blooms..

Cattleyas, per doz.

blooms
Chry santhemum

maximum, per

dozen bunches
Coreopsis, per doz.

bunches
Cornflower, per dz.

bunches
Dahlias, per dozen

buncoes
hucii.u is grandi

il' I i, per doz.

blooms
Gaillardias, per dz.

bunches
Gardenias, per doz.

blooms

Gladiolus, The

Bi ide, per doz.

bunchi

— Brenchleyensis

— various
Gypsophila elegans

p. dz. bundles

— paniculata, per
dozen bunches

Iris, Germ. in, pel
doz. bunches...

— Spanish, p. dz.
bunches

Lapageria alba, per

dozen

Lilium auratum ...

— candidum.bch.

— lancifo li um,
rubrum and
album

— loiiHiflorum ...
Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...

s.d. s.d.

2 0-40

3 0-40

20-3 0

2 0-30

16-30

9 0-12 0

6 0 10-0

12 0-15 0

10-20

2 0-30

2 0-30

3 0-40

2 0-30

2 0-30

2 0-30

3 0-50

4 0-80
4 0-90

2 0-30

3 0-40

4 0-60

4 0-90

10-16
2 0-30
10-20

16-20
2 0-80

4 0-60
10 0-15 0

Marguerites, white,
p. dz. bunches

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

Mignonette, per dz.

bunches
Myosotis, per doz.

bunches
Odon toglossum

crispum, per

dozen blooms
Pasonies, per doz.

bunches
Pancratiums, per

dozen fls.
Pelargoniums,

show, per doz.

bunches

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Pinks

Poppies, Iceland,
doz. bunches...

— Shirley
Pyrethrums, per

dozi il bunches

Ranunculus, per

i hunches

Rhi idanthe, per dz.

bunches
Roses, 12 blooms,
Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— General Jacque-
minot, per doz,

hum li' -

— Marecha! Niel

— Kaiserin A.
Victoria

— Mrs. J. Laing

— C.Mermet ...

— Liberty

— Mad. Chatenay
Saponaria, per dz.

bunches
Statice, per dozen
Stephanotis, per

dozen trusses
Stocks, per dozen

bunches
Sweet Peas, p. doz.

bunches
Sweet Sultan, per

dozen bunches
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms

s.d. s.d,
2 0-30

16-20
3 0-40

16-2 0

4 0- GO
10-30

4 0-80

2 0-30

10-30
2 0-30
2 0-30

10-20
16-30

16-30
10-30
10-30

2 0-40
10-30

16-20

3 0-40

3 0-50

0 4-06

Cut Foliage, Stc: Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiantum cunea-
lum, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per doz.

bunches
Croton leaves, bch.
Cycas leaves, each
Fern, English, per

dozen bunches

— French, dozen
bunches

s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d.

Galax leaves, per

dozen bunches 2 0-96
4 0-60 Hardy foli age
(various), per
dozen bunches 2 0-60
Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-26

— long trails per

16-20 bundle 16-30

0 6-10 — short green,

doz. bunches... 2 0-30
2 0-26 Moss, per gross ... 40-50
10-16 Myrtle (English),
16-20 small-leaved,

doz. bunches... 4 0-60

— French, dozen
bunches ... 10-16

Smilax, p. dz. trails 16-26

Plants in Pots, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

Ampelopsis Yeit-

chii, per dozen

AraliaSieboldi.dz.

— larger

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, dz.
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— tenuis simus
per dozen

Boronia mega-
stigma, per dz.

— heterophylla ...
Calceolarias, yellow
Campanulas, p.dz.
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower

C ocos Weddelli-
ana, per dozen

Coleus, per dozen

Coreopsis, per doz.

Crassulas (Kaloz-
anthes), per dz.

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80

4 0-60
9 0-12 0

12 0-30 0

18 0-30 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

12 0-30 0
12 0-24 0
4 0-80
6 0-90

8 0-90
12 0-18 0

9 0-18 0
2 0-40
6 0-10 0

9 0-12 0

s.d. s.d.
Crotons, per dozen 12 0-30 0
Cyperus alternifo-

lius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Dracaenas, perdoz. 9 0-24 0
Euonymus, per dz. 4 0-90
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 10C 7 0-10 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 16 0-25 0

— in 48"s, per dz. 4 0-10 0

— in 32's, per dz. 10 0-18 0
Ficus elastica, doz. 8 0-10 0

— repens, perdoz. 4 0-60
Fuchsias, per doz. 4 0-80
Heliotropiums, per

dozen 3 0-40

Hydrangea Thos.

Hogg, per doz. 12 0-18 0

— Hortensia, per

dozen 8 0-12 0

— paniculata, per

dozen 12 0-30 0

Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 12 0-18 0

— Fosteriana, p.

dozen 12 0-21 0

Plants in Pots, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices (Contd.)

s.d. s.d.

Kochia scoparia,

per dozen
Latania borbonica,

per dozen
Lilium 1 o n g i -

florum, per dz,

— lancifo 1 1 um,
per dozen

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Lobelia, per dozen
Marguerites, white,

per dozen

— yellow

Mignonette, per

dozen

Musk, per dozen...

S.d. s.d.

6 0-90
12 0-18 0
12 0-24 0
12 0-18 0

10 0-12 0

5 0-60

4 0-80
12 0-18 0

6 0-90
4 0-50

Pelar g o n i

I v y-l eavi I,
Mde. Ci
and Galilee, p.
dozen

— Zonals, per dz.

— show ...
Petunias, double,

■en

— single, per dz.
Rhodanthe, per dz.
Roses, H.IJ's., dz.

— Ramblers, each
Selaginella, dozen
Si ii .in japonica.dz.
Verbena, Miss

Willmott, doz.
Zinnias, per dozen

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples, per box,
Tasmanian :

— Sturmer Pip-

— French Crabs..
Apricots (French),

per box

— French, cases

— Fn ui.li, K sieve
Bananas, bunch :

— No. 2 Canary .

— NTo. 1 ,, ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giants ,, ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (English),

4 sieve

— I sieve

Cranberries, case
Currants (English),

1 sieve ...

— lllac'k (Eng-
lish), A sieve ...

— White, p. peck
■

boxes

Figs (Guernsey), p.
dozen

Gooseberries (Eng-
lish), $ sieve ...

Crape Frail

Grapes (English),
i lambro's, p. lb

— Alicante, per lb.

— Gros Maroc,
per lb

— English Mus-
cats, per lb. ..

— Canon Hall,
per l!)

— Pelgian Ham-
bro's, per lb....

Lemons :

— Messina, case

— Naples, per
case

Lychees, per box...
Mangoes, per doz.

s.d s.d.

10 6-11 6

9 0-10 0

12-14

2 0-26

3 6-50

5 0 —

5 6-60

6 6-76
8 0 —

5 0-56
0 9- 1 S

3 6-90
2 0-50
8 0-86

2 6-36

4 6-50
2 0- 2 0

26 -

10-30

i e- a o

11 6-13 0

0 6- 1 0
0 8-10

0 9-13

0 9-26

2 0-40

0 6-09

10 0-14 0

18 0 23 0

10 —

6 0-12 0

Melons (Guernsey),
each

— French, Rock,
each

— Valencia, per
case

— Cantaloupe,
each

Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz.
' 1st quality ...
■ 2nd „ ...

— French, p. box
Nuts, Cobnuts, per

doz il.

— Almond-,

— Brazils, ni w]
per cwt.

— Barcelona, bag

— Cocoa nuts, 100
Oranges, per case :

— Valencia

— Navels

— Murcias, box
Peaches (English),

I 1st quality ...
~~ 12nd „ ...

— French, p. box
Pears (Australian),

p.bndl. of 3 bxs

Plums (English) p.

$ sieve

— French, p. box

— French, i sieve

— Italian, I>a-ket
Gages (French),

box

— Italian, basket

— French, $ sieve
Pineapples, each ...
Raspberries (1 ng-

lish), handle
basket ...

— English, p. dz.
punnets

Strawberries (Eng-
lish), per peck

— per lb

4 0-60
4 0-60
6 0-90

4 0-80

3 0-60

4 0-60
12 0-24 0

5 0-21 0

4 0-60

5 0-80

4 0-60

5 0-60

s.d. s.d,
0 9- 2 G
2 6-30
6 6-86
0 3-04

8 0-12 0
2 0-40
13-16

2 6-30
54 0 —

40 0-42 6
32 6 -
12 0-17 0

18 0-30 0
10 0-10 6
10 0 1 1 u

6 0-90
10-30

1 3- 1 G

10 0-20 0

3 0-40
0 10- 1 0

4 0-90
16-19

0 9-16
16 19
4 6-80

2 0-36

10-16
2 6-40

19-30
0 3-09

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(French),

pei ■!' izen
Aubergines(French)

per doz.

— Beans(French),
per pad

— Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel

— Jersey, per lb.
— ■ French, packet

— Home -grown,
per lb

Beetroot, bushel ...

Cabbages, per doz.

Cabbage Greens,

bag

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches
Cauliflowers, p. dz.
Chow Chow (Sec-

hium edule),p.

dozen

Cucumbers, per

dozen

Endive, per dozen
Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.

bundles
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score
Marrows (English),

per dozen
Mint, doz. bunches

s.d. s.d.

2 0-26
10-13

3 0-40

3 0 —
0 6 —

0 3-04

06 —
13 16

0 9-10

10-16
2 0 —

10-10
2 0-26

16-26
13-16

13 0-14 0
1 6 —

0 4-06

3 0-60
0 9-10

Musbrooms(bouse)

Eer lb
uttons, per lb.

— "Broilers"p.lb.
Mustard and ( cess,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Lisbon),

case

— pickling, per
bushel .

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches

— Egyptian, bag.
Peas (English), per

bushel

— English, p. bag
Parsley, 12bunclies

— h bushel
Potatos (Canary),

per cwt.

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen

Salsafy, p. dz. bdls.

Spinach, English,
per bushel

Tomatos :—

— French, p. crate

— selected, per
dozen lbs. ...

— small selected,
per dozen lbs.

Turnips (English),
doz. bunches-
Watercress, per
doz. bunches...

s.d. s.d.

0 8-0 10
0 10 —
0 5-06

10-16

6 0-70

2 0-26

16 2 0

8 0-8 6

16-26

2 6-40
16-20
10-16

8 0-90

0 4-06

3 6 —

0 9-19
3 0-36
3 0-33
2 6-29
2 0-38
0 4-Ofi

Remarks.— Tasmanian Apples are now nearly finished,
Sturmer Pippins being almost the only variety obtainable.
French Plums are arriving in very fine condition. Home
grown Early Rivers Plum is also seen from the Kent district.
English hothouse Grapes are very plentiful and prices for
this fruit are low, P. X,,, Covcnt Garden Market, July SI,
1907.

POTATOS.

Rents, 3s. 6d. to 5s. ; Bedfords, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 3d. ; Lincolns,
3s. 6d. to 4s. ; Blacklands, 3s. to 3s. 6d. Supplies are large
and the demand is fair. Prices must fall considerably
unless the supply moderates. Trade generally is unsettled
owing to the holidays. /. D. C, Covent Garden, July 31, 1907*

100

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 3, 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

For the next eight months the market will be open on
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. The past has
been a vei y poor season for many market plant growers,
some of whom still have large stocks on hand. Campanula
i^ophylla alba, and C. Mayii are seen from several growers
in good condition. Coreopsisis very pretty. Zinnia elegans
(tore pieno can be had in many colours ; this is a recent addi-
tion to flowering plants in Covent Garden Market. Lilium
Iongiflorum is over plentiful at present, but the supplies
may fall off at any time. Hydrangea paniculata is seen in
plants of various sizes, and with fine heads of bloom. One
buyer was complaining this morning that he found it difficult
to procure good hybrid Perpetual Roses in pots. The best
plants are consigned direct to the florist ; many other choice
plants are not sent through the market. Among "Zonals,"
I'elargoniums are very inferior plants. Supplies of show and
Ivy-leaved varieties hold out well. Fuchsias in well-
fiowered plants are seen on several stands. Most growers
have finished with Mignonette for the season. Spirasa
japonica is well flowered. Marguerites with both white and
> ellow flowers are abundant. Verbena Miss Willmott is a
conspicuous plant in the market. Ferns, Palms, and other
oliage plants are well supplied.

Cut Flowers.
Supplies of most subjects are over abundant. Sweet
Peas have been the most plentiful, and it has been
almost impossible to sell these at any price. I have
never seen Lily of the Valley offered so cheaply as at
closing time in the market this morning (Wednesday).
Supplies of Liliums exceed the demand. I learn that
several market growers are building new houses for the
culture of Carnations, so that one may expect the prices for
this flower to drop still further. Blooms of Souvenir de la
Malmaison varieties, owing to excessive supplies, have not
been so valuable this season. Roses are cheap. Asters
are now coming from French growers in large quantities.
Other prominent flowers on the stands are Alstromerias,
Stephanotis, Gardenias, Tuberoses, also Gypsophila pani-
culata, Chrysanthemum maximum and the varieties known
as the Shasta" Daisies; Coreopsis grandiflora, Echinops,
Gaillardias, Achillea, Poppies, Stocks, and various other
hardy flowers. Orchid bloom is rather scarce. Statice
bloom, in white, blue and yellow colours, is now at its best
condition. All kinds of cut foliage is well supplied, but
prices do not vary greatly. Some growers clear their stocks
ot Adiantum Fern at closing time for very low prices.
A. H., Covent Garden, Wednesday, July 31, 7907.

t£)uttuar*j.

Gebharot Summermeyer.— The death of
this gardener at the age of 76 years is announced
in the German horticultural journals. He began
his gardening career in Nathusius' nursery at
Althaldensleben, in Saxony, and alter serving in
various gardens, he -became head gardener to
Count Stolberg, at Donhofstedt, East Prussia.
By his efforts the cultivation of hardy fruits in that
part of the German Empire was greatly extended,
and new methods and valuable varieties were
introduced. It is to him that the province is
indebted for such remunerative sorts of berried
tiuits as the red Dutch Currant and Hornet
Raspberry, and for the wide distribution of
Nathusius' Taubenapfel (Dove Apple), a variety of
excellent quality. He had held his post at Don-
hofstedt for the long period of 42 years.

George Ward.— The death of this well-known
gardener, in his 73rd year, occurred at Bishop's
Mortford, on July 13, from an attack of pneu-
monia. Deceased was a very successful culti-
\ator of Grapes, and he gained many prizes for
this fruit in London and the provinces. He
was equally successful in the culture of Melons,
and Eucharis was also one of his specialities.
It is interesting to record that the well-known
Grape Gros Maroc was first placed on the
market consequent on his keenness of observa-
ti n. He detected this particular Grape in
Messrs. Rivers' nurseries at Sawbridgeworth,
and it was at his instigation that it was intro-
duced into commerce. As a judge at horticul-
tural exhibitions the deceased's services were
in request, and just before his decease he was
appointed to judge the allotments and gardens
in connection with the show of the Bishop's
Stortford Horticultural Society, of which organi-
sation he was one of the founders. Mr. Ward
was the patentee of a trough, that bears his
name, for keeping Grapes. Deceased, who
retired from active service some few years ago,
leaves one daughter.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Asparagus Stem Flattened : S. G. B. The
specimen you send is an example of a
fasciated stem — a not uncommon condition
seen in Asparagus. The abnormality is caused
by the fusion of two or more shoots, but what
induces this fusion we are unable to say.
Fasciation is common in many plants.

Beech Trees : W. MacL. If the shoots are free
from any pest and disease we are inclined to
think the failure is caused by the roots of the
trees having at length reached a medium which
is unsuitable for them.

Culinary Pea : Gledstone. We cannot express an
opinion on the immature pods you send us.
Forward seeds next season to the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's Gardens at Wisley for trial
with standard varieties.

Currant Bushes, &c. : /. W. S. The shoots are
infested with aphides or green fly. Spraying
with a mixture of 1 lb. of sott soap dissolved in
10 gallons of water is recommended, but it
would have been more efficacious if performed
on the first appearance of tne pests. The Rose
buds do not show any disease, and appear to
have been killed by excessive wet.

Ericas : East Sussex. The Ericas you send
include, as you suggest, four varieties of E.
cinerea, one of the common Ling (Calluna
vulgaris), and one of Erica tetralix. It is no
uncommon thing to find several different
forms of E. cinerea in a comparatively small
area, and the same may be said of Calluna
vulgaris and E. tetralix. Nine varieties of E.
cinerea are cultivated at Kew, and these have
purple, very dark purple, rose, deep rose, deep
red, bright red and white flowers. Of E.
tetralix, three varieties, in addition to the
type, are grown, one of which has white and
another deep red flowers. Whilst of Calluna
vulgaris there are about 25 distinct varieties
at Kew, which differ in habit so greatly that,
whilst some grow only several inches high,
others are capable of growing 3 feet or more
high. The colours of the flowers vary from
white to pink and pink to reddish-purple and
red. The writer has found seven forms of
the Ling growing wild on one hill in Corn-
wall, with several forms of E. cinerea ; and
in the Scilly Islands a form of the Ling quite
moss-like in appearance.

Gooseberries Discoloured : 0. B. There is no
fungus disease on the berries, but the injury has
been caused by red spider when the fruits were
very young.

GRArES : L. S. The berries are affected with the
"spot" disease. Dust the bunches with a
mixture of one part lime and two parts of
flowers of sulphur.

House for Half-hardy Plants : /. C. We
advise you to build the temperate house with
the ridge running from north to south. The
bulk of the tender or half-hardy plants culti-
vated in this country require all the sun and
air possible when grown under glass, and by
building the house from the north to the
south, all parts but the northern end of the
building will receive a considerable amount
of strong light. The northern end might be
used advantageously for the raising of young
plants of such species as Rhododendrons, &c.
which prefer a position of this kind during
their early stages, or you might utilise it for
the formation of a Fernery. The building
should be liberally provided with ventilators,
and if possible the roof should be so arranged
that part of it may be either entirely removed
during the summer months or made in two
sections so that the upper lights may be
allowed to slide down over those of the lower
half. Employ large panes of glass, and let
all the woodwork be as light as is considered
equal to the strength required.

Juniperus virginiana : K.&-B. Junipers and
Cypresses are very difficult trees to identify in
their juvenile stages. Juniperus virginiana shows
at least three distinct forms between the seed-
ling and the adult stages, and each form differs
from the others as much as many species do.
Therefore the identification of small twigs of
young Junipers and Cypresses without cones is
necessarily more or less speculative.

Names of Plants : /. M. Saponaria Vaccaria —
R.H.A. Tecoma jasminoides. — J.I.M. Spiraea
chamaedrifolia.— W. G. 1, Orchis pyramidalis ;
2, Habenaria bifolia. — /. E. M. 1, Nephrolepis
exaltata; 2, N. e. Westonii ; 3, N. e. Fosteri ; 4
and 5, N. e. Piersonii ; 6, N. davallioides. —
IT. T. Collomia grandiflora. — Felix. 1, Brassia
brachiata : 2. Oncidium Limminghei ; 3, Ccelia

Baueriana ; 4, Ionopsis utricularioides ; 5,
Oncidium triquetrum ; 6, Aerides virens. —
Inquisitor. 1, Polemonium cceruleum (not a
Geranium) ; 2, Heuchera sanguinea ; 3, Cen-
taurea macrocephala ; 4, Achillea Ptarmica
flore pleno.-^il/iss G. C. We do not undertake
the naming of garden Roses. — Foreman. 1,
Pteris longifolia ; 2, Pteris tremula ; 3, Sela-
ginella umbrosa ; 4, Adiantum assimile ; 5,
Pteris arguta; 6, Asplenium lucidum. — E. B.
1, Inula glandulosa; 2, Aconitum Napellus ;
3, Clematis vitalba ; 4, Veronica Andersonii
variegata. — If. L. Orchis conopsea, common
in some districts.

Onion: A. A: <S- Sons. These are known in
Covent Garden Market as the Small Globe
Silver skinned Onions.

Pea for Naming : J. P. The variety appears to
be a seedling raised from Lord Anson's Pea,
Latbyrus magellanicus, after crossing with some
white flowered edible variety. It differs from
Lord Anson's variety in its vigour of growth,
greater substance in the inflorescence, its
agglomerate character, and the colour, which is
the laintest blue and white, whereas Anson's is
bright deep blue.

Pears Cracked : L. S. The cracking is caused
by a fungus — Fusicladium pirinum. Drench
the trees with a solution of sulphate of iron
during the winter, and when the leaves and
flower buds begin to expand spray with Bor-
deaux mixture, and repeat this when the
petals are falling and again when the young
fruits are the size of Peas or slightly larger.
The Aspidistra leaves are attacked by thrips
and red spider. Use a suitable insecticide,
and exercise care in the affording of water to
the plants. Your Grapes have the " spot "
disease. See reply to L. S.

Potatos Diseased: R. L. P. and A. S. The
tubers are affected with the "warty" disease,
or "black scab." Mix some sulphur in the
soil before planting Potatos on the same ground.
In any case Potatos should not be planted on
the same land two years in succession when
disease, such as " black scab," has appeared.

Rose Orange Rust Fungus : /. S. See reply
to D. Bros in our last issue, p. 80.

Stalked Eggs : W. E. The very pretty stalked
bodies are the eggs of the Lace-wing fly —
Chrysopa perta.

Tomato Diseased : IV. G. &S. A. The fruits are
attacked by a fungus, Macrosporium Solani.
You can do nothing to save fruits that are
already infested, but the fungus may be prevented
from spreading by spraying with the Bordeaux
mixture The colourless patches in one of the
fruits points to a lack of potash in the rooting
medium.

Tomato Seeds : H. C. Place the seeds together
with as little of the pulp as is possible in a box
containing dry, fine sand. Rub the sand and
the seeds together, and afterwards sift the whole
over a wire mesh of sufficient gauge to retain
the seeds but not the sand. Next spread out
th:! seeds to dry,, and if they are afterwards
snaken together, any sand adhering will become
detached and leave the seeds almost clean.

Tw elve Bunches of Hardy Herbaceous
Flowers : L. C. Lilium candidum is cer-
tainly an herbaceous plant, and in the south
of England it is perfectly hardy. The
schedule of rules for judging issued under the
auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society
reads: — "The schedule should say distinctly
excluding Lilies and other bulbs, corms, and
tubers, if it is desired to exclude them ; and if
such words are not added, it must be under-
stood that bulbs, corms, and tubers are, for
garden purposes, included in the term her-
baceous plants."

Communications Received. — E. W. K. & Co. (the flowers
have not arrived)— W. R. P.— G. B. M.— H. C— X. Y. Z —
W. Smith — R. H. — F. L.— F. O.-W. McD.— J. C.
— Nympha;— T. & Son-G. G.— T. S. C— J. G. W. (with
thanks)— Derby-F. O.— P. A.— J. C— C. B.— A. T. B.—
W. H. W— E. A. - C. J. G.-G. W.— E. H.— J. V. & Sons
— W. G. B.— J. C— Miramar— R. B.-Y. O — J. H. D.—
A. P.— W. Gumbleton-A. J. S.— G. H. J.— H. A.—
H. S. W.— T. T.— R. J. S.-B. T. B— T. S.-H. S.—
G. B.— T. D.— P. M.— W. S.-F, M, W.-S. A. S.— E. I.
—A. A. W.-A. W.

August 10, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

101

THE

6arbcncrs'Cbronicli

No. 7,076.— SATURDAY, August W, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Acer platanoides, the
flowering of

Ai| ini garden, the—
Phyteuma Charmelii..
Sedum Acre

Argemone grandiflora...

Bacteria and root-action

Battersea Park, flowers

111

105
105
113
112

■101

Books, notices of —
Botanical Magazine... 110
I-'lowers of the Field .. 107
Journal of the Royal
Horticultural

Society Ill

Modern Carpet Bed-
ding 108

The Book of Nyrnph-

seaca3 107

Clog-soles, timber for... 112
Colonial notes —

Economic plants in the
British Colonies ... 107
Convolvulus cneorum
and Veronica Hulkeana 106

I lahltas 112

Flora of Palestine, the... 114
Foliage, diversity in ... 110
Fruit crops, remarks on

the condition ot the ... 104
Fruit register-
Strawberries in 1907... HI
Gardener, a veteran ... 116
Genista monosperma ... 115
Hemsted Park, Kent ... 113
lmpatiens, new garden

species of 102

Lilium testaceum and

L. candidum hybrids 112
Lilium tigrinum ... 112

Masters, Dr., the late ... 119
Onion crop in Egypt, the 112
Orchid notes and glean-
ings—
Bulbophyllum Sander-

ianuin' 106

Cirrhopetalum macu-

losum 106

Coryanthes speciosa 106

Obituary —

May, I .eorge

Williams, Henry
Pea Laxtonian

Pea, the Mummy or

Crown

Phoiinia serrulata in

Cornwall

Pineapple leaves, fibre

from

Plagianthus Lyallii
Plants, new or note-
worthy—

Odontoglossum x Ari-
adne

Seed crops in France,

the

School-gardening
Societies —

Bishop's Stortford
Horticultural

British Association ...

Debating

Royal Horticultural

Scottish Horticultural
Association ..
Sweet Peas, a trial of ...
S\\ eel Peas, some new

varieties of

Tree- and -- limbs —

Chemical fumes and
tree growth

Pine Beetle, the

Solanum crispum ...

Some Ericacfeous
shrubs

Ulmus alata

View in a Donegal gar-
den

Week's work, the —

Apiary, the

i : gai dun, the ...

Fj uits und< i gla - ■-

Hardy fi uil gardi n

Kitchen garden, the ...

Orchid houses, the ...

i \ii ks and gardi ns

Plants under glass ...
Wi mil wool as a mulch

for Strawberries

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Argemone grandiflora

Convolvulus cneorum and Veronica Hulkeana

lmpatiens oppositifolia

Pea, the Mummy or Crown

Sweet Peas Evelyn Hemus, St. George, Silas Cole and

Rosie Adams (Supplementary Illustration)
Sweet Pea Countess Spencer, flowers of, arranged in a

vase

View in an Irish garden

119
119

111

111
114

101

112
115

117
117
118
115

lis
119

103
103
103

102
103

1133

109

10.S
10S

109
109
108
109

108

113
106
102

120

111
103

BATTERSEA PARK.

THIS picturesque park in the south-
western suburb of London appears at
the present time at its best, as regards
the lawns and grass areas, its wealth of
native and exotic trees, evergreen shrubs, and
its extensive borders of flowering perennials.
The trees are now putting forth the tender
green tints of that second growth which
occurs in July, and affords a lively contrast
to the universal dark green of the older leaf-
age. Never has arboreal growth been greater
than this year, thanks to the over-abundant
rains and low temperature of the summer;
and in no year has the grass been greener,
or caused the mowing machine to be more
actively employed.

It may be noted in the central avenue that
runs straight through the park for about a
quarter of a mile that the Elms are likely to
be short-lived; but from what cause is not
apparent, unless it be that the soil, much of
it " made up " by Gibson, is insufficiently
good to sustain healthy growth for an in-
definite period. However, other trees were
planted in the winter of the present year, and
at a few feet further back from the roadway,
and thus in positions in which they will
obtain much sunshine and the benefits of the

rainfall. By cartful attention in preventing
them from becoming overshadowed by the
older specimens, these young trees should
make rapid progress, and in the course of a
dozen years or so, it may be desirable to re-
move those which now show signs of failing
health.

The sub-tropical garden is a sheltered par-
terre, and it still remains the strongest point
of attraction at Battersea on account, not
alone, of its varied and pleasing undulated
surface and irregular outline, but also for the
rich furnishing of the many beds, groups and
'•• rders, Mr. Rogers, the present superin-
tendent, is a believer in changes of material,
and does not plant out the same mixtures
year by year in the beds and borders of this
garden, but always contrives to afford new
combinations, fresh features, and some novel-
ties from out of his multitude of store houses.

Entering the garden from the north, the
visitor will remark the many effective beds
of Fuchsias now in the finest bloom, some
being many-stemmed bushes, 4 to 5 feet
in height, and of nearly the same diameter,
and the almost universal employment of
Violas as undergrowth or borderings in beds
where tall plants are set out. These Violas
succeed well, as there is no crowding to-
gether of the tall subjects, bul each is
isolated and shows well from whichever side
the bed is viewed. Of excellent varieties of
Fuchsia, mention should be made "I Moles-
worth, which has a double, white corolla and
scarlel sepals; the undergrowth is a variety
of Heliotrope. Marinka is one of the
globose, red-flowered dwarf Fuchsias, and
has bronzy-green leaves; and in the same
bed were the varieties Lady Roberts, Luzon)
and Mrs. Marshall, the last-mentioned varii ty
having white sepals and a red-coloured
corolla. In the form of pyramids, in anoth r
group, were Pelargoniums of the peltatum
section, namely, Murillo, Charles Turner,
and some setdlings raised in the park. In
another bed were the varieties Baden Powell
of the same section, and an undergrowth of
a variety of Begonia scmperflorens. A bed of
the old, yet unequalled, Fuchsia Madame
Corneillson, had a good effect, as also had
Rose of Castile. Fuchsia Crimson Globe
made a charming bed, with Heliotropes
beneath, as did Fuchsia Amy Lye, with
white sepals and scarlet corolla, associated
with the variety Mrs. H. Roberts, having a
scarlet corolla and pink sepals.

Succulent plants of species have a place in
this garden, giant Agaves being mixed with
lowly forms such as Mesembryanthemums,
Rocheas, Aloes, Yuccas, Sedums, Semper-
vivums, &c. An imposing group of Melian-
thus major, 6 feet in height, with an under-
growth of Viola Mrs. Mills, is very effective.
Another conspicuous bed consisting of Carna-
tions (Fancy varieties), Pelargonium pelta-
tum, large bush-grown Fuchsias, and
columnar plants of Plumbago capensis, with
a yellow-leaved Pelargonium as under-
growth, will present an excellent effect after
a little more growth has been made.

The pretty Agathea ccelestis, together
with Lantana Drap d'Or and Albizzia
Iophantha as solitary plants, and a dwarf
Heliotrope beneath, formed an unusual but
pretty combination.

Fuchsia Golden Treasure, a double row of
which, pinched and layered, as an edging,

had a nice effect. A group of Abutilon
Savitzii, Begonia Triomphe de Lorraine (a
variety having reddish-bronze leaves and
scarlet flowers), together with blue Lobelia
employed as an edging, were very fine.

In another part, near the lake-side, plants
of Galtonia candicans, English Irises, and
Gladiolus Colvillei, will presently have a 'lis.
tinct effect. Solanum Balbisii, planted in a
long bed, is growing into good effect, and
the red fruits are showing freely on the
plants.

The beds on the Queen's Road side of the
park are boldly planted with clumps of the
pale purple Stenactis speciosa, Pelargonium
peltatum, Golden-leaved Privet, Fuchsias,
Chrysanthemum maximum, silver-variegated
and Zonal Pelargoniums, Violas in variety,
and Pentstemons. A group of Prunus
Pissardii, 5 feet high, and Golden Privet,
filled in between with Clarkia integripetala,
and bordered with Hemerocallis sub-c_,rdala,
at once attracted the attention.

Turner's Crimson Rambler Roses, Holly-
hocks, and Dahlias of the Decorative section
were employed in the large quadrangular
bed near the Queen's Road entrance. Here-
abouts, double-flowered Poppies, Malvas,
Phlox Drummondii, and Collinsias are used
in the borders.

The beds near the riverside restaurant are
prettily planted with Violas Bridegroom, Aid-
wood Gem, and Sir R. Fuller (a blue-flowen d
very beautiful varietj I, and are well worth an
inspection. Begonias Wurtembergi, and B.
semperflorens magnifica, &c, are the other
plants of which use is made.

In the sunken panel parterre the arrange-
ments differ entirely from those of last \ r.
Here the magnificent crimson Zonal Pelar-
gonium Paul Krampel, Ten-week Stocks of
robust growth, and Zelia Pelargonium
(one of the best), contribute greatly to the
effect. Golden Gem, Robert Fish, Verona
and Mrs. Mappin Pelargoniums form distinct
edgings in this parterre. F.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ARIADNE.
O. nobile, ? x O. Wattiandm Crawshayanum 3 .

This is a half-sister, upon the side of the
male parent, to Odontoglossum x Astraea, de-
scribed in the issue for July 20, 1907, p. 42.
The sepals are clear yellow, having a small
brown blotch at two-thirds distance from their
bases. The petals are coloured similarly,
slightly lighter towards the bases, having a
couple of spots in the same position as that in
the sepals. All five segments are otherwise un-
spotted.

The lip is lighter in tint, having a broad
transverse brown blotch on the yellow, just
above the crest, where O. nobile is always
spotted ; its shoulders and channel have small
spots and a brown marginal line, which are
often present in the female parent. The crest is
like that of O. Lindleyanum, slightly more fila-
mentous than in O. x Astraaa. The adnation of
lip to column plainly shows the influence of O.
Lindleyanum, the reniform blade giving evi-
dence of O. nobile.

The column is short and a little up-curved, as
in O. nobile, nearly white, the wings being

102

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

almost as in O. Lindleyanum and slightly
spotted. Anther cap light yellow.

This plant is only small, and bore two flowers.
It is one of a series of crosses I made with the
same male parent, and, compared to O. x
Astraea, clearly shows the influence of O. nobile
against that of O. X Fascinator, and, through
it, that of O. crispum. Reversion in this case
produces the form of O. Lindleyanum, with
loss of spotting of the male parent ; the white
of O. nobile assuming the yellow ground
colour of O. Wattianum. dc B. Crawshay.

NEW SPECIES OF IMPATIENS.

During the last few years several new species
of Impatiens have been introduced to cultiva-
tion in this country. The best of these, and
certainly the finest plant of the genus now in ex-

position, there is no reason why this species
should not be used as a bedding plant when bet-
ter known. It may be readily raised from cut-
tings or seeds, the latter of which ripen in
abundance.

Impatiens Holstii (Gardeners' Chronicle,
July 1, 1905, fig. 7), another recently-intro-
duced species, has speedily become well
known in gardens, where it is cultivated
both in pots and beds. It is a native of
Usambara and Kilimandjara, growing on the
banks of streams at altitudes of 2,500 to 5,000
feet, and was introduced into cultivation through
the medium of the Berlin Botanical Gardens and
the firm of Haage and Schmidt, of Erfurt. The
plant closely resembles the well-known I. Sultani
in its dwarf habit and shape of flowers. It is,
however, of much better constitution, and the

panying illustration was eight months old from
seed and flowered in an 8-inch pot. As all the
seedlings died after flowering and producing
seed, there is little doubt but that it is an an-
nual. The flowers are about an inch in dia-
meter, and vary somewhat in colour in the
different seedlings from pink to rosy-red or rosy-
purple. This species is found abundantly in
Ceylon, from the sea level up to 7,000 feet alti-
tude, also on the mountains of Malabar, Canara
and the Concan, at altitudes of 3,000 to 5,000
feet. In a recent letter to Kew Sir Joseph
Hooker wrote as follows : " I work at the genus
Impatiens every day and all day. It proves to
be an enormous genus, full of most beautiful
species. I cannot understand its having been so
neglected by botanists, collectors and cultiva.
tors." C. P. R.

FlG. 40. — IMPATIENS OPPO ITIFOLIA IN FLOWER AT KEW.

tivation, is I. Oliveri (see supplement to the
Gardeners' Chronicle, October 27, 1906), which
was sent to Kew in 1903 from Uganda. It was
found to thrive best when given cool green-
house treatment. The flowers remind one of a
Miltonia vexillaria in size, colour and shape. It
is of floriferous habit, with large, handsome
foliage, and a habit that branches freely from
the base upwards, causing the plant to form a
large and handsome specimen. A single speci-
men in the greenhouse at Kew at the present
time, now about three years old, is more than
10 feet across and 8 feet high, and for the last
2§ years has never been out of flower. When
treated as a bedding plant it was found that the
flowers lost their pleasing rosy-pink colour on
3xposure to strong sunshine, becoming almost
white. With care in the selection of a suitable

flowers are brilliant scarlet, contrasting well
with the light green foliage.

Impatiens oppositifolia (see fig. 40). — This
species has been known to botanists for many
years, but does not appear to have been intro-
duced into cultivation until early in 1906, when
seeds were received at Kew (under the name of
I. Dalzellii, an allied species with yellow
flowers) from W. A. Talbot, of Mahabeleshwar,
India. The plants raised from these seeds grew
rapidly under greenhouse treatment, and
flowered profusely throughout the months of
September and October. Specimens were sent
to Sir Joseph Hooker (the authority on the
genus), who identified them as I. oppositifolia.
The species under notice is of very easy culture,
of free branching habit, and exceedingly
floriferous. The plant depicted in the accom-

[Photogmph by C. P. Raffill.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

SOME ERICACEOUS SHRUBS.
The following flowering shrubs are often
overlooked in favour of other less ornamental
subjects. They all require massing to be pro-
perly appreciated, for solitary specimens fail
to give a display of flowers or fruits sufficient
to show their true character.

Pernettya mucronata.
This is a pretty little shrub from the Magel-
lanic region, and a bed of it should be found
in every garden, as it is perfectly hardy, and
grows well in any soil that does not contain
lime in any appreciable quantity. The small,
white, bell-shaped flowers are produced singly
or in pairs in the axils of the previous year's

August 10, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

103

growth, and they open early in June. They are
followed by red berries, which remain on the
plants for the greater part of the winter, and
these berries form one of the chief attractions
of the plant. P. speciosa is usually classed as
synonymous with P. mucronata, but they differ
sufficiently to be separated for garden purposes.
In the latter species the leaves are broader and
stouter, and the plant is dwarfer and more
spreading than in P. speciosa, which has a
free habit of growth, and rather brighter, nar-
rower leaves. The flowers of both are identi-
cal. A number of varieties have received Latin
names that describe in each case the colour

The plant is a native of North America, and
grows 2 feet or more in height. It is increased
by division or by suckers.

Rhododendron Rhopora, syn. Rhodora
canadensis.
This is a deciduous shrub from North
America, with slender, upright stems that at-
tain to a height of from 4 to 5 feet with age. The
ovate-lanceolate leaves are 2 inches to 3 inches
in length, glabrous above and hairy beneath.
The flowers are produced in April in terminal
clusters, and are of a magenta or purplish-crim-
son colour, which is very difficult to associate

Fig. 41. — view of an irish garden.

[Photograph oy Miss Wallace.

of the berries. The Pernettyas are easily pro-
pagated by seeds or by division.

Leucothoe Catesb.ei, syn. Andromeda
Catesb.ei.
This is a plant that may be in full bloom and
not be noticed by the casual observer. The
stout, arching shoots spring from a common
base, and bear white, bell-shaped flowers in
short, axillary racemes that point downwards,
and which are almost hidden by the leaves.
The latter are about 4 inches in length, narrow-
ovate in shape, pointed, and finely serrated on
the margins. The beauty of the flowers is only
seen when the shoots are lifted up, but in
June, when they are at their best, they form
a welcome addition to the flowering shrubs.

with anything except white. It is a distinct and
handsome plant when seen under favourable
conditions, and the flowers have the additional
merit of looking better under artificial light
than they do in the open. Propagation may be
effected by layering.

CHEMICAL FUMES AND TREE
GROWTH.
No other tree has been found so suitable for
withstanding the deleterious effects of an at-
mosphere charged with chemical fumes as the
common Elder. Several other species of trees
succeed fairly well under these adverse condi-
tions, but the Elder succeeds best, and in such
a chemically-impure atmosphere as that of
Newcastle-on-Tyne, and some other large manu-

facturing towns, it is one of the few species that
can be relied upon.

It is somewhat curious and interesting that
the Elder is also probably the best tree for plant-
ing in very exposed seaside situations, and down
even to high-water mark, fully exposed to the
rough winds from the sea, isolated specimens
grow with a luxuriance and freshness that is
truly remarkable. No tree is more readily raised
from cuttings, is cheaper to procure, or trans-
planted with greater ease than the Elder. There
are several highly ornamental forms of this tree,
including the golden, silver, and fern-leaved,
and all are equally valuable with the species for
general planting

Ulmus alata, the Winged Elm. — Consider-
ing the ornamental character of this tree, and
its capabilities for withstanding the cold in ex-
posed situations, such as on hillsides, it is not
planted so largely as its merits warrant. The
tree is of small growth, neat in habit, and
has peculiar corky excrescences upon its bark,
These are regularly disposed on either side
of the branches and to such an extent that the
smaller twigs look twice their actual size. The
species is a native of the Southern United States
of America, and, though introduced in 1820, it
may still be considered as rare in this country.
In Wales I saw it succeeding at an elevation of
some 600 feet above the sea level, and where
even the hardy Larch was affected by the cold
winds of that exposed hillside. Lower down the
hillside it was seen in equally good form, and
seemed in every situation to be healthy and
regularly branched.

The Pine Beetle. — This destructive pest of
Pine woods would appear to be unusually plenti-
ful this season if one may judge by the numer-
ous specimens of injured wood seen lately. In
one instance the trees attacked were isolated
from other Pine woods. The only method of
dealing with infested plantations is to burn all
dead and dying wood-, for in this the beetle
breeds. A. D W .

SOLANUM CRISPUM.

This beautiful and free-growing Chilian plant,
commonly known as the Potato tree, is generally
considered to be but half-hardy, and this belief,
no doubt, deters many persons from planting it in
the open. Solanum crispum is seldom seen in
Scottish gardens ; but that it is hardy in shel-
tered positions in Scotland was known as far
back as 1841, for the Botanical Magazine (t. 3795)
of that date records a plant as having flowered
at Hafton Gardens, in the Highlands of Argyll-
shire, where, on a south wall it had reached a
height of 14 feet, and had survived the severe
winters of 1837-8 and 1838-9.

The species is very robust and free in growing.
A specimen planted at the foot of a south-east
wall in the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, in 1903,
is now nearly 12 feet in height, and since the latter
part of June of this year the beautiful bluish-
purple and very fragrant flowers have been a con-
spicuous feature among the dark-green, ovate
leaves. The plant requires no special soil pre-
paration, for it grows freely at Edinburgh in a
sandy loam. The habit of the plant is climbing,
and should a blank wall-space need quickly cover-
ing it is specially suitable for that purpose. W,
Smith, Edinburgh.

VIEW IN A DONEGAL GARDEN.

We are indebted to Miss S. M. Wallace for the
charming view in an Irish garden, reproduced in
fig. 41. The space between the trees affords a
fine glimpse of the lough and the hedge-divided
fields beyond, while in the background rises a
range of hills skirting the horizon. The Rho-
dodendrons and Azaleas, with Solomon's Seal,
Skimmia japonica, &c, have, in the words of our
correspondent, furnished " a gay corner."

104

THE GA R D ENER S' CHR 0 NICL E.

[August 10, 1907.

REMARKS ON THE CONDITION
OF THE FRUIT CROPS.

(Sec Tables and Summaries, ante, pp. 84-90.)

0, SCOTLAND, N.

Orkneys. — The cold, wet season and a lack
of sunshine have spoiled the fruit crops in this
district, although the prospects in early spring
were excellent. Our soil is a heavy loam on a
sub-soil of stiff clay. Thos. MacDonald, Bal-
four Castle Gardens, Orkney.

Sutherlandshire. — Up to the middle of July
the weather was wet, cold, and sunless in
this neighbourhood, and easterly winds caused
blight to appear on the young growths of Plum
trees. Apple trees blossomed freely, but the
fruits set badly, and the Apple crop is in conse-
quence thin. Small fruits are plentiful, and
promise to be of average quality, although they
will be later than usual in ripening. The soil
here is a black, sandy loam, resting on gravel
and sand. D. Melville, Dunroiin Castle Gar-
dens, Sutherland.

1, SCOTLAND, E.
Aberdeenshire. — All small fruits are an

abundant crop, especially Gooseberries and Cur-
rants, but they will be later than usual in ripen-
ing. Apples are a moderate crop only, although
I never saw the trees look better than when they
were in bloom. James Grant, Rothienorman Gar-
dens, Rothienorman.

A fine show of blossom on all fruit trees

early in the season promised grand crops, but the
abnormal amount of rain, together with cold,
dull weather from the middle of May until the
middle of July destroyed our hopes. Apples and
Pears will be few : Plums in some gardens pro-
mise an average crop. Strawberries are much
under the average, but other small fruits are
abundant. Up to the time of writing we have
had only 10 days of summer weather. John
Brown, Delgaty Castle Gardens, Turriff.

Banffshire. — Fruits of all kinds set remark-
ably well this season, as the spring here was
almost entirely free from frost. But the rains
and cold winds during the latter part of May
and throughout June partly spoiled the crops,
which are about three weeks later advanced than
in most seasons. A few weeks of good weather
would ensure crops of fruit well over the average
in quantity. George Edwards, Ballindalloch
Castle Gardens, Ballindalloch.

Berwickshire. — Apple trees early in the
season gave promise of an abundant crop of
fruits, but continuous cold rains prevailed dur-
ing May and June whilst the trees were in bloom,
and the fruits did not set. Early Strawberries
were also a light crop. The first blossoms were
destroyed and turned black from the excessive
damp and cold weather. Later varieties, how-
ever, such as Monarch and Leader, are bearing
heavy crops, and the variety Elton Pine pro-
mises well. Plums and Cherries on walls, that
were protected by nets, &c, are bearing splendid
crops. Gooseberries, Raspberries, and Currant
bushes are all heavily laden with good fruits.
Our soil is a heavy red loam on clay, and the
crops in this district are always late. Robert
Stuart, Thirlestane Castle Gardens, Lauder.

East Lothian. — Apples are a variable, but,
on the whole, an average crop, and the same
may be said of Pears. Stone fruits have seldom
set more freely, and this entailed much labour
in their thinning. The crops of Gooseberries
and Currants are phenomenal, and the weight of
the fruits have in some cases damaged the
bushes. Royal Sovereign Strawberry furnished
a large crop and late varieties promise well, but
the maincrop varieties are a failure, owing to a
deficient rainfall, and this has caused the Straw-
berry crop to be below the average. Raspberries,
Wineberries, and Logan berries are all promising
well. All kinds of fruit trees exhibit hea'th,
and have clean, robust foliage. R. P. Brother-
ston, Tyninghame, PrestonMrk.

The Apple crop in this district is very

good, and the fruits promise to be of good
quality. Some are already highly coloured, and
all are swelling freely. Pears, especially in the
case of early varieties, are under an average
crop. The trees were exposed to late frosts and
cold winds whilst in flower. Plum trees de-
veloped an enormous quantity of blossom, but
the fruits did not set well, and, save in the case
of the variety Victoria, Plums are not more than

an average crop. Peaches and Nectarines are
exceptionally good. Apricots are also good, but
the crop of these fruits is small. Bush-fruits are
very plentiful, but in some places near here
Raspberries have been damaged by the cater-
pillar of the Raspberry moth and Black Currants
by the Currant-bud mite. Strawberries pro-
mised well, but the recent wet, cold weather has
caused mildew to appear, and the berries are not
swelling freely. The crops in general are from
10 days to a fortnight late this season. The
soil here is a light sandy loam, with a subsoil
of almost pure sand. William Galloway , Gos-
ford Gardens, Longniddry.

Fifeshire. — The fruit crops, with the excep-
tion of small fruits, are almost a failure in this
district. The weather was exceptionally cold
and wet, with frost at night time up to the
middle of July. William Henderson, Balbirnie,
Gardens, Markinch.

Forfarshire. — Apples and Pear trees de-
veloped an abundance of blossom, but owing to
the prevalence of rain and an entire absence of
sunshine during the time they were in flower
the fruits set badly. Those that did set are late
and small. Many of the trees have become
blighted, their growths stunted and in some
cases the foliage is dropping prematurely.
Small fruits are an average crop, but they will
be three weeks later in ripening than usual.
Thos. Wilson, Glamis Castle Gardens.

Kincardineshire. — There was a magnificent
show of blossom on all our fruit trees this sea-
son, but the result is somewhat disappointing.
The whole of the time the trees were in flower
the blossoms were always wet, and especially
was this the case in respect to Apples. The
weather was also very cold, consequently there
were no bees or other insects about to pollinate
the flowers. The only variety of Apple carrying
more than an average crop is Cellini Pippin,
and this kind always does well here. Our soil
is very light in texture, the subsoil being gravel.
All fruits are very backward, and it is too early
at this time to form a correct opinion on their
quality. John M. Brown, Blackhall Castle Gar-
dens, Banchory, Aberdeen.

Midlothian. — Apple trees in the early part of
the season promised to furnish fruit in abun-
dance, but with the continuous rains and low
temperature later the fruits set very badly.
Standard trees of the varieties Lord Grosvenor,
Jas. Grieve, Warner's King, Irish Peach, and
Worcester Pearmain have large crops, but most
of the other varieties of Apples are nearly a
failure. Fruit trees trained against walls are
bearing good crops. Wm. G. Piric, Dalhousie
Castle Gardens, Bonnyrigg.

The first months of the year were cold

and sunless, and fruit trees, more than usually
furnished with flower-buds, were late in bloom-
ing. A short spell of very fine weather at the end
of March caused good " sets " of small fruits
and of the earliest varieties of Apples. The cold
and sunless weather that followed March, and
continued until the beginning of July, spoiled
what promised to be a very fruitful season, and
our crops are rather under the average. The soil
is a light, sandy loam on a stibsoil of gravel.
James Whytock, Dalkeith Gardens, Dalkeith.

Peeblesshire. — The fruit crops in this dis-
trict are a distinct improvement on those of the
past three years. Small fruits are plentiful, and
good in quality, but Strawberries are disappoint-
ing, considering the great promise they gave
when in flower. The long spell of sunless, wet
weather and cold nights prevented the fruits
from swelling, and mildew has caused much
loss in the variety "The Laxton." Apple
trees on the walls are carrying a fine crop of
good fruits, but Apples are rather scarce on
standard trees. Plums and Cherries are both
large crops, and the fruits promise to be of good
quality. Our soil is a good loam on a gravel
subsoil. William Young, Stobo Castle Gardens,
Stobo

Perthshire. — Late-flowering Apple trees in
this district have very poor crops, owing to the
wet, cold weather destroying the blossoms.
Early varieties of Apples promise to be a good
crop. Plums are very plentiful in this district.
Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots are all good
crops, but the fruits will be a fortnight late in
ripening. Gooseberries are very abundant ; also
Currants and other small fruits. The soil in
this district is mostly a heavy loam. /. Farqu-
harson, Kinfauns Castle Gardens.

6, SCOTLAND, W.

Argyllshire. — In the spring there was a
great promise of all fruits. Apple, Pear and
Plum trees had a profusion of blossom, but
promises of a good crop have not been fulfilled.
In some cases Pear blossom was so abundant
that a severe thinning of the flowers was car-
ried out, but, after all, the fruits set badly, and
on some Pear trees there is not a single fruit.
Morello and Sweet Cherries flowered in remark-
able profusion, but many of the fruits dropped
off at the stoning period. On the morning of
April 18 we had a sudden and disastrous frost,
as much as 10° was registered — fortunately the
conditions were dry. Peaches set well, there has
been very little "blister" disease on the foliage,.
and the fruits promise to be plentiful and good.
Strawberries have cropped splendidly, and the
berries were of high flavour. The wet weather
has suited Black Currants, which are very good
in quality and abundant. Raspberries never
fail here, and both Brambles and Loganberries
promise well. Gooseberries are good. The re-
cent weather has improved all crops wonder-
fully. In June 5.13 inches of rain were regis-
tered. D. S. Melville, Poltalloch Gardens, Loch,
gilphead.

Ayrshire. — The cold, wet weather during May
and June spoilt what would otherwise have been
a good Strawberry year, but only those planted
on south borders have yielded satisfactory crops.
Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries are
good average crops, but three weeks backward.
Some Apple trees are carrying plentiful fruits,
but, generally, the Apple crop is not above the
average. Plums on wall trees are abundant, but
standard trees are carrying thin crops. Our
soil is a heavy loam, and the gardens are in a
low situation. W. Priest, Eglinton Gardens,.
Kilwinning.

All kinds of fruit trees promised abun-
dant crops in the beginning of the season, and
with the almost entire absence of frost in April
and May a first-rate setting of fruits resulted.
The month of June, however, was cold, wet, and
sunless, and this caused the fruits of late vane-
ties of Apples, Strawberries, and Raspberries to
cease swelling for the time. Good results, never-
theless, appear likely to follow. D. Buchanan,
Bargany Gardens, Dailly.

Dumbartonshire. — Red and Black Currants
are excellent crops, but Raspberries suffered con-
siderably from cold East winds when the flowers
were expanded. Strawberries are a good crop,
and the quality improved owing to the sunshine
early in July. Our soil is shallow and on a cold
subsoil, being very unsuitable for the culture of
Apples and Pears. D. Stewart, Knockderry
Castle Gardens, Cove.

Dumfriesshire. — Another bad fruit year has
to be recorded in this district. Apples, Pears,
Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and
small bush-fruits are decidedly under the average
in quantity and the quality is very inferior.
Plums, Strawberries, and Raspberries are
average crops. The climatic conditions during
June and the first half of July were so unusually
adverse, that little hope can now be entertained
of hardy fruits maturing so as to give anything
like a remunerative return. Heavy rains and
severe hailstorms were very frequent during the
month of June, and the temperature was very low
both by day and night. On the 10th, 18th, and 25th
of that month we experienced 2, 3, and 1 degrees
of frost respectively. Our rain gauges showed
6.5 inches of rain for June. John Mackinnon,
Terregles.

Small fruits are average crops, Red Cur-
rants and Raspberries being the best. Straw-
berries are good on young plantations, but the
berries on older plants are small. Apples are a
poor crop ; the trees have an unhealthy appear-
ance, especially those bush-trained, and many
leaves have shrivelled and fallen off. Pears are
always a poor crop here, owing to the soil being
light, with sand and gravel underneath. Cher-
ries, and especially Morellos, are looking very
well. This has been a very trying year, and will
long be remembered. Trie season is very late,
and plants have made very little growth. Jas.
Macdonald, Drvfeholm Gardens, Lockerbie.

Renfrewshire. — Owing to the cold and wet
weather in May and June, the fruit crops in this
locality are very deficient. Strawberries are
very backward and small in size. Our soil
is of a light texture on a sandy subsoil. Thomas-
Lunt, Ardgowan Gardens.

August 10, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

105

Wigtownshire. — Apple trees flowered abun-
dantly, but owing to an almost continual rainfall
at the time of blossoming, the fruits failed to set.
The trees at the present time present a very un-
healthy appearance. Pears are fairly plentiful in
the case of young trees, but many of those of
older growth are fruitless. Cherries of all kinds
are almost a failure, even Morellos. Peaches,
Nectarines, and Figs are plentiful, and promise
to ripen well. Small and bush-fruits are generally
abundant and of good quality. Our soil is a
good, somewhat heavy, loam, resting upon a
substratum of gravel or rock, from which water
easily escapes. James Day, Galloway House.

2, ENGLAND, N.E.

Durham. — All trees had an abundance of
blossom, but, owing to the cold rains, Apples
did not set well. Strange to say, Plums are
above the average. Our fruit trees are not
pruned. The soil is limestone. R. Draper,
St j ham Hall Gardens, Seaham Harbour.

YORKSHIRE. — The early promise of hardy fruit
crops was excellent, but the fruits failed to set,
owing to low temperatures, cold rains, and sun-
less weather in May and June. /. Simpson,
Stud field House, near Sheffield.

Apples, with very few exceptions, are

a heavy crop. Pears are an average crop. Plums
are an exceptionally heavy crop. Strawberries
suffered very severely during the wet month of
June, and the only satisfactory crop was from
the variety Royal Sovereign. Raspberries are
very good, and small fruits generally are above
the average. The soil here is a good loam 2 feet
in depth, resting on a layer of clay, beneath
which is a gravel subsoil. Fruit trees succeed
well in this district. /. E. Hathaway, Baldersby
Park, Thirsk.

As a result of the fine summer and

autumn of last year, all fruit trees showed an
abundance of blossom. Much of this was de-
stroyed by frost and cold winds, especially on
Apple trees, hence the present poor crop on old
and exposed trees, but young trees seem better
able to withstand the effects of cold. Bush
fruits are plentiful and very good. Strawberries
suffered from drought last year, and
made a weak growth. Early kinds of

Potatos are not very satisfactory, but they have
much improved with the advent of warmer
weather. Late Potatos promise well. All crops

.this season are about three weeks later than usual.
The soil is a rather strong loam resting on clay
over chalk 150 feet above sea level. John All-
sop, D alt on Hall Gardens, Dalton Holm,
Beverley.

There was an abundance of blossom on

all fruit trees, but the continuous wet and sun-
less weather prevented the fruits from setting.
These adverse climatical conditions continued
until the beginning of July, hence all fruits are
backward. Gooseberries are very abundant.
Strawberries were injured by the rains. Gener-
ally, the older varieties of Apples and Pears
are bearing the heaviest crops. The soil varies
from a stiff loam, resting on limestone, to
lighter loams on the edge of the great alluvial
plain of York. Troublesome insects are this
season less prevalent than usual. Henry J.
Clayton, Wharf e Bank House, V lleskelf .

Apples are a very thin crop, especially

on old trees ; young trees of Lane's Prince Al-
bert, James Grieve, Cox's Orange Pippin,
Adams' Pearmain, Irish Peach, and Grenadier
have the most fruits. Pears are very scarce.
Plum trees are very heavily cropped, especially
the variety Victoria. Damsons are also a very
heavy crop. All bush fruits are good. Straw-
berries are very late in ripening, and there is
only half a crop of these fruits owing to the
recent long spell of wet, cold weather. Apricot
trees are carrving very heavy crops. A. E.
Sutton, Castle Howard Gardens, Welburn.

3, ENGLAND, E.

Cambridgeshire. — The soil here is very light,
consequentlv the recent rains have done much
good to all crops except Strawberries. Many of
these fruits rotted on the plants before ripening.
The Peach, Nectarine, and Plum crops are all
excellent. Apples in some cases have set too
thickly, so that the quality of the fruits cannot
be good. R Alderman, Babraham Hall Gardens,
■Cambridge.

Considering the dull, sunless weather

•experienced recently, the hardy fruit crops are

promising fairly well, Teach, Nectarine, Morello
and Sweet Cherry trees have been very much in-
fested with green and black aphis and red
spider. Trees of Jefferson and Greengage Plums
that were Toot-pruned last autumn, also Kirk's
and Coe's Golden Drop, are carrying fair crops
of fruit. If we get several weeks of sunshine, and
a fine autumn, the fruit crop will be much bene-
fited. Our soil is a strong loam resting on clay.
The average rainfall for the year in these gar-
dens is 20.25 inches. T. W. Birkinshaw, Hat-
ley Park Gardens, Gamlingay.

Essex. — This season promised to be a re-
cord one for fruits of all description in these
gardens, but the continuous cold and sunless
weather has destroyed the crops. In the case of
Strawberries, a large number of the early berries
rotted before ripening. But the crop was a
heavy one, and with the recent fine weather the
latter fruits ripened, and on the whole the yield
has been a good one. Aphis, both green and
black, have been very troublesome on Apple
and Cherry trees. The Apple crop will neither
be heavy nor good, from this cause. Pears,
Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums are
particularly good. A free growth of wood in
fruit trees generally has been made. The soil is
a stiffish clay. Arthur Bullock, Copped Hall
Gardens, Epping.

Established trees of such varieties of

Apples as Hambling's Deux Ans and King of
the Pippins, which last year bore 19 bushels and
seven bushels of first-rate fruit respectively, are
this year, as is usually the case the season fol-
lowing a bountiful crop, quite bare of fruit.
This I attribute to the trees having become ex-
hausted in the developing and ripening of such
heavy crops of fruits as to prevent them from
expanding any blossoms in the spring. A speci-
men of Norfolk Beefin is the only established
Apple tree that has a fair crop of fruit this year,
but young maiden Apple trees, which last sum-
mer and autumn made no wood-growth, but
formed plenty of plump, well-ripened fruit-buds,
have set good crops of fruits. The soil is a
sandy loam resting on a bed of clay ; the ground
slopes to the south. H. W. Ward, Lime House,
Rayleigh.

Lincolnshire. — Notwithstanding the wet and
cold weather, there are good crops of Peaches,
Nectarines, Apricots, and Plums, especially the
variety Victoria. Strawberries were greatly in-
jured by rains ; many have rotted, and gener-
ally the berries are a bad colour and poor in
flavour. Apples are a short crop notwithstand-
ing there was a fair quantity of blossom, but it
was small and weak and failed to set. Pears
are a rather better crop than that of last year ;
the trees had a wealth of blossom, but the
blooms suffered from a sharp frost after a cold
rain. We need plenty of sunshine to bring the
crops to perfection. Our soil here is a brown
loam on a blue clay or ironstone subsoil. H.
Vinden, Harlaxton Manor Gardens, Grantham.

Considering the cold, wet spring and

early summer, Apples are a fair crop ; the
variety Blenheim Pippin is very promising.
Pears are an average crop, but Cherries are very
scarce. Nectarines and Peaches are excellent.
Apricots are also very fine fruits this season.
Red, White, and Black Currants are plentiful.
Gooseberries are a very heavy crop of large
fruits, and the Loganberry is excellent. I con-
sider this latter is one of the most reliable of
fruits. Raspberries are abundant, and the fruits
are very large. Strawberries have been an aver-
age crop of good fruit. Walnuts and small nuts
are scarce. Taking the fruit crops generally, the
season is one of the best for many years. The
soil in this district is very heavv, on a cold, clay
subsoil. F. J. Fleming, Weelsby Old Hall Gar-
dens, Grimsby.

The soil in these gardens is a heavy clay,

but the borders have been specially prepared
for the planting of Pears, Apricots, Peaches, and
Nectarines at the foot of walls. Of Strawberries,
Royal Sovereign is almost the only variety
which does well with us. A severe hailstorm on ,
July 2 badly marked the exposed Apples and
many Nectarines on a south wall. A bad at-
tack of caterpillars infested the trees early in the
season. The extremes of temperature experi-
enced between the early summer months and the
past few weeks have proved a great check to Apple
trees, and, in consequence, many of the fruits
have dropped, together with some of the foliage.
F. C. Stainsby, Brocklesby Park Gardens.

The soil here is of a light sandy nature,

and rests on a bed of white clay; these condi-
tions do not suit the Apple, and after the trees
have been planted about 20 years they gradually
die, but they produce fairly good crops whilst
they are young. Smalt fruits, and especially
Currants, do remarkably well here. Nuts are
quite a failure this year, owing to the cold
weather. F. Barton, Hainton Hall Gardens.

Norfolk. — Apples set well, but lately they
have dropped badly. Amongst small fruits,
Raspberries, Red, White, and Black Currants
are plentiful, but Gooseberries are a much
lighter crop than last year. Plum trees blos-
somed well, but the young fruits dropped freely.
Walnuts are quite a failure this year. /. Wynn,
Sedgeford Hall Gardens, King's Lynn.

Apple trees were covered with blossoms,

but Caterpillars destroyed the prospects of a
bounteous crop. Pear trees had not much blos-
som, owing to excessive wet. Early Strawber-
ries were almost a failure, but later varieties
are very good, especially Waterloo and Givon's
Late Prolific. Cherry trees trained against
walls are badly infested with black fly. Potatos
generally are looking well and promising a
bountiful crop of tubers. Owing to the heavy
rains Peas have grown quite out of their normal
character, and the pods are a long time in fill-
ing, owing to an absence of sunshine. /. W,
Bradbrook, Ketteringham Park Gardens, Wymond-
ham.

Suffolk. — The season has been very un-
favourable for fruit of all kinds, owing to the
unpropitious weather in April, May, and June.
During July the weather has improved, and we
still hope to have a good crop of large fruits.
All kinds of fruit trees around this district
showed an abundance of bloom, and with one
or two exceptions the fruit set well, the excep-
tions being a few Pear trees, principally of the
variety Duchess d' Angouleme that were in full
bloom on April 27, when we registered 6° of
frost. Strawberries promised well in the early
stages of fruiting, but although an average crop
has been procured, the quality has been very
poor. All other small fruits, such as Currants,
Raspberries and Gooseberries, have been abun-
dant, and the market growers have complained
of the very low prices. The soil in this district
varies from a heavy to a light loam on a gravelly
subsoil. In these gardens we have rather a light
soil lying on a bed of sand and gravel. Thos.
Simpson, Henham Gardens, Wangford.
(To be continued.)

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

PHYTEUMA CHARMELII
This is a very suitable plant for the Alpine
garden. It grows about 12 inches in height and
produces a number of violet-blue flowers.
The foliage is linear-lanceolate in shape
and of a dark green colour. It is quite
hardy, and, unlike other varieties, it is easy of
culture. When planted in ordinary sandy soil
in a position that is exposed to sunshine, it
needs nothing further than an occasional
watering to ensure success. W. G., Somerset.

SEDUM ACRE.
One is frequently asked to name a plant that
will grow and thrive upon the driest bank, amid
stones, or in places where only a limited quan-
tity of soil exists, and I know of no dwarf
plant better suited than the common Stone-
crop. Those persons who have seen the plant
in flower in the neighbourhood of Michelham
Downs, where it carpets the soil by the acre,
will know somewhat of its value even as a
flowering plant. In that district, hillock
and mound and dale are often clothed with
Sedum acre, and the mass of greenish-golden
blossoms which it produces in its flowering sea-
son is most beautiful. Recently I saw it grow-
ing upon the almost perpendicular railway
banks between St. Mary Cray and Swanley
Junction on a very sandy or stony soil. A good
plan of planting Sedum acre on steep and sun-
scorched banks is to gently rub a few tufts of
the plant through a sieve of not larger than a
half-inch mesh, mixing the particles with soil
and then sow the mixture on the bank. The be?t
time for sowing these tiny pieces of the plant is
during the autumn season.

106

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

CONVOLVULUS CNEORUM AND
VERONICA HULKEANA.
Convolvulus Cneorum is a native of southern
Europe, whence it was introduced into this
country in 1640, so that it has long been known
in our gardens. Unfortunately it is not a truly
hardy plant, and in cold localities, and during
exceptionally severe winters in warmer spots, is
often killed. It is a charming, flowering shrub,
and blooms with such freedom as to entitle it

of excessive moisture during the cold weather.
In the mild climate of the south-western coun-
ties, however, the winter rains do not harm them.
The species is easily increased by cuttings, which
make roots freely in sand under a bell-glass.
The plants grow rapidly, the specimen illus-
trated at fig. 42, now over 3 feet in height, with
a spread of 5 feet, having been planted as a
rooted cutting only four years ago. The photo-
graph was taken at the end of May, when the

Fig.

42.

-TENDER FLOWERS IN A DEVONSHIRE GARDEN : CONVOLVULUS CNEORUM
BELOW, AND VERONICA HULKEANA ABOVE.

to a place in every rock garden in the warmer'
localities. It also does well against a south
wall, especially if this be the wall of a hot-
house, which will give out a certain amount of
heat during the winter months, as this will tend
to prevent its injury even in comparatively cold
climates. Its narrow, silvery leaves, 2\ inches
in length and \ inch in breadth, are clothed with
silky hairs, and this renders the plants impatient

plant was in full flower, but it blooms more or
less through the whole year, a few blossoms
being now expanded (July 20l, and it also, gener-
ally, has blooms again in autumn. The flowers
are pure white, flushed with pink on the reverse,
and are \\ inches across.

The other plant in the illustration is portion
of a fine specimen of Veronica Hulkeana, by far
the most beautiful of the shrubby species. It is

a native of New Zealand, and was first known
in England in 1865. The plant, part of which
is here shown, is an exceptionally large one,
being nearly 6 feet in height and 8 feet across.
When in full bloom, at the end of May, it pre-
sents one of the most charming sights possible,
the countless, branching flower-sprays, standing
out from the wall and slightly drooping, forming
a cloud of soft lavender colour from the ground
level to the topmost shoot. Many of these flower-
sprays are 2 feet in length. Everyone who sees
this Veronica in flower is delighted with it, and
certainly when at its best it is the glory of the
garden. It is seen to the greatest advantage
when trained to a wall, as, if left to itself, it
forms a loose-growing bush. The species is
supposed by some to be very tender, but this is
not so, as it has remained unharmed when ot'rer
shrubby species have been seriously damaged by
frost. The species has, however, the unfortunate
habit of dying off suddenly without any ap-
parent reason. Small plants die in this man-
ner as well as large ones, but the loss of a fine
specimen is a deplorable loss to a garden.
Possessors of large examples are naturally on
the look-out for signs of failing vigour, but when
such appear, the fate of the plant is sealed.
The death of the plant is, by some, attributed
to the strain of flower and seed-bearing, but even
small plants with not a dozen flower-sprays
sometimes die. It is, however, well to take every
precaution to prevent the plants being weakened,
and it is wise to cut the flower-sprays as soon as
they have reached perfection. This has been
done for several years with the specimen under
notice, and this season over 500 bloom-panicles
were cut on May 25, and the plant is at present
in robust health. Cuttings, a few inches in
length, taken off with a heel during the late
summer and early autumn, strike readily. S. W.
Fitsherbert. South Devon.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

CORYANTHES SPECIOSA.

This singular species is flowering in the gar-
dens of the Hon. N. Charles Rothschild, Ashton
Wold, Oundle (gr. Mr. J. Wells). The large
flower, whose singular formation to attract in-
sects for the purpose of securing pollination was
described and illustrated in the Gardeners'
Chronicle, xxi. (1884), p. 482, xxiii. (1885), p. 144,
and xxiv. (1885), p. 103, is yellowish with a slight
rose shade and an orange tint inside the helmet.
The membraneous, wing-like sepals are thrown
back, and the singular, fleshy labellum com-
posed of a helmet-shaped hypochil, a neck-like
mesochil, and the large " bucket " or epichil
which catches the secretion which drips from
the horns above. The whole flower is an in-
teresting study.

Coryanthes, like Stanhopeas, should be grown
in baskets, and suspended in an inte. mediate
house. They require but little potting material
around them, for in their native habitat they
have no other material than the masses formed
by their own roots.

CIRRHOPETALUM MACULOSUM.
An inflorescence of this pretty species, which
is often known in gardens as Bulbophyllum um-
bellatum, is sent by Mr. Wilkinson, The Gar-
dens, Cliffe Cottage, Rawdon, Leeds. The scape,
which is 6 inches in height, bears a terminal
head of nine flowers, each about J inch across.
The sepals and smaller petals are of a pale,
greenish-yellow tint, evenly spotted with purple,
and the column-foot and delicately-poised
labellum are white, densely spotted with bright
purple. The short-winged column has a horn
on each side of the anther-case. The species is
a native of Nepal and the lower Himalayas, and it
is an easy plant to grow in the intermediate house.

BULBOPHYLLUM SANDERIANUM.

This singular species, which is sometimes im-
ported with Cattleya labiata, is also sent by Mr.

August 10, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

107

Wilkinson. The inflorescence is 15 inches in
length, furnished with bracts to the number
of about 40, the lower ones not producing
flowers, and the upper bracts producing them in
succession, so that only three or four are perfect
at one time. The flowers are about J inch in
length, the sepals green, spotted and striped
with purple, the small petals whitish, and the
labellum, which is i inch in length, is purple,
feather-like, and easily moved by the air, or by
changing the position of the flowers.

COLOSSAL NOTES.

ECONOMIC PLANTS IN THE BRITISH
COLONIES.

Reports on economic or industrial cultures
in the various Colonies continue to reach us.
As the Agricultural Department of each Colony
becomes more efficient, its value to planters
and others is more generally acknowledged and
it is utilised as a means of promoting the cul-
tivation and extension of economic plants and a
knowledge of their uses and developments
throughout the world. From a batch of these
official publications before us, we select a tew
for special notice as in K-cative of their general
character and of the value of their contents. It
will be seen that they represent a wide geo-
graphical range.

1- n im South Africa comes The Agricultural
Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, the contents
of which are as varied as they could possibly
be. It includes a note on the possibility of
the cultivation of the fibre-nettle, Ramie, on a
commercial basis in South Africa, and the
continuation of a very elaborate " Treatise on
Citrus Culture from Seed to Fruit," besides
other articles on plant diseases, and one on the
" Wool Trade of the Cape." To show what
liberal means are adopted for the dissemina-
tion of this journal, it may be stated that on
the first page the following announcement is
printed : " Published monthly in English and
Dutch by the Department of Agriculture, and
distributed gratis to bona fide farmers in the
Cape Colony on application through the Resi-
dent Magistrate of the district." From New
South Wales and Queensland comes the Agri-
cultural Gazette and the Agricultural Journal
respectively. The former opens with a con-
tinued article by Mr. P. H. Maiden on " Some
Practical Notes on Forestry suitable for New
South Wales," illustrated by photographs of
trees of Ginkgo biloba, Torreya nucifera, Podo-
carpus elata, and Prumnopitys elegans. Un-
der the title of " One of the So-called Quinines
of X. S. Wales," Mr. Maiden has another
paper on a Euphorbiaceous tree of New South
Wales and Queensland (Petalostigma quadrilo-
culare), the bark of which has a powerfully-
bitter taste, and was said, at one time, to
possess similar properties to quinine. This
question, however, seems to be set at rest ad-
versely by a report of its investigation at the
Imperial Institute, from which the following is
a quotation : " The results of the investigation
show that preparations of the bark do not exert
any marked physiological action. In conse-
quence, it does not appear that the bark can
be utilised for any important medicinal pur-
pose." Referring to this report, Mr. Maiden
says that it confirms the investigation of Dr.
Thomas Bancroft, of Brisbane, and shows that
a once-reputed drug of New South Wales is
now proved to be of no practical value.
The Queensland Agricultural Journal shows
an equally variable contents dealing with
tropical industries, under which are included
" The Cultivation of Rubber for Tropical
Australia," "Ramie for Queensland," and
" Pipe Tobacco in Australia." The first is a
thorough consideration of the subject from its
botanical, cultural, and commercial aspects.
Besides these articles dealing with economic

plants, there are others on dairying, poultry,
and kindred subjects.

As might be expected, the literature issued
by the Imperial Department of Agriculture for
the West Indies has a wide range of matter, in-
cluding, as it does, reports of experiments in
the numerous economic cultures carried out at
the several botanical stations. The experi-
ments with seedling and other Canes in the
Leeward Islands are fully reported, and the
value of these experiments and reports is con-
firmed by a note to the Commissioner of Agri-
culture by Dr. Francis Watts, C.M.G., who has
charge of these experiments. He says: "The
introduction of new varieties of Sugar Canes
is a subject of great interest to the planters in
the Leeward Islands, both in connection with
the increase in the yield of Sugar, and, per-
haps, even more especially in connection with
the combating of pests and diseases." The
Agricultural News — the fortnightly organ of the
Imperial Department of Agriculture for the
West Indies — maintains its reputation for
variety and interest, and is an excellent medium
for the diffusion of scientific and practical
knowledge amongst planters and others in-
terested in the welfare of our West Indian
Colonies. The same may be said of the
Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture, pub-
lished at Kingston, Jamaica, and edited by
Mr. W. Fawoett, F.L.S., &c, Director of Public
Gardens and Plantations in that island. It is
worth noting, again, that in the case of this
publication, the price of which is threepence,
that the following note appears on the cover :
" A copy is supplied free to any resident in
Jamaica who sends his name and address to
the Director of Public Gardens and Plantations,
Kingston."

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Flowers of the Field.*

When a book, though excellent in its day,
becomes more or less obsolete through the
advance of knowledge, we welcome a new edi-
tion which retains all the old familiar features,
but is accurately corrected in every point wher-
ever necessary, so that the reader will not be
misled. Such has been the case with the now
valuable edition of the Rev. C. A. Johns'
Flowers of thi Field. It has been revised by
Professor G. S. Boulger, and published by
the Society for the Promotion of Christian
Knowledge. Messrs. Routledge have now issued
an edition nearly similar to the original, retain-
ing the erroneous and now misleading details in
the introduction, such as underground stems
described as roots, the embryo confounded with
the plumule, certain fruits described as seeds,
&c. Some of these Mr. Clarence Elliott has
repeated in the new glossary which is added.
He has also written celeratus for sceleratus,
correctly given in the Rev. Johns' text. He also
omits all accents, instead of improving the text
by adding others where omitted. Beginners are
much perplexed as to how to pronounce Latin
names, as Clematis, which is often wrongly
pronounced Clematis.

Mr. Elliott says in his preface : " To have
made a thoroughly scientific book of it was
deemed inadvisable;" but it is most desirable
for a book of botany to be strictly accurate.
To be accurate is to be scientific. The new fea-
ture in the book is the addition of 92 plates
containing 268 coloured figures by Miss E. N.
G. Watkins. These may attract the reader,
but in some cases they are not so good as
those in the original ; such, e.g., as the Lesser
Celandine, in which the peculiar roots are
omitted. With regard to the figures in the text,
these are all similar to those in the Rev. Johns'
text, but they are not improved by being greatly
reduced in size. With regard to the number of
illustrations, in the large family Cruciferae, the

* Flowers of the Field. By the Rev. C. A. Johns. Edited
by C. Elliott (8vo., pp. 310). G. Routledge & Sons, 1907.

original work had 28 good-sized figures. This
edition has 22 in the text, and one plate
of 4, so there is no gain in this respect. The
coloured figures are very small, and no
botanical (structural) information is to be gained
from their flowers, although they may help in the
hasty determination of a species. We do not
know why Mr. Elliott changes Dentaria into
Cardamine ; neither Bentham nor Hooker recog-
nise it as belonging to the latter gentis. As a
rule, only a few alterations of no great moment
are made in the text, some rarer species being
omitted.

On p. 289, Mr. Elliott introduces the head-
ing, "Sub-Class II. Glumaceae " over "Jun-
caceae — Rush Tribe," and subsequently heads
every left-hand page " Glumaceae," in which
he includes eight " Tribes," not one of
which belong to Glumaceae at all ! In the Rev.
Johns' work the only two families, grasses and
sedges, which the British Glumaceae contain, are
added in an appendix (rightly embodied in the
text by Boulger). These are omitted by Mr.
Elliott altogether.

Professor Boulger's volume is 6£ inches by 5
inches in size, whereas Mr. Elliott's is a thick
octavo.

Professor Boulger's edition is thoroughly up-
to-date, the families being re-arranged in accord-
ance with the best floras of the day, and not
in the obsolete grouping adopted by the Rev.
Johns, which is retained by Mr. Elliott.

Beginners want to learn and remember the
usually accepted sequence o' the families (not
"Tribes," as the Rev. Johns calls them). If they
begin to study wild flowers with Mr. Elliott's edi-
tion, they will have to unlearn much when they
come to use Hooker's Students'' Flora, or
Bentham's Handbook of the British Flora. II.
The Book of Nvmph/eac>e.*
We have in Das Buch der Nymphaaaccen oder
Secrosengewdchse, as its title runs in the German
language, a work by F. Henkel, landscape
gardener, Darmstadt (assisted by F. Rehnelt
and L. Dittman), which is most opportune
at the present time, when the culture of aquatics
is rapidly extending. The author supplies
an introductory chapter on the history of
the genera, which are among the oldest plants
on the earth, being coeval with the Saurians,
whose remains are found in the chalk strata.
In that age, which preceded the Ice Age, when
Europe, so far as the 50th degree of northern
latitude, was covered with sub-tropical forests,
Nymphaeas with far larger blossoms than are
now found in the tropics, grew in the waters
among Palms, Camphor Laurels, and Cinnamon
trees : and in appearance the plants differed but
little from those of the present day. Among the
ancient inhabitants of Europe the rootstock of
Nymphasa alba, which is rich in tannin, was em-
ployed as a medicine ; and in the remains of the
pile dwellings in Switzerland traces of the plant
have been discovered. The reader is given
a list of books which treat of the subject, viz.,
Linneaus, who wrote of four species in 1771 ;
Curtis, in the Botanical Magazine, in 1801, in
tab. 552, gives the first picture of a cultivated
Xvmphasa, N. Capensis ; followed in the next
year with the North American Nuphar advena ;
1805, Nymphasa odorata and N. thermalis, and
the following year Nelumbium speciosum. De
Candolle's Prodromus, 1824, gave 24 species.
With the introduction of the Victoria regia at
the middle of last century, interest in aquatic
plants, and, more especially tropical and hardy
Nymphaeas, was awakened.

The favour with which the coloured hardy
hybrids are now regarded began when the prices
of the plants became moderate.

A short chapter is given concerning the
botanical position of the Nymphaeas, which, ac-
cording to Engler, consist of Xelumboideae,
Cabomboideae, and Nymphaeoideae. The charac-
teristics of these three sub-genera are
briefly, and the following chapters are devoted

* Published by Friedrich Henkel, GartenarchiteUt,
Darmstadt, Neuwiese. Price lOnik.

108

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

to the geographical distribution of the plants,
properties, and uses of Nelumbiums. There is a
good list of species, garden forms, and hybrids
in alphabetical order, with statements as to
origin, year of introduction, name of introducer
or raiser, form of bloom and colour, size of the
bloom in centimetres, and general remarks.

The observations in regard to cultivation are
most useful, giving as they do the sorts of soil
and kinds of manure to be used, depth of water,
temperature of air and water, the rearing of
plants from seed and from rhizomes, and of
cultivation in the open air. The discovery of
the Victoria regia and its introduction have a
chapter to themselves. The Nymphaeas are
treated similarly to the Nelumbiums, and owing
to their being the more numerous group,
they occupy a much larger portion of the book.
In both, the text is furnished with illustrations
of the leaves and blooms in outline, and repro-
ductions of photographs of views taken of
plants in glasshouses and out-of-doors.

A list of the hardy species of Nymphaeas and
hybrids is given in the same manner as is the
case with Nelumbiums. The remarks on culti-
vation are very full and satisfactory. The
illustrations number more than 100.

Die Moderne Teppichcartneria (Modern
Carpet Bedding).

Those of our readers conversant with the
German language will find in this book, fur-
nished with 172 plans of beds and parterres, a
selection of new designs for planting, which
differ in many particulars from those hitherto
seen in gardens in this country or abroad. The
work — the 7th edition — is an improvement and
enlargement of the previous editions by the same
author, and eminent specialists in this field have
furnished many of the new designs given.

The work is by W. Hampel, and it is pub-
lished by Paul Parey, Berlin, price 6s.

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Manure water. — Many plants and shrubs just
showing signs of flowering will benefit greatly
if given several applications of manure water.
The best time to afford manure water is when
the soil is in a moderately moist condition.
Take care that none of the liquid touches the
foliage of the plants, and as soon after as the
soil is in a fit condition lightly hoe the surface.
If the weather continues hot and dry, a mulch-
ing should be applied.

Summer bedding. — While the plants used for
summer bedding are at their best condition, it
will be wise to take notes of those that have
succeeded best, and of those which have failed.
These notes will be of service in formulating
plans for next year's bedding. At the present time
any suggested changes may be better considered
than would be the case later in the year, and it
also allows ample time for securing the necessary-
stock of plants. A start should now be made
towards this end ; the plants in the reserve
garden may be depleted of as many cuttings as
they will yield, but in the flower-garden proper
cuttings should only be taken from those plants
which have made a free growth. During the
succeeding four or five weeks, cuttings of Helio-
trope, Alternanthera, Fuchsia, etc., will root
readily, if firmly inserted in suitable soil in cold
pits that are shaded and kept closed. Provid-
ing that the weather is not excessively wet, cut-
tings of Pelargoniums will root better out of
doors than under cover.

Violets. — All runners should be frequently re-
moved from these plants in order that growth
may be restricted to one crown. If red spider is
present on the foliage, a few syringings with
either weak manure water or an infusion of
Quassia chips will act both as a remedy and as
a preventive. The frequent use of the Dutch
hoe about these plants is beneficial.

Preparations for planting. — Recently-layered
Carnations and such other plants as seedling
•Campanula pyramidalis, Anemones, and Ranun-

culuses will, from time to time, need planting
in their permanent beds. The ground for their
reception should be early prepared, which is
advisable for many reasons : it allows time for
the soil to become aerated and mellowed, and
many quickly-germinating weeds grow and can
easily be destroyed before the plants are placed
in the beds. Where the autumn sowing of
annuals is practised, the ground for the recep-
tion of these seeds should be manured and dug
as early as circumstances will permit.

Spartium junccum. — Always a free-flowering
shrub, the Spanish Broom has this year made
a more gorgeous display than I can remember.
A packet of seeds sown just over seven years
ago furnished a stock of plants which now,
although growing in a light and rather poor
soil, are over 10 feet in height and almost as
much through. This species is especially valu-
able, as it continues to flower freely till after
September, when showy flowering shrubs are
scarce. Rabbits greedily eat the young shoots,
therefore in places in which these animals
abound, wire netting must be placed as a guard
around the plants.

furnishing a supply of fruits in winter should
now be potted into 9-inch pots. After re-potting,
afford the roots water and place the plants in a
cold pit or frame, where they will grow sturdily
till placed in their winter quarters. Seeds of
the variety Winter Beauty should be sown for a
later batch of plants.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq ,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Cucumbers. — Plants in pits, and which have
been fruiting for the last three months, should
now be pruned hard back. At the same time,
remove to a depth of 2 or 3 inches the old sur-
face soil and replace this with a rich loam.
Afterwards give a good soaking of warm water
to the roots. The plants may then be expected
to start into fresh growth, and furnish a plenti-
ful supply of fruits in the autumn. Syringe the
foliage freely to guard against attacks of red
spider.

Orchard-house trees. — Apple and Pear trees in
pots perfect their fruits much better when they
are plunged out-of-doors at this season. They
should be placed in a sunny position on a well-
sheltered border facing south. Coal ashes form
the best material for plunging them into. The
fruits should be protected from birds by nets
placed over the trees, and as soon as they
commence to colour, a piece of soft twine should
be tied to the stalk and affixed to the nearest
branch for support. Give the trees an abund-
ance of water at their roots, and as often as
two or three times a day during very hot
weather ; an occasional application of liquid
manure will also prove beneficial. Reduce the
supply of water when the fruits commence to
colour, and at that stage discontinue the applica-
tions of manure water. The trees planted in the
orchard-house should be syringed daily, and be
afforded plenty of moisture at their roots. Allow
an abundance of ventilation both by day and
by night. All trees in pots that are cleared of
their fruits should be plunged out-of-doors to
ripen and mature their shoots.

Melons. — As soon as the fruits begin to colour,
the amount of water applied to the borders
should be reduced, but not so as to cause the
foliage to flag, for this will affect the flavour.
If the borders have been mulched, the litter will
greatly assist in retaining the moisture in the
soil.

Successional plants that are intended to furnish
Melons about the end of August or the begin-
ning of September will now be freely setting
their fruits. These plants must be carefully
watered, and the bottom heat must not be
allowed to decline, especially at night-time and
after waterings. Keep the atmosphere of the
house moist both by day and by night, and
besides admitting fresh air throughout the day
leave the top ventilators open a trifle at night-
time. Secure the fruits to the trellis with soft
twine, and stop the fruiting shoots at one leaf
beyond the fruit, but allow a few of the growths
at the top of the plant to remain entire, in
order to encourage a free root action.

Tomatos. — Plants growing in pots or in borders
should have an abundance of fresh air about
them both day and night during hot weather.
Afford the plants copious supplies of water at
their roots and manure water twice a week.
Apply a top-dressing of fresh loam and manure
to all plants that seem to require feeding. Train
the plants to a single stem, and remove all
lateral growths as they appear. Pinch the main
shoot as soon as it reaches the top of the trellis.
Plants in 6-inch pots that are intended for

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Chrysanthemums. — These plants have now
filled their pots with roots, and will require
much water, for at no time must they be allowed
to suffer from dryness. Afford slight applica.
tions of stimulants, but do not over-feed the
plants, or rank, soft growth will result. The
necessary tying of the shoots, " taking " the buds
of the more forward varieties, and the removal
of side shoots must be performed. Superfluous
shoots must be removed early, and not at the
stage when their removal will cause a check to
the plants. Guard against aphis by puffing pow.
dered tobacco on the shoots, and be on the
watch for mildew, which is easily combated at
its first appearance.

Freesias. — If these plants are- required for
flowering at Christmas time, they should now
be potted. Having shaken the old soil froM
the roots, grade the bulbs and place those of
equal size together, for if they are potted in-
discriminately in different sizes, the plants will
be very irregular, and the smaller bulbs will
probably not flower. As a rooting medium, use
a compost consisting of loam and leaf-soil mixed
with plenty of sand. If the soil is in a suitable
condition, and neither too wet nor too dry,
watering will not be necessary for some time.
Place the pots in a frame, and either shade the
glass or place some fine leaf-soil over the top of
the pots to keep the soil moderately moist. Re-
move the leaf-soil directly it is seen that growth
has started. When the shoots are growing freely,
they should have full exposure to the sunshine
and an abundance of fresh air till cooler weather
arrives, when the shelves of a moderately airy
greenhouse will be a suitable place for "them.
At no time is it advisable to force Freesias into
growth. When growth develops gradually, the
stems are stiff and wiry, and the blooms last for
a much longer time, both in a cut state and on
the plant.

Cleansing plant-houses. — At the present time,
many frames and glasshouses are empty ; it is
therefore a convenient time for performing any
necessary repairs, for cleansing the glass, and
for lime-washing the walls, &c.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor LawkencJ
Bart., Bnrford, Surrey.

Odontoglossums. — At the warmer end of the
cool house such plants as Odontoglossum
grande, O. Schlieperianum, O. Insleayi, and its
variety splendens are now sending up new
growths, and when roots are seen pushing
through the compost, afford more water to the
plants, but avoid saturation of the compost as
the stout fleshy roots are liable to turn black
from excessive moisture. Periodically examine
the young growths, and see that no water lodges
in them, as they decay sometimes from this
cause. The rare O. Williamsianum, a supposed
natural hybrid, is now in flower. This plant,
when growing, requires the same treatment as
that afforded O. grande, &c.

Miltonia vcxillaria. — Plants of this species that
flowered early in the season should now be re-
potted, but previous to commencing the operation it
will be advisable to ascertain that the growths are
perfectly free from small yellow thrips These insects
are often found concealed low down in the axils of
the leaves where it is difficult to eradicate them
with either a brush or a sponge without causing
injury to the tender foliage. The most effectual
method of destroying them is to dip or wash the
growths in either XL All insecticide, or Nicotine
soap, at the strength of 2 ozs. of the insecticide to
1 gallon of warm water. After dipping the plants
into the liquid, place the pots on their sides, so tha
the insecticide may drain from the base of the plan
to the tips of the leaves instead of percolating abou
the roots. When they have drained sufficientl;
rinse the growths with tepid soft water, and care
fully shade the plants from direct sunshine fori
few days.

August 10, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

109

Repotting. — Any plants that need repotting
should be turned out of their pots, have all the
old compost removed and any dead roots severed.
It is advisable to look very carefully around, and
under the base of each plant for woodlice, as
numbers of these pests are often found concealed
among the short roots. Many Orchid growers
use rather large pots or pans for accommodating
tins Miltonia, but after considerable experience I
find it an advantage to use receptacles that are
small. The pots should be half filled with small
crocks for drainage material, and a suitable com-
post is either one of good fibrous peat, or polypo-
diinn fibre, to which is added an equal quantity of
chopped sphagnum-moss. When repotting have
the base of the plant a trifle above the rim of the
pot, and carefully press the compost down
amongst the roots in a moderately firm, compact
manner. Place the plants in the intermediate
house, and in a position as near to the roof glass
as is convenient, for exposure to much light
and air is necessary to their well doing. For a
few weeks after repotting the plants afford water
very sparingly, but when new roots have been
freely formed the amount of water afforded may
be gradually increased in quantity. Unhealthy
plants should be repotted into the smallest pots
that will accommodate them, and they will be
greatly benefited if dense shade is afforded them
until growth is again active.

Miltonia x Blneana. — The distinct hybrid M X
Blueana and its several varieties are now at their
fullest development of growth. Afford them
plenty of water at their roots, and give them a
position in the Cattleya or intermediate house
where plenty of air and light but not direct sun-
shine can reach them.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Apples of such varieties as Lord Suffield, Lord
Gmsvenor, Ecklinville Seedling, Duchess of
Oldenburgh, and Keswick Codlin should be fur-
ther thinned if necessary ; the fruits so removed
will be useful for tarts. American blight is mak-
ing its appearance on some of the trees. This pest
must be killed by methylated spirit or paraffin
emulsion, applied by means of a brush, which
should be worked well into the crevices of the
bark during the operation. Fruits required for
exhibition purposes must be encouraged to de-
velop, and nourishment should be applied to
the roots from now onwards, except in the case
of any tree not carrying an average crop. As
the smaller fruits, such as Strawberries, Cur-
rants, &c, become scarce, early-ripening varie-
ties of Apples will be valuable.

Peach and Nectarine Trees have grown freely
during the past few weeks and their shoots will
require further tieing. See that the fruits are not
shaded by the foliage, for those that lack colour
are usually deficient in flavour. Keep the rooting
medium in a moistened condition now that the
fruits are swelling, and afford manure to any trees
that are considered to be in need of it. As soon
as the early ripening varieties are harvested of
their fruits remove any superfluous shoots, for
this will assist in the proper ripening of the re-
maining current season's shoots, which will be the
fruiting ones of next year. If a judicious dis-
budding of the young shoots was practised in the
spring, very little pruning will now be required.

Late Strawberries. — Givon's Prolific is an excel-
lent late fruiting variety of Strawberry, and it
should be included in all collections. The fruits
are large, highly coloured, and of excellent flavour.
Sever all runners on the perpetual fruiting varieties
before placing the net over the beds. Considering
the untoward season, the Strawberry crop has been
a large one.

Currants. — Red. White and Black Currants have
all been abundant this season, and the two types first
named will hang on the bushes for some consider-
able time yet if the birds can be kept away. Black
Currants will all have been gathered by this date
in the warmer counties, and it is good practice to
do what pruning or thinning is necessary to the
bushes now instead of deferring it until the winter,
for it will enable the young shoots from the base to
form a stout growth, and to fruit better next year.

General remarks. — Weeds must be destroyed by a
free use of the hoe ; it is many years since weeds
gave so much trouble in the garden. Wasps

are much in evidence in these gardens, but
their nests are destroyed by pouring cyanide
of potassium into their burrows. This can
be done at any time during the day, but the
cyanide is a very strong poison and the greatest of
cara is required in its use. It must be kept from
the reach of children. Another plan of destroying
wasps is to pour ordinary gas-tar into their holes
after it is dark, and to cover the hole with a big
sod of turf; this plan, however, entails more
labour. Protect early dessert Apples such as
Mr. Gladstone, Beauty of Bath, Irish Peach, and
Lady Sudeley, by nets, or the birds will destroy
many. It may also be necessary to protect the
fruits of Jargonelle Pears against birds.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Onions.— The present is the most suitable time
in most localities for sowing that portion of
the Onion crop which will stand through the
winter, but in very warm districts the opera-
tion may be deferred for a week longer. No
benefit is likely to result from getting the
plants too forward, as the more developed the
plants become before winter, the less likely will
they be to pass safely through hard weather. Giant
Rocca, White Italian, Record and Al are all excel-
lent varieties that can be well recommended for
sowing in August. If the ground is at all dry. apply
a good watering in the drills before sowing the
seeds, and if a little shade can be afforded from
sunshine, until germination takes place, so much
the better.

Salads. — A further sowing of Onion seeds for
raising small plants to be used in salads may be
made, also a sowing of the Black-seeded Cos and
All-the-Year-Round Cabbage Lettuces.

Cabbages. — No time should be lost before making
the main sowing of Cabbage, and Red Cabbage
if they have not been made. Continue to make
further plantings of Coleworts from previous sow-
ings, by filling up any vacant and odd places, as
these vegetables are always very useful.

Tomatos, which last year were so successful all
over the country, are this season a very indifferent
crop. It is therefore the more necessary to give
the plants timely attention in the way of removing
all side shoots as soon as they appear, and in tying
and watering, thus assisting them to develop their
fruits as much as possible during the next month.

Peas are this season succeeding remarkably
well up to this date. The maincrop, and plants
raised from late sowings are in most seasons
unsatisfactory, as they suffer from drought and
excessive sunshine at the time the pods should be
filling, but this season late plants are making satis-
factory growth and are flowering, setting, and
swelling up well. The latest plants which we
have just staked are very promising ; the heavy-
night dews which are now prevalent are helping
them more than the overhead sprayings winch
have to be resorted to in very hot weather.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Park-fencing. — In the laying out of new parks
and pleasure grounds, the provision and erection
of boundary fences is not infrequently one of the
most expensive matters to be considered. One of
the most extragavant ways of enclosing such places
is by a dwarf wall capped by an ornamental iron
railing. This method of fencing does not appear
to be so much in vogue now as it used to be, and
should never be adopted unless under very excep-
tional circumstances, and in special positions. It
often happens that those who are responsible for
advising park authorities in such matters, favour
the so-called unclimbable type of fence under the
impression that this is the ideal kind for park
purposes. These are usually from 6 feet 4 inches
to 7 feet C inches high, and are composed of per-
pendicular iron bars with two or three horizontal
bars to keep them in position, and they cost any-
thing from 15s. to 30s. per yard run according to
the size of iron and the work put into their con-
struction. Those who have had any experience
with such railings know what an extravagant form
of fence this is, for it is neither ornamental
nor is it unclimbable, and a much dwarfer and
cheaper form is quite as serviceable in keeping
undesirable persons out of the grounds. For
several years past we- have not used iron fencing
mora than 4 feet 8 inches in height, and by the

judicious employment of barbed wire such a railing
can be made quite as satisfactory as one 6 feet
4 inches high. It is found that the distance
between the perpendicular bars is of more import-
ance in keeping out trespassers than the height of
the fence. If these bars are more .than 5 inches
from centre to centre small children are able by a
little pressure to pass between ordinary 5-inch,
square or j-inch round iron bars, and thus cause
much injury to boundary shrubberies. Many large
and important parks in this country have boundary
fences composed of a wooden paling backed with
plants of a strong-growing shrub, as a hedge. From
the perishable nature of wood these require fre-
quent repairs, and the expense involved in their
maintenance becomes very high, so that, although
the initial cost of an iron fence is great, in the
long run the expense would probably be much
less than the wooden one.

I Minor Jences. — Besides the boundaries a number of
different places inside the parks require to be fenced
off from the public — such as isolated shrubberies,
slopes of banks, streams and ponds. In places of
this description ordinary iron hurdles or dwarf
hairpin fencing prove inexpensive and satisfactory.
In the Glasgow parks a fence composed of wood
and twisted wire about 3 feet to 4 feet high is used
for these purposes, and, besides being cheap and
easily fixed, its appearance is quite in keeping with
the surroundings.

THE APIARY.

By Chi.' iris.

Marketing Honey.— Honey has too long been
looked upon as a luxury ot the privileged few,
whereas it should be regarded as a necessary
food in every household. To create a large
demand for honey, and to cultivate the public
taste for such an excellent food, should be the
aim of the beekeeper. Many may ask how the
apiarist can assist in either of these matters,
lie sin mid place the honey on the market in a
i leanly and attractive manner, and for this
purpose he should use jars or tins, and the
extracted honey should be strained so that no
foreign matter may be found in it. The honey
itself needs attention, and it should never be
extracted from any but sealed combs, so that
the aroma is retained and the presence of thin
honey floating on the top avoided, for thin
honey is little better than sweetened water. A
beekeeper well known to the writer easily
obtains from 9d. to lOd. per lb. for his pro-
duce, whilst his neighbours are glad of 4d. and
6d. for theirs, and at these low prices they have
a difficulty in disposing of their honey. The
causes are not far to seek. In the former case the
honey can always be relied upon as being the
best, the cleanest, and the most attractive on
the market.

Low prices. — Many apiarists will now be har-
vesting honey and placing it on the market,
which in consequence will be congested, and
prices are certain to be low. Not only is
British honey offered for sale, but it has to
compete with a large quantity from foreign
countries and the colonies. Very little of the
imported honey, however, can compare with the
home product. Most beekeepers in this country
do not produce more than 300 to 400 lbs. in one
season, and with a little trouble this may be
disposed of to retail customers.

Grading Honey. — To many beekeepers " honey
is honey " from whatever source. Those who
meet with the best sales take care to keep their
honey from distinct sources separate. To mix
all the honey together regardless of the source
from whence it was gathered is to lose the aroma
and to seriously injure the quality. The section
honey may be graded as first, second, and third,
each grade commanding a separate price. The
sections which are evenly filled and sealed only
will be placed in the first grade. These, too,
will travel best, and if any are to be sent away
those filled out to the wood are the most suit-
able. The second quality should be good also,
but they need not be so even nor so well sealed.
The third division would be a little inferior in
the same points, and those not fit to be included
in this division should be returned to the hives
or be put into the extractor.

Cleaning sections. — All sections must be well
scraped to remove propolis and finger marks.
This is tedious work, but clean sections make
all the difference between selling for a bad and
a good price.

110

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 4i» Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C. f ,

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the E D I T O R ,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week us possible, and duly
signed by the writer, 1/ desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any conttibutions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Illustrations.- The Editor will be glad to receive audio select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, treest &c, but he
cannot be responsible for lossor injury.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
carefulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10—

Ann. meet. Roy. Botanic Soc, 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13— Exmouth Fl. Sh. (2 days).

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11—
Taunton Deane Fl. Sh, (2 days).

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17—
Sheffield Fl. Sh.
German Gard. Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 62'2°.

Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, August 7 (6 p.m.) : Max. 68°;
Min. 52°.

Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, August
8 (10 a.m.): Bar.. 30-0; Temp., 65'; Weather—
Overcast,

Provinces— Wednesday, August 7 (6 p.m.) : Max. 62°,
Colchester ; Min. 53', North of Ireland.

At the present season of the year
Diversity wnen vegetation is most plenti-

Foliage. ful> and all the trees are in full

leaf, the diversity of form to be

seen in the leaves of plants can hardly escape

the observation of anyone at all interested in

nature.

In view of the identity of the principal vital
function of leaves throughout the plant world,
their numerous shapes are remarkable. Con-
sidered fundamentally, the leaf merely con-
sists of a framework, designed to sustain and
expose the vital cells containing chlorophyll
to the action of light to the best advantage,
and that function appears perfectly fulfilled
by the simplest vegetable organisms consist-
ing either of single cells or mere chains of
cells, such as are to be seen in the Characeae,
the green, fibry growths which accumulate
in stagnant water and which can hardly be
termed foliage at all. The Lichens are a
step higher, and in the lower realms of
vegetative life are the Algae inhabiting both
salt and fresh water ; the Marchantias,
and so on, grading upwards to the Mosses
and Ferns, and, through these, to the flower-
ing plants, including all the diverse forms,
from dwarf to giant, from the tiny Alpine
plant to the great Sequoia. In the process
of evolution, thousands of genera, many more
thousands of species, and still more thou-
sands of varieties have arisen, in every one
of which are forms of leaves, of which no
two are alike. Even among the mvriad

leaves of a single tree, the Pines, perhaps, ex-
cepted, it would be difficult to find two leaves
which appear exactly similar, even to the un-
aided vision. We can easily ascribe to evolu-
tion a difference in size, as we know that
leaves subjected to shade and moist condi-
tions respond to such by expansion, so as
thereby to counterbalance the diffusion of
light, while, on the contrary, foliage exposed
to strong light and also to greater stress of
wind is naturally dwarfed. This, however,
does not account for their marvellous multi-
formity, grading from simple, undivided
leaves to decomposite ones of infinitely fine
cutting, or leaves of almost any imaginable
outline, varied, moveover, by equally infinite
variety of plan in the veins which form the
supporting network of the cells.

Even when growing under apparently simi-
lar conditions, enormous differences in size
are to be seen in leaves ; thus, the tiny-leaved
Box and the large-leaved Sycamore, and the
Willow or Poplar associated with the Horse
Chestnut are familiar examples of contrast-
ing foliage growing side by side.

This variability, however, is mainly con-
fined to one of the two great divisions of
foliage-bearing plants, namely, the dicotyle-
dons, or those which start life from the seed
with two primary leaves and subsequently
build up their stems by outside additions,
forming in shrubs and trees the so-called
annular rings with which we are familiar.
In the other division, that of monocotyle-
dons, the members of which start with
a single primary leaf and to which the
great family of Grasses belongs; also the
Palms, Aloes, Yuccas, Lilies, and other bul-
bous plants, there is a general similarity
of type in the shape of long, undivided leaves.
If these are examined it will be found that
a general characteristic is the system of
parallel veins running from end to end, f :>
that, while the leaves may be easily split
longitudinally, it is a difficult matter to break
them across. This system of venation does
not lend itself to the formation of irregularly-
shaped or divided foliage, nor to any marked
variation of type, such as is common in
dicotyledons. It is easy to see, for instance,
that a leaf with a midrib from which springs
a series of veins running to the margin, her-
ring-bone fashion, may by simple extension
of such veins become saw-toothed, deeply cut
or even divided into secondary divisions,
which appear impossible where all the veins
run straight to the tip. The dicotyledons,
having their veins arranged in an infinite
variety of plans, have been able to respond to
the influences of environment to a far greater
degree. Cold and exposure, or great heat ac-
companied by drought, would naturally check
the extension of the veins, and thus simplify
the form of leaf, while conditions of an op-
posite character, as warmth, humidity, and
shelter would stimulate the extension of the
veins and, therefore, tend to bring about
diversity of foliage. ■>

Nature has endowed leaves with a capacity
for serving other purposes than mere expo-
sure of chlorophyll to light, an instance of
which may be seen in the wonderful adapta-
tion of the Droseras and Dionaeas, and other
genera, whose province it has become to ob-
tain other food than that contained in the
carbonic acid in the air, and whose leaves
have been modified to serve this function.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — The

four new varieties of Sweet Peas which form the
subject of our Supplementary Illustration repre-
sent the latest additions to this popular flower.
These, with three other varieties, were selected for
awards at the annual show on July 16 last of the
National Sweet Pea Soc:ety. All the flowers
depicted in the illustration possess an undulate
standard, though in the case of the variety St.
George this is seen in a slight degree only, and it is
the colour rather than the form of this flower which
is its chief attraction. The colour is described by
our artist as translucent scarlet, with wings shaded
a crimson scarlet, and the keel of pale rose ; the
type of flower is known as orange, and it is
certainly the best of this shade. All the remaining
varieties shown have the waved standard and spread -
ing wings of the Countess Spencer type, a bowl of
which variety, with decorated grasses, is illustrated
at fig. 43. The variety Evelyn Hemus is one of
the best of the bicolor flowers. It has a cream-
coloured ground, with a suffusion of rose which
deepens at the margins into a distinct edge of this
colour. Silas Cole is a very large flower with a
broad, waved standard that is a deep reddish
maroon shade. The wings are purple and of a
somewhat deep tint, the keel is mauve with a
white base. It will form a suitable companion to
the well-known Black Knight. The variety Rosie
Adams is a flower of large size and with a peculiar
colouring, the central parts are violet or mauve, and
this merges in the standard into a shade of rose.
The names of the raisers were given in our issue
for July 20, page 56.

The Botanical Magazine, — The following
plants are illustrated and described in the issue for
August: — ■

Aloe nitens, tab. 8147. This species was sent
to Kew in 1877 by Sir Henry Barkxy when
Governor at the Cape. The specimen is culti-
vated in the Succulent House at Kew ; it is 12 feet
high and flowers in mid-winter. The species has
green leaves crowded into an apical crown. The
panicle bears about seven spikes, and the densely
flowered spikes are described by Mr. C. H.
Wright as resembling those of Kniphofia
aloides. The showy character of the flowers is
due to the orange-and-red coloured stamens and
anthers. In a brief note on the cultivation of
Aloes, Mr. W. Watson describes this species as
one needing less heat than most others, and sug-
gests that it would probably be an ideal plant for
the gardens of the Riviera.

Bruckenthalia spicdlifolia, tab. 8148. This
Ericaceous plant was discovered by Sibthorp
in Asia Minor more than a century ago. It was
described as E. spiculifolia by Salisbukv in 1802,
and as Menziesia Bruckenthalii by Baumgarten
in 1816. Dr. Otto Stapf now describes the
plant as having quite the appearance of a small
Erica, but as differing from that genus in the
campanulate calyx and the almost complete
absence of a disc. It is pretty well-known as a
cultivated plant in this country, growing about 6
inches high and having rosy-lilac coloured flowers.
Mr. W. J. Bean states that the species thrives well
in the open air at Kew, planted in a light, peaty
soil, where it forms close tufts about 6 inches high
and a foot or more across. It commences to
flower about mid-June, and remains in flower for
about one month. Although quite hardy, the plant
is too small to stand rough shrubbery treatment.
The best place for it is, perhaps, a shelf or minia-
ture plateau on the rockery.

Calathea angustifolia, tab. 8149. Mr. C.
H. Wright describes this species, which has been
cultivated for many years, owing to its attractive
foliage. Earlier names for the same plant are
Maranta discolor and Heliconia discolor. It has
narrowly, oblong acuminate leaves, 2 feet long
and nearly 5 inches wide, pilose on both surfaces.

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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Ill

green above and purple beneath ; the petiole is
about 2 feet long, green, spotted with red, densely
clothed with patent hairs, except for about an inch
below the blade, where it is glabrous and swollen.
The flower scape is 6-10 inches high, yellowish,
spotted with red. The flowers are showy by
reason of the pale yellow corollas. Mr. W.
Watson recommends the planting out of Cala-
theas and Marantas rather than their cultivation
in pots, and a selection of the two genera planted
out in the Nepenthes House at Kew affords an
instance of the success which attends such treat-
ment. All the species enjoy a light, rich soil,
plentv of moisture, shade, and a tropical tem-
perature

is so decorative as the stc mless species, and so far
all attempts to cross them with plants of the latter
type have proved unsuccessful.

Delphinium macrocentron, tab. 8151. Mr.
W. Botting Hemsley describes this species, and
the figure was prepared from a plant grown in the
gardens of Mr. James O'Brien at Harrow-on-the-
Hill, Miss O'Brien having contributed a draw-
ing illustrating the habit of the plant. The species
was first discovered in Lykipia in the Masai country
in 1884. The Hon. Walter Rothschild im-
ported seeds from Mount Elgoii. The plant is a
perennial herb, hairy in all its parts, and the
stems, as grown in a pot, are about 5 feet high,
slightly branched, having palmately divided leaves.

[Photograph by J. Gregory.

p1G. 43, SWEET PEA COUNTESS SPENCER ARRANGED IN A VASE WITH ORNAMENTAL GRASSES.

(For text see page 110.)

Streptocarpus Holstii, tab. 8150. This is a
caulescent species, raised at Kew from seed received
from the Berlin Botanic Gardens in 1905. Two
other caulescent species have been already figured
in the Botanical Magazine, namely S. Kirkii (tab.
6782) and S. caulescens (tab. 6814). Mr. W.
Botting Hemsley, who describes the present
species, states that it is a much more ornamental
plant than either of those named. It grows about
18 inches high, has fleshy, long-stalked, ovate,
slightly hairy leaves. The cymes are produced in
the axils of the upper leaves, and the flowers are
of mauve-purple, with a white throat. Mr. W.
Watson states that none of these caulescent species

The flowers are hairy, blue and green or yellow,
and green in some of the wild specimens, with a
whitish apex, about 2 inches long. Mr. O'Brien
is of the opinion that the species may prove to be
hardy.

The Journal of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society. — The thirty-second volume just
issued contains a great amount of interesting
matter. Exclusive of the Proceedings, which
fill 240 pages, there are 350 pages of text. The
more important " papers" and original contri-
butions are as follow: — "A Japanese Garden
in England," by Mr. James Hudson; "The

Formation and Care of Grass Lawns," by Mr.
Martin H. F. Sutton ; " Garden Nomencla-
ture," by Mr. G. W. BULMAN, M.A., B.Sc. ;
" Parasitic and Saprophytic Plants," also
" Some Remarkable Adaptations of Plants to
Insects," and " The Origin and Peculiarities of
Climbing Plants," all by the Rev. Prof. Geo.
Henslow, M.A. ; " Animated Photographs of
Plants," by Mrs. Dukinfield H. Scott, F.L.S.
(see Gardeners' Chronicle, April 28, 1906, fig.
110) ; " Phenology as an Aid to Horticulture,"
by Mr. Edward Mawley ; " Some Phases of
Twentieth-Century Horticulture in the United
States," by Prof. Corbett, of Washington;
"Tea and the Tea Plant," by Sir George
Watt ; " Meteorology in its Relation to Hoiticul-
ture," by Mr. R. H. Curtis ; " Researches at
Wisley," by Mr. Geo. Massee ; "Notes on
Some Cornish Gardens and on Some Wild Plants
Growing about Land's End," by Mr. A. Woes-
ley; "An Annotated List of the Species of
Campanula," by Colonel R. H. Beddome ;
" Horticultural Education," by Mr. F. J.
Baker ; " The Education of the Cottage and
Market-Gardener," by Mr. T. S. Dymond ; " The
West Indian Lime," by Archibald J. Brooks ;
" Mendel's Law of Heredity," by Mr. C. C.
Hurst ; " A Criticism of the Exhibition of South
African Fruit Exhibition," by the Rev. W.
Wilks ; " Perfumes : Their Source and Extrac-
tion," by Mr. Jno. C. Umney ; and " The Value
of Fruit as Food," by Dr. Josiah Oldfield.
Some of the papers, Mr. Hudson's, for instance,
were delivered more than two years ago, and
the volume does not include any paper which
has been read at meetings held during the pre-
sent year. There are many useful reviews of
new books, and the " Commonplace Notes " are
interesting, as usual. The " Notes and Ab-
stracts " occupy about 30 pages, but they have
been obtained from fewer periodicals than usual.
In addition to the subjects already mentioned,
there are reports of the trials at Wisley and
much further information of a miscellaneous
character. The work of editing such a volu-
minous publication must entail a great amount
of work, and Mr. Saunders is entitled to con-
gratulation for the excellent manner with which
it is discharged.

The Course of Flowering in Acer
platanoides. — Some remarks are published in
the Botanischer Centralblatt, No. 27, 1907, con-
cerning observations made on the flowering of
Acer platanoides in the town park at St. Gall (660
metres above sea level), by the Hon. P. Vogler.
It is there stated that every tree of this species
had at first a 10 to 20 days' period when male
blooms only were developed, followed at an
interval ranging from one to five days by a
development of female flowers, so that, as a
rule, wholesale pollination appeared to be ex-
cluded. A second crop of male blooms appear
in most instances.

Fibre from Pineapple Leaves. — The

Florists' Exchange contains a note by Vice-
Consul J. K. Foster, on experiments re-
cently made in Queensland to obtain useful
fibre from the leaves of the Pineapple plant.
This fibre is situated in the jelly-like tissue beneath
the tough epidermis. The latter becomes remov-
able by maceration in water. Hitherto the leaves
have been thrown away, but should the fibre
prove useful, and the process of extraction not
too costly, the Pineapple cultivator will secure
a valuable by-product.

A Cheap Book on the Cultivation of
Bulbs. — A handbook on the culture of the
commoner bulbs has been published by the
Agricultural and Horticultural Associa-
tion at the price of one penny. When we say
that the author is Mr. S. Arnott, who frequently
contributes to our own columns, and that the
handbook contains numerous illustrations, it
will be at once evident that the purchaser will
be sure to obtain good value for his penny.

112

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

LlLIUM TESTACEUM AND L. CANDIDUM

hybrids. — The following notes on this subject
are from Herr F. Schenbel, of Oberlahustein,
Germany, and were kindly sent us by Mr.
Gumbleton : — " Of the seedlings raised from
crosses made between these two species, seven
have flowered and, of these, six have bloomed
for the first time. They commenced to flower
earlier in the season than either parent. The
one which flowered for the second time was as
vigorous as L. testaceum, and reached a height
of 5 feet ; it bore six flowers as large as those
of L. testaceum and of like form, but of a
coral-red shade of colour. Of the remaining
six three were of the same height as the first
had been last summer, or between 3 and 4 feet,
and bore two or three flowers each. In the
case of two of them the colour of the flower
was like that of L. chalcedonicum, but in size
the blooms were as large as those of L. .testa-
ceum. The third had a large orange-coloured
flower. The three other seedlings were of more
slender growth, bearing only one flower each.
In the case of two of them the colour of the
flower was a shade redder than that of L.
testaceum at their opening, but their interiors
turned darker and darker every day until they
were mid-way in colour between L. chalce-
donicum and L. testaceum ; the backs of the
petals remained light and contrasted well with
the interiors. The last of the seven seedlings
was the most slender of them all, with a small
flower much lighter than the female parent. I
think that these hybrids prove two things —
first, that hybrids often revert to one of their
grandparents, showing little more than a trace
of their immediate parents ; and, secondly, that
I., testaceum is a hybrid probably between L.
chalcedonicum and some other nearly allied
specieSi"

Lilium tigrinum. — Kew received in January
of this year, writes W. W . in the Kew Bull, tin,
some bulbs of a Lilium from Messrs. Watson &
Scull, 90, Lower Thames Street, E.C., who
stated that they had been sent by a nurseryman
in Shanghai, with the information that they
were of an unknown Lily from the interior of
China, where they were cultivated for some
medicinal property contained in the bulbs, and
that they had stems 4 to 6 feet high, and flowers
" white with a little yellow." The bulbs, on
comparison with cultivated examples of species
of Lilium, were most like those of L. auratum,
and the description of the flowers also pointed to
that species, which, however, is known only
from Japan, although it has been suggested that
it may be of Chinese origin. Bulbs of an " un-
known Lily from China, with white and yellow
flowers " were soon afterwards offered for sale
by English and other dealers, and a dozen were
purchased for Kew. Some of the plants, from
both sources, are now in flower, and they prove
to be nothing more than L. tigrinum, Ker-Gawl.,
one of the most widely-cultivated of Chinese
Liliums, which was first introduced into England
in 1804, where it is now in almost every garden,
and is represented by several well-marked varie-
ties, including one with double flowers. It has
been collected wild in Pekin (David) ; Hupeh ;
Ichang and Patung (Henry) ; Szechuen ; Tchen-
keoutin (Faeges) ; Corea (Perry) ; Chemulpo
(Carles) ; the Corean Archipelago (Oldham).
It is also wild in Japan. Dr. Henry states that
in Ichang this species is cultivated and the bulbs
eaten, and that dry Lily flowers are used by the
Chinese for flavouring soups and as a remedy
for pulmonary diseases (see also Kew Bulletin,
1889, p. 116). It is therefore not impossible
that the particular form of L. tigrinum now in
question, with bulbs unlike those of the forms
usually known in gardens, may be one of those
cultivated in China as a vegetable.

Dahlias. — The following remarks on Dahlias
in England are taken from a paper by Mr. G. H.
Howarth, which is printed in the Dahlia News
(American) for July: — "Perhaps no one flower
has so many varieties as the Dahlia — the Cactus
for instance was first exhibited in England in 1880 —
just 27 years ago, and now there are thousands
of good Cactus Dahlias, hundreds of which
have received first-class certificates, awards of
merit, &c, for in England the Dahlia is of no
■use commercially until it has been properly judged
and stamped with the approval of competent
judges, a truly commendable way of setting a value
on new varieties. Many varieties which in
England and Germany may be all that is claimed
for them, are a great disappointment here under
the most favourable conditions— taking for in-
stance ' Winsome,' supposed to be an ideal white,
perfect shape, &c, as far as this variety has been
exhibited in this country, it is very ordinary
indeed, as is also Lord Roberts and Keynes White.
Strange as it may seem, England has not produced
a pure white Dahlia, all her so-called whites
being of a cream tint, while France has sent over
even in 1000 a good white Decorative Dahlia
which was classed as Cactus at that time, ' Mdme.
Armond Charet.' England, France and Germany
vie with one another each year in producing new
or improving on old varieties in the Cactus shape,
as well as improving the formation of the flower,
and it is to those countries we owe to some extent
the interest which is kept up by their introduction.
It is to be hoped in the coming years that America,
instead of following, will be leading, and this
result can only be obtained after weeding out the
worthless kinds and growing only the best ;
encouraging the growth of ' seedlings ' and
having a competent committee of sufficient juris-
diction to judge their merits, and if found worthy,
award them distinctions."

The Seed Crops in France. — According to
a report in the Bulletin des Cultivateurs de
Graines, the trade in the last season was satis-
factory, and the warehouses having been nearly
cleared of old seeds, especially of Cabbage
seed, higher prices are hoped for. A good
harvest is anticipated, more especially in
the south, where the climatical conditions have
been favourable. In the north and central de-
partments more rain fell than was good for
seeds, but improvement followed at the end of
the rainy period. The sowings for 1908 have,
in general, been satisfactory, and the weather
favourable to growth. The harvest for the
present year, so far as an opinion may now be
formed for the various crops, will be as follows.
Seed of Mangold Wurzel will fetch medium
prices. The crops in the neighDOurhood of Paris
are as yet in good condition. Beets in the cen-
tral districts of France have developed vigor-
ously ; but in the south growth is slow and
aphides have already made their appearance.
Seeds of table Carrots and cattle-feeding Car-
rots should fetch .good prices. With the excep-
tion of certain crops in Central France, where
the rainfall worked mischief, the condition of
the seed crops leaves nothing to be desired.
Cabbages promise well. The crops of Hearting
Cabbage seed in the vicinity of Paris and in
Central France are somewhat deficient ; but in
the south, on the contrary, the harvest will be
excellent. The crop of Brussels Sprouts is safe,
and that of Cauliflower in Italy will be excel-
lent. Kohlrabi is everywhere good. Cucumber
and Gherkin seed came up badly in the north
and centre owing to wet, cool weather at the
period of seed-sowing. In the south the plants
suffered much less. Beans germinated badly, and
the quantity sown in the south was inconsider-
able. Cabbage Lettuce and summer and winter
Endive are expected to yield normal crops.

Onions promise a good crop, but the promise
may be spoilt at the last moment. Of the chief
variety, "Vertus," several cultures in Central
France are diseased, whilst about Paris and in
the south the condition of the plants is extra-
ordinarily fine. Leeks are excellent, but land
occupied by this crop is limited in extent ; the
demand will about be covered, and medium
prices obtained. Parsley showed well for seed,
and a good harvest is expected. Peas will be
plentiful, and as the demand is constantly in-
creasing, dealers are expecting to get good
prices. The harvest commenced early in July.
Salsafy and Scorzonera promise good crops in
France and Holland, but the amount of land
under these crops is not great.

The Onion Crop in Egypt.— The fear that
high prices would prevail this season has been
justified. In consequence of the low temperature
the quality of the bulbs is inferior ; at the
beginning of the Onion harvest but small quantities
came to hand, and the harvest was believed to be
an inconsiderable one. The American demand
also had an effect on prices. At the beginning of
the month of May there were heavy shipments
to England, but owing to the large quantities
brought to market, prices declined. In that month
the price per sack of 50 kilog., free on board, at
Alexandria, was 4s. instead of 2s. 4d. as in the
previous year. Up to the end of April there were
shipped 680,904, against 1,037,495 sacks in 1906,-
of which 32,371 went to Hamburg ; to English
ports, 500,484; to Trieste, 110,915 ; Rotterdam,
21,396 ; and Marseilles, 12,000 sacks.

Timber for Clog Soles. — In several parts
cf Shropshire, Hampshire, and throughout
Wales, the northern counties in particular, the
making of clog soles is an important and
remunerative industry. The wood of Alder is
preferred for this work, but Birch, Willow, and
Sycamore are occasionally used, and in many
woodlands of these districts traces of the ciog-
maker may be found in the heaps of chips or
shavings which are cut off in forming the soles.
It is interesting to watch the speed with which
the sole for a clog is shaped out of the prepared
block of wood, and with the most primitive and
modest appliances — a roughly-formed stool, to
which a portion of an old scythe blade hinged
at one end, and with a wooden handle at the
other, is attached. In the way of dexterous
handicraft no more interesting sight can be af-
forded than to watch a skilful maker of clog,
soles. The ready certainty with which the wood-
man, when taking one of the prepared logs in
hand, sees how it can best be treated, and the
readiness with which the rude tools are made to
bring about the desired result, are admirable,
and a forcible example of skilled labour. Young
and quickly-grown trees, with stems from 9 to
12 inches in diameter and as clean as possible,
are most sought after, and the price varies with
the locality from 8d. to lOd. per cubic foot.
Generally permission is given for the work
to be carried out in the woodland where the
trees are felled, and the cost of haulage and
carriage is thereby saved.

Root Action and Bacteria. — Mr. F.

Fletcher, writing from Poona in a recent issue
of Nature in respect to a previous note by Mr.
Spencer Pickering on "Root Action and Bac-
teria," states that experiments he has made at
Poona both in the field and in water culture
with a large number of varieties of plants do not
lead directly to the conclusion that the proper
functioning of roots depends on the presence of
bacteria. Water cultures have been made on a
fairly large scale, three harvests of 90 plants
being taken in a large number of dishes, each
containing two litres of water. After the third

August 10, 1007.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

113

harvest, the water was allowed to stand and
evaporate to half its volume. On attempting to
use this water for further water cultures, all the
plants sown in it died within two days and some
within half an hour, the time varying with the
variety of plant that was transplanted into the
water, and with the variety that had previously
been grown in the water. Further, boiling this
water, writes Mr. Fletcher, neither increases
nor diminishes its toxicity to plants. It is,
moreover, immaterial whether the nutrient solu-
tion is such as to become acid or alkaline after
use ; neutralisation in either case does not mal;e
. it possible to grow plants in it. His experi-
ments lead to the conclusion that the roots of
all the plants so far tried excrete a substance
that is toxic to all plants (including that by
which it is excreted), but in different degrees.
Similarly, in the field Sesanum indicum will not
grow (on stiff black soil) within 2 feet of Sor-
ghum vulgare ; all the plants tried to appear to
decrease the yield of neighbouring plants of the
same variety by about 00 per cent. The effect
of the toxic substance both in the field and in
water culture is completely neutralised by tannic
and pyrogallic acids, carbon black, and other
substances. It is, of course, possible that bac-
teria in the soil have a beneficial action by-
elaborating antitoxins similar to those men-
tioned. Mr. Fletcher states that he has not
yet been able to isolate the toxic substance con-
tained in the polluted water of his cultures.

HEMSTED PARK, KENT.

Hemsted Park, the seat of Earl Cranbrook,
is situated in the parish of Benenden, some
four miles from the ancient market town of
Cranbrook, in the heart of the Weald of Kent.
The present peer is the second holder of the
title ; the first, perhaps better known as Mr.
Gathorne-Hardy, was one of the brilliant
coterie of statesmen who formed a distin-
guishing feature of the mid-Victorian age.
The estate is charmingly placed on high ground,
and the natural conformation of its entire area,
with a soil varying from peat to a stiff sandy
loam, lends itself to every variety of garden-
ing. Park and lake, woodland and pleasure
gardens are features of great interest, yet the
wild garden, dells and pools would appeal to
many as possessing a greater charm and beauty
than the gayer flower-gardens, borders and
walks.

The park, which is some 300 acres in area,
is entered through iron gates, which are flanked

Azaleas are a feature of the estate, the former
especially, and the varieties embrace many of
the best in cultivation.

In the wild garden, near the mansion, is th3
largest lake, and it would be difficult to imagine
a more reposeful and pleasing prospect than
this affords) On the perfect July afternoon that
I saw it not a ripple moved the surface of the
water, nor the slightest breeze stirred the leaves
of the Weeping Willows, Poplars, Limes, Rho-
dodendrons, and Alders that fringed the banks.

During nearly the whole year the ground is
covered by breadths of floral subjects. Snow-
drops and Crocuses in the early spring are
quickly succeeded by Daffodils of many varieties,
and Primroses (this part of Kent is famous for
these flowers), Bluebells and Tulips later ; while
during the summer Foxgloves, Lilium Mar-
tagon, Honeysuckle, and many other flowers
flourish luxuriantly : in marshy spots Primula
japonica abounds.

In the rock garden hardy Ferns propagate
freely, and plants are found in every crevice of

ARGEMONE GRANDIFLORA.

According to Mr. Archer-Hind who thinks
very highly of this plant, it was known to
Dioscorides more than 1,800 years ago, and, in
Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening, its date
of introduction into this country is given as
1827. Notwithstanding the many years that
have elapsed since it was first brought into
England, the species is not common in gar-
dens, which is the more surprising when its
beauty is considered. The flowers, which are 4
inches across, are of a satin-like texture ; they
are pure white, with a central bunch of yellow
stamens. Except in size, they are very similar
to the blossoms of Romneya Coulteri, but the
latter are often 7 inches in diameter. A bush,
such as that illustrated at fig. 44, 4 feet in
height and as much through, is an exceedingly
pretty sight when in full flower, as many as 41
expanded blossoms being sometimes carried
simultaneously. The plants- usually begin to
flower at about the end of June, and remain
in bloom for about four months. The individual
blossoms last little longer than a day, but are
produced in such profusion that their fading is
unnoticed. The leaves are grey and very prickly,
and are from 6 inches to 9 inches in length.
Seeds are borne freely in pods liberally armed
with prickles, and seedlings may, therefore, be
easily raised. The species is generally considered
to be an annual, but in certain cases the plants
throw up again from the roots. The plant
illustrated was put out four years ago, and
every season has renewed itself by growths put
forth from the base. This was also the case
with an extremely fine specimen in Mr. Archer-
Hind's garden a few years ago, which was 5
feet in height and 15 feet in circumference. On
one day this plant bore 50 expanded blossoms.
Where it is treated as an annual, it is best raised
in heat at the beginning of March, and planted
out, when large enough, in the month of May.
It much resents transplantation, and great care
should be taken in planting it out, since the
least twist given to the seedling may prove fatal.
The plants succeed best in light soil, and the
species being a native of Mexico, it likes a
warm position. Most probably the fact that
the soil, in which the plant illustrated is grow-
ing, is very light and its position warm, hns
much to do with its proving perennial. S. \V .
Fitzherbert, Devonshire.

FlG. 44. — ARGEMONE GRANDIFLORA : FLOWERS WHITE, WITH YELLOW STAMENS.

on the left by a picturesque lodge. The green-
sward on either side of the car-iage drive is
broken by trees placed in some cases singly, at
others in groups, in effective situations, thereby
enhancing the natural attractiveness of the land,
scape.

To a lover of trees, Hemsted would afford
endless delight. Most indigenous species
flourish, and many of the individual Oak,
Beech, Elm, and Ash trees may be regarded
as specimens. There is a fine avenue of Limes,
also one of old Elms. Owing, however, to the
evil reputation the latter species has of drop-
ping its limbs suddenly, the Elms are to be re-
placed by Yews. Conifers also do well in
various situations. There is a specimen of the
beautiful Sciadopitys verticillata which is 25
feet in height. At the time of my visit the
Liriodendron tulipifera was in full flower, and
the Eucalyptus exhaled its pungent fragranc;
in the summer air. Rhododendrons and hardy

brick or stone where a spore can obtain a lodg-
ment. Among many others, I noticed Scolopen-
drum vulgare, S. vulgare marginatum, S. crista-
tum, S. ramomarginatum, Asplenium filix-
fcemina (vars.), A. lanceolatum, A. 1. crispatum.
Polystichum aculeatum, Lastraea cristata and
L. aculeata.

Before concluding a description of this part
of the grounds attention must be drawn to the
meres, in which the Water Lilies are grown, and
it would be difficult to find any spot more pleasing
both by its natural conformation and its charm-
ing environment. There, are two ponds situated
at different elevations, and in these choice
Nympha?as of the Marliacea type and Arum
Lilies, &c, were at the time of my visit flower-
ing in perfection, while in the marshy ground
breadths of Forget-me-Nots, Primula japonica,
Mimulus, Iris, hardy species of Cypripedium,
Digitalis, and other bog-loving subjects were
flourishing. Clumps of Bambusa and Gun-

114

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

neras evidently find in this spot congenial con-
ditions. Many of the common English Ferns
are seen, and a lover of Mosses could quickly
cull an interesting collection from this spot.

Cultivation under glass is carried on in thir-
teen houses, which are suitably contrived for
the various purposes they are put to. Tomatos
showed good culture, and were furnishing heavy
crops of fruits. Cucumbers of the variety Tele-
graph also made a fine show. The principal
varieties of Grapes grown are Lady Downe's
Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield
.Court, and Black Hamburg. Of Melons, Hero
of Lockings was doing well, the fruits being of
large size.

In the stove-house was seen a small collection
of healthy-looking Orchids, principally Cypri-
pediums, also Begonias, Eucharis, Pancratiums,
Clerodendrons, Allamandas, Dracaenas, Glox-
inias, and many exotic subjects.

In the fruit and vegetable departments the
crops were developing well. Currants, Goose-
berries, and Raspberries were all fruiting freely.
In this quarter of the garden hardy perennials
are planted for furnishing flowers for decorative
purposes ; there are also splendid rows of Sweet
Peas. I noticed a collection of the best varieties
of Chrysanthemums which promised well for
the autumn and winter. Apples and Pears are
grown in bush, espalier and standard forms,
but some of the trees are aged, and the
gardener hopes to replant them in the near
future with newer varieties. Fruit is grown
under considerable difficulty at Hemsted. The
grounds are a veritable sanctuary for birds of all
kinds. The owner delights in bird-life, and the
rarer species are encouraged. Many varieties
are, however, very destructive to fruit in the
various stages of its development ; consequently,
owing to the number of birds, a continual
struggle is being waged, and every means — save
that of destruction — has to be employed to save
the fruit-crop from the ravages of the pets.
In the wall-trees, Plums, Peaches, and Pears
were producing fruit fairly abundantly.

The mansion is an imposing structure of red
brick, with stone facings and embellishments,
built some' sixty years ago. It occupies high
ground, and forms a prominent landmark. The
style of architecture is generally what is known
as Elizabethan, though there are modifications,
and a magnificent tower rises from the centre.
The natural slope on which the house stands
is formed into terraces. Stone steps lead from
the highest to the lowest of these. Pediments
with statuary and vases are at either side of the
commencement of each flight of steps, while a
handsome balustrade separates the gardens from
the park. Formal gardening (with but one ex-
ception) is now entirely discarded. On the walls
of the mansion are Honeysuckle, Ivies, Magno-
lias, whilst at the base of the walls Carpentaria
californica, Choisya ternata, and Camellias
thrive without any protection.

An interesting feature are the trees planted at
different periods by members of our own Royal
House, also by foreign potentates, eminent
churchmen and statesmen. I noticed, too, a per-
gola, clothed by a number of varieties of ram-
bling Roses.

On either side of the highest terrace there is
a slight declivity, at the bottom of which the sur-
face of the ground is flat. These spaces were for-
merly utilised for carpet and other formal bed-
ding. In the centre of this space to the right is a
handsome vase containing suitable tall-flowering
subjects, while around the vase was a good selec-
tion of Begonias. At some distance from this
bed the lawn is uncovered, forming a band
which, with graceful meanderings, completes a
circle. Here are planted a great number of
choice Roses grown in bush form, such as the
varieties Madame Cochet, Frau Karl Druschki,
Papa Gontier, Dean Hole, Marie van Houtte,
The Bride, Caroline Testout, Duke of Edin-
burgh, Ulrich Brunner, and many others. The
beauty of this spot is completed by a bed of
Kalmialatifolia, and a group of trees embracing

Cedars, Cryptomerias, Acers, Sequoias, and
Evergreen Oaks. On the opposite side ,of the
terrace a space is laid out geometrically, the
lines being indicated by Box. With a little
adaptation this could be formed into an ideal
old Dutch garden.

In the herbaceous border a good selection of
Phloxes, Helianthus, Asters, Lupines, Galegas,
Rudbeckias, Poppies, Spiraeas, Hemerocallis,
and Liliums were flowering. I observed, too,
some interesting shrubs, including Weigelas,
Berberis, Andromeda japonica, Styrax japoni-
ca, &c.

The conservatory is a structure measuring 19
yards by 18 yards. At the time of my visit it
was gay with Coleus, Fuschias, Pelargoniums,
Heliotropes, Hydrangeas, Palms, Ferns, Carna-
tions, Phormiums, Camellias, and Habrotham-
nus, while the roof was in part adorned with the
magnificent climber Bougainvillea glabra.

As one steps from the greenhouse on to the
terrace a magnificent prospect opens to the view.
The sight wanders from the park to the highly
cultivated countryside beyond— Hop gardens,
Wheat fields and grassland. Comfortable farm-
houses nestle in the sheltering hollows, while
shaws may here be seen climbing halfway up the
hills, then tracts of country covered by timber,
th-3 remains of the primaeval forest that once
possessed the whole of the Weald. Villages with
battlemented church towers allure the eyes — a
panorama of English comfort, English culture,
English beauty. At length the objects become
more and more indistinct, until the horizon is
bounded by the far-away South Downs, through
a gap of which, on favourable occasions, a
glimpse may be obtained of the sparkling waters
of the distant English Channel. The gardens are
in the charge of Mr. Adams. He has been in
the employment of Earl Cranbrook for a short
period, but he must be congratulated upon what
he has already achieved. Richard T. Hcsicth.

FRUIT REGISTER.

SOME GOOD STRAWBERRIES IN 1907.

I have recently been able to note the value of
a few varieties of Strawberries. From the
private gardener's point of view, mere size is not
so important as good flavour. Several new
varieties have been sent out this season, notably
Laxton's Progress and Reliance. These I have
not grown. " Cropper " is well named ; I saw it
bearing an enormous crop, and the fruits were
excellent. The first of what I call the good
Strawberries on my list is " Reward," which has
done well for three seasons. The immediate
parents of this excellent Strawberry were British
Queen and Royal Sovereign, and this latter
variety appears to have united a vigorous habit
and good cropping qualities with the excellent
flavour of British Queen, with the result that Re-
ward will thrive in soil that is not at all favour-
able to the British Queen. I do not go so far
as to say Reward is equal to British Queen, but
it should prove as popular as the well-known
Royal Sovereign on account of its robust growth,
excellent flavour, and good cropping qualities. I
should class it as a maincrop or mid-season fruit,
and the variety has this peculiarity— it perfects a
larger number of larger fruits at one time than
most varieties do. It is seldom injured by spring
frosts, which often cause injury to Royal Sov-
ereign, owing to its early flowering.

Another very fine fruit that is well worth a
trial is " The Bedford," a cross between the
varieties Dr. Hogg and the older Sir Charles
Napier, and, though it may not be considered
equal by some growers to Reward, I place it in
the front rank for its good cropping qualities,
rich flavour, and colour. As a garden variety
it is most valuable for its free growth in poor
land.

My last variety is Givon's Late Prolific, and
this is certainly one of our very best late Straw-
berries. I planted this variety largely for some

years, discarding others, and we never had
cause to regret having done so, for it is far
superior to others for late-cropping. This
variety, if grown on a north border, continues
the supply of Strawberries well into August, es-
pecially if young stock is grown yearly for that
purpose ,and, in addition to its lateness, it is of
excellent quality and crops well. The variety
has been for some years in cultivation, but even
now it is not known as much as its merits
deserve. There are other varieties worth
mention, but my object is to name only
the best after a thorough trial and those that
succeed well with ordinary culture. At the same
time, it is advisable to make the soil as good as
possible by the addition of suitable material.
G. Wyt/ies.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does 1 ot hold himself responsible for the
opinions exptessjd by his correspondents.)

Photinia serrulata. — In the issue for
March 30, Mr. W. A. Cook, writing from
Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham, mentions a
specimen of this Photinia 22 feet in height and
23 feet in diameter, which he states is supposed
to be the finest in the country. In this he is
mistaken, for in the Gardeners' Chronicle of
March 17, 1906, p. 173, particulars were given
of an example growing at Pengreep, Cornwall,
which is 35 feet in height and as much through.
At Enys, near Penryn, there is a splendid
specimen 35 feet in height and 34 feet in
diameter, so that Mr. Cook's tree is beaten by
12 feet by these two Cornish examples. These
enormous plants are very ornamental in the
early spring when bearing their large corymbs
of pure white blossoms, with which the crimson
tint of the young foliage makes a charming
contrast. S. W. Fitzherbert.

Culinary Pea Laxtonian. — This new variety
yields pods containing seven to nine Peas, of a
dark green colour, and the pods are long enough
for staging at the best exhibitions. The plants
grow from 1 to LJ feet in height, and the crop
is very quick in coming into use. From seeds
sown on March 9 on a south border, the plants
produced Peas ready for use on July 3. The
variety Thos. Laxton (which is one of the
quickest Peas to mature) was sown on February
27, and the crop was ready on July 1, which is
124 days, against 116 days for Laxtonian. In
flavour Laxtonian appears to be best of all.
W. H. Divers, Belvoir Castle Gardens, Grantham.

Plagianthus Lyallii. — As doubt exists as to-
this plant being hardy in this country, it may be
interesting to know that a specimen planted in the
open gardens at Basing Park five years since, in
well-prepared ground on heavy clay, has with-
stood the winters unprotected save the first
one after it was planted. The plant was about
18 inches in height and was planted from a 7-inch
pot. It is now a good shaped bush, measuring
10 feet in height, and 8 feet 6 inches through.
The seasons in our district are cold and late, and
the gardens are situated between 6(0 and 700 feet
above the sea level. T. Down, Basing Park Gar-
dens, Alton.

Flora of Palestine.— I cannot accept Sir
W. T. Thiselton-Dyer's interpretation of the
Hebrew word translated " Lign-Aloes " in Num-
bers 24, 6. The tree Lign-Aloes or Eagle-wood is
the wood of Aloexylon Agallochum of Cochin
China, which yields strong perfume, much prized
by Orientals. Balaam is not likely to have known
this plant, though several false kinds are spoken
of by the ancients. But, in interpreting the Hebrew
word, it is not aquestion altogelherof " philologi-
cal evidence." Besides the consonants being the
same as those for " tents" — there being no vowel-
points in the original texls— the LXX translated
the sentence, " As Lign-Aloes which the Lord
hath planted " (R.V.), by, "tents which the Lord
has pitched," using the same Greek word as in
verse 5. The LXX has doth once, but omits all
mention of aloes elsewhere. Moreover, the
Greek word aloe was never used for " lign-aloe."
Again, the writer of the Epistle to the
Hebrews, seemingly referring to this passage,
speaks of "the true tabernacle which the Lord
pitched " (Hebrew 8, 2). Lastly, Coverdale has—
"as ye tentes which the Lorde hath planted."

Ajjgust 10, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

115

The true Aloes is associated with Myrrh. Cassia
or Cinnamon, because it was used to "fix" the
more delicate perfume, but has none of its owd.
The Aquilaria-wood was first called Xyl-aloe (or
Lignum-Aloe, i.e. " Lign-Aloes "), by Aetius, a
physician of the fifth century ; because the wood
was bitter like the resin of Aloes. As the inter-
pretation must solely rest on probabilities, they
seem to be in favour of "tents" rather than
•■ Lign-Aloes." Your Reviewer.

Wood-Wool for the Summer Mulching
of Strawberry Beds. — Owners of small gar-
dens often have difficulty in getting suitable
maierial for the mulching of Strawberry beds.
In such cases I would recommend them to use
some of the coarser types of wood-wool now in
such general use for packing purposes. A stone
of it will go a long way if carefully put under the
flower trusses in good time, and will answer
[he purpose of keeping the fruit clean. Most
seedsmen keep it in stock, and no doubt if the
demand were to increase it would be met by
the merchants having smaller lots put up in readi-
ness for quick delivery. At present it is only
obtainable in a compressed form in large bales.
I have an idea that slugs do not like travelling
over the surface of this material, but as my experi-
ence of its use is only recent, I do not like to say
too much as to its general merits. H. J. C,
UlUskelf, York.

Genista monosperma. — A note on this plant
appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle about three
years ago, the writer of which stated that it was
not likely to survive out-of-doors anywhere in
England, except, possibly, in the extreme south-
west. He suggested that, although under the
burning sun of Morocco, or Palestine, or Spain, it
was very beautiful when in flower, there was little
hope of its blooming, even if it remained alice, in
this country. About three years ago I recehed a
plant under the name of Retama monosperma. I
am unable to find this generic name in any horti-
cultural dictionary, but the plant appears identical
with specimens of Genista monosperma that I
have seen, so I conclude that my plant is this
Genista. The specimen has grown well and is
now over 5 feet in height. This spring the thin
flexible branches became studded with buds, the
first flowers on one spray opening in May last. The
plant bore several hundred buds, and when these
were fully open it was a pretty sight. I have met
with it in a few gardens, but have never before
seen it in flower. In its native country it is said to
inhabit dry, hot regions, the conditions of which
would certainly be very different to those common
in south Devon. The unusual and lengthened
drought of last summer may, however, have been
the predisposing cause which induced flowering.
5. W . Fitzherbeit, South Devon. [The genus Retama
is now sunk under Genista, see Index Kevuensis.-- Ed.]

A Veteran Gardener. — I shall be glad if
you will add to your interesting paragraph about
Mr. Anderson in the issue for August -i : — " That
during the 44 years of service as head gardener
at Sewerby House, he has won and preserved the
thorough confidence and affectionate regard of two
generations of employers." Y. G. Lloyd-Greame.

The Gardening Charities. — You comment
in your issue of the 3rd inst. on Mr. Crisp's public-
spirited action in forwarding to various gar-
dening charities the fees received for showing
his beautiful gardens, and you invite other gar-
den-owners to imitate his excellent example.
Why wont they ? Some years ago you were good
enough to publish a letter in which I urged this
very course, but nothing has come of it, and prob-
ably never will, unless somebody will take the
lead. I think it is the managers of the particular
charities who ought to bestir themselves and
bring the matter to a practical issue by inviting
owners of interesting gardens and houses to
add their names to a list of owners willing to
follow Mr. Crisp's example. This list should be
published from time to time, and I feel convinced it
would not only rapidly find adherents, but the
holiday of many a lover of gardens and architec-
ture would be enriched thereby, as well as the ex-
chequer of the gardening charities. Many people
shrink from taking the liberty of asking admission
to private gardens, who would nevertheless gladly
go if, by paying half-a-crown, they could put
their visit on a business footing. L. Messel,
Nymans, Handcross, Sussex.

Gardening by School Children. — The

prominence now being given to children's exhi-
bits at flower shows throughout the country
shows an awakening to the fact that if future gen-
erations are to make gardening either a means to
a livelihood or a recreation, the work of prepar-
ing for such results should commence early in life.
Very common at most rural or provincial flower
shows have been baskets or bunches of wild
flowers, and occasionally, although none too fre-
quently, some charming combinations have been
seen, the product of children's efforts. At the
Cardiff show recently some 150 baskets, and an
equal number of bunches, or nosegays of wild
flowers were staged by school children, and they
made a very attractive feature. But beyond
showing taste or skill in arrangements — and
such skill and taste is specially worthy of en-
couragement— there was nothing at all educa-
tional about the display, and probably hardly
one competitor in 50 knew even the common or
local names of the wild flowers they had so
abundantly collected. Much greater value would
attach to classes for small bunches of wild
flowers set up in distinct species or varieties in
small bottles or jars, each flower being, so far as
possible, correctly named. The instruction of
the children in correct naming should be the
duty of the school teachers, but the collecting
and setting up should be the work of the
children. Two classes, one for 12 kinds and one
foi -i kinds, might well be included. It should
be clearly understood that unless these wild
flower displays are made educational they serve
no useful purpose. At Cardiff there was a class
for collections of wild grasses, which it was re-
quired should be named. Out of the several
exhibits only one collection was either properly
arranged or named. Still, that one served to
show children what was really required of them,
as, apart from each bunch being fixed on to a
card neatly and conspicuously, the popular name
was attached to it. If in future years it be made
an absolute condition that all collections of these
grasses shall be similarly shown and named, and
that all others not so staged and named shall be
rejected, also that collections of wild flowers be
shown in bunches and named, then really good
educational work will be done. But this is not
gardening after all, any more than is 'nature
study, as taught in schools, although it is
made wonderfully instrumental in instilling
into the minds of children a love for
vegetable life in its varied aspects, such
as can hardly fail to show its good effects in
mature years. Drawings of plants, leaves and
flowers, the watching and testing the growth of
seeds, the unfolding of flowers and instruction in
the organs of plants must materially help
children to become, if not gardeners, at least
lovers of nature. The great aim of the nature
study teacher, however, should be to check in
the children destructive tendencies, whether of
vegetable or of animal life, and to lead them to
understand that, as they are themselves but parts
of a great whole, so should they learn to respect
and sustain every other part, so far as in them
lies. When wholesale destruction of animal or
bird life forms the dominating sport of rich
people, children can hardly be expected to un-
derstand why they may not ruthlessly uproot a
plant, destroy a flower, crush a worm, or rob a
nest of its eggs. After all, the best real work
of instructing children in the art of gardening is
found in school gardens. It is interesting to note
how widely the demand for these has become.
No head teacher of a boys' school now regards
his school work or curriculum complete if it
does not comprise lessons on gardening, and
these lessons are given in properly organised
school gardens. So far these gardens generally
have been limited to boys, although I have
seen some pretty ones devoted exclusively to
flowers and cultivated by girls. When these
small gardens are controlled by a teacher who
is, as so many are, good amateur gardeners, or
by some local working gardener, the boys are
taught to do on their plots just the work they
would be required to perform in market, gentle-
men's, or their parents' gardens. One great need,
indeed, almost an imperative need, in relation to,-
this school gardening is that, wherever there is
such, there should also be established a group
of larger plots, on which the lads could continue
their work and instruction for two years, or

longer, after they have left school. Those may
come in time. Some day, it is hoped, the Coun-
cil of the Royal Horticultural Society will
organise in London an exhibition of elementary
school gardening. A. Dean.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

August 6. — The usual fortnightly meeting of
the committees was held on this date. The dis-
play of fruits and flowers was quite the smallest
seen in the new hall, due, probably, to the date
falling immediately after a Bank Holiday. Al-
though few, the exhibits were of first-class
quality, and especially meritorious wras a display
of about 100 varieties of Gooseberries staged by
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, a group of
Xymphseas from Gunnersbury House Gardens,
and a collection of Gladiolus flowers from
Messrs. .Kelway & Son's collection.

Many novelties were presented to the Floral
Committee for awards, and of these two re-
ceived First-Class Certificates, and four Awards
of Merit. The greatest novelty was the scarlet
Eucalyptus ficifolia, quite the handsomest
species of the genus and rarely seen in flower
in this country.

The Orchid Committee granted two First-
Class Certificates and one Award of Merit.

At the meeting of Fellows, held at 3 p.m.,
3'2 names were submitted and accepted for mem-
bership, and a Paper was afterwards read by
Mr. Arthur Bedford, of Gunnersbury House
Gardens, Acton, on " Hardy Nymphaeas."

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. Chas. T. Druery, H. B. May, Geo.
Nicholson, T. W. Turner, J. T. Bennett-P6e,
Chas. E. Shea, Jas. Douglas, J. F. McLeod,
W. T. Ware, John Jennings, W. Bain, Chas.
Dixon, A. Turner, Wm. Cuthbertson, H. J.
Cutbush, E. H. Jenkins, James Walker, and
W. J. James.

A group of exceptional merit was composed
of hardy Nymphaeas, with a setting of tall
members of other aquatic species. This was
exhibited by Leopold de Rothschild, Esq.,
Gunnersbury House, Acton (gr. Mr. James Hud-
son). In the centre of the group were blooms
of the tall N. gigantea Hudsonii, with pale-blue,
globular-shaped flowers, and N. stellata, also
blue, with pointed segments and very erect
peduncles. Another species of this type is N.
pulcherrima ; the blue of the petals is set off
by a yellow colouring at the base. Among the
darker-coloured flowers may be mentioned the
variety William Falconer, with claret colouring,
and N. glonosa, a handsome flower of a shade
of rose. N. Marliacea chromatella is pale yel-
low, and N. colossea, the largest of all ex-
hibited, is flesh colour. Interspersed in the
group were flowers and foliage of Alisma
plantago, Butomus umbellatus, Calamus acorus,
Typha latifoha, Cyperus longifolius, Spiraeas,
&c. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. James Douglas, Edenside, Great Book-
ham, Surrey, showed a small but choice exhibit
of Border Carnations. Quite the handsomest
in the collection was the scarlet variety Robert
Berkeley, with well-formed flower of large size,
and rich colouring. " Charm " is a " Fancy "
Carnation with rose makings on a white ground.
Miss Willmott, Lara (flushed rose on a yellow
or buff-coloured ground), Black Prince (deep
purple), Victoria (cinnabar), Prof. Cooper (dull
lavender), and Liberte are other good varieties.
(Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. James Veitch & Soxs, Ltd., Chelsea,
showed a semi-circular group of interesting
plants, including Romneya Coulteri, Astilbe
grandis, with erect plumes of small, white
flowers, and sprays of Clethra canescens, with
long racemes of white flowers.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond Nurseries,
Richmond, Surrey, showed an extensive collec-
tion of sprays of ornamental-leaved and showy,
flowered trees and shrubs. The exhibit filled
the whole of a long table that extended the en-
tire length of the building. In it were varieties
of Populus, Rhus, Privets, Ericas, Ivies, Maples,
Weigelas, Elders, Photinias, Cornus, Olearias,

116

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

Spiraeas, Eleagnus, Cotoneasters, Osmanthus
ilicifolius latifolius albus, Fuchsias, Lirioden-
dron, Jasminum Wallichianum, Loniceras, &c.
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset,
made a fine display with flowers of their noted
strain of Gladioli. The exhibit was replete
with many beautiful varieties, but we have seen
a finer display staged by this firm. As a selec-
tion, we may enumerate Zanoni (purplish-
mauve), Queen Alexandra (scarlet), Muchelney
Abbey (scarlet, with a lemon-coloured marking
on the lower petal), Thais (magenta), Hannibal
(salmon), Mrs. Alfred Mond (a pale flower
faintly marked with rose and with a yellow
lip), and Ragged Robin. (Silver-Gilt Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay and Marks
Tey, showed a large number of seedling
Dianthus Heddewiggii and D. laciniatus, with
a few named varieties, and spikes of CEnothera
(Godetia) Schamini, which formed the subject
of the Supplementary Illustration in our issue
for November 17, 1906. The Dianthuses were
in great variety ; some were heavily marked with
crimson, others had slight markings. D. lacini-
atus had deeply-cut petals. Amongst the named
flowers were Salmon Queen, Crimson Bell (a
very dark-coloured variety), Snowball, Fireball,
and violaceous. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Howard Crane, 4, Woodview Terrace,
Highgate, London, N., showed miniature-
flowered Violas of the type known as Violettas.
The flowers were shown in fancy bowls that
were filled with sand, and, arranged in this man-
ner, they were especially pleasing. Varieties
that were particularly noticeable included
Violetta, the original variety of this type, a
white flower with a yellow blotch on the lower
petal ; Miss G. Jekyll, yellow, with a deeper
shade in the lower petals ; Purity, an improved
Violetta ; and Eileen, deep blue, with a yellow
centre. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. G. Reuthe, Hardy Plant Nursery, Kes-
ton, Kent, showed many interesting hardy
flowers. We noticed Berberis corallina, Des-
fontania spinosa, Gloriosa superba, Eugenia
myrtifolia, Morina longifolia, Veratrum nigrum,
Ac. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. Amos Perry, Enfield, Middlesex, showed
seasonable hardy flowers, several varieties of
Campanula nobilis, Miehauxia campanuloides,
Cedronella cana, hardy Nymphaeas (including
the variety Arc-en-Ciel, the foliage of which is
of diverse colours), Lilium superbum, L. Hum-
boldtii magnificum, L. dalmaticum, and other
species of Liliums furnished the principal
features of an excellent exhibit. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Dover, Kent, dis-
played an assortment of hardy flowers, spikes
of showy Gladioli, vases of Sweet Peas, and
others of Border Carnations. Ipomopsis elegans
pacta has Grevillea-like foliage and long, tubu-
lar, red flowers. Among the Carnations was
noticed a " fancy " variety of merit, with rose
markings, named Mrs. Norman Leete. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

An excellent display of hardy flowers of well-
known species was shown by Messrs. Arthur
Charlton & Son, Summervale Nursery, Tuu-
bridge Wells, Kent. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. George Arends, Ronsdorf, showed a
number of hybrid Astilbe japonica, with flowers
of many shades of rose. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford, Dork,
ing (gr. Mr Bain) showed several interesting
plants. Crinum augustum is a large-flowered
species ; the stout peduncle bears a number of
flowers with long segments, suffused with deep
claret colour. Arctotis regalis is a hybrid
raised from A. aureola x A. grandis. The
flowers are as large as those of Chrysanthemum
maximum. The ray florets are pure white, with
a yellow base ; the disc florets are a shade of
blue. Crossandra undulaefolia has dense spikes
of orange-coloured flowers, that are admirably
set off by the deep green, leathery foliage.

A. Marc, Esq., Champneys, Tring (gr. Mr. T.
W. Cowburn), showed a variety of Acalypha
musaica named Mrs. Marc.

H. W. Perry, Esq., Upper Norwood (gr. Mr.
J. Buckingham) showed plants of Gloxinias,
freely flowered in a setting of small Ferns and
Tsolepis gracilis. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificates.

Eucalyptus ficifolia (see Botanical Magazine,
tab. 7,697). — A branch of this species was shown
in flower by W. North Row, Esq., Cove House,
Tiverton, Devon. The individual flowers are
about 1^ inch across, and they are crowned
by a row of stamens with brilliant scarlet-
coloured filaments, to which the flower owes its
beauty. The elongated calyx tube is white, and
the peduncles are suffused with a reddish tinge
in their lower halves. The inflorescence is
corymbose, there being from 15 to 20 flowers in
a " head." The flower-buds are charming ; each
is furnished with a kind of operculum, or little
lid, which is thrown off and reveals the stamens
all radiating towards the centre. The foliage is
leathery, and may be likened to that of Ficus
elastica, but with a very acuminate apex.

Nymphaa "' atro-purpurea." — This richly-
coloured Water Lily received an Award of Merit
on July 31, 1906. A description and full-page
illustration of the flower appeared in our issue
for February 16, 1907. Shown by Lord Hilling-
don, Uxbridge (gr. Mr. Allan).

Awards of Merit.

Gladiolus Duke of Richmond. — A broad, ex-
panded flower of a delicate shade of pale rose,
with deeper markings of rose. The lower petal
is white, with a blotch of yellow, and spotted
with rose. Shown by Messrs. Kelway & Son,
Langport, Somerset.

Matricaria inodora " Bridal Rode." — This may
be likened to a double white-flowered Pyre-
thrum roseum. The flowers are about 2J inches
in diameter, and many are produced from a
single stem. Shown by Messrs. Titt & Son,
Windsor.

Campanula longislyla. — A lax-flowering
species, with the tall habit of C. pyramidalis,
and flowers like those of C. carpatica. The
hanging, bell-shaped flowers are a shade of
heliotrope or blue ; each is rather more than an
inch in depth, and the same measurement at
the mouth. This species forms a suitable
subject for planting in big clumps against a
background of shrubs. Shown by Sir Trevor
Lawrence.

Carnation King Edward VII. — A heavily-
marked " fancy " Carnation. The ground is
white, and this is blotched and striped with dark
crimson. The flowers measure 5 inches across.
Shown by Mr. James Douglas.

Orchid Committee.

Present: Harry J. Veitch, Esq. (in the chair),
and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec), Fred J.
Hanbury, W. Boxall, R. G. Thwaites, H. A.
Tracy, W. P. Bound, J. Charlesworth, W. H.
Young, H. G. Alexander, W. H. White, F. J.
Thorne, H. Ballantine, J. Wilson Potter, W.
Bolton, and De B. Crawshay.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad,
ford, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a
group composed principally of rare species of
Orchids and hybrids raised at Heaton. Among
the former was a splendid plant of Mormodes
luxatum punctatum, with a fine spike of
fragrant white flowers ; the curiously-twisted
labellum has a purple band, and spotting
of the same colour. The elegant little Pleuro-
thallis macroblepharis, with gnat-like flowers,
was noticed ; also Oncidium nigratum, with
white flowers barred with chocolate colour ;
O. trulliferum and other Oncidiums ; Ionopsis
utricularioides, the rare Maxillaria marginata,
two specimens of the blush-white Zygo-
petalum rostratum, Bifrenaria aureo-fulva ;
several finely-flowered Ancistrochilus ThomsonL
anus variety Gentilii ; a fine white Cattleya
Gaskelliana and other Cattleyas, and two exam-
ples of the new Dendrobium regium (see
Awards). The hybrids included good examples
of the Heaton strain of O. Rolfeae and O. crispo-
Harryanum ; O. Elaine, a pretty cross between
O. cirrhosum and O. Harryanum : some brightly-
coloured Laelio-Cattleya callistoglossa, Cattleya
F. W. Wigan, Sophro-Laelia Marriottiana,
Sophro-Cattleya Chamberlainiana, and various
Cypripediums.

H. S. Goodson, Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr.
Mr. G. Day), was awarded a Silver Banksian
Medal for an effective little group, in the centre
of which was the brightly-coloured Laelio-Catt-
leya Massangeana, variety " Harry Goodson,"

which had previously secured an Award. With
it were a clear, white form of Cattleya Gaskel-
liana alba, with a fine spike of three flowers ;
Miltonia Bleuana, several M. Roezlii alba, the
rare violet-lipped Dendrobium Williamsianum,
a fine variety of Odontoglossum crispum, Laelio-
Cattleya elegans, a prettily-marked form of
Odontoglossum amabile, &c.

Major G. L. Holford, CLE., C.V.O.,
Westonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed
a splendid plant of Miltonia vexillaria, Hardy's
variety, with 46 pretty rose-pink flowers : a
dark, crimson mask is seen at the base of the
lip ; also a grand specimen of Cattleya Ger-
mania superba, with 32 flowers (see Awards),
and a flower of Laelio-Cattleya elegans King
Edward, a very large purple variety, and the
best of its class.

J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), again showed the-
fine Aerides Houlletianum, "Fowler's variety,"
for which a First-Class Certificate was given at
the meeting held on July 17, 1906. The yellow
of the petals and the rose colour of the front
of the lip was deeper on this occasion than in
the flowers shown last year.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), showed Cattleya Minnie
(granulosa X Lueddemanniana), with cream-
white sepals and petals tinged with pale lilac
and a bright rose-purple lip margined with
white ; Laelio-Cattleya Mrs. Gilbert Blount
(L.-C. Schilleriana X C. Gaskelliana), an im-
provement on L.-C. Henry Greenwood, and hav-
ing sepals and petals milk-white, tinged with
pale purple ; disc of the lip lemon-yellow, the
sides rose-colour, and the broad front glowing
crimson-purple ; Cypripedium Godefroyae leuco-
chilum " His Majesty," a large cream-coloured
flower bearing claret-coloured markings on the
sepals and petals ; and C. Emperor of India
(Harrisianum superbum X C. grande), a large
and dark-coloured flower.

De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks
(gr. Mr. Stables), showed a small group of
hybrid Odontoglossums, in which were three of
the exhibitor's fine strain of O. Queen Alexan-
dra, one of which had the large and beautiful
labellum covered with violet-purple blotches ;
the new O. Amneris (cristatellum X Crawshay-
anum), and other hybrids.

Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton Park, Rei-
gate (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound), sent Epi-Laelia
longi-ciliare (Laslia longipes x Epidendrum
ciliare), a very singular little hybrid with linear
sepals and petals of a blush-white tint and small
tri-lobed yellowish labellum.

R. G. Thwaites, Esq., Streatham (gr. Mr.
Black), sent Brasso-Laelia Thwaitesii (L. majalis
X B. Digbyana), with long and narrow sepals,
tinged with lilac, the broader petals being simi-
larly coloured but darker and irregularly broad-
ened in the middle, the distinctly three-lobed lip
being white, tinged with rose on the side lobes
and tip of the front lobe, both of which have
jagged edges.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, showed a
finely-flowered Platyclinis filiformis, Cattleya
Gaskelliana alba, C. Parthenia Prince of Wales,
Cypripedium Wiertzianum, and C. Watsoni-
anum.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford (gr.
Mr. W. H. White), showed Laelia " Purple May "
(majalis X purpurata), a distinct hybrid with
purplish lanceolate sepals and broader petals,
the lip having a white tube with narrow dark
lines running from the base to the showy purple
front lobe.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.
Dendrobium regium, shown by Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Bart., and Messrs. Charlesworth
& Co. — A very fine species, described some
years ago by Dr. Prain, and recorded as a native
of Lower Hindustan, but now shown for the
first time. The plant, when not in flower, might
be mistaken for Dendrobium nobile, which is
its nearest affinity. The flowers, also in colour,
bear some resemblance to those of D. noble,
but the usual dark blotch on the lip is not pre-
sent in D. regium. The largest flower was over
4 inches across, and the petals much broader
than in D. nobile. The sepals and petals are
clear rose colour, the base of the lip being
white, with a yellow disc, the pointed front por-
tion being rose of a slightly darker tint thaB
the other segments.

August 10, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

11T

Catthya Germania superba (C. granulosa Scho-
fieldiana X C. Hardyana), from Major G. L.
Holford. This is a very charming variety,
with purplish rose sepals and petals, the front
of the lip being ruby-crimson and the whole
flower of fine shape and substance.

Award of Merit.
Miltonia vexillaria Lambeauiana, from Mon-
sieur Jules Hye de Crom, Conpure, Ghent (gr.
Mr. Coen). — A beautiful pure white variety,
with lemon-yellow crest, and without the red-
dish lines usually seen in forms of M. vexillaria.

Cultural Commendation.

To Mr. H. G. Alexander (Orchid grower to
Major G. L. Holford), for a noble specimen of
Cattleya Germania superba with four spikes
bearing together 32 flowers.

To Mr. H. Ballantine (gr. to Baron Sir H.
Schroder, The Dell, Egham), for a large and
finely-grown specimen of Cypripedium Lord
Derby, with 11 spikes bearing together 34
flowers.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: A. H. Pearson, Esq. (in the chairi,
and Messrs. J. W. Bates, Alex. Dean, Edwin
Beckett, R. Lye, A. R. Allan, James Vert, Wm.
Pope, H. Parr, C. G. A. Nix, and J. Jaques.

The principal exhibit was an excellent collec-
tion of Gooseberries shown by Messrs. James
Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea. The exhibit
embraced close upon 100 varieties ; the fruits
were shown in dishes, but many cordon and
palmate-trained bushes were used as a back-
ground to the display. The small plants were
heavily cropped with fruits of exceptional
quality, and some were very large in size. A
prominent position was afforded the variety
Langley Beauty, a yellow-skinned berry, of the
finest dessert quality. Its companion, Langley
(•age, is a white variety, but of equal merit in
flavour. Ironmonger, Golden Gem, Yellow Sul-
phur, Whitesmith, Red Champagne, Early
Green Hairy, and Bright Venus are all to be
recommended for their flavour as dessert fruits.
Amongst the largest berries were Dan's Mistake
and Marlborough. At one end of the display
were fruiting plants of Red and White Currants,
with dishes of these fruits, and the black, in-
cluding Baldwin's Black and Black Naples.
Messrs. Veitch also exhibited a group of Figs,
Peaches, and Grapes in pots. The Figs in-
cluded the varieties White Ischia, Brown Tur-
key, Brunswick, and White Marseilles, and of
Peaches there were Sea Eagle, Thomas Rivers,
Dymond, and Belle Bauce. (Gold Medal.)

Messrs. S. Spooner & Sons, Hounslow, ex-
hibited a small collection of early varieties of
hardy fruits, Apples, Plums, Cherries, &c.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, showed
three varieties of Cabbage. " Earliest " Cabbage
has a large conical solid heart : there were also
Tom Thumb and Earliest of All Savoys.

THE LECTURE.
At the afternoon meeting of Fellows the sub-
ject of hardy Nymphasas was dealt with in a
paper read by Mr. A. Bedford. The cultivation
of Water-Lilies is simple ; all the plants require
is some good soil or rich mud, such as is found
at the bottom of naturally-formed ponds and
lakes, and plenty of water above them. They
should not be allowed to remain for many years
undisturbed, but should be dug up occasionally
and divided, otherwise, said Mr. Bedford, the
foliage will grow so abundantly and vigorously
as to quite hide the flowers. Lakes or ponds
that are exposed to full sunshine, but sheltered
from high winds, afford the most suitable places
for planting Nymphasas, but they may be
grown and flowered with success in cement
tanks, or even in tubs. A lake, if employed
for the accommodation of choice aquatic
plants, should be kept free from all coarse-
growing weeds. In all cases the natural mud
at the bottom of the water will form the best
rooting-medium for Nymphasas. An easy
method of planting is to place the crowns in
shallow baskets filled with loam, and to sink
these into the proper positions bv means of
heavy stones, &c. When the basket has rotted,
the roots will penetrate through into the bed of
the pond. Large plants may be placed in posi-
tion by merely sinking them with some heavy
weight attached. In artificial ponds or tanks,

a copious flow of fresh water is not essential,
but a tiny stream should be allowed to enter to
prevent a stagnant condition. In small tanks a
layer of soil to the depth of 10 or 12 inches
should be spread over the bottom, and in larger
structures little mounds or hillocks should be
formed, by piling a few sods. A suitable root-
ing medium for Nymphasas consists of good,
turfy loam, plenty of half-decayed leaves, and
some sharp sand. This should be prepared a
considerable time before it is required. Manure
should not be used. The best season for plant-
ing is the spring, at about the end of April or
the beginning of May, for if planted at that time
they will flower before the current summer is
passed. The flowering season is from early in
June to October. The depth of water should
be 4 feet for the stronger-growing kinds, and
not less than 1 foot for the smaller varieties.
All the Marliac type should be planted in deep
water.

Some of the finer varieties are slow-growing,
and are propagated with difficulty from side
crowns, but others are easily increased by this
means. Varieties of the N. Laydekeri section are
extremely difficult to increase. Some varieties
are easily raised from seed, which should be
sown as soon as it is ripe. For cultivating in
tubs, the Laydekeri type is the more suitable,
and of these the smallest forms are the best.
The tubs should be wide at their mouth and
about two feet in depth. A small stream can
be made to feed a series of tubs, and thus save
much labour. The tubs should be sunk into
the ground, as, by this system, the plants can be
easily protected by boards, &c, in winter.

Aphides are sometimes troublesome, and
should be destroyed by tobacco powder, or they
can be washed off by a stream from the hose.

Water-fowl and water-rats should not be per-
mitted near these plants.

A malformation is a common cause of trouble
to Nymphseas ; the stem becomes fasciated, and
then produces nothing but foliage. The
rhizome in this case should be cut into very
small portions, and be planted afresh.

Among the best varieties are gloriosa (rich
carmine), Marliacea chromotella, M. odorata
sulphurea (two of the best yellow-flowered varie-
ties), Ellisiana, atro-purpurea, sanguinea, and
William Falconer (dark-flowering kindsl, James
Brydon (rosy-crimson), Gladstoniana, and Mar-
liaceae albida (white).

BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
SECTION K.— BOTANY.

August 1. — The presidential address in this
section was delivered on the above date by Pro-
fessor J. Bretland Farmer, F.R.S., who dealt
with certain aspects of botany, which, as he him-
self said, belonged rather to the nebulous region
of speculation than to the hard ground of facts.

Professor Farmer laid stress upon the advan-
tage of maintaining a physiological attitude of
mind towards the phenomena presented by the
vegetable kingdom, since it involved the neces-
sity of constantly attempting to analyse the
problems which presented themselves to students
of botany, as far as possible, into their chemi-
cal and physical components. The explanation
of the advances which chemistry and physics
had made lay essentially in the fact that an
analysis of the factors involved had enabled the
investigator intelligently to interfere with and
so to control the mode of presentation of the
reacting bodies. The botanists' special problems,
including the obscurer matters of organisation,
heredity, and the like, were assuredly suscep-
tible of a similar method of treatment. They
could never expect to get further than to be
able to modify the mode of presentation to each
other of the materials that interacted to produce
what were called the manifestations of life, but
the measure of their success would depend on
the degree in which they were successful in ac-
complishing that. Indeed, until they had
analysed the nature of the reacting bodies and
also the particular conditions under which the
reactions themselves were conducted, they were
avoiding the first steps in the direction of ulti-
mate success. In this connection he thought
that much harm was done by the toleration of
an uncritical habit of mind as to the significance
of structures which were regarded as adaptive
responses to stimuli of various sorts. It was not
enough to explain, the appearance of a struc-
ture on the ground of its utility. One of the

commonest responses to the stimulus of wound-
ing in the higher plants was the formation of a
layer of cork over the injured tissue. That was
a reaction of great utility, checking as it did the
undue evaporation of water and t'rfe entrance
of other parasitic organisms. Yet it could not
be seriously maintained that the obviousness of
those advantages satisfactorily explained why the
cork layer was produced. It seemed to him
that an investigation of the real underlying con-
ditions which governed such a modified reaction
would be of immense value, and that the infor-
mation to be gained therefrom as to the nature
of the chemical process involved would prove
to be of first-rate importance in tracking to their
sources some of the factors that influenced the
course of carbohydrate metabolism within the
cell. He devoted the rest of the address mainly
to the discussion of certain abstruse problems re-
lating to karyokinesis— i.e., the changes which
take place in the nucleus of a living cell when
undergoing the process of division ; and con-
cluded by observing that the problems which
arose were seen, when grappled with at close
quarters, to resolve themselves more and more
into questions of chemistry and physics. The
reactions that went on in the living body were
obviously guided as to the particular directions
they took by the apparatus or mechanism of the
individual organism. When the conditions for
the manifestation of life were satisfied, what
would be produced depended partly on the struc-
ture of the apparatus itself (i.e., on the heredi-
tary organisation), partly on the nature of the
substances fed into the apparatus, and, finally,
on the physical conditions under which it was
working. It was probably along the last two
lines that investigation would continue to be
pursued with more immediate profit ; but the
goal would not be finallv reached till they had
solved the problem as to the nature of the organi-
sation itself. Times, August 5.

BISHOPS STORTFORD
HORTICULTURAL.

July 31.— The 38th annual exhibition of the
above society took place on this date. The show
was a great success, the only weak classes being
those in the hardy fruit section. Some of the
cut flowers, notably Sweet Peas and Roses,
showed damage from the recent storms, but
those in the herbaceous collections were very
fine. Mr. G. Beech, gardener to John Barker,
Esq., M.P., won the Silver Cup and the Royal
Horticultural Society's Silver Medal for the
best collection of these flowers.

Groups.

These were an excellent feature, some splen-
did exhibits being staged. The premier award
in the large class was won by the Right Hon.
Lord Howard de Walden, Audley End, Saffron
Walden (gr. Mr. Jas. Vert) ; 2nd, Mr. Beech,
gardener to J. Barker, Esq., M.P., The Grange,
Bishops Stortford.

In the smaller class for a group of plants, Mr.
F. A. Taylor, Bishops Stortford, won the 1st
prize, and he was followed by Mr. Goodwin
Barnes. The 1st prize for Begonias was won
by Mr. F. A. Taylor with splendid plants. Mr.
Goodwin Barnes was a close 2nd with plants
less advanced in flower, but of excellent quality.

Mr. J. Vert had the best collection of foliage
plants. Mr. Woods showed the best Ferns, and
Mr. Taylor had the best half a dozen single
and double-flowering Begonias. Mr. Tay'lor
also showed the best Gloxinias.

Table Decorations.

Decorated tables are a special feature at this
show. There were over 30 tables on this occa-
sion. The premier award was gained by Miss
Clayden, Saffron Walden. This lady used
Carnation flowers, Grasses, and Heuchera san-
guinea.

Cut Flowers.

Roses were well shown, considering the
adverse season. Mr. F. E. Croft had splendid
blooms in the principal class for these flowers,,
and was awarded the 1st prize. In a small
class, Mr. Ross and Mr. Gee were the leading
exhibitors. Sweet Peas formed a pleasing at-
traction. For a collection of these flowers, J.
Barker, Esq., M.P., was an easy 1st prize
winner, having grand blooms and many varie-
ties ; Mr. E. E. Pearson was awarded the 2nd;
prize.

118

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907

Mr. P. L. Johnson won the prizes offered by
Messrs. Eckford. In a class for 12 blooms of
Chrysanthemums, Mr. JOHNSON was the only
exhibitor. In the open class for flowers of her-
baceous or bulbous plants, Messrs. Paul & Son,
Cheshunt, had the winning exhibit.

Fruit and Vegetables.

In a class for the best collection of eight
dishes of fruits, some excellent produce was
staged. Mr. W. Harrison, gardener to Col.
Archer Houblon, Hollingbury Place, was
awarded the 1st prize ; he had splendid Grapes,
Peaches, Cherries, Nectarines, Melons, and
Strawberries. 2nd, Mr. Meyer.

Colonel Balfour had the best Black Grapes in
a strong competition, and this exhibitor showed
the best bunches of Muscat of Alexandria ; also
the best of Madresfield Court, and the premier
dish of Peaches.

One very iarge tent was entirely devoted to
vegetables, and competition was keen in many
of the classes. In the class for a collection,
six exhibitors staged excellent produce. Mr.
Jeffries, gardener to J. Balfour, Esq., was a
good 1st, having splendid Cauliflowers, Quite
Content Peas, an excellent dish of Perfection
Tomatos, Snowball Turnip, Model Carrots, and
shapely tubers of Syon House Prolific Potatos.
2nd, Mr. Beech.

In the smaller classes Messrs. Gee, Kindell,
and W. Holland were the leading prize-
winners.

Honorary Exhibits.

A noteworthy group of fruit trees in pots was
staged by Messrs. Rivers & Sons, Sawbridge-
worth. They showed grand examples of their
new Peregrine Peach, Apricots in variety, Em-
peror Francis and Turkey Black Heart Cherries,
Figs, the small but delicious Gradiska Grape,
&c. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, showed
splendid Roses. Messrs. King, Coggeshall, dis-
played Sweet Peas. Messrs. Burch, Peter-
borough, exhibited Roses. Messrs. Chaplin,
YValtham Cross, showed Sweet Peas. Mr.
Dixon, Bishops Stortford, staged foliage and
flowering plants in variety. Messrs. Riding,
Chingford, had an assortment of Violas. Mr.
J. Do"GLAS, Great Bookham, staged a fine
collection of Carnations.

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL
ASSOCIATION.

August 3. — At the invitation of Messrs.
Storrie and Storrie, some 50 members of the
above association visited the firm's nurseries
at Clencarse, in the Carse of Gowrie, on the
above date.

After the nursery had been inspected by the
members a conference was held, and the pro-
ceedings were largely devoted to a discussion of
the summer pruning of fruit trees.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Clibrans, Altrincham & Manchester — Strawberries, Vege-
tables and Flower Seeds.

David W. Thomson, 113, George Street, Edinburgh— Bulbs.

T. Smith, Daisy Hill Nursery, Newry, Ireland— Hardy
Bulbous Plants.

W. Bull & Sons, Chelsea, London— Bulbs.

Austin & McAslan, 89, Mitchell Street, Glasgow— Bulbs,
Roots and Plants.

C. J. Ellis, Weston Nurseries, Knighstone Road, Weston-
Super-Mare —Bulbs.

Thos. Davies & Co., Wavertree, Liverpool— Bulbs.

DEBATING SOCIETY.

GUILDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.

— On Wednesday, July 17, this society's third annual show
was held at Sutton Place, by kind invitation of Lord and
Lady Northcliffe. The attendance of visitors was a very
large one. The show was favoured with ideal weather, and
the general arrangements were admirable. There were 74
exhibits by 33 members, as compared with 66 and 28 respec-
tively last year, while the quality was far in advance of any-
thing the society has produced before. The largest exhibit
was that staged by Mr. J. Goatley, gardener to Lord and
Lady Northcliffe, who showed a magnificent collection of
plants, flowers, vegetables and fruit.

MARKETS.

CO VENT GARDEN, August 7.
[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Ed.]

Cut Flowers, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d.

Alstromerias, per Lily of the Valley,

dozen bunches 2 0-40 p. dz. bunches 40-60

Asters, per dozen — extra quality ... 10 0-15 0

bunches ... 3 0-40 Marguerites, white,

Eouvardia, per dz. p. dz. bunches 2 0-30

bunches ... 2 0- 3 0 — yellow, per dz.

Calla aethiopica, p. bunches ... 16-20

dozen 2 0-30 Mignonette.perdz.

Carnations, per bunches ... 2 0-30

dozen blooms, Myosotis, per doz.

best American bunches ... 16-20

various ... 16-30 Odon toglossum

— smaller, per crispum, per

doz. bunches 9 0-12 0 dozen blooms 2 6-30

— Malmatsons, p. Pancratiums, per

dozen blooms.. 6 0 10-0 dozen fls. ... 3 0-10

Cattleyas, per doz. Pelargoniums,

blooms ... 12 0-15 0 show, per doz.

Chrysanthemum bunches ... 4 0-60

maximum, per — Zonal, double

dozen bunches 10-20 scarlet 40-60

Coreopsis, per doz. Pinks 10-30

bunches ... 2 0-30 Poppies, Iceland,

Cornflower, per dz. doz. bunches... 4 0-80

bunches ... 1 0- 2 0 — Shirley ... 2 0-30

Dahlias, per dozen Pyrethrums, per

bunches ... 3 0-40 dozen bunches 20-40

Eucharis grandi- Rhodanthe, per dz.

flora, per doz. bunches ... 3 0-40

blooms ... 2 0-30 Roses, 12 blooms,

Gaillardias, per dz. Niphetos ... 10-30

bunches ... 2 0- 3 0 — Bridesmaid ... 2 0-30

Gardenias, perdoz. — C. Testout ... 2 0-30

blooms 2 0-30 — General Jacque-

Gladiolus, The minot, per doz.

Bride, perdoz. bunches ... 10-20

bunches ... 3 0- 5 0 — Marechal Niel 16-30

— Brenchleyensis 3 0-50 — Kaiserin A.

— various ... 4 0-90 Victoria ... 16-30
Gypsophila elegans — Mrs. J. Laing 10-30

p. dz. bunches 2 0-30 — C. Mermet ... 10-30

— paniculata, per — Liberty ... 2 0-40
dozen bunches 2 0-30 — Mad. Chatenay 10-30

Iris, German, per Saponaria, per dz.

doz. bunches... 4 0-60 bunches ... 16-20

— Spanish, p. dz. Statice, per dozen 2 6-30
bunches ... 4 0-90 Stephanotis, per

Lapageria alba, per dozen trusses 3 0-50

dozen 10-16 Stocks, per dozen

Lilium auratum ... 2 0-30 bunches ... 30-40

— candidum,bch. 10-20 Sweet Peas, p. doz.

— lancifoliuin, bunches ... 10-30
rubrum and Sweet Sultan, per

album 16-20 dozen bunches 30-40

— longiflorum ... 2 0-30 Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms ... 0 4-06

Cut Foliage, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

Plants in Pots, Ac: Average Wholesale Pricejs •(Cottfd,'}

Adiantum cunea-
lum, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per doz.

bunches
Croton leaves, bch.
Cycas leaves, each
Fern, English, per

dozen bunches

— French, dozen
bunches

s.d. s.d.

8 0 12 0

16-20
0 6-10

2 0-
1 0-
1 6-

10-20
10-30

Galax leaves, per
dozen bunches

Hardy foliage
(various), per
dozen bunches

Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
doz. bunches...

Moss, per gross ...

Myrtle (English),
snial 1-leaved,
doz. bunches...

— French, dozen
bunches

Smilax.p. dz. trails

2 0-26

2 0-60
2 0-26

16-30

2 0-30
4 0-50

4 0-60

10-16
16-26

Plants In Pots, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

Ampelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen

Aralia Sieboldi, dz.

— larger

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, dz.
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— tenui ssimus
per dozen

Calceolarias, yellow
Campanulas, p. dz.
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen
Coleus, per dozen
Coreopsis, perdoz.
Crassulas (Kaloz-

anthes), perdz.
Crotons, per dozen
Cyperus alternifo-

litis, dozen

— laxus, per doz.
Dracaenas, perdoz.

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80
4 0-60
9 0-12 0

12 0-30 0

18 0-30 0

30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

4 0-80
6 0-90

8 0-90
12 0-18 0

9 0-18 0
2 0-40
6 0-10 0

9 0-12 0
12 0-30 0

4 0-50
4 0-50

9 0-21 0

4 0-60
4 0-60

3 0-40

s.d. s.d.
Euonymus, per dz. 4 0-90
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 10C 7 0-10 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48*s, per dz. 4 0-10 0

— in 32's, per dz. 10 0-18 0
Ficuselastica.doz. 8 0-10 0

— repens, perdoz.
Fuchsias, per doz.
Heliotropiums, per

dozen

Hydrangea Thos-

Hogg, per doz. 12 0-18 0

— Hortensia, per

dozen 8 0-12 0

— paniculata, per

dozen 9 0-18 0

Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 12 0-18 0

— Fosteriana, dz. 12 0-21 0
Kochia scoparia,

per dozen ... 6 0-90

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0

Lilium longi-
florum, per dz. 12 0-24 0

— lancif o Hum,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Lobelia, per dozen
Marguerites, white,

per dozen

— yellow

Mignonette, per

dozen

P elargon i u m s,

Ivy-leaved,

Mde. Crousse

and Galilee, p.

dozen

s.d. s.d.

10 0-12 0
5 0-60

4 0-80
12 0-18 0

6 0-90

4 0-60

Pelargoniums,

— Zonals, per dz. 4

— show ... ... 6

Petunias, double.dz. 4

— single, per dz. 3
Rhodanthe, per dz. 4
Roses, H.P's., dz, 12

— Ramblers, each 3
Selaginella, dozen 4
Spiraea japonica,dz. 5
Verbena, Miss

Willmott, doz. 4

Zinnias, per dozen 3

s.d. s.d.

0-6 0
0-9 0
0-8 0
0- 6 0
0-6 0
0-24 0
0-7 6
0-6 0
0-8 0

0-6 0

0-4 0

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples, per bos,

Tasmanian :
— Sturmer Pip-

s.d s.d.

pins

— French Crabs..
Apricots (French),

per box

— French, cases

— French, £ sieve
Bananas, bunch:

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 ,, ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giants ,, ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (English),

— A sieve

— J sieve

Cranberries, case
Currants (English),

Red, J sieve ...

— Black (Eng-
lish), ft sieve ...

— White, p. peck
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

Figs (Guernsey), p.
dozen

Gooseberries (Eng-
lish), i sieve ... 1

Grape Fruit, case 11

Grapes (English),
Hambro's, p. lb. 0

— Alicante, per lb. 0

— Gros Maroc,
per lb 0

— English Mus-
cats, per lb 0

— Canon Hall,
per lb 2

— Belgian Ham-
bro's, per lb.... 0

Lemons :

— Messina, case 10

— Naples, per
case 18

Lychees, perbox... 1
Mangoes, per doz. 6
Mandarines, Natal
Naartjes, box 1

— case 6

6-13 6
0-12 0

2-14
0-2 6
0-5 6

0 —
6-6 0
6-7 6
0 —
0-5 6
9-13

0-9 0
0-5 0
0-8 6

0-6 6
9-2 0

2 6 —
10-40

6-3 0

6-13 0

6-10
8-10

9-18

9-2 6

0-4 0
6-09

0-14 0

0 23 0
0 —
0-12 0

3-19

0-8 0

Melons (Guernsey),
each

— French, Rock,
each

— Valencia, per
case

— Can taloupe,
each

Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz.
J 1st quality ...
(2nd „ ...

— French, p. box
Nuts, Cobnuts, per

doz. lb

— Almonds, bags

— Brazils, new,
percwt.

— Barcelona, bag

— Cocoa nuts. 100
Oranges, per case:

— Natal

— Naples

— Navels

— Murcias, box
Peaches (English),

per dozen
j 1st quality ...
~~ (2nd „ ...

— French, p. box
Pears (French),

Williams Bon
Cretien, p. box

— (Calif ornian),
per box

Plums (English), p.
£ sieve

— French, p. box

— French, * sieve

— Italian, basket
Gages (French),

per box

— Italian, basket

— French, A sieve
Pineapples, each...
Raspberries (Eng-
lish), handle
basket ...

— English, p. dz.
punnets

Strawberries (Eng-
lish), per lb —

s.d. s.d.
0 9-20
2 6-30
5 6-66
0 3-04

8 0-15 0

2 0-40

0 10- 1 0

2 6-30

54 0 —

40 0-42 6
3-J 6 —
12 0-17 0

6 0-80

10 6-12 0
10 u-10 6
10 0-14 0

6 0-90
10-30
13-16

4 9-50

9 6-10 0

3 0-46

0 10- 1 0
3 0-80
16-19

13-16
16-19

5 6-ia fl
2 o- s :3

16-1.
3 0-50
0 6-09

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(French),
per dozen ... 2

Auberginest French),
per doz. ... 1

— Beans(French),
per pad

— Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel

— Jersey, per lb.

— French, packet

— Home -grown,
per lb

Beetroot, bushel ...

Cabbages, per doz.

Cabbage Greens,

bag

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— washed, p. bag
Cauliflowers, p. dz.
Chow Chow (Sec-

hium edule),p.

dozen

Cucumbers, per

dozen i

Endive, per dozen 2
Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.

bundles ... 13

Leeks, 12 bundles 1
Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score 0
Marrows(English),

per tally ... 3

d. s.d.

0-2 6

0-13

0-4 0

0 —
6 —
3-0 4

3 16
9-10

0-16
0 —

0-16
0-3 6
0-2 6

3 0 —

6-2 6
0 —

0-14 0
6 —

4-0 6
0-4 0

Mint, doz. bunches
Mushrooms(house)

Eer lb
uttons, per lb.

— "Broilers"p.lb.
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Lisbon),

case

— pickling, per
bushel

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches

Peas (English), per
bushel

— English, p. bag
Parsley, 12 bunches

— J bushel
Potatos (Canary),

per cwt.

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen

Salsafy, p. dz. bdls.

Spinach, English,
per bushel

Tomatos: —

— French, p. crate

— selected, per
dozen lbs.

— small selected,
per dozen lbs.

Turnips (English),
doz. bunches...

Watercress, per
doz. bunches...

s.d. s.d.
0 9-10

0 8-0 10

0 10 —

0 5-06

10-16

5 0 —

2 0-26

16 2 0

16-26
4 0-50
16-20
10-16

8 0-90

0 4-06

36 -

0 9-10

3 0-36
3 0-33
2 6-29
2 0-30
0 4-06

Remarks.— English Black Currants have advanced con-
siderably in price during the week, but there is only a.
moderate demand for the Red and White varieties. Pears
Williams Bon Chretien, from France, and Beurre Hardy,
from California, are now obtainable. French " Gages " are
arriving in fine condition, and the dessert varieties are
realising high prices. Lemons are much cheaper than is
usual at this season of the year. Specialities in fruits seen
in the market are the Naartjes or Mandarin Oranges from
Natal and the Cape. P. L.tCovcnt Garden Market, August 7,
1907.

Potatos.

Rents, 3s. to 4s. percwt. ; Bedfords, 70s. ; Lincolns, 60s. to
70s. ; Blacklands, 50s. to 60s. per ton. Supplies are large
and the demand is fair. /. D. C, Covcnt Garden, Aug. 7, l'Jih.

August 10, 19C7.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

119

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

The flower market is very dull, and many of the salesmen
are on holiday. Zonal Pelargoniums are still obtainable in
both 60's and 48's pots. Plants of Ivy-leaved varieties in
48's pots are well flowered. Verbena Miss Willmott is in as
good a condition now as at any time during the season.
Coreopsis is very pretty. Campanula isophylla alba and
C. Mayi are now at their best. Mignonette, Spiraea japonica,
Marguerites, Heliotropiums, Fuchsias, Asters, Hydrangea
Hortensia, and H. paniculata grandiflora, Crassulas and
Coleus are the principal plants seen on the stands. Kochia
scoparia (or tricophylla) does not sell so well as when it
was 6rst introduced, I find there is still some confusion
regarding the names. The supply of Rambler Roses is not
yet finished, some of the plants are rather far advanced.
Ferns, Palms, and other foliage plants are well supplied.

Cut Flowers.

Trade is bad and much material has to be wasted. Asters
are already seen in large quantities; those imported from
France affect the prices for the home-grown flowers. Some
fairly good Chrysanthemums are arriving. Blooms of
Chrysanthemum maximum of the improved varieties are
seen in immense quantities. Statice in while, blue and
yellow colours is over plentiful. If desired to keep this
flower dried for the winter it should be purchased before
it is too far advanced, then it will keep its colour. Gyp-
sophila paniculata is seen in large heaps, ks market value
has depreciated very much. Irises are not quite over.
Gladioli are abundant, and G. Brenchleyensis has dropped
in price. Roses are still very abundant, and it is only the
very best quality blooms that make reasonable prices.
Good blooms of Kaiserine Augusta Victoria could be pur-
chased at 3d. per bunch on Tuesday morning, and there
was no improvement in prices this morning. Carnations
are equally abundant, and large quantities are from the open
ground. The variety Raby Castle is grown largely, and
another seen is Duchess of Fife. The perfume of Lavender
now pervades the market, and the hawkers deal largely in
this flower. A. H.t Covent Garden, Wednesday, August 7,
1907.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending August 3, is furnished from the Meteo-
rological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather was changeable and unsettled over the whole
Kingdom, but rain was more fiequent in the north and west
than elsewhere. Thunderstorms occurred in the south-east
of Scotland, thunder at Donaghadee on Monday, and in
many places in the Midlands and south-east of England on
the following day.

The temperature was below the normal in all districts, the
deflcit ranging from 4° in Scotland E. to rather less than 1°
in Ireland S. The highest of the maxima, recorded on
irregular dates, were 75° in England E. and the Midland
Counties, and 73° in several other districts. In Scotland N,
and E. the thermometer only reached 69°, and in Ireland N.
68°. The absolute minima were low for the time of year.
In Scotland E. the thermometer fell to 35°, in Scotland N. to
37", and in England E. and S.W. to 39°. Elsewhere the
minima ranged from 40" in many parts of England and in
Scotland W. to 44y in Ireland N., and to 46° in the English
Channel. The lowest grass readings reported were 28° at
Balmoral and 32° at Llangammarch Wells.

The mean temperature of the sea was lower than during the
preceding week on many parts of the Irish and Scottish
coasts — as much as 4° at Lamlash. The actual values
ranged from C3 4° at Seafield and 626° at Margate to 51-7° at
Lerwick.

The rainfall varied much in different parts of the
Kingdom. In Ireland there was a considerable excess, and
in England N.E. and the English Channel a considerable
deficit. More than an inch was measured at Arlington on
Friday, and also along the west coast of Ireland both on
Friday and Saturday.

The bright sunshine was below the average over the
Kingdom generally. The percentage of the possible dura-
tion ranged from 43 in the English Channel and England E.,
and 42 in England S. to 25 in Ireland N., 22 in Scotland, E.,
and to 13 in Scotland N,

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending August 7.

Eleven-and-a-half Jiours continuous rain, — Taken as a whole
the past week proved cold for the time of year. On the
warmest day the temperature in the thermometer screen
rose to 74°, which is only about 3° above the average for the
beginning of August. On the other hand, on the first two
nights of the week the thermometer exposed on the lawn
registered readings only 5° above the freezing point. At 2 feet
deep the ground is at the present time 1° colder, and at 1 foot
deep 2° colder, than is seasonable. Rain fell on three days,
but to the total depth of only half an inch. Nearly the whole
of this amount, however, was deposited during the night of
the 2nd, when rain began to fall at 7 p.m., and continued
without intermission until 6.30 a.m. on the following day,
or for lib hours. This fall proved sufficient to cause a
few drops to trickle daily through the percolation gauge on
which short grass is growing, while about a gallon of rain-
water has passed through the bare soil gauge. The sun
shone on an average for 71 hours a day, or for 1J hours a
day in excess of a seasonable duration— making this the
brightest week as yet of the present summer. The winds
were variable in strength, but in no hour did the mear,
velocity exceed 14 miles— direction west. There was about
a seasonable quantity of moisture in the air at 3 p.m.

July.

Very cold, calm and gloomy, with an exceptionally humid
atmosphere. — This proved the coldest July experienced here
in the past 19 years. During the course of it there occurred
only seven unseasonably warm days, and only nine warm

nights. On the waimest day the temperature in the ther-
mometer screen rose to 77°, and on the coldest night the
exposed thermometer fell to within 3° of the freezing point,
both very low extreme readings for the month. Rain fell on
16 days, and to the aggregate depth of 2J inches, which is
slightly in defect of the July mean. More than half of the
total rainfall was deposited on two consecutive days towards
the end of the month. The sun shone on an average for
only 5J hours a day, or for more than an hour less than a sea-
sonable duration. During the past 21 years there have been
only three other Julys as gloomy. It was also a remarkably
calm month; indeed, with one exception, the calmest July
I have yet recorded here. The most noteworthy feature,
however, was the unusual quantity of moisture in the atmo-
sphere. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the mean amount was
as much as 9 per cent, in excess of a seasonable quantity
for that hour, or greater than in any July during the past
19 years. E. M., Berkluimstcd, August 7, 1907.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

(Dbttuarjj.

George May. — We regret to record the death
of this well-known nurseryman, at his residence
at Upper Teddington, on August 1. During
the winter of 1906-7, the late Mr. May suffered
a bad attack of influenza. Coming to Tedding-
ton nearly 30 years ago, Mr. May engaged in
the cultivation of plants for supplying dowers
for the market, also Ferns for market, and
built up a business of considerable mag-
nitude. For nearly a quarter of a cen-
tury he was one of the best-known per-
sonalities in Covent Garden Market. He
was one of the first market growers to send
blooms of red Roses to market, and the first
consignments of these, General Jacqueminot,
were sold at prices varying from 20s. to 30s. per
dozen blooms wholesale. Adiantum Ferns, Lily
of the Valley, and Roman Hyacinths were other
subjects the deceased made specialities. In
the cultivation of the Eucharis for market, it is
doubtful whether his success has been equalled.
More recently Mr May will be remembered as
one of the original introducers of the popular
Carnation Uriah Pike, and of this variety alone
some hundreds of thousands of plants in all
sizes from rooted cuttings, to plants three years
old and 4 feet in height were accommodated
in his nursery. Locally, Mr. May will long be
remembered for his large-hearted generosity, and
it is doubtful whether his many kindly acts or
his genial presence will be missed most. The
funeral took place at the Teddington Cemetery
at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6. Various public
and philanthropic bodies were represented at
the funeral, together with a large number of
prominent market growers and nurserymen. Mr.
May was sixty-two years of age at the time of
his death, and he leaves a widow.

Henry Williams. — We are informed of the
death of this nurseryman, a member of the firm
of H. Williams tV- Sons, East Finchley, and
Covent Garden Market. Deceased, who was in
his 84th year, passed away on the 30th ult., after
an illness extending over 10 days. He was a
younger brother of the late Mr. B. S. Williams,
of Holloway, and in former years was in prac-
tice in private gardening, being in 1857 in the
service of Mr. Fairey, of Liverpool. Whilst
at Liverpool, Mr. Williams was the first to
flower Cypripedium Fairrieanum in this country,
and here he produced a Black Prince Pineapple
weighing 15^1b. Deceased was a good plants-
man and a successful exhibitor. He opened
the nursery business at East Finchley in
1858, and for 42 years has been a contributor
of produce to Covent Garden Flower Market.
His specialities were Hyacinths, Tulips, Azaleas
and Primulas. The firm will be carried on by
his two sons. A third son is engaged as sales-
man in Covent Garden Market.

A Sweet Pea Trial. — On Wednesday. July
17, a number of persons interested in this flower
visited the seed grounds of "lessrs. E. W. King
& Co., Coggeshall, to inspect a trial of more
than 300 rows of these plants. The visitors were
shown nearly 20 acres of Sweet Peas growing
for seed purposes, and over 300 trial rows.

The Late Dr. Masters The owners of

the Restiaceae and other dried specimens of plants
sent to the late Dr. Masters for identification are
asked to write to Mrs. Masters at Mount Avenue,
Ealing, to claim their property, as the botanical
specimens may have to be disposed of shortly.

* „ * The Editor to receive, for considera-

tion, large photographs of horticultural subjects, suitable
for forming Supplementary Illustrations to this Journal.

Animal in Pond : Nymphaa. The trouble is
probably caused by water-rats.

Books : Beginner. Fruit, Flower, and Vegetable
Trades Journal, Id. weekly : Biggs & Co., 139-
140, Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, E.C. ;
Fruit Grower, Fruiterer, Florist and Market
Gardener, Id. weekly : Geo. Tucker, 1, 2, and
3, Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, E.C.

Bowling Green : /. C. We find no trace of
fungus, but the turf is covered with a common
Lichen (Peltigera). This points to a stagnant
condition of moisture in the soil. See that the
land is properly drained, and encourage the
growth of grasses by the use of nitrogenous
manures. The grasses will in time crowd out
the Lichen if the conditions for the growth of the
former are favourable. The shrub is probably
Cotoneaster frigida.

Chrysanthemums Dying : Z. Y. X. The cuttings
have been inserted too deeply, and they have in
consequence formed a very indifferent root-
system. Some of them also bear evidence of
injury by insects. If you suspect the presence
of wire-worm in the soil, apply a moderate
dressing of gas- lime when the plants are re-
moved, and allow the land to remain fallow for
a few weeks. Bulbs are certainly liable to be
eaten by this insidious pest if they are planted.

Discoloured Apple Leaves. W. H. \V. The
leaves exhibit no trace of fungi, or apparently of
insects. The cause of discolouration must there-
fore exist in the soil or result from injury by
cold.

Figs Diseased : C. I. The plants are attacked
by a fungus, Cercospora Bolleana. Burn the
badly affected leaves and spray the remaining
ones with permanganate of potash, or some
other suitable fungicide.

Foliage Begonias : H.H. Probably your plants
are old and declining in vigour. It would be
well to raise fresh stock by division of the roots
or by propagation from leaves. The treatment
you describe seems to be quite correct. These
plants do not like frequent waterings overhead,
especially when grown in a cool atmosphere.
Afford them shade from bright sunshine.

Insects Eating Roots : /. M. The small white
insects attacking the roots of your plants
belong to the genus Lipura. They are very
nearly allied to the " Springtails," or
Poduridas, but they have no jumping ap-
paratus. To destroy them, saturate the soil
with some manure, such as nitrate of soda, or
apply soot in as great a strength as the plants
will stand. When the ground is cleared of
crops, dress it with gas-lime or freshly burnt
lime, and allow it to remain fallow for a
period.

Melons with Small Skin-deep Cracks : it. H.
The conditions you have described are quite in
accordance with the general practice. As you
state that the plants appear healthy, the small
cracks need not cause you alarm, it being
merely the formation of what is known as
" netting," and this adds greatly to the appear-
ance of the fruit when ripe. It is, however,
necessary at this stage to guard against any
excess of moisture at the roots or in the atmos-
phere. Do not allow moisture to condense upon
the fruit. If an excess of moisture is allowed in
the atmosphere, the netting not infrequently
takes the appearance of cracks, and these may
develop a rusty appearance. Ventilate the
structure freely, but with care, during the day and
night, and keep the hot-water pipes sufficiently
warm to cause a free circulation of dry and
warm air in the house.

Peach Shoots Diseased : Derby- The fruits
and foliage are attacked by the Peach mildew,
Oidium leucoconium. Smear flowers of sul-
phur made into a paste on the hot-water pipes,
and ventilate more freely the house in which
the trees are growing. Prevent an excess of
moisture condensing on the leaves.

R.H.S. Examinations : .4. D. B. The names of
the successful candidates are published in a
pamphlet issued by the Royal Horticultural
Society, and this can be obtained for a small
sum from the secretary, Vincent Souare, West-
minster.

120

THE GARDENERS7 CHRONICLE.

[August 10, 1907.

Names of Fruit : /. C. You should send
foliage when submitting Peaches for naming,
and not fewer than two fruits. The glands
on the foliage are a valuable determining
factor in naming these fruits. Your variety
is probably Thames Bank.

Names of Plants : E.J. G 1, Erigeron speciosus;
2. E. multiradiatus ; 3, E. sp. ; 4, Veronica
[ongifolia rosea ; 5, Dianthus deltoides ; 6,
Verbascum Blattaria. — G. IV. Teucrium mon-
tanum. — V. 0. 1, Malvamoschata ; 2,Eryngium
planum ; 3, Spiraea callosa ; 4, Phuopsis stylosa ;
5, Chrysanthemum maximum ; 6, Veronica
virginica. — H. A. 1, Thalictrum glaucum ; 2.
Clematis recta ; 3, Cephalaria tatarica ; 4, Lotus
siliquosus ; 5, Scabiosa Pterocephala. — A.J.S.

1, Fagus sylvatica v. heterophylla ; 2, Sidalcea
spicata. — F. L. 1, Pyrus Aria var. majestica ;

2, Nyssabiflora; 3, Artemisia vulgaris. — IF. G B.
1, Carpenteria californica ; 2, Rhus Cotinus ; 3,
Coriaria japonica : 4, Philadelphia purpureus
maculatus; 5, Spiraea Thunbergii ; G, Clematis

they commence to flower, when it will be better
to remove them to a cooler atmosphere. These
kinds are much more delicate than R. africana
and will not thrive under the ordinary treatment
accorded that species.

Roses with Diseased Foliage : /. C. Your
Rose leaves are badly attacked with the
common "Rose leaf blotch," caused by the
fungus Actinonema Rosas. As far as possible,
the diseased leaves should be collected and
burnt. Spraying with diluted copper sulphates
has been recommended. Some cultivators prefer
to use Eau Celeste ; this is made by dissolving
two pounds of sulphate of copper in two gallons
of hot water. In another vessel dissolve 2\
pounds of carbonate of soda in a like manner.
Mix the two solutions, and when all reaction has
ceased, add a pint and a half of ammonia, and
dilute the mixture to 22 gallons.

Crown or Mummy Pea : A". Y. Z. This is a
singular variety of the common garden Pea.

is first tested, it is almost impossible to know
when the roots require more water. In respect
to the outside border we advise you to cut out
a trench in the first week of October, at a
distance of 4 feet from the vines, making this
trench 3 feet wide and deep enough to extend
to the drainage. Cut off all roots that are met
with and refill the trench. The inside border can
be treated in the same manner after two years
have elapsed. Meanwhile protect the outside
borders from rain by covering them with frame
lights or any suitable material. Do not apply
any more water to the roots this season.

Tomato Leaves Diseased : Fletcher. The plants
are affected by a fungus (Cladosporium fulvum).
Spray the foliage with the Bordeaux-mixture,
and destroy the badly affected plants by burning.
Afford more ventilation to the structure in which
they are growing, and keep the plants under
drier conditions.

Utricularia Montana : F. Denis. This plan''

FlG. 45. — THE CROWN OR MUMMY PEA.

viticella. — Aramel. Myoporum serratum var.
tuberculatum. — A. T. B. Lilium croceum. —
F. 0. 1, Limnanthes Douglasii; 2, Campanula
species.— Veritas. 1, Saccolabium miniatum ; 2,
Aerides odoratum ; 3, Tainia barbata; 4, Eria
convallarioides ; 5, Acampe multiflora ; 6, Sela-
ginella africana. — F. T. Clematis Jackmannii.
The abnormal development is due to a fusion of
growth, the leaf having been carried up and
partly formed into a floral segment. — Spondian.
1, Reseda fruticulosa; 2, the Crown or Mummy
Pea; 3, Allium proliferum (Tree Onion). —
C D. 1, Hibiscus schizopetalus ; 2, Combretum
purpureum.

Richardias: Aroid. If cultivated in the usual
manner Richardia (Calla) Pentlandii and R.
Elliottiana have probably already flowered and
should now be ripening their growth. When
the leaves have died off the stocks may be stored
away for the winter in an atmospheric tempera-
ture of 55" to 60°. In the spring shake out the
roots and repot them ; after this has been done
place them in a heat ranging from G0° to 05"
and treat the plants similar to Caladiums until

The plant is of robust growth, about 4 feet in
height ; the foliage is rather small, the stem
gross and succulent, and it becomes much
fasciated near to the top, from whence the
pods are all produced in a great bunch or
cluster to the number of 30 or 40, forming a
sort of crown on the top of the plant (see fig.
43). The story of its having been discovered
growing out of an Egyptian mummy is
fabulous.

Shanking of Grapes : A". Y. Z. It may be too
late to save the Muscat Grapes this season.
The conditions that have caused the berries to
shank are described in your letter. In the first
place, the borders are 18 inches too deep, and
the soil is far too rich. The roots have been
over watered according to your letter, and this
would be sufficient in itself to cause shanking
The liquid manure you applied would induce
gross growth, which is also a contributing cause
of shanking. Outside borders may get too much
rain unless they are protected. There can be
no rule in watering, such as applying liquid at
every three or four weeks. Unless the border

should be grown in a basket and suspended in a
warm house. It is a marsh plant and should
not be dried off at any period of the year. It
requires a rooting medium of sphagnum-moss,
peat, and silver sand.

Vine Leaves with Warts : T. T. The ex-
crescences are due to an excessive growth in
the tissue of the leaf, caused by too close an
atmosphere, and excessive heat and moisture.
There is no fungus present.

Communications Received. ■ — Consul - General for the
Netherlands — J.V. — H.E. — S.W., you have not sent your
name and address, but in any case we cannot insert adver-
tisements in the editorial columns. De B. Crawshay— -
Dr. Plowright— F.P. — Dr. M.C.C. — T.W.B. — G.W.—
A.K.— L.G., Brussels— A Reader — T.S.— S.C.— H.L.—
S.A.— Rev. D.R.W.— C.T.D.— J.D.G.— G.B.— F. Bros.—
M.M., Geneva — H.K. - F.W.M. — J.RJ. — A.C.S.—
A.M.C.J.C. — Alwin Berger — H.T.W. (next week)—
S.B. & Son— C.-B.— G.H.I.— S.C.— T. & Son-E.H. (next
week)— F.B. (not uncommon)— C.H.— A. W.K. — J. H.—
J.Mc.C. — R.B. — Amos Perry — J.V. & Sons, Ltd.—
Fresco-T. Ryan-E.C.W.-N.S. — T.H.-J.S. —W.W.I'.
-R.P.— G.A.H.

Photographs Received. — W. S. L., Manila— H. F. Mc.M..
Ceylon — Earl of Annesley — J, Allsop— J, G, W, — H, G,
Alexander.

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

121

Site-sJfc/s, $.

THE

^irrbcncrs'CbranicIe

No. 1,077.— SATURDAY, August 17, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Ants as gardeners

150

Orchid notes and glean-

Apple Heinsberg's Non-

ings—

pareil

132

Dendrobium regium...

122

Aquatic plants, hardy ...

124

Orchids of the North-

Argemone grandiflora ...

13*

Western Himalaya

123

Books, notices of—

Oncidium luridum

Bees for Pleasure and

guttatum and 0.

Profit

127

triquetrum

123

Economic Zoology ...

127

Palestine, the flora of ..

134

Insect Hunter's Com-

Pea, the Mummy or

panion

127

Crown

135

Brussels Botanic Gar-

Pear thrips

132

dens

132

Plant note —

Cabbage Lettuce Tre-

Melaleuca hyperici-

niont

124

folia

127

Colonial Notes —

Rose season, the

121

A Canadian nursery...

126

Smith, Mr. A. C.

132

Cyclamen raised from

Societies — ■

August-sown seeds ...

134

Commons and Foot-

Fernery, the—

paths Preservation

138

A new Lady Fern ...

125

Manchester and N.

Flowers in season

132

of England Orchid

139

Fruit crops, remarks on

Midland Carnation

the conditions of the

133

and Picotee

137

Gladiolus gandavensis

135

Newbury Hort i-

Hardy flower border-

cultural

136

Anemone elongata ...

127

Royal Botanic

138

Campanulas, three

Royal Horticultural ...

135

Alpine species of...

126

(Scientific Committee)

135

Salvia argentea

127

Trees and shrubs —

Ilea ilicifolia

123

Buddleia Colvilei

124

Lilies which flower in

Populus canescens ...

124

July

121

Styrax japonica

124

Masters, the late Dr. ...

131

Water-lilies at Shipley

Nursery employees out-

Hall Gardens

130

ing ... _

132

Week's work, the —

Nursery noles —

Flower garden, the ...

128

Sutton & Sons, Read-

Fruits under glass ...

129

ing

125

Hardy fruit garden ...

129

Nymphsea L. Dittmann

132

Kitchen garden, the ...

128

Onopordon Acanthium

135

Orchid houses, the ...

129

Park Superintendents,

Parks and gardens ...

129

American

133

Plants under glass ...

128

ILLUSTR

ATIONS.

Carnations at Eastwell Park

Gardens

128

Dendrobium regium ...

122

Gooseberry, trained plants ol

137

Grape, Black Alicante, a

pot p

ant of

136

Itea ilicifolia, a flowerin

g spr

ay of

123

Nympbeea house at Shipley 1

[all in winter

131

Smith, Arthur C, portrait of

132

View in the Nymphsa house

at Shipley' Hall, Derby

{Supplementary Illustration

Water-lilies and other aquatic

m
plants, an exhibit of ...

125

THE ROSE SEASON.

NOTWITHSTANDING the depressing
predictions of horticultural pessimists,
the Rose season of this year has heen
wonderfully fine. At first our fairest garden
treasures came through much atmospheric
trouble ; the buds which were primarily
formed in June undoubtedly suffered greatly
from the long absence of sunlight and the
desolating influence of almost incessant
rains ; but Nature, as if repenting of her
cruelty, ultimately smiled upon her flowers,
with beneficent results. Never has the lovely
Austrian Briar, Rosa Harrisonii, appeared in
our gardens to greater advantage. This is
one of the first Roses to open, and though it
is, like most things of beauty, exceedingly
transitory, it is of all Roses the sweetest while
it lasts. As this precious acquisition is not
arduous of culture, delighting in ordinary
garden loam and a sheltered and mildly
sunny situation, it should be much more
widely cultivated than it is. I am surprised
to find Rosa Harrisonii so seldom in the
biggest gardens, when summer roses as a
general rule are by no means ignored.

The picturesque Roses raised by Lord
Penzance have also been supremely fascinat-
ing this season, such Hybrid Briars as Jennie
Deans, Lucy Ashton, and Meg Merrilies
being particularly fine.

Of the Hybrid Teas, whose name is legion,
one of the first to flower profusely in my gar-
den was Papa Gontier, a most prolific and
attractive Rose, closely followed bv Warrior,
a splendid emanation, even finer than Coral-
lina. Another new variety, a Hybrid Per-
petual, which has achieved great dis
tinction is J. B. Clark; it is most effec-
tive when not more than half blown.
When this Irish introduction is fully ex-
panded, it is an exceedingly large and
open-hearted Rose. It has, I think, been
over-estimated in comparison with Hugh
Dickson, its lustrous predecessor. Charles J.
Grahame, which keeps beautiful the memory
of a very amiable, short-lived, earnest
amateur rosarian, is also, though luminous
in colour and gloriously fragrant, somewhat
lacking in central petals; it is, nevertheless,
by reason of its rich and rare complexion, a
most attractive Rose. I am informed by a
raiser of the greatest eminence that the
"decorative" Roses, of which two of the
finest representatives are Irish Harmony and
Irish Elegance, are at present much more
ix>pular with cultivators than the larger and
fuller Hybrid Perpetuals and Hybrid Teas.
But, after all, the Roses that have been most
effective, both here and elsewhere in this and
former years, are such magnificent varieties as
Caroline Testout, Clara Watson, La France,
Duke of Edinburgh, Horace Vernet, Vis-
countess Folkestone, Madame Alfred Car-
riere, and Bouquet d'Or, which, in my esti-
mation at ieast, are the Roses that chiefly
glorify our gardens. The Duchess of Suther-
land told me in a recent letter that the flowers
which most impressed and astonished her,
during a recent visit to Sicily, were the mar-
vellous Hybrid Tea Roses. If we permit such
Roses as these to be superseded by single or
semi-double emblems of evanescence, we shall,
I fear, go astray. Our annual exhibitions
would suffer very materially from the absence
of the full-fed floral giants to which I have
referred. I venture to affirm that Lady Gay,
however gracious in aspect and effusive of her
gifts and manifold graces, would hardly
-make amends for the absence of La France.

Many of our largest and most effective
Hybrid Teas also make magnificent climbers ;
Margaret Dickson, for example, has in my
garden this season reached the height of 20
feet, flowering with fine artistic effect at that
proud elevation, after arduous aspiration
through a lofty Hawthorn hedge. This, I
believe, eclipses its achievements in Australia
and California, where the climate is almost
ideal, and where it is assiduously and exten-
sively grown. I should be greatly disposed to
regard Margaret Dickson as the grandest
Rose of its kind in cultivation, were it not for
the superior size, form, and satin-like colour
of that queen of all white Roses, Frau Karl
Druschki, which I often think would be al-
most perfect had it only been endowed, in
addition to its many incomparable attributes,
with the exquisite fragrance of Souvenir de
S. A. Prince.

One of the most grandly effective of all
Roses this season has been Madame Alfred

Carriere, a Hybrid Noisette climber of great
beauty,- of most refined perfume, and won-
drous floriferousness. Equally profuse in its
flowering, and strangely contrasted in its
colouring, has been Bouquet d'Or, the
loveliest derivative from the venerable Gloire
de Dijon.

Tea Roses, I fear, have not been seen at
their best this season, for they have not yet
recovered from long-continued adverse atmo-
spheric experiences, but I am hopefully antici-
pating a successful later bloom. The Hybrid
Perpetuals have, on the contrary, been almost
as impressive as in former years, such crim-
son varieties as Duke of Edinburgh, Horace
Vernet, Cheshunt Scarlet, and Lady Helen
Stewart having, by their brilliant floral
achievements, sustained their reputation.
David R. Williamson.

LILIES WHICH FLOWER IN

JULY.
With the practice that now prevails of retard-
ing Lilies by keeping the bulbs in a cold-air
chamber, flowering examples of most species
may be had nearly, if not quite, throughout the
year. To ensure this, glass accommodation and
a certain amount of fire heat are necessary, but
even when planted in the open ground the flower-
ing period of the Lily extends from May to
September.

The first to open is Lilium pyrenaicum, often
called the Yellow Martagon, and when autumn
frosts make their appearance the season ends
with forms of L. speciosum and a few belated
flowers of L. auratum and L. tigrinum Fortunei.
The " Lily " month, however, is, I think, July,
which was the month chosen for the great Lily
conference held at Chiswick a few years ago,
when such a representative collection of these
noble flowers was brought together.

Many of the June-flowering Lilies extend into
the following month, hence an entire list of those
that bloom in July would amount to little more
than a catalogue of most of the species in culti-
vation. Therefore, I propose to limit my re-
marks to a few of the very best Lilies, that are as
a rule in the height of their beauty during the
month named, and at the same time are not very
exacting in their cultural requirements.

Of late years Lilies of this class have been
planted on a broader and more extensive scale
than was at one time usual. They are now fre-
quently grouped among low or comparatively
low growing shrubs, a most satisfactory method,
as the tender shoots are in early spring pro-
tected from cold winds, while later the partial
shade from sunshine thus afforded them is very
beneficial. Added to this, the foliage of the
shrubs serves admirably as a setting or hack-
ground to the flowers.

In selecting shrubs for this purpose those of
too dense a growth should be avoided, while
those species of Lilium that require a loamy soil
must not be associated with Rhododendrons,
unless the Rhododendrons themselves are culti-
vated in fibrous loam.

Of the July-flowering Lilies which, effectually
grouped, form such a striking feature in flower
gardens or pleasure grounds, perhaps that which
is most universally admired is the Madonna Lily
(Lilium candidum). A native of the south of
Europe, this species has been grown here
for over three centuries, and is often seen at its
best in cottage gardens. A fungus disease has
given great trouble during late years, so that in
many gardens where this species formerly
flourished it cannot be grown. Still, my
impression is that within the last year or two
there has been a decided improvement in this
respect. The Madonna Lily needs a well-drained
loamy soil, and must, therefore, not be asso-
ciated with Rhododendrons or other peat-loving

122

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1C07.

shrubs. The bulbs should not be buried very
deeply, and if they have to be transplanted, the
work should be done as soon as possible after the
stems die down, because growth so quickly re-
commences.

Lilium Brownii, which, like L. candidum, is
another of the Eiilirion or tube-flowered group,
flowers as a rule in the early part of the month.
The typical form, as grown in Holland, reaches
a height of about 3 feet, and bears long, trumpet-
shaped flowers, which are heavily suffused with
brown on the exterior, while the inside is of an
ivory-white tint. Some forms of the Lily intro-
duced from China within the last decade or so
are altogether more vigorous than the type, and
capable of producing a greater number of blos-
soms. Such are L. Brownii leucanthum and L.
Brownii chloraster. The striking effect pre-
sented by the Chinese form of L. Brownii is well
shown in the Gardeners' Chronicle for July 27
last, p. 67.

L. croceum is one of the upright or cup-
flowered Lilies, which blooms as a rule in the
first half of July, and is therefore largely in
evidence in the Orange celebrations that take
place in the northern part of Ireland. It is a
remarkably handsome Lily, and one of the least
exacting members of the genus. Like the
Madonna Lily, it needs a loamy, rather than a
peaty soil. The Orange Lily reaches a height
of 3 feet to 5 feet, and bears a considerable num-
ber of flowers of a warm, reddish-orange tint. It
is nearly related to the somewhat earlier flower-
ing Lilium dauricum, but the individual blooms
of L. croceum retain their brightness much
longer than those of L. dauricum.

L. Hansonii is one of the Japanese members
of the Martagon group, and differs from most
species of that section in flowering well the first
season after transplanting, for the majority of
the Martagons resent being disturbed at the
roots, and take two or three years to become re-
established. This Lily thrives in a mixture of
loam, peat, and sand, in which it will become
quite established, and flower year after year. It
is therefore suitable for cultivation in Rhodo-
dendron beds. The plants bloom generally
early in July.

L. Martagon (Turk's Cap Lily) is closely re-
lated to the preceding species, but it is benefited
by a greater proportion of loam in the soil. The
colour, a kind of dull purplish pink, is not at all
attractive, but the individual blooms are so
symmetrical, and the contour of the whole spike
so graceful that it is a general favourite. Two
varieties — album (white) and dalmaticum (deep
shining purple) — are among the most beautiful
of all Lilies. The spikes of L. Martagon
appear to be ideal subjects for use in a cut state
to furnish large vases and for similar purposes,
but in a confined space their strong perfume is
disagreeable. Out of doors, however, L. Marta-
gon is a delightful Lily.

L. longiflorum is represented in gardens by
several forms, and it must be regarded as the
most popular member of the genus. We draw
our supplies from Japan, Bermuda, South
Africa, the Canary Isles, and Holland. By far
the greatest number comes from Japan, and
the bulbs from that country are decidedly the
best for planting out of doors. Being of lesser
stature than many other Lilies, this species needs
to be mixed with dwarf-growing shrubs, especi-
ally suitable for the purpose being many of the
hardy Heaths.

L. pardalinum (the Panther Lily) is a native
of California, and- remarkable for its curious,
creeping rhizome-like bulbs, a characteristic
shared by a few other species from the North
American continent. It is essentially peat-
loving, and needs a fair amount of moisture,
hence it is seen at its very best when associated
with Rhododendrons and similar plants. The
Panther Lily will reach a height of 6 feet to 9
feet, and bear 20 to 30 flowers on a stem. They
are prettily reflexed, and disposed in an exceed-
ingly graceful manner. In colour the flowers are
bright orange, more or less spotted with red,

while the tips of the petals are scarlet. In some
forms this colouring extends at least over one-
half of each petal. One of the best varieties,
and a vigorous grower is L. p. californicum.

L. testaceum is also known as L. excelsum,
and cannot be confounded with any other Lily
in cultivation, as the nankeen colour of the
flowers is so distinct from all other Lilies. It
will reach a height of 6 feet or more, and on this
account the drooping flowers are seen to parti-
cular advantage. This species may be grown in
a similar mixture of soil as is recommended for L.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

DENDROBIUM REGIUM.

This species was shown for the first time in this
country, at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural
Society on the 6th inst., when plants in flower were
displayed by Sir Trevor Lawrence and Messrs.
Charlesworth & Co. The species is a native of
Lower Hindustan, and was described by Lt.-Col.
Piain, in 1902, in the Journal of the Aiiat'u Society

FlG. 46. — DENDROBIUM REGIUM ; A RECENTLY INTRODUCED SPECIES FROM INDIA: SEPALS
AND PETALS ROSE-COLOURED, LIP WHITE WITH A YELLOW DISC.

Hansonii, or in loam under such conditions as,
are favourable to L. candidum. However limited
may be a selection of Lilies for outdoor culture,
L. testaceum must on no account be omitted.

My article being already long, I will conclude
with the remark that while flowers of such lilies
as Lilium auratum, L. chalcedonicum, L.
giganteum, L. Henryi, L. superbum, and L.
tigrinum, may open, in July, these species are
more correctly described as August-flowering
species. W.

(Ixxi., p. So) ; a plant flowered at Kew in 1904. The
flowers have a general resemblance to those of D.
nobile, but they are without the usual dark blotch
that is present on the !ip in the older species.

The largest flower measured 4 inches across its
widest part, and the petals are much broader than
those of D. nobile. The segments are a clear
shade of rose ; the base of the lip is white, with a
yellow disc, while the pointed front portion is of
the same colour as the petals and sepals, but of a
deeper shade.

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

123

THE ORCHIDS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN
HIMALAYA.

This valuable continuation of the Annals of
the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta, forming
Part II. of the 9th volume, is by Dr. J. F.
Duthie, B.A., F.L.S., late Director, Botanical
Department, Northern India. The plan of the
work is best described by the author in his pre-
face as follows: — ■

" The attempt here made to give an account
of the Orchids of the Western Himalaya may be
regarded as a supplement to the splendid work

Orchids of the region, together with a table
showing the distribution of the different genera
in other parts of the world. It appears that the
number of species of Orchids at present known
in the region dealt with is 173, 59 being epiphytes
and 114 terrestrial species. They are included
in 45 genera. Twenty-four species, some of
which are described by the author as new, are
not known to occur outside the area of the
Western Himalaya, and the following 10 species
extend to Britain : Listera ovata, Corallorhiza
innata, Goodyera repens, Spiranthes autumnalis,

^CvCHf^l-*

{Photograph by E. J. IVallis.
FlG. 47. — ITEA ILICIFOLIA FLOWERING RECENTLY AT KEW i FLOWERS WHITE.

by Sir George King and Mr. R. Pantling on the
Orchids of the Sikkim Himalaya, which was
published in 1898 as Vol. VIII. of the Annals
of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta. With Sir
Joseph Hooker's monograph of the Orchids of
British India as a basis, and Sir George King's
as a model for a local
paration of the present
very greatly facilitated."

The introduction gives particulars of the
Western Himalaya and the distribution of the

Orchid-flora, the pre-
contribution has been

Epipogon aphyllum, Epipactis latifolia, Cepha-
lanthera ensifolia, Orchis latifolia, Herminium
Monorchis, and Habenaria viridis.

The desire being to avoid again illustrating
the showier species already figured in the
Orchids of the Sikkim Himalaya, but few of the
species so carefully illustrated in the 58 plates
of the present work are of that character, and
the subjects are principally terrestrial species.
The genera illustrated are : Aphyllorchis 1,
Calanthe 3, Cirrhopetalum 1, Cymbidium 2 (C.

Mackinnonii, Duthie, and the singular leafless,
parasitic C. macrorhizon) ; Cypripedium 1, Den.
drobium 4, Eria 1, Eulophia 6, Gastrodia 1,
Goodyera 2, Habenaria 18, Hemipilia 1, Her-
minium 4, Liparis 5, Microstylis 1, Oberonia 1,
Oreorchis 2, Pogonia 3, and Vanda 1.

The work is printed by the Bengal Secretariat
Press, Calcutta, and may be obtained in this
country either with the plates uncoloured or
half-coloured.

ONCIDIUM TRIQUETRUM.
An inflorescence and leaf of this pretty species
has been sent by Mr. J. Spiller, gardener to Dr
G. B. Longstaff, Highlands, Putney Heath,
taken from a specimen which bloomed among
plants collected by Dr. Longstaff in Jamaica
last winter. It is a dwarf species, with equitant,
fleshy, acutely three-angled leaves and a spray
of flowers, each of which is 1 inch across. All
the segments are red with a white margin, which
is broadest in the petals, and the labellum is
streaked with red. O. triquetrum, and others of
its section, should be grown in small baskets
or Orchid pans and suspended near the glass
of the roof in an intermediate house, as the
plant soon fails if placed on the stage with the
larger and stronger-growing species.

ONCIDIUM LURIDUM GUTTATUM.
The superior beauty of the Jamaica form of
this variable species, and which goes far towards
entitling it to rank as a distinct type, if not a
different species, is well shown in a few sprays
sent by Mr. J. Spiller. The species, which has
large fleshy leaves, is widely distributed in
tropical America, the varieties generally having
a straggling inflorescence and the flowers a large
proportion of dull brown colour. The Jamaica
form has light green leaves spotted with dark
green, a much-branched inflorescence, and well-
formed yellow flowers spotted with red-brown,
the labellum being lightest in colour. The
< ..himn is white, and the crest yellow and rose-
coloured. /. O'B.

ITEA ILICIFOLIA.

On page 375 of the Gardeners' Chronicle for
November 28, 1903 (vol. xxxiv.), appeared a
figure of a spray of this plant, which flowered
at Kew in 1903 for the first time. The text de-
scribed the raceme of flowers as being about 4
inches in length. The same plant was recently
in flower in the Himalayan House at Kew, and
this year some of the racemes were quite 1 foot
in length, drooping from the end of the branches
■ — not rigid, as shown in the figure quoted.

Judging by the dried specimens collected by
E. II. Wilson, for Messrs. Veitch, in the neigh-
bourhood of Ichang, Central China, a foot
seems to be the normal length of the flower
raceme in the wild state.

Itea ilicifolia is an evergreen shrub, native
to Central China, and was first collected by Dr.
A. Henry, from whose material it was figured
and described in Hooker's Icones Plan/arum, t.
1538. Found in glens or on exposed cliffs in its
native country, it is said to attain a height of
from 2 to 18 feet, according to the situation.

The leaves, from 2^ to 3 inches long by 1J to
2 inches broad, are broadly elliptic in outline,
with sinuate spinescent margins, and so closely
resemble those of a Holly that, out of flower,
one might easily mistake the plant for a spec'es
of Ilex. The numerous small, greenish-white
flowers are almost sessile along the length of
the raceme, and suggestive of those of the better-
known Itea virginica, a deciduous species from
North America, hitherto the only representative
of the genus in cultivation.

Three other species, namely, I. chinensis, 1.
parviflora, and I. yunnanensis, are recorded
from China, but these do not appear to have
been introduced into cultivation. Itea ilicifolia
seems to have been first cultivated in this coun-
try by Lord Kesteven, for on p. 504 of tha

124

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

volume of the Gardeners' Chronicle already
quoted, his lordship wrote that he raised
plants from seeds sent by Dr. Henry from China,
and had grown them in the open in Lincoln-
shire, in a position protected on the north and
east by other shrubs, for at least 14 years prior
to the date of its recorded flowering at Kew.

In the south-west of England it would prob-
ably prove hardy, and if afforded the protection
of a wall might succeed out-of-doors in some
gardens in less favoured localities. H. Sponer.

HARDY AQUATIC AND
WATERSIDE PLANTS.
A lake or pond, and even a simple water-
course, can be made objects of much beauty
when planted with a selection of water plants.
A small portion around the margin should be
set apart for planting bog-loving plants: these
should not be kept trim, but should, be allowed
to grow nearly wild, with only such pruning
and clipping as are necessary to keep one
plant from smothering its neighbour. Among
the many beautiful plants that will grow in
water is the floating Aponogeton distachyon. Its
flowers are pure white, and waxy in appearance,
with a pleasant scent resembling that of the
ccmmon Hawthorn. Although a native of the
Cape of Good Hope, it thrives in this country,
and, when once thoroughly established in
moderately deep water, reproduces itself freely
from seeds. If a supply of plants be quickly
needed, the seeds should be sown in a tank in a
warm greenhouse, where, in a very short time,
an abundance of plants may be raised, and after-
wards hardened and planted out.

The large, flat, floating leaves of Nymphea
alba present a stately appearance on the water.
In planting new crowns some good fibrous turves
should be secured to its roots to cause the plant
to sink in the water. I find this a much better
plan than the use of sunk baskets.

Kichardia africana is usually grown as a pot
plant, but it is equally serviceable for planting
in water, where it will survive as much as 18J
of frost. Plants in these gardens are flourishing
well in water, and prove the most handsome of
all aquatics, as their foliage and inflorescence
stand up well, and appear charming viewed from
a distance. Another pleasing aquatic plant is
Acorus Calamus, the Swe;t Flag. Both the stems
and the leaves give off a very beautiful per-
fume when they are rubbed. Another native
plant, Butomus umbellatus, the flowering Rush,
forms a very handsome subject for the water-
garden. It has linear leaves and large umbels of
rosy-pink flowers produced on peduncles from 3
to 4 feet high. The large, arrow-shaped leaves
of Sagittaria sagitifolia form a fine clump
that is crowned in summer with white flowers.
Menyanthes trifoliata has creeping stems, and in
the early part of the season produces large
racemose heads of pretty, white flowers, which
are exceedingly handsome when closely in-
spected.

Caltha palustris and its improved forms pro-
duce quantities of bright yellow flowers early in
the year. C. p. polypetala is one of these im-
proved forms. It has much larger leaves and
flowers than the type plant.

Calla palustris is a small miniature Arum,
with white flowers that are borne not more than
6 to 9 inches above the water. Rats are very fond
of this plant.

Other suitable plants for water planting are : —

Orontium aquaticum : this produces bright-
golden flowers in early summer. Ranunculus
lingua, a large, showy, yellow-flowered species,
rising about 18 inches above the water. Typha
angustifolia, the long-leaved Cat's Tail. Peltan-
dra virginica, the Water Arum : this plant has
large, arrow-shaped foliage and a white spadix ;
it i^ very handsome when seen in bold clumps.
Valisneria spiralis, with long leaves and small,
white flowers ; Rumex hydrolapathum, the Giant

Waterdock. Scirpus lacustris, and Zizania aqua-
tica, the Rice plant.

Amongst the best plants that will succeed on
the banks of lakes and streams are several
species of Carex, including C. pendula, a very
graceful and ornamental plant ; C. Greyii, an
upright-growing species, with yellowish-green
apical flowers ; and C. japonica. These sedges
should all be plentifully planted along the banks
of streams and ponds, where they form very
graceful and effective objects.

Lythrum roseum superbum has bright, rosy-
red flowers, and is a very showy subject. Spiraea
palmata is a plant which grows rapidly and soon
makes a big clump, and flowers profusely. It
reaches a height of from 3 to 4 feet, and its sea-
son of flowering is July. S. gigantea is a large
species that produces big, white plumes of
flowers, the inflorescences sometimes measuring 8
or 9 feet in height. It flowers in July and August.
S. Davidii is one of the newer Spiraeas. Plants
at Leonardslee have reached a height of from
3 to 4 feet this season. They flower in August.
Hemerocallis in variety flourish well in damp
situations, and their flowers make a very fine
blaze of colour. Both Mimulus cardinalis and
M. lutea are charming subjects for the water-
side. Funkias, especially F. Sieboldi, make large
clumps on the banks of ponds or in any other
moist place. The large leaves of Gunnera
manicata form a distinct feature. The plants
require protecting with some dry material dur-
ing the winter and spring months. The protec-
tive material should be of a very light nature,
so that it can be lifted up by the leaves as they
develop. All flowering shoots should be re-
moved as they appear. The leaves reach a much
larger size when the plants are uninjured by
frost.

Gunnera scabra, often known as G. manicata,
is not of such robust growth as the true G.
manicata. Other species of Gunnera are G.
magellanica, a plant with small leaves, and G.
monoica, a still smaller plant.

Among showy flowering plants are the
varieties of Iris Kaempferi : Pinguicula gran-
diflora has pretty dark blue coloured
flowers, which appear in spring time ;
Petasites gigantea has leaves from 2 to 3 feet
wide, and the same measurement in height.
Saxifraga peltata flowers early in the season,
after which the handsome foliage develops. This
plant should be given some good rich material
at its roots. Polygonum sachalinense grows
from 8 to 10 feet in height in favoured situations
and is a very handsome subject. Rodgersia
podophylla is a fine foliage and flowering plant,
with large peltate leaves, which assume a bronze
colour. Primula japonica succeeds well on
the banks, and also partly in the water. In a
season or two this plant reproduces itself in
immense numbers. Primula rosea succeeds
when grown on large stones in the water.
Primula sikkimensis, a yellow species, will also
grow in a similar position in a sheltered spot.
Sarracenia purpurea is always an interesting
plant. It will flower freely in a position that is
fully exposed to the sun. Darlingtonia califor-
nica needs the same treatment as Sarracenia;
and both plants should be afforded a dressing of
sphagnum-moss over their roots. Crinum
capense flowers and flourishes splendidly in a
bog.

Among other plants may be mentioned Ferns,
including Lastrea Thelypteris (Marsh Fern, ;
Onoclea sensibilis ; Struthiopteris japonica ;
S. pennsylvanica, a very pretty plant. All the
species of Osmunda are particularly fine sub-
jects for the bank in low places near to
the water. Other good subjects are Parnassia
palustris and its varieties. Polyanthus in
variety, Myosotis, Lilium pardalinum, I..
superbum, Lysimachias, Gynerium argenteum
(Pampas Grass), Bambusa Metake, Phyllo-
stachys viridi glaucesens, and Rhododendrons.

Many of these plants require high feeding to
produce the best results, and this is best done
by top-dressing. Lilies, Irises, Spiraeas, and

many other plants should be afforded manure
several times during their growing season.

Rustic bridges which span the water should
be covered with climbing plants, sr.ch as Wis-
tarias, Jasmines, Loniceras, Rambling Roses,
Nasturtium speciosum, Clematis montana, and
Asparagus acutifolius. The plants are best when
they are allowed to grow loosely, and are
only secured sufficiently to keep them in their
proper position. W. A. Cook, Leonardslee Gar-
dens, Horsham, Sussex.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

POPULUS CANESCENS.
This variety, a cross between the Silver Poplar
(Populus alba) and the Aspen (P. tremula), is
of interest to the botanist for the various transi-
tion forms observable in the leaves. As a forest
tree, P. canescens is one of the most valuable,
owing to its resistance to the wind, it being in
this respect superior to P. alba, and for the
landscape gardener its vigorous and open habit of
growth in the crown is not without interest. The
foliage is of a greyish-green tint, and of larger
size than that of either parent, and bears a cer-
tain resemblance to P. nigra, as likewise dees the
form and build of the crown in old examples.
The colour of the bark is greyish-brown, some-
what resembling P. alba. F. M.

BUDDLEIA COLVILEI.
It may be interesting to record that a plant
of Buddleia Colvilei has flowered for two years
in succession in Lady Fowler's garden at Inver-
broom, in the north-west of Ross-shire. It has,
however, not formed inflorescences on the axil-
lary shoots, as mentioned by Mr. Winter on p.
26. The specimen is trained against a wall that
faces west, where it has withstood 24° of frost,
but I am of the same opinion as Mr. W. E.
Gumbleton (p. 54) that the species is not hardy,
and that a few more degrees of frost would cut it
down very badly, or even kill it.

STYRAX JAPONICA.
I was much interested in the article by Mr.
Cook on " Choice Shrubs at Leonardslee Gar-
dens," and more especially with his remarks
on Styrax japonica, Stuartia pseudo-camellia,
and Caesalpinia japonica. Mr. Cook states the
size of the Styrax, but does not afford the in-
formation as to the age of the tree when it first
flowered. A young specimen was planted in
these gardens last spring, with others of Bud-
dleia alba flora, Crinodendron Hookeri, Car-
penteria californica, Photinia arbutifolia,
Olearia stellulata or Gunnii, and Ceanothus
Gloire de Versailles, and all, save the Styrax,
have either flowered or are about to do so, and
in no case is a plant more than 2 feet high, Ole-
aria stellulata being only 1 foot high. Davidia
involucrata, Eucryphia pinnatifolia, and Abuti-
lon vitifolium, also planted at the same time,
show no signs of flowering. Harry Low, Brae-
more Gardens, Garve, Ross-shire.

VEGETABLES.

CABBAGE LETTUCE TREMONT.
For late sowing this variety is largely grown
in Switzerland, but seldom in any of the neigh-
bouring countries. It stands the weather un-
commonly well, and, in spite of this fact, it has
large, tender heads, much liked as a market
variety. The leaves are red-edged and spotted.
For winter supply the seed is sown at the end of
the month of July, and, at the latest, at the be-
ginning of August. With some kind of protec-
tion by means of boards at the sides of the bed,
and a covering of mats, or brushwood, or strata
laid on these, heads can be cut as late as (Tirist-
rhastide, the plant enduring a certain degree of
frost uninjured. F.

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

125

THE FERNERY.

A NEW LADY FERN.
(ATHYRIUM FILIX FCEMINA KALO-
THRIX CRIST ATUM.)
The "iKalothrix" or "beautiful hair" variety
of the Lady Fern is unique, since not
merely are the normal divisions of the frond re-
duced symmetrically to slender threads, but
these are peculiarly transparent and have a shin-
ing, silky surface such as no other variety pos-
sesses. Its origin is somewhat mysterious, since
it originated with two raisers about 1870, as-
sumably from the spores of a plumose Lady
Fern in the Oxford botanic gardens at that date.
There exists, however, a herbarium specimen of a
frond of a precisely similar form found wild on

in which the fronds and their divisions consist of
longer but far fewer hairlike sub-divisions set
widely apart.

Until recently, and despite the fact that the
Fern has been freely raised from spores ever
since it was discovered, no tasselled form has
been noticed. Notwithstanding, this was at-
tempted by myself some years ago by crossing
it with finely-crested forms, the only result was
to get slenderer-crested Ferns of the coarse-sur-
faced type. Three years ago I sowed spores of
my plumose strain of A. f. f. " superbum " in
a small thumb pot. The sowing went wrong,
the little pot developed a few spores only, and,
room being needed, it was lifted out to be
thrown away when a minute little clump of clus-
tered mossy-looking frondlets attracted attention.
I discovered that no fewer than seven young

is perhaps the most noteworthy. In any case,
two points are very remarkable, the one that so
beautiful a form should be obtained by such an
accident, and the other that so many plants
should originate from a single prothallus.
Chas. T. Druery, V.M.H., F.L.S.

NURSERY NOTES.

ANNUALS AT READING.
I recently inspected a very comprehensive
trial of annuals, including an exhaustive one of
Sweet Peas, in the nursery of Messrs. Sutton &
Sons, Reading. The actual number of varieties
on trial was 461, contained in 1,016 rows, hav-
ing a total length of 2J miles. The arrange-

[[ holograph by E. J. Wallis

Fig. 48.— a group of hardy nymph.eas and other water-plants exhibited by Leopold de rothschild, esq., at the meeting

OF THE R.II.S. ON AUGUST 6 LAST. (See page 115 in the last issue.)

the Mourne Mountains in Ireland many years
previously, but there are no records of its subse-
quent cultivation. That the form now existent
was derived independently from a merely
plumose type is largely evidenced by the
fact that not only does Kalothrix partially
revert and produce the coarser parental divi-
sions and even entire fronds of a coarser type
among a far larger proportion of the true form,
but if its spores be sown, the crop is almost
invariably of two kinds, viz., true Kalothrix and
true plumosums, the latter strongly resembling
A f. f. plumosum Horsfall, but known as A. f. t.
p. Stansfieldii. The qualification almost is only
justified by the fact that two sub-varieties have
been raised, viz., A. f. f. k. foliosum, with wider
but still silky divisions, and A. f. f. k. linearis,

Ferns had sprung from one prothallus. These
were severed, and I thus obtained seven tiny
plants, each with its own rootlet. As they de-
veloped, the Kalothrix silkiness appeared. I
have now six beautifullv-tasselled plants of the
Kalothrix type. It is, of course, a matter of
doubt whether these arose from the spores of
superbum actually sown or from a stray spore of
Kalothrix which, by crossing, acquired the
superbum faculty of cresting. This latter theory
seems the more probable, since in one of the
plants part of one of the pinna? shows distinctly
that tendency to partial reversion which is pecu-
liar to Kalothrix ; on the contrary, if thev have
resulted from crossing it is extraordinary that
all the seven archegonia should have been fer-
tilised by similar antherozoids. This last fact

ment of the varieties in groups according to
colour, is one that finds favour with the visitor,
and by this means one or a dozen varie-
ties of a similar colour can oe com-
pared at a glance. Superior and inferior
stocks could be singled out with the same
ease. In the case of all great seed firms, a trial
for comparison becomes imperative each year.
This is especially necessary in the case of Sweet
Peas. In the large collection of Sweet Peas at
Reading, some varieties are much superior to
others, and in white-flowered sorts Messrs.
Sutton's Giant-flowered White is conspicuous.
Nora LTnwin, which may be regarded as the
Countess Spencer form of Dorcthy Eckford, is
also a very fine white variety. In the pink-
flowered sorts, Queen of Pinks was noticed

126

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

by reason of the pure salmon-pink tint of its
petals, the size of the blossoms, and their re-
fined character. Miss Willmott, Bolton's Pink,
and Orange Prince (a conspicuous shade) are
other excellent varieties. Among the flowers
with a more pronounced red shade, King
Edward VII., Queen Alexandra, John Ingman,
Her Majesty (one of the largest flowered varie-
ties, with bright rose standards and pale rose
wings), Salopian, Evelyn Byatt, and Helen
Lewis were all good. In pink and red-flaked
sorts, Aurora, a salmon-pink on white ground,
is most effective ; while in the delicate rose and
pale pink shades, Gladys Unwin, Countess
Spencer, Dainty, and Mrs. Alfred Watkins are
leading sorts.

Of cream and yellow varieties Hon. Mrs. E.
Kenyon, Queen Victoria, Jeannie Gordon (a
dainty flower in cream and rose), and Primrose
Queen are all good. Mrs. H. Kendall Barnes
and Dora Breadmore are of the cream ground
class, with a tinge of pink or other shade.
Among the flowers of a blue shade I noted Flora
Norton, Mrs. G. Higginson, Jun., Frank Dolby
(frilled, pale mauve), Mrs. Walter Wright
(mauve, fine of form), and other well-known
sorts, including Lady Grisel Hamilton, Countess
of Radnor, &c. Sutton's Butterfly, a pure white
flower, edged with lavender-blue, was also
noted as a beautiful and distinct variety. Bril-
liant Blue, also known as Lord Nelson, is a
fine deep blue, excellent in form and colour.
Quite one of the best of Messrs. Sutton's novel-
ties for the year is named " Our Queen." It is
of true Spencer form, and is a suffusion of pale
pink on a cream ground. An interesting feature
in the Sweet Pea trials was a portion devoted
to colour mixtures. That is to say, a propor-
tionate— not an indiscriminate — mixture, in
which varieties of certain colours only were
blended. Some of the more conspicuous of these
mixtures were composed of the following
colours: — Cream and maroon; cream and pale
blue ; rose and pale blue ; red, white, and blue ;
pink, yellow, and salmon ; and salmon-pink and
scarlet.

Apart from the trial of Sweet Peas were to
be seen others of Godetias, Clarkias, Nastur-
tiums, Stocks of many shades and types, bril-
liant Eschscholtzias, Linums, and annual Chry-
santhemums. Of the last-named plants the im-
proved forms of C. segetum grandiflorum, known
as Morning Star and Evening Star, are acquisi-
tions. Saponaria vaccaria is a good pink-
flowered plant, and valuable for bedding or for
supplying cut flowers. The large-flowered forms
of the Sweet Sultan always attract attention, the
mauve and white colours of the flowers being
very attractive. Schizanthus, sown in the open
air in April, was an unqualified success. The
"compacta" strain of Nemesia now embraces
almost every shade of colour, with blossoms of
the largest size. In Sweet Williams, the bril-
liant pink and scarlet-flowered varieties appear
to be well-nigh perfection in their respective
shades. Not least among the choice plants
is a Foxglove named Primrose Perfection,
with flowers a soft chrome yellow, and with
faint spottings on the throat. E. J .

COLONIAL NOTES.

HORTICULTURE IN WESTERN CANADA.

The largest and most up-to-date greenhouses
in Canada, west of Toronto, are situated in the
city of Edmonton, in the north-west. This fact
is something to be proud of, for the city 10 years
ago was but a trading post, and even the western
Gotham-Winnipeg has not such large or well-
equipped greenhouses as those belonging to the
firm of Ramsay.

There are six plant-houses in all, built on the
ridge and furrow principle, and each contains
two beds, 150 feet long by 5 feet wide. By
next winter the ground space will be exactly

doubled, for there will then be a total of 24
beds of this size.

The system of ventilation, both in summer and
in winter, is as perfect as possible. The water
for the plants is carried in pipes along each
house ; \\ miles of 2-inch steel pipes form part
of an efficient steam-heating apparatus. Last
winter, the coldest on record, 400 tons cf cral
were required to keep the houses at a proper
temperature. In summer time as evening ap-
proaches, and the heat of a June sun
moderates, these greenhouses form a plea-
sant place to saunter through. At the
entrance, a bed of tall Palms and Ferns are
massed in their cool greenery, and the eye after-
wards encounters beds of Roses. Our season
of Roses is when the prairies of the west are
all a-bloom in July with the delicious wild
Rose. One long bed is filled with the pure
white and the pink varieties Bride and Brides-
maid, and for these varieties there is a con-
stant demand all the year round. One sturdy-
stemmed, thorny Rose, with blooms of a deep
carmine shade, is appropriately called General
McArthur. Still newer is Richmond, a southern-
raised flower with full, loose, red petals that are
most attractive when in the bud stage. Ameri-
can Beauty is a long-stemmed, smooth-foliaged,
and luxuriant-growing Rose, and near at hand
is planted the old-fashioned Perle du Jardin, a
softly tinted, yellow Tea variety.

There is not seen in the whole assemblage of
blooms one of a more subtle charm than Cana-
dian Queen. This is pure white or pearl at the
centre, but its unfolding petals are tinged with
a deep pink shade. It has something of the
character of the wild prairie Rose in its
free arrangement of petals. Second only in
popularity to the Roses are the flowers in
the next house, the Carnations. The clear shell-
pink petals of Enchantress are most beau-
tiful ; in the next bed are white varieties,
including Glacier, Queen Louise, and Bos-
ton Market. Marquis, growing close to these,
has something of the charm of colouring seen
in Canadian Queen ; in addition, it has a de-
lightful fragrance. Others grown are Estelle
(scarlet) and President Roosevelt (rich, deep
red). This flower, used with Lilium Harrisii, is
excellent for the making of bouquets. Sweet
Teas also do well here, and plants from a sow-
ing made last September have been blooming
profusely since January. Little less important
than the cultivation of flowers is the provision
of greenery, essential for the artistic arrangement
of bouquets, and a quarter is devoted to the
culture of Smilax and Ferns. Tall Palms of
many varieties, Rubber plants, and a fine array
of other foliage plants find a place here.
One entire house has this year been devoted to
Chrysanthemums, and over 3,000 stocky young
plants are seen. This flower is a favourite at
Edmonton, as elsewhere, and the supply last
year was not equal to the demand, but this year
increased space has been given to the cultiva-
tion of Chrysanthemums. At several spots in
these plant-houses, the eye meets a group of
old-fashioned scarlet Pelargoniums. These are
in many varieties, with both double and semi-
double flowers of many colours. Edmonton has
not yet reached the stage where universal atten-
tion is paid to the care of its lawn and gardens,
and this year the late spring militated greatly
against the beautifying of gardens. However,
the greenhouses supplied many plants for beds
and baskets, the greatest demand being for
Pansies, Asters, Stocks, Petunias, Verbenas,
Daisies, Pelargoniums, and Phloxes. There was
no demand for Cannas, and but little for Coleus.
Ageratum is a favourite border plant in sum-
mer. Among other plants grown in this dis-
trict are Nasturtiums, with flowers of orange,
tawny and scarlet colours, and the old-
fashioned Musk. Next winter greater at-
tention will be given to the raising of
Tomatos, Lettuce, and other vegetables, for
the supply of last winter was not suffi-

cient to meet the demand. Fresh propagating
beds are being added, another " Florence "
boiler is being installed, and the heating capa-
city of the present plant will be doubled. Next
winter the houses will cover an area of about
2 acres. C. F. Clark, 343, Tenth Street, Edmon-
ton, Alberta, July, igoy.

THE HARDY FLOWER
BORDER.

CAMPANULA GRANDIS.
(Syn. C. latiloda.)
With the present desire for novelty, it not
infrequently happens that the merits of old-
fashioned plants are overlooked, and I think
this is true of the above-named Campanula,
which is one of the showiest border plants in
flower at the present time. Usually it attains
to a height of about 3 feet, but considerably
more if liberally treated, and where the soil is
rather moist and deep. It is erect-growing and
self-supporting, and produces long, columnar
spikes of closely-set, somewhat salver-shaped
blossoms that are of an intensely deep violet-
blue colour. It is probably one of the most ac-
commodating of good border Bell-flowers, and
is readily distinguished from the peach-leaved
Bell-flowers by its dense ground-covering of
lance-shaped leaves, the leading tufts of which
form themselves into huge rosettes. The plant
is of vigorous growth and easy of culture. Its
density of growth demands a periodical trans-
planting, and the reducing of much of its
shoots. This Campanula forms a splendid bor-
der plant for a chalky soil, but it will succeed
on very light soils. I recently saw in the her-
baceous border at the Horticultural College,
Swanley, a group of plants several feet across.
The flowers were beautiful even when sien
at a great distance, and the display of blossoms
will probably continue for some time to come.

CAMPANULA VAN HOUTTEI.
This variety is placed in the Kew Hand-Li:!
under the name of C. latifolia, but I think
there is much evidence in support of its being
a hybrid, with possibly C. latifolia as one of
the parents. The leaf and more slender stem
growth have nothing in common with the
species named, much less has the stoloniferous
habit of the plant, a characteristic which ,iar-
takes more closely of the habit of C. punctata.
If, in addition to these things, the time of
flowering is considered, there is, I think, far
greater evidence of varietal relationship to the
latter than the former species. But, whatever
its origin, the plant is a valuable addition to
the garden, and the pale lavender-blue of the
large pendent bells renders it a welcome sub-
ject in the early summer time. It wall not ad-
mit of massing if its slender grace and beauty
are to be seen to the best advantage. In soils of
a light texture the stolons ramify rather freely,
but less so in heavy soils. In the case of very
heavy soil a free addition of leaf soil, spent
mushroom-bad manure, or even cocoa-nut fibre
about the roots at planting time will be of
assistance in promoting an early growth. Estab-
lished plants may be planted at any time, but
ground plants are best planted in spring. E. H.

CAMPANULA ROTUNDIFOLIA VAR.
ALASKANA.
I received a plant last year under this name
from Herr Max Leichtlin, but it has not proved
distinct from some of the forms of C. rotundifolia
already in cultivation. It is somewhat dwarfer
than the variety of C. rotundifolia called pallida,
but the large bells are of much the same shade of
light blue. The many varieties of the common
Harebell are worthy subjects for the hardy flower
border, and amongst the best is C. rotundifolia
pallida. S. A.

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

127

CAMPANULA ROTUNDIFOLIA VAR.
ALPINA.
This plant is often sold as Campanula alpina,
but it is entirely distinct from that species, and is
much easier of cultivation than the true C. alpina.
It is one of the prettiest of the dwarf-growing
Harebells, and has long been in cultivation. The
very dark flowers produced on stems about 9
inches in height contrast well with the white downy
stems. Maund figured the plant under notice as
C. alpina, but the error was corrected by the late
Mr. J. C. Niven, of Hull.

ANEMONE ELONGATA.
This windfiower, which I acquired last year for
the first time, is now in bloom in my gar .leu, but
it is greatly inferior to many Anemones already
in cultivation. It has a broad general resem-
blance to Anemone sylvestris, but there can be
no real comparison between the latter beautiful
species and the Himalayan one, for A. elongata
is much the inferior of the two. The foliage is
rather like that of A. sylvestris, but it is of more
irregular outline, and larger and slightly lighter
in colour. Only one of my plants has flowered,
and this has developed a flower stem bearing,
about a third up, where it forks, a few leaves.
Thence the taller of the two stalks rises without
any leaves to a total height of 20 inches from the
soil. The other stalk has a tuft of leaves about
half-way up, and is about 16 inches high. The
flowers, which are erect, are J - inch across,
and are <f a dull, greenish white. The anthers
are bright green. There is nothing about the
plant to commend it for planting in gardens.
S. Arnott, Sunny mead, Dumfries.

SALVIA ARGENTEA.
This species is one of the most beautiful of
the genus. The plant grows about 3 feet in
height, is of a free "branching habit, and pro-
duces numerous sprays of large pure white
flowers in June and July. The foliage, how-
ever, is its most distinctive feature, for the
leaves are broad and silvery and they show to
advantage in the herbaceous border or in the
Alpine garden. The species is very hardy, and
can be grown in a light, well-drained soil
without difficulty. W . G., Somerset.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Bees for Pleasure and. Profit.*

A book to be of real \alue to the beginner in
any art must be written in simple, and, at the
same time, plain language ; further, it should be
arranged in logical order, and its different sub-
divisions clearly set out so that it may form a
handy book of reference. The work under notice
fulfils these conditions, and can therefore with
confidence be recommended to persons about to
embark on bee-keeping as a hobby or for profit.

It is a fascinating book and one of interest
from cover to cover. The writer, in his preface,
claims that the work is free from unnecessary
verbosity, and this statement is certainly a true
one. The book has the stamp of practical expe-
rience on every page, and it should be especially
welcome at a time when the question of "small
holdings " is uppermost, for, with the develop-
ment of "small holdings," fruit culture will
receive more and more attention, and the work
performed by bees in a fruit plantation is valu-
able.

The illustrations are very good, but one cannot
but be sorry that the picture of a comb stored
with honey and brood (fig. 4) was not reproduced
from a photograph.

Fully ripened honey, that is honey from sealed
cells, is the best for extraction, and is superior to
that from the honey ripener, particulars of which

• Bees for Pleasure ami Profit, by G. Gordon Samson.
3rd edition. Revised and enlarged. Published by Messrs.
Crosby, Lockwood and Son. Price Is. net.

are given on p. 49. The additional chapter on
" Bee-keeping in Hot Climates " will be useful to
our Colonial kinsmen, and also to those persons
aboiyt to emigrate.

This little treatise will also be of value to
those who have made some advance in the art
of bee-keeping, no less than to the beginner, and
to these the pages on "Queen Raising" and
"Queen Introduction" will prove of great in-
terest. Chloris.

Economic Zoology.*

No better evidence can be adduced of the
growing interest in Economic Zoology than in the
support which has been given to it by the County
Councils of Surrey and Kent. They have materi-
ally advanced this branch of natural science by
furnishing the necessary means for the annual
publication of such valuable reports as the one
which has just been issued from the South-
Eastern Agricultural College at Wye, Kent.

We find this report a worthy companion of those
which have preceded it, and the author's name is
a guarantee of the thoroughness both of the prac-
tical and scientific portions of the work. It affords
at once a work easy enough for the professional,
and if not quite full enough is precise enough to
form an excellent text book on the subject.

We gather from a perusal of its pages that
numerous experiments have been carried out
with insecticides, " partly in conjunction with
Mr. Spencer Pickering, who has kindly sup-
plied the various washes that he has worked
with." While efficiency is claimed for many of
the " washes " no satisfactory results are recorded
concerning the destruction of the eggs of insects
peculiar to various fruit trees during the winter
months. " But the large series of experiments
being carried out in Worcestershire under the
auspices of the County Council by Mr. Kenneth
Farley, and similar ones carried out by many
growers in Kent and Surrey, may yield some
definite results. The greatest success so far has
been obtained by the use of lime and salt . . .
but the matter requires further work yet to find
out what is best to add so as to increase its
adhesive power."

We fear that it has long been a standing re-
proach to the Economic Entomologists of this
county that they have not yet succeeded in dis-
covering an effective remedy for the Currant bud-
mite or "big bud." Twenty years ago carbolic
ffcid was claimed as a remedy, but this proved
more harmful to the plants than the destructive
work of the mites Since that time a number of
equally useless methods have been claimed as a
means of checking or destroying this pest ; pro-
minent among these were the " hot water cure "
and fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas. The
numerous and almost exhaustive experiments con-
ducted by Mr. Spencer Pickering ' at the Duke of
Bedford's Fruit Farm, Woburn, and continued
over a number of years have, we believe, so far
failed to offer any hope of a remedy for this pest.
Mr. Collinge*, however, in the Journal of the Board
of Agriculture, at the beginning of the present
year claims to have discovered by the application
of lime and sulphur "a practical and effective
cure, which can be easily applied at a relatively
small cost." Theobald in his report states that
Collinge's method " has been carried out for two
seasons on some bushes (20), and this year the
big-bud is worse than ever. The bushes were
not dusted as Mr. Collinge suggests, three times,
but last year 13 times." The writer of this review
has not had the opportunity of putting Mr.
Collinge's method to a practical test, and is there-
fore not in a position to discuss the question ; but

* Report on Economic Zoology, for the year ending
April 1st, 1907, by Fred. V. Theobald, M.A., South-Eastern
Agricultural College, Wye, Kent. Headley Bros., London,
and Ashford, Kent. Price, 2s. 6d.

1 Second Report of the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm,
1900.

2 Journal of the Board t; Agriculture, vol. xiii., p. 585.

in the light of Mr. Theobald's statement the
newly-claimed remedy does not, unfortunately,
inspire much confidence. The time is young yet,
however, and we must patiently await the next
season's results, which should definitely settle the
question ; meanwhile we hope that this latest
discovered remedy will be put to the test by
fruit-growers, and that it will meet with that
success to which the author has, on his own show-
ing, justly laid claim.

One of the most instructive portions of this
report is that devoted to the woolly aphis. It has
been conclusively proved that the damage done by
the root form of this pest is much more severe and
more widely distributed than was generally sup-
posed. In view of this fact Mr. Theobald attributes
the failures to destroy mealy bug to having hitherto
ignored the presence of the migrating ground
form. For winter washing the "old causict
alkali wash or the more improved Woburn wash"
is recommended, and for the root form the in-
jection of bi-sulphide of carbon.

Altogether 119 pests are dealt with, chiefly
under the following heads : — These injurious to
man's domesticated animals, to fruit trees, corn,
root crops, to pulse, hops and vegetables, flowers,
forest trees, food-stuffs, and those causing annoy-
ance to man. These headings will give a good
idea of the scope of the work which, collectively,
forms a valuable help towards the consideration
of our present knowledge of Economic Zoology.

Insect Hunter s Companion.*

The instructions offered in this useful little
guide will undoubtedly serve to initiate or to
stimulate ihe study of insect life and lead to a
successful pursuit of entomology. It contains
the result of many years' experience both of the
author and his collaborators ; and though it is
intended in the main for the naturalist who
wishes to know where to collect and how to rear
insects, also the method of preserving them for
the cabinet, the young horticulturist or agricul-
turist who is undergoing a scientific training in
these subjects will also find in its pages many
valuable hints.

Mr. Farn is to be congratulated on the re-issue
of a work which will prove, as the previous
editions have already done, useful alike both in
the field and study. R. N.

PLANT NOTE.

MELALEUCA HYPERICLFOLIA, &c.
We lose much beauty in the garden and green-
house by discarding the New Holland plants
that were prized in the middle of the last century,
and are as easy to grow into good specimens
and to flower well, as tuberous-rooted Begonias
and American Carnations. The Melaleucas have
sessile flowers, produced on long clusters. M.
hypericifolia has flowers of dull rose colour ; M.
fulgens is more showy, and is much branched
and erect in growth, the colour of the flowers
being light red. These and many other New
Holland (Australian) hard-wooded plants grow
readily in a mixture of hard peat one-third, light
loam one-third, and leaf-mould one-third, with
a free admixture of sharp sand. Re-potting
should be performed in April, using a wooden
rammer in making the soil moderately firm. The
drainage should be good, but not excessive.
From June 1 till September 30 the plants are the
better for being placed out-of-doors in a fairly
sunny aspect, and syringed at about 5 p.m., if
the day has been bright. It is best to plunge the
pots in coal ashes or coarse gravel. M ■

* The Insect Hunter's Companion. By the Rev. Joseph
Greene, M.A. Revised and extended by A. B. Farn. Fifth,
edition. West, Newman & Co., and Simpkiu, Marshall &
Co., Ltd. Price ls.6d.

128

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS. .

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Perpetual-flowering Carnations. — Tie the shoots
to stakes as required. Discontinue the pinching
of the points out of the shoots of plants which
are expected to flower in winter. The best stakes
for supporting Carnations are those prepared
from Bamboo points and dyed green ; they are
easily obtainable from the sundnesmen. These
stakes are capable of lasting for a considerable
time, and they always look neat. Syringe the
plants occasionally with weak, clear soot water,
this being very beneficial to the plants and of
use in keeping down insect pests. The new
strain of tree Carnations is proving more and
more valuable, and there appears to be scarcely
any limit to the flowering capacity of the plants.
A batch we commenced to cut flowers from last
October is, at the present time, bearing a free
crop of flowers of good quality, and there is
every appearance of further flower buds forming.
The cultivation does not present any serious
difficulty. Inexperienced cultivators sometime?

work, glass and stages, and afterwards sponge or
spray the plants with a safe insecticide. In
sponging such plants as Codiceums, Pandanus,
Aralias, and similar species with brittle foliage',
extra care must be taken not to break or twist
the leaves ; the effect of such twisting may not
be noticeable for some days afterwards, but it
will eventually cause great disfigurement.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Narcissus. — Every three or four years the bulbs
of the various species and varieties of Narcissus
should be lifted, sorted, and re-planted. A
change of soil is desirable, but if this is not
possible, then extra care should be taken to
plant only the very best and healthiest bulbs.
Bulbs of second quality should be planted in
vacant spots in the wild garden, or in the shrub-
bery. Some good bulbs of early varieties, in-
cluding the single and double Lent Lilies — N.
Pseudo-Narcissus plenus — and the Polyanthus
Narcissus — N. Tazetta — should be planted on a
warm, sunny bank to supply the earliest flowers.

Noisette and Tea varieties should be removed,
and any shoot of undue length cut back to the
level of the other growths. The ground is so
wet from the rains that applications of liquid
manure are inadvisable, and any feeding that
may be needed is, under these conditions, best
furnished by light dressings of some artificial
manure. The budding of Roses should now be
almost finished, but any long, ripened shoots
near to the ground may be layered by cutting a
notch in the underside of the shoot and pegging
it into the soil. Cuttings of ripened shoots may
either be rooted in pots on a hot-bed, or be-
neath a handlight in the sandy soil of a border.
In both cases shading is necessary.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

French Beans and Butler Beans. — Sowings may
be made of these useful vegetables. Select a
warm position, and sow the seeds in lines ar-
ranged in such a manner that they may have
frames or lights placed over them later in the

Fig. 49.-

make a mistake in "coddling" the plants in
winter. At that season plenty of fresh air is
necessary to keep the plants healthy.

Souvenir de la Malmaison Carnations. — The
one-year-old plants now passing out of flower
should be re-potted, giving each a fairly good
shift, according to the strength of the plant.
Make the soil very firm, and use a similar com-
post to that advised in the calendar published
in the issue for March 22. After the re-potting
has been carried out, place the plants in a well-
ventilated house or frame, or in favourable
localities they may be placed out-of-doors; but
on no account allow the plants to become satu-
rated by continuous heavy rains, or trouble may
be expected in the following winter. [If the
weather is at all showery the leaves are likely to
become soft, and, therefore, more susceptible to
fungus disease. — Ed.]

Plant-houses and stoves. — The plants in this
department having made considerable growth
during the summer season, an occasional re-
arrangement is beneficial, changing the position
of, and giving more space to, plants required
for special purposes. Take ilie opportunity when
doing this, to thoroughly cleanse the wood-

-CARNATIONS NOW FLOWEKING AT EASTWELL PARK,
(See "Plants Under Glass.")

[Dictograph by D\ith.

A lesser number of such later kinds as the
N. poeticus, N. biflorus, the sweet-scented
Jonquil (the double-flowered Queen Anne's Jon-
quil, a desirable but neglected form) should
also be planted.

Roses. — As soon as the Pillar Roses have
finished flowering, many of the old growths
should either be entirely removed or be cut back
to a point near to the ground, where strong, new
growths have probably started. The current sea-
son's shoots must be kept fairly thin, so that
those which remain may become well ripened.
The new growths which are preserved should be
loosely tied to the pillars ; a free circulation of
air is essential, and the tying should merely
serve to prevent injury by winds. Such climb-
ing Roses as Gloire de Dijon, Cheshunt Hybrid,
Climbing Captain Christy, Kaiserin Frederic,
fc., will not need such vigorous treatment in
pruning as benefits the Polyantha varieties, and,
as a rule, the partial shortening of the older
branches and the removal of feeble shoots will
suffice, but any plants which are weakly should
be pruned severely. A mulching of manure and
copious waterings during dry weather will be
beneficial at this stage. Untidy flowers of 111'.,

season ; or sow the seeds in frames, where they
could be fully exposed to the weather until there
is danger of damping, or likelihood of frosts
occurring, when the lights would need to be put
on, and the plants further assisted by the em-
ployment of a little fire heat. Such cultivation
will considerably extend the season during which
Beans are obtainable, and the produce will be
very useful in the autumn, when so many of the
summer vegetables fail before it is considered
time to commence to use those intended for
winter consumption. For this late sowing, and
for the earliest sowings, we have tried many
varieties, but have obtained the best results from
the variety Wythes' Bountiful, which has a very
dwarf, compact habit, that helps to make it par-
ticularly suitable for inside culture. Both
French Beans and Runner Beans require a
plentiful supply of water during dry weather,
especially if mulchings have not been applied.
Keep the Beans closely picked for consumption
in order that the plants may continue to bear
longer; they will certainly suffer untimely ex-
haustion if the Beans are allowed to hang on
and become too old for cooking purposes.

Carrots and Turnips. — If the sowing of these
two vegetables has been delayed, the work

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

129

should be carried out at once. Of varieties of
Carrots, select Early Gem and French Horn,
and of Turnips, the more hardy varieties will
be most suitable, as was advised in a previous
number. Indifferent results will follow if seeds
are sown later than August 20, unless they
are merely sown for the production of tops for
use in the spring, which, although very useful,
are generally only a secondary consideration.

Cardoons. — If these have been grown accord-
ing to the directions given early in the season,
they will have made sufficient growth to require
blanching, which should be done by wrapping
them round with hay bands, afterwards earthing
them up with soil. This earthing-up must be
done by degrees and as growth proceeds. By
making a start now the plants should be ready
for use at about the middle of October.

Potatos. — All early and second early varieties
should now be lifted, unless there are any that
were planted late for the object of giving a late
supply of "new" Potatos, in which case the
tubers should be lifted as they are required for
consumption. Where it is intended to save seed-
tubers for planting next season, these should be
selected straight away and stored separately,
protecting them from the wet, but fully exposing
them to the light and air. This treatment is to
be recommended in preference to the old system
of exposing the tubers at the base of a wall out-
of-doors, as the heavy autumn rains not only
frequently soak the tubers, but saturate the
ground under them, causing decay to arise and
tending to spread disease.

roots. These will require copious waterings
whenever the compost becomes fairly dry.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Ventilation.— -The weather having become
warmer, the cultivator will be apt to afford too
much air to the inmates of th,e cool or Odonto-
glossum house. Should the atmospheric tem-
perature out-of-doors range from 55° to 65° with
rain falling, there is but little fear that the ven-
tilators may be opened too wide, but when the
temperature outside is between 60° and 70° with
hot sunshine, the surface of the ground being
quite dry at the time, it is a mistake to open
the doors or ventilators so wide as to admit
large volumes of dry air, or to open such ven-
tilators which are directly opposite to each
other, so that a strong draught will thereby be
caused. This kind of treatment is oftentimes
supplemented with frequent syringings over-
head, and waterings at the root, in order to
counteract sufficiently the aridity of the atmos-
phere of the house. I have lately observed such
treatment in several collections, and the plants
in consequence have become debilitated. It is
impossible to lay down any hard and fast rules
in regard to ventilation, as much depends upon
the position nt the house, whether it is situated
high up on a hill, or in some low-lying district.
The safest course to follow is to admit only as
much air as can be kept fairly well charged
with moisture, by damping the floors and stages
two or three times a day, taking care not to
admit much air whien the weather is hot and
drying. In small houses the bottom ventilators
should be used most, except on warm, damp
nights when the top ventilators may be opened
wide after sunset. Exceptionally long, wide,
and lofty houses can be best ventilated through
the openings at the apex of the roof. During
warm days it is advisable to maintain an atmos-
pheric temperature a few degrees cooler than
the air in a shady position out-of-doors. The
houses at Burford are of moderate size, and we
keep the lower ventilators always wide open, and
the top ventilators slightly open, when the ex-
ternal air is warm and there is little wind. These
top ventilators we close just previous to the last
damping down, which is doneat about 4 p.m., in
arder to get the house thoroughly charged with
moisture for the night. When finishing up the
last thing, these top lights are slightly opened
again if the weather is mild and damp. At the
present time the majority of the inmates of this
house are just commencing to push up their
new .growths, but the plants should not be too
freely watered, or the old roots will decay before
new ones make their appearance. There are
some plants that have their new growths well
advanced, and are Dushing out many young

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Muscat of Alexandria Grapes. — Grapes which
are already ripe will require careful attention
in order to keep them in good condition. The
atmosphere should be kept cool, and a free
circulation of air allowed through the top and
bottom ventilators. It will be necessary to keep
the water pipes just warm, especially at night, in
order to dispel damp, a dry atmosphere being
essential. Cover the outside borders with
sashes to ward off heavy rains. Muscats are
liable to decay at the neck of the berry if the
vines receive a soaking of water at the roots
after the berries are ripe. Even in the absence
of such water, the berries are apt to decay dur-
ing very hot weather, especially after such a
cold, wet season as that of 1907.

Later Muscat Grapes. — Vines having fruits that
have finished stoning and are now commencing
to colour, will require the atmospheric moisture
gradually reduced as colouring advances, and
after three weeks damping may be discontinued
altogether. Keep the house well ventilated by
day and night, and the atmosphere dry. Protect
the outside borders from the rains. Maintain a
considerable degree of heat in the water-pipes
(never overheating them), except when there is
sunshine, as this will allow of fresh air being
admitted to the house. The atmospheric tem-
perature of the house should not exceed 75° at
night or 90° during the day. Keep a sharp look-
out for red spider, and if this pest is present
sponge the leaves with soft soap and hot water,
or syringe them in the evening. Be careful not
to direct the syringe against the bunches, or they
will be disfigured, unless the water is very clean
and pure.

Madresfield Court Grapes, which are now quite
ripe, will require to be kept as cool as possible,
and treated to an abundance of fresh air by night
and day. Keep a sharp look-out for decayed
berries, and cut or pull them out as soon as
they are detected. This variety is such a thin-
skinned Grape and liable to decay, the berries
require to be examined every day. It is not a
Grape that will keep in good condition for a
long period.

Strawberries. — Plants in 3-inch pots should be
shifted into their final pots without delay.
Afford the roots plenty of water if hot weather
continues, and manure water also, to assist in
building up strong, healthy crowns. Do not
place the plants too closely together and so cause
them to become drawn. During growth they
require to be given a well-exposed position
where they will get the sun's rays all day.
Place them on a hard base, preferably one
formed with ashes. To prevent them rooting
through the pots, turn each plant round, or
shift all of them to another place occasionally.
As soon as runners are observed they must be
cut off.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Morello Cherries. — These fruits are usually
ready for bottling at this date. They should be
gathered when perfectly dry, and be placed very
thinly on large, shallow trays or similar recep-
tacles. Select those fruits for bottling that are
of a deep, blood-red colour, and cut the
stalks with either a sharp knife or a pair of
scissors, so that no juice will be lost. Fruits in-
tended for jam making should also receive care-
ful attention, but they need not be quite so
ripe for this purpose as in the case of those for
bottling. Morello Cherries are much appre-
ciated for the making of tarts, and it is usual
to retain part of the crop on the trees as long
as is possible for this purpose, but when signs
of shrivelling or general decay are apparent the
fruits should all be withered. We experience
some difficulty in this district, which has usually
a moist atmosphere, in keeping the fruits sound
after the middle of September. When sending
them a considerable distance, shallow boxes,
deep enough for one layer of fruits only, should
be used.

The Fig. — In normal seasons in these gardens
a dish of Figs can generally be had about the
middle of this month, but they will be quite a
fortnight later in ripening this season. Figs
should be gathered when they are quite ripe ;
a half-ripened Fig is most insipid in eating.
Wasps are particularly fond of Figs, there-
fore, bottles containing beer or cider sweet-
ened with sugar should be hung on the
trees. A Fig that has been ripened by the direct
rays of the sun shining on it is of very much
better flavour than one that has grown in a less
favoured position, hence the necessity of keep-
ing the growths thinly trained at all seasons.

The Loganberry. — This fruit has been very
fine this season ; it is a matter ot surprise the
plant is not grown more extensively in gardens.
A suitable method of training the long growths
is to obtain larch poles from 10 to 12 feet in
length, and to set these at this distance apart,
with a piece of batten on either side to keep
them in position. It is an easy matter to tram
the growths right and left of this structure, and
a plant should be set at the base of each up-
right. The old canes, after they have borne
fruit, should be cut out near to the base of the
plant, so that the new growths may receive the
full benefit of the sun ; the new shoots should
be reduced to a moderate number, for if too
many remain the crowding will end in compara-
tive failure.

Autumn-fruiting Raspberries. — The canes will
require supporting either with stout cord or with
wire stretched on stakes along the centre of the
row. The frequent rains of this summer have
suited this fruit, and there should be good crops,
provided the weather of autumn is favourable.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Painting fencing, railings, &>c. — The painting
of the various kinds of ironwork used about a
public park forms, as a rule, a considerable item
in the annual bill for labour and materials. The
proper maintenance of iron railings alone costs
a considerable sum annually, and if the work is
not very carefully carried out it is often only
so much waste. Ironwork should never have
any paint applied to it until all rust and dirt
have been removed, and in the case of new iron
the mill scale should be scraped off and the sur-
face burnished. Strips of card-wire nailed upon
flat pieces of wood form excellent material for
use in burnishing after the worst of the rust has
been removed with an iron scraper. The bur-
nishers should not be very far ahead of the
painters, in case rain may fall, when the work
would require to be done over again.

Applications of paint. — It is usual to apply
three coats of paint to ironwork unless it is
painted every year, when one is generally suffi-
cient. The first coat should consist of a lead
paint, and the second and last of an oxide paint.
As a check upon the men engaged in painting,
whether they are employed 'by a contractor or
employed direct by the department, it is always
a good plan to have the colour of each coat of
paint distinct from the others. In this way it
is a very simple matter to see that the three
coats arranged for are actually applied. At one
time, when the painting of iron fencing was not
considered to come within the scope of practical
painters' work, we used to employ ships' painters
for the purpose, with very satisfactory results.
Recently it has been decided that technically it
is painters' work, hence house painters must in
future be engaged for all painting purposes. Of
course where tar or bitumen is used in place of
paint, unskilled men may still be employed.

Time for painting. — In the past we have
always carried out the painting of railings
during the summer months, when the air is
driest and when there is least risk of having the
paint washed off with rain. This year — perhaps
fortunately — it was decided to postpone painting
the fences until the winter, when dust is not so
troublesome and the sun has not such a detri-
mental effect upon the paint by cracking it.
Whether the advantages of doing the work at
this period of the year will outweigh the disad-
vantages has yet to be proved, although several
practical men have assured me that, provided
frost is not prevalent, painting done in winter is
much the best.

130

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHED, 4ir Wellington Street, Covent Garden.
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
lor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early m the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
ttttdettahe to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17—
Sheffield Fl. Sh.
German Gard. Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20—

Koy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet,

Brighton Fl. Sh. (2 days).

Brit. Gard. Assoc, Ex. Council meet,

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21—

Shropshire Hort. Soc. Sh. at Shrewsbury (2 days).
Charlton Kings Fl. Sh.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22— Aberdeen Fl. Sh. (3 days)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23—
Roy. Bot. Soc. meet.
Rose Sh. in Manchester Botanic Gdns.

Average Mfan- Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 61'1°.

Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, August 14 (6 p.m.): Max. 73";
Mm. 61".

Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday. August
15 (10 a.m.): Bar. 29'7 ; Temp..6o-; Weather—
Sunshine, with occasional clouds.

Provinces. — Wednesday, August 14 (6 p.m.): Max. 67°,
Bournemouth ;' Min. 54°, North of Scotland.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK,

MONDAY—

Great Sale of Dutch Bulbs at Messrs. Protheroe &
Morris's rooms, 67, Cheapside, E.C., at 10 o'clock.
Trade Sale of Japanese and Azorean Liliums, &c, at
Messrs. Protheroe & Morris's rooms, 67, Cheapside,
at 2 o'clock.

THURSDAY—

Dutch Bulbs at Messrs. Protheroe & Morris's rooms,
at 10 o'clock.

FRIDAY—

Importation of Odontoglossum crispum (Pacbs' type)
Orchids in flower and bud, at Messrs. Protheroe &
Morris's rooms, 67, Cheapside, E,C, at 12.45 o'clock.

The reference made to " Ants

Ants as as Cultivators of Fungi," by

Gardeners, the Rev. George Henslow, in

the last number of the Journal
■of the Roval Horticultural Society (June,
1007, p. 99), reminds us that although ants in
this country are not without interest, yet, in
tropical regions, they play a much more im-
portant part in the economy of Nature than
they do here. By cutting off leaves, flowers,
fruits, &c, which they carry home to their
nests, certain species make gardens in the
combs on which they grow fungi. " The
fragments are cut up at home into small
pieces, kneaded soft by the feet and mandi-
bles, so that but few cells remain unbruised."
This mass soon becomes permeated with my
•celial threads, which produce rounded,
whitish nodules, the so-called Kohl-rabi
clumps that serve the ants for food. As long
ago as 17S1 Smeatham stated that certain
species of termites grew a fungus in the
■chambers of their nests, and that they used
this fungus for food. In 1847 the Rev. M.
J. Berkeley described several species of fungi
from ants' nests in Ceylon, from specimens
•sent home from that country ; while, more
recently, Penzig, Saccardo, Holtermann,
Hennings, Nyman, and Doflein have added
to the list of names given to ant-hill fungi.

As so many of these species have been de-
scribed from dried specimens, it is no wonder
that their synonomy is somewhat compli-
cated.

The Government mycologist resident at
the Royal Gardens, Peradeniya, Mr. T.
Petch, has recently given his attention to
this interesting' subject, and, in a critical
memoir, published in the Annals of the
Peradeniya Gardens*, for November, 1906,
arrives at the conclusion that the com-
monest fungus of termite nests in Ceylon is
really a Volvaria, V. eurhiza, Berk. Origin-
ally described by Mr. Berkeley as an Agari-
cus, it has had many designations, thus : —
Volvaria eurhiza (B.), Agaricus (Armillaria)
eurhiza, B. Hooker's ]ourn. Bot. 6 (1S47),
p. 483 ; Lentinus cartilagineus, B. Hooker's
Journ. Bot. 6 (1S47), p. 469; Collybia sparsi-
barbis, B. and Br. Linn. Trans. 27 (1870),
p. 151; Agaricus (Pluteus) Rajap, Holter-
mann, Festschrift fur Schwendener (1899),
pp. 411-321; Pholiata Janseana, Henn., and
Nym. Monsunia I. (1S99), p. iS; Flammula
Janseana, Henn., and Nym. Monsunia I.
(1899), p. 154.

Mr. Petch summarises his work as fol-
lows : —

1. The existence of fungi in some termite
nests is a matter of common knowledge. In
Ceylon, fungi are found in the nests of
ground-inhabiting species, but have not yet
been demonstrated in the nests of those which
inhabit trees. The species here dealt with
are Termes redemanni, YVasm., and Termes
obscuriceps, Wasm. ; both are ground-dwell-
ing and mound-forming species.

2. The termite hill is built of the earth ex-
cavated in making subterranean chambers,
and was originally only a convenient method
of disposing of this material. The chimneys
form a permanent scaffold, and have little
effect on the ventilation of the nest. Tin y
are not correlated to the size of the nest in
any degree.

3. The particles of earth used in construct-
ing the hill and chimneys are covered with
saliva in the nest, and are then brought up
and plaoed on the new work.

4. The fungus grows on a comb, w hirh
consists exclusively of the excreta of the ter-
mites. These combs occur in every chamber
except the royal cell. There is no allocation
of different chambers for special purposes.
Combs vary in form according to the species
of termite inhabiting them.

5. The mycelium on the comb bears small,
white, stalked or almost sessile "spheres."
These consist of branching hyphae, bearing
either spherical or oval cells. The spherical
cells do not germinate. The oval cells ger-
minate readily, but it has not been possible
to reproduce the " spheres " from them.

6. When the comb is old, an agaric grows
from it. This agaric appears in two forms,
one of which has been assigned by various
mycologists to Lentinus, Collybia, Pluteus,
Pholiota, and Flammula, and the other to
Armillaria. It develops in a cartilaginous,
almost gelatinous, universal veil, and is a
modified Volvaria.

7. Solerenchymatous cells occur at the base
of the agaric stalk and in aborted agarics.

* "The Fungi of Certain Termite Nests." T. Petch.
Annals of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. Vol. III.,
Part II., November 1906.

8. It has not been possible to germinate
the spores of the agaric, or to grow the
sphere-producing mycelium from its tissues.

9. When the comb is enclosed in a bell
jar, Xylaria stromata are produced. Scle-
rotia may also be formed ; the same stromata
grow from these. This Xylaria is probably
X. nigripes.

10. The shape of the stroma and conidio-
phore depend on the age of, and amount of
moisture in, the comb.

11. When sown on agar, the spcres of
these reproduce the Xylaria stromata.

12. These stromata occur most abundantly
on combs which have produced an agaric.

13. After continued rain, Xylaria nigripes
grows from deserted termite nests.

14. Other fungi which grow oh combs re-
moved from the nest include Mucor, Tham-
nidium, Cephalosporium, Peziza. As these
are not found in the nest, though some
of them are capable of development under
ground, it is probable that the termites
" weed out " foreign fungi from the culti-
vation of the comb. The comb material is
probably sterilised by its passage through the
alimentary canal.

15. That the spheres form the food of the
termites is probable, as in the case of the
leaf-cutting ants; neither case can be con-
sidered definitely proved. Termes redemanni
and T. obscuriceps undoubtedly prefer fungi,
or wood which has been attacked by fungi.

16. Whether a difference in food causes the
differentiation of termites into workers,
soldiers, and sexed insects is not decided.

17. A Ceylon agaric, Entoloma micro-
carpum, possesses a mycelium composed of
spheres of swollen cells ; the details of these
spheres resemble the parts of the termite
spheres, but are not so highly developed.

iS. It is most probable that the " spheres "
in the termite comb, and the " Kohlrabi-
haufchen " of the leaf-cutting ants investi-
gated by Moller, are parts of a normal
mycelium, and that their shape is modified
by the insects only in a very slight degree, if
at all.

19. The available evidence appears to show
that the " spheres " are part of the mycelium
of the Volvaria, but it has not been possible
to connect these forms experimentally.

The paper is illustrated by 19 plates from
photographs of the exterior and interior of
the nests, the combs, the agarics, the spheres,
mycelium, the Xylaria, other fungi, micro-
scopic details, &c, and it affords a valuable
contribution to our knowledge of this in-
teresting subject.

Our Supplementary Illustration affords
a view in the Water-lily house at Shipley
Hall, Derby, the residence of E. Miller Mundy,
Esq. This structure was formed in March of
last year from an old Palm house, which was
provided with a new lean-to roof and a central
tank for the accommodation of tender species of
Nymphaea. The house is so adapted that it
forms a Water-lily house in summer lime and a
greenhouse-conservatory in winter, see fig. 50.
The water basin which occupies the centre of the
house is 38 feet in length and 12 feet in width, in-
side measurement, whilst the depth is 2iTeet. Close
to the sides of the basin, and a few inches only
from the bottom are flow and return 4-inch hot-
water pipes, which are provided with valves, so

Supplement lo the " Gardeners' Chronicle.'

Cosmos sulphureus ; a showy annual plant with reddish-orange

coloured flowers.

Temple Press Ltd.. Printers. 7-n. Roseberv Avenue. London. E.C.

August 17, 1907.]

THE GA RD EN ERS1 CHR ONI CLE.

131

that the temperature of the water can be re-
gulated to 70° in winter and 85° in summer. The
temperature of the house is that of a moderately
warm greenhouse. Sunshine being so important
a factor to the well being of Nymphaeas, no
shading whatever is employed, and the walls and
the benches are furnished with plants which like
plenty of sunlight. At the foot of the lofly back
wall are planted, in a border raised 3 feet from the
floor and 30 inches in width, Bougainvilleas, Helio-
tropes, Citrons, a specimen of Swainsonia and an-
other of Acacia dealbata. An end wall is covered
with Camellias. The front stonework of the back
border is draped with Ivy-leaved Pelargonium
Mme. Crousse, and baskets of this and other varie-
ties of Pelargoniums are suspended to the girder
along the centre of the house, as is shown in the

year on April 5, and the photograph, from which
our supplementary illustration was prepared, was
taken on June 7. N. stellata is the most free in
flowering. The blossoms open at about 6 a.m. and
close from 1-30 p.m. to 2-30 p.m. N pulcherrima
is similar in habit to N. stellata, and produces
magnificent flowers which are rather longer in
opening than those of the first-named species.
These Water-lilies are both sweetly scented. N.
gigantea is a handsome plant. The flowers are
very freely produced and it has foliage smaller
than the other species at Shipley Hall. The
flowers, if cut just before they are fully developed,
will remain open night and day in a warm room,
and will last in a fresh condition for a period of
10 days. N. rosea has the largest flowers and
leaves, but the colour of the floral segments is

a view of the house as it appeared on February 5
last, and shows the structure furnished in this
manner with Lilacs, Laburnums and similar
plants. At the same time the side benches were
occupied with Hippeastrums, which had 100 flower-
spikes expanded. The partial shading of the
Nympha;as by these plants caused no harm what-
ever to the water inmates. Flannel-weed was at
first a nuisance, but the introduction of a dozen
gold fish and some water-snails counteracted this
trouble. Mr. J. C. Tallack, the gardener, is to
be congratulated on the success of this novel
house, which is at all seasons a source of pleasure
and an object of beauty.

The Late Dr. Masters' Herbarium. —

Mrs. Masters has presented to Kew the whole of

Fig. jo. — the nvmph/Ea house at shipley hall in winter.

(See also Supplementary Illustration.)

supplementary illustration. The side benches are
furnished with flowering-plants, including Scbizan-
thuses, Fuchsias, Salvias, Richardias, Poinsettias,
&c. In the early part of February, plants of Amaryl-
lis furnish these benches, and later they are gay
with forced bulbous plants, Azaleas, Lilacs, &c.
Several varieties of Nymphseas were planted in
the tank at the commencement, but their number
has been reduced to 11 plants, viz., five of N.
stellata Berlin var., two of N. gigantea, and one
each of N. pulcherrima, N. rosea, N. Devoniensis
and N. George Huster. Each is planted in about
two bushels of good soil in the form of a mound,
and the crowns are about 18 inches below the
surface of the water. They were planted this

not the most pleasing. The flowers of N. Devoni-
ensis, when first expanded, are pink, but they
change to red ; those of the variety N. George
Huster are of a deep glowing crimson colour, and
the variety has handsome dark foliage. Both the
last named are night-flowering varieties, but they
are open also during the greater part of dull days.
The Nymphaeas do not reach their resting season
in time to allow the water surface to be furnished
with Chrysanthemums, but later, when the flowers
and most of the leaves of the Water-lilies have
disappeared, drain pipes are stood on end in the
water wherever room can be found for them, and
on these are placed various forced plants which
are changed from time to time. Fig. 50 represents

the botanical collections and manuscript notes of
the late Dr. M.T. Masters, F.R.S., except his com-
plete herbarium of the British Flora, which, by his
wish, has been sent to his native city of Canterbury.
We are informed by the Director of the Royal
Gardens, Kew, that the collections have not yet
been examined, but that they doubtless contain
some valuable materials, particularly of the groups
of which Dr. Masters made a special study.

Professor D. J. Behrens, director of the
Agricultural Research Station at Augustenberg,
in Bavaria, has been appointed successor to Dr.
Aderholds, director of the Biological Institute
at Dahlem.

132

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

Flowers in Season. — Mr. Amos Perry,
Enfield, sends seedling varieties of Spiraea
venusta, with flowers of many shades of pink,
bcth deep and light.

Messrs. Titt & Son, 24, Thames Street,
Windsor, have forwarded flowers of a new
Scabiosa named the Bride. The capitulums
are almost globular in shape, and the florets
pure white.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons have sent us,
amongst other interesting plants, flowering
sprays of Clethra canescens, Colutea melano-
calyx, Eucryphia pinnatifolia, a very handsome
shrub, with large white flowers ; Romneya
Coulteri, Cornus macrophylla, one of the best
of the genus ; Cytisus nigricans, Buddleia varia-
bilis var. Veitchianus, a form with large pyra-
midal-shaped inflorescences ; Senecio Veitchi-
anus, a suitable plant for the waterside ; Pavia
macrostachya, and many beautiful Spiraeas.

Mr. T. Smith, Daisy Hill Nursery, Newry,
sends a form of Comptonia asplenifolia, with
depauperated or interrupted leaves. The varia-
tion, Mr. Smith states, is to some extent fixed,
as many plants come true from seed. Also
Centaurea atropurpurea, a Servian species,
with curious reddish-purple flowers. It grows
2 to 3 feet high, and the leaves are very hand-
some.

Nursery Employees Outing.— By the in-
vitation of Mr. Harry J. Veitch the heads of the
various departments of the firm of Messrs. James
Veitch & Sons, together with a few friends,
visited East Burnham Park on the 5th inst. The
company included Mr. John Gould Veitch and
the late manager of the King's Road Nurseries,
Mr. Thomas Manning. A saloon carriage con-
veyed the party to Slough, where the visitors were
met by Mr. Harry Veitch. Two large brakes
conveyed the members to the seed trial grounds
of the firm at Langley. After inspecting these,
a trip of about four miles, through interesting,
though flat country, brought the company to East
Burnham Park, the country home of Mr. H. J.
Veitch, where Mrs. H. J. Veitch and Mrs. J. G.
Veitch gave the company a cordial welcome.
After partaking of lunch, a game of bowls was
indulged in by some members of the party, a
survey of the gardens and grounds made by
others, and a game of cricket was also provided.
At 6.30 the party prepared for the return journey
to Slough by a different route, completing the
run to London by rail.

Brussels Botanic Garden. — M. Louis
Gentil has prepared an excellent list of the
plants cultivated under glass in the Jardin
Botanique de L'Etat at Brussels. The collections
include about 1,000 genera, and 3,200 species. The
list contains 5,700 names and synonyms, with their
authors. The native country of each species is in-
dicated and references are given to works contain-
ing illustrations. We have frequently referred to
the richness of the plant collections in these
gardens, especially of the Ferns, and numerous
illustrations of the interior of the glasshouses have
been reproduced in these pages. The garden is
under the scientific direction of M. E. De Wilde-
man, and M. Louis Gentil is Curator. The
latter gentleman is well known and respected in
this country, having passed some time in the Royal
Gardens, Kew, and in other horticultural establish-
ments.

The Lawes Agricultural Trust. — We
are informed that the following gentlemen have
recently been appointed on the staff of the
Rothamsted Experimental Station: — Dr. E. J.
Russell, lately of the South-Eastern Agricul-
tural College, Wye, as the Goldsmiths' Com-
pany's Assistant .for the Investigation of Soils ;
and Dr. H. B. Hutchinson, of the Midland
Agricultural and Dairy College, Kingston,
Derby, as Bacteriologist.

Diseases of Bees. — The Bureau of Ento-
mology of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
in Bulletin No. 70, in its report of the meeting
of Inspectors of Apiaries at San Antonio, Texas,
on November 12, 1906, has embodied informa-
tion concerning the diseases of bees. The ap-
pended list of subjects will show how impor-
tant to apiarists in the States, and other
countries, is the information given : — The
bacteriology of bee diseases ; the present status
of the investigation of bee diseases ; American
foul brood on the Pacific Coast ; symptoms of
bee diseases ; geographical distribution ; com-
parison of diseases ; infection in honey ; infec-
tion of larvae ; bacteria in queens ; black brood ;
infection carried to flowers ; vitality of spores ;
existence of American foul brood and European
foul brood ; effect of climate on virulence ;
ancj treatment for bee diseases. Much ' of the
information supplied is by the method of
questions and answers, and it is interesting,
even to the general reader. The Bulletin may
be obtained from the office of the Department of
Agriculture, Washington.

MR. ARTHUR C. SMITH.

Mr. A. C. Smith, Assistant Superinten-
dent at Wisley. — Mr. Arthur C. Smith,
whose appointment as assistant superintendent
in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at
Wisley was recently announced in our columns,
commenced his gardening career under his
father, who was for upwards of 30 years head
gardener at Dormont, in Dumfriesshire. Mr.
Smith on leaving Dormont came south to York-
shire, and for two years he was in the service of
Sir John Ramsden, Bart., at Byram Park, Ferry-
bridge. He next served in the gardens at Bray-
ton Hall, Cumberland, the seat of Sir Wilfrid
Lawson, Bart., and later at Petworth Park,
Sussex, the seat of the Earl of Leconfield.
From this latter place he became foreman at
Ascog House, Isle of Bute. A second journey
south, this time to Devonshire, was for the
purpose of accepting the general foremanship at
Knightshayes Court, Tiverton, the seat of Sir
John H. Amory, Bart. Mr. Smith's first office
as head gardener was at Eden Hall, Lang-
wathby, Cumberland, which post he held for
nearly six years. He has also served in this
capacity for nearly 2^- years at Woodlands Park,
Leatherhead, and three years at Lydhurst Gar-
dens, Haywards Heath, where he was engaged
at the time of his recent appointment.

The Different Soils in Staffordshire.

— We are informed that Mr. J.J. Willis, of the
Rothamsted Experimental Station, Hertfordshire,
is arranging to deliver a lecture at Market Drayton,
Shropshire, during next week, to farmers on the
subject of the food requirements of the Stafford-
shire soils as indicated by the natural growth of
the weeds and the various field crops.
A New Hybrid Nymph/ea, L. DittFtIann. —
This hybrid is the result of a cross between
Nymphaea zanzibariensis var. coerulea, which has
flowers of a deep blue colour, with another blue-
flowered Australian species belonging to the
gigantea group. It was raised, says Gartenfiora,
in Hrn. H. Henkel's nursery at Darmstadt in
1902, and it flowered with him in the two last
summers. The agreeably-perfumed blooms have
a diameter of 22-25 cm. and are of a tender
Peach tint ; if the flowers are removed from
the plant, they become of a bluish tinge
the next day ; but no such change takes place in
the blooms while on the plant, excepting under
low temperature in late autumn. The blooms
are finer in colour than N. zanzibariensis rosea
and rubra, of flatter form, and larger. The
anther mass is bright yellow, with light pink
coloured points, and the stigmatic surface broad
and flat ; the sepals are green on the outside,
and the points sideways incurved ; interior white,
with greenish nerves. The plant is of vigorous
growth ; blooms freely, even in water of a low de-
gree of warmth. Like all strong-growing aquatics,
it needs rich feeding, and water of not less than
15-25 cm. in depth. The plant is named after
the successful cultivator of Nelumbiums, L.
Dittmann, of Darmstadt.

The Pear Thrip. — The destructive Pear
Thrip (Euthrips pyri, Daniel) is a pest of de-
ciduous fruit trees in the San Francisco Bay
region of California. So widespread and in-
jurious is this insect in the Santa Clara county,
that an investigation was undertaken at the re-
quest of the county Board of Supervisors, who
furnished the funds and liberally granted neces-
sary facilities for a thorough and scientific
study. The investigation extended through a
period of 15 months from February, 1904, to
April, 1905. The results of this investigation
are incorporated in the issue, in June of the
present year, of a pamphlet of 16 pages by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, from the pen
of Mr. Dudley Morton, who is engaged in
investigations concerning insects which attack
deciduous fruit trees. This publication con-
tains matter relating to the mouth parts ;
relation of the budding and blossoming of
trees, to the feeding habits of the thrips ; feed-
ing habits of larvae ; life-history — the egg,
the larvae ; the nymph or pupa, and the
adult ; methods and natural factors in con-
trol ; sprays, cultivation and natural enemies.
A fungus, presumably parasitic, was preva-
lent among thrips during the seasons 1905
and 1906. In its different stages it lives on both
young and mature thrips, and in a way parallels
the life of its host. Mrs. F. W. Patterson
has determined the fungus to be a species of
Cladosporium. The life history of the fungus
has been determined only in part.

Apple Heinsbergs Nonpareil. — This
variety is h shly commended by H. Wiesner in
Thahuhev's Handeh Journal for its rapidity of
growth, its cone-like habit of growth, and good
keeping properties. In good loam without manure,
budded plants on healthy, vigorous stocks of the
Crab reach a height, in the first year, of about
3 feet 7 inches ; in the second year, with or with-
out severe cutting back, the stem reaches standard
height, and in the third year after budding, the
crown has made shoots 24 inches in length, the
plant being then of saleable size as a standard.
The writer of the note in Thalacker's is the manager
of the Grand Ducal Nursery at Friedberg.

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

American Association of Park Superin-
tendents.— The American park superintendents
are holding their annual meeting in Toronto during
the present week. Papers were to be read upon
such subjects as "Band concerts in smaller or
district parks," " Aquatic gardens," and " Some
new or little-known trees and shrubs for planting
in parks." In our own country the park superin-
tendents have not as yet formed a similar associa-
tion, but public parks are now so numerous that if
any movement of the kind were started, it
would doubtless be successful.

Publications Received.— Weather, by the Hon.
H. A. Stanhope, published by the Agricultural and
Horticultural Association, Ltd., price one penny. —
Report on the Injurious Insects and Other Animals
Observed in the Midland Counties during 1000, by
Walter E. Collinge, M.Sc, F.E.S. IV. Report
published by Cornish Bros., Ltd., Birmingham.
Price 2s. 6d.— Fibres of the Jute Class, by E. W.
Davy, being a supplement to the British Central Africa
Gazette of May 31, 1907.

REMARKS ON THE CONDITION

OF THE FRUIT CROPS.

(See Tables and Summaries, ante, pp. 84-90.)

(Continued from page 105.)

4, MIDLAND COUNTIES.

Bedfordshire. — A lack of sunshine and cold
weather has caused all crops to be very back-
ward this season. I find that Apples, Pears,
and Plums will produce good crops every other
year only. It is remarkable that Plum trees of
the variety Victoria both on wall and on standard
trees are bearing heavy crops, and the foliage is
clean ; last year the reverse conditions obtained.
Ours is a gravelly and sandy soil. H. W. Nutt,
Flilwick Gardens, Ampthilt.

Notwithstanding the inclement weather

experienced during May, June, and part of July,
the fruit crops on the whole are very satisfac-
tory, with the exception of Apples. On examin-
ing the Apple trees about the middle of June,
they appeared very much affected with blight
and mildew, and although insecticides were ap-
plied they proved of little use. At one time I
attributed the damage to late frosts, but on con-
sulting my weather register, I found that during
the time the trees were in bloom no frosts were
registered. Our soil is a light sandy loam, on a
subsoil of chalk, clay, and sand. George Mae-
Unlay, Wrest Park, Ampthill.

The Apple trees in this district are badly

infested with aphis, and this has caused a great
check to the growth of the fruits ; and from this
cause a considerable number of the fruits have
dropped. Apricots, Gooseberries", and Plums
(Victoria in particular) have enormous crops of
fruits, and they required much thinning. Straw-
berries have given good returns ; the variety
" Mentmore " ripened best during the sunless
weather and proved itself almost immune
from attack by mildew. Wm. F. Palmer, Frox-
field Gardens, Woburn.

Buckinghamshire. — Notwithstanding the cold
weather of early summer, the fruit crops in this
neighbourhood are exceptionally good, and the
fruit trees generally seem to have escaped the
effects of the late frosts. Apricot trees are
generally short-lived in this district. Straw-
berries set an abundant crop, but the cold, wet
and sunless weather spoiled many of the early
fruits. John Fleming, Wexham Park Gardens,
Slough.

I have never seen the fruit trees in this

district more heavily laden with blossom than
they were this spring. Apples set well, but the
prolonged wet and cold weather have prevented
many of them from developing. The Pear crop
is excellent, and the season seems to have suited
this fruit. Cherries are a good crop, especially
the varieties May Duke and Black Tartarian.
Morellos are also plentiful. Apples are an aver-
age crop. Raspberries are plentiful, the variety
Superlative being excellent. Gooseberries, Red
and Black Currants are abundant. Strawberries
have b;en a heavy crop, but owing to the in-
clement weather a number of the berries rotted
on the plants ; especially was this the case in
the variety Royal Sovereign. Plums on wall
trees are good, but bush and pyramid-trained

trees have very few fruits. Damsons are also
a poor crop. The soil here is light and gravelly,
resting on a subsoil of chalk. G. W. Smith,
Danes field Gardens, Marlow, Bucks.

Apple trees blossomed abundantly and

promised well for a heavy crop of fruits, but
cold, north-east winds and frost at night-time
caused many of the young fruits to drop.
Some varieties of Apple trees, however, have full
crops, the best of dessert kinds in this respect
being Cox's Orange Pippin, Wealthy, Chas.
Ross, Beauty of Bath, and Langley Pippin;
while, of culinary kinds, Warner's King, Grena-
dier, Loddington Seedling, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
and Stirling Castle are the best cropped. I
never remember such a plague of insect pests of
all kinds as we have experienced this spring,
notwithstanding that the trees were sprayed in
February, and, in the case of trained trees, hand
picking wa- resorted to. Pears are a poor crop
on pyramid and standard-trained trees, but
plentiful on wall trees. Plums are excellent,
and this remark also applies to bush fruits of all
kinds. Quite the best crop of the year in this
locality is that of the Apricot. I attribute this
to the dry, sunny weather when the trees were
in flower, and also to the flowers opening much
later than is usual. Strawberries promised well,
but the dull, sunless weather of early summer
and the excessive rainfall at the end of June
caused the fruits of early varieties to rot badly.
Late fruiting varieties were more satisfactory.
Chas. Page, Dropmore Gardens, Maidenhead.

Most of our fruit trees are badly blighted

— never more so ; and this appears to be general
throughout the county. All the crops are very
backward, but those already matured are fairly
good. Givon's Late Prolific Strawberry on our
cold soil has proved to be a more reliable
variety and a much better cropper than Water-
loo. In some orchards Greengages are very
abundant. Our soil is a heavy loam resting on
clay. W. Hedley Warren, The Gardens, Aston
Clinton, Tring.

Cheshire.— Apples, Pears, and Plums, in
their early stages, showed great promise for
heavy crops, but, owing to continuous wet and
cold weather, the number of these fruits will
be much below the average. All the fruit crops
in this district will be very backward. /. Burdge,
More/on Hall Gardens, Congleton.

. The prevalence of frost, and cold east

winds, with an almost continuous downfall of
sleet and rain, had a very injurious effect upon
the Apple crop at the time the trees were bloom-
ing. Strawberries have suffered from a lack of
sunshine and constant rains, and many of the
berries have in consequence rotted on the plants.
The soil in this garden is of a light texture, with
a boggy sub-soil. Peter Wilkinson, Walton Lea
Gardens, near Warrington.

Generally the fruit crops in this district

promise much better than could be expected
after the severe frosts of May 20 and 21, when
5° and 9° of frost were registered. Currants
and Gooseberries on exposed branches were
badly injured by the cold, as were also Apples
and Pears in the less sheltered portions of the
gardens, while even Plums on wall-trees re-
ceived a check, which caused quantities to drop.
The absence of sunshine during June and early
July has mitigated much against a quick and
clean development of all kinds of fruits, and
general disappointment in the condition of the
crops prevails around here. N. F. Barnes, Eaton
Gardens, Chester.

Derbyshire. — A good set of fruits generally
has been much reduced by the continuous cold
weather and heavy rains during May and June.
Strawberries were very late in ripening, and
the flowers set badly owing to excessive rains.
Our first picking out-of-doors of this fruit was
on July 23. The best variety that withstood the
effects of the untoward weather was Louis Gau-
thier. Many of the flower-scapes of this variety
were 18 inches high, sufficient to rear them well
above the foliage. Givon's Late Prolific also
promises well. Gooseberries are a heavy crop
of fine fruits, and the same remark applies to
red and white Currants. The rainfall in these
gardens for the year is greatlv above the average,
and totals \1\ inches (July 23). The abundant
rains would have done much good had the tem-
perature ranged higher during Mav and June.
/. C. Tallack, Shipley Hall Gardens, Derby.

The fruit trees on the strong clay soil of

this district have not satisfactory crops. Bush

fruits, except Black Currants, are abundant.
Improved cultivation of this latter fruit might be
brought about by frequent plantings of strong,
healthy bushes on well-trenched and heavily-
manured land. The useful Loganberry is seen
in a good fruiting condition in several of the
cottagers' gardens in this neighbourhood. This
fruit has no equal amongst the smaller fruits
for jam making or for tarts, and the canes
should be extensively planted by ail fruit-
growers. I consider Raspberry Superlative the
very best variety of this fruit. The cold, wet
weather has caused Cherries to become badly
cracked. Strawberries in many places about here
are quite a failure. This could be largely avoided
in future years by making annual plantations
from plants layered in pots and planted in good,
firm, well-manured ground in the autumn.
Bailey Wadds, iSi, Vttoxeter New Road, Derby.

The fruit crops in this district are in

general very good, but owing to the heavy
rainfall and a lack of sunshine in early sum-
mer, the fruits will be much later than usual
in ripening. Apple, Pear, and Plum trees all
blossomed well, but they have set an aver-
age crop only. Strawberries were plentiful, but
they did not ripen well. Gooseberries are
abundant. Raspberries, Black, Red, and White
Currants are all heavy crops. With the excep-
tion of Plums, the trees are exceptionally clean
and free from blight. Our soil is a medium
loam on a sub-soil of gravel and clay. James
Tully, Osmaston Manor Gardens, Derby.

Hertfordshire.— The soil in these gardens
consists of some 15 to 18 inches of strong loam,
which rests upon a bed of clay 3 feet in thick-
ness. Under this latter strata is sand. Cherry
trees flowered freely, and the fruits set well, but
many dropped at the stoning period. I attri-
bute this to the long period of dull and un-
seasonable weather which prevailed at this
stage. Plum trees set a very large crop of fruits,
but the adverse weather also affected these at
the stoning period. The crop is about an aver-
age one, and the fruits are clean and of good
quality. Apple trees flowered freely, and set a
full crop, but there is an unusually large number
of deformed and useless fruits. Pears are an
average crop of clean, shapely fruits. Rasp-
berries are very plentiful ; the berries are large
and quite the best crop for seven years past.
Black Currants are also excellent in quality, and
a very heavy crop. Trees of Peaches and Nec-
tarines out-of-doors flowered profusely, set their
fruits in plenty, and, though more than usual
have failed at the stoning period, the crop is
an average one, but it is doubtful whether any
other than the earlier varieties will ripen well.
C. R. Fielder, North Mymms Park Gardens, Hat-
field.

The fruit crops generally in this neigh-
bourhood are much above the average. Apple
trees in some places have suffered badly from
an attack of green and black fly, but with better
weather and the finishing of summer pruning
there is every promise of a good harvest of
these fruits. Apricots set so freely that more
than half the fruits had to be removed. Goose-
berries are a remarkable crop. C. E. Martin,
The Hoo Gardens, Welwyn.

The low temperatures and cold winds

experienced during early May caused many
Plums and Damsons to fall ; up to that date
the crops of these fruits were very promising.
The long succession of sunless days in early
summer doubtless accounts for the presence of
aphis on Plum and Apple trees. Pears, Peaches,
and Nectarines are all very plentiful. Small fruits
are good. The soil here is of a fairly stiff nature, -
and rests on a varying sub-soil of gravel and
clay. H. Prime, Hatfield House Gardens, Hat.
field, Herts.

The cold, sunless weather adversely

affected the Apple crop, for, although the trees
were wreathed in blossoms, the fruits did not
set. Pear trees are carrying fair crops, notablv
the varieties Pitmaston Duchess and Marie
Louise ; the latter seldom fails when planted
against a wall. Cherries, in common with other
stone fruits, promised exceptionally heavy crops,
but many of the fruits dropped at the stoning
period. Plums, Strawberries, and small fruits
are all excellent. The Loganberry never fails
to yield a supply of its luscious fruits, and is
deserving of a place in every garden. The soil
here is a light loam upon' a gravel sub-soil.
F . W. Gooch, Edge Grove Gardens, Watford.

134

THE GARD ENE R ST CHR 0 AY CL E.

[August 17, 1907,

Apples are plentiful, but the individual

fruits promise to be small in size. Strawberries
were a good crop, but owing to the exception-
ally wet weather, many decayed before they
were ripe. Gooseberries and Black, White, and
Red Currants are all plentiful. I never remem-
ber having seen Raspberries in a better condi-
tion than they are this season. Nuts, with the
exception of Walnuts, are scarce. Plums are a
heavy crop. The soil in these gardens is of a
very stiff nature, and rests on a light-coloured
clay, and in some parts upon chalk. William
Poole, Hadham Hall, Ware

All kinds of fruit trees flowered splen-
didly, but what promised to be the best fruit
season for several years past has been ruined
by the very unseasonable weather. On July 2
the thermometer registered only 37° Fahr. Our
soil is very shallow, and rests on chalk. Arthur
Dve, Tring Park Gardens, Tring.

Generally the hardy fruit crops in this

district are an average in quantity. The pro-
mise for a good Apple season was great when
the trees were in flower, but the fruits set
badly, and the trees are now badly infested
with insect pests. The crops of Plums, Cher-
ries, and Apricots are good. Edwin Beckett,
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstrce.

Leicestershire. — The Apple crop in this dis-
trict, considering the abundant promise when
the trees were in bloom, is disappointing. Plums
on standard trees are plentiful, but on the'
wall trees the crop of this fruit is thin, the
frosts in April being responsible for the short-
age. With the exception of Black Currants, bush
fruits are a heavy crop. Strawberries have been
much damaged by the excessive rains, which
continued up to the middle of July. These
fruits are three weeks later in ripening than
usual. Givon's Late Prolific promises to be our
best late variety. The soil in these gardens is
a medium to heavy loam on a sub-soil of red
da)'. D. Roberts, Prestwold Hall Gardens,
Loughborough.

The failure of the Apple crop this season

is due solely to exhaustion of the trees caused
by last season's heavy crop; bush trees on cul-
tivated ground which has been thoroughly well
manured every year, are bearing good crops.
Peach, Apricot, and Cherry trees benefited
greatly by the' hot weather of last autumn ; this
caused the fruiting wood to become extra well
matured, with the result that the crops of these
fruits are more abundant than I have ever before
seen in this part of the kingdom. Strawberries
have partially failed this season owing to con-
tinued wet weather at the time they commenced
to ripen. Later varieties, such as Laxton's
Latest (1904| and Waterloo, promise well ; Pears
are plentiful on wall and pyramid-trained trees,
and they are swelling well. The Pear midge has
not been so troublesome this season as in former
years ; persistently picking and burning the in-
fested foliage no doubt accounts for this. W . H.
Divers, Belvoir Castle Gardens, Grantham.

Nottinghamshire. — Fruit trees had a large
quantity of bloom this season, and the promises
for a good harvest could scarcely have been bet-
ter, but the cold, wet weather prevented most of
the Apples and Strawberries from setting. Some
few varieties of Apple trees, such as Lord Gros-
venor, F.cklinville Seedling, &c, are laden wit'i
fruit, whilst late varieties, such as Bramley's
Seedling, are almost a failure. No bees were
working during the time the trees were in bloom.
Strawberries are almost a total failure in many
places. Cherries set freely, but many have since
fallen off. /, R. Pearson S^ Sons, Lowdham,
Notts.

Oxfordshire. — Strawberries were not equal in
quality to those of past years, and many of the
berries were quite spoilt by the continued wet
weather. Raspberries, Black and Red Currants,
and Gooseberries are plentiful and of fine
quality. Apple trees are very badly infested
with blight, but Pear trees are healthy and are
growing vigorously. Peaches set freelv, but
the new growths are weak. Cherries were formed
'.eely, but many have dropped. The wet, cool
weather of the past season has suited the crops
in this garden, the soil of which consists of a
light loam on gravel and chalk. John A. Hall,
Shiplakc Court Gardens, Henley-on-Thames.

t The late spring frosts and a long spell

of cold weather when Apple trees were in full

bloom have ruined this crop. Even the foliage
of Apple trees was much inju 2d through these
causes. Plums aie a very heavy crop, and so
numerous that many cannot possibly come to
perfection. The weather last season being warm
and dry, it favoured the ripening of shoots
on Peach and Apricot trees out-of-doors, and
this probably accounts for the heavy crop of
these fruits. Pears are never a succ s with us.
Cherries at one time promised to be a record
crop, but excessively cold weather prevailed
when the trees were in bloom, and the untoward
weather also affected the Strawberry crop. Our
soil is very stony and of a poor quality. The
sub-soil is chiefly of clay. A. J . Long, Wyfold
Court Gardens, Reading.

Shropshire. — Apples generally are an average
crop, though some trees are sparsely fruited.
Our best varieties this year are Bramley's Seed-
ling, Cox's Orange Pippin, Lord Suffield, King
of the Pippins, Tom Putt, Lane's Prince Albert,
Pott's Seedling, Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling,
and Keswick Codlin. Plums and Damsons are
remarkably plentiful. Strawberries rotted badly
on the plants. Raspberries are good and clean.
Our soil consists of a light sandy peat, and rests
mostly upon a gravelly sub-soil and occasionally
upon sand. A. S. Kemp, Broadway, Shipial.

The soil in these gardens has been im-
proved ; naturally, it is very shallow and of a
poor, black, peaty nature, on a sub-soil of sand
or a bastard rock, which is most injurious to
the roots of trees, so that they invariably perish
when they penetrate into it. The best varieties
of Apple trees are short-lived, and produce fruits
of inferior quality. Pear trees against walls
planted in made borders produce better results.
Plums succeed well here. All trees this spring
showed an abundance of bloom. Apple trees
are carrying good crops of fruit, but the shoots
are badly infested with blight. Pears set well,
but the Pear maggot destroyed more than half
the crop ; this pest is on the increase, though
we combat it. every season. Peaches and Apri-
cots are plentiful, but small, and they will be
very late in ripening. I am doubtful if many
late Peaches will ripen. Bush fruits are good
crops, but backward. Strawberries were largely
spoilt by the excessive wet, and they were very
late in ripening. John Taylor, Hardwicke
Grange Gardens, near Shrewsbury.

Staffordshire. — During their flowering
period all kinds of fruit trees gave promise of
full crops, but the continued cold and sunless
weather experienced during the time the Pear,
Plum, and sweet Cherry were in flower pre-
vented the ripening of the pollen, and this ac-
counted for the non-setting of a great many of
the fruits. The fruits on the later varieties set
freely, and the trees are carrying fair crops.
Apples, with a few exceptions, are plentiful.
Strawberries promised well when in bloom, but
the continued wet weather, to nearly the middle
of July, was the reason of a large number of
these fruits rotting, and from the same cause
many of the flowers on later varieties failed to
set. Walnuts, Cobnuts, and Filberts are thin
crops. The soil is a cold, stiff loam on a sub-
soil of clay. Geo. Woodgate, Rolleston Hail Gar-
dens, Burlon-on-Trenl.

Warwickshire. — Of Apples, it may be re-
corded they are again a failure. The flowering
of the trees was everything that could be desired,
and the failure is due to the continued cold
weather at the time of blossoming. Visiting
Barston Hall near here, I found the trees of an
avenue of Bramley's Seedling, which generally
produce a fine crop of fruits, with a solitary
exception, entirely barren. A tree of Worcester
Pearmain in the same orchard showed a good
crop. Pears are much better, and some trees
are furnished with abundant fruits. Of Plums
and Damsons in this orchard, the crops are ex-
ceptionally heavy and good. Cherries, too, are
plentiful. Peach, Nectarine, and Apricot trees
on walls are also well fruited. Small fruits are
everywhere plentiful and good. But five acres
of Walnut trees are absolutely without fruits.
Filberts, too, are scarce. The above remarks
are also applicable to other gardens and or-
chards in this neighbourhood, and also of many
trees in cottage gardens. I recently visited the
Knowle Fruit Farm of about 40 acres, belonging
to Mr. Tangye, and on asking this gentleman as
to the condition of his fruit crop, he replied
"Bad." The tree-,, however, were making good

growths. Mr. Tangye informed me that in
future he intended to pay more attention to the
matter of spraying. This precaution may kill
aphides and mildew, but against damage by frost
there is, unfortunately, no effective remedy
known. IF. Miller, Berkswell.

(To be continued.)

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed ty his correspondents.)

The Flora of Palestine. — I must confess
myself as quite unable to follow your reviewer's
note. But, perhaps, I may be permitted to state
what appear to me to be the most probable con-
clusions of modern criticism on the subject. 1.
The true reading of the word translated Lign-
Aloes in the Bible, almost certainly means tere-
binths and not tents. 2. The Aloes of other
passages was not the medicinal drug, but Eagle-
wood, which in this case was, I think, the product
of Aquilaria malaccensis from S. Tenasserim.
A full discussion would be too technical for your
columns, but those who care to follow it may
consult the article Aloes in the Encyclopedia Biblica,
and that on Eagle-wood in Yule and Burnell's
Glossary of Anglo-Indian words. W. T. Tluscl-
ton-Dyer.

Eremurus robustus and Others. — It is

well to remind cultivators of these splendid
plants that September is a suitable month for
transplanting them. Great care should be exer-
cised in handling the root-mass, for the spread-
ing roots are easily broken. The plant needs a
weld-manured soil, and one that is well drained.
The crowns should be placed about 8 inches
beneath the surface of the ground, and a mulch
of fine coal ashes or half-decayed leaves should
be placed over them after the soil is frozen.
It is advisable not to remove this protection too
early in the spring-time, as late frosts are
apt to injure the young shoots. F. M.

Argemone grandiflora. — A. grandiflora, or
more properly A. mexicana, though usually con-
sidered an annual, lias been perennial in a warm
and fairly dry border in my garden since I brought
seeds from Mexico in 1888, but it has never
attained anything like the dimensions given by Mr.
Fitzherbert in his note on p. 113. After seeding
freely it dies completely down every autumn It
was a cornfield \veed in Mexico, and I found a
plant, which cannot be distinguished, growing
under similar conditions in Chile. This plant was
apparently lost, or so rare, that it was unknown
to most gardeners when I first raised it, though
it was well figured in Sweet's British Flower Garden,
111, t. 22fi, as long ago as 1827 or 1828. I have
given seeds to so many people that it should now
be common, What is often grown under this
name is Argemone ochroleuca, a Mexican plant
with smaller, pale yellow flowers and quite
different leaves, figured by Sweet in t. 242 of the
volume already mentioned. H. J. Elices, Coles-
b iritc.

Time for Sowing Seeds of Cyclamen. —

While many growers of Cyclamen sow the seeds
in November and cultivate the plants for two
years, I am not giving a trade secret away when
I say that some up-to-date nurserymen sow
their seeds about August and flower the plants
in the following season. Seed should be sown
thinly in pots or boxes, over which should be
placed a sheet of glass or paper. The young
plants will require to be pricked into small pots
as soon as the first leaf has fully developed, and
they should be cultivated in a rather warm,
moist atmosphere until early in the spring, when
they should be ready for another shift into
3-inch pots. Towards the end of May or early
in June they should be potted into 5-inch pots,
and they will flower in this size very well, al-
though a further shift early in July to a 6-inch or
7-inch pot would produce plants of a larger
size. The secret of obtaining good plants
in this short space of time lies in keeping the
plants growing by repeatedly re-potting them.
When the weather becomes warmer in spring
the plants should be kept cooler, and in hot
weather be afforded shade from sunshine, and
an abundance of air. Now that there are flowers
with such fine salmon shades, the Cyclamen is
one of our best winter-flowering plants. L. J ■ C.

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

135

Gladiolus gandavensis. — These bulbous
plants should now be in fine bloom. Those we
grow now as hardy Gladiolus are chiefly crosses
between G. cardinalis, tristis, blandus, carneus,
inflatus and angustus. The late Dean Herbert said
that in his garden at Spofforth they bloomed at
about the same time as the Roses. They succeeded
best when he grew them in close tufts, which with
the old skins of the decayed bulbs, permitted the
moisture to drain away and prevented the soil
from pressing too heavily on the corms in autumn
and winter. Such tufts remained undisturbed for
many years, but needed to be covered with leaves
from November to March or April. If it is neces-
sary to divide the clumps, it should be done late
in the autumn, the corms being potted, and kept
in a cold pit until spring when they may be turned
out into the border ; or it may be done in April. F.

Onopordon Acanthium (the Cotton
Thistle). — A plant of this species is growing in
the pleasure grounds at Hatley Park, near
Sandy, the seat of Sir Charles Hamilton, Bart.
Its height is 12| feet, and in circumference it
measures 27 feet. It carries more than 400
flower buds. Some of the flowers began to ex-
pand at the latter part of July, and the plant
appears likely to continue to bloom for some
weeks. The seeds were received from India,
and were sown in rich soil in November, 1905 ;
they were given a mild bottom heat to encourage
quick germination, being afterwards transferred
into 5-inch pots. Subsequently they were
hardened off and planted out in strong loamy
soil in their present position. I think there will
be no difficulty in getting the flowers to set, as
the bees are at work on them all day long. The
best position for such a plant is in the sub-
tropical or wild garden. Rabbits would not
interfere with them, as the spines are very sharp.
The foliage is attractive, being of a lightish
colour and woolly on both surfaces ; the flowers
are purple. T. W. Birkitisliaw. [An illustra-
tion of this species was published in the
Gardeners' Chronicle, September 16, 1905, p. 219
—Ed.]

The Bunch Pea. — Whilst this so-called
Mummy Pea owes much of the interest which
is attached to it, to the romantic stories told
concerning its association with mummies, and
to its odd appearance as compared with normal
edible Peas, yet it has some charm of its own.
I saw it recently in a cottage front garden at
Lingfield, Surrey, where plants some 4 feet in
height, carrying large heads or bunches of
flowers, were quite charming objects. The flowers
resembled those of the old variety Painted Lady,
and were red anj white. I have thought if some
of our expert hybridisers in Sweet Peas would
turn their attention to such species as this
Bunch Pea, and to the better known twin-
flowered Lathyrus, they might raise some
hybrids that would possess features hitherto un-
known in the Lathyrus family. If this Bunch
Pea, for instance, could by hybridisation be in-
duced to materially shorten its stout and some-
what fasciated stem, and to assume a more
branching habit, a very pretty garden plant
might be obtained. Again, if it were possible to
have some of the variety, sweetness, and
beauty of Lathyrus odoratus in Lathyrus
grandiflorus, what a remarkable race of per-
ennial Peas might follow. Can anyone tell us
of the native habitat, species, and origin of this
Bunch Pea? I have looked in vain for mention
of it in Vilmorin s Vegetable Garden, but pre-
sumably it is well known at Kew. Also could
we be informed as to how the "Mummy"
legend first grew up? A. D.

[In the Gardeners' Chronicle for August 14,
1847, p. 542, appeared a note from a correspon-
dent who l-_id purchased from a Mr. Grimstone a
sealed packet containing five seeds of the
Mummy or Crown Pea, for which he paid five
shillings. The plant was first figured in these
pages on January 11, 1873, pp. 44-45, and in
connection therewith a note by the late Mr.
Barron was published. The origin of the Crown
Pea was declared to be unknown, but it was
described as possessing the following synonyms :
— Bunch Pea, Cluster Pea, Mummy Pea, Royal
Belshazzar, Pois Couronne, Pois Turc, and Pois
Paquet ; probably also Grimstone's Egyptian
1'ea. It was also said to be a distinct variety of
the common garden Pea (Pisum sativum). * In
Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening, the Crown
1>ea is described as a variety of P. umbellatum,

and in the Index Kewensis P. umbellatum is
described as synonymous with P. sativum. At
Kew, however, the Crown Pea has been found
to be a variety of P. elatius. The following is
a quotation from the Kew Bulletin for 1894, p.
371: — "Mummy Pea. — A very curious Pea, of
which the Director obtained seeds from Messrs.
Thomas Sutton, of Eastbourne (who stated that
it had been brought from Egypt by the Hon.
Charlotte Ellis), under the above, name, has
flowered at Kew this summer. . . . The
seeds much resemble those of the wild Pisum
elatius of the Mediterranean region. Similar
fasciated forms of the Pea are figured by Taber-
naemontanus in his Herbal, published in the
year 1590, on page 495, and are described by
Philip Miller in the eighth edition of his
Gardeners' Dictionary (1771), under the name of
Pisum umbellatum, Rose or Crown Pea. The
native country of Pisum sativum and P. arvense
has never been satisfactorily ascertained. It is
not unlikely that they may be both cultivated
races derived from P. elatius, which extends in
a wild state from France to Western Asia. The
name ' Mummy Pea ' is equally applied to the
non-fasciated form. (See Garden, 1894, Vol. IT.,
p. 118.)" Mr J. G. Baker has obligingly written
us confirming the opinion expressed in the Kew
Bulletin that it is a variety of P. elatius. — Ed.]

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee.

August 8.— Present : E. A. Bowles, F.E.S.,
F.L.S. (in the chair) ; Messrs. C. Shea, W.
Cuthbertson, J. T. Bennett-Poe, J. Douglas,
E. M. Holmes, and F.J. Chittenden (hon. sec).
Visitor, Mr. ('. K. Krosvenor, of Berkeley, Cali-
fornia, U.S.A.

Chlorosis in fruit trees. — Mr. Spencer PICKER-
ING, F.R.S., wrote as follows regarding tins
subject, which was before the committee at their
last meeting: — "In one district where the
trouble is very prevalent the soil contains as
much as ten per cent, of lime. Deficiency of
lime, therefore, cannot be the cause of the dis-
ease."

" Yellow Stripe " in Narcissus. — Some bulbs
of Sir Watkin Narcissus were received, the foli-
age and flowers having been affected with the
well-known "yellow stripe." The cause of
this disease is still obscure, but it appears to
follow from too heavily manuring the soil in
which the plants are grown. Mr. Bennett-Poe
and Mr. Douglas stated that if the plants were
cultivated in soil not manured for a time thev
would recover, but only after a considerable
period, and the attempt to cure the plants was
hardly worth while in the cheaper varieties.

Curious growth on Broom. — Mr. Holmes
showed a branch of Broom which had been
drooping downwards, and had sent out from its
tip numerous thin shoots much crowded to-
gether and growing almost erect. The parent
branch had become thickened just at the point
at which the branches had been produced.

Crinum augustum. — A splendid inflorescence
with foliage of this Crinum was shown by Sir
Trevor Law-rente. The plant is figured in
Bot. Mag. (1823), No. 2397.

Plymouth Strawberry. — Mr. Chittenden*
showed on behalf of Mr. R. Lindsav, a specimen
of the Plymouth Strawberry from the gardens of
Mr. Fraser, Comely Bank Nurseries, Edinburgh.
This curious Strawberry was first described by
Tradescant, and is referred to in Johnson's edi-
tion of Gerarde's Herbal : it was figured by John
Parkinson. Dr. Masters refers to it in Vegetable
Teratology as "a kind of Botanical Dodo," as it
was not heard of for about a century, but was
afterwards discovered again at Bitton in Canon
Ellacombe's garden, anil by Mr. G. F. Wilson
at Wisley.

Peloric Antirrhinum. — Mr. Chittenden
showed, also from Mr. Lindsay, a specimen of
Antirrhinum with regular flowers, the peloric
condition being complete in all the lower flow-ers
of the spike, while some of the upper flowers
were returning to the irregular condition. The
peloric condition has now become fixed, but the
form cannot be depended upon to come true
from seed.

Floral Committee.
TRIAL OF CANNAS AT WISLEY.

July 30.— One of the trials at Wisley this sea-
son in which the Floral Committee is interested
is that of Cannas. In one of the large span-
roofed houses, having two divisions, there are
nearly 500 plants under cultivation, and these
represent about 200 varieties, all of which are
new, or, being already well known, are still
considered to possess merit equal to the best.
Most of the specimens are in pots measuring 10
inches in diameter, some are larger, others rather
smaller. The cultivation could not be better,
each specimen being sturdy in growth, of per-
fect development in respect to foliage and
flowers, and free from any trace of disease or
pest. The varieties presented for inspection
are, therefore, to be seen in the very best con-
dition possible. Those interested in Cannas,
and who have the opportunity, may be recom-
mended to go to Wisley and see the collection
for themselves, as the plants will continue in
good flower for some time to come. All who
see the collection will doubtless be impressed
with the evidence it affords of the great
improvement that has taken place in Cannas
generally. When we remember that in our own
experience Cannas were cultivated rather for
their handsome foliage than for their flowers,
and for the habit that made them suitable plants
for associating with other species in what is
termed sub-tropical gardening, the present race
is the more remarkable. The good habit has not
been destroyed, neither has the foliage become
less attractive, but the cross-breeder has effected
a wonderful improvement in the flowers. The
best Cannas are now excellent flowering plants
for cultivation in large pots or tubs, or for
planting in summer in prominent and sunny
positions out-of-doors. They are not so satis-
factory out-of-doors, however, except in the most
favoured districts. In any case, the plants
need the warmest position that can be afforded
them, and it is important that they should be
sheltered from winds.

The first inspection by a sub-committee took
place on July 30, when the following varieties
were awarded three marks. No Awards of Merit
could be given, because the members present
were insufficient to constitute a quorum.

Some of the new varieties were under num-
bers only, the raiser (Pfitzer) being expected to
forward the names. Such were "850" with
rose-coloured flowers, green foliage, and showy
flower truss; "861," with orange-scarlet-
coloured flow-ers, the centre segments beintr
yellow; "1500," a white and cream-coloured
variety; "848," crimson; and "874," rose-
coloured.

C. "Uncle Sam."— Red or rosy-crimson-
Howered variety, the individual blooms being of
excellent form. Habit tall.

C. President Meyer.— Also an orange-red col-
oured flower, but with purple, instead of green,
foliage. This variety having previously re-
ceived an award, the award was confirmed.

C. Burbank.—A good yellow variety with red
spotting, foliage green.

C. Grossherzog. — The flowers are orange-scar-
let with faint spotting.

C. Ernest Ludwig. — A variety which had al-
ready received an award, now confirmed.

C. Osker Dankerer. — Previous award con-
firmed.

C. Pluto. — This yellow variety had previously
received three marks.

C. Wyoming. An excellently-formed flower of
orange yellow colour, tinted like a well-coloured
Apricot fruit. The plant was 3 feet high, and
the foliage purple.

August 13. — The second inspection took place-
on Tuesday last, when the following members of
the Floral Committee were present at Wisley : —
W. Marshall, Esq., chairman ; and Messrs.
George Nicholson, James Douglas, W. Bain. ( '.
T. Druery, J. Jennings, James Hudson, T. W.
Turner and R. Hooper Pearson.

Awards of Merit were made to the following;
varieties : —

C. J. B. van der School. — A clear yellow
flower with red splashings and spots. The form
of the individual flowers is not of the best, but
the variety has a large, bold spike of many

13G

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

flowers, and the variety is one of the best
decorative plants.

C. Elizabeth Hoss.—AXso a yellow variety, with
bright red spotting and green foliage. Previous
Award of Merit confirmed.

C. Gladiator. — The best spotted variety in the
collection. The ground colour is yellow, and
the spots red, but the particular feature of the
flower is the rich red-coloured segments in the
centre. The foliage is green.

C. W. Saunders. — A good rosy-crimson variety
with purple foliage.

C. William Bofinger. — The flowers are orange-
scarlet, and the foliage green.

C. Uncle Sam.— The award of three marks,
made at the earlier inspection, was raised to an
Award of Merit.

The following varieties were under num-
bers only: — "850," the award of three marks
was raised to an Award of Merit. " 626,"
flowers orange-red, foliage purple. " 1506," a

award was also made to Albatross (white) as for
an excellent "garden" Pea, being extremely deco-
rative and apparently always three or four-
flowered. Also to the variety Mrs. C. Foster,
which has an erect, almost fringed standard.
The flower is of shades of rose and mauve.

Among the perennial, or shrubby Phloxes, the
variety Gruppenkonigin was selected to receive
an Award of Merit. The plant is an extra strong
grower, and the flowers are pink.

VISIT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE TO WISLEY.
To examine a trial of Melons, conducted this
season in one of the long span-roofed houses at
Wisley, a sub-committee of no fewer than 12
members of the above committee visited the
gardens on Fridav, August 9. The members
present included Mr. G. Bunyard, chairman,
and Messrs. O. Thomas, W. Bates, W. Poupart,
G. Woodward, J. Vert, A. M. Allan, H. Parr,
A. Dean, J. Jacques, C. Fostei, and G. Reynolds.

FlG. 52. — A POT-PLANT OF BLACK ALICANTE GRAPE TWO YEARS OLD.
Exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, at the R.H.S. meeting (see p. 117).

which is also a white-fleshed Melon. This
variety has previously been certificated, and
that award was unanimously confirmed. The
green-fleshed Melons included the old William
Tillery, long since certificated, and it was found
to be of so excellent a quality the award in
this case was also confirmed. Also Ringleader,
not quite ripe, but still excellent ; Eastnor
Castle, an old variety still sufficiently good as
to secure an Award of Merit ; Windsor Castle,
rich in flavour but not quite ripe ; and Advance,
new, which also received an Award of Merit.
Only three scarlet-fleshed varieties were set aside
for a final tasting ; of these, Blenheim Orange
readily had its previous award confirmed.
Sutton's Scarlet proved to be the best of its
section ; it is of fine flavour, and the variety
was unanimously voted a First-Class Certificate.
An Award of Merit was granted to the variety
Empress, also for its excellent flavour. It is
probable that a fine collection of the best fruits
from this trial will be staged at the next meeting
of the committee at Vincent Square, on the 20th
inst., when any kinds not tasted at Wisley will
be judged. As to appearance, whilst all the
fruits were handsome, special admiration was
bestowed upon the fruits of Perfection, and also
upon those of Royal Sovereign.

The committee next examined a trial of dwarf
French Beans, but no variety called for special
notice. Rows of early Potatos were also in-
spected, there being an extensive collection of
this vegetable. Previous awards made to May
(Jueen, Harbinger, and Ideal, all of which
varieties were giving good crops and handsome
samples of tubers, were confirmed. A very
handsome and free-cropping Potato was noticed
in the Colleen, an Irish variety, and this the com-
mittee selected for a cooking test at an early
date. Others selected were the very handsome,
free-cropping, red Kidney Cardinal, raised at
Bedfont more than 20 years since, Leonardslee
Favourite, and Sutton's Favourite. The old
Early Regent was good, and its previous award
was confirmed. Sir J. Llewellyn and Midlothian
Early gave excellent, clean samples of tubers.

very dwarf plant with rose-coloured flowers and
purple foliage. " 848 " (the best crimson variety),
three marks, now raised to Award of Merit ; and
" 1500," previous award raised to an Award of
Merit.

A variety that narrowly failed to get an award
was " Duke of York," a fine magenta-coloured
flower, with a narrow yellow band on the mar-
gin of each segment — a Picotee type of flower.
This variety deserves high recommendation.

Sweet Peas and Phlox.
At the two inspections noticed above the
Sweet Peas and Phloxes were examined. It was
decided to bracket the following varieties of
Sweet Peas as being too much alike: — Paradise,
Enchantress, and Florence Spencer. Brilliant
Blue and Lord Nelson were also bracketed, and
three marks awarded the variety. A similar

There were 26 plants, and each was carrying
either three or four finely finished fruits,
the majority having the latter number. The
committee expressed in warm terms their high
appreciation of the culture seen in connection
with the trial. The seeds were all sown on the
same date in the middle of May. The committee
first inspected the varieties, and noted their
cropping and other qualities. The ripest fruits
only were gathered and tasted. They were then
put into their respective sections of scarlet,
green, and white flesh, those showing good
quality only being thus reserved. A third tast-
ing took place, with the result that the
richest flavoured fruit of all was declared to be
the white-fleshed Diamond Jubilee. A First-
Class Certificate was unanimously awarded this
variety. Diamond Jubilee was closely followed
in point of quality by the variety Countess,

NEWBURY HORTICULTURAL.

August 5. — The £9th annual exhibition of the
above society was held in Goldwell's Park on
this date. The park is an ideal spot for the
holding of a flower show, and the exhibition
was visited by a numerous company, including
the Mayor and Corporation. The competition
this year in many of the classes was exception-
ally keen, and rarely has such an array of
Grapes bei?n seen. The exhibits of cut flowers
and of vegetables were of splendid quality.

Groups.

The premier award for a group of greenhouse
plants was secured by Mr. J. Howard, gardener
to Lady Sutton, Benham Park, Newbury. 2nd,
Mr. F. Lock, gardener to G. J. Plevin, Tilebarn,
Woodhay. The best exhibit of foliage plants
was also shown by Mr. Howard, and he
had the best groups of exotic Ferns. Mr. C.
Ross, gardener to Col. Archer-Houblon, Wel-
ford Park, Newbury, was awarded the 2nd prize
for foliage plants.

Fuchsias are a great feature at this show, and
those staged on this occasion were splendid
examples of good culture. The best plants were
8 feet in height, and were shown by Mr. T.
Surman. 2nd, Mr. P. Mara, gardener to Lady
Arbuthnot, Newtown House, Newbury, with
smaller plants.

Cut Flowers.

Lady Sutton exhibited magnificent blooms in
the Rose classes, and won the 1st prize in an im-
portant competition, Messrs. Cox and Smith
being 2nd and 3rd respectively. The best Sweet
Peas were shown by Mr. Smith, gardener to
H. A. Evans, Esq., Newbury. Mr. G. B.
Clark had the best exhibit of herbaceous
flowers.

Fruit.

Grapes, as previously stated, were very finely
shown ; indeed, so strong was the competition,
that extra awards were given. The premier award
for a collection of fruits was secured by Mr. F.
Lock. He showed Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines,
Melons, &c. 2nd, Mr. G. H. Clark, gardener
to Mrs. Waterhouse, Yattendon, Newbury.
Mr. Mara had the best Black Hamburgh
Grapes; Mr. Taylor, the best of any other
black variety. Mr. Lees won in the class for

August 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

137

Muscats, and Mr. G. H. Clack in that for
Madresfield Court. Messrs. Lock and Howard
were the principal winners in the other classes
for fruit.

Vegetables.

Messrs. Sutton, Reading, offered prizes for a
collection of vegetables, and the class was
splendidly contested. Mr. J. Howard surpassed
all other competitors in his Magnum Bonum
Cauliflowers, Ailsa Craig Onions, Best of All
Peas, Al Tomatos, New Intermediate Carrots,
and Factor Potatos. 2nd, Mr. T. Surman.

There was great competition in the amateurs'
and cottagers' classes for vegetables, and some
splendid produce was seen.

MIDLAND CARNATION AND PICOTEE.

August 8 and 9. — Owing to the very late sea-
son, the annual show of this society, which is
always held in the Botanical Gardens, Edg-
baston, Birmingham, was postponed from July
31 and August 1 to the above dates. Notwith-
standing the alteration, the season proved too
early for some exhibitors. The show was an
exceedingly good one, both as regards the quality
and quantity of exhibits. The old-fashioned
florist's method of showing Carnations in paper
collars still finds supporters, but the undressed
flowers shown as grown, with their own foliage,
are gaining favour with the public, and, judg-
ing from the increased number of entries in the
classes provided for theni at Birmingham, ex-
hibitors are increasingly availing themselves
of this manner of displaying their flowers. The

man were of perfect shape, size, and finish.
2nd, Mr. C. F. Thurstan, Wolverhampton, with
excellent examples of Daffodil, Mrs. Eric Ham-
bro, Sir Bevys, Mrs. Flight, &c. 3rd, Mr. R.
G. Rudd, King's Norton.

Yellow-ground Picotees. — In this class, for 12
yellow-ground Picotees, Mr. Hayward Mathias,
Medstead, was the winner. His blooms were
large and shapely, especially those of Togo,
Mrs. W. Heriot, Gamma, Chryseis, and Lau-
zum. 2nd, Mr. C. F. Thurstan.

Fancy Carnations. — In a class for 12 Fancy
Carnations, Mr. C. F. Thurstan beat six com-
petitors with flowers of surprising merit. The
varieties were Elaine, Douce Davie, Merlin,
Sam Weller, Margaret Thurstan, Highfield
Lass, King Solomon, King Solomon (sport), R.
A. Rowberry, Galileo, Canatrice, and Hanno.
2nd, Mr. A. R. Brown.

White-ground Picotees. — In the classes for 12
white-ground Picotees and 12 Flakes or Bizarres,
Mr. C. H. Herbert, Acocka Green, won both
1st prizes with refined flowers. Mr. A. R.
Brown and Mr. C. F. Thurstan won the 2nd
prizes.

Self Carnations. — In the class for six Self
Carnations, Mr. G. D. Ford, Acocks Green,
beat 16 other competitors with a stand r.f
superb flowers of Bridegroom, Sir Galahad, Sir
Bevys, Mrs. M. V. Charrington, Glowworm,
and Mrs. Eric llambro. 2nd, Mr. G. F.
Spittle, Solihull.

In the small classes provided for yellow-
ground Picotees and Fancy Carnations, tb*"

Fig. 53. — palmate-trained plant of gooseberry
langley beauty.

Exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons at the last meeting of the R.H.S. (see p. 117).

weather was fine on both days of the show,
which was well supported bv members and the
public.

Dressed Flowers on Stands
Self Carnations. — The best 12 varieties in the
premier class for Self Carnations came from Mr.
A. R. Brown, King's Norton, whose flowers of
Cecilia, W. H. Parton, Ensign, Comus, W.
Brearley, Helen Gottwaltz, and Cardinal Wise-

Revd. C. A. Gottwaltz, Hadzor, Droitwieh,
won the premier prize with exquisite flowers.
Mr. A. W. Jones w. m the 2nd prize in the first,
and Mr. G. D. Ford the second in the last-
named class.

White-ground Picotees. — In the class for six
flowers, the best among 12 exhibits was shown
by Mr. F. W. Goodfellow, Walsall, who
showed very handsome flowers, every specimen

being of the highest quality. 2nd, Rev. C. A.
Gottwaltz. 3rd, Mr. G. D. Ford

Mr. James Fairlie, Acton, won in the class
for six Flakes or Bizarres. 2nd, Dr. A. H.
Beadles, Sydenham.

Undressed Flowers.
Self Carnations. — In the class for 12 dis-
similar varieties, the exhibits in which were dis-

FlG. 54. — GOOSEBERRY LORD DERBY TRAINED

AS A TRIPLE CORDON.

Exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons (see p. 117).

played in vases on tier staging, occupying an
area of 24 inches by 20 inches, there were six
contestants. The schedule required that no
wire be used, except a mere support, which
must not come beyond the case of the calyx.
Mr. W. H. Parton was placed 1st with hand-
some specimens of Daffodil, Sir Bevys, Britan-
nia, Bridegroom, Sappho, W. H. Parton, Sir
Galahad, Lady Hermione, Hildegarde, Helen,
The Sirdar, and Cassandra. 2nd, Mr. A. R.
Brown. 3rd, Mr. R. G. Rudd.

Mr. \V. H. Parton also gained the premier
position in a class for 12 Fancy or yellow-
ground Carnations of dissimilar varieties. 2nd,
Mr. A. W. Jones, and 3rd, Mr. A. R. Brown.

In a similar but smaller class to the last-
named, Mr. H. Skeels, Walsall, beat the Rev.
C. A. Gottwaltz. There were 10 exhibits in
this class.

In the class for six Self Carnation flowers,
the 1st prize was awarded to Mr. G. D. Ford,
whose flowers, with the exception of Sir Gala-
had, were in splendid condition. 2nd, Mr. J. D.
Williams, Smethwick.

Flowers Shown in Trebles.
Twelve Sclfs, ye! J Picotees, or

Fancies, dissimilar. — Of the six competitors in

138

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

' this important class, Mr. W. H. Parton gained
the 1st prize with magnificent flowers of Sappho,
Voltaire, R. A. Rowberry, Ivo Sebright, Gro-
now, Sir Galahad, King Solomon, Lucifer, Mer-
lin, W. H. Parton, Hildegarde, and Galileo.
2nd, Mr. R. G. Rudd, with beautiful flowers of
fresh appearance, but they were not so effec-
tively staged as those of the 1st prize collection.
3rd, Mr. A. R. Brown.

In the similar but smaller class for six flowers,
Mr. J. D. Williams was awarded the 1st prize
for an excellent stand of flowers containing
Merlin, Ivo Sebright, Mrs. Walter Heriot, &c.
2nd, Mr. G. D. Ford. 3rd, Mr. C. Chatwin,
Handsworth.

White Carnations. — Mr. A. W. Jones staged
the best vase of white Carnations (Sir Gala-
had), and he also showed the winning vase of a
rose, salmon, or a scarlet-coloured variety in
Glowworm, and the best vase of a yellow or
buff-ground Fancy variety in Sam Weller.

Mr. C. H. Herbert won the 2nd prizes in
the first and last-named classes, and Mr. A. R.
Browx secured the second prize in the other
class.

The best vase of a yellow Carnation (Daffo-
dil), dark Self (W. H. Parton), and the best of a
yellow-ground Picotee (Mrs. W. Heriot) came
from Mr. W. H. Partox.

Amateur Section.

Five classes were reserved for amateurs who
do not cultivate more than 300 plants, and who
do not employ a gardener continuous!}'. All
the classes in this section were keenly con-
tested, and the flowers were of excellent qualitv.

Mr. E. J. Price. Bournbrook, won the Bronze
Medal and four other prizes.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificates were awarded to: —
Fair Maiden, a light scarlet-edged Picotee
from Mr. F. W. Flight, Cornstiles, Twyford.
Togo, a heavy red-edged Picotee, from Mr. H.
Mathias, Medstead. Carrie Coodfellow, a
heavy scarlet-edged Picotee, from Mr. F. W.
Coodfellow, Walsall. Ace of Trumps, a yel-
low-ground Picotee, from Mr. A. W. Jones,
Stechford. Lady Douglas Gallon, a yellow-
ground Picotee ; Maud Brown, a white-ground
Picotee, from Rev. C. A. Gottwaltz, Hadzor.

AWARD OF MERIT.
Queen of the Whites, a Tree Carnation, from
Messrs. R. F. Felton & Sons, London.

Premier Flowers (Dressed).
Bizarre Carnation " Master Fred," shown by
Mr. C. H. Herbert ; Flake Carnation " Sports-
man," shown by Mr. C. H. Herbert ; heavy
edge, white-ground Picotee " Mrs. Hoskier,"
shown by Mr. F. W. Coodfellow ; light or
wire edge, white-ground Picotee " Fair Maiden,"
shown by Mr. Havward Mathias ; heavy edge,
yellow-ground Picotee "Togo," shown by Mr.
H. Mathias ; light edge, yellow-ground Picotee
" Lady Douglas Galton," shown by Mr. A. R.
Brown ; yellow-ground fancy Carnation,
" Elaine," shown by Mr. C. F. Thurstan ; Self
Carnation " Mrs. Eric Hambro," shown by Rev.
C A. Gottwaltz.

Premier Flowers (Undressed).

Self Carnation " Cantor," shown by Mr. H.
Skeels ; fancy Carnation " King Solomon,"

-shown by Mr. W. H. Partox ; yellow-ground
Picotee " Mrs. Walter Heriot," shown by Mr.
Mr. W. H. Parton.

Special Medals and Prizes. — Four medals

'were offered by the Birmingham Botanical
and Horticultural Society to the exhibitors
gaining the greatest number of points in certain
classes. The Silver Champion Medal was won
by Mr. A. R. Brown with 149 points in the
large and single-bloom classes. Mr. C. H. Her-

' bert secured the Bronze Medal in the same

■ classes. (

The Rev! C. A. Gottwaltz (with 82 points)
won the Silver Medal in the small and single-
bloom classes, the Bronze Medal being awarded

"to Mr. G. D Ford. The Carnation Society's
Silver Medal, offered to the most successful

i exhibitor in the single-bloom classes, was taken
by Mr. R. Brown, who also secured a copy of
Baines' Stove and Greenhouse Plants, and a copy
.of Hobday's Villa Gardening as the most suc-

cessful, all-round exhibitor. Mr. E. J. Price
received the Bronze Medal and a copy of Hob-
day's Villa Gardening as the most successful ex-
hibitor in the Amateur Classes. Mr. W. H.
Parton was the winner of a copy of Hobday's
Villa Gardening in the undressed flowers. The
four books were presented by Mr. William
Robinson.

Liberal prizes were offered by Mr. Robert
Sydenham for Sweet Peas, and the principal
prize-winners in these classes were : Mr. T.
Jones, Ruabon ; Mr. R. Barnes, Lichfield ; Mr.
E. Deakin, Hay Mills ; and Mr. A. E. Butler,
Edgbaston.

Honorary Exhibits.

The non-competitive exhibits were much ad-
mired, and gave additional interest to the show.

Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, had a large
assortment of hardy flowers, consisting princi-
pally of Phloxes, Liliums, Spirasas, Gladiolus,
and Roses. (Silver-Gilt Medal.)

The space in front of the orchestra was fur-
nished by Messrs. R. F. Felton & Sons, Lon-
don, with Carnations arranged in tall stands ;
also Richardias and pink, scarlet, and white
Verbenas. (Silver Medal.)

Messrs. Hewitt & Co., Solihull, staged a
large and interesting collection of hardy herba-
ceous flowers and sprays of hardy-flowering
shrubs. (Silver Medal.)

Mr. A. F. Duttox, Iver, Bucks., contributed
a handsome group of cut Carnations in variety.
(Silver Medal.)

Messrs. Bi.ackmore & Langdon, Bath, dis-
played a prettily-arranged group of double Be-
gonias, including shapely flowers of Mrs. Port-
man Dalton, Professor Lanciana, Rt. Hon.
Joseph Chamberlain, and Mrs. Booth. (Bronze
Medal.)

Messrs. Davis & Soxs, Yeovil, also showed
a collection of cut Begonias. (Bronze Medal.)

Mr. W. Sydenham, Tamworth, contributed a
well-arranged group of hardy flowers, in which
were some very fine Carnations. (Bronze
Medal.)

Messrs. Randall & Sons, Shirley, exhibited
American varieties of Carnations and Liliums.
(Bronze Medal.)

Messrs. Dicksoxs, Chester, staged a large
group of hardy flowers, in which were Phlox
Eugene Danzanvilliers, Romneya Coulteri,
Liliums, and Roses. (Bronze Medal.)

Messrs. Gunn & Sons, Olton, staged Roses in
variety, and a choice collection of Phloxes.
(Silver Medal.)

Messrs. \V. II. Simpson & Sons, Birmingham,
sent a beautifully-arranged group of Sweet Peas.
(Bronze Medal.)

ROYAL BOTANIC.

August 12. — The annual meeting was held on
the above date in the society's gardens, Regent's
Park. Mr. Pembroke Stephens, K.C., presided.
In the G8th annual report the council stated that
the society's indebtedness had decreased during
the year from £34,402 to £33.374, and the deben-
tures from £28,700 to £27,500. That Fellows of
the society believed in it to the extent of £27,000
was a fact which spoke for itself as evidence of
confidence in its management and in its future.
A policy of redemption as to £0,000 of the deben-
tures had been taken out, the surrender value being
£235 in 1905 and £360 in 1906, the increase of
£125 being also an increase in the society's assets.
Subscriptions had amounted to £2,544 in 1905 and
£2,551 in 1906. The amount received from fetes,
exhibitions, and garden-parties had been £1,516 in
1905 and £1,525 in 1906. The society's scientific
work had been carried on with consistent regu-
larity and efficiency. The number of Fellows and
others had fallen from 1,834 to 1,723. Nearly
half the decrease was accounted for by deaths.
The attempts to shake public confidence in the
society had reached their climax during the year,
but there had been ample evidence that a majority
of the Fellows wished to place the income on a
firmer footing. The council were anxious to adopt
any well-considered proposals to improve the up-
keep and usefulness of the gardens, but they were
bound to resist repeated attacks based upon mis-
conceptions or misrepresentations.

The chairman said that the gardens were, so far
as they knew, the prettiest gardens of the kind in
or out of London, and were kept up by the Fellows
without any public grant for rates or rent. The
society was ancient, Royal, and chartered, it was

doing an excellent work, and every visitor was
pleased with the gardens, which were easy of
access. The council had done all that was pos-
sible to investigate every ground of complaint.
Looked at all round, he believed there was a very
substantial advance in the society's position, and
he hoped the Fellows would continue to support
the council.

Sir Edwin Galsworthy seconded the adoption of
the report. The opposition, he said, appeared to
have dwindled from three to nothing. The council
comprised men of business experience, and he felt
that the antagonistic section of Fellows would not
do the society any real good. The matter of the
debentures had been put before them in a very
misleading manner by certain Fellows, and the
money certainly would not be pressed for if the
agitation ceased. The increased subscription pro-
posed by the council would have enabled them to
pay off all the debentures in time.

The Duke of Teck was re-elected president, Mr.
C Brinsley Marlay was elected treasurer, and the
eight retiring members of the council were re-
elected.

The chairman said he recognised that there
existed a feeling that the agitation had done some
good ; on the other hand, they had the falling off
in the number of Fellows. They could draw a
useful conclusion from this. An extra guinea sub-
scription would extinguish in time the whole of the
debentures, or the debenture-holders could hand
them back to the society.

The report was adopted, five dissenting.

It was decided to send a \ote of congratulation
to Sir Joseph Hooker, who had been since 1873 an
honorary member of the society, on his attaining
the age of 90 years.

COMMONS AND FOOTPATHS
PRESERVATION.

August 1. — Lord Eversley presided over the
monthly meeting of the executive committee of
the Commons and Footpaths Preservation
Society, held on the above date, at 25, Victoria
Street, Westminster. It was reported that the
progress of the society's Public Rights of Way
(No. 2) Bill continued to be opposed by a single
member of Parliament, although the Bill had
received the hearty support of leading repre-
sentatives of all political parties, and was gene-
rally regarded as a non-controversial measure.
It was resolved, upon the motion of Lord
Eversley, seconded by Sir Robert Hunter : —

" That this society, being greatly impressed by the great
benefits which would flow from the passing into law of the
Rights of Way (No. 2) Bill and the Advertisements Regu-
lation Bill, benefits which would operate, especially in rural
districts, by preserving those field paths which are so largely
used by the labouring population, and preventing the
disfigurement of the countryside, and hearing that the
Advertisements Regulation Bill has passed through all its
stages in both Houses, and only requires the consent of the
House of Commons to amendments made at the instance of
the promoters in the House of Lords, while the Rights o.f
Way Bill passed through the Grand Committee with the
warm approval of members of all parties, earnestly begs the
Prime Minister to give those advantages in procedure tc-
both measures which at this period of the Session are
necessary to enable the Bills to be considered on their own
merits."

A communication was read from Mr. Haldane,
M.P., the Secretary of State for War, stating that
the War Office, after considering the report of
the society's solicitor, Mr. Percival Birkett, upon
the legal position of Eltham Common, had de-
cided to abandon its proposal to erect officers'
quarters upon the common. Exhaustive re-
searches have been made into the history of
Eltham Common, and the society is satisfied
that although no rights of common have been
exercised for some time, freehold tenements exist
in respect of which such rights are appendant.
Much satisfaction was expressed by the society
at the decision of the War Office not to proceed
with the threatened enclosure of part of a valu-
able Metropolitan common, and it was decided
to urge the Department to give its consent to a
scheme for the regulation of the land under the
Metropolitan Commons Acts, on the under-
standing that the power to use the land for
military purposes was reserved. 'It was also
reported that the Birkenhead Corporation had
agreed to the insertion of a clause in their Water
Bill, now before Parliament, limiting their
powers of acquisition to an easement only over
common land in the County of Denbigh, to bo
utilised for reservoirs and pipes. The secretary,
Mr. Lawrence W. Chubb, stated (that during
July upwards of 50 fresh cases of interference
with footpaths and commons had been referred
to the society for advice and assistance.

Ai-gust 17, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

139

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

July 25. — Committee present : E. Ashworth, Esq.
(Chairman), and Messrs. Warburton, Ward, Cowan,
Keeling, Parker, P. Smith and Weathers (hon.
sec).

A. Wareurton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr.
Dalgleish), exhibited a group of plants, principally
Odontoglossums, which were in great variety.
(Bronze Medal.)

W. Thompson, Esq., Stone, Staffs, (gr. Mr.
Stevens), exhibited a group of Cypripediums,
principally hybrids. (Bronze Medal.)

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill, Brad-
ford, staged a group of miscellaneous plants. Some
pleasing forms of Masdevallia were included in the
exhibit, also a well-developed plant of Chondro-
rhyncha Chestertoni. (Bronze Medal.)

Mr. J. E. Sadler, Newbury, Berks, staged a
dozen or more plants of Odontoglossums in variety.
(Bronze Medal.)

J. Macartney, Esq., Bolton, displayed a few
good Cypripediums, as did also Mr. W, Bolton,
of Warrington.

Awards of Merit.

Chondrorhyncha Chestertoni and Cypripedium
Elliottianum var. superbum shown by Messrs.
A. J. Keeling & Sons.

Cypripedium Curtisii var. splendens displayed
by VV. Thompson, Esq., and C. x Donald from the
gardens of J. Macartney, Esq. P. IV.

The Shrewsbury Show. — We have received
from Mr. W. W. Naunton, one of the honorary
secretaries of the Shropshire Horticultural So-
ciety, an album of photographic views of some
of the features of the horticultural shows which
have been held in the old Shropshire town. All
the illustrations in this Souvenir of Shrewsbury
Great Floral Fete are excellent reproductions on
art paper of photographs taken by Mr. NAUNTON
himself, whose successful amateur photography
is so well known to visitors to Shrewsbury. The
illustrations include "A General View of
Shrewsbury from St. Chad's Tower," " Cham-
pion Grapes," "The Champion Grape Vase,
value £512 10s.," "Fruit Exhibit," "Collection
of Vegetables,' "Exhibit of Sweet Peas," and
20 other views connected with the fetes, the
Quarry grounds, and interesting features of the
town. It is published at the low price of 3d.,
and may be obtained from Messrs. Ai>mm &
Naunton, The Square, Shrewsbury. Visitors
to the town next week are recommended to
procure copies of this well-executed little pam-
phlet, which contains, in addition to the illus-
trations, particulars of the charitable work that
has been accomplished by the Shropshire Hor-
ticultural Society.

THE WEATHER.

^ ,

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending August U.

Day temperatures remarkably uniform.— Throughout the
past week the maximum readings in the thermometer screen
have been remarkably uniform, the lowest being 68° and
the highest 71°, or a variation of only 3Q. The nights
were all more or less warm, and on the warmest of them
the exposed thermometer did not fall below 57* -making
this the warmest night as yet recorded here during the*
present year. Owing to the paucity of sunshine the ground
still remains cold for (he time of year, the reading at 2 feet

t^n6!^2 T?0ldf,',and *{ X f°0t ^P l° COld^' tha" is

seasonable. Rain fell on only two days, and to the aggregate
depth of less than a quarter of an inch. No rain wate"r at
all has come through the percolation gauge on which short

wlS!SgSTlg' uLirJng t!ie week' whlle on,v a few drops
have trickled each day through the bare soil gauge. The
£rshon.e on ai} a/erage for 4| hours a day, or for nearly 1*
hours a day in defect of its usual duration in August. Thi

Si*. Were' ai ?< ral* high' but in no hour Jid the mean
velocity exceed 14 miles, direction W.N.W. The mean
amount of moisture in the air at 3 p.m. exceeded a season-
able quantity for that hour by as much as 12 per cent.
£>■ M., Berkhamsted, August 14, 1907.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

BULB LISTS.
Stkwart & Co.. 6, Melbourne Place, Edinburgh.
VISHkr, Son & Sibray, Ltd., Handsworth, Sheffield.
^liurans, Manchester and Altrincham.
I hos. Davies & Co., Wavertree, Liverpool.
Uttle & Ballantyne, Carlisle.

T J JABil & £S? ,Lti?-' 90 & 92> Southwark Streef

London, S.E. (Wholesale)
James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's Road, Chelsea.
Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, London, N.
John Peed & Son, West Norwood, London, S.E.

MARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN, August U.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the princioal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. *Tt
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply

in thf inarkot ■atxA tr._> A ,„j i ri _i _. fr ■*.

pot only from i___
in one day. — Ld.J

Cut Flowers,

Alstromerias, per

dozen bunches
Asters, per dozen

bunches
Eouvardia, per dz.

bunches
Calla .t-thiopica, p.

dozen

Carnations, per

dozen blooms,

best American

various

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

— Malmaisons, p.
dozen blooms..

Cattleyas, per doz.
blooms

Chrysanthemum
maximum, per
dozen bunches

— best blooms, p,
dozen

— small, per doz.
bunches

Coreopsis, per doz.

bunches
Cornflower, per dz.

bunches
DahKas, per dozen

bunches
Lucharis grandi-

flora, per doz.

blooms
Gaillardias, per dz.

bunches
Gardenias, perdoz.

blooms

Gladiolus, The

Bride, per doz.

bunches

— Brenchleyensis

— various
Gypsophila elegans

p. dz. bunches

— paoiculata
dozen bin

Iris, German, per
doz. bunches...

— Spanish, p. dz.
bunches

Lapageriaalt a, per

dozen

Liluim auratum ...

— lancifoli urn,
ru bru in a ud
album ...

Ac. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
I-ilium longiflorum 2 0-30
Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches 4 0-60
— extra quality ... 8 0-12 0
Marguerites, white,

p. dz. bunches 2 0-30

s.d. s.d

2 0-40

3 0-40

4 0- G 0
2 0-30

1 G- 3 0
9 0-12 0
6 0 10-0

12 0-15 0

10-20

2 0- 2 G

3 0-40

2 0-30
10-20

3 0-40

2 0-30
20-30

2 0-30

3 0-50
:l 0 6 n

4 0-90

2 U- 3 0

2 0-30

4 0-60

4 0-90

10-16
2 0-30

— yellow, per dz.
bunches ... 16-20

Mignonette, perdz.

bunches ... 2 0-30
Odontoglossum

crispum, per

dozen blooms 2 6-30
Pancratiuins, per

dozen fls. ... 3 0-10
Pelargoniums,

show, per doz.

bunches ... 4 0- G 0

— Zonal, double

scarlet 4 0-60

Pinks 10-30

Poppies, Iceland,

doz. bunches... 4 0-80

Shirley ... 2 0-30

Pyre thrums, per

dozen bunches 2 0-40
Rhodanthe, per dz.

bunches ... 3 0-40

Roses, 12 blooms,

Niphelos ... 10-30

— Bridesmaid ... 2 0-30

— C. Testout ... -J u J U

— General Jacque-
minot, per doz.
bunches ... 10-20

— Marechal Niel 1 t; 8 0

— K a i s e r i n A .
Victoria ... 1 6 S 0

— Mrs. J. Laing 10-30

— C. Mermet ... l 0 8 0

— Liberty ... 2 0-40

— Mad. Chatenay 10-30
Saponaria, per dz.

bunches ... 16-20
Scabious, per doz.

bunches ... 3 0-40

Statice, per dozen 2 6 3 0
Stephanotis, per

dozen trusses 3 0-50
Stocks, per dozen

bunches ... 3 0-40
Sweet Peas, p. doz.

bunches ... 10-30

Sweet Sultan, per

dozen bunches 3 0-40
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms ... 0 4-06

Cut Foliage, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiantum cunea-
luin, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, pi i (I

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per doz.

bunches
Cro:on leaves, bcli.
Cycas leaves, each
Fern, English, per

dozen bunches

— French, dozen
bunches

s.d. s.d.
4 0-60

8 0 12 0

16-20
0 6-10

2 0-26
10-16

16-20

10-20
10-30

s.d. s.d.
Galax leaves, per

dozen bunches 2 0-26
Hardy foliage

I various), per

dozen bunches
Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
doz. bunches...

Moss, per gross ...
Myrtle (English),

small-leaved,

doz. bunches...

— French, dozen
bunches

Smilax, p. dz. trails

2 0-60
2 0-26

16-30

2 0-30
4 0-50

4 0-60

10-16
16-26

Plants In Pots, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices (Contd.)

. - • ■ - '.I ."<-/ «t ^awvcu, .lit: supply

arket, and the demand, and they may fluctuate'
l day to day, but occasionally several times

s.d. s.d.
Lilium longi-

florum, per dz. 12 0-24 0

— lancif olium.
per dozen

Lily of the Valley

per dozen ..',
Marguerites, white

per dozen

— yellow

Mignonette, perdz.
Pelargoniums,

Ivy-leaved,
Mde. Crousse
and Galilee, p.
dozen 4 0-60

Plants In Pots, &c: Average Wholesale Prices.

Ampelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen

AraliaSieboldi.dz.

— larger

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, dz.
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus.doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— t e n u i s s i mus
per dozen

Asters per doz. ...
Calceolarias, yellow
Campanulas, p. dz.
Chrysanthem urns,

per dozen
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen
Coleus, per dozen
Coreopsis, perdoz.
Crassulas (Kalos-

anthes). perdz.
Crotons, per dozen

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80
4 0-60
9 0-12 0

12 0-30 0

18 0-30 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0
3 0-60

s.d. s.d.
Cyperus alternifo-

lius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Dracaenas, perdoz. 9 0-24 0
Euonymus, per dz. 4 0-90
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 7 0-10 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, per dz. 4 0-10 0

— in 32's, perdz. 10 0-18 0
Ficus elastica, per

dozen

— repens, perdoz
Fuchsias, per doz

4 0- 8 0 | Heliotropiums, per

6 0-90

4 0-80

8 0-90
12 0-18 0

9 0-18 0
2 0-40
6 0-10 0

9 0-12 0
12 0-30 0

8 0-10 0
4 0-60
4 0-60

3 0-40

s.d. s.d.
Pelargoniums,

— Zonals, perdz. 4 0-60

— show 6 0-9 0

Petunias, double,

. per dozen ... 4 0-80

— single, per dz. 3 0-60
Rhodanthe, perdz. 4 0-60
Roses, Ramblers,

each 3 0-76

Selaginella, dozen 4 0-60
Spiraea japonica,

per dozen ... 5 n- s ft
Verbena, Miss
Willmott, doz.
Zinnias, per dozen
Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices,
s.d s.d.

12 0-18 0

' 10 0-12 0

4 0-80
12 0-18 0
6 0-90

dozen ..
Hydrangea Hor-

tensia, per dz. 8 0-12 0

— paniculata, per

dozen 9 0-18 0

Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 12 0-18 0

— Fosteriana, dz. 12 0-21 0
Kochia scoparia,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0

12-14
2 0-26

4 0-60

5 0 —

5 6-60

6 6-76
8 0 —
5 0-56
0 9-13

G 0
3 0-
8 0-

Apples, per b'
Tasmanian :

— Stunner Pip-
pins 12 6-13 0

— English, p.bshl. 2 6-36

— i sieve 13-26

Apricots (French).

per bos

— F'rench, cases

— French, £ sieve
Bananas, bunch :

— No. 2 Canary .

— No- 1 ,. -

— Extra ,, ...

— Giants ,, ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (English),

— § sieve

— J sieve

Cranberries, case
Currants (English),

Red, j sieve ...

— Black (Eng-
lish), £ sieve ...

— White, p. peck
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

< Guernsey), p.

dozen

Gooseberries (Eng-
lish). \ sieve ...
Grape Fruit, case 11 0-12 0
(English),
Hambro's.p. lb, 0 6-10

— Alicante, perlb. 0 8-10

— Gros Maroc,
per lb

— English Mus-
cats, per lb. ...

— Canon Hall,
per lb

— Belgian Ham
bro's, perlb....

L vints ;

— Messina, case 1) 0 1.1 0

— Naples, p. case 18 0 23 0

1 . pel box... 10-
Mangoes, per doz.
Mandarines, Natal
Naartjes, box

— case

Melons (Guernsey),

each 0 9-20

— French, Rock,

each 16-30

Melons (Valencia),

per case
— Cant aloupe,

each

Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz.
list quality.

(2nd

4 0-60
3 0-4 0'

s.d. s.d.

5 6-9 6
0 3-04

8 0 15 0
2 0-40

2 0-26

6 0-66
1 9 1 0

2 6-
10-40

16-30

0 9-13
0 9- 2 G

2 0-40
0 6-06

6 0-12 0

13-19
6 0-80

— French, p. box 0 10- 1 O
Nuts, Cobnuts, per

doz. lb 2 6-30

— Almonds, bags 54 0 —

— Brazils, new,

per cwt. ... 40 0-42 6

— Barcelona, bag 32 6 —

— Cocoa nuts, 100 12 0-17 0
Oranges (Austra-
lian), per box... 8 0-14 O
Natal, per case 6 0-80

— Naples, p. case 8 0-10 0-

— Navels, p. case 10 0-10 6

— Murcias, p. box 10 0-14 0
Peaches (English),

per dozen
J 1st quality ...
1 2nd „ ...

— French, p. box
Pears (English), §

sieve

— French, Wil-
liams Bon Cre-
tien, per box...

— (Calif ornian),
per box

Plums (English), p.
i sieve :

— Orleans

— Moroccos

— Rivers

— Czars „

— Californian.bos 6 0-63

— French, p. box 0 10- 1 0

— French,} sieve 16-50

— Italian, basket 16-19

s (French),
per box ... 0 8-16

— Italian, basket 16-19

— French, J sieve 2 6-50

— Spanish, J sieve 10 0-10 6
Pineapples, each... 2 0-36

1 fries (Eng-
lish), handle
basket

— English, p. dz.
punnets

6 0-90
10-30
18-16

19-26

3 6-40
7 0-80

2 3-26
20 —
19-20
2 0-23

16-19

3 0-5 0'

Vegetables

Artichokes(French),

per dozen
Aubergines(French),

per doz.
Beans (French), per

pad

— Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel

— Home -grown,
per bushel ...

Beetroot, bushel ...

Cabbages, perdoz.

Cabbage Greens,

bag

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— washed, per
bag

Cauliflowers, per
dozen

Chow Chow (Sec-
hium edule),p.
dozen ...

Cucumbers, per
dozen

Endive, per dozen

Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.
bundles

Leeks, 12 bundles

Lettuce (English),
Cos, per score

Marrows (English),
per tally

: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Mint, doz. bunches 0 3-10
Mushrooms(house)

perlb 0 8-0 10

— buttons, per lb. 0 10 —

— "Broilers"p.lb. 0 5-06
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Lisbon),
case

— pickling, per
bushel

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches

Peas (English), per
bushel ^

— English, p. bag 4 0-50
Parsley, 12bunches 16-20

— § bushel
Potatos (Canary),

per cwt.

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen

Salsafy, p. dz.bdls.

Spinach, English,
per bushel

Tomatos: —

— French, p. crate 3 0-36

— selected, per
dozen lbs.

— small selected,
per dozen lbs.

Turnips (English),

doz. bunches... 2 0-30
Watercress, per

doz. bunches..

10-13
10-13
3 0-40

2 0 —

3 0-36
13 16
0 9-10

10-16

2 0 —

10-16

3 0-36
2 0-26

i 0 —

16-26
2 6 —

13 0-14 0
1 6 —

0 4-06

3 0-40

10-16
5 0 —

2 0-26
16 2 0

16-26

10-16

8 0-90

0 4-06
3 6 —

0 9-10

3 0-36
2 6-30

0 4-06

Remarks.— Plums from Kent are arriving in large quan-
tities and record consignments are anticipated. English
Apples and Pears are also obtainable. Home-grown Tomatos
have made a slight advance in value. The first shipments
forthis season of Australian Oranges and Californian Plums
("Golden Drops") have been received. French Gages are
much cheaper. Strawberries are now finished. P. L.,
Covent Garden Market, August 14, 1S07.

Potatos

Rents, 3s. to 4s. per cwt. ; Bedfords, GOs. to 70s. ; Lincolns,
50s. to 70s. : Blacklands, 45s. to 50s. per ton. Supplies are
large, but the demand generally is slow. /. D. C, Covent

6,11.1,11, August. 14, 1907.

140

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 17, 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Chrysanthemums of the Madame Massee type, in pots,
are seen on several stands, but they are not disbudded and
not good in quality. The Egg plant (Solatium ovigerum) is
sent by several growers, and though not of much decorative
value, it sells readily as a novelty. Campanula isophylla
alba and C. i. Mayi are now very good, including plants
with flowers fully expanded, and others with their first
blooms just opening. Verbenas Miss Willmott, Scarlet
King, and the white variety are seen in well-flowered plants.
Up "to yesterday morning Pelargoniums, including show,
Ivy-leaved, and zonals, were procurable in well-flowered
piants. Fuchsias, Heliotropiums, Chrysanthemum segetum,
Hydrangea Hortensia and paniculata grandiflora in various
stzL-d plants, Lilium lougiSorum and L. lancifolium rubrum
are seen on several stands, but they do not sell freely.
Marguerites are still abundant, especially those with white
flowers. Rose Dorothy Perkins is still seen, but some of the
blooms are far advanced. Plants of Spirasa japonica from
retarded crowns are well flowered Bedding plants are still
procurable. Single Petunias were noted on three stands on
Tuesday (August 18) ; also small 2onal Pelargoniums, Cal-
ceolarias, &c. Of Chinese Asters some are in pots and
others are plants that have been taken up from the open
ground. Trade for Ferns and other foliage plants is now
very quiet.

Cut Flowers.

The market is overloaded with cut bloom. Asters are
now very good from home growers ; those of the Comet
section are favourites. Statices of various sorts are over
abundant. Coreopsis, Gaillardias, Scabiosus caucasicus,
also the ordinary S>*eet Scabious, in very pretty shades
of colours; Roses, Carnations, Sweet Peas, Gladiolus and
Liliums are all over abundant. Gypsophila paniculata is
seen in heaps all round the market, and 1 noted some of
a new double variety which does not come into bloom
quite so early as the type. Irises are now over for the
season. Sweet Sultan can be had in yellow and white
flowers, both are extensively grown ; the improved white
variety is much appreciated. Iceland Poppies are still
very good. Tuberoses, Gardenias, Stephanotis, Lapageria
alba, and Eucharis are all well supplied.— A. H., Covent
Garden, Wedrusday, August 14, 1907.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Coriespondents are requested to write the names of persons
and places as legibly as possible. No charge is
made /or these announcements, but ij a small contribution
is sent, to be placed in our collecting Box Jor the Gardeners'
Orphan Fund, it will be thankfully received ami acknow-
ledged in these columns,

Mr. G. A. Holmes, for four years as Foreman in the gar-
dens of H. Wiiitworth, Esq., Dunford House, Wath-
on-Dearne, Rotherham, as Gardener to Colonel Orange
Bromehead, Newbold House, near Chesterfield. (One
shilling has been placed in R.G.O.F. Box.)

Mr. William G. Payne, for the past 2* years Gardener to
R. Palmer, Esq., Nazing Park, Waltham Cross, as
Gardener to Walter Hargreaves, Esq., at the same
place. (One shilling has been placed in the R.G.O.F.
Box.)

Mr. F. Deaney, for the past six years Gardener to Sidney
Roberts, Esq., Scotsbridge House, Rickmansworth, as
Gardener to Mrs. Fulcher, Redenham House, Andover,
Hants. (One shilling has been placed in the R.G.O.F.
Box.)

Mr. Wm. Geo. Coombes, for the past 12 months Gardener
to Mrs. Pilgrim, Akeley Wood, Buckingham, and
previously 7J years with Mr. Sterry, Chapel Clewe,
Washford, Taunton, as Gardener to Captain Tryon,
The Manot House, Great Durnford, Salisbury.

Mr. F. Cook, for three years Gardener to the late Mrs.
Eley, Oxhey Grange, Watford, Herts, as Gardener to
F. Hobson, Esq., The Prospect, Trowbridge, Wilts.
(Thanks for contribution to R.G.O.F. Box.)

Mr. W. G. Guise, for the past five years Gardener to James
Porter, Esq., Berthlwyd, near Conway, N. Wales, as
Gardener to J. H. S. Fullerton, Esq., J. P., D.L., Noble-
thorpe Hall, Silkstone, near Barnsley.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Address Books : D. F. Thalacher's Adrcssbuch,
published by Bernhard Thalacker, Leipzig-
Gohlis, Germany. We have not a copy of a
French gardeners' directory.

Bouquet of Cut Flowers : TL. H. According
to the terms of the schedule, any cut flowers
could be shown, for annuals, biennials, and
perennials were allowed. No provision was
made to exclude bulbous plants. Lilium
dauricum is a perennial. Chrysanthemums,
Delphiniums, and shrubby Phloxes are also
perennial plants. The schedule, like many
others issued at local flower shows, is very
loosely worded.

Black Currants, Raspberries, and Goose-
berries : Samuel. These plants are all gross
feeders, and therefore require a liberal supply of
plant food. Farm-yard or stable manure with
moderate applications of superphosphate and
kainit constitute the best stimulants they can be
given. If sufficient natural animal manure can-
not be obtained, then during the present autumn
or early in winter apply to each square yard of
soil around the trees a mixture composed of 6
ounces of superphosphate. 6 ounces of kainit,
and 6 ounces of lime. In January or February
next apply 8 ounces of Rape cake to each square
yard of the soil around the trees and lightly

fork over the surface of the ground afterwards.
If you can get any household suds, free from
grease, you might give a liberal application of
this liquid in showery weather during the month
of March. Apply an extra dose of this liquid
manure to the Raspberries, as these plants
require a most liberal amount of moisture.

Carnation Seedling : TL. G. W. Striped or
flaked varieties are common. Cultivate your
plant for a season or two, and see. if the
flowers will improve in form and size.

Carnation Sporting: /. H. The variety you
send has little or no value, being inferior to
many already in cultivation.

Coccus on Elm-Bark : It'. P. Pseudococcus
aceris is the name of the insect on the Elm-bark.
It is allied to the mealy bugs, but has not
hitherto been recorded as really injurious, and
judging from the comparatively few specimens
present upon the piece of bark submitted we are
of opinion that the sickly condition of the trees
is due to some other cause. The insects can be
destroyed by an application of paraffin emulsion
or caustic alkali wash ; but it is too late now to
do any good as the larva? are all hatched out
from the white tiocculent sacs and are probably
feeding on the smaller branches. To be effec-
tive the wash should be applied soon after the
white sacs are noticed on the bark, which is
generally at about the beginning of July.

Grapes Sticky : G. H. I. We cannot account
for the presence of the sticky substance, unless
it be a deposit from such insects as aphis.

Green Peas to Preserve : G. W. Take the Peas
when they are just fully grown, but before they
are old ; shell them, throw them into boiling
water and let them boil for 10 minutes. Drain
well, and spread them out on tins. Put them
into a cool oven once or twice to harden, then
put the Peas into paper bags, tie the bags
securely, and suspend them in a dry, warm room
until wanted. Before using them, soak them in
water for a short time and put one ounce of
butter into the water in which they are boiled.
Another method is to gather the Peas on a fine,
dry day, open the pods on a large, clean cloth
and leave the Peas for five or six hours exposed
to the sun and air. Dry them gently in a rough
towel, bottle them securely and in such a man-
ner as to exclude air, or store them in a dry
place.

Horse Chestnut Tree : H. S. You cannot do
better than cut it off very low ana apply the
acid occasionally.

Land for Vegetables : H. K. You want to
know what amount of land is required to pro-
duce a good supply of vegetables for a chil-
drens' hospital accommodating about 250
persons, including staff. It is difficult to give
anything like an accurate answer to this ques-
tion, as so much will depend upon circum-
stances, such as the nature and suitability of the
land, and its manuring, cropping and cultiva-
tion. However, we should say that four acres
of good land would suffice, provided the ground
is well manured, skilfully cropped, and given
every attention that is necessary. Keep the
crops free from weeds, and the surface soil
stirred at intervals of a few weeks, between
the rows of Carrots, Onions, Parsnips, French
Beans, Scarlet Runners, Peas, Cabbages, Cauli-
flowers, &c, not only in order to destroy seed-
ling weeds but also to stimulate growth in the
various crops. As soon as the ground has
been cleared of one crop it should be given
what manure is considered necessary, and after-
wards it should be dug or ploughed, and cropped
again. Four acres will afford one rood to the
supply of each 15 people, or thereabouts.

Peach Stones Splitting : Enquirer. Either of
the checks you mention will cause the stones
to split. Excessive water at the roots is fre-
quently accountable for the trouble. We do
not know that the variety you mention is more
susceptible to this injury than others.

Peas : H. T. W. Your Peas are in a hopeless
condition. The pods are attacked by the Bean
Anthracnose, Gloeosporium Lindemuthianum.
The base of the stem has been attacked by
insects ; and the foliage shows the advent of
spots due to some hitherto undeveloped para-
site. You should root up and burn all you can,
disinfect the soil, and plant neither Beans nor
Peas in the same soil for two or three years
to come.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind tuat it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits : G. B. Raby Castle.— C. E. A. Imma-
ture Apples cannot be named with certainty.
Send again later when the fruit is in season. —
A. H. S. Myrobalan Plum.

Plants : J. U . Verbascum Thapsus. — T. H.
Rubus odoratus. — G. C. 1, Deutzia crenata,
double-flowered variety ; 2, Spiraea filipendula. —
N. S. Chichorium Intybus: the Cbichory. —
/. S. 1, Oncidium luridum guttatum ; 2, O.
triquetrum. — C. B. 1, Alnus incana ; 2, Vibur-
num dentatum. — Hortus. 1, Spiraea Douglasii;

2, S. japonica, callosa ; 3, Kalmia latifolia ; 4,
Centaurea macrocephala ; 5, Lythrum salicaria ;
6, Betonica spicata. — A. B. 1, Epidendrum
indivisum ; 2, Oncidium tetrapetalum ; 3, Stelis
micrantha ; 4, Coelia bella. — F.B. 1, Calam-
pelis (Eccremocarpus) scaber. A useful outdoor
climber.— H. J . D. Eucomis punctata. A Cape
bulb, hardy in sheltered situations. — C. S. Sela-
ginella Wildenovii. — L. H. 1, Fumaria offici-
nalis ; 2, .rEthusa Cynapium ; 3, Erodium mos-
chatum; 4, Calamintha officinalis; 5, Sedum
rupestre ; 6, Sedum Telephium. — A. W.S. 1,
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ; 2, Spiraea Lindleyana ;

3, Pavia macrostachya ; 4, Solidago Virgaurea ;
5, Achillea tomentosa ; 6, Inula glandulosa. —
X. Y.Z. 1, Hypericum Moserianum tricolor;
2, Vesbascum nigrum ; 3, Hypericum andrc-
ceum ; 4, Lilium chalcedonicum ; 5, Lysimachia
vulgaris; G, Escallonia rubra. — Fresco. 1,
Polystichum angulare var. proliferurn ; 2, P.
aculeatum lobatum ; 3, Lastrea Filix-mas ; 4,
Athyrium Filix-fcemina var. rhasticum ; 5, As-
pidium Filix-fcemina var. ; 6, Lastrea oreop-
teris. — W. W, We do not undertake to name
varieties of Carnations. The flower you send
is probably Cecilia. — F. C. Tradescantia vir-
ginica.

Roses on Iron Standards : L. W. K. Place
a thin strip of wood up the support, and
secure the growths so that they will come in
contact with the wood only. In the case of
chains, you should bind some cloth material
around them at the places where the shoots
will be fastened.

The Loganberry : T. M. The propagation and
cultivation of this plant are generally similar
to those required by the Raspberry. See a note
on this fruit in our Calendar on the Hardy
Fruit Garden, p. 129.

Twin Cucumber : F. B. Such examples are not
uncommon ; we usually receive similar speci-
mens during the season. The abnormality is
caused by a fusion of two fruits.

Violas Dying : F. 0. The plants are attacked
by a fungus disease. Spray the foliage with
a fungicide, such as Condy's Fluid or sulphide
of potassium — \ oz. to 3 gallons of water.

Weeds : A Reader. The best plan is to burn
them on the garden fire. They may also
be destroyed by exposure to the air after
they are uprooted. If the ground is trenched,
the stolons can be removed as the digging
proceeds, and be afterwards burned. We
have never used electricity for destroying
weeds. For information on the sterilisation
of soil see an article which commenced on p.
129 in our issue for March 2, 1907.

Communications Receives. — H. G. A. — W, P. W. — S. A. S.
— W. H.— E. W. D., Zomba— W. F. G.— A. J.— J. L.,
Portland House-A. C. F.— C B. B.— H. H.— G. M. A.-
P. J. P.— W. F.— J. S.— J. McC— J. C. He- A. W. S.—
H. A.— C. A. B.— S. A.— J. H. H.-W. B. C— H. J. G.—
H. F.— de B. C— T. J.— A. T.— A. M. C. J. C— W. L„
Manila— W.T.—S. P.— H. F. M.— J. C. T.— A. B.-D. C..I).

August 24, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

14!

THE

^atbmcrs'orbroniclc

No. 1,078.— SATURDAY, August 24, 1907.

CONTENTS.

American Seed Trade
Association 151

Aiiilbe Davidii as a gar-
den plant J 52

, notices of —
Injurious insects . . 146
Art and craft of gar-
den making 147

E le.iux mixture, an
economical method of
making 150

Buddleia Colvilei hardy
in Scotland 152

Campanula mirabilis ... 144
mthemums in the
present season ... 152

Couiarella multifoliata 151

Cosmos sulphureus ... 150

I >alton Holme, Beverley 141

Debating Societies,
questions at 152

leinery, the —
Decorative British
Ferns 141

Fruit crops, remarks on
the condition of the... 144

Fruit trees, the summer
pruning of 152

Hydrangea Hortensia at
Boughton Park gar-
dens 152

New York, a botanical
garden near 151

Market notes

Notospartium Carmich-

aelire

Orchid notes and glean-
ings—

Odontiodas

Peaches, a disease of ...
Pea, the Crown or

Mummy

Propagator, the

Societies —

British Gardeners'
Association

Debating

National Sweet Pea...

Royal HorticLilttn.il ..

Shropshire Horticul-
tural

Terrace-gardening, a

lecture on

Trees and shrubs —

Hares injuring tree-
stems

Ulmus alata

Viola trials at Glasgow
Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ...

Fruits under glass ...

Hardy fruit garden ...

Kitchen garden, the ...

Orchid houses, the ...

Parks and gardens ...

Plants under glass ...

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Campanula mirabilis flowering on a rock garden in
Switzerland

Carnation house at Dalton Holme gardens

Cosmos sulphureus, a showy annual (Supplementary
Illustration)

Dalton Holme, Beverley

Flowering shoot of Notospartium Carunichaeliae'

Flowers of Campanula mirabilis

Gardener's cottage at Dalton Holme, tFe

Notospartium Carmichaeliu? flowering at Kew...

Peach disease (Macrosporium rhaldiferuni)

Potato haulm with tuber in a leaf-axil

117

142
100

152
143

154
159
154
152

11:1
148
152

149
149

149
149
148

1 1H

119

144
143

142
147
145
1 12
140
160
100

DALTON HOLME, BEVERLEY.

DALTON HOLME, the residence of Lord
Hotham, whose family have held the
large estates in connection therewith for
many hundreds of years, is situated some six
miles from Beverley on the southern side of
the Yorkshire wolds. The park that surrounds
the mansion consists of some 400 acres of
undulating land which is well furnished with
trees, principally of Oak, Beech, and Elm.
When the present Lord Hotham came into
possession of Dalton Holme, about the year
1 1872, he decided to carry out extensive improve-
1 ments in the mansion, home grounds, and gar-
dens, and the advice of the late Mr. Broderick
Thomas was sought, especially as to the
development of the landscape on the farm
lands outside the park.

Time has proved that on the whole, the im-
provements recommended by this expert were
of a satisfactory character. The principal
fronts of the mansion face eastward and west-
ward. Leading to the east front is a carriage
drive that is enclosed from the park by a very
ornamental forecourt with gates at either

corner. On the western side of the mansion is
the principal flower-garden, which takes the
form of a sunken panel with a broad, well-
kept gravel path surrounding the whole. The
original design of this flower-garden has been
much improved in recent years by reducing
the number of the beds, dispensing with the
intricate box-edging and small gravel paths
that surrounded them, and by substituting
turf as a base to the whole. Owing to the
cold, unseasonable weather this season, the
more tender bedding-plants were not well
developed at the time of my visit, though it
was easy to imagine that a little later the
general effect would be very good. Begonias
in groups of varieties of distinct colours were
a prominent feature. Abutilons, Cannas, and
other suitable plants were tastefully disposed
as foils to dwarfer-habited flowering plants.
Antennaria tomentosa was freely used for
edging purposes. A number of clipped
golden Yews were the best examples of
topiary work the writer has seen. The trees
were some 4 to 5 feet in height and the
same in diameter, and they were cut in such
a manner as to resemble an American Aloe,
each stem representing a leaf thereof.

At the base of the low wall that supports the
gravel path near to the house is a border of
Tea and Hybrid Tea Roses. These are
planted in patches of from six to nine plants,
and comprise the following varieties : Souvenir
de T. Levet, Mme. Haaste, Papa Gontier,
Mine. Falcot, Anna Olivier, Viscountess
Folkestone, Maman Cochet, Mine. Lambard,
and Marie Van Houtte. Seedling Aquilegias
of a choice strain raised their flower spikes at
intervals amongst the Roses, and the borders
of the Rose beds were edged with blue and
white Violas.

On the further side of the path that bounds
this panel garden commences the extensive
lawn, which is the leading feature of Dalton.
This had often been described to me by
gardening friends, but I was not prepared to
find it so remarkable. It is about eight acres
in area, and of oval shape, with one apex
nearest the house cut off. At the further end
there is a long avenue, terminated with an
ornamental tea-room, the architecture of which
is in keeping with that of the residence. The
■turf of this lawn is very good, and it is
interspersed with patches of heather, which,
although trimmed regularly, develops small
flower spikes at the base of the growths.
On either side of the sward there are double
avenues of healthy Beech trees, with towering
heads, fully go feet in height. The bottom
branches develop six or eight feet from the
ground line, thus showing the massive trunks
of the trees, and affording a view some distance
into the woodland behind them. The avenue
first mentioned is bordered by Rhododendrons
in variety, but especially with R. ponticum.

The walks that lead to the upper portion of
the grounds extend through the large Beech
avenues, hence the grass area of the lawn is
not intersected by walks. The Beeches on the
northern side are continued up to the man-
sion so as to give shelter to the terrace garden.
Large portions of the outside walls of the
the mansion, which is built mainly of light-
coloured bricks with stone dressings, are
covered with Ampeloj sis Veitchii. I was in-
formed that in autumn the foliage assumes
beautiful tints which it does not always develop
in northern districts. At the southern end of the

house there is a moderately large conservatory
which has an entrance into a corridor con-
nected with the main reception rooms. At the
end of the house, near to the conservatory,
there is a very fine specimen of the old
Rose Fellemburgh. The plant covers a space
fully 16 feet in height and as much in width.
It was covered with flowers. From the con-
servatory in a south-westerly direction a path
leads to the kitchen-garden and glasshouses.
It extends through a part of the pleasure-
grounds that is furnished with groups of choice
flowering and foliage shrubs, with single speci-
mens at intervals. The last portion of this
path is between two borders of choice H.P.
Roses backed with Yew hedges in which at
every 4 yards are recesses, each containing a
fine specimen of the golden Irish Yew.

The area enclosed for kitchen gardens,
orchards and the reserve garden is about
eight acres. In the centre are four acres en-
closed by high brick walls. On the side
nearest the mansion is an enclosed portion
surrounded with a Yew hedge and fronted by
Rose and herbaceous borders. The plants in
this quarter are grown for supplying cut
(lowers. A grass-covered path gives access
to the borders. The walls that enclose
the kitchen garden are well clothed with
healthy fruit trees most of which are in a
good fruiting condition. Pear trees in par-
ticular were very clean and fairly well fruited.
Dalton has long been noted for the fine Pears
produced in its gardens. Hundreds of these
fruits are now enclosed in small bags made of
some light material. Apples, Plums, Cherries
and Peaches were all satisfactory, while small
fruits were abundant. I was somewhat sur-
prised to find Peach trees succeeding so well
trained to wires. My own experience has been
against this practice in the north. The wires
were fixed 6 inches apart and not more than
from \ to \ of an inch from the wall.

A list of the leading varieties of fruits grown
includes : — ■ Apples — Keswick Codlin, Lord
Suffield, Pott's Seedling, Cox's Orange Pippin,
Norman ton Wonder, Mr. Gladstone, Peas-
good's Nonsuch, Newton Wonder, Allington
Pippin, Lord Burghley (very good), and
Charles Ross. Plums — Early Rivers, Vic-
toria, Pond's Seedling, Coe's Golden Drop
and Kirke's. Cherries — Elton, May Duke,
Governor Wood, Noble and Morello. Pears
— Williams' Bon Chretien, Clapp's Favourite,
Louise Bonne of Jersey, Marie Louise, Doy-
enne' du Cornice, Beurre Diel, Conference,
Pitmaston Duchess, British Queen, Duron-
deau, Easter Beurre and Winter Nelis.
The best Pears are obtained from triple
cordons grafted on the Quince stock. Straw-
berries— Keen's Seedling, Leader and Royal
Sovereign. Peaches — Waterloo, Amsden,
June (almost ripe on July 22), Early Silver,
Grosse Mignonne and Walburton Admirable.
Nectarines — Early Rivers and Lord Napier.
All of these fruit trees had good crops of fine
healthy fruit.

The kitchen garden was well cropped with
the leading kinds of vegetables. Well arranged
borders of hardy herbaceous plants skirt each
side of the central path. Both borders are
edged with a broad line of Campanula carpatica
alba, at full flower at the time of my visit.
In the alleys at the back of each border,
are wire arches that are covered with some
of the choicer varieties of rambler Roses,
and other climbing plants with a single line of

142

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 24, 1907.

strong-growing herbaceous plants and Sweet
Peas, the whole making a pleasing contrast
to the vegetable quarters behind them. A
great variety of plants form the edgings to the
walks both in the kitchen garden and the por-
tions of the grounds attached thereto. Fully
three-quarters of a mile of these walks is

in area, the demand being mainly for table
plants and for those that are suitable for room-
decoration in the winter months. One house
contained Carnations, mostly Souvenir de la
Malmaison varieties, including Princess of
Wales, Cecilia, Prime Minister, Old Blush, Sir
C. Freemantle, Miss A. Campbell, Calipso,

The head gardener's dwelling forms an
important feature in the grounds, and there
has recently been erected a very commodious
residence for the young gardeners.

Mr. Allsop informed me he owes much of
his cultural success to a knowledge of
chemistry which he acquired years ago. It

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Fig. 55. - dalton holme, bevkkley; the residence of lokd mothasi.

bordered by Gentiana praecox. It was easy to
see from the old flower spikes what a beautiful
sight this bordering must have presented when
in flower. Saxifraga umbrosa (London Pride)
is another plant used on a large scale for this
purpose at Dalton Holme. Box was very little
in evidence. The glasshouses are not so
numerous as in some other large gardens,
but they are well adapted to the purposes
for which they are intended. They were
erected in the early 'seventies by Messrs.
Messenger, of Loughborough, and are still
in good condition. One of the original boilers
of the hot-water system was only removed
last winter, being replaced by a large
" Quorn " boiler, which Mr. Allsop, the gar-
dener, informed me, answers well. The main
range of plant houses is backed by the south
wall of the kitchen garden and consists of a
large span-roofed greenhouse in the centre, and
on either side of this are two hip-roofed
vineries, each 40 feet in length and 18 feet in
width.

In the early vinery Buckland Sweetwater
comes to greater perfection than I have
witnessed it elsewhere. The late vinery is
planted with the varieties Lady Downe's,
Black Alicante, Gros Colmar and Mrs. Pear-
son. The vines are trained on the short spur
system, though the plants are not confined to
one rod ; some have two and three rods each.

I have seen fruit exhibited from these vines
at the northern shows during a period of
nearly 30 years, and the exhibits have been
very successful. The crops generally this
season are good.

The glass devoted to plant culture is limited

Floriel, Horace Hutchinson, and Galatea. As
an edging were used small plants of Centaurea
candidissima, Primula obconica, Lobelia
Catherine Mallard, with a drooping fringe
of Linaria and Asparagus in variety. Under
each stage were four brick enclosures situated

has enabled him to properly mix manure so
as to suit the various plants and fruits to which
it is applied. The soil at Dalton is a good
loam resting on clay with a base of chalk. An
excellent supply of water is available all over
the estate. Yorkshire Gardener.

Fig.

56. — VIEW OF THE GARDENER'S COTTAGE
AT DALTON HOLME.

at equal distances apart. In these were grow-
ing, in pairs, Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums Rye-
croft Surprise and Souvenir de Charles Turner.
They formed masses of foliage and flowers
right up to the angle of the roof and fully a
yard in diameter (see fig. 57).

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ODONTTODAS.

When these interesting plants are more
numerous, and they become better known as a
race, there is a possibility of their equalling,
and perhaps exce ling in popularity, the much-
prized genus of Odontoglossum. They have re-
cently evoked much discussion, and a few notes
respecting them have already been published,
but nothing in the form of a complete list has
appeared, hence it may now be opportune to
give one. The year 1908 should materially add
to the interest taken in the new " red race " of
Orchids, for there can be little doubt but that
the influence of red upon the progeny of Odonto-
glossums and Odontiodas will be even greater
than is that! of O. Harryanum, for it will create
a new coloy, which will permeate the whole
family, and ramify to all the allied genera, when
the linking-up operation is effected by the
hybridist.

Since the time that Odontioda Vuylstekesl
appeared at the Temple Flower Show of May 31,
1904, and created such a furore, almost all
raisers of Orchids have taken the matter in
hand. Considering the short time that has
passed since then, great progress has been made,
and seedlings of similar crosses exist in many
parts of England and on the Continent.

August 24, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

U\

Mr. Charlesworth had previously raised plants
which in due time bloomed, and were named
Odontioda heatonensis, O. Bohnhoffias, and O.
Bradshawiae.' Mr. Stevens, in the Walton
Grange Collection, has also several seedlings
of a similar cross as that which produced O.
Vuylstekese ; some of these should flower in 1S08.

In these days, when size of flower and value
of plant are the objects, the first results in the
primary hybrids will be in many cases dis-
appointing, for the difficulty of utilising a large-
flowered species of Odontoglossum as the seed-
bearing parent is great, but to those persons
who do not especially consider size and value,
the results will be equally as acceptable, for
they will command a " breeding " value, as

Rolfe's articles in the Orchid Review of June,
1907, p. 181, and July, 1907, p. 222. At that
time I had plants of three Odontoglossums
crossed with C. Noezliana, hence it was un-
likely I should have stated it could nut be
effected. The note in the July issue was written
at my request, but it did not fully solve the
question.

The information regarding crosses with C.
Ncezliana as the pollen parent in the " Thwaites
Collection " (see Orchid Review, August, 1907, p.
227) is most interesting, and corroborates my
above made statement regarding the ramifica-
tions one may expect. I hope to see many addi.
tions to our knowledge of this matter as time
progresses, for if it be possible to raise freely

FlG. 57. — INTERIOR OF CARNATION HOUSE AT DALTON HOLME, Willi IVY-I.EaVED
PELARGONIUMS OVER THE PATH. (Seep. 142.)

being far more likely to cross freely upon
Odontoglossums than Cochlioda itself.

Although the reason is not definitely known,
it is generally considered that the pollen tubes of
a Cochlioda have not the capacity of freely pene-
trating the longer column of an Odontoglossum,
though this is not an absolute rule, for I have
raised plants of O. Hallii $ , X C. Noezliana s ,
and O. Hallii has one of the longest columns
in the genus.

This brings me to the subject of C. Noez-
liana as a pollen parent, and about which I
wish to clear up some misapprehensions in Mr.

upon Odontoglossums, time will be gained
by getting increased size in the primary hybrids,
this being proved by the comparison of O.
Vuylstektae with any of the others raised by
using Cochlioda as the mother parent.

If the reason of our frequent failure with
Odontoglossum as the seed parent be as it is
supposed, there can be no doubt but that the
hybrids will remove much of the disability, and
the first seed upon O. crispum obtained in this
way will produce the nearest approach to a
scarlet form of O. crispum, which is so
anxiously awaited.

Respecting the failure in this case — and I have
examined scores of them — I find that the pollen
tube has never penetrated to the ovary, even
though the column swells normally, as does
the ovary to a less degree. The pollen seems to
decay upon the stigma and effect irritation only,
and not impregnation.

The records to date will be interesting, hence
I tabulate them under different headings. I
know of others, but for various reasons do not
publish them.

Crosses raised with Cochlioda Noezliana as the male
OR pollen parent.

nobile

Vuylsteke

=Odontioda Vuylstekeaa

Edwardii

Thwaites

O.R. Aug. 1907, 227.

ramosissimum

Kegeljani

Craw shay

Halln

nobile

Rossii

ii

I have suceeded with other Odontoglossums as
the seed parent, but as yet I have not plants
that can be written about, though it looks as
if this will be possible in the near future.

Table of Odontiodas.

Name.

Vuylstekeae ...
Heatonensis

,, St. Vincent

Bohnhoffi^e

Vuylstekeae

Bradshawiae

\\ alton Orange var.
Vuylstekeie

Kingsmillii

Raiser and
Exhibitor.

Vuylsteke
Charlesworth

Vuylsteke
Charlesworth

Thompson
Fowler

Exhibition
or Publication.

Temple Show, May 31,

1904 (F.C.C.)
R.H.S., March 6, 1906

(A.M.)
R.H.S., December 11,

1SJ06 (A.M.)
R.H.S., September 25,

1906 (A.M.)
Dresden, May 5, 1907.
i empie Show, Ma" 28,

1907.

R.H.S., June 25, 1907.

Gardeners* Chroniclet
July -27. 1907, p. 63.

The last two were raised by Mr. Charlesworth.

de B. Crawshay.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

ULMUS ALATA, MICH.
(The Wahoo or Winged Elm.)
A. D. W '., on p. 103, writes of this tree as
occurring on Welsh hillsides at 600 feet eleva-
tion. I have not the least doubt that what he saw
l- dimply the corky-barked form of a variety of
U. campestris, which was known to Loudon
and ethers as U. suberosa, and which I believe
to be a very inferior tree in all respects to either
the true English Elm or the Wych Elm. The
young branches of this form often take on the
winged character figured by Michaux in U.
alata, a small tree of the southern United States,
which I have never seen in England, and which
would be very doubtfully hardy in the warmest
parts of this country. Even in its own country
it is quite a small tree, being, according to
Sargent, rarely 2 feet in diameter. H. J . Elwes,
Colesbeione.

PROTECTING TREE-STEMS FROM
HARES.

A very simple and effective means, and one
that I have used and advocated for years past,
is to bind as much of the stems as can be
reached by hares or rabbits, with two or three-
fold fish-netting. Put on neatly, this is by no
means unsightly, and neither hares, rabbits, nor
mice will tackle the bark of trees so protected.
Old fish-netting too rotten for further use on
fruit walls or plots may be used, and will last
for years. There are trees here which were pro-
tected in this manner eight years ago, and the
protection appears as good as ever. £1 write from
a place in which hares are extremely numerous,
and, though they have a free run of the orchard,
I have never found a protected tree attacked,
though any newly-planted tree which may be
left unprotected is sure to be ruined in a night.
/. C. Tallack, Shipley Hall Gardens, Derby.

144

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

{August 24, 1907,

CAMPANULA MIRABILIS.

We have already illustrated this remarkable
species of Campanula as it flowered in a border
against a wall in the Royal Gardens, Kew. (See
Gardeners' Chronicle, October 7, 1899). Mr.
William Barbey Boissier, has, however, sent us
such a pretty photograph of the plant in full
flower on the rock garden at Valleyres, in Swit-
zerland, we reproduce it with a sketch showing
a spray of the flowers about natural size.

Campanula mirabilis was discovered by M.
Alboff on September 2, 1894, on the calcareous
rocks of Mount Arbika-Akhegcesh, in the
Caucasus. He found a unique specimen, from
which plate I. of the Prodromus Flora Colchica
was drawn.

" The enclosed photograph " (see Fig. 58),
writes M. Boissier, " was taken at Valleyres,
Vaud, Switzerland, by Mr. Frederic Barbey, who
will be pleased to give seeds to anyone who may
address him. The leaves shown at the top of
the picture in the left corner also belong to a
plant of C. mirabilis, which will, no doubt,
flower in 1908. The species is monocarpous.
For full particulars see Bulletin de THerbier
Boissier, 1895, p. 228."

REMARKS ON THE CONDITION

OF THE FRUIT CROPS.

(See Tables and Summaries, ante, pp. 84-90.)

(Continued from page 134.)

5.— SOUTHERN COUNTIES.

Berkshire. — The fruit crops in this neigh-
bourhood are well up to the average, but the
trees suffered much from insect pests during the
cold and sunless weather late in spring.
Strawberries gave promise of an abundant crop,
but the earlier flowers were ruined by frost, and
later the fruits rotted on the ground before they
were ripe. Among small fruits, Raspberries and
Black Currants are especially good. /. Howard,
Benham Park Gardens, Newbury.

Early in the season the general promise

of the fruit crops was good, but when the Apple
blossom developed they were seen to lack
colour and substance in the flowers. Then
followed a prolonged cold and sunless period,
and as our chalky soil has a very cold situa-
tion, the result was disastrous, and to the Apple
crop in particular. Generally these latter fruit
trees have a miserable and barren appearance.
Apricots and Plums upon wall trees are very
good, whilst all small fruits are abundant. W .
Fyfe, Lockinge Gardens, Wantage.

The fruit crops in this neighbourhood are

generally about an average in quantity. Apricots
are above an average quantity, whilst Plums are
a very heavy crop. Gooseberries and Currants
are also abundant, and Strawberries would have
been excellent but for the heavy rains of early
summer. These caused the finest fruits to rot
on the plants. The soil in this neighbourhood
is gravelly, and the wet season has suited all
kitchen garden crops. Potatos in particular pro-
mise well. James Coombes, Englefield Gardens,
near Reading.

Dorsetshire. — The following is a copy of a
note I made on May 20 : — " The weather for the
past few days has been very cold; the N.E.
wind which has prevailed may prove a little
disastrous to the fruit crops, all of which are
in need of sun and warmer conditions to en-
courage the newly-set fruit to grow." My antici-
pations have, alas ! proved correct in respect to
Apple, Pear, and Plum trees. I never recol-
lect seeing Apple and Pear trees in particular,
so badly infested with aphis, and the former
appear wretched. Our trees of Cox's Orange
Pippin are now almost leafless, the leaves hav-
ing turned yellow and dropped off. Plums are
an average crop, and, given root waterings, the
fruits may finish fairly well. Of Peaches and
Nectarines the crop is the best I have known
for some years, and Apricots the best crop I
ever recollect. The fruit set in clusters evenly
over the trees, and have needed much thinning.
Of small fruits Gooseberries are a record crop.
Red and Black Currants and Raspberries are
also abundant, and of excellent quality. Straw-
berries, which gave some anxiety owing to th )
berries rotting through the excessive wet, have,

since the weather improved, been excellent.
Walnuts are a fair crop, but Cobnuts are very
scarce. We have an excellent crop of Morello
Cherries, but the fruits of sweet varieties cracked
badly. It is a mystery why the Morello Cherry
should succeed well in this county and sweet
Cherries indifferently. The soil generally is a
strong, dark loam on a rocky sub-soil, with clay
in places. T. Turton, Castle Gardens, Sherborne.

Apples on the whole are a short crop,

although the trees of some varieties are carrying
a fair quantity of fruits. The trees flowered
remarkably freely, but owing to the wet, cold,
sunless weather and frosty nights, the fruits
failed to set. These remarks apply also to
Pears. Plums are plentiful, especially the
varieties Orleans, Victoria, Pond's Seedling,
Belgian Purple, and a few others. The nights
were frosty when the blossoms were expanded,
but the weather was dry, and the flowers of
Plums receive more protection from the foliage
than those of the Apple. All small fruits are a
splendid crop, especially Royal Sovereign and

The season of this fruit has been an extended
one owing to the dull weather at the time the
berries were ripening. Potatos promise most
unfavourably, and much disease is apparent in
the haulm. E. Molyneux, Swanmore Park,
Bishop's Waltham.

On the whole the fruit crops are most

satisfactory. Apples are a good average yield,
and the fruits are clear in the skin, but the trees
are somewhat infested with aphis. Apricots and
Plums are both satisfactory : the crop of the
former is better than any of the past seven years.
Small fruits are a full crop, especially Raspber-
ries and Gooseberries ; the latter are exception-
ally abundant and of fine quality. Strawberries,
although somewhat affected by the frost of
May 18. when much of the early bloom was
destroyed, and, later, by excessive wet, have
been plentiful and of good quality. Givon's
Late Prolific, grown on a north-east border,
will carry the season of this fruit well into-
August. A. G. Nichols, Strathfieldsaye Gar dens y
Mortimer F.S.O.

FlG. 58. — CAMPANULA MIRABILIS FLOWERING ON A ROCKERY IN SWITZERLAND.

Givon's Late Prolific Strawberries. Mulberries,
Medlars, Walnuts, Filberts, and some varieties
of Damson are plentiful. Our soil is of a light
nature, and contains much chalk. Thomas
Denny, Down House Gardens, Blandford.

— The soil is a light loam, resting on gravel.
Plums, Apricots, and some of the older varie-
ties of Apples succeed well in these gardens, but
Cox's Orange Pippin does very badly. The
crops are backward, and the fruits will be small.
Pears on wall trees are very good, and Peaches
on an east wall are very fine indeed. David C.
Fyfe, Kingston House Gardens, Dorchester.

Hampshire. — Apple trees have never, during
the last 30 years, presented such a miserable ap-
pearance, and in the case of some trees the leaves
are all dead, owing to the unfavourable weather.
The fruits, too, are much disfigured. Plums are
an extraordinary crop, and the trees are in ex-
cellent health. Bush fruits of all kinds are an
enormous yield. Strawberries have done well.

Kent. — Although the fruit crops are plentiful,
Apples and Pears promise to be small in size
on account of the cold nights and sunless
weather of early summer. Small fruits are very
good. W . S. F. Sparks, Walmer Place Gardens,
Walmer.

Apples were in flower during wet, cold

weather, and the fruits set badly. Orchard trees
on the Crab stock are almost bare of fruits.
The trees on the Paradise stock are carrying a
fair crop of fruit. Pears require genial weather
to mature and swell. Plums and Damsons are
enormous crops. Early varieties of Cherries
have been much injured by cold winds and
frosts, and later ones to a lesser degree, although
the latter have improved with the change of
weather. Strawberries were retarded by the cold
and wet weather, and the berries were neither as
large nor as sweet as usual. Black Currants are
a grand crop of very fine berries. George Bun-
yard, Maidstone.

August 24, 1S07.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

14;

The following remarks apply to orchards

(.ilonthe outcrop of the loam greensand or Kent-
ish rag, and (b) on the Weald clay. The soil of (a)
is a strong loam, much mixed with stones ;
that of (*) is a very tenacious clay, and is fairly
level, while [a) rises from it to a height of 270
feet in rather less than a mile. Only orchard
trees of Apples, Pears, and Plums are referred to
on (b), so that the rest of the report refers only
to (a). Taking the scale given below, which I
think represents the amount of crop more ac-
curately than the words "under," "over," &c,
I should call the Apple crop on (a) 3, and the
Plums 5; while on (b) the Apples are 1 and the
Plums 3-4. There is not only a difference in
soil between (a) and (b), but a considerable dif-
ference in climate, the day temperature being
higher and the night lower in (b). I have little
doubt but that the whole of this slope formed
by the outcrop of the lower greensand is the

trees failed to set, and in others the fruits have
dropped considerably since they were formed,
and they still continue to fall. The fruits are
much infected by the maggot. Pear trees in
general promise a fairly satisfactory crop ; whilst
stone fruits are more abundant and of better
quality than in any year since 1901. Straw-
berries were good in general, though the crop
in many low-lying situations was severely
damaged by late frosts. Our soil and situation
is very variable. Geo. Fennel!, Bowden, Hadlow
Road, Tonbridge.

I have never seen fruit trees of all kinds

with more blossom than this season. The ma-
jority of our fruit trees are quite young. Apple
trees set their fruits well, and the Apples needed
thinning, which was done early : at the time of
writing the Apple crop is very promising. This
remark also applies to Pears. Plums are an ex-
ceptionally heavy crop on all trees, and Cherries

<"^1

FlG. 59. — CAMPANULA MIRABILIS : FLOWERS PALE BLUE.
(For text see page 144.)

choicest orchard land in Kent, and, probably,
in England, and should not be wasted on or-
dinary agricultural crops. It is worthy of note
that at the great fruit show of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society last October, in the "Gar-
deners' and Amateurs' " Class, both the 1st
and the 2nd prizes for 24 dishes of Apples were
taken by collections grown on this slope, the
1st at Hunton, the 2nd at East Sutton. The
lowest shade temperatures in the blooming sea-
son recorded here were 33° in April and 35° in
May. The following is the scale upon which
my remarks are based : 0 = no crop ; 1 = very
poor ; 2 = rather poor ; 3 = average ; 4 =
good ; 5 = heavy. Alfred 0. Walker, Vlcombe
Place, near Maidstone.

Apple trees were most promising at their

-flowering period, but the blossom on many

are plentiful all through this district. Apricots
are also abundant. \\ ith regard to small fruits,
Strawberries were a heavy crop, but, owing to
the cold, dull, and wet weather, flavour was
lacking, although, after a period of hot weather
in the middle of July, an improvement was
noticed in this respect. Amongst newer varieties
Laxton's Latest has made a good impression
here, being a robust and healthy grower and
heavy cropper ; the fruits are firm and of good
flavour. Of Black 1 uirants, Boskoop Giant
stands out prominently as the best variety. If
the later crops fulfil our expectations,' 1907
should prove a very satisfactory fruit year. Soil
is a heavy, retentive, clayey loam, and when
the trees have become established, good crops
of fruits are generally produced. /. G. Weston,
East-well Park Gardens, Ashford.

■ The unseasonable weather has adversely

affected the fruit crops in this district. The ex-
cessive wet has made spraying for insect and
fungus pests of little use. The caterpillar of the
Winter Moth has done more harm this season
than it has caused for 15 years, solely because
spraying in wet weather was ineffectual. The
value of shelter from wind for fruit trees has been
amply proved this season. The protection given
by Poplar and similar shelter trees has done more
to save the fruit crops than any other cause.
B. Champion, Baron's Plate, Mere-worth.

Strawberries throughout this district

have proved an average crop, but owing to an
absence of sunshine, the berries were poor in
colour. The variety Royal Sovereign shows
signs of " wearing out," but a variety to take its
place has not yet appeared. The varieties Sir J.
Paxton and James Veitch are still largely grown,
and for the making of jam Stirling Castle is still
a favourite, being prolific in cropping, of good
colour, and of grand flavour. Strawberries were
lacking in weight, as the utensils used for their
transit did not hold the requisite weight this sea-
son without crushing the berries. This is remark-
able, after so much moisture and dull weather.
Raspberries promise heavy crops, especially the
variety Superlative. W. E. Humphreys, The
Gardens, Blendon Hall, Bexlev. p

Middlesex. — Our soil is very light in texture
and on gravel subsoil ; the present rainy season
has therefore been of considerable benefit to
small fruits, which are above the average in
size. Apple, Pear, and Plum trees all gave ex-
ceptional promise, when they were in flower, and
I attribute the poor set of fruits to cold winds
and frosts, but particularly cold winds, as I find,
in more sheltered parts, there are some excellent
crops in the neighbourhood. John Bates, Syon
Gardens, Brentford.

Generally, the fruit crops are an average in

quantity, though they will be late in maturing.
The foliage and fruits of some kinds of Apples
have greatly suffered through excessive wet and
lack of sunshine. This is especially the case
with Cox's Orange Pippin. We have a heavy
crop of Peaches, and the growths of these trees
have lately improved. Late varieties of Straw-
berries suffered when in blossom, but, on the
whole, we have very little to complain of in the
case of this fruit. Our soil is somewhat gravelly
and porous, and requires a plentiful supply of
moisture in hot weather. Caterpillars and aphis
were numerous and destructive on Apple and
other trees early in the season. H. Markham,
Wrotham Park Gardens, Barnel.

Our fruit crops, generally, are satisfac-
tory, but the trees, especially Apples, are blighted
and crippled through the cold and unseasonable
weather experienced during the latter part of
May and June. Most of the soil in this district
is a stiff loam resting mainly on clay. In some
places the subsoil is gravelly, and on this the top
soil is of a light nature. No finer prospect for a
plenteous fruit crop could be wished for than the
appearance of the trees when they were in blos-
som, but the cold winds and low night tempera-
tures checked growth. The weather is still un-
seasonably cold : this morning (July 24) the
temperature was down to 45° Fahr. Late Straw-
berries are not ripening well. W. Watson, Hare-
field Place Gardens, Uxbridge.

The fruit crops in this district are the

best we have had for some years, and the trees
are free from blight. Pears are the lightest
crop. All small fruits are plentiful. Our soil
is a good loam on gravel. W. Bates, Cross Deep
Gardens, Twickenham.

Apple trees are much infested with mil-
dew this season, and especially in the
case of bush trees of Cox's Orange Pip-
pin. This I attribute to the cold, damp,
and sunless weather. Pears are a very-
thin crop on wall trees, but on the bush,
pyramid, espalier, and standard trees the crop is
an average one and the fruits are clean. Peaches
and Nectarines are always plentiful here. Peach
trees planted against a west, and Nectarines
against a south wall, in soil with a gravelly
subsoil, have not failed to furnish a crop of
fruits for the past 15 years. Apricot trees are
planted in a low, well-drained situation, resting
on a clay subsoil, and trained against a wall
facing south-east. They are a great success.
Plums are very good this season. Strawberries
and other small fruits are planted in gravel and
clay soils, earlier varieties on the former and

146

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 24, 1907.

later varieties on the latter, thus giving a good
succession of fruits. Lord and Lady Suffield
varieties of Strawberries have produced prolific
crops : they are in great demand for preserving
purposes. A. R. Allan, Hillingdon Court Gar-
dens, Vxbridge.

The fruit crops in this district vary con-
siderably. There was an abundance of blossom
on Apple, Pear, and Plum trees, but, owing to
the cold winds and frost in May, some varieties
of these fruits did not set well. We registered
3 degrees of frost on three consecutive nights,
May 18, 19, 20. Apples Ribston Pippin and
Allington Pippin are both carrying good crops ;
but of Lane's Prince Albert there is a very
sparse crop. The best-cropped Pear trees are

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Injurious Insects.*

This, the fourth report on injurious insects is-
sued from the Birmingham University, is from
the pen of Mr. Walter E. Collinge, the Special
Lecturer on Economic Zoology. No better testi-
mony of the excellent results obtained from the
author's investigations can be given than the
numerous testimonials from various fruit
growers in the Midlands which are quoted in
the pages of the publication. The report is well
illustrated, though we fail to see the practical
utility of the use of such highly-glazed card for
such excellent line drawings as are reproduced
on the plates. We can, however, confidently

old paraffin emulsion, with caustic soda added,
is claimed to have given excellent results against
the attacks of the Apple sucker, mussel scale,
and Apple aphis, so much so that the author
proposes " to substitute this soda-emulsion
spray-fluid in the future for the caustic soda
and carbonate of potash spray-fluids given in
previous reports."

We have already had occasion to refer to Mr.
Collmge's work (see Gardeners' Chronicle,
August 17, 1907, p. 127) in connection with the
treatment of " big bud " in Black Currants, and
we may add here, for the guidance of our
readers, that " a more lengthy experience has
shown that one part of freshly-ground, unslaked
lime and two parts of sulphur acts rather better

Fig. 6o. — notospartium cakmh haeli-i flowering at kew. (bee p. U7.)

■ /..',,. uy E. J. Walla.

the varieties Doyenne du Cornice, Beurre Clair-
geau, Fondante d'Automne, Beurre Superfin,
Thompsons, and Durondeau. Of Plums there is
a heavy crop of Victorias in this district. Straw-
berries were a plentiful crop, but owing to fre-
quent rains and an absence of sunshine many
of the largest fruits were spoilt. Raspberries,
Red and Black Currants have never been finer
or more abundant, and the same may be said of
Gooseberries. Much sunshine is needed to ripen
and harden the vigorous growths made upon
nearly all kinds of outdoor fruit trees. The soil
here is a light loam overlying gravel. James
Hawkes, Ostcrley Park, Isleworth.
(To be continued.)

recommend the report to all those who are in-
terested in the treatment of pests of the garden
and field. Altogether 48 pests are dealt with,
nearly all of which are only too well known
and generally distributed, but such insects as
Sinodendron cylindricum, Saperda carcarius,
and S. populnea are not likely to prove gener-
ally destructive to young, healthy trees.

A little over four pages are devoted to the
results obtained from some experiments with in-
secticides. As a spray-fluid, a modification of the

* " Report on the Injurious Insects and Other Animals
Observed in the Midland Counties during 190G," by Walter
E. Collinge. Fourth report. Pp. 41, pi. I. -VI. Birmingham:
Cornish Bros., Ltd., 1907. Price 2s. 6d.

than equal parts of these." That most destruc-
tive of pests the Pear midge " has been almost
entirely destroyed" (in some orchards) "by the
simple method of turning the surface soil " ;
dressings of Kainit having proved a waste of time
and money, and fruit growers are warned
against the application of this material. Vapor-
ite is claimed as a remedy for wireworm ; and a
good crop of Swedes was grown on infested
land dressed with this material. The same
agent is recommended as effective for the root-
feeding larva? of the common Swift Moth (Hepi-
alis lupulinus), a garden pest which has so
often been recorded in the columns of the Gar-
deners' Chronicle as destructive to the roots of

August 24, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

147

various herbaceous plants, especially the Lily
of the Valley. As a preventive against the at-
tacks of the Carnation fly, spraying with a weak
solution of carbolic and paraffin is recom-
mended. The exact proportions of the formula
are, for some reason, omitted, and without these
we would warn horticulturists to be most cau-
tious in applying such materials in a rule-of-
thumb way, as being likely to lead to serious
injury to plants with such tender foliage. A
novel method of trapping millepedes, " with
sn'^ndid results,'' is recommended by a War-
wickshire correspondent : " Dig out in flower-
beds a hole sufficiently large to contain the fist
and wrist, and fill with bran . . . and cover
with a flower-pot. After two or three days pour
on to the bran boiling water. The contents of
two such holes were carefully counted — one
contained 2,448 dead millepedes and the other
1,793."

The report concludes with a short chapter
on instructions for fumigating plant-houses with
hydrocyanic acid gas, and stored products with
bisulphide of carbon. Finally, under Appendix
B, is a useful account of the metamorphoses of
insects, intended for those possessing no special
knowledge of entomology. We notice one or
two errors in the text, thus — Hylescinus should
read Hylesinus; Keuhniella (bis) Kuhniella ;
Budbeckia Kudbeckia. The fly credited with
carrying off the larva? of Tortrix viridana
(p. 23) must surely have been a fossorial wasp
allied to the genus Crabro and not as stated, by
a correspondent, to have been an Ichneumon.

Landscape Gardening.*

That the third edition of this work has ap-
peared since the book was first published in
1901) shows clearly that there is an increasing
demand for books of this nature, especially as
it follows closely on others which deal more or
less with the subject of garden-making.

The making of beautiful gardens cannot be
achieved by following conventional rules and
written prescriptions, and those who attempt it
learn to appreciate the difficulties of an art
which, though apparently simple, is one that
requires something more than book knowledge.
The planning and planting of artistic gardens
is an art which, beyond all others (excepting,
perhaps, landscape painting), is subject to con-
ditional circumstances.

Every garden site varies, and must, therefore,
be dealt with individually, according to the
conditions of locality, soil, and surroundings, in
order to produce a successful result.

Consequently, one can understand the difficul-
ties which confront a writer who attempts to
reduce to conventional rules the subtleties and
intricate details that contribute to the composi-
tion of beautiful garden scenes.

The author of this book, however, conveys his
knowledge of the " art and craft of garden-mak-
ing " so far as it can be conveyed in writing and
with the aid of plans and pictures.

All the departments of garden-making are
dealt with in a more or less comprehensive way,
from the choice of sites for a house, to the for-
mation of terraces, lawns, ornamental water,
roads and so forth, and chapters are devoted
to garden structures for use and ornament, which
are important considerations in gardens.

The keynote of the book is the " formal or
architectural style," as distinguished from the
" landscape style," and, consequently, a great
part of the work is devoted to descriptions, illus-
trations, and plans of formal gardens.

The illustrations of these are of unequal
merit : some are admirable, some are not ; for
instance, those numbered 233, 239, and 233.

Yet the least beautiful garden may be the out-
come of the individual fancy of the owner, which
no one has a right to criticise, even if illustrated
in an instruction book, provided that such a gar-
den is not set forth as an example of beautiful

* " The An and Craft of Garden Making," by T. H.
Mawson. Tlnr J edition. B. T. Batsford,94, High Holborn,
London.

English landscape gardening, the traditions of
which should be jealously upheld.

Turning from these pages on formal gardens
to those exemplifying the so-called and much-
abused "landscape style," the contrast is
marked. For example, the quiet, picturesque
beauty seen in the illustrations numbered 174,
116, and others offers a pleasing contrast to the
irritating fussiness of the so-called formal gar-
dens with their redundant display of masonry,
dipt shrubs, and such-like puerilities.

Fig. 6r. — flowering shoot sf notospartium

CARMICHAELI/E : COLOUR OF FLOWERS
PURPLISH PINK.

There is, perhaps, a danger at the present
day of the intrusion of the architect into the
province of the garden -maker, the result being
that the gardens he makes remind one of raw
canvas set in elaborate picture frames ; they
are as uninteresting as a garden generally is
when laid out by contract, and they lack that
cheerfulness which characterises a really beau-
tiful garden.

The successful artist in garden-making is one

who is catholic in his tastes, is in sympathy
with all the styles, has the requisite knowledge
and ability to apply them, and does not need
the assistance of an architect.

Theie are useful chapters set apart in this,
book to describing the details of planting, and
good and discriminate planting is one of the
most essential matters in the foundation of
artistic gardens.

These details might have been amplified, and
if the lists of selected trees, shrubs, and plants
were fuller they would be the more helpful to
those to whom the book more particularly ap-
peals. The work is a very handsome volume,
and, being written upon a fascinating subject,
it is a valuable addition to garden literature.

NOTOSFARTIUM CAR-
M1CHAELLE.

This plant is sometimes described as half-
hardy, but the specimen illustrated at fig. 60
is growing in the open at Kew, where it has
flowered profusely this season. The genus con-
tains but this one species, and the plant might
easily be mistaken for a Genista. It is a native
of Xew Zealand, and is known bv the colonists,
as the " Pink Broom." The plant was dis-
covered on Christmas, 1853, by the late Dr.
Munro on the sandy and rocky banks of the
Waihopai River, in the Nelson Province. The
natural order Leguminosae is represented by
very few members in New Zealand. Xntospar-
tium Carmichaeliae succeeds best in a peaty soil,
but it can also be grown well in turfy loam. It
is a moderate-sized shrub in cultivation in this
country, and produces weeping, cord-like, leaf-
less branches (see fig. 61), from which the short
racemes of pink or purplish flowers are freely
produced.

THE FERNERY.

DECORATIVE BRITISH FERXS.
Few persons are aware that the comparatively
few species of Ferns indigenous to Great Britain
have yielded far more varieties, and these of
a far more diverse and pleasing character, than
all the rest of. the world's Ferns together.
Although among the normal forms our own can-
not compete with exotic species as regards
general beauty and diversity of foliage, when
we come to the varietal forms, including those
which have been obtained by selection under
culture, the position is in a large measure re-
versed. A number of British Ferns, when fully
grown and developed to their utmost capacity,
find no rivals at all among exotics and display
types of variation, of the occurrence of which in
exotic species not a particle of evidence exists.
This feature of variation we do not owe at all to
cultural selection, since the starting point is
always found in the wild plants themselves,
which usually possess the faculty of transmitting
their peculiarities to their offspring in varied de-
grees. Fifty odd years ago British Ferns and
their varieties were all the rage, and it may well
be asked why, if they were so beautiful and so
varied, did they go out of fashion and remain
practically ignored for so long a period, and
why is it that they are now deemed worthy of
reinstatement in the popular favour? These
queries admit of an easy answer, for, at this
early period, the peculiar faculty of sporting
had but recently been discovered, and the novel-
ties, though few in number, caught the public
taste and led to a demand which new "finds"
could not cope with. British Ferns cannot be so
rapidly propagated as tender exotics, since they
resent heat. The result was that, in order to
meet the demand, every plant that was found
with some little peculiarity was placed upon the
market and purchased for high prices. The
seedlings raised from these abnormal forms,,
instead of being carefully selected on proper
lines, were potted up, individually christened,
and sold in the same indiscriminate manner, the.

148

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 24, 1907.

result being that the few fine and symmetrical
sports which, at that time, had rewarded the
Fern hunter, were absolutely swamped by a
swarm of unsymmetrical and defective rogues,
which could not possibly retain favour when
the craze for novelty was satiated. The in-
evitable result followed. British Perns fell from
public favour, and only the common or weed
forms found places in town gardens as popular
representatives of our native Ferns. The British
Fern cult, however, survived in the persons of a
coterie of enthusiasts, who devoted their leisure
to hunting for new varieties, and, having ac-
quired these, to propagating them on selective
lines. As time went on the number of these
wild Ferns so increased that the process of
selection was resorted to. Unsymmetrical or de-
fective varieties would be retained merely as
" souvenirs " by the finder, only the choicest
being propagated and distributed. Assiduous
search brought to light a host of beautiful things
far and away surpassing most of the pioneer
forms of the " rage " period, and stricter and
stricter lines of selection were adopted and ad-
hered to. The result of all this work is that,
according to the writer's list in the Book of
British Ferns (Newnes), some seven hundred
choice and distinct varieties are enumerated.

The highly-priced novelty of the early sixties
is the rejected rogue of to-day, and to earn the
appreciation of the Fern fancier now, symmetry,
•constancy, and grace must be the qualifications
presented in any novelty. Among Fern varieties
there are a few, such as the Craigii section of
Lady Ferns, which have a tendency to become
veritable weeds, their spores being gifted with
extra reproductive vigour. The type is erratic
in itself, and although it produces a percentage
of pretty forms, it also produces a host of mere
curiosities. The expert ruthlessly eliminates
th;-.-e, and the nurseryman should do the same,
adhering sternly to recognised named varieties.
All trade plant exhibitors of these novelties
should grow them well and present them at
exhibitions in the finest possible condition. In
the occasional exhibitions which have been so
far made, it has been rare indeed to see a full-
grown specimen of a British Fern ; the thumb-
pot stock plant has been the only "lure," and,
naturally, the remark has followed, " British
Ferns don't pay." Can this be wondered at?
Exotic species are displayed in their full beauty
as grand specimens, with foliage piled tier upon
tier and in the best possible form. Our native
species, given the same chance, could rival the
best of them, and, if that chance be given, will
hold their own with the best, but not otherwise.
Chas. T. Druery, V.M.H., F.L.S.

THE PROPAGATOR.

At this season there are many plants which
must be increased for next year's flowering, of
which the more important are Fuchsias and
Zonal Pelargoniums for early stock— the latter
in frames or in full sunshine, and the former
from half-matured shoots, placed singly in small
60's pots, or to the number of four in larger ones,
placing the pots, after affording the sandy soil
a good application of water, in a warm house
or pit. The cuttings must be shaded from hot
sunshine, and the soil and surroundings be kept
moderately moist.

Cuttings of the Cape Pelargoniums having
scented foliage root readily this month, if half-
matured shoots, denuded of the lowermost pair
of leaves, be inserted not deeper than 1 inch in
sandy soil out-of-doors, or in pots placed in a
garden frame facing north, but otherwise ex-
posed to the full light. If the shoots are too
soft they will decay instead of forming roots.
The foliage of these Cape of Good Hope Pelar-
goniums is much appreciated in bouquets and
when used in filling flower glasses. Every garden
should possess a few species, as, for example,
Kadula, Prince of Orange, capitatum, graveolens,
-quercifolium, and citriodorum. I must not omit

Fair Helen, Rollisson's Unique, and erubescens ;
this last-named forms a good bedding Pelar-
gonium when two and three-year-old plants are
utilised.

Helleborus in variety may now be increased
by cutting the thick portions of the roots into
pieces 1 to 2 inches in length, and placing these
in leaf-soil and sandy loam in pans, which
should be stood on a bottom heat of 60° to
70p. The same method may be adopted with
Anemone japonica, and its single and double-
flowered varieties, and Anemone blanda.

Clematis Vitalba and other species and
varieties are readily propagated from root cut-
tings during August. When these consist of
C. Vitalba, they are usually considered to be
fit only to serve as stocks on which to graft
ennobled varieties, and they are suitable for this
purpose when grown to the thickness of a goose-
quill. While writing of stocks, it may here be
stated that the single red and white-flowered
Camellias may be struck from half-matured
shoots, if placed on a bottom heat of 70°, in a
close frame, or in the propagating house. The
most expeditious manner is to insert them in a
bed of pure sand that is kept moderately moist.

August and September are the most suitable
months for striking cuttings of Callistemon,
Eucalptus, Eugenia (E. australis, chinensis, and
Jambos may also be rooted in the spring),
Myrtle, Melaleuca, and Beaufortia. Of these
plants it is advisable to take cuttings from side
shoots in the middle of the plants, together
with a heel of the older wood. The length of
the cuttings should depend on the position of
the leaves. The best compost for these cuttings
consists of peat one part, and sand two parts.
The rooting pans should be well furnished with
drainage material in the shape of crocks ; a
layer of 1J inch thickness will not be excessive,
and over, this should be placed a layer of moss'
The leaves should be removed for one-third the
length of the cutting, which should be inserted
to that depth. A bottom heat of 50° Fahr. and
much moisture are essential for success. F. M.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W.H.White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Dendrobiums.— Owing to the lack of sufficient
sunshine it has been round next to impossible
to maintain such atmospheric temperatures as
are generally considered to be necessary for
the proper cultivation of those Dendrobiums
selected for the hottest division ; most of these
plants are therefore rather late in completing
their season's growth. A few of the earliest
have reached this stage, and it will be advisable
to periodically look over the plants, selecting
those which have the terminal leaf at the ex-
tremity of the pseudo-bulbs fully expanded, and
placing them altogether at one end of the house
where more light and air can be admitted, and
where their immediate surroundings may easily
. be kept considerably drier than the other parts
m the same house. If a house is devoted en-
tirely to the culture of these plants, no diffi-
culty need be experienced, if the weather is
suitable, in securing well-ripened growth, but
when a miscellaneous collection of plants is
accommodated in the same house, it is difficult
to obtain satisfactory results. Those plants
which have finished their growths, and are to be
grouped together will not require so much water
at the root, but they must not be allowed to
become very dry, as the roots which commenced
to grow early in the season are not only increas-
ing in length, but they are throwing out many
lateral rootlets, which should be encouraged to
grow. A gradual approach to maturity is always
desirable, because the plants will then be the
less likely to start into a second growth. After
a week or two of such semi-resting treatment in
the growing house, the plants may then be
removed to a gTeenhouse where there will be far
less shade, and the atmosphere is comparatively
cool and dry. They may be placed in a vinery,
where it is easy to choose suitable positions, and
where the plants w ill gradually pass from mode-

rate shade into full sunshine, taking care that
they are put out of the line of draughts or cold
winds. In such houses the nseudo-bulbs qu'cMy
become ripened, and when fully exposed to the
full glare of the sun, careful judgment should be
exercised in watering the plants, attoruing just
sufficient to prevent their roots trom aecaying,
or their pseudo-bulbs from shrivelling. Do not
keep the roots in a constantly saturated condition.
Therefore, after one thorough watering no more
should be applied until the whole compost has
become quite dry. Where several plants of any
one species or hybrid Dendrobium are grown, it
seldom happens that all are ready for removal
at the same time, and up to the present we have
removed the earliest plants of D. Burfordhnse,
D. Clio, D. xanthocentrum, D. splendidissimum
grandiflorum, D. Burberiyanum, D. rubens
grandiflorum, D. Juno, D. Luna, D. Schneider-
ianum, D. melanodiscus, D. aureum, also seve-
ral D. nobile and its varieties. For those plants
that are still growing, it is necessary to main-
tain a warm, moist atmosphere, and to gradually
expose them to more light in the mornings, and
to remove the shadings a trifle earlier each
afternoon. This gradual maturation will pre-
pare the plants to withstand full sunshine almost
immediately after the growths are completed.

Seedlings. — All young seedlings that are grow-
ing in the warmest house should be placed well
up to the roof glass, and be well supplied with
moisture until they have finished growth, after
which time they may be removed to a light,
well-ventilated position, in a temperature similar
to that of a Cattleya house, for the winter.'

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Employment of qualified gardeners in public
parks. — Visitors to public parks sometimes com.
plain that when they ask attendants the names
of trees or other plants they get such evasive
or curt replies that they are made to feel as if
they were asking impertinent questions.' .The
reason is this, that the majority of men em-
ployed in our public parks, not being trained
gardeners, are unacquainted with the names of
many plants, and rather than confess their ignor.
ance to visitors, they either give a wrong
name or burke inquiries by assuming a
brusqueness of manner. As the public are
undoubtedly entitled to receive all possi-
ble benefits from their parks, they should,
under reasonable circumstances, be in a
position to have the names of most of the
plants growing in the larger parks supplied to
them if they so' wish. While park superin-
tendents never desire to encourage the habit of
gossiping between members of the staff and
visitors, yet it must certainly add to the dignity
of a department, and be to the advantage of the
general public to have one or two trained men
in a park, who, when called upon, can answer
such technical questions as are generally asked
by visitors. If this is a good policy to pursue
in the case of an ordinary park, it is very much
more so in the case of a park claiming a botani-
cal character. In such a place every facility
should be given to visitors to obtain reliable
information, and some trained men should
always be employed upon the working staff. It
is to be feared that this is not always the case. A
few days ago, when visiting a botanical garden,
I was greatly surprised and disappointed to find
that it was impossible to rely upon any botani-
cal name furnished by the members of the work-
ing staff. This was all the more annoying as
the majority of the plant labels were in
a dilapidated .condition. For the sake of
economy, incompetent men are very often em-
ployed in the places of qualified gardeners. Al-
though it is admittedly difficult to get the right
class of men for such places — men who are
thoroughly practical and at the same time ac-
quainted with the botanical names of the plants
they deal with — they are to be had when the
wages offered are reasonable. Park authorities
should endeavour to employ some of the very
best type of gardeners by offering them good
wages.

The Nottingham Parks. — Mr. W. Parker,
for some years gardener at Roundhay Park,
Leeds, has been appointed superintendent of the
public parks and recreation grounds in Notting-
ham.

August 24, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

149

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Francoa ramosa. — This is a useful subject for
decorative purposes when grown in small pots,
but its full beauty is seen when it is given a
fairly large receptacle. We have a number of
plants in 7J-inch pots, and these have developed
an immense quantity of bloom, averaging about
18 flower-spikes to each pot. They were raised
from seed sown in the spring of 1906, and after
the plants were established they were placed
outside on a bed of ashes, where they remained
until the winter, when they were given the pro-
tection of a cold frame. The following spring
the plants were again placed in the open, where
they remained until the flower-spikes began to
develop. At this stage they were placed under
glass, and stimulated with occasional applica-
tions of manure until the flower-spikes attained
their maximum development. A few should be
grown in smaller pots, as these will be useful
for many purposes of decoration.

Solatium cafsicastrum. — Red spider and
aphides are great enemies of this plant, especi-
ally when planted out. A thorough syringing with
clear water every evening will, in most cases,
keep down red spider, but if this is not effec-
tual, the plants should be sprayed with a suit-
able insecticide, especially on the under surfaces
of the leaves, where the pest invariably makes
its first appearance. For combating aphides
use tobacco powder while the plants are in the
open, but fumigate them directly they are placed
under glass. While they are in the beds, cut
around the roots with a sharp spade about a
fortnight before it is proposed to shift the plants
in order to prepare them for lifting and potting.

The propagating house. — Oplismenus (Pani-
cum) Burmannii variegata should now be pro-
pagated. Divide the plants and place the por-
tions in small pots, and, if given a brisk heat in
a frame, they will soon form numerous roots,
and make useful specimens for edging and other
purposes. Selaginellas of the compact growing
type, and Zebrinas' (Tradescantias) are also
much in request for edging purposes. These
should be propagated at this season.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

The Peach and Nectarine. — As soon as the
trees of early varieties have been cleared of their
fruits, the borders should be well watered, and
the foliage syringed vigorously to destroy any
insect pests that may be present on the leaves.
All gross-growing shoots and any others that
are not required, should be removed. The fruits
of later varieties have now finished their ston-
ing. Endeavour to promote healthy foliage by
frequent syringings of clear water. Maintain
a sufficiency of moisture at the roots, and apply
manure water once each week. Remove any
leaves that shade the fruits, and place pieces
of wooden lath between them and the trellis-
work, so as to expose them to the full rays of
the sun. Trees with fruits colouring should
be allowed a plentiful supply of fresh air about
them by day and by night. The foliage should
not be syringed after the fruit commences to
colour. Secure the fruits to the trellis-work or
neighbouring shoots with strands of matting
crossed at right angles. Furnish a plentiful
supply of moisture at the roots as long as the
weather continues hot, and maintain a moist
atmosphere by damping the paths and the bor-
ders daily. This practice will favour the swell-
ing of the fruits. Guard against the borders
becoming dry, or red spider will soon make
its appearance.

Cucumbers in frames. — The plants are now at
their best condition, and will continue to fruit
for some time to come. A suitable degree of
warmth may be maintained by removing the
outside fermenting material around the frame
and renewing it with short grass and stable
litter. Guard against over-watering, remem-
bering that Cucumbers planted in manure in
frames do not . require frequent waterings.
Pinch the points of the shoots, and har-
vest thf fruits as soon as they are large
enough. Damp the foliage lightly, and close
the structure early in the afternoon. Seeds should
now be sown for a winter supply of Cucumbers.
Place the seeds in thumb pots, filled with fresh
loam that has received the addition of a little

sharp sand. Place two seeds in each pot within
half an inch of the rim, and then fill the pots
with the same soil. Plunge them in a gentle
bottom heat and water with tepid water. They
will soon germinate, and as soon as the seed-
lings have developed their first rough leaf, place
them separately in 2J-inch pots, using similar
compost as before. Keep them plunged in bot-
tom heat until they have become well rooted,
when they should be removed to a shelf near
the glass, where they may remain until require.!
for planting in their winter quarters.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Plums, like other fruits, are ripening but very
slowly. Protect them with netting as soon as
ea.h variety commences to change colour. This
is an easy matter in the case of wall trees, but
large pyramids, bush, or standards in the open
are more difficult, so that it will be advisable to
gather the most forward fruits every few days
and place them under glass for a short time if
considered necessary. As each tree is relieved
of its crop, do not neglect to thoroughly wash
the foliage, using quassia extract if there is any
visible insect life. " The Czar " is still one of
the best Plums to grow for an early crop, good
prices being obtainable for the fruits up to the
middle of August.

The affording of water. — The frequent
showers of late are apt to deceive beginners,
but if an examination is made of the
soil an inch or two below the surface, it
will be found that the rain has not pene-
trated much and has been of very little help to
trees growing on porous ground and against
walls. While it may not be good practice to
apply water to the roots of trees now affording
ripe fruits, it is decidedly bad practice to allow
such trees to suffer from drought, and we fre-
quently aid our trees in this manner immediately
the ripest fruits have been gathered, finding that
there is no deficiency in flavour in the remaining
fruits which ripen a few days after such root
waterings have been applied. Clear water is
used for the purpose, it being inadvisable to
apply manure at such a period.

Strawberry plantations. — Continue to remove
all runners as fast as they appear ; the showery
weather is favourable to the growth of plants
recently put out, whether they have been pre-
viously forced or are young lavers. Keep the
soil frequently stirred between the plants.
Many gardeners adopt the excellent method of
setting out a few rows of young plants for the
purpose of supplying runners next season,
whether for forcing into pots or for forming
plantations. Manure and double dig the ground
and set out the plants 6 or 8 inches asunder in
rows 12 inches apart. All flower spikes must
be rigorously plucked out throughout the season.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Layering shrubs. — Many hardy and half-hardy
shrubs, of such plants as Magnolias, Azaleas,
and Rhododendrons, and which are with diffi-
culty increased from cuttings, may be propa-
gated readily by layering. Branches that are
near to the ground should be selected for the
purpose, and of the ten or more methods of pre-
paring the shoot, those of tongueing, notching,
and ringing are the best. Before preparing the
shoot, the soil around the plant should be lightly
broken up with a fork, and in most cases it is
advisable to add some fresh soil. The layering
of shrubs by a "tongue "-cut is very similar to
the layering of Carnations by this method, ex-
cept that it is on a larger scale. The portion of
the stem to be inserted in the soil should be
cleared of its leaves, and be cut in a slanting
direction towards the point of the branch on its
under side. The shoot must be pegged firmly
into the soil, care bein^ taken to see that the
" tongue " is kept open. Notching and ringing
differ only from tongueing in that in the former
method a notch is cut out of the under side of
the branch, and in the latter method a ring of
bark is cut away. The layers should be securely
tied to stakes, and- the S"il in which the shoots
are inserted must be kept in a moist condition.

A few varieties of shrubs form roots quickly,
but many require to remain attached to the
parent for a year, and some for two vears.

Hydrangeas and shrubby Veronicas. — Tj
shrubs will survive the cold of an average win.
ter, but, as a precaution, surplus plants should
be provided. Cuttings inserted at this dat ,
and housed in a close pit, root readily. Another
plan is to pot small plants a month or so hence,
and winter them under cover in case an excep-
tionally severe winter should injure the ait-
door specimens.

Sweet Peas. — Plants raised from seed sown in
the open in autumn, form strong, early-flowering
stock, and in districts where the winters arq
mild, this system of cultivating Sweet Peas is
worth a trial. The time for sowing will vary in
different localities from now onwards until the
third week in September. The soil should be
made very firm for sowing, and after the seed-
lings are above ground they should be afforded
small sticks, and have the soil drawn up about
their stems.

The herbaceous border. — As the early-flowen
ing plants ripen their foliage, they should have
the withered and decaying leaves removed, but
care must be taken not to injure the new crowns
at the base of the stems. The shoots of Dahlias,
and most other autumn-flowering plants, are
gross and sappy this year, and they need extra
care in tying and staking. Seeds of desirable
flowers should be gathered as soon as they are
ripe, and when the seed-receptacles are perfectly
dry. Many biennials which ripen their seeds,
by the third week in September may be sown as
soon as they are gathered ; those which ripen
later than this period are, as a rule, best sown
in the following May.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Cauliflowers. — In late districts where these
can be provided with suitable protection in
the winter, such as that afforded by an un-
healed frame, or a shelf in a vinery containing
late-fruiting Grapes, or in a Peach house, seeds
may be sown now on a warm border. In
warmer and earlier districts the sowing may be
delayed until the last days of August, making
another sowing in September. It is excellent
practice to make two sowings, allowing an in-
terval of about a fortnight between them. Pre-
pare the ground by applying a good dressing of
slacked lime and 'well-decayed manure. As soon
as the young plants are large enough, they
should be pricked out into their winter quarters.
After that has been done, it will be necessary
to afford air liberally, to keep the plants as
sturdy and as hardy as possible. Plants of this
description will be better able to stand through
the winter, and will not be likely to suffer a
severe check when planted out in spring. The
variety Early London answers well for these
sowings, and should be followed early in the
New Year by Magnum Bonum.

Onions. — The crop raised from seeds that were
sown last August will now require lifting, and
although these will not be stored for any
great length of time, they should be allowed to
remain on the ground for a few days after lift-
ing, so that the full exposure to sun and air
given them may thoroughly ripen and mature
them. It is now necessary to twist the tops of
the spring-sown Onions, as was previously ad-
vised for the autumn-sown crop. This should
be done two or three weeks before it is intended
to lift the bulbs, and as these are required to
keep well through the winter, a little extra time
and care bestowed on them will be well repaid.
These bulbs should eventually be stored in a
light, well-ventilated storehouse, and if care is-
taken with them in all details, the bulbs will
be sure to winter well.

Spinach for consumption in winter. — The
ground for this crop should be well prepared,
and the seeds sown in drills drawn at distances
of 9 inches apart. It is usual to confine this
sowing to the winter or prickly variety, but the
round or summer type should not be despised,
for this will often, to say the least of it, suc-
ceed equally well. The prickly type often stands-
better through the heat of summer than the
smooth varieties, and those who have not re-
versed the usual practice are strongly advised
to do so experimentally.

150

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

r August 24, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 4it Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters (or Publication, as well as specimens and plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and July
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
utute>take to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Illustrations.- The Editor will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c, but he
cannot be responsible for lossor injury.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
cctrefulto mark the paragraplis they wish the Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24—

Co-operative Flower Show at the Crystal Palace.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28—

Derby Agricultural and Horticultural Sh. (2 days).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29-Sandy (Beds) Fl. Sh.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30— East Kilbride Fl. Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 60*4°.

Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, August 21 (6 p.m.): Max. 64°;
Min. 49".
Gardenets' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, August
22 (10 a.m.): Bar. 303; Temp., 64"; Weather-
Fine with occasional sunshine.
Provinces —Wednesday, August 21 (6 p.m.) : Mas. 60",
Colchester; Min. 56°, Lincoln.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK,

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY—
Trade Sales of Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside,
London, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 10.

WEDNESDAY—

Lilium Harrisii, Roman Hyacinths, &c, at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 2.

The Bordeaux mixture is per-
Bordeaux haps more often recommended
Mixture, for the treatment of plant
diseases than any other known
remedy. The formula for mixing it has been
printed again and again in these pages and
elsewhere, yet we frequently receive enquiries
from correspondents as to the proper ingre-
dients to use and the proportions in which
they should be employed. The following
contribution on the chemistry of the subject,
obligingly sent us by Mr. Spencer Pickering,
cannot fail to be of interest to our readers : —
The statement generally made as to the
nature of Bordeaux mixture is that it con-
sists of copper hydroxide ; yet a slight know-
ledge of the properties of this substance
would show that such a statement must be in-
correct, and that if such were the compound
present in the mixture, it would have no
fungicidal action, as the hydroxide is insolu-
ble. A sounder explanation is that a basic
sulphate of copper is the essential substance
present, and that this is gradually decom-
posed by the carbonic acid of the air, form-
ing copper carbonate and copper sulphate,
which latter is the active fungicide.' It is
only when thus liberated gradually and in
minute quantities that copper sulphate will
not scorch the foliage, and even when thus
liberated, it will still sometimes result in
scorching under certain weather conditions.
It has also been established that the liberation
of the copper sulphate, and, consequentlv, the
fungicidal action, does not begin till some
•time after the application of the mixture.

This is often a serious disadvantage, and one
which must in any case entail loss, for much
of the mixture may be washed off before it
begins to become effective.

The chemistry of Bordeaux mixture has
engaged my attention lately, and it has
been ascertained that five different com-
plex substances may be formed when lime
acts on copper sulphate, the particular one
formed depending on the proportions used.
In making Bordeaux mixture according to
the ordinary formulae, where the weight of
lime used is from four to six parts to every
six parts of crystallised sulphate, the sub-
stance formed is a double basic sulphate of
copper and calcium, represented by 10 Cu O,
SO3, 4 Ca O, SO;, : where, however, the lime
is reduced to the lowest proportions consistent
with the precipitation of the whole of the
copper, the substance formed is essentially a
basic sulphate of copper of the formula
4 Cu O, SO3. In the former case, when the
substance is exposed to air, the basic calcium
sulphate present in it will be attacked first
by the carbonic acid, and till all this has been
converted into carbonate, the basic copper
sulphate will remain practically intact. This
explains the period of incubation noticed
before the fungicidal action commences. If,
however, the copper salt present is 4 Cu O,
SO3, there will be no such delay, for it con-
tains no basic calcium sulphate. This will
be a great gain, but there will be a greater
one still ; for the second compound will, ror
equal weights, of copper taken, liberate two-
and-a-half times as much copper sulphate
as will the first compound ; in other words,
we can make with it a Bordeaux mixture as
effective as that ordinarily used, at only two-
fifths of the cost. This is an important con-
sideration when dealing with an expensive
material such as copper sulphate.

The object to be aimed at, therefore, is to
use as little lime as possible to precipitate all
the copper; and, to do this, it is necessary to
use something more definite in composition
than the milk of lime ordinarily used. A
clear solution of lime, i.e., lime-water, will
supply this want, and, fortunately, lime < li -.-
solves in water to just the right extent to
make a Bordeaux mixture of the usual
strength. For what is known in America as
the " normal," or " 1.6 " mixture, 16 lbs.
of copper sulphate are taken to make 100
gallons of the wash : for 100 gallons of a
wash of the same effective strength it will be
in 1 ssary to take only 6 lbs. 5 oz. of the sul-
phate when made in the following manner : —

Take this weight of copper sulphate and
dissolve it in 2 or 3 gallons of water, which
is best done by suspending it in a piece of
sacking in water contained in a wooden tub;
zinc or iron vessels must not be used. Take
2 or 3 lbs. of fresh lime, slake it with a
little water, and put it into a tub with about
120 gallons of soft water; stir this occasion-
ally, and then leave it to settle. If left over-
night, the tub should be covered. It is only
the clear liquid which should be used ; of this,
86 gallons are drawn off and mixed with the
copper sulphate. If exactly the " normal "
strength is required, the whole may be made
up to 100 gallons by adding 11 to 12 gallons
of soft water; if a less strength is required,
more water may be added ; and, if a greater,
then some of the clear liquid may be run off

from the mixture after it has been leit to
settle. The proportions above mentioned repre-
sent 107 pints of lime-water to each pound of
copper sulphate, or 134 oz. to each ounce.

However the Bordeaux mixture may be
made, the testing of the liquid to make sure
that all the copper has been precipitated
should never be omitted. This testing is
especially necessary in the present case. It
is done best by putting into a white saucer
some water with a little solution of potas-
sium ferrocyanide added, and dropping into
this a few drops of the clear liquid obtained
on allowing the Bordeasx mixture to settle.
If any brown colour appears, copper is still
present, and more lime must be added till the
liquid, on testing, shows no change of colour
whatever. The strength of lime-water, even
when perfectly made, varies somewhat with
the temperature, so the amount required for
a given weight of copper sulphate will not
always be quite the same. But any extra
amount which is required should be added
very cautiously, for any excess above the
minimum amount means so much loss of
efficiency and waste of money. The idea that
an excess of lime will prevent the tendency
to scorch is a mere fallacy. The scorching
and the fungicidal action are both due to the
copper sulphate liberated; if we do away
with the one, we do away with the other
also. Excess of lime, unless very great, will
not prevent the eventual liberation of copper
sulphate; it will only retard it, and cause un-
necessary loss.

Doing away with the presence of excess of
solid lime, by using lime-water instead of
milk of lime, presents several further advan-
tages. Milk of lime will always contain
gross particles which wear and clog the
nozzles of the machines', and which are easily
knocked off the leaves, carrying much of the
copper salt with them, and thus entailing
loss; Their presence, also, renders the pre-
cipitate more compact, and necessitates more
agitation of the liquid during use. The basic
sulphate made, as here recommended, by
lime-water, is in an extremely fine state of
division ; the particles of it are so small that
they can hardly be resolved under the highest
power of the best microscope. An even finer
compound can be obtained, and' one which is
much more bulky and settles much more
slowly, by using 92 gallons of lime-water,
instead of the 86 gallons above recom-
mended ; but this compound would have only
four-fifths of the efficiency of the other.

The improvement and cheapening of the
Bordeaux mixture here suggested has been
the outcome of a purely scientific and labora-
tory investigation of a chemical character ;
but no doubts need be entertained as to its
practical application, for a mixture made in
exactly the same way (with lime-water), and
of the same strength, was recommended by
Prof. Cavazza in 1886, and has been in
general use in Italy, with excellent results,
ever since.

Our Supplementary Illustration has

been prepared from specimens kindly sent us by
M. Denis, Balaruc les Bains, Herault, France,
who, believing his plant to be distinct from C.
sulphureus, considered it a variety of some other
named species, or a hybrid. Our correspondent
has it under the name C. " Klondyke,"
and describes it as having been introduced

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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

151

about eight years ago, its exact origin being
unknown to M. Denis, who goes on to say that
" the plant is rare in cultivation, doubtless be-
cause of the difficulty of obtaining good seed.
It is easy to surmount this obstacle by sowing
seeds earlier than the other varieties of Cosmos
are usually sown. By sowing seeds under glass
•on February 15, seedlings were raised which
were put into the open ground in April. These
■soon flowered, and yielded an abundance of
good seed. The plants reached nearly 18 inches
in height, and mostly died during the summer.
Those which survived formed exuberant growth
by autumn, being nearly 4 feet in height. I>.t the
second bloom was not until October, and early
frosts killed the plants before they had yielded
a second crop of seed." After examining the
specimens at Kew in comparison with specimens
already in the Herbarium, they were found to
answer exactly to C. sulphureus, of which
species Mr. S. A. Skan kindly sends us the fol-
lowing note : — " Though by no means a novelty,
this plant does not appear to be often seen in
gardens, possibly because of its late flowering
season, and therefore its liability to be killed
prematurely by autumn frosts. Its reputation
may have also suffered through the substitution
for it of an inferior plant, Bidens ferulaefolia,
•which has been distributed by some seedsmen
under the name of Cosmos sulphureus. The
latter species is a much finer plant, and may
be easily distinguished from the Bidens by its
long-beaked fruits. The Cosmos has its head-
quarters in Mexico, and it is found also in New
Orleans. Cavanilles {Icones, vol. i., p. 56, t. 79)
first described and figured this species about the
year 1791, from a plant found growing in the
Royal Garden at Madrid. About the same time,
Jacquin (Collect. Suppl., p. 155, and Icones
Plant. Par., t. 595) described and figured it
under the name of Coreopsis artemisiaefolia, the
plant, presumably, being then in cultivation in
Austria. It is a much branched, more or less
pubescent, annual, 4 to 8 feet high ; leaves bi-
pinnate or tri-pinnate, 12 inches long or some,
times more ; pinnae alternate or opposite, two or
three-toothed, or entire, acute or acuminate;
peduncles 31 to 10 inches long, naked; flower-
heads 2 to 3 inches across, from a sulphur-yellow
to a deep orange colour ; ray-florets usually 8,
obovate, often three-toothed at the apex ; achenes
linear, J to 1 inch long, including the long, slen-
der beak. Dr. J. N. Ruse, in Garden and Forest,
1895, p. 484, states that the plant has been in
cultivation in the greenhouses of the United
States Department of Agriculture, Washington,
and in his own garden, since 1892, and though
very attractive when in bloom, it is too tender
there to withstand the autumn frosts. He re-
commends that the plants be forwarded as much
as possible early in the season by starting the
seeds in a cold frame or greenhouse, and, fur-
ther, that plants be placed under glass in the
autumn, when they will soon begin to flower,
and will continue in the flowering state for a
long time. In a wild state the plant grows in
the rich soil along creek-bottoms."

The Botanical Garden, New York. — An

idea of the enormous growth of New York, the
second largest city in the world, with its 4,000,000
of inhabitants, is obtained from the Bronx suburb,
which is readily reached by two elevated railways,
and lies to the north of the city. This terrain, 20
years ago, was as difficult to reach as Philadelphia,
and possessed a population of about 30,000 persons,
distributed over an area of 917 square miles. There
were but few good houses, and these chiefly sum-
mer villas scattered about in a wilderness of
luxuriant-growing deciduous trees. The rest were
huts inhabited chiefly by criminals. To-day
the Bronx is one of the finest parts of New
York, and the inhabitants number 400,000. Its

most noteworthy feature is the Bronx Park which
nature and art have united in forming into a
charming idyll for the lover of nature. It is laid
out in the English style, and contains a zoological
and a botanical garden, provided with glasshouses ;
and a museum. A striking peculiarity of the place,
due to climatic conditions, and the composition of
the soil, which is rich in silicic acid, is the luxuriant
foliage of trees, shrubs, and vegetation in general,
and the poor floral development. Compared
with the maritime climate of western Europe, the
American seaboard shows important differences,
and at certain seasons is not particularly favour-
able to vegetation. There is constant change, and
the differences between the temperature in winter
and summer are great. The foliage remains on
the trees for a long time, often till late in Novem-
ber, a feature of the so-called " Indian summer."
Vegetation, however, is greatly delayed in the
spring, and often it is the first week in May
before a green leaf is seen. Hail storms and long
continued rains seldom occur. The botanical
museum building consists of four stories, the
lower one contains the lecture hall, constructed
after the European university model ; adjoining this
are halls for exhibitions especially fitted up for
tropical plants. The actual museum is found on the
first floor. The interior is reminiscent in its decora-
tions of the Carrara marble of a Grecian temple.
Glass cases contain an enormous collection of all
classes and genera of the vegetable kingdom, be-
sides Cryptogamic plants, such as Fungi, Algae,
Lichens, &c, and specimens of timbers, wax
models of plant diseases, together with photo-
graphs of the same. A large herbarium is situated
on the second floor, and on the top storey there is
found a very comprehensive library, lighted by a
gigantic glass dome. Workrooms for botanical
research abut on the library. The various officials
and the director of the botanical garden, Dr. N.
L. Britton, are provided with offices in the
Museum. The glasshouses, constructed by
Messrs. Lord & Burnham, cost 225,000 dollars.
They face to the museum building, and exhibit the
latest improvements in glasshouse construction
and fittings. They form three sides of a square,
one long side being left open, and consist of five
domed houses and six span-roofed connecting
houses. The area covered amounts to 47,000
square feet, and the glazing is done on the single-
pane plan. The heating apparatus consists of a
number of "radiators" constructed in every case
of 3-inch pipes, placed together to the number of
20, and the heating power is steam obtained from
eight boilers having an expansion power of 80h p. A
great advantage found in this system of heating is
that any repairs needed can be carried out by the
garden staff of artificers, and a burst steam pipe
can be removed and another inserted without
much trouble in two hours. The ventilation is self-
regulating and is effected by hydraulic pressure,
acting by means of a thermostat. This method
saves all the labour usually required by other
methods. An interesting article, containing the
foregoing particulars, was published in Die Gar-
tenwelt for July 20, 1907.

Comarella multifoliata. — In this Rosa-
ceous plant, collected in the San Francisco moun-
tains, and introduced by C. A. Purpus about
four years since under the name of Ivesia Pur-
pusii, we have an interesting subject for the rock-
garden. The leaves, 5-7 inches long, are very
small, and formed of feather-like leaflets arranged
in close order, giving the plant the appearance of
a Fern. The plant is comparatively widespread
in the higher regions of the San Francisco moun-
tains, and usually in dry, sunny positions, a fact
which indicates the best place for it on a rockery.
The reddish-brown blossoms are inconspicuous,
and the value of the plant as an ornament lies in
its preliy foliage. The true Ivesia Purpusii stands
botanically very close to Comarella, but differs

essentially from it. Ivesias are difficult of culti-
vation, whereas Comarella is readily grown. /. A .
Puipus in Midler's Deutsche Gartner-Zeitung.

Celebrations at the Braiswick Nur-
sery, Colchester.— On the Sth inst., the staff
at this nursery was entertained by Messrs. F.
Cant & Co. at dinner, to celebrate the coming of
age of Mr. Sidney Cant. During the evening
an interesting presentation was made to Mr.
Sidney Cant on behalf of the employes.

Forestry at Cambridge.— The importance
of Foisstry as a branch of knowledge and as a
field for research is engaging the attention of
the authorities of Cambridge University. A post
of Readership in Forestry has been established,
and the appointment has been awarded to Dr.
Augustine Henry, whose contributions to horti-
culture, and to botanical science are well known
to our readers. Since his return from China,
Dr. Henry has devoted much attention to arbori-
culture, and has visited the United States,
Canada, Spain, Algeria, Corsica, and Italy for
the purpose of studying tree growth in those
countries.

American Seed Trade Association.— At

the annual convention of the American Seed
Trade Association, held recently in New York,
the President, Mr. Henry W. Wood, said that
the past season was the most prosperous the
seedsmen had experienced, and the outlook for
the future was a bright one. In speaking of the
general work of the association, he recommended
agitation on the tariff question for the reduc-
tion of duty on such seeds as cannot be raised
in the United States. Amongst other matters of
general importance to the trade is pure seed legis-
lation, postal packet rates, telegTaph and cable
code of the association, and the society's efforts
in the fight against the free distribution of seeds,
the results of which, thus far, have been dis-
couraging. Dr. Galloway, in a subsequent
paper on " What the Department of Agriculture
is Doing for the Seed Trade," made mention
of the breeding of various grasses, forage plants,
vegetables, &c, now being done by experts under
Government direction. Mr. Calloway's address
will be published shortly with illustrations. Dr.
W. W. Tracey, in an address on " The Seed
Trade of the Past 25 Years," alluded to the
growth and prosperity of the population, which
have resulted in a vast increase in the bulk
of seed sold. The relative quantity of Ameri-
can-grown seed was constantly increasing,
and the imported seed was only purchased when
there was a short supply or the price of foreign
seed was lower. Much of the imported seed was
of poor germinating quality, and instances were
given in which 60 per cent, would not grow.
Dr. Tracey made mention of the common prac-
tice of making seed-saving a side product of some
other industry. The fruit from w-hich a large pro-
portion of the Tomato seed is taken is utilised
for canning or for the making of catsup, and quite
a proportion of the Sweet Corn, Peas, Beans,
&c, come from fields which were primarily
planted for the canning industry, but in which
the fruit got too old to use for this purpose, and
so was allowed to ripen for seed. In the same
way Cucumbers, Melons, &c, planted with the
intention of selling the fruit, were allowed to
ripen. The practice was a dangerous one, and
often resulted in seed which, because of being a
mixture, is most undesirable. There has been
a decided increase in varietal names, and a
comparison was made of lists issued 25 years ago
with those of the present day. The average of five
leading trade lists in 1882 was 551 ; whilst in
1907 the aggregate was 689 names, 433 being
new. In the lists of 196 leading seedsmen,
Tomato seed was offered under 248 different
varietal names, 118 of which were offered by a
single firm. Yet all could be easily classed
under fewer than a score of different types.

152

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 24, 1907.

Viola Trials in the Queens Park,
Glasgow. — The second and final inspection of
a. trial of Violas (see p. 91) conducted in this park-
tools place on the 14th inst. Four Silver Medals
were offered by the Scottish Pansy and Viola
Association for the best varieties having blue,
white, and yellow flowers, and also for the best
variety of any other colour than these. First-CIass
Certificates were awarded to varieties receiving
36 or more points at either of the inspections.
In arriving at their decisions the judges were
influenced by the value of the variety for bedding
purposes. The following varieties were awarded
the medals : — Yellow, Red Braes, from Messrs.
James Grieve & Son, Edinburgh, with 68 points
out of a possible 96 ; Blue, Ithuriel, from Mr.
Michael Cuthbertson, Rothesay, 52 points;
White, E. C. Barlow, 52 points, from Mr. John
Smellie, Busby. "Any other colour," Kitty
Bell, a variety having lavender-coloured flowers,
60 points, from Mr. Cuthbertson. Only three
plants were awarded First-CIass Certificates, viz. :
J. H. Watson, a striped flower, from Mr. Johnston,
Bearsden ; Red Braes and Kitty Bell.

MARKET NOTES.

Tomato Sunrise. — This variety is finding favour
with market-growers, and I recently saw fruits
packed for market at the Finchley Nurseries.
Mr. Frampton, the manager, informed me the
crop is all best quality fruits, which are of a
uniform size. The prospects of the out-door
Tomato crop are poor, even in the Worthing dis-
trict, but the season promises good returns for
those growers who have crops under glass.

Tomatos in unhealed houses. — The fruits should
be fairly ripe when gathered, as they are slow
to colour after picking. Tomatos have been
realising 4s. 6d. per 12 lbs. during the past
week. Comet succeeds well under the cold-
house treatment, and the crop of this variety
now being harvested is most promising.

Price of fuel. — The high price of fuel will be
a serious item this winter. I have knowledge of
a contract for 1,000 tons of anthracite coal at
an increased price of 5s. 3d. per ton over that of
last year. Contracts for coke cannot be made
for any length of time in advance. Assuming
the value of anthracite coal to be 24s., and coke
18s. per ton, it is indeed a serious matter for all,
but more especially for the smaller growers.

Canon Hall Grape. — The mid-season crops of
this Grape, or those that will be harvested by-
January, are doing well. Shanking is not much
in evidence, owing to the wood having been well
ripened last autumn. The season so far has
been suitable for Canon Hall Muscat, and will
be quite satisfactory if the wood ripens well.
This fine Grape appears to succeed equally as
well on the stiff Middlesex soil as on the lighter
soils of the Worthing district.

A disease-resisting Cucumber. — The variety
known as " Butcher's Disease-resisting " is
rightly named. I have seen plants of this
Cucumber free from disease and bearing a pro-
lific crop, while plants in other houses planted
and treated in the same manner had to be
destroyed owing to the presence of disease.
Market-growers will do well to give this variety
a trial. Stephen Castle.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents. J
Hydrangea Hortensia at Boughton
Park. — During a recent visit to this establish-
ment I noticed well-cultivated plants of Hydrangea
Hortensia growing in tubs on the terrace. The
plants measured 8 feet in height and 6 feet through,
and each was carrying 100 fully-expanded inflores-
cences ; there being others in the bud state. The
plants are given the protection of a greenhouse in
winter. When growth commences in the spring-
time they are afforded a top-dressing consisting of
a mixture of good loam, leaf soil, and artificial
manure. A. R. Pearce, The Gab'es, Kenilwotth.

The Crown Pea.— I was much interested in
the illustration of this plant on p. 120. About 50
years ago I received seeds of it under the name of
Pisum coronatum from, I believe, Mr. W. Hamil-
ton, seedsman, Cheapside, London. There are two
varieties of the Mummy or Crown Pea, the one
with flowers of the same colour as the field Pea,

and the other white. I have never seen seeds
offered for sale in any nurseryman's or seedsman's
catalogue. Another interesting Pea, and one of
which I am anxious to acquire seeds, is the white
variety of L. tingitanus ; this seems to be very
little known. No doubt it exists in some old
gardens. Justus Coidcroy.

Question Night at Debating Societies.

— Committees of gardeners' mutual improvement
societies often find a difficulty in providing fresh
subjects and lecturers at their meetings.
This difficulty has presented itself in Kingston,
where lecturers are no more plentiful than else-
where, and, as an experiment, one evening in the
first half of the winter session has been set apart
as a " Question night." Members will be invited
to write legibly on strips of paper anonymous
questions on subjects of gardening interest. These
are to be handed to the chairman, who will pre-
sent each separately to the members and invite a
reply. Should no one volunteer to do so the chair-
man must do his best to provide a reply. It is
hoped that in this way many subjects of general
interest to members will be elucidated. A. D.

Buddleia Colvilei. — This Sikkim species
also flowered in these gardens for the first time
in June, 1906. Two plants have also flowered with
us this season. The one is a bush-trained speci-
men in a perfectly open position, and one that
is much exposed to cold winds. The weather
during the past winter and spring has been
exceptionally severe around Edinburgh, but all
our plants of Buddleia Colvilei have proved per-
fectly hardy, and show no signs of injury by
frost. A plant trained against a north-east
wall has grown freely, but has not yet flowered.
Our bush-plant, however, was only about 4 feet
in height when it first flowered. I notice that
on certain of the inflorescences the low-er flowers
only of the panicle have developed. In the
Gardeners' Chronicle, August 13, 1892, p. 187, is
an excellent illustration of this species, but the
figure differs from any specimens I have seen in
that the flowers are shown arising half-way be-
tween the internodes, whereas I have seen them
as axillary only. Probably this arises from a
very robust growing specimen being illustrated.
The flowers that developed here were very much
daiker in colour than those illustrated in the
Botanical Magazine, t. 7749. This beautiful
species was, I believe, first flowered in Scot-
land some four or five years since in the gardens
of O. H. Mackenzie, Esq., Inverewe House,
Ross-shire. W . Smith, Royal Botanic Garden,
Edinburgh.

Chrysanthemums in the Present Sea-
son.— The cold, wet weather of summer has not
been altogether favourable to the Chrysanthemum.
It is possible that some varieties, which generally
produce their best flowers from the second bud,
will this year give better results from their first
buds, especially in the case of plants that were
late in starting into growth. The plants will not be
benefited by heavy feeding until they are under
cover, owing to the excessive rainfall. Those
persons who have light, cool houses at their dis-
posal may find it advantageous to place choice
and delicate varieties under glass soon, unless
there is a great improvement in the weather during
September. A . j. Lung, Wy fold Court Guldens.

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees. — I en-
close three shootsof last year's growth — oneof Pear
and two of Apple— showing the effect of last sum-
mer's pruning as practised in Mr. E. A. Wilson's
garden, Rockingham, Edgbaston Park Road, Bir-
mingham. You will observe that the Keswick
Codlin Apple and Williams' Bon Chretien Pear
were enabled last autumn to so mature many of
the buds that they formed fruit-buds, whilst those
that have not fruited will certainly do so next
season. The shoot of Cellini Pippin shows what
usually takes place on many of the varieties of
Apples and Pears that have been summer pruned
at the proper time. It has produced a few fruits
at the upper end, whilst the buds below have de-
veloped into fruit-bearing buds, and with little or no
superfluous side growths that many of your corre-
spondents complain of. The current year's growth
is poor and weakly owing to a lack of sunshine,
and to all appearances these growths will not be
ready for summer pruning until later in the season.
In the Warwick Castle collection of Apples staged
at the Royal Horticultural Society's Apple Con-
gress (1888) many of the best fruits were from the
previous year's wood. At Ragley Hall the best
samples of Keswick Codlin, Lord Derby, Wor-

cester Pearmair., and Stirling Castle were, with
few exceptions, obtained from the previous year's
growths that had been summer pruned. The
tables on pp. 400-403 in the issue for June 22
should be of much service to all interested in
summer priming. By reading very carefully the
various reports, one lesson can be learned, viz.,
that one's faculties for observation and discrimina-
tion should be brought to bear upon this subject, for
many persons seem to regard summer pruning as
a matter of form. My experience is that all fruit
trees require bcth summer and winter pruning to
yield the best results. Trees properly treated
from the commencement will not require much
pruning at either season. The most suitable time
for summer pruning and the mode of performing
it is ruled by many circumstances. Every variety
of fruit tree has a habit of growth peculiar to
itself, and this varies with cultivation, soil, situa-
tion, temperature, &c. A. D. Christie, Rockingham
Gardens, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham.

Astilbe Davidii — This plant has now been in
cultivation long enough for its value in the gar-
den to be tested. Personally, I must confess to
disappointment in what I had hoped would
prove a fine addition to gardens. It grows more
luxuriantly each successive year, and has an ex-
cellent habit of growth, but the colour of its
flowers turns to an inky shade in a very few
days after the flowers open. We purchased six
plants, one of which never grew. The other
five have grown well. Two of them are of a
dull red purple. The first one was of a rosy-
pink shade, such as the form which was first ex-
hibited, and much about the shade of the old
Spiraea venustum. Of the remaining two plants,
one is pale rose and the other not a good shade
of rosy-purple. Probably, had all been like the
one I call rosy-pink, this note would not have
been written. It seems a pity that the poorly-
coloured forms should be distributed. The
spikes grow to a height of 5 feet to 5 feet 6
inches here, and the actual length of the flower-
ing spike is at least 3 feet. The side spray, like
the central spike, grows very upright, so that the
maximum diameter of the flowering portion does
rot much exceed 5 inches. The flowers are slow
to- open, and are borne over a period of about
five weeks, commencing in August, but the inky
tinge acquired by the earlier flowers spoil what
otherwise would be a fine splash of colour
Like most plants of its kind, it revels in a good
supply of water, and succeeds best in swampy
ground or by a pond which is allowed to over-
flow its banks frequently. /. C. Tallack^
Derbyshire.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

August 20. — The exhibition on Tuesday last
at the Hall in Vincent Square, Westminster,
was again very small, and the attendance of
visitors meagre. There were fewer entries for
Orchids, and the Orchid Committee recom-
mended only one Award of Merit and one
Botanical Certificate.

The Floral Committee had several meri-
torious exhibits to inspect, notably a display of
Gladioli, and a representative collection of hardy
annuals. This Committee granted an Award of
Merit to a large-flowered strain of Streptocarpus
and a Botanical Certificate to a species of Rubus.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee con-
ferred Awards of Merit on two varieties of
Melons, and a Potato, all of which had been
grown under trial at Wisley. Two meritorious
collections of fruit trees in pots, notably one of
Apricots, formed the principal exhibits brought
to the notice of this Committee.

At the afternoon meeting 16 new Fellows
were elected, and a lecture on " Terrace-garden
Plants,'' illustrated by lantern slides, by Mr.
James Hudson, of Gunnersbury House Gardens,
was read by the Secretary.

Floral Committee.

Present : W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair) j
and Messrs. H. B. May, Jas. Walker, T. W.
Turner, Chas. E. Pearson, J. H. Barr, G .
Reuthe, W. P. Thomson, W. Howe, E. II.
Jenkins, Geo. Nicholson, Jas. Hudson, K--
Ilooper Pearson, and George Gordon.

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Edmonton,
showed a number of varieties of Campanula

August 24, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

153

isophylla as small pot plants, all of which were
covered with their pretty bell-shaped flowers in
blue and white colours : the varieties included
Mayii, alba and superba. The taller C. pyra-
midalis was also exhibited in both the blue and
the white varieties. The group included
well-grown plants of Ixoras, Vallota purpurea,
greenhouse Veronicas, and flowers of Lapageria,
including the large-flowering Nash Court
variety. Several choice Ferns were interspersed
amongst the flowering plants. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Mr. A. Bullock, gardener to \l. Wythes,
Esq., Copped Hall, Epping, Essex, showed a
group of Ixoras in variety. The plants ex-
hibited good culture and were very freely
flowered. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Ches-
hunt, Herts, staged a collection of Roses of such
varieties as Dean Hole, Le Progres, Hugh Dick-
son, George Laing Paul, The Dandy and Far-
benkonigen. Sprays of the interesting Rosa
sericea pteracantha with its dark-red spines, and
of Tamarisk hispida aestivalis, were also seen in
this exhibit. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. George Prince, Longworth, Berkshire,
displayed cut blooms of Roses of suitable gar-
den varieties, and a seedling named after Mrs.
Longworth, with striped petals, that are similar
in marking to those of the old York and Lan-
caster. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset,
again exhibited a large collection of Gladioli.
The varieties were more numerous than in their
exhibit at the last meeting, and thev occupied
the whole of a table at the end of the build-
ing opposite the clock. Some of the finer
spikes shown were those labelled Lord Milner
^reddish-orange with a yellow lip), Lady Peyton
(scarlet), Crown Princess of Sweden (salmon),
Dovedale (white, with spots of rose colour in the
throat), Lady Macdonald (purple), Edward
YlL, Brooklands, Golden Sword (yellow), and
Glory of Huish. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Hi i i & Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea, displayed an interesting collection of eco-
nomic plants, many of which were of medicinal
value. There were about 60 varieties of such
plants as the Olive, Olea fragrans, Cinnamo-
mum zeylanicum, Kickxia africana (from which
is produced Lagos rubberl, Saccharum nth, m-
arum, the Sugar Cane, &c. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Mr. A. Ll. Gwillim, Cambria Nurserv, New
Eltham, Kent, showed flowers of tuberous-root-
ing Begonias of both single and double-flowering
varieties. We also noticed some of the " crested "
type. The shades of yellow, scarlet, pink, &c,
were very beautiful, and the exhibit represented
a fine strain of these useful bedding plants.
(Silver F'lora Medal.)

Messrs. James Veitcii & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, staged a group of hardv flower-
ing shrubs and tall-growing herbaceous plants.
Artemisia lactiflora has numerous inflorescences
of cream-coloured flowers ; Eucryphia pinnati-
folia is a handsome shrub that bears numerous
large white flowers ; Pavia macrostachya has tall
inflorescences; Sambucus racemosus develops
large umbels of fragrant flowers ; Berberis
hakeodata is an ornamental shrub when in fruit.
"We also noticed Buddleia variabilis magnifica,
Astilbe Davidii, Serratula atriplicifolia, Senecio
Veitchianus, hardy Heaths, &c. (Silver-Gilt
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanlev, Kent,
showed an interesting collection of hardy an-
nuals, interspersed with a few showy border
flowers. Varieties of Helichrysum bracteatum
were very pretty, also Centaurea "Bridesmaid,"
Salpiglossis in variety, Alonsoa mutisi, Phlox
Drummondii, Zinnias, Marigolds, Calliopsis atro-
sanguinea, Scabiosa grandiflora, Viscaria cceru-
lea, Clarkia pulchella, Godetia grandiflora, and
many others. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Arthur Charlton_& Sons, Summer-
vale Nursery, Eridge Road, Tunbridge Wells,
Kent, showed a fine collection of seasonable
hardy flowers, including choice varieties of Gail-
lardias, Phloxes, Veronicas, Pentstemons,
Gladioli, Verbenas, Liliums, Statices, Coreopsis,
iVc. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Geo. Reuthe, Keston, Kent, showed in-
teresting Alpine and hardy plants. Lysimachia
Henryi is a dwarf species, with relatively large,
yellow flowers ; Hypericum cuneatum is another
dwarf plant, the flower-buds are red but the

petals when expanded are yellow. Samolus
rupestris, Tamarisk hispida aestivalis, her-
baceous Phloxes, and many other pleasing
plants were seen in this exhibit.

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Ware's Nursery,
F'eltham, Middlesex, exhibited an assortment of
hardy flowers. Pentstemons were shown in
many fine varieties, also herbaceous Phloxes,
Tritomas, Chrysanthemum maximum, Dendro-
mecon rigidum, &c, and the whole was relieved
with light sprays of Statice, Grasses, and Bam-
boos. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex,
showed a number of flower-spikes of their rose-
coloured Lupin named Lupinus polyphyllus
roseus and a white pompon-Cactus Dahlia
labelled The Bride.

Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate Nur-
series, London, N., displayed a prettily-arranged
exhibit of Chrysanthemum maximum "The
Speaker," a large-flowered variety, with pure
white florets.

Messrs. Kenward tV- Son, Lewes, showed a
number of floral devices.

Mr. A. Wright, 43, Tharp Road, Wellington,
Surrey, showed flowers of Petunia, each under
a name.

Miss Dodge, Loseley Park, Guildford (gr. Mr.
R. Staward), exhibited vases of double-flowered
Stocks.

Leopold de Rni us, mi n, Esq., Gunnersbury
lb. use, Acton, W. (gr. Mr. James Hudson),
showed a batch of plants of a small-flowered,
scented-leaved Pelargonium named Countess of
Devon, and excellent specimens of Cyrtanthus
hybridus, to which a First-Class Certificate was
awarded in 1885. A Cultural Commendation
was awarded for these latter plants.

AWARDS.
Aw \i;n i if Merit.
Streptocarpus, Burden's strain. — Several plants
of greenhouse Streptocarpus, bearing flowers that
measured 3 inches across their widest part,
were shown by Mr. F. BUKDETT, Sun-
ningdale, Berks. The plant, wire extremely
floriferous ; as many as 20 expanded inti
cences and more than this number of cut ll
stalks were seen on some of the plants. The
colour was a deep shale of lavender-blue, with
unison blotches near the mouth. The Awar 1
was granted to the strain.

BOTANH AI. ( EKTIFICATE.

Rubui bambusarum. — This is a newly-intro-
duced species from China. It has a trailing,
ie habit, with long, bramble-like shoots,
bearing handsome tn-parted leaves of a deep,
glossy green above, and with a white tonientum
beneath. FZach leaf-segment is about 5 inches
in length, and linear-lanceolate in shape. The
fruits are not unlike those of our native Bramble.
Shown by Messrs. James VEITCH & Sons, Ltd.

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
chair); and Messrs. fas. O'Brien |hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, W. Boxall, G. F. Moore, W.
Thompson, J. Wilson Potter, H. T. Pitt, A. A.
McBean, T. W. Bond, A. Dve, W. P. Bound,
W. H. Young, J. Charlesworth, H. G. Alex-
ander, W. II. White, F. J. Thorne, H. A. Tracy,
W. I'obb, and W. Bolton.

Major G. L. Holford, CLE., C.V.O.,
Westonbirt, Tetbury (gr. Mr. II. G. Alexander),
was awarded a Silver-Gilt Lindley Medal for an
immense plant of Laelio-Cattleya elegans with
30 flower-spikes, bearing together 230 flowers,
the largest spike having 13 blooms The speci-
men, which was one of the finest Orchids ever
staged at an exhibition, was an example of high
culture, the flowers being perfect in development
and of fine, rich, purple colour.

Major Holford also received a Silver Bank-
sian Medal for a selection of six new hybrid Or-
chids, viz., Brasso-Cattleya Madame Jules Hye,
with pretty, blush-white flowers, having sulphur-
coloured discs to the lips ; Cattleya Pittiana
superba ; C. fulvescens magnifica, with flowers
of a pale buff tint, having handsome rose-veinel
lips; Laelio-Cattleya Ophir "Variety delicata,"
white, with yellow throat, arid rose front to the-
lip; Cattleya Euphrasia "Westonbirt variety,"
a fine form of the plant recorded at a recent
meeting as L.-C. Macaenas ; and Laelio-Cattleva
Arethusa (_C. Harrisoniana X L.,C. Exoniensisi.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford (gr.

Mr. W. H. White), was awarded a Silver
Banksian Medal for a pleasing group of the
rare, light-scarlet-colo.ured terrestrial Orchid
Habenaria rhodocheila, which is of similar habit
to H. militaris. The group contained about two
dozen very healthy and well-flowered plants.
Sir Trevor Lawrence also displayed a plant of
Polystachya odorata, with a 10-branched in-
florescence of white flowers, and a grand speci-
men of Bulbophyllum longisepalum. (See
Awards.)

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, secured a Silver Flora Medal for a fine
group, containing some good examples of their
fine strain of Odontoglossum Rolfeae and a
hybrid between this and O. Pescatorei. The
hybrid resembled a very large-flowered O.
Pescatorei, with violet-purple blotches on the
sepals. The group also contained other showy
hybrids, including one raised from Laelia pur-
purata X L. grandiflora (majalis). The seed-
ling showed a great improvement on the latter
parent, and was a most attractive flower.
Among the species were two plants of Cyc-
noches Egertonianum, the one representing the
numerous-flowered racemose male form, and
the other the female, bearing a short twin-
flowered spike of large, wax-like blooms. In
the centre of the group was a specimen of the
rare Bulbophyllum virescens with an umbel
of 10 flowers ; other species noted were Zygopeta-
lum Burkei, Z. crinitum cceruleum, Brassia gut-
tata, Angraecum Scottianum ; the very singular
fringed-lipped Chondrorhyncha Chestertoni and
Scuticana Steelii, with long terete leaves and
showy flowers at the base. (See Awards.)

Messrs. Sander & Suns, St. Albans, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a meritorious
group, the back plants of which were fine selec-
tions of Laelio-Cattleya Bletchlevensis, L.-C.
eallistoglossa, Cattleya Lord Rothschild, Odon-
toglossum Rolfeae, and a very effective arrange-
ment of the scarlet Disa grandiflora. Among
the newer hybrids, Cattleya Davisii (velutm a
X Hardyana) was pretty, and showed great varia-
tion. Cypripedium Watsonianum, C. Mary
Beatrice, and C. Niobe magnifica were other
good flowers. Of the species noted were Stan-
hopea oculata, Catasetum macrocarpum, Mil-
tunia Roezlii alba, Promenaea xanthina, Mil-
tonia Kegnellii citrina, and Galeandra lacustris.
Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, Kent, staged an excellent group, lor
which a Silver' Flora Medal was awarded. At
the back were six plants of the new Laelio-Catt-
leya George Woodhams (L. purpurata x C.
Hardyana), a fine companion to the handsome
L.-C. eallistoglossa, with large, purplish-rose-
coloured flowers, having a finely-developed
claret-purple lip ; several of a fine type of L.-C.
Bletchlevensis, a large specimen of Maxillaria
tenuifolia, a selection of Dendrobium 'Phalaenop-
sis, and several good white Odontoglossum
crispums. With these were several Cypripediums,
including the new C. Braceyanum (superbiens X
Lord Derby), which had flowers of the Lord
Derby type, but with much broader petals, and
a white ground ; C. Maudiae, C. Bella, C. Day-
anum, C. Harrisianum albens, and several hy-
brids of C. Charlesworthii. The group contained
also three plants of Bulbophvllum Dearei, a

g J example of the rose-coloured Eulophia

guineensis, Masdevallia Davisii, &c.

Mrs. Temple, Leyswood, Groombridge (gr.
Mr. Bristow), was awarded a Silver Flora Medal
for a group of well-grown Disa grandiflora, the
plants bearing together over 100 very fine scarlet
blooms. With them was a very handsome speci-
men of Epidendrum Brassavolae with nine
flower-spikes.

Baron Sir H. Schroder, The Dell, Egham
(gr. Mr. Ballantine), showed Cypripedium Del-
lense (Mastersianum x Rothschildianum), an
effective hybrid with the habit of C. Roth-
schildianum. The upper sepal is greenish-white,
with purple lines ; the petals are greenish, tinged
with rose and spotted with chocolate ; the lip
is long, compressed, and of a pale reddish-brown
colour. We also noticed a good form of Cattleya
A. de Lairesse.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, sent
Cypripediums Jas. H. Veitch (Curtisii x Stonei
platytaenium) and C. W. R. Lee.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
P'nfield, staged a small group, which contained
Cattleya bicolor Grossii, C. granulosa, C.
Dowiana, C. Gaskelliana alba, several Laelio-
Cattleya Ingramii, Odontoglossum Pescatorei,

151

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 24, 1907.

O. Wallisii purum, O. Schlieperianum, and
various Cypripediums.

Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton Park, Rei-
gate (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound), sent Cattleya Adula
var. Colmaniffi bicolor X Hardyana Mrs. Jere-
miah Colman), a pretty rose-purple flower with
intense ruby-purple lip.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge,
showed Oncidium macranthum nanum, with
a short spike bearing 12 clear-yellow flowers
shaded a slight olive green on the sepals ; and
Odontoglossum Harryanum grande, a large,
finely-formed, and very darkly-coloured flower.

AWARDS.
Botanical Certificates.

Polycycnis Charleswortkii, from Messrs.
Charlesworth & Co. — A very remarkable
species, with the habit and form of inflorescence
seen in Gongora, and probably nearest to P.
barbata. The long, arching inflorescence bore
about 50 flowers, each of which measured an
inch across. The rather broad sepals, of which
the upper one is abruptly turned back, are yel-
lowish and closely mottled with pale red-brown.
The singular linear petals are long and curiously
twisted, in colour yellow, with some slight,
reddish spottings at the base ; lip long and
narrow, brownish, studded with whitish hairs.

Bulbophyllum longiscpalum, from Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Bart., Burford (gr. Mr. W. H.
White). — A very remarkable species, originally
figured in Lindenia 111. as B. grandiflorum.
The long sepals are projected forward, and form
a long, beaked-like flower, which is whitish,
closely netted with reddish-claret colour. The
species is a native of New Guinea.

Award of Merit.
Miltonia Schroderiana " Heaton variety,"
from Messrs. Charlesworth & Co.— A splendid
form of this attractive species from Central
America, and the largest and best in colour yet
shown. The yellowish-white sepals and petals
were heavily marked with chocolate-purple ; the
showy lip is of a dark magenta-rose colour at
the base, the apical half being pure white.

Cultural Commendation.
To Mr. W. H. White, Orchid grower to Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart., for a very fine speci-
men of Bulbophyllum longisepalum with 14
flowers.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: George Bunyard, Ksq. (in the
chair) ; and Messrs. A. H. Pearson, Jos. Cheal,
Chas. Walker, Alex. Dean, Win. Pope, Horace
J. Wright, George Relf, Owen Ihomas, J.
Jaques, J. Willard, W. Poupart, W. Wilks, J.
Davis, H. Parr, and W. Bates.

Twenty-one varieties of Melons from the trial
of these fruits at Wisley Gardens (see p. 136 in
the last issue) formed an interesting exhibit.
Two of the varieties were granted Awards of
Merit. Several seedling Melons from other
sources were presented for Awards, but none
was considered worthy of this distinction.

Miss Dodge, Loseley Park, Guildford (gr.
Mr. R. Staward), in addition to staging several
seedling Melons, showed eight varieties of culi-
nary Peas, six of which were selected for trial
at Wisley.

Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross,
Herts., exhibited a meritorious group of pot-
trees of Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and Figs.
Of Peaches, there were Amsden June, Goshawk,
and Noblesse ; Nectarines, Pineapple and
Rivers' Orange ; Plums, Sultan, Grand Duke,
Goliath, Autumn Compote, White Magnum
Bonum, and Pond's Seedling. The Fig trees
were used as an edging to the group. (Silver-
Gilt Hogg Medal.)

Messrs. T. Rivers & Sons, Sawbridge worth,
Herts., showed a collection of Apricots as pot
plants. The trees were finely fruited, and em-
braced the varieties Large Early, Montgamet,
Peach, Hemskerk, Royal. Precoce d'Oullins, and
Moor Park. The trees were not more than three
years' grafted. (Silver-Gilt Hogg Medal.)

Messrs. S. Spooner & Sons, Hounslow,
showed 29 varieties of Apples, a few dishes of
Plums, and fruits of a hybrid Strawberry X
Raspberry. The varieties of Apples included
Worcester Peaimain, Stirling Castle, Lord
Grosvenor, Red Astrachan, Mr. Gladstone,
Early Red Margaret, Cardinal (syn. Peter the

Great), Worcester Pearmain, Early Victoria, and
Red Quarrenden. (Silver Knightian Medal.)

AWARDS OF MERIT.

Melon Perfection. — A variety of handsome ap-
pearance, for which the Award was mainly
granted. The exterior is dark green with white
netting. From Messrs. Sutton & Sons,
Reading.

Melon Duchess of York. — This was the best-
flavoured fruit of the 21 varieties staged on this
occasion. It is of medium size ; the flesh is
white and the exterior yellow, with reticulations.
From Messrs. Hurst & Son, Houndsditch.

Potato Favourite. — One of the best-cropping
varieties under trial at Wisley this season. The
Award was bestowed after a test of its edible
qualities. From Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothe-
say.

A variety of Melon being already in commerce
under the name Advance, the Melon granted an
Award of Merit under that name by the sub-
committee at Wisley (see p. 136) is to be known
as Charles Ross, and the award will be recorded
under this name.

bracketed varieties shall be shown on the same
stand at any exhibition of the National Sweet Pea
Society." Priority is given the first name : —

THE LECTURE.

At the afternoon meeting a lecture on " Ter-
race-garden Plants " was delivered by Mr. James
Hudson, V.M.H. The lecturer contrasted ter-
race-gardening of the present day with that of
some 25 to 50 years ago. He regretted the
absence of many of the nobler plants which were
formerly used for the adorning of terraces.
Large, well-grown specimens of plants in dis-
tinct species and kinds at once attract attention
and afford a distinctive feature to their sur-
roundings. Mr. Hudson referred to the com-
mon demand for what are termed "decora-
tive" plants, many of which are of a fugitive
nature.

Details of the culture of the various plants for
this phase of gardening were given, and especi-
ally the requirements of large specimen plants.
Allusion was made to the plants that are grown
at Gunnersbury House gardens for the furnish-
ing and adornment of terraces. The list in-
cluded Myrtles, the specimens of which are very
large, Aloysia Lippia citriodora, shrubby Vero-
nicas, immense plants of scented-leaved Pelar-
goniums, Pomegranates in variety, and Agapan-
thus umbellatus. These and many other
plants, including Palms, Bamboos, Phormiums,
&c, are all suitable for this purpose of garden-
decoration. Tubs were recommended for such
species, in preference to pots.

NATIONAL SWEET PEA.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FLORAL
COMMITTEE, 1907.

The Floral Committee members who attended
were: — Mr. Walter P. Wright (chairman), Mr.
J. M. Bridgford (Watkins & Simpson), Mr. S. B.
Dicks (Cooper, Taber & Co.), Mr G. Herbert
(C. W. Breadmore), Mr. A Ireland (Dobbie & Co),
Mr. J. Jones (H. Eckford), Mr. Thos. Jones
(Ruabon), Mr. A. Malcolm (Duns, Berwick), Mr.
Thos. Stevenson (Addlestone), and Mr. T. A.
Weston (Lyminge, Kent).

Chas. H. Curtis,

Hon. Sec. National Sweet Pea Society.

Certificates and Awards.

At the Royal Horticultural Hall, July 16:—

Award of Merit. — To Elsie Herbert (C W.
Breadmore), Evelyn Hemus (Miss Hemus)'
Nancy Perkin (H. A. Perkin), Rosie Adams (T,
Stevenson), Saint George (Hurst & Son), Silas
Cole (S. Cole), and The Marquis (Dobbie & Co.),

At the Reading trials, July 18 : —

Silver Medal.— To Saint George (Hcrst &
Son), as the best novelty of the year.

First-class Certificate. — To Saint George
(Hurst & Son), and Helen Pierce (H. Eckford).

Award of Merit. — To Princess Victoria
(Dobbie & Co.), Nora Unwin (Watkins & Simp-
son), Lord Nelson (I. House & Son), and Prince
Olaf (Dobbie & Co.).

Too-much-alike Varieties.
The following varieties have been bracketed as
too much alike. "Not more than one of the

(Ella Dyke

t White Spencer

J Queen Alexandra
t Scarlet Gem

( Her Majesty
t Splendour

( Lord Rosebery
1 Cyril Breadmore

I Mrs. Collier
Mrs. Felton
Dora Cowper
Ceres
Yellow Dorothy Eckford

(Captain of the Blues
(Bolton's Blue

( Lady Grisel Hamilton
J Countess of Radnor
I New Countess
( Princess May

( Duke of Sutherland
( Monarch

( Lottie Eckford
1 Maid of Honour
(ivy Miller

I Black Knight
J Stanley
(Boreatton

f John Ingman

George Herbert

E. J. Castle

Rosy Morn

Rosie Sydenham

Mrs. W. King
.Phyllis Unwin

( Flora Norton
I Miss Philbrick

( Modesty

I Duchess of Sutherland

J Sensation

( Countess of Aberdeen

* ( Princess Victoria
( Pink Gem

/ Countess of Spencer
1 Paradise
■{ Enchantress
Olive Bolton
iCodsall Rose

{Gorgeous
Miss B. Whiley
Mildred Ward

J Countess of Lathom
( Coral Gem

* Dobbie's Princess Victoria is meant, not the old variety
of this name, which is cerise with carmine standards.

Classification.
The committee recommends the following as
the best in their colours : —

White

Crimson and Scarlet

Rose and Carmine

Yellow and Buff

Blue

Blush

Cerise

Pink

Orange Shades

Lavender

Violet and Purple

Magenta

Picotee Edged

Fancy

Mauve

Maroon and Bronze

Striped and Flaked (red <'u>l rost I .
Striped and Fluked iputpti and blue)

Bicolor

Marbled

Dorothy Eckford and

Nora Unwin.
King Edward and

Queen Alexandra.
John Ingman.
Mrs. Collier.
Lord Nelson and Ro-

molo Piazzani.
Mrs. Hardcaslle Sykes
Coccinea.
Countess Spencer.
Helen Lewis & Henry

Eckford.
Lady Grisel Hamilton

and Frank Dolby.
Duke of Westminster.
George Gordon and

Captivation.
Dainty.
Sybil Lckford.
Mrs. Walter Wright.
Black Knight.
Jessie Cuthbertson.
Sutton's Marbled Blue
Jeannie Gordon.
Helen Pierce.

Excluded Varieties.

With a view to establishing a basis for the
elimination of old and inferior varieties, the
general committee has, on the recommendation of
the Floral Committee, decided to exclude the
following varieties from the society's tiials in
future : —

Lady Mary Currie

Lottie Hutchins

Venus

Mrs. H. K. Barnes

Blanche Ferry

Grey Friar

Princess of Wales

Sadie Burpee

Mrs. Sankey

Primrose

Countess of Radnor

Duchess of York

Emily Eckford

Waverley

Boreatton

Fashion

Countess of Povvis

Oriental

Gorgeous

Gracie Greenwood

Marchioness of Chol-

mondeley
Stella Morse
Mrs. Joseph Cham-
berlain
Pink Friar
Blanche Burpee
Emily Henderson
Queen of England
The Invincible Varieties

Sensation

Duchess of Sutherland

Katherine Tracey

Lord Kenyon

Colonist

Lady Skelmersdale

Lovely

Mrs. Knights Smith

Queen Victoria

Salopian

Mars

Lady Penzance

Countess of Aberdeen

Her Majesty

Mrs. Dugdale

Cyril Breadmore

Prima Donna

Mrs. Gladstone

Mrs. Eckford

Lady M. Ormesby Gore

Firefly

Dorothy Tennant

Lady Nina Balfour

Golden Gate

Admiration

Countess Cadogan

Sbahzada

Monarch

Calypso

Chancellor

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Council of the Royal Botanic Society,
Regent's Park, have placed their museum at the
disposal of the Executive Council on the occasion
of the London Dahlia Society's exhibition on
September 12. A conference on "Examinations
for Gardeners " will take place at 6 p.m. Members
of the association will be admitted to the gardens
on presentation of their tickets.

[August 24, 1907.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

155

SHROPSHIRE HORTICULTURAL.

Exhibition at Shrewsbury, August 21 & 22.

The thirty-third annual exhibition was held in
the Quarry Grounds, Shrewsbury, on Wednesday
and Thursday last, and the event was attended
with even greater success than ever. The ex-
hibits were more numerous, and there were two
more tents for their accommodation than have
been provided on previous occasions. The
actual area covered by the tents was 61,140
square feet, being 3,000 square feet more than
last year.

The greatest interest still appears to be
centred in the competitive exhibits of fruit, and
it having been anticipated that Lord Hastings
and his gardener, Mr. Shingler, would win the
fifty-guinea challenge cup for Grapes fur the
third and last time, the circumstance added to
the interest that has always been evinced in the
competitions for that prize. There were 11
entries this year in that particular class, and
the task of judging so many important exhibits
detained the judges much longer than is usual,
insomuch that the work was incomplete at a
later hour than we remember at the Shropshire
shows. When at length the 1st prize ticket was
placed on Lord Hastings' collection there was
a general cheer from the people present in the
marquee at the time. It was a popular win.
Now that the cup has ceased to be the pro] erty
of the Shropshire Society, the committee will
have to revise the schedule in some degree, and
it will be interesting to see if some new feature
can be added to the displays < if this most remark-
able provincial society. Its success in the past
has been unequalled by similar exhibitions, as
the details we have published from time to time
regarding the immense crowds that visit Shrews-
bury during the fete, and the large sin
money raised each year, have proved over and
over again. It is satisfai tory to know that the
money has been put to laudable purposes, such
as the erection of a suitable statue to Charles
Darwin in his native town, the improvement
and development of the narks in the town, and
the assistance of charities.

Reverting to the show, which is still open as
we go to press, it may be remarked that the
groups of miscellaneous plants were as delightful
as ever. Messrs. J. Cypher & Sons excelled
previous efforts and won the 1st prize in each
of the two open classes. It was stated that
this firm won prizes amounting to £106!

Tuberous-rooted Begonias were conspicuous
amongst the flowering plants.

Additional interest attached to' the exhibition
of vegetables this year on account of the cham-
pion prize offered by the society for the best
collection of nine dishes of vegetables in the
show. The Duke of Portland and his gardener,
Mr. James Gibson, won that prize, and also the
1st prize of £10 in the society's new class, also
for nine dishes. The one exhibit gained both
prizes. The quality of the vegetables from the ex-
perienced growers was of the highest, and it was
also satisfactory to see that many new exhibitors
of vegetables came forward on this occasion.

The president for the year is Colonel H. J.
Hope Edwardes, Netley Hall, Shropshire, and
the honorary secretaries are Messrs. H. W.
Adnitt and W. W. Naunton, who all these
years have done so much to bring about the
prosperity the society now enjoys.

Champion Grape Class.

The Fifty-Guinea Cup Won Outright.
The champion Grape class at Shrewsburv was
established in 1902. It was arranged for 12
bunches of Grapes in four or more distinct
varieties, but not more than four bunches of
any one variety could be shown by the same
exhibitor. The prizes offered were as follow :
— 1st, a champion silver cup valued at 50
guineas, and a sum of £20 ; 2nd prize, £16 ; 3rd
prize, £12 ; 4th prize, £7 10s. ; 5th prize, £5 ; and
6th prize, £4. At the commencement of the
competitions there were no definite points fixed
for the different varieties, and some of those
which are the more easily grown were shown in
first-class condition and won prizes as against
Muscat varieties presented in slightly inferior
condition. This was altered after the" first year

or two, and definite maximum points stated for
the Muscat varieties, which were as follow : —
Muscat of Alexandria, 11 points ; all other
Muscat varieties (black or white), 10 points;
any other variety of Grape, 9 points. Superior
cultivation and finish were recommended to the
judges as points of the highest importance.
Kach bunch is judged on its individual merits
and points are awarded separately. The collec-
tions may be decorated with flowers and foliage
plants at the discretion of the exhibitor, but
these decorations form the subject of a separate
competition, for which prizes are awarded ; they
are not considered in judging the Grapes. The
Champion Cup was to become the absolute pro-
perty of the exhibitor who should win it three
times. The late Lord Hastings won it in 1902
and 1904. His late lordship's_ gardener won it
also in 1905, but in the meantime a new pro-
prietor having succeeded to Melton Constable,
this win, instead of becoming the final for the
cup, was regarded as the first in a new com-
petition. The present Marquis has not suffered
defeat in a subsequent competition, there-
fore the cup has now become his pro-
perty. It is the fifth time the 1st prize lias
been won in this class by Grapes cultivated by
Mr. Shingler. Lord HASTINGS' exhibit «
follows, and the number of points gained by
each dish is indicated : —

Maximum N i Points
of points, awarded.

Alnwick Seedling (1) 9 9

Muscat of Alexandria (2) ... 11 10

M idn fii Id ( ■ ".i (3) 10 9J

Madi I M mrt (4] 1(1 9

Musi ii Ui xandria (5| ... 11 10J

Gros Mi. .1 16) 9 8|

l ourt (7) 10 8J

Gi is M iroc (8) 9 9

Mum al of Alexandria (9) ... 11 10

Jlus at of Alexandria (10| ... 11 LOj

Muscat Hamburgh (11) ... Id 10

Black Hamburgh (12) 10 9

Total. 121 113J

It will be seen that in three cases the maximum
number of points was awarded the bunch.
In all these cases the quality was very high, but
the weight not more than medium. Muscats
only failed from receiving the maximum by one
pomi in two cases, and half a point in the
two other instances, but it may be pointed out
that two of the bunches shown were very de-
ficient in colour. Under the circumstances,
therefore, the pointing may be considered very
high, and in a better Grape season the standard
would have to be raised, as there would be better
bunches than those now under notice. But they
were the best in the show, and constituted a
collection of which any gardener might justly be
proud. The 2nd prize was won bv J. W.
Fleming, Esq., Romsey, Hants (gr. ' Mr. W.
Mitchelli, who was awarded 106^ points, as will
be seen from the following table : —

Maximum No. Points
of points, awarded.

Black Hamburgh (1) 10 9

Madresfield Court (2) 10 8

Muscat of Alexandria (3) ... 11 10

Madresfield Court (4) 10 9

Muscat of Alexandria (5) ... 11 9J

Gros Maroc |6| 9 9

Gros Maroc (7) 9 8

Madresfield Court (81 10 8

Gros Maroc (9) 11 8J

Muscat of Alexandria (10) ... 11 10

Madresfield Court (11) 10 8

Muscat of Alexandria (12) ... 11 9J

Totals 123 106^

The 3rd prize was won by the Earl of Har-
rington, Elvaston Castle (gr. Mr. J. H. Good-
acre), who was awarded 106 points. 4th, G. A.
Gibbs, Esq., Tyntesfield, Bristol (gr. Mr. T.
Wilkinson), with 102J points. 5th, the Marquis
of Downshire, Hillsborough Castle (gr. Mr. T.
Bradshaw), with 101 points ; and 6th, G.
Farquhar, Esq., Eastnor Castle (gr. Mr.
Mullins), with 99J points.

Other Grape Classes.
Four bunches of black and white varieties. — In
this class, arranged for two bunches of a black
and two bunches of a white variety, there were
six exhibits. The best were shown by Lord
HARLECH, Brogyntyn (gr. Mr. T. Lamberti. He
had large, well-coloured bunches of Madresfield
Court, and heavy bunches of Muscat of Alexan-
dria, the outer berries of which had good colour,
but the inner ones requiring a little longer
period to perfectly mature. 2nd, Lord Saville,
Trafford Abbey, Notts, (gr. Mr. J. Doel, who
showed the same varieties, but his berries of
Madresfield Court were smaller, and the large
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria had berries of
irregular size. 3rd, the Marquis of NORMANBY,
Mulgrave Castle, Whitby (gr. Mr. J. Corbett),
with the varieties Muscat Hamburgh and Muscat
of Alexandria.

Black Hamburgh. — Eleven competitors showed
in this class, and the winner of the 1st prize was
J. Brinton, Esq., Stourport (gr. Mr. W. H.
. who had well-shouldered bunches of
satisfai tory size, and highly coloured berries.
C. F. Boston, Esq., Huytcin, Liverpool (gr. Mr.
T. Bagnall) won the 2nd prize; and the Earl of
Lonsdale, Markel Weighton (gr. Mr. C. McPher.
die 3rd prize. The best single bunch of the
same variety was of moderate size, but most
regular in size and colour-development of the
berries. It was shown by Lord Hastings.
There were 16 exhibits in this class.

Black Muscats. — In a class for the best two
bunches of a variety of Black Muscat, the 1st
prize was awarded to two bunches of the variety
Madresfield Court, shown by J. W. Fleming,
Esq., Romsey, Hants (gr. Mr. W. Mitchelli.
These were long, somewhat attenuated bunches
of large, well-coloured berries. The same
variety from John BRINTON, Esq., was awarded
the 2nd prize ; and " Lady Hastings," a sport
from Muscat Hamburgh, and exhibited by Lord
Hastings, gained the 3rd prize. There were
nine exhibits.

Madresfield (.'ourt. — Out of nine exhibits in
this class, the best was shown by Lord Hast-
ings, and it consisted of two bunches remark-
able for the finely developed berries. 2nd, Lord
Saville ; and 3rd, John Brinton, Esq.

Black Alicante. — The best two bunches of this

variety were shown by G. I UtQUHAR, Esq., being

t i -nsiderable weight and excellent colour.

2nd, the Earl of Londesborough ; and 3rd, C.

K. Boston, Esq.

Any other black Grafie. — The best variety in
the "any other black" class was adjudged to
be Gros Maroc, as shown by Mr. W. E. Hyde,
Ledbury. This was a very good exhibit. The
variety gaining the 2nd prize was Alnwick Seed-
ling, shown by Lord Harlech. These were very
large bunches, and the berries were coloured to
the last degree possible. 3rd, Gros Maroc,
shown by G. Farquhar, Esq.

White Muscats. — There were 10 pairs in this
class, and the variety Muscat of Alexandria
very naturally gained the 1st prize. The bunches
shown by the Earl of Derby, Knowsley, Prescot
(gr. Mr. E. F. Hazeltoni, were of only medium
weight, but the berries were well developed, and
they had extremely clear and perfect skins, the
finish being admirable. These were awarded the
1st prize. The same variety shown in the form
of much larger bunches, with berries perfectly
ripe, but with disfigured skins, from W. Marsh,
Esq., Henrietta Park, Bath (gr. Mr. Taylor)
obtained the 2nd prize ; and the Marquis of
Normanby, Mulgrave Castle (gr. Mr. J. Corbett',
had the 3rd prize. The most successful exhibit
in the class for a single bunch of the same
variety was shown by Lord Hastings, the
berries in this case being very good and the
bunch of about average exhibition weight. 2nd,
J. W. Fleming, Esq.

Any other white Grape. — The variety Buckland
Sweetwater, shown by H. A. Attenborough,
Esq., Daventry (gr. Mr. A. Child), obtained the
1st prize in the class for any other variety of
■vhite Grape. The same variety shown by

156

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[August 24, 1907.

Alderman H. Davis, Stoke Bishop (gr. Mr.
Curtis), and E. P. Thompson, Esq., Whitchurch
(gr. Mr. W. A. Webster), won the 2nd and 3rd
prizes respectively, but those which gained the
1st prize were very superior in the size of the
berries.

Local Classes.

There were several classes for Grapes in which
only those cultivators residing in the county of
Salop were permitted to exhibit. In that for the
variety Black Hamburgh, the 1st prize was won
by the Rev. T. M. Bulkeley-Owen, West Fel-
ton (gr. Mr. Langley), and the 2nd prize by Capt.
Heywood Lonsdale, Shavington Hall (gr. Mr.
J. Mills). For Madresfield Court, Lord Har-
lech won the 1st prize, and Capt. Heywood
Lonsdale the 2nd prize. The winner of the 1st
prize in the class for any other black Grape was
the Rev. T. M. Bulkeley-Owen, and W. L.
Levett won the 2nd prize. The best fruit of
Muscat of Alexandria was shown by Lord
Harlech, and the 2nd prize was awarded to
Lord Trevor, Brynkinalt, Chirk (gr. Mr.
Dawes). In the class for any other variety of
white Grape than those mentioned, the 1st prize
was awarded to Muscat of Alexandria, from E.
P. Thompson, Esq., Whitchurch (gr. Mr. W. A.
Webster).

Six dishes of hardy fruits. — The 1st prize was
won by Capt. Heywood Lonsdale, who in-
cluded in his exhibit dishes of Apples, Red
Currants, White Currants, Raspberries, Cherries,
and Gooseberries. 2nd, N. Robinson, Esq.,
Ellesmere (gr. Mr. W. Roberts).

Tables of Fruit Decorated as for
Dessert.

Each table measured 10 feet by 4 feet 6 inches.
The tables were covered with white cloths, and
might be decorated with plants in pots, cut
flowers (Orchids excluded), and ornamental foli-
age. No exhibitor might show more than 15 dishes
of fruit, arid the kinds must be selected from a
list published in the schedule. The 1st prize on
this occasion was awarded to the Duke of West-
minster, Eaton Hall, Chester (gr. Mr. "N. F.
Barnes), who may be congratulated on a well-
arranged table of very choice fruits. He won
115J points, which were awarded in the manner
shown in the following table : — Points

awarded.

Apple The Houblon 6

Apple Cox's Orange Pippin 64

Grape Appley Towers 64

Grape Madresfield Court 7

Grape Muscat of Alexandria 74

Grape Canon Hall Muscat 8

Melon Eaton Seedling 7

Melon Hero of Lockinge 7

Nectarine Spencer... ... ... ... 6

Nectarine Elruge 4J

Plum Golden Drop 5

Peach Violette Hative 4J

Peach Princess of WTales 74

Pear Doyenne du Cornice 6

Pear Triomphe de Vienne ... ... 54

Beauty of flower and foliage 7

Blending of colour 7

General arrangement for effect... ... 7

115J

G. Farquhar, Esq., Ledbury (gr. Mr. G.
Mullins), won the 2nd prize, and obtained 1074
points, showing a very commendable collection.
3rd, the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston (gr. Mr.
J. II . Goodacre), with 1064 points. The 4th
prize fell to J. Drakes, Esq., Market Rasen (gr.
Mr. T. Cooke), who had 95 points, being only
one point more than those obtained by the Hon.
E. F. Wood, Temple Newsam (gr. Mr. R.
Dawes). Being arranged in a conspicuous posi-
tion in the marquee, these decorated tables again
•excited much admiration ; but in the interests of
the show the committee would do well to con-
sider the possibility of imparting something of
noveltv even to this class, as the exhibits each
season do not offer sufficient variation. It is
particularly unfortunate that on this occasion
the floral decorations in the various exhibits
were so similar. In five of the six cases
Francoa ramosa was employed, and generally
they were associated with Mmitbretias. These
flowers are certainly of a suitable character for
such a purpose, but there are many pretty and
graceful species that are equally adaptable, and
it is a pity that exhibitors have so pronounced
a tendency to copy each other's methods in
detail.

Collections of Fruits.

Collection of Sixteen Dishes of 'Fruit in Sixteen
varieties, and not fewer than Twelve kinds. —
This is the largest class in those for collections
of fruit, and on this occasion there were four
exhibits. The 1st prize was won by G.
Farquhar, Esq., Eastnor Castle, Ledbury (gr.
Mr. G. Mullins). He had very large bunches of
Black Alicante Grapes, good in size and colour
of berries ; also good Black Hamburgh Grapes
and moderate Muscat of Alexandria. Among
stone fruits were Peaches Devonian and Belle-
garde, Nectarine Spencer, Plum Transparent
Gage, Apricot Large Early, and Cherries Bigar-
reau Napoleon. He had excellent fruits of
Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling Apple ; also Peas-
good's Nonsuch Apples, Gunton Hero and a
seedling Melon, Marguerite Marrilat Pear,
Brown Turkey Figs, and Oxonian Strawberries.
This exhibit was awarded the 1st prize for its
decorations. 2nd, the Earl of Harrington,
whose Grapes consisted of Duke of Buccleuch,
Muscat of Alexandria (insufficiently well
coloured), Muscat Hamburgh, and Black Ham-
burgh. He had also good Peaches, Nectarines,
Apricots, Plums, Pears, Apples, Figs, Straw-
berries, and Cherries. 3rd, Mr. W. E.
Hyde, Ledbury, who also obtained the 3rd prize
for the decorations employed. The Hon. E. F.
L. Wood, Temple Newsam (gr. Mr. R. Dawes),
who obtained the 4th prize for fruit , was
awarded the 2nd prize for decorations.

Collection of Twelve Dishes. — There were, as
usual, more exhibits in this class than the pre-
ceding one, and the exhibit which won the 1st
prize for the Earl of Londesborough, Market
Weighton, Yorks. (gr. Mr. J. McPherson), was
composed of very fine fruits. His Black Ali-
cante Grapes were of a first-rate character, being
of satisfactory weight, excellent colour, and
having the characteristic shoulders of this
variety. Gros Gtiillaume and Muscat of Alex-
andria were the other varieties of Grape ex-
hibited, and of these Gros Guillaume was shown
in the best condition. The other fruits included
two Melons, also Souvenir du Congres Pear,
Ribston Pippin Apple, Pineapple and Lord
Napier Nectarines, Royal George Peaches,
Transparent Gage Plums, and Brown Turkey
Figs. This exhibit also obtained the 1st prize
offered for decorations employed in this class,
and they consisted in this case of Montbretias
and Francoa ramosa. The 2nd prize was won
by Lord BlDDULPH, Ledbury (gr. Mr. II.
Cotton). He had of Grapes, Black Alicante,
Duke of Buccleuch, Gros Maroc, and Muscat of
Alexandria ; also Nectarine Lord Napier, Peach
Bellegarde, Fig Brown Turkey, Plum Trans-
parent Gage, Pear Souvenir du Congres, Apple
Washington, and two Melon fruits. 3rd, the
Earl of Sandwich, Huntingdon (gr. Mr. J.
Barson).

The 2nd and 3rd prizes for the decorations
employed in this class were awarded to Mrs. F.
Need, Great Malvern (gr. Mr. J. Jones), and J.
Drakes, Esq., Market Rasen (gr. Mr. T. Cooke).
Eight Dishes. — There were four exhibits in this
class, and the 1st prize was won by Capt.
Heywood Lonsdale, Shavington Hall (gr. Mr. J.
Mills). He had Muscat of Alexandria and
Madresfield Court Grapes, Bellegarde Peaches,
Elruge and Pitmaston Orange Nectarines,
Astrachan Apples, Kirke's Plums, Hero of
Lockinge and Baron Hamilton Melons. The
2nd prize was won by Mrs. Swann, Halston Hall,
Whittington (gr. Mr. C. Roberts) ; and the 3rd by
the Rev. T. M. Bulkeley-Owen, Tedsmore Hall
(gr. Mr. J. Langley).

Separate Kinds of Fruits.

Peaches. — In the class for six Peaches there
were as many as 25 exhibits, and the most of
these were of excellent quality, making a fine
display of well-cultivated fruit. The 1st prize
was gained by very large and well-coloured
specimens of Royal George, contributed by Lord
Saville. The same variety in somewhat smaller
fruits, with more densely coloured skins, from
the Earl of Lathom, was awarded the 2nd prize ;
and the 3rd prize went to Captain T. A. M.
Digkin, Loppington House, Wem (gr. Mr. G.
Gilbert).

Nectarines. — Though there were slightly fewer
exhibits in this class, there were some highly
developed specimens in the 17 "dishes" staged.
The 1st prize was won by the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashbv (gr. Mr. A. R. Searle), for

unnamed fruits which appeared to be of the
variety Spencer. 2nd, J. W. Fleming, Esq.,
with highly coloured fruits of Dymond ; and 3rd,
A. J. Thornhill, Esq., Diddington Hall, Hunt-
ingdon (gr. Mr. Lockie).

Apricots. — There were 13 " dishes " staged in
the class for six fruits of any variety of Apri-
cot. Most of the fruits shown were below the
average in quality and size, that has ruled at the
Salop show. The explanation appears to be that
the season is an abundant one as regards the
crops of this much-appreciated fruit, and growers
neglected to get their neighbours to thin the
fruits for them. Doing the work themselves,
they have only adopted the most lenient
'measures, and consequently the fruits are of very
small size. Many of the exhibitors will be likely
to strive for larger fruits on another occasion.
It is most desirable to have an appreciable size
in all stone fruits, because in large fruits the
proportion of " stone " to the flesh is less than
in specimens that are less well developed. A
good dish of fruits of " Early Red " was found
for the 1st prize, being shown by G. T. Bates,
Esq., Allensmore, Hereford (gr. Mr. R.
Grindrod). The same variety from Lord Bid-
DULPH, Ledbury (gr. Mr. H. Cotton), obtained
the 2nd prize. 1

Melons. — This fruit is always exhibited in large
numbers at Shrewsbury, and this year they
appeared even more plentiful than usual. The
best green-fleshed variety was " Best of All,"
shown by C. F. Boston, Esq., Charlwood (gr.
Mr. T. Bagnall). The variety Royal Jubilee,
shown by Sir D. Duckworth King, Wearhouse,
Exeter (gr. Mr. Barker), won the 2nd prize ; and
the same variety from G. A. Gibbs, Esq., Tynte's
Field, Bristol (gr. Mr. Wilkinson), the 3rd prize.
There were 19 exhibits. In the class for scarlet-
fleshed varieties, there were 23 exhibits. Sir D.
Duckworth King, Bart., won the 1st prize with
an unnamed fruit. 2nd, Lord Aldenham,
Elstree, Herts, (gr. Mr. E. Beckett), who showed
the variety Superlative. 3rd, Mr. S. H.
Matthews, Meste Brace, with the variety Super-
lative. There were 17 exhibits in the class for
white-fleshed varieties, and the 1st prize was
won by E. A. Young, Esq., Tan-y-Bryn, Bangor
(gr. Mr. A. Ruddock). It should be added that
the Melon fruits are all tasted by the judges, and
the prizes are awarded for superior flavour.

Plums. — The best 12 fruits of a Gage Plum
were shown by the Duke of Westminsier, Eaton
Hall, Chester (gr. Mr. N. F. Barnes), who had
the variety Transparent Gage. The best collec-
tion of 12 fruits of a yellow Plum other than a
"Gage" variety was from the Earl of Londes-
borough, and he had the variety Coe's Golden
Drop. In the class for a variety of red or purple
Plum, the 1st prize was awarded to the Duke of
Portland, Welbeck Abbey, Notts, (gr. Mr. J.
Gibson), for fruits of Kirke's.

Cherries were exhibited in a class for single
dishes, and the 1st prize was gained by the
variety Bigarreau Napoleon, shown by G. T.
Bates, Esq., Hereford (gr. Mr. R. Grindrod).

Groups cf Miscellaneous Plants.

These classes are at Shrewsbury of the highest
character, and the competition is invariably
keen. Some of the best known experts in group-
ing enter the competitions. In the class for
plants in and out of flower, to occupy a space
not exceeding 300 square feet, £60 is offered
in three prizes.

On this occasion the 1st prize was awarded
to Messrs. James Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
whose group was a most harmonious decora-
tion throughout, the combination of colour being
in exquisite taste and keeping. The background
comprised an elegant specimen of Kentia Bel-
moreana, associated with brilliant trusses of
Ixora Fraseri and I. macrothyrsa, well-
developed single-stem specimens of Crotons
Andreanus, Evansianus, and Thompsoni,
pretty examples of Humea elegans and Francoa
ramosa being arranged towards the centre, hence
causing no obstruction. Along the front were
such Orchids as Oncidium varicosum Rogersii,
O. obryzatum, Odontoglossum crispum, Cattleya
crispum, and several Laelio-Cattleya hybrids,
also such fine things as Dendrobium formosum
giganteum and D. Phalaenopsis Schroderiana.
These exhibitors have rarely ever staged a finer
group, even at such a show as Shrewsbury.

The 2nd prize was awarded to G. H. KEN-
iirick, Esq., Edgbaston, Birmingham (gr. Mr. J.

•August 24, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

107

V. Macdonald). This group was particularly
brilliant with highly-coloured Crotons, of which
there were rather too many, but the arrange-
ment was specially good, and reflected the
highest credit upon the exhibitor. Francoa
ramosa and Fuchsia triphylla at the back of
the group were in good keeping with the Crotons.
Towards the front were such Orchids as Vanda
coerulea (lovely in its effect), Cattleya Harrisonii
and Laelia elegans, with dwarf examples of
Ixoras and Begonia Gloire de Lorraine.

The third prize went to Mr. W. A. Holmes,
Chesterfield, who had a bright and tastefully-
arranged group in excellent taste. Dorothy
Perkins Rose here was used rather freely, with
a few good Orchids towards the front, several
fine examples of single-stem Crotons, such as
C. Reidii and C. Warrenii. This group, though
very effective, was slightly overdone with these
single-stem plants. Two other excellent exhibits
were by Mr. Finch, of Coventry (who had cen-
tral arrangement, in itself effective, but rather
too massive), and by Mr. Vause, of Leamington,
which was a group of considerable merit. Catt-
leya Harrisonii was used here very effectively,
also Clerodendron fallax. The competition in
this class was probably never more keen than
on this occasion. It afforded an exhibition in
itself, and was one of the best possible object-
lessons in grouping.

The same amount of money was offered in the
class for foliage plants, with the same limit
as to space. This class is always a feature at
this exhibition, and after some years of experi-
ence the exhibitors have arrived at a high
class of perfection in their exhibits. It is also
an object-lesson to gardeners in general as to
the best possible plants to choose for such a
purpose in home decorations. The 1st prize in
this class went to Messrs. James Cypher &
Sons, whose group was prominent by the very
rich colouration of the plants employed, whilst
the " finish " was all that could be desired.
Three well-balanced Kentias were employed at
the back ; Crotons^-ere employed most effec-
tively, such as C. VVarrenii, highly coloured, and
the best of the broad-leaved varieties, C. Thomp.
sonii being a prominent feature. The ground-
work in this group was of excellent taste, no
overcrowding, but every plant affording good
effect. The dwarf-growing, variegated Saxifraga
in the front was in good keeping, and Stro-
bilanthes Dyerianus, with Jacaranda mimosi-
folia and dwarf Marantas were most effective.

Mr. W. A. Holmes was second in this class,
his group being well arranged. The plants
employed harmoniously blended, the silvery
foliage plants set off the highly-coloured
Crotons to good effect. The choice of material
here was excellent, and the plants in the best
of health, notably the Crotons. The 3rd prize
was awarded to the Leamington Nurserymen
ami Florists, Ltd., of Leamington. This group
pressed the second-prize winner very closely
indeed ; the highly-coloured Crotons in the
choicest variety, Nandina domestica (a Japanese
plant), rarely ever seen employed in this man-
ner, was most striking, the toning down by the
employment of light green Ferns and Eiilalia
japonica variegata with Dracaena Sanderiana
being done in the best possible manner. Mr. G.
H. Kendrick also showed well in this class,
being very close up to the 3rd prize, with well-
grown and well-coloured plants; the two corner
pyramids at the front were, however, too heavy
to be of the best effect.

In a smaller group class open to exhibitors in
the county of Salop only, this being a mixed
class wherein £20 was offered in three prizes,
a space of 100 square feet was allotted. Mrs
Swann, Halston House (gr. Mr. C. Roberts)
was an easy 1st, with a miniature arrangement
as seen in the larger classes. The Crotons
and the Ixoras told with good effect, so also did
Dracaena Victoria and a few good Alocasias.

E. Bird, Esq., Shrewsbury (gr. Mr. H. Ken-
nett) was 2nd. Flowering plants of Cannas, of
Tuberoses, and Lilium Harrisii were effectively
used, with a few good Gloxinias.

Specimen Plants.
In the class for 15 stove and greenhouse
plants, Messrs. Cypher & Sons were easily 1st
with fine examples of cultivation, embracing
grand specimens of Statice profusa, 5 and 6 feet
through, and of good colour ; Rondeletia
speciosa major, finely flowered and in the best

of health (a plant now larely seen) ; two
grand examples of Ixora macrothyrsa and an-
other of I. Shawii ; two large plants covered
with flowers of Chironia ixifera, and a fine
plant of Erica Aitoniana, with Allamanda
nobilis, and three fine Palms at the back. Mr.
Vause, Leamington, was a good 2nd in this
class ; his best plants were of Erica Aitoniana,
E. oblata purpurea, and E. exquisita, all good,
fresh specimens ; there were two Crotons,' well
coloured, and three Allamandas.

Mr. Manning, of Dudley, won the 3rd prize,
his best plants being a good Allamanda
Hendersonii, and a few good Ixoras, and one of
Rondeletia, with two healthy Kentias.

For six stove and greenhouse plants, Messrs.
Cypher & Sons were again 1st, with a superb
set of six plants worthy of the best days of
specimen cultivation These included two large
plants of Statice intermedia, highly coloured,
and of S. profusa, with two fine Ixoras, I.
macrothyrsa, with huge trusses, and I. Fraseri,
a mass of flower, Erica oblata purpurea, very-
fresh, and a grand plant of Allamanda nobilis,
a mass of flower, made up this half-dozen. Mr.
Vause was 2nd in this class also, his best
plants being of Erica Austiniana, a grand speci-
men, and very fresh ; E. Aitoniana, a fine plant,
and two Ixoras, hardly at their best.

For six stove or greenhouse plants (local
class!. Lord Harlech, of Brogyntyn, Oswestry
(gr. Mr. Lambert), was 1st with good example's
of F.ucharis amazonica, Clerodendron fallax, C.
Balfourianum, and Ixora macrothyrsa, with
Allamanda Williamsi, a very pretty and useful
species.

Mr. Swann was 2nd in this class, staging a
fine Kentia australis, two good plants of Ixora
Williamsii, and a good example of Croton War-
renii. Mr. Jas. Tarrant, of Shrewsbury, was
placed 3rd, having in his exhibit good plants of
Ixora and Clerodendron.

The class for 30 stove and greenhouse plants
at Shrewsbury, to be grown in 10-inch pots, has
been for years one of the best classes in the
show from a cultural point of view. For the
first time Messrs. Cypher & Sons have this
year won the 1st prize, a good proof of the
excellence of the exhibits. In their exhibit, the
Ixoras were a particularly strong feature, the
best being the fine young specimens of ixora
macrothyrsa, of which there were five plants ;
fine dwarf plants of Statice intermedia were also
staged ; also Rondeletia speciosa major, and
some good Crotons and Palms.

Mr. Vause came in a good 2nd in this class
with several highly-coloured Bougainvilleas, a
few dwarf and sturdy Ericas, Ixoras, Crotons
and Statices.

The 3rd prize was awarded to Mr. Swann,
Halston Hall (gr. Mr. C. Robertsl, for several
capital dwarf Ixora<, well flowered ; also of
Dracaena Victoria, and of Crotons, with two or
three good Palms. Dracaena GodseflSana was
shown here in good character.

For 12 stove and gTeenhouse plants, also
in 10-inch pots, Sir A. Muntz, Bart., M.P.,
Dunsmore, Rugby (gr. Mr. H. Blakewavl was
1st with well-grown young plants ; these con-
sisted of three good Ixoras, two of Allamandas,
Pancratium fragrans, an excellent Cycas, and
some good Crotons.

For six ornamental fine foliage plants, Messrs.
Cypher were also 1st with three finely-coloured
Crotons, notably the old C. angustifolius, and
of C. Countess, with three Palms, of which Phce-
nix rupicola and Kentia Forsteriana were the
best.

Mr. W. Vause was 2nd in this class, Croton
Queen Victoria being his best specimen.

Begonias.— There were several exhibits in the
classes for a group of tuberous-rooted Begonias
arranged for effect on table spaces of 15 feet by
4 feet. The 1st prize was won by Messrs.
Blackmore & Langdon, Twerton Nurseries,
Bath ; the 2nd by Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd.,
and the 3rd by Mr. Davis, of Pershore. The
quality observed in these collections was beyond
praise.

Cut Flowers.

Collection of Hardy Perennials, Roses excluded.
—Messrs. Gunn & Sons, Olton, were awarded
the 1st prize in this class for clean, fresh
examples of Phloxes Josephine Gerbaux,
L'Aiglon, and Sylphide ; Campanula Mariesi,
Cimicifuga japomca, Coreopsis grandiflora, and
I. ilium longiflorum ; 2nd, Messrs. G. Gibson &

Co., Bedale; 3rd, Mr. M. Prichard, Christ-
church, Hants.

Dahlias. — In a class for a collection of Cactus
or Decorative Dahlias, Mr. J. Walker, II.
was an easy 1st, with a pleasing arrangenn
Cactus varieties displayed in bamboo si
vases, and ornamental baskets; 2nd, Messis
Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury.

Mr. J. Walker also took the premier po
in the class reserved for miscellaneous Dahlias
with a very handsome lot of flowers arti-i
arranged; 2nd, Mr. W. Treseder ; 3rd, Messrs.
Keynes, Williams & Co.

Collection of Phloxes. — Mr. M. Prichard was
placed 1st with bold clumps of the leading
varieties ; 2nd, N. G. Harries, Esq., Wight-
wick, Wolverhampton (gr. Mr. J. Pugh) ; 3rd,
Mr. F. Bonskell, Market Bosworth.

Amongst 12 competitors who staged in a class
for an arrangement of cut flowers (Orchids ex-
cluded) suitable for a dinner table, to occupy
a space 4 feet by 4 feet, Mrs. J. Nixon, Alderley
Edge, was placed 1st. The flowers relied upon
were Gloriosa superba and Francoa ramosa ;
2nd, Miss J. Hirst, King's Heath, who used
flowers of a lovely pink Carnation, relieved
with Asparagus and Selaginellas ; 3rd, Mrs. FI.
B. Vernon, Bowden, Cheshire; 4th, Miss Pope,
King's Norton.

Sweet Peas.
Arrangement of Sweet Peas were exhibited on
tables (open to ladies only). There were 16
exhibits in this class, and the one from Mrs. E.
Winchester, Northfield, pleased the judges
best ; 2nd, Mrs. W. Marple, Penkridge.

Competition was also keen for the prizes
offered by Mr. Robert Sydenham, Birmingham,
for Sweet Peas, to be shown in his rural table
decorations. 1st, Mrs. W. Marple ; 2nd, Alder-
man Howell Davies, M.P., Bristol (gr Mr.
J. T. Curtis) ; 3rd, Mrs. G. D. Ford, Acocks
Green.

Mr. T. Jones, Ruabon, won the 1st prize in Mr.
Sydenham's class for 18 bunches of Sweet Peas ;
Mr. W. Stansbury, Hope-under-Dinmore, took
the 2nd prize; 3rd, A. Hughes, Esq., Knowle
(gr. Mr. T. Parry).

Of the 15 competitors for the 25 Guineas Silver
Challenge Cup and £2, offered as 1st prize by
Mr. Henry Eckford, Wem, for 18 varieties of
Sweet Peas, Mr. T. Jones, Ruabon, was placed
1st with flowers of a high order of merit; 2nd,
P. Yorke, Esq., Wrexham (gr. Mr. G. Aitkensi
with a beautifully fresh lot of flowers; 3rd K.
Bathurst, Esq., Chudleigh (gr. Mr. ' G.
Powney).

The Rev. E. Brown, Bedstone Rectory, Buck,
nell, won 1st prize for six varieties of Sweet
Peas offered by Messrs. Jones & Sons, Shrews-
bury ; 2nd, A. E. Perkins, Esq., Sundorne
Castle.

The 1st prize for 12 varieties of Sweet Peas
offered by Messrs. Baker's, Wolverhampton, was
won by Mr. T. Jones, Ruabon, with a wonder-
fully even lot of flowers of much merit ; Mr. T.
Proctor, Carnforth, was a good 2nd.

Carnations.
Owing to the cool, late season, these flowers
were shown in excellent condition. The 1st
prize for a collection of Carnations and Picotees,
shown with their own foliage and buds, and not
dressed, space 6 feet by 4 feet, was awarded to
Messrs. Blackmore & Langdon, Bath, who had
good flowers of Volunteer, Bridegroom, and
Delicate ; 2nd, Mr. C. H. Herbert, for a well-
arranged collection containing flowers of good
substance and quality; 3rd, Mr. A. R. Brown,
King's Norton.

The best collection of Tree Carnations came
from Mr. A. F. Dutton, Iver, Bucks, with ex-
quisite flowers of Mrs. T. W. Lawson, Robert
Craig, Enchantress, and President, all artisti-
cally arranged; 2nd, Mr. S. Mortimer, Row-
ledge, Farnham.

In a class for 12 varieties of Carnations or
Picotees, three blooms of each, C. Alcock,
Esq., Blundellsands, Liverpool, was placed 1st,
Mr. A. R. Brown, King's Norton, 2nd, and Mrs!
C. H. Herbert, Acocks Green, '3rd.

Mrs. J. W. Leaves, Nottingham, had the best
12 bunches of stove and greenhouse flowers,
and Sir A. Muntz, Bart., Rugby, the best six
bunches.

In a class for 12 bunches of annuals, the Rev
A. Brown, Bedstone Rectory, Bucknell, was

158

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 24, 1907.

awarded 1st prize, and Mr. A. Myers staged the
best six trusses of single, and six trusses of
double Zonal Pelargoniums.

Messrs. R. Hark.ness & Co., Hitchin, won the
1st prize in a class for 24 Roses, and Messrs.
Perkins & Sons, Coventry, secured the premier
award offered for 18 blooms.

There were three entries in a class provided
for cut Roses, and of these Mr. George Primer,
Oxford, was placed 1st. He had excellent
blooms of Muriel Grahame, Killarney, Liberty,
and Madame Abel Chatenay ; 2nd, Mr. J.
Crossling, Penarth, with a creditable display ;
3rd, Mr. G. H. Towndrow, Malvern Link.

Messrs. Bottomley & Burton, Elland, staged
the best 24 Show or Fancy Dahlias, and Mr. F.
Bunn, Newton, Ledbury, had the best 12 Cactus
varieties in a class reserved for amateurs.

Florists' Devices.

The 1st prize for a bride's bouquet with
Orchids and two bridesmaids' bouquets with-
out Orchids was won by Messrs. Felton, Han-
over Square, London. The bride's bouquet was
composed of long sprays of Odontoglossums
and two white Cattleyas. The bridesmaids' bou-
quets were made of pink Carnations ; 2nd, Mr.
W. J. Garner, Hale, Altrincham.

The last-named exhibitor staged the best bou-
quet for the hand, and Messrs. Perkins & Sons,
Coventry, had the best bride's bouquet, Mr.
W. J. Garner, Hale, being second in the last-
named class. He also took 1st prize for a
bouquet for the hand (Orchids excluded).

The winning shower-bouquet of Cactus
Dahlias came from Mr. W. Treseder, Cardiff,
who used scarlet and cream-coloured flowers ;
2nd, Mr. W. J. Garner.

Messrs. Felton & Sons took 1st prizes in the
classes for a featherweight bouquet and a floral
harp, with dainty examples in each case.

Messrs. Pope & Son, King's Norton, were
awarded the 1st prize for a floral cross. The
groundwork consisted of white Asters, over
which flowers of the small bright scarlet Lilium
chalcedonicum were arranged — a bold and pleas-
ing contrast.

Messrs. Pope & Son, King's Norton, showed
the leading basket of cut flowers (Orchids ex-
cluded).

Vegetables.

In spite of lamentations over an adverse
season, not only were the collections in the
respective classes far in excess of what have
been seen in any previous year, but the quality
of the best was quite up to the standard merit,
and some capable critics thought it was better
than ever. In any case the efforts of the society
to popularise the vegetable classes (by first
getting all the leading trade firms to put their
classes on an equal footing, making them all for
nine kinds only ; and in the second place re-
ducing their own chief class to the same number
of dishes and offering for it greatly enhanced
prizes, but specially in offering a champion
prize of 10 guineas for the best collection of nine
kinds in the show), proved to be remarkably
successful, and with such response it is hoped
this liberal action will be repeated.

It was interesting to note, however, that the
champion prize fell to the 1st prize collection
in the society's class. Hence no trade firm
could feel any special gratification or sense of
humiliation. The coveted prize fell to an excel-
lent grower of vegetables in the person of Mr.
J. Gibson (gr. to the Duke of Portland,
Welbeck Abbey), who, joining together the
society's 1st prize of £10 and the champion
prize of 10 guineas, thus wins with nine dishes
of vegetables the largest sum ever offered. The
society published the information that to each
dish shown for this champion prize a maxmium
of 7 points was to be awarded if merited. The
actual awards were as follow: —

Points.

Cauliflowers 7

Celery 5 J

Leeks 6

Carrots ...

Onions

Potatos ...

Peas

Runner Beans

Tomatos ...

Total

... 7

... 6

... 7

... 7

... 7

... 6i

... 59

In the same class Mr. E. Beckett, V.M.H.
(gr. to Lord Aldenham, Elstree, Herts.),
was 2nd, having in his collection capital Scarlet
Perfection Carrots, Goldfinder Potatos, Mussel-
burgh Leeks, and fine Celery. Mr. J. Hudson,
of Leicester, was 3rd ; and Mr. B. Ashton (gr.
to the Earl of Lathom, Ormskirk), 4th.

Messrs. /as. Carter &° Co.'s Class. — Here Mr.
J. Dymock (gr. to G. D. Faber, Esq.,
M.P., Wallingford), was a good 1st, having fine
Defiance Cauliflowers, Incomparable Celery,
Holborn Model Leeks, Scarlet Perfection Carrot,
Record Onions, Windsor Castle Potatos, Scarlet
Emperor Runner Beans, Quite Content Peas,
and Duke of York Tomatos. Mr. F. J.
Barrett, Overton-on-Dee, was 2nd with excel-
lent samples. Mr. A. M. Searle, Castle Ashby
Gardens, was 3rd, and Mr. Ashton 4th. There
were six collections in the class.

Messrs. Sutton &' Sons' Class. — With five en-
tries, several old competitors having fallen out,
Mr. Gibson was again 1st, having very fine
Prizetaker Leeks, Autumn Mammoth Cauli-
flowers, Ailsa Craig Onion, Intermediate Carrot,
Best of All Runner Beans, Perfection Tomatos,
Centenary Peas, and Ideal Potatos. Mr. E.
Beckett, who was 2nd, had very fine examples
of Prizetaker Leeks, Solid White Celery, Wind-
sor Castle Potatos, also fine Cauliflowers, Peas,
and Tomatos. Mr. J. Hudson was 3rd, and
Mr. Ashton 4th.

Messrs. Webb &= Sons' Classes. — Here, out of
nine collections, Mr. Beckett was a good 1st,
having superb Champion Leeks, Mammoth Red
Celery, Ailsa Craig Onions, Prizewinner Carrots,
Stourbridge Marrow Peas, Jubilee Tomatos, Ex-
hibition Runner Beans, Chieftain Potatos, and
Mammoth Cauliflowers. Mr. J. Dymock was
2nd, and Mr. Barrett 3rd ; other prize-winners
in the class being Messrs. Ashton, Searle, and
Barson.

Messrs. Bull &° Sons' Class. — This competition
brought but two competitors, Mr. Dymock win-
ning easily with fine dishes, these being prac-
tically repeats of what have already been men-
tioned. Mr. J. Barson was 2nd.

Mr. R. Sydenham's class brought 12 collec-
tions, the 1st prize falling to Mr. S. J. Baker
(gr. to Sir D. Duckworth-King, Exeter). He
had Bibby's Defiance Leek, Autumn Giant
Cauliflower, Excelsior Onions (very fine), Cham-
pion Scarlet Runner Beans, St. Valery Carrots,
Gladstone Peas, Perfection Tomatos, and Fac-
tor Potatos. Mr. H. Folkes (gr. to the Right
Hon. J. F. Halsey, Herts.), was 2nd; Mr.
F. J. Clark (gr. to Mark Firth, Esq.), 3rd;
and Mr. Barrett 4th. No fewer than nine
prizes were awarded in this class.

In the Society's class, devoted to the county of
Salop alone, Mr. Mills (gr. to Captain Heywood
Lonsdale) was 1st.

Other collections were presented for prizes
offered by Messrs. K. Smith lV Co., Worcester;
Mr. E. Murrell, Shrewsbury ; Messrs. Jas.
Backhouse & Co., York; and Mr. J. Wilson,
Hereford ; but all the best exhibits have been
mentioned.

Other classes for small collections or single
dishes brought remarkable competition. The
best three dishes of Potatos among 24 entries
came from Mr. E. Deakin, Hay Mills, but un-
named. Mr. Ashton came 2nd with excellent
Monarch, Eighty Fold, and Duke of York. Mr.
W. H. Levett, Wellington, being 3rd.

With a single dish, Mr. McPherson (gr. to the
Earl of Lokdesborough, York) was 1st. With six
Tomatos, Mr. J. Hudson, of Leicester, took 1st
place. With a brace of Cucumbers, that veteran
grower, Mr. J. Lockie, of Huntingdon, was 1st;
Mr. Beckett coming 2nd. Mr. Beckett, how-
ever, was 1st for a dish of French Beans, and
Mr. J. Gibson had the best dish of Peas. The
best Runner Beans came from Mr. Deakin,
Cauliflower from Mr. D. Thomas, Corend ;
Celery from Mr. Folkes, Parsnips from Mr.
Barker, and Carrots from Mr. J. H. Pugh,
Newtown.

It is not possible further to particularise the
Awards which were in other classes very numer-
ous, or to advert to the competition in the
cottagers' classes, other than to mention the
very fine quality seen in their exhibits.

Non-Competitive Exhibits.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, sent a large
collection of Phloxes, Violas, and Pansies, also
Sweet Peas and. a few miscellaneous flowers.

Mesrs. Jas. Backhouse & Sons, York, had a
nicely-arranged rockery planted with such things
as Campanulas, Gentianas, dwarf Spiraeas, and
Podophyllum Emodi, bearing large scarlet, egg-
shaped fruits. Dwarf shrubs were also em-
ployed with good effect, and graceful Bamboos
formed a pleasing setting at the back.

Messrs. Wallace & Co., Colchester, contri-
buted one of their characteristic displays of
hardy flowers, in which were excellent examples
of Astilbe Davidii, Physostegia virgimna,
Phloxes, hybrid Gladioli, new varieties of Mont-
bretia, and several Liliums.

Mr. Albert Myers, Sutton Lane Nurseries,
Shrewsbury, sent Zonal Pelargoniums as grow-
ing plants and cut flowers.

Messrs. Dicksons, Chester, staged a hand-
some group of hardy flowers, including superb
examples of Romneya Coulteri, Scabiosa cau-
casica, Phloxes, and Roses.

Messrs. Bakers Wolverhampton, had a com-
prehensive display of cut flowers, in which were
hybrid Gladioli, Sweet Peas, Roses, single,
show, Cactus and Pseony-flo«ered Dahlias.

The King's Acre Nurseries, Hereford, sent a
splendid exhibit of fruit trees in pots, and gath-
ered fruit. Among the trees we noted speci-
mens of Jefferson and Magnum Bonum (white)
Plum, Conference, Marguerite Marillat, and
Louise Bonne of Jersey Pear, Worcester Pear-
man and Washington Apple, Gros Maroc and
Lady Hutt Grape, and a well-trained fan-shaped
Sea Eagle Peach, bearing 41 fruits. The same
firm also had on another table a collection of
Roses, Carnations, and miscellaneous flowers.

Messrs. Isaac House & Son, Westbury-on-
Trym, showed a pretty group of Phloxes and
other hardy flowers.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery, Chelsea, arranged a group of stove
plants in one of the half-circular recesses in the
marquee, containing the premier groups of mis-
cellaneous plants exhibited in competitive
classes. The plants were disposed in a manner
frequently adopted by Messrs. Veitch, the main
characteristics of which consist in having wings
composed of fine specimens of various species
arranged over a Fern-covered ground and extend-
ing at the back of the group through the centre,
but the front of the centre was composed of
choice Orchids in flower, making at once a
notable and showy feature in the display. The
specimen plants were all of the highest culti-
vation. They included excellent Codia;ums
(Crotons), Dieffenbachia Jenmanii, Gleichenia
dichotoima, Nephrolepis exaltafa superba, sev-
eral species of Davallia, Platycerium angolense,
and other Ferns ; Ixoras, Alocasia macrorhiza
variegata, Dracaena Sanderiana, Aralia elegan-
tissima, Coccoloba pubescens, Ixoras, Tillandsia
zebrina major (in flower), Anthuriums, Dracaena
Victoria, Cordylines, Rhododendron javanico-
jasminiflorum hybrids, Ceratopetalum gummi-
ferum, and beautifully-coloured plants of Phyl-
lanthus nivosus and Bertolonia " Mme. A.
Bleu."' Over these plants were suspended well-
pitchered plants of Nepenthes Burkei excellens,
N. Balfouriana, N. Mixta, and others. The
firm had also a group of flowers of varieties
of tree or winter-flowering Carnations, &C.

Mr. Amos Perry, Hardy "Plant Farm, Enfield,
Middlesex, furnished the similar recess on the
opposite side of the marquee with a water gar-
den, arranged with aquatic plants on either side
of the water. The conception and execution of
this exhibit were admirable. The water, though
necessarily of small area, was ornamented with
Nymphaea flowers and foliage, arranged in a
perfectly natural manner ; other aquatics were
contained in suitable positions in the water, and
gold-coloured fish could be seen gliding under
the Nymphaea leaves in the most realistic man-
ner. At the back and in the centre of the group
were two or three specimens of Gunnera mani-
cata, and the semi-aquatic plants throughout
the exhibit were justified in their selection, and
their disposition was carried out with know-
ledge of the habitat of each species.

Mr. E. Murrell, Shrewsbury, staged a mag-
nificent collection of Roses and several boxes of
Gladioli.

Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge, set up
an assortment of fruit, vegetables, cut flowers,
and small plants of Gloxinias.

Messrs. Jones & Sons, Shrewsbury, staged
a large collection of Sweet Peas, Carnations
Zonal Pelargoniums, and floral devices.

August 24, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

159

Mr. Robert Sydenham, Birmingham, showed
Sweet Peas in rustic stands and other recep-
tacles.

The most extensive collection of Sweet Peas
came from Mr. Henry Eckfosd, Hem, Salop.

From Messrs. J. Stark ..V Son, Great Ky-
burgh, Norfolk, came a pretty stand of Sweet
Peas, including some unnamed seedlings.

Messrs. Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk,
filled the whole of one side of the centre stage
in one tent with a particularly good exhibit of
Roses as growing plants and cut blooms.
Sweet Peas and Dahlias were also well shown.

Messrs. Webb & Brand, Saffron Walden,
sent a number of excellent spikes of Holly-
hocks, &c.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
N.E., made a good display with flowers of
American varieties of Carnations. Also

Orchids, Ericas, Roses, Figs in pots, and
Orange bushes bearing fruit.

Messrs. Watson & Sons, Clontarf Nurseries,
Dublin, had a dainty arrangement of choice cut
Carnations.

Messrs. T. Rochford & Sons, Broxbourne,
Herts., exhibited a large group of well-grown
plants of Nephrolepis todasoides and two speci-
mens of the new pink-flowered Spiraea Peach
Blossom.

Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., Worcester,
showed a miscellaneous collection of indoor
and outdoor flowers and hardy shrubs.

Messrs. Alex. Dickson & Sons. Newtownards,
had a very bright collection of Roses.

Messrs. Gunn & Sons, Olton, had a fine lot of
shrubby Phloxes in many choice varieties.

Messrs. Hewett & Co., Birmingham, had a
collection of hardy flowers.

Mr. J. Forbes, Hawick, N.B., contributed
Pentstemons in numerous and excellent varie-
ties, also Phloxes and Carnation flowers ; these
latter exhibited on cardboard.

There were many other non-competitive ex-
hibits, but we have not the space to refer to them
in detail.

Honorary Awards.

Large Gold Medals.

Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea, S.W. ;
Amos Perry, Enfield ; King's Acre Nurseries,
Ltd., Hereford ; Edwin Murrell, Shrewsbury.

Small Gold Medals.
Thos. Rochford & Sons, Ltd., Broxbourne;
Robert Bolton, Carnforth ; James Backhouse
& Sons, Ltd., York; Bakers' Nurseries, Codsall,
Wolverhampton ; E. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge ;
Jones & Sons, Ltd., Shrewsbury; Hobbies, Ltd.,
Dereham ; Henry Eckford, Wem ; George Bun-
yard & Co., Ltd., Maidstone.

Silver-Gilt Medals.

Gunn & Sons, Olton, Birmingham ; L. R.
Russell, Richmond ; Richard 'Smith & Co.,
Ltd., Worcester; John Peed & Son, Koupell
Park Nurseries, Norwood, S.E. ; Dobbie & Co.,
Rothesay, N.B. ; R. Wallace & Co., Kilnfield
Gardens, Colchester; Dicksons, Ltd., Chester;
Isaac House & Son, Westbury-on-Trym, Bris-
tol : Robert Sydenham, Tenby Street, Birming-
ham ; Alex. Dickson & Sons, Ltd., Newton-
wards, Co. Down ; Geo. Prince, Longworth,
Berks.

Silver Medals.

Hewitt & Co., Ltd., Solihull ; John Forbes,
Hawick ; Clibrans, Altrincham ; John Mattock,
Oxford; Hugh Low & Co., Enfield; Thos. W.
Darlington, Carnforth ; Webb & Brand, Saffron
Walden ; Albert Myers, Shrewsbury ; Felton &
Son, Hanover Square, W. ; G. Stark & Son,
Great Ryburgh ; W. i: J. Brown, Peterborough ;
Jarman & Co., Chard ; Pritchard & Son, Shrews-
bury.

Bronze Medals.

J. Cooper, Chipping Norton ; H. N. Ellison,
West Bromwich ; B. R. Davies & Sons, Yeovil ;
Vincent Slade, Taunton ; Wm. Watson & Sons,
Ltd., Dublin ; W. L. Pattison, Shrewsbury ; A.
W. Thorpe, Lichfield; A. Bastock, Moseley ;
John E. Knight, Wolverhampton ; Hugh Alder-
sey, Esq., Chester.

Awards of Merit
were awarded to Mr. Amos Perry, Enfield, for
Tamarix Hispida iEstivalis ; Messrs. Alex.
Dickson & Son, Newtonvtards, Co. Down, for
Rose W. E. Lippiatt and Rose Flarry Kester ;

to Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, for Hedera den-
tata variegata ; to Hugh Aldersey, Esq., Ches-
ter, for Sweet Peas " Syeira Lee" and " Helen
Grosvenor"; and to Messrs. Dobbie & Co.,
Rothesay, for Phlox " The Queen."

Cut Foliage, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

PITSFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL.

—This society held its first flower show in the grounds of
Pitsford Hall on Thursday, August 8, by permission of Mr.
H. E. Courage ; and so successful was the initial effort that
it will doubtless become an annual function. After settling
all accounts a balance of £30 remained.

PETERBOROUGH AND DISTRICT HORTI-
CULTURAL.—The 2nd annual exhibition of this society
was held on Wednesday, August 14. The entries numbered
903, compared with 395 last year. Unfortunately the patron-
age the show deserved was ruined by rain. The exhibits
generally were of a high order. The strongest section in
the show was that for Cottagers, the produce in these classes
being exceptionally good.

A J i 1 1 1 1 1 i l i -. cillieu-
Luin, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeii
Berberis, per doz.

bunches
Croton leaves, bch.
Cycas leaves, each
Fern, English, per

dozen bunches

— French, dozen
bunches

s.d.
•2 6

60
2 6

s.d. s.d. s.d.

Galax leaves, pei

dozen bunches 2 0-
4 0-601 Hardy foliage
j (various), per

dozen bunches 2 0-
8 0 12 0 Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-
j — long trails per

16-20' bundle 16-30

0 6-10 — short green,

doz. bunches... 2 0-30
2 0-26 Moss, per gross ... 40-50
10-16 Myrtle (English),
16-20 small-leaved,

doz. bunches... 4 0-60
10-20 — French, dozen

bunches

10-30

Smilax, p. dz. trails 1 6-

1 6

2 6

Plants in Pots, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending August 21.
A cold and wet week.—¥or more than a fortnight the days
have all been more or less unseasonably cold. IHiring the
same period, however, the nights proved as a rule rather
warm. On tin- warmest day of the past week the highest
reading in the thermometer screen was only 70*, and on the
coldest day never exceeded 0U1. On the two coldest nights
the thermometer exposed on the lawn indicated n
within respectively H" and 7^ of the freezing-point. At 2 feel
deep the ground is still 2° colder, but at 1 foot deep is
now 4° colder, than is seasonable. Rain fell on each
day of the week, the total fall exceeding three-quarters
of an inch. On one day, during a thunder-shower, rain
was falling for three minutes at the average rate of
an inch an hour. These r.iins have not proved sufficiently
heavy to re-start the percolation gauge on which short grass
is growing, through which no measurable quantity of rain-
water ha- now jessed for a fortnight. Small quai
have, however, come through the bare soil gauge on each of
the last thr» da; The sun -.hone on an average ford, hours
a day, which is three-quarters of an hour a day mure than is
usual in August. The winds were again high, but as was
the case in each of the two preceding weeks in no hour did
the mean velocity exceed 14 miles, direction west. The
average amount of moisture in the air at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon was three per cent, in excess of a seasonable
quantity for that hour. E. M., Berk ham si cd, A ugust _7, 1907.

MARKETS.

Ampelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen

AraliaSieboldi, dz.

— larger

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, dz.
Asparagus pluino-

sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— ten u is si mus
per dozen

Asters per doz. ...

Campanulas, p. dz.

Chrysanthem urns,

per dozen

— best disbudded
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower

C ocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen

Coleus, per dozen

Coreopsis, per doz.

Crassulas (Kalos-

anthes). perdz.

Crotons, per dozen

Cj penis atternifo-

lius, dozen

— laxus, per doz.
HracT-nas, per doz.
Euonymus, per dz.
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100

— m small and
lar^e 00's

— in 4H's, per dz.

— in 3^'s, per dz.
Fictis elastica, per

dozen

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80

4 0-60
9 0-12 0

18 0-30 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

3 0-60

6 0-90

4 0-80
12 0-18 0

8 0-90
12 0-18 0

9 0-18 0
2 0-40
4 0-50

9 0-12 0

VI ii ;;u u

4 0-50

4 0-50

9 li 24 n

4 0-90

7 0-10 0

12 0-20 0
4 0-10 0
10 0-18 0

Ficus repens, p. dz.
Fuchsias, per doz.
Heliotropiums, per

dozen

Hydrangea Hor-

tensia, per dz.

— paniculata, per
dozen ...

Kentia Bel more-
ana, per dozen

— Fosteriana, dz.
Kochia scoparia,

per dozen
Latania borbonica,

per dozen
Lilium longi-

florum, per dz.

— lancif o 1 1 urn,
per dozen

Lily of the Valley,
per dozen. ...

Marguerites, white,
per dozen

— yellow

Pelarg on i u in s,

I v y-1 e a v e d,
Mill . Crousse
and Galilee, p.
dozen ...

— Zonals, per dz.

— show ..
Petunias, double,

per dozen
Roses, Ramblers,

i ach

Selaginella, dozen
Spiraea japonica,

per dozen
Verbena, Miss

Willmott, doz.
Zinnias, per dozen

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples, per box,

CO VENT

Tasmanian :

Cut Flowers,

Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

— Stunner Pip-
pins

— English, p. bshl.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Alstromerias, per

Lilium tigrinum ...

16-20

■ — J sieve

dozen bunches

2 0-40

Lily of the Valley,

Apricots (French),

Asters, per dozen

p. dz. bunches

4 0-60

per box

bunches

3 0-40

— extra quality ...

8 0-12 0

— French, cases

Bouvardia, per dz.

Marguerites, white,

— French, J sieve

bunches

4 0-60

p. dz. bunches

2 0-30

Bananas, bunch:

Calla a/thiopica, p.
dozen

16-26

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

16-20

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 „ ...

Carnations, per

Mignonette, perdz.

— Extra „ ...

dozen blooms,

bunches

2 0-30

— Giants ,, ...

best American

O don to glossum

— Jamaica

various

16-30

crispum, per

— Loose, per dz.

— smaller, per

dozen blooms

2 6-30

Cranberries, case

doz. bunches

9 0-12 0

Pancratiums, per

Currants (English),

— Malmaisons, p.

dozen fls.

3 0-40

Red, h sieve ...

dozen blooms..

6 0 10-0

Pelargoniums,

— Black (Eng-

Cattleyas, per doz.

show, per doz.

lish), k sieve ...

blooms

12 0-15 0

bunches

4 0-60

— White, p. peck

Chrysanthem u in s,

— Zonal, double

Dates (Tunis), doz.

best blooms, p.

scarlet

4 0-60

boxes

dozen

2 0-26

Poppies, Iceland,

Figs (Guernsey), p.

— small, per doz.

doz. bunches...

4 0-80

dozen

bunches

3 0-40

Pyrethrums, per

Gooseberries (Eng-

— maximum

10-20

dozen bunches

2 0-40

lish), £ sieve ...

Coreopsis, per doz.

Rhodanthe, per dz.

Grape Fruit, case

bunches

2 0-30

bunches

3 0-40

Grapes (English),

Cornflower, per dz.

Roses, 12 blooms,

Hambro's.p. lb.

bunches

10-20

Niphetos

10-30

— Alicante, perlb.

Dahlias, per dozen

— Bridesmaid ...

2 0-30

— Gros Maroc,

bunches

3 0-40

— C. Testout ...

2 0-30

per lb.

Lucharis grandi-

— General Jacque-

— English Mus-

flora, per doz.

minot, per doz.

cats, per lb. ...

blooms

2 0-30

bunches

10-20

— Canon Hall,

Gaillardias, per dz.

— Marechal Niel

16-30

per lb

bunches

2 0-30

— Kai serin A.

— Belgian Ham-

Gardenias, perdoz.

Victoria

16-30

bro's, per lb....

blooms

16-20

— Mrs. J. Laing

10-30

— Lisbon, p. case

Gladiolus, The

— C. Mermet ...

10-30

■ — Denia, barrel...

Bride, per doz.

— Liberty

— Mad. Chatenay

2 0-40

Lemors :

bunches

2 0-30

10-30

— Messina, case

— Brenchleyensis

2 0-30

Scabious, per doz.

— Naples, p. case

— various

3 0-50

bunches

3 0-40

Lychees, per box...

Gypsophila elegans

Statice, per dozen

2 6-30

Mangoes, per doz.

p. dz. bunches

2 0-30

Stephanotis, per

Mandarines, Natal

— paniculata, per

dozen trusses

3 0-50

Naartjes, box

dozen bunches

2 0-30

Stocks, per dozen

— case

Lapageria alba, per

bunches

2 0-30

Melons (Guernsey),

dozen ...

10-16

Sweet Peas, p, doz.

each

Lilium auratum ...

2 0-30

bunches

10-30

— French, Rock,

— lancif olium,

Sweet Sultan, per

each

r ii b r u in and

dozen bunches

3 0-40

— Valencia, per

album

16-20

Tuberoses, per dz.

case

-*- longirlorum ...

20-3 0

blooms

0 4-06

s.d s,

12 6-13 6
2 6-46
13-30

12-14
2 0-26

4 0-50

5 0 —

6 0-66

7 0-76

8 0 —

5 0-56
0 9-13
8 0-86

2 0-26

6 0-66
13-16

2 6 —

10-40

16-30
11 0-12 0

0 6-10
0 8-10

0 9-13

0 9-26

2 0-40

0 6-09

8 0-11 0

5 0-60

9 0-13 0
17 0-22 0

1 0 -

6 0-12 0

13-19
6 0-80

0 6-20

16-30

5 6-86

Melons (Canta-
loupe), each ...
Nectarines (Eng-
lish), per doz.
_ i 1st quality ...
1 2nd „

— French, p. box
Nuts, Cobnuts, per

doz. lb

— Almonds, bags

— Brazils, new,
per cwt.

— Barcelona, bag

— Cocoa nuts. 100
Oranges (Austra-
lian), per bos...

— Natal, per case

— Naples, p. case

— Navels, p. case

— Murcias,p. box
Peaches (English),

per dozen
_ ( 1st quality ...
i 2nd

— French, p. box
Pears (English), $

sieve

— per bushel

— French Wil-
liam?, per crate

— French, Wil-
liams Bon Cre-
tien. per box...

— (Caiif ornian),
per box

Plums (English), p.
i sieve:

— Diamonds

— Prince of
Wales

— Orleans ...

— Moroccos

— Rivers

— Czars

— Californian.bos

— French, h sieve

— Italian, basket
Gages (French),

per box

— Italian, basket

— French, J sieve

— Spanish, J sieve
Pineapples, each ...
Raspberries (Eng-
lish), handle
basket

— English, p. dz.
punnets

s.d. s.d.
4 0-60
3 0-50

3 0-40

8 0-12 0

9 0-18 0

12 0-18 0
12 0-21 0

6 0-90

12 0-18 0

12 0-24 0

12 0-18 0

10 0-12 0

4 0-80
12 0-18 0

4 0-60
4 0-60
6 0-90

3 0-76

4 0-60

4 0- 0
3 0-40

s.d. s.d.
0 3-04

H 0-15 0
2 0-40
0 10- 1 0

2 6-30
54 0 —

40 0-42 6
32 6 —
12 0-17 0

8 0-14 0
6 0-80
8 0-10 0
10 0-10 6
10 0-12 0

6 0-90
10-30
13-16

19-26
2 6-46

2 9-39

7 0-80

2 0-26

2 3-26
2 3-30
2 0 —
19-20
2 0-26

6 0-63
16-50
16-19

0 9-20
16-19

7 6-86
11 0-13 6

2 0-36

16-19

3 0-50

160

THE GARDENERS CHR ON I CLE.

[August 24, 1907.

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices

s.d. s.d,
Ai i i chokes (French),

per dozen ... 10-13
Aubergines( French),

per doz. ... 10-13

Beans{French), per

pad 3 0-40

— Broad (Eng-
lish), p. bushel 2 0 —

— Home -grown,
per bushel ... 2 0 —

Beetroot, bushel ... 13 16
0 6-09
10-

Cabbages, per doz,

— Greens, bag ...

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— washed, per
bag

Cauliflowers, per
dozen

— per tally
Chow Chow (Sec-

hium edule), p.

dozen

Cucumbers, p. dz.
Endive, per dozen
Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.
bundles
I.eeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),
Cos, per score
Marrows(English),
per tally

2 0

1 0

3 0

2 0-

4 0-

3 0 —

1 6- 2 €

2 0 —

13 0-14 0
1 6 —

s.d. s.d.
Mint, doz. bunches 0 9-10
M ushrooms(house)

per lb 0 8-0 10

— buttons, per lb. 0 10 —

— "Broiters"p.lb. 0 5-06
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun. 10-16
Onions (Spanish),

per case ... 5 0 —

— Dutch, per bag 4 0 —

— pickling, per
bushel 2 0-26

— Spring, pr. dz.
bunches ... 16 2 0

Peas (English), per

bushel 16 —

— English, p. bag 2 6-40
ParsJey,'12bunches 16-20

— \ bushel ... 10-16
Radishes (Guern-
sey), doz. bun. 0 4-06

Salsafy, p.dz. bdls. 3 6 —
Spinach, English,

per bushel ... 0 9-10
Tomatos: —

— French, p.crate 3 0-36

— selected, p e r

dozen lbs. ... 3 0-33

— small selected,

per dozen lbs. 2 6-29
Turnips (English),

doz. bunches... 2 0-30

0 4-06 d6z. bunches..: 2 0

— per bag ... 2 6

0 — Watercress, per

doz. bunches .. 0 4-06
Remarks.— Large supplies of English hot-house grown
Grapes are arriving, but the demand for them is moderate.
Plums from Kent are plentiful, and prices remain about the
same as those of last week. French and Spanish Gages are
much dearer, notwithstanding that the bulk of them arrive in
an unsound condition. A good demand exists for large
English culinary Apples. P. L., Covent Garden Market,
August 21, 1907.

POTATOS

Rents, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per cwt. ; Bedfords, 50s. to 70s. ; Lin-.
coins, 50s. to 75s. ; Blacklands, 45s. to 55s. per ton. Supplies
are shorter and prices are firmer. G. #., Covent Garden,
August 21, 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

There is now very little trade in plants. Good specimens
of Hydrangeas Hortensia and paniculata are procurable.
Pelargoniums are nearly over for the season, except the
zonal varieties, which are still very good. Chrysanthemums
are now of much better quality, and some good plants are
seen. Chrysanthemum segetum and the white-flowered
Marguerites are prominent subjects, also Spiraea japonica
and S. astilboides "Silver Sheath." Liliums, including
L. longiflorum and L. lancifolium rubrum, are of the best
quality. Verbenas are still abundant, also Asters in pots.
Campanulas have been remarkably good this season.
Dahlias in flower in 48 size pots are seen. Roses are almost
oyer for the season. Ferns in various sizes are well sup-
plied. Asplenium nidus is very good. The new Nephro-
lepis Todaeoides can be had, but the price is high. N.
Piersonii can now be purchased at the same prices as
commoner sorts. A considerable trade is done in Palms of
small sizes, but most of the large ones remain unsold.

Cut Flowers.
Chrysanthemums are now very prominent. Lady Fitz-.
wigram is one of the best "whites," and if disbudded
Horace Martin is the best " yellow." Some goftd bronze and
pink varieties are also seen. Carnations are still plentiful,
and many arc purchased by the hawkers. Liliums remain
at low prices ; the bloomsof L. rubrum Melpomene are of a
beautiful colour. Roses are still over abundant, the variety
Mrs. J. Laing is one of the most conspicuous. Perle de
Jardius is the best yellow variety in the market, and Liberty
the best red ; Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, The Bride and Frau
K irl Druschki are all good white varieties, and Niphetos
is still extensively grown. Gladioli Colvilei " The Bride " is
arriving from Holland in large quantities. Orchid bloom is
plentiful, but the demand is poor. Hardy flowers are seen
in large quantities, and many are wasted. Small growers
who bring in cut flowers at this time of the year complain
very much ; they state that trade in bedding plants was bad,
but the flower trade is worse. A, H,t Covent Garden,
Wednesday, August 21, 1907.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Sandy Flower Show, to be held on Thursday, August 29.

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Daffodil and Spring
Flower Society's 3rd exhibition, to be held about the
2nd week in April, 1908, at the Great Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

London Dahlia Union's exhibition, to be held in the'
Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, on Thurs.lay and
Friday, September 12 and 13, 1907. Secretary, Mr. B. F. '
Hawes, Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, N.W.

National Dahlia Society's exhibition, to be held at
the Crystal Palace, on Thursday, September 5, 1907.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Apples Cracking: L. F. If you will forward
us specimens, we will endeavour to ascertain
the tjause of the trouble. Bordeaux mixture is
the best remedy for Pear scab at this season.
Next spring drench the trees before the buds
expand with a solution of sulphate of iron.

Canadian Paper: H. B. The Canadian Horticul-
turist. 507 & 50S, Manning Chambers, Toronto,
Canada.

Clematis : /. S. The stem and leaves do not
furnish any clue to the cause of failure. There
is no trace of fungi, or insects. There must be
some local cause. Are you sure that the roots
are growing in suitable, well-drained soil ?

Clover in Lawns : XV. F. Apply some nitro-
genous manure to the lawn. This will favour
the growth of the grasses, and they will in
time crowd out the Clover.

Correction : In the report of the Bishop's Stort-
ford Flower Show on page 117, the winner in
the Grape classes should have read Mr. J.
Balfour, Moor Hall, Harlow, Essex (gr. Mr.
A. Jefferies), and not Colonel Balfour.

Cycas revoluta : H.V. It is not unusual for
this plant to develop its cones in plant houses.
We have on several occasions published illus-
trations of the plant bearing its inflorescence
in gardens in this country.

Exhibiting Cut Flowers: H. F. Campanula
carpatica and C persiciaefolia are distinct
species. According to the Rules for Judg-
ing, issued by the Royal Horticultural
Society, which states that " as a general rule
all variations within a genus are varieties,"
your exhibit of these plants as distinct varie-
ties would be legitimate. However, to avoid
dispute it would be well not to include the
two Campanulas if you can substitute some
other flower.

Grapes : /. C. McP. The disease is probably the
Anthracnose (Gloeosporium ampelophagum)
but in an early stage, and no spores are formed.

Laurel Leaves: A. XV. K. Your Laurel leaves
exhibit just such holes as are caused by the
shot-hole fungus (Circospora circumscissa), but
there is no trace of fungus in the leaves, and no
indications of insects, so that the cause of the
holes cannot be determined.

Lychnis : E. H. We have examined your plants
carefully and find no trace of fungi, but suspect
that the cause of the mischief lies in the roots.
Are you sure that it is not Eelworms ? The
old-fashioned plant known as Monarda didyma,
and having brilliantly red flowers, might be
given a place in the border. It is a perennial
plant and grows about 2 feet high:

Melon Diamond Jubilee: Enquirer. This
variety was raised at Dropmore by Mr. Charles
Herrin in 1897, and it received an Award of
Merit from the Fruit and Vegetable Com-
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society on
May 26, 1897. Seeds were forwarded to Wisley
for trial by Messrs. Hurst & Son, Houndsditch.

Names of Fruits : P. J. P. Your Grapes arrived
in a smashed condition. Send others properly
packed and we will endeavour to oblige you.
At the same time enclose a portion of the shoot
and a few leaves.

Names of Plants : H. T. S. 2, Cuscuta europjea,-
the Dodder ; 3, Erica cinerea. The caterpillar is
the larva of the Death's Head Hawk-moth,
Acherontia atropos. — F. M. 1, Brassavola
acaulis;2, Cyrtopodium Andersonii ; 3, Odonto-
glossum Lindleyanum. — Constant Redder. 1,
Olearia Haastii ; 2, Lythrum salicaria ; 3,
Anchusa italica ; 4, Linaria vulgaris; 5, Pip--
tanthus nepalensis ; 6, Teucrium polium. —
C. E. H. 1, Lastrea cristata ; 2, L. c. uliginosa;
3, L. spinulosa ; 4, Athyrium Filix-fcemina pur-
purescens; 5, A. F.-f. rha;ticum.— G. M. (a)
Anthemis tinctoria ; (b) Galega officinalis ; (c)
not recognised ; (d) Camassia esculenta ; (e)
Physostegia virginiana ; (f) Origanum Dictam-
nus.— ]. M. 1, Inula grandiflora ; 2, Sedum
hispanicum; 3. Lastrea lepida; 4, Lastrea serra.
— H. T. Veronica Andersonii, purple variety. —
H. P. P. P. 1, Begonia Dregei (syn. parvi-
folia) ; 2, Begonia fuchsioides ; 3, Achillea
ptarmica, double variety ; 4, Cryptomeria
japonica.— H. A. Abelia triflora.— Fresco. 1,
Hypericum uralum ; 2, Osmunda gracilis; 3,
not recognised ; 4, Liatris spicata ; 5, Veronica
longifolia subsessilis ; 6, Polystichum acu-
leatum.

Peaches: G. A. B. and CM. Your Peaches appear
to be attacked by a black mould, which was first
observed and described by Berkeley in 1864, in
Gardeners' Chronicle for that year (p. 938) with a
figure, under the name of Helminthosporium

rhaldiferum — found on ripe Peaches from
Wales. It is very doubtful whether it has been
recognised since that date. At first it was
called Macrosporium, but the spores are not
muriform, and there are very few threads.
Technically it is doubtful whether it is either
Helminthosporium or Macrosporium— but the

Fig. 62.

-macrosporium rhaldiferum
disease of peaches.

spores are very profuse, and, though rare, the
fungus is a decided pest. Pick off and burn at
once all diseased fruits, and syringe the trees
with diluted Bordeaux mixture to destroy stray
spores.

Plums : /. McC. Your Plums appear to be in-
fected by Anthracnose, similar to Gloeosporium
lceticolor, which occurs on Peaches, but with
smaller spores. It is probably a species not
hitherto recognised. Gather and burn all the
diseased fruits. For the present the parasite
may be called Gloeosporium prunorum, the
spores being 10 to 12 mm. long.

Potato with Axilliary Tuber : /. C. The
specimen you send is not uncommon. The
underground tuber of a Potato is nothing more

Fig. 63. — tuber growing on the haulm of
the potato.

than a modified stem or shoot, and it is not
surprising that these thickened shoots should
sometimes be produced above ground.

Rosa rugosa : G. N. The shoots you send appear
to be those of the species you are cultivating.

Tomatos diseased : H. J. G. From your de-''
scription the disease appears to beCladosporiutn
fulvum. Syringe the foliage with' Bordeaux-
mixture (see p. 150), afford an abundance of
.ventilation, and, on cold nights, circulate a little
heat in the hot-water system.

Communications Received. — C. H. J. — H. H.— E. M.—
R. A. B., San Remo— J. G.— W. G. G— A. W.— W. H.— -
S. W. T.— F. B.— W. C— A. B.— G. C— Mrs. R.— R. H. C.
—J. D. G.— Hon. W. R.— G. B. M.— de B. C.— S. A.— W.
— H. C.— Miss S.— W. G.-F. C. R.— J. S. & Sons—
W. W. Naunton (with thanks)— A. W. Hill— E. T. M.— ' I
Dr. R.— T. R. Si Son.

August 31, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

161

THE

(Sarbcncrs'Cbronicli

No. 1,079.— SATURDAY, August 31, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the —
Hypericum reptans ... 163

Apple- mildew 166

Astilbe Davidii 172

Books, notices of—
Hortus Duroverni ... 173

Weather 169

Publications received 171

Carnation Andrew Car-
negie 169

Carnation, sporting of
the Clove ... ... 172

Country garden, the ... 161

Cyclamen seed, the sow-
ing of ... 172

Delia t i ng society's
meetings, questions at 173

Fernery, at Shipley Hall,
the 1G8

Fruit crops, reports on
the condition of the ... 171

Fruit register —
Some late Peaches ... 165

Gardeners Society in
Lower Austria ... 171

Grammatophyllum spe-
ciosum at Peradeniya 168

Jnniperus chinensis, a
notable tree of ... 163

Kew notes —
The greenhouse ... 163

Kew, the Assistant Di-
rectorship at 171

Law note —
Bankruptcies of nur-
serymen, &c. ... 172

Matricaria inodora
'■ Bridal Robe" ... 165

Norway garden, wall-
plants suitable for a... 173

Notospartium Car m i-

chaeliaa 172

Orchid Notes and Glean-
ings—
Arpophyllum gigan-

teum 162

Cypripediutn Paristrii 162
Odontiodas 162

Nurseryman's visit to
Canada, a ... ... 171

Orchids, a sale of ... 170

Plants, new or note-
wi irthy—
Bulbophyllum B i n -

nendijkii 161

Zakizianskiamaritima 161
Primula obconica,
poisonous properties

of 173

Rondeletia strigosa ... 173
Root action and bac-
teria 170

Rotary, the —
Cultural notes for Sep-
tember 164

Societies —

British Gardeners' As-
sociation 176

National Dahlia ... 170
Royal Horticultural .. 169
(Scientific Committee) 174
Royal Hort. of Aber-
deen 174

Society of American

Florists 175

Strawberry crop in Ger-
many, the 170

Tomato plants, defoliat-
ing 172

Trees and Shrubs —

Escallonia pterocladon 162

Nerium Oleander ... 162

Spruce gall-mite ... 162

Trenching of gardensoil 164

Verbena montana ... 173

Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ... 166

Fruits under glass ... 166

Hardy fruit garden ... 167

Kitchen garden, the... 167

Orchid houses, the ... 166

Parks and gardens ... 167

Plants under glass ... 167

Witsenia corymbosa ... 164

Young, Mr. W. H. ... 169

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Death's-Head Hawk Moth, the 176

Fernery at Shipley Hall, Derbyshire (Supplementary

Illustration*

Flower of Grammatophyllum speciosum 170

Grammatophyllum speciosum in the Botanical Gardens,

Peradeniya, Ceylon .. 169

Hill, M. A., Arthur William, portrait of ... ... ... 171

Juniperus chinensis, a remarkable tree of 163

Matricaria inodora " Bridal Robe " 165

Neobenthamia gracilis 174

Roots, aerial, of Grammatophyllum speciosum 163

Witsenia corymbosa flowering in the open garden in

Devonshire 164

Zaluzianskia maritima 162

THE COUNTRY GARDEN.

THE country garden that has for one of its
main features the flowering trees and
shrubs is generally a beautiful garden.
It may be large and rambling, or it may be of
but medium size, but there is, as a rule, some-
thing in its setting — that is to say, its sur-
roundings— that seems especially to accom-
pany a generous supply of flowering trees
and shrubs.

A well-grown shrub in full blossom is, in
many cases, a means of getting a mass of
colour in a particular spot that would not
otherwise get the brightening effect of
colour, as it does not contain either
bed or border. This, I cannot help thinking,
is highly important and a point no good gar-
dener with an eye to decorative effect can
afford to overlook. Another consideration
lies in the fact that by this means we ran
secure considerable masses of colour at dif-
ferent elevations, and when colour can be
secured above the level of the eye it has a
distinct and appreciable value for distant
decorative effect.

This makes me say that a tall, flowering

tree, or shrub, at the far end of a 'long vista
has more value than the same amount of
blossom would have laid down in a flat bed or
border. And if, at the same time, some of
the more uncommon flowering shrubs are
made use of, then much additional interest is
added to the garden.

There is just one other point I want to
notice before I go on to name a few desirable
varieties, and that is, that where space suf-
fices for a good num! er, it is well to secure
a selection that will flower over a long period.
Those favourite flowering trees the Lilacs,
Guelder Roses, Philadelphus, white or red
Thorn, and Laburnum unfortunately flower
more or less simultaneously, and, as these are
the trees and shrubs that arc planted most
largely, and often to the neglect of all
other species, it follows that, though bril-
liant for a short season, the flowering of
tiers and shrubs cannot be reckoned on as
an effective factor in the beauty of such gar-
dens ex:ept in the early summer. We ought
to seek to remedy this, to discover varieties of
both trees and shrubs that carry- the flowering
season much farther into the vear, both
earlier and later.

White is far more usual as the colour of the
blossom of trees and shrubs — and after
that, I suppose yellow — than brighter and
fuller colours.

A beautiful, even a striking subject for a
sheltered position i-. Magnolia stellata. Com-
paratively dwarf in growth, its glistening
white blossoms are opened in March, and.
from their curious narrowness, the petals
have a strap-like effect. For beauty there is
scarcely another shrub to compare with this,
and I mentioned " a sheltered position " not
at all by reason of any tenderness of the
shrub, but merely because in a wind-swept
spot the pure white flowers may be bruised
and partly ruined. Earlier still to flower is
the valuable Forsythia. I cannot help think-
ing that the species F. suspensa has too
greatly taken the place of F. viridissima. We
use the former as a wall subject, and seem
to forget that F. viridissima makes a capital
early flowering shrub for an open position.

Instinctively, almost, we regard the coun-
try garden as, at the same time, the old-
fashioned garden, and, therefore, it seems
to me that any shrub that especially can be
looked upon as old-fashioned is peculiarly
suitable. Among these must be named the
brilliant, orange-flowered single and double
Kerria, and it may be added that the flower-
ing period of the double form is twice as
long as that of the type. This Kerra is in
flower with the Forget-me-nots, and a great
mass of the blue flowers of Forget-me-nots
under the flower-laden, orange-coloured
shrub is as effective in spring as anything
could be.

For July and August flowering — the
months, by the way, when flowering shrubs
are particularly an addition to the garden —
there is Olearia Haastii. It is evergreen
and worthy of really good cultivation. A
shrub 5 or 6 feet high, under happy con-
ditions, it should be, by the beginning of
August, a dense mass of white flowers, and
those who delight in seeing the bees at work
in their gardens will find an additional
charm in this shrub, as the bees love it.
Another good old-fashioned subject is

Hibiscus syriacus, known in former times as
Althea frutex. There is a double form with
pink flowers much to be recommended. The
shrub shows, however, a diversity of colour-
ing, its range being from pure while, as II.
Jeanne d'Arc, to deep dark red, as in the
variety Boule de Feu. When I first pur-
chased H. syriacus I was told to plant it in
a dry, warm spot ; that, however, is the
greatest mistake. To flourish as it should,
the soil should be deep, rich, ami moist.

I always look upon Colutea arborescens as
a valuable addition to the summer-flowering
shrubs. Practically, it will grow anywhere,
and it is decorative for a long period, first
with its blossom, and later with its inflated
seed vessels. Its delicate lightness makes it
charming among evergreens. Its introduc-
tion into England dates back to the 16th
century, so that it ranks easily among the
old-fashioned shrubs, and, like so many
shrubs that have that distinguishing sub-
title "arborescens," there is a dignity about it
that is impressive. The Allspice or Caly-
canthus is not striking, but it is soberly and
quaintly pretty, and uncommon, both in the
deep rich colouring and in the form of the
flowers. The plant is of compact habit and
neat in growth, flowering from mid-July.
Practical Gardener.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

BULBOPHYLLUM BTNNENDIJKII,
/. /. SMITH.

At the Temple Show this year Messrs. Sander
& Sons showed in their group of Orchids a
very striking plant under the name of Bulbo-
phyllum Ericssonii. On seeing it I was at once
impressed by its differing greatly from the type
plant of B. Ericssonii, which flowers freely at
Tring Park every year, and which was illustrated
in the Gardeners' Chronicle, January 23, 1897, p.
61. The most obvious difference was the rigid,
upright position of the odd or dorsal sepal, the
larger, purple spots on this and the remaining
segments, and the darker colour of the lip. On
an examination of the distinguishing characters
of the species of this section of Bulbophyllum,
viz., B. Ericssonii, B. virescens, B. Pahudi, B.
galbinum (illustrated in the Gardeners' Chronicle,
July 20, 1907, from the Tring Park specimen),
and B. uniflorum = B. Reinwardtii, I found
that Messrs. Sanders' plant is Bulbophyllum
Binnendijkii, /. /. Smith = Cirrhopetalum
leopardinum T. and B.

In addition to the above-named species of this
group, there are at least two forms grown in
English gardens under the name of Bulbophyl-
lum virescens, which most likely are unnamed
species, but I shall have a further communi-
cation on this highly interesting section to make
later on, when the status and synonymy of the
species, and also the question of the two genera
Cirrhopetalum and Bulbophyllum, will be
thoroughly discussed. Walter Rothschild.

ZALUZIANSKIA MARITIMA.
This pretty little plant was raised from seed
sent to me by my esteemed correspondent, Mr.
G. Thorncroft, of Barberton, Transvaal. The
name sent with the seed of Zaluzianskia was
evidently incomplete, but on its blooming and
being sent to the Herbarium at Kew for identi-
fication I was told that its correct name was
Z. maritima. I was also referred to plate 2, .".04
of the 51st volume of the Botanical .1/. t.
where it is figured under the name Erinus
Lychmdea, or the Phlox-like Erinus. The por-
trait of the flower there given agrees with

162

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

[August 31, .007

my plant in every detail except the colouring of
the exterior of the petals, which in the plate are
depicted purple, almost black, whereas in my
flowers the»e are a deep shade of red. The in-
terior of the bloom is pure white, and when the
flowers open quite flat at about sunset they pre-
sent a very pretty appearance. They remain closed
throughout the day. W. E. Cumbleton.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ARPOPHYLLUM GIGANTEUM.
In a paragraph published in the issue of
Gardeners' Chronicle for June 15 last, p. 378, on
Arpophyllum giganteum, the habitat was given
as Mexico and Guatemala. Looking up Index
Kewensis, I find it also given there as Mexico.
But Mr. G. Lyme, when curator of Castleton
Gardens, 1879-85, found A. spicatum indigenous
to Jamaica, and specimens were collected for
the Jamaica Herbarium. The West Indian habi-
tat should be, therefore, added to the records for
Arpophyllum. /. H. Hart, F.L.S., Botanical
Dept., Trinidad.

CYPRIPEDIUM PARISHII.

A number of strong specimens of this dis-
tinct Cypripedium have been flowering in the
collection of A. J. Hollington, Esq., Forty
Hill, Enfield (gr. Mr. Ayling). Several at
present in bloom have from six to eight flowers
on a spike, and all are expanded at the same
time. It is a native of Moulmein, and its broad,
green leaves make it an attractive plant even
when not in bloom. The flower-spikes are some
15 inches in height, and bear from three to
eight flowers each. The sepals are yellowish-
green, and the drooping, twisted petals, which
are. about 5 inches in length, are tinged with
purple and bear on the margins hairy, wart-
like protuberances. The lip is green, stained
with purple. Although not one of the showiest
Cypripediums, it is highly attractive. This
species is often said to be shy-flowering, but
Mr. Ayling, with whom it flowers well every
year, considers that the fact that it is generally
kept in too warm and close an atmosphere ac-
counts for its failure to flower in many cases.
At Forty Hill, C. Parishii, C. Rothschildianum,
and others of the section, are grown as inter-
mediate-house plants, and all produce their
flowers in great profusion. The leaves are
shorter and of thicker substance than on plants
grown in warmer houses. /. O'B.

ODONTIODAS.

By an unexplainable inadvertence in my
article on Odontiodas, published on page 14^
in last week's issue, I omitted to include in the
table, the record of one of the most important
plants of the family, thus — Odontioda Brad-
shawiae (C. Noezliana X Od. crispum), Charles-
worth, R.H.S., January 8, 1907, F.C.C. The
plant itself was prominently mentioned in the
text, but that was not in itself any reason for
its non-inclusion in the proper place in the
table, de B. Crawshay.

Accuracy is a matter of the highest

importance, and I regret that in the tran-
scription of a hasty note anything should have
appeared that rendered necessary the correction
made by Mr. Crawshay at page 143 of your
last issue. Mr. Crawshay writes : " At that time
I had plants of three Odontoglossums crossed
with C. Noezliana, hence it was unlikely I
should have stated it could not be effected."
But the curious thing is that he did not state
this at the time, when we discussed this very
matter, and when capsules and seedlings from
the reverse cross were pointed out. The second
note " did not fully solve the question," because
Mr. Crawshay declined to allow the crosses he
had made, to be published, and gave reasons
for doing so, but as he has now published them
the matter is set at rest. Let us hope these
will be successful. Too many have not been

so, as Mr. Crawshay himself points out.
Finally, is it quite certain that Cochlioda
Noezliana was the " male or pollen parent " of
Odontioda Vuylstekeae, as Mr. Crawshay states?
M. Vuylsteke was himself uncertain, for " the
cross was made both ways, and at first it was
feared that the seeds had failed to germinate."
See Orchid Review, Vol. xii., page 190. The
information came from M. Vuylsteke. Can any
one report seedlings from Odontoglossum nobile
(Pescatorei) as the mother? The cross must
surely have been frequently made during the
last three years, and the reverse cross has suc-
ceeded in several places. R. A. ~Rolfe.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

ESCALLONIA PTEROCLADON.

This species, which is one of the most hardy
and showy of the genus, is at present flower-

hardy. Escallonia pterocladon is easily pro-
pagated from seeds which ripen freely on the
plants in the autumn. W. Smith, Royal Botanic
Gardens, Edinburgh.

NERIUM OLEANDER.
This beautiful evergreen shrub, of which there
are several varieties, both single and double-
flowered, should be more commonly grown than
it is. It is especially suited for the decoration
of a verandah and for standing in tubs and pots
grouped in sunny spots in the garden. When
grown in the shade, the wood rarely becomes
ripened, and bloom is then rare. If placed on
the turf it is better to sink the receptacle in
which it is grown. Cuttings of ripened wood
taken at this season root readily, and if they
are potted when rooted and kept in a green-
house during the winter, planted out-of-doors
the next year, and freely syringed in dry weather
they will make good plants in two years. Some

ARPCHR.ON .)

Fig. 64. — zaluzianskia maritima: flowers deep red and white.

(Longitudinal section of flower and mouth of tube X 2, pollen grains X 300.)

ing profusely in these gardens. The specimen
is planted at the foot of a south wall, and has
reached to a height of over 10 feet, and so
freely are the inflorescences produced that the
whole plant appears wreathed in its white
flowers. These individually are very small, and
the earliest appeared at the beginning of July
on the current year's shoots either singly or in
threes, in the axils of the small myrtle-like
leaves. They are white, slightly tinged with
pink, and they are slightly fragrant. The small
lanceolate-shaped leaves at the base of the
flowering shoots are about 2 inches in length,
but they gradually merge into minute bracts to-
wards the apex. The species is a native of
Western Patagonia, and is commonly known as
the winged-branched Escallonia on account of
its angular stems, but the wings are present on
the younger shoots only, as the older ones shed
their bark. This plant will flower freely in the
open when trained in bush form, for it is quite

stopping of the shoots is necessary, so as to-
promote a bushy habit. F. M.

THE SPRUCE GALL MITE.
A curious fact in connection with this pest is-
that it is very slow to go from tree to tree, even
when the trees are in close proximity to each
other. lror the past nine years I have had
under observation four young trees planted in
line, and not more than 5 feet apart from each
other. When I first noticed them they had
been recently planted, and were all of nearly
equal size. Now, the largest tree, which has
never shown any signs of affection, though its
branches are mixed up with those on either side
of it, is about 11 feet high ; the best of the others
is only 5 feet, and the worst, which is almost
covered with the galls, is not more than 3 feet
high, though it is still alive, and makes an an-
nual attempt to grow. Is there any explanation as.
to the immunity of the one tree? /. C. Tallack.

August 31, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

163

KEW NOTES.

THE GREENHOUSE.

Various species and varieties of Begonias
form a prominent feature in this house at the
present time. Large specimens of B. echino-
sepala in 12-inch and 14-inch pots are 6 feet
in height and well furnished with flowers and
foliage. In general appearance the plants re-
semble the well-known B. metallica. The red-
flowered B. coccinea gives promise of continu-
ing to flower for some time to come. It is
trained up one end of the house, and is also
growing in pots. Large plants of the hybrid
B. President Carnot are carrying large racemes
•of rosy-carmine flowers. The pendulous trusses
of rich, scarlet flowers of B. coccinea have a
stately yet graceful habit quite distinct from the
surrounding plants. Both growing in pots and
as a plant for hanging-baskets, B. Knowsleyana
is valuable with its clusters of pinkish-white
flowers. A group of the dwarf-growing B.
Weltoniensis is prominent on one of the side
-stages. B. Dregei (white) is an excellent ccol

help to add variety to the house. Abutilons,
Fuchsias, and Zonal Pelargoniums are all grown
in this manner. Amongst the Pelargoniums, the
variety Mikado is especially good. A large
specimen of Datura (syn. Brugmansia) iKnightii
is very handsome with large, pendulous, double-
white flowers. The blooms are delightfully fra-
grant, and perfume the air all around, so strong
is the scent. A number of plants of Lilium sul-
phureum, planted out in the beds, are opening
the first flowers. One in particular is very
vigorous, being 11 feet in height with 10
flowers. Large specimens of Crinum Powellii
var. album are conspicuous with pearly-white
flowers. Several plants of Eucomis punctata
are carrying a number of racemes thickly
clothed with greenish flowers.

Plants arranged on side stages. — The usual
arrangement here is to have a group of
one, or sometimes two, species or varieties
mixed. In this way the character and beauty
of the plant is better seen than when all
the plants are mixed together. The erect-
growing Clerodendron fallax is represented by
a group of seedling plants about one year old.

FlG. 65. — JUNIPERUS CHINENSIS AT ROOD ASIITON, TROWBRIDGE.

•greenhouse Begonia. A hybrid which is useful
-for the greenhouse and also for bedding is B.
Corbeille de Feu, with red flowers. It is a
hybrid between B. semperflorens and B. fuchsi-
oides. The plants of B. nitida alba average
3 feet in height, with numerous panicles of
white flowers, well set off by the large, shining
green leaves. Perhaps the best species to grow
as a basket-plant is B. glaucophylla. The stems
are naturally drooping, and the flowers are of
rose-red colour. The yellow-flowered species
B. Davisii is also in flower.

Tall-growing plants. — The following are some
-of the showiest and most interesting plants
arranged in the centre beds of the house.
With the exception of one plant of Impatiens
Oliveri, the whole of the central bed is filled
with the Chimney Campanula (C. pyramidalis),
principally the blue variety mixed with double
Tuberoses. Calceolaria Burbidgei is repre-
sented by well-flowered plants 6 feet in height.
Yellow, such as is seen in the flowers of this
•Calceolaria, is always a pleasing colour in the
greenhouse. Various plants grown as standards

The panicles of bright scarlet flowers, rising
here and there amongst the white flowers of
Campanula Vidalii, are displayed to perfection.
The latter plaht is very distinct and chaste in
appearance. Treated as a biennial, this is a
valuable plant for the cool greenhouse and con-
servatory, also for the flower beds or borders in
August. During winter the plants can be grown
in a cold frame, if protected from severe frosts
by a covering of mats. The willow-leaved
Angelonia, A. salicariaefolia (syn. grandiflora)
is a pretty, blue-flowered greenhouse perennial.
It may also be treated as an annual. The white
variety alba is also here in flower. A plant
little known in gardens is Dianthera nodosa.
It requires warm greenhouse treatment, but,
when in flower, may be moved to a cooler house.
The pale, purplish flowers are freely produced
from the axils of the leaves. Although really a
hardy plant, the pretty little Primula Forbesii
does better treated as a cool greenhouse plant.
When a number of plants are grown together in
shallow pans the effect is very pleasing. The
pale, lilac-coloured fluwers are freely produced

in whorls. Plants may be raised annually from
seeds, or propagated by division. Other plants
in flower are Scutellaria Mociniana, having scar,
let flowers tipped with golden-yellow ; Cuphea
micropetala, a shrubby species in which the
scarlet calyx, yellowish at the apex, is more,
prominent than the petals ; Sollya parviflora
(syn. S. Drummondii), Impatiens Holstii, &c.

Climbers. — These are valuable in a green-
house and conservatory, especially in large
structures, to clothe bare pillars and relieve the
appearance of the roof. The following plants
are at present in flower. The climbing Dahlia
Hidalgoa Wercklei, Lantana safvifolia (syn. S.
delicatissima) seems to be always in flower,
Ipomaea rubro-ccerulea, Lapageria rosea, Passi-
flora ccerulea and var. alba, Rhodochiton
volubile [hundreds of flowers hanging in
festoons from the roof], Fuchsia simplicicaulis_
and several garden varieties. The foregoing,
and a number of plants in baskets, add greatly
to the beauty of the house. Growing in baskets
are Alonsoa incisa, Clianthus Dampieri and the
variety tricolor, Campanula isophylla, Achi-
menes, Fuchsias, and several speciea of Aspara-
gus. D. D.

JUNIPERUS CHINENSIS AT
ROOD ASHTON.

Fig. 65 affords a view of a remarkable tree of
Juniperus chinensis with a globose habit, grow-
ing in the gardens at Rood Ashton, Wiltshire.
The tree is about 25 feet in height, and the
spread of its branches measures 30 feet. The
date of its planting is not known with certainty,
but the tree is considered to be about 80 years
old. The specimen occupies an exposed position
at the extreme boundary of the lawns facing to
the south-east. Several otheT well-developed
trees are found on the lawns, not the least con-
spicuous being some fine specimens of Cedrus
atlantica. The soil in this portion of the estate
is of an extremely fertile nature, being a very
deep sandy loam overlying a rock formation.

The Juniper under notice presents quite a
varied tone of colour at different periods of the
year. In the earlier years of its existence it
appears to have been shaded by other trees, so
that the lower branches have been lost. The
stem near to the. ground has a girth of more than
4 feet. Though the tree is of fairly well-balanced
proportions, it appears to lack a "leading"
shoot, and this has probably largely accounted
for its breadth being greater than its height.
The peculiar contour of this Juniper engages
the attention of visitors. W. Strugnell, Rood
Ashton Gardens, Wiltshire.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

HYPERICUM REPTANS.
It is surprising that no reference is made to
this very beautiful species of Hypericum in the
gardening books, including Nicholson's Dic-
tionary of Gardening, as the species is among
the prettiest and best of the smaller St. John's
Worts for the rock garden. Its habit is pros-
trate, and it forms a trailing carpet of greenery
that is spangled here and there with the clear
yellow flowers, each of which is about an inch
across. It does not succeed in a very dry place
in summer, and the soil about it should not be
too moist in winter. In a position that is fully
exposed, the plant may suffer from cold in a
hard winter. My experience is that it thrives
much better in partial shade, in a position
such as is afforded on the north or north-east
side of a rockery, provided some shelter is avail-
able to protect it from cold winds. Although
this species is removed with difficulty after
it becomes established, I have succeeded in shift-
ing large plants by giving them a good soaking
with water, pressing the soil about the roots and
removing them at once to their new quarters.
Hypericum reptans is a native of the Himalayas.
The stock may be increased either by means of
cuttings or seeds. S. Arnott, Dumfries.

164

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 31, 1907.

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER.

All budding, except on the De la Grifferaie
stock, should now be finished. This stock is
actively in growth much later in the season than
others, and for that reason free-growing varieties
of Tea and Noisette varieties of Roses can be
inserted with every chance of success up to and
not later than the middle of September.

Grafted Roses and those on their own roots
that were plunged out-of-doors will, providing
their shoots have been judiciously stopped, be
showing plenty of flower-buds. A succession of
blooms can be maintained from these plants till
late autumn, provided that at the end of the
month a portion of the batch is covered tem-
porarily with movable glass frames, but not at
the sides or the ends. The buds after Septem-
ber is passed will open better, and the petals
will be cleaner if this glass protection be
afforded. Most of the Tea and China Roses are
now more pleasing and brilliant than at any
other time. Shoots that have started into growth
on the early-budded plants can now be short-
ened back to within three or four eyes.

A portion of the stock of forced Roses in
pots, that have been plunged outside since the
spring, can now be potted or top-dressed accord-
ing to the condition of the roots. Those that
were re-potted last year will generally require
to be top-dressed only, and have the drainage
corrected. Take out to the depth of 2 or 3
inches the old surface soil and replace it with
some good loam. If the pots are filled with
roots, place the plant into a larger receptacle,
but if they have made little or no new roots
return them to pots of the same size, using clean
pots and fresh soil. In all cases pot firmly,
and use a blunt stick for ramming when potting
in 6 and 7-inch pots. An early batch of plants
can be put in hand during the month, but the
bulk of the potting should remain . until well
into October. When, as is usual, turfy loam or
turves have been stacked for several months with
layers of manure between them, little more will
be required than the addition of some sharp sand
or grit, and, for Tea and Noisette varieties, a
small quantity of leaf-mould. If these materials
are not available, the best use must be made of
all those that can be obtained, but loam must
be had in some form, and if new, it should have
incorporated with it some rotten manure and
road grit. It will be necessary to expose these
materials to the air for at least a month before
potting is commenced at the end of September.

Roses planted out under glass and intended
for early flowering should be given a thorough
soaking of water at their roots, and have their
branches cleaned with a good insecticide that
must be well sprayed on to the shoots by means
of a garden engine or syringe. Allow a maxi-
mum amount of ventilation in the structure both
by night and by day.

The Planting of Roses.
It will soon be time to consider the planting
of Rose trees. If a nursery can be visited, it is
a valuable guide in selecting newer varieties and
the best of the older kinds, and advice can be
solicited on points such as the best varieties for
town planting, or for special soils. The smoke-
laden atmosphere near towns with smuts and
soot stop up the pores of the leaves : plants near
towns are also the more susceptible to the at-
tacks of green fly and mildew. The best remedy
in these conditions is to daily cleanse the foliage
with a solution of soft soap applied with the gar-
den syringe) or tobacco and quassia extract in
hot water : for mildew add 3 ounces to 1 gallon of
" sulphurvivum," well stir and apply to both
sides of the foliage, but wash off the fungicide
later with clean water. An application twice a
week will generally suffice to cleanse the plants,

but if very badly infested the application should
be repeated oftener and at an increased strength.
The soil near towns soon loses its good
qualities, and for this reason requires to be fre-
quently renewed. The old soil should be occa-
sionally cleared out and fresh maiden-loam and
manure substituted.

Climbers and bush varieties of Roses thrive
the best near towns. Standards are as a rule
very short-lived.

Varieties for Urban Districts.
For town planting a selection of clean,
healthy plants should be obtained from the
country in October. Some varieties and classes
of Roses succeed better than others near towns,
notably the evergreen climbing and pillar Roses,
which are all suitable for furnishing walls,
arches, &c. Next in value are the hybrid
China, hybrid Bourbon, the old Provence Cab-
bage, the old pink, white, and crested Moss,
and many of the more hardy and freer-flowering
hybrid perpetual varieties. The above selection

Fig. 66. — aristea (witsenia) corymeosa
flowering in the open in devon.

will also be found to suit smoky districts. Some
of the kinds I have mentioned are rather scarce,
being out of date and difficult to procure. I re-
collect a collection of them growing in my
father's nursery many years ago ; some were
trained as festoons on pillars and arches, and
others as dwarf, ground plants, and for wealth
of colour and abundance of bloom they were
then without rivals. Amongst the best of the
hybrid China and Bourbon Roses are Blairii No.
2, Coupe de Hebe, Chas. Lawson, Paul Ricaut,
Chenedole, Mme. Plantier, Sir Joseph Paxton,
and Eugene de Beauharnais. The list of hybrid
perpetuals includes Duke of Edinburgh, Mrs. J.
Laing, General Jacqueminot, Boule de Niege,
John Hopper, Anna Alexiff and Ulrich Brunner.
Lastly, although in order of precedence
they should have been named first, are the varie-
ties of climbing and pillar Roses Amadis, Thores-
byana, Dundee Rambler, Fellernberg, Felicite-
Perpetue, Mme. d'Arblay, Queen of Belgians,
Aimee Vibert, and Williams' Evergreen. /. D.G.

WITSENIA CORYMBOSA
IN THE OPEN.
This pretty plant, which has an affinity to
the Iris, was introduced into this country from
South Africa rather more than a hundred years
ago. At the time when New Holland, hard-
wooded plants were largely grown, this Cape
species was fairly common in greenhouses, but
at the present day is extremely rare in cultiva-
tion, being almost unprocurable in the trade.
Under glass, in the old days, it generally
flowered late in the autumn, its gentian-blue
coloured flowers making a pretty contrast to
the Chrysanthemums then in bloom. The species
is very distinct in habit, the stem being erect and
of a firm, woody texture, while the sword-shaped
leaves are arranged in a fan-like manner at the
ends of the branches. The branching racemes
of star-like, deep-blue flowers, almost an inch
across, protrude beyond the tips of the leaves,
and are freely borne. This Witsenia is now
considered to be an Aristea, but it is far superior
to A. Eckloni, which is also grown in the open
in this garden, its flowers being much larger
and remaining open the whole day, whereas
those of this Aristea close at about two o'clock.
Having seen specimens in the open in two gar-
dens in the south-west, which were, however,
not in the best of health, I determined to try
it out-of-doors, and, after much trouble, pro-
cured a plant. This has now been in the open
for two years, in front of a south wall, and, pro-
tected by a few evergreen branches, came through
the past severe winter unharmed. It is now
rather more than 2 feet in height, and very
healthy. Curiously enough, this plant flowers in
the open in the month of August, whereas in
greenhouses it is generally in bloom in Novem-
ber. It is growing in sandy peat, and appre-
ciates ample moisture during the summer
months. The plant is a slow grower. It may
be propagated by removing the leaf-fans at the
base of the stem, each with a little of the old
wood adhering to it, and placing these around the
edge of a pot in very sandy peat, surfacing the
soil with a layer of sand, and watering well.
The cuttings must, as soon as potted, be covered
with a bell-glass and be kept close until rooted,
when a little heat will induce quicker growth.
S. W. Fitzhcrtcrt, South Devon.

TRENCHING.

The importance of the proper preparation of
land before any plants are placed in it cannot be
over-estimated, for upon the thoroughness with
which this work is performed will largely
depend the future well-being of the plants. The
cost of properly digging and preparing an acre
of ground is certainly a considerable item in a
new garden, but if the latter is expected to fur-
nish the best results, this initial expense must
be incurred. The actual cost of trenching an
acre of land varies according to the nature of
the soil and the sub-soil, but to break this area
of ground to a depth of from 2£ feet to 3 feet
may be roughly estimated at from £20 to £35.
If manure is incorporated, the cost will be con-
siderably higher, say from £10 to £20 an acre
more, according to the nearness and cheapness
with which the dung can be obtained.

In commencing to trench a piece of ground, a
line should first be stretched down the centre
to divide it into two equal parts. A shallow
furrow should be next made along the line with
a spade. The first trench, to a width of 3 feet,
should then be made on one half of the ground
to be trenched, and the soil excavated be wheeled
on to the corresponding part of the other half.
The last trench on the first half is filled by the
soil from the first opening on the other half, and
so on until the last trench of all is filled by the
soil wheeled out at the commencement. If
the ground is of such a shape that it is not
possible to divide it into two comparatively

August 31, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

165

equal parts, then the soil from the first
trench must be taken to the opposite end to fill
up the last trench, and in this case a cart will
be found useful, as there are many cartloads of
soil in a seemingly short trench.

The depth to which the ground should be
broken depends entirely upon the nature of the
sub-soil, but a depth of 1\ feet should be the
minimum. As a rule, 3 feet will not be too
deep. It is unwise, however, to bring up too
much inert soil to the surface, and if it is of
such a nature that it is not advisable to bring it
to the top, it should be thoroughly broken with
a fork as deeply as is possible. The top spit
of most soil is usually fairly suitable for
plant-life, for though it may be greasy or choked

as much as possible, and, after the loose soil
has been shovelled out of the bottom of the
trench, the ground beneath should be broken as
deeply as possible with a fork. If the ground
is waterlogged, though not sufficiently so as to
render draining necessary, it is advisable to
place a layer of 6 inches or more of long
straw from the stable yard, heather, bracken, or
something of a like nature in the bottom of the
trench. These substances will act for a year or
two as a kind of drainage material, and by the
time they have become rotten the broken ground
above will be sufficiently weathered and porous
to admit of a free evaporation of moisture. In
the case of light, gravelly soils there are often
too many stones present. When such is the

<^T^ f^p c K p^o f4

FlG. 67. — MATRICARIA INODORA "BRIDAL ROBE " : FLOWERS WHITE.

with weeds, it has been more or less exposed to
the beneficial influences of sun, rain, and
frost. Should it be desired to retain this
top-spit at the surface, it should be
thrown on to the top of the preceding
one. By turning it upside down, and shovelling
any fine loose soil from the trench on to the top
of it, the weeds, &c, will be buried to a depth
of about 1 foot, sufficiently deep to destroy
them. These remarks do not apply to couch,
or twitch grass, which should be forked out and
burned, although it may be killed if buried 3 feet
deep. Having disposed of the surface soil, the
next question is to deal with the ground beneath
it, and the handling of this will depend upon
its composition. If it is heavy, clayey ground,
it should simply be turned over and broken up

case, the best plan is to use a coarse screen,
and to separate the largest of the gravel, which
can always be sold at a fair price if it is not
needed in the garden. Care must be taken not
to remove all the stones, as a certain proportion
of these will help to keep the soil porous, and
they will also assist in conserving moisture in
the ground in dry weather.

If manure is to be worked in when trenching,
it is advisable to put a fairly thick layer of it
under the top-spit, so that it will be about
one foot below the surface. For certain plants,
especially Roses, it is advisable to work in
another layer at a depth of about 2 feet, but
for general purposes the upper layer will be
sufficient, as more manure can be added later
near the surface.

Freshly-trenched ground should be allowed a
certain time to settle — preferably a year — before
being permanently planted, but that need not
prevent it producing a temporary crop. Potatos
form one of the best first crops on trenched
ground, as they are not affected by the gradual
sinking of the soil to its proper level, and chiefly
because the operations of hoeing, earthing-up,
and final digging of the tubers keep the ground
stirred and cause it to become sweetened. Oats,
Rye, Mangolds, and Turnips can also be used,
but Potatos are to be preferred, for the reasons
stated above, while they also succeed particu-
larly well on fresh ground.

Trenching should be contracted for by piece-
work. Measurements vary in different districts ;
in some localities all ground work is done by the
square of 10 yards, and in others by the square
rod of 5i yards. The latter system prevails in
this locality, and the cost of the work varies from
2s. 6d. to 4s. 9d. per rod, the latter for gravelly
ground and including screening. If it is not
possible to see every trench properly turned
over, an iron bar about half an inch in diameter
should be used for testing each trench. The
depth at which the digging was agreed upon
should be marked on the rod, and if it cannot
be pushed down to that depth fairly easy, it
shows that the work has not been thoroughly
done. /. Clark, Bagshot, Surrey.

MATRICARIA INODORA

"BRIDAL ROBE."

This improved variety of the native scentless
Matricary received an Award of Merit from the
Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society, on August 6 last, when it was shown
by Messrs. Titt and Son, Windsor. The variety
should prove an acquisition amongst hardy gar-
den subjects, for the type plant is one of the
freest flowering " weeds," and is found in
flower almost all through the season, from
spring to autumn. The flowers of the variety
'• Bridal Robe " are white, and have the ap-
pearance of white blooms of Pyrethrum
roseum. Each flower measures 2§ inches in
diameter.

FRUIT REGISTER,

SOME LATE-RIPENING PEACHES.

The Peach crops in 1905-6 were, in many
parts of the country, very unsatisfactory, but
this season the results have compensated for
those two bad years, as the crop is an excellent
one in every respect. The following remarks
refer to the outdoor crops of this fruit. Even
in parts of the south-west, and in other favoured
localities, the soil is not, in every dis-
trict, suitable for the Peach, and in such
instances I would advise the use of Peach
cases or unheated houses. I have seen in
some gardens in the south of England Peach
trees so badly blistered that the trees on open
walls never gave any return ! The soil was an
almost pure clay, and it was always water-
logged, but if the trees had been grown in un-
heated houses, splendid results would have fol-
lowed. The glass structure is not only valuable
for the Peaches, but it can be used for six
months in the year to protect other crops. Many
years ago I had a house of this description under
my charge in the Midland counties, and it was
one of the most useful structures in the garden.
By its aid we were enabled to grow winter
salads, and the house was equally useful for pro-
tecting many tender plants in the early spring.

Varieties of Peaches suitable for culture in un-
heated houses are by no means limited in num-
ber. Recently I saw the new variety Peregrine
planted in a cool house, and though the fruits
were not ripe, as it is a midsummer variety, I was
impressed with its value for cool-house culture.
Another lesser known but admirable kind for
culture under glass is Thomas Rivers. The
fruits ripen late in September, and it is one of
the most valuable of all Peaches. The fruits
are large, solid, and of excellent flavour. Belle
Beaux is a variety that is not so well known as
its merits deserve. A tree trained on a back
wall in a cool house was one of the most profit-
able items in a garden once under my charge, as
it never failed to produce a heavy crop of large

166

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 31, .1907.

and good fruits. Exquisite, though a yellow-
fleshed variety, is a splendid late September
Peach ; another variety not unlike it and excel-
lent for cool-house culture is Thames Bank.
This Peach is now rarely seen, but it is one
of the best, and produces fruits of large
size and good flavour. Of kinds better known
may be mentioned French Galande, a splendid
melting, richly-flavoured fruit, in season in
September. It is often known as Bellegarde or
Noir de Montreuil. Royal George may be
considered one of the best varieties, and to
the list may be added Dymond, Crimson
Galande, and Lady Palmerston : the last-named
variety has fruits of large size and with pale
yellow flesh.

To obtain the best results in the open, the
soil must be rich in quality and suitably drained.
The Peach will succeed in gravelly soils, but in
hot, dry situations on the gravel the foliage
quickly becomes infested with red spider. The
most suitable rooting medium is a good, rich
loam. The old fruiting wood should be re-
moved after the fruits are harvested, for this
enables the trees the better to mature next
season's fruiting wood. The trees should never
be crowded with shoots, and, if possible, the
manner of training should follow the extension
principle, by which system the trees will furnish
a vide area of wall space in a few years.

One of my favourite late Peaches for outside
wall culture is Sea Eagle, a seedling from Early
Silver, having a rich, vinous flavour. The fruits
ripen at the end of September, and they are of
very large size and highly coloured. The Nec-
tarine Peach is also a late September variety.
This is one of the best late-fruiting kinds, hav-
ing a smooth Nectarine-like skin. The flesh is
rich and melting, and though I found this
variety to be a little less prolific in fruiting than
Sea Eagle, it is an excellent Peach when grown
in a well-drained or warm soil. Gladstone
should also be given a trial, being a large, late-
ripening Peach. Thomas Rivers, that was ad-
vised for glass culture, does well on a south-
west wall, and it is especially suitable for cul-
ture in the southern counties. The well-known
variety Royal George is a little earlier in ripen-
ing than most of those I have described as
suitable for open walls : its free-bearing qualities
and habit of growth makes it a favourite for any
position. Much the same remarks apply to
Stirling Castle and the large fruiting but excel-
lent variety Noblesse. These are all suitable for
the hardy fruit garden. G. Wythes.

APPLE MILDEW.

In the college plantations here the Apple Mil-
dew (Podosphaera leucotricha [Ellis & Everh.|
Salm.*) has lately begun to attack the fruit. In
some cases the delicate, white spawn (mycelium)
of this mildew has spread over the greater part
of the Apple, covering it with a very fine,
thin, whitish layer, looking somewhat like
"bloom." In other cases the Apple is at-
tacked on one side only (usually the side nearest
to the leaves), or frequently only in the im-
mediate neighbourhood of the stalk. No de-
formity, or, indeed, injury, has up to the
present been observed in the affected Apples,
although, where the mildew has almost
completely enveloped the Apple, it is pro-
bable that the ripening will be interfered with.
In the present case it appears that the mildew
has only lately appeared on the Apples, hav-
ing spread from the leaves to the fruit when
the latter was full grown. In all the cases ob-
served the leaves also of the tree were affected
with mildew. The varieties which I have found
with mildewed Apples are the following: — Irish
Peach, Lane's Prince Albert, and Sandringham.

On carefully inspecting mildewed Apples of
the varieties Irish Peach and Sandringham, I

* The Apple Mildew is sometimes erroneously called
Sphaerolheca Mali. As I have pointed out in my Mono-
graph of the Erysipkaccae, p. 41, the use of this name is
clearly wrong.

found, in a number of cases, the ripe fruit-con-
ceptacles (perithecia) of the fungus. These con-
ceptacles, containing the winter-spores (asco-
spores), occurred in scattered groups on the
mycelium on the surface of the Apple. In many
cases the parasitic fungus Ampelomyces quis-
qualis had attacked the mildew, and formed its
own fructifications on the Apple by the side of
the perithecia of the Podosphaera. It may be
noted that Ampelomyces during the present sea-
son has been remarkably prevalent on Apple
leaves attacked by the mildew.

I should be glad to learn from growers if
the fruit of Apples is being attacked generally
by the mildew. Mr. F. Smith, of Loddington,
near Maidstone, tells me that, some years ago,
he noticed the mildew on the fruit of some of
his Apples, but has not observed it since. It
is possible that it is only in such damp sum-
mers as the present that the mildew is able to
spread from the leaves on to the fruit. It is of
some interest to ascertain what varieties are
liable to be attacked as regards their fruit, and
I should be glad to receive examples of mil-
dewed Apples of other varieties than those
named above for examination and experimental
purposes. E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., Mycologist to
the South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye,
Kent.

The Week's Work.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Grape vines. — The varieties Lady Downes,
Lady Hutte, Directeur Tisserand, Gros Guil-
laume, Black Alicante, &c, being well advanced
in colouring, if not already coloured, will re-
quire a free circulation of air in the structures
both by day and night. Maintain a little heat
in the water pipes almost continually to expel
the atmospheric moisture in the houses, and par-
ticularly during cold, wet weather. Cover the
outside borders with frame sashes to protect
them from rains. Varieties not colouring satis-
factorily should be kept as dry as possible at
the roots, and be prevented, if possible, from
making a second growth. Rub out any
young growths as soon as they appear. Test
the borders regularly with the soil tester, which
will satisfy the cultivator at once whether the
borders are dry or not.

Figs. — Trees growing in pots or borders and
that have been cleared of their first crop of fruit
will need a good supply of water at the roots.
Liquid manure may be afforded at every alter-
nate watering. Apply a mulch of horse
manure. If large fruits are desired, the crop
must be well thinned. Syringe the trees fre-
quently to keep the foliage clean and free from
red spider. Tie in young shoots. Cut out
suckers and any gross wood, thus exposing the
foliage to plenty of light. Figs in pots which
were forced early, and the fruit gathered, should
be placed out-of-doors to mature their wood.
Plunge the pots almost to the rims in coal
ashes in a warm, sheltered position, but one
exposed to the full rays of the sun. Repot any
plants requiring more rooting space. Be care-
ful, however, not to put them into pots which
are of larger sizes than necessary, as Fig trees
fruit best when the roots are confined in a
moderately small space. The compost should
consist of three parts good turfy loam and one
part lime rubble, with a 6-inch pot of chemical
manure added to each barrow-load of the com-
post.

Melons. — Plants growing in frames heated by
hot-beds require to be most carefully watered,
as the fruits are now netting, and if an excess
of water be applied at this stage, the plants will
collapse. If the bottom-heat is deficient, apply
a fresh lining of short grass and horse manure.
These materials are best prepared by making a
good heap of them to ferment, mixing and turn-
ing the heap until the excessive heat has es-
caped. Afterwards make up a good lining all
around the frame, first removing the old manure
from the frame. Admit rather more air to the
frames as soon as the fruits commence to colour.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Calantlies. — The earlier flowering varieties of
the deciduous Calanthes as C. Veitchii, C. bella,
C. Victcria Regina, C. Burfordiensis, C. Harrisii]
C. Sedenii, C. Bryan, C. amabilis, &c, having
now filled their pots with roots will require
copious waterings whenever the compost be-
comes dry, but during dull weather water must
be afforded with the greatest discretion, or the
new leaves ,ind pseudo-bulbs that are now form-
ing will become spotted and diseased. Plants
that are thoroughly well rooted may be supplied
with alternate waterings with weak liquid cow-
manure. It is important at this period to expose
these plants to all the sunlight possible without
the leaves being scorched ; also to admit plenty
of fresh air. The plants should be elevated
well up to the roof glass, and so arranged that
each will obtain its full share of sunlight. At
Burford the glass immediately over these plants
was stippled over when they were re-potted ;
this stippling has now become almost trans-
parent, and thus affords just sufficient light to
invigorate and solidify the bulbs. Under these
favourable conditions the plants dry very
quickly, and require a'most unlimited supplies
of moisture. Where the lath blinds or the
ordinary canvas shading is used, the amount of
shade afforded by them should be gradually
lessened each dav, so that in a few weeks, when
the plants have become accustomed to the extra
light, these shadings may be safely dispensed
with.

Chysis. — The different varieties of Chysis, 'as
C. bractescens, C. aurea, C. Sedenii, C. Chel-
sonii, C. Limminghei, and C. laevis, which are
still growing, may be arranged alongside the
Calanthes, and should be afforded the same kind
of treatment until growth is complete, when
they may be returned to the Cattleya-house to
rest.

Epidendrums. — Such species as E. prismato-
carpum, E. auriculigerum, E. radiatum, E.
cochleatum, E. contusum, E. inversum, E.
variegatum, E. fragrans, E. pentotis, E.
glumaceum, E. lanipes, and others of this sec-
tion, are now commencing to grow afresh, and
any that stand in need of repotting may be
given attention. The pots should be made about
one-half full of drainage materials, using a com-
post consisting of two parts of rough fibrous
peat to one of sphagnum-moss. Make the com-
post moderately firm about the roots and keep
the base of each plant on a level with the rim
of the pot. Place them in a light and moist
position in the intermediate house, and afford
water very carefully until roots become plenti-
ful, neither letting them become very dry nor
too moist.

Cool House. — Lycaste Skinneri, Odontoglos-
sum Insleyi, and O. grande are in full growth ;
therefore they will require copious waterings
until the bulbs are fully made up. Examine the
young growths occasionally, and see that no
water remains in them, as this would cause them
to decay.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.
Liliums. — A good rule to observe in respect
to the garden species and varieties is to let well
alone. Established clumps which flower well,
and produce healthy foliage, should not be dis-
turbed, but if a good top-dressing of rotten
manure be afforded them at any time during
the next three months it will be beneficial.
Those clumps which show signs of partial ex-
haustion by producing smaller flowers and thin
foliage (which is apt to die away before the
flowering is completed) should now be lifted,
sorted, and planted afresh in thoroughly well-
prepared soil. Most Liliums revel in a deep,
moist, rich soil ; the North American species
usually require the addition of peat, and Liliums
candidum, chalcedonicum, and umbellatum
succeed well in lighter soils. L. candidum and
L. Martagon should be planted shallowly, just
covering the bulbs with soil, so that they may
have plenty of warmth from the sun. L. chal-
cedor.icum and its varieties should be planted
more deeply. It is only in the more favoured
gardens that such gorgeous Lilies as L. auratum
and L. speciosum are hardy enough to stand

August 31, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

1G7

the winters out-of-doors and flower well in the
following summers. In order to cultivate these
varieties well, the bulbs should be potted as
soon after they are received as possible. Put them
into frames for the winter season, and plant them
in their positions in the garden late in the follow-
ing spring. Fresh manure afforded at the time
of planting is fatal to the well-being of nearly
all Liliums. Shelter from rough winds is
necessary.

Ptntstemons. — Cuttings should now be taken
of the best varieties. Where they are grown in
large numbers it is usual to devote a frame for
their reception ; for smaller quantities the cut-
tings may he inserted in pots or boxes and placed
under a handlight, keeping the atmosphere of
the frame close until the cuttings have made
roots, when air should be gradually admitted to
harden the young plants.

Perennial Phloxes produce much finer trusses,
and the flowers last longer, when young plants
are put out each year, especially if the plants
are grown in light soils. Cuttings firmly in-
serted in sandy soil, and treated as advised for
Penstemons, will make roots readily at this
season of the year.

Half-hardy shrubs have a better chance of
passing safely through the average winter if the
growths are well ripened, and to attain this end
it is necessary to cut away sufficient shoots to
allow the remaining branches plenty of room
for the free circulation of air. Any side-shoots
made after this date should be pinched out.

in beds, the process of blanching is easily
carried out. When growth is finished, either
one bed or a part of one bed, according to the
demand, can be covered over with wooden
shutters or anything conveniently to hand that
will entirely exclude the light. Such a covering
will at the same time generally prove sufficient
protection from the weather.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Coleworts. — Make good any failures that have
occurred in former plantings, and continue to
make fresh plantations, for although Coleworts
are not particularly hardy, if the autumn is a
favourable one they will make useful produce
before there ars any severe frosts.

Cabbage. — Where an early sowing was made,
the plants will now be large enough for planting
out. These will be followed in due course by
plants forming the main crop, for although it is
satisfactory to have an early batch, it is not
advisable that a great quantity should be so
forward. The earliest plants are not so likely
to stand well through the winter, and usually
they are the first to " bolt " into seed.

Winter vegetables. — The number of plants of
all kinds of winter vegetables that have gone
blind this season has been exceptionally large.
If any may still be found in the quarters, they
should be at once removed and their places
filled with fresh plants from the seed beds, or,
better still, from later sowings that were made
principally for this purpose, a system which
has much to commend it where it can con-
veniently be carried out.

Lettuce. — Continue to put out plants from pre-
vious sowings of hardy varieties of both the
Cos and Cabbage types, whichever is in most
demand, choosing warm, sunny positions. Dur-
ing the early part of September fill any cold
frames which may be available, with such
Lettuces. From sowings made at the present
time, and at fortnightly intervals in September,
under handlights, of the French variety Petite
Noire a supply of tender Lettuces may be
obtained from November all through the winter
and early spring. " All the Year Round " I
consider a splendid variety, but for this parti-
cular season I do not think the Petite Noire is
equalled. The ground for growing these winter
Lettuces must be iiberally enriched with good,
short, thoroughly-decayed manure, and a sprink-
ling of soot. A very little air may be admitted
to the young plants during the hottest days of
autumn, but afterwards the cloches or frames
must be kept quite close, never on any account
admitting air. This variety will only excel
under these conditions. Although grown exten-
sively for supplying the Paris markets, it
appears but little cultivated in this country, and
I am convinced it would be a boon to many if it
were better known, thriving, as it does, at the
very worst season of the year.

Endive. — Plants raised from the earliest sow-
ings will now be in course of blanching. Con-
tinue to put out plants from the later sowings
in light, rich ground. If the plants are arranged

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Forcing bulbous plants. — If a supply of bulbous
flowers is required before Christmas, there
should be no delay in potting the bulbs if this
is not already done. Bulbs should be allowed
to develop their roots before they are subjected
to hard forcing. Hyacinthus orientalis, the white
Roman Hyacinth, is one of the earliest subjects
to flower ; next follow the Polyanthus and the
Single Trumpet Major Narcissi, also Due van
Thol Tulips in various colours, with others that
will submit to early forcing, such as Cottage
Maid, Belle Alliance, La Reine, and Vermilion
Brilliant. The bulbs of all these should be
potted in a compost consisting of equal parts
loam and leaf-soil, with plenty of sand added.
After potting, place the plants on ashes in the
open, and cover them with leaf-soil, but when
growth commences this should be removed.

Retarded plants. — These are useful for furnish-
ing a supply of flowers in mid-winter. Lily of
the Valley is one of the commonest plants whose
season of flowering is retarded by means of a
cold atmosphere. The crowns can now be
purchased cheaply, and they should be ordered
to be delivered at intervals of two or three
weeks, so as to ensure a succession of flowers.
Retarded plants of Astilbe (Spiraea) can also be
purchased at a reasonable price, and a few of
these should be started into growth at intervals
throughout the winter. Some of the newer
Astilbes, with pink flowers, are valuable ac-
quisitions.

Salvias. — S. azurea grandiflora (syn. S.
Pitcheri) is a very beautiful plant when in
flower, and is valuable in gardens where blue
flowers are in request. The plant is of graceful
habit, and is one of the earliest of the shrubbv
species to flower, for its blossoms are developed
early in autumn. If the plants are growing in
a bed or border, lift and pot them as soon as
the flower-spikes are seen. Salvia splendens,
variety grandiflora, is a great improvement on
the type, the flower-spikes being larger, the in-
florescences more brilliant, and the plant of a
compact habit. A batch of this plant should be
grown for furnishing the greenhouse or conser-
vatory before the Chrysanthemums come into
bloom. The cut flowers are suitable for
table decoration. Other species of Salvias
which flower later in the season are S. coccinea,
S. involucrata var. Bethelii, S. rutilans, and S.
gesneraeflora. All these are useful for the fur-
nishing of large conservatories or corridors.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Apples. — Early varieties that ripen during the
latter part of August and early in September
will not keep in good condition long after they
are gathered ; the fruits are best when eaten
within a day or two, as they so quickly deterio-
rate in flavour. Among cooking varieties now
in season, few can equal Ecklinville Seedling
and Lord SufKeld, closely followed by Potts'
Seedling and Duchess of Oldenburgh. Not one
of these will keep good for long, so should be
turned to good account at once. Good prices
should be secured for any which are to be sold,
for Apples are far from being a heavy crop.

Pears. — Daily attention should be given to the
few varieties that ripen at this season, such as
Jargonelle, Beurre de l'Assomption, Beurre Gif-
fard, Williams' Bon Chretien and Clapps'
Favourite. Allow the fruits to become fairly
ripe before gathering them, so that they may be
eaten almost direct from the tree when their
full flavour will be appreciated. With so little
sun, it is feared that flavour will be poor in
most fruits. Now that the small and bush fruit"
have been mostly gathered, Pear trees against
walls should be netted to prevent the tom-tits

pecking the fruits. Isolated specimens can be
tied up in small bags of hexago^ or small piei i s
of fish netting and tied in at the stem of the
fruit.

Nuts. — Filberts and Cobs promise good crops,
whilst Walnuts are very scarce. Cut out any
sucker-growths from the base of Filbert bushes,
and see that squirrels do not take the fruits,
the gun being Ihe best means of scaring them,
if not allowed to kill. Caterpillars have not
ribboned the foliage this year as in some sea-
sons, owing to our having sprayed the trees
early in spring after the fruit trees "were finished.

Apricots. — Keep the secondary shoots pinched
back to the first leaf, end shorten any robust
shoots on young trees, in preference to pruning
them in winter. As the trees become divested
of the fruit, give them a good washing with
either clear or soapy water. Examine the bor-
der, and if the roots are found to be dry,
afford the border a heavy watering, replacing
the mulch for a few weeks longer to retain the
moisture in the soil. Loosen any tight ligatures
on recently-budded stocks, and syringe them
overhead in the evening. Such stocks growing
in soils of a porous nature may be given a good
root-watering.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Prosecutions. — Few duties are more unpleasant
than the prosecution of visitors for the infringe-
ment of the park by-laws. As the chief officijl
of the department is invariably held responsible
for these matters, and has to decide what cases
are to be proceeded against and which have to
be dropped, he often finds himself in a very
delicate position, in which much tact has to be
exercised. In this, as in everything else where
judgment has to be used, it is always best to
decide each case upon its merits instead of
making a hard and fast rule of treating all
infringements of by-laws alike. Needless to
say, class distinctions should never be taken
into consideration in deciding these questions.

Minor and other offences. — There are many
by-laws which are broken nearly every day of the
week, but unless the same persons persisted in
disregarding them, no official would ever think
of taking proceedings against the offenders.
Walking on the grass, jumping over seats, or
taking dogs into parks without being on leash,
are minor offences. But there are matters about
which it is quite beyond the province of an
official to use his own discretion, and such cases
must go before th.-» magistrates. Any infringe-
ment of by-laws having for their object the
moral or physical protection of the public should
never be condoned, and the culprit, whatever
his or her station in life, should be proceeded
against.

Stealing plants or flowers. — When it comes
to picking flowers, stealing plants, or doing
wilful damage, it is a case for the superintendent
to take what steps he thinks best, so as to
adequately punish the offenders and at the same
time prevent others from following their ex-
ample. In some parks every person caught pick-
ing a flower is prosecuted, while in others,
beyond frightening the thieves, nothing further
is done. For many years past we have adopted
a method of dealing with flower stealers which
has proved satisfactory. When the culprits are
children they are taken to the office, where a
lesson is read them, and a park constable in
uniform is sent to inform their parents and
warn them that if their children are ever caught
stealing flowers again they will be prosecuted.
When we have to deal with older persons, if
they show signs of sorrow they are cautioned
and let off, but if they are impertinent or show
no regret for their action, they are summoned.
During our experience w-e have never had the
same persons accused twice of flower-stealing. We
are not so lenient with plant stealers or with
those who do wilful damage, but it greatly
depends upon the value of the plants taken or
the amount of damage done whether we institute
proceedings or not.

Notice of prosecutions. — It is sometimes ex-
pedient to post up in prominent positions in the
park notices of prosecutions which have taken
place for the infringement of by-laws. This
should be done as little as possible, and care
should be taken never to publish the names of
the offenders.

168

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 31, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side only of
the PApi-.R, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

APPOINTMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3—
Roy. Hort. Soc. Coins, meet.
Nat. Amateur Card. Assoc, meet.

WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 4—

Glasgow and West of Scotland Hort. Sh. (2 days).
Hemel Hempstead Fl. Sh.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5—

Nat. Dahlia Soc. Ex. at Crystal Palace (2 days).

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7—
Pollockshaws Fl. Sh.
Soc. Franc. d'Hort. de Londres meet.
German Gard. Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10—
Scottish Hort. Assoc, meet.
Dahlia Sh. in Manchester Botanic Gardens (2 days).

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11—

Roy. Caledonian Hort. Soc. Sh. at Edinburgh (2 days).

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12—

London Dahlia Union's Sh. in Botanic Gdns., Regent's
Park (2 days).

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13— Hamilton Fl. Sh.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14— Newton Mearns Fl. Sh.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Floral Com. meet.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17—
Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet.
Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex. Council meet.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21— German Gard. Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24—

Nat. Rose Soc. Autumn Sh. at R.H.S. Hall, West-
minister.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27— Roy. Botanic Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 59-4°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, August 28(6 p.m.): Max. 75°;
Min. 52".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, August
29 110 a.m.): Bar., 29-9: Temp., 70° ; Weather—
Bright sunshine.
Provinces —Wednesday, August 28 (6 p.m.) : Max. 60°,
Colchester; Min. 56', Lincoln.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch and other Bulbs at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, at 12.30.

MONDAY to FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs in variety, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morris, at 10.30.

FRIDAY—

The whole of the Greenhouse Plants, Glass Erections
and Sundries, at the Woodstock Nurseries, Golders
Green, N.W.,by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

We have received from Mr.
Gramma. TT , k ,, **•,, ,

tophyllum Hugh A. JMacMillan a photo-

speciosum graph of a plant of this

Peradeniya. sPecief in flower in the R°yal
Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya,
Ceylon (see fig. 69), who describes the
specimen as being at its best on July 17th
last. So remarkable are the size and form
attained by the leaves and inflorescence of
Grammatophyllum speciosum under suitable
conditions in the tropics, that all other
Orchids appear but miniatures in comparison.
The species is a native of some of the
Malay Islands, and a plant was introduced
to the gardens at Peradeniya about the
year 1S50. Like certain other introduced
species of plants, it flourishes there to an
extent seldom seen in its native habitat. This
was not the case, however, until recently-, for
though the Grammatophyllum had apparently
been grown there for about 40 years, it was

not until iSqSthat, in consequence of a change
in its treatment, it really began to assert its
majestic habit. Up to that year it was ten-
derly nursed on an old, decaying tree stump
under the partial shade of surrounding trees,
thus imitating, it was thought, as far as
practicable the conditions of its native habitat.
The result of removing the plant .from this
tree to a sunny position, writes Mr.
MacMillan, the curator of the gardens, and
planting it in a mound of turf, decayed
manure, charcoal, broken bricks and Iaterite
stones, was that it soon commenced to
grow rapidly, and about a year later threw up

Fig. 68. — aerial roots of grammatophyllum

speciosum which are not produced

freely at peradeniya.

six flower spikes. It has since flowered more
or less every alternate year, and in July last
was bearing 26 magnificent inflorescences.
It is obviously a great effort on the part of
the plant to produce at one time so enormous
a crop, and it is not surprising that the speci-
men does not repeat the process every year.
From the first appearance of the spikes above
ground to the visible setting of the first fruit
occupies about four months, and two months
more are required to ripen the stout pod-like
fruits. The minute, brown seeds are pro-
duced in great quantity, but hitherto these
have not found at Peradeniya conditions
necessary to their germination, even though
afforded artificial aid. Therefore the only
means available for the propagation of the
species is by division.

Though so shy in flowering, it is worthv
of note that but few plants seem to grow so
well under such varying conditions as the

" Giant Orchid." By nature it is chiefly
epiphytal, and may be found growing upon
trees, but at Kew it is treated as an aquatic,
having been grown there for many years in
the tank in the Victoria Regia House ;
whilst at Peradeniya it is most successfully
grown as a terrestrial or ground-plant. At
Peradeniya it has become so accustomed to
the terrestrial treatment that it seems to
have gradually lost the habit of producing
the characteristic, upright, spiny roots, which
are invariably present when the plant is
growing under the conditions of an epiphvte.
It has been supposed that these peculiar roots
(see fig. 68) are associated, under normal con-
ditions, with the absorption of water and
nutriment from decaying vegetable matter.
At Peradeniya they have hitherto been pro-
duced chiefly in the dry season.

Grammatophyllum speciosum is a species
that, for obvious reasons, is seldom found in
Orchid collections which have to be culti-
vated in glasshouses in temperate' climes.
There are, however, a few cases on record of
the plant having flowered in English hot-
houses. In October, 1859, a writer in these
pages recorded a plant then in flower at
" Nonsuch House," in Surrey, and he for
some reason referred to it as the " Letter
Plant." The plant now cultivated at Kew,
and which was presented by Messrs. Sander
& Sons, made a poor effort to blossom in
1901, and the specimen is developing in-
florescences at the present time. The species
has also flowered in Sir Trevor Lawrence's
collection at Burford (see fig. in Gardeners'
Chronicle, August 4, 1906, p. 86). As regards
the flowering of this species in the tropics,
Mr. Curtis, late of the Botanic Gardens,
Penang, described a plant in bloom there in
1903 as having 24 flower-spikes.

The specimen recently in flower at Pera-
deniya, and which it is believed has not yet
attained to its maximum size or vigour, is
apparently the finest yet recorded. It bore 26
stout, erect racemes, and these varied from
52 to about SJ feet in height, each having
over 100 flowers. Thus the plant carried
nearly 3,000 single flowers, which are sweet,
scented and borne mostly towards the tops of
the racemes. They measured individually 5$ to
6 inches across. The ground colour is of a
yellow tint, profusely spotted and blotched
with purple or chocolate, the pedicels being
greenish-white. The Peradeniya plant is
furnished with about 70 stems or pseudo-
bulbs, these varying in length from 5 to 10
feet, and bearing a hundred or more ribbon-
like leaves, which are 20 to 30 inches long.

We have reproduced an illustration of a
single flower at fig. 70.

The foliage to be seen in the background
of fig. 69 is chiefly that of Monstera deliciosa,
the " Giant Creeper " of Mexico, as it is
sometimes called.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — The

illustration which forms the supplement to our
present issue shows a view in the Fernery at
Shipley Hall, Derbyshire, the residence of E.
Miller Mundy, Esq. (gr. Mr. J. C. Tallack).
The photograph could only take in the back and
central portion of the house, and an Adiantum
clothed rockery at the front of the house is, there-
fore, not visible. Sufficient is shown, however, to give
a good idea of the interior of the house. The rock-

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August 31, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

169

work was built about 14 months ago, and was
planted in the month of May last year. Most of
the plants have succeeded well, and the Ferns,
Begonia Rex in variety, Periplocas, and a few
other species afford a very good effect, the
Begonias showing especially well when illuminated
with electric lamps placed behind the plants.
This Fernery forms a continuation from the
Water-lily house, illustrated in our issue for
August 17. and which is itself entered from the
long corridor attached to the residence.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next

meeting of the Committees of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society will be held on Tuesday, September 3,
in the Society's hall, Vincent Square, Westminster.
At the afternoon meeting of Fellows, at 3 o'clock.

F.lgin, where a great quantity of young trees of
numerous species, of which the Scots Fir and
the Larch predominate, are grown. At the
Pinefield Nursery of this firm were seen
4,000,000 one-year-old plants of Scots Fir,
2,000,000 two-year-old trees of Scots Fir,
4,000,000 one-year-old specimens of Larch, and
about 3,000,000 other seedling forest trees.
Large numbers of young forest trees were also
seen at five other nurseries belonging to Mr.
Wiseman.

Mr. W. H. Young, who for 17 years was
Orchid grower to the late Sir Frederick Wigan,
Bart., Clare Lawn, East Sheen, has purchased
the nursery and seed business carried on at the
Mercury Nursery, Romford, Essex. Mr. Young
is a member of the Orchid Committee of the Royal

•' the weather " has such a far-reaching influence
upon the well-being or otherwise of the plants
under their charge, and although no word is as
frequently on their lips, yet how few gardeners
appear to have even an elementary idea as to how
weather changes in this and other countries are
brought about. It may be they see no use in
acquiring the necessary knowledge, considering how
helpless even the best informed must always feel in
regard to such changes— whether favourable or un-
favourable. Or, may not this indifference rather arise
from the science of meteorology being so seldom
treated in such a clear and interesting manner as
to enable those having no previous acquaintance
with the subject to know, for instance, where our
rainfall comes from, why the barometer is so often
misleading when regarded simply as a " weather

FIG. 69.-GRAMMATOPHYLLIM SPECIOSHM IN the peradeniya botanical garden,, the plant produced 26 RACEMES,

EACH BEARING UPWARDS OF IOO FLOWERS. (See page 168 and fig. 70.)

a lecture on " Lesser Known Orchids," illustrated
by lantern slides, will be given by Mr. F. W.
Moore, Glasnevin.

Presentation.— Mr. A. C. Smith was pre-
sented on the 21st inst., by the employees on the
Lydhurst Estate, with a marble timepiece on his
leaving to take up his new duties as Assistant
Superintendent of the Royal Horticultural
Society's gardens at Wisley.

Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society.

The annual excursion of this society took
place recently, Elgin being selected as the head-
quarters for the visit. On Wednesday, August
8, the estates of Orton and of the Duke of
Richmond and Gordon at Fochabers were in-
spected, and visits were paid to Mr. Edward
U iseman's extensive nurseries in the vicinity of

Horticultural Society, and for several years he
has written the yearly calendar in these pages
under the heading "The Orchid Houses." Our
readers will join us in wishing Mr. Young every
success in his new departure.

Carnation Andrew Carnegie.— It is stated
in The American Florist that a fine new Carnation,
to which the above name has been given, appeared
as a sport with the Chicago Carnation Company
of Joliet, Illinois, and also with Mr. J. P. S\ow,
Sharon, Massachusetts. Il is said to be in habit
identical with the parent Harlowarden, but the
colour is scarlet.

"Weather.-— This is a little pamphlet written
by the Hon. H. A. Stanhope, and published by
the Agricultural and Horticultural Association,
Ltd., London, at the price of one penny. Although

glass," why the winds in the British Isles are so
variable in strength and direction, and other
similar questions of considerable interest to all
those engaged in horticultural pursuits. This little
pamphlet is therefore to be welcomed, as the author
in the small compass of 20 pages manages to
deal successively with the subjects of temperature,
cloud,, atmospheric pressure, rain, thunderstorms,
wind, and forecasts in such an interesting way, and
by means of such simple language, that all his
explanations can be readily understood by the
ordinary reader; while those who will take the
trouble to study it carefully will be able to gather
helpful information as to some of the laws which
govern the apparently hopeless irregularities in
the movements of our atmosphere. The illustra-
tions scattered through its pages will also prove of
service.

170

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 31, 1907.

National Dahlia Society.— The annual
show of the National Dahlia Society, to be held
on September 5 at the Crystal Palace, is expected
to be very successful. Mr. H. L. Brousson,
honorary secretary to the Society, writes us to
the effect that the Dahlias promise to be of un-
usually good quality, owing to the frequent
rains and warm nights.

An Orchid Auction at Schonbrunn. —
As a consequence of the overcrowding of the
Orchid houses in the Imperial Gardens at this
palace of the Austrian Emperor, 2,000 plants,
as in the previous year, have been offered for
sale recently. The plants were put in small lots
and included some that were raised in the
Schonbrunn Gardens. One of these novelties
carries the name Cattleya Schonbrunnensis, and
is the result of a cross between C. Bowringiana
X C. maxima floribunda. The blooms are said
to be of a larger size, darker in colour, and the
lip more beautifully marked than those of the
parents. Cut blooms of choice Cattleyas,
Dendrnbiums, and Coelogynes were likewise sold
by auction.' Such sales will be held annually at
Schonbrunn.

The Strawberry Crop in Germany in
1907.— Herrn L. Maurer, a well-known culti-
vator of small fruits at Jena, states, in the
Deutsche Cartner-Zeitung, that, owing to frosts in
the spring, many of his Strawberry plants
lost their leaves, and crown buds, even
such varieties as have been hitherto re-
garded as immune from loss by frost, namely,
the Xlpino varieties. Some of those
which suffered worst are varieties of French
origin, as Belle de Meaux, President Meurein,
and even the old Gloire d'Orleans have not
bloomed at all. Herrn MAUSER mentions varie-
ties which the older generation of gardeners
•were well acquainted with, but which have
dropped out of general cultivation in these
islands, viz., Beam's Mammoth, Sabreur, Vic-
tory of Bath, Teutonia, Dr. Neubert, Globe,
Duke of Edinburgh, Due de Magenta, Helvetia,
Belle de Bourg, La Reine, &c. The varieties St.
Joseph and Antoine de Padoue, and the Chilian
Strawberry, Wilmot's Superb, lost a high per-
centage of plants. On the contrary, La Reine.
Peine des Precoces, and Napoleon III. suffered
but few losses. A further remarkable experience
was noted in a number of popular English-
raised varieties, as Lord Suffield, Lord Napier,
Gunton Park, Stevens' Wonder, British Queen,
Jubilee, Monarch, The Countess, and Laxton's
No. 1 were frozen out, to a great extent, in the
previous winter. His observations of English
varieties proved that many have not become
acclimatised. German and French varieties
succeed better under similar conditions. Of
English varieties that are hardy and fruit freely
are Dr. Hogg, Fillbasket, and James Veitch.
Laxton's Noble withstood 22° Reaumur, but the
beds of all of these must be renewed every third
or fourth year at the farthest. This notwith-
standing these varieties are reckoned among the
best that he cultivates. The three hardiest and
most suitable Strawberries for that part of Ger-
many are Jucunda, Sharpless and Ker's Pro-
lific. These grow vigorously and withstand
frost, even in heavy, wet land. Others that
come next in point of hardiness and fruitfulness
are Kaiser's Samling (Seedlingl, Noble, Deutsch-
Evern, Konig Albert von Sachsen, and Comet.

Deaths in France. — In the obituary columns
of the French horticultural journals we note the
death of M. Georg Bouchier, proprietor of
one of the largest firms in Paris. He was chiefly
concerj^d with the distribution of novelties in
plants. M. Poubelle, a former Ambassador,
and the first President of the French Dendro-
logical Society, died in Paris recently at the age
of 63 vears.

Root Action and Bacteria. — In our issue
for August 10 we reproduced a letter, printed
in Nature, from Mr. F. Fletcher. The follow-
in'' reply by Mr. Spencer Pickering in the same
journal is interesting : — The experiments men-
tioned by Mr. F. Fletcher in Nature of July
18 (p. 270) bear only on the functioning of roots
once they have come into activity, not on their

been previously treated in various ways ; the
water-contents of the medium were the same in
every case, and re-inoculation from the air was
prevented. All the experiments were made in
duplicate, and all the duplicates were remark-
ably concordant. The results were that seeds
in unheated earth began to germinate on the
ninth day, the total germination being 65 per

Fig. 70.

-GKAMMATOPHYLLUM SPECIOSUM TO SHOW SINGLE FLOWER: COLOUR, YELLO-.V
SPOTTED WITH TURPLE OR CHOCOLATE. (See page 16S.)

passage from the dormant to the active condi-
tion. The probable analogy between the burst-
ing of a dormant root-bud and the germination
of a seed has led me to investigate the latter,
and some of the results already obtained tally
exactly with those obtained with trees. Seeds
of Lolium pereune sterilised by carbon disul-
phide, were plained in coil or sand which had

cent. ; in eanh heaud to 250°, 150°, 95°, and Ml .
no germination has occurred yet, although 22
days have now elapsed, while in the case of
earth heated to only 60°, germination did not
occur until the eighteenth day, and the total ger-
mination is only 30 per cent. Dr. Russell men-
tion that in his experiments he had not noticed
any retardation to be produced by the sterilisa-

August 31, 1007.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

171

tion of the soil ; but in his experiments, as well
as in my own Apple trees, no steps were taken
to guard against re-inoculation from the air, and
such re-inoculation would be very easy in the
case of seeds just below the surface of the soil.
Another explanation may be that we have not
used similar seeds ; and from some experiments
with mustard, now in progress, it is evident that
different seeds behave differently, though the
difference may be due to the imperfect sterilisa-
tion of the seeds themselves in some cases. Dr.
Russell has been good enough to examine my
experiments whilst in progress, and I believe
that he is satisfied with the results so far as they
go at present. There is not sufficient evidence
yet to show whether the bacterial action is a
direct one on the seeds, or whether it is an in-
direct one, as Dr. Russell suggested, modify-
ing some chemical change produced in the soil
by heating. The very low temperature (60°|
which suffices to affect the germination tells
against the view that chemical change is one of
the governing factors, as also does the fact that
the results obtained with sand are similar to
those obtained with earth. On the other hand,
it was found that with soil which had been
heated to 150°, and then re-inoculated, germina-
tion was much retarded, and was very feeble,
this pointing to some chemical change which
was not counteracted at once by the re-inocula-
tion. The view that plants in growing charge
the soil with something which is toxic to other
plants was put forward a year or two ago by
Dr. Whitney, but the evidence adduced for it
seems to have been very inconclusive ; the de-
tails of Mr. Fletcher's results in this direction
will, therefore, be expected with considerable in-
terest. We have, during the last three years,
been endeavouring to ascertain whether any
action of this sort can account for the effect of
Grass on trees, trees having been grown in earth
or sand in pots and watered with teachings from
earth or sand in which Grass was growing. I he
results, however, have been entirely negative.

A Nurseryman s Visit to Canada.— Mr.
Joseph Cheal, a member of the firm of Messrs.
J. Cheal & Sons, nurserymen, Crawley, has
recently returned from a visit to this important
colony. In the course of his journey he visited
the Okanagan Valley, where the large fruit estat •
started by Lord Aberdeen about 14 years ago is
situated. The fruit-growing industry in British
Columbia bids fair to become an important one.
The Okanagan estate is now managed by a com-
pany (the Coldstream Estates, Limited), and
they are fast developing their 13,000 acres, clear-
ing the land, dividing it into farms,
erecting buildings, and planting the ground
with fruit trees. It is a lovely valley ;
the greatest drawback seems to be the
drought of summer, and irrigation is neces-
sary to bring the fruit to perfection. A
great irrigation scheme is in preparation for
supplying the whole district. The older planta-
tions of Apples at the time of Mr. Cheal's visit
were carrying splendid crops, which were being
severely thinned. Mr. Cheal regards the pros-
pects in British Columbia for fruit growing as
being very favourable. The climate is greatly
tempered by the nearness of the Pacific Ocean
and also the sheltering mountains, but the dis-
trict does not experience anything like the
extremes of temperature that are found further
inland, for Peaches and Grapes grow even in
the open air. The fruit industry is evidently
only in its infancy in this colony, but there is
an enormous demand for produce over the great
I prairies and growing cities of the Central Pro-
I vinces, where it is practically impossible to grow
fruit. Vancouver, Mr. Cheal describes as a city
of delightful situation, nestling amongst hills
and forests round a magnificent harbour with
rocky promontories. One of these, 060 acres in

extent, is reserved for a public park, and con-
tains many noble specimens of the original
forest trees. The largest of these, Thuya Lobbii,
has a hollow trunk with irregular, warty sides
that measured 57 feet round, whilst another
beautiful symmetrical specimen measured 42 feet
in circumference at 4 feet from the ground and
towered up to probably _<J0 feet in height.

A Gardeners- Union for Lower Austria.

— The gardeners of Lower Austria have
founded an association and will establish a
number of branches in other places. At the
inaugural meeting, which was numerously at-
tended, many questions of importance to nur-
serymen and florists came up for discussion.
The conditions of the trade-gardener, the press-
ing necessity for the introduction of a certificate
of efficiency in this business ; accident and sick
clubs, railway charges as affecting the trade, and
other matters were discussed.

The Assistant Directorship at Kew.—
We have pleasure in reproducing a portrait of
Mr. Arthur William Hill, M A , who has
recently taken up the duties of Assistant Director
in the Royal Gardens, Kew Mr. Hill spent several
years as senior Demonstrator in Botany, and has

MR. ARTHUR WILLIAM HILL, M.A.

been lecturer in Botany at Cambridge University
since 1905. He was elected Dean of King's College
last year. He has written many botanical papers
in scientific journals, and in 1903 he travelled
in the Andes of Bolivia and Peru. Since the
appointment of Sir Daniel Morris as Director of
the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the
West Indies, the post of Assistant Director at Kew
has remained unfilled, although it is common
knowledge that the duties involved in the
Directorship have pressed with increasing severity.
Our best wishes go to Mr. Hill in his new and
important appointment.

Samuel Henshaw.— This widely-known and
successful landscape gardener in the U.S.A.,
died on July 23, at the age of 63 years, in
West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York.

Publications Received. -Orchidee di Seme, by
Chas. Sprenger, being an extract from the Bulletin of
the R. Societa Toscana di Orticultura. — The Botanical
Magazine (Tokyo). — Bulletin of the Imperial Botanic
Garden, St. Petersburg. Vol. VII., pt. I.— Guide to
Experiments conducted at Burgoyne's (University)
Farm, Impington, and at other centres in the Eastern
Counties (1006-1307). Issued by the Cambridge
University Agricultural Department.

REMARKS ON THE CONDITION
OF THE FRUIT CROPS.

(See Tables and Summaries, ante, pp. S4-90.I

5— SOUTHERN COUNTIES.

(Continued from page 146.)

Surrey. — The promise for good crops of all
kinds of fruits was excellent, but cold nights have
greatly thinned the fruits. Our soil is of a
light sandy nature. S. T. Wright, Wisley Gar.
dens, Ripley.

Apples and Cherries are average crops

in this district. Pears are not plentiful, but
Plums are above the average in quantity ; in
fact, the trees are breaking with the weight of
the fruits. Small fruit are about an average ;
-Strawberries have been very good. Geo. Jack-
man <5r* Son, Woking Nurseries.

Of Apples, Warner's King is the only

variety that is heavily fruited. All varieties of
Pears are bearing a sufficient, but not an enor-
mous, crop. Such heavy crops of Plums were
never before seen in this district, and the fruits
hang thicker than- the leaves. Every tree re-
quires at least half its fruits thinned. Straw-
berries were spoilt by the 12° of frost on May
20. Rev. W. Wilks, Shirley Vicarage, Croydon.

In spite of the dull, cold, windy weather

of spring-time, the fruits crops, with the ex-
ception of Apples, are very good in this dis-
trict. Apples appear to have suffered severely
from the unseasonable weather and from blight ;
the trees in some cases are presenting a half-
dead apppearance, and although spraying was
carried out last winter, the trees have never be-
fore appeared so bad. W. H. Honess, Cobham
Park Gardens.

Differences of soil seem to make very

little distinctions as to the extent of the fruit
crops. Some kinds of fruits are good on all
soils this season, whilst others are rather thin.
Apples, whilst plentiful on some trees, are very
few on many others, due, without doubt, to the
frequent low temperatures and cold rains
at the time the blossoms were expanded.
The earlier blossoms on wall trees, also
on Cherries, Plums and Pears seem to have
suffered less — a fact of material importance
when so much is being expressed in favour of
later-blooming fruit trees to escape spring
frosts. Bush fruits are abundant, and probably
t 'ley were never better. That Black Currants
rave been so plentiful and fine serves to show

itiat the ravages of the Currant mite are very far
~\x. ,m being universal. Alex. Dean, Kingston-on-
Thames.

The fruit crops in this locality are above

the average in quantity. All kinds of Apple
trees are carrying large crops. Pears are some-
what fewer, but the fruits, being evenly distri-
buted over the trees, promise to finish well.
Plums are much too thick, and we have pulled
off quite half the fruits. Cherries, both dessert
and Morello, are a heavy crop. Peaches and
Nectarines are an average quantity, and these
fruits promise to mature well. Apricot trees
set an enormous crop, necessitating much thin-
ning of the fruits. Small fruits are very abun-
dant. Strawberries are a light crop, and about
ten days later than usual in ripening. The varieties
Laxton's Latest and Bedford Champion require
special mention. Nuts are plentiful. Walnuts
are certainly later than usual. The soil here is
a light, gravelly loam, and to keep the crops
growing satisfactorily much rain is needed.
George Kent, Norbury Park Gardens, Dorking.

Sussex. — Apples are very much under the
average in 'quantity ; varieties such as Irish
Peach and Claygate Pearmain, that fruit at the
ends of the previous year's growths, have the
heaviest crops. The excessive rainfall caused
many Strawberries to decay before they were
ripe ; slugs also spoilt many of these fruits.
Alex. Reid, Possingworth Gardens, Cross-in-Hand.

The fruit crops generally in this district

are very good, with the except. on of Apples, which
are indifferent. The Apple trees are badly
infested with blight, and this caused many of
the fruits to fall. All other fruits are plentiful ;
the late-fruiting varieties of Strawberries gave
very good crops. The soil here is stony,
and rests on the sandstone formation. Potatos
appear to be good : I have observed a little
blight on the early varieties, but others are
pxcellent. W. Brunsden, Brambletye Gardens,
East Grinstead.

172

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 31, 1907.

Considering the untoward season, the

fruit crops are satisfactory. • Strawberries suf-
fered from the excessive wet and cold weather,
and many of the first blooms were spoilt by
frost. Raspberries, Gooseberries, Currants,
Plums and Pears are plentiful and of excellent
quality. A few trees of Bramley's Seedling,
Dutch Mignonne and Lord Suffield Apples have
very heavy crops, but, generally, Apples are
scarce. We still have a few of last season's
Apples. Our soil is a heavy loam on a stiff clay.
W. J. Langridge, Ote Hall Gardens, Burgess
Hill.

Apple trees are more injured by fungus

diseases and aphides than ever before in my
experience. Most varieties of Plum t.ees have
full crops, but many of the fruits are
dropping off. Gooseberries are very abundant,
and red and white Currants are above and black
Currants about an average in quantity. Straw-
berries on light soils were practically a failure.
Almost all vegetation is more or less unhealthy,
as the result of the cold and wet season. The
foliage on Currant and Apple trees has withered
prematurely to a great extent. W. E. Bear,
Hailsham.

All fruit trees here are carrying average

crops, whilst Plum trees are heavily laden with
fruits. The earliest and best fruits of the Straw-
berries were spoilt by frost on May 18. Blight
early attacked Apple trees ; cold winds prevailed
throughout June, and the south-west winds
caused much damage to all trees, especially tall
standards. The soil here is a stiff, heavy loam
on a sub-soil of marl, clay, and sandstone. A.
B. Wadds, Paddoekhurst Gardens, Worth.

The fruit crops upon the whole are satis-
factory. Pears are a fine crop, and the foliage
of these trees is fairly clean. But this cannot
be said of Apple trees. Some varieties of
Apples are laden with fruits, and many have
been removed. Apples will be of bad quality,
owing to an attack of aphis. Cherries generally
are plentiful, but tender varieties are scarce,
owing to excessively cold weather during the
stoning period. Bush fruits, also Peaches, and
Nectarines are all good crops. Raspberries are
an excellent crop and of high quality. Strawber-
ries have been good. Plums are an average in
quality. Our soil is of a heavy nature, with
a clay sub-soil. W . A. Cook, Leonardslee Gar-
dens, Horsham.

These gardens are situated about 100 feet

above the sea level and in a valley, where the
effects of late spring frosts are badly felt.
Strawberries and other tender fruits suffer con-
siderably from this cause. From May 18 to 20
the frost was very severe, and affected both
Apples and Strawberries considerably. All kinds
of small fruits are plentiful and of good quality.
Raspberries in particular. Nuts are an average
crop, and appear to be swelling well. Cherries
have suffered much through the cold weather in
June, and many of them failed to develop their
stones, and on that account are falling off badly.
We have not had such a heavy crop of Plums
for several years, and trees of many varieties are
overladen. Apples, with the exception of a few
early varieties such as Irish Peach, Kcklinville
Seedling, The Queen, &c, may be considered a
failure. Pears of most kinds are an average
crop, and appear to be swelling well. Our soil
is a cold, retentive one, and is not suited for the
cultivation of Pears, though in dry seasons they
succeed fairly well. H. C. Prinsep, Buxied Park
Gardens, Vckficld.

(To be continued.)

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

LAW NOTE.

BANKRUPTCY.
In a comparative table issued by the Inspector
General in Bankruptcy showing the total failures
under Bankruptcy and Deeds of Arrangements
among gardeners, florists and nurserymen, we find
that in 1902 there were 40 failures with liabilities
amounting to £63.273 ; in 1903 there were 49
failures with liabilities amounting to £33,003 ; in
1901 there were 49 failures with liabilities amount-
ing to £29.104 ; in 1905 there were 31 failures
with liabilities amounting to £27,065; in 1906
there were 32 failures with liabilities amounting
to £62,343.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents. J
Astilbe Davidii. — Mr. Tallack's experience
does not correspond with mine in regard to this
plant. I think he must have a bad strain, such
as may happen easily with a plant that seeds so
abundantly as this species. I noticed the dis-
agreeable change of colour of the fading flowers
in some plants at Kew ; but here, where the
atmosphere is more humid and the soil cooler,
that change for the worse does not take place,
and I consider the plant one of the most valuable
of those recently introduced. It does not re-
quire swampy ground, as Mr. Tallack suggests,
but it grows vigorously in the ordinary border,
if peat and sand are added when it is planted.
If Mr. Tallack would like a few seedling plants,
I can send him a few, or seed, if he prefers it.
Herbert Maxwell, Monreith.

The Old Clove Carnation. — Can any

reader tell me whether there is in commerce a
true pink-flowered form or sport of the old
crimson Clove Carnation? I know there is a
white one, although I have forgotten the name
by which it is known. I ask because a railway
employee here in Kingston has quite a large
stock he has worked from a branch sport of a
fine pink-flowered variety, the colour being a
true pink, but deeper than is that of the well-
known tree Carnation Enchantress. It is
strange that, after cultivation in gardens for
generations, a sport of this kind should arise
in this man's garden. Both the old crimson
Clove and the pink one are very robust and
in perfect health. The sport greatly resembles
the pink sport seen now somewhat plentifully
from the old double crimson Paeony, and of this
there is, though yet rare, a white-flowered sport
also. A. Dean.

The Sowing of Cyclamen Seed.— I have
sown seeds of Cyclamen for the past nine years
by the first week in August. I find the best
method is to use pans and to dibble the seeds
in by the finger to a depth of a quarter of an
inch, and at a distance of three-quarters of an
inch between each seed. The seeds are germi-
nated in a temperature of from 60° to 65°, and
the soil in the pans is kept in a moistened con-
dition. This is a better plan than placing them
in a cold frame to germinate. After the seed-
lings appear they are still allowed this high
temperature. I find the seedlings do nit require
to be transplanted when the seeds are sown in
the manner I have (fescribed. The first potting
should be done in February, and small pots
should be used. The next shift should be given
when the tiny pots are filled with roots, which
should be about the middle of May, and they
should still be kept actively growing in a warm
atmosphere. As the season advances and the
weather becomes more genial, the plants should
be placed in a frame containing water pipes, so
that a little warmth may be afforded should
the weather turn cold. The final potting
should be done in July or not later than early
in August, but I prefer the July potting.
Pots having a diameter of 6 inches will be of
an ample size for their flowering. By this
system of culture the plants will flower from
the end of September until after Christmas.
Some persons keep their plants of Cyclamen
somewhat dry at the roots, but this is a mistake,
for their large fleshy corms require plenty of
moisture during their season of growth. A suit-
able soil for Cyclamen consists of good fibrous
loam, some leaf-mould, lime rubble, dry sheep
manure rubbed through a half-inch sieve, and
a sprinkling of bone-meal. Do not have too
rich a compost, as this will favour too much
leaf growth. The secret to success in the cul-
ture of seedling Cyclamen is to grow them
without a check from the start to the finish.
W. Fulford, Castle Eden Gardens, Co. Durham,

Notospartium C ARM ICH AE Ll/E. — This fine
shrub is hardy in several parts of Scotland, and it
soon assumes a large size. The finest specimen I
have seen in Scotland is in the garden of Mr.
W. D. Robinson-Douglas, Orchardton, Kirkcud-
brightshire. This is growing in the rock-garden,
where it has been for a number of years, without
suffering much from the severe winters experienced
since it was planted. It flowers freely, and is a
beautiful shrub when in bloom, as is shown by
your excellent illustration on page 146. S. Arnott,
I him flics.

Defoliating Tomato Plants.— This is not

so generally practised as it was a few years ago
and those persons who still continue to remove
the foliage in a ruthless manner cannot under-
stand much about the functions of the leaf.
The practice has probably resulted from a
common error in obtaining too gross a growth
in the plants, the result of either a free use of
organic manures or an excess of moisture at the
roots of the plants. Over-crowding at planting
time has also necessitated the removal of many
of the leaves subsequently in order to admit the
necessary light and air. I have seen Tomato
plants 4 feet or 5 feet in height stripped of
two-thirds of their leaves at a single trimming.
The removal of the leaves in this manner causes
a severe check to the plant, and the harm can be
seen at a glance by cutting open a few of the
fruits, which are found to be poor in colour,
hollow, and light in weight. Every cottager
knows the ill-effects of frosts upon the Putato,
and that when the foliage is badly injured the
crop suffers accordingly. A frequent excuse for
defoliating the Tomato is that it " assists the
fruits to colojr more quickly." A\hen the
plants are well cultivated, the proper develop-
ment of the fruits follows as a matter of course,
and in such circumstances the removal of a leaf-
lobe in places does no appreciable harm. The
greater mischief is done when the plant is
divested of much of its leafage while the fruits
are in an early state of development. E. H.
Jenkins, Hampton Hill.

New Attractions at Shrewsbury Show.

— Your suggestion as to the desirability of pio-
viding some fresh feature at this great
show should command consideration. The in-
troduction of a champion prize for collections
of vegetables this year had a wonderful effect
in stimulating public curiosity, as also great in-
terest amongst professional gardeners. Through-
out the first day no tent was so densely thronged
as was the vegetable tent, everybody being
anxious to see the winning exhibit. It is easy
to understand how difficult it is to provide many
absolute novelties in competitive classes. The
grand decorative groups staged seem to have
reached perfection in displaying the exhibitor's
decorative art, as well as that of the plant cul-
tivator. Yet even these have now reached a
stage of comparative yearly reproduction in style
and in beauty, and a new and novel method
would be welcomed. I am not sure whether a
class for groups of certain dimensions of liter-
ally any description of plants, the primary con-
sideration being entire novelty in arrangement
associated with beauty, would not prove to be a
powerful attraction, could competitors onlv be
induced boldly to break away from what is get-
ting to be stereotyped styles and plants. The
distinctly beautiful, as well as novel, arrange-
ment set up by Mr. Amos Perry indicates some-
thing of the direction in which competitors
might go. You mention a desire to see some
change in the dessert tables. With respect
to the fruit, there is naturally some variation
in the arrangements and kinds each year on each
table, but a change is needed in the flower de-
corations, and those in most cases seemed to be
too dominating, too heavy, though built up of
light flowers. There is more desire to decorata
a table than to allow for conversation between
the guests sitting at the table. Possibly, limit-
ing the heights of the flowers to 12 inches — the
judges being requested to make awards to them
for lightness and beauty obtained from the
simplest material and the smallest quantity —
would put competitors on their mettle to pro-
duce something that would have the charm
of novelty. Should a new challenge vase be
provided for a champion Grape class, the vase
should be made rather more difficult to win than
it has been hitherto, and to that end I would
suggest that no award be made of the vase ex-
cept at least six of the bunches shown
secure maximum points. That would pre-
vent so great a prize ever going to an inferior
collection. Mr. Shingler has done wonders to
maintain a high standard of excellence, but even
he secured but three maximums, and Mr. Mit-
chell, who came second, had but two maxi-
mums. In his table of points, the maximum of
points capable of being obtained by Gros Maroc
is put as 11 instead of nine. Only perfect ex-
amples should be regarded as worthy of such a
splendid vase, but the cash prizes should be
awarded in any case. D.

<

August 31, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

The Hortus Duroverni. — I have had a
copy of a Hortus in my possession for some
years past. It bears the name given above,
and the title-page states that it is " a tabular
and descriptive catalogue of perennial flower-
rcots, hardy trees and shrubs, greenhouse and
hothouse plants, fruit trees, kitchen-garden and
flower seeds, &c, cultivated and sold by W.
Masters, Nursery and Seedsman, St. Peter's
Street, Canterbury." The copy in my collection
is the third edition, published in 1831 by Long-
man, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green, London,
and comprises 130 pages of small type, bound in
marbled covers of the size 4.1 inches wide by
6; inches long. The author was the father or
the late Dr. Masters, a Fellow of the Horti-
cultural Society and Curator of the Canterbury
Museum, which latter institution he was the
means of founding, and in the preface he
"congratulates those friends who, fully entering
into his wishes, promptly assisted in the under-
taking, on the success that has attended their
efforts ; for already in nearly every department of
natural history are there specimens to guide and
illustrate the researches of the naturalist." To aid
in completing this museum, Mr. Masters formed
an herbarium of specimens from his nursery,
which were duly arranged in their natural orders
and named for reference. It s;ems scarcely pos-
sible that three-quarters of a century have
elapsed since the publication of this work when
we read the introduction, which might well have
been written for a modern book. The author
remarks: "The study of natural history has, of
late years, assumed a rank and importance
which, from its scope and tendency, it ought
ever to have held ; for can we conceive an edu-
cation more eminently defective than that which
does not include a knowledge of those objects
in the animal and vegetable world by which we
are surrounded, and of which we are essentially
a part in the great chain of animated beings?"
It is quite refreshing to read such thoughtful
words in a catalogue of plants, for there is an
unfortunate tendency to lose sight of the princi-
ples which should underlie the truest pleasures
of horticulture. The Hortus Duroverni contains
a most remarkable list of plants, and as the
considerable area of 30 acres was devoted to
them, it can be imagined what an interesting
collection had been formed. The total number
of genera enumerated is 736, and the number
of species and varieties must exceed 10,000. In
the first division, viz., that devoted to hardy
perennials andibulbs, 299 genera are included,
and some of these comprise surprising collec-
tions of varieties, for instance, of Ranunculus
asiaticus, which was at that time one of the
popular flowers ; no fewer than 226 forms are
named and the colours stated. But the most
astonishing of all are the Tulips, of which the
collection was a particularly rich one, compris-
ing 219 Bizarres, 188 Roses,' 254 Byblcemens, 25
doubles, and 40 early varieties, or a total of
726. Dahlias came next in point of numbers
with 159, which are grouped under singles (20),
doubles (114), Irish Globe and Anemone flowered
(25). Of double Anemone coronaria no fewer
than 100 varieties are named, a large propor-
tion being of French origin, judging from the
names. Under Dianthus, besides several species,
50 varieties of garden Pinks are given, 67 varie-
ties of Carnations, and 19 of Picotees. Amongst
the former is one bearing the enticing title of
"Strawberries and Cream." Hyacinths are
classed as double rose or pink, double yellow,
double blue, double white, and singles, the total
being 78 varieties. Of Chrysanthemum sinense
36 varieties are named, which included most of
the best of those then known. At the present
time many nurserymen would be well satisfied
if they could confine their collections to the
number stated above. Hardy trees and shrubs
representing 173 genera formed another section
of the Hortus, and the collection appears to
have been a fine one for that period, being
especially rich in deciduous trees. Elms re-
ceived a good deal of attention from Mr.
Masters, and he raised several seedlings from
Ulmus campestris, which were fully described
by Loudon. One of these, TJ. campestris, var.
viminalis, is represented in many gardens at the
present time by fine specimens. Of Crataegus
24 species and varieties were included; of Ilex,
22; l'vrus, 18; Quercus, 18; Rhododendron'
28; Azalea, 56; Fraxinus, 18; and Salix, 41.
Roses are placed in this list, 15 species and 284
varieties being named. It is interesting to note

that of Pinus only seven forms are listed, and
of Abies five. Greenhouse and hothouse plants
comprise 386 genera, but only in a few instances
are the numbers of species and varieties large.
Thus, of Camellia 55 forms are named, mostly
varieties of C. japonica ; of Erica 88 species and
varieties are given ; of Mesembryanthemum 35 ;
and in all these cases it would be. difficult to
find a British nursery at the present time with
anything like these numbers. Twenty-five
species of Pelargoniums are mentioned, while
the varieties reach a total of 175. Amongst
Orchids only two species are named, viz., Bletia
Tankervilleae and Cymbidium ensifolium, while
the Palms are restricted to three — Chamaerops
humilis, Phcenix dactylifera, and Rhapis flabelli-
formis. Hardy fruits received a good deal of
attention at Canterbury, and the collection was
a thoroughly representative one. Apples, for
instance, comprised 200 varieties, Pears 128,
Gooseberries 62, Plums 42, Cherries 28, Peaches
26, Nectarines 19, Strawberries 26, Apricots 11,
and Grapes 38. Under the list of Plums is a
note to this effect: "We observe in most gar-
dens the Orleans, on account of the abundance
of its produce, superseding much finer and more
desirable kinds, such as Coe's Golden Drop,
Guimaraen, La Delicieuse, &c." The second
of these I have failed to identify, the last is
known as Cooper's Large, and the French name
has been corrupted in some districts to "Lady
Lucy." Guimaraen is described as yell
green, long, of medium size, of rich, sugary
flavour, and ripe m August and September. Is
it known in any of the Kentish ■.■ i or nur-

series now? It should be added that the. whole
of the botanical names of plants are accented,
the translation of the name is given in most
cases, together with the native country, natural
order, colour of the flowers, height, and time
of flowering, while- in the fruits the shape,
colour, quality, and season are indicated. It

makes one wish that modern catalogues Id

be issued in a similar form. R. Lewis Castle.
[This little book is rarely met with now; the
copy I pun hased in the old Holywell
Strand, about 1890, was the only" one I
saw on sale, though I was then familiar with it,
as the work was included in Dr. Robert Hogg's
library at the Journal of Horticulture Office.
When I sent the MS. (now printed) to the late
Dr. M. T. Masters, he acknowledged it in
these words: "Many thanks, I was born m that
Hortus." The last , ommunication I had from
him referred to these notes, and requested he
might be allowed to retain the MS. "a little
longer." R. L. C]

Verbena Montana.— This plant is a hardy

floriferous species, with pale pink bloom's
from the Rocky Mountains, and it was brought
to this country in 1873. This journal, in noting
the introduction of this species, stated (187S,
p. 575), " Crosses made between this new
species and V. venosa would in all probal
produce an interesting progeny, and if it were
also used by raisers of seedling Verbenas, for the
purpose of restoring something of the lost con-
stitution which has resulted from inter-breeding,
the Verbenas might eventually become more
popular, or at least better fitted for outdoor
purposes in our gardens." The Verbena has, in
fact, become more popular as an outdoor and
pot plant since that date, but I am not aware
of any recent raiser who has followed the advice
then given. The Verbenas of the present day
are even more beautiful, and quite as floriferous
as any that existed in the 50's and 60's. I
would ask what has become of Verbena tenera
var. Mahoneti, a very dwarf plant, with pretty
striped flowers. If it exists, it might be used
with some taller-growing modern varieties for
the production of fancy-coloured plants for bas-
ket work and filling small beds, similarlv to the
brilliant scarlet-flowered V. melindres, which, it
is to be feared, is lost to gardens. F. M.

Rondeletia strigosa.— A specimen of this
uncommon species of Rondeletia, growing in a
suspended basket in the intermediate portion of
the "T" range at Kew, well shows its suit-
ability for this mode of treatment. It forms a
freely-branched little bush, whose slender arch-
ing shoots are clothed with neat foliage of a
deep shining green, while the flowers, which
very much suggest those of a Bouvardia, are
bright crimson with a vellow centre, and about
one-third of an inch in diameter across the
expanded mouth. They are borne in neat,

rounded, terminal clusters. R. strigosa cannot
be obtained from the nurseries, but when intro-
duced from Guatemala under the name of Bou-
vardia Roezli it was grown in Messrs. Hender-
son's nursery at St. John's Wood, and one
hybrid at least between this species and a gar-
den form of Bouvardia was put into commerce.
The name of this particular varietv was
" Unique," the flowers being violet-carmine
with a white tube. I have not seen it for some
years, and in all probability it has now dropped
out of cultivation. As such a cross has been
effected, this species suggests various possibili-
ties to the hybridist. W.

Flowering Wall-Plants for Norway.—

A lady who has a house in Norway on a small
fjord running out of the Sogne Fjord, would
like to plant some flowering creepers on the
sunny side of her house, facing to the south.
On that side of the house facing to the fjord,
whii li has a N.E. aspect, she has Hops and Vir-
ginian Creepers Annuals are not satisfactory
there, as the snow lies so late, and the summer
is too short for them to make growth and flower.
Her Sweet Peas this year, on August 15, were
not one foot above the ground. The Norwegian
spring and summer are very brief, but for a
short period the sun's rays are very powerful,
and the duration of sunlight longer than ours
in England. Our common wild flowers grow
plentifully in that district, and both Harebells
(Campanula) and wild " dog " Roses are much
deeper in colour and larger in size than any 1
have seen in England. Hemp Nettle (Cannabis),
Varrow (Achillea), Asphodel (Asphodelus), St.
John's Wort (Hypericum), Meadowsweet
[Spiraea), Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia),
ups (Ranunculus), Sundew (Droserat, But-
terwort (Pinguicula), all flourish, and this year
we found Linnea borealis. Two glaciers come
down into two valleys at the head of the fjord
some six miles inland, but the aspect intended
for the creepers is away fom the glacier breezes
L. J. F.

Question Night.— I was much interested in
the note in last week's issue, p. 152, by A. D.,
upon the above subject, wherein it is proposed to
set apart one night during the winter session as
"Question Night," at the Kingston Gardeners'
Mutual Improvement Society's meetings. The
Birmingham and Midland Counties Gardeners'
Mutual Improvement Society introduced such an
evening three years ago, and one member pre-
sented the society with a polished mahogany
question box— having a fair-sized slit in the top.
This box is placed in a convenient position every
evening, to enable members to put a written
question in at any time. On the night set apart
for the purpose, the box is unlocked by the chair-
man, who reads each slip out separately and
invites any member to reply— it generally falls to
one of the officers to start the ball rolling, when
discussion soon follows from various members.
Each question is dealt with separately and an
excellent evening is the result. II-'. Spinhs, The
Nurseries, Solihull.

The Poisonous Properties of Primula
obcon ica. — It might interest some readers to know
that during the present season we have had very
unpleasant experiences of the effects of the
leaves of Primula obconica upon the skin of
those persons who have had reason to handle
them. Early in spring my foreman suffered
greatly for many days, and was unable to sleep
through the irritating effects caused by handling
several plants at the potting bench ; in his case
the arms between the wrist and elbow were
badly swollen, and of a crimson colour. Some
nine or ten days ago, and following the clearing
of some 30 to 40 plants from the conservatory,
one of my journeymen came to me in a terrible
state, his hands and wrists, and the greater part
of his face had broken out in sores (each sore
appeared as if a water cell), and he had suf-
fered extreme nasal catarrh for 24 hours. I at
once sent him to a doctor, who pronounced
him badly poisoned, and now, a week later, he
is still incapacitated. Our stock of this Primula
has '";n consigned to the fire heap. Geo. Bur-
row., Skendish Gardens, Heme I Hempstead.

TRADE NOTICE.

Mr. J. H. Taylor will manage the Nurseries, Bexley
Heath, Kent, for Mr. G. S. Evans, as formerly for Mr. A.

F. DUTTON.

174

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[August 31, 1907.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

August 20. — Present: E. A. Bowles, M.A.,
F.L.S., F.Z.S. (in the chair) ; Dr. M. C. Cooke;
Messrs. J. T. Bennett-Poe, H. T. Giissow, E.
M. Holmes, G. Gordon, and F. J. Chittenden
(hon. sec).

Tomato disease caused by Septoria lycopersici.
— Mr. Gussow showed specimens of Tomato
leave6 from Gloucestershire having brown spots.
These quickly cover the whole leaf, which dies
in the course of a very few days after the in-
fection commences. The disease does not seem
to have been recorded in this country hitherto,
although it was found in Argentine as long ago
as 1881. There seems no remedy after the plants
are once attacked, since the progress of the
trouble is so rapid, but plants attacked should
be burned immediately.

Neobenthamia gracilis, Rolfe (see fig. 72). — A
spike of this very pretty Orchid from Zanzibar
was shown by Mr. Bennett-Poe. It was
awarded a botanical certificate in 1900, and
is described by Mr. Rolfe in Gardeners'
Chronicle, 1891 (ii.ns.), p. 272, and figured in
Bot. Mag. (1900), t. 7221.

no doubt of its being Berkeley's species ; it
agrees so well with the description and the
figure. The spores are so profuse that it would
be dangerous as a pest were it to obtain a foot-
hold."

Plum Anthracnose. — Dr. Cooke also said :
" Some Plums have recently been submitted to
me which were evidently suffering from the at-
tacks of a new pest. The surface of the nearly-
ripe fruit exhibited one or two concave depres-
sions, about a quarter of an inch in diameter,
and of a pale tan colour, contrasting strongly
with the deep purple of the fruit. These depres-
sions were lined with the minute receptacles of
a species of Anthracnose, as the Americans term
this form of disease, ^produced by species of the
genus Glceosporium. In this instance the spores
were abundant in the depressions, hyaline, but
comparatively very small for the genus, not
more than 10 to 12mm. long, and about one-
fourth as broad. Hitherto I have found no
described species to correspond with the pre-
sent, so that for the purpose of identification I
have called it Glceosporium prunorum." (See
Gardeners' Chronicle, August 24, 1907, p. 160.)
Dr. Cooke showed sketches and specimens of
this disease.

Ceropegia hybrida. — Mr. E. A. Bowles showed
a flowering specimen of this hybrid, which was
described and figured in the Gardeners' Chronicle

FlG. 72. — NEOBENTHAMIA GRACILIS, SHOWING HABIT AND FLORAL DETAILS.

Aphides on Palm roots. — Mr. Gordon showed
portions of the root of Kentia Forsteriana upon
which were large numbers of a species of woolly
aphis. The plant from which the specimen had
been taken did not appear to have suffered to
any extent from the attacks of the insects. They
were referred to Mr. Saunders for further ex-
amination.

Reappearance of a Peach pest. — Dr. M. C.
Cooke showed figures of a pest of Peaches,
which " the late Rev. M. J. Berkeley recorded
and figured in Gardeners' Chronicle for 1864, p.
'938. This mould Berkeley discovered on ripe
Peaches in Wales, where he found it to be a
pest producing a great profusion of large spores.
He named the fungus Macrosporium rhabdi-
ferum, but, as the spores were not muriform, it
could not be macrosporium. In the Handbook,
I called it Helminthosporium rhabdiferum, but
now that I have seen it I find it is not Helmin-
thosporium. In the interim it appears not to
have been met with anywhere, until last week it
turned up on Peaches again — after everyone had
given it up as a mystery, and it was excluded
:from all consideration as a pest. There can be

for December, 1906, p. 383. It was raised from
seed of C. Sandersonii, which species had been
crossed with pollen of C. similis. Mr. Bowles
also showed a flower of C. Sandersonii for com-
parison.

Fruit of Pyrus Malus floribunda. — Dr.
Bonavia sent some large fruits of this Japanese
variety of Apple, which he had not before seen
producing seed. Several members of the com-
mittee remarked on the large size of the fruit
produced by this variety this year.

Variation in Beech foliage. — Mr. A. Hosking
sent specimens of the foliage of the fern-leaved
Beech (Fagus sylvatica asplenifolia), and
branches from near the top of the same tree
bearing leaves intermediate between the fern-
leaved type and the normal type, which he sent
for comparison. The specimens were from the
garden of W. Fitzherbert-Brockholes, Esq.,
of Claughton Hall. Preston. Mr. Hosking had
since noticed the same variation on a Beech in
Avenham Park, Preston. The branches bearing
the intermediate frliage were intermixed with the
ordinary branches, and did not arise from the
base of the tree. Mr. Hosking suggested that

this was another case of graft hybridisation
somewhat similar to that seen in Cytisus Adami
and in Crataego-mespilus.

Effect of lightning on Elm. — Mr. C. H.
Hooper sent specimens illustrating the effect of
lightning on an Elm tree which had been struck
during a storm on August 17. " The tree,
which is about 100 yards from a tall church
tower, was struck about 40 feet from the ground,
and shows no damage till within 6 feet of the
ground, where on one side the bark with the
wood has been gouged out, and on the other side
the bark only has been cut and stripped as if
with a knife." The extent of the damage caused
to trees in this manner seems to depend on the
amount of water in the wood.

Effect of light dn direction of growth. — Mr.
Sutton, through Mr. Bennett-Poe, called at-
tention to a letter from Mr. J. B. Wallis
in the Times, who described a curious
growth in an Elder in a thicket near Wirks-
worth, Derbyshire. He writes : " So great was
the tangle of brushwood that the branches of
this tree had been forced to bend over and
grow towards the ground, after the manner of
the Weeping Willow. To grow normally the
leaves would have appeared with their under
sides uppermost, but, to prevent this, the stalk
had grown spirally, making a complete revolu-
tion of the axis, and thus bringing the leaf right
way up, the whole presenting a peculiar ap-
pearance. Such is the power of sunlight and
the faculty of adaptation to environment."

Twin Apples. — Mr. G. F. Hooper, of Croft
Fruit Farm, Pershore, sent an excellent speci-
men of this not very uncommon phenomenon.
In the present instance the two fruits were on
quite distinct stalks, and the fruits had become
coherent in the upper parts.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL OF -
ABERDEEN.

August 22, 23, & 24.— This society held its
annual show on the above dates in the Duthie
Public Park, Aberdeen. The weather on the
opening and second days was unfavourable, but
on Saturday the weather was fine, and many
persons attended.

There were upwards of 1,600 entries.

Pot Plants.

In the class for a display of stove or green-
house plants, arranged for effect, in spaces
measuring 8 feet by 6 feet, Mr. Grigor, Fair-
field Gardens, won the 1st prize. Mr. Grigor
had also the best Ferns, his specimens of
Nephrolepis Whitmanii and Adiantum Far-
leyense were exceptionally well grown.

Mr. Gillespie, Northfield Place, Aberdeen,
showed the best Fuchsias. In a class for six
plants suitable for the decoration of a dining
table, and in pots not exceeding 6 inches in
diameter, the exhibits shown by Mr. John Petrie,
Gardener to Sir Thomas Burnett, Bart., of
Leys, Crathes Castle, well deserved the 1st and
2nd prizes awarded to them. Mr. Mackie,
Morken, carried off the premier prize for
Begonias with exceedingly fine plants.

Orchids were not numerously shown, but
those exhibited by Mr. A. Duncan, Rubislaw
Den House Gardens, Aberdeen, were of excel-
lent quality, and deserved the 1st prize awarded
them. Mr. A. Douglas, gardener to Thomas
Ogilvie, Esq., Kepplestone, Aberdeen, had
finely-grown Dracaenas and Crotons, which
gained for him the 1st prize. Gloxinias made
an exceedingly fine show, the specimens shown
by Mr. Alexander Duncan, Rubislaw Den
House, were the best. Petunias were few in
entries, but were decidedly good in quality. Mr.
J. W. Brechin, Gardener, Ardoe, Belhelvie,
Aberdeenshire, had the best of these plants.

Cut Flowers.
The marquee devoted to cut flowers proved a
delightful attraction to the many visitors, thq
principal feature being the splendid display of
Roses and Cactus Dahlias. Mr. Alexander
Harper, Rubislaw Park Gardens, Aberdeen, and
Mr. William Coutts, Ellon, Aberdeenshire,
were successful in these classes. Mr. Harper
easily won the premier prize with capital
specimens of Tea and Noisette Roses. Mr.
Alexander Brebner, Dalhebity Gardens, Aber-
deenshire, exhibited Cactus Dahlias, which
evoked general admiration, and worthily gained
for him the premier place.

August 31, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

175"'

The displays of hardy flowers were exceed-
ingly fine. Mr. John Petrie, Crathes Castle, was
successful in the principal class for such flowers.
In the class for a collection of 20 varieties
of cut flowers and fine foliage bedding plants,
including annuals best adapted for flower
garden decoration, the collection staged by Mr.
A. Grigor, Fairfield, worthily won the premier
honour.

The cool season has been exceedingly favour-
able to the growth of Pansies, and a good dis-
play was seen in the classes for these flowers.
Mr. Gillespie, Aberdeen, took the chief honour
with an exceptionally fine exhibit, including
both show and fancy varieties. The decorative
classes proved most interesting.

Fruit and Vegetables.

There was a considerable decrease in the
number of entries in these classes compared with
previous years, and the quality of the fruit, with
the exception of the hardy varieties, was not
equal to the standard usually seen at Aberdeen.
There was only one entry in a class for a col-
lection of eight dishes of fruits (Pines excluded).
This was shown by Mr. Douglas, and gained
fur him the Silver Cup presented to the society
by his employer, Mr. Ogilvie, of Kepplestone.

For the best collection of six dishes of hardy
fruits, Mr. John Kinnaird, Hazelhead, Aber-
deen, won easily. Grapes were very poorly
shown, and the berries were lacking in finish.
Mr. W. S. Mackie, Morken, led in the class
for Melons, while the best Peaches and Nec-
tarines were shown by Mr. Howe, Fintrav
House.

Vegetables were exceedingly fine. The best
collection of vegetables in 10 varieties were ex-
hibited by Mr. Douglas, Kepplestone. Mr.
Frank Kinnaird, Broomhill, Aberdeen, won in
the class for a collection of vegetables open to
market gardeners only, with an excellent entry.

The exhibits of Potatos were an outstand-
ing feature, as is invariably the case at
Aberdeen, the leading places being taken by Mr.
Fkrguson, Linton Gardens ; Mr. Douglas,
Kepplestone ; Mr. William Coutts, Ellon ; and
Mr. William Lawson, Oakbank School.

Splendid produce was shown in the classes re-
served for amateurs and working men.

Non-competitive Displays.

Messrs. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, exhibited
a collection of Roses of splendid quality.

Mr. M. H. Sinclair, Union Street, Aberdeen,
had an exceedingly fine display of Gladoli,
American Tree and " Malmaison " Carnations,
sprays of hardy foliage (all named), Sweet Peas
and other flowers.

Messrs. William Smith & Son, Aberdeen,
made a fine display of plants in pots, hardy-
flowers, and floral designs.

Mr. James Robertson, Hadden Street, Aber-
deen, had a display of Gladioli, hardy flowers,
and Sweet Peas.

Mr. P. McIIardy, Aberdeen, showed hardy-
flowers, Sweet Peas, &c

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLOKISTS.

August 20. — The " Society of American
Florists and Ornamental Horticulturists " held
their annual convention at Philadelphia, Pa.
The proceedings were opened on the above
date, and continued for five days. We have
been favoured with a copy of the speech de-
livered by the President, Mr. William J.
Stewart, of Boston, and from which we make
the following extracts : —

The Mission of the Society.

To aid the horticulturist through the in-
fluence and power of concentration, by the
gathering together, moulding and assimilating of
the concrete wisdom of the many, and to bring
the profession to a lively sense of their duties
and privileges and a better realisation of what
is possible through the medium of a well-sup-
ported central organisation is the task of this
society. Its aim and its purpose have ever
been to stimulate emulation, to broaden the
channels of business, to promote 'he fraternal
spirit, to help the gardener and florist in mak-
ing for himself an honoured position in the
commonwealth, and to inspire the profession

with a more correct understanding and better
appreciation of the nobility of their calling,
which, as Downing tells us, "is intrinsically the
parent and superior of them all," because agri-
culture is the basis of all wealth and horticul-
ture is the refined essence of agriculture.

Garden-hunger and the Horticulturist's
Opportunity.
Modern suburban transportation facilities have
given a tremendous impetus to the rural home
idea. It is to the man skilled in horticulture
that the home-maker will turn for advice, as-
sistance, and material needed, and for those who
grasp the opportunity in the right spirit there
will be found abundant scope and full recom-
pense for cultural knowledge and artistic talent.
Nothing comparable to the present demand for
hardy garden material has ever been experienced
in this country, and no horticultural enterprise
intelligently and diligently conducted can fail
of success if existing conditions are understood
and provided for. Tender material, also, will
get its full share of the prosperity if used
with better discretion as to its adaptations and
limitations. For the ambitious, earnest young
man, blessed with an artistic temperament, no
departure of horticulture offers better emolu-
ments or higher honour than that of outdoor
gardening in .all its branches. Within the scope
of our vision to-day the field seems practically-
unlimited and the young generation may safely
go into training for large responsibilities — every
one will be needed. Under pressure of exi-
gencies prevailing in the past the gardener has
in too many instances been acquiring a one-
sided experience, and some of our most talented
indoor growers find themselves badly handi-
capped through deficient education in the funda-
mental operations of general gardening. The hor-
ticulturist who will make his mark in the future
will not have these limitations, but will com-
bine a thorough equipment for outdoor plant-
ing, grading, management and executive ability,
with a fine knowledge of indoor operations and
proficiency in the production of flowers and
fruits under glass that will stand the test of
comparison with the products of the specialist.
Several of the agricultural colleges are doing
good work, and turning out trained young men
from whom we may expect much.

Room for Improvement.
Too many greenhouses are devoted to crops
for which neither the houses nor their owners
are competent. We see acres of nursery space
filled with antiquated stock ; well-grown flowers
sacrificed through careless handling or through
inefficiency in the sales department ; the once-
prosperous flower-shipping business prostrated
by short-sighted methods ; the trade subjected
to criticism because of the trumpeting of un-
deserving novelties. Our exhibitions are crude
in method, faulty in manner of making awards
or interesting the public. In every branch of
activity there is room for better system. The
arrangement of flowers, the planting of garden
beds or the larger operations of beautifying an
estate or creating a landscape picture, in many
of which, as we see them from day to day, the
qualities of originality and artistic intelligence
in form and colour harmony are conspicuously
lacking, show conclusively the need for study
and self-education in artistic taste before we
are properly fitted to instruct the public. It is
the province of the florists' club to seek out and
apply the remedies for all these deficiencies, and
it becomes the duty of the craftsman in justice
to himself and his fellows to uphold in even-
possible day his local organisation, and do his
share towards the general advancement which
is sure to follow the fraternising of congenial
spirits whose material interests are identical.

Our Relations with Other Organisations.
There is nothing more to be desired to place
this organisation in a position of greatest use-
fulness than some system of direct affiliation
with existing or prospective special and local
organisations. Far from regarding these socie-
ties as a possible menace I look upon their
multiplication as distinctly to our advantage.
The field is practically limitless, and we can
well afford to nourish any and all well-meant
efforts to build up horticulture in any of its
branches. There is an infinity of specialised
detail and local work which the smaller and
more compact bodies can care for with an

efficiency far beyond the reach of a society con-
stituted as this is. Let them do it if they will,
and wherever and whenever the time comes
that they find their burden heavy and the road
rough, let us put our big shoulder to the wheel
and help them. On the contrary there are
movements where a successful consummation is
only possible under the capacious mantle of a
large national organisation. Events of the past
year have indicated to us how at any moment
we may be called upon to champion the cause
of some branch of the trade where strength of
numbers and national incorporation become
elements of great strength, and where the exist-
ence of a powerful representative body serves as
a restraint and defence against corporate plun-
der. I believe we should keep working on this
problem of closer relations until some feasible
plan of permanent affiliation and intelligent co-
operation has been evolved and a system of
specialised work established through these
auxiliary bodies.

Plant Registration.
A well-regulated system of plant nomenclature
is needed. It would be an element of great
stability if all registration of varietal names
could be recorded in one universally recognised
bureau. Whether this should be done direct by
the owner or first pass the scrutiny of a
specialised society, where such exists, is of little
consequence, provided it finally comes into the
custody of a central authority having the power
to follow up infringement and extend the fullest
protection within the law to the originator or
owner. This central authority, I believe, should
be the Society of American Florists and Orna-
mental Horticulturists.

Two Important Duties of the Society.

The time seems now ripe for us to insist
that horticulture be made a regular course in
our public school system. There can be no
question of the wisdom of this society's taking
an advanced position on this matter and foster-
ing liberally all movements for the dissemina-
tion of garden knowledge through this means.
Every argument on physical, mental and moral
grounds is on our side.

As a society we should lend aid and en-
couragement to any investigation or experimen-
tation for the purpose of stimulating the pro-
duction of any horticultural material for which
we have hitherto been obliged to depend upon
foreign sources of supply. " Made in America "
is an inscription too seldom seen on horticul-
tural goods. How can this organisation best
assist to that end? In the case of those goods
which we must import, there is room for a
better system and improved facilities in the
appraisers' department, and I hope our legisla-
tive committee will give this question the atten-
tion it deserves.

Parcels Post Needed.
The project of a parcels post is a reform
worthy of our hearty support. A cheaper and
more reliable means of distribution for packages
of limited size and weight, such as is enjoyed
in most European countries, would greatly
benefit the plant and bulb trade, and provide
the means for supplying the public at small
cost with plants of a size that might be seen
without the aid of a microscope and might be
nurtured into large specimens without the use
of an incubator. Were it not for the express
companies a parcels post would have been a
reality long ago — so we are told. The express
companies and the S.A.F. have been making
one another's acquaintance of late and find they
don't think alike on some things.

State Vice-Presidents ; Out-door
Exhibitions.

I am satisfied that the present system of
selecting State vice-presidents to represent this
society sectionally might be improved upon, and
would suggest that you consider the adoption
of some system whereby, in those localities
where any organisation exists, we might through
mutual arrangement confer upon the presiding
officer the honour of representing the S.A.F. in.
his territory during his term of office.

It is much to be regretted that the Executive
Board found conditions so unpropitious for an
outdoor exhibition of planted material in con-
nection with this convention that the project
had to be abandoned. It was hoped by many

176

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[August 31, 1907.

that the humble beginning made in Dayton
might be followed up, and that in time an
outdoor exhibit might be made a regular feature
of our conventions, but in a large city the diffi-
culties seem almost insurmountable. Wherever
circumstances permit I believe it will be good
policy to provide at least for a planting of such
novelties as cannot be properly presented in an
indoor exhibition.

National Flower Show.

As the National Flower Show project will be
reported' on at the proper time by the very
competent committee of fifty under the chair-
manship of my predecessor I will not take your
time now with any reference to it other than to
submit that it would be a grave mistake to make
any change from the time-honoured date for
holding our annual convention. If it is thought
wise to have a meeting at Chicago at the time
of the exhibition, let it be a special meeting
called as provided for in the by-laws. The pro-
position to merely meet formally in August so
as to comply with the constitutional require-
ments, and then adjourn over until the time
set for the flower show, would, I firmly believe,
very seriously affect the prosperity of the
society.

The Society's Good Record.

The birth of the Society of America l Florists
was the outcome of a conviction on the part
of its promoters that the horticultural interests
of America were ready to get together for mutual
advantage and the uplifting of their art. The
young society found the commercial florist, as a
rule, isolated and provincial because of the lack
of opportunity for any but the most limited
intercourse and interchange of opinion and ex-
perience. Not one society, club or periodical
devoted primarily to the interests of floriculture
existed on this continent. The best test of the
wisdom of the founding of any institution is
what it has been able to accomplish. Do you
not think that the seed sown 23 years ago has
borne good fruit? The yield might have
been increased many fold had everyone in the
profession who needed just this help taken ad-
vantage of it ; still, it is not too much to say
that the S.A.F. has been the underlying force
which has in this brief period placed American
floriculture on an eminence where it commands
the respect of the world, and that the splendid
confidence of its founders in the future magni-
tude of their profession has been well justified.
The spirit of progress which prompted them to
break the shackles of past isolation and secre-
tiveness and throw wide open the doors for a
general intellectual and material advancement
is still our best asset. We must allow free scope
to the mighty reserve forces of American horti-
culture and be constantly on the alert to see
and act upon every opening for strengthening
our hold upon the heart-strings of the profession.

What Conventions are Good for.
The society is to be congratulated on the
magnificent attendance at this meeting. Con-
ventions are always an incentive and encour-
agement. They give zest to work, feed the
intellect, enrich our literature. They are a uni-
fying force, establishing and cementing friend-
ships and bringing into advantageous contact
those who, although widely separated, are
actuated by a common purpose in life. I pity
the man who sees nothing to interest him here,
and finds no inspiration in such gatherings, no
strength to help him surmount the daily recur-
ring difficulties which are our common lot, no
advantage in the opportunity to inspect this
great industrial exhibition. Little does he realise
how great is his loss.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

At the last meeting of this association, held
at the R.H.S. Hall, Westminster, Mr. R. L.
Castle in the chair, 17 new members were
elected, bringing the total up to 1,095. Arrange-
ments were made for the preparation of a
certificate and diploma, after careful considera-
tion. A request having been received from
Newport, Monmouthshire, to hold a me ting,
the secretary was appointed delegate to deliver
an address on September 18. A conference on
"Examinations for Gardeners " will take place
at the Royal Botanic Society's Gardens,
Regent's Park, on September 12, at 6 o'clock.
/. W.

Amateurs at Flower Shows: Correspondent. The
term ' ' amateur ' ' is sometimes used to describe an
exhibitor who cultivates his own produce without
the aid of a trained gardener, but in other cases
it is used in a broader sense to distinguish a
private grower from a nurseryman, even though
the former employs a professional gardener. No
person who sells plants can be regarded as an
amateur, nor any person in the employ of a
nurseryman. If the schedule be made to read
"An amateur gardener who employs no pro-
fessional help." or "an amateur owner," the
distinctions will be sufficiently clear.

Aquatic Weeds : W. P. B. An article dealing
with the best methods of combating aquatic
weeds was given in the weekly Calendar on
" Public Parks and Gardens " in the issue for
May 25, 1907.

Black Pansy : F. C. P. There are several
varieties of deep purple, almost black, Pansies
already in commerce.

Book of Garden Receipts : H. &° G. The
Horticulturist's Rule Book, by L. H. Bailey,
the Garden Publishing Company, Ltd., New
York, U.S.A.

Carnations: G. C. There is evidence of the
puncture of small insects followed by an irrup-
tion of bacteria. The cultivation appears correct.

Fig.

-the death's head hawk moth
(acherontia atropos).

Caterpillar : W. S. The caterpillar is the
larva of the Death's Head Moth (Acherontia
atropos) (see fig. 73). It feeds frequently on
Potato plants.

Cattleya Leaves Damaged : Derby. The plants
have been attacked by thrips, which have pro-
bably resulted from cultivating the specimens
in too warm an atmosphere with insufficient
ventilation. Cut off the worst leaves and
sponge the plants occasionally with a diluted
insecticide. Admit more air to the structure
during warm weather.

Correction. — On p. 160 of the last issue Macro-
sporium ' rhabdiferum was inadvertently
printed M. rhaldiferum.

Cucumber Leaves : A.B. The leaves are spotted
by Oidium Balsami, and this is apparently
caused by the presence of too much moisture.
The Begonia leaves are not affected by any
disease.

Cucumbers : C. L. The fruit appears as if
starved for lack of proper and sufficient nutri-
ment. There is no disease present.

Fern : D. E. Not having arranged the ques-
tions to be submitted at the examination, we
cannot attempt to explain exactly the views
the examiners may have regarding their in-
terpretation. As a rule, it is best in such
cases for students to observe the literal read-
ing of the questions.

Grapes : T. II'. S. There is no disease on the
berries and no evidence in the Grapes them-
selves of the cause of the browning, which must
be due to some local condition.

Manures for Special Crops: Amateur. Sweet
Peas may be watered very occasionally with a
solution containing a quarter of an ounce each
of kainit and superphosphate of lime and an
eighth of an ounce each of nitrate of soda and

iron sulphate, to two gallons of water. You
should select plump corms of Gladioli for
planting in window-boxes, and plant them in
a rich, sandy loam. Great attention must be
given to the watering of all plants in window-
boxes.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants.— We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both oi
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits: II'. G. II". The Nectarine Peach.
The Grape resembles Canon Hall Muscat. — /.
Service and others. We cannot undertake to
name Peaches with any degree of certainty
unless particulars are sent as to whether the
tree bears large or small flowers and if the
flowers are richly coloured or pale. It is also
necessary to send us leaves for the examination
of the glands.

Plants : F. B. 1 & 2, varieties of Fuchsia
magellanica ; 3, Spirsea japonica ; 4, Spiraea
japonica bullata ; 5, Cornus macrophylla, ; 6,
C. sanguinea. — A. C F. Juniperus pseudo-
Sabina and Cupressus thyoides. — G. E. W.
Astrantia major. — J. P. 1. Clematis viticella ;
2, Sempervivum tortuosum variegatum ; 3,
Codiaeum (Croton) variegatum elegantissimum.
— F. T. Hypericum perforatum.

Odontoglossum Rossii : D. A. L. The variety
you send is distinct from the species and very
attractive, although not so showy as the best
richly-coloured varieties.

Plum Tree : IF. C. There is no local disease
in the leaves to cause the spotting and decaying.
No fungus appears until the spots are quite dead,
and then a small fungus — a species of Phoma —
occurs on the spots, but does not cause them.
Is it certain that the roots of the trees are in a
proper condition ?

Pronunciation of Plant Names : T. J. If you
have a copy of Nicholson's Dictionary of
Gardening you will find a pronouncing
dictionary in the supplement to that work.

Seedling Carnations: //. F. G. As far as
the variety can be judged from single flowers
only they appear to possess qualities that
should make them valuable garden plants.
But in order to ascertain whether they are
better than existing varieties it would be
necessary to compare the flowers, and to
have a knowledge of the habit of growth
possessed by your plants. The blooms are
certainly attractive, and they have non-
splitting calyces. Two of the best are num-
ber 2 of rosy-salmon colour, and number 4
rich maroon-crimson.

Sweet Pea : W. H . There is no fungus disease
present and nothing to account for the failure.
It must be due to some local cause.

Varieties of Nectarine: G. T. B. Humboldt
is a good Nectarine and may be forced satis-
factorily, but it is not one of the earliest.
Cardinal and River's Early ripen before all
others, and they force well. Lord Napier may
also be forced. Late fruiting varieties include
Spencer, Darwin and Milton, which are all
good sorts. Of early ripening Peaches, Hale's
Early and Duchess of Cornwall may be recom-
mended. These should be followed by Crimson
Galande and Bellegarde, and later by Lady
Palmerston, Sea Eagle, Golden Eagle, and
Thomas Rivers.

Communications Received. — A. W. — X. W. — E. W. &
Sons— \V. A. C.-D. D.-C. P. R— J. G.— Cassell & Co.—
C. T. D.— E. M. B.— A. K. B.— F. S.— F. J.-S. 1>. & Co.—
G.W.— J. C— C. S. P.— W. J. B.— E. H. J.— H. VV— W. ;
— E. G. P.— A. D. W— F. M.— H. S.— M. C.C.-T. S.—
S. A.-S — W. E. W.— E. B.— C. H.— F. H.— A. J. C—

E. M.— G.YV.-YV. C.-A. E. C— W. & S.— B. S.— H. W.—

F. E. J.— K. & Son-C. & Sons— J. H. C— S. H. J.-S. B.
—J. A. W.— W. H.— E. B.— A. U.S. & Sons-H. H.
Belgium— W. B. H— Dr. Henry— R. L. C.

September 7, 1907.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

177

THE

(Sarbcncrs'Cbtonicle

No. 1,080.— SATURDAY, September 7, 1907.

CONTENTS.

American blight on

Apple trees 186

Books, notices of —

Economic Mycology 179

Journal of Agricul-
tural Science ... 185

Lectures on Plant
Physiology 179

Phenology 184

Studies in Plant Life 186
Bulb garden, the —

Lilinm sulpbureum ... 179
Carnation, a pink variety

of the Clove 187

Cladrastis tinctoria

flowering at Kew ... 186
Conference on plant

hardiness in America,

forthcoming 185

Currant-bud mite, the... 189
Currants, a disease of... 180
Cyclamen seeds, the

sowing of 188

Eucryphia pinnatifolia 188
Florist's business, an

ancient 185

Fruit crops, remarks on

the condition of the ... 180
Gerbera Jamesoni ... 186
Glasgow Parks, a note

on the 187

Hampton Court Gardens 177

Hemerocallis, some new

varieties of

Insect pests of fruit trees
Lawns, a sweeper for ...
Orchid Notes and Glean-
ings—

Odontoglossum Am-
neris

O. x Amonasro
Orchids, some lesser

known, a lecture on ...
Potatos, trials of
School gardens at Ley-
ton

Shrewsbury Flower

Show, the judging at
Societies —

Royal Horticultural ...

National Dahlia

Reading Horticultural
Vegetable growers in

Canada, an association

of

Verbena Maboneti
Week's work, the —

Apiary, the

Flower garden, the ...

Fruits under glass ...

Hardy fruit garden ...

Kitchen garden, the ...

Orchid houses, the ...

Parks and gardens ...

Plants under glass ...

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Avenue of pollarded Elms at Hampton Court

Black Currant shoots affected with Glceosporium

Cladrastis tinctoria flowering in Kew Gardens

Dutch Garden at Hampton Court (Supplementary
Illustration)

Flower-bed at Hampton Court, a

Flowering shoot of Cladrastis tinctoria

Hampton Court, a flower border at

Lychnis grandiflora

188
185
188

178
178

191

184

188

188

189
192
191

186

188

183

182
1«3
183
183
182
182
182

179
180
186

177
187
178
189

HAMPTON COURT GARDENS,

[See Figures 74, 75, and 76, also Supplementary
Illustration.]

THE great charm of these public gar-
dens is in the mingling of the older
style with the more modern manner of
flower-gardening. Probably no public gar-
den has made the same advance in the mat-
ter of decorative gardening as that at Hamp-
ton Court, during the twelve years or there-
abouts that Mr. J. A. Gardiner has filled the
position of superintendent.

Not many years ago the quarter called the
Wilderness was a very uninteresting part of
the garden, with gravel walks winding
among Laurels and other ordinary shrubs.
At the present time its features are really
more in conformity with wild nature than
before, for it is planted with a representa-
tive collection of flowering and foliage shrubs,
and in its centre, on the site of a former rub-
bish heap, has been constructed a rootery,
and this is planted with Ferns, Alpine, and
trailing plants. Tall Bamboos, pillars of
Wichuraiana Roses, species of Rubus, Cle-
matis, &c, are planted thereabouts. The
stretch of water in this portion of the
grounds, whose banks were formerly clad in
:he manner familiar on the backwaters of the
rhames, is now beautified by gigantic Gun-
leras and similar foliage plants, a collection
n Irises, and representatives of many other
slants which thrive in marshy ground and
have been planted at the sides of the water-

course. The surface of this water is orna-
mented by the fine foliage and the showy
flowers of Water Lilies for which the gardens
are noted.

The flower-border on the east front (see
fig. 75) is about a quarter of a mile in length.
Our illustration represents this border in its
spring garb of Forget-me-nots, Tulips, Vio-
las, Crocuses, &c, with Wistaria chinensis
blooming on the wall. Now it is brilliant
with Phloxes, Asters, Fuchsias, Violas, and
a variety of flowering plants, both annual and
perennial. The subjects are cleverly disposed
in order that there shall be as little repeti-
tion as possible throughout the whole length
of the border. The more important Subjects
are planted in groups, each kind being
massed together separately. Chrysanthe-
mums have been in flower since July, and
they will continue to brighten this border
until winter arrives; Bouvardia Humboldtii
corymbiflora is bearing large masses of

ally good this season. The method adopted of
planting several sets of plants of different
heights is eminently suited for large flower-
beds, as it admits of the use of a variety of
subjects and at the same time adds to' the
scenic importance. A good example of these
beds is seen in fig. 74. This has a very effec-
tive appearance and is composed of Violas,
Yellow Broom, and Rhododendrons (Azaleas).
Among the whole of the large number of
these flower-beds not two are alike. One
very pretty bed is furnished with grafted
standard plants of Abutilon megapotamicum
growing over the purple-flowered Salvia
Horminum, and carpeted with variegated
Holcus and dwarf Cockscombs, an edging
of Echeveria glauca completing the whole.
Another bed is planted with pyramid golden-
leafed Fuchsias, white and green Abutilon
Savitzii, pyramid Iresines, and Acalyphas
with a base of variegated Veronicas. In
several beds the double pink variety of

[Photograph bv W.J. Vascy.
FlG. 74. — A FLOWER-BED AT HAMPTON COURT.

its white, fragrant flowers; Calceolaria
Burbidgei furnishes good, light yellow
colour ; patches of blue are formed by
Salvia patens, and other species of Salvia
furnish masses of brilliant scarlet-coloured
flowers. Cuphea platycentra appears in
bushes covered with tubular red flowers,
Cassia corymbosa, Streptosolen Jamesonii,
Plumbago capensis, various Abutilons, Aga-
panthus umbellatus, and other showy flower-
ing plants commonly seen in greenhouses are
in great beauty in this border. Asclepias
curassavica, groups of the Tiger Lily (Lilium
tigrinum) ; the white I., longiflorum, Lantana
salvafolia, Mina lobata, and countless showy
perennials lend variety and are displayed to
the best advantage.

The numerous flower-beds facing to the
east front of the Palace have been exception-

tuberous rooting Begonia " Major Hope "
forms a pleasing display, but in each bed a
different variety of plant is used to form the
taller subject, and variation in the edging
is also insisted upon so that the beds will
not be alike. When seen at a distance,
the taller plants in the beds catch the
eve first, and of these, the flowering Cam-
panula pyramidalis, Cannas, Lilies, standard
Heliotropes, tall Hydrangea paniculata, and
Fuchsias are the more prominent subjects.
A nearer view reveals the beauties of the
second highest tier of plants in Verbena
venosa, flowering Pelargoniums, Begonias,
Celosias, &c, and a close inspection the more
delicate effects of the varied carpetings and
edgings of the beds. This style of bedding
is specially suitable for large gardens.

Stately links with past ages are afforded by

178

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 7, 1907.

the fine rows of aged Yews (some of which
may be seen at the back of the flower-
bed illustrated at fig. 74) and the shady
avenue of Elms (fig. 76), all of which are
said to have been planted at about the year
1690. The Elms are nearly all hollow, and
they do not appear to have increased in size
for many years, although they are carefully
tended and everything possible done to keep
them in health. The shoots are cut back
every year, to be replaced by a similar scanty
crop of leaf-bearing twigs in the following
season, and this trimming helps to preserve
their old-time appearance. Several of the
trees, however, are in an enfeebled condition,
although, like the proverbial creaking door,
they may yet hang long on the hinges.

On the way to the vinery, which contains
the historical vine— again well-cropped de-
spite its great age — is encountered the Dutch
or Tudor Garden shown in the supplementary
illustration. This old-time feature is care-
fully retained in the original form, and as
many old-fashioned flowers as possible are
used for its embellishment. The centre rises
in a grassy cone, from the middle of which a
spreading jet of water falls into the basin
below, which is planted with coloured varie-
ties of Water Lilies. The walks are formed
of irregularly-fitting paving-stones, and be-
tween these stones, Stonecrops, Cerastums,
Spergula, and other low-growing plants
appear, the mossy surface of the stones being
in keeping with the general effect.

In the flower-beds are varieties of Dian-
thus, Violas, Marigolds, Candytufts, Antir-
rhinums, Verbenas, and many scented flowers
both annual and perennial. At the back of
the surrounding border rise the tall inflores-
cences of Sunflowers, brightly-coloured
Thloxes, Larkspurs, Hollyhocks, Foxgloves,
&c, and Sedums, Saxifragas, and many
Alpine flowers appear in the irregularly-
planted front. This pretty garden being en-
closed forms a pleasant retreat, and, owing
to the great variety of flowers used in its
adornment, it is an interesting spot for all
who delight in gardening.

From early spring until late winter the
gardens at Hampton Court are bright with
a display of flowers. Beginning with the
Iris reticulata and Chionodoxas peeping
through the snow, they are soon followed by
myriads of Crocuses, Snowdrops, Tulips, and
Daffodils that appear in the grassy slopes
around the Wilderness, and on the borders
of the long stretch of water. Probably these
early spring flowers are more admired than
the later brilliant show of summer-blooming
plants. In autumn Michaelmas Daisies,
Dahlias, perennial Helianthus, Chrysanthe-
mums, and other flowering plants prolong
the season of flowering well into winter, and
when flowers are no longer possible outside,
the beds are planted with low-growing,
ornamental shrubs. A reserve of plants is
kept ready in the nursery, so that any fail-
ures in the beds may be immediately re-
placed.

Mr. J. A. Gardiner, it will be remembered,
has been appointed superintendent of the
London Central Parks, in succession to the
late Mr. Jordan, and Mr. A. Sprigings, who
has long acted as foreman under Mr. Gar-
diner, is to succeed that gentleman in the
management of the gardens at Hampton
Court.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ODONTOGLOSSUM AMNERIS.

Kegeljani ciustatum

1 !

I

CRISTATELLUM

I

Hallii Harrvanum

1 I

I

Crawshayanum

I

I

Amneris

The above interesting pedigree of plants bear-
ing flowers, principally brown, overlaid upon a
yellow ground colour, yields, as might be ex-
pected, another member of the great Harryanum
family in which that potent species is at once
recognisable, for though there are three other
species concerned, it dominates in this resultant
cross to about three-quarters of its appearance.

The sepals and petals are narrow, and, in
form, like O. Harrvanum. The colouring is of

coloured more or less, for in O. cristatellum the
anther cap is dark brown.

The influence of the heavy blotch in the lip
of O. cristatellum is strong ; the ? parent of
this cross is the <? parent of one of my crosses
upon O. crispum with unblotched lip, and it
produced O. Urania, all of which are heavily
blotched on the- lip. Such comparisons are
interesting.

ODONTOGLOSSUM x AMONASRO.

O. X CRISTATELLUM ? X O. X H.ARRYANDM <? .

The female parent of this plant is a far
superior variety to the female parent of O.
Amneris, being rounder, broader, brighter yel-
low in the ground-colour, and of deeper blotch-
ing. Its lip also is almost covered with deep
brown, the spikes being long and arching, hav-
ing carried as many as seventeen flowers ; this
will account for the differences in these two
plants as they develop in the future.

This cross shows in an unmistakable manner

{Photograph by W. J. Vasey.
FlG. 75. — PORTION OF THE FLOWER BORDER, UNDER WISTARIA-CLAD WALL, EXTENDING ALONG

THE FRONT WALK AT HAMPTON COURT.

light chestnut-brown upon a greenish-yellow
ground, which shows through in a few distinct
bars, and at the base of the petals, is the usual
slight purplish shade suffused into the brown.
The petals stand forward at an angle of 45° to
the plane of the flower.

The lip is the prominent feature, 1 x J-inch,
bright sulphury-yellow, three parts of it being
covered by a brown blotch that has a slight
suffusion of lilac ; extending along the side for
half way are lines of similarly coloured pencil-
lings.

The crest closely resembles that of O. Harry-
anum, the wings being a little thicker and more
expanded.

The anther cap is yellow, as in O. Harryanum,
but I have no doubt subsequent ones will be

the powerful influence of the smaller-flowered
species O. cristatum, acting through the female
parent, on the larger flower of O. Harryanum,
and in this characteristic it is comparable to 0.
Lindleyanum, acting through O. Wattianum
in O. Ariadne (see Gardeners' Chronicle, August
10, 1907, page 101).

In form and colour the flower is a very large
edition of the female parent, excepting the lipi
which combines the character of both parents,
but O. Harryanum in the less degree.

The sepals and petals are covered, as to the
outer half, with rich, blackish-brown, and the
inner half is closely spotted on a greenish, i
bright yellow ground.

The lip is almost white, but shaded slightly
with yellow here and there, resembling in

September 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

179

form that of luteo-purpureum havinj a broad
base and slightly expanded blade, the front
much rolled into the apiculus, which is very
marked in the female parent. The ke^Is and
five pairs of large filaments form a very beauti-
ful crest, which is yellow lined with brown.

The column is yellow, the stigma very large
and round, the wings large and quite unlacerate,
widely margined with brown. The anther cap
is deep brown, de B. Crawshay.

THE BULB GARDEN.

LILIUM SULPHUREUM.
When this Lilium was first introduced into
this country there was divergence of opinion as
to its proper name. In the Gardeners' Chronicle,

varies considerably ; 5 feet to 6 feet is the aver-
age in the open, but when grown under glass it
becomes much taller, and a plant in the green-
house at Kew is 11 feet in height. One of the
Kew specimens has developed 10 flowers, whilst
others have eight and five. The tubular blooms
are slightly pendant, 9 inches in length, and
they measure 7 to 8 inches in diameter. The
interior of the tube is yellow, and this fades
towards the edge until it becomes a creamy-
white ; the exterior surface is tinged with purple,
which is of a deeper shade in the flowers grown
in the open. The blooms exhale a delightful
odour.

Lilium sulphureum should be given a loamv
soil rather than one containing peat. The stock
may be easily increased from bulbils, which are
freely produced in the axils of the leaves on the

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

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[Ptiotogtaph by W. J. Vasey.
FlG. 76. — AVENUE OF POLLARDED ELMS AT. HAMPTON COTRT. (Seep. 178.)

October 24, 1891, p. 480, Mr. J. G. Baker de-
scribes it under the name of L. Wallichianum
var. superbum. A coloured plate published in
the previous year in The Garden bears the
name L. ochroleucum. Eventually the plant
was made a distinct species and named L. sul-
phureum, under which name it is figured in the
Botanical Magazine, tab. 7257, and Gardeners'
Chronicle, September 15, 1906, p. 180.

The plant first flowered in this country in
Messrs. Hugh Low and Company's nursery, and
was exhibited by this firm at the meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society on June 25, 1889,
when it received a First-Class Certificate from
the Floral Committee. The height of the plant

upper half of the stem. When fully matured the
bulbils should be harvested, and be dibbled at
once into sandy soil in boxes. The following
year they should be planted in a framo or in a
situation in the open that can be protected fm*~>
severe weather. The bulbs will flower when
from three to five years old.

L. sulphureum can be cultivated quite easily
in pots, but much better results are obtained by
planting the bulbs in a bed or border of the
conservatory or greenhouse. The best group of
this Lilium I have seen in the open air was
planted in the ordinary soil of a suburban gar-
den, with a little lime rubble and chicken
manure mixed with it at the time the bulbs were
planted. In Devonshire and Cornwall it does
splendidly in the open. D. D.

Economic Mycology.*

It is satisfactory that efforts are no'w made in
this country to follow the example pursued for
so many years in the United States of America
of publishing from agricultural colleges and
stations periodical reports on the various fungous
diseases which, from time to time, attack culti-
vated plants. It has long been a source of regret
that little or no effort has been made to dis-
seminate trustworthy information on these
diseases, with suggestions for their treatment.

The present report commences with that pre-
valent disease, the "brown rot " of Cherries,
which also attacks Apples and other succulent
fruits, giving a description of the disease, and
methods by which it should be attacked.

This is followed by the " Cherry leaf scorch,"
a more recent disease, which has of late years
seriously affected the Cherry orchards in some
parts of Kent. This communication is illus-
trated by excellent plates, and is almost exhaus-
tive of the subject.

Following upon this, the Apple Scab, or
" black spot " comes in for notice. The dis-
ease appears to be unusually prevalent this year,
and is evidently the cause of severe losses to
Apple growers all over the country. Here, again,
the information is of the most practical kind,
well illustrated, and embodying many useful
suggestions.

The " Crown gall of Lucerne " is one of the
most modern of agricultural pests, and it is now
brought to the notice of farmers, in many in-
stances, for the first time.

The " European Gooseberry-mildew," with
especial reference to its attacks on Red Currant,
follows, and occupies the remainder of 25 out of
the total of 58 pages.

From this point forwards the report is occu-
pied by " The American Gooseberry-mildew in
England, and the need for legislation." And
here I regret to find that the reporter abandons
his function of imparting information. From
this point, therefore, I must leave the report to
justify itself, inasmuch as I fail to recognise
the good taste of introducing methods of per-
sonal recrimination into departmental reports.
.1/. C. C.

Lectures on Plant PHYSiOLOGY.f

By the recent issue of a translation by Prof.
R. J. Harvey Gibson of Dr. Ludwig Jost's
Lectures on Plant Physiology, students of botany
in this country are once more indebted to the
triple alliance of German scholarship, a good
translator, and the Clarendon Press. In a sub-
stantial 8vo. volume of nearly 600pp., with 172
illustrations, Dr. Jost has compressed a thor-
ough survey of the whole field of plant physi-
ology in the light of present knowledge. It is
probably unequalled as an up-to-date treatise.
For the first time the recent researches of
Haberlandt, Nemec, Correus, De Vries, Czapek,
Pfeffer, and others are available to English
readers in a single text-book of reasonable
size.

The German edition appeared in 1903, and in
its present form we are fortunate in having the
author's corrections and additions up to 1906.

The 43 lectures are classed in three groups, treat-
ing respectively of Metabolism (plant chemistry,
absorption, and conduction of water, assimila-
tion of carbon and nitrogen, respiration, etc.),
Metamorphosis (growth, reproduction, heredity,
and variation), and Movement (transformation
of energy and response to stimuli).

Although a work covering. so wide a field must
of necessity be a compilation, yet the present
volume is something more than this. Dr. Jost

• Reports of the South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye,
by E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., Hon. F.R.H.S.

t Lectures on Plant Physioloev, by Dr. Ludwig Jost,
translated by Prof. R. J. Harvey Gibson. Clarendon Press,
Oxford. Price 21s. and 24s. net.

180

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 7, 1907.

is a competent critic, and preserves an indepen-
dent attitude throughout. The author, while
pointing out the difficulties in the way of accept-
ing certain arguments and theories, is never in a
hurry to put forward an alternative explanation,
or to substitute a solution of his own. He keeps
in touch with current work and new views, but
preserves an open mind, and does not hazard a
positive opinion unless sufficient evidence has
been accumulated on cne side or the other.
Thus the indefiniteness and inconclusiveness of
several of the lectures, whilst a true reflection of
the present state of our knowledge, will be dis-
appointing to those who like to take opinions
and judgments ready made. Yet it is just this
judicious and critical attitude which makes the
book one of peculiar value to the genuine stu-
dent, for it trains him to think for himself, and
leaving him unsatisfied, tempts him to follow up
the points in question by reference to the origi-
nal authorities (which are quoted in the biblio-
graphies appended to each chapter), or even to
attempt to solve them on lines of his own.

We do, however, find here and there expres-
sions of the author's opinion stated in no uncer-
tain fashion, and these are of interest as indicat-
ing his point of view in regard to some of the
prominent questions. For example : " As our
knowledge increases, the distinction between the
different types of variation may be broken
down ; still, it is certain that mutability will re-
main the chief, if not the only factor in species
formation " — psge 395. " To attribute to the
chromosomes, or, indeed, to the nucleus at all,
the exclusive possession of the initials [here-
ditary factors or units] is a view which has in
no sense been justified. . . . We conclude that
the chromosomes are not definite organs of the
cell . . . they are re-formed at each division,
and hence the chief basis for believing them to
be transmitters of hereditary characters disap-
pears " — p. 378. " We . . . regard it as estab-
lished that the supposed distinction between
somatic and germ-cells does not in reality exi^t
at all " — p. 380. With reference to Haberlandt's
" light-perceptive organs," Dr. Jost says : " The
experimental evidence in favour of the function
of the ocular cells will scarcely stand critical
investigation " — p. 475. In the two lectures on
Geotropism, we have an excellent, though
necessarily brief, summary of the various
theories of graviperception, statolithic and
otherwise. It is noteworthy that the author
never digresses into mere hypothesis and vague
theory, but keeps throughout in close touch with
objective facts, and makes reference in practic-
ally every paragraph to facts and experiments
on which the theories are founded.

In a book so replete with details, it is
important that each subject should be easy of
reference, and in this connection we could have
wished for a more complete index.

There is a good summary of the contents at
the commencement, but why in the table are
some portions of the contents grouped in chap-
ters, when in the body of the book there are
no such divisions?

We do not, however, wish to end in a tone of
criticism, but rather in one of gratitude to all
concerned in the production of this admirable
book.

GLCEOSPORIUM DISEASE OF

CURRANTS.

The Glceosporium disease of Currants is a
leaf disease. Affected leaves are covered with
numerous brownish, confluent spots, in which
small cushions of spore-masses are visible under
the microscope. The leaves begin to curl and
e\entually fall off: This generally occurs at the
time the fruits are in full development, and, in
consequence, they experience a sudden check in
their growth, and begin to prematurely colour,
shrivel and to drop. The accompanying illustra-
tion shows three twigs of a Black Currant bush
almost defoliated. I have been told by a

large grower of Black Currants that the disease
has caused this year more damage to the fruit
crop than was ever the case with the " Big
Bud" mite (Eriophyes ribis).

The fungus causing this disease formed an
interesting memoir by Dr. Klebahn in Zeit-
schrift fiir PflanzcnkrankSiiiten, Vol. xvi., pp.
65-83. We find that the following species of the
fungus cause similar' injury on : —

Gooseberry = Glceosporium ribis (Lib.) Mont,
et Desm.

Red and White Currant = Glceosporium ribis
(Lib.) Mont, et Desm.

Black Currant = Glceosporium curvatum,
Oudemans (Mat. flor. Need. II. 28).

Dr. Klebahn, through a series of experiments,
proves that the fungus hitherto known as Glceo-
sporium ribis, is only a form of a higher fungus,
which he succeeded in cultivating. He observed
on leaves, which had fallen to the ground and

Fig. 77. — shoots of black currant bush
affected with glceosporium.-

remained there through the winter, a form which
developed from the Glceosporium, and was
similar to the well-known Larch canker fungus
Pseudopeziza Willkommii. He kept this fungus,
to which he gave the name Pseudopeziza ribis,
under observation, and established by experi-
ments that the spores of the latter form developed
into the same Glceosporium, with which he
succeeded in re-infecting Currants.

The fungus which caused the injury on the
Blai k Currants, as illustrated, is described as
< Hoeosporium curvatum, a different species, with
the spores of which no injury could be pro-
duced by infecting Red or White Currants, but
affection was readily made on Black Currants.
From the evidence of the fungus on Red and

White Currants, it may safely be concluded that
this fungus (G. curvatum) may yet either prove
to be identical with G. ribis, or that it possesses
another Pseudopeziza form. The work of Dr.
Klebahn is so recent, that no experiments with
the Black Currant fungus have been reported in
Germany, and it seems doubtful that there will
be any, because the culture of the Black Currant
in Germany is being very little practised.

This question is of more importance to Eng-
lish observers, and I hope, by the means of
these lines, to find some independent co-
workers ! Though this investigation is more or
less laboratory work, yet it is of economical
value also, for it plainly illustrates the harm
resulting from the bad practice of letting the
leaves decay under the bushes ; they should be
collected and burned in all instances where the
plants have been attacked.

Recent experiments dealing with the cure of
this disease have been published by Dr. Ewert,
of Proskau, whose interesting memoir on " Seed-
less Fruits " will still be in the memory of the
readers of this journal (see Gardeners' Chronicli
for May 18, 1907).

Dr. Ewert made experiments in a plantation of
Red and White Currants (see Zeitschrift fiir
Pflanzenkrankhciten, Vol. xvii., pp. 158-169),
which showed pronounced injury by Pseudope-
ziza ribis, Klebahn (Glceosporium ribis (Lib.)
Mont, et Desm. I. He treated some of the in-
fested bushes with copper solutions and left
some untreated. The solutions mainly em-
ployed were 1 per cent, and 4 per cent, solutions
of the Bordeaux mixture, and 1 per cent, solution
of^basic acetate of copper, known as verdigris.
He began spraying on April 4, and sprayed
twice each week until May 30, with 1 per cent,
and 4 per cent, solutions of the Bordeaux mix-
ture and 1 per cent, solution of verdigris. The
fruits were harvested on July 10 and 11, and the
experiments showed plainly that the bushes
treated were almost all free from disease, whilst
those left untreated lost all their leaves. The
results further showed that spraying till the
middle of April was of no marked result.
Thus it is obvious that the main time of infec-
tion is during the month of May. It is import-
ant to further state the results obtained by spray-
ing with 1 per cent, or 4 per cent. Bordeaux
mixture, or 1 per cent, solution of verdigris.
The Bordeaux mixture undoubtedly takes the
first place, because the verdigris solution
showed a pronounced injurious influence on the
foliage. Though the 1 per cent, solution of Bor-
deaux mixture has been employed for nine con-
secutive weeks, twice weekly, it by no means
completely arrested the disease, though the dis-
ease certainly lost in virulence. The 4 per cent,
solution of Bordeaux mixture left plain bluish
incrustations on the leaves, and it was feared
that the assimilation capacity of the leaves would
suffer; these fears were realised, though the in-
jury resulting from spraying with a 4 per cent,
solution was much the smaller evil of the two.
The rains washed off much of the fungicide. The
experiments prove that copper solutions, especi-
ally the Bordeaux mixture, are excellent reme-
dies for the Glceosporium disease. Though the
author, in his experiments, deals only with Red
and White Currants, there can be little hesita-
tion in saying that a like treatment of all in-
fected species or varieties of Ribes will prove
equally successful. In conclusion, it is to be
said that the Glceosporium disease is a malady
of "old age." Bushes and leaves of even the
more susceptible varieties must have attained
a certain age before they are attacked. H. T.
Giissow.

REMARKS ON THE CONDITION
OF THE FRUIT CROPS.

(See Tables and Summaries, ante, //>. S4-90.)

(Continued from page 172.)

7.— ENGLAND, N.W.

Cumberland. — Considering the continued
cold and wet weather, the fruit crops in this
district are remarkably good. Green and black
aphis, however, have been very troublesome, but
on trees which were sprayed with an insecticid
the results generally are good. Gooseberries.
Black, Red, and White Currants are much over
an average in quantity. Strawberries were pleri 1
tiful, and, being backward, the fine weather i'

September

1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

181

July greatly benefited these fruits. The soil in
these gardens is of a light, sandy nature.
William Sect!, Eden Hall Gardens, Lanrwathby
R.S.O.

The promise of a good Apple crop was

excellent up to the second week of May, but
the cold, sunless weather, with frequent rains,
after that date caused the fruits to set badly : a
few varieties of Apple trees are carrying fair
crops. All fruit will be very late in ripening
this year. The Loganberry is fruiting splen-
didly ; the berries are excellent for jam-making,
and it is a valuable addition amongst hardy
fruits. Our soil is a light loam, resting on a
sub-soil of bastard clay. Thomas Tunstall,
Carleton House Gardens, Penrith.

Lancashire. — We have good crops of all kinds
of fruits with the exception of Apples, which are
a total failure. Many Apple trees are without a
single fruit, whilst another tree of the same
variety close by is carrying a fair crop. Old
Apple trees have made a few inches of growth
only. I attribute the failure of the Apple crop
to the continuous rains, for, during a period of
70 days, only five were without rain. Wm. P.
Roberts, Cuerden Hall Gardens, Preston.

The excessive rains and cold weather

adversely affected the fruit crops, especially on
our cold, heavy soil, and the early promise of
an abundant yield is not realised. Black fly has
been very troublesome on trees bearing stone
fruits, and green fly on Currant bushes. Cater-
pillars have not been quite so troublesome this
season as in former years. Strawberries decayed
on the ground instead of ripening. Our soil is
a cold, heavy loam on a subsoil of clay. The
aspect of the gardens is to the north-west, so
that crops are always late in maturing. E. F.
Hazel/on, Knowsley Card its, Prescot.

The fruit crops, and especially Apples

and Pears, in this district have suffered greatly
from an absence of sunshine and continued low
temperatures, followed by an incessant rainfall
during the time the trees were in bloom. On
April 17 9° of frost were registered, with the
result that many of the fruits on early varieties
of Pear trees dropped and the same thing hap-
pened with early Apples. Small bush fruits are
a good average yield, especially Black Currants,
Raspberries, and Loganberries. Strawberries
have been very poor in quality, while many of
the berries and much of the foliage have been
attacked with mildew. B. Cromwell, Clevcley
Gardens, A Her ton.

The late spring frosts occurring whilst

the trees were in full bloom and heavy with
moisture caused much damage to the Plum
and Damson crops in this neighbourhood.
Apples also suffered severely from these causes,
and Pears to a lesser extent. Some varieties of
Apple trees are carrying full crops" of fruits, and
others have none. Of Pears, Louise Bonne of
Jersey, Marie Louise, Easter Beurre, Beurre
d'Amanlis, Beurre d'Aremberg, Beurre Diel, and
Doyenne du Cornice are the best fruited. Plums,
with the exception of Victorias, are a failure.
Strawberries suffered from the excessive rains,
and many of the best fruits rotted before they
were ripe. Taken altogether, the present is the
worst fruit season in my experience of nearly
40 years. Our soil is a dark, sandy loam, gener-
ally overlying white sand. Ben Ashton, Lai horn
House Gardens, Ormskirk.

Westmoreland.— Apple trees when in bloom
promised well for a plenteous crop, but the con-
tinued wet, cold, and sunless weather during
May and the early part of June ruined the
fruits. Pears have also suffered from the same
causes. Wall trees of Victoria and Gage Plums
set heavy crops of fruits, and many have had to
beremoved. All crops are very backward, and
unless bright weather ensues I am afraid many
of the hardy fruits will not ripen. Our soil is
a strong loam resting on clay. F. Clarke, Low-
ther Castle Gardens, Penrith.

The Apple crop is very light in these

gardens. Many trees are quite barren of
fruits. Pears on wall trees are very sparse.
The weather last year was dull, and the
wood did not mature, and cold and wet weather
prevailed this year when the trees were
in bloom. Strawberry Royal Sovere'gn always
crops well with us, but requires replanting
every third year. W. A. Miller, Underley Gar-
dens, Kirkby Lonsdale.

3.— ENGLAND, S.W.
Cornwall.— Small fruits are plentiful and
extremely good in quality. Strawberries have
failed for the first time in eight years ; cutting
winds prevailed when these plants were in
flower, and cold rains fell just before the fruits
were ripe. Apricots are a splendid crop. In
spite of protection, the severe weather of winter,
and fierce gales accompanied with hail showers
when the trees started into growth, killed some
Peach trees and crippled many others. The
growth of Apple and Pear trees has greatly im-
proved with the warmer weather. A. C. Bar/lett,
Pcncarrow Gardens.

In March the fruit crops promised well,

but the cold, wet weather during the three suc-
ceeding months completely ruined the fruits,
excepting those of Peach and Nectarine,
which are plentiful. These will be later
than usual in ripening, but they promise
to be of excellent quality. Small fruits
are very plentiful. The soil in this district
is _ very light in texture, and dries very
quickly, even after lung periods of rain. Alfred
S. Read, Port Eliot Gardens, St. Germans.

— — The Apple crop in this district is almost
a failure. One farmer informed me that in two
orchards he can count but four Apples on all
the trees. Pears are also very few in number.
The heavy rains spoilt quantities of Straw-
berries. Currants, < ,i » seberries, and Rasp-
berries are abundant. The soil here is a light,
sandy loam. W. H. Bennett, Menabilly, Par
Station.

Devonshire.— An abundance of blossom on
all fruit trees set well, but the cold, sunless
weather, with occasional frosts, thinned the
fruits. In favoured positions the trees have
heavy crops, but, generally, they are carrying
a thin crop. The continued cold weather and
heavy rains during April, May, and up to mid-
June, have caused to be average what promised
to be phenomenally heavy crops. Andrew //,>/<
38, Prospect Park, Exeter.

With the exception of small fruits, the

fruit crops are a failure in this part of Devon.
Continuous fogs at the time the trees were in
blossom greatly contributed to the failure. The
blossoms were plentiful, and I believe that the
deleterious matter in the fogs was the cause of
the foliage becoming burned. The leaves of
Peach trees are much blistered ; Gooseberries
and Strawberries are the heaviest crops I have
known. The foliage of Black Currant bushes is
much blighted, and the fruits are not swelling.
Geo. Baker, Membland Gardens, Near Plymouth.
. ~ Almost all kinds of fruit, with the excep-
tion of Apples upon Standard trees, are more or
less plentiful. Pears are an average crop.
Stone fruits are present in quantity, with the ex-
ception of Cherries. The trees have made a
free growth, and notably those of Apricot,
Peach, and Nectarine, while the two last-named
are remarkably free from "blister or curl."
Strawberries have been a heavy crop, but the
early berries decayed somewhat badly. Givons'
Late Prolific furnished a late supply of brightly-
coloured and highly-flavoured fruits. Straw-
berries succeed well on our deep, sandy loam
which rests on the old red sandstone, fame's
Mayne, Bicton Gardens, East Budleigh.

Apple and Pear trees promised heavy

crops of fruits, but cold winds caused the fruits
to drop freely after they were set. Peach, Nec-
tarine, and Apricot trees all set very heavy
crops. Strawberries, generally, were good, al-
though many were spoiled by" the wet weather,
berries, Black Currants, and Raspberries
are all plentiful and of good quality. Red Cur-
rants are an average crop. Peaches", Nectarines,
Cherries, Red and Black Currants have all been
badly affected with aphis, and the foliage and
shoots have required frequent sprayings and
washings. Our soil is a rich and fairly heavy
loam of volcanic origin, and overlying the red
sandstone formation. /. Coutts, Killerton
Gardens, Broadclyst.

With the exception of Plums, there was

an abundance of blossom on all fruit trees, and
the promise for heavy crops of fruits was good.
Notwithstanding this, the fruit crops are the
worst for some years past. About half the
flowers on Strawberry plants were " blind," and
the fruit that ripened was very indifferent. Dur-
ing Jul.V Ir°st was registered on several nights.
T. H. Slade, Poltimore Gardens, Exeter.

Gloucestershire.— Many Apple trees de-
veloped but little blossom, and that which did
appear failed in some instances to set conse-
quently there are few Apples in this district.
Pear trees blossomed freelv, and we have a
good crop of this fruit." Cherries dropped
badly after they had set. Plums, Peai hes, N< 1 -
tarines, and Apricots are all plentiful. Goose-
berries are a heavy crop, also Red and Black
Currants. Superlative Raspberries are carrying
excellent crops of good fruits. Strawberries
have done well, but some of the berries rotted
before they ripened. The soil here is variable ;
some trees are growing in a sandy, and others in
a clayey loam. The subsoil consists of the old
red sandstone. John Banting, Tortworth Gar-
dens, Fal field.

Apple and Pear trees blossomed abun-
dantly, but owing to cold winds and blight most
of these fruits have dropped. Stone fruits, in-
cluding Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Peaches, and
Nectarines have needed severe thinning. Goose-
berries, Currants, and Raspberries are good, and
much above the average in quantity. Straw-
berries have been a good crop, but many of the
earlier fruits decayed owing to continued rains.
Strawberry Givons' Late Prolific furnished
splendid fruits of excellent flavour and high
< ilour. Our soil is a light loam resting- on lime-
stone rock. F. C. Walton, Stanley Park Gar-
dens, Stroud.

Apple trees produced an abundant ol

bl m. Early kinds are above the average

in quantity. Late-keeping varieties are scarce.
Pears are an average crop. Early kinds are
greatly affected by the Pear-midge, though pre-
1 autions were taken to combat this pest. Man
kinds of Plums are plentiful, such as Victoria",
Monarch, and Golden Drop, but Greengages are
bad. The trees blossomed well, and set theil
fruits well under the protection of nets, but 1 II.
damp weather and rough winds caused many of
the fruits to drop. Of Cherries, Morellos are
good, but very late in ripening. The qold
season has adversely affected other kin
Peaches and Nectarines are above the average
in quantity, but a plague of wasps and flies ha
ruined many of the fruits out of doors. Apricots
are over the average in number, but later than
usual in ripening. All small fruits are good.
Strawberries were an abundant crop, and the
fruits were of good size, but they lacked flavour.
Givons' Late Prolific produced grand crops of
fruits. A. Chapman, Westonbirt Gardens, Tel-
bury.

Although the season has been very cold-,

the fruit crops generally are satisfactor}
Growth was very slow during May and June,
and all trees suffered from blight owing to the
cold winds and low temperatures. Apples are
an average crop. Pears set well after an abun-
dance of bloom, and are satisfactory. Plums
are abundant. Peaches, on walls outdoors, are
good, although the foliage is still pale in colour
from the effect of the cold. Among small fruits
Gooseberries are plentiful and good. I have not
yet seen the new Gooseberry-mildew. Some of
the Red Currant bushes are" blighted, but they
are carrying plenty of fruits. Black Currants
promised well, but many dropped owin^; to
the cold nights. Raspberries are good in every
respect. Strawberries have been good, although
wanting in colour and flavour. A few rotted,
and some were attacked with mildew. Thi
here is a strong loam resting on clay. Alfred
E. T. Rogers, Sudeley Castle Gardens, Winch-
combe.

Herefordshire.— Apples are much under the
average in quantity ; varieties of Apples carry-
ing the best crops are (culinary) Bismai I ,
Bramley's Seedling, Golden Noble, Golden Spire,
Hambling's Seedling, Hormead's Pearmain,
Newton Wonder, Stirling Castle, Warner's King,
and Loddington Pippin ; (dessert), Allington
Pippin, Adams' Pearmain, Beauty of Bath,
Fearn's Pippin, Margil, Ribston Pippin, Rival,
and Wealthy. Of Pears, the best on bush trees
are Clapp's Favourite, Conference. Emile
d'Hevst, Fondante d'Automne, Fondante
Thiriot, Marie Benoist, Magnate, President
d'Osmonville, and Triomphe de Vienne. Our
heaviest crops of Plums are on bush trees, « hii h
are much better fruited than Wall trees. Small
fruits are good, especially Currants. Our best
Black Currant is Boskoop Giant. Tko
Goodrich Court Gardens, Ross.

182

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 7, 1907.

Apple orchards were a beautiful sight

■when the trees were in flower, but, owing to
frost and wet weather, Apples are very scarce.
Strawberries were fairly plentiful, but nearly
all the berries were spoilt by mildew, some
varieties being worse in this respect than others.
Peach and Nectarine trees that were protected
by netting on outside walls have had to have
their fruits severely thinned. Our soil is a heavy
loam resting on limestone. George Mullins,
Eastnor Castle Gardens, Ledbury.

All fruit trees appeared remarkably well

in the spring-time. The prospects for the Straw-
berry crop were extra good in May, but the un-
seasonable weather destroyed most of the berries.
Strange to say, runners planted last year fruited
the worst of all. Peaches and Nectarines out of
doors set extraordinary crops. Some orchards
contain a good number of Pears, and scarcely
any Apples. The soil is cold and heavy, and
rests on a stiff clay. Titos. Watkins, Newport
Kail Gardens, Eardisley, K.S.O.

(To be concluded.)

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Gloriosa superba. — These plants having finished
flowering, the foliage is beginning to turn yellow.
If they are growing in a prominent position
and are considered unsightly, they may be taken
from tho wires and the growths trailed round
some stakes, placed in the pots, after which the
plants can be removed to a less conspicuous
position, but one that is fully exposed to the
sunshine. Gradually decrease the supply of
water at the roots until the foliage and stems are
quite matured, when it should be withheld alto-
gether, and the roots kept in a dry condition
throughout the winter in a structure having an
atmospheric temperature of not less than 5b°.

Caladiums, &c. — As the foliage ripens off,
gradually reduce the water supply, but do not
permit drought to occur until all the leaves have
died quite away. The plants should now be
placed in a moderately warm, but well-ventilated
house or frame, and when thoroughly ripened
off may be stored away for the winter in a warm
position quite free from drip. Gloxinias and
Achimenes may be treated in the same manner
as they approach their resting period.

Begonias. — Most of these being nearly past the
decorative stage, they may be removed from the
houses and placed out-of-doors for the remainder
of the month, or until the plants are cut down
by frost. When this has taken place, and the
soil is sufficiently dry, shake out the tubers
and store them in a cool, dry place free from
frost, such as1 is suitable for the storing of
Potatos.

Cyclamen. — If seed is not already sown, no
time should be lost before carrying out this
operation, as there is a decided advantage
gained over sowing in winter, the plants having
a good start if seeds are sown early in Septem-
ber and consequently a longer season to grow
in. Thoroughly drain the pots or pans, and fill
them with a mixture of light loam, leaf-soil,
and plenty of sand. Place them in a warm
house, taking care that the soil in the seed-pans
never becomes quite dry. To assist in keeping
the soil moist without frequent waterings, place
some paper over the seed-pots, keeping this
slightly damp. Remove the paper when germi-
nation has taken place, but shade the tiny seed-
lings from bright sunshine. Keep the pans on
a shelf near the glass in an intermediate tem-
perature, and pot the seedlings singly into small
pots when they have become large enough to be
handled. The plants should be encouraged to
grow slowly all through the winter.

Schizanthus. — Seeds of Schizanthus should
also be sown, and the pans placed in a cool
frame on a damp base. Use light, sandy soil,
and when grown large enough to be handled,
prick out the young plants into pans or boxes.
Keep them well up to the glass and ventilate
the structure freely. Re-pot the plants as soon
as they require more root-room, not allowing
them to become pot-bound until they are in the
pots in which they will flower. Keep them
during the winter in a cool frame, Schizanthus
being very impatient of heat.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.
Bedding Calceolarias. — In the West of England
cuttings of these plants are rarely inserted before
the end of September, but in less favoured
parts it is now time to commence the work. The
simplest method for their propagation is to pre-
pare a frame, the bottom of which should be
filled with porous material to ensure suitable
drainage. The soil should consist of a mixture
of three parts loam to one of leafsoil, with the
addition 'of plenty of coarse sand, and the
whole should be passed through a sieve having
a J-inch mesh. Make the soil firm and spread a
thin layer of silver sand over the surface. The
cutting's should be short-jointed and without
flower-buds ; plant them firmly at a distance of
2 inches apart. Apply water copiously with a fine
rose can and keep the lights closed, except for
half an hour each day, when they should be
slightly tilted at the back to allow any super-
fluous moisture to escape. Shade the cuttings
from bright sunshine, and when they are rooted
admit air freely to harden them.

Watering. — The weather this summer has been
moi._: and dull, but no great quantity of
rain has fallen, consequently precautions must
be taken to see that bedding plants do not
suffer during dry, sunny weather. Such plants
as Lobelia cardinalis, Salvias, Nicotianas,
Pansies, Violas, and Rudbeckias will be found
to suffer more from this cause than Pelar-
goniums, Heliotropes, &c. In these gardens,
the soil is of a light texture, and Cannas need
frequent waterings during even moderately dry
weather to induce them to flower continuously ;
each watering is preceded by a light dressing
of guano.

bulbous Irises. — September is the best month
in which to plant these Irises. If they are
placed in different aspects in the garden, and a
judicious selection be made of the best varieties
of both the Spanish and the English types — the
latter is a fortnight or more later in flowering
than the former — a display of these flowers may
be had for about five weeks. The best rooting-
medium for both types is a light, rich soil that
has been deeply worked. A general mistake is
made in planting these Irises too thinly ; a
group of a dozen or more bulbs, planted at 6
inches apart, produces a much better effect than
the same number scattered thinly along a
border. I. pavonia (Moraea), the Peacock Iris,
and I. tuberosa, the Snake's Head Iris, are also
desirable species for planting ; they should be
given the same treatment as that described
above. I. reticulata is one of the best garden
species.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.
Masdevallias. — The proper seasons for repot-
ting Masdevallias is at the beginning of Septem-
ber, and in February. September is generally
considered the better time, because it is in
autumn the plants make the greatest number of
roots, and the cool, moist weather generally pre-
valent at this season is also favourable to the
plants becoming quickly re-established. It is
not advisable to repot any plant if it has already
sufficient root-room and the compost is in good
condition ; neither should healthy specimens be
disturbed unnecessarily that are needed for ex-
hibition purposes next season, as they may fail
to bloom satisfactorily the first year after repot-
ting. But in some instances the compost may
have become sour and stagnant, and this can
easily be picked out down to the drainage and
fresh soil substituted without causing much dis-
turbance to the roots. Plants which have lost a
number of leaves and become bare in the centre
may now be safely divided and be potted separ-
ately for propagating purposes, or they may be
remade up into neat, compact specimens. They
will thrive equally well if treated either way.
Select pots of suitable dimensions, bearing in
mind that all the strong-growing Masdevallias,
as M. Veitchiana, M. ignea, M. Lindenii, M.
macrura, M. coriacea, M. coccinea and its nu-
merous varieties (of which M. c. Harryana is an
excellent example) are vigorous rooting plants,
and requiring considerable space. Fill the
pots to about one-half of their depth with broken
crocks, and employ a compost of good, fibrous
peat, polypodium fibre, and sphagnum-moss,
mixing them in equal proportions, to which may
be added a sprinkling of small crocks and coarse

silver sand. Cut up the materials roughly, mix-
ing them well together, and make the compost
moderately firm about the roots, especially to-
wards the centre of the plant, for, unless
this is done properly, the soil in that por-
tion will decay more rapidly than that which is
nearer to the sides of the pot. Carefully work
the compost between the roots, keeping the base
of the plant on a level, or just a t .1: below the
rim of the pot. When the operation is com-
pleted, prick in a few heads of living sphagnum-
moss over the surface. This is a much better
plan than covering the whole surface of the com-
post with a layer of chopped moss.

Dwarf ■growing varieties. — M. Wageneriana,
M. Estradas, M. Shuttleworthii, M. Arminii, M.
ludibunda, M. picturata, M. melanopus, M.
ionocharis, M. hieroglyphica M. O'Brieniana,
&c, form attractive objects when well flow-
ered. Any of similar growth to those just
enumerated should be grown in shallow pans,
which may be suspended close to the roof glass,
or they may be placed altogether upon an ele-
vated position upon the stage. The critical time
with Masdevallias is just after they have
suffered root disturbance, it being an easy
matter to afford an excess of water, which
often results in the loss of many roots
and leaves ; therefore, to be on the safe
side, it is advisable for the first few weeks =o
water very sparingly, giving just sufficient to in-
duce the sphagnum-moss to grow, and as each
plant becomes re-established, gradually increase
the supply. After repotting, shade the plants
from all sunshine and maintain a moderately
moist atmosphere by damping the surfaces, in
the house two or three times each day, but modi-
fying this practice according to the locality and
the construction and situation of the house. To
avoid black and spotted leaves, also to prevent
the spread of a fungus which attacks the leaves
of Masdevallias, care should be taken to
prevent an excess of atmospheric moisture dur-
ing dull weather. When the temperature of the
external atmosphere is falling below 50°, gradu-
ally reduce the amount of moisture inside, and
where possible have the hot-water pipes made
just luke-warm. Where no separate house is set
apart for these plants, a warm, sheltered corner
of the Odontoglossum house is the next best
place for them. Keep all flowers picked off dur-
ing the next three or four months, so that the
plants will bloom the more freely in their proper
seasons. The white M. tovarensis should not be
repotted now unless a plant is in bad condition
at the root.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.
Street trees. — The planting of trees and their
maintenance in the streets of towns and cities
usually devolves upon the public works depart-
ment, while the actual work involved is invari-
ably carried out by the staff of the parks
department where such exists. Thus, with the
exception of deciding when and where trees are
to be placed, street planting is to all intents
and purposes a branch of park work. As the
primary success in growing street trees largely
depends upon planting them early in the
autumn, it is well to have all the neces-
sary preparations made before the plant-
ing season begins. The numbers of trees
required, the kinds most suitable for the locality,
and the selection of the trees themselves where
possible, are all matters which should be seen
to before the autumn. Tradesmen generally do
not care for trees in front of their premises,
hence it is inadvisable to attempt to beautify the
business part of a town with trees, unless the
streets are exceptionally wide. On the contrary,
in the residential quarters most people are very
anxious to have tiees planted in front of their
dwellings, and it becomes necessary to make
certain restrictions to prevent this work from
being overdone and from becoming a very ex-
pensive form of luxury. In this city trees are
never planted in streets that are less than 45
feet in width, a rule which prevents a very
large number of thoroughfares from being
planted, much to the regret of their inhabitants.
As trees are liable to suffer injury from many
causes when growing in a public thoroughfare,
it is inadvisable to plant either rare or expen-
sive kinds. We make it a rule never to plant a
tree costing more than 3s. 6d., in a public street,
unless under the most exceptional circumstances.

September 7, 1907.]

xHE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

183

Suitable trees for planting in streets. — The
choice of trees suitable for town planting is an
important matter, and has much to do with the
failure or success of the undertaking. Soil,
position, and local conditions are the more im-
portant factors in determining the selection of
suitable trees. In most English towns few
trees are more adapted for street planting than
the Oriental Plane, which is capable of with-
standing much of the ill usage incident to
the life of a town tree. The Sycamore, Norway
Maple, Turkey and Scarlet Oaks, fastigiate
Poplars, Beech, Ailanthus, the ordinary Robinia,
and the smaller-growing forms of the Elm are
all useful trees for street-planting. Unfortu-
nately many highly-ornamental and easily-
grown trees are unsuited for this purpose on
account of their bearing either showy flowers
or prominent fruits. The Horse Chestnut is a
beautiful object in a public street, but on
account of its fruits it is not desirable to grow
it near houses, for boys will persist in throwing
stones to bring down the nuts in the autumn.
The Mountain Ash and several other members
of the genus Pyrus are ideal town trees, but
children destroy them as soon as the fruits begin
to colour. If our town children were taught,
like those on the Continent, not to interiere
with street trees, what great possibilities of
beautifying many of the most sombre-looking
parts of a town would city gardeners possess !

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Pineapples. — A dry atmosphere should be
maintained in houses in which these fruits are
ripening, and ventilation should be freely
afforded during the daytime ; allowing the tup
ventilator to remain open also a trifle at night.
The temperature should range from 70° to 80°
Fahr. Keep the plants dry at their roots, for if
water is applied to the soil at the time the fruits
are changing colour, decay will ensue in the
centre of the crowns. If these directions are
followed, Pineapples may be kept in a satis-
factory condition for some considerable time
after they are ripe. Plants of Pineapples in-
tended for fruiting next spring will now re-
quire careful treatment, and no greater quan-
tity of water should be afforded them than
is necessary to prevent the ioliage from flagging.
Maintain a warm, humid atmosphere in the pits,
and admit fresh air daily during hot weather.
Gradually lower the temperature as the days
shorten, and close the ventilators early in the
afternoon so as to conserve the sun's heat.
Suckers should now be detached from the parent
plants, and be potted in turfy loam, using pots
with a diameter of 6 inches for the purpose.
Pot firmly, and plunge the roots in a bottom
heat of 80° ; the atmospheric temperature in the
pit should be 70°. Keep the atmosphere humid
and afford the plants a copious watering
with lukewarm water, which will suffice until
the suckers form roots. Sprinkle the plants
lightly overhead both morning and afternoon.

Melons. — Plants bearing ripening fruits will
require a free circulation of air about them by
day, and a little from the roof-ventilators at
night-time. This admission of air is necessary in
Older to prevent the fruits from splitting. Both
the night and the day temperatures of the Melon-
pit should range from 70° to 80° ; maintain
a dry atmosphere constantly and be careful not
to apply much water to the roots. By discon-
tinuing the bottom heat and maintaining a
cooler and drier atmosphere, the supply of fruits
Will be available for a longer period than other-
wise. Mulch the borders with horse-litter.
Late-planted Melons that are swelling their
fruits require to have a moist atmosphere about
them, with a day temperature of 85° and 75°
at night. The damping should be done regu-
larly, and the plants watered with the greatest
care. Occasional doses of liuqid manure will
be beneficial. Secure the fruits to the trellis-
work ; pinch the ends of young growths, but leave
a few shoots unstopped, until the fruits are almost
ripe, in order to encourage a free root-action.

Orchard-house trees. — Pot-trees of such fruits

as Apples and Pears should never be allowed

to suffer from want of water at their roots, and

flagging of the leaves must be studiously

avoided. Any fruits that are ripe should be

I gathered and placed in the fruit room. Foliage

I shading the fruits from the sun's rays should

li be entirely removed, or arranged at the back.

Feeding should be discontinued as soon as the
colouring of the fruit commences. Allow the
trees to receive the full benefit of night dews,
for the dew at night and the sun's rays by day
are essential to the best maturation and colour-
ing of Apples.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bictpn,
East Devon,

Trained fruit trees. — If the lateral growths
were pinched early in the season, secondary
shoots will have formed, and these should now
be stopped at the first leaf : this practice will
favour the formation of fruit-buds at the base of
the current season's shoots. A crowded condi-
tion of the lateral growths must be avoided, in
order that the wood which should produce
fruits next season may become well ripened :
the hanging fruits will also benefit by the re-
moval of superfluous shoots. The present is a
suitable time to observe gross-growing trees that
they may be marked for rout-pruning towards the
end of October and early in November. Fre-
quently hose or syringe the foliage of trees
trained against warm walls, for red spider is
much easier kept away than eradicated when
present. Aphis, too, will sometimes appear on
Peach and Nectarine trees when syringing is dis-
continued while the fruits are ripening. Imme-
diately the crop has been cleared, wash the trees
with quassia-extract, and direct the syringe to
the underneath side of the leaves, this position
being a favourable lurking-place for insect life.
In some gardens blackbirds and thrushes devour
ripening Peaches, and ciops of Figs are often
entirely ruined by these birds unless netting is
used to keep them at bay. Expose late ripening
Peaches to the full rays of the sun by placing
the foliage aside ; part of a leaf may be cut away
if it is unduly shading a fruit. Examine each
day the traps set to catch earwigs, and destroy
any that are caught by blowing them into a pail
that is half filled with hot water.

Packing Peaches and I- igs. — Both these fruits
require very careful gathering and packing if
they are intended for transit. Peaches should be
first enclosed in tissue paper, twisted at the top
with 2 inches to spare, so that the fruit can be
easily taken out of the box. Next a piece of cot-
ton wool of treble thickness should be wound
around each, and afterwards they should be
placed closely together in shallow boxes, or, if
wood-wool be preferred, this ma}' be put next
the paper. Whatever material is used, all in-
tervening spaces must be filled and the whole
made moderately firm about each fruit, the base
of which should rest on an inch layer of soft
material, such as advocated above. Figs should
either be wrapped in Spinach or soft Bean leaves,
and be placed thickly together in quite shallow
boxes prepared as for Peaches, with a layer of
tissue paper over the fruits. The remaining
space should be filled with a similar material as
that used for the base. In packing Peaches,
Nectarines, and F'igs, only one layer of fruit-
should be placed in a box.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Formation of Mushroom-beds. — A start should
now be made to collect droppings from
the stables for the purpose of forming
mushroom-beds, collecting sufficient for making
each bed in as short a space of time
as possible. In the meantime, keep the
collected droppings on a dry base in an open
shed, and turn them over every morning until
the required quantity has been obtained. When
the beds are being formed, care should be taken
to make them thoroughly firm by treading the
droppings together, or if this cannot be done
owing to the position of the bed, then by beat-
ing with a wooden mallet. After a few days the
heat of the bed will commence to increase, and
after a further lapse of time it will decrease.
When the decrease has set in, and the tempera-
ture is at about 80°, the spawn may be
inserted, first breaking it into pieces of about
2 or 3 inches square, and placing these pieces at
about 2 inches deep in the bed. At the time of
spawning, the atmospheric temperature of the
house should range between 60° and 65°. When
the bed has been spawned for one week add a
thin layer of fine soil to the surface, applying it
in a moist condition, and making it firm by

beating it with the back of a spade. Keep the
atmosphere of the house moist and of even tem-
perature until the first Mushrooms are ready
for cutting, when a temperature of 55° will be
quite high enough. The frequency at which
fresh beds are made must depend upon the ac-
commodation there exists and the demand need-
ing to be satisfied. During the period the drop-
pings are being collected give the house a
thorough cleaning, and limewash all the walls,
ix., renovating any planks that are faulty, and
putting the whole of the interior of the house
in good working order for the season.

Hoeing. — Continue to hoe at frequent inter-
vals the surface soil between all winter crops.
The season of growth is now becoming very
short, therefore afford every assistance possible
to the various crops, so that they may become
properly matured, and be therefore the better
able to withstand severe weather in winter. By
freely using the hoe both between the crops and
on vacant plots at this season, before the weeds
have ripened seed, much labour will be saved
next season.

Early Brussels Sprouts. — A few of the old
leaves at the base of the plants should be taken
off to allow a free circulation of air and light
among the crop, particularly where much growth
has been made and the leaves are now thick to-
gether. If this work is neglected the young
Sprouts will become drawn, weakly, and loose.

Celery.— Attend to the earthing-up of this
crop, doing the necessary work at the first
favourable opportunity ; but never, on any ac-
count, carry out such an operation when the
leaves or stems are approaching a damp or moist
condition, or decay oi the crown will take place.

Turnips. — Late Turnips have been more satis-
factory than for several seasons past. The seeds
have germinated well, and the young plants
have grown quickly, and consequently are un-
usually free from the infestations 'of "fly."
The crops will, in most cases, require thin-
ning, and this work should be done as early
as possible to prevent the young plants from
becoming overcrowded.

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.

.4 word in season. — Those who are fortunate
enough will now be counting up their gains, but
most beekeepers will be filled with disappoint-
ment because of their losses. From all parts of
the kingdom there were complaints about the
complete loss of stocks in 1904 and 1905, but the
losses of 1908 will be even greater than those if
the bees are not given food at once. It is surpris-
ing how little has been stored in the brood-cham-
ber this year, and how very weak the stock are.

How to make Syrup. — We must feed at once,
in order that the bees may have a good supply
of food next March and April, and also to
encourage the queen to lay a large quantity of
eggs that there may be a good cluster of bees to
keep up the necessary heat of the colony in the
coming winter. A strong colony always winters
better and more economically than a weak one.
Take about 8 lb. of white sugar and boil it well
in 4 pints of water, taking care that it does not
burn, and, when cool, place the syrup in jam
bottles and cover with muslin. Take care to fill
the bottles to the brim, because, if any air is left
in the pots the syrup will be forced out by it ;
this will flood the floor board, and robbing with
all its attendant troubles will commence.

How to put on the Syrup. — Cut a hole in the
quilts, about 2 inches square, on three sides,
and turn back the flap ; over the hole place a
piece of wood, 6 inches square and ^ inch
thick, having a hole in tile centre about lj inches
in diameter. This stand will raise the bottle
above the frames and give the bees freer access
to the syrup. Overturn the bottle on the wood,
so that the mouth of the bottle will be over the
hole in the wooden stand.

A warning. — Robbing is not only caused by
letting the syrup run on the floor board, but also
by spilling the syrup near the hives, and by
putting on the food during the day. Evening is
the more suitable time to perform the operation.
When feeding take care to wrap the bottle of
syrup up warmly to conserve the heat, for
bees prefer the liquid lukewarm. Many
beekeepers are very careless in this re-
spect, and the interior of the hive is very
draughty.

(I

184

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

[•September 7, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden.
W.C.

Letters tor Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor tunning, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side only oe
the paper, sent as early in the zveelt as possible and duty
signal by the writer. If desired, tlie signature will not be
printed, but kept us a guarantee 0/ good faith.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7—
Pollockshaws Fl. Sh.
Soc. Franc. d'Hort. de Londres meet.
German Gard. Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10—
Scottish Hon. Assoc, meet.
Dahlia Sh. in Manchester Botanic Gardens 2 days).

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11—

Roy. Caledonian Hort. Soc. Sh. at Edinburgh (2 days).

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12—

London Dahlia Union's Sh. in Botanic Gdns., Regent's
Park (2 days).

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13— Hamilton Fl. Sh.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14— Newton Mearns Fl. Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 58'1\
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, September 4 (6 p.m.) : Max. 60°;
Min. 46".
Gardeners1 Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, September
5 (10 a.m.): Bar.. 29'8 ; Temp., 65"; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces —I Yednesday, September 4 (6 p.m.) : Max. 61^,
Ireland, S.W. coast ; Min. 4S°, Scotland N,

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY TO FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 10.30.

MONDAY—

Twenty-second Annual Unreserved Trade Sale of Pot
Plants, at Dyson's Lane Nurseries, Upper Edmonton, by
order of Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, by Protheroe
& Morris, at 11.

TUESDAY—

Annual Trade Sale of winter-blooming Heaths, &c, at
Burnt Ash Road Nurseries, Lee, S.E., by order of
Messrs. B. Mailer & Sons, by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.

WEDNESDAY—

Great Annual Trade Sale of winter-flowering and other
Plants, at The Nurseries, South Woodford, by order of
Mr. John Fraser, by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.
Lilium Harrisii, Roman Hyacinths and other bulbs,
Palm seeds. Sc, at 67 & 63, Cheapside, E.C., by Pro-
theroe & Morris, at 5,

THURSDAY—

Twenty-sixth Annual Trade Sale of winter-flowering
Heaths, &c, at The Longlands Nursery, Sidcup, S.E.,
by order of Messrs. H. Evans & Sons, by Protheroe &
Morris, at U.

FRIDAY—

Choice importations of Odontoglossum crispum, Cat-
tleyas, Gigas, Mendelii, &c, also established Orchids,
at 67 \ 63, Cheapside, EX., by Protheroe & Morris, at
12-45.

The word " phenology " is
The Science not Qne w;t]l wn;ch many

Appearances.' people are familiar, and since
we have turned to a good
many dictionaries for enlightenment as to
its meaning, but without finding any, we
are not surprised at the fact. The author of
the report has defined the word elsewhere as
" the science of appearances ... it
deals with the first appearance each year of
certain wild flowers, birds, and insects";
and we might amplify this definition by say-
ing that the function of phenology is to show
the character of a season by exhibiting its
effect upon the growth of plants, the migra-
tion of birds, the prevalence of insects, &c.
For many years Mr. Mawley has directed the
work of a large number of observers dis-

* Report on the Phenological Observations for 1906, by
Edward Mawley, F.R. Met. Soc, V.M.H. (Quarterly Journal
cf the Royal Meterological Society).

tributed all over the country who have noted
each year the dates of flowering of certain
specified plants, the dates on which certain
migratory birds were first seen or that when
the note of other birds was first heard, and
the first appearance of certain common in-
sects. The observations are sent to him and
are grouped under eleven large districts into
which the British Isles have been divided for
the purpose, and for each district and for each
subject of observation he has obtained a series
of mean dates which may be regarded as cha-
racteristic of an average phenological year.
The deviation of the dates in a given year
and district from the average enables the
reader, therefore, to get a fairly good idea
of the character of the season in that part
of the kingdom, and to appreciate what has
been the cumulative effect of the various ele-
ments of climate upon vegetable life and upon
those forms of animal life with which the
gardener is chiefly concerned. The Report
before us was prepared for the Royal Meteoro-
logical Society, and it contains the results of
Mr. Mawley's analysis of the observations for
the agricultural year extending from Decern,
ber, 1905, to November, 1906, and supplies
much interesting information, for which the
Report itself should be consulted by those who
are interested in the subject. But, in addition
to the purely phenological results, it gives a
good general summary of the most note-
worthv features of each of the four seasons,
which should enable horticulturists and agri-
culturists to better understand some points
connected with their work which may perhaps
have been a little puzzling to some of them.
Mr. Mawley mentions as the most noteworthy
features of the weather in 1906 which affected
vegetation, the dry period which lasted from
the beginning of June until the end of Sep-
tember, and the great heat and dryness of the
air at the close of August and the beginning
of September. He points out that, whilst
wild plants came into flower earlier than usual
until the middle of April, those which flow-
ered after that date were later than usual.
A remarkable result of the unusual weather
last autumn was the very long time the trees
retained their foliage without assuming any
change of colour.

We have already referred to the
Potato trials of tuber-producing species
Trials. of Polatos by Messrs. Sutton

and Sons, at Reading, during
the passing season. But so far these tests
have been furnished by pot plants grown
under glass. It is therefore interesting to find
that practically all the species have also been
grown in the open ground at the Southcote
trial grounds, and with results very much the
same as were furnished by the house-grown
plants. Several species seem to be much
too delicate to thrive out of doors in such a
season as we have experienced this year.
Some others show admirable qualities, and
none more so than S. etubcrosum, of which
there is growing a good breadth, the plants
having spreading tops, full of bloom, and
leafage of a somewhat glossy nature. It was
interesting to note, on a recent visit, tlial,
whilst there was not an ordinary commercial
variety, however strong, but showed some
evidence of diseased leafage, not a speck or
spot could be found on the leafage of S.

etubcrosum. That fact naturally leads to the
hope that this species may yet become the
parent of a disease-resisting race of Potatos.
Messrs. Sutton's anticipations that, because
seedling plants from it show a certain
amount of diversity, this species may have
been the originator of all the varieties now
in commerce is supported by the fact that
the seedlings show material approach to the
culinary Potatos. It has, however, to be men-
tioned that, ever since its introduction to this
country, S. etuberosum seems to have re-
tained its specific form. Apart from certain
seedling progeny, the stock plants of the
species growing at Reading remain pure to
specific character. Contrary to the habit of
commercial varieties that have been propa-
gated year after year from tubers, there are
among the seedling Potato plants raised this
year from commercial varieties crossed with
each other, some that show not merely extra,
ordinary growth, but also abundant flowers
of remarkable size and colour. A breadth of
the yellow-flowered selection from the bluish-
flowered Up-to-Date now shows adherence to
that character, although last year some plants
reverted to the normal colour. The yellow
tint is due to the interesting fact that petals
have in the flowers become partially changed
into stamens, hence the singular colour pre-
sented in the flowers of this selection of Up-
to-Date.

The trial of Commersoni violet (Laber-
gerie) and Blue Giant (Paulsen) out in the
open is an extensive one, running into some
20 rods area. There is a large breadth of
each variety, and they appear to have iden-
tical features. Both stocks being imported
show very robust growth. There are also
breadths of both raised from tubers grown
at Southcote last year, the plant growth upon
these latter being much less robust.

But test roots lifted from all the stocks
showed that the best tuber-produce is obtained
from plants of medium growth and from
locally-grown sets. Gross tops do not always
mean that there is a good crop of tubers.

Some locality tests as made last year were
repeated. Scotch, Irish, Lincoln, and Berk-
shire seed tubers were planted of several
varieties. There was very little difference in
the crops raised from tubers obtained from
Scotland and Ireland, both giving much
better results than did either the Lincoln or
Berkshire tubers. The testing of immature
or unripe seed-tubers against others of the
same stock left to fully mature in the ground
has constantly shown that the immature
tubers are most productive. Four varieties
were thus tested in the present trial, and in
each case the results agreed with those ob-
tained at previous trials. It was found also
that tubers lifted on July 18th proved to be
more productive than those lifted also to be
unripe on August 1st. That point would,
however, have to be governed by the char-
acter of the variety, the position, where
grown, and the general character of the sea-
son.

In order to check scab disease in the tubers,
rows of Potatos were, at the time of planting;
dressed with sawdust, with which was mixed
a small quantity of salt. So far as present
appearances can be relied upon, the result
has been a success, for such tubers as were
(ifted were very clean, whilst from other rows

Supplement 10 the "Gardeners' Chronicle.'

A.

A,< feu i .v t Ao^jl— ■

Senecio Wilsonianus, a species from Western China. Flowers y

ELLOW.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.

September 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

185

not so treated scab was plentiful. The ex-
periment may, if good follows, have great
value for Potato growers. Other rows
treated with a proprietary substance not un-
like tar has so far shown no good results.

The tests or experiments that have been
conducted at Southcote this year are of a very
modest character as compared with the
(elaborate series conducted last year, but, such
as they are, they afford results that are of
value to all Potato growers. It has not been
shown at present that any gain is to be ob-
tained from the Solanum species that Messrs.
Sutton are cultivating, but at least they are
interesting, and they are certainly capable of
affording valuable information and material
to botanists. It is, however, to the improve-
ment of the Potato of commerce that practi-
cal men look forward, and especially so at
the present time when we are said to be
threatened with a tuber crop some 30 per
cent, below the average.

Researches at Cambridge.— The second
part of Volume II. of the Journal of Agricul-
tural Science* is a record of some of the valuable
work now being carried on at Cambridge. In
the papers here printed we see, as it were, the
fighting line of modern scientific investigators
steadily making their way into the unknown,
wrestling with and gradually overcoming by
skilful experiments and patient research the
obscure problems which exist in the vegetable
world. It is noteworthy that all the papers here
given, while examples of pure research and un-
trammelled by commercial connection or con-
trol, have yet a direct bearing on practical eco-
nomic problems. Four out of the seven papers
deal with Genetics — the new name for the old
problems of heredity, variation, and descent —
in a word, the science of breeding. Mr. Biffen
contributes two important papers on cereals. In
the first he continues his Studies in the Inherit-
pice of Disease Resistance, and confirms and
elaborates his previous interesting discovery that
(1) liability, and (2) immunity to "rust" form
an allomorphic pair of unit-characters in Wheat
plants. That is to say, when a strain of Wheat,
very susceptible to attacks of rust, is crossed
with another strain which is known to be im-
mune (or nearly so), the resulting hybrids are
found to be, without exception, susceptible. But
in the next generation raised from these hybrids,
it is found that about one-fourth of the plants
are immune (like the original immune parent),
and the other three-fourths inherit the liability
to disease. In the succeeding, generations the
immune plants retain their purity, while those
liable to disease give off in each successive
generation fixed proportions of pure susceptible,
impure susceptible, and pure immune forms, in
accordance with the Mendelian laws. Unfortu-
nately, the type of Wheat which is valued for its
resistance to parasitic disease is practically
worthless in other respects ; but Mr. Biffen's
experiments show that by making suitable
crosses and growing sufficiently large cultures
it will be possible to raise a breed in which
the valuable "immunity" of the otherwise
worthless Emkorn Wheat is combined with char-
acters from other varieties which (except for
their liability to disease) are regarded by farmers
as of first-class quality. Mr. Biffen's other
paper gives the results of his hybridisation ex-
periments with a number of varieties of Barley.
Many pairs of characters are shown to follow
Mendel's laws, while in other cases complica-
tions and deviations arise which call for further
research. Miss D. C. E. Marryat supplements

Cambridge Press, 5s. net.

Mr. Biffen's work on Wheat by an investigation
into the minute detail, of the relation between
the parasitic rust fungus and the infected Wheat
plant. She confirms the view of former inves-
tigators that immunity is quite independent of
any structural character, such as thickness of
cell-walls or size and number of stomata, and
concludes that immunity to disease depends
upon the presence or absence of mutually de-
structive toxins and antitoxins. Miss Marryat's
paper is illustrated with figures showing the
germination of the rust spore and its growth and
destructive action upon the cells of a " suscep-
tible " Wheat, while other figures exhibit the
death and disintegration of the fungus when in-
vading an " immune " variety. Another import,
ant paper is that of Mr. T. B. Wood's on the
Chemistry of Strength of Wheat Flour, in which
an attempt is made to correlate the qualities re-
cognised by millers and bakers with the ascer-
tainable chemical and physical characters of the
Flour. This is an exceedingly complicated pro-
blem, and one which is in urgent need of fur-
ther investigation In the same number of the
journal is a paper dealing with the soils of
Cambridgeshire from a farmer's point of view in
relation to the underlying geological forma-
tions, by Mr. F. W. Foreman, and one on
" Losses in Making and Storing Farmyard
Manure," by Mr. T, B. Wood, who compares
the results obtained from cake-fed heifers and
those fed only on roots and hay. There is also
a note by Mr. W. I. Bails, of the Botanical
Laboratory, Cairo, on " Mendelian Heredity in
Cotton."

Insects Affecting Fruit Trees. — A

pamphlet of 36 pages, by Dr. C. J. S. Bethune,
Professor of Entomology at the Ontario Agri-
cultural College, has been issued by the Ontario
Department of Agriculture. It treats only of
those species of insei ts which are most com-
monly met with, and that are sufficiently
abundant to cause serious trouble to the fruit-
grower. Particular attention is called to the use-
lessness of employing measures of destruction or
prevention, yet allowing wild trees and bushes
affording hiding and breeding places for the par-
ticular insects to grow without molestation, men-
tion being made of the wild Cherry, wild Plum,
v'awthorn, and Mountain Ash. None such
should be allowed to exist near an orchard or
fruit garden. The pamphlet contains illustrated
chapters on some of the fruit-tree pests only- too
well known in Britain, as the Codlin moth, eye-
spotted bud-moth, leaf-roller moth, Apple aphis,
woolly aphis, oyster-shell bark louse, Pear tree
Psylla, shot-hole borer or fruit-tree bark beetle,
Pear tree slug, Plum curculio, Peach scale,
Phylloxera of Grape vine, and several insects
peculiar to the North American continent. A
brief list of insecticides is given, together with
the most approved methods of application.

"The American Florist. "—Our American
contemporary, known by the above title, issued
its one thousandth number on August 3. Since
the first issue, which appeared on August 15, 1885,
it has recorded the remarkable growth of the
cut-flower trade, and the wonderful changes and
development in methods that have taken place
in American horticulture. It has always taken
a prominent part in assisting in the development
of the horticultural industry. We congratulate
our contemporary on its success, and wish it
continued prosperity, and a long career of use-
fulness.

An Ancient Florist s Business. — We note
that M. Jacques K. i i and, Nimes, France,
states in a contemporary that his seed business
has been continued uninterruptedly since 1680,
or 'I'll years, and he adds: "I should be very
glad to know if I can c mnt my business to be
the oldest establishment in the seed trade."

Study of Acclimatisation in America. — •

We have received from Mr. Leonard Barron,
secretary, a preliminary programme of the pro-
ceedings that will take place at the International
Conference on Plant Hardiness and Acclimatisa-
tion to be held on October 1, 2 and 3, 1907, in
the rooms of the American Institute and in the
Museum Building of the New York Botanical
Garden. The conference, it will be remem-
bered, will be held under the auspices of the
Horticultural Society of New York. The fol-
lowing incomplete list of papers which have
been promised will serve to indicate the general
scope of the subjects that the conference will
cover, and the committee of arrangements will
be glad to receive promises of other papers or
suggestions. It is purposed to publish in one
volume a complete report of the proceedings: —
" The Determining Factors in the Seasonable
Activity of Plants," by D. T. MacDougal,
Tucson, Ariz. ; " Factors that Control Acclimati-
sation," by Henry C. Cowles, University of
Chicago, 111. ; " Evaporation as a Climatic
Factor Influencing Vegetation," by B. L.
Livingston, Tucson, Ariz. ; " Air Drainage as
Affecting Hardiness of Plants," by Ernst A.
Bessey, Subtropical Laboratory, Miami, Fla. ;
"The Real Factors in Acclimatisation," by
Frederic E. Clements, University of Ne-
braska ; " Plant Improvements Needed in
Specific Cases," by W. M. Hays, Assistant
Secretary of Agriculture ; " Comparative Hardi-
ness of Plants of the same Variety from
Northern and Southern Points," by J. C.
Whitten, Missouri; "Observations on Euca-
lyptus Hybrids; the Japanese Loquat in
Algeria ; Truth to Seed of Eastern and African
Varieties of Vitis vihifera," by M. Robert,
Algeria ; " Temperate Zone Plants in the
Tropics," by D W. May, Porto Rico ; " Accli-
matisation of Economic and other Plants in the
West Indies," by Sir Daniel Morris, Imperial
Department of Agriculture for the West Indies ;
" Co-operative Testing to Ascertain Hardiness in
Fruits," by H. L. Hutt, Guelph, Canada;
" Resistance to Cold, Heat, Wet, Drought, Soil,
Stc.j in Grape;," by T. V. MUNSON, Texas;
" Developing Hardy Fruits for the North
Mississippi Valley," by Samuel B. Green,
Ohio ; " Hardiness of the Peach," by U. P.
Hedrick, Geneva, N.Y. ; " Hardiness of
Apples," by O. M. Morris, Oklahoma ; " Fruits
and Trees in the North-West, " by W. S.
Thornber, Washington ; " Hardiness and
Acclimatisation of Alfalfa," by B. C. BUFFUM,
Wyoming ; " Some Work with Timothy and
Awnless Brome Grasses," by S. Fraser,
Geneseo, N.Y. ; " Hardiness of Ornamental
Plants in the Middle North-West, " by Anthony
U. Morrell, Minnesota ; " Studies on the
Acclimatisation of Plants in the Prairie
Regions," by L. H. Pammel, Iowa ; " Observa-
tions in the Region at the Head of Lake Michi-
gan," by Jens Jensen, Chicago, 111. ; " Experi-
ments in Plant Acclimatisation in Alaska," by
Walker H. Evans, U.S. Department of Agri-
culture ; " Fifteen Years' Experience in Southern
California," by D. F. Franceschi, Santa Bar-
bara, Cal. ; " Some Experiences with Field
Crops in Virginia," by Andrew J. Soule,
Blacksburg, Va. ; " Observations on Hardiness
of Plants Cultivated at the New York Botanical
Garden," by Geo. V. Nash, New York Botanical
Garden ; " Some Anomalous Observations in
St. Louis," by W. Trelease, Missouri Botanical
Garden, St. Louis, Mo. ; and " Problems of
Hawaii," by J. E. Higgins, Hawaii. Promises
of co-operation have also been received, writes
the secretary, frcm Messrs. W. Robinson, J.
Backhouse, and the Royal Agricultural
Society, of England ; M. Ph. de Vii.morin, of
France ; Mr. W. Saunders, Canada, &c.

1S6

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 7, 1907.

Applfs Said to be Proof Against Ameri-
can Blight. — An exchange of experiences and
opinions in regard to varieties of Apples and
Apple stocks that have been thought to be
immune from attack from the American aphis or
blight (Schizoneura lanigera), was recently
published in Matter's Deutsche Gartner-Zcitung.
Taking a survey of the whole, there are eleven
gardeners and nurserymen and the Biological
Institute at Dahlem taking part in the discus-
sion, and there appears to be one or two
varieties of Apples which are said to be proof
against this pest in certain specified localities.
Bismarck, Charlomowsky, the Aluten, which is
good for the first graft or bud ; Gruner Fiirs-
tenapfil, Reinette de Canada, Flamed Cardinal,
Sheep's Nose (an old Devonshire variety), Grey
Autumn Reinette, and Golden Pearmain are said
to be infested when trees of White Winter Cal-
viile, Great Cassel Reinette, and other soft-fruited
varieties are grown in their neighbourhood.
Some gardeners state that Emperor Alexander,
Striped Beefin, and Northern Spy are immune ;
whilst others say that these varieties are those
that are the worst infested with them. We may
therefore assume that no variety is proof against
attack. We are not surprised that one corre-
spondent, after years of fruitless endeavour to
get rid of the pest, finds the best results to
follow good cultivation of the trees, by afford-
ing as much organic and inorganic manure as
may be adjudged necessary, more especially
nitrate of soda, superphosphate of lime and
potash, and painting the stems and lower limbs
with limewash in the autumn after the leaf has
fallen and in the spring before the buds open.
The Dahlem authorities lay great stress upon
cleaning off the rough bark, and the brushing
out of all hiding places, angles, crevices, and
washing with tobacco-water. For the destruc-
tion of the aphis on the roots, soap suds con-
taining soda is a good means, applying the
liquid twice or thrice during the winter.

Ontario Vegetable Growers' Associa-
tion, 1906. — The second annual report of this
association, published by the Ontario Depart-
ment of Agriculture, affords the reader a good
idea of the state of vegetable cultivation in this
province. What crops succeed in the various
descriptions of soils, how they are best grown,
the manures that are found most beneficial, the
insect and fungus pests that infest crops, with
the methods found suitable for their destruction
or prevention, how to get crops to market, sum-
mer and winter cultural conditions, and much
more that is useful to the man who elects to
make this part of Canada his home. The
greater part of the information is given in the
form of questions and answers.

Elementary Botany: Studies in Plant
Life — J. Adams, M.A., Professor Royal College
of Science (Ireland), School and College Series,
published by Fallon & Co., Ltd., Dublin and
Belfast. We are sometimes asked for a simple
book on elementary botany, one that is simple
enough to be thoroughly understood by C.
student who is not yet familiar with the scien.
tine terms emplo}ed in the science. The author
of this little work care'fully avoids using more of
these terms than he can help, and speaks in
popular language to make the subject intelligible
to all. Considering that there are more than
16,000 technical terms employed in the science of
botany, those may welcome this book who feel
that such terms make the pursuit of botany as a
hobby a difficult and uninteresting task. It
may be pointed out, however, that the serious
student is bound, sooner or later, to acquire a
knowledge of strictly botanical language. The
author has divided the subject into single chap,
ters, i)f which each one may be studied
separately. The book is well illustrated with

over 350 figures. Two chapters are added to
the general work, one of which deals with plant
habitats and the other with poisonous plants.
This little book is well suited for use in schools
and especially for the teaching of Nature study.

Gerbera Jamesoni. — Mr. R. Adnet, of
Antibes, writing in the Revue Horticole, describes
his experience with Gerbera Jamesonii, and shows
that like other composites it is likely to afford
interesting variations in the form and colouring
of the blooms. The red colour already varies
from the deepest orange to pure scarlet ; also a
beginning in the doubling of the florets has
been noted. The plant requires much nutri-

of excess of moisture. Under suitable, cultiva-
tion they flower when about five months old.
The plant is employed in the south of France
for filling groups and beds, and for furnishing
blooms for cutting. The florists are hoping to
obtain a dwarf, compact-habited race, with a
less tender constitution and greater vigour in
growth than the type. The variations in the
colour of the flowers has been remarked upon
in these pages on previous occasions.

CLADRASTIS TINCTORIA
(YELLOW WOOD).
It is not often that this interesting tree flowers
in the British Isles, and it is due probably to

yr autograph by E. J. Wallis.

Fig. 78. — cladkastis tinctoria as floweking at kew.

ment, and a porous not too heavy soil ; it is
easily injured by much moisture, but applica-
tions of manure water when the plants are in
full growth are followed by good results. The
collar must be placed slightly above the ground
level when planted, this part being o'.herwise
liable to be injured by moisture. Increase by-
means of seed is preferable to division of the
root-stock. Fresh seed vegetates from 90 to 95
per cent, in the course of five to eight days.
The young seedlings are particularly impatient

the tropical heat of August and September,
1906, that we have been enabled to enjoy them
this summer. The species is a native of the in-
land slopes of the Alleghany Mountains in the
States of Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Caro-
lina Although nowhere very plentiful, the beauty
and distinct appearance of this species attracted
the notice of the early botanical travellers, and
it was introduced to England in 1812. (It is to
be found in most of the older collections of trees
in this country, and in some of them fine

September 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

187

specimens exist. Mr. Elwes has not found one
larger than that at Sion, which is 60 feet high,
and has a trunk girthing 7 feet. The specimen
at Kew, of which an illustration is given at
fig 78, is a healthy tree, 35 feet high, with a
thick trunk branching low down ; the head of
branches is 45 feet across.

Cladrastis tinctoria has pinnate leaves, con-
sisting usually of seven or nine leaflets, but
sometimes with two or four more. The terminal
leaflet is 3 inches to 4J inches long, obovate or
oblong, the lower ones one-half to two-thirds as
large. The base of the leaf stalk is swollen so
as to enclose the bud, a character which readily
distinguishes this species from C. amurensis, the
only other species in general cultivation. In the
latter species the axillary buds are quite exposed.

always dies off a bright yellow in autumn, thus
compensating, in some measure, for its uncer-
tain flowering. W . J . Bean,

THE GLASGOW PARKS.
Glasgow is singularly fortunate in possessing
a large number of public parks and open spaces.
Of the former, indeed, there are no fewer than
36, some of which are so advantageously situ-
ated as regards elevation and consequent com-
mand of the beautiful country surrounding the
city as to have few rivals elsewhere. The Kel-
vingrove Park, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
Green, Rouken Glen Park, Queen's Park,
Tollcross Park, and Springburn Park are

Fig. 79. — flower racemes of cladrastis unci

The flowers, which may be seen illustrated
at fig. 79, are produced in June on pendant
racemes, about 1 foot in length (occasionally
half as long again). They are white, with a
yellow spot at the base of the standard petal.
The individual flower resembles that of
Robinia pseudacacia, but the entire raceme is
much longer and more lax.

There are few groups of hardy trees more in-
teresting and attractive in gardens than the
arborescent members of the Leguminosae, and
the Yellow Wood is far from being the least
effective of them. At Kew its foliage nearly

the principal ones. In all, these parks and
open spaces occupy 1,226 acres. The latest
acquisition, Rouken Glen Park, of an area of
135 acres, was presented by A. Cameron Corbett,
Esq., M.P. This park presents the most pic-
turesque effects, its main feature being a deep
ravine traversed by a stream of water, which,
at no great elevation from the entrance, and at
the head of a short and easy ascent, forms a
series of splendid cascades (see fig. 80), spanned
near the top by a one-arched bridge, beyond and
through which the last and widest cascade of the
series is seen as a picturesque watery curtain.

The glen sides are steep, even precipitous, and
are densely hung with Ferns of various species,
including Lady Ferns, Male Ferns, Polypodies,
&c. These Ferns are growing in the "greatest
luxuriance and abundance, despite the fact that
the Glen is a favourite popular resort. Under
the care of Mr. James Whitton, who superin-
tends the whole of the parks and open spaces,
the danger of vandalistic behaviour, apparently
inseparable from free popular access to wild,
natural scenes of this description, is being mini-
mised as far as possible by the provision
of appropriate rustic fences and well-defined
paths. A judicious thinning out of shrubs
and tree foliage has revealed delightful
vistas, and affords a glimpse of the tumb-
ling stream and its falls, as well as of the
Fern-clad walls of the ravine. In this park the
maintenance of its naturally wild and pic-
turesque features is the chief object ; in Spring-
burn and Tollcross Parks, and also in the
Botanic Gardens, however, there are conserva-
tories and considerable ranges of greenhouses,
propagating houses, and frames. Some of these
are open to the public as houses of floral dis-
play, and the contents of others are available
for the floral decorations inseparable nowadays
from civic banquets and entertainments gener-
ally, or for the benefit of the lecturers and
students of the university close by. In this
particular connection there is a Mossery, in
which are hundreds of living specimens of
Mosses, Marchantias, &c, in splendid condition,
set off here and there by fine varieties of native
varietal Ferns, of which a good collection is
also planted in the open.

In the Palm house at the Botanic Gardens are
some large Tree Ferns and a gigantic Bamboo,
which, at a height of 50 feet, has reached the glass
roof. Unhappily, the Glasgow air is not of the
purest, owing to the immense numbers of in-
dustrial manufactories which not only surround
but actually permeate the city. But, despite
these unfavourable circumstances, it requires a
very keen eye to detect a fault, so' judicious has
been the selection of the plants in cultivation.
In Springburn Park a conservatory is provided
with a gallery, from which is obtained a com-
prehensive view of a collection of Tree Ferns,
the finest I have seen ; these tall Ferns are min-
gled with Palms, Cordylines, and other plants
suitable for a warm, temperate climate. From
below, the majestic growths of associated Ferns
Palms, and many other tall-growing plants
appear as mere mixtures of interlaced foliage
or frondage, the old and shabby growths per-
haps predominating, while, seen from above,
every plant shows its latest and freshest growths
in perfection.

On returning to Glasgow after an inspection
of the parks, the aspect of George's Square, in
front of the magnificent facade of the Corpora-
tion Buildings, appeared to me as incompre-
hensible. The design consists of a series of un-
relieved flat parterres, which, though well kept
in themselves, are fenced in with plain, common-
place iron railings of a cheap and common type,
tormmg altogether an ensemble which is both" un-
worthy of the site it occupies and the pile of
stately buildings which overlooks it. Chas. T
Druery, V.M.H., F.L.S. [Fuller particulars of
the Glasgow Parks were published in Gardeners'1
Chronicle, November 23 and 30, 1901— Ed.]

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editor dees not twld himself responsible for Hie
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)
A Pink-flowered Clove Carnation.— In
reference to the note on this subject by Mr. Dean
on p. 172, there is a variety known as the
"Blush Clove," but the flower described by
Mr. Dean appears to be of a deeper pink colour
than this._ The " Blush " is a true Clove variety,
identical in ever)' respect with the type except in
its colour. It is quite possible, however, that
soil and situation may influence the colouring of
these flowers, just as soil and cultivation effect
changes in the flowers of the well-known En-
chantress Carnation. The true Clove-scented
Carnation does not appear to be much given to
sporting, though occasionally white-striped
petals are seen among the crimson ones There
is a white variety known as Old White Clove,
and which I have never known by any other
name. There is also the well-known Gloire de
Nancy, which is, perhaps, the finest white Clove

188

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 7, 1CC7'.

in cultivation, and which is quite distinct from
the Old White Clove in flower and foliage. Mr.
Dean refers to the perfect health of the plants of
which he speaks, and this causes one to inquire
why town-grown plants of these Carnations are
so "frequently seen in such fine condition, whilst
garden or nursery-grown plants are frequently
diseased. The reason, perhaps, is to be found
in the excessive or high cultivation sometimes
afforded them, and which appears unsuitable to
such robust-growing plants. E. EL. Jenkins.

Sports from the old crimson Clove

Carnation have occurred at various times. Some
years ago, probably 15 to 18 years, when Messrs.
Heath Brothers cultivated the Clove Carnation
extensively for market purposes, they had a
large stock of a blush-pink variety, similar to
that referred to by A. D. on p. 172. Mr. H. B.
May also had plants of this variety, and many
plants were sold by Mr. May to other nursery-
men. When the maggot proved destructive,
market growers gave up the culture of these
flowers, and I have not seen the Blush Clove
now for at least 10 years. It was known by no
Dther name than " Blush." A striped variety,
with markings similar to those seen in the " Mal-
maison" Carnation Lady Middleton, also existed.
The white variety referred to by A. D. is
named Gloire de Nancy, and is one of the most
powerfully-scented Carnations I am acquainted
with, and it should prove a valuable variety for
hybridising, for it possesses great vigour, large
flowers, and a beautiful fragrance. It is, how-
ever, purely a border variety, and produces
flowers from the previous year's growths only.
The old crimson Clove Carnation was formerly
grown extensively under glass for early flower-
ing, and the blooms sold for almost as good
prices as the best American varieties realise now,
A year or two ago it was difficult to find healthy
plants, but when recently visiting Messrs. H. B.
May & Sons' nurseries I found that they had a
large stock of the old crimson variety, and also
of Gloire de Nancy quite free from the maggot.
The best plan for combating this troublesome
pest is to give the roots frequent applications of
clear soot water, or to syringe the plants with,
quassia-extract during the summer and autumn
months. A. II.

I have reason to believe that the pink-
form originated with Mr. G. Woodgate, when
he had charge of the Warren House Gardens,
Kingston Hill. I purchased some layers from Mr.
Woodgate, when he was selling the plants at the
time of the breaking-up of the establishment, follow-
ing the death of Lady Wolverton, about 12 years
ago. I understood from him that the sport was
one from the old dark-coloured Clove Carnation.
C. Young, Gardener to IV. St. Q. Leng, Esq., Welford
Park, Newbury.

The Shrewsbury Show — The time allowed
for judging the Grapes in the Champion Class at
Shrewsbury was too short. To register accur-
ately the standard point value of 132 bunches of
Grapes in the short space of 120 minutes, and, at
the same time, maintain the proper relative value
by comparison from top to bottom of this num-
ber of bunches, and all open to public criticism
by experts and others, is not altogether a light
business for two men. D. wrote on page 172 : —
" Should a new challenge vase be provided for
a champion Grape class, the vase should be
made rather more difficult to win than it has
been hitherto, and to that end I would suggest
that no award be made of the vase except at least
six of the bunches shown secure maximum
points." Had such conditions been in force, the
last vase would not have been won once to this
date under the present pointing code. To ex-
tinguish a competitor's chance of obtaining the
highest award unless he can stage six absolutely
perfect bunches is unreasonable. One hears of
certain competitors who are rather low down in
the scale, and who wish to bring into use the
decimal system ; but even if this were done, the
result would work out exactly the same, and
would not assist anyone to creep in at the side
door. W. Crump, Madre'sfield Court Gardens.

Verbena Mahoneti. — Respecting F. M.'s
enquiry about Verbena Mahoneti, p. 173, a
plant of this variety of V. tenera was displayed
in an exhibit staged by Messrs. Heath & Son,
Cheltenham, at the show of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society of Ireland, held in Dublin, on
August 27. It is, I believe, a native of the
Pyrenees. E. Kncvildin, Dublin.

An American Lawn Sweeper. — I have not
seen Mr. Challis's lawn sweeper in operation, but
recently, in Mrs. Budgett's park at Guildford, I saw
a lawn cleaner of American construction which
could easily be worked by a boy, as it was very
light in weight. It collected leavesand other refuse
on the turf remarkably well by means of toothed
rakes and a rapidly revolving fan which creates a
strong current of air. Behind the fan is a bag-like
receptable into which the refuse is cast, and should
the wind be strong, a cover can be fixed over the
bag. A special recommendation is that the price
for such a machine is moderate. No sweeper
with a broom could do the cleaning so rapidly or
so well as this simple contrivance. It is known
as the Pennsylvania Lawn Cleaner. A, D.

Some New Varieties of Hemerocallis
(Day Lily). — I have bloomed this summer three
varieties of these interesting and generally free-
flowering Amaryllids. All of them are of Conti-
nental origin, two coming from Herr Sprenger,
of.Vomero, near Naples, and the third from M.
Lemoine, of Nancy, in France. One of the
Neapolitan hybrids was named Fulva-Cypriana,
a most distinct and beautiful variety, with regu-
larly-formed flowers that expand well. In colour
they are of a clear brown shade, with a clearly-
defined and slightly raised yellow midrib down
the centre of each of the alternate petals. This is

Fig

0. — WATERFALL IN ROUKEN GLEN PARK,
GLASGOW (see page 187.)

one of the most beautiful Hemerocallis known
to me. The second was named Ful-Citrina, and
is a comparatively dull and worthless variety,
with flowers of thin texture. The French seed-
ling is named luteola-pallens, being probably
either a sport or seedling from the same raiser's
beautiful hybrid distributed some few years ago
under the name of luteola, and which, curiously
enough, is identical with one of Herr Sprenger's
hybrids sent out under the name of Parthenope.
The new French hybrid is distinctly good, with
large, well-formed flowers of a pale shade of
canary yellow. W . E. Gumbleton.

School Gardens at Leyton. — Excellent
work has been done at Leyton, Essex, by the
establishment of gardens for the boys in the
elementary schools under the control of the
Urban District Council. The chairman of the
Education Committee, Mr. J. B. Slade, who is
widely known in the horticultural world as one
of the partners in Messrs. Protheroe and Morris,
has taken a prominent part in the initiation of
the scheme, and he has had the cordial support
of Mr. Thomas Tiley, the Organising Inspector
of Schools, who takes a great interest in the
matter. The practical supervision of the work
has been entrusted to the energetic Superin-

tendent of Parks and Open Spaces in Leyton,
Mr. K. J. Frogbrook, who ably carried out the
work of preparatory cultivation and general
planning of the gardens, with the system of
cropping and all essential technical details. The
instruction of the boys has been mainly left
with the school teachers who have passed
an examination in horticulture ; with, of course,
reference to Mr. Frogbrook in all cases of diffi-
culty. In 1906 a beginning was made with six
classes, but this season there are 11 classes at
different schools, each comprising 16 boys.
Every student and worker is allowed about a
square pole of ground, and under the direction
of the teacher or superintendent, performs thf
whole work of digging, trenching, sowing the
seeds, staking, hoeing, watering, etc. The seeds,
tools, stakes, and manures are provided by the
Urban District Council, but a large part of this
expense is defrayed by the Board of Education
grant to each school. The boys are allowed
to have the whole of the produce, and they thus
receive a material reward for their labour, which
is greatly appreciated. On Saturday last (Aug.
31) the first competitive exhibition of the school
garden vegetables and flowers was held at Ley-
ton, when 11 classes were provided (one for each
school), and 14 boys contributed collections of
vegetables or bunches of flowers. The competi-
tion was thus confined in every case to the
workers on each particular group of gardens,
and the schools were not pitted against each
other. Three prizes were offered for every
school, and the general quality of the exhibits
was alike creditable to the teachers and the
pupils. The judges adopted a system of point-
ing throughout, and the results were highly sat-
isfactory ; for example, taking the 11 classes, the
first prize-winners secured an average of 72 per
cent, of the possible total points, in one case
rising to 90 per cent, of the total. The second
prize-winners aveiaged 67 per cent., and the
third prize collections secured 66 per cent, of
the total points. There was considerable differ-
ence in the standards of the various schools, but
some have much less favourable soils and situa-
tions for the gardens than others, hence the rea-
son for judging them all separately. Consider-
able local interest is taken in the scheme, and
a large crowd assembled at the distributon of
prizes in the afternoon, when Mr. J. B. Slade
addressed the winners in an admirable commen-
datory, encouraging, and instructive speech.
That such work as this, on the right lines, is of
inestimable service in many directions was am-
ply demonstrated to the judges by the exhibits,
and by the subsequent inspection of the well-
kept gardens attached to the schools. Another
season's course of instruction is about to he
commenced, and the desire to be amongst the
fortunate lads selected to form the class acts as
a considerable incentive to good conduct. R.
Lewis Castle.

Eucryphia pinnatifolia. — Whilst spending
a holiday recently in Cornwall I visited the gardens
of Trewidden, the residence of T. B. Bolitho, Esq.,
especially to inspect a plant of Eucryphia pinnati-
folia. This specimen, probably the finest in the
country, measures roughly 30 feet in height and

15 feet in width, and at the time of my visit it was
a mass of flowers. The tree was planted some
years ago by the present gardener, and no check
has since marred its progress. I regret no means
were at hand for my obtaining a photograph of this
beautiful tree. A. Bullock, Copped Hall Gardens.

The Sowing of Cyclamen Seed.— Like Mr.
Fulford (see p. 172), I prefer to sow in August,
but there were no Cyclamen plants here at the
time I engaged about 12 _ months since, and I
intend to flower Cyclamen next Christmas that
have been raised from seeds sown on February

16 last. I have two dozen plants in 5-inch pots.
They are well-rooted, and have about two dozen
leaves on each plant ; flowers, in most instances,
being already observable. The seeds were sown
in a lean-to structure, in which the atmospheric
temperature was 55° at night and 60° to 65: by
day. The plants have since been kept on a shelf
near to the glass ; no fire heat has been em-
ployed during the past month, although the sun
only shines on the house from 10 a.m. to 4.30
p.m. The compost I used was similar to that
recommended by Mr. Fulford, except that in
place of the bone-meal I used burnt ashes.
About five years ago, at a Gardeners' Improve-
ment Society, I heard a lecturer say that if

September

1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

UP

Cyclamen seeds were sown in February, the
resulting plants could easily be abundantly
flowered in December. W . Ettey, St. Clements,
Yo- i.

Yhe Black Currant Gall Mite. — During
1905-tj and 7 I have gratuitously distributed up-
wards of 3,000 reports to different fruit growers in
the British Isles, giving particulars of the lime
and sulphur treatment for the Black Currant Gall
Mite. Many of these growers have since written
me and stated that " the cure recommended has
proved most successful," or "we are entirely
free from ' Big Bud ' now." I propose issuing,
shortly, a further report upon this subject in
which many of these reports will be incorporated
and I invite all growers who have tried this
remedy to write me stating upon how many acres,
or bushes, they have tried it, with what result,
and if they have any objection to their report be-
ing published with the others (not necessarily with
their name and address). Walter E. Collinge,
University of Birmingham, Dept. of Economic Z.
Biitningkam.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

September 3.— The display of flowers and
fruits at the fortnightly meeting on Tuesday last
was well up to the average for this season of the
year. An outstanding feature was a collection
of hardy Bamboos in about thirty varieties and
species shown by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons.
Dahlias reminded visitors of the approaching
autumn, and one exhibit of these flowers was of
especial merit.

Several good displays of fruits were seen.

Among the Orchid exhibits were several meri-
torious groups; the most noteworthy being a
group of six plants of Lissochilus giganteus,
shown by th-e Hon. Walter Rothschild.

Novelties were plentiful amongst flowering
plants, and the Floral Commii ii k awarded no
fewer than twelve Awards of Merit, of which
four were given to varieties of Dahlias.

The Orchid Committee granted two First-
Class Certificates, three Awards of Merit, and
one Botanical Certificate.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee made
no award to a novelty.

At the afternoon meeting nine new Fellows
were elected, and a paper on " Lesser Known
Orchids,'' illustrated by lantern slides, was read
by Mr. F. W. Moore, Glasnevin.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman); and
Messrs. Henry B. May, Chas. T. Druery, Geo.
Nicholson, T. W. Turner, YV. Cuthbertson, H.
J. Jones, Chas. Dixon, W. Bain, A. Turner, W.
* Howe, R. C. Notcutt, R. Hooper Pearson, and
C. R. Fielder.

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Edmonton,
showed a miscellaneous collection of greenhouse
flowering plants, interspersed with decorative
varieties of Ferns. The exhibit included Ixora
aurantiaca, Solanum jasminoides, Campanula
■ isophylla, Heliotropes, a variegated-leaved Ole-
ander, and the white-flowered variety Madonna ;
Abutilon Boule de Niege and others ; Statics
profusa, Swainsonia, Lobelia cardinalis, Bou-
vardias, &c. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Lord Aldenham, Elstree, Herts, (gr. Mr. Ed-
win Beckett), filled the side of one table with
vases of Pentstemons. The range of colouring
in the varieties was very wide — some were al-
most pure white, and others dark crimson, with
varieties of most of the intermediate shades.
The strain is exceptionally fine, and the culture
of the flowers was of the highest excellence.
Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

A remarkable collection of Bamboos and allied
plants was displayed by Messrs. James Veitch
& Sons, Ltd., Kirfg's Road, Chelsea. There
were more than 30 varieties and species ih this
group, some of which, including Arundinaria
japonica and Phyllostachys Quilioi, were over
10 feet in height. Amongst the rarer species we
noticed Bambusa angustifolia, Arundinaria no-
bilis, and Phyllostachys Castillonis. Two of the
showiest were Arundinaria Fortunei variegata
and A. auricoma. In another part of the Hall,
Mi ,srs, Veitch exhibited large plants of Senecio
clivorum, Aconitum Wilsoni, and Artemisia lac-
tiflo-fa. (Gold Medal.)

Messrs. W Paul & Sons, Waltham Cross,

Herts., showed an excellent collection of Roses.
The flowers were arranged in a setting of moss
in baskets, an arrangement that was pl<
and that enabled the \ arieties to be critically ex-
amined. A new variety was exhibited under the
name of Mrs. Dudley Cross. The blooms of
this new Rose are cream-coloured, with a suffu-
sion of rose in the older flowers. The buds are
yellowish. Amongst the best of the older kinds
were Frau .Karl Druschki, Caroline Testout,
Liberty, Mine. Jules Grolez, Madame Leon Pain,
and Marie van Houtte. (Silver-Gilt Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Colchester, dis-
played an assortment of Roses, some of the best
blooms being those of Irish Elegance, Mrs. R.
('.. Sharman Crawford, Dupuy Jamain, Mad.
Abel Chatenay, Commandant Felix Faure, and
Ulrich Brunner. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Sons, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., exhibited vases of Carnations of the
choicer varieties of the American or winter-
flowering type. The blooms were of exception-
allv u'ood quality. (Silver Flora Medal. i

Messrs. G. Stark & Son, Great Ryburgh,

Phloxes, of such beautiful varieties as La Syl-
phide, Tapis Blanc, Leonardo de Vinci, Esper-
ance, Sheriff Ivory, Iris, F. von Lassberg, Co-
quilicot, Josephine Gerbaux, Crepuscule, &c.
(Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Misses E. & M. Kipping, Hutton, Essex, dis-
played a small group of hardy flowers.

Mr. J. Spence, Wycliffe House Gardens,
Guildford, exhibited Alyssum maritimum, with
the notification that it was the original variety
raised by the exhibitor's father many years ago.

Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset,
again exhibited a very excellent display of
Gladioli, in all some 200 flower-spikes, repre-
senting more than 100 varieties. Marquess of
Northampton (rose colour) and Puritv (whiter
were two of the finest amongst this excellent col-
lection. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nurseries, Hither
Green, Lewisham, showed a group of hybrid
Fuchsias, apparently crosses between F. tri-
phylla and F. fulgens. They were freely flow-
ered in small pots, and included varieties with
flowers of scarlet, rose, and other shades
of red. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

' '■.'■'lift i;

Fig. Si. — lychnis gkandiflora : colour salmon-rose.

Norfolk, showed vases of Sweet Peas that were
interspersed with named varieties of Tropaeo-
lums.

Mr. Amos Perry, Enfield Chase, London, N.,
showed well-cultivated hardy flowers, including
most of the best kinds in season. We noticed
some good forms of Lychnis Haageana, some
handsome spikes of Liatris pyenostachya, Lilium
auratum in variety, sturdy Tritomas, a basket of
the handsome Stokesia cyanea prsecox, &c. (Sil-
ver-Gilt Banksian Medal. 1

Messrs. T. S. Wake. Ltd., Feltham, exhibited
seasonable hardy flowers, amongst which were
many showy Composites. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, also
showed a display of garden flowers, of such
kinds as Montbretias, varieties of Lobelia,
Gladioli, Lilium tigrinum, and others. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Gunn & Sons, Olton, Birmingham,
displayed a large and varied collection of garden

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond Nurseries,
Richmond, Surrey, showed varieties of hardy
Fuchsias, many of which are suitable for sum-
mer bedding. Interspersed amongst the
Fuchsias were small, freely-flow-ered plants of
Clematis, and a number of Eleagnuses, with
showy foliage. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Bull & Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea, showed ornamental stove and greenhouse
foliage plants in variety, the group being en-
livened with choice Orchids in flower. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Ll. Gwillim, Cambria Nurseries, New
Eltham, Kent, staged a large exhibit of flowers
of tuberous rooting Begonias. They were shown
in batches of one colour, with suitable greenery
intermingled amongst them ; the whole formed
a very attractive display. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Jarman & Co., Chard, showed their
improved varieties of Centaureas in white, helio-
trope, light-yellow, and dark-yellow colours.
(Bronze Flora Medal.)

190

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[SEPfEMEER 7, 1907.

Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey,
exhibited plants of early-flowering Chrysanthe-
mums. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Several exhibits of Dahlias were staged. A
magnificent collection of these flowers was put
up by Messrs. Carter, Page & Co., London
Wall, London. This firm showed examples of
all the types— single, cactus, show, pompon,
&c, in many of the newer and the best of the
older varieties. The blooms were arranged in
baskets, epergnes, and vases, with sprays of
Ampelopsis and tall vases of Grasses, small
Palms, &c, between them. (Silver-Gilt Flora
Medal.)

Mr. H. Shoesmith, Westfield, Woking, Sur-
rey, also showed varieties of this seasonable
flower, the cactus-flowered varieties being espe-
cially fine.

Dahlias were also shown by Messrs. Joseph
Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex. This firm ex-
hibited a number of new varieties, the best of
which is described under Awards. As a back-
ground to the Dahlias, were vases of choice,
hardy flowers. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Awards of Merit
were made to the twelve plants stated below :—

Arctotis regalis.- -This Arctotis is described as
a hybrid from A. aureola (orange-coloured) and
A. grandis (white, with mauve colour on the
exterior of the segments). A. regalis is a larger
flower than either of the reputed parents ; the
blooms are pure white, with purple anthers, and
narrow band of yellow immediately around the
disc. On the exterior of the segments there is
a slight tinting with pale purple. The flowers
have erect stems, more than 1 foot in length.
Shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart. (gr.
Mr. W. Bain).

Canna Madame Louis Voraz.—A large, yellow-
flowered variety, richly veined with red, almost
in circles, the red colour becoming confluent
in the lower segments. Shown by Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Bart. (gr. Mr. W. Bain.

Carnation Mrs. T. Coulthwaite — This is a
first-class white border variety, with non-split-
ting calyx. It has an exceptionally free habit,
and the flowers are fragrant. Shown by Mr.
P. Blair, Trentham.

Dahlia " Alice."— This is a white decorative
flower of the " Cactus " type with a little lemon
colour showing at the base of the segments to-
wards the centre of the flower. It is too small
for exhibition purposes, but, having good, stiff
stems., will be a useful decorative Dahlia.

D. " Mauve Queen." — An exhibition Cactus-
flowered Dahlia, coloured mauve with white
centre.

D. " Peggy." — This single Dahlia is remark-
able for its colouration. The tips of the floral
segments are purplish-rose, but this is followed
a little lower down by orange, and at the base
the colour is rich rosy-crimson, the effect being,
therefore, one of purplish-rose, orange, and
crimson in circles. The three varieties just
described were shown by Messrs. J. Cheal &
Sons.

D. " Elsa Ellrich." — In this variety cultiva-
tors will find a large-flowered, exhibition,
Cactus Dahlia of good form, and rich yellow
colouring throughout. Shown by Mr. H.
Shoesmith.

Fuchsia " Coralle." — A variety obtained from
F. triphylla, or possibly a hybrid from this
species and F. fulgens. The flowers are lj-inch
long, and are produced in good clusters. The
calyx lobes are short, as in F. triphylla, and
the petals are even shorter. The colour is pale,
or salmon red. This variety and other similar
ones have been introduced from Germany.
The present specimen was shown by Mr. H. J.
Jones.

Gaillardia grandifiora, variety Lady Rolleston,
— This is a magnificent variety of the species.
The flowers are rich yellow-coloured through-
out, and are 4 inches in diameter. They are
produced on erect stems 2 feet or more in
length. Shown by Messrs. Harrison & Sons,
Leicester.

Gladiolus Purity. — A large-flowered white
variety, very slightly marked with purple, and
having a suspicion of pale yellow on the lower
segments. It is one of the best white varieties
we have seen. Shown by Messrs. Kelway &
Son.

Lychnis grandifiora. — Mr. Amos Perry showed
plants of this species, which is a native of China
and Japan, and of which an illustration is repro-
duced at fig. 81. Mr. Terry's plants are said

to have been collected in Thibet, and there were
four distinct varieties, each of which differed in
its degree of merit as a garden plant. One form
had orange-coloured flowers, and the petals
were divided in much the same manner as
shown in the illustration. The type, however,
selected for receiving the Award of Merit had
flowers 3 inches in diameter, with large,
overlapping petals of rosy-crimson colour. The
plants grow to a height of 2 feet or more, but
for some unexplained reason the species has,
until the present, remained in cultivation in
this country only for short periods, although it
was introduced more than a century ago, and
on several subsequent occasions. The type that
was granted an Award of Merit on Tuesday last
is probably the largest-flowered variety so far
observed.

Pcntstemon. — An excellent strain shown by
Lord Aldenham.

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
chair) ; and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, H. Little, W. Boxall, F. W.
Moore, W. P. Bound, A. Dye, H. T. Pitt, W.
Cobb, J. Charlesworth, W. H. White, H. G.
Alexander, H. A. Tracy, W. A. Bilney, F.
Peeters-Carter, and W. Bottom

The exhibits of Orchids were very interesting,
and especially a group of splendidly-grown
plants of Lissochilus giganteus, for which the
Hon. Walter Rothschild, Tring Park, Tring
(gr. Mr. A. Dye), was awarded the Silver-Gilt
Lindley Medal. The group was composed of
six fine plants, furnished with bright green
plicate leaves and bearing between them nine
flower-spikes, each about 7 feet in height, the
individual spikes having from 20 to 30 flowers.
The prominent bracts and reflexed sepals were
green, tinged with purple ; the orbicular-shaped,
bright rose petals and massive lip forms the
showiest feature. The lip varies in tint from
light rose to pale violet, with a distinct whitish
callus. The plants are grown at Tring as semi-
aquatics until the flowers appear, when they
are allowed to develop in a warm plant house
in a similar manner to the allied L. Horsfallii,
illustrated from the Tring Park specimens in
the Gardeners' Chronicle, March 31, 1906. The
species exhibited is a native of tropical Africa,
the plants being imported from the Congo (see
fig. in Gardeners' Chronicle, May 19, 1888, p. 617).

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, were awarded
a Silver Flora Medal for a showy group of
Orchids, principally hybrids, the centre of the
exhibit being occupied by the superb Cattleya
Iris His Majesty (see Awards). The group also
contained a plant of the pretty new, lilac-tinted
Brasso-Cattleya Ena (C. Lawrenceana X B.
Digbyana) ; a good selection of Laelio-Cattleya
Bletchleyensis, L.-C. Dominiana, L.-C. Pary-
satis, L.-C. Wellsiana, Brasso-Laelia Digbyano-
purpurata, Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-War-
scewiczii, Cypripedium Jas. H. Veitch, and
other Cypripediums.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for
a pleasing group, in the centre of which was
a selection of their fine type of Cattleya Iris.
Around these were plants, including a good white
form of C. Gaskelliana vestalis, C. atalanta,
C. Mrs. Pitt, C. Fowleriana, and various
showy Laelio-Cattleyas. At one end of the dis-
play were several finely-bloomed Ancistrochilus
Thompsonianus, var. Gentilii, strong speci-
mens of Miltonia vexillaria Leopoldii, M. v.
robusta, M. spectabilis Moreliana, Odonto-
glossum Rolfeas, and other Odontoglossums ; a
specimen of Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-War-
scewiczii, with three well-developed flowers on
one spike. Among the species was the remark-
able Cirrhopetalum ornatissimum, with a spray
of singular flowers having fringed dorsal sepals
and petals. We also noticed Bulbophyllum
Godseffianum, a well-grown specimen of
Epidendrum prismatocarpum, the fine Cym-
bidium erythrostylum, Vanda Kimballiana, &c.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, received
a Silver Flora Medal for a group of Orchids, in
the centre of which was a selection of their
new Cattleya Davisii (velutina X Hardyana),
the varieties varying much in the pretty rose,
bronze, and purple flowers, the varieties rubra
and aurea being the best. On either side of
the group were selections of Laelio-Cattleya
Bletchleyensis, L.-C. Henry Greenwood, and

other hybrids. Cattleya Ethelreda (O'Brieniana
X Dowiana) has pretty blush-white flowers,
with deflected, rosy-purple lip ; Laelio-Cattleya
Magnaei (L. tenebrosa X C. granulosa), has
long, cream-white sepals and petals that are
veined with purple, and having an elongated
purple labellum. Odontoglossum blando-
mobile has pretty white flowers that are spotted
with purple. Various Cypripediums and other
hybrids were included in the display.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, were
awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for an exhibit
that contained Cattleya Gaskelliana alba, C.
Parthenia " Prince of Wales," C. bicolor, two
dwarf specimens of the yellow Sobralia xan-
tholeuca nana, Oncidium oblongatum and its
variety citrinum, which has yellow flowers
without bars of brown on the sepals, Cypri-
pedium Gowerianum magnificum, C. vexil-
larium, and other Cypripediums.

Major G. L. Holford, CLE., C.V.O.,
Westonbirt (gr. Mr. Alexander), showed Brasso-
Cattleya Madame Hye, C. Iris, Holford's
variety, a very handsome form ; a good Onci-
dium Jonesianum, and cut spikes of a fine
Vanda Sanderiana.

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, showed a small group. The new Catt-
leya Armstrongiae (Hardyana X Loddigesii
violacea), a pretty rose-coloured flower, with
orange centre to the lip, which has a rose-purple
blotch on front, was noticed ; also Cattleya Iris
inversa, with bronzy sepals and petals and rich
purple lip ; Cattleya elatior, C. Madame Hye,
C. fulvescens, and a pretty hybrid between C.
Percivaliana and C. Schilleriana.

Messrs. Stanley & Co., Southgate, staged
plants of Cattleya bicolor, Laelio-Cattleya ele-
gans Harrisii, a variety having large, rich,
purple-tinted flowers ; and the singular Brassa-
vola cucullata.

Messrs. Hooley Bros., Bitterne Park, South-
ampton, sent a flower-spike of Cattleya granu-
losa with 10 blooms.

H. T. Pitt, Esq., Rosslyn, Stamford Hill,
showed Cattleya Hardyana Countess of Derby,
a superb white-petalled foim with intense ruby-
crimson lip, and which had previously received
a First-Class Certificate as C. Warscewiczii
Countess of Derby.

Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton Park (gr. Mr.
W. P. Bound), displayed a clear yellow form of
Brasso-Laelia Fladosa (L. flava X B. nodosa) ;
the pale yellow, fringed-lipped Chondrorhyncha
Chestertonii, and the singular Cirrhopetalum
appendiculatum.

Walter Cobb, Esq., Rusper (gr. Mr. C. J.
Salter), showed Laelio-Cattleya Iris, Dulcote
variety, and L.-C. Ashtonii.

Mr. Maurice Mertens, Ghent, showed Odon-
toglossum Rolfeae magnificum, a very large and
finely-formed flower.

AWARDS.

First-Class Certificates.

Cattleya Iris His Majesty (bicolor x aurea),
from Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chel-
sea. This is probably the finest form of C.
Iris ever shown, and a remarkable reversion to-
wards C. aurea both in size and colour. The
specimen carried three very large flowers, the
broad sepals and petals having a yellow ground
colour tinted outward with an old-gold tint and
shaded with bronze, passing to sulphur yellow
towards the margin. The base of the lip is
yellow, with red lines running into the centre,
which is marked with orange. The broad front
lobe is coloured a rich ruby-crimson. It was
originally raised by Messrs. Charlesworth &
Co., who also were voted a First-Class Certifi-
cate for the plant, but the Award was withdrawn
as a painting of the flower was not secured.

Srasso-L&lio-Caltleya Rowena (L.-C. Doris X
B. Digbyana), from Major G. L. Holford (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander). A very fine flower, and
a good addition to the hybrids of Brassavola
Digbyana, especially on account of the bright
colour of its flowers. The flower approaches in
size and shape that of Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-
Mossiae, but the fringe on the lip is not so deep
as in that variety. The colour is a dear, iiqht
yellow, with some emerald green lines at the
base of the lip.

Awards of Merit.

Stanhopea flatyceras, from the Hon. Walter
Rothschild, M.P. (gr. Mr. A. Dye). A very
handsome and rare species, and one of the
largest of the Stanhopeas. The broad, rather

September 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

191

concave sepals are cream-white, and closely
dotted with purple ; the narrower, recurved
petals are also cream-white, but tinged with
rose and spotted with purple. The long, boat-
shaped hypochil has a whitish base that is
heavily tinged and spotted with blackish-purple.
The horns of the middle portion of the lip are
broad and flat, and they form a distinguishing
feature for the species, and, like the fleshy
epichil, are white spotted with purple.

Caitleya Hardyana var. Madame Valcke, from
Monsieur A. A. Peeters, Brussels. A charm-
ing variety, with white sepals and petals, the
lip being somewhat like that of a light form of
C. Warscewiczii ; the colour is rose, with a
yellow patch on either side of the tube, and a
broad pale lilac margin.

Sophro-Lcelio-Cattleya Phyllis (Sophro-Laelia
laeta X C. Lawrenceana), from Major G. L.
Holford. A hybrid of dwarf habit, and with
pretty rose-purple coloured flowers, having a
claret-purple front to the labellum. The flowers
are of good size and shape.

Botanical Certificate.
Eulofhia ensata, from the Hon. Walter
Rothschild. An African species, with lanceo-
late, plicate leaves and tall inflorescence, bear-
ing a dense head of pale yellow flowers : the
lip has a hairy orange-coloured crest. The
species is figured in the Botanical Register, t.
1147.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.
Present : G. Bunyard, Esq. (chairman) ;
Messrs. Jos. Cheal, W. Bates, W. Pope, H.
Parr, Horace J. Wright, H. Markham, Jno.
Lyne, Owen Thomas, Lhas. Foster, J. Mcintosh,
W. Poupart, W. Wilks, J. Vert, Geo. Woodward,
J. Davis, and A. R. Allan.

A fine collection of fruiting trees in pots was
shown by the King's Acre Isursery Co., Here-
ford. Especially fine were espalier trees of
Peaches, the variety Sea Eagle being freely
fruited. Thos. Rivers Peach was also shown
fine fruited, and another tree heavily cropped
•was Violette Hative Nectarine, although the
fruits were small in size. Trained vines in pots
of Gros Maroc, Black Alicante, Lady Hutt, Aln-
wick Seedling, and others were staged at the
back of the exhibit. The specimen of Alnwick
Seedling was one of the best cropped pot vines
we have seen. The exhibit also included Apples
Cox's Orange Pippin, James Grieve, Worcester
Pearmain, and Washington ; Late Orange Plum,
Conference, Marguerite Marillat, and other
Pears, with tall plants of Red Currants, and
small trees of Figs. (Silver-Gilt Hogg Medal.)
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
staged a collection of hardy fruits. At the back
of this exhibit were Apples and Pear trees in
pots, all of which had been grown in the open.
Boxes of Plums, including the varieties Bryans.
ton Gage, McLaughlan's Gage, Oullin's Golden
Gage, and a very finely flowered red Gage,
which is probably a new variety of merit. A
row of large, well-finished Apples formed a suit-
able finish to the group. The varieties of Apples
included Red Quarrenden, Red Astrachan,
Duchess of Oldenburg, Worcester Pearmain, and
Lady Sudeley. Messrs. Cannell showed a new
Apple, labelled Cannell's Market. It is a pro-
lific cropper — as many as 24 fruits were ex-
hibited on a small branch, and these ripen early
in the season. (Silver-Gilt Knightian Medal.)
Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea,
showed 50 trained fruit trees in pots. The best
specimens were those of Pears and Plums. An
excellent example of Belle de Louvain Plum
was afforded a prominent position. Purple
Gage and Cox's Emperor Plums were also
heavily cropped. Trees of Beurre Jean van
Geert and Marguerite Marillat Pears were car-
rying finely finished fruits of large size. The
examples of Souvenir du Congres, Charles
Ernest and Conference Pears were also worthy
of mention. Ben's Red Apple was highly col-
oured. Figs, too, were displayed in well-cropped
examples, the best being Brown Turkey and
Negro Largo. (Silver-Gift Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone,
Kent, showed a miscellaneous assortment of
frmts — Apples, Pears, Peaches, Apricots, Plums,
Damsons, Nuts, and Cherries. Of Plums, we
noticed White Magnum Bonum, the Burbank
Plum (an attractive fruit in appearance), the
Wickson Plum, Sultan, and Belle Louvain ;
Apples Lady Sudeley, Worcester Pearmain, and
Red Quarrenden, all of which were coloured

highly ; Duchess of Oldenburg, and very fine
fruits of Stirling Castle. The best Pears in the
group were Triomphe de Vienne, Williams' Bon
Chretien, Dovenne du Bossoch, and Marguerite
Marillat. (Silver-Gilt Knightian Medal.)

Mrs. Brace, Doveridge Hall, near Derby,
showed a collection of hot-house fruits. A dish
of Barrington Peaches was especially good.
Bunches of Grapes, somewhat small, but with
well-finished berries, formed a background to
the collection, which included Peaches, Necta-
rines, Pears, Cherries, Figs, Plums, and Melons.
(Silver Knightian Medal.)

The usual array of Seedling Melons was seen
on the table devoted to novelties, but none was
found worthy the distinction of an Award.

The curious Cucurbitaceous fruit known as
Lemon Cucumber was shown by Messrs. Barr
& Sons, King Stieet, Covent Garden, W.C. It
was of ovoid shape, lemon-coloured, with a
number of black dots, apparently rudimentary
spines.

LECTURE ON LESSER KNOWN ORCHIDS.

The lecture at the afternoon meeting of the
Fellows was by Mr. F. W. Moore, Curator of
the Glasnevin Botanic Gardens. The lecturer
treated of Orchid giants, pigmy Orchids, species
having some peculiar habit or structure,
pendulous-growing varieties, Orchids of remark-
able appearance, and others that are remarkable
for requiring some special cultural treatment.
Amongst the largest of Orchids is Grammato-
phyllum speciosum (illustrated in the last issue
of the Gardeners' Chronicle), Arachnanthe Lowii,
and the very rare Eulophiella Peetersiana.
Cyrtopodium Andersonii bears an inflorescence
that reaches a height of 4 feet 4 inches. Cypri-
pedium Lindleyanum at Glasnevin developed
leaves 2 feet 3 inches in length and 3$ inches in
breadth, whilst the flowers were borne on in-
florescences 4 feet 9 inches in height. Arach-
nanthe Lowii produced six inflorescences in the
Glasnevin Gardens, each measuring G to 7 feet,
and it is curious that this species produces
dimorphic flowers, for the basal ones are quite
different in shape and colour to those on the
upper portions of the inflorescence. (See also
Lissochilus giganteus, a gigantic species, figured
in Gardeners' Chronicle, May 19, 1888, p. 617.—
The inflorescences reach a height of 8 feet. — Ed.)

Among pigmy Orchids, Mr. Moore enumerate!
Pleurothallis asterophera, P. hypnicola, P.
simmleriana, and P. lateritia. P. hypnicola
is one of the smallest of Orchids, its
flowers being so inconspicuous that they can
scarcely be seen. Maxillaria funerea, Masde-
vallia "nidifica, and Megaclinium minutum are
dwarf representatives of three other genera.
The lecturer referred to the curiously-flowered
Arachnanthe annamen^is, which produced an
inflorescence bearing eight to ten flowers, each
5 inches in length and with transverse bars of
yellow on a red ground (see fig. in Gardeners''
nick, May 12, 1906, p. 290i. Some of the
most curious adaptations of Orchids are to be
found in their labellums. In some species this
organ is fleshy, as in Stanhopea, and in others,
such as Brassavola, it is hairy but fixed. In Bul-
bophyllum, however, it is not only hairy, but
hinged, so that it moves with the slightest dis-
placement of the air. Bulbophyllum barbatum
is a well-known species, but B. tremula is not
so commonly seen. It has a heavy fringe of
hanging hairs, which give the plant a singular
appearance. The curious habit of growth of
Masdevallia deorsa was referred to, and Mr.
Moore stated that this species refuses to grow
in any other position than a pendulous one.
Lycaste Dyeriana dies if it is not allowed to
grow with its roots uppermost. The species
was flowered at Glasnevin in 1896. A curious
adaptation of growth is seen in Epidendrum ver-
sicatum ; the leaves of this plant form a cup, the
upper pair enclose the flowers and form a sealed
chamber, so that were they pointing in the
normal upward position, the flower-spike would
become rotted owing to the presence of water.

Other species of ( Irchids which require a
pendulous position are Brassavola nodosa,
Cattleya citrina, and Scutecaria Steelii. In
opposition to this habit of growth are varieties
which must be grown in a perfectly upright
position, with their growths erect. Ccelogyne
triplicatula, when planted in an ordinary flat
manner, refused to grow, but it was trained
erect and it succeeded splendidly. It is a very
scarce species, with brownish-yellow coloured

flowers, having darker lips, with marked keels.
Some Orchids are self-fertile to a high degree,
and of this class is Dendrobium Brymerianum,
but, as is to be expected, the flowers of this
plant are quite unimportant in appearance.
Cymbidium grandiflorum (syn. C. Hookerianum)
seldom opens its flowers, which are self-
fertilised.

A curious plant is Pleurothallis immersa.
The flower-spike appears to develop from the
leaf blade about half-way up. There is a
channel or tunnel in the leaf, and the growth
is not contiguous. The usual appearance of an
Orchid flower is with the lip in the lower posi-
tion, but this is due to torsion in the ovary,
and when, as in Eria globifera, the torsion is not
present the lip is uppermost, and what is really
the correct position of the flower appears
abnormal.

The lecturer also referred to Orchids having
a peculiar growth of pseudo-bulb and foliage,
and showed lantern slides of some, including
Hexisia bidentata and Hexadesmia crurigera.
Mr. Moore stated that the genus Maxillaria con-
tains several species with remarkable flowers,
one of the most interesting being M. fractiflexa,
which has curiously twisted sepals and petals
(see Gardeners' Chronicle, May 31, 1902, fig. 125).

READING HORTICULTURAL.

August 28. — The annual exhibition of this
society was held in the Forbury Gardens on
the above date. The number of the exhibits ex-
ceeded those of last year — the jubilee year of
the society — and this necessitated the provision
of larger tents.

Outstanding features of the show were the ex-
hibits of vegetables and fruit, and especially the
collection of vegetables shown by Mr. James
Dymock (gr. to Geo. D. Faber, Esq., of Wal-
lingford), in the class for ten kinds of vegetables,
the prizes being offered by Messrs. Sutton &
Sons. The 1st prize in the class for six varie-
ties of vegetables was won by Mr. George Ell-
wood (gr. to Mr. W. H. Myers, Bishop's Walt-
ham, Hants.), but there was not much difference
of quality between this exhibit and that of the
2nd prize-winner, Mr. A. Basile (gr. to the
Rev. Thomas McMurdie, Weybridge). In the
cottagers' classes the produce was exceedingly
well grown, Potatos especially. Fruit was good
considering the backward season. Exhibits of
Grapes were of moderate quality, the best were
shown by Mr. J. Willis Fleming, of Romsey
(gr. Mr. Mitchell). The same remark applies
to Peaches, the exception being a fine dish of
" Golden Eagle," shown by S. Monck, Esq.,
Coley Park (gr. Mr. A. J. Booker). Nectarines
and Plums were of good quality, but Pears and
Apples lacked colour.

The class for a group of plants arranged for
effect produced four good groups. The 1st
prize was taken by Edward Wagg, Esq., of
Maidenhead (gr. Mr. D. Phillips). Lady Cooke
secured the 2nd prize for a group that was
somewhat crowded, but the plants were well-
grown specimens. Fuchsias made a good dis-
play ; those shown by Mr. J. Friedlander,
of Whiteknights, were considered the best, but
those shown by Miss K. Ratcliffe, Westfield,
Reading, were not far behind those of the 1st
prize group in point of quality. Mr. Wagg
won the 1st prizes for stove' Ferns and for stove
plants of a miscellaneous character with well-
grown specimens ; Mr. S. B. Joel was an
easy 1st prize-winner for tuberous Begonias
in the open class. The decorative classes
were somewhat disappointing, and there was
a lack of originality. In the open classes
for Dahlias, Mr. John Walker, of Thame, was
very successful, taking three 1st prizes. In
the Rose classes open to amateurs only, Mr. C.
E. Keyser, of Aldermaston, won the premier
award ; 2nd, Mr. H. W. Dunlop, Earley.

The non-competitive exhibits formed a very
attractive feature of the show. Messrs. Powell
& Sons, Bath Road Nurseries, Reading, were
awarded a Silver Medal for a group of floral
designs, foliage plants, &c. ; Messrs. Hicks &
Bloomfibld, Calcot Nurseries, Reading, re-
ceived a Silver Medal for a display of Roses ;
Mr. T. Rigg, Caversham, was also awarded a
Silver Medal for cut Roses ; and Messrs. Jas.
Holder & Sons a Silver Medal for a group of
plants, &c. Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge,
showed a miscellaneous group of Sweet Peas,
Carnations, and other flowers ; fruit, vegetables,

192

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 7, 1907.

&-c, for which the Society's Gold Medal was
awarded. Mr. Fred Eames, Frome, was given a
Silver-Gilt Medal for a collection of hardy
flowers.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

NATIONAL DAHLIA.

(By Telephone.)
September 5 and 6. — A year ago at the hold-
ing of the annual show of the National Dahlia
Society, we referred in these pages to the extra-
ordinary climatic conditions the plants had ex-
perienced in the last week of August and first
week in September. The ground was dry, the
atmosphere hot, and bright sunshine was regis-
tered almost every day ! But such are the
means that gardeners may employ in the culti-
vation of their plants, that even last year the
Dahlia growers found themselves in a position
to contribute a creditable exhibition of the vari-
ous types of their favourite flowers.

The present season affords as striking a con-
trast to that of 1906 as could well be imagined,
and the National Dahlia Society has to hold its
exhibition just the same. The judging is taking
place as these pages are being sent to press, but
our representative at the Crystal Palace, where
the exhibition is displayed, is enabled to give us
a few particulars through the telephone, from
which we gather that the show is likely to give
satisfaction, although the quality generally is
not of the highest. The entries are about equal
to the average, and, consequently, there is a
good exhibition.

The winner of the 1st prize in the class for
48 blooms of show Dahlias (distinct) open to
nurserymen is Mr. Jno. Walker, Thame, Oxon.,
and Mr. W. Treseder, Cardiff, has been
awarded the 2nd prize.

In the smaller class for 24 blooms (distinct],
Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury,
have gained the 1st prize, and Mr. Geo. Hum-
phries, Chippenham, the 2nd prize.

The best exhibit of 18 blooms of fancy varie-
ties (distinct), in the class for nurserymen, was
shown by Mr. William Treseder, and Mr. J.
Walker was 2nd.

The smaller class for 12 blooms was won by
Messrs. J. Cray & Sons, Frome, and Mr. S.
Mortimer, Farnham, Surrey, gained the 2nd
prize.

The principal class for Cactus Dahlias called
for 18 varieties in bunches of six blooms each,
and, in addition to the money prizes awarded,
the 1st prize included a Silver Challenge Cup
value £15 15s. This has been awarded on the
present occasion to Messrs. J. Stredwick & Son,
Silverhill Park Nursery, St. Leonards ; 2nd,
Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., Cambridge.

In the section reserved for amateurs, the
Silver Challenge Cup offered for 24 blooms of
show Dahlias (distinct), has been won by
Messrs. Webb & Thompson, Kingswood, Bristol,
two amateur growers, who combined to make
the exhibit.

Another Silver Cup offered for nine varieties
of Cactus Dahlias, in bunches of three blooms
each, has been awarded to Mr. W. E. Peters,
St. Leonard's-on-Sea ; 2nd, Mr. J. Shoebridge,
Kast Grinstead.

The Gold Badge, offered by Messrs. Debbie
& Co. for 24 blooms (cactus), has been gained
by an exhibit from Mr. J. Bryant, Salisbury.
The money prize in this class was offered by
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons.

Some of the finest flowers in the show were
staged in the class for 24 bunches of single
Dahlias (nurserymen), the best collection being
from Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley (1st
prize), and Mr M. V. Seale, Sevenoaks.

A Silver Medal was offered by Mr. Edward
Mawley for the best bunch of Cactus Dahlias in
Classes 6 and 7, and this was awarded to Messrs.
G. Stredwick & Son for a bunch of flowers of
the variety C. E. Wilkins.

Noncompetitive exhibits included displays
from Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley ;
Messrs. T. S. Ware (Begonias) ; Mr. J. E.
Knight, Wolverhampton ; Hobbies. Ltd. &c.

Begonias, Damping Off: A. J. C. Your
plants are quite free from disease, so far as
can be determined from the specimens re-
ceived. The damping is the result of an ex-
cess of moisture. Endeavour to obtain
greater vigour in your plants by affording a
more generous system of culture.

Books : F. A. S. W. You would find the infor-
mation required, in an abbreviated form, in
Flowering Plants and Ferns, Vols. I. and II., by
J. C. Willis, M.A., and published by the
University Press, Cambridge.

Levantine Pomegranates : South Carolina. We
are unable to furnish you with the information.

Melons Cracking: M. L. If the cracking is
not due to the formation of the " netting," it
has probably resulted from an excess of mois-
ture in the atmosphere of the Melon pit. More
ventilation and a freer circulation of air
should be allowed. You will find a note on
this subject in our issue for August 10 last,
p. 119.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants.— We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both of
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits : C. H. Gooseberry Yellow Aston.
f.A.B. Apple Sugar Loaf.

Plants : E. 3. The Begonia flowers had
dropped to pieces. If you think it is a species
and not a mere seedling variety, you had better
send fresh specimens, with growths attached. —
V. W. Hol'and. 1, Aconitum Napellus; 2, A.
rostratum ; 3, A. Vulparia.— E. C. W. Cras-
sula sp. — E. M. The yellow flower is Colutea
arborescens. We cannot undertake to name
the Sweet Peas. — B. S. 1 and 5, varieties of
Helianthus ; 2, Erigeron speciosus ; 3, Cytisus
species; 4, Arabis albida (double flowered
variety) ; 6, Achillea Ptarmica (double flowered
variety) ; 7, Veronica spicata.— /. A. W. 1,
Probably Daphne pontica, but we cannot deter-
mine from leaves only ; 2, Cichorium Intybus
(Chicory).— S. H J. 1, Yucca gloriosa ; 2,
Verbascum nigrum (British) ; 3, Fuchsia Ricar-
tonii ; 4, Olearia Haastii ; 5, Veronica " Purple
Queen," a garden hybrid.— 6, V. salicifolia —
S. Platycodon grandiflorum. — E. B. 1, Hy-
pericum Androsaemum; 2, H. hircinum ; 3,
H. elatum. — C. c~ Sons. 1, Finns Laricio nigri-
cans (Austrian Pine) ; 2, P. Laricio (Corsican
Pine) ; 3 and 4, Abies nobilis.— A. E. Critchley.
1, Sedum altissimum; 2, S. reflexum; 3, Eryngium
amethystinum ; 4, Clematis heracleaefolia. —
J. W. Ptelea trifoliata. — G. IV. Linaria repens
var. alba. — W. C. Origanum Dictamnus (pink),
Chaenostoma hispida. — L. E. J. Pentstemon
Hartwegii "Newberry Gem." — M.A.T. We
cannot undertake to name varieties of Carna-
tions.— W. H. Stenocarpus Cunninghamii. —
A. G. 1, Podophyllum Emodi ; 2, Anchusa
italica ; 3, Spiraea Douglasii ; 4, Escallonia
macrantha ; 5, Diervilla (Weigela) species ; 6,
Leycesteria formosa. — A. M. 1, Arnebia echi-
odes; 2, Abelia triflora ; 3, Arbutus Unedo ; 4,
Lasiandra macrantha. — Talma. Ccelogyne spe-
ciosa.— A*. II'. Cattleya Dowiana aurea. Cat-
tleya aurea is the usual garden name for this
plant, which accounts for your obtaining it as
such. Botanically it is a local form of Cat-
tleya Dowiana. — Somerset. Kochia scoparia, a
plant extensively grown for market, and for
decorative gardening. — J. H. C. Vanda Rox-
burghii.— 7. A. 1, Masdevallia triaristella ; 2,
Odontoglossum crinitum ; 3, Ada aurantiaca ; 4,
Brassia verrucosa. — J. L., Shrewsbury. 1, Phy-
gelius capensis ; 2, Vitis heterophylla variegata.

3, Prunus Pissardi ; 4, Koelreuteriapaniculata. —
W. E., Norwood. Statice Suvvorowi. — A. C. W.
Helenium autumnale, variety cupreum. — A. D.
Both hybrids of Cypripedium villosum and very
near to C. Harrisianum. The Anthurium is the
long-spathed form of Anthurium Scherzerianum.

National Chrysanthemum Society : E. C. The
Secretary to this Society is Mr. R. Witty, St.
James' Villa, Swain's Lane, Highgate, London,

N.

Streptocarpus Flowers Malformed : E. D.
The abnormality is due to fasciation or a
fusion of growth. The upper flower has be-
come regular, and presents an example of
peloria — a common occurrence in many plants
that normally produce zygomorphic flowers.

Summer Bedding Plants: C. W. H. Flower-
beds filled entirely with one shade of a particu-
lar colour are liable to become very monotonous
if the beds are of great size. At the same time,
if shades of the same colour are employed for
obtaining variety, there is a danger of their
clashing with each other. For the "Blue
Beds " we suggest that you plant in the middle
of each, at 3 feet apart, three good plants of
Campanula pyramidalis (blue), " Syon House
variety," and as a groundwork to these plant
light-blue flowered Victoria Asters. At a foot
from the edge of the bed plant Salvia patens at
distances of 2 feet apart and fill in the spaces
between these with dwarf, blue, bedding Asters,
finally employing an edging of single blue
Lobelia. White Beds. If the specimen is well
variegated retain the Acer for the centre and fill
in 3 feet wide, from the Acer, with white Pelar-
goniums. At 18 inches from the edge of the bed
put Francoa ramosa at distances of 2 feet apart,
filling in the intervening spaces with white Ver-
benas. An edging of Antennaria tomentosa will
be suitable for these beds, but the effect of this
dwarf edging may be relieved by planting
Echeveria secunda glauca 8 or 9 inches apart.
Scarlet Beds. Use a plant of Ricinus Gibsonii
or a good specimen of Cordyline australis for
the centre and a Grevillea robusta 18 inches in-
wards from each corner. Edge with dwarf
scarlet Begonia semperflorens, and fill the re-
mainder of the beds with scarlet-flowered,
tuberous-rooted Begonias. Pink Beds. Plant
three or four specimens of Lavatera trimestris
(rose pink) in the middle, and pink-flowered I\y-
leaved Pelargoniums, trained as small pillars, at
18 inches from each corner ; edge with the same
type of Pelargonium pegged down, filling in the
remaining space with double-flowered Godetia.
If the anchor-shaped beds, in which you re-
quire yellow flowers, approximate in shape to
the nautical anchor, they are too narrow to
admit of many dot plants. Dwarf yellow Antir-
rhinums would make a good edging and you
could fill in with Calceolaria amplexicaulis,
placing a good yellow-flowered Canna where the
width of the beds will permit of its being dis-
played to advantage.

Tomatos Diseased : E. J. V. Your plants and
fruits are badly affected with a disease known
as Macrosporium solani. You can do nothing
in the case of the fruits and plants already
attacked, but you should remove promptly all
the leaves and fruits that are seen to be
affected. The spread of the disease may be
arrested by spraying with the Bordeaux mix-
ture. Burn all diseased fruits and leaves.

Vine Leaves : F. H. The discoloration of the
foliage has been caused by sudden changes of
temperature in the vinery. No disease is pre-
sent : the black-mould is a saprophyte, and
occurs only on the dead tissue.

Zaluzianskia maritima : B. H . B. There is but
little doubt that this is the plant you purchased
years ago under the name of Erinus Lychnidea,
for, as stated in Mr. Gumbleton's note on p. 161
of our last issue, the species was formerly known
by the latter name, and it was illustrated as
Erinus Lychnidea in the Botanical Magazim.

Communications Received. — H. J. — E. H. J. — G. S. S. —
I. M. P.— C. T.— A. J. B.— S. W. S.-R. S— Garden Boy—
R. V. & Sons— H. & Son — A. A.-F. S. — L. Bros.—
— S. D. & Co.-Miss P.— D. C. B.— C. S. S.-F. M. W.—
A. C— A. D. W.— D. R. W.— J. J. W.— H. T. G.— J. W. R.
—A. C. B.— F. I.— C. R.— H. W. W.— J. D. G.— W. T.—
J. C— H. N., Florida— W. B. H.— H. T. S.— W. W. P.

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

19^

THE

(§KirbcnciVdnonicI

No. 1,081.— SA TURD A Y, September 14, 1907.

c

CONTENTS.

Arctotis x regalis ... 204

Aston Rowant House
gardens 196

Books, notices of —
Botanical Magazine ... 202

Bulb carder, the—
Gladioli, two species
of 198

Campanula petraea ... 197

Cannas, a trial of ... 206

Chrysanthemums in the
United States of
America 195

Clove Carnation, varie-
ties of the 205

Colonial note —
Emigrants in New
Zealand 195

Fatal accident to an ex-
hibitor 203

Flowers in season ... 202

Fruit crop?, remarks on
the condition of the ... 203

Gardener's long service,
a 202

Hydrangeas in tubs ... 205

Laeken, the gardens at 202

Lemoine, M. Victor ... 201

Market ( 'ardening—
Notes from Worthing 198

Plant notes —
Lagerstroemia indica 194

Plants, new or note-
worthy—
Campanula longistyla 193

Primula obconica, poi-
sonous properties of 205

Rock garden, the—

Campanula " China
Cup "

Patrinia gibbosa
Rosary, the —

Rose Dorothy Perkins

Rosa setigera

Schneider, Mr. George,

honour for

Senecio Wilsonianus ...
Silver leaf disease
Societies —

National Dahlia

Royal Caledonian
Horticultural

Royal Horticultural

(Scientihc Committee)
Timber, British, present

demand for

Transplanting seedlings
Trees and shrubs —

Calophaca Wolgarica
Vegetables-
Early varieties of
Peas and Beans ...
Victoria Medalists,

three new

Week's work, the —

1 I. iwer garden, the ...

Fruits under glass ...

Hardy fruit garden ...

Kitchen garden, the...

Orchid houses, the ...

Parks and gardens ...

Plants under glass ...

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Arctotis x regalis

Aston Rowant House, view of the residence and
grounds at

Ballantine, Henry, portrait of

Campanula longistyla

Campanula petraea, inflorescence of

Llewelyn, Sir John T. D., Bart., portrait of

Senecio Wilsonianus (Supplementary Illustration)

197
197

195
195

203

201
205

193

906

197

2QQ

198
199
198
198
199
199
199

204

196

21)1
194
197
300

PRESENT DEMAND FOR
BRITISH TIMBER.

THE past season has been one of con-
siderable activity in the timber trade.
The demand has been good, and prices
generally have been above the average ;
indeed, for the best quality Oak, Ash, Syca-
more, and Larch wood, prices were perhaps
never higher than at the present time.
Particularly in Southern England has timber
been valuable. Large, clean logs of Oak,
situated not too far from means of easy
transit, have realised fully 2S. 6d. per cubic
foot, and in several instances even that price
has been exceeded for exceptionally fine
timber produced in Surrey and Sussex. The
average value of Oak in the London district
would be much lower, and from is. iod. to
2S. 3d. per foot probably represents a fair
average, for boat and barge-building on
the Thames some splendid Oak timber, the
pick of the market, has been supplied during
the past season, and the price has been pro-
portionately high. Beech timber, too, has
had a steady and profitable market at all
prices from iod. to is. 7d. per cubic foot,
whilst for the best trees - from the chalky

Chiltern Hills or the districts around Box-
moor and the Chenies the demand has been
unusually brisk at advanced prices. Larch
cannot be procured in the quantities required,
nor is it apparent that the supply will
increase for many years to come. A con-
siderable quantity of these trees will be felled
in Ireland during the coming winter, but
little of this timber will be sent to the Eng-
lish market, owing principally to prohibitive
carriage rates. The Larch disease is tar less
prevalent in Ireland than in any other part of
these islands, and some Larch trees that I
saw lately in the North of Ireland, and grow-
ing on reclaimed peat bog, were unusually
fine. The trunks rose straight, and with
remarkably small taper, for a height of 80
feet, the cubic contents often exceeding 50
feet. Good Larch timber sells readily in
England at about is. 4d. per cubic foot, but
several instances occurred recently when
is. 6d. was paid per cubic foot for Larch tim-
ber of first quality. Railway fencing and
similar operations necessitates the use annu-
ally of large quantities of Larch wood.

Ash timber is in moderate demand, but
there is a quantity of the big, knotty field and
hedgerow timber on the market that is only
disposed of with difficulty. Thickly-grown
plantation trees, whose cubic contents aver-
age about a score of cubic feet, is that most
in demand, and for which prices range from
is. _|d. to is. Sd. per foot. In Bedfordshire
an I Buckinghamshire I recently saw some
excellent Ash timber.

Large, well-grown Sycamore is by no
means difficult to dispose of, at prices ranging
up to 2s. 6d. per cubic foot, at which value a
quantity was lati ly sold in Wales. This may
be considered the top price, and the general
price may vary from is. 6d. to 2S. per foot.
Small Sycamore, unless for minor works such
as turning and clog-soles, has not a great
demand. The best logs are required for
making calender machines in cotton and jute
factories, but they must be of sufficient size
for that important purpose. Alder and Birch
timber sells readily in some parts of the
country for the making of clog-soles : the
usual price in the woodland is from od. to
iod. per cubic foot. Around Liverpool the
demand for these woods for this purpose is
considerable. Elm, if of best quality, has a
good market, but prices vary greatly, accord-
ing to the particular district; the difference
of price for this wood in two adjoining coun-
ties is often remarkable. Trees from the
field and hedgerow are not greatly wanted,
for they are usually knotty, rough-grained,
and ill-suited for the important purposes
to which the best quality samples of this
wood is applied. Large quantities of Elm
planks are used for the making of coffins,
for the boarding and flooring of carts, and
for the making of furniture. The value, as
mentioned, varies greatly; it ranges from Sd.
to is. 6d. per cubic foot. In Kent, not long
since, a large quantity of rough, hedge-grown
Elm could not be disposed of at Sd. per foot.

Scotch Pine is to be had in plentv, but the
price is not high, the average being ad. per
cubic foot in England, while in Scotland the
price is even less. Best timber of Scotch
Pine, used for lath-rending, fetches iod. per
foot in Bedfordshire and several other
counties. The wood of Spanish Chestnut

has a fairly ready market if it is clean, large,
and free from "cup-shake." Much of this
timber is split for park-fencing. The best
quality logs realise from is. 3d. to is. 8d. per
cubic foot. Horse Chestnut timber has
scarcely any value. Large timber of Poplar
realises remunerative prices; is. yd. per cubic
foot was paid for a big consignment of this
wood near London in the spring of the pre-
sent year. Poplar wood is useful for the
bottoms of store-carts and barrows, being
woolly and tenacious, while large quantities
are also used for the making of packing cases
and for other purposes where lightness is of
importance. Lime timber is not greatly in
demand, though inquiries were received not
long since for suitable trees for the making
of musical instruments.

Willow timber, if suitable for the making
of cricket bats, finds a ready and profitable
market, the price per cubic foot averaging
7s. 6d., though as much as 10s. 6d. has been
paid for the same quantity, but the very best
of this wood is by no means common. The
wood of maiden or unpollarded Willows, of
about thirty years' growth, is preferred for
bat-making, and such wood has always a
demand. Other quality Willow timber, suit-
able for the making of cart and barrow sides,
sell at prices varying from is. to 2s. per cubic
foot.

The timber of other less plentiful trees,
such as Maple, Hornbeam, Walnut, and some
of the more recently introduced Conifers, in-
cluding the Douglas Fir, Austrian and Corsi-
can Pines, have no special value, and are
often classed as miscellaneous. In Scotland
and Ireland the timber of Spruce Fir sells at
from 6d. to ad. per foot, but it is rarely in
great request.

The firewood market has been dull, but
will no doubt improve with the rising price
of coal. About 5s. per cart load is the usual
price for firewood logs, while faggots for
fire-lighting may be bought in plenty at 2S.
ud. per 100, and of a larger type for the
heating of ovens, at from 14s. to 17s. per 100,
according to the quality of the wood and the
particular part of the country in which they
are offered for sale. A. D. W.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

CAMPANULA LONGISTYLA.

This fine Campanula, for which Sir Trevor
Lawrence obtained an "Award of Merit" at the
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on
August 6, was first described by Mr. A. V.
Fomaine in a publication in the Russian and
Latin languages issued by the authorities of the
Tiflis Botanic Garden, the title of which is
Latinised in the Index Kewensis as Acta Horti
Tifiensis. The description, which is in Latin,
is in vol. vi., part 3, p. 37, and the author's
remarks are in Russian. He states that C.
longistyla has been confused in herbaria with
C. sibirica, L. var. major, Boissier, Flora Ori-
enfalis, vol. iii., p. 901, from which it differs in
the shape of the drooping corolla and other par-
ticulars.

The points emphasised in Fomaine's descrip-
tion of C. longistyla are : — Flowers large, violet,
nodding. Calyx-lobes lanceolate, spreading,
glabrous on the outside, fringed on the margin ;
appendages strongly reflexed on to the flower-
stalk. Corolla bulging at the base and con-
stricted above the middle; style much exserted.
Fomaine gives no dimensions, and the following

194

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September H, 1907.

description has been drawn up from plants
raised at Kew from seed received direct from
the Tiflis Botanic Garden. Individuals exhibit
considerable differences in stature, in habit, and
in the size of the corolla. In a small circular
bed the plants in flower vary from 1 foot to 5 feet
in height, and they are loosely branched from
the base.

Biennial, sparingly beset with rough hairs ;
branches angular. Leaves thick, rough, ob-
scurely toothed, oblong, ovate or lanceolate,
rounded at the tip or acute ; radical tapering
downwards, 3 or 4 inches long ; cauline
sessile, broad at the base, and more or less
clasping the stem ; lower ones, 2 to 3 inches
long, gradually smaller upwards. Flowers
numerous, pendent, violet blue, 1J inch to
1£ inch long, and wide at the top ; stalk,
1 to 2 inches long. Calyx rigid, rough ;
lobes ciliate, acute, margins recurved ; ap-
pendages between the lobes oblong, rounded,
turned down close upon the stalk. Corolla
bulging below the middle, constricted above the
middle ; lobes broad, acute, slightly recurved.
Style club-shaped, longer than the corolla.

Campanula longistyla is a very attractive
species ; perhaps a little ragged in habit, but its
rich violet flowers are sufficient to recommend
it. The illustration (fig. 82) represents much
larger and more crowded flowers than are shown
by any of the Kew plants. It is a native of
Transcaucasia, near the eastern end of the Black
Sea. W. B. H.

and seems worth the attention of admirers of this
beautiful plant, who possibly find the bare stems

of somewhat disagreeable appearance when,
devoid of leaves in the winter. //. Spooner.

PLANT NOTES.

LAGERSTROEMIA INDICA.

The genus Lagerstroemia commemorates Mag-
nus N. Lagerstroem, a Swede, and friend of the
botanist Linnaeus. About 23 species belonging
to the genus are known to science, and they are
natives of Madagascar, Eastern Asia, and Aus-
tralia. The natural order Lythraceae to which
Lagerstroemia belongs is represented in the
British Flora by Lythrum Salicaria, the Purple
Loosestrife, common in ditches and other moist
lituations.

In the Mexican House at Kew the Crepe
Myrtle, which is the common name of L. indica,
has recently produced its annual display of
crumpled but exceedingly beautiful, rose-coloured
blooms, from which it derives its common name.
It is a native of tropical Asia, probably of
China, and is largely cultivated in India, the
Southern States of North America, and most
countries where a tropical or sub-tropical cli-
mate prevails. In this country it is sometimes
cultivated as a greenhouse shrub, although, in
the gardens of the south, such, for instance, as
at Abbotsbury, near Dorchester, it withstands
the winters out-of-doors if protected by a wall.

The species is a strong-growing, deciduous
tree, 10 to 25 feet high, with glabrous, light
brown bark, and alternate, elliptical, pale green
leaves, about 2 inches long, sessile on the
branches, and mostly acute. The flowers are
produced in open panicles at the end of the long
growths of the current season. This circum-
stance affords an indication of its cultural re-
quirements. To produce long growths and bloom
freely it is necessary that the shrub should be
pruned hard back in the autumn. The roots
should be kept dry during winter. In the spring,
in ordrr to encourage the plant to break into
growth, it should be syringed frequently. If
the new growths be allowed to attain their full
length without stopping, each will be terminated
in summer by a large panicle of flowers. The
normal colour of the blooms is rose-pink, but
white, blush-white and purple forms are known.

In parts of the United States, where the win-
ters are too severe for the Crepe Myrtle to exist,
it is aaid to be a common practice to lift the
plants in the autumn and store them in cellars,
planting them out again in the following spring
either in glasshouses or out-of-doors. This method
does not appear to be practised in this country,

•<MR^cnHOKl J

Fig. 82. — campanula longistyla: colour of flowers rich violet.
(Pollen grains magn. 300 diameteir.)

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

195

SENECIO GALPINI.

For some years this pretty flowering Senecio
has been grown at Kew, but although it is of
considerable value for greenhouse decoration,
and a plant of easy culture, I have not seen it
elsewhere. When out of flower the general ap-
pearance of the plant would suggest an Eche-
veria rather than a member of the Rag-wort
family, as the leaves are of a thick, fleshy nature
and very glaucous. The flower stems, which
reach a height of 1 foot to 2 feet, branch freely,
each division being terminated by a round,
closely-packed head of bright orange-coloured
blossoms. Each head or cluster is more than
1 inch in diameter, and as several are developed
at the same time, a well-flowered specimen
makes a goodly show, added to which a succes-
sion is maintained for weeks together. The
flowering season does not seem to be limited
to any particular period of the year. The species
' is a native of the Transvaal, and may be grown
in an ordinary greenhouse temperature. W.

COLONIAL NOTE.

EMIGRANTS IN NEW ZEALAND.
I noted in the issue of the Gardeners'
Chronicle for May 11 a letter from a gardener in
Auckland, in which he warned others not to
come to this colony. In Dunedin there are a
few openings for good men, but there are no
large private gardens here and very little glass.
I would not advise anyone either one way or
the other, but may state that, whilst resourceful,
pushing men may succeed here, duffers have
less chance than in England. Employers have
to pay good wages and must, therefore, have
good men. In the gardens and reserves here we
pay labourers 8s., gardeners 8s. 6d., and foremen
9s. per day of eight hours. Jobbing men in town
charge 9s. and 9s. 6d. per day, and there are
only a few good ones. I would like to mention
the benefit gardeners out here derive from the
Gardeners' Chronicle and other gardening papers
received from England. The details concerning
the " Week's Work " in " Public Parks and
Gardens " and " The Flower Garden " are par-
ticularly interesting and they keep us up to
date. David Tannoch, Superintendent of Gardens
■and Reserves, Dunedin, New Zealand.

THE ROSARY.

ROSE DOROTHY PERKINS
Among Rambler Roses this is one of the best
for clothing a fence, wall, or unsightly object.
As with climbing Roses in general, plants under
three years old transplant more successfully
than older plants, and are capable of making a
.good display in less time. The plants should
be obtained in October or early in the follow-
ing month. As it is always advisable to trench
the soil for Roses, and allow time afterwards
for the settling of the soil before planting is
commenced, the work of trenching should
be undertaken in the present month. If the
trenching is three spits in depth, place about
a 4-inch layer of rich manure, not greatly de-
cayed, two spits deep, say 18 inches ; and if the
trenching should only permit of two spits being
taken out, put the manure at the bottom after
loosening the base with a digging fork or
mattock. A small quantity of weak manure
should be mixed with the top spit in each case.
See that the Roses when they come to hand do
not suffer from dryness at the root, and after
Cutting back the strongest roots a little, dip all
the roots into a puddle of clay and water,
adding a little cow-dung if this is procurable.
In planting a Rose-tree spread out the roots in
all directions, and cover them with some of the
"finer soil; partially fill in and make firm with
"the feet, then complete the filling-in and again

make the soil firm. In planting these climbers
and any Roses that are not growing on their
own roots, bury the point of union of Rose
and stock 2 inches deep, and those on their own
roots a very little deeper than when they were
growing in the nursery. If the soil be dry at
the time of planting afford the plants a good
soaking with clear water ; and before hard
weather sets in, apply a strawy mulch over the
roots. Cut back the plants to 5 or 6 inches in
the following April, and encourage growth in
after years as much as possible.

ROSA SETIGERA (THE PRAIRIE ROSE).
As an ornament for the shrubbery, this species
and those derived from it are hard to beat in
regard to rapidity of growth and freedom of
flowering, and they are all excellent plants for
covering rockwork, rough walls, and fences.
They are unsatisfactory if planted in shady-
spots, and what shelter is afforded them against
the wind should be as distant as is consistent
with the object in view, viz., shelter. The soil
must be well drained if naturally wet, and it
should be rich and of good depth. In pruning
these and most climbing Roses, it is sufficient to
cut away all dead, dying, and weak shoots, and
to cut back the previous year's growth far enough
as to obtain two or three strong shoots. Weak
plants should be cut back severely, and en-
couraged to make stronger shoots by applica-
tions of rich manure. F. M.

VEGETABLES.

EARLY VARIETIES OF PEAS AND
BEANS.

During seasons like the present, and espe-
cially in the colder parts of the country, the
great value of early types of vegetables is more
than usually apparent.

I should like to add my testimony to that oi
Mr. Divers (p. 114) as to the distinctive quali-
ties of that excellent new Marrowfat Pea Lax-
tonian. It is a very productive variety, with
fine pods well filled with Teas which are dark
green in colour and of excellent flavour. Chel-
sea Gem, an old favourite, sown on March 1, 25
days in front of Laxtonian, was only ready for
consumption two days before Laxtonian, which
would probably have beaten Chelsea Gem by
a week had the varieties been sown at one time.
Laxtonian with me has grown to a height of 3
feet, but Peas here generally go to a greater
height than they do in most soils, and this year
all varieties have grown well above the usual
heights.

There is a distinct advance in the case of
Bread Beans in the \ ariety " New Extra Early."
Sown with the " Early Long Pod " on March 1,
the new variety came into use a fortnight in
advance of the rest. This variety is of the
broad, short-podded type ; the pods are well
filled, and the Beans are of good size and
flavour. Its constitution must be excellent, for
it grew well under most adverse circumstances
as regards weather, and in a very cold soil.
/. C. Tallaci, Shipley Hall Gardens, Derby.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN THE

U.S.A.

In The Florists' Exchange, of June 22, 1907,
appeared the substance of a paper on the Chrys-
anthemum, read before the Boston Gardeners
and Florists' Club by Mr. Charles H. Totty.

He stated that the first seedling Chrysanthe-
mums raised in America were exhibited before
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1879
by Dr. H. P. Walcott.

Peter Henderson, previous to this, had im-
ported from Japan in 1663 some fine varieties,
one of which at least, grandiflorum, was grown
until very recently.

. The American Chrvsanthemum Society was
not organised until ls89, but shows had been
held for some time previous to that in the larger

eastern cities. Possibly the greatest enthusiast
this country ever had is the veteran John
Thorpe. Another gentleman who, although his
name does not figure so much in print, did a
great work in the early days, is Wm. Ban:, of
Orange, N.J., who is just as keen to-day in
testing new kinds as he ever was.

In the early '80's, several Pennsylvania culti-
vators came to the front. W. K. Harris and H.
Waterer left their imprint on the Chrysanthe-
mum by raising some fine varieties. New Jersey-
was represented by T. H. Spaulding, and the
firm of Pitcher & Manda ; and two others
deserving of mention as having done good
service are Messrs. Fewkes and Hallock.

The Australian varieties in the past few years
have swept our exhibition tables clear of the
older varieties, giving us flowers of such splen-
did size and colours, combined with ideal habit,
that there would almost seem to be an infusion
of new blood into the race. The French and
English seedlings are in too many cases disap-
pointing to us, comparatively few standing the
test of our climate, but the failures in the Aus-
tralian varieties are few. The reason for this is
because the Australian climate at flowering time
is similar to ours, often warm and bright, and if
a seedling shows a large, full, perfect flower in
this condition, it will do the same with us. An
English variety may be splendid in its native
home, and yet be a failure here, showing an
enormous eye, and only some five or six rows of
petals. Some of the finest varieties act in this
way here, including Lady Conyers, Elsie Ful-
ton, Mrs. F. W. Vallis, which are good examples.
The Australian varieties, on the contrary, suc-
ceed much better than they do in Europe ; the
bright sunlight here in the fall serving to bring
out the size and breadth of the petal to greater
advantage.

We should never lose sight of the fact that
the Chrysanthemum is almost a hardy plant,
and indoor culture is an unnatural condition,
which in time tends to produce degeneration in
the parent stock. The future will, possibly, see a
race of American seedlings equal or superior to
what we are now getting from Australia ; but
they will be raised out-of-doors somewhere in
the great south-west. I am often asked how it
is that the Australian types are such strong
giowers, splendid in both stem and foliage.
Perhaps the chief reason is because in Australia
they practice an out-door system of culture.
Another reason why the Australian varieties are
all good growers, lies in the fact that a rigid
selection is kept up from the seed bed to the
flowering stage. Any plant that shows an ex-
ceptionally tall, or a weak, spindly habit is de-
stroyed before the plant reaches the flowering
stage, so that the temptation to keep it, should
it prove to be an exceptionally fine flower, is
removed. This, I am informed, is the policy of
Mr. Pockett, of the Wells-Pockett firm, and I say
to-day that this firm, if they do not send us
another variety, have left a mark on American
Chrysanthemum culture that will endure for
many years to come. The more popular type of
flower at the present day is the Japanese In-
curved. The true Chinese type with its incurv-
ing petal is apparently too small for present-day
taste, and is entirely crowded out of the com-
mercial growers' list.

As regards the future, the author of the pap°r
said, " Changes will come unquestionably ; in
fact, they are already looming up. It is seen
in a reaction in some sections from the large
blooms, and in the increasing popularity
of single flowers, not only in Chrysanthemums,
but also in Roses, Dahlias, and other flowers.
Light, graceful, natural effects can be produced,
impossible of duplication with the large, doub'e
flowers. Several new singles were awarded cer-
tificates in London last fall.

" The Pompons or hardy types will be planted
much more largely in the next few years.

" For large, massive decora'.ions the big Cowers
are unsurpassed ; to make a display in an exhibi-
tion they are indispensable, and as evidence of
cultural skill they tell their own story. That new
types will crop up and have a share of the popu-
larity is certain. The large flower, in its proper
place, has a certain nobility that is not, to my
mind, approached by any other flower, but its
proper place is not in a low bowl to form part of
a dinner-table decoration. That part of decora-
tive art can be more artistically done with
singles or Pompons or other small-flowered
varieties."

196

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 14, 191}/.

ASTON ROWANT HOUSE.

On one of the closing days of July we had
the privilege of visiting the residence of Sir
William and Lady Plowden, at Aston Rowant
House, in Oxfordshire, and found there such a
display of Roses and hardy flowers, including
Japanese Irises, as would delight anyone having
an appreciation for these plants. Aston Rowant
is a railway station 40 miles from London, and
may be reached by train either from Maryle-
bone or Paddington. The passenger travels by
ordinary train to Princes Risborough, and
afterwards upon a short branch railway, consist-
ing of a single track. Either route is interesting,
and when Aston Rowant is reached, the dis-
trict is of the most rural character.

The east front of Aston Rowant House may be
seen in the illustration at fig. 83. Directly the
visitor reaches the residence he becomes aware
of the great amount of care given the garden,
and of Lady Plowden's appreciation for floral

this point the chief attraction was the Crimson
Rambler Rose growing and flowering splendidly
on wires attached to, and depending from, pil-
lars. The collection of 120 varieties of climb-
ing Roses at Aston Rowant are trained on three
fences, 14 arches, and one long pergola, and in
some instances the Roses are interspersed with
Clematis Jackmannii varieties. On one high
fence, clad with Roses on either of its sides, we
were particularly impressed with the beauty of
the following varieties among many others: —
Madame Plantier (white), Aimee Vibert, Gar-
denia (yellow in the bud, but opening into a
large, semi-double flower of lemon colour which
subsequently passes to white), Francois
Crousse (rich crimson), Myrianthes, Leuchtstern
(a single flower, pink with white centre, pro-
duced in immense clusters), Triomphe de
Rennes (a very late blooming variety that is
never so effective as in September), Mrs. O. G.
Orpen (a very large single, pink flower, but a
plant possessing a somewhat restricted habit of

Many more varieties might be mentioned did
space permit, but even then it would be im-
possible to convey to readers an adequate idea
of the gorgeous effects many of these Roses arc
capable of producing when grown strongly, and
kept clean and healthy as the plants appear at
Aston Rowant. Rambler Roses are notorious
for their habit of flowering for a brief period
only, but there are so many varieties obtain-
able that it is easily possible to so furnish a
pergola or fence that the first flowers will open
in June, and the last in October. Lady Plow-
den's collection is one composed of all the
best varieties.

A very- noteworthy feature in these gardens
consists of three long flower borders, each about
300 feet in length. The first extends under the
shadow of one of the garden walls, on the outer
side; the second, parallel to the first, but divided
from it by a grass-covered path ; and the third
also parallel and divided from the second in
the same manner, and by a similar path.

[Photograph by Laity Plowden.

Fig. 83. — aston rowant house, Oxfordshire, the residence of sir william and lady plowden.

displays, especially of Roses. This is evident in
the manner in which these latter plants are
cultivated in all available situations, even up
to the front doors of the building. Standing
with one's back to the creeper-clad house, the
view over the grounds into the far distance,
where it is effectively intercepted by the Chil-
tern Woods, is very gratifying. Three of the
permanent features close to the front are a fine
old Beech tree, a grand Cedar, and an ancient
Yew of considerable dimensions, and which has
probably stood there since the middle of the
17th century. The low terrace boundary, at the
time of which we are writing, was clad with
profusely-flowered plants of several varieties of
Rambler Roses, as Blush Rambler, Hiawatha
(one of the most charming of single Roses), and
others. Some bright flower-beds lit up the lawn
with patches of well-toned colour, and beyond

growth), Lily Ito (a new variety not then in
flower, but promising well for a later display),
Debutante, and Flora. Other varieties noticed in
various positions were Dorothy Perkins (not then
at its best), Mrs. F. W. Flight, Wedding Bells,
Waltham Bride, Trier (an effective white variety
with anthers of glowing yellow), Rubin, Lady
Gay, Ards Rover (passing out of bloom, being
one of the earlier varieties to flower), Papillon (a
very distinctly coloured Rose, bearing shades of
cherry-red and salmon), Reine Andre (pink and
white, each flower being of moderately large
size), Elisa Robichon (of delicate flesh tint),
Euphrosyne, Soliel d'Or (a dwarf-growing Rose
with fine yellow flowers), Jersey Beauty (of very
fugitive character, but possessing large single
flowers of sulphur colour), Helene, and Lord
Penzance's hybrid Briars in variety. The Briars
were growing on a fence to the height of 14 feet.

The excellent choice and disposition of the
plants in these borders and the high cultiva-
tion afforded them is a striking testimonv to
the skill of the gardener in charge, Mr. W. H.
Clarke, and to his capacity for " taking pains."
We have never seen a better instance of borc'er
gardening, and the whole has been planned and
carried out by the present gardener, as have
several other important features that go far to
make up the attractions Aston Rowant now pos-
sesses. The Pentstemons, Galegas, Dahlias.
Phloxes, Michauxia campanuloides (4t fett in
height), double white Winter Stocks (put out
into these borders from boxes), and an infinite
variety of suitable plants, most of them valuable
for producing flowers of a type that can be put
to good decorative service in a cut state, are
cultivated on these borders as perfect specimens.
The intervening spaces between the permanent'

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

197

herbaceous perennials are filled with thousands
of seedling plants raised specially for the pur-
pose, and that are capable of flowering well in
the first season, whether of only annual dura-
tion or otherwise.

Sweet Peas, as in most other gardens, are
grown numerously, and with greater care than
was given Sweet Peas some years ago. A few
circular groups of these in round beds, each
group exhibiting one variety only, were of extra-
ordinary proportions, the height and vigour of
the plants being at once noticeable, but the
staple soil of this garden, not being of the best,
it had been removed 4 feet deep in this case,
and good soil and much manure substituted for
it.

It may be interesting to remark that in re-
spect to the Dahlias, Lady Plowden does not
favour their flowering before the month of Sep-
tember. She associates them peculiarly with
autumn, and any blooms that appear on the
plants before September 1 are removed whilst
their potential beauties are still undeveloped.

situated in a low-lying portion of the park, and
one that is shaded in more or less degree by tall-
growing forest trees. We should expect the
crops to be less in bulk and inferior in quality
to thoss that might otherwise have been secured
with the same amount of cultivation as the trees
now require at the hands of the gardener.

There are the usual fruit houses necessary on
such an estate, and their management leaves
nothing to be desired. The Peach trees are in
capital condition, and have borne heavy crops
of fine fruits this season. Fruits of Early Rivers
Nectarine, for instance, have weighed 12 oz. and
13 oz. each. Goldoni Nectarine, though not
usually considered first class, is grown here of
such a quality as meets with considerable appre-
tion.

At the commencement of this note we alluded
to the Japanese Irises, and we may refer to them
in conclusion. Lady Plowden has herself
brought most of them from Japan. They have
been introduced under native names, and are
cultivated along the sides of the water shown

tr9t*

Fig. 84. — CAMPANULA petr.ea: COLOfR of flowers pale yellow.
Single flower and stamen X 4 ; pollen grains X 300.

There is the inevitable " wild " garden, w'here
the cultivator, though as persistent as in other
portions of the garden in his care for particular
species, nevertheless screens the evidences he
might leave of his work, and so produces an
effect that is less artificial in character than
the gayer portions that visibly advertise them-
selves as the result of art.

Some of the rarer and choicer trees and shrubs
have been planted in various positions in the
pleasure grounds during recent years, and these
will become more and more effective for some
considerable time to come. These include
flowering species as well as those which are cul-
tivated solely for their beauty of form and foli-
age. A specimen of Sophora pendula, about 9
feet high, showed itself to be a lawn tree of dis-
i tinct appearance, and therefore valuable for
occasional planting to give relief to others in
a collection.

Most of the fruit trees are planted together
in an area of about 2 acres, which is protected
from birds by wire netting. This orchard is

in the illustration. They were beautiful at the
time of our visit, being in excellent health, and
flowering most freely. Some of the varieties
were charming in the shades of colour they pre-
sented, and the flowers themselves were of very
large size. Details of the cultivation they have
been afforded may be found on reference to an
article on the subject written by Mr. Clarke and
published in our issue for May 20, 1905, p. 308.

THE ROCK GARDEN.

PATRINIA GIBBOSA.
Of the ten or a dozen species of Patrinia, a
genus belonging to the Natural Order Valeri-
aneae, a few only are represented in British gar-
dens. I have had in my garden for a considerable
number of years P. gibbosa, and although the
flowers of this species individually are small, yet
they are numerously produced, and the range of
flowering extends over a long period. My plant

was obtained from the Continent, whence it had
been introduced from Japan, its native country.
I planted it in an open and sunny situation,
where it blooms freely. Its flat cymes of yellow
flowers are seen to advantage, and appear bright
among the other flowers from July onwards.
The leaves of P. gibbosa are swollen or blistered
in parts, and these are the least attractive fea-
ture of the plant. My plant grows to a height of
about 9 inches.

CAMPANULA "CHINA CUP."
Among the most satisfactory of the dwarfer
Bellflowers for garden purposes are the forms of
Campanula carpathica, and which are among
the most valuable subjects for the decoration of
the border or the rock-garden. Some cultivators,
experience a difficulty with the form called
turbinata, and declare it to be not so enduring
as some of the others ; but this is not the ex-
perience of the writer. It is, however, of smaller
stature than the majority. One of the newest
and most delightful of these forms of C. car-
pathica is that known as " China Cup," a variety
sent into commerce by Messrs. Barr & Sons a
few years ago, and which I acquired on its intro-
duction. My plant is now almost 2 feet in
diameter, and it is very beautiful on one of my
rockeries. The flowers are not so freely borne
as on some of the other varieties : they are large,
about 2 inches across, a good shade of blue, and
the form is of a broad, open cup, with reflexed
margins. These flowers are well raised on
erect stems, and the whole effect is pleasing.
S. Arnott, Dumfries.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

CALOPHACA \YOLGARICA.
In Scotland this Siberian plant is but rarely
cultivated, although it was introduced so long,
ago as 17S0. Probably the largest specimen in
Scotland is a plant growing on a western wall
in the Comely Bank Nurseries of Messrs.
Cunningham oi Fraser, Edinburgh, where it
annually produces its velvety, pale, yellow-
coloured, Pea-shaped flowers throughout July
and August. The flowers are borne in racemes,
on short stalks in the axils of the pinnate
leaves, which have six to seven pairs of
orbicular-shaped leaflets. A slow-growing, much-
branched, hardy deciduous shrub, this specimen
is fully 3 feet high, and produces annual shoots
averaging 6 inches in length, on which the
flowers are borne. Loudon, in his Arboretum et
F ruticetum Britannicum, mentions that thfr
Calophaca forms an attractive plant when in
fruit, as the flowers are succeeded by reddish-
coloured pods, but the climatic conditions near
Edinburgh are not sufficiently favourable for the
legumes to mature. Propagation of the Calo-
phaca is usually effected by grafting on stocks
of the Laburnum, but it may also be increased
by seeds, which are catalogued by some of the-
Continental nurserymen. Wm. Smith, Royal
Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

CAMPANULA PETR^EA.

This little-known Campanula (see fig. 84),
which was given to me by a friend, has bloomed
well with me this summer. It is exceedingly
free-blooming, for, besides the terminal bunch
of pale yellow flowers which are well shown in
the illustration, a small subsidiary bunch ap-
peared at the axil of every leaf. Of these I
counted no fewer than thirty-two on the branch
from which the illustration has been prepared.
Owing, however, to the almost total absence of
sunshine, and the frequent rains, many of these
did not open their flowers. The plant is figured
by the great German authority, Reichenbach,
both in his Flora Gcrmanica, vol. xix., t. 1,595,.
and in his leones Critics, vol. vi., t. 571. The
plant, being a biennial, dies after flowering.
IV. E. Gumblcton, Belgrade, Quccnstown.

198

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 14, 1907.

THE BULB GARDEN.

The Week's Work.

GLADIOLUS SAUNDERSII AND G.
PRINCEPS.

Gladiolus Saundersii, although it was intro-
duced into this country nearly forty years ago,
is rarely seen in gardens. One reason for this, pro-
bably, is that its habitat being in South Africa,
it is considered too tender for open-air culture.
As a matter of fact, it appears perfectly hardy,
never being given the slightest protection, and
coming up stronger each year. A large clump
with thirty cr more flower-spikes is a glorious
sight towards the end of August. The spikes
reach a height of 3 feet 6 inches, and the flowers,
three of which are expanded on a spike at the
same time, ere very handsome. In colour they
are a light shade of scarlet, the three lower seg-
ments having a white centre plentifully spotted
with vermilion. The upper petal, which is
lance-shaped, is inclined forward, and the side
petals are much reflexed, the expanded blossoms
measuring rather more than 3 inches across. If
the petals, however, are stretched out the flower
will measure 6 inches. Considering its hardi-
ness, beauty, and the attractive form of the
flowers, it is a pity that this Gladiolus is not
more widely grown. It is a far more reliable
garden plant in the south-west than Gladiolus
princeps, which has proved a very bad doer in
many places, although described as being per-
fectly hardy when first sent out. Here it entirely
died out, and of a dozen bulbs procured this
spring and planted in good soil, only four have
flowered, six being apparently dead. In
another garden, a few weeks ago, I saw where
two dozen fine bulbs of G. princeps had been
planted. All that had appeared above ground
were several weak leaf-growths, none of which
would bear bloom. G. princeps has proved a
■very disappointing plant, and its culture has in
consequence been given up in many gardens. G.
Saundersii, on the contrary, gives no trouble,
increases year by' year, and always flowers mag-
nificently, so that it can be strongly recom-
mended to take the place of G. princeps where
that plant does not succeed. S. IV. Fitzherbert,
Devonshire.

MARKET GARDENING.

NOTES FROM WORTHING.

Tomato plants were, as usual, allowed to
develop four or five intemodes above the point
■where the first flowers appeared, but, owing to
the poor prospects of the later fruits maturing,
the plants have been shortened to a point im-
mediately above the second, or at most the third,
fruit truss.

Houses are being prepared for planting
Cucumbers at the middle of September. Royal
Kidney Potato was being lifted, and the crop
was an excellent one. The variety Sir John
Llewelyn had tubers of the first quality, but the
yield was light.

Warner's King, Ecklinville Seedling, and
Cox's Pomona Apple trees are carrying the best
•crops for several years past.

Ivy Arch Nurseries. — Gros Colmar Grapes in
these nurseries were of fine quality. A few
bunches of Black Alicante averaged 3 lb. each.
I was informed that all through the season
bunches of Muscats of Alexandria weighing 2 lb.
and upwards were in demand. From this nur-
sery is sent away 50 to 100 bunches at a single
cutting.

Newly-planted Vineries. — Houses of both
Gros Colmar and Black Alicante vines, some of
which were planted in 1906, and others this sea-
son, were doing well. Tomatos are accommo-
dated in the vinery the first season, but when
the vines are two years old, only half the quan-
tity of Tomatos is planted, in order that the rods
should have room, not only to grow, but also
to mature. Invariably these vines in the second
year, and in some cases the first year, are
trained with double rods. Stephen Castle.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Border Carnations. — The season has teen very
favourable for the rooting of layers, and shoots
that were prepared at the beginning of last
month may now be lifted and planted in their
winter quarters. A dull day should be selected
for this operation, and the young plants are
better if they are planted somewhat deeply.
Make the soil about them as firm as possible,
and it will be well to secure the shoots from
damage by rough winds. This may either be
done by tying them to short sticks or by placing
three sticks close around each plant. Mar-
guerite and perpetual-flowering Carnations
should be tied to neat stakes, and while they
are in flower it is advisable to protect them in
some efficient manner from wet and frost. This
protection should be of a temporary nature, so
that it may be removed on all favourable occa-
sions.

Lavender. — After five or six years from the
planting of this shrub, the quality of the flower-
spikes begins to deteriorate, so that it is neces-
sary to periodically make new beds. This may
be done by laying shoots about 4 inches in
length, and with a heel attached, in rows in a
nursery-bed. Bury about half the shoot and
tread the soil covering them firmly. Roots will
form during the autumn and winter, and at this
time next year the plants may be placed in a
bed at 18 inches apart, ultimately removing every
alternate plant before the plants become
crowded. The Lavender thrives best in a light
and rather poor soil.

Lawns. — Showers and heavy dews will now
hamper the work of grass-mowing ; therefore, as
a rule, wherever the grass is sufficiently dry, the
lawn-mowers should be kept at work. The sun's
rays being less powerful at this season, all
danger of the grass " burning " is over, and the
mowers should be gradually adjusted so that
they cut the grass shorter. The turf around
trees should be frequently clipped in those
places where the mower does not reach it.

Late-flowering Tulips. — Darwin, Cottage,
Parrot, and many species of Tulips require a
longer period of growth than the ordinary bed-
ding kinds. They should therefore be planted
as early as possible after this date. Home-
grown bulbs should first be cleaned and sorted ;
any outer scales that are at all imperfect should
be rubbed off. These Tulips should be planted
closely together, and in heavy soils, at about 4
inches deep, but if the soil is light they may
be planted slightly deeper. Most late-flowering
Tulips succeed well when grown under partial
shade and under conditions suitable for the
smaller Fritillarias, which should also be
planted at the present time.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
Last Devon.

Gage Plums. — Plum trees generally this year
are yielding good crops of fruits, and choice
varieties of wall trees, including Reine Claude
de Bavay, Guthrie's Late Green, Jodoigne Green
Gage, Golden Transparent Gage, and Late Orange
should be covered with either hexagon netting
or the proper wasp-excluding hexagon supplied
by most horticultural sundriesmen. Isolated
fruits can be tied up in muslin, or some similar
material, but these bags sometimes cause the
fruits to decay, especially during dull, wet
weather. Coe's Golden Drop forms an excellent
dessert Plum if it is allowed to thoroughly ripen
on the tree ; the fruits should be protected from
wasps and flies.

Pears. — The variety Williams' Bon Chretien is
now ripening, especially on trees occupying a
warm position on a wall. Early ripening varie-
ties of Pears should not be gathered in bulk ; the
trees should be examined for ripe fruits at in-
tervals of a few days, and any just turning ripe
should be placed in the fruit room or some other
suitable place where they will finish ripening in
a few days. Beurre d'Amanlis and Autumn
Nelis are two good varieties of Pears suitable for
early autumn use. The green, melting flesh of
the former variety has the highest flavour when
grown against a warm wall.

Preparations for planting. — If an extensive
planting of fruit trees and bushes is to be under-
taken this autumn, the ground should be
trenched, and given what manure is necessary
as soon as possible. This will allow
plenty of time for the soil to settle before
the work of planting is " carried out. It
is well to have ready some suitable soil for plac-
ing amongst the roots. This should consist of
a mixture of fibrous loam, lime, soot, and wood
ashes. Mortar rubble and old plaster may be
substituted for the lime. All trees bearing stone
fruits should be given some of this compost at
planting time, and I find Apple and Pear trees
also benefit by its presence. The heap of soil
awaiting use should be protected from heavy
rains bv spare sashes or doors thrown over the
top. When planting Gooseberry and Currant
bushes, some partly-decayed manure should be
used in addition to the new soil, especially if a
few only are to be planted or gaps merely made
good.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Cauliflowers. — The plants raised from the
earliest sowings should now be large enough for
pricking out. For late districts these will prob-
ably be the most satisfactory, but they may prove
too early for more favoured localities, in some of
which it would not be too late even now to
make another sowing for forming a gradual
succession, if not the .main supply. In .all
cases these and similar plants should be trans-
planted as soon as they are large enough to be
handled conveniently. This will ensure their
making a sturdy growth previous to being
placed in their permanent quarters.

Tomatos. — The out-door crop is very back-
ward, and the earliest fruits have only now
finished swelling. To hurry the deveh pment
of the later fruits the plants had better be
stopped harder than is usual. If some old glass
lights can be placed in front of the plants, or
even a covering be provided at night-time,
using any light shading material for the pur-
pose, some good will result. If rains are
frequent when the fruits are ripening, insert the
spade into the soil at a distance of about 18
inches from the main stem, and by severing
the roots thus counterbalance the excessive
supply of moisture, which would be likely to
cause the fruits to crack.

Parsley. — Where it is necessary to afford
shelter to Parsley throughout the winter, it will
be well to lift some of the plants raised from
sowings made in July and plant them out in
unheated frames, keeping the lights off until
severe weather sets in and protection becomes
necessary. The plants will then grow strong
and hardy, and if air be afterwards admitted
freely on every favourable opportunity, the
plants will be less likely to suffer from
damping.

Onions. — The spring-sown Onions, including
those that were raised in boxes or frames and
were subsequently transplanted to beds in the
open garden, and that, having been lifted, have
become well dried and ripened through exposure
to the sunshine, should now be stored in a
light, well-ventilated shed until a more con-
venient time, when it will be necessary to tie
them up into bunches or ropes. The matter
of thoroughly drying and ripening Onions is a
very important one, especially where the bulbs
are required to last in good condition through
the winter and well into next spring, for unless
the drying is done thoroughly decay is sure to set
in at about mid-winter. As regards the tying to-
gether of the bulbs, we find that tying them in
bunches of from 12 to 20 bulbs each is more
convenient and economical than roping them,
but this, of course, is a matter of opinion.

Coleworts. — Make the final plantations of
Coleworts without delay, and fill all blanks that
have occurred in the earlier plantations.

Endive. — Further plantations of Endive
should still be made in order to provide for
successional crops. Sufficient plants may be
left in the seed bed to form a crop on that
ground, for these will be found to succeed
equally as well as those that have been trans-
planted therefrom to other quarters.

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

109

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burtord, Surrey.

Odonioglossum crispum. — Plants of this species
and its numerous varieties that flowered early
i.i the year, and which were repotted soon after
that time, if they are still in a healthy condition,
will require no such attention now, but any
plants which have deteriorated should at once
be turned out of their pots, have their roots well
washed, all decayed parts cut away, and be
potted anew. Afford them fresh pots sufficiently
large enough to accommodate them for one
season only. Plants that flowered later in the
season are now growing freely, and the new
growths will be pushing out numbers of young
roots ; the present is therefore a suitable time to
examine such plants, and to afford any which
require it some fresh rooting-material in clean
pots. Some plants, perhaps, are only now com-
mencing to grow ; the potting of these should be
left until the more forward specimens have been
given attention. When repotting, turn the plants
carefully out of their pots, and cut away all
useless back pseudo-bulbs, it being necessary
only to leave two pseudo-bulbs behind each
leading growth. This will necessitate the re-
moval of the greater portion of the compost at
the back of the plant, but unless the old soil
has become sour or decomposed under the lead-
ing growths and where the principal young roots
are found no more of it should be disturbed than
is absolutely necessary. In the majority of
cases, when treated in this manner, the plants
may be repotted into pots of the same size as
they have previously occupied. The receptacles
should be made clean and dry, and they should
be provided with material for drainage to one-
third of their depth, using broken crocks, and
placing the larger pieces at the bottom, covering
the whole thinly with rough sphagnum-moss.

Compost for Odontoglossums. — A suitable com-
post for Odontoglossums consists of good fibrous
peat and sphagnum-moss in equal proportion.
These should be mixed together in a rough con-
dition, and afterwards be cut into small pieces,
but not too fine, with a strong pair of shears,
adding sufficient crocks to ensure porosity. A mix-
ture of Osmunda fibre and Polypodium fibre
in equal parts may be used with equally good
results, provided it receives trie addition of moss
and small crocks, as previously advised. I have
entirely discarded the use of leaf-mould as a
rooting-medium for these plants, as, after con-
siderable experience, I find that its durability is
deficient when compa:ed with the other materials
I have just mentioned ; also that when grown
in the leaf-mould mixture, the pseudo-bulbs
shrivel more quickly under the strain of flower-
ing, and the flowers do not retain stability nor
freshness, when cut, so long as they do when
grown in the composts recommended above.
When preparing the moss for use, and in clearing
it from leaves and rubbish, search for slugs, and
if any are found it will be advisable to place
the moss in water, and wash it thoroughly, so
as to cleanse it from these pests or their eggs,
which are almost imperceptible to the naked
eye.

Potting. — Pot the plants with moderate firm-
ness, and have the base of the pseudo-bulbs
level with the rim of the pot. When the potting
is finished, prick in a few pieces of living
moss over the surface of the compost. For a few
weeks after repotting, it is advisable to afford
water sparingly, and sufficient only to favour
the growth of the sphagnum. A moist atmos-
phere should be maintained, by syringing be-
tween the pots both morning and afternoon.
Admit plenty of fresh air, especially when the
weather is mild and damp. Shade the plants
from direct sunshine at all times. It is impossible
here to enumerate all the different species of
Odontoglossums and their numerous hybrids,
but among them will doubtless be many plants
requiring similar treatment at the present time
as advised for Odontoglossum crispum and its
varieties.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Ca dener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Chrysanthemums. — The earliest-flowering varie-
ties of those grown in pots for fhe decoration
of the conservatory or other plant houses should
be removed to positions under glass before the

blooms have fully opened, or they may he dam-
aged by frequent showers. If the weather is
bright after the plants have baen housed, they
had better be afforded shade from the sunshine
during the hottest part of the da/, and it will
be necessary to damp the stages and paths.
The blooms will be better and last longer if kept
as cool as possible. The main batch of Chry-
santhemums, grown for the production of large
blooms, need very close attention. The "tak-
ing " or selection of buds for developing blooms,
the tying of shoots, and the removal of super-
fluous shoots are important details. The afford-
ing of necessary manures should be strictly
attended to, in order to get the best blooms
possible. An occasional change of manure is
beneficial, but most gardeners have their par-
ticular preferences in this respect. In any case,
cultivators should be careful to avoid apply-
ing manures in too strong a form at any par-
ticular time. Be quick to discover the presence
of any pest, whether insect or fungoid, and
adopt preventive measures as often as necessary.
As soon as the earlier blooms begin to show
colour, place such plants under glass at once, or
the outer florets of the blooms will suffer
damage. Bush plants grown for use as decora-
tive plants or for supplying blooms for cutting
should have the shoots staked well out, so that
each may be exposed to the sunshine, and for
the same reason the plants should be arranged
together somewhat thinly. These details are
especially impoitant in res7ect to the varieties
that will flower at about Christmas-time.

Perpetual- flowering Carnations.- — The flower,
buds on the earliest plants that are grown for
flowering in winter will now be getting into a
forward condition, and no time should be lost
in housing them. If allowed to remain outside
after they commence to show colour, the blooms
are never so clean and free as when developed
under glass. Thoroughly wash the interior of
the house before removing the plants. Attend
to the details of tying and disbudding, this
latter operation being essential if the finest
blooms are desired. Arrange the plants thinly
on the stage, and fumigate the house at the
first opportunity, to get rid of any fly that may
be lurking unseen on any of the plants. If,
after housing, any hot weather is experienced, it
will be advisable to use the blinds for an hour
or two in the day, and to give the plants a
slight spraying with the syringe late in the
afternoon ; this will have an effect similar to the
night dews to which the plants are accustomed
when out-of-doors.

General work. — Dull and damp weather being
the rule this season, shading should be dis-
pensed with as much as possible, affording a
little extra ventilation on all suitable days in
order that the growth of various plants may
become hardened before winter. In the next
few weeks gardeners will be very busy housing
the plants that have been grown out-of-doors
during the summer, but which must be re-
moved to a safe position before frost occurs.
There is no gain in leaving everything to the
last week, therefore look around the houses to
see what may be thrown out, or stored away for
the winter. Get the interior of the houses
washed and disinfected fiom insect and fungus
pests. When housing the plants give as much
room to each individual plant as can be spared,
remembering that one good plant is worth more
than several poor ones, which are the results of
overcrowding.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

The vinery. — Vines from which the fruit has
been gathered should be syringed each after-
noon to prevent attacks by red spider, for it is
essential that the foliage should remain healthy
as late in the season as possible. Do not allow
the borders to become either dust-dry or
saturated at this season. An application of
liquid manure is valuable at this stage, for it
assists in building up the buds and aids the
maturation of the wood. Vines that are making
gross growth should nrt be given any stimulant.
Young vines, which were planted in the borders
in March and June, will continue to grow
vigorously as long as the conditions for growth
are favourable. The atmospheric temperature
of the house at night should be 65°, and by

day (allowing for an increase with sun heat)
85^, but on dull days the temperature need not
exceed 70u to 75°. Maintain plenty of moisture
in the atmosphere. Should red spider appear
syringe the foliage each afternoon. Test the
border for its condition of moisture, for it must
not be allowed to become dry. As soon as the
leading shoot reaches the top of the trellis,
pinch out the growing point. Tie in the lateral
shoots if growth is weak, but if it is gross pinch
the side shoots at the first leaf. Maintain arti-
ficial heat in the house at night-time, but always,
allow the top ventilators to remain open a
space of 4 inches. In order for the canes to
thoroughly ripen, a free circulation of air must
be allowed, and the top and the bottom venti-
lators opened daily when the weather is favour-
able.

The Orchard house. — All trees that have been
cleared of their fruits should be placed out-of-
doors and be plunged to the rim of the pots in
coal ashes. Apply water to the roots cautiously ;
an occasional dose of manure-water will be of
benefit to the trees. Later varieties of Pears
in pots, including Pitmaston Duchess, Doyenne
du Cornice, and Marguerite Marillat should
have their fruit secured by soft matting or twine
wound around the fruit-stalk and affixed
securely to the branch or shoot.

Strawberries. — Plants that were potted finally
last month are now rooting well and making
strong leaves. Apply manure-water to the roots,
occasionally. Remove all runners as they
appear. See that the plants have ample room
to receive the full benefit of light and air.
Turn the pots tound occasionally to prevent the
roots growing through the drainage hole.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Street Trees (continued). — In planting trees
in streets it is necessary to excavate holes
about 2 feet 6 inches square. If the soil
is not of a suitable nature, fresh, good
loam must be supplied to a further depth
of 2 feet 6 inches, and enriched with manure,
so as to give the young trees a good root-
ing medium at the start. When the trees are
planted, paving stones should not be placed
nearer the stem than 1 foot 6 inches, as this
open space is necessary in order that air and
moisture may reach the roots. Although it
would be beneficial for the trees to keep the soil
around the stems an inch or two below the sur-
face of the pavement, inasmuch as rain could
be the better collected, this is not practicable
on account of the inconvenience it would cause
to pedestrians, hence the soil has always to be
kept flush with the general surface of the path
or road.

Trees for street-planting should be rarely less
than 10 feet high, should have clean, straight
stems, and have no branches for at least a dis-
tance of 6 feet above the ground. It is essential
to protect young trees in public streets, and
for this purpose they are usually enclosed in
iron ornamental tree guards. It is the provi-
sion of these latter which makes tree-planting
such an expensive undertaking, but when once
the guards are provided they can be used again
and again if they are given the necessary re-
pairs. A small bar of wood or iron, run hori-
zontally across the top of the guard, is required
as a stay on which to tie the trees — a matter
which should be attended to immediately after
planting. As the stem may be easily damaged
by rubbing at the point where it is bound to the
stay, it is a good practice to have this part pro-
tected by a piece of mat or carpet kept in posi-
tion by wire netting. When by any means a
tree breaks away from its stay and rubs against
the top of the tree guard, this carpet band keeps
the bark of the stem from becoming chafed
until such time as it may be attended to and
re-tied.

When in the course of a few years after plant-
ing the stems become stout enough to be self-
supporting the tree guards may be removed.
To prevent the trunk from being cut and dam-
aged by mischievous persons, it is o'ten found
necessary on the removal of the tree guard to
protect it by a band of 1-inch mesh wire net-
ting up to a height of 6 feet. After the stems
become 4 or 5 feet in circumference wire netting
is not generally required.

200

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 14, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 4». Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
/or naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as' possible and July
signed by the writer. If desired, t)ie signature will not be
Printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents t

•Illustrations.- The Editor will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, powers, treest &c, but he
cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

'Newspapers. — Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14— Newton Mearns Fl. Sh.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Floral Com. meet.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet.

Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex. Council meet.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21— German Gard. Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 56"8°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, September 11 (6 p.m.): Max. 73°;
Min. 47".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, September
12(10a.m.): Bar.. 30-1; Temp., 63"; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces —Wednesday, September 11 (6 p.m.) : Max. 67",
Dover ; Min. 57°, Scotland E.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY to FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 10.30.

We have received information

Victoria from the Secretary of the Royal

Medalists. Horticultural Society that, at

the last meeting of the Council,
three new names were added to the list of
Victoria Medalists of Honour. The vacan-
cies were caused by the deaths of Sir Thomas
Hanbury, Bart., Sir Michael Foster, andl Mr.
Harry Turner, and their places have now
been filled by the election of Sir John T. D.
Llewelyn, Bart., Mr. George Dickson, and
Mr. Henry Ballantine.

Sir John T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., is
•a well-known personality in the hor-
ticultural world. In iSgi he was elected
a member of the Royal Horticultural
Society's Council, but retired in the follow-
ing year. Upon re-election in 1893 he con-
tinued to serve in the position until 1902,
when he again retired from the Council,
and was elected a Vice-President. He is
a member of the Scientific Committee,
and in many other directions has assisted
in helping forward the Society's interests,
and the interests of horticulture gen-
erally. As President of the Horticultural
Club, Sir John Llewelyn has consistently
shown such enthusiasm and geniality that
have endeared him to all who have been in
4he least associated with the Club's doings,

and his devotion to the duties of his office
have repeatedly necessitated special journeys
to London from his residence in South Wales
in order to attend important meetings. The
Horticultural Club has been encouraged to
take its part in developing horticultural
interests, and as recently as last year
it was mainly due to Sir John Llewelyn
that the Club was in a position to entertain
the foreign visitors and others on the occa-
sion of the holding of the Conference on
hybridisation or genetics. The success of
that gathering is one of the incidents in the
history of the Club that will be recalled with
pleasure by all those who are interested in
its welfare. Sir John Llewelyn, however,
has filled so many positions, and helped in
so many movements, that we can only recall

Sir John Llewelyn has nevertheless main-
tained undiminished his appreciation for the
true hybrids. The favourable climate at
Penllergaer has enabled many of the Hima-
layan species to develop into such magnifi-
cent specimens as are seldom seen in this
country, and their beauty, even when not in
flowers, can scarcely be estimated by those
who have not seen the plants. In a paper on
the Himalayan species, read at a meeting of
the Horticultural Club in June, 1904 (see re-
port in Gardeners' Chronicle, June 18, 1904,
p. 399), Sir John Llewelyn related some of
his experiences in their cultivation, and, in
addition, showed himself to be a keen critic
of the points the hybrid Rhododendrons
should possess when judged as florists'
flowers.

SIR JOHN T. D. LLEWELYN, BART., V.M.H.

some of them. He has been President of the
National Potato Society since its establish-
ment, and as Vice-President of the National
Chrysanthemum and National Carnation
and Picotee Societies, and patron of the
National Dahlia Society, Sir John Llewelyn
has been brought into many circles of horti-
cultural work, in all of which he has
greatly assisted the efforts of those with
whom he has been associated.

In another direction Sir John Llewelyn's de-
votion to horticulture may be seen in the gar-
dens at Penllergaer near Swansea, where prac-
tical gardening of the best type has been car-
ried out for many years past. The specialities
at Penllergaer include hardy Rhododendrons
and Azaleas, Bamboos, and the flowering
trees and shrubs. Whilst evincing great in-
terest in the magnificent Rhododendron
hybrids that have been raised in recent years,

Mr. Henry Ballantine has been for many
years head gardener to Baron Sir H.
Schroder, The Dell, Egham. The Dell gar-
dens are among the most beautiful and best
maintained establishments in this country.
They are especially famous for the rich col-
lection of Orchids they contain. Many im-
portant species and varieties have been shown
from this collection at the Royal Horticul-
tural Society's meetings, and may be found
in the list of plants which have received first-
class certificates. It is interesting to recall
some of the fine plants which Mr. Ballantine
has first presented from The Dell gardens.
Taking, for example, the spotted forms of
Odontoglossom crispum, which are among
the greatest fr.vourites at the present day,
there is a very fine collection at The Dell, and
this collection contains specimens from the
earlier introductions, which are still some

Supplement to the "Gardeners' Chronicle."

Photograph by John Gregory.

The Pine-Walk at Fir Grange, Weybridge, the residence of

W. A. Bilney, Esq.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

201

of the best plants to be seen, notwithstand-
ing they have been under cultivation for long
periods. First-class certificates have been
obtained by O. crispum Ballantinei, O. c. fla-
veolum, O. c. Dellense, and O. c. Veitchia-
num in 1884; O. c. Schroderianum and O. c.
Sanderianum in 1885; for O. c. apiatum,
which was the sensational Orchid of its day,
in 1S86, and for O. c. Baroness Schroder,
O. c. nobilior, and other grand forms at
more recent dates.

Turning to the blotched forms of O. Pesca-
torei, the record is equally remarkable, The
Dell collection still retaining in splendid
health the beautiful O. Pescatorei Veitchii
(F.C.C., 1882) and O. P. Schroderia-
num, both of which plants are still un-
matched, despite the thousands of specimens
of this species which have been imported since
that year. Mr. Ballantine had the good for-
tune to present the first Odontoglossum
Wi'lckeanum on March 10, 1SS5, and its
variety Godefroyae on the same day. First-
class certificates were awarded for both
plants. In most of the other sections of
Odontoglossum early honours were secured
by representatives from this collection. From
189 1, when The Dell specimen of Cypripe-
dium insigne Sanderae secured a first-class
certificate, it was for some years, and pro-
bably still is, one of the best plants of its
kind ; and many other cases might be cited
where Baron Schroder's liberality in securing
the best varieties and Mr. Ballantine's skill
in cultivating them to the highest standard
have brought credit to the gardens in which
they both take such delight.

Although the Orchids have played the most
important part in spreading the fame of The
Dell gardens, other branches of gardening
have been equally well carried out. It would
be well for horticulture if the types of owner
represented by Baron Schroder and of gar-
deners by Mr. H. Ballantine were the general
rule.

Mr. George Dickson is the head of the firp
of Messrs. Alex. Dickson & Sons, New.
townards, Ireland, and his election to the lis'
of Victoria Medalists very appropriately fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Mr.
Harry Turner. Messrs. Alex. Dickson &
Sons have secured an enviable reputation for
raising new seedling Roses, and most of the
varieties they have introduced to commerce
are now in general cultivation. As showine
how much the Newtownards seedlings are
appreciated by Rosarians, we may mention
that in the National Rose Society's Official
Catalogue of Exhibition and Garden Roses
for 1903, out of the 33 exhibition varieties in-
cluded in it which were ten or fewer years
old, as many as iS, or more than half that
number, were raised at Newtownards. Some
of the best-known Roses raised at New-
townards include the varieties Dean Hole,
Hugh Watson, Irish Harmony (single), Rev.
David R. Williamson, Ards Rover, Helen
Keller, Hugh Dickson, Margaret Dickson,
Mrs. R. G. Sharman Crawford, Ulster, Ards
Pillar, Alice Grahame, Bessie Brown, Count-
ess of Caledon, Killarney, Liberty, Mrs. W.
f. Grant, Mildred Grant, Lady Mary Fitzwil-
iam, Florence Pemberton, Ethel Brownlow,
'Mrs. Ed. Mawley, J. B. Clark, Muriel Gra-
ianv> Irish Beauty (single), Irish Glory
Slngle), Bettie, Countess Annesley, Countess

of Derby, Dorothy Page Roberts, and Lady
Rossmore. At the Royal Horticultural So-
ciety's exhibition at Holland House in July-
last no fewer than four new Roses shown by-
Messrs. Dickson were granted Awards of
Merit. The Gold Medal of the National Rose
Society was awarded Messrs. Dickson's new
Hybrid Tea Rose Lady Helen Vincent at its
Metropolitan exhibition this year.

Gardeners are so much indebted

victor to M. Victor Lemoine, of the

Lemoine. Nancy Nurseries, France, for the

numerous plants he has raised

and introduced into commerce, that we are

pleased to sec in a recent issue of Mailer's

Deutsche Gartncr-Zeitung an appreciative

notice of his work as a hybridiser. The notice

is so full and exhaustive that it fills the entire

issue of that journal. M. Victor Lemoine, of

whom we published a portrait in our issue

for July 15, 1899, has been engaged in the

cross-breeding of plants since 1852, and

HENRY BALLANTINE, V.M.H

his efforts have been attended with unusual
success.

He was born on October 21, 1S23, at
Delme, in Lorraine, his father being a gar-
dener. He studied at the College of Vic-
sur-Seille, and after travelling for several
years he took service with various nursery-
men in Germany, Belgium, and France,
finally starting in business for himself at
Nancy in 1850. In 1S85 he became Knight
of the Legion of Honour and Officer in 1S94.
He was honorary vice-president of the Cen-
tral Horticultural Society of Nancy, and
honorary member of the National Horticul-
tural Societv of France, and of several other
societies in various countries.

The first of his improved plants was a
double-flowered Portulaca (1852), the first of
its race. Then came four or five hybrid
Streptocarpus, obtained by crossing S.
biflorus with S. polyanthus. At that time
the new species which have been so greatly
improved by Mr. W. Watson, Kew, Messrs.

Jas. Yeitch & Sons, Chrlsea, and others were
unknown. In 1862, M. Lemoine introduced
Spiraea callosa alba, and some hybrids that
he obtained from Monocha>tum, among
others M. Lemoininnum and M. sericeum
multiflorum ; also Clematis lanuginosa Can-
dida, a cross between C. lanuginosa and
C. patens. In subsequent years his liner
crosses and hybrids included many double
Pyrethrums, which are common plants in
gardens to-day, Spiraea syringaeflora, and S.
intermedia. In 1866 came the first true
double-flowered Zonal Pelargonium, " Glgire
de Nancy," the forerunner of the double
varieties now grown. In 1869 he raised Abu-
tilon vexillarium variegatum ; he also ra
several hybrids between Begonia Pearcei and
B. subpeltata In 1S71 Lemoine introduced
the double-flowered Clematis Lucie Lemoine
into commerce. In 1872 he surprised the
gardening world with the first double-
flowered tuberous Begonia, B. Lemoinei,
from which in subsequent years B. Gloire de
Nancy and a number of double varieties were
obtained. The year 1878 saw the double-
flow ired Zonal Pelargonium F. V. Raspail
and the large-flowered varieties Mme. Thi-
baut and Lucie Lemoine. In the same year
M. Lemoine showed three novelties at Paris
which enjoy great favour at the present time,
viz., Syringa Lemoinei, the first double-flow-
ered Lilac, Gladiolus Lemoinei and G. Marie
Lemoine, the progenitors of the large spotted
varieties. The year 1879 saw the hvbrids
Philadelphus multillorus plenus, Weigela
Emile Galle\ Ceanothus aerostat, ani C.
Thare. In 1882 Fuchsia Boliviana rosea,
Pelargonium pcltatum Jean d'Arc, P. p. La
Rosiere, and Liliac Mathieu de Dombasle
were raised. The following year Philadel-
phus rosaeflorus plenus, Fuchsia Boliviana
nivea, Clematis viticella venosa violacea, C.
v. Kermesina, and Gladiolus Masque de Fer
were raised. Between 1882 and 1900, M.
Lemoine distributed many new hybrids and
cross-bred varieties of Clematis, Syringa
(Lilac), Montbretia, Philadelphus, Gladiolus
Nanceanus, Deutzia,. Spiraea, Zonal Pelargo-
nium (Paul Crampel and others), Phlox, Be-
gonia Gloire de Lorraine (1893, a cross be-
tween B. Dregei and B. socotrana), Astilbe,
Diplacus, Gazania, Crassula hybrida rosea
(C. jasminea x Rochea falcata), Anemone
japonica, Paeonia, Hydrangea, &c.

Among M. Lemoine's later novelties, per-
haps the hybrid Deutzias, Montbretias, Gla-
diolus and Syringas are the most generally
cultivated in. English gardens.

Apart from his beautiful hybrids and
crosses, M. Lemoine has introduced a large
number of rare and new species of plants to
European gardens, but the mere list of these
introductions is more than we can print in
these columns.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — Ser.3-
cios form one of the largest genera amongst
flowering plants, and the enumeration of the
species and their synonyms occupies more than
13 pages in the Index Kcivcnsis. Generally the
plants are herbaceous, though not always, and
the species exhibit such marked differences as
seldom occur in a single genus. In the house
devoted to succulent plants at Kew may be found
Senecios which might be mistaken for cactaceous
plants. Their construction, however, is of quite a
different type to the common garden weed Senecio
vulgaris — the Groundsel— which attains a height
of a few inches only, and to Senecio Wilsonianus,
which is one of the giants of the race, for the

201

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 14, 1907.

inflorescence attains to a height of more than
5 feet, and the plants have correspondingly
broad leaves that are of a reniform or kidney
shape. S. Wilsonianus was introduced into culti-
vation by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons,
through their collector Wilson, who discovered it
in Hupeh, Western China, although dried speci-
mens had been previously sent home from that
district by Dr. A. Henry. The plant is perfectly
hardy, and forms a suitable subject for planting
by the waterside, or in a position in the shrubbery
or flower-border where it can be allowed ample
room to develop its broad foliage and tall spikes
of yellow flowers. In the illustration it will be
seen that a small portion of the inflorescence has
been drawn natural size by Mr. Worthington
Smith, and in the left-hand corner at the base a
capitulum is shown after being magnified two dia-
meters. The species was described by Mr. W.
Botting Hemsley in Gardeners' Chronic'e, for
September 16, 1905.

The Botanical Magazine. — The following
plants are illustrated and described in the issue
for September : —

Aconitum Napellus, var. eminens, tab. 8,152.
— This is a variety now described by Dr. Otto
Stapf, who states that it appears to be confined
to the limestone zone of the Eifel Mountains.
It is by far the most handsome of the numerous
varieties or races of Aconitum Napellus. The
plant is a herb, often 7 and even over 9 feet
high, perfectly glabrous, with the exception of
the inflorescences. The panicle is very large
and compound, 3 to 5 feet long, and the flowers
are intensely purplish-blue or sometimes purple
or variegated.

Angr.*cum infundibulare, tab. 8,153. — (See
Gardeners' Chronicle, 1904, vol. xxxvi., pp. 82,
130 ; also supplementary illustration to issue for
Aug. 20, 1904. The description in the present
issue of Botanical Magazine is by Mr. R. A.
Rolfe.

Podophyllum versipelle, tab. 8,154. — This
is a Chinese species, now described by Mr. J.
Hutchinson from a plant presented to Kew in
1903 by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, who intro.
duced this species into cultivation through their
collector, Mr. E. H. Wilson. The species has a
perennial rhizome, annual stem, and large leaves,
each with from five to nine lobes. The cyme
is umbelliform, sessile, often eight-flowered.
The flowers are very showy, being deep crimson.

Bigelovia graveolens, tab. 8,155. — A
shrubby Composite from North America. The
species has also been known as Chrysocoma gra-
veolens, Linosyris graveolens, Chrysocoma
nauseosa, and Chrysothamnus nauseosus. Mr.
W. Botting Hemsley describes the species as
growing to at least 6 to 8 feet high in cultiva-
tion. The stem is as much as 2 inches in dia-
meter at the base, much branched upwards.
The flowering branches are corymbose, pendu-
lous, tomentose and white. The flower heads
are very numerous, and the flowers yellow. Mr.
W. Watson states that the plant was sent to
Kew by the Rev Canon Ellacombe in 1900 for
identification, and it has now stood for four
winters against the wall at the north end of the
Herbaceous Ground without any additional pro-
tection. Last year it was in full flower in mid-
October, and so continued for about a month.
It might be called a shrubby Golden Rod, says
Mr. Watson, the big, crowded corymbose clus-
ters of yellow flowers being not unlike those
of the Solidagos. The species may be easily
propagated from stem-cuttings. It is recom-
mended as a shrub for collections of showy and
interesting plants, and in more southern locali-
ties would probably succeed without even the
protection afforded by the wall.

PrunuS Besseyi, tab. 8,156.— The plant from
which the figure was prepared, writes Mr. W. J.

Bean, is one of a batch sent to Kew by Professor
Sargent in 1900, from the Arnold Arboretum.
They have flowered during the past three years,
and, in early May, when the growths of the pre-
ceding summer are crowded with fascicles of
white flowers, make a charming display. The
fruit has not hitherto been produced in sufficient
abundance at Kew to count among the ornamen-
tal qualities of the plant. The species is a
native of the North-Western United States, and
is quite hardy in this country. It is recom-
mended as likely to be worth the notice of fruit
growers in South Africa and Australia, or wher-
ever the summer conditions approximate to those
of Colorado, but the species will not be of
economic value in Britain.

Flowers in Season. — From Mr. S. Ely,
Lavington Park Gardens, Petworth, we have
received a selection of well cultivated flowers of
Carnations of the American type. Mr. Ely writes :
" I am forwarding a few blooms of American Car-
nations gathered from plants which have been in
flower since November of last year. At the end of
April, 1907, the plants were placed under a north
wall, where they have produced a wealth of flowers
all through the summer. My object in sending
the flowers is to demonstrate the value of these
Carnations for planting in small spaces, providing
they are first grown in pots ; also to show what
useful decorative flowers they produce the whole
year round."

From Messrs. Robert Veitch & Sons, The
Royal Nurseries, Exeter, we have received flower-
ing sprays of a number of shrubs and other garden
plants which are hardy in Devon, including several
improved varieties of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus,
Eucryphia pinnatifolia, a very floriferous shrub;
Sollya heterophylla, a climbing plant, with small
blue flowers ; Buddleia variabilis magnifica ; Cha-
maebatia millaefolia, with inflorescence similar to
that of a Rubus and foliage like the Yarrow ;
Ononis fruticosa ; a fruiting shoot of Coriaria termi-
nalis (in colour the berries are similar to those of
the yellow Raspberry) ; Eriogonum racemosum,
and Pentstemon cordifolius, a shrubby species,
with orange-scarlet coloured flowers that are very
freely produced.

Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch,
London, send us flowers of a new variety of
Chrysanthemum carinatum (syn. C. tricolor)
named Silver Queen. The raisers claim the
variety to be distinct from all others of that
species in the dwarfness of its habit. The florets
are white in their upper halves, the lower portions
forming a band of clear yellow. As the plant is
an annual, and can be sown in the open, it should
prove an acquisition for the flower garden.

Gladioli flowers sent us by the famous Lang-
port firm of Kelway & Son are as good or
better than ever. The large flowers are pro-
duced on long spikes, and are of the richest
hues of colouring. It would seem as if the
highest degree of beauty and size had been
reached in these flowers. Among the varieties
sent us are King of Gladioli (of a shade of
salmon-rose, with a blotch of yellow in the
lower segments), Alice Wood (white, flaked
with red, and having conspicuous primrose-
coloured markings on the three inner segments),
Beatrice Kelway (in colour bright rose and
white, and of very large size), Langport Won-
der (rose, mottled with varying shades ; the
flower-spike is very large in this variety), Ard
Patrick (salmony or orange-red), Eugene San-
dow (reddish-rose, with white markings), &c.

A Gardener s Jubilee. — At the luncheon
held in conjunction with the Paisley flower show,
on September 5, Mr. John Macgregor was pre-
sented, by his fellow gardeners, with a walking-
stick, on the occasion of his 50th year's service as
gardener at Barochan.

National Potato Society. — Mr. W. H.

Adsett, the secretary, reminds us that the first
provincial show of this society will be held at the
South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent,
on Wednesday, October 2nd, under the direction
of Mr. Walter P. Wright, the horticultural
superintendent of that institution. The South-
Eastern and Chatham Railway Company has
arranged to issue return tickets from stations
within 60 miles of Wye for a single fare and a ]
quarter, on the presentation of a voucher obtain-
able from the hon. secretary. An opportunity
will be afforded the visitors of inspecting the
gardens, orchards, and farm attached to the
college, where an interesting series of trials is
being conducted. In addition to the usual classes
for members, and the contests for the " Llewelyn"
and " Carter-Findlay " cups, interest is Jikely to
be aroused in a series of vegetable competitions,
open to members of the Kent horticultural
societies, for which special prizes are offered by
nurserymen and seedsmen in the county. At
3 p.m. a conference will take place, at which
Mr. M. J. R. Dunstan, the Principal of the
College, will preside, and deliver the opening
address. Schedules and full details are obtainable
from the hon. sec, Hatton House, Great Queen
Street, London, W.C.

Hampton Court Gardens. — We regret that
in a descriptive note on these gardens, published
in the last issue, and owing to a misapprehension
on the part of our representative, it was stated that
Mr. A. Sprigings would succeed Mr. Gardiner.
as superintendent. We are definitely informed
that Mr. Gardiner's post will be filled by Mr.
William J. Barlow, the present superintendent
of Greenwich Park, as was stated in a previous
issue. Mr. Sprigings will remain at Hampton
Court in the capacity of foreman.

The "Blancard" Fund.— Mr. C. Harman
Payne writes as follows : " Some few months ago
I made an appeal on behalf of the two grand-
daughters of the introducer of the Chrysanthemum.
It may interest your readers who subscribed to the
fund to know that a total of £48 8s. lOd. was
received and paid over to the ladies, who have
expressed their grateful thanks for the interest
taken in their case."

The Colonial Garden at Laeken. — The
Colonial Garden at Laeken, writes a correspon-
dent, which was founded by the Government of
the Congo State in the year 1900 for the pur-
pose of providing for the introduction of new
economic plants'into the Congo, will take rank
with the great botanical gardens of the world,
such as those at Kew, Buitenzorg, &c. Here
were cultivated quite recently the Quinine plants
(Cinchona), which have been sent out to Central
Africa. Success was not attained without con-
siderable difficulty, and many kinds of Quinine
were tried before one of the seeds imported from
Buitenzorg gave satisfactory results. One of
the most remarkable items in the collection of
tropical plants at Laeken are plants of Landol-
phia of great size. Several trees are no
less than 17 feet in height, and they would be
still higher if they were not topped. The gar-
den also includes several plants imported from
Brazil, such as the Hevea brasiliensis, which it
is hoped may prove suitable for cultivation in
the Congo. There are also special conserva-
tories for Coffee plants, Vanilla trees, and for
plants and flowers imported from the Congo.
Among the latter a Clove tree of exceptional
luxuriance is specially noticeable. There is also
a remarkable collection of Sansevieras, In the
same house is the finest of all the ornamental
plants of the Congo, the Encephalartos Lauren-
tianus. Another speciality of the garden is the
collection of five principal kinds of Gutta-Percha
plants. A visit to the Colonial Garden of the
Congo Government at Laeken will be sure to
interest every botanist who happens to pay a
visit to Brussels.

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CURONiCLE.

203

Decoration for Mr. Schneider. — We are

pleased to learn that Mr. George Schneider, the
President of the French Horticultural Society of
London, has just received from the French
Government an honorary distinction in recog-
nition of his services to horticulture. Mr.
Schneider, who was appointed a Chevalier of the
Merite Agricole about 10 years ago, has done a
useful work in promoting good feeling between
the gardeners of this country and those abroad,
besides devoting much of his time to the society
of which he has been the president for nearly
20 years. On both sides of the Channel Mr.
Schneider has many friends, and they will be
glad to learn that by a decree dated August 31
last the French Government has promoted him to
the rank of Officier du Merite Agricole.

Fatality to a Dahlia Exhibitor. — As a

party of exhibitors returning from the National
Dahlia Society's exhibition at the Crystal Palace
were passing through South Norwood on the
night of September 7, the horse attached to the
van in which they were travelling took fright,
with the result that Mr. Albert Thompson, of
Cuckoo Lane, St. George's, Bristol, was killed.
The driver, his son, and two other men were
injured. One of the injured persons, Mr.
Aaron Webb, had, in conjunction with the
deceased, won some of the most valuable prizes
in the amateurs' classes, as will be seen on
leference to cur report on p. 206.

REMARKS ON THE CONDITION
OF THE FRUIT CROPS.
(Sec Tables and Summaries, ante, pp. Sl-90 J
(Concluded from page 1S2.)
8.— ENGLAND, S.YY.
Monmouthshire. — Standard Apple trees in
some orchards are badly infested with cater-
pillar, which a systematic spraying in the winter
would have prevented. Pears, although not a
heavy crop, are clean, and the trees are healthy.
Peaches and Nectarines set very freely, and
these fruits required severe thinning. Straw-
berries have given a heavy crop of fine fruits, the
varieties I Umax and Trafalgar being especially
good. Our soil is a stiff, retentive clay. II'. /• .
Woods, Llanfreehfa Grange Gardens, Caerleon.

Trees of many of the best varieties of

Apple such as Allington Pippin, Bismarck, Eck-
linville Seedling, Lord Derby, Lane's Prince
Albert, and Newton Wonder have scarcely any
fruit. Most of these varieties have borne good
crops during the past three years, which may
account to some extent for their failure this year,
but the principal reason is that during the time
the trees were in blossom the weather was very-
cold, and severe white frost was present on more
than one occasion. Pears, also all stone fruits,
are exceptionally heavy crops. During the time
the trees were in bloom, the weather was fine
and warm. John Basham, Fair Oak Nurseries,
Bassaleg, Newport.

Somersetshire. — The soil in this district is
generally a stiff, calcareous loam, resting on the
limestone. There are many Apple orchards in
this neighbourhood, the fruit being used chieriv
for cider-making, but the majority of the tress
are in bad condition from lack of pruning,
cleaning, ,Vc. Wellington (Dumelow's Seed-
ling! fruits well in this district, and this Apple
can be kept for a long time in good condition.
I have only recently used the last of
the previous season's crop. Aphis of all
kinds have been very troublesome on fruit trees.
Strawberries ripened indifferently. Newly-
planted fruit trees have suffered considerably
from the unseasonable weather. These remarks
include observations extending to Langport,
Sparkford-Butleigh, and Somerton. Geo. H.
Head, Kingsdon Manor Gardens, Taunton.

The season being late favoured the set-
ting of the blossom on fruit trees, but later, con-
tinued cold weather caused a great check to the
trees, and manv of the fruits dropped at about
midsummer. The warm weather of July pro-

moted new vigour, and favoured the swelling of
the fruits. Free-bearing kinds of Apples such as
Lord Grosvenor, which cropped well last year,
have heavy crops of fruits this season, and I
am convinced that some varieties of Apples with-
stand low temperatures better than others.
Plums and Apricots set an enormous crop.
Strawberries suffered from the dry weather of
last autumn. Potatos have disease in the
haulm on the high ground, but are not affected
in our low situation. /. Crook, Forde Abbey
Gardens, Chard.

Worcestershire.— The soil in this district is
a sandy loam, overlying the new red-sandstone
formation. This is the most remarkable season
for stone fruits that I remember, the fruits being
exceedingly abundant and of good quality.
Apples, although of good quality, are not plent'i.
ful : some Apple trees are overladen with fruits,
others are carrying scarcely any. The weather
at the time Apple trees were in blossom was not
so favourable as at the time when trees bearing
stone fruits were flowering, consequently the
pollen was not so effective. Pear trees have
suffered from the Tear midge. The fruits of all
trees are generally clean and of good quality,
the growth of the trees being verv healthy.
Small fruits such as Red and Black Currants,
Raspberries, and Gooseberries are very fine, and
the crops of these are heavy. Much of the
blossom and many of the early fruits of Straw-
berries were damaged by the rains. .4. Young,
Witley i 'our l Gardens. Stourport.

The Apple crop is almost a failure in this

district, and only a few trees heTe and there
have any fruits. The variety Worcester rear-
mam has the best crop. Trie trees blossomed
well, but the flowers appeared small and imper-
fect. The essential organs of the flowers were
undeveloped, probably owing to the extreme
drought of August and September, 1906, when
the trees cast their leaves prematurely. This,
added to a cold, sunless period, and cold winds,
are the causes of the failure of the Apple crop.
\ icots were never healthier nor more abun-
dantly fruited. Peaches and Nectarines are
plentiful and clean. Pears are the heaviest crop
of these fruits we have had for several years
past. The Pear midge this season was less in
evidence : a dressing of Vaporite was dug in
around the roots of the trees just as the midge
was about to emerge from the chrysalis; this
application will be repeated another
Strawberries were stunted in growth bv the
cold weather. William Crump, Y.M.H., Madres-
field Court Gardens. Malvern.

WALES.
Carnarvonshire. — This is the worst year for
hardy fruit crops I have seen for upwards of 40
years. Mildew has greatly injured the young
growths of Apple trees and Plum trees. W.
Speed, Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, AMI'.

Glamorganshire. — The only varieties of
Apples which are carrying good crops are Cox's
Orange Pippin, James Grieve, and Bramley's
Seedling. Pears are quite up to the average in
quantity, and very good in quality : the same
remarks apply to Plums. I never saw better
crops of Peaches and Nectarines. All varieties
set well, and the foliage is remarkablv free from
blight and blister. Apricot trees are also heavilv
fruited. Strawberries were far above the aver-
age in quantity, but deficient in flavour, owing
to the wet, sunless weather during the time the
berries were ripening. Nuts are plentiful and
good. Our soil is of a light nature, with a
gravelly sub-soil. P. Milner, Mar gam Park Gar-
dens, Port Talbot.

Apple, Pear, and Plum trees all produced

an abundance of blossom, but the continued wet
weather and low temperatures have spoiled the
fruit crops. Gooseberries are plentiful, and of
fine quality : the same remarks apply to Rasp-
berries, Currants, and Cherries. Peaches and
Nectarines are also very good, and the trees
are free from blight. The soil here is a rather
heavy loam on a rocky sub-soil. C. T. War-
mington, Penllergaer Gardens, Swansea.

Merionethshire. — Plum trees and early
varieties of Pears blossomed freely, but the
young fruits were spoilt by frost. The fruit trees
generally in this district are badly infested with
aphis, and this pest is especially prevalent on
Black Currants. All the crops are very late,

owing to the wet and dull season, and what
promised to be a record year (judging by th©
bloom prospects) has proved disappointing. I
never remember such heavy crops of Red and
Black Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries.
The ground here was in a sodden and cold con-
dition until July 11. John S. Higgins, Rug-
Gardens, Corwen.

Montgomeryshire.— Apples are very plentiful
in some places around here, and splendid crops
of Lord Suffield, Blenheim Pippin, and
others are seen. Pears are fairly plentiful, but
some varieties, including Louise Bonne of
Jersey, Seckle, Winter Nelis, Jargonelle, and
Marie Louise are sparsely cropped, although the
trees have not failed to fruit for several years
past. Among Plums, Greengage are fairly good,
Magnum Bonum, both the red and the white
kinds, are bad. Early Rivers good, and Victoria
bad. The last named has proved the most
reliable Plum in this district in other years,
l'eaeh, Nectarine, and Apricot trees are carry-
ing splendid crops, but the fruits will be late in
ripening. Among small fruits, Black, White,
and Red Currants are very heavy crops, but the
fruits are not so large as usual. Our soil is a
dark loam of a moderately light texture. G. L.
Evans, Vaynor Park Gardens.

Pkmbrokeshire. — All hardy fruits are very
good, with the exception of Apples and Pears,
which suffered badly from hailstorms, followed
by sharp frosts. We have an abundance of
small fruits. Gooseberries and Strawberries
were never better. Royal Sovereign St:a\vberry
is by far the best of the many varieties grown
here. Laxton's Fillbasket also does well. Our
soil is a light loam resting on rock. II'. .4.
Baldwin, Clynfiew Gardens, Boneaih.

Radnorshire. — Late frosts are accountable for
the loss of our Apple crop this year. A few
Apple trees only are carrying a crop of fruits,
est being Cellini, Duchess of Oldenburgh,
and Lane's Prince Albert. Trees of Louise
Bonne of Jersey and Knight's Monarch Pears
have heavy crops. Other varieties have about
an average quantity. Wall trees of Apricot,
Peach, and Nectarine are abundantly fruited,
and the crop is the heaviest for several years
past. Our soil is a good, deep, rather light
loam overlying the red sandstone. /. Mae-
Cormack, Maesllwch Castle Gardens, Glasbury.

IRELAND.
Antrim. — Pear trees produced a large quantity
of blossom, and the fruits set well, but the in-
clement weather during May and June, with
frequent hailstorms caused most of the fruits to
drop. A few varieties of Pears are carrying an
average crop, including Beurre Diel, ' Beurre
Hardy, Beurre d'Amanlis, Gansell's Bergamot,
and Louise Bonne of Jersey. Plums are a very
light crop, and the trees are badly infested with
aphis. In some parts Apples are plentiful, and
in other districts they are a total failure. The
blossom of Apple trees rotted on the branches.
Our soil is a stiff, cold, tenacious loam on a
very retentive clay sub-soil. /. MacLean, Shanes
Castle Gar dins, Antrim.

Galway. — The season has been the most un-
favourable during 50 years' experience. Cold
winds at the beginning of May, accompanied
with heavy hailstorms, ruined the crops of
Plums, Pears, and Damsons. Apple trees pro-
duced scarcely any blossom, owing, probably, to
the heavy crop of last year. Small fruits are bet-
ter. Strawberries were late in ripening. The
soil here is of a light texture, and rests on lime-
stone ; it is very poor in quality. Although
spraying has been practised, blight is appearing
on Potato haulm. Thomas Dunne, Lough C*tra
Castle Gardens, Gorl.

Tyrone. — The season has been one of the most
backward on record. May and June gave
scarcely one fine day, and the temperature only
exceeded 60° on about 10 days in the two
months. The fruit crops are all very late. No
Strawberries were ripe until July 10, and
the crop was very poor. Apple blossom did not
set well, and many of the fruits that did set have
since fallen, owing to cold and w7et. Pears have
set fairly well. Plum trees are generally carry-
ing heavy crops ; the principal kind grown about
here is Victoria. Gooseberries are an enormous
crop, and other small fruits, including Black
Currants, are also heavilv fruited. The Goose-

20 1

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE,

[September 14, 1907.

berrv-mildew has appeared in this locality. Our
soil is a heavy, clayey loam. Fred. W . Walker,
Sion House Gardens, Sion Mills.

.Clare. — All fruit trees produced a quantity of

weather, accompanied by violent winds and
hailstorms, caused the damage. Strawberries
and bush fruits set large crops. Bush fruits
have ripened well, but fully half the crop of
Strawberries was destroyed by the unfavourable

Fig. 87. — arctotis x regalis: flowers white with a yellow band around the

PURPLE DISC.

Cork. — The Apple crop in the South of Ire-
land is the worst for years past. Most of the
Apple orchards are completely bare of fruits.
Pears are equally bad, but Gooseberries, Cur-
rants, and Plums are plentiful. Peaches out-of-
doors are a complete failure. The few Apples
which set on the dwarf garden trees have been
attacked by a destructive insect, which bores into
the fruit, causing it to fall off. A. C, Co. Cork.

Periodical visits to the South of Ireland

extending over a number of years, and careful
observation of the soils a.nd climate, convinced
me that the culture of Apples could be carried
on there with success, and when some
few years ago an opportunity arose for the ac-
quisition of a small holding in County Cork I
at once planted several varieties of bush-trained
Apple trees. My first experiment was with 12
varieties, including six of dessert and six of culi-
nary kinds. The dessert varieties included
Arlington Pippin, Cockle Pippin, Cox's Orange
Pippin, Gladstone, Washington, and Worcester
Pearmain. For kitchen varieties I selected Bis-
marck, Loddington, The Queen, Stirling Castle,
Tower of Glamis, and Warner's King. Of the
table Apples, Allington Pippin, Cockle Pippin,
and Worcester Pearmain were a distinct suc-
cess ; Gladstone and Washington fairly so, but
Cox's Orange Pippin an unmistakable failure.
Stirling Castle has proved' a success, but
Bismarck, Loddington Pippin, Tower of Glamis,
and Warner's King have never succeeded. The
Queen Apple seems peculiarly adapted to this
neighbourhood, and flourishes like none other.
On an adjoining piece of land I subsequently
planted a much larger variety of trees, but these
have not been planted sufficiently long
for me to form a fair opinion of them,
although many of them promise well.
One prominent feature is the absolute
failure of Cox's Orange Pippin, and this not
only in my own case, but in that of a large
adjoining grower. I am disposed to think that
the soil is too good, and have been told by
a man of the widest experience in Kent that
he finds this variety succeeds best on poor soils.
The present year's crop will be watched with
interest, for in this district the weather during
the spring has been abnormal ; severe frosts, con-
tinuous cold winds, and heavy hailstorms have
damaged the Apple crop, and a great scarcity of
this fruit exists. Whilst some varieties are fairly
well cropped, others have failed altogether, and
a severe attack of Codlin moth has destroyed the
greater part of the fruit which did set. The
effect of the weather is peculiarly noticeable in
the case of Allington Pippin ; this variety, which
has done well up to this year, is a total failure,
and the severe climatic conditions existing in
April and May so seriously injured the trees
that I am doubtful if they will recover. The
district included in the valleys of the Blackwater
and Bride cannot be surpassed for Apple cul-
ture, and evidences exist in the remains of
ancient orchards and the traces of cider-making
plant, that at no very remote date Apples were
largely grown, and cider-making extensively car-
ried on in this part. With the advantages gained
under the Land Purchase Act, this branch of
Agriculture may be revived, and an industry
resuscitated which should greatly benefit all
classes. Clement B. Broad, Co. Cork.

blossom, but owing to the unseasonable weather
at the flowering period, the crops of Plums,
Pears and Apples were ruined. The district was
free from spring frosts, but the long, cold, wet

wt.ither. Our soil is a heavy and retentive
loam overlying a sub-soil principally of cold,
retentive clay. Alfred Barker, Carrigoran, New-
market-on-Fergus.

ARCTOTIS x REGALIS.

The hybrid Arctotis illustrated at fig. 87
was raised from a cross effected by M. Sprenger,
of Vomero, near Naples, between the species A.
aureola (orange coloured) and A. stoechadifolia
or grandis, as it is better known in gardens
(white, with mauve colour on the ex-
terior of the segments). At the last meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society, flowers were
shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford
(gr. Mr. W. Bain), when an Award of Merit
was recommended the hybrid after an inspec-
tion by the Floral Committee. The size of the
flowers may be seen in the illustration ; they
are pure white, except for the purple disc, and
an extremely narrow band of j'ellow on the
ray florets immediately around the base of
the disc. On the exterior of the ray seg-
ments there is a suspicion of pale purple. Each
flower is produced on an erect stem, more than
1 foot in height. Mr. Gumbletcn, writing from

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

205

Eelgrove, Queenstown, states that the flowers
of A. X regalis are not so large as those of A.
aureola, and that the hybrid's best quality is
that of free-flowering. Mr. Gumbleton thinks
that A. regalis may be described as a " perennial
form of its annual parent. A. stoechadifolia
grandis, having obtained its perennial habit
from A. aureola."

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)
"Silver Leaf." — The opinion seems to be
held very generally that a tree, when once at-
tacked by silver leaf, never recovers ; and in

.answer to certain questions on the subject which
were circulated a short time ago, none of our
English correspondents were able to mention
any instance of recovery as having come within
their knowledge. A correspondent from New
Zealand, however, mentioned several such in-
stances, and the following facts will show that
recovery in this country also is by no means un-
common. A plantation at Harpenden, where
silver leaf had been previously unknown, was
badly attacked by it in 1905. Of the trees which
had been attacked 14 were left standing at the
beginning of this year, 12 of them being well-
grown standards of the Victoria Plum, some 16
years old, and the other two dwarf Damson
trees. Of these 14 trees four now show no signs
of saver leaf, the recovered trees being three
Victoria Plums and one Damson. Most of the
Victorias had all their branches lopped off close
to the stems in the winter ; but all those that
have recovered are trees which were left intact.
This is probably accidental, and it would not
be safe to conclude, without further evidence,
that the removal of affected branches does not
help the recovery of the tree. Out of a dozen
1'lum trees smne 15 years old, at Ridgmont,
which were affected last year, only one has re-
covered ; but in a plantation of two-year-old
trees of Monarch, Czar, Early Prolific, and Vic-

■ toria Plums, the percentage of recovery has been
very large. Forty-eight of these trees had been
inoculated with the fungus Stereum purpureum,
and 38 of them had, in consequence, become sil-
vered : nine of the 38 died and were removed,
the fungus having made its appearance on the
dead wood. This left 29 trees standing which
had been affected last year, and of these as many
as 14 show nn signs of silvering now. A ten-
dency to recover is also shown in the 15 trees
which are still silvered, for the percentage of
their foliage which was affected last year was,
on the average, 77, and it is now only 42. The
trees which have recovered entirely were, as
might be expected, those which- were least af-
fected, though there are exceptions to this rule ;
and there are also exceptional trees which show
more silvering now than they did last year. Pro-
bably the present season has been exceptionally
favourable for recovery, just as 1904 and 1905
seem to have been exceptionally favourable for
the spread of the disease. A remedy for silver
leaf has lately been suggested in all seriousness,
which consists in boring a hole into the heart of
the tree and stuffing it with iron sulphate.
Remedies such as these savour a little too much
of the quackery of the Middle Ages. Trees
which have been thus treated may, of course,
have recovered, but only in spite of, and not in
consequence of, the treatment, for recovery, as
is seen, is possible, and not very infrequent,
Without any treatment at all. Spencer Pickering.

Transplanting Seedlings. — In many in-
stances transplanting is neither economical nor
profitable, especially during dry weather. It is
the usual practice to transplant Cabbages twice,
once from the seed-bed to a growing quarter and
again in October to their permanent quarters.
One planting should be sufficient. A thin sowing
should be made on c.--ui ground that has had
plenty of Hop manure incorporated with it. The
seedlings will develop an abundance of fibrous
roots, so that when finally planted out in October
their success is assured. Another method is to
partially lift the plants with a fork during Sep-
tember when the ground is moist and the weather
dull, and afterwards carefully tread them in again.
This practice favours the development of new
roots and prevents the plants from " bolting "
after they are finally planted. This practice may

also be applied to Cow or Cattle Cabbage. In
the case of biennial and annual flowers, thin
sowing has its advantages when good seeds are
used. Annuals sown in groups or patches can be
suitably thinned, and sown thus they develop into
finer specimens than those that are transplanted.
Biennials can be sown in lines drawn 1 foot to
18 inches apart. The seedlings can be thinned
from 3 to 6 inches apart according to the size of
the plant. A partial lifting and treading the
plants in again in spring, such as was recom-
mended for Cabbages, will ensure a fibrous root-
growth previous to replanting. /. D. G.

Hydrangeas in Tubs. — On p. 152 Mr. A. R.

Pearce states that during a recent visit
to Boughton Park Gardens, he saw plants
uf Hydrangea Hortensia each carrying over 100
fully-expanded inflorescences, with others in the
bud state. In these gardens are seven plants
of this Hydrangea in tubs. The specimens
measure from 6 to 8 feet in diameter, and col-
lectively the plants are carrying 1,379 fully-
expanded flowers and buds. One plant has 223
heads of bloom, and another 206. The plants,
for want of a better accommodation, were stored
during last winter in a low open shed, and the
only other protection they had was during
severe weather, when a mat was hung round
them. The principal item in the successful
culture of Hydrangeas is to give them an abund-
ance of water during their growing season, and
to feed them with a little artificial manure. E.
S. Pigg, Little Tangley Gardens, near Guildford.

Primula obconica. — Attention is directed to
the poisonous properties of this plant by Mr. C.
Burrows, at page 173. The hands when affected
readily convey the poison to other parts of the
body, and in this manner the eyes, nose, mouth,
&C.i may be speedily affected. The irritation can
in a great measure be allayed by an application of
carbolic ointment, but care should be taken not to
break or rupture the pustules. I suffered for
several years from the poison of this plant before
I found what was causing " my disease " by
reading a note on the subject in the Gardeners'
Chronicle. Since that time I have handled the
Primula on two occasions only, once purposely
for experiment, and once accidentally by the leaves
brushing the hand when passing the plants. On
each of these occasions I experienced a severe
attack of what is erroneously called eczema.
Primula sinensis will affect some persons in the
same manner. E. H. Jenkins, Hampton Hill, [We
have received many more letters on this subject,
which in the main bear out statements that have
already been made by our correspondents. — Ed.]

The Pink-flowered Clove Carnation. —

Mr. C. Young, on p. 188, correctly stated the origin
of this variety. During the 14 years that I was at
Warren House, Kingston-on-Thames, border Car-
nations were grown in large numbers, especially
the old crimson Clove which was a great favourite
of the late Lady Wolverton. It was, I think, in
1887 that I found one of the spikes from a crimson
Clove Carnation showing pink flowers (the other
flowering stems on the same plant were all crimson
flowers). I layered the two or three young shoots
and from these I eventually raised enough speci-
mens of the pink-flowered variety to furnish
several large beds. I have never noticed in this
variety any signs of reversion to the crimson form.
Being a purely vegetative sport the habit was
exactly that of its parent, but the flowers were a
clear shade of pink. I intended to name it " Lady
Wolverton," but understood at that time there
was already a pink-flowered Clove-scented Carna-
tion in existence, and as the nurseryman's cata-
logues mentioned a " Blush Clove " I decided not
to do so, but continued to cultivate it under the
name of " Pink Clove." The pink-flowered Clove
Carnation mentioned by Mr. Alex. Dean, on p. 172,
probably came, in the first instance, from Warren
House, as during the sale of plants in 1894 many
plants were distributed in the immediate neighbour-
hood. Geo. Woodeate, Rolleston Hall Gardens.

NEW ENVENTION.

Mr. J. Campbell Pool, of 15, Carrs Lane, Birmingham,
has sent us a new garden tool for transplanting small plants.
The implement consists of a hollow cylinder, having handles
at one end, the use of which is to enable the operator to push
the tool into the ground, and by a twist remove a core of
soil. This is pushed from the cylinder by another smaller
one. In transplanting.-the operation is the same, the " head "
of the plant being drawn through the top of the tool, and the
entire soil and roots removed to fit a corresponding hole
that has already been made.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

September 3.— Present : E. A. Bowles, Esq.,
M.A., F.L.S. (in the chair) ; Dr. A. B. Rendle ;
Messrs. A. Worsley, W. Cuthbertson, A. W.
Sutton, H. T. Giissow, J. T. Bennett-Poe, J.
Odell, G. Massee, G. S. Saunders, and F. J.
Chittenden (hon. sec).

Mildew on Maple. — Mr. H. T. Gussow
showed leaves of a species of Acer attacked by
the conidial form of the fungus Uncinula aceris
so frequent on Acer campestre.

Currant leaves diseased. — Mr. Saunders
showed leaves of Currant attacked by the fun-
gus Glceosporium ribis, which Mr. GUSSOW
stated had recently been found to be a stage in
the life history of the fungus Pseudopeziza ribis
(see fig. in Gardeners' Chronicle, Sept. 7, p. 180).

Propagation of Potato diseases. — Mr. Cuth-
bertson showed the produce of two tubers of
Potato which had been sent to the committee
last year attacked by the fungus causing " win-
ter rot." Both tubers had grown normally, and
had produced a fair crop. He proposed to keep
these tubers through the winter in order to dis-
cover whether or not the disease would appear
in them. Mr. Sutton observed that in certain
experiments carried out by him at Reading this
year it was found that tubers of Potato attacked
by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, and
employed as sets, yielded about 70 per cent, of
normal plants free from disease.

Mcndelian laws of inheritance. — Mr. Worsley
brought up this question with reference to the
colours of certain Bean flowers which he ex-
hibited, and the need for further extended care-
ful experiment was insisted upon.

Fig leaves diseased.- — Mr. Bowles showed
leaves of the fruiting Fig much disfigured by ir-
regular brown and yellow-brown patches of var-
iable size. The appearance is due to the attacks
of a fungus, Cercospora Bolleana, which develops
its fructification on the dead leaves, and hiber-
nates in the stem of the plant, so that it is
carried over from one year to the next.

Mai formation of Myosotis. — Mr. Bowles also
exhibited a specimen of Myosotis palustris,
which he had collected in Suffolk, near Ips-
wich, having the calyx lobes much enlarged,
and the spike somewhat lengthened. Each in-
florescence on the plant had exhibited the same
structure.

Mint rust. — Plants of Peppermint from near
Dorking were sent badly attacked by the Mint
rust, or " snuff," as the trouble is locally called.
The small reddish spots which occur on the
leaves in abundance at this season of the year
are the uredo form of the fungus Puccinia men-
thae, and the mycelium of the fungus hibernates
in the underground portions of the plant, so
that no cure can be suggested. If external con-
ditions are favourable, the disease is sure to
make itself evident in the succeeding year.

Galls on Walnut leaf. — Mr. W. C. Worsdell
sent from Westmoreland leaves of Juglans regia
having rather large swellings on the upper sur-
face of the leaf with corresponding hollows on
the lower surface. These malformations, which
are frequent on Walnut leaves, are due to the
attack on the leaf of a mite, Eriophyes tristralis
var. erinea.

Gooseberry-mildew. — Dr. C. B. Plowright sent
shoots of Gooseberry badly attacked by the mil-
dew, Microsphaera grossulariae, the well-known
European Gooseberry-mildew, with the follow-
ing note : " These shoots were gathered from a
garden which a friend of mine planted some
years ago with fruit trees and Gooseberry
bushes. The latter became affected with a mil-
dew so badly that they had to be destroyed be-
cause they bore no fruit, and if by any chance
they did so it never ripened. When the Ameri-
can fungus appeared in this county (Norfolk)
one naturally suspected it had been the cause.
It so happened that a score or two bushes had
been left in the garden, for although they never
ripened fruit yet they bore a sufficient quantity
to pay for gathering whilst still green. On speci-
mens of the bushes examined during last winter
no traces of the winter state of Sphasrotheca mors-
uvae were to be found, nor is it present now.
The moral is, do not despise old enemies. Here
is an instance in which hundreds of young

206

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 14, 1907.

bushes in the frnit-bearing stage were destroyed
because they were affected by a fungus with
which I was acquainted as a boy. One is in-
clined to ask, would it not have paid to have
sprayed them?"

Change of colour in germinating Acorns. — Dr.
Plowright also sent specimens illustrating the
following observations : " The colour which ger-
minating Acorns often assume is frequently con-
siderable. The specimens sent herewith were
gathered near King's Lynn in the spring of the
present year. A deep reddish tint more than
usually distinct was the cause of their being
examined more carefully, when it was seen that
not only was the external surface coloured red,
but that in some places distinct yellow and
greenish shades were observable. The colora-
tion is external, and is possibly due to some
form of oxidisation." The coloration referred
to was still very distinct, showing that it is
persistent for many months.

British dye plants.— Dr. Plowright also sent
-skeins of worsted dyed with British wild plants :
<1) bore a delicate shade of light green pro-
duced from the young flower heads of Phrag-
mites communis, the common Reed, mor-
daunted with alum. Previous experiments with
older flower heads gave a much darker colour.
(2) was of a dark green colour (olive), the re-
sult of treatment with iron sulphate following
the treatment of No. 1. (3) Bidens tripartita is
not mentioned by Linnaeus as a dye plant, but
it gives a yellow more approaching orange than
that given by other British dye plants. (4)
Chrysanthemum segetum gives a yellow more
like that of other dye plants, but it is not noted
by Linnaeus as a fast colour.

Malformed inflorescence. — An interesting speci-
men of Sempervivum spinulosum came from the
Hon. Walter Rothschild, in which the in-
florescence bore only a few flowers, and was
crowned by a rosette of foliage leaves quite like
the rosettes at the base of the plant. The lower
leaves of the rosette bore flower buds in their
axils.

TRIAL OF CANNAS AT WISLEY.

September 6. — The third and final inspection
of the trial of Cannas in the YVisley Garden
was made on the above date, the following
members of the Floral Committee being pre-
sent : W. Marshall, Esq. (chairman), and
Messrs. George Nicholson, W. Bain, C. T.
Druery, T. W. Turner, J. Douglas, J. Jennings,
W. Howe, and R. Hooper Pearson.

Awards of Merit were recommended to the
four varieties whose names follow : —

Canna " Venus." — A fine flower of a soft shade
of rose, with mottling of white around the mar-
gins of the segments. Height of plant, 2 feet
6 inches.

C. Hesperide. — The flowers of this variety are
orange or orange-red coloured, and are equal to
the best of this type. Height of plant, 2 feet
<5 inches.

C. Duke of York. — This variety is one we com-
mented favourably upon in the issue for August
34. It failed to get an award at the previous
inspection. The flowers are of a dull shade of
magenta, but have bright yellow-coloured mar-
gins. The foliage is green, and the plants have
a sturdy growth scarcely 2 feet in height.

C. Burbank. — This variety is in general culti-
vation, but has not previously been given an
award beyond that of three marks. The flowers
are of large size, but somewhat lacking in
substance. The colour is canary-yellow, with
sparse, red spotting.

Remarks were again made upon the good
cultivation seen in the Cannas generally, and on
a question being addressed to Mr. Wright as to
the kind of manure that had been applied to
the plants, it was elicited that exclusive use had
been made of Peruvian guano.

Notes upon the earlier inspection of the
Cannas will be found in our issue for August
34, p. 135.

Awards of Merit were also recommended to
the following three varieties of Perennial Aster,
a variety of East Lothian Stock, and a variety
•of Larkspur : —

Aster " While Queen." — Recommended for its
earliness in flowering. Flowers white, with
yellow disc, the disc subsequently turning quite
brown.

A. "Mrs. Davis Evans."- — Recommended for
its early flowering and compact habit of growth.
Height, 2£ feet. Colour of flowers, mauve-
purple.

A. "Miss Stafford." — Recommended for its
early flowering. Height, 2 feet. Colour of
flowers, a pinkish shade of red.

It was noticed that some varieties were badly
mildewed, yet others adjacent to them were
perfectly free from the fungus.

East Lothian Stock, " While Wallflower
Leaved." — An Award of Merit was given to an
exceedingly good strain of this type of Stock.
The seeds were sown in spring, and the tallest
plants were only 1 foot in height, yet some had
produced as many as nine excellent spikes of
good flowers.

Larkspur. — The strain of the annual Larkspur
known as " Carmine Empress " having proved
usually true, an Award of Merit was granted
it. The plants were from 4 feet to 5 feet in
height, and were much admired.

NATIONAL DAHLIA.

(Concluded frontpage 192.)

September 5, 6. — We were enabled to insert
in our last issue the names of the winners in the
more important classes. Judged from a general
point of view, the show was about equal, or
very nearly equal, to the best of its predecessors.
The exhibits were arranged in the southern end
of the Palace, instead of the central transept as
last year. The attendance of visitors was large
throughout the day, and in the evening the
building was thronged, but other attractions
were no doubt largely responsible for this big
gathering.

New seedling Dahlias were not lacking, and
amongst the Cactus-flowered type were several
excellent novelties.

As recorded in the last number, the best dis-
play of 48 blooms of Show varieties were shown
by Mr. John Walker, Thame, Oxon. There
were three contestants in the class, the others
being Mr. W. Treseder, Cardiff, and Mr.
Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey, who
were awarded the 2nd and 3rd prizes in the
order named. The winning flowers were a re-
markably fine exhibit, the best examples being
Perfection (yellow, tinged with reddish-brown),
John Walker (white), J. C. Reid (bronze, tinged
with rose and with a rose reverse), Harrison
Weir (yellow), Mrs. Foreman (magenta), Dia-
dem (crimson), Duke of Fife (scarlet), John
Hickling (yellow), Arthur Rawlings (crimson),
Mrs. Gladstone (flesh pink, a most beautiful
shade), and Mrs. David Saunders. Other
varieties shown by Mr. Walker included : Mrs.
W. Slack, Kathleen, Mariner, Miss Cannell,
Golden Gem, Henry Clarke, Mr. Glasscock, Vir-
ginale, T. J. Saltmarsh, Victor, Mrs. W. Trese-
der, John Rawlings, Shirley Hibberd, the
Reverend, Harbinger, Mrs. Morgan, Thomas
Tendered, Dr. Kevnes, Duchess of York, Ethel
Britton, J. T. West, Mrs. F. Foreman, Hero,
Lord Salisbury, Blush Gem, Comte de la Saux,
and a crimson-coloured seedling variety.

In the class for 24 blooms for Show varieties
there were seen four exhibits. The best blooms,
as stated last week, were shown by Messrs.
Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury. Some of
the flowers in the 1st prize collection were very
large, especially those of Mr. Glasscock (purple),
Daniel Cornish, and Rebecca (crimson). Other
prominent blooms were those labelled Perfec-
tion, A. Rawlings, Harrison Weir, George
Barnes (a very fine self-coloured variety), Thos.
Hobbs, John Hickling, Henrietta (soft rose-
pink), and Warrior (a very handsome shade of
scarlet).

Fancy Dahlias.

The largest class, that for 18 blooms of dis-
tinct varieties, attracted two exhibitors only,
viz., Mr. William Treseder and Mr. Walker,
who won in this order. The 1st prize collection
was uniformly good, the colours of the flowers
being especially fine. Notable varieties were:
John Britton and Frank Pierce, the two top
corner blooms, also Emin Pasha, Matthew
Campbell, Gaiety, John Cooper, Watchman, Ed-
mund Boston, Lottie Eckford, Mrs. Saunders
(yellow florets tipped with white), Comte de la
Saux, Sunset, Comedian, Rev. J. B. M. Camm,
Mabel, and Distinction.

The smaller class for 12 blooms of Fancy

Dahlias was better contested, as five exhibits
were seen, the best being shown by Messrs. J.
Cray & Sons, Frome. Rev. Camm, B. Bell,
Prince Henry, F. W. Girdleston (a fine big
flower of a rich plum colour), Mrs. Saunders,
F. Pierce, Sunset, Mabel, Dorothy, Hero, and
H. Clarke were notable examples in the premier
display. Second, Mr. Mortimer, with an
evenly-matched stand of flowers.

A class was provided for Show and Fancy
varieties intermixed. This brought forth a poor
competition, only two exhibits being staged, the
best by Mr. J. R. Tranter, Henley-on-Thames.

Cactus Dahlias.

The principal class for Cactus-flowered varie-
ties was that for 18 varieties, in bunches of six
blooms each. The chief honour in this class has
been won on several former occasions by Messrs.
J. Stredwick & Son, Silverhill Nurseries, St.
Leonards, who were again the best exhibitors.
All the varieties shown were raised by the ex-
hibitors, including 11 new flowers presented for
the first time this season. Of these varieties three
received the Society's Certificate of Merit, and
one of these, to which the name of C. E. Wilkins
was appended, was awarded a Silver Medal as
being the best bunch of Cactus Dahlias in the
professional classes. A description of this
variety will be found under Awards. The other
varieties were : Ivernia, Rev. A. Bridge, Harold
Peerman (yellow), Ruby Grinsted (pink, with a
yellow centre), Helium (bronze, merging to a
yellow in the centre), Dorothy (pink, a fine big
bloom), Chamois (buff, with orange-coloured
centre), Mrs. F. Grinsted (purplish-mauve, with
magenta showing on the tips of the florets),
Mrs. Macmillan (pink), J. B. Riding, Clara
(pink), Dr. G. G. Gray (scarlet), Mrs. W. H.
Raby (creamy-white), George Gordon, and
Alfred Dyer. 2nd, Messrs. J. Burrell &
Co. ; 3rd, Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley.

Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co. won the 1st
prize in the class for 48 blooms of Cactus-
flowered varieties, and Mr. Humphries in the
smaller class for 24 blooms.

Pompon Varieties.

Class 11 was for 24 varieties of this type, and
it brought forth four displays. The best was
put up by Mr. C. Turner, Royal Nurseries,
Slough. The varieties were well-known kinds,
such as : Phyllis, Tommy Keith, San Toy,
Mignon, Clarence, Jessica, Josephine, Bacchus,
Isabel, Hecla, Ideal, Cyril, Thora, Sybil,
Asperia, Minnie, Romulus, Mary, Marietta,
Queen of Whites, Darkest of All, and Daisy.
Second, Mr. Seale, with Jessica, Harbinger,
Trojan, Bacchus, Silvia, 6cc.

Mr. Burrell was 1st in the class for 12
varieties.

Single Dahlias.

The Single varieties were represented by
several good displays, although they were not
so numerous as the Show and Cactus types. In
the class for 24 varieties Messrs. J. Cheal &
SONS, Crawley, won the 1st prize with an evenly-
balanced array of blooms, prominent varieties
being Alice Castle, Formosa, Kitty, Columbine,
Eclipse, Tommy, Miss Roberts, Darkness, &c. ;
2nd, Mr. M. V. Seale, Sevenoaks ; 3rd, Messrs.
J. Cray & Sons, Frome.

Amateurs' Classes.

The winners of the Silver Challenge Cup in
Class 15, for 24 blooms of Show Dahlias, as
announced in the last issue, were Messrs. Webb
& Thompson, Kingswood, Bristol, these gentle-
men being the joint owners of one garden. Their
flowers were splendid examples, having remark-
ably good build and excellent colouring. The
varieties were similar to those we have
enumerated in the nurserymen's classes. (See
report of fatal accident on p. 203.)

Mr. W. E. Peters, The Hbspice, Holmhurst,
St. Leonards, won the Silver Challenge Cup
offered for nine varieties of Cactus Dahlias in
this exhibit. The variety J. B. Riding was
awarded the Silver Medal offered for the best
bunch of Cactus Dahlias in the amateurs'
classes.

Other prominent winners in the amateurs
classes were : Miss. C. A. Gladstone, Swan-
more, Bishop's Waltham, Hants ; and Messrs.
J. Bryant, Salisbury ; G. Boothroyde ; T.
Jones, Ruabon, Wales ; and H. Brown, Luton,
Beds.

September 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

207

First-Class Certificates.

Dahlia C. E. Wilkins (Cactus). — A large,
finely-shaped flower, with a pale yellow centre,
shading to salmon-pink in the florets, which are
narrow and recurving.

D. Ivtrnia (Cactus J.—-A big flower of fawny-
bronze shade.

D. Rev. Arthur Bridge (Cactus). — A variety
with pink florets and a yellowish centre ; the
shade of pink is deeper than in C. E. Wilkins,
which is much the better flower.

These three varieties were shown by Messrs.
J. Stredwick & Son.

D. Flame (Cactus). — A variety of orange-scar-
let colour, a shade lighter than in the well-
known H. Shoesmith. Shown by Mr. H. Shoe-
smith.

D. Crimson Prince (Single). — A flower of good
form of the colour indicated by its name.
Shown by Messrs. Webb & Thompson.

D. Mauve Queen (Cactus). — See p. 190 ante.

D. Peggy (Single). — See p. 190 ante.

D. The Bride (Decorative Cactus). — A white,
diminutive flower of the Cactus type.

These last three were shown by Messrs. J.
Cheal & Sons.

Non-Competitive Exhibits.
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest pill,
London; T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham (Silver-
Gilt Medal) ; Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk
(Silver-Gilt Medal) ; J. T. West, Tower Hill,
Brentwood (Silver Medal) ; John Peed & Son,
West Norwood (Silver Medal) ; H. Cannell &
Sons, Swanley (Crystal Palace Silver Medal) ; J.
E. Knight, Wolverhampton (Crystal Palace
Silver Medal) ; and J. F. Groves, Cedar Nur-
sery, Ham, contributed non-competitive ex-
hibits which in most cases consisted chiefly of
Dahlia flowers.

ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICUL-
TURAL.

Sept. 11 & 12. — The annual exhibition of this
society was held on these dates in the Waverley
Market, Edinburgh. The weather was fine, and
the society is to be congratulated upon the suc-
cess of the show from every point of view. The
number of entries totalled 1,820, which is 128
in excess of those received in 1906.

Cut flowers, and especially Sweet Peas and
Roses, formed the chief of the exhibits, but
Grapes were also largely shown. Hardy
fruits were less fine than in former years. The
miscellaneous exhibits were numerous, and gen-
erally of high quality.

Fruit Classes.

An important class was that for a table
measuring 10 feet by 4 feet 6 inches, arranged
with dessert fruits and decorated with plants
and flowers. The schedule stipulated that not
more than 16 dishes of fruit should be included,
and the fruits and decorations were to be judged
separately. Only two exhibits were staged, that
shown by Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston Gardens,
Derby, being awarded the 1st prize for fruit, and
the same exhibit had also the best floral ar-
rangement. Mr. Goodacre showed Grapes of
fair quality, fine Peaches, Plums, Nectarines,
&c. 2nd, Mr. Kidd (gr. to Lord Elphinston,
Carbery, Musselburgh).

A 1st prize consisting of a Silver Bowl valued
at £23, and given by Mr. Newton, was offered in
a class for 12 dishes of fruits. This trophy was
also gained by Mr. Goodacre, for a grand lot
of fruit, including Black Hamburgh and Muscat
of Alexandria Grapes, Belgrade and Barrington
Peaches, Victoria and Pineapple Nectarines,
Emperor Alexander and Peasgood Nonsuch
Apples, a Melon, Figs, and Royal Sovereign
Strawberries. Mr. Gibson (gr. to the Duke of
Portland, Welbeck Abbey) was awarded the
2nd prize for good, but distinctly less fine, pro-
duce than that shown in the 1st prize collec-
tion. 3rd, Mr. Young (gr. to Sir Geo. Bul-
lough, Kinloch Castle, Rhum).

For a collection of 12 dishes of orchard-
grown fruit, Mr. Gibson was placed 1st with
fairly good examples. 2nd, Mr. MacKinlay (gr.
to Whitelaw Reid, Esq., Wrest Park, Bed-
fordshire).

Grapes. — A cup of the value of 50 guineas
was offered for eight bunches of Grapes. The

conditions of the schedule require it to be won
three times before it becomes the property of
an exhibitor. In addition to the cup £15 and a
gold badge are given to the successful exhibitor.
This class evoked a strong competition, no
fewer than eight displays being staged. Mr.
Lunt (gr. to Captain Stirling, Keir) secured
the 1st prize with a fine exhibit, but the light
in the building was so bad that their full value
could scarcely be determined. The points
gained were :—

Madresfield Court (2) 1\ and 8

Alnwick Seedling (2) 7 and 5

Muscat of Alexandria (2) ... 8 and 9£

Black Hamburgh (2) 1\ and 7

30 and 29$

Total 59J
The possible number of points obtain-
able was 72.

2nd, Mr. Green (gr. to Lady Palmer, Crinkle
Park, Yorks.), with finely-finished bunches con-
sisting of Alicante, Muscat of Alexandria, Gros
Maroc, Madresfield Court, and Alnwick Seed-
ling. This exhibitor secured 57 points. 3rd,
Mr. Beisant, Castle Huntly Gardens, with 55*
points. 4th, Mr. Goodacre, with 55 points'

Mr. Kidd secured the 1st prize for four
bunches of Grapes with good examples of
Madresfield Court, Mrs. Pince, Black Ham-
burgh, and Muscat of Alexandria. 2nd, Mr.
Buchanan (gr. to the Earl of Mar and Kellie,
Alloa Park). Eight displays were seen in this
class.

In the class for the variety Muscat of Alexan-
dria the berries generally had a greenish hue.
Mr. Galloway (gr. to the Earl of Wemyss, Gos-
ford) showed the best-finished fruits, and thus
secured the 1st prize in the class for two
bunches and in that for one bunch. Mr. Pirie
(gr. to C. Cowan, Esq., Dalhousie Castle) ua-
placed 2nd in the class for two bunches of these
Grapes with better clusters and large berries,
but of inferior finish. Mr. Buchanan, Alloa,
was 2nd for one bunch of Muscat of Alexan-
dria Grapes.

Mr. Goodacre had the finest two bunches of
Black Hamburgh Grapes in beautifullv-finished
fruits. 2nd, Mr. Mathison (gr. to Lady Kin-
ross, North Berwick). There was a large com-
petition in the class for Black Hamburghs. The
best single bunch of Black Hamburgh Grapes
was shown by Mr. T. Lunt (gr. to Captain
Stirling, Keir) with a large and good cluster.
2nd Mr. TiNNiK Shandon. For Alicante Grapes,
Mr. Highgate, Yester, was 1st; and for one
bunch of Alnwick Seedling, Mr. Gordon (gr. to
Sir H. E. Maxwell, Whauphill) was success-
ful with a large and finely-developed bunch.

The best bunches of Gros Colmar were shown
by Mr. Porter (gr. to W. P. Moore, Esq., White-
hall). Mr. Highgate won the 1st prize for Lady
Downes with large, well-finished bunches, and
the same exhibitor was also 1st for Madresfield
Court. Mr. Mathison had the premier bunch
in the class for Buckland Sweetwater, whilst
the best examples of Appley Towers were shown
by Major Thorburn, Peebles. The berries of
this last variety had fine finish and bloom.

Plums, &c. — There was a great display in the
classes for Plums in single dishes. The best
collection of four sorts of dessert Plums was
shown by Mr. Searle (gr. to the Marquis of
Northampton, Castle Ashby) ; 2nd, Mr. Mac-
kinlay, Wrest Park. The last-named exhibitor
had the best collection of kitchen Plums in four
sorts ; 2nd, Mr. Gibson, Welbeck Abbey Gar-
dens.

Mr. Goodacre was 1st for Peaches, and Mr.
Day, Galloway House Gardens, for Nectarines.

There were also good displays of Melons,
Figs, and Apricots.

Apples. — In the open class for a collection
of 12 varieties of Apples, Mr. Smith (gr. to Earl
de Gray, Coombe Court, Kingston) won the
1st prize with clean but rather green specimens.
The best Apples grown in Scotland were shown
by Mr. Sinclair, Congalton Gardens. Many
exhibits were seen in the classes for single dishes
of Apples.

Pears, as in the case of Apples, were some-
what green and lacking in finish. The 1st prize
for a collection of 12 varieties of these fruits
was secured by Mr. McKinlay, Wrest Park Gar-

dens, and Mr. Day was 1st for a collection,
grown in Scotland.

Groups of Plants and Cut Flowers.

A class was provided for a group of plants to
be arranged on the floor of the building. Mr.
Davis (gr. to Colonel Stewart Richardson;
Stanley, Perth) won the 1st prize with an ex-
hibit that was superior to those usually seen at
this exhibition. Humea elegans was largely
employed in its arrangement, also Codisums
and other similar foliage plants. 2nd, Mr. Geo.
Wood (gr. to J. Buchanan, Esq., Oswald
House). There were also many exhibits of stove
and greenhouse plants, most of which were of
less importance than those that were seen at
these shows some few years ago.

Cut flowers, as already noted, were freely-
shown, and the exhibits generally were of much
beauty. In the open classes for cut flowers, the
best-arranged table of Roses was shown by
Messrs. W. & R. Ferguson, Dunfermline, for
an effective arrangement, the blooms being fresh
and well coloured ; 2nd, Messrs. Cocker &
Sons, Aberdeen. In the class for 36 Roses, Mr.
Dickson, Belfast, was first with beautiful
blooms.

The best 18 Hybrid Tea Roses were displayed
by Messrs. Croll, Dundee, and the same firm
won the premier honour in the class for 18 Tea
Roses.

Gladiolus, Dahlias, and Carnations were also
well represented in good numbers in their re-
spective classes.

A class for a decorated dinner table measur-
ing 10 feet by 5 feet brought no fewer than 10
competitors. By far the finest arrangement was
that of The Leamington Nurserymen &
Florists, Ltd., Leamington Spa. It was com-
posed of blooms of a yellow Oncidium and
mauve Cattleyas, with Croton leaves and sprays
of Selaginella and Asparagus ; 2nd, Messrs.
Harkness & Co., Hitchin, with a rather heavy
arrangement of Mme. A. Chatenay Rose ; 3rd,
Mr. Bell (gr. to Earl of Home, Bothwell Castle).
By some persons the 3rd prize exhibit was con-
sidered superior to the 2nd. Other floral de-
signs, including bouquets and baskets of flowers,
were largely shown.

Vegetables.

The best collection of 18 dishes of vegetables
was shown by Mr. Gibson, who exhibited pro-
duce in his usual first-class style, all the dishes
being of high merit. Mr. Harper, Qulliebolton,
Perth, was awarded 2nd prize, and Mr. Hill,
Kelso, the 3rd prize.

In the class for a collection of 12 dishes of
vegetables grown in Scotland, Mr. Bell, Both-
v.ell Castle, was 1st with a commendable dis-
play of well-grown produce.

Honorary Exhibits.

A few groups of plants arranged on the floor
of the building added greatly to the attractions
of the show. At the East end of the
building, Messrs. Methven & Sons had a series
of beds gay with Lilium, Hydrangea pankulata,
Caladiums, finely-coloured Codiaeums, and
other species with green foliage. Pandanus
Lindeniana, a yellow-striped form, was con-
spicuous among other good things.

Messrs. James Dickson & Sons had large
groups of hardy shrubs, among which Hydran-
gea paniculata formed a pleasing contrast.

Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons had an extensive-
group with a central piece composed of tall
cork draped with Selaginella and furnished with
Ilumeas and Orchids. On the ground were
numerous Lilies, standard Hydrangeas and
other decorative plants.

Mr. John Downie's contribution consisted
of stove and greenhouse decorative plants ar-
ranged in beds with shelled pathways between

Messrs. Cunningham & Fraser had many of
the better- sorts of hardy plants in flower at this
season nicely arranged amongst shrubs. They
also set up a well-constructed rockery.

Messrs. Storrie & Storrie, Glencarse, filled!
a length of staging equal to 120 feet with a
superb collection of hardy fruit trees in pots.
Apples were particularly fine, but Pears,.
Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, and Cherries were
also worthy of notice. The firm also contri-
buted 100 dishes of Gooseberries in as many
varieties, and dishes of Currants and Raspber-
ries. Celosias, Begonias, Streptocarpus, &c,
were arranged between the pot-trees.

:os

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

[September 14, 1907.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, staged a very
fine collection of cut blooms comprising Roses,
fancy Fansies in the best varieties, a collec-
tion of Cactus Dahlias, with Phloxes and many
other seasonable flowers.

Mr. John Forbes, Hawick, had a table gay
with choice Pentstemons, Phloxes, many varie-
ties of Carnations, Violas, and hardy border
flowers.

Mr. Henry Eckford, Wem, contributed a
table of Sweet Peas.

From Messrs. Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, was
exhibited a very fine display of hardy flowers.

Mr. Bolton, Carnforth, set up an excellent
collection of Sweet Peas. Mrs. Henry Bell,
Queen of Norway, Clara Curtis, Mr. H. Sykes,
and Helen Lewis were conspicuous varieties.

Messrs. Blackmore & Langdon, Bath, con-
tributed beautiful double Begonias.

Messrs. Wells & Co., Mersham, showed a
collection of early-flowering Chrysanthemums.

Messrs. Gunn & Co., Olton, had a splendid
display of the best Phloxes. Mr. McOmish,
Crieff, a variety of cut flowers ; Mr. Darling-
ton, Warton, Sweet Peas ; Messrs. Lister &
Son, Rothesay, florist's flowers ; Mr. Brown,
Blantyre, also florist's flowers ; Messrs. T. S.
Ware, Ltd., Feltham, a grand lot of blooms
of Begonias and Carnations ; Mr. Angus, Peni-
cuik, "showed Disas, &c. ; the Kippen Vinery
Co. exhibited well-cultivated Grapes ; Messrs.
Sutton & Sons, Reading, displa)ed an exhibit
of much interest, the principal features being
varieties of Tomatos, Melons, and Runner
Beans.

First-Class Certificates
were awarded to : —

Apple " Roseberry" from Messrs. Storrie &
Storrie, Glencarse. It is a larger and finer
fruit than that of Mr. Gladstone, and ripens at
the same period.

Chrysanthemum maximum " Snowdon^ f/om
Mr. Angus, Penicuik. An extra large-flowered
variety.

An Award of Merit was awarded to: —

Sweet Pea " Mrs, Henry Bell," from Mr.
Bolton, Carnforth.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

CROYDON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL.—

This society commenced its winter session on Tuesday,
September 3, when Mr. R. Cleveland, Croydon, read a
paper on " Budding and Grafting." A discussion followed
the reading of the paper.

CARDIFF GARDENERS'.— The eleventh annual
outing of this association took place on Thursday, Septem-
ber 5, when members and friends, to the number of 50,
visited the gardens at Wilton House and Longford Castle,
in the neighbourhood of Salisbury. Wilton House gardens
were first visited, the party being conducted around the
pleasure grounds and through the glass-houses by Mr. T.
Challis. After partaking of luncheon, Longford Castle was
visited, Mr. Tucker acting as guide.

Gardeners' Cricket. — An enjoyable after-
noon was spent on Saturday, September 7, on
the South Lynn Cricket Ground, Putney, by
the kind permission of Sir William Lancaster,
when a match was played between an eleven
chosen from Messrs. James Veitch & Sons'
employees, of Chelsea, and the Putney and
Roehampton Gardeners, captained by Mr.
Goddard. The result was a victory for the
visitors, who defeated the Putney team in one
innings, chiefly owing to the good play of Mr.
Oldham and the excellent batting of Messrs.
Mowlem and Whalley.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

* » • The Editor will be glad to receive, for considera-
tion, large photographs of horticultural subjects, suitable
for forming Supplementary Illustrations to this Journal.

Ants Infesting a Lawn : F. S. Boiling water
poured down their burrows will destroy many
of these creatures, or a little bisulphide of
carbon or vaporite may be used, the fumes
of which will at once cause death to the
ants. A poisonous but very effective remedy
known as the Ballikinrain Ant Destrover is
prepared by Messrs. Alex. Cross & Son, Glas-
gow. It should be labelled " Poison," and
be used with great care.

Apple Shoots Dying : S. U. S. The trees are
badly affected with canker, Nectria ditissima.
Young branches that are diseased should be cut
off and burned. Wounds on older shoots
should have as much of the injured portion cut
away as is possible and be smeared with clay or
a coating of gas-tar. Treat the injured shoots
with a solution of iron sulphate, using lib. to
each gallon of water.

Beech Trees Dying: II'. B. J. The bark you
send is badly infested with the Beech coccus —
Cryptococcus fagi. an insect pest allied to mealy-
bug. The codcus is found chiefly upon the
main trunk of the tree, which should be well
scrubbed with paraffin emulsion prepared by
mixing equal proportions of soft soap dissolved
in boiling water, and paraffin. When required
for use add 20 times its bulk of water. In winter
the bark should be scrubbed with the caustic
alkali wash.

Begonia : F. J. T. It is not the first time we
have received Begonias similarly affected during
the past few weeks. There is no fungus disease,
and we fail to find any trace of bacteria. Cer-
tainly there were three or four thrips on the
portions you sent. The causes of the disfigure-
ment are probably external to the plants them-
selves, and due to the want of a proper balance
in the moisture present in the atmosphere ; or to
permitting drip to fall upon the plants from the
roof of the house.

Caterpillars on Red Currant Bushes: H. W .
The caterpillars on the Red Currant leaf you
send are very young specimens of the grub of
the " Gooseberry and Currant sawfly" (Nematus
ribesi), a common and destructive pest to the
foliage of Gooseberry and Currant bushes. It
is probably this insect which has been destruc-
tive in your neighbour's garden, but we have
never heard of it attacking Pelargoniums. This
pest can be exterminated quite easily by skim-
ming off the surface soil to the depth of 3 inches
under the bushes in winter, and burning or bury-
ing it deeply. This will destroy the insect in
the chry=alid state, but you will still be liable
to infection from adjacent gardens unless the
same method of combating them is adopted by
your neighbours.

Chrysanthemums Affected : F. H. There is
no fungus disease present on the shoots ; the
trouble is due to some local circumstance, or
error in culture.

Exhibiting Hardy Flowers: W. H. .1/. B.
Alstromerias do not form bulbs, but it is not
usual to include plants of the natural orders
Amaryllideas or Liliaceae in a collection of
flowers from which bulbous subjects are ex-
cluded, it being difficult for exhibitors in all
cases to determine strictly which plants have
bulbs and which tubers, or even fleshy roots.

Grapes : Miss P. The berries are suffering from
a condition known as "shanking." It will be
necessary to examine the roots of the vines
during the autumn, and if the drainage of the
borders is found to be imperfect, this state of
things must be remedied. When you have done
this it will be desirable in the future to en-
courage the roots to multiply near to the surface
of the border, which may be done by applying
frequent rich top-dressings.

Grasses for a Situation near the Sea-shore :
W. G. G. The following grasses will thrive in
a maritime position: — Ammophila arundi-
nacea, Elymus arenarius, Phleum arenarium,
Lagurus ovatus, Polypogon littoralis, Psamma
arenaria, Cynodon Dactylon, Spartina stricta,
Lepturus incurvatus, Hordeum maritimum,
Festuca elatior var. arundinacea, Festuca
uniglumis, Poa maritima, P. distans, and P.
loliacea. You may not be able to obtain all
these varieties from the nurserymen, but you
should secure seeds of as many as possible,
and when sown those species that find the con-
ditions favourable to their growth will per-
petuate themselves. The list is not of value if
the grass is intended for feeding purposes.

Onions Rotting : F. M. H. You do not afford
sufficient information as to when the decay
first appeared. If it was caused by the Onion
maggot, as you suggest, the land should b;
dressed with gas-lime after f e bulbs are har-
vested, and any diseased Onions should b3
burned. Do not sow Onion seeds again on
the same soil for some time to come.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants.— We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.

Fruits : E. H. Plums : 1, probably Monarch ;
2, Diamond; 3, Prince of Wales; 4, Mirabelle
Petite; 5, Mirabelle de Nancy. — A. G. R.
Plums: 1, White Magnum Bonum ; 2, Trans-
parent Gage ; 3, Jodoigne Green Gage ; 4,
Denbigh ; 5, Blue Prolific— Garden Boy. Plum :
Emerald Drop. — G. H. E. Grapes : Foster's
White Seedling and Black Hamburgh.— T. V.
You have not observed the rules as to sending
samples of the foliage with the Nectarines. The
fruits were over-ripe when packed.

Plants: W.F. Coloneaster frigida. — J.M.P'
Senecio clivorum.— F. M. 1, Zygopetalum
Burkei ; 2, Aganisia lepida; 3, Brassavola
nodosa ; i, Pleurothallis sicaria ; 5, Restrepia tri-
choglossa ; 6, Masdevallia O'Brieniana.— A. S.
Polygonum Brunonis. — G. A. Lamium pur-
pureum, variegated variety sometimes cultivated
in gardens. — P. W. 3. Amaryllis Belladonna;
the cultural requirements of this plant will be
found in most works on gardening. — A. A.,
Ringwood. Tilia heterophylla. — /. B. Datura
chlorantha flore pleno. — J. B. Hippophae
rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn).

Planting of a Marechal Niel Rose : Niel.
A north border is not a good position for this
Rose, but if the soil is of a suitable nature, and
providing that sunshine will reach the position
at 12 o'clock noon, fairly good results may be
secured. You will do well to shake the mould
from the roots and spread the roots out well and
evenly. Do not cut back the growths until next
springtime. Afford the plant some slight pro-
tection during severe weather in winter The
practice of cutting the plant down to a point one
loot above the ground after flowering, especially
when the available space is of limited extent, is
a good one, but it must be done every year to
secure the best results. When growth is not
satisfactory remove the surface soil down to the
roots, replacing this with good loam and some
rough sand mixed well together. At the commence-
ment of the summer afford the plant a good
mulching with short manure, and apply liquid
manure or small quantities of chemical manures
to the roots during the growing season if extra
stimulants appears to be necessary.

Poplar Leaves Spotted : S. B. &■ S. Your
leaves of Lombardy Poplar are spotted by
anthracnose, Glceosporium populi. It is difficult
to suggest a remedy ; spraying is expensive if not
impossible in respect to such tall growing trees.
As a preventive all fallen leaves should be
gathered together and burnt.

Rat Poison: G. H. T. Stsiner's "Vermin
Paste " may be used to destroy these pests.
A preparation known as the Liverpool Rat
Virus will quickly reduce the numbers of
rats and mice. The specific contains a bac-
terium which spreads a fatal disease amongst
these creatures, but which has no effect upon,
human beings or domestic animals.

Tomatos Discoloured : M. A . P. The hard
patches are due to the absence of one of t':e
necessary plant foods in the soil in which the
plants are growing. Afford a dressing of
some manure that is rich in potash.

Communications Received. — Lay — G. A. — B. S. S. — C. T. —

A. W. T.— W. J.— H. C.&Sons— R. N — Anxious Enquirer
— S. B.— G. H. C— A. J. B.— H. H. C.— F. B.— A. T.—

B. C— A. P.— J. D. G.— I. E.— C. T.— T. M.-J. H.—
W. W.— A. E. T. R.— W. E. A.— H. W. W.— J. C— T. F.
—J. F. H. G.-J. J. D. J.-H. C. P.-H. C.-L. B. & Co.-
Yokohama— J.S., Darlev Dale, many thanks.— C. E. M —
F. B.— W. B.— H. T. G.-W. E. G.

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

209

THE

^arbcncrs'Cbronidc

No. 1,082.— SATURDAY, September 21, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Aconitum Napellus, var.
emmens 219

Ants on a lawn 219

Brjvoa x Polianthes ... 219
Lulbs, purchasing ... 216
carnation, varieties of

the Clove 219

Chrysanthemum

disease, a new ... 213
Crocus, autumn-flower-
ing species of ... 211
Dickson, Geo., V.M.H. 218
Duff House and grounds 218
Llectnc light, and plant-
growth 218

Fir Grange, Weybridge 217
1 oreign Correspond-
ence-
Some rare Alpine
plants and their cul-
tivation 209

Graces, L. h.uiiph m class

for, at Shrewsbury ... 218
Grey well Hill, the gar-
dens at 212

liar ly ll iwer bi n dec —
Digitalis purpurea ... 213
Linaria triornitho-

phora 213

Stock-flowered Lark-
spurs 214

Hay crop, the, at Roth-

amsted 210

Lily season, the 209

*• Linnaeus" exhibition,

a 216

Obituarv —
Uaker', Robert ... P23

1 luval, Leon 2j3

Walker, Stephen ... 223
] ark-superinti udi nts, a
proposed association
of 218

Plant notes —

Costus igneus

Lotus peliorhyncus ...
Plants, new or note-
worthy—

Bulbophyllum longi-
sepalum

Dendrobium acumin-
atum

Professional Gardeners,

the veterans of
Societies—

Aberdare Horticultu-
ral

British Gardeners' As-
sociation

London Dahlia Union

National Chrysanthe-
mum

X.iti i rial Rose

Orsett and Dist. Agi ic.
and I [i irt.

lv iyal i aledonian Hor-
ii jultural

Ro\,il Horticultural ...
Strawberries in Sep-
tember

Timber, the present

value of British
Timber, Cherry Laurel
Viburnum rhytidophyl-

lum ...

Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ...

I i uits under glass ...

Hardy fruit ga I

Kitchen garden, the ...

1 1] i bid houses, the ...

Parks and gardens ...

Plants under glass ...

214
214

210
210
218

223
222

2-22
217

221
219

217

219
219

215
214
215
215

214

2i:.
214

21. T
210
218

217
212

213

£20

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Bulbophyllum longisepalum, structural details of a
flower of ...

Chrysanthemum leaves affected with Septoria Chry-
santhemi

Dendrobium acuminatum, a wild plant of

Dickson, George. V.M.H. , portrait of

Fir Grange, Weybridge, view in the gardens at

Greywell Hill, Hook, flower borders at

Leaf of Chrysanthemum affected with Septoria Chry-
santliemi, section of a

Duval, Leon, portrait of the late

Viburnum rhytidophvllum

View in the grounds at Fir Grange, Weybridge (Sup-
plementary.)

THE LILY SEASON.

PLANTS of almost every kind have been
adversely allected by the climatic con-
ditions of the past spring and summer,
but the magnificent Lilies that have come to
us from the East and from the West ; from
California, Siberia, Persia, India, China, and
Japan have survived- the ordeal well, many
of them having manifestly profited by the
superabundance of rain. But while tin \ are
exceedingly fond of moisture, they can,
like other forms of vegetation, even during
their season of growth and development,
receive too much. One of my grandest
Lilies, for example, viz., Lilium mona-
delphum, var. Szovitzianum, which had at-
tained to a height of nearly 9 feet, had
its flower-buds utterly ruined when they
were preparing to open, by the excessive drip
from the branches of the trees under which it
was planted. Other specimens of this great
Lily, on borders less exposed to such an
almost incessant shower-bath, were more
fortunate, and came into bloom with their
exquisite lemon-coloured flowers perfectly un-
impaired. Nevertheless, the loss of the
Goliath among Lilies to which I have
alluded was greatly to be deplored. Its only
rivals in stately growth and floral impressive-
ness are Lilium giganteum, the great Indian
Lily ; Lilium Henryi, a native of China, quite

invaluable for garden cultivation, and Lilium
auratum, var. platyphyllum.

There are, unfortunately, for the earnest
cultivator, many graceful Lilies which are not
enduring in ordinary soils; they flower for a
season, and then the place that once knew
them, however imperfectly, knows them
no more. Among these I would mention
Lilium rubellum, a miniature, pink-coloured
species, a native of Japan, whose microscopic
bulbs very rapidly degenerate, unless they
have been planted in a well-drained, fibrous
soil ; and Lilium Washingtonianum, which
may be assigned seemingly suitable situa-
tions, and yet — as, unfortunately, I know
from experience — not succeed. There are
few Lilies more charming or fragrant than
this truly exquisite Californian gem, yet it is
always exceedingly transitory ; and though
it may flower for one or two seasons and
delight us wish its odour and delicate
beauty, it is seldom long-lived. Anothi
beautiful Lily of widely different nationality,
aspect, and characteristics, viz., Lilium
Krameri, is also equally unreliable, and sel-
dom flowers here for more than two seasons,
though under other climatic conditions else-
where it may possibly be found more lasting.

There are also Lilies of the greatest
beauty and refinement which, while they are
among the chief ornaments of the conserva-
tory, are l>y no means adapted for garden
culture. Prominent among these are 1. ilium
neilgherrense, I.. VVallichianum, and L.
nepalense, an Indian extraction, and therefore
exacting. But of this I am assured, that some
of the grandest Lilies, whether of Statelj
growth or beauty oi flower, can be grown in
the open air, wherever shelter and congenial
snil are afforded them, with perfect sui
Of these the most notable for their en-
tire reliability arc Lilium auratum, L.
giganteum, and L. monadelphum, of which
tie' las) mentii ned, a native of Moutit Cauca-
sus and Northern Persia, has already been
described. In main places highly favourable
for its culture, Lilium auratum cannot be
planted without adequate protection from
rabbits, which destroy the inflorescences as
they begin to appear. I had no fewer than a
dozen spikes of the pure white flowers of L.
speciosum destroyed in my garden this season
by those ravenous intruders. One of the
doors leading to my " Paradisus terrestris "
had been left open one fine evening by
visitors during my involuntary absence, with
such deplorable results. But, as Lord Bea-
consfield once remarked, " It is the un-
expected that happens," and in any case I
have this consolation, that, though the
flowering stems have been destroyed, the
bulbs which created them, with all their
manifold hidden potentialities, have not been
injured.

There is no Lily dearer to me than Lilium
speciosum, in all its refined and fascinating
forms ; in beauty of aspect and in delicacy of
fragrance it is unquestionably supreme, and
therefore I regret more than language can
express the destruction of Lilium speciosum
Kraetzeri, and L. s. album novum in my
garden this year. In October these were my
benignant lights amid the prevailing gloom.

Meanwhile such inspiring possessions as
Lilium auratum, L. chalcedonicum, the
luminous " Scarlet Martagon," L. longi-

florum W'ilsoni, ami L. Henryi are flowering
with characteristic luxuriance, and have not
been destined, like the ill-fated flowers de-
picted in Gray's " Elegy," to waste their
sweetness in the desert air. David R.
Williamson.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

SOME RARE ALPINE PLANTS AND THEIR
CULTIVATION.
Daphne petr.-ea (syn. D. rupestris). —
Daphne petraea, Leyb., is a very rare Alpine
plant, but its worth being great it is deserving
a place in the rock-garden or in a collection of
plants. The species was first described by
Leybold in 1853 in the Regensburg Bot. Fest-
schaft, and it is said to be found only in
South Tyrol and in some of the extreme
south-western parts of the dolomites 111
the Trentino. There it grows, as I recently saw
it, amongst the rocks, in very sunny, exposed,
and always perpendicular positions ; indeed, I
did not meet with a single plant growing flat
upon the soil. The mountains whereon ii
grows are quite dry. There are no snow fields
or glaciers upon the whole mountain system,
which points to the plant being a xerophyte. It
should not, however, be planted in too dry a
position, for the rocks whereon it is found are
always, and the dolomites particularly, as wet
as a sponge, and the water in their numerous
pores is appropriated by the roots. What the
plant seems to dislike is stagnant humidity. It
grows well here exposed to the sun and planted
in well-drained soil in the fissures of a rockery,
where it is watered daily. In this situation,
however, it does not flower so freely as in the
dolomites. The pink flowers are produced in
clusters, and they cover the very dwarf and
deep green leaves. The foliage is thick, narrow,
and evergreen. The plant is easy of cultivation,
and can be increased by seeds, cuttings, or by
grafting. I hope to procure a supply of seeds
in the autumn, as my guide has promised to
pluck them in the right season. As a pot plant
it is easily grown. Daphne petraea often grows
in company with D. striata in the crevices of
rocks. They are neighbours, but both species
grow in a distinct situation.

Juniperus cedrus. — Dr. Perez, Puerto Oro-
tava, Teneriffe, sent me two years ago some
ripe seeds of the rare Conifer Juniperus cedrus
that is found growing only on the highest moun-
tains of the Canary Islands at 6,000 feet eleva-
tion. Mr. Perez wrote me several letters about
this very distinct tree, which has been so much
purchased on account of its aromatic timber that
it is almost extinct in its native habitat. He
added : " It is very difficult to raise plants
from seeds or from cuttings, and several at-
tempts made by myself and other people have
been without success." After soaking them in
a weak solution of acetic acid (1 in 400 parts
of water), seeds sent by Dr. Perez all germi-
nated well in Geneva, and we have now a good
lot of seedlings. They will also germinate
readily if treated with saltpetre or in a 2 per
cent, solution of phosphoric acid. Not one of
the seeds failed to grow when treated in this
manner.

Campanula Raineri. — This plant grows be-
tween the rocks of the Bergamese Alps, in the
" pierriers " and stony places of the Alpine
regions (from 5,000 to 8,000 feet elevation). The
true form is seldom seen in gardens. The roots
and stolons cover a very large area, and carpet
the soil with thousands of large, sessile
flowers, that are bigger and larger than those
of Campanula carpathica, and reflect the blue sky
of Northern Italy with shades of light lilac.
1 he cup-like flowers are filled with dew, which

210

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

I II EMBER 21, 1907.

my guide and I were happy to drink, as we
failed to find water in the dry mountains of
Bergamo. How bright the flower presents itself
to the traveller in the bare rocks which it adorns
on every side and in every little crevice ! In
English gardens *s>s species should be planted
in a limestone wall, facing south or south-east,
and be kept rather dry at its roots. When
growing between the stones of the " pierriers "
the flower is larger than when springing from
the rocks, because the soil is richer in organic
food. Seedlings of this rare plant are easily
raised in the spring ; the very numerous seeds
are produced in big capsules. Cuttings form
roots quickly, and the plants can be cultivated
in pots as readily as Campanula fragilis.

Campanula elatinoides and C. Elatines. —
These two Campanulas are Italian species. The
first-named grows in the fissures of the dolomitic
rocks of the Bergamese Alps (Lombardy). It
is a downy species, with silvery-grey foliage ;
the stem is simple and sinuate. The flowers are
small in size and of a very dark shade of blue.
They are numerously produced, and form spikes
ranging from 2 or 3 inches to 1 foot or more in
length. The season of flowering is from August
to the end of November. The plant succeeds in
a sunny wall, for it cannot endure damp. In
the " Valle di Scalve " and in the neighbourhood
of Clusone it covers every wall or rock, growing
between the stones even in the hardest
walls. Not very diffe.ent is its " congenere,"
C. Elatines, which grows in the valleys of
West Italy, Cottian Alps, and Canavese,
from Iviaea to the Monte Viso, always in
walls or in rocks similar to C. elati-
noides. It differs from that species by its
branched stem, its violet-blue flowers, and its
less downy foliage ; the lower leaves are
lounder, and the whole plant is more ternate
and graceful. The stems are brittle, and a
milky juice exudes when they are broken. The
period of flowering is from August to October.
It is easy of culture if grown in a wall or in the
crevice of a rock in a moderately sunny posi-
tion. It can be well grown in a pot, provided
ample drainage is afforded. Slugs are very
fond of this species. Henry Correvon, Geneva.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

DENDROBIUM ACUMINATUM, ROLFE.*
The plant illustrated at fig. 88 was found
bedded in moss and growing on hardwood in
Bataan Province, 30 miles west of Manila, and
at an elevation of 2,300 feet. The specimen had
to be conveyed from its natural habitat over an
exceedingly rough trail that was much over-
grown with " Wait-a-bit " (Daemonorops) and
Calamus species, the tips of which are armed
with a knife-edged, retrorse barb, which pierces
through khaki, flesh, or flower stems with equal
impartiality. The utmost care was used, but,
nevertheless, no fewer than 17 flowers were
broken off in transit. While in habit and foliage
this plant closely resembles D. cymbidioides,
Lind.. its whole inflorescence is more than
double the size of that species. The flowers,
which measure two or more inches across, are a
deep peach-pink, shading darker towards the
base of the perianth, and the labellum passes to
a rich, velvety, wine-red. When the sun is
shining the flowers disseminate the delicious
and unique fragrance of noyau, but in cloudy
or overcast weather they appear to be quite
scentless.

There is a Government Station at the same
altitude and within a mile of the place where I
found Dendrobium acuminatum, and where
meteorological observations have been recorded
during six years.

The mean annual j-ecipitation is 185 m.m.

* In Ames Orchid, i., p. 86.

greater, and the mean temperature nearly 6°
Fahr. lower than in Manila. This species
should thrive excellently in the warmest part of
a Cattleya house. The glossy, seemingly-var-
nished pseudo-bulbs are not the least beautiful
portions of the plant, and they are so tough and
coriaceous that they should endure well during
a long transit. The plant had 106 healthy
pseudo-bulbs, which is the more remarkable, as
no other specimen found had more than 15 of
these growths. Wm. S. Lyon, Horticulturist,
Bureau of Agriculture, Manila. [Mr. R. A.
Rolfe informs us that the species was originally
described from specimens collected at the Lam so
River, Mt. Manveles, in the same province, by
H. N. Whitford. It belongs to the very dis-
tinct section Sarcopodium. — Ed.]

BULBOPHYLLUM LONGISEPALUM.
The illustration at fig. 89 represents this
extraordinary species, for which Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Bart. (gr. Mr. W. H. White), was

which has a slightly hairy surface, is delicately
poised, so that its position changes with every
movement of the flower — an arrangement com-
mon in this singular genus of Orchids.

THE HAY CROP AT ROTH-
AMSTED.

The meteorological returns at Rothamsted,
Herts., for the first six months of the present
year show a total rainfall of nearly 12 inches,
which is about half-an-inch below the average
of the past 54 years at this station. The records
for the months of April, May, and June, when
vegetation is most actively growing, showed
more than an average amount of rain. The
mean temperature of the air was slightly in
excess during the months of January, March,
and April, but below the average in February,
May, and June. Bright sunshine recorded during
the six months amounted to 996} hours,

-'

If

i __^. .. x

[Photograph by II'. S. Lyon, Manila.

Fig. 88. — dendrobium acuminatum, flowering in the Philippines:
flowers, pink with vinous-red coloured labellums.

given a Botanical Certificate at the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society's rheeting on August 20. The
plant exhibited bore 14 flowers, and secured for
the grower a well-merited " Cultural Commenda-
tion," for it is the original plant figured in
Lindenia III., t. cviii., as B. grandiflorum. The
plant has, therefore, been in the Burford collec-
tion for many years. The true Bulbophyllum
grandiflorum was illustrated in the Gardeners'
Chronicle, April 6, 1895, p. 429, also from a plant
which flowered in Sir Trevor Lawrence's col-
lection, and which is very distinct from B.
longisepalum. Both are natives of New Guinea
and need to be cultivated in a hothouse.

Bulbophyllum longisepalum has a whitish
ground to the flowers, but the greater part
of the surface of the elongated sepals is spotted
and veined with claret colour. The petals are
small, the column very short, and the labellum,

which is a deficiency compared with the average
record in this district of 35? hours.

Under these climatic conditions, the Hay crop
was generally over the average in bulk, but the
unfavourable weather at the time of cutting and
harvesting rendered the work both tedious and
expensive. In fact, but little really well-cured
Hay will be obtained from this year's crop.

The Rothamsted experiments on the mixed
herbage of permanent Grass-land have now been
continued for more than a period of 52 years.
Some of the plots have been without manure for
the whole of this time, and others have been
furnished with different artificial manures, each
kind of manure only being applied year after
year to the same portion of land. The crop of
the present season was cut on July 13 and 15,
and was harvested in very fair condition on July
17 and 18.

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

211

The plot which has received not an ounce of
manure of any kind for the whole period of 52
years has this year produced 19| cwt. of Hay
per acre, which is If cwt. less than the average
quantity. The herbage on this portion is of a
very mixed character, more than 50 species of
Grasses, Clovers, and weeds being present. The
plot which received a dressing of superphi sphate
alone produced 25 cwt. of Hay per acre, being
2J cwt. above the average yield. Thus the
■quantity of stemmy Hay, encouraged by phos-
phate alone, is but little greater than that from
the unmanured plot. The Grasses and weeds
are slightly increased, while the Clovers are
diminished

Superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia ap-
plied together yielded 38J cwt. of Hay per acre,
being 3J cwt. in excess of the average. The
■effects produced by this combination of manures
is an increased yield of Hay, composed chiefly
of Grasses of the mcst inferior quality; Clovers
have entirely disappeared.

Superphosphate and potash applied in combi-
nation, but without nitrogen, gave a produce of
54| cwt. of Hay, being 19-J cwt. above the aver-
age yield. This large weight of Hay, obtained
without any nitrogenous supply, is entirely dve

amount. The Grass in this case ripened early.
Nitrate of soda encourages the growth of Clovers
in the mixed herbage much more than does am-
monia salts.

The Rothamsted experiments on Grass-land
show that not only is the weight of Hay con-
siderably influenced according to the nature of
the manure employed, but that the various
plants of Grasses, Clovers and weeds differ
greatly in number of individual plants, in char-
acter as to stem and foliage, and in their degree
of development as to ripeness, and, conse-
quently, in the feeding quality of the Hay that
is secured. The elements of potash and phos-
phates assist in maintaining the quality of a
pasture ; these fertilisers are best supplied by
an application of 5 cwt. basic slag and 5 cwt.
kanit per acre every other year. Nitrogen in
any form should be used sparingly on pasture,
about 8 or 10 tons of farmyard dung per acre
applied once in each five years being generally
sufficient. The area of several of the plots has
this year been divided, and on one-half, in addi-
tion to the usual manures, 1,000 lb. of ground
burnt lime have been applied. This has re-
sulted in a large yield of Hay of improved feed-
ing quality. /. /. in/.'.'/, Harfendcn.

FlG. 89. — BULBOPHYLLUM LONGISEPALIM.

A, Side view nf bloom, nat. size; B, Sepals removed to show the small column and hineed labellum, nat size;
C, Column, labe'lum and petals x 4 ; D, Section through col. and labellum x 4 ; E, Front view of labellum and petals X 4.

(For text see p. 210.1

to the enormous development of Clovers, which
constitute more than one-half of the whole
herbage.

The Clovers, which are assisted in their
growth by the potash and phosphate, obtain
their necessary nitrogen from atmospheric
sources, through the agency of micro-organisms
present in the soil, the work of the bacteria be-
ing favoured by the potash and phosphate.

The plot receiving a manure mixture of pot-
ash, superphosphate, and sulphate of ammonia
gave 63J cwt. of Hay per acre, which is 12J cwt.
in excess of the average by this treatment. In
all the plots to which sulphate of ammonia,
potash, and phosphates in different combina-
tions have been applied continuously, the pro-
duce of Hay is bulky, the percentage and weight
of Grasses is large, while the proportion of
Clovers and weeds is small.

The plot receiving a mixture of potash, super-
phosphate and nitrate of soda produced 53£ cwt.
of Hay, being 7 cwt. in excess of an average

AUTUMN FLOWERING
CROC USE?.
There are many species of autumn-flowering
Crocus that can be recommended for planting in
the rock garden, flower border, or grassy vista.
In common with most of the large genera, there
are a few species in the genus Crocus that are
not worth cultivating in gardens, and it is these
that are generally difficult to grow. Such
species as will succeed almost anywhere, includ-
ing cancellatus, speciosus, zonatus, and pul-
chellus, are now propagated in great numbers
annually, and their corms are cheap enough to
plant broadcast. The typical herbaceous border
generally offers a few bare sites that will accom-
modate some of the strongest-looking Crocus's,
and these species will extend the list of late
flowering plants. The narrow belt of shrubs
and tiny borderings often to be seen close to
dwellings, offer sites for further plantings. Sep-
tember is the latest period of planting for

the southern half of England ; indeed, it
will be found that the plants will flower
at their appointed time in dry storage. Choice
of soil is not of great importance ; they can
all be grown quite easily, in a light loam, and
if the land is heavy, the addition of some sand
will be all that is necessary. Comparatively
shallow planting is advisable. All the species
in this climate enjoy the open sunshine, but they
will flourish fairly well in the light shade of
thin deciduous trees and shrubs, provided there
is no heavy dripping of water from the
branches. Most Crocuses in a wild state grow
hidden among scrubby plants such as Thorns,
and this fact has caused many persons to plant
them beneath shrubs by preference. Some
measure of protection is by this system afforded
flowers that blossom late in the winter, but
those varieties which have a genial flowering
period do not need it. The wildings are found
in scrub because they would be otherwise
destroyed by goats and other animals. Practi-
cally all the species produce seeds freely. No .
harvesting is necessary in the case of common
species planted in the turf, for their seeds will
germinate where they fall ; but seeds of choice
species in borders require to be sown in a warm,
light soil directly the capsules burst.

The cultivation of autumn-flowering Crocuses
calls for a few geneial remarks. Sand is help-
ful in the soil, but a few bushels of mortar
rubble are much more so. This material, if
passed through a half-inch screen and freely in-
corporated with the staple, renders the site dis-
tasteful to insect life. Rats and mice are parti-
cularly troublesome in broad grass plantings ;
fortunately, there is a capital remedy for this in
" Ratin." I was much troubled by rats collect-
ing from far and near to eat of Tulip, Fritil-
laria, and other bulbs recently planted, and
tried this specific. The baits disappeared on
the third day and the rats within a week, so
efficacious was the remedy.

The planting of small numbers of autumn-
(lowering Crocuses may be done even when the
corms are flowering, but any extensive plantings
should be completed by the middle of September
at the latest. A few dozen corms, petted and
encouraged to grow quickly by affording them
a little extra warmth, will prove very attractive
111 the decoration of apartments. One can
it-turn the corms to the open garden after flower,
ing.

Species and Varieties.

C. asturicus. — This is an early-flowering,
compact-growing species, from Northern Spain.
The flowers, which vary considerably in colour
and merit, are produced in October. They
have short tubes and short segments, which are
coloured a violet-purple in the variety that is
generally accepted as the type. Azureus, pale
violet and atropurpureus, deep purple, are two
colour selections of merit. It is essentially a
plant for the rock garden, and one sees it at its
best when it forms a " torrent " of flowers down
a steep declivity, with Herniaria glabra cloth-
ing the soil at its base. The leafage is pro-
duced after the flowers fade, and matures in the
following May.

C. caspivs. — A white-flowered species from
the Caspian region. The flowers are shaped as
in C. zonatus, and have the same elongated cup-
outline as those of that species. They are white
throughout, save for the yellow at the base and
tube. It is a desirable Crocus for the rock
garden. The leaves are produced in October.

C. cancellatus. — This is a pretty and vari-
able species widely spread throughout Asia
Minor. The flowers are produced late in
September, and have boat-shaped petals li inch
in length, with orange basal colouring and a
'ittle feathering of mauve externally. This
species seems capable of living in the poorest
turf, and can be recommended for planting in
light, sandy soils that dry quickly.

212

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 21, 1907.

C. c. cilicicus is a pretty blue-flowered
variety, and one that thrives on a dry slope ot
a rockery. The colour varies from lilac to rich
blue, and the stigmas are a rich shade_ of
orange. All the forms of C. cancellatus flower
with the leaves just pushing through the
sheaths.

C. hadriaticus. — A precocious species from
the Ionian Islands. The flowers appear early in
October, and the foliage develops some weeks
before the inflorescences, which they just ex-
ceed in height. The floral segments are white,
starry in outline when fully expanded, feathered
outside with purple more or less slightly, and
possessing a rich yellow, circular, basal disc.
The species is essentially a rock-garden subject,
but it also succeeds in a narrow, dry border. It
dies out in grassland in the second year after
planting.

C. iridiflosus. — This very

distinct and

GREYWELL HILL.

Greywell Hill, the seat of the Countess of
Dorchester, is situated 4 miles to the south of
Winchfield Station, 1^ miles from Hook, and
5 miles east of Basingstoke. The original parish
church was built in the time of King John
(1215), which will afford some knowledge of
the antiquity of the place. The church of St.
Mary is an ancient structure of flint, with stone
quoins and dressings, and was built in the early
English style. It was restored in 1870. Grey-
well Hill is situated on, an eminence in a pretty
small park, which contains many fine trees,
including specimens of the Beech, Lime, Elm,
and Whitethorn. The soil is light loam, with
a sub-soil of chalk and clay. The flower bor-
ders shown in fig. 90 are situated in the centre
of the kitchen garden, on the north side
of the house, and are about 100 yards long.
A grass path leads along the centre, with a

way that is covered with Rose Felicite-Perpetue
that presents a beautiful sight when in flower.

In the kitchen garden are many noteworthy
fruit trees. From two trees of Apricot growing
against a south wall 16 feet high, 600 fruits were
recently gathered. In the kitchen garden some
of the edgings of Box are fully 2 feet in height,
and as much in width, with a cleanly cut sur-
face.

The mansion is a commodious structure
wholly clad with creepers ; a China Rose rambles
over the porch entrance. In tubs on either side
of the entrance are two red Pomegranate trees
fully 9 feet high, and smothered with their bright
scarlet blossoms ; these plants are said to be 90
years old. The tubs are comparatively small i
they measure 2 feet 6 inches across and 15 inches
in depth, thus proving in what little rooting
space the Pomegranate will thrive.

[Photograpn by F. Mason G< od.
Fig. go. — some flower borders at greywell hill, the residence of countess dorchester.

attractive species, from Eastern Europe, can be
planted in almost any part of the flower garden.
Its flowers possess a quality of refinement in
their mauve colouring. The outer petals are
twice the size of the inner ones, are a little
deeper in colouring, and exceed 1J inch in
length. The stigma is a tassel of purple fila-
ments, and the flower tube is coloured an
amethystine-blue. Newly imported bulbs are
generally weak and need cultivating for a year
before they are capable of flowering well, after
which they develop large flowers 6 inches in
height and with correspondingly large petals. C.
iridiflorus forms a good garden species, and it
enjoys a liberal admixture of lime rubble in the
soil. G. B. Mallelt.

(To be concluded.)

flower-border on either side. The borders are each
6 feet in width, and at the back are some re-
markable examples of espalier-trained Apple
and Pear trees. Some of these trees are said
to be fully 200 years old. One Apple tree
of the variety Glory of the West has spurs
fully 3 feet in length. Amongst these trees is
one of Ribston Pippin Apple, which this1 season
is carrying a good crop of fruits. These
trees are said to have been planted by Lady
Dorchester's great grandmother. The flower-
borders are planted with standard Roses, Dah-
lias, Fuchsia gracilis, and Pinks in quantity are
planted next to the path. A fine specimen of
Deutzia scabra, over 40 years planted, produces
a wealth of blossom in its flowering season.
The path at the east end is entered by an arch-

On the eastern side of the mansion is growing
a handsome specimen, 20 feet high, of Chimo-
nanthus fragrans. Berberis vulgaris was thickly
studded with its brilliantly coloured fruits. On
the lawn is a weeping, white-fruited Mulberry
tree, whose branches spread over a space 20
feet in diameter.

A quaintly-built pergola is almost hidden
from view under tall Beech and Lime trees.
I'he structure is 8 feet in height, and as much
in width. It was built of Larch poles some
14 years ago, and has growing over it the Ivy,
Holly, and common Laurels.

A small Dutch garden is much hidden by lMgs
forest trees, from which through an opening a
magnificent view of Odiham Church is obtained.
A Wanderer.

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

213

A NEW CHRYSANTHEMUM
DISEASE.

In 1902 Dr. M. C. Cooke, in his articles on
" Pests of the Flower Garden " (Journal of the
Royal Horticultural Society, vol. xxvii., p. 373),
wrote: — " It will be well to be guarded against
the occurrence of ' leaf spot ' on Chrysanthe-
mums, as some three or four exotic species are

three spores are
The size of the

FlG. gl. — CHRYSANTHEMUM LEAVES AFFECTED WITH SEPTORIA
CHRYSANTHEMI.

already known. The ringed brown spot (Sep-
toria chrysanthemi) has apparently been con-
fined to Italy. This is the most essential to be
watched of all, since it is European."

Last autumn, Mr. W. P. Bound, of The Gar-
dens, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey, sent me a
fungus disease which he had observed on his
Chrysanthemums. Having recently had an
opportunity of comparing this fungus with the
authentic examples of Septoria chrysanthemi
|Cav.| in the Herbarium of the Natural History
Museum at South Kensington, I have ascer-
tained it is the same species. Gardeners have
now consequently every reason to be on their
guard during the coming season against this
Chrysanthemum leaf-spot, which appears to be
a new disease so far as this country is concerned.

Mr. W. P. Bound writes that he had never
observed the disease before last autumn, and
reports as follows on its occurrence: — "The
variety attacked was ' Letrier.' There was a
general disfigurement of the plant, but the flower
was not affected. The disease occurred also
to a slight extent on ' Mrs. Thompson ' Both
the above-named are late varieties. I feel pretty
sure that we had it on some of the early-flower-
ing varieties, but we took little notice of it at
first. There were no signs of it till after the
plants had been taken into the house."

The disease can be recognised by the presence
of more or less rounded spots of varying size on
the upper surface of the leaf (see fig 91). These
spots soon turn to a dark reddish-brown, and
these dark patches, which consist of diseased
tissue, besides disfiguring the plant for orna-
mental purposes, render the leaves unable to
carry on their proper functions ; and the plant
in consequence becomes weakened in vitality.
When the fungus produces its fructification,
little black dots become visible scattered over
the discoloured areas of the leaf. A section of
a part of a diseased Chrysanthemum leaf, show-
ing the fructification of the fungus, is drawn in
fig. 92. At a is shown the fructification, or
" pyemdium," as it is called. The spores of
the fungus are produced in countless numbers
from the inner surface of this " pyenidium " ; in
damp weather the spores may be seen escaping
in hundreds from the mouth of the "pyeni-

dium," as shown at b. At <
shown more highly magnified
spores is 40-70 x 1.5-2/*.

The disease was first observed about 1890 in
Italy, in the Botanic Gardens at Pavia and else-
where. Briosi and Cavara state: — "We have
for several years in succession observed this
parasite in the autumn just when the Chrysan-
themum is about to flower. The leaves which
are affected by it, besides
bearing brown patches,
become crumpled at the
margins, and fall prema-
turely."

In the United States,
Dr. Halsted writes of the
disease as follows* : — " A
blight has been quite pre-
valent upon the leaves
of the Chrysanthemum,
blotching them with brown
until they wither and fall
away. Moisture favours
the development of these
spots very greatly. Some
varieties seem to be more
subject to the blight than
others, but probably all
will take it when the con-
ditions are most favourable
and the spores are present.
The same fungus was found
by Prof. Beach at the
Geneva (New York) Station
on the foliage of green-
house Chrysanthemums."
Prof. Beach writes of the
disease as follows: — "It
first appears in small brown
spots, which increase in size and number until
the leaf tissue dies and the foliage drops off. In
badly-diseased plants nearly all the leaves wither
and fall away. During the past year (1894,, the
Septoria has become more or less common on
cultivated Chrysanthemums, and will likely
prove one of the troublesome species of fungi.
Experiments with fungicides for this pest have
been carried out at the Geneva Station, and it
is recommended, after the removal and burning
of the spotted leaves, to cover the remaining
foliage with Bordeaux Mixture. It is said that
' five or six applications will usually be suffi-
cient to keep the foliage covered, especially if
the soap is used.' The follow-
ing formula for the Bordeaux
Mixture is j;iven : — Dissolve
two pounds of copper sulphate
(bluestone) in water, add
whitewash made of one and
a half pounds of fresh-slaked
lime, and dilute to 22 gallons of
water ; then add enough soap
to form a suds."

In Bulletin 121 of the Ohio
Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion, it is stated :— " Leaf spot
(Septoria chrysanthemi | is fre-
quently a disfiguring disease in
the earlier growth of the plant.
For indoor treatment a copper
sulphate solution (one pound
to 50 gallons of water) will
prove available. More appli-
cations will be required, but
the foliage will not be rendered
so unsightly as with Bordeaux
Mixture, which, however, may
be applied in full strength."
The time here recommended
for applying the fungicide is first about July 1,
with a second application two weeks later, and
similarly a third if necessary.

The disease is noted also in the Report of the
Mir viand State Horticultural Society, vol. iv.,
1902.

* Report of the Botanical Department of the New Jersey
Agricultural College Experimental Station, 1891, p. 298, and
1894, p. 363.

On the Continent the disease is becoming pre-
valent. It was recorded from greenhouses in
Copenhagen in 1897, and is now known from a
number of places in Italy and Germany. In Octo-
ber, 1904, October, 1905, and in August, 1906,
it occurred in the form of an epidemic in nur-
series in Berlin. Last year it was recordedf
from Bohemia, in greenhouses, with the follow-
ing note: — "The fungus is a dangerous para-
site, especially in glasshouses, where it soon
attacks the majority of the leaves and causes
them to fall."

Prof. Magnus,J in a recent article, has pointed
out that the correct name for the present fungus
is Septoria chrysanthemella, Sacc. E. S. Salmon^
F.L.S., Mycologist to the Souih-Eastern Agricul-
tural College, Wye, Kent.

THE HARDY FLOWER
BORDER.

LINARIA TRIORNITHOPHORA.
This is a distinctly attractive member of the
Toadflax family, and, though said to be a
native of southern Europe, is apparently fairly
hardy, as it came through the last severe winter
unharmed. It grows to a height of 3 feet,,
and its rich, rosy-purple, yellow-lipped blos-
soms, borne in great numbers on the branching
flower-spikes, are distinctly handsome. It has
now been in bloom in this garden for three
months, and will, apparently, continue to
flower until checked by the frost. The plant
has about a dozen flower-stems, and is a showy
object in the border. The blossoms are 1^
inch in length. Many self-sown seedlings are
springing up around the plant. The leaves
are lance-shaped, and are carried in whorls of
four. The species is said to stand the winter
unprotected in the neighbourhood of Winder-
mere. S. W. Fitzherbert, Devonshire.

DIGITALIS PURPUREA.
This biennial, in its several varieties, should
be more popular than it is, the plant being
stately and beautiful when in bloom. Foxgloves
succeed as town plants if accorded frame culture
in the winter; otherwise, in smoky towns they
are apt to be injured by blacks and dirt settling on
the leaves. Seeds sown in August will produce
good flowering plants, which should be trans-
planted into well-drained soil at 10 inches apart,

Fig.

92. LEAF-SECTION OF CHRYSANTHEMUM AFFECTED WITH

SEPTORIA CHRYSANTHEMI.

a, pyenidium ; b, spores escaping from interior of pyenidiutn ; c, three
spores highly magnified.

lifting them in October and planting them in
cold frames if that method is called for by the
position of the garden. They may be trans-
ferred to the open ground late in March and in
April. The plants make showy groups in the
foreground of shrubberies, alongside woodland

t Hedwigia, xlvi., p. 294.

I '• Ueber die Benennung der Septoria auf Chrvsanthemum,
indicum." (Bee Dcutsch. Bot. Geselhch. xsv., 299 (1907).

214

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 21, 1907.

walks, and in beds by themselves in the flower
garden. There are several fine strains, and the
best of these are Ivery's spotted and D.
gloxiniaeflora. The seeds being very minute,
care should be taken to sow them thinly in
bread pans filled with sandy soil, finely sifted,
and consisting of one-third peat, one-third loam,
and one-third leaf-mould. F. M.

STOCK-FLOWERED LARKSPURS.
Free-gro jving annuals that produce bright
flowers suitable for furnishing vases, &c, in
the dwelling-room, are of much value in the
garden. I recently saw in the gardens at
Cricket St. Thomas, near Chard, a row, 20 yards
in length, of a fine strain of Larkspur, known
as Sutton's Branching, Stock-flowered. The
plants possessed a compact habit, were about
3 feet in height, and had flowers of a mixture
of colours, including rosy-scarlet. During a
long experience in gardening I have never seen
anything more ornamental than these plants in
flower. Near by were planted clumps of Sweet
Peas. These, with the Larkspurs, furnished
flowers in plenty. For planting amongst shrubs,
including Rhododendrons, and in the her-
baceous border, no plants are more suitable than
the Larkspurs. John Crook.

PLANT NOTES.

COSTUS IGNEUS.
It is just a quarter of a century since this
showy flowering plant was introduced from
Bahia by Mr. Linden, of Brussels. Twelve
years after its introduction the species was
given a first-class certificate by the Floral Com-
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society. Simi-
lar to other members of the genus, it develops
from a thickened root-stock a number of stout,
upright, l;afy stems. The stronger of these are
terminated by cone-like inflorescences, which
develop their flowers in succession for a con-
siderable period. The individual flowers are
about 2 inches in diameter, and are of an
intense orange colour. They "are thin in tex-
ture, and individually do not last long, but,
as above-stated, each head bears many blos-
soms. The flowering season extends from
autumn until early in wintef, and on a dull
November day I know of nothing more beau-
tiful than the flame-coloured flowers of this
Costus. The temperature of a stjve is neces-
sary for its successful culture, and it may be
either grown in pots or be planted out in the
border. When grown in pots, it blossoms when
only 18 inches or 2 feet in height, but when
planted out in rich soil the plants grow much
taller. The rooting medium should consist of
a mixture of loam and leaf-mould in equal
parts, with the addition of a little dried cow
manure and a liberal quantity of rough, silver
sand. Propagation is readily effected by divi-
sion of the roots during the spring months.
When growing freely, effective drainage and a
liberal supply of water are very necessary to
the plant's requirements.

LOTUS PELIORIIYNCUS.
This Teneriffe species of Lotus is now gen-
erally well known in gardens. It forms a de-
sirable subject for growing in hanging pots or
baskets, and when the plants are in good con-
dition the long, slender shoots, clothed with
sprays of bluish-gray, needle-shaped leaves,
hang down for considerably over 3 feet. The
plant, in the absence of flowers, has somewhat
the appearance of a species of Asparagus. In
the spring or early summer, when it is studded
with its blossoms, which in shape much re-
semble those of Clianthus puniceus, it forms a
very beautiful feature in the greenhouse or con-
servatory Within the last few years this Lotus
has b:en employed for bedding purposes, and in
Hyde Park this season a very uncommon yet

effective edging to a large bed Gf mixed sub-
jects is formed of Lotus peliorhyncus, asso-
ciated with the golden-leaved Creeping Jenny
(Lysimachia nummularia aurea), the shoots of
these two plants being entwined together.
Another edging to a large bed of Oreocome
Candollii, interspersed with Lilium speciosum
album and Verbena Miss Willmott, is formed of
the purple-leaved form of Ajuga reptans. The
Lotus under notice may be propagated by means
of seeds which may be obtained from most nur-
serymen, and by the young growing shoots.
These latter should be taken off at a length of
about \\ inch in the spring-time, and be inserted
in well-drained pots filled with sandy soil. If
placed in a warm propagating-case that is kept
close they will soon form roots. W .

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Cardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine. — This universal
favourite may be had in bloom at any period of
the year, but the plants are most appreciated in
the autumn and winter months when out-door
flowers are scarce. A batch of the more forward
plants should now be allowed to bloom, by ceasing
to pick off the buds. As the flowers develop,
overhead syringings should be discontinued, but
damping between the pots should be done daily,
as a dry atmosphere tends to encourage insect-life.
Ventilate the house freely on all favourable
occasions, and when the plants are in full bloom
leave a " crack " of air on all night to cause the
air to circulate. The variety " Turnford Hall,"
with white flowers, succeeds under similar condi-
tions. It is a beautiful plant when well grown, and
a good companion to the pink-flowered varieties.
Ttie later-raised plants should be kept growing
strongly, pinching out all bloom for the present in
order that the plants may furnish a useful succes-
sion to the earlier batch. Slakeand tie thegrowths
as required, using very fine pieces of green-dyed
Bamboo points, neat staking being very essential
to plants required for decoration. But little
shading will be required after this date except in
very hot situations. Close the house early in the
afternoon in order that the plants may get the
benefit of the sun-heat, and the atmospheric tem-
perature of the house may be permitted to rise to
85°, but should decrease during the night to a
minimum of 60°.

Winter-flowering Pelargoniums. — The plants having
been fully exposed all the summer have now their
growths thoroughly ripened, and should be allowed
to develop their flower spikes. Preparations
should be made to place them under glass in a
light house, having a sunny aspect. Stage them
thinly and as close to the glass as possible, as
every ray of sunshine is necessary during the
winter months. Apply a top-dressing in the shape
of a little good artificial manure, mixed with fine
leaf-soil and sand. The roots will soon extend
into this and derive great benefit from the stimu-
lant. After housing the plants keep the ventilators
wide open day and night for the present, and if
the weather continues warm, spray the plants
slightly with water every afternoon. When the
weather becomes dull and damp maintain a little
heat in the water pipes and ventilate accordingly,
keeping the atmosphere of the house at night at a
minimum temperature of 55°. The temperature
may rise during the day with sun-heat to 65°, but
the house should then be ventilated freely. These
plants will not succeed in a close, stuffy atmos-
phere, nor in one where cold draughts of air are
permitted.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

The late vines. — Late Grapes that will be expected
to keep in good condition on the vines throughout
the winter should become perfectly ripe during the
present month. Admit an abundance of air to the
vinery and keep the atmosphere dry at all times.
Remove the laterals as they appear. Cover the
inside borders with short, mown grass to prevent
evaporation from the soil. Maintain a circulation
of heat in the pipes to expel any moisture from
the atmosphere. Examine the bunches daily and

cut Out any decayed berries as soon as they are
seen. Keep a sharp look-out for red spider, and
should this pest be discovered, sponge the leaves
with soft soap and warm water.

Forced vines. — The vines from which the fruit
was removed in the month of May should be
pruned during the present month if it is intended
to force them again next season. Prune the
laterals back to two eyes. Wash the canes well
all over with hot water and Gishurst Compound.
If red spider or other insect pests have been
troublesome, apply at least three dressings of the
Gishurst Compound. Be careful not to injure the
buds. Cleanse the house thoroughly. Remove
the surface soil of the inside border down to the
roots, and top-dress the roots with rich turfy loam
mixed with some approved Vine manure. Have
done any painting that may be necessary, and
make everything clean before the time arrives to
commence forcing.

Tomatos. —Plants for fruiting in autumn and
winter, and which were potted into 9-inch pots last
month, need to have ventilation by day and night.
Afford them manure water once each week, and
see that they are always supplied with sufficient
water. Train the plants on the single stem system,
and take out all lateral shoots as soon as they
appear. As soon as the apex of the plant reaches
its limit of space stop the growth by pinching out
the point. As the days will soon be short and dull
it will be necessary to artificially pollinate the
flowers, or they will not set freely. A sharp
tap on the stake or trellis occasionally should be
sufficient to effect pollination. Do this when the
sun is shining and the ventilators are open. Fumi-
gate the house with the XL-All if any white fly is
discovered. Tomato plants intended for fruiting
early should now be in 3-inch pots. Let them be
arranged on a shelf or in a frame near to the glass
to induce short-jointed growth. Admit plenty of
air during fine weather. Plants now in full bearing
should have their leaves shortened to expose the
fruit to the full benefit of the sun and liglit. If it
is necessary to remove any plants now bearing a
crop, they can be severed from their roots and sus-
pended in a vinery, or other cool, well-ventilated
house, when the fruits will soon develop colour, and
afterwards be useful for culinary purposes. Top-
dress any plants that require it, applying rich loam
in which a little chemical manure has been mixed.
Make this dressing firm over the surface of the
roots, and afford a good watering with tepid water.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawkencs,
Bart., Biirford, Surrey.

The value of sunshine. — The summer-like
weather that has prevailed recently is favour-
able to the plants, as it will assist them to
thoroughly ripen their growth. Especially is
this desirable in the case of Dendrobiums that
have finished growing. If such plants are in a
house that is properly ventilated they will stand
as much direct sunshine as is likely to be ex-
perienced at this season, and, being thus ex-
posed to sun and air, will require considerable
water at the roots. These remarks also apply to
the Catasetums, Cycnoches, Mormodcs, Lissochi-
lus, the deciduous Eulophias, Thunias, Pleiones,
Habenarias, Cyrtopodiums, Schomburgkias, the
Mexican Laslias, as L. anceps, &c, also many
Epidendrums, as E. radicans, E. xanthinum,
E. O'Brienianum, Epiphronitis Vei.chii, &c.
The deciduous Calanthes that are finishing their
new pseudo-bulbs will also receive great benefit
by exposure to extra sunshine at this season.
The period of sunlight will be less each day,
and as the atmosphere becomes cooler and
moister, especially at night, the watering of Or-
chids generally must be carried out with even
greater discretion than usual, gradually reducing
the quantity as the season advances. There are
few Orchids that .have greater need for a light,
well-ventilated atmosphere at this season than
the Cattleyas, especially when there is plenty of
sun-heat ; even where the house is fully exposed,
the plants will only require to be thinly shaded
for an hour or so during the hottest part of the
day.

Vandas of the V. tricolor section which occupy
a position in the Cattleya house should be
shaded independently of the other inmates : the
terete-leaved Vandas, as V. teres, V. Hookeriana,
V. " Miss Joaquim," and V. Marguerite Maron
(V. Marguerite Maron being now in bloom!i
should be kept in the warmest house and

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

215

exposed to the sunlight. They will require fre-
quent overhead syringings so long as the weather
continues warm and bright. Our plants are
growing on upright teak-wood rafts, and periodi-
we examine them, and tie the points of
(he young roots close on to the rafts, to which
they cling with tenacity, thus greatly assisting
the formation of strong flowering growths.

The cool intermediate house, which contains
such plants as Ccelogyne, Maxillaria, Miltonia,
Cypripedium, Cymbidium, Brassia, Oncidium,
Zygopetalum, some Epidendrums, and many
other Orchids which are still growing freely,
will only require to be moderately shaded. The
Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, Oncidiums, &c,
in the cool house should be protected from
strong sunshine at all times.

The heating apparatus. — Everything connected
with the heating apparatus should be put in
order at once, »o that the Orchid grower may be
prepared for frosts, which sometimes suddenly
appear during October.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Apples. — The Apple crop generally is small,
and extra care should be taken in harvesting and
storing this fruit, for Apples will be very valu-
able during the coming winter and early spring
months. Birds are persistent in their attacks
on this fruit, especially early ripening varie-
ties, and those that have a soft flesh, such as
Ecklinville Seedling, Pott's Seedling, Wealthy,
Emperor Alexander, &c. The sound truits should
be placed in the fruit room, and those not likely
to keep well should be consumed first. Any
fallen fruits that are infested with maggots
should be collected, smashed, and buried in a
deep trench, or be burned on the garden fire.
This will destroy many of the grubs of this pest.
Devonshire Quarrenden, Worcester Pearmain,
Colonel Vaughan, Lady Sudeley, September
Beauty, and King Harry are suitable varieties
for dessert purposes at this date. Apples in-
tended for keeping will require to be sufficiently
matured, and should not be gathered until they
will part easily from the tree.

Strawberries. — Established plants will con-
tinue to develop runners, but these must be
removed. Use a knife for severing them, as in
pulling them out the crowns are often destroyed.
Autumn-fruiting Strawberries are furnishing us
with some good fruits from a north border, but
the birds are troublesome amongst them, al-
though the plants are protected by ne s.

General remarks. — The recent warm weather
has caused the ground to become diy in rasny
places, especially where the soil is light or
shallow, so that late Plums and Peaches occupy-
ing warm positions on walls or fences may be
greatly benefited by root waterings. The foliage
should be syringed every alternate evening dur-
ing hot weather, but the water should not be
allowed to reach any fruits that are ripening.
Wasps and flies are busy amongst ripe fruits,
which need careful guarding from their attacks.
The weather for the week ending the 13th inst.
has been grand, and has benefited all crops.
Hoeing can be practised with advantage durin0
hot weather, but when the climatic conditions
are wet, hoeing is of little use in the destruction
of weeds.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

French Beans. — Plants which are nicely in
bearing should be protected with covering ma-
terial each night, for although, at the time of
writing, there has not been, in this district, any
frest, there can no longer be any certainty that
frost will not occur. Therefore, it is impera-
tive to make the necessary provision for afford-
ing protection, in order that the crop, which
might otherwise be lost in a single night, may
be preserved for some considerable time to
come. Cold frames containing Beans should
now be kept closed, except in the hottest part of
■ the day, whet sufficient air may be admitted to
keep the Beans from damping. If a little heat
can be applied, this would now prove a great
benefit. Where it is intended to maintain a
supply of French and Butter Beans throughout
he winter, sowings in pots must be made at

frequent intervals. For the present the pots may
be placed outside or in a cold frame ; but they
will require to be removed to a warm house as
the season advances and the days get shorter.

Cabbages. — The main batch will now be ready
for planting, and, provided the ground has
already been well prepared, and it has received
a good dressing of lime and a little potash or
wood-ashes, the work of planting should be car-
ried out at the first opportunity, and during
showery weather, if this is possible. Ground
that has produced a crop of Peas would be very
suitable for the Cabbages. Should the soil be
dry, let the drills be given a good soaking with
water the day before the planting is commenced,
rather than apply water afterwards. The drills
should be drawn at distances of from 15 to 18
inches apart, according to the different varieties
grown, and the plants may be put out at dis-
tances of 1 foot to 15 inches in the rows. Pre-
vious to making the main plantation, select a
good proportion of the forward plants for
planting on a warm border, that they may come
in a little in advance of the bulk ; this little at-
tention is well worth the trouble, as a few srnall
early Cabbages are greatly appreciated when
they first appear.

Early Potatos. — If seed-tubers were obtained
from the imported Jerseys, as was advised
in the Calendar for July 13, and thoroughly
well " ripened " before they were put into
boxes, sets will now be available, thor-
oughly well rooted and already in growth
These should be planted forthwith into frames.
Prepare drills for the tubers, and place some
well-decayed leaf-mould in the bottoms of them ;
on this material lay the tubers, covering
them with additional leaf-soil, and afterwards
filling in with soil. If the weather is fine, con-
siderable air may be admitted to the frame dur-
ing the day. Lightly syringe the plants in the
afternoon before closing the frame for the night.
As growth advances, admit air freely on all
favourable occasions, being careful not to over-
heat the pipes and not to permit cold dran ■■hi .
which would weaken or severely check the
plants. Although this variety succeeds well for
the earlier plantings, it should be followed as
closely as possible by Sharp's Victor, or the
Duke of York.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Propagating shrubs. — Most of the hardier
species of shrubs may be readily propagated
from cuttings, inserted out-of-doors at any time
from the present date until the end of the
autumn. A bed of a suitable size should
be prepared for their reception : the soil
should have incorporated with it suffi-
cient leaf-soil and grit to form a suitable
rooting medium. After making the ground
firm, shallow trenches, 4 or 5 inches deep,
should be made with the spade, keeping one
side perpendicular, so that the cuttings may
easily be kept erect. A common mistake is that
the cuttings are made too short ; from 7 to 9
inches is a suitable length. Even in the case
of shrubs which have small leaves, the cuttings
should be allowed plenty of room between them,
and sufficient space should be left between the
rows to allow the hoe to be freely worked. Tread
the soil about the cuttings to make it
firm ; a layer of fine soil spread over the
bed will assist in keeping the cuttings firm, and
prevent the frost from penetrating to the base
of the cuttings. Deciduous subjects, including
Catalpa, Paulownia, and Koelreuteria root
readily, if cuttings are taken in January or
February, inserted deeply in soil of an open
texture, in 6-inch pots, and plunged over a brisk
bottom heat.

Propagating Conifers. — Many Conifers, such
as Cupressus (including the garden genus,
Retinospora), Thuya, and Juniperus, may be
readily propagated if cuttings are firmly in-
serted in boxes of soil and placed against the
north side of a wall, where it is free from drip.
Shcots of Athrotaxis, < ephalotaxus, and Crypto,
meria, are rooted with more difficulty, and in
propagating plants of these genera it is often
advisable to shift the cuttings into fresh boxes
of soil early in the following year, and then
place them in a gentle bottom heat.

Window-boxes. — In gardens where a duplicate
,.et of boxes are maintained, thos; intended for

use during the winter should now be planted.
\ i the case of the boxes used for a sun
display, the soil employed should be of
quality. Where brightness is desired it is not
wist) to rely too much on the various flow
plants which are used for spring bedding, foi
even under the most favourable conditions thei
is always a considerable period before their
flowering commences. Greater use should be
made of shrubs which have golden and silver
variegated foliage, such as well-grown dwarf
plants of Hollies, Euonymus, Conifers, Vincas,
and Ivies. Spring-flowering bulbs may be in-
terspersed with these, and, after they have
flowered, be removed without greatly disarrang-
ing the box. There will also be room for a few
plants of Wallflower and Primrose. A small
plot in the reserve garden should be planted
with various successional plants, so that as the
earlier subjects finish flowering, they may be
at once replaced. These winter window-boxes
should not be placed in position until, through
frost or other cause, the plants in the summer
boxes are injured and need removal.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

The giving of flowers. — Park officials receive
from time to time, from private individuals as
well as from public bodies, applications for the
donation of cut flowers or evergreens suitable
for decoration or sale. When no hard and fast
rules are observed in connection with this
matter, it is often difficult to deal with such
applications without giving offence. In the
case of public institutions, such as hospitals,
rooms in libraries, botany, or painting classes
in connection with schools, or the decoration
of municipal buildings for public functions, the
parks department may very properly be expected
to help by providing a supply of cut flowers.
Even individual ratepayers, requiring cut
flowers for botanical purposes, or as models to
paint from, should be entitled to obtain them
in a prescribed manner from the public gardens
of a town. In this case, to prevent abuse, it
is usual to issue students' tickets to those de-
sirous of taking advantage of this privilege,
and as only one member of a park staff is
authorised to supply the flowers, the various
students soon become known to him and he
would soon find out any who were likely to put
the flowers to other uses. The institution of
the students' ticket, with its privileges, in
many public parks has proved a boon to
students of botany and painting. Apart from
the foregoing cases, the question of giving away
i ut flowers is rather a difficult one for most
park officials — to whose discretion such matters
are usually left — to deal with. How far one is
justified in giving flowers from a public garden,
to be sold at a bazaar in aid of charity, or for
the embellishment of a concert hall or the plat-
form of a public meeting, depends very largely
upon the precedent already set by the corpora-
tion concerned. It will be generally agreed
that, apart from the needless work entailed, the
less this kind of thing is done the better it is
for the park officials, as there is the less chance
of any kind of abuse and its attendant unplea-
santness creeping into the management of the
department.

Harvest Festivals. — At the same time it is
possible to afford considerable help to different
public bodies without either incurring much
expense or laying the department open to
adverse criticism. In this neighbourhood nearly
everv religious denomination has at this season
of the year what is known as a Harvest
Festival, when their places of worship are
decorated with flowers and fruits, which are
afterwards sent to the local hospitals or the
homes of the poor. For a number of years past
the parks committee of this city, realising that
flowers are at this period of the year very
plentiful in the public gardens, has allowed
every church of all denominations in the city to
have a few cut flowers on the occasion of its
Harvest Festival. Thus without in the least
marring the beauty of the flower borders, a
great amount of satisfaction and pleasure , is
given to all classes and conditions of the com-
munity. During the ten years that this practice
has been carried out no single instance of the
misapplication of the flowers has been brought
to our notice.

210

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 21, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and July
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.
Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21— German Gard. Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24—

Nat. Rose Soc. Autumn Sh. at R.H.S. Hall, West-
minister.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27— Roy. Botanic Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 55-0\
Actual Temperatures:—

LoHDoa.— Wednesday, September 18 (6 P.M.): Max. 68°;
Min. 51".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, September
HI 1 10 a.m.): Bar.. 30-4, Temp., 61°; Weather-
Sunshine,
Provinces.— Wednesday, September 18 (6 p.m.) : Max. 62",
Scotland N. ; Min. 60°. Lancaster.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King

Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
MONDAY to FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, EX., by Protheroe

& Morris, at 10.30.
MONDAY—

Clearance sale of Stock, Greenhouses, Piping, Boilers,

&c, at Thorne Nursery. White Hart Lane, Barnes, by

Protheroe & Morris, at 12.
TUESDAY—

Clearance sale of Stove, Greenhouse, and other Plants,

Garden Seats, and Sundries, at Leigham Holme, Leigham

Court Road, Streatham Hill, by Protheroe & Morris,

at 1.
WEDNESDAY—

Azarean Liliums, Roman Hyacinths, Narcissus, &c, also

Palms and Plants, Bays, Sec, at 67 & 68, Cheapside,

E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 5.
FRIDAY—

Fifteenth annual sale of fruit trees, &c, at the Nursery,

Downham, Norfolk, by order of Messrs. Bird & Val-

lance, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

Duplicate and other Orchids from the collection of

Eustace Clarke, Esq., at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by

Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

We have already referred in
Linnaeus, these columns to the celebrations

of the bicentenary of the birth
of this great Swedish botanist that have
taken place this year. On the present occa-
sion we desire to draw attention to an in-
teresting exhibition of memorials of Lin-
na;us now on view at the Natural History
Museum, South Kensington. Dr. A. B.
Rendle, the Keeper of the Botanical Depart-
ment, has prepared a guide* to the portraits,
autographs, manuscripts, and books. This
•exhibition occupies the second botanical bay
on the right hand side when entering the
great hall.

A good selection of autographs and manu-
scripts of Linn6 from the Department of
Manuscripts of the British Museum has been
made by Dr. G. F. Warner, the Keeper of
that Department, which adds considerably
to the interest of the exhibition. The De-
partment of Prints and Drawings has lent
the large engraving of Linne in his Lapland
■dress and a portrait of his favourite pupil,
Dr. Solander, who in 1765 came to England
to assist Sir Joseph Banks in his herbarium,
accompanied him in Cook's first voyage
round the world, and was appointed Keeper

" Memorials of Linna?us, Special Guide No. 3, British
Museum (Natural History), price 3d.

of Printed Books in the British Museum in

1773-

From the Linnean Society a number of
books and specimens have been lent from
Linnets own collections, and a fine series of
11 portraits of Linne, presented by Dr. Wm.
Carruthers, F.R.S., who represented the
Linnean Society at the Upsala celebrations.

The original letter from Herman Boer-
haave, Professor of Botany at Leyden, to Sir
Hans Sloane, introducing Linne\ when visit-
ing this country in 1736, and Linnets letter
to Sir H. Sloane, thanking him for the use
of his museum, are both to be seen in this
collection. From Linne's own herbarium a
species of Carduus (Thistle) is shown, illus-
trating his method of conserving plants. Of
more interest is a dried specimen of Linnaea
borealis, it being the original specimen col-
lected by Linne1 at Lychsale in Lapland,
which he submitted to his friend, Dr. Grono-
vius, of Leyden, with the suggestion that it
should bear his name, Linne expressing a
fanciful analogy between his own early fate
and " this little northern plant, long over-
looked, depressed, abject, flowering early."
The specimen is from Gronovius' herbarium,
which Sir Joseph Banks bought in 1794, and
is now in the Department of Botany at the
Natural History Museum.

From Linne's works, besides his Systema
Naturce, &c, the original water-colour draw-
ing made by Ehret, under the direction of
Linne, with the names in Linne's hand-
writing, is exhibited. Both men were en-
gaged at the time at work on the Hortits
Cliff ortianus. This plate was engraved for
the first edition of the Genera Plantarum,
published in 1737 at Leyden.

The third case contains Paul Hermann's
herbarium of Ceylon plants. It was sent in
1745 by Augustus Gunther, an apothecary, at
Copenhagen, to Linn£, who based upon it
his Flora Zeylanica, published in Stockholm
in 1747. Sir Josepii Banks purchased this
herbarium from Gunther, and it is now in
the Botanical Department of the British
Museum.

In the wall-case on the left of the bay are
shown a number of reprints of Linnets works,
and several publications issued in commem-
oration of the bicentenary of Linne's birth ;
also a bronze copy of the bicentenary
medal presented to Sir Joseph Hooker on
May 25, 1907, by the Royal Swedish Academy
of Sciences.

Altogether, the exhibition is one which
should have much of interest to botanists and
gardeners.

A correspondent has written us
Purchasing somewhat indignantly in re-
Bulbs, spect to the prices he has to

pay for flowering bulbs. He
states that before sending his order to an
English firm he compared the prices printed
in the catalogue with the charges made for
the same sorts by a Dutch firm, and found
that on an average the English prices were
nearly fifty per cent, higher. We cannot de-
termine whether our correspondent is the
more incensed at the English firm for charg-
ing higher prices than the Dutch seedsman,
or with the Dutchman for daring to under-
sell the Englishman ; he complains of each in
turn. The prices changed by nurserymen for

their goods is not a matter in which we desire
to interfere or in which we have any right to
do so, but it may be well to point out to our
correspondent that there are several circum-
stances in connection with the subject that
he may not have taken into proper con-
sideration.

Prices cannot be determined as excessive,
or as cheap, merely from an examination of
the catalogues. Bulbs or seeds, or plants of
a particular variety appear much the same as
one reads the descriptions in a catalogue, but
the samples offered for sale may vary in
quality to a greater extent even than the
prices asked for them. We are not concerned
with the particular circumstances in the case
which has engaged the attention of our cor-
respondent, and have no desire to determine
which firm gives the better value for the
money it receives. It is conceivable that the
firm which asks the lower prices also supplies
the better articles. If this be so, however,
matters may be left to rii^ht themselves, for
eventually the public will discover which is
the best market, and, having obtained that
knowledge, will be certain to act upon it.
But there are many things to consider in
all purchases, over and above the amount of
money that is paid for them.

A consignment of bulbs, even of the same
variety, when lifted from the nursery, might
easily be sorted into three or more grades or
qualities, and if these were so graded and
subsequently sold at similar prices, those who
were supplied with the third grade would
have reasonable cause for complaint. In dif-
ferent nurseries where the nature of the soil
and the details of cultivation vary one from
another, the disparity in the quality of the
produce would be proportionately greater,
and consequently afford facilities for the exer-
cise of a wider selection.

Another matter of first-class importance to
the purchaser is that of correct nomencla-
ture. If his seeds or bulbs are something
contrary to what he has ordered, or if they
are in the main true, but, nevertheless, con-
tain many rogues, he is apt to consider the
purchase dear, whether the goods were ob-
tained for high or low prices. These are only
some of the principal circumstances that af-
fect prices, and they rule through every class
of trade. Such matters as quick delivery,
and careful packing, are scarcely less im-
portant.

If, as alleged by our correspondent, the
Dutch firms sell the same quality of goods and
delivers them free in this country, at prices
averaging fifty per cent, lower than are
charged by English seedsmen, it does not say
much for the business enterprise of our own
race, especially when it is remembered that
certain Dutch growers offer rebates such as
we have had occasion to remark upon
in these columns. For ourselves, we
cannot pretend to give an opinion on the
matter, but must leave the seedsmen,
whether British or Dutch, to adjust their
prices according to the value they place upon
the goods they have to distribute. Their cus-
tomers, however, should not hastily conclude
that prices are dear because they are high in
comparison with others, or cheap becau-u
they are lower. If they are to be judged
satisfactorily they must be compared after a
careful inspection of the articles for which
they are charged.

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle.'

' />s(~<J3c _H P*>f3

LOMATIA FERRUGINEA, A FLOWERING SHRUB FROM CHILE, GROWING IN EaRL AnNESLEY's

Garden, at Castlewellan, County Down.

(From a photograph taken bv Earl Annesley.)

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

'217

Our Supplementary Illustration. — The

view shown in our supplementary illustration to
the present issue represents a part o£ the Pine-
tree belt which encircles the charming garden and
dwelling at Fir Grange, Weybridge Heath, in
■which Mr. W. A. Bilney has arranged a series
of natural gardens. In this belt most of the
important classes of hardy plants and shrubs are
arranged without interfering with that beautiful
feature of the property, the Pine trees, which had
been there for many years before a modern garden
was formed in the locality. Instead of disturb-
ing the trees, paths were made amid rockeries and
between sloping banks ; nooks and dells were
formed available for Ferneries, a bog-garden (see
fig. 93), and Alpine garden. On the banks and
beneath the trees many thousands of Daffodils,

little trouble in the future. The planting of
Rhododendrons, Kalmias, Pernettyas and other
evergreen flowering shrubs in due proportion
among the deciduous species has had the effect of
making the gardens capable of affording interest
in winter.

Autumn Rose Show.— The fourth annual
autumn exhibition of the National Rose Society
will be held in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vin-
cent Square, Westminster, on Tuesday next, the
24th inst. A feature introduced this year for the
first time is a class for table decorations, the first
prize being a silver cup of the value of five
guineas, given by the president of the society, Mr.
E. B. Lindsell. The exhibition will be open
until 8 pin., in order that the flowers may be
viewed under artificial light. The weather duting

Journal of the British Gardeners'
Association.— The second number of this pub-
lication has just been issued. It consists of 16
pages, and is a well-printed and attractive
publication. Some of the principal articles
include " Examinations for Gardeners," " The
Saturday Half-Holiday," "Garden Appren-
tices," "The B.G.A. and the Trade," "Notes
and Comments," " Gardeners and Nursery
Training," and "The L.C.C., the R.H.S., and
the B.G.A." The Journal is published at 3d.,
and copies may be obtained from the secretary,
Mr. J. Weathers, Talbot Villa, Isleworth.

September Strawberries. — We have re-
ceived from Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley,
some fruits of the variety of Strawberry known as

{Photograph by John Gregory.
FlG. 93.— THE BOG-GARDEN AND SUMMER HOUSE AT FIR GRANGE, WEYBRIDGE HEATH. (See also Supplementary Illustration.)

Crocuses, hardy Cyclamen, Chionodoxas, Lilies,
Scillas and other bulbous plants were planted,
and their beauties when in bloom have often been de-
scribed in the pages of the Gardeners' Chronicle. In
the bog-garden, with the Bamboos, Yuccas, &c, on
the higher ground and Irises in the front, the
British Sun-dew forms an interesting patch grow-
ing in native sphagnum-moss, and Sarracenia pur-
purea thrives well. Astilbe Davidii, with its bright
rose-coloured plumes, is a fine feature, and the
Hydrangeas, Chelones, Arundo conspicua, Ane-
mone japonica, Lysimachias, &c , make a good
show. Pillar-Roses, Clematis and other flower-
ing shrubs are in great profusion, and so care-
fully and skilfully has the garden been planted
that it will continue to increase in beauty with but

the first half of September has proved favourable
for Roses, so that an unusually large and beauti-
ful display of blooms may be anticipated. The
hon. secretary is Mr. Edward Mawley, Rosebank,
Berkhamsted, Herts.

Horticultural Club.— The house dinners
of the club will be resumed on Tuesday, October 1,
at 6 p.m., at the Hotel Windsor. Mr. Arthur
W. Sutton will speak upon "A camping tour
from Damascus to Petra in Arabia." The subject
will be illustrated by painted slides from original
photographs.

Charles Huber, founder of the firm of
M. Charles Huber & Co., nurserymen, at
Hyeres, France, died recently, aged 89 years.

St. Antoine de Padoue. These fruits were of very
large size for this type of Strawberry, and the
trusses bore also a very great number of green
fruits in various stages of development, showing
that under the influence of the bright sunshine
which has been prevalent since we received
the fruit, the plants will yield a prolific crop of
acceptable Strawberries. Ripe fruits of the variety
St. Joseph have been sent us by Mr. W. Selley,
Highlands Gardens, Ivybridge, Devon. These
fruits had been picked singly, and were excellent
for dessert, being sufficiently large in size, and of
sweet and agreeable flavour. Our correspondent
states that he has gathered fruits of St. Joseph
since August 20 last, and that they ripen much
earlier than the variety St. Antoine de Padoue.

218

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

lSeptembkr 21, 190',.

Mr George Dickson, V.M.H.— We gladly
avail ourselves of the opportunity of reproducing
the portrait of Mr. George Dickson, to whom we
alluded in our last issue. Mr. Dickson is the
chairman of Messrs. Alexander Dickson & Sons,
Newtownards. He was born in 183'2, is a Justice
of the Peace for County Down, a member of the
Down County Council, and chairman of the Com-
mittee of Agricultural and Technical Instruction
for that county.

The National Fruit Growers' Federa-
tion.— A meeting of the Council will be held on
Monday, October 7, at 3 p.m., at the Royal Horti-
cultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster. At
this meeiing a revision of the rules, and re-organi-
sation of the Federation will be considered.

The Late Lord Aldenham.— -In the recent
death of Lord Aldenham, at the age of 88
years, horticulture loses one of its most liberal
patrons. Our columns have frequently borne
testimony to the excellent gardening carried out
at Aldenham House, Elstree, under the super-
intendence of his late lordship's gardener, Mr.
Edwin Beckett. In recent years the gardens
and grounds have been greatly extended, and
the magnificent exhibits of flowering trees and
shrubs contributed from time to time at the
meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society
have shown what a rich collection has been
planted in the newer portions of the grounds.
It is especially sad that on the following day to
that on which Lord Aldenham died, the death
occurred of his lordship's youngest son, the
Hon. Henry Gibbs, at the age of 46 years.

Electric Light and Plant Growth. —
Experiments are being conducted by Mr. B. H.
Thvvaites in the gardens of the Royal Botanic
Society, Regent's Park, in respect to the culture
of plants by the aid of the electric light. The
plants receive the benefit of the ordinary sunliglit
during the daytime, and at night a powerful
electric light enables the plants to carry on the
work of carbon-assimilation. The light is obtained
from a powerful lamp which travels slowly from
one end of the house to the other, and returns
rgiinby an automatic process. A small engine
generates the electricity, and the surplus heat from
the engine is utilised for the heating of the glass-
house in which the experiments are conducted. The
cost of the gas, which serves the double purpose of
heating the structure and driving the generating
plant, is lower than that of the fuel consumed in
an ordinary heating furnace necessary to main-
tain the same degree of warmth by means of a
hot-water system. The rays of light from the
lamp pass through a water-screen, and on emerg-
ing they form a spectrum approximating to that of
ordinary sunlight. Particulars of Mr. Thwaites'
system were given in Gardeners' Chronicle for Sep-
tembers, 1906, p. 180, and in the issue for April 3,
1880, p 432, details were published of experiments
conducted by the late Sir William Siemens in
regard to the same subject.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE

{The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents, j

The Veterans of Professional Gar-
dening.— Whilst the members of the British
Gardeners' Association are at the moment of
writing engaged in the task of determining the
status and requirements of the professional gar-
dener of the future, so far as it may be possible
for any voluntary organisation so to determine,
my mind during a time of sickness has been car-
ried into the past rather than into the future. The
biographies of gardeners may not offer very heroic
stories, but there have been, and there are still,
in the ranks of British and Irish professional
gardeners men who have, through hard work
and manly effort and faithful service, won very

high honours in their vocation, and have reflected
upon it the highest lustre. Such men have been
noble and illustrious workers. What the late
beloved Dean Hole thought of those of whom 1
am writing is seen in the letter, so highly
cherished, he wrote me from his sick bed in
North Wales on September 30, 1903, just four
years ago, and which referred to his " bitter dis-
appointment " in not being able to attend the
great dinner and gathering of gardeners in
London a few days later. " I have been antici-
pating long and anxiously a meeting with so
representative a body of those men among whom
I have found the most congenial friendships and
happiest enjoyments of my life. Will you tell
them that with an old man's blessing, and from
a brother's heart, I pray that they may ever
cherish in themselves, and may communicate to
others, that love of a garden which brings health
to the body, peace to the mind, and thankful
worship to the soul." Such a testimony as these
words furnish to the worth and nobility of the
British gardener deserves to be written in letters
of gold. Well may the British Gardeners' Asso-
ciation desire to see in the gardeners of the future
men who shall merit all the warm praise
bestowed by Dean Hole on those of the present
and past generations. Young men who are con-
tent to drift into their profession, rather than
aspiring to shine in it, will do little to maintain
that high standard which the best gardeners of
the kingdom have so earnestly sought to create.
If, through the aid of examinations, it be found

EBsSHs

MR. GEORGE DICKSON, V M.H.

possible to generate in young men some ambi-
tion to be of the best, some desire to be leaders,
some effort to secure the greater knowledge
without which no gardener can ever be a real
one, then will the new association's labours have
not been in vain. Were it possible to evoke
from the dead the spirits of those great and
good men who have done so much honour
to gardening, what a procession of splendid
reputations would be presented ! But they
are gone to rest in the great garden of eter-
nity, where soon so many more of us will sleep.
But we still have amongst us some fine old
veterans. Would it were possible to have in
London ere long one great social gathering of
these veterans ! Would the council of the Royal
Horticultural Society, with its wealth, bring this
about? How they would delight to gather once
more together to fight over again with each
other their bothy or youthful battles, and to
recall to each other's memories the names and
teachings of those who have gone before. We
too soon forget those who have worked so illus-
triously in the field of horticulture. We so
haste to live in the future that the pas* with
its great dead is forgotten. It is, therefore, the
more desirable that we should warmly cherish
the veterans yet left to our esteem. A.D.

The Champion Grape Class at Shrews-
bury.— I regret lo find my opinions are not in
accord with those of my old and esteemed
friend Mr. Ciump over the champion Grape
Vase award at Shrewsbury. When making the

suggestion that in future the vase s'.iould not be
won by any competitor who does not obtain at
least six maximums, I had in mind several
things. First, that famous grower Mr. Shingler,
whose efforts have for several years past been
the principal means of maintaining a high
standard of excellence in this class, might
possibly rest on his honours. This would make
the competition easier, but the Champion Vase
is so noble a prize that any person winning it
may well wish to do so with bunches of the-
greatest merit. I have not before me the total
number of points obtained by Mr. Shingler dur-
ing the past three years, but, failing to accept
my suggestion of at least six maximums out of
12 bunches to qualify for a vase win, is it too
much to ask that during the three years which
must elapse ere any competitor can again win
such a trophy the total maximum of points to-
secure the full possession of the vase shall be
not fewer than has been Mr. Shingler's winning
total of three years? Another thing merits
attention. Whilst Mr. Shingler's exhibit in-
cluded six varieties of Grapes, the second prize
exhibit comprised four varieties only. Having
regard to the many fine varieties of Grapes in
commerce, and the valuable nature of the prize,
it is not too much to ask that at least six varieties
must be shown by each competitor. Mr. Crump
mentions there were 132 bunches to judge by
points in the class. That means there were 11
exhibits. Does not that mean that some
bunches must have been little better than third-
rate as compared with those of the winning
collection? I would like to point out, in the
champion vegetable competition of nine kinds or
dishes only, Mr. J. Gibson secured five maxi-
mums out of the nine, and was short of the
total maximum by four points only. Five in
nine is a much better standard than is three out
of twelve. I trust whatever conditions may rule
in the champion Grape class in the future — and
all Grape growers will hope for its continuance —
it may prove as successful, and never of lower
merit, than was the new champion vegetable
class at this show. D.

Duff House. — It wilj be remembered that
some months ago his Grace the Duke of Fife
handed over as a free gift to the inhabitants of
Banff and Macduff — two small and poor com-
munities on the Moray Firth — the old and
historic mansion of Duff House, together with
the beautiful grounds attached to it, to be
utilised in the best interests of the townsfolk.
To maintain the grounds in a proper condition
will involve the expenditure of a considerable
sum of money, which the authorities do not
possess ; consequently weeds are beginning to
grow, and the once neatly-kept grass verges
and walks are now untidy. A suggestion has
been considered for converting the mansion into
a hydropathic establishment, whilst a well-
known golfing expert has declared that the
grounds are splendidly adapted for a golf course.
This part of Scotland is especially picturesque,
and on every hand the visitor will find some-
thing of charm, some shady walk or breezy
seashore, some upland that presents a fine sweep
of view. There is also Duff House, the
grounds of which include twining paths by the
Deveron side — a most beautiful river — winding
in and out on the way to the picturesque Bridge
of Alvah, that spans at one leap the deep gorge
that hems the river between its rocky walls.
Truly, Banff has decided attractions — attrac-
tions whxh will appeal to all who desire a quiet,
healthful scene, and these attractions deserve to
be more widely known. Cor.

Association of Park Superintendents. -
In the Gardeners' Chronicle for August 17 refer-
ence was made to the annual meeting of the
Society of Park Superintendents of America, and
the opinion was stated that a similar society
would be likely to succeed in this country. I
consider that the benefits to be derived from such
an association and the holding of a conference
annually, with lectures, &c, bearing upon the
management of public parks, would be very
helpful. I hope other superintendents will ex-
press their views, believing that the suggestion
made in the note already referred to should
be acted upon. The annual meeting could be
arrsngpH to hf> held in the metropolis the .first
year, and in important provincial towns after-
wards. .4. Waters, Queen's Park, Heywood,
near Manchester.

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

219

The Pink-flowered Clove Carnation.
— 1 have read with interest the correspondence
concerning the pink-flowering Clove Carnation.
I was concerned with the introduction of this new
variety, and I should like to stale the following
remarks. Mr. Woodgate, p. 205, says : "Mr. C.
Young correctly stated the origin of this variety,
and that the pink-llowered Clove Carnation men-
tioned by Mr. Alex. Dean, on p. 172, probably
came from Warren House." The original plant of
which Mr Dean wrote was lifted four years ago
from Winkfield Gardens, it being one of a batch
of seedlings of the old crimson Clo\e variety.
The same season it flowered at Kingston-on-
Thames. In all appearances, save that of colour,
it exactly resembles the crimson variety, and the
Warren House \ariety is totally different to the
one described by Mr. Dean. H . Hatcher, Winkfield,
Windsor.

It is evident from tie correspond-
ence which has followed upon my first reference
to the above-named Carnation, that what was
hitherto regarded as a very fixed and reliable
plant, viz., the old crimson Clove, was after all of
a very sportive nature, for pink-flowered varieties
appear to be fairly common ; whether all are identi-
cal in shade of colour has to be proved. Bui the odd
thing about these sports is that each person who
finds one seems to jump at once to the conclusion
that they alone have thus been favoured and that
all other similar sports must have originated from
their stock. If the crimson Clove has sported in
one place why should it not do so in twenty
places ? Mr. Woodgate may be assured that the
stock I referred to at Kingston Station did not
find its way there from Kingston Hill. The true
old Clove was brought to Kingston from Dorset,
and did not sport until after several years had
elapsed. I hope to procure plants later for trial
at Wisley. A. D.

Aconitum Napellus, var. eminens.

The accompanying photograph of this beauti-
ful Aconite was taken in Dr. Stapf's garden at
Hanover House, Kew, about the end of the
second week in August. The plant is figured in
the Botanical Magazine for September, tab. 8,152
(see Gardeners' Chronicle, p. 202). Dr. Stapf
states that it is by far the most handsome of the
numerous varieties of A. Napellus, and that it
appears to be confined to the limestone zone
of the Kifel Mountains in Rhenish Prussia. He
collected the tubers, from which the plant photo-
graphed was raised, on the banks of the River
Kyll, some miles from Gerolstein, in 1904.
There the plant grew most luxuriantly in rich,
deep soil, close to the water, in company with
\\ illows, the tallest specimen being about &\ feet
high. In another locality, on the slopes of a
hill called Auburg, to the west of Gerolstein, he
found it in almost impenetrable thickets of
Hazel, Cornus sanguinea, Viburnum Lantana,
and other shrubs. The tallest specimen in Dr.
Stapf's garden in 1907 reached a height of
more than 9 feet, an unusual size for an
Aconite. /. Hutchinson, Kew. [We regret that
the photograph is unsuitable for reproduction.—
Ed.]

Bravoa < Polianthes. — I enclose a photo-
graph of a bigeneric hybrid, which, I think, is
new. It is a cross between Bravoa gemini-
flora ? x Polianthes tuberosa 1 . The cross
was made in 1903, and six seeds resulted, which
all germinated, and the seedlings are now fully-
grown plants, but only one flowered this year.
The hybrids seem nearly, if not quite, as hardy as
the seed-parent, having passed the last two win-
ters in a cold greenhouse, from which frost was
barely excluded. This plant had a spike about 3
feet high (grown in a pot), with 25 flowers, which
are fairly intermediate in colour, size, and
form between the parents. The colour is a pale,
coppery, or salmon-cream. In Bravoa the
flowers hang down, and in the Tuberose are
semi-erect ; in this hybrid they are (when fully
out) horizontal. The bulb and roots showed
signs of the cross and also the leaves, which
are somewhat broader than those of Bravoa,
but the two plants are very similar in these
characters, and I have been surprised that they
should have been placed in different genera. I
suggest Bravanthes as a name for the hybrid.
I hope all the six plants will flower next year, and
I expect to see some differences in the flowers, as
the leaves are different, some being broader and
deeper green, and, in one case, much spotted
at the base. I also enclose the top part of the
spike of the hybrid with a spike of Bravoa

geminiflora for comparison. A. J. B. [We can-
not see that the flowers differ in any way from
typical Bravoa geminiflora. They have none of
the characters of Polianthes. In Polianthes the
ovary and fruit are half superior, the flower
white, \\ to 2 inches long, with large segments
half as long as the funnel-shaped tube, and the
anthers are scarcely exserted from the tube
of the perianth. In the specimen received the
ovary and fruit are quite inferior, the tube is
nearly cylindrical, and the segments very small.
In Bravoa the riper flowers are erect. — Ed.]

Cherry Laurel Timber.— Rarely has the

wood of the Common Laurel, Cerasus laurocera-
sus, been found of sufficient size to be used as
timber, though not long since I recorded the
s ile of some 40 tons of this wood from an estate
in the north of Ireland. Several of the stems
which I measured were fully 12 inches in dia-
meter at the root end, and the whole realised
55s. per ton, for use in the spinning mills at
Belfast. This timber was grown on a reclaimed
peat bog, from which peat for fuel had at one
time been cut. Recently the Earl of Charlemont,
when conducting me over his beautiful estates
of Drumcairne, informed me that he also had
sold a quantity of Laurel timber, but at about
double the price above recorded. The timber
is very heavy and durable. A. D. Webster.

Ants on a Lawn.— A fortnight ago we had
quite a plague of ants on the lawn and they
appeared to be destroying the grasses. I told my
gardener to thoroughly soak the infested portions
with water several times every day. The result
has surprised me, for now there are no ants to be
found The applications of cold water cannot
have killed them. I can only suppose that it made
their quarters so uncomfortable lhat they moved
somewhere else. F S., Suimouth, September 14.

Present Value of British Timber. — I

am sorry my experience in South Hants does
not agree with that of A. D. II' (see p. 193)
as lo the prices obtained for British grown
timber. In this neighbourhood it pays much
better to farm the land than to plant trees
of any kind, as is proved by the many acres of
woodland which have been grubbed of trees and
prepared for farm cultivation. Many persons have
of late suffered through the mistaken notions of
writers as to the future value of timber, and notably
Larch. With regard to the prices of various kinds
of woods, quoted by A D. If., the most I can
obtain for Oak is Is. 6d. per foot for trees of 50
cubic feet. If I could furnish a quantity of crooked
limbs, so valuable for yacht building, I could find
for these a ready market. Beech timber realises
here no higher price than lOd. per cubic foot for
trees containing from GO to 80 cubic feet Elm will
produce from 10d. up to Is. per cubic foot for
particularly good samp.es of large, clean growth.
Eor Scotch Pine 4d per foot is the average price
obtained, and Poplar timber, of big size, realises
no more. Even faggots, of a suitable size for heat-
ing ovens, can be readily bought for 8s. per 100.
Thus, it will be seen, the returns for timber in this
part offers no encouragement to the planter. E. M.,
South Hants.

Heliotrope "Lord Roberts." — This
grand Heliotrope is equally useful for bedding
purposes or for culture in pots. I have eight beds
filled with it. The plants are not taller than
12 inches, and they have trusses of bloom which
measure 10 inches across. The intense shade of
colour is all that can be desired in a " dark "
Heliotrope. A. E. Y R., Sudelcy Las: e.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

September 17. — The usual fortnightly meet-
ing of the Committees was held in the Vincent
Square Hall on Tuesday last. An excellent
display was made with plants and flowers,
amongst which the Dahlias, especially Cactus
Dahlias, were a prominent feature.

Orchids were fairly numerous, but there were
few novelties of outstanding merit, and the
Orchid Committee's awards consisted only of
one Botanical Certificate and two Awards of
Merit.

The Floral Committee recommended a Eir^t-
Class Certificate for the new spec es of Vibur-
num illustrated at fig. 95, and nine Awards of
Merit to varieties of Dahlias and Montbretias.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee did
not make any award to a novelty.

At the afternoon meeting a lecture on " Sedges
and Rushes for Ornamental Purposes," pre-
pared by Mr. W. Smyth, was read by the
Secretary.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. H. B. May, Geo. Nicholson, Jas.
Walker, Jno. Green, T. W. Turner, R. Hooper
Pearson, J. F. McLeod, Jas. Douglas, W. Howe,
C. Blick, J. T. Bennett-Poe, Walter T. Ware,
K W. Wallace, H. J. Cutbush, A. Turner, H. J.
Jones, T. W. Barr, C. E. Pea. son, E. H. Jen-
kins, W. J. James, George Paul, James Hudson,
and E. T. Cook.

Lord Salisbury, Hatfield House, Hatfield (gr.
Mr. Prime), displayed a group consisting of
more than 30 plants of the m ;u let-flowered
Clerodendron fallax. The plants exhibited good
culture, and were carrying large inflorescences.
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed a batch of Nephrolepis exaltata
var. Whitmanii, and another of the pink-flowered
Chironia exifera, with a few vases of Carnations
between the two groups.

Sir Edmund Loder, Leonardslee, Horsham,
Sussex (gr. Mr. W. A. Cooki, showed inflores-
cences of Hydrangea Hortensia with blue flowers.

Messrs. Wm. Bull & Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, exhibited showy ornamental-leaved
plants of stove and greenhouse species as a
setting to choice varieties of Cattleyas and other
Orchids. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Upper Edmonton,
exhibited plants of Bouvardias in variety, a
number of small plants of greenhouse Veronicas,
including several trained as standard specimens,
with choice varieties of greenhouse Ferns, small
Palms, Ficus radicans, &c. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, showed flowering sprays of Strepto-
carpus raised from seeds sown eight months
since. There were 27 distinct shades of colour-
ing and one of pure white amongst the seed-
lings, which represented an excellent strain of
this useful greenhouse flowering plant. Nerine
Fothergilli major was shown by Messrs. Veitch
in very large plants, some having 16 or 18 flower-
spikes. Sarracenia purpurea and Crowea lati-
folia major were also noticed in this exhibit. As
, a separate group, Messrs. Veitch showed hardy
plants from their Coombe Wood Nurserv, in-
cluding the new Viburnum rhytidophyllum,
ornamental fruited Crabs in fruit, remarkably
well-fruited shrubs of Hippophce rhamnoides,
many Hypericums, including the small-flowered
II. galioides ; Sambucus canadensis, a species
with a huge inflorescence ; Aralia spinosa in
flower ; Nandina domestica, a plant with hand-
some foliage ; Cydonia pygmea, and manv
others. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. & J. Brown, Stamford, showed
bunches of garden Roses, with plants of Kochia
scoparia interspersed. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond Nurseries,
Richmond, Surrey, showed hardy ornamental-
foliage plants in small pots, with small plants
of large flowering Clematis interspersed.

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., staged an assortment of varieties of the
Winter-flowering or American Carnations, with
two large vases of Lilium speciosum rubrum
at the back of the exhibit. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey,
exhibited vases of early flowering Chrysanthe-
mums of the market type, and including Nina
Blick ibronze) ; Miss B. Miller (yellow) ; Goa-
cher's Pride (white) ; Polly (bronze), an incurved
bloom ; Perle Chatillionaise (cream, faintly suf-
fused with pinkl, &c. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Kilnfield Gar-
dens, Colchester, showed a collection of Mont-
bretias of varieties raised by Mr. Geo. Davison,
and including Prometheus, Westwick, Ernest
Davison, Lutetia, King Edmund, and several
new varieties which are described under
Awards. Adjoining the Montbretias was an as-
sortment of seasonable hardy flowers, including
many spikes of Gladioli. (Silver-Gilt Banksian
Medal.)

Mr. Amos Perry, Enfield Chase, London, N.,
showed seasonable hardy flowers in variety.
We noticed flowering sprays of Potentifla
Hopwoodiana with expanded flowers, that

220

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 21, 1907.

are tinged with rose on a yellowish ground ;
the giant Rudbeckia, R. maxima ; Coreopsis ver-
ticillata with yellow flowers that are like a minia-
ture Sunflower ; Lilium auratum in variety ;
Pentstemons of many shades of colours ;
Stokesia cyanea; Chrysanthemum maximum,
and the charmmg dwarf Tritoma Macowanii,
with rich, orange-scarlet flowers. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Mr. Maurice Prichard, Christchurch, Hants,
exhibited an assortment of hardy flowers.
Hemerocallis flava " Dr. Regel " was very finely
shown ; also Montbretias in variety, Kniphofias,

Carter, Page, & Co., London Wall, London.
The exhibit extended along the entire end of the
building opposite the clock, and was arranged
in a very pleasing manner. The flowers were
principally of the Cactus type, and almost all
the best varieties were shown. At either end
were stands of single and Pompon varieties. The
whole was relieved with Grasses, small Palms,
and sprays of Ampelopsis. As a separate exhibit,
this firm displayed pot plants of Clematis in
flower, and small specimens of Ampelopsis
Veitchii, with autumnal colouring in the foliage.
(Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Fig. 95. — VIBURNUM RHYTIDOPHVLLUM : AWARDED a first-class certificate on
TUESDAY LAST WHEN SHOWN BY MESSRS. JAS. VEITCH AND SONS.

perennial Asters, Anemones, Phloxes, Liliums,
&c. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. Frank Brazier, Caterham Hardy Plant
Nurseries, exhibited hardy plants, such as per-
enial Asters, early-flowering Chrysanthemums,
Gladioli, Roses, Antirrhinums, Phloxes, and
many others. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

The exhibits of Dahlias were extensive, and
many new varieties of this seasonable flower
were presented for Awards. A large dis-
play of these flowers was shown by Messrs.

Mr. J. T. West, Tower Hill, Brentwood, dis-
played many beautiful varieties of Cactus
and Pompon-flowered Dahlias, with suitable
greenery. The blooms were of exceptionally high
quality, and were displayed in an artistic
manner. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, Middle-
sex, displayed a pretty exhibit of Cactus Dah-
lias, with several of the Paeony-flowered type in-
termixed. The best of these latter varieties is
the scarlet Souvenir de Gustave Douzon. At the

back of the exhibit were sprays of perennial
Asters in variety. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, exhibited
Cactus, Pompon-Cactus, single, and Pompon-
flowered Dahlias in many of the best varieties.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Chas. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough,
displayed a choice assortment of miniature Pom-
pon-flowered Dahlias, and exhibition boxes of
blooms of the larger show type. The Pompon
Dahlias were of especial merit. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk, s^pt
up a very extensive exhibit of Dahlias of the
single Paeony-flowered type, with a row of I ai_-
tus varieties as an edging to the group. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon., displayed show
and Cactus-flowered Dahlias of high quality in a
pretty setting of fancy baskets with Grasses and
other suitable foils. At the back of the Dahlias
were many excellent varieties of Anemone-
flowered or quilled China Asters. (Silver-Gilt
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Ches-
hunt, showed an assortment of Dahlias of most
types interspersed amongst sprays of ornamen-
tal trees and shrubs. Amongst the last-named
were fruiting sprays of Cotoneaster frigida, orna-
mental Crabs in variety, Weigela versicolor,
Purple-leaved Peach, Clerodendron trichotomum
in flower, ornamental-leaved Elder, Ligus-
trums, and many others.

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
made an extensive display with Cactus and
Paeony-flowered Dahlias. Among these latter
type notable varieties were Souvenir de Gustave
Douzon (scarlet), Mdlle. van den Dael (soft pink),
Grand Due Alexis (white), Papa Charmet (dark
crimson), and Yellow Colosse. The two last-
named varieties are new. (Silver Flora Medal.)

AWARDS.

A First-Class Certificate was awarded to

Viburnum rhytidophyllum. — This is a new
Chinese species introduced by Messrs. James
Veitch & Sons, and it is described in the Hortus
Veitchii published by that firm. It is an excel-
lent, hardy shrub, and its character may be seen
from the illustration at fig. 95, in which the very
large, much wrinkled leaves and immense
corymbs of flowers are well portrayed. The
plant exhibited by Messrs. Veitch on Tuesday
last was in fruit, and it showed that the fruits
set very freely. In colour they are first bright
red, but afterwards become of deepest purple or
black. (See Gardeners' Chronicle, June 30 1906,
p. 418.)

Awards of Merit were recommended to the
plants enumerated below: —

Montbretia King Edmund. — A yellow flowered
variety, apparently of very tall, vigorous habit,
the inflorescences branching freely. The flowers
are of large size, and they do not expand so fully
as most varieties.

M. Lady Hamilton. — This variety appeared
scarcely so tall. The flowers are an Apricot
shade of yellow, and in form are greatly supe-
rior to the much larger blooms seen in Prome-
theus. They do not expand so fully even as
those of the variety King Edmund, but have
some resemblance in form to Watsonias.

M. Lord Nelson. — A most effective variety with
orange-scarlet-coloured flowers, having yellow
centre, the exterior of the segments being of
dark crimson.

The three varieties of Montbretias were shown
by Major Petre, Norwich (gr. Mr. Davison),
who also raised the variety Prometheus. They
are excellent acquisitions to these desirable bor-
der plants.

All the following varieties of Dahlia are of the
Cactus-flowered type: —

D. " Flame." — A very large flower of orange-
red colour. Shown by Mr. H. Shoesmith,
Woking.

D. "Dorothy." — A pretty, light mauve-col-
oured flower with white centre. An attractive
variety of good form.

D. Ivernia. — A very large flower of orange
and pale-red tints.

D. Rev. A. Bridge. — This variety has yellow
flowers with reddish tips to the florets.

D. C. E. Wilkins. — A pretty flower of salmon y-
rose shade with straw-coloured centre. The
florets, being much rolled, appear extra narrow
and they incurve well towards the centre.

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

221

The four varieties mentioned immediately
above were shown by Messrs. J. Steedwick &
Son, St. Leonards.

D. Cynthia. — The shades of old gold and pale
red are very attractive in this variety, and in
addition the centre of the flower and the tips
of the florets are yellow. Shown by Messrs. T.
S. Ware, Ltd.

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the chair),
and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec), Harry J.
Veitch, H. Little, W. Boxall, R. G. Thwaites,
A. A. McBean, H. T. Pitt, \V. P. Bound, A.
Dye, J. Charlesworth, W. H. Young, H. G.
Alexander, W. H. White, H. A. Tracy, H. Bal-
Untitle, F. G. Hanbury, R. Brooman-White, W.
Cobb, W. A. Bilney, and F. M. Ogilvie.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton Brad-
ford, staged a group in which home-raised hy-
brids, and introduced species were equally
well represented. Amongst novelties staged
were Sophro-Cattleya Marcus (C. Enid X
Sophro-Cattleya Calypso), a pretty flower,
with orange-ground colour, tinged with rose ;
the centre of the lip is a bright shade
of yellow, the margin being flaked with rose ;
Sophro-Laelia Leda (L. prasstans X S.-L. Gra-
trixiae) of bright rose-purple colour ; and Sophro-
Cattleya Antiochus (see Awards). The centre of
the group was furnished with finely-flowered
plants of Vanda Kimballiana, and a pleasing
effect was made by a number of the handsome
Cattleya Iris, and some pretty hybrid Odonto-
glossums, including O. Phcebe and O. Othello.
Other showy-flowered hybrids noted were the
very handsome Cypripedium Daisy Barclay,
Cattleya Cermania, C. Fabia, and Brasso-
Cattleya Madame Chas. Maron. At one end of
the exhibit was a selection of varieties of Den-
drobium Phalaenopsis, including D. P. Roth-
schildianum, a white form, with pink vein-
ing on the lip ; and of curious species were the
elegant Bulbophyllum hirtum, Megaclinium fal-
catum, Cainmaridium ochroleucum, the rare
white Eria stellata, &c. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, staged a group
of Orchids, in which many varieties of Laelio-
Cattleya Bletchlevensis and L.-C. Haroldiana
were prominent features ; all the flowers varied
considerably in their colouring. In addition to
these were good specimens of L.-C. Hermione,
L.-C. Wellsiana, L.-C. Tenos, several forms of
Cattleya Browniae, and other showy hybrids. Of
Cypripediums we noticed C. James H. Veitch,
C. H. Ballantine, C. Rothschildiano-superbiens,
C. Xuma variety nigra, &c. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Major G. L. IIolford, CLE., C.V.O., Wes-
tonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed a se-
lection of choice hybrids, including Brasso-
Cattleya Pluto (C. granulosa x B. Digbyana),
a very remarkable flower, with sea-green
coloured sepals and petals, and a massive white
lip bearing rose-coloured markings on the front ;
Laelia amcena (pumila X anceps), which showed
much of the form of L. anceps ; Brasso-Laelio-
Cattleya Hippocrates (L.-C. "Hippolyta x B.
Digbyana), rosy-lilac in colour, with a greenish-
yellow coloured disc ; and Cypripedium Cynthia
(Charlesworthii x Chamberlainianum):

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford (gr. Mr.
W. II. White), showed a finely-flowered speci-
men of the handsome Cattleya Hardyana mar-
morata, a variety having a pale-yellow ground
colour that is freckled with rose ; the lip is of a
deep claret-crimson, with gold veining ; Laelio-
Cattleya Proserpine (L. Dayana x C. velutina) ;
Cattleya Ashtonii superba, Cycnoches peruvia-
num, Catasetum fimbriatum, and C. callosum.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, staged a
group composed principally of showy hybrid
Cattlevas and Laelio-Cattleyas. Cattleya Pitti-
ana rubra is a finely-coloured variety ; C. Cas-
trceana (Loddigesii x Hardyana) had pretty
lilac-tinted flowers and a broad, white labellum
that possesses a yellow centre ; C. Iris inversa
was represented by several showy forms, all hav-
ing a shorter isthmus in the lip than in the
plant raised from the original cross. Of the
Laelio-Cattlevas, the finest was L.-C. BletcHey-
. ensis " Illuminator" (F.C.C., July 21, 1903), with
bronzy, rose-tinted sepals and petals, and a glow-
ing claret-crimson coloured lip. Good forms of
Cypripedium Godefroyae leucochilum and others
were also shown in this group. (Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Moore, Ltd., Rawdon, Leeds, staged
a group including good forms of Cattleya Ins,
Odonotoglossum VYilckeanum, &c. The species
included a specimen of the light-blue Vanda
ccerulea, Ccelogyne ocellata, C. corrugata,
Lycaste xytriophora with several flowers, a
pretty spotted form of Odontoglossum crispum,
and several other Odontoglossums ; Oncidium
crispum aureum, with very beautiful yellow
flowers, the brown markings being faintly indi-
cated, and a very fine and distinctly marked
variety of Vanda suavis. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, exhibited a pleasing group of Orchids,
the centre of the exhibit being composed of
about fifty plants of Cattleya Iris (bicolor X
aurea) from the parents crossed both ways. The
variety inversa, the seed-bearing plant of which
was C. aurea, has round flowers with short
isthmus to the lip. The flowers of this
and useful Cattleya vary remarkably in colour,
but the crimson, purple or rose-coloured label-
lums are always bright. C. Armstrongiae (Lod-
digesii violacea X Hardyana) is also a pretty
variety and lasts for a long period in flower,
thus proving valuable as a decorative plant.
Several forms of C. Armstrongiae were shown.
Also a good selection of Dendrobium Phalae-
nopsis, a number of hybrid Cypripediums, in-
cluding C. Kimballianum, C. Milo, " Cobb's
variety," and the richly-coloured C. Fowleria-
num ; a selection of Odontoglossum crispum ;
the curious Bulbophyllum Godseffianum, &c.
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. William Bull & Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, in the centre of their group arranged
a. selection of hybrid Orchids in a setting of
showy foliage plants. Among the Orchids
were forms derived from Cattleya aurea x C.
granulosa Schofieldiana, L.-C. elegans X C.
Warscewiczii, &c.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Wok-
ing (gr. Mr. Hopkins), displayed Cattleyas \l
Frederick Knollys (granulosa Buyssoniana X
Bowringiana) — a very distinct and pretty flowei
with purple sepals and petals. The lip has a
white tube that is slightly tinged with rose, the
rounded front lobe is coloured violet-purple,
and has darker lines on a sulphur-yellow
ground in the centre; and C. Adula "Mrs.
Francis Wellesley" (bicolor X Hardyana), a
pleasing flower, the sepals of which are
gieenish-buff, tinged with rose, the petals
bronzy in the middle, the blades tinged and
veined with rose. The lip has the short blush-
v.lute side lobes closed over the thick white
column, the front being coloured ruby-purple
with orange markings on the isthmus.

F. MENTEITH Ogilvie, Esq., The Shrubbery,
Oxford (gr. Mr. Balmforth), sent Laelio-Cattleya
W. Balmforth (C. Warneri x L.-C. Callisto-
glossa), a variety resembling a very large-
flowered form of C. Warneri, and the
pretty Sophro-Laelia Gratrixiae magnifica. (See
Awards.)

Mr. Percy B. Awcock, Leatherhead, showed
a plant of Odontoglossum grande carrying seven
flowers on one spike.

Monsieur Mertens, Mont St. Amand, Ghent,
showed two specimens of Miltonia vexillana
Leopoldii, other varieties of Miltonia vexillaria
and two hybrid Odontoglossums.

AWARDS.
Awards of Merit.

Sophro-Lalia Gratrixia magnifica ( Sophronitis
grandi flora x Ldlia tencbrosa). — A pretty dwarf
hybrid with neat flowers, having a great resem-
blance to a small but braaa-petauea i.. icuc-
brosa, and certainly one of the best results
yet obtained from using that species as a parent.
The plant had four flowers and one flower-
bud. The sepals and petals are a pale
reddish-buff, with a darker red veining. The
lip is a pale shade of rose, and is heavily
marked with purplish red. From F. Menteith
Ogilvie, Esq., The Shrubbery, Oxford (gr. Mr.
Balmforth).

Sopitro-Cat/leya "Antiochus" (C. Warscewiczii
X S.-C. Cleopatra ). — A pretty and dwarf hybrid
with comparatively large flowers thus indicating
the influence of both parents. The sepals and
petals are coloured a bright purplish-rose, with
a yellowish ground colour ; the disc of the lip is
a chrome yellow, the tips of the side lobes and
the crimped-edged front being coloured ruby-
crimson. From Messrs. Charlesworth & Co.,
Bradford.

Botanical Certificate.
Epidendrum campylostalix. — A singular
species with glaucous green pseudo-bulbs and
leaves, and decurved spikes of yellowish
flowers that are tinged with chocolate colour,
the lip being whitish. From Sir Trevor Law-
rence, Bart. (gr. Mr. W. H. White.)

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present. — A. H. Pearson (in the chair), and
Messrs. Jos. Cheal, H. Markham, Alex. Dean,
Geo. Keif, A. R. Allan, R. Lye, W. Fyfe, W.
Pope, H. Parr, J. Davis, John Lyne, P. D.
Tucker, J. Jacques, J. Willard, J. Mclndoe,
Chas. Foster, W. H. Divers, and W. Poupart.

The University College, Reading (garden
superintendent, Mr. C. Foster) exhibited a very
large and meritorious display of fruits, includ-
ing Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Tomatos,
and Melons. Among the Apples were good
specimens of the varieties Allington Pippin, Bis-
marck, James Grieve, Warner's King, 1'easgood
Nonsuch, Ribston Pippin, Blenheim Pippin, and
Lady Sudeley. The Pears included good
samples of Durondeau, Williams' Bon Chretien,
and Conference. Of Plums we noticed choice
fruits of Monarch and Magnum Bonum. (Silver-
(iilt lianksian Medal.)

Messrs. S. Spooner & Sons, Hounslow Nur-
series, Hounslow, staged a collection of hardy
fruits — Apples, Rears, Plums, and fruits of a
species of Rubus, known as Strawberry x Rasp-
berry. Lady Sudeley Apple was finely coloured.
A basket of very good fruits of Potts' Seedling
Apple was also noticed. Duchess of Gloucester,
Cardinal, and Bismarck were other good dishes
of Apples shown in this display. (Silver
Knightian Medal.)

Mr. L. Lockwood, Low Hill, Lindley, Hud-
dersfield, showed 13 varieties of culinary Peas.
The largest pods were those of the variety Quite
Content; Centenary is also a large-podded
variety with very deep sutures that causes the
pods to be very broad ; Edwin Beckett is a fine
type of pod. Sharp's Standard, Distinction,
Masterpiece, Gradus, Prince Edward, Duke of
Albany, The Belle, and Alderman are all of
first-class quality. The pods were beautifully
green, and their contents in the best edible con-
dition. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

A collection of some lesser known varieties
of Apples was exhibited from the Society's
gardens at Wisley. The fruits were not
quite at their best season ; the most notable
kinds were Mrs. Barron, Chas. Ross, Frogmore
Prolific, The Queen, Fraise d'HofEnger, Queen
Caroline, and Verder's Golden Reinette.

A new highly-coloured Apple named Red Vic-
toria was shown by Mr. G. W. Miller, Clark-
son Nurseries, Wisbech. The variety would be
welcomed by those persons who prefer an
Apple with a very acid flavour.

Mr E. G. Loder, Leonardslee, Horsham, Sus-
sex (gr. Mr. W. A. Cook I showed a box of well-
cultivated Pears of the Williams' Bon Chretien
variety, and another of Worcester Pearmain
Apple.

Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, Sur-
rey, showed several fruits of his new Cucum-
ber " Market Rival," a variety raised from
Bounteous x Rochford's Market.

ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICUL-
TURAL.

The following awards were granted to non-
competitive exhibits at the society's recent show,
a report of which was published in our last
issue : —

Large Gold Medal to Messrs. Storrie &
Storrie, Dundee.

Gold Medals to Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Read-
ing, and to Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay.

Silver-Gilt Medals to Messrs. Blackmore ■'i
Langdon, Bath ; Robert Bolton, Warton, Carn-
forth; Cunningham, Fraser & Co., Edinburgh .
John Downie, Edinburgh ; John Forbes,
Hawick ; Methven & Son, Edinburgh ; Laird &
Sons, Ltd., Edinburgh.

Silver Medals to Messrs. J. Cocker & Sons,
Aberdeen ; Dickson & Son, Edinburgh ; T. S.
Ware, Ltd., Feltham, Middlesex ; Thos. Dar-
lington, Warton, Carnforth ; Henry Eckford,
Wem ; Gunn & Sons, Olton, Birmingham ; A
Lister & Son, Rothesay.

Bronze Medals to Messrs. M. Campbell & Son,
High Blantyre ; D. McOmish, Crieff ; W. Wells
& Co., Merstham, Surrey.

222

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 21, 1907.

LONDON DAHLIA UNION.

September 12, 13. — The annual exhibition of
this society was held on the foregoing dates in
the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park. The
show was a decided success, and ranked amongst
the best held under this society's auspices. Com-
petition in the various classes was keen, and the
competitors included most of the leading firms
and amateurs who make a speciality of this
flower.

Open Classes.

Show Dahlias. — The best twenty-four blooms
of show Dahlias were shown by Mr. J Walker,
Thame, Oxon, in competition with three other
exhibitors. He was followed by Mr. Chas.
Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough ; Messrs.
Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, being
placed 3rd. The flowers in the premier exhibit
•included Plutarch, Roy Seale, William Raw-
lings, Golden Gem, Wm. Keith, Mrs. W. Slack,
John Nicholson, Chieftain, The Reverend, T. W.
Girdlestone, Florence Tranter, Arthur Raw-
lings, Comte de la Saux, James Cocker, John
Walker, Virginale, &c.

Messrs. Joseph Cheal & Sons, Crawley, won
the 1st prize for 24 blooms of Show Dahlias
with excellent flowers of very rich colouring.
Especially fine were the varieties T. W. Girdle-
stone, Mrs. Saunders, William Rawlings, and
Warrior. 2nd, Mr. J. R. Tranter, Henley-on-
Thames. Four exhibitors contested in this class.

Cactus Dahlias. — The class for 12 varieties
of this type, shown in bunches of six blooms of
each variety, attracted six ex! ibitors, and proved
a good competition. The best display was put up
by Messrs. Stredwick & Son, Silverhill Park,
St. Leonards-on-Sea, who showed Ivernia,
Etruria, Dr. G. G. Gray, Miss .Hills, Dorothy,
Rev. A. Bridge, Uranius, Alfred Dyer, William
Marshall, &c. 2nd, Mr. H. Shof.smith, Wok-
ing, Surrey, with Flame, a new scarlet-coloured
variety, C H. Curtis, Daisy Staples, H. Shoe-
smith, kc. 3rd, Mr. Walker.

A class was provided for 24 blooms of Cactus
Dahlias, to be shown on exhibition boards.
Messrs. Stredwick & Son were again to the
fore, surpassing three other exhibitors, the
second best collection being shown by Messrs.
J. Burrell & Co., Cambridge. Messrs.
Stredwick showed high-class flowers of such
beautiful varieties as Wm. Marshall, Mrs. F.
Grinsted, Lustre, Recam, Dr. G. G. Gray,
Harold Teerman, Dorothy, C. E. Wilkins, &c.

Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, Sur-
rey, won the 1st prize for 12 blooms of Cactus
Dahlias, shown on boards, with the varieties
Crepuscule, H. W. i-illem. Clincher, Thos.
Parker, T. A. Haveymeyer, Hyacinth, Mont
Blanc, Mrs. Grinsted, Mrs. G. Stevenson, The
Pilot, Referee, and J. B. Riding. 2nd, Mr.
M. V. Seale, Sevenoaks. Four groups were
staged in this class.

The best three vases of Cactus Dahlias, each
■vase containing nine blooms, were shown by
Mr. John Walker, amongst five competitors.
His blooms were of fine quality, and they were
relieved with sprays of grasses, ornamental
foliage, berried shoots. &-c. The varieties were
Mont Blanc, Clincher (pink), and Conrad
(scarlet). 2nd, Mr. Seale.

Pompon Dahlias. — The class for 12 varieties
of these miniature flowers attracted six com-
petitors. Generally the exhibits were of high
qual ty, but the choicer flowers were shown
by Mr. C. Turner, Slough, his examples being
very small in size, of best form, and rich in
colouring. He showed Bacchus, Marv, Darkest
of All, Phyllis, Marietta, Thnra, Cyril, Hecla,
Montague, San Toy, Mercia, &c. 2nd, Mr.
Walker, Thame.

Single Dahlias. — The best 12 varieties of
these flowers, in bunches of six blooms, were
shown by Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons. The 1st
prize group included the varieties Hector, Snow-
drop, Columbine, Princess of Wales, Victoria,
Kitty, Fugi San, Stromboli. F.clipse, Rosebank,
Scarlet and Leslie Seale. 2nd, Rev. S. S.
Pf.arce, Coombe Vicarage, Woodstock, Oxon.,
with Mikado, Leslie Seale, Snowdrop, Colum-
bine, Miss Moreland, Tommy. Darkness, &c.

Amateurs' Classes.
The displays from amateur growers were very
numerous, and most of the classes in this section
were well contested. The "Hobbies" Challenge
Cup, offered for nine varieties of Cactus Dahlias
in bunches of three blooms, was won by Mr. W.

Stephens, Isleworth, Middlesex, last year's
winner, Mr. W. E. Peters, being 2nd on this
occasion.

A very fine stand of blooms was shown by
Mr. S. Cooper, The Hamlet, Chippenham, in
the class for four varieties of Cactus Dahlias,
and with which he secured the 1st prize. The
varieties were Pearl, J. B. Riding, J. H. Jackson,
and Mrs. Macmillan. Mr. Stephens was 2nd in
this class, and he was 1st for 12 blooms of
Cactus Dahlias shown on boards in competition
with seven other exhibitors.

Mr. G. Davidson, Thornton Heath, was 1st
for Pompon Dahlias, and the Rev. Pearce ex-
hibited the best stand of single Dahlias.

AWARDS.

First-class Certificates were awarded to the
following varieties: — Hildegard (Pompon),
shown by Mr. Turner, Slough ; Peggy (single),
Brilliant (single), both shown by Messrs. J.
Cheal & Sons, Crawley; Mrs. Walker Baxter
(Cactus), shown by Mr. J. T. West, Brent-
wood; Flame (Cactus), shown by Mr. H. Shoe,
smith, Woking ; Mercury (Cactus), C. E. Wil-
kins (Cactus), and Rev. A. Bridge (Cactus), the
last three varieties shown by Messrs. J. Stred-
wick & Sons, St. Leonards.

Dcafi Memorial Medals. — The winner of this
medal in the amateur classes was Mr. F. H.
Cooper, Chippenham, for his exhibit of 12
blooms of show Dahlias in Class 22.

Mr. John Walker, Thame, Oxon., was
awarded a similar medal in the nurserymen's
classes for his exhibit of 24 blooms of show
Dahlias.

Non- Competitive Exhibits.

These were numerous, and generally of very
high merit, not the least pleasing feature being
their attractive manner of staging. Mr. Ll.
Gwillim, New Eltham, Kent, showed flowers
of tuberous-rooting Begonias. (Gold Medal. I
Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, showed
an excellent exhibit of Dahlias. (Large Gold
Medali. Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham Nurseries.
Norfolk, showed Dahlias, including flowers of
the Pasony-flowered type ; and an assortment of
Roses. (Large Gold Medal.) Messrs. Spooner
& Sons, Hounslow, showed hardy fruit, includ-
ing Apples, Pears, Plums, &c. (Silver-Gilt
Medal, i Mr. J. T. West, Brentwood, showed
an assortment of Dahlias of most types. (Large
Gold Medal.) Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., Cam-
bridge, showed Gladioli and seasonable hardy
flowers. (Gold Medal.) Messrs. J. S. Groves
& Son, Ham, Surrey, exhibited improved var e-
ties of Chrysanthemum maximum. (Silver-Gilt
Medal. I Sir. W. Stephens, Isleworth, dis-
played Dahlias in variety. (Silver-Gilt Medal. I
Mr. Sage, Richmond, showed floral designs and
horticultural sundries. (Silver Medal.) Mr.
Williams, Ealing, exhibited flower displayers,
&C. iSilver Medal.)

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

September 12. — A conference on the subject of
"Examinations for Gardeners" was held under
the auspices of the above association on this date.
The meeting was held in the Museum of the
Royal Botanic Society, Regent's Park, under the
presidency of Mr. Geo. Gordon, V.M.H. '1 hi-.
proceedings were opened by Mr. Chas. Foster, of
University College Gardens, Reading, who claimed
that the benefits to be derived from the study
necessary to enable a person to compete in a
public examination were beneficial. By becoming
conversant with the proper method of answering
questions set at an examination, a correct style is
cultivated, which enables one to write a clear and
intelligent application when answering an adver-
tisement for a situation. A badly written letter is
often a deterrent in obtaining a new post, and
an illiterate person is passed over for one of
better education. The many opportunities open
to young gardeners in the form of debating
societies, technical institutions, good literature,
and the like, should be taken advantage of, for
increased knowledge enables a gardener to better
explain questions on gardening when such are
asked by his employer, and if a gardener can
interest his employer he has accomplished much.
A gardener should'seek to elevate himself, and one
means to this end is the acquirement of increased
knowledge. Mr. Foster warned his hearers not to
allow their search for theoretical knowledge to be
pursued at the expense of practical gardening.

Mr. Hawes agreed with the first speaker in the
need for examinations for young gardeners. A
gardener should be able to express himself clearly
on any subject connected with his work, and
although there were many excellent gardeners who
were illiterate, the best positions in the future
would go to those men who combined their practice
with the ability to express themselves intelligently,
if need be, on paper. Speaking later on the subject
of selection of examiners, Mr. Hawes advocated
examinations that were partly practical, partly
oral, and partly written The examiners should
consist of men who hold an impartial position in
the horticultural world. On no account should a
botanist be employed to examine a gardener.
Examinations in gardening should be c nfined to
gardeners. At the present time examinations in
horticulture are open to any person who may read
up the subject, and pass high on the li t eveu
though he or she may possess no knowledge what-
ever of the practice of gardening.

Mr. Geo. Gordon (chairman) stated that al-
though there are many good gardeners who can-
not even read or write, it has become necessary in
these days of liberal education to be able to express
oneself intelligently on paper. He deplored the
fact that there were so many persons who could
not write legibly, and he considered there had
been no advance in recent years in the art of writ-
ing. In Scotland, good penmanship was a general
rule, and he believed one reason why Scotch
gardeners were so successful in obtaining good
situations in gardening, was that they were able to
express themselves intelligently when applying for
the post.

Several other speakers contributed to the debate.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

September 16.— The Executhe Committee o£
this society held a meeting at Carr's Restaurant,
Strand, on the above date. Mr. E. F. Hawes
presided. A letter was read from Messrs. Wtbb
& Son offering prizes for vegetables which were
accepted for the 1908 show. The Bush Hill Park,
Marlpool and Langley. Lancaster and District, and
the Reigate and District societies were admitted in
affiliation. Finance occupied some attention, and
a Dinner Committee was appointed to carry out
the details as to the time and place for holding the
annual dinner. Seventeen new members and two
fellows were elected.

The Floral Committee met on Monday, Sept 10,
when First-Class Certificates were awarded to the
following varieties : —

C. J. ]. Hint, an early flowering decorative
variety. Flowers bright yellow with pale reverse,
very full, but the florets are rather short.

C. Carmelite, an early flowering border variety of
deep yellow colour. The flowers are somewhat
small. The plant is dwarf and of free flowering
habit.

C. Wells' Scarlet, a decorative variety of a shade
of bright chestnut with crimson shading, and
bronze reverse. The flowers are of medium size.
These varieties were exhibited by Messrs. Wells
& Co., Merstham.

ORSETT & DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL
AND HORTICULTURAL.

September 5. — The 13th annual show of the
above society was held on this date in the park of
Orsett Hall, by permission of the president,
F. H. D. C. Whitmore, Esq. The grounds of
the residence were also open for the inspection of
visitors to the show. Two large marquees were
filled with horticultural produce.

Mr. C. Butcher (gr. to E. J. Goldsmith, Esq.,
Grays), was a successful exhibitor. He won the
1st prize for three exotic Ferns with well-grown,
healthy plants, including a nice plant of Dicksonia
anlarctica ; the 1st prize for four stove and green-
house plants, for two plants of Fuchsias, for two
pot-plants of Liliums, and for 12 spikes of Gladioli.
The same exhibitor won 2nd prizes in several

cl clSSCS

Mr. W. Beard, Chadwell St. Mary, had the
best four specimens of tuberous-rooting Begonias.

Mr. G. Hills, West Tilbury, won in the class
for stove plants; 2nd, Mr. E. Neighbour (gr. to
F. H. D. C. Whitmore, Esq.).

In the classes for fruit, Mr. C. Butcher won the
1st prize for three var eties of indoor fruits with
good examples of Black Hamburgh Grapes, a
Melon, and Nectarines ; 2nd, Mr. T. Ripgwell,
Orsett.

Mr. W. Sutton, Orsett, had the best eight
dishes of hardy fruits ; 2nd, Mr. Ridgwell.

September 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

223

In the class for four dishes, Mr. H. Co.ningsby,
Stanford-le-Hope, was easily ist.

Mr. W. Gray won the 1st prize in a class for
two bunches of Grapes, with medium-sized, com-
pact bunches of the variety Black Hamburgh.

Apples were well shown. Mr. Sutton was
awarded the 1st prize for a dish of 12 Apples.

In the classes devoted to cut flowers, Mr. J.
Britton was 1st for 8 bunches of hardy flowers
shown in vases; 1st for 12 blooms of Dahlias;
and for 12 blooms of Cactus Dahlias.

Vegetables were well represented, the most
noteworthy exhibit being Mr. C Butcher's 1st
prize collection of nine kinds. H. II'. W.

ABERDARE HORTICULTURAL.

August 29. — This society held its annual
show in Abernant Park, Aberdare, on this date.
The exhibition was one of the largest and most
successful the society has held, and an extra
tent was required to accommodate the exhibits.
The quality of the display generally was of high
merit, and good competition was seen. Non-
competitive exhibits were numerous and of muc'i
excellence. Messrs. Case Brothers, Cardiff,
contributed a display of floral designs, for
which a Gold Medal was awarded. Mr.
William Treseder, Cardiff, arranged an ex-
hibit, which included a fine collection of show
and Cactus Dahlias. Another beautiful exhibit,
consisting of a large group of miscellaneous
flowering and ornamental-leaved plants, was
arranged by Mr. Farmer, gardener to the
Marquis of Bute, Cardiff Castle.

Groups of plants. — The chief class for plants
was that for a collection of miscellaneous sub-
jects, arranged for effect in a space measuring
80 square feet. Three exhibitors competed, and
of these Mr. E. Jackman, gardener to W. F.
Parry de Winton, Esq., Aberdare, was
awarded the 1st prize for a tastefully arranged
group, composed chiefly of Campanulas, Im-
patiens, Begonias, Achimenes, Gloxinias, Or-
chids, &c, intermixed with suitable ornamental-
leaved subjects. 2nd, G. C. James, Esq.,
Gwaelody Garth, Merthyr Tydvil, with a simi-
lar, though somewhat crowded, arrangement.
The best four ornamental foliage plants were
shown by F. W. Mander, Esq., Glanynys,
Aberdare, in Phcenix rupicola, I.antania bor-
bonica, Codiaeum (Croton), Queen Victoria, and
Pandanus Veitchii. This gentleman showed
the best stove and greenhouse plants in blossom,
being closely followed in this class by M. W.
Amesbury, Esq. The class for six stove and
greenhouse Ferns made a good competition.
Mr. S. Lawrance, gardener to W. J. Rees,
Esq., Mayesffynon, Aberdare, was placed 1st.
He showed Adiantum sanctae Catherinae, A.
concinnum latum, Davallia Mooreana, Nephro-
lepis Piersonii, N. exaltata, and Phlebodium
aureum. 2nd, Mr. Amesbury.

Cut flowers. — Mr. Stephen Treseder, nur-
seryman, Cardiff, was the only exhibitor of 12
varieties of Tea or Noisette Roses, and he
secured the 1st prize with a splendid set of fresh
blooms, including the varieties Muriel Grahame,
White Maman Cochet, Lady Roberts, Hon.
Edith Gifford, Innocente Pirola, Mrs. S.
Treseder, and Cathe ineMermet. Mr. Treseder
staged the only exhibit of 12 Hybrid Per-
petual and Hybrid-Tea Roses, three blooms of
each. He showed good blooms of Duchess of
Portland, Countess of Caledon, Caroline
Testout, Hugh Dickson, &c.

There was strong competition in a class for
12 vases of Sweet Peas. Mr. Jackman, gar-
dener to W. F. Parry de Winton, Esq., won
the 1st prize with a fine set of fresh blooms.
2nd, Mr. Greening, gardener to the Rev. W.
Wll i.ett. In a similar class for which Mr.
St. Eckford, Wem, offered prizes, Mr. Jackman
was again 1st.

Mr. Greening had the best 12 blooms of
Dahlias of Cactus varieties. 2nd, Mrs. Rees.
Glandare.

T. W. Thomas, Esq., won in the class for
Carnations. 2nd, Mr. Greening.

Fruit. — Mr. Thomas, gardener to the Marquis
of Bute, Abernant, was placed 1st for six dishes
of fruits, with good bunches of Madresfield
Court and Foster's Seedling Grapes, Stirling
v-astle Peaches, Lord Napier Nectarines, Pears,
and Victoria Plums. 2nd, Mr. Muscott.

Mr. Curtis, gardener to T. G. Cartwright,
Esq-, Fairwater, Llandaff, showed the finest

white Grapes in the variety Mrs. Pearson, hav-
ing bunches of unusually good quality ; and the
same exhibitor won in the class for two bunches
of black Grapes with good, medium-sized
bunches of Madresfield Court.

Mr. Curtis was 1st both for dessert and
culinary Plums, and he was closely followed in
each class by Mr. Thomas.

Vegetables— A. class was provided for a collec-
tion of nine dishes. Mr. Thomas excelled in
this class with choice Cauliflowers, Onions,
Tomatos, Potatos, Carrots, Celery, Leeks, Peas,
and Runner Beans. 2nd, Mr. Muscott.

In the class for a collection of Potatos, Mr.
Jenkin Morgan, Margam, was awarded the 1st
prize for a splendidly-grown selection of leading
varieties. 2nd, Mr. H. Coate, Keinton Mande-
ville, Somerset.

<5>i)ttuan>.

TRADE NOTICE.

MESSRS. H. B. MAY & SONS.
We are informed that Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Dyson's
Road Nurseries, Upper Edmonton, have purchased the
goodwill and a large pari of the stock of the well-known
Fern growers, YV. & J. Birkenhead, of Sale, near Man-
chester. Messrs. May Si Sons have greatly increased their
stock of British and exotic Ferns in recent years.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Correspondents arerequesttd to write the name* of persons
and places as leglbh as possible. No charge is
made for time announcements, but if a small contri
is sent, to be placed in out collecting Box for the Gardeners'
Orphan Fund, it will be thankfully received and acknow-
ledged in these columns.

Mr. A. Clarke, as Gardener to C. Billvard Leake, Esq.,

Harefield Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex.
Mr. C. F. Mowi., for many years Gardener to the late Ml >.
Charles Edwards, Dolserau Hall, Dolgellv, N. Wale-.
as Gardener to Sir Francis Winnincton, Bart., Stanford
Court, Worcester.
Mr. G. Breine, for the past 3 years Foreman in the
Pleasure Grounds at Bear Wood, Wokingham, as
Gardener to Morgan S. Williams, Esq., St. Donat 's
Castle, Lantwit, Lantwit Major, Glamorgan.
Mr. W. E. Wright, for the past 12 months in the Gardens
at Llanharan House. South Wales, as Gardener to
Captain Walters, R.N., Caer Llan, nr. Monmouth.
(Many thanks for the donation to R.G.O.F.)
Mr. H. Wheeler, recently Gardener to the Marquis of
Winchester, Amport, St. Mary's, Andover, as Gardener
to Mrs. Jenner, Wenvoe Castle, near Cardiff, Glamor-
ganshire.
Mr. G. Ferguson, for the past 2 years employed in the
Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Wisley, and
previously five years General Foreman at Tylney Hall,
\S inchfield, Hants., as Gardener to Sir Richard Brooke,
Bart., of Norton Priory, Runcorn, Cheshire.
Owing to the death of Mrs. Dunlop, " Red Oaks," Henfield,
Sussex, Mr. Stephen Solly is leaving that place, after
17 years' service, to take up the position of Gardener to
H. Clarke-Jervoise, Esq., J.P., Chelwood Beacon,
L'ckfield, Sussex.
Mr. E. Slavin, previously Inside Foreman at Hawarden
Castle and Sudbury Hall, and General Foreman at
Glenstal Castle, Limerick, and Carrigoran, Newmarket-
on-Fergus, Co. Clare, as Gardener to Ladv Maurice
Fitzgerald, Johnstown Castle, Wexford.
Mr. C. J. Norris, late Gardener to the Lady Mary
Herbert, Styche, Market Drayton, as Gardener to
Sir Lees Knowles, Bart., Westwood, Pendlebury, Man-
chester.
Mr. D. F. Debnam. as Gardener to H. G. Grazebrook, Esq.,

of Thenford, near Banbury, Oxford.
Mr. A. Durbidge, formerly Gardener to Sir Bampfylde
Fuller, The Hermitage. Wyke, Winchester, as Gar-
dener to C. H. Short, Esq., Greenwoods, South View,
Tickenham, Clevedon, Somerset.
Mr. J. H. Herdman, previously in charge of the Orchid
department at Coundon Court, Coventry, and previously
Foreman at Scampston Hall. Yorks, as Gardener and
Orchid Grower to G. Shorland Ball, Esq., Under Fell,
Burton, Westmoreland.
Mr. Charles Hines. previously Foreman at Wood Sea,
Virginia Water, Surrey, as Gardener to Captain Royce
Tomkin, Little Haugh, Norton, Bury St. Edmunds,
Suffolk.
Mr. Robert Watson, of Messrs. James Dickson & Sons,
Inverleith Nurseries, Edinburgh, and formerly Foreman
in the gardens of Lord Hamilton, of Dalzell. Mother-
well, as Gardener to Lady Victoria Rowe, Thorncroft,
Guildford, Surrey.
Mr. W. Stabler, for the past 4 years Foreman at Matfen
Hall, Corbridge-on-Tyne, Northumberland, as Gardener
to S. H. Eraser, Esq.. Whinney House, Low Fell,
County Durham.
Mr. T. J. Veal, late of the Royal Gardens, Kew, as Gardener
to W. H. Perkin. Esq., Hillsborough, Yelverton, Devon.
Mr. J.E. Arnold, for the past 15 months Foreman in the
gardens at Draycot Park, Chippenham, as Gardener to
Colonel Hornsby-Draki , Compton House, Calne, Wilts.
Mr. William Leith, late Foreman at Downside Gardens,
Leatherhead, as Gardener to Captain Hill, Westwood,
Colchester.
Mr. M. Field, as Gardener to Mrs. Thomas, Thames Bank,

Whitchurch, Oxfordshire.
Mr. W. E. Jones, for the past 6 years Gardener to J. Amery
Parkes. Esq., White Lodge, Castlebar Park, Ealing,
as Gardener to Alfred A. Thorn, Esq., Harcourl,
Leighton Buzzarr*.

Robert Baker.— We regret to learn of the-
death of Mr Robert Baker, of East Finchley, for-
nearly 40 years the representative of Messrs. Wm.
Cuibush & Son, of the Highgate and Barnet
Nurseries, and who passed away on Monday, the
16th inst., after a brief illness due to cancer. Mr,.
Baker, who had charge of the furnishing and in-
door plant departments at the Highgate Nurseries,
was for many years a familiar figure at the leading
horticultural exhibitions throughout the country,
and his genial disposition and striking personality
commanded respect in the gardening world.
Deceased leaves a widow and family.

Leon Duval.— The death of this well-known
nurseryman, at Versailles, near Paris, is an-
nounced in the French papers. Many of
the English visitors to the Paris and Ghent
shows will remember what excellent speci-
mens of Anthuriums, Orchids, and other species

THE LATE LEON DUVAL.

of plants were contributed by the firm of
Duval. Deceased, who was sixty-three years
of age, was vice-president of the French National
Horticultural Society, the Horticultural Society
of Seine-et-Oise, and the French Chrysanthe-
mum Society.

Stephen Walker.— Dahlia growers will learn
with regret of the comparatively sudden death of
this well-known cultivator and exhibitor of Dahlias,
early on Tuesday morning last, at the age of 59 years.
Accustomed to send Dahlias freely during the
season to the meetings of the Royal Horticultural
Society and other exhibitions, a load of flowers
was despatched from Thame to Vincent Square on
Monday last. At that time Mr. Walker was unwell,
and it was assumed that the pain experienced was
due to an attack of indigestion, but on Tuesday
morning he passed away, unexpectedly, from heart
failure So recently as Thursday of last week
Mr Walker was at the show of the London
Dahlia Union in Regent's Park, and was as bright
and cheery as usual. The deceased uas of robust
build, hid a kindly disposition and was greatly
esteemed by all who were acquainted with him.
Whilst the business at Thame still remains in
the name of the late Mr. J. Walker, who founded!
the business about sixty years ago, Mr. Stephen
Walker, the eldest son, had, in conjunction witb
his aged mother, the control of the nursery. The
family of the deceased comprise his widow, and
three sons and one daughter. Deceased's eldest
son, Mr. Herbert Walker, has taken an active part
in the business for some time past.

224

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 21, 1907.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

BULBS.

Morle & Co., 152, Finchley Road, London, N.W.

George Cooling & Sons, Bath.

Yates & Sons, High Street, Cheltenham.

Dobie & Mason, *22, Oak Street, Manchester.

Thos. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, Middlesex.

Hogg & Robertson, Ltd., 22, Mary Street, Dublin.

Smith & Simons, 36-38, West George Street, Glasgow.

Amos Perry, Hardy plant farm, Enfield, Middlesex.

Barkie & Brown, 39, King William Street, London, E.C.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Clibrans, Manchester — Carnations.

Horace J. Wright, 32, Dault Road, Wandsworth, London,
S.W.— Sweet Peas.

Benjamin R. Cant & Sons, The Old Rose Gardens, Col-
chester— Roses.

FOREIGN.

P. Bernaix Fils, Villeurbanne-Lyons (Rhone), France —

Roses.
The Royal Eiland Nursery Co., Hillegom, near Haarlem,

Holland— Bulbs.
Duchesne & Lanthoine, Rue d'lselles, Watermael-lez-

Bruxelles, Belgium — Orchids.
Chr. Kieft & Sons, Limmen, near Haarlem, Holland —

Bulbs.
C. Sprenger, Vomero, near Naples, Italy — New and rare

Plants, Trees, Shrubs, &c.
W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Philadelphia, U.S.A.— Sweet Peas.
Haage & Schmidt, Erfurt, Germany— Novelties in Flower

Seeds.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Battersea, Clapham and Wandsworth Amateur
Chrysanthemum and Horticultural Society's autumn
show to be held on Friday and Saturday, November 1 and 2,
19U7, at the Town Hall, Lavender Hill. Secretary, Mr W. J.
Lavender, 56, Fullerton Road, East Hill, Wandsworth, S.W.

National Rose Society's autumn show to be held in the
Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, on
Tuesday, September 24. Hon. secretary, Mr. Ed. Mawley,
Rosebank, Berkhamsted, Herts.

Devizes Benevolent Society's annual Chrysanthemum
show and bazaar, to be held in the Corn Exchange, Devizes,
on Tuesday, November 12, 1907.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

* *- The Editor will be glad to receive, for considera-
tion, large photographs of horticultural subjects, suitable

for forming Supplementary Illustrations to this Journal.

Alterations to a Pond : Constant Reader. The
plants you mention may be shifted with safety
now, provided a quantity of soil is allowed to
remain about their roots and a good watering is
applied immediately after transplantation.

Begonia Leaves Decaying : S. B. See reply to
F. J. T. in the last issue, p. 208.

Broad Beans : C. T. The pods had turned
black when we received them, and we could
detect in them nothing different to an ordinary
variety of the common Broad Windsor Bean.
You did not state in your letter what colour
they were.

Carnations Failing: Anxious Enquirer. Your
plants have the appearance of what has been
termed " Bacteriosis." but no bacteria or other
fungus can be found. There is a suspicion of
eelworms in the leaves, but we failed to discover
the actual pest.

Cucumbers Dying : E. S. There is no fungoid
disease present on the portion of the plant you
have sent us. Several eggs of insects were pre-
sent on the stem. You should have forwarded
leaves for examination. If you suspect the spot
disease to be present, spray the plants with liver
of sulphur, using half an ounce of this chemical
in two gallons of water.

Duck Weed on Ponds : C. E. M. This plant
floats upon the surface of the water, and it
can be skimmed off quite easily by means of
a fine net, or you may destroy it by spraying
with a strong solution of copper sulphate,
taking care to keep any water-fowl enclosed in
pens for some time after its application.

Grapes : G. H. The bunches generally exhibit
a lack of proper cultural treatment. The
berries are badly shanked and are small in
size. Shanking is a condition which generally
results from trouble at the roots, such as a
stagnant soil or an impoverished rooting-
medium. In the resting season overhaul the
borders and endeavour to promote a healthy
fibrous loot-system in the vines by affording
■the necessary conditions for healthy growth.
Over-cropping in a previous year may have

had something to do with the unsatisfactory
crop of the present season.

Herbaceous Plants : C. P. We cannot recom-
mend you a book in which every herbaceous
plant is included, and described as " herba-
ceous " in the sense that is meant in the prize
schedules. Generally speaking, an herbaceous
plant is one that is incapable of forming a
woody stem that will continue from one year
to another. All the Liliums you mention are
herbaceous plants. But in some cases, when
a class is arranged for flowers of herbaceous
plants, the compilers of the schedule have it
in their mind to exclude the flowers of bulbous
plants. If they express this desire by writing
in parentheses (bulbous and tuberous-rooted
plants excluded), the exhibitor has no excuse
for showing what is not permissible, but the
stipulation is not always printed, even when it
is the intention of the committee to exclude
such flowers. Most of the difficulties you
name arise from the mistaken practice of com-
piling a schedule first, and having it to in-
terpret afterwards. The better system is for
the compilers to consider the wording for a
particular class in the light exhibitors may
be expected to regard it, and, by explanations,
endeavour to leave it in such a condition that
it will be impossible for reasonable men to
interpret the requirements of the committee in
different ways. We consider that where the
reading of the schedule is merely that the
flowers must be of herbaceous species, the ex-
hibitor should not be disqualified if he in-
cludes flowers of tuberous or bulbous species.

Horticultural Books : M. C. We have no
knowledge of the exact value of the old works
you have mentioned. Their worth could only
be determined by offering them in a public sale
or by advertising them. The most valuable of
those you enumerate is Loudon's Arboretum et
Fruticetum britannicum.

Lemon Mint : W. K. We cannot trace this
name in any of the works on popular names
of plants. The so-called lemon plant of gar-
dens is Lippia (Aloysia) citriodora.

London Parks : C. H. H. Application forms for
employment in the London Countv Council
Parks may be obtained from Col. Sexby, 11,
Regent Street, London. In the case of the
Royal Parks, Central — Hyde, Regent's, &c,
apply to the respective superintendents.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ot
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organize the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroa-h upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits : B. S. Scott. Pear Beurre Clairgeau. —
G. A., junr. Apple Dutch Codlin. — A. W. T.
Plums: 1, Goliath; 2, Pond's Seedling: 3,
White Magnum Bonum ; 4, Kirk's Blue ; 5, not
recognised ; 6, Belgian Purple. — Lay. Apples :

1, The Queen; 2, Emperor Alexander ; Pears: 1,
Jargonelle ; 2, Marie Benoist. Numbers 3 and 4
are small and immature. Pears, and indeed all
fruits, submitted for naming should be ripe,
or nearly ripe, when despatched. The season of
ripening affords a valuable aid in determining
the variety. Two fruits of each kind should
always be sent, and it is well to enclose a shoot
with foliage. In the case of Peaches and
Nectarines this condition is imperative.

Plants: G.H.C. 1, Codiseum longifolium ;

2, C. variegatum. — G. IV. W &■ Co. Genista
tinctoria, a perennial plant. We have never
heard of this plant possessing poisonous prorer-
ties, and suspect it is unlikely to be injurious to
cattle, unless they consume it in extraordinary
quantities. — C.S.G. We do not undertake to
name varieties of Carnations. — T. H. 1, Bletia
Shepherdii ; 2. Habenaria ciliaris ; 3, Goodyera
repens ; 4, Pteris tremula ; 5, Selaginella

apus; 6, Coelia Baueriana — T. F., Bromley.
1, Begonia garden hybrid ; 2, B. foliosa ; 3, B.
parvifoha ; 4, B. Weltoniensis ; 5, B. argyro-
stigma ; 6, B incarnata. — E. Con. 1, Olearea
Haastii ; 2, Pavia macrostachya ; 3, Viburnum
Lantana ; 4, Pear Gourd, a variety of Cucur-
bita Pepo ; 5, Campanula, not recognised. —
H. F. Elodea canadensis (syn. Anacharis Als-
inastrum). This troublesome water-weed should
be raked out and destroyed. It propagates itself
with the greatest freedom. See an article on the
subject of destroying water-weeds in Gardeners'
Chronicle for May 25, 1907, p. 331.

Plum-tree Rust : E. M. M. W. Your Plum
trees are badly infested with the Plum-tree
rust (Puccinia pruni). Gather up and burn
all the falling leaves to prevent the disease
spreading.

Rose Foliage for Examination : Constant Reader.
Nos. 1 and 2 have no fungus disease present,
and the trouble is due to some cultural error,
which has caused a check to the plants.
Drought would be sufficient to cause the un-
healthy appearance of the foliage, or an unsuit-
able rooting medium may account for the trouble.
No. 3 is affected with Rose blotch Actinonema
Rosae ; No. 4 with Sphcerotheca pannosa, the
common Rose mildew ; and No. 5 with Phrag-
midium subcorticium, and its Uredo form, the
Rose rust. Syringe all your plants with
Bordeaux mixture. They are in a very un-
satisfactory condition.

Tennis Lawn : H. J. P. As the court will not
be required for playing upon until 1909, your
best plan will be to level the ground, enrich it
with manure if necessary, and sow a suitable
selection of grass seeds early next spring. It
is rather late in the season for sowing at the
present time ; should you do so, you could
top-dress with a mixture of soil and seeds in
the spring.

The Raising of Hardy Coniferous Trees from
Seeds : C. W . A. Conifer seeds are best sown
oat-of-doors in March or April, either broad-
cast in beds about 3 feet 6 inches wide, slightly
raised above the surrounding ground, or in drills
or rows similar to those prepared for Onion seeds.
The soil should be moist, but not wet, and the
seeds lightly covered with fine soil. If birds are
troublesome, spread a net over the seed beds,
which should be kept free from weeds. In dry
weather water should be given through a fine
rose water-pot. Seeds may be obtained through
a nurseryman.

Tomatos Diseased : /. E. The fungus is pro-
pagated by spores which are disseminated by
the wind and other agencies, so that per-
fectly healthy plants may become infested
through no fault of the person who has care
of them. It is very improbable that the
disease is transmitted through the seeds, but
these may have spores of the fungus adhering
to them. These spores would be ready to
germinate concurrently with the Tomato-
seeds. Dull, damp weather favours the growth
of the fungus, therefore it has been prevalent
this season.

Truss or Spray : W . J. L. The term truss or
spray, as applied to Chrysanthemums, is gen-
erally considered to describe a shoot bearing
several blooms or a branched growth, having
several flowers on each branch. A single
shoot with one large flower could hardly
be considered a " spray," but a shoot
possessing three or more flowers might be
considered a spray, even if disbudding
had been practised to some extent. The
schedule should, in each case, declare how
such terms are to be interpreted, and, if this
were given proper attention, it would not
matter much what view was taken by a par-
ticular committee, because all the exhibitors
would know it, and therefore all would be
competing under equal circumstances. You
may refer to the correspondence and illustra-
tion in Gardeners' Chronicle for December 16,
1905.

Communications Received.— W. C. & Sons— W. I. S.,
Boston, Mass.— B. C. D. (next week), J. Chilcoit.— F. T.—
W. O.— J. T.— J. S.— E. L.— C. D.— T. B. B.— T. B.—
J. T. S.— H. C. P.— W. D.— A. U.-W. P.— E. J.— H. A. S.
— W. E. B., Trinidad.— F. S.— W. P.— F. D.-S. A.— S. V.
— W. A. C— H. W. W.— E. M.— J. C— H. C — H. C. S.—
T. W. F.-F. M. W— A. P. -H. S.— G. R.— W.G.— L. G.,
Brussels— T. H.— R. P. L.— C. P. R.

September 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRON.WLE

225

THE

^arbcncrs'tfbroniclc

No. 1,083.— SATURDAY, September 28, 1907.

CONTENTS.

\rthrnpodium cicrha-
turn

'Brooms," hardy

Colonial note—
Wat son ia Ardernei ...

mintry gai di n, the ...

Crocuses, autumn-
Bowering

Engus, a poisonous ...

Holly Lodge, Higheate

Horticultural instruc-
tion by schoolmasters

horticultural returns ...

Bgdrangea Hortensia
in tubs

Japanese nursery firm, a

Lomatia ferruginea

>Jew Guinea, agricultu-
ral development in ...

Sot- s from a Cornish
garden

)aks, two famous

jrchi-l notes and glean-
ings—
Angrjecum Roth-

schildianum
Eypripedium Spiceri-

anum

Ltelia Sidneyana

Peat as a material for
packi ng fruit s and
seeds

Pelargonium Clorinda...

Bn t-bre edin g in
Sweden

Plants new or note-
worthy—

Rindera umbellata
Plums and their prices
Rosary, the —

Cultural notes for Oc-
tober

School-gardens in Ox-
fordshire

Societies —

British Gardeners1 As-
sociation

Manchester and N. of
England Orchid ...

National Rose

Royal Horticultural ...

(Scientific Committei i

Woolhope Naturalists'

Field Club

Strawberries in Sep-
tember

Streptocarpus, Burdett's

strain of

Transvaal, horticulture

in the

York Gala Jubilee
Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ...

I i uits under glass ...

Hardy fruit garden ...

Kit< hen garden, the ...

Orchid houses, the ...

Parks and gardens ...

Plants under glass ...

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Vgaricus (Amanita) phalloides ..

flowering shoot of Lomatia ferruginea

•ruit of Rindera umbellata

.omatia ferruginea growing at C astlewt llan, Co.
Down (Supplementary Illustration)

Pelargonium Clorinda, a large plant of

Rindera umbellata

Ijse Mrs. F. W. Flight

streptocarpus, Mr. P.urdett's strain of

226
232

227
234

237
234
237

23G

229

235
234

231
230

aso

231

-.Ml)

231
231

235

233

22C

228
22(»
238
229

THE HARDY "BROOMS."

PROBABLY no class of hardy plants has
a more decorative value in the shrub-
bery, the woodland, or the rockery than
he members of the genera Cytisus, Genista,
ind Spartium, more commonly known under
.he collective title of Brooms. The general
.'haracter of the various species and varii ties
s that of a light, graceful habit. The plants
iroduce abundant flowers, which are usu-
llly of a shade of yellow, but vary con-
siderably in their size, and in the time at
.vhich they are produced. The following
totes are not intended to be an ex-
taustive description of every species and
ariety in cultivation, but concern merely
hose which, in the writer's opinion, should
>e given a place in every garden of appre-
iable size. All the Brooms thrive best in
ght, sandy soil, and are not easily affected
y drought when once they have become
stablished, as the long, slender, wiry roots
ienetrate deeply into the sub-soil and gene-
ally find sufficient moisture there for their
ieeds. The plants need to be fully exposed
o the sun, or they will not flower freely.
he species mentioned below should be pro-
agated by seeds unless otherwise stated.

Cytisus.

C. ALBUS (White Spanish Broom).— This is
a native of Spain and Portugal, and forms a
bush 12 feet to 20 feet in height, with slender,
arching branches clothed from end to end in
May with small, pure white flowers. In a
young stu-te this Broom has a tendency to
-r.>w very last, and develop a thin habit, but
this may be easily rectified by sacrificing the
flowers for a year or two, and cutting the
plant back in spring in order to induce it to
form a denser habit It will grow almost
anywhere, and is easily increased by
which are freely produci I,

C. Ardoini is a dwarf, spreading plant,
growing only a few inches high, and suitable
for a dry, sunny spot on the rockery. The
flowers open during April and .May, and arc
ol a bright yellow colour. The shoots spread
out symmetrically on all sides, and do not
mg and ragged like those of some trail-
ing plants.

C. capitatus. — This species is nol a very
important member oi the genus, but may be
mentioned as perhaps the best of the two or
three species, such as C. biflorus, C. hirsutus,
&c, in which the flowers are borne in capi-
tate heads or short, terminal spikes. They
are of a bushy habit, and grow fi im 2 Fei 1
to 3 feet high. The flowers of C. capitatus
arc of a soft yellow colour, and open in June.

C. FRIVALDSKYANUS (C. s< hipknensis).—
This is a native of the Balkans, and forms a
good subjei I for the rockery, as it onl) grows
a few inches high, and does not spread to
ail) -real extent. The flowers are white, and
they are produced in Ma) -

C. x kewensis (C. Ardoini x C. albus).—

This is a dwarf, spreading plant, which was
raised in the Royal Gardens, Kew, and will
be a popular rock plant when it becomes
better known. In habit it is free and vigor-
ous, sending its sli nder shoots out on all
sides, and soon covering a good spaa
ground. The flowers are of a creamy-white
colour, and open in May. The influence ol
C. albus is shown chiefly in the colour of
the flowers, but it is also apparent in the
vigour of the plant, as compared with C.
Ardoini. Propagation may be effected bv
cuttings or layers.

C. nigricans. — This is an upright-growing
shrub, with slender shoots attaining a height
of 3 feet to 4 feet, clothed from June to Sep-
tember with bright yellow flowers, li is a
native of Europe, and is an old introduction
to English gardens, but is not seen as often
as is justified, both h\ its attractiveness and
long period of blooming.

C. x precox (C. purgans x C. albus).—
This hybrid is one of the loveliest of spring-
flowering shrubs, and also one of the most
free-growing. It makes a bushy plant from
4 feet to 6 feet high, and as much in dia-
meter, with slender, arching shoots clothed
from end to end with sulphur-yellow coloured
flowers, which appear in April and early in
May. When not in bloom it makes a dis-
tinct and effective evergreen plant. Propa-
gation may be effected by cuttings.

C. PUEGANS is a native of South-west
Europe, and makes a bushy plant about 2
feet high, bearing deep yellow flowers in

spring. It is rather a difficult plant to grow,
and should always be increased by seeds, as
cuttings often die away (10m no apparent

cause.

C. purpureus. — This is a prostrate, spread-
ing plant suitable for the rockery, or a dry
bank. It is sometimes seen grafted as a
standard on the Laburnum, but no worse way
of treating a thoroughly beautiful plant < ould
ever have been devised. When in full bloom
in May on a rockery it makes a welcome
sight, with its purple-coloured flowers, which
are darker and liner than when the plant is
elevated out of its proper position.

C. scoparius (Common Broom).— This
is a well-known wild plant growing on tight,
sand) soils throughout Great Britain, but is
not used half so much in the wild garden as
it should be. It delights in dry, sandy
ground and plenty of sunshine, and where
the soil is heavy it can be made suitable for
this Broom by adding ashes, mortar-rubble,
or some similar material. The bright yellow
flowers are produced in Ma, and June from
end to end of the long, whip-like growths.

C. s. var. Andrdanus. — The variety An-
d rearms was found growing wild in France
b) M. Andre-, alter whom it was named. It
is a free-growing, bush) plant with brownish-
crimson and yellow flowers opening a little
earlier than those of the common Broom.
To grow this plant successfully it should be
either on its own roots or grafted on stocks
of C scoparius. The -railed plants are the
longest-lived, as cuttings are apt to deca)
upwards from the base either sooner or later.
When, however, this Broom is grafted on the
Laburnum, as is often done, it generally dies
within a year or two. Seedlings rarely, if
1 ver, tome true to name, being either yellow
or poorly coloured.

C. s. var. pendulus. — This form has a
weeping habit, rendering it suitable for an
exposed position on the rockery or a dry
hank, as it is a strong grower and s, on
covers a large space of ground. The plant
is v< ry handsome when bearing its pale
yellow flowers, and it is surprising that it is
not more often seen. The variety may be
easily propagated by cuttings.

C. s. var. sulphurous (Moonlight Broom).
— In this variety the flowers are of a creamy-
yellow colour, and when in full bloom the
common name is seen to be a very appro-
priate one. The plants grow about 4 feet
or so high, are bushy, and very free-growing
in habit. It is one of those strangely neg-
l< ti d plants in gardens, but it is a very
handsome and desirable variety. Propaga-
tion can be effected by cuttings.

Genista.

G. AETHNENSIS. This is an upright-grow-
ing plant, reaching a height of from 10 feet
to 12 feet, with long, thin, semi-pendulous
branches, which become covered in July and
August with small, golden-yellow coloured
flowers, which are distinctly scented as of
hay. The plant is most suited for the back
of a shrubbery, or to be planted amongst low.
growing evergreens, as it attains a tree-like
habit in course of time, and shows a quantity
of bare stem at the base. It is a native of
Sicilv, and is not at all common, though it

226

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

[September 28, 1907.

has been introduced many years to English
gardens.

G. tinctoria (Dyer's Greenweed). — This is
a common plant throughout the greater part
of Europe, but is of no great garden value.
The variety elatior makes a rather pretty bush
about 3 feet in height when covered with its
golden-yellow coloured flowers in August.

G. virgata. — This is a tall-growing Broom,
reaching a height of 15 feet or more, and
requires the same kind of position as G.
asthnensis. The flowers are of a bright
yellow, and are freely produced in June on
old plants ; in a young state this species does
not bloom very freely. It is a plant to be re-
commended for creating a bold effect amongst

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

~~n>' r^/^'n^'VPc"Kgfj-V rflBf s*^'tl>S -

Fig. 97,-rindera umbellata : colour
of flowers dark brown

evergreens, as it is well able to take care
of itself in almost any situation. It is a
native of Madeira, and may be easily raised
from seed.

SrARTIUM.

S. junceum (Yellow Spanish Broom). —
A native of Southern Europe, this species is
a thin, upright plant, reaching a height of
from 6 feet to 10 feet, with dark green, rush-
like stems covered in August and September
with comparatively large, yellow flowers,
which are distinctly, though faintly, sweet-
scented. It is an excellent plant for dry
places, as it seems able to withstand much
drought and nevertheless flower freely. /.
Clark, Bagshot, Suirey.

RINDERA UMBELLATA.*

This plant, belonging to the Boragineae (see
fig. 97), which Mr. T. Smith, of the Daisy Hill
Nursery, Newry, received from Belgrade under
the name of Mattia umbellata, flowered with
him for the first time in May of the present
year. Mr. Smith remarks that it " comes from
Eastern Europe, and is a most distinct
plant. It has evergreen tufted leaves. The
flower-stem grows to the height of 2 feet. Colour
of the flowers, dark brown, but quite attractive.
Dryish sandy soil seems to be the
most suitable for it."

Though apparently long lost to cultivation
in these islands, reference to Loudon's
Hortus Britannicus or Paxton's Botanical
Dictionary will show that the plant, under
the name of Cyno^lossum umbellatum, was first
introduced in 1817. It is a native of the Banat,
in south-eastern Hungary, and of Servia, where
it grows on sandy hills. Whether Symphytum
regium, S. T. Gmel., Reise, iii. 363, t. 36, f. 1,
a Siberian plant, referred by Lehmann to Cyno-
glossum umbellatum, is really identical, I am
unable to determine, having seen a figure only.
This certainly agrees fairly well, but the geo-
graphical distribution seems too remarkable.
It will be observed that the Index Kewensis
records a Mattia umbellata of C. Koch as well
as M. umbellata, Schultes. The former is
referred to Rindera pubescens, C. Koch, and is
included in Boissier's Flora Orientalis, iv. 272,
as Cyphomattia lanata, Boiss. This species is a
native of Armenia, Asia Minor, Syria, Persia,
&c, and has been in cultivation at Kew during
recent years. It closely resembles Rindera umbel-
lata. The fact is not made clear in the Index
Kewensis that Mattia umbellata, Schultes, is the
same as Rindera umbellata, Bunge, but it is evi-
dently the same plant. Bunge, in the place cited
below, merely made the necessary new com-
bination.

Rindera umbellata may be briefly described as
follows: — Stem solitary, simple, erect, leafy,
1 to 2 feet high. Leaves entire, acute or acu-
minate, canescent-pubescent ; basal leaves
oblong-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, attenuate:!
at the base into a long petiole ; cauline leaves
lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, the lower
with a winged petiole, the upper sessile. In-
florescence terminal, of numerous pedunculate
scorpioid cymes umbellately arranged. Flowers
long-pedicellate. Calyx densely woolly, five-
partite ; segments linear-lanceolate, obtuse, re-
flexed in fruit. Corolla tubular, scarcely £ inch
long, reddish-yellow or dark brown ; throat of
the tube closed with emarginate, purplish scales ;
lobes erect, oblong, rounded-obtuse. Stamens
included or slightly exserted. Style slender,
long-exserted. Nutlets ovate-orbicular, broadly-
winged, smooth, about J inch in diameter.
S. A. S.

THE COUNTRY GARDEN.

In most country gardens, and indeed in not a
few town and suburban ones, there are portions
that must be treated differently from the rest,
and, in a manner, more picturesquely. These
are the wilder and more outlying positions, and
probably they are more or less shaded by trees.
To produce colour effects in such positions
in broad masses from time to time during the
year is of much artistic importance ; and, while
it is in evidence, makes these portions as beauti-
ful, and many will say far more beautiful, than
those treated more formally. To achieve these
masses of colour, we turn instinctively to the
smaller bulbous plants, as these lend themselves

* Rindera umbellata, Bunge in Mem. Sav. Etr. Petcrsb.,
vii. (18511,415, in note. Cynoglossum umbellatum, \N 'a Idst.
and Kit. Plant. Rar. Hung., ii. 158, t. 148 (1805). Lehmann,
Plant. Fam. Aspcrifol., 172. Mattia umbellata, Schultes,
Observat. Rot., 32 (lROih. and Ocstcrreichs Flora, ed. 2, i. 363;
Roem. and Schultes, Sis/., iv. 82.

in splendid fashion to that most effective of all
styles of planting — bold, broad massing.

If the ground thus to be colonised has net
been broken up for some years past, and has be-
come ever-run with Ivy, this should be rooted up
or be very much thinned, though it is better to
take it away completely. The ground should be
deeply dug, and, where possible, old material
from hot beds may be incorporated with the soil.
It is a great mistake, though somewhat a com-
mon one, to grow too many different varieties of
bulbous plants in the same quarter of woodland 1
or copse. This tends to produce patches of colour
here and there, rather than to bold effects. There
is one difficulty with bulb colonisation that can-
not be overlooked when a succession of displays
is desired. It lies in the rank-growing and
smothering habit of bulbous plants after flower-
ing, so that it is almost impossible to have a sec-
ond display while the foliage of the first plants
covers the ground. In an old garden known to the
writer there is a wide expanse planted with Snow-
drops, another with Winter Aconites, and where
these are established it is impossible to grow other
small bulbous plants. But a great stretch of the
early-flowering Snowdrop or the yellow Eranthis
is of much worth and beauty. The Snowdrops
fill the site of an old moat ; the Aconites are
planted on ground above it. They do not wholly
die down and disappear until the beginning of
June. But if other plants of a similar habit, or
even such subjects as Primroses, cannot be. asso-
ciated with them on account of their foliage hid-

sect ton.

Cl.CMror* —

Fig 98 — fruit of rindera umbellata with
longitudinal and transverse sections.

ing these other plants, we may seek for a good
effect at a later date — say, a summer effect —
with the aid of Ferns, and, if it can be prevented
from spreading and increasing too rapidly, the
giant Heracleum. This last-named plant forms
a suitable subject for planting in shaded posi-
tions. I have grown it under the shade of the
Horse Chestnut, of all deciduous trees the one
producing the densest shade.

There are, however, plants of a bulbous nature
easier to deal with than Snowdrops and Eranthis.

By a suitable selection of subjects it is possible
to have " a blue copse," the earliest display in
which may be achieved with Anemone blanda,
combined with A. apennina ; both these Ane-
mones are readily reared from seeds. The
first-named species flowers somewhat earlier
than the second, but both produce a very beau-
tiful display of blue flowers during March and
April. A second display of blue may be achieved
for the following month of May with Scilla
festalis — our native wild blue Hyacinth, and S.
hispanica. The foliage of these Scillas appears
late ; therefore, it scarcely interferes with the
display of Anemones. Departing from the idea
of " a blue copse," a charming scheme can be
made by using the wild, white Anemone
nemorosa in the place of the blue varieties I
have named, with the blue Scillas to follow
them as in the first arrangement.

Scilla sibirica is another bulbous plant that
is always more effective when broadly planted.

September 28, 1907.]

THE GA R D EX Ell ST CHR 0 XI CL E.

227

Among hardy bulbous plants, none produces
flowers of a richer blue than this Scilla, and it
increases rapidly by self-sown seeds. By the
New Year the blades of the seedlings appear
.through the ground, but many of the young
plants will be found to disappear later. By
lifting the seedlings whilst still young, however,
and planting them in a spare border in the
kitchen garden for two seasons, a quantity of
good bulbs may be obtained, and these can be
transferred to the woodland again. I cannot ex-
plain why tins treatment should be necessary;
it may be there is not the need for it in all soils.

A charming effect can be achieved by asso-
ciating with these smaller bulbs others that
attain to a greater height : thus, among the
Scillas, groups of Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal)
have a bold appearance, and, of course, this
plant can equally well be associated with Snow-
drops, Kranthis, Muscari, or Crocuses.

The Muscari, especially M. botryoides, is
another early-flowering subject that is beautiful
when massed, and it can be purchased very
cheaply. The ground, shaded by a deciduous
tree or trees, can be closely planted at very
little expense. And, if a taller-growing bulbous
plant is required for associating with the Mus-
cari, especially if they are on the fringe of the
woodland, few species are more suitable than
Fritillaria impenalis. The growths of the
Crown Imperial will not appear through the
ground until the Muscari have ceased to flower,
but once started they develop rapidly, and the
changed effect of these tall, upstanding stems,
following a dwarf carpet of Muscari, is pleasing.
By planting a tall-growing subject such as
this and otheis I have mentioned, the smother-
ing habit of the earlier-flowering subject is no
disadvantage.

Crocuses are not suitable plants for the wood-
land, but they are adapted for more open spaces,
and notably fur grass. They should be planted
at once, and the sooner the better. On the Con-
tinent, and notably in Holland, it is the custom
•to plant bulbs earlier than in England, and there
can be little doubt but that the longer period of
growth thus afforded is beneficial, for by lifting
some of these smaller bulbous plants that have
been left undisturbed in the ground, it will be
noted that so early as August they have already
commenced to make root-growth. So far as I
have knowledge, Snowdrops are the earliest of all
bulbs to recommence growth. Practical Gardener,

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL NOTES FOR OCTOBER.

To the rosarian, October is one of the busiest
months in the year : it forms the dividing line
between the summer and the autumn, and as
the work of the one season ends, that of the
■other must be commenced. The examination
of the Rose-border should constitute the first
work ; the plants in the borders should be in-
spected, and old and worthless sorts removed.
The ground should receive the necessary trench-
ing, manuring, and general preparation for
planting at the end of October or early in
November. If the soil is impoverished, the top
spit should be entirely removed, and be replaced
with some fresh material, consisting of two-
thirds loam and the remaining third of equal
quantities of burnt earth, road-grit, and
manure from an old Cucumber bed. This com-
post should be mixed some weeks before it is
required for use.

The drainage of all borders should be made
efficient, as failures amongst Roses are often
caused by unsuitable or water-logged soils.
When plenty of space exists, and the beds or
borders can be separated by grass, pleasing
effects may be produced by planting varieties of
separate colours in each bed. For producing a
variety of colouring and a prolonged period of
f-owering, the best type of Rose is the Dwarf

Hybrid-Tea. A few Standard plants of crimson
varieties of Hybrid-Perpetual Roses, planted
thinly amongst the Dwarf Hybrid-Tea varieties,
will give variety, and serve to counteract any
appearance of formality in the beds. These
latter Roses can be planted during October, or
early in November, if the soil is in a moist con-
dition. If the Hybrid-Tea varieties are
planted during the autumn, provision must be
made for protecting them from severe frosts :
as an alternative to autumn planting, strong
plants in pots can be planted out during the fol-
lowing April and May, when all danger of in-
jury by cold is passed. An interesting bed may
be made by planting Hybrid varieties of Bour-
bon, China, and similar types of Roses, a list
of which was included in my notes for last
month. These, together with the Standard
Hybrid-Perpetual and Dwarf Hybrid-Tea
plants, will furnish an uninterrupted succession
of flowers from June to November. Further
variety may be obtained by planting a selection
of Climbing Roses on arches, pillars, or per-
golas.

A plot of vacant ground should be reserved
for planting next month a few Standard plants
of Briar and other Rose stocks. In the mean-
time, the ground should be well-trenched and
manured. These stocks are always useful for
the propagation of new, desirable, and scarce
varieties, and, when budded or grafted, can be
used to replace old or worn-out plants. Plant-
ing should he done early, provided the ground
is thoroughly moist at a moderate depth below
the surface, but here in Portsmouth, at the time
of writing, the soil is so dry that any such oper-
ation must be deferred until a heavy downpour
of rain. This severe drought is, I believe, quite
local, as no complaint of dryness has reached
me from other districts.

The first batch of Roses intended for early
forcing, and that have been given the necessary
top-dressing or re-potting, should be brought
into a cold house or frame at the end of Octo-
ber. An abundance of ventilation should be
given both night and day, and the plants should
be kept moderately dry at their roots for some
time. After being lightly pruned, an occasional
syringing overhead, on bright mornings, for a
few weeks will assist the plants to break into
growth, and it will also cleanse the foliage from
insect pests. When new shoots are pushing,
the amount of ventilation should be reduced,
and the houses should be closed early in the
afternoon. The wood being well matured on
these plants, they will respond to a little forc-
ing, and extra warmth should be applied about
the third week in November. At this stage the
temperature should range from 45° to 50°, and
this temperature can be increased after Christ-
mas.

Amongst the best varieties of Roses now in
bloom are Frau Karl Druschki (the premier
white Rcsel, Gloire Lyonnaise (of a fine lemon
colour), Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, Caroline
Testout (a fragrant, pink variety), Mildred Grant
(flesh colour), Souvenir de C. Guillot (a strong
grower, with bronzy leaves and superb copper-
coloured flowers), Papa Gontier (a grand deco-
rative Rose, deep crimson-tinted in the bud),
and G. Nabonnand (a flesh-coloured Tea variety,
and one of the most certain and constant in
floweringl.

Young plants of pot Roses that are plunged
outside and temporarily protected with glass
frames can remain in the same position as they
now occupy until the end of October, or
even well into November, providing the
weather remains mild. These plants often fur-
nish choice blooms quite late in the season,
when they are thus slightly protected.

R( ink < 'UTTINGS.

October is the best time for inserting
Rose cuttings, provided the ground is quite
moist. Well-ripened shoots about 9 inches long,
of hardy, free-growing, decorative varieties

should be selected, and the cuttings should In-
made with a "heel" of the old wood attached.
The cuttings should be planted in a position
facing north. Cut out a trench 10 inches deep,
place 3 inches of sandy grit and leaf-mould at
the bottom of the trench, and arrange the cut-
tings in rows at a distance of 3 inches apart,
allowing 18 inches between the trenches. Tread
the soil about them firmly, and make the sur-
face of the ground level, when two or three
buds should appear above the ground. When
this is finished, cover the whole with a mulch
of Cocoanut-fibre. In my list of best autumn-
flowering Roses, I neglected to include varieties
of R. rugosa. These have mostly high-scented
blooms, the plants make large-sized bushes, and
are almost evergreen. This type of Rose is in-
valuable for urban and smoky districts, and the
flowers are followed by very handsome fruits.
The best varieties include R. rugosa delicata (a
very sweetly-scented variety), R. r. alba, and R.
r. fimbriata (a blush-pink variety whose petals
are prettily fringed).

Pot Roses.

If the stock of pot Roses for forcing requires
renewal, October is the best month for the
work. Pot up fresh maiden plants, and for
this purpose I recommend dwarf plants that
have been worked on the seedling Briar stock,
and the plants should be strong, well ripened,
and have three or more branches. They should
be potted firmly, using pots of 5, 6, or 7 inches
in diameter, according to the size of the indi-
vidual plant. Particulars have already been
given in a former note of a suitable soil and
compost, and the best varieties of Roses for pot
culture were enumerated. When the potting is
completed the pots should be plunged in ashes
outside till after Christmas, or until the roots
are well established in the new soil.

In conclusion, I will briefly refer to planted-
out Roses under glass. Hybrid and Perpetual
varieties are seldom planted out, as the Tea,
Hybrid-Tea, Noisette, and China varieties are
much freer both in growth and in flowering.
It is an advantage to have a single flow and re-
turn pipe around the house in which they are
grown. Some of the plants should be lightly
pruned at the end of this month, and the re-
mainder at intervals, for succession. Another
soaking of water should be applied at the roots,
and the foliage should be first cleansed with a
suitable insecticide, and afterwards be syringed
with clear water. An abundance of ventilation
should be given at the present time ; the amount
of air admitted from outside can be reduced
later in the season, and the plants be gentlv
started into growth. From now onwards the
night temperature should not be lower than 45u.
/. D. G.

COLONIAL NOTE.

WATSONIA ARDERNEI.
I disagree with E. P. (see Gardeners'
Chronicle, August 3, p. 93), when he states that
the best flowers are obtained from bulbs that
are not shifted when dormant, and that it is a
mistake to allow the bulbs to become thoroughly
dry. I find it is not detrimental to the bulbs
for them to become dry, provided they have
thoroughly ripened before lifting, as it rests
them to be taken out of the ground. My plan is
to lift the bulbs every season at about January,
sorting them into different sizes. I plant them
again at about the end of March. The spikes
are cut off from small bulbs as soon as they
show, as better flowering bulbs are thus obtained
for the following season. If the bulbs are lifted
every season, the spikes and flowers are much
larger than if left undisturbed. They should
not, in any case, be left in the ground undis-
turbed for more than two seasons, as they get
crowded and weakly in growth. /. T., Caff

[The photographs were not suitable for repro-
duction.— Ed.]

228

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 28, 1907.

PELARGONIUM "CLORINDA."

The specimen, of which an illustration is
given at fig. 99, is one of the many plants
grown at Gunnersbury for the purposes of ter-
race decoration. It is one of the sweetly-per-
fumed foliage varieties that are at the same
time extremely useful as flowering plants. The
variety is very distinct in its colouring, being
a soft rose-pink. Already it has proved to be
valuable as a winter and early spring-flowering
plant. It has been frequently shown at the fort-
nightly meetings of the R.H.S. by Messrs. H.
Cannell & Sons and H. 13. May & Sons, as a
small decorative plant, but, as the illustration
shows, it may also be grown into a specimen.
This particular plant is 8 feet in width and 6
feet high. I am disposed to think it would prove
to be a most valuable plant either for covering
walls in corridors and like structure, or for

NOTES FROM A CORNISH
GARDEN.
Following a spring of unusually good
promise, the weather of the present summer has
proved most disappointing, and, save for a few
days in July, it has been what the farmers call a
"dropping season." And yet, save for fruit,
there is very little cause for complaint in the
matter of garden produce ; indeed, I never re-
member looking over the crops in August with
greater satisfaction. But I should state that our
garden is naturally drained ; in low-lying dis-
tricts the prospects are probably very different.
Weeds have been abundant this season and rank
in growth ; hoeing has been almost useless
as compared with the utility of that operation in
normal seasons, and it has been dispensed with
in favour of forking and hand-pulling of the
weeds.

and weather-beaten, but lately they have grown
much better. Tomatos planted in the open will
be so late in swelling their fruit that I fear the
crop will be below the average. Carrots,
Parsnips, and Onions are unusually large, both
bottom and top growth. Carrots sown in July
require much watching, or they will soon be
devoured by slugs. Early Potatos cropped
heavily : Sutton's Abundance and Carter's
Royalty, as second earlies, gave a very good
yield. Late Potatos are not a heavy crop with
us, and disease is prominent in the field crops.
Celery has benefited by the dull, damp season,
and has grown strong and plump. Runner Beans
and late Peas are promising crops. Saladings
have been abundant.

The Flower Garden.
This season has been favourable to those
plants that require a constant supply of

Fig. 99. PELARGONIUM "clorinda" cultivated as a specimen: colour of flowers rose-pink.

training into columns. The plant is strongly
scented of Lemon, even stronger than many of
these fruits as seen in this country. Clorinda
was raised by Dr. Bonavia, and was awarded
an Award of Merit by the Floral Committee of
the R.H.S. on May 1, 1S06, being shown by
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons (see Supplementary
Illustration in Gardeners' Chronicle, April 15,
190."). It recalls the variety known as Robins ill's
Unique both in habit and in the downy charac-
ter of its leaves, which in a robust plant are ab-
normally large. Dr. Bonavia stated in Gardeners'
Chronicle, April 15, 1905, that he raised it from
seeds of P. quercifolium, but that its male
parentage was not known. There is another Pelar-
gonium called " Bridal Ring," which has flowers
of a purplish shade, but in other respects it re-
sembles Clorinda. /. Hudson.

Amongst vegetables the Cauliflowers grew
strongly and made good-sized heads, but they
were occasionally damaged by slugs ; Early Lon-
don is my favourite Cauliflower for summer use.
Autumn Cauliflowers, such as Walcheren and
Veiti h's Autumn Giant, appear very promising.
Caterpillars are, happily, absent. Broad Beans
have been, on the whole, fairly satisfactory, not-
withstanding the fact that in May the plants were
covered with flowers when the stalks were not
more than \\ feet in height. Afterwards they made
a vigorous growth, and reached their usual height
about midsummer. Asparagus furnished a weak
early, but a good strong late, cutting. French
Beans, raised in pots under glass and
planted out on a warm border the last week in
May, gave no pods until the end of July ; all
the season these Beans have appeared very weak

moisture, and, as a rule, strong-growing plants
are abnormally tall and succulent. Flowering
shrubs, such as Rhododendron, Pittosporum,
Pyrus, Olearia, Kalmia, Ceanothus, Magno-
lia, Choisya, Viburnum, Philadelphus, Veroni-
ca, Weigelia, &c, have made exceptionally
strong growths, and if a dry, sunny autumn
ensues, so that the wood becomes ripened, a good
display of flowers should follow next spring.

Amongst herbaceous plants there are a few
subjects which have not enjoyed the dull sum-
mer. The growths of Pasonies are only now
maturing. Sweet Peas have reached a great
height, especially those sown last autumn. The
rain somewhat marred the beauty of these
flowers, though they looked charming for a few
days in July. Iris germanica, I. Kaempferi, and
I. xiphioides in variety have bloomed and grown

September 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

229

well. Such genera as Helianthus, Inula,
Lychnis, Rudbeckia, Aster, Geum, Francoa,
Cimicifuga, Campanula, Gaillardia, Arenaria,
Pyrethrum, &c, have done well in a wet sea-
son. Amongst bedding plants the tuberous-
rooting Begonias have proved disappointing ;
these have suffered, perhaps, more from the
low temperature and boisterous winds than from
an over supply of water. Their growth is short
and cramped, their flowers are short in the stem,
and the petals are poor in substance. Gladi-
olus gandavensis, G. cardinalis, G. Childsii, G.
nanceianus vars. have developed spikes of
gorgeous flowers of fine size, substance, and
colour. In one large flower-bed occupying a
position of prominence near the residence a num-
ber of spring bulbous flowers were planted.
The first to flower were Winter Aconites and
Snowdrops, and these were followed at intervals
by Iris reticulata, I. persica, large trumpet-
flowered Narcissi, Narcissus incomparabilis, N.
poeticus vars., Gladiolus Colvilei, G. ganda-
, G. Childsii, and Hyacinthus (Galtonia)
candicans. Thus there has been a display in
this bed from early spring until September.
Rudbeckia maxima is showing its flowers — a
splendid plant is this. R. purpurea is already in
flower, and I am delighted with this species, hav-
ing seen it for the first time this season. Sidal-
cea Listeri, CEnothera Youngii, Montbretia
rosea, and many charming varieties of the peren-
nial Phlox have made the herbaceous border " a
thing of beauty." Roses of all sections have
grown very strongly and have flowered well.
//. W., Trevince.

AUTUMN - FLOWERING
CROCUSES.

(Concluded from page Zli.)
C. longiflorus. — The slender leaves and
equally slender flowers of this species appear
together late in the season. The flower-tubes
are so slender that the first rainfall lays the
flowers low, and they need a protective carpet
of mossy Saxifraga or some similar plant. The
flowers appear through the soil in November,
and before they open appear like tiny spikes
with inflated tips. When expanded they have
the form of a star, and in colour are a delicate
rosy-mauve with purple venation; the stigma is
of brilliant scarlet colouring. The plant flourishes
in the rock garden in almost any soil, but it re-
quires to be sheltered from winds. It is a native
of Southern Italy, and there is a form named
Wilhelmi which has light lilac flowers that are
heavily veined externally with bronzy-purple.

C. Marathoxisius. — This species is one of
the finest of all white autumn-flowering
Crocuses, but it is too rare to admit of extensive
planting. It has shapely flowers 4 inches high,
yellow stigma and basal colouring.

C. medius. — This species is among the best of
autumn-flowering Crocuses. The petals are
broad and overlapping, and when widely ex-
panded the characteristic cup-like outline is not
lost. The flowers exceed 6 inches in height,
and in well-grown plants the petals are 2 inches
in length and an inch in width. The colour is
a clear mauve-purple, with scarcely any veining,
and the stigma is a cluster of rich scarlet
filaments that droop gracefully when the flower
ages. The habit is sturdy, and it is easy of
culture. The leaves develop very slowly
throughout winter, and are not matured until
April. The corm is as large as that of C.
ous. I regard this plant as the finest of
the rarer autumn Crocuses. Its colour scheme
is pleasing, and its shape all that can be desired.

C. pulchellus produces model flowers in
respect of neatness. They are smaller than those
of the better known C. zonatus, and have the
characteristic cup shape. They are lavender-
blue in colour, and show many fascinating tints
of silvery-lavender as they age. The inner

petals only show a richer veining of purple.
This is a lovely subject for planting in grass,
and it grows readily in short turf in sunny
situations. The season of flowering is Septem-
ber and October.

C. Saizmanm. — In most gardens this species
proves disappointing. Its flowers are net of the
best type ; they are pale purple in colour, with
deeper venation. In addition to being some-
what difficult to flower well, the plant rarely
manages to perfect such flowers as are produced.
It forms large corms and huge tufts of grassy
leaves, among which the flowers nestle. The
species is a native of Tangiers.

C. SATIVJS. — This is also a disappointing
species. No matter how well the plants are
grown and how well the corms are ripened, few
flowers are produced. It is a vigorous-growing
species producing huge tufts of leaves and
showy flowers that are coloured rich lilac, with
veining and basal colouring of purple. The
showy scarlet stigma produces the saffron of
i ommerce. It is a variable plant, ranging from
pure white (seen in the variety ( artw rightianusl
through in my shades of lilac to purple.
Specialists sometimes succeed in flowering a few
specimens, but, generally, cultivation in this
country is disappointing, the corms failing to
develop sufficiently and to ripen well. It is
widely cultivated for producing saffron, and
inhabits Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Fig. 100.-

-A STRErTOCARPUS GROWN BY
MR. BURDEIT.

C. Scharojant. — This is a very rare Crocus
and one which I have not been able to keep for
any considerable time. The flowers are of a
beautiful rich orange shade.

C. SPECIOSUS. — In many respects this is the
most useful of all the autumn-flowering
Crocuses. The colour of the flowers is a clear
blue, feathered and veined with blue-purple,
and the stigma is a cluster of rich orange
filaments. The plant can be recommended for
any position in the garden. The colour of the
flowers — a soft but clear blue — is very attractive.
The corms deteriorate in very poor soils, but
they thrive and increase fast in rich land.
Seeds germinate where they fall, and young
plants arise in thousands at the spots where the
plants have flowered. I have now a plot of
land that is infested with seedling C. speciosus,
and it is likely to remain so for many years,
for it is almost impossible to exterminate it.
Some very old clumps that have "dropped"
below a spade's depth throw up some wonderful
flower clusters that surpass normally grown
Aitchisoni in colour and size. The variety
Aitchiso.ni, although similarly coloured, is much
larger in size. I measured a flower last year
whose petals exceeded 4 inches in length. It is
not so good a plant for planting in grass as
typical C. speciosus, but it succeeds better in a
cultivated border than that species. I have

descriptions of a white variety and a self lilac
variety in my notes on this genus, but I cannot
remember where I saw them.

C. Tournefortii. — This may be classed
amongst the troublesome flowering Crocuses.
The corms are large, and they develop showy
rosy-lavender flowers and huge clumps of '
with a flower occurring among them here and
there. Its garden value dees not surpass that
of C. Salzmanni.

C. ZONATUS is a free-flowering and easily-
grown species that should be planted fre
any soil that is not infested with predatory
insect life. It will thrive in grassland and in
well-tilled borders, but it prefers the hard, half-
tilled soil of a shrubbery border. Its large,
flat corm is distinct from those of any other
Crocuses, and it is worthy of note that mice do
not injure this species much. Wireworm, eel-
worm, and other ground pests, however, attack
the corms badly, and one should be careful in
planting this species to find out if the soil is.
infested with these pests. The flowers of C.
zonatus are exceptionally choice. The\
cup-shaped, coloured a delicate shade of rosy-
lavender, with semi-transparent veining, and
there is a ring of light red at the base of the
cup. The stigma is a collection of pale yellow-
filaments. G. B. MalUtt.

STREPTOCAK1TS BURDETT'S
STRAIN.

The Streptocarpus illustrated at fig. 100 re-
presents a plant of the strain that received an
Award of Merit from the Floral Committee of
the Royal Horticultural Society when shown by
Mr. F. Burdett, Scotswood Gardens, Sunning-
dale, on August 20. Mr. Burdett, who has
obligingly furnished us with the photograpi
from which our figure was prepared, states : " I
have in pots plants with a diameter of 24 inches,
that have from 60 to 70 flower-spikes present on
each, and the plants have been in flower since
June. The seed was sown in pans that were
provided with plenty of material for drainage,
this being covered with decayed leaves f.eed
from worms. The soil was of equal parts loam,
leaf-mould, peat, and coarse silver sand, and
the pans were filled with this compost to within
J of an inch of the rim. They were placed in
water to half the depth of the pan for 30
minutes, and afterwards \ an inch of fine, damp
soil was lightly pressed down, and the seeds
sown thinly and evenly on a convex surface
without any covering of soil, but covered with a
sheet of glass. The pan needs to be soaked occa-
sionally, for the soil must never be allowed
to become dry. Allow the seedlings to become
well advanced before they are pricked out into
pans or pots, and give proper attention
to the matters of shading and watering.
After the plants have done flowering, gradually
reduce the supply of water till the largest leaves
decay, and place them in a cool-house or frame
where they will be protected from frost. Early in
January or February remove the plants to a house
having a temperature of 50'J to 60°. Give a good
soaking with water, and new growth will com-
mence. They should then have the old soil
shaken away from their roots and be afterwards
potted into their flowering pots. Keep the plants
on the dry side until the roots are active. Syringe
overhead and amongst them, for Streptocarpus
require plenty of moisture in their early stages,
of growth. When the plants begin to develop
their flowering stems, give the roots weak cow-
manure water and soot, which has been previously
prepared in a tub with hot water, the hot water
being used for the purpose of destroying any in-
sects that may be present. A suitable compost for
the final potting consists of fibrous loam two
bushels, leaf-mould and peat one bushel each,
one peck of old cow manure, one gallon of char-
coal, some mortar rubble broken up, one 41-inch
pot full of bone meal, and one peck of coarse
sand."

230

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 28, 1907.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM FROM
SEED.

Imported plants of this fine species vary con-
siderably, both in size and colour, the propor-
tion of first-class varieties being very small.
Having a very fine form of C. Spicerianum, Mr.
H. A. Tracy, of Twickenham, fertilised it with
its own pollen, obtained seeds, and raised a
good number of plants, some of which flowered
last year, and all are now in bloom. The
.flowers are of the " magnificum " class, with
large, white dorsal sepal, slightly shaded with
rose on the lower half, and with a broad, claret-
coloured band in the middle. Although the
plants are still young, they show a marked ad-
vance on the imported varieties, and prove that
much might be done with advantage in the
matter of seeding good varieties of imported
species.

ANGR^CUM ROTHSCHILDIANUM.

It is to be regretted that this very remarkable
and pretty Angraecum, the only representative
of the A. Galeandrae section in cultivation,
should have been imported only on the one
occasion when the Hon. Walter Rothschild
obtained a few plants of it in 1902 from the
Uganda district. It flowered at Tring Park in
1903, and was illustrated in the Gardeners'
Chronicle, August 22, 1903, p. 131. It has
flowered annually at Tring Park, and is now
in bloom there. The habit of the plant is simi-
lar to that of Angraecum bilobum ; the flowers,
which are each about 2 inches across, are borne
on a short raceme, and are white with a
blackish-purple base to the emerald-green disc
of the lip. The flowers are very fragrant, and
are capable of lasting a long time in bloom.

LiELIA SIDNEYANA (L. CINNABARINA X
L. JONGHEANA).
A batch of this pretty hybrid has been flower-
ing in Mr. H. A. Tracy's Orchid Nurseries,
Twickenham, for the last two months, and still
there are many of the plants in bloom and bud.
It has the habit of Laelia Latona, and the flowers
equal that variety in size and shape, but the
sepals and petals are narrower. The different
varieties vary in colour from clear apricot-
yellow (with orange-coloured lip having a rose-
coloured margin) to light orange, which is tinged
and veined with reddish-rose and with mauve
margin to the lip. Its free-blooming qualities
make it a desirable decorative plant.

The Week's Work.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Vines. — Any vines upon which the fruit is not
colouring well, or upon which the berries are
shanking, should have their roots examined. All
late varieties should be perfectly ripened by the
end of September, and the fruits will keep in
good condition for use during the winter and
spring. Late crops of Muscat of Alexandria and
Gros Colmar develop colour only with difficulty,
especially when the border in which they are
growing is rich, or cold and wet. This is the
case even when the borders have been made up
of proper compost for Grape culture. If the roots
have extended to the extremity of the borders,
and show, when examined, a quantity of soft,
thick roots, which are for the most part proceed-
ing down towards the drainage, it will be neces-
sary to check this gross growth. The best
manner of doing this is to cut out a trench along
the centre of the border, taking away the soil
quite down to the b( ttom of the drainage. Cut
away every root that is found there, and refill
the trench partly with some of the old soil and
partly with new compost, keeping the latter
nearest the surface. Make the whole very firm
as the work proceeds. Next lift the roots nearest
the surface and relay them in fresh loam right
up to the front of the vinery wall. This opera-

tion can be successfully carried out every two
or three years, and in intervening years '1 or 3
feet width of compost can be added to the bor-
ders as the roots extend. This check at the
roots at a time when the leaves are still green
may cause the latter to flag, and the vinery may-
require a little shading ; but as a result of the
treatment the Grapes will improve in colour and
quality, and this is especially -the case with Gros
Colmar.

Peaches and Nectarines. — If young trees have
produced gross, soft shoots during the season, it
will be necessary to lift them, prune their roots,
and afterwards replant them. The sooner this
work is done the better, as it is an advantage to
the trees if it is done before the leaves fall. Per-
manent trees also which are growing too
strongly should be root-pruned. Cut out a
trench along the centre of the border quite down
to the base, and cut away all roots, refilling the
trench with the same soil, and making it very
firm. If Peach and Nectarine trees have to be
planted this season, the present time, whilst the
leaves are still green, is the best for the opera-
tion. Spread out the roots well over the com-
post, and cover them 4 inches or 5 inches deep
with the finer portions of the compost. Do not
tie up the young trees much at this stage.

Cucumbers. — Plants now growing in 6-inch
pots and that are intended to fruit during
winter should be planted out into ridges com-
posed of rich, turfy soil. Some gardeners prefer
to keep the plants in pots, just placing them on
the top of the ridge, where they will soon root
through the hole at the base. Keep the plants
growing steadily in a moist atmosphere, so as
to have strong, healthy plants before the winter
sets in. Spray the plants over with water twice
daily, and close the house early in the after-
noon. The atmospheric heat may be 80° during
the day and 70° at night. If the presence of
mildew is detected, dust the leaves with flowers
of sulphur. Plants still supplying fruits will
require a considerable quantity of water at the
roots. Close the house earlier in the afternoon
as the days become shorter.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Cattleyas.— Plants of Cattleya Bowringiana, C.
Dowiana, C D. aurea, and the autumn -flowering
varieties of C. labiata that have completed their
growth, should be fully exposed to the light and
placed in a position where plenty of fresh air can
reach them so that the new pseudo-bulbs and leaves
will harden, and thus become capable of withstand-
ing the strain imposed by flowering. The flowers
are then likely to become highly coloured and well
developed. The plants will require sufficient water
to keep their roots moist but not wet until the
flowers are open, when the quantity must be
gradually lessened. Plants of C. gigas, C. Hardy-
ana, C. Warneri. and Laelia elegans as they pass
out of flower quickly begin to make a quantity of
roots from the newest pseudo-bulbs ; therefore if
any of these plants require more rooting space, or
fresh compost, the operation should be carried
out without delay. After repotting, gradually ex-
pose the plants to more light and air, and till they
have become re-established afford them only suffi-
cient water to prevent much shrivelling. Care
must be taken not to keep the compost continually
damp, or the plants will recommence to grow
instead of resting.

Lalia tenebrosa, I., purpurata ami its varieties have
started well into growth, and may also be repotted
if necessary. Cut away all dead and useless back
pseudo-bulbs, especially those which have no
leaves, and repot the plants into receptacles large
enough to afford space that will suffice for two
seasons. For small and moderate-sized plants
the pots should be made about half full of crocks
for drainage, but larger specimens will require
more drainage and less potting material. Secure
the drainage to the base of the pot with a thin
layer of rough sphagnum-moss, and for placing
about the roots, good samples of osmunda fibre
(two parts), polypodium fibre (two parts) and
sphagnum-moss (one part) will be found suit-
able. These materials should be chopped up and
well mixed togeiher, adding sufficient small crocks
to keep the compost freely porous. When repotting,
keep the rhizome of the plant on a level with the
rim of the pot, and press the compost firmly about
the roots, and along under the rhizome of the
plant, particularly in the centre. While these

Laelias are making their growth they should be
placed in a light position in the Cattleya house,
and be afforded water often enough to keep the
few pieces of moss growing on the surface ot the
compost damp, but carelully avoid over-wetness
at any time.

Lalia harpophy'la. — Plants of the thin-bulbed
L. harpophylla that have been in the cool inter-
mediate house during the summer are growing
freely, and should be placed at the cool end of the
Cattleya house, the little extra warmth being con-
ducive to the proper development of the new
pseudo-bulbs. The roots will require plenty of
moisture until the flowers open, when the quantity
should be gradually lessened.

Sophronitis grandiflora. — In the cool house, plants
of this species are making good progress with their
new growth, and the old roots will be developing
new ones. If a plant of this species is in need of
repotting, or the compost has become worn out,
the present is a good time to attend to these
matters. The same kind of compost as is advised
above for the Cattleyas will also suit this species.
I have seen plants of S. grandiflora growing far
more luxuriantly in the osmunda and polypodium
fibres than in the ordinary compost of peat and
sphagnum-moss. Such plants which only a few
years ago had from a dozen to a score of blooms
will in all probability produce from 40 to 60
flowers this season. Elevate the plants well up
to the roof glass at the warmer end of the cool
house, or in a cool part of the intermediate house,
in a position where plenty of fresh air may reach
them, but one free from cold draughts. It is
necessary to supply the plants freely with water
till the flowering season is past, and the grqwih
fully made up, afterwards the supply should be
gradually decreased, but at no time must the
compost be allowed to become quite dry.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
Last Devon.

Filberts and Walnuts. — Filberts are now fit to
gather, and the nuts, after gathering, should be
laid out thinly to dry, turning them over occa-
sionally. In about a month the nuts freed from
the bushes may be stored in jars in a cool cellar,
tying over the tops of the jars with pieces of
linen or canvas so as to exclude the air. Wal-
nuts usually require much beating to get them
from the tree, and they require a longer time to
free themselves from the husks, but after they
are dry they may be stored in a similar manner
to Filberts.

Autumn-bearing Raspberries. — The warmer
weather has changed matters here, and we are
now gathering nice fruits of the varieties Four
Seasons, Merville Rouge, Everbearing, and even
that very late variety, November Abundance, is
still bearing. On porous soils a heavy wateung
would assist the later fruits, and if the present
fine weather continues for a few weeks longer,
several gatherings will be forthcoming.

Late Peaches. — See that every fruit is fully
exposed to the rays of ths sun, and afford
copious waterings if necessary. Sea Eagle, Late
Devonian, Nectarine Peach, Gladstone, Barring-
ton, and Princess of Wales are all excellent
varieties, and are developing colour well this
season. Golden Eagle is a very late sort, ripen-
ing towards the middle of October with us on
an east wall, but these late varieties ought to
be planted in a southern aspect, so that they
will get all the sun possible during the month
of September. The fruits also should be fully
exposed to the sun quite early in the season if
the colour and flavour are to be of the best.

The Grape Vine. — It has been a bad season
for the vines to within the last fortnight, but
the bunches may possibly mature. Remove any
laterals that shade the fruit, and protect the
Grapes from birds, wasps, and flies, if this hss
not already been done. Keep the roots moist
during this spell of drought, or the berries will
be small.

Mulchings. — These may now be taken away,
so that the sun may the better warm the borders
containing the roots. Point over the surface
soil with the fork, and if too dry, apply a
soaking of water which will suffice for some
time to come, as the days are getting shorter
and the sun less powerful. It is of little use
to fork these mulchings into the borders, for
after the exposure and rains to which they have
been subjected they contain very little nourish-
ment.

September 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

231

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Freesias. — As soon as these plants start into
growth, let the covering material be removed, or
the growths will become weakened. Kxpose
them to all the light and air possible, to ensure
a sturdy growth, and when the cooler weather
sets in remove the plants to a shelf in a light,
well-ventilated house. Watering must be done
with care, for Freesias are very impatient of
over-watering, rarely succeeding well if this hap-
pens. Apply a neat stake and secure the growth
to this as support becomes necessary. The
plants require to be kept growing steadily, but
at no time must they be subjected to an exces-
sive degree of heat. An atmospheric tempera-
ture at night of 50u to 55u is quite sufficient dur-
ing the winter months.

Solanums. — If the varieties grown for their
decorative fruits have been planted out, no time
should now be lost before getting them lifted
and potted up, cutting round the balls with a
sharp spade a week or so previous to lifting
them. This will prepare them in a measun
for enduring the transplantation without suffer-
ing much check. Water the roots thoroughly on
the day before lifting is commenced. Take up
the plants very carefully, and place them in as
small pots as they can be conveniently put in,
without destroying the roots, as for decorative
purposes plants in small pots are most useful.
When potted, place the plants in a house or
frame (or, if this cannot be done, place them at
the foot of a wall facing to the north], shading
them heavily and keeping the atmosphere'of the
frame fairly close and damp during hot days,
but exposing the plants at evening. Under this
treatment they will quickly lecover any check
they may sustain, and afterwards they should
be placed in a house exposed to the full sun-
shine, to ripen the fruits. Ventilate freely, and
maintain at night an atmosphric temperature of
55 degrees.

Marguerites. — If a good batch of these plants
has been grown out-of-doors Quring the summer,
and are now coming into bloom, they will be
found useful for arranging with Salvias and
other bright-coloured flowers. Marguerites,
being gross feeders, require copious supplies of
water when in full growth, with an occasional
weak dose of manure-water. Examine the
plants carefully each week for the grub or
maggot which often infests the leaves of these
plants, and pick, off all infested leaves and burn
them. As cuttings of Marguerites will make
roots very readily, it is a good plan to have
batches of young plants in various stages of
growth.

The watering of plants in houses. — At this
season, when many plants are ceasing growth
for the season, much discretion is. necessary in
the matter of affording water. One mistake
often made is that of drying-off plants suddenly,
instead of gradually decreasing the supply of
water until it can safely be withheld alt' igether.
Plants that have been growing out of doors on
a bed of cool ashes may find the change to in-
side conditions anything but beneficial, unless
means are taken to modify these conditions. If
the weather is hot and dry, such plants, after
removal indoors, will require to have the stages
damped between the pots two or three times
each day, and a slight spraying overhead with
the syringe in the afternoon will freshen the
plants, and in a measure compensate for the
drier atmospheric conditions in the glass-house.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Hardy Cacti. — The soil about these plants
should be kept stirred and free from weeds and
moss. If the ground has become at all close in
texture, remove the surface portion, replace it
with some fresh compost, and place freshly-
broken pieces of sandstone and charcoal around
the plants to absorb superfluous moisture. Any
decaying portions of the plants should be
entirely removed, and the cut should be made
cleanly, for which purpose a sharp knife should
be used. A few cuttings of the tender kinds
of Cacti should be inserted in pots, and be
wintered on a dry shelf in a warm plant-house.
Examine the portable lights, re-place any glass

that may be broken in them, and, if necessary,
give them a coating of paint. As soon as
wet weather sets in, place these lights over the
plants, but afford the plants an abundance of
air on all favourable occasions.

Flower-beds. — It frequently happens in late
summer that frosts appear on some nights, and
afterwards tin- weather is again mild. A quan-
tity of some light protective material, such as
hessian and tiffany, should be kept ready to
place over the beds when frost threatens. A few
sticks should be inserted in tiie beds for the
purpose of protecting the plants from injury by
the covering. As a rule, the protective material
may be laid direct upon carpet bedding plants,
which should be the first protected, as they are
very tender, and susceptible to injury from a
few degrees of frost. In the sub-tropical garden,
preparations should also be made to pi i I
from light frosts the more tender Palms, &c.
Cycas revoluta, if moderately dry at tin roots,
will withstand much more frost than will
Latanias.

Budded Hoses. — The ligatures should be
loosened, removed, or replaced, according as is
necessary. Shoots of Briars should be con-
siderably shortened.

Transplanting. — If the soil is sufficiently
moist for the purpose, the work of lifting
re-planting young shrubs should be prcn i
with as soon as circumstances permit. Earl}
transplanting is greatly to be recommended,
especially in tin . i the evergreen species.

The use of strong manure in the soil is not
advisable, and any addition to the rooting
medium should be such as will favour the
formation of roots rather than leaves. If the plants
have received attention during their growing
period in the matters of pinching and training,
no branch pruning will be needed. It is in-
advisable, as a rule, when lifting plants, to
prune them, but all long, coarse roots should
be shortened with a sharp knife. When |
ing, do so firmly, and allow ample room for
each plant to fully develop.

of rubbish be made into a heap in the yard that
is set apart for this purpose, and add to tin
lefuse that will be removed from the gfound
during the next fortnight. At the end of a fort-
night the heap should be turned over, shaking
out all the longest litter, and keeping this in a
separate heap for use in the protecting of Celery,
Globe Artichokes, &c, from early frosts, and
later on for the making of hot-beds. Tin .
heap will help to provide the winter's demand
for manure. Make further plantings of such
varieties of Cabbage Lettuce as "AH the Yeai
Round," and of the Cos Lettuce Bath, selecting
warm and sunny borders, but bearing in mind
that some of these early quarters must tx
for early crops of Peas, Cauliflowers, Spi
&c, next spring. The ground for the early crops
just mentioned must be trenched or otherwise
prepared at the first opportunity after the pi
date.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. HoNESS, Gardener to C. Cumhe, Fsq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

F?/atos. — The outlook for the main-crop in
this part of the country is unsatisfactory. The
plants made good and, to all appearance, a
healthy growth in the early part of the season,
but they are now all black or leafless through
disease, which has already affected the tubers to
a very serious extent. Any varieties there) ire
that are approaching ripeness should be lifted
without delay, and, if possible, during the
continuance of the good weather which pi
at the time of writing, for should wet weather
set in whilst the tubers are still in the ground,
the results will be the more disastrous. I
care should be exercised in the picking up of
the tubers, and all which are affected with
disease should be separated from the sound ones.
The care now taken will save much labour dur-
ing the next month or so, as the tubers will not
require the same amount of picking over before
they are finally stored. As the work of lifting
is proceeding, let the tubers be exposed to the
air as much as possible, that they may be per-
fectly dry before being temporarily stored.

Celery. — Continue to earth up Celery as soon
as the plants reach a suitable condition, and
when they are sufficiently dry. If the plants are
dry at the roots, apply a thorough watering be-
tween the rows, as soon as the earthing-up has
been done. If the Celery fly or leaf miner has
made an appearance, spray the plants on the
under and upper side of the leaves with Quassia
extract, and afterwards apply a liberal dusting
of soot, doing this work early in the morning,
while the leaves are still wet with dew. Should
this application be washed off by rain during
the first week, follow it up with a second dress-
ing at the first opportunity.

Cardoons. — The later plantings should now re-
ceive their final blanching, first supporting each
plant with a stake, and binding it round with
hay-bands. Earth-up with soil in the usual
manner.

General work. — If the ground and paths have
been kept clear of weeds during the present
month, little trouble in this respect will be ex-
perienced for some time. Let all accumulations

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettiorew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Distribution of disused bedding plants — As the
time is fast approaching when the summer bedding
in the parks must be replaced by spring-flowering
plants, the question of how to dispose of the
plants now occupying the beds is somewhat
opportune. Excepting cases in which the stock-
now possessed of a particular kind of plant is less
than is required, ordinary bedding plants such as
Pelargoniums, Calceolarias. Pentstemons, Helio-
tropiums and Ageratums are of no value at the end
of the season. In private gardens they are often
consigned to the rubbish heap, and until recent
years the same practice prevailed in public gan lens
Now, however, it is customary in most parks to
distribute the surplus bedding plants to 'anyone
desirous of having them, rather than destroy them.
This annual distribution of plants has in many
towns become quite an institution, and very early
in the autumn visitors to the park make inquiries
as to when the bedding stuff is to be given
The same people come year after year for plants,
a fact which — whether indicating success or failure
on their part in growing them cannot be decided —
shows how popular this custom has become.

Miinncr of distribution. — When following the
example of other towns in this matter a few ye irs
ago, we commenced by making the mistake of
giving the plants away at each of the parks and
open spaces, and at different dates, so as not to
interfere with the regular work. We soon found
that this enabled the same people to go from
garden to garden and secure more plants than
they should expect to obtain, and in this way a
fair distribution was rendered impossible. To put
a stop to this we now have all surplus plants taken
to three different centres of the town, from each
of which they are supplied on the same day and
during the same hours. Another mistake we made
was in giving away the plants as soon as the parks
were opened — at 6 a.m. — on the days appointed.
The result of this arrangement was that most of
the plants got into the hands of children, and were,
more or less, destroyed before they reached
their homes. Adults arriving after 9 a.m. were
greatly disappointed to find that every plant had
been cleared away and none left for them. Now
that the distribution does not commence until
9 a.m. — by which time most children are in school
— the right class of people seem generally to get
the plants.

Notice of distribution. — The date of the distribution
is published in the local papers a few days before
it takes place, and the public turn up in such
numbers that they have to be formed up in queues
and admitted by batches to the place of distribution,
which the applicants enter by one gate and leave
by another. A number of men are kept busy giv-
ing away the plants as fairly as possible, while the
park constables do their best to prevent the greedy
ones from getting more than their share.

Effect on trade. — It is sometimes suggested that
the free distribution of the disused bedding plants
in the manner described is detrimental to the
interests of nurserymen. As most of those who
avail themselves of this privilege are not in a
position to buy plants for their gardens, this
suggestion can hardly be correct The proba-
bilities are that nurserymen get an indirect benefit
from the custom, and knowing what a small per-
centage of the plants given away are actually saved
by the recipients, they generally regard the practice
with indifference.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 28, 1907,

EDITORIAL, NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be --nt to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington 5tr« t, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the bUIIOK.
41 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications shouUt be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and July
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed.' hut kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.-^ Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

NewsDapers.-Com-s/TOi<l™/s sending newspapers should be
careful to marl: the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR OCTOBER.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1-

Roy. Hon. Soc. Corns, meet. Scottish Hort. Assoc,
meet. National Amateur Gard. Assoc, meet.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2-

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Early Exh. at Crystal Palace (2 days).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5-

Soc. Franc. d'Hort. de Londres meet.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14-

United Ben. and Prov. Soc. Com. meet Nat. Chrys.
Soc. 1 loral Com. meet.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Exh. of British-grown Fruit (2 days).

FRIDAY', OCTOBER 25— Royal Bot. Soc. meet.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Floral Com. meet.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex.
Council meet. Croydon Chrys. Show (2 days).

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30—

Kent County Chrys. Soc. Exh. at Blackheath (2 days).
Streatham and Dist. Hort. Society's Autumn Show (2
days).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31—

West London Hort. Society's Show at Hammersmith.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 53'8".
Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, September 25 (6 p.m.): Max. 82°;
Min. 52".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, Sept
26(10a.m.): Bar. 29'7 , Temp., 65'; Weather—
Dull.
Provini I-- — Wednesday, Sept, ml', i 25 6 p m.) : Max. 66",
* ambridge ; Mm. 55 , Scotland \\ .

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY TO FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 07 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
i Morris, at 10.30.

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Annual Sale of Nursery Stock at Sunningdale Nurseries,
Windlesham, Surrey, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.30.

WEDNESDAY—

is and Plants, Bays, &c, at 67 & 68, Cheapside,
E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 5.

FRIDAY—

Orchids in variety at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

Sale of Surplus Nursery Stock at Warren Nurseries,
Upper Tooting, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

The exceptional crops of Plum'-
Plums th^ season have caused much

and their
Prices.

comment. In almost every dis-
trict the trees have yielded
abundantly, so much so that many of the
standard trees in the orchards that are not
pruned systematically have had their
branches broken by such a weight of fruit
as they were quite unable to support. During
many years' experience, we have never wit-
nessed orchard-grown Plum trees so bril-
liantlv beautiful as they were recently when
thus laden with their highly-coloured fruits.
The sight was one that should have afforded
complete satisfaction to the cultivator, for it
showed that he had applied the art of cultiva-
tion successfully, and that the results of his

work had not suffered from ungenial climatic
conditions that have so frequently proved
disastrous heretofore.

But it has to be pointed out that the com-
mercial cultivator is also the seller of his
crops, and, illogical though it might seem to
those unfamiliar with the circumstances,
from the point of view of the seller, such
plentiful crops as have ripened this season
are not profitable. This is a matter that calls
for the earnest consideration of all those who
have a lively interest in the industry of fruit
culture, the extension of which we have advo-
cated on every possible occasion, in the belief,
which we still hold, that it is the best thing
that could happen to rural England. It is
impossible to withhold sympathy from the
grower. His art is directed towards securing
heavy crops of high quality, and he is en-
couraged by all the literature that exists on
this question, by lecturers and mentors of
every description, to exert himself to the
utmost in this laudable work. Occasionally
he succeeds so well that the very measure
of his success spells failure. He is almost
induced to lament a result that he has done
so much to attain, mainly because others
have succeeded equally well. It is a paradox,
but one that should be capable of some ex-
planation. There must surely be something
lacking in enterprise or organisation, when a
good harvest, such as is contributory to the
best interests of the community as a whole,
is, nevertheless, incapable of yielding proper
remuneration to the producer.

We believe that if the attention of cultiva-
tors could be properly focussed upon this
subject, and an organised attempt made to
remedy the matter, it would be found that
the difficulties now experienced are in a large
measure the result of an imperfect system
of distribution. The presence of an excessive
supply of fruit of any kind in a particular
market causes a glut, such as is known to
be ruinous to the cultivators, and there is
every reason to believe that such gluts are
permitted to occur in certain markets on
occasions when the same fruit is in I

demand in other thickly-populated districts,
where the supply is It ss plentiful. In the
ca i <'l Plums, it will be admitted that com-
mercial crops are not cultivated so commonly
as Apple crops. There are many counties
where the cultivation of Plums on a com-
mercial basis is scarcely attempted, and it
would appear probable that if the country's
produce could be distributed equally and ex-
peditiously over the country's whole area, it
would sell for remunerative prices, even in
such a season as the present. In order to
accomplish this it would seem to be essential
that the growers themselves should possess
correct information as to the demand exist-
ing in the various centres of the population,
so that the consignments might be sent
in the first instance to those in which the de-
mand is greatest. It is a commonplace fact
that the London markets attract a greater
quantitv of fruit than they can dispose of pro-
fitably, and, as a consequence, it is often to be
purchased from the costers at prices alto-
gether out of proportion to those ruling in
many parts of the pi ivinces. This fart was
borne out recently bj a letter which appeared
in a contemporary from a correspondent at
Cardiff, who complained that in that city

Plums of g-ood quality could not be purchased
at the retail establishments at less than three-
pence per pound. Yet during the same week
we had reason to know that excellent samples
of the variety Victoria were sold in London
in the wholesale markets at two shillings per
bushel of sixty pounds, whilst inferior pro-
duce realised only half that sum per bushel.
Kentish Plum cultivators may not all have
been aware that the whole of the Principality
of Wales may be said to be dependen' for
their Plums upon the produce obtained from
English counties. We know of some in-
stances of Plum orchards in Wales, but their
aggregate production bears but little re-
lation to the demand. It may freely
be admitted that in recent years the
art of distribution has been greatly de-
veloped by such men as Mr. George Monro
and others, but much remains still to be
done. It is for the cultivators to determine
whether the work can be best accomplished
by an association of salesmen or by an asso-
ciation of growers. In either case there should
be representatives in every industrial centre,
and it should be the business of these agents
to collect information as to the demand which
is found to exist in their locality, and to fur-
nish frequent reports upon the prices which
consignments may be expected to realise
there. The chief centre might reasonably be
situated in London, and from this bureau
it should be possible for fruit growers to ob-
tain the latest information by means of tele-
phonic or telegraphic messages. An annual
fee pavable by all the members would pro-
bably suffice to defray the cost of the colli c-
tion and dissemination of the reports. Plums
being of a quickly perishable nature, it would
be advantageous if, for instance, consign-
ments from Kent could be sent to Lancashire
or Other northern markets without the need
of passing through a London market, whilst
the cultivator would be satisfied thai they
were being sent to a centre where the best
prices could be realised.

In this connection it may be pointed out
that, although the prices obtained by the
growers may suffer very considerably owing
to the presence of a glut in the market where
the fruit is first " dumped," it by no means
follows that such fruit will be sold cheaply
to the consumers. Much of it is the more
likely to be subsequently distributed lo dis-
tricts where scarcity is present rather than a
glut, and the final prices realised therefore
have very little resemblance to those paid in
the first instance to the growers.

It is conceivable that, even were an orga-
nisation established similar to that we have
suggested, some difficulty might arise un-
less the central bureau had power to de-
termine the distribution; because, when all
the growers possessed the information as to
the locality where the highest prices were
ruling, so many would send their fruits there
as to cause the very kind of glut it is desirable
to prevent. These are questions, however, lor
the growers or the salesmen to determine,
lor although our propositions are offered as
nothing more than suggestions, at the same
lime there can scarcely be two opinions as to
the need for an organised scheme of some
description. It may be objected that a glut
of Plums is an infrequent occurrence, and
that any systematised attempt to prevent it

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THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

233

would thus be unduly costly, and, indeed,
hardly justifiable. In this connection, the
obvious retort would be that there are fre-
quent gluts of one kind or another, and the
system that succeeded in preventing loss to
the growers through an abundant Plum crop
would also be of equal service in the presence

well advised if he keeps his area under Plum
trees somewhat restricted, and takes care to
have the major part of his orchards cropped
with Apples. In private gardens something
may be done in the way of pruning the trees,
and in thinning the blossoms or fruit to pre-
vent the Plum trees becoming so laden one

at the present moment of The Book of Fruit-
bottling, by Miss Edith Bradley and Miss
May Crooke, that in yet another way culti-
vators have it in their power to make better
use of an over-crop of soft fruits than allow-
ing them to waste upon the land. The larger
growers might find it to their advantage to

Fig. ioi. — lomatia ferruginea: colour of flowers brownish-red.

A, Side and apex of flower, showing the four sepals x 4 ; B, Londtudinal section showing separating sepal X 4 ;
D Ovary style, and basal glands, with top of stigma above X 4 ; E, Pollen "x 400.

C, Stamen x 4 ;

of other gluts of small fruits, Apples, Potatos,
or similar marketable produce.

Apart from the question of distribution, the
fruit cultivator, knowing that Plums are a
very uncertain crop, and likely to be over-
plentiful or scarce in a particular season, is

(Ses also Supplementary Illustration, and text on p. 234.)

season as to render them unable to produce
a satisfactory crop in the following year, but
this is scarcely practicable in the case of
large srehards which are cultivated for com-
mercial purposes.
We are, however, reminded by the receipt

erect a factory on their own land where the
surplus fruits of any kind might be made into
jam, or be preserved by bottling in a form
that, when used in the winter months, the
fruits have almost, or quite, the same quali-
ties as they possessed when gathered from

234

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 28, 1907.

the trees. The smaller growers could co-
operate for the same purpose, and have their
factories at convenient distances, just as on
many parts of the Continent creameries are
established on the co-operative plan for the
making of butter. Selected fruits would be
necessary for use in bottling:, and the re-
mainder, if perfectly sound, would serve for
the making- of jam.

One or all of these methods, or better ones,
if they are forthcoming, should be employed
if they are necessary to prevent waste in a
season of plenty. We fear that the practices
at present in use are as unsatisfactory as they
are unscientific.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — By

the courtesy of Earl Annesley we are enabled to
illustrate Lomatia ferruginea as a shrub growing
in the gardens at Castlewellan. Co. Down, and at
fig. 101 a spray of flowers with details of a singe
flower. Respecting its culture at Castlewellan,
his lordship's gardener, Mr. Ryan, writes
us as follows: "Plants of this very handsome
Chilian shrub have been cultivated in the
pleasure grounds at Castlewellan during the
past 18 years, and thev have not suffered the
least injury even in the severest winters. The
species is, therefore, hardier than it was at first
supposed to be, for in most gardening books it is
described as a plant for the greenhouse or con-
servatory It has flowered here for several seasons
past, but the flowers are much hidden by the
luxuriant pinnate foliage. This season the speci-
mens have flowered most profusely. They grow
very vigorously in a mixture of fibrous peat,
loam, and old, well-decayed manure, thoroughly
mixed logether. In planting we make large holes
5 or 6 feet in diameter, and 4 feet deep, which we
fill in with the above compost, the Lomatia being
a very gross-feeding plant. Lord Annesley
bought the plants on the Continent as Lomatia
pinnatifolia, under which name it was grown here
for many years, but the Kew authorities have
stated its correct name to be L. ferruginea Some
of the specimens in the grounds at Castlewellan
are 12 feet in height and 35 feet in circumference."

Royal Horticultural Society. — The next
meeting of the Committees of this Society w ill take
place on Tuesday, October 1, in the Society's hall,
Vincent Square, Westminster. In the afternoon
a lecture on " Electric Cultivation in Relation
to Horticulture" will be given by Mr. 13. H.
Thwaite.

School-garden Produce at Oxford. —

An exhibition of produce, grown on the school
gardens under the Oxfordshire Education Com-
mittee, was held on September 19th, at the
County Hall. The exhibits, some 050 in
number, were arranged in two divisions: (1),
school gardens; (2), trial allotment produc-
tions ; and they comprised 14 and 20 classes of
vegetables respectively. Additional exhibits of
flowers, fruits, and grafted Apple and Pear trees
were also sent by some of the boys. The awards
were made as follows : Allotment produce, Mi -.\V.
Howell, formerly gardener to the late G. H. Mor-
kell, Esq. ; School exhibits, Mr. J. S. Chidlow,
gardener to Mrs. Herbert Mokrell, Headinglon
Hill Hall. Mr. P. Ellord, the secretary of the
Oxford Educational Committee, in announcing the
result of the exhibition, said the three winners
in the trial allotment competition were so nearly
equal, that whilst Bicester, as gaining the highest
total, was awarded the cup, Charlbury would
receive a silver, and Crowmarsh a bronze medal.
During the afternoon some 200 of the boys attended
a lecture on the subject of successional sowings,
given by the horticu'tural instructor, Mr. Heaton.

South-Eastern Agricultural College.

— In connection with the garden produce, poultry
and honey competitions of the Kent County
Council and of the National Potato Society, at the
South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent,
on Wednesday, October 2, we are asked to remind
our readers that a conference will be held, when
an address will be given by the Principal, Mr.
M. J. R. Dunstan, to be followed by discussion.
Those wishing to attend are asked to send their
names to the Principal of the College.

York Gala Jubilee, 1908. —The exhibition
of 1908 will form the 50th in succession, and in
celebration of the Jubilee show, the management
is offering the sum of 1 ,000 guineas in prize money.
Four gold medals are offered for nurserymen for
non-competitive exhibits, and the judges will be
empowered to award a special prize of a jubilee gold
medal to the exhibit they may consider the best
and most attractive in general arrangement, and
most calculated to awaken the interest of visitors.
Prizes of a total value of £100, including a first
prize of £40, are offered in an open class, called
the Jubilee Commemorative Class " A," for a
display of plants and flowers grouped for effect
but not exceeding 30 feet in length by 14 feet in
depth. Important prizes are also offered for a
display of horticultural produce, including plants-,
flowers and fruits ; and for bulbous and allied
plants and cut flowers, associated with any kinds
of retarded plants. A first prize of £10 is offered
for the best decorated table of ripe fruit. The
secretary is Mr. Fred. Arey, Davyhall Chambers,
Davygate, York.

Dr. Gustave Hostermann. — The post of
Professor of Botany and Sections President for
Plant Physiology in the research institution at
the Royal Gardeners' College at Dahlem, recently
vacant owing to the death of Dr. Karl Muller,
is now filled by Dr. Gustave Hostermann,
until recently assistant at the Botanical Institute
of the Agricultural Academy at Bonn-Poppels-
dorf.

Agricultural Development in Papua
(New Guinea). — British New Guinea having
passed into the possession of the Australian
Commonwealth, the Australian authorities have
drawn up a scheme for the agricultural and
mineral development of the country. Mr. Stani-
forth Smith has been appointed Director of Agri-
culture, Mines, and Public Works, and on his way
to take up his appointment was interviewed in
Ceylon by the Ceylon Observer. He stated that for
the last 20 years British New Guinea (or Papua as
it is now called) has been governed as a Crown
colony, and during that time excellent work has
been accomplished in converting the natives along
the coasts from cannibalistic and head-hunting
savages to peaceful and law-abiding subjects.
Magisterial districts have been carried out all along
the southern and eastern littoral, and in these the
white settlers' lives and property are perfectly safe.
The natives have not only ceased their tribal fights
and the manufacture of warlike weapons, but have
even given up the weapons they possessed.
The system of native government has been excel-
lent in the past, and this policy will be maintained
in the future. The territory of Papua having now
been transferred to the Commonwealth, we feel,
said Mr. Smith, that the time is ripe for enlarging
the function of government by an active policy of
industrial development that wi'l bring us more in
line with our progressive neighbours. We have
millions of acres of rich, well drained alluvial
soils right on the coast, and just as healthy
for Europeans as other lands in the same
latitude. These lands are covered with scrub
and forest. The soil is excellently suited for the cul-
tivation of rubber, cocoanuts, and sugar, while the
fertile tablelands further inland are well fitted for
the cultivation of coffee, tea, cinchona, and cocoa.

Holly Lodge, Highgate. - This interesting
old residence, with its beautiful grounds and gar-
dens, which has been announced for sale by
public auction on October 24, has often been
referred to in these columns. Holly Lodge will
be ever associated with the memory of the late
Baroness Burdett Coutts for the gatherings
held there in the mid-Victorian period included
most of the notable personages of the time. The
grounds have a certain old-time appearance and
they contain many stately trees. Some of the
lawns are so enclosed by trees and shrubs, yet
afford such pretty views, that the visitor can
scarcely realise the situation is so near to the
metropolis, for the distance from Charing Cross is
less than five miles. Rhododendron bushes of
unusually large dimensions are to be found in
various portions of the estate, and when these are
in flower, as we saw them on a recent visit, they
are productive of such floral effects as could hardly
be expected in aLondon suburb. There are also ex-
tensive fruit and vegetable gardens attached to the
place. The gardens and pleasure grounds have
Ion.; been under the care of Mr. Jesse Willard,
who is well known as a member of the Fruit and
Vegetable Committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society. An illustration of Holly Lodge was
published in the Gardcncn' Chronicle for August 21,
18S6.

Plant Breeding in Sweden. — The Swedish
Seed-breeding Association aims at an essential
improvement of agriculture in Sweden by means
of the " systematic raising of new and better
sorts of plants." The untiring labours of this
society since 1886 are now annually producing
results which indisputably show that the right
and practical course is being pursued. Its prin-
cipal establishment at Svalof, in Skane, is
already widely known in and out of Europe,
and is annually visited by numerous foreign
students. The new varieties of seeds are, more-
over, widely cultivated throughout Sweden, and
are also beginning to attract attention in otVer
countries. The establishment is fully equipped
with the latest resources of science, and it was
founded exclusively for the purp se of im-
proving the common agricultural crops.

A Japanese Nursery Firm. — Mr. Alfred-
Unger, the sole proprietor of the firm of L.
BOEHMER $ I'o., Yokohama, celebrated on July
24 last the 25 years' existence of the firm, there
being present on this occasion the employees of
the firm, besides 203 Japanese purveyors. The
founder, Herr Louts Boehmer, went to Japan in
L871, having been engaged by the Government
as adviser in horticultural matters. Boehmer,
during his ten years of connection with the
Government, introduced numerous sorts and
varieties of fruits from America and Europe, and
studied the possibilities of a development of the
trade in the gardening products of Japan. He
founded the nursery in 1882 on the spot where
it is now existing. The manager of the Japanese
section and chief buyer was Uhei Suzuki, the
present president of the Yokohama Nursery
Co. The business assumed from the first such
dimensions that Boehmer was unable to con-
trol it, and in 1889 I'nger was engaged in Ger-
many. About 18 years ago he proceeded to
Japan, going a few months later to the Riukin
Island, where he arranged for the shipment of
large numbers of Cycas trunks. Soon after-
wards Suzuki left the firm and founded the
Yokohama Gardeners' Association, and Massa
Suzuki took over his duties. In 1892 Herr
Unger became a partner, and in 1896 he became,
on the death of Boehmer, the sole proprietor of
the firm. The export business increased from
year to year, and the owner has made many
journeys to Kurope and America, in order to
increase his business connections.

-, September 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

:35

Horticulture in the Transvaal. — We

learn from the Transvaal Agricultural Journal
for July last that interest in fruit-growing is
maintained, but that the increase in the area of
land under fruit trees was not large, the chief
extension being in Citrus fruits. This is regret-
table, as the amount of money sent out of the
Colony each year for fruit that could quite
well be produced there is very considerable.
Last year the imports of fruit of all kinds, in-
cluding jams and preserves, were valued at
£260,018, which for a small population like that

that country. The regulations framed under
Ordinance No. 16 of 1904 to prevent the intro-
duction and spread of insect pests and diseases
of plants, are stated to be working well on the
whole, though they require amending in cer-
tain particulars. One of the features of the year
was the success which attended the collection
of Citrus fruits forwarded by the Division of
Horticulture to the Royal Horticultural Society's
exhibition in London in June last. The fruits,
which arrived in splendid condition, attracted
great attention. The secretary of the Royal Ilor-

dy ,

FlG. 102. — AGARICUS (AMANITA) PHALLOIDES : A POISONOUS MUSHROOM-LIKE FUNGUS.

of the Transvaal is a very large sum. Another
unsatisfactory feature connected with fruit-grow-
ing in the Colony is the lack of enterprise on
the part of the local nurserymen. So far,
nearly the whole of the fruit trees and vines
planted in the Colony have been obtained from
•'ape Colony or Natal, or from abroad. From
experience gained on the nurseries connected
with the various experimental orchards, it has
been conclusively proved that good trees — better
than many of those imported — can be raised in

ticultural Sociity wrote to the Transvaal autho-
rities as follows : " There is doubtless a great
future open to your produce, provided (1) that
quality is maintained in size, colour, con-
sistency, flavour, &c. : ,2) that quantity is ap-
proximate to the demand; and (3) that th?
retail price is not a fancy one. We badly need
Citrus fruits all the summer through, and our
Lemon supply often falls short. It is inad-
visable in send any but the best, and not t «
great a variety at first."

Manures for Fruit and Other Trees.—

A practical handbook on this subject for the use
of gardeners and students, by Dr. A. B. Griffiths,
will shortly be published by Mr. Robert Sutton.

Arthropodium cirrhatum.— It is well tocall
attention to species of plants once common
in gardens, but which in the course of
years have become rare. Arthropodium cirr-
hatum is one of these. It was intro-
duced in 1821 from New Zealand, and
belongs to the natural order Liliaceae. The
roots are not bulbous, but fleshy, and the plant
in consequence, says B. Othmeu in Die Garten-
<i August 31, requires no thorough drying
off in the winter season. The leaves are sword-
like, long, somewhat channelled, slightly hairy,
and elegantly pendulous. The small, white
flowers appear in the late spring time, a period
when flowering plants are scarce, and they are
borne on many-branched spikes. The strongly-
developed anthers and the pale reddish-violet
pollen and the stigma contrast pleasingly
with each other As a decorative greenhouse
plant and for furnishing blooms for cutting, the
plant deserves wider cultivation. It requires a
rich, porous, loamy soil, and a considerable
quantity of root-moisture during the period of
active growth, supplemented by manure-water.

Peat as Packing Material for Fruit ,nd
Seeds. — According to the Blaltern fur Obstuvin
und Gemusebau, Professor Dr. Schweinfurt has
written as follows : " The peat of the North
rs to be called on to play a great role in
trade with tropical countries. The hygienic
advantages, from its freedom from bacteria of
this excellent raw material, ensure for it mani-
fold uses. As packing material for parts of
plants containing much sap and for fruits, the
finer parts of peat are likely to find many uses
in moist as in arid localities in the tropics, in
preserving these from decay and mildew during
transit, that the fruits throughout were not
changed in the least degree and appeared as if
gathered only yesterday." When Oranges and
Citrons were sent by post packed in ordinary
cross-handled baskets, such as are commonly
used in the trade, lined on the outside with
packing canvas, the fruit packed separately in
ti:-sue paper and surrounded with dry peat
packed about them firmly, the fruit arrived in
good condition at Togo, although in this case,
for lack of postal communication with the
Mediterranean ports, the package had to be sent
from Palermo via Hamburg.

POISONING BY "MUSHROOMS."

The occasional faral accidents that occur
through mistaking the deadly Agaricus (Amanita)
phalloides for the common Mushroom render it
desirable that the characters that distinguish the
poisonous from the edible species should be
more generally known.

The most obvious distinction consists in the
■white gills of the poisonous agaric, as contrasted
with the pink ones of the wholesome Mushroom.
In the latter the gills are pink, changing to a
dark brown or black colour as the cap expands
and matures.

Other less easily remembered differences con-
sist in the bulbous base, and in the shape of the
j,ills, which are broadest in their middle and do
not adhere to the stem, in the case of A. phal-
loides, whilst the stem itself in the latter spe'-'es
becomes hollow as it develops.

Tho poisonous plant is very common in woods
at this season of the year, and it is a sound
practice to regard all " Mushrooms " growing in
with suspicion, and although some deli-
cious edible species grow in these localities,
they should be avoided by all who have not a
thorough knowledge of this class of plants.

230

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 28, 1907.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

Hydrangea Hortensia in Tubs. — I enclose
a photograph (not reproduced) of a specimen of
Hydrangea Hortensia growing in a tub, and which
has 300 tully-expanded blooms, and others in bud.
The spread of the plant measures 8 feet. Another
specimen in these gardens is carrying 210 inflores-
cences. The plants received the protection of a
shed through the severe weather. Liquid manure
has been applied to the roots twice a week through-
out the summer. W . F. Hamilton, Pykwell Park
Gardens, L\nungton, Hants.

Horticulture in the West Riding
(Yorkshire).— It may be of interest to those
living in other districts to know something of
the horticultural training and teaching adopted
here. Horticulture is considered of great impor-
tance in the education of children, and not only
has it a place on the curriculum of many schools,
but also it is taken a step further and is in-
troduced into the evening or continuation schools.
The school teacher, crammed as he is already
with a fairly heavy load of learning, has had
perforce to add to his store that of (practical?)
horticulture in order to keep up his recognised
standard of efficiency. This, doubtless, the
teacher does his best to impart in his own way,
or perhaps that of the text-book, to the scholars
under his charge. On© wonders what the aver-
age school teacher would do were a pair of
secateurs placed in his hands, and he was
asked to prune a plot of Gooseberry bushes.
However, this department of horticultural teach-
ing may perhaps be left in safety to work out
its own results, and no one will be any the worse
for it, but rather the better, if the teachers
are able to create in young minds a love for
nature. The practical gardener will not so much
mind the day-school teacher airing his know-
ledge of horticulture to the children, but it can-
not strike him as otherwise than ludicrous for his
apprentice, anxious to add scientific knowledge
to that of practical experience in attending
evening classes in horticulture, to find he is
being taught by an elementary school teacher.
Yet this is the case as.it stands to-day. To be
officially recognised as qualified teachers of
horticulture these teachers attend a course of
lectures at the Council's experimental farm, and
are thereafter considered competent to teach
practical horticulture. At the examination,
which it may be presumed they have to pass,
no external candidates are allowed to sit, and
as the classes are held during the day on the
Saturday, what chance is there for the practical
gardener to take the course and thereby become
" officially recognised " as a qualified teacher of
his profession? He may, in addition to his hav.
ing been in the garden from his youth, have
passed the R.H.S. and the Board of Education
examinations in the practical and scientific ele-
ments of both horticulture and agriculture, yet
he is debarred from teaching. Why the County
Council have adopted such a scheme is not
known. Doubtless they have some reason for
supplying in this way the knowledge which it
takes a gardener practically all his life to learn,
but surely the results must be very inadequate
and misleading to a number of pupils in even-
ing classes who have natural abilities and an in-
clination in the direction of horticulture. //. L.

THE " WlLBERFORCE " AND " PlTT " OAKS. —

Not far distant from Bromley in Kent is the
beautiful and historic property of Holwood,
one of the residences of Earl Derby. Here are
two venerable and interesting Oaks, the Pitt and
Wilberforce, the latter conspicuous for its
gnarled and projecting root, on which two men
sat one day earnestly conversing about one' of
the most iniquitous systems that cursed
the human race. The two men were Wil-
liam Pitt and William Wilberforce, each de-
termined to do his utmost to bring about the
abolition of the Slave Act. The following
note with reference to this episode is extracted
from Mr. Wilberforce' s diary of the year 1788:
— " At length I well remember after a conversa-
tion with Mr. Pitt in the open air at the root of
an old tree at Holwood, just above the steep
descent into the vale of Keston, I resolved to
give notice on a fit occasion in the House of

Commons of my intention to bring forward the
abolition of the slave trade." These words are
engraved on a stone chair which Earl Stanhope
had set up close to this historic tree in 1862,
by the permission of Lord Cranworth, who then
owned the estate. The stem of this tree is 18 feet
in girth, the height under 50 feet, and the spread
of branches a little more that of the height. The
centre was hollow, but is now filled up and
neatly covered in with lead, while the roots on the
lower side extend to about 12 feet in length above
ground, thus affording a convenient seat for the
weary traveller or hard-worked politician. In
1889 the writer had this tree surrounded by an
iron fence, while the larger branches were bound
together, -the cost being £51. The eminently
historic " Pitt's " Oak stands within a stone's-
throw of Holwood House, and will, should no
accident befall it, live for many years to per-
petuate the memory of the great statesman. It
was Mr. Pitt's habit to sit and read beneath the
spreading branches of this stately Oak. The
tree stands on a mound, part of an old en-
campment, the dimensions being as follow: —
At a yard from the ground level the stem girths
20 feet 1 inch, and at 8 feet it divides into four
massive limbs, the largest of which girths 9 feet
0 inches and 9 feet 4 inches at 2 feet from point
of junction with the main stem. The stem is
hollow, and in order to prevent the heavy
branches being torn away during stormy weather,
they have been strengthened by the aid of well-
concealed iron bands. A.D.W.

September Strawberries. — Referring to
the note on p. 217, I have found Laxton's Per-
.petual and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury suc-
ceed better here as autumn-fruiting Strawberries
than do either St. Joseph or St. Antoine de
Padoue, and I have discontinued growing these
latter varieties. Laxton's Perpetual and Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury are bearing good crops
of large fruits here at the present date, and if
the bright, dry weather continues, they will yield
fruits throughout October. The present season
has been much more favourable than last year
for autumn-fruiting Strawberries ; frequent
showers and absence of hot sunshine in July
and August have kept the foliage healthy and
vigorous, and growth has continued all through
the season. W. H. Divers, Belvoir Castle Gar-
dins, Grantham, September 21.

Horticultural Returns.— The series of
events which led up to the passing of the
Injurious Insects and Pests Act should have
convinced fruit-growers that it is only by per-
sistent efforts on the part of themselves and
their friends that they are likely to obtain a
proper recognition of their requirements from
the Board of Agriculture. That such legisla-
tion was necessary was prominently recom-
mended by the Fruit Committee, but that no m-
mendation was shelved till the efforts of private
individuals forced the Board into action. It is
the same with all the other recommendations of
this committee, even in cases where their adop-
tion involved no legislation and no expenditure.
Amongst those recommendations which were
the most simple to adopt was one for the im-
provement of the returns of land under fruit.
Such returns are not merely a matter of interest
to the curious, but may often be of much prac-
tical importance. It was only a few months
ago that the Board of Agriculture experienced
the need of such returns in the case of Goose-
berry plantations, and they, who should have
been in possession of these returns, and who
could alone get them, applied helplessly for
them to the county authorities, who had not got
them, and who never pretended to collect them.
Probably in consequence of a letter which ap-
peared in the Journal of Horticulture, the Board
have now made some alteration in the form of
the returns, but, unfortunately, it is art altera-
tion which will only make matters worse instead
of better. In these forms there are 28 headings
under which farm crops are entered. One of
these (No. 22) is for small fruit, but there is
none for other fruits — at any rate, in the body of
the returns. If this other fruit is in grass, it
simply figures under the heading of Permanent
Grass (No. 27) ; if it is in cultivated land, it is
entered as Bare Fallow" (No. 24). The recent
alteration applies to the small fruit, which is
now sub-divided into — (a) Strawberries, (bl
Raspberries, (c) Currants and Gooseberries, (d)

other kinds. Why Currants and Gooseberries
should be lumped together, it is impossible to
see, especially in view of the recent experience
of the Board as to the want of statistics for
Gooseberries alone ; the data for Black Currants
should also be separated from those for Red
Currants, and would give valuable information
as to the effect which the ravages of the mite have
produced on this branch of the fruit industry.
That the acreage under such separate headings
is too insignificant for separate entry cannot be
contended, for we find separate headings (and
main headings too) for such things as- i lax and
Chicory, of which the total production in the
kingdom is measured by two or three hundred
and two or three score of acres respectively.
Although fruit other than small fruit is not
entered under the main headings, information
respecting it is asked for under " Special En-
quiries." This in itself is highly objectionable,
as was admitted by Mr. Rew, the head of the
statistical department of the Board, before the
Committee ; for we get a double entry of fruit
land, once under "Grass" or "Fallow," and
again under the special enquiries about
" Orchards." Orchards, it may be remarked,
presumably include fruit plantations in culti-
vated soil ; but this is not stated, as it should
be. Under the heading of Orchards five sub-
headings have now been introduced: — (a)
Apples, (b) Pears, (c) Cherries, (d) Plums,
(e) other fruits. So far, this is a step in the
right direction ; but the instructions accom-
panying it are such as to render it abso-
lutely futile. These instructions are: "Mixed
orchards containing more of one sort of tree
than another should be entered against the- sort
to which the larger proportion of the trees
belong. Where the sorts are equally mixed, the
entry should be made against 'Other kinds.' "
This forcibly suggests the story of a certain
well-known scientific man who was trying to
find out what railway tickets were required for
his pets: "Please, sir, the stationmaster says
that cats is dogs, and rabbits is dogs, but that
there tortoise is a hinsec." If a grower has a
plantation of 500 Apples, 500 Pears, and 501
Plums, his Apples are Plums and his Pears are
Plums ; but if the one additional Plum dies, all
his trees become " other fruits," or if two Plums
and one Apple die, they all become Pears. It
is impossible to conceive of any system better
calculated to produce thoroughly worthless re-
turns ; the Apple-growing in the kingdom will
become grossly exaggerated, and Pear cultiva-
tion will appear to be almost non-existent. It
must have taken the Board a long time to
elaborate such a masterpiece of topsy-turvydorn.
It is hard to see what the difficulties in dealing
with mixed plantations are. Surely a man who
has got sufficient brains to grow, say, 10 acres
of fruit, will have brains enough to estimate
roughly how many of these 10 acres are occupied
by the various fruits which he grows; and,
however faulty his estimate may be, it will
certainly be nearer the truth than if he puts
down his ApDles as being Pears, or his Cherries
as Plums. When Mr. Rew was under examina-
tion, I submitted to him a scheme of returns to
which neither he nor any members of the
committee could see any objection. The scheme
was simply to have one entry for fruit amongst
the main agricultural returns, thus avoiding the
pernicious system of double entry now in exist-
ence, and to have this entry divided under two
main headings of — A, Fruit in grass ; and B,
Fruit in cultivated land. Under A and B there
would be sub-headings for details similar to
those now existing. Under A, we should have
Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, other fruits —
total, so-and-so ; under B, Apples, Pears, Plums,
Cherries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Red and
White Currants, Black Currants, Gooseberries,
other fruits — total, so-and-so ; and if the grower
found himself incapable of giving the details, he
could enter the totals only. In collecting
statistics it is highly important to make as few
changes as possible, so that the continuity of
the records may not be destroyed. The adop-
tion of the plan here described would not
destroy the continuity with previous records, as
it simply introduces more detail into the records.
Under the system introduced by the Board this
year, whereby fruits are called " out of their
name," this continuity is effectually destroyed,
and it is earnestly to be hoped, therefore, that
it will be abandoned without delay. Spencer
Pickering.

September 28, 1007.]

THE GARDEXERS' CIIROXICLE.

237

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee.

Sept. 17 —Present : Mr. J. T. Bennett-Poe,
M.A., V.M.H. (in the chair) ; Dr. A. B. Kendle,
Messrs. H. J. Veitch, J. Douglas, H. T. Giissow,
A. O. Walker, G. Gordon, G. S. Saunders, and
F. J. Chittenden (hon. sec).

Runner Bean flouicr-colour. — Mr. CuthbertSun
wrote concerning the Runner Beans similar in
flower-colour to those of the " Butterfly " Bean
shown by Mr. Woesley at the last meeting, that
Herr Denary, the introducer of that Bean, in-
formed him that it was found as a sport among
Painted Lady Runners some five or six years
ago, and by careful selection it was fixed. Herr
Benary had never made any crossings betw-een
red and white Runner Beans, and could not,
therefore, say what the result of such crossing
would be likely to be.

Hybrid between Pear and Quince. — Mr. Veitch
showed fruit from two trees raised from seed, the
result of a cross made by J. Seden in 1895, be-
tween the Pear Bergamotte Esperen ? and the
Portugal Quince 4. The seeds were both ob-
tained from one fruit, and it was seen that whilst
one of the seedlings was very similar to the Pear,
the other much more resembled the Quince. The
fruits were immature, so that the flavour could
not be tested. Mr. Veitch, however, promised
to send further specimens if they should ripen.

Double Aster. — Mr. Veitch also showed flowers
of a double Aster sp. (Michaelmas Daisy i.

Leaf diseases. — Mr. A. O. Walker showed
leaves of Clerodendron trichotomuni with brown
spots, and remarked upon the prevalence of leaf
diseases during the past season, with particular
reference to the death of Black Currant leaves.
This the committee thought was probably due
to the fungus Gleosporium ribis, which had been
particularly prevalent during the past season.
Mr. Walker said that he found young trees free
of the disease, while older trees were badly
affected.

Potato disease. — Mr. Gussow showed specimens
of tubers of Potato badly attacked by a disease,
having something of the appearance of a bad
attack of "scab." He founc\, however, that the
appearance was not associated with any of
the fungi which had been previously ob-
served in Holland and in Ireland. The present
specimens came from Lincoln. The scabby
spots have an olive green tint when the spores
are still attached to the rind of the Potato, but
the spores frequently become detached and are
left in the soil. The organism appears to be
unable to grow in any but an acid medium.

Red-fleshed Pear. — Mr. E. Burrell, of Clare-
mont Gardens, Esher, sent Pears having the
flesh of a deep red colour, with the following
note : " A Pear I take to be ' Sanguinole,' with
several synonyms, among which is Parkinson's
' Blood-red Pear," a variety said to have been
grown in P'rance over 350 years ago. The tree
from which the specimens exhibited were taken
is a standard between 15 feet and 20 feet in
height growing in a garden at Claygate, Surrey.
The tree has the appearance of having been
twice 'worked.' The Pear is naturally of no
value in these days, but is of interest on account
of its rarity."

Carrot Malformed. — Mr. E. Stone sent from
Hayes, Kent, a curiously malformed Carrot,
which had a mass of ten roots of somewhat
small size, springing from the base of the crown,
but joined together at that end for a short
distance. One of the thickest rcots appsared
to have been injured or checked in growth in
its early stages, and this had perhaps induced
the curious formation.

Dark-red-fleshed Peach. — Mr. W. A. Carey sent
a Peach gathered from a tree raised from seed
by himself, the stone having come from one of
the varieties (name unknown! commonly grown
outdoors. Mr. Carey stated that when ripe the
fruit was of very good flavour, but differed from
other commonly grown Peaches in the remark-
able colr-ur, which was black until a few days
before tl .' fruit was ripe, when it gradually be-
came lighter till it was a deep red colour. The
fruit agreed well in its characters with that
described in French works under the name

" Sanguinole," and known in this country as
" liloud Peach," and it is curious that that
variety (or something very nearly approaching
it) should have been raised from the stone of an
ordinary Peach.

NATIONAL ROSE.

September 24. — The autumn shew of this
flourishing society was held on Tuesday last in
the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square,
Westminster. The exhibition must be accoun.el
a record, both for the extent and the qualil
the exhibits. The entries far exceeded those in
number of any of the preceding shows of the
society held at this season, and many of the
blooms were equal to those displayed at the
summer show. The grand weather of the past
few weeks has favoured the Rose, and remark-
able clearness of petal was seen in the blooms,
especially in those exhibited by Scottish git
The amateur classes were well represented, but
generally the standard of quality in this section
was much below that seen in the trade classes.
Non-competitive exhibits were excluded from the
show, but notwithstanding this fact the Hall
was filled, even in the two annexes. Very
exhibits were shown in the nurserymen's
classes for groups of Roses, and these were
staged by the walls around the whole length of
the building. New varieties of merit were not
plentiful, the best being a hybrid perpetual
named Avoca, shown by the famous Newtown-
wards firm of Messrs. Alex. Dickson & SON.

NURSERYMEN'S CLASSES.
Blooms Shown ox Boards.

In the important class for 36 blooms of dis-
tinct varieties, a splendid competition resulted,
no fewer than nine exhibits being staged. The
quality was remarkably good throughout, and
ths judges had no light task in apportioning
the prizes. The blooms, however, shown by
Messrs. J. COCKER ,'.: SON, Aberdeen, X.B., were
slightly the best, and the 1st prize was accord-
ingly awarded to this exhibitor. A list of the
varieties in the premier exhibit included: —
Dr. Andry, Mrs. E. Mawley (a beautiful, large
bloom), J. B. Clark, Caroline Testout, Marie
Baumann, Mrs. W. J. Grant (excellent in col-
ouring, and with a magnificent centre), M. E.
\ ;, Alfred Colomb, Marchioness of Lon-

donderry, La France de '89 (of remarkable col-
ouring and substance of petal), Dean Hole, Her
M tj sty, S. M. Rodocanachi, Comte de Raim-
baud, Mrs. T. Roosevelt, Florence Pemberton,
J. Piganeau, Duke of Edinburgh, Helen Keller,
A. K. Williams, Mildred Grant (a flower oi ;
size, and delicately flushed with pink), Annie
Wood, Bessie Brown, Charles Lefebvre (of
satiny plum colour), Frau Karl Druschki,
Horace Vernet, Princess Marie Merchensky,
Pharisaer, Lady Suffield, Earl of Dufferin,
Helene Guillot, General Jacqueminot, Mad. Del-
ville, Gustave Gunnerwald, Due de Rohan, and
Hugh Dickson.

2nd, Messrs. Adam & Craigmile, Aberdeen,
who had S. M. Rodocanachi, Hugh Dickson, <La
France de '89, Oscar Cordel, Chas. J. Grahame,
John Stuart Mills, Annie Woods, and Mrs. W. J.
Grant, especially fine.

3rd, Messrs. D. \: W. Croll, Dundee.

Eighteen blooms of distinct varieties of Tea and
Noisette Roses. — Remarkable refinement charac-
terised the flowers in the exhibits of this class.
Messrs. J. Cocki-i; Sons, Aberdeen, contri-
buted a magnificent stand of well-developed
flowers, showing very little injury in the outer
petals, and to these tile 1st prize was awarded in
competition with six other competitors. The
2nd prize also fell to an Aberdeen firm, Messrs.
Adam & Craigmile. and the 3rd to Messrs. D.
Prior & Son, Colchester.

The premier bloom- -a ere Mrs. Edward Maw.
ley (of remarkable size), Mad. Hoste, F. von
Mi i hall, Mad. Vermorel, Mad. Henri Berger,
Mad. Jules Gravere i ux, Maman Cochet, The
Bride (excellent of form), Souvenir d'Biise Var-
don, Medea, Bridesmaid, Souvenir de S. A.
Prince, Muriel Graham (a flower of perfect
finish), Golden Gate, Boadicea, Souvenir de
Pierre Notting, Lady Roberts, and Mad. de Wat-
teville. Notable flowers shown by Messrs.
Adam & Craigmile were those of Souvenir de
Pierre Notting, Luciole, Mad. Hoste, Rubens,
Enchantress, and Mad. Cusin, the last-named
especially notable'for its fine colouring.

Roses in Vases.

A very considerable contribution to the exhi-
bition was made by the exhibits in the class for
36 distinct varieties of Roses shown in trusses.
The schedule stipulated that no exhibit should
occupy a greater area than one measuring 8 feet
by 5 feet : any receptacle was allowed for the
staging of :he blooms, but in all cases — nine —
the flowers were displayed in vases. The ex-
hibits required two long tables down the centie
of the building for their accommodation, arid
collectively they made a grand display.

The general style of staging was on tiers,
foiming a pyramid, and this obtained in the 1st
prize collection shown by Messrs. Frank Cant
e^ Co., Colchester. Quality of flowers was un-
doubtedly the deciding factor in making the
award, for the blooms were all excellent, and
arranged in big bunches without overcrowding.
Ni liable vases were those containing the varieties
\\ lute Maman Cochet, Hugh Dickson, Mad. An-
toine Marie, Lady Wenlock, Irish Eleganee- (a
single variety), Lady Ashtown (a pink-coloured
H.T. of great beauty), Mad. Melaine Soupert (a
beautiful Rose), Dean Hole, Ards Pillar
inch red), and Kaiserin Augusta Victoria.
The 2nd prize was won by Mr. John Mattock,
New Headington, Oxford, with an exhibit very
little inferior to that shown by Messrs. Can t,
and having a similar arrangement. Hugh Dick-
sun, Mrs. J. Laing, Mrs. Edward Mawley, G.
Nabonnand, Boadicea, Frau Karl Druschki, La
Tosca, and White Maman Cochet may be enu-
merated as the best examples in the 2<id pri/e
exhibit. 3rd, M< isrs. Paul & Sons, The Old
Nurseries, Cheshunt.

Ive distinct varieties in bunches of seven
blooms. — There were six exhibits seen in this

: , and the flowers shown by Messrs. Cocker
S Si ins, were immeasurably above all the others
in point of quality ; indeed, they constituted
one of the features of the exhibition. In size,
colouring and form they were, alike good, and it
was difficult to select a variety as being weaker
than another. Perhaps the finest was that con-
taining the variety J. B. Clark, a Rose renowned
Eoi ii- richness of colouring, although its neigh-
bours, Hugh Dickson, Bessie Brown, and Dean

I appeared almost equally perfect. Other
varieties were Gladys Harkness, Dr. Andry,
e de Raimbaud, Frau Karl Druschki, Alfred
i ilomb, A. K. Williams, Countess of Derby,
and Mrs. John Laing. 2nd, Mr. Hugh Dick-
son, Belfast. The outer petals of some of the
flowers showed injury, but the varieties Hugh
Dickson and Mrs. Stewart Clark were very fine.
3rd, Messrs. G. and W. H. Burch, Pel -
borough.

One vase o , twelve blooms. — The win-

ning variety was Frau Karl Druschki, shown by
Messrs. D. & W. Croll, Dundee. 2nd, Wh te
Mamam Cochet, shown by Messrs. D. Prior &
Son, Colchester.

Decorative Roses.

All exhibits in the classes for these Roses
were to be shown so as to present as far as
possible the foliage and habit of growth of the
variety exhibited/ H.P., II. T., T., and Noisette
Roses were excluded.

The most important class was that for 24 dis-
tinct varieties, in trusses containing not fewer
than three nor more than seven blooms, but the
response was poor, for only three exhibits were
staged, the best by Messrs. Frank Cant & Co.,
Colchester; 2nd, "Mr. John Mattock, Oxford.
M cs. Cant displayed their vases in a pyra-
midal manner on tiers, their best variety being
Gustave Regis.

Provision was made for a similar, but smaller
class for 12 varieties only, and here the best
flowers were shown by Messrs. W. & R. Fekgu-
son, Dunfermline, and they were followed by
Mi ssrs. G. cv. W. Burch, Peterborough.

The class following was also for 12 distinct
varieties of decorative Roses, to be arrane
bamboo stands provided by the Society. Mr.
John Mattock, Oxford, won the first prize for
creditable blooms of Bardon Job, William Allen
Richardson, Dorothy Perkins, Irish Elegance,
G. Nabonnand, Gruss an Teplitz, and other well-
own varieties. 2nd, Messrs. J. Jefferies £:
Sons, Cirencester.

*238

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[September 28, 1907.

Dwarf Polyantha or Pompon Roses.
The schedule called for 12 distinct varieties,
each of six trusses. Five exhibitors responded,
and of these the most successful was the Col-
chester firm of Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., who
showed the varieties Mrs. Cutbush, Anna
Marie de Montravel (white), Perle d'Or, White
I'et, &c. 2nd, Mr. C. Turner, Slough ; 3rd, Mr.
John Mattock.

Rose Hips.

Last year a new class was provided for a col-
lection of nine distinct species or varieties of
Roses in fruit, shown with foliage. Apparently
the season is too early for the best colour-effects
in the fruits, for we have seen much brighter
and prettier hips than those displayed. i'hey
were interesting, however, as representing the
diversity to be seen in the fruits of Roses, for
some were spiny, some almost black, others yel-
low, &c. The 1st prize was awarded to Messrs.
George Paul & Sons, Cheshunt, for fruits of
R. rugosa, R. pomifera, R. macrophylla, R.
■altaica, Sec. 2nd, Messrs. F. Cant & Co., for a
collection principally of varieties of R. rugosa ;
3rd, Mr. John Mattock.

tions were similar in both classes, with the ex-
ception that the one was for a group not exceed-
ing 100 square feet in space, and the other 00
square feet. Six exhibits were shown in the
larger class, and half that number in the
smaller one.

Messrs. Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham, won in the
class for an exhibit on 100 square feet, with a
beautiful display of popular kinds, arranged
with artistic skill, bowers with suspended bas-
kets of Roses, -very pleasing. 2nd, Mr. Geo.
Prince, Oxford ; 3rd, Messrs. Gunn & Son,
Olton.

Mr. F. M. Bradley, Church Street, Peter-
borough, won the 1st prize in the smaller class,
with blooms of best quality, arranged principally
on single bamboo rods, that were cut at inter-
vals for the reception of one or more blooms.
We may enumerate Frau Karl Druschki, Caro-
line Testout, Comte de Raimbaud, Captain
Haywood, and Ben Cant as being especially well
shown in this exhibit. 2nd, Messrs. W. Spooner
& Son, Woking; 3rd, Messrs. R. Harkness &
Co., Hitchin.

Amateurs' Classes.

The amateur classes were well contested, but

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Fig. 103. — climbing rose mrs. f. w. flight: flowers bright fink;

Groups of Roses.

Rarely have we seen better exhibits of large
groups of Roses than those at this exhibition.
Not only was the quality good, but an improve-
ment was noticed in the manner of staging the
flowers, and the group shown by Messrs. Hob-
bies, Ltd., may be specially mentioned in this
connection.

Only one exhibitor contested the class for a
representative group of Roses placed on the
floor in an area measuring 100 square feet, and
this was the well-known firm of Messrs. Paul
& Son, Cheshunt. Although they were without
rivals, no one could justly challenge their claim
to the 1st prize, which included a Gold Medal,
•for the exhibit was one of the highest quality,
and staged in such a pleasing manner as to
•evoke much admiration. Small pails on dwarf
stands were filled with choice blooms of the
best kinds, and interspersed were Ferns and
other suitable greenery. Mad. J. Dupuy was
charming, and mention must also be made of
the varieties Ben Cant and Edu Mever. tlie
latter a new hybrid Tea variety. George Laing
Paul, a new Hybrid Perpetual variety of rose
■colouring, and Perpetual Thalia are also worthy
of mention.

There were two other classes for groups of
Hoses, but displayed on tabling, and the condi-

the exhibitors were generally southern growers,
and the blooms appeared inferior to the magni-
ficent specimens from Scotland in the nursery-
men's classes.

The best 18 blooms of distinct varieties were
put up by Rev. J. H. Pemberton, Havering
Atte-Bower, his best flowers being those named
after Mildred Grant, Ben Cant, Mad. Charles
Crapelet, and Duchess of Bedford. 2nd, Mr.
R. F. Hobbs, Thorneloe, Worcester.

In the smaller class for 12 blooms, Mr. W. O.
Times, Hitchin, was awarded the 1st prize, and
Mr. G. Speight, Market Harboro", the 2nd prize.
This last-named exhibitor had a beautiful bloom
of the variety C. Lefebvre. Twelve exhibitors
contested in this class.

Mr. G. Moules, Bedford Road, Hitchin, was
1st in the class for nine blooms, and Mr. W. S.
Chapman, Warminster, Wilts, was 1st in the
class for six b'.ooms.

The best Tea and Noisette Roses in the ama-
teur section were shown by Mr. Conway Jones,
Hucclecote, Gloucester, with Veyral Hermanos,
White Maman Cochet, Medea, Comtesse de
Nadaillac, Sylph, &c. 2nd, Mrs. Fortescue,
Dropmore, Maidenhead.

Mr. W. Leggett, Colchester, excelled in the
class for six varieties of exhibition Roses shown
in vases.

Decorative Classes.

The best bowl of China Roses in the open
classes was shown by Mr. Geo. Prince, Long-
worth, the variety being Queen Mab, a charming
flower of bronzy-rose shading.

Miss Langton, Raymead, Hendon, had the
best decorated dinner-table, the best bowls of
cut Roses in classes 27 and 28, and the best
basket of cut Roses.

Gold Medal Rose.
Rose Avoca. — A Gold Medal was awarded this
new variety, shown by Messrs. Alex. Dickson
& Sons, Ltd., Newtownards, Co. Down. It is
a hybrid perpetual variety, with rich crimson
flowers shaded with purple.

Medal Roses.
Six Medals were offered for the best blooms
in the show, three for amateur exhibitors and
three in the classes for nurserymen. The win.
ners were as follow: — Amateurs: Rev. J. B.
Shackle, for Frau Karl Druschki, H.P. ; Mr.
O. G. Orpen, for Bessie Brown, H.T. ; Mr. R.
BosWell, for Maman Cochet, T. Nurserymen :
D. & W. Croll, for John Stuart Mill, H.P. ;
J Cocker & Son, for La France de '89, H.T. ;
J. Jefferies & Son, for Madame Lambard, T.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

September 19. — Committee present: E. Ash-
worth, Esq. (Chairman) ; and Messrs. A. War-
burton, R. Ashworth, L. A. Ward, W. Thomp-
son, P. Smith, W. Stevens, C. Parker, A. J.
Keeling, W. B. Upjohn, J. C. Cowan, F. W.
Ashton, Jas. Walmsley, and P. Weathers,
hon. sec. This meeting was held after an
interval of seven weeks, and a fairly good
display of plants was seen. A group of Orchids
was exhibited by W. Thompson, Esq., Stone
(gr. Mr. Stevens), and the plants were all of
Lypripediums. Particularly noticeable was a
fine plant of C. X Maudiae var. magnificum,
bearing five flowers. Other good plants in the
group were C. x Lord Derby and C. X Shilh-
anum, the latter well grown and flowered
(Bronze Medal.)

Messrs. Moore & Co., Ltd., Rawdon, near
Leeds, obtained a Silver Medal for a group of
miscellaneous plants which included hybrid
Laelias, Cypripediums, and forms of Odonto-
glossum in variety. Cypripedium x Leander,
var. magnificum, in this group was given an
Award of Merit.

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill,
Bradford, were awarded a Bronze Medal for a
group, including plants of Miltonia X Binoti
and Cypripedium X Bella, the latter a charm-
ing hybrid between C. laevigatum and C. X vexil-
larium, both of which obtained Awards of Merit.

G. W. Jessop, Esq., Rawdon, near Leeds, re-
ceived an Award of Merit for Cattleya x Iris,
var. delicata.

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr.
Dalgleish), exhibited Cypripedium X Memnon,
Closes Hall var., and C. x Edwardii, var.
superbum. An Award of Merit was granted to
the last-named variety.

E. Rogerson. Esq., West Didsbury (gr. Mr.
Price), exhibited Cypripedium X Rose, a hybrid
between C. Spicerianum and C. X T. B. Hay-
wood, and to which an Award of Merit was
granted.

Mr. W. Bolton, Wilderspool, Warrington, ob-
tained a First-Class Certificate for Cypripedium
x Rachel var. Bertha, a richly-coloured hybrid
between C. Charlesworthii and C. Curtisii, un-
doubtedly one of the best productions yet seen
from C. Charlesworthii. P. W.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

September 17. — At the last meeting of this
association held on the above date, Mr. Chas.
Foster presided, and six new members were
elected, bringing the total up to 1,101 since
the beginning. One candidate was rejected.

On September 18 a meeting was held at

Newport, Mon., and was addressed by the secre-
tary. He pointed out that almost every class
of workers in the kingdom had been organised,
and that professional gardeners were practically
the only ones who had not banded themselves

StfPTEMBEB 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

■2 V.l

together for mutual benefit until the B.G.A. was
founded. Even now many were afraid for some
reason or another to join and seemed to be
under the impression that the B.G.A. was
a revolutionary society. It was nothing of tin-
kind. It did not even profess to be a trade
union in the ordinary sense of the term, but it
did hope to make gardeners see that they had
a right to better wages and better treatment thnn
they generally received. Gardening was a busi-
ness, and not the luxury that some people re-
peatedly asserted with parrot-like monotony. If
a luxury, that was precisely the reason gar-
deners who were skilled in their profession should
be liberally, instead of niggardly, paid for
the services they rendered. The B.G.A. did not
in the least wish to interfere between employer
and employe, but it did wish the employer to
recognise that the gardener, by whose ability
his gardens were kept in perfect order, was a
vastly more important member of society than
the individual who swept the streets for a few
hours per day, and was often paid 50 per cent,
more for his class of work than the gardener
was for his. It was pointed out that, so far as
gardeners in private situations were concerned,
it was a difficult problem for the B.G.A. to inter-
fere in the regulation of wages and hours of
labour. All that could be done was to advise
every gardener taking a situation to have the
terms of his employment set forth in a business-
like manner in black and white, and to endea-
vour to secure remuneration in accordance with
his ability and experience. A good gardener was
always worth a good wage, as he was a more
economical manager, and produced better re-
sults than the unskilled workman. A very
lively discussion took place, and several pre-
sent promised to join the association, but no
branch was formed. The chair was taken by
Mr. Powell, gardener to Col. Wallis. /. W.

WOOLHOPE NATURALISTS' FIELD
CLUB.

Ai»6UST 29. — At a meeting of the Woolhope
Naturalists' Field Club on the above date, at
Hampton Court, a paper was read by Mr. Wal-
ter E. Collinge, M.Sc, F.K.S., University of
Birmingham, on "Useful and Injurious In-
sects," from which we make the following
extracts : —

Ever since man cultivated certain plants either
for purposes of food, clothing, decoration, (cc,
we know that they were attacked by diseases,
very many of which were caused by insects. At
the present day this subject is recognised and
carefully studied by all thoughtful and far-seeing
people who are interested in plant life, but it is
only within comparatively recent years that the
subject of Economic Entomology has received
the attention that so important a study demands
and merits. Indeed, we in this eountry are far
behind many others, and not until we more fully
realise that our field and garden crops suffer to
the extent of from 25 to 75 per cent, of their value
by the attacks of insects, that our live stock are
seriously impaired, that stored grain, timber,
and other products of great commercial import-
ance are seriously injured, and that we our-
selves are suffering from diseases disseminated
by insects, will the subject receive the thorough
attention it deserves.

In order to successfully combat these pests,
it is necessary that we should know something
about them, their habits, methods of attack,
where they live, their migrations, when they
appear, and why they become destructive. With-
out this knowledge it is almost useless to expect
any good results from the steps we take to de-
stroy or hold them in check. With a full know-
ledge it is often possible to devise simple means
for checking them or stamping them out almost
entirely, or even to prevent their coming. In
almost every civilised country except our own
the subject is being entered into with energy
and enthusiasm, with what results all who are
interested in agriculture and horticulture here
know only too well. It is only by long and
patient study that we can arrive at proper con-
clusions respecting the value of those insects
which are termed useful, and the seriousness of
the harm done by those termed injurious. It
has been estimated by Dr. Howard that of the
three hundred families into which we can divide
the different orders of insects, 113 are beneficial,
116 injurious, and 71 both or undetermined.

Insects are useful as destroyers of other in-
jurious insects and noxious plants, in the polli-
nation of plants, in destroying dead and decom-
posing matter ; they are also used as food by
man and other mammals, birds, amphibians,
and fishes ; they are employed in clothing ; and,
finally, are used in various ways in arts and
commerce. It is as destroyers of injurious in-
sects that I wish to bring before you their use-
ful side. The subject of insect enemies
of insects is now one of the greatest importance.
In the United States of America it has received
a large amount of attention ; insectaries have
been established and many harmful insects —
particularly Scale insects — held in check or al-
most eradicated.

The results that have been achieved in
America are little short of marvellous, and read
more like a fairy tale than the sober facts of
science. One by one the original home of dif-
ferent injurious insects has been run down, and
its natural insect enemy or enemies discovered.
These latter have then been shipped to Washing-
ton, bred, and distributed, with the result that
some of the worst pests have been held in check,
whilst in certain districts they have been almost
exterminated. In the Californian fruit-growing
district the well-known Cottony Cushion Scale
(Icerya purchasi) has been held in check by a
small Australian Ladybird (Vedalia cardinally
Before the introduction of this small beetle the
citrus industry of California was threatened. In
a like manner various aphids, the Black Scale,
Mealy Bugs, Red "Spider," the Tent Caterpil-
lar, the Cabbage Butterfly, and many other in-
sect pests have been attacked. So successful
has this method proved, that a member of the
Californian Slate I ommission of Horticulture
recently stated : " This method has been found
so effective that we have now very few really
troublesome orchard pests, the worst at the pre-
sent time being the Codling Moth, and for this
we hope to find a natural check."

In California the method employed has been
as follows : An endeavour is made to trace back
the course travelled over by the pest, and to
trace them to their native country ; there the
remedy is to be found. Whether this is
a parasitic or a predaceous insect, or both, as
sometimes happens, it is secured, introduced
into the insectary, and bred with rare. It soon
becomes acclimatised in its new home, and as
the species propagates itself it is sent out into
those sections of the country where the pest it
attacks is most prevalent. So effective has this
work of introducing beneficial insects and en-
couraging native parasites been, that in Cali-
fornia it has been found possible to reduce all the
worst of the Scale insects and very many other
injurious species, so that they are no longer a
source of serious danger.

Turning next to a consideration of those
species which are injurious, we may group them
under four headings, viz. : (1) Those that are
concerned in the destruction of plant life ; (21
those that are concerned in the destruction of
stored goods ; (3) those that are concerned in
injurv to live stock ; and (4) those that are
concerned in injury to man.

The loss that injurious insects inflict upon our
crops and forests is enormous. Many years ago
Dr. Rilev estimated the average damage to crops
in the United States at nearly £60,000,000 per
annum. In this country it is no unusual thing to
find injury to the extent of 25 to 50 per cent, of
the crop, whilst in other cases the loss is even
more serious. Curtis records that in 1786 the
Turnip crop in Devonshire suffered to the ex-
tent of £100,000 owing to the injury caused
by insects, and about the same time the Tur-
nip Sawfly destroyed thousands of acres of
Turnips in Norfolk. In 1881 the Turnip
Flea Beetle did damage to the extent of half a
million sterling in this country, and in 1882 the
Hop Aphis caused a loss of over a million and a
half sterling. These cases might be multiplied
to almost any extent, although most of us are
aware of the seriousness of the situation. With
the advance that has been made in our know-
ledge of the life history of the different species
and the improvement in our methods of attack,
there is every reason to expect that the farmer
and fruit grower will suffer less if he takes ad-
vantage of the known preventive and remedial
measures.

' Conspicuous among remedial methods is the
practice of spraying. It is no longer an experi-

ment ; the practice of thousan'ds of growers
in this and other countries has clearly and con-
clusively demonstrated its value, so that it is
becoming a regular part of the farm operations
of the successful farmer and fruit grower. In
this connection it is most important to remem-
ber that syringing or squirting a liquid upon a-
tree is not spraying. The fluid must be broken
up into a fine mist; further, it must be "a.
limpid liquid so prepared and maintained that
it is free from all solid or semi-solid particles
that can obstruct the easy passage of the liquid
through the small orifices of the spraying ma-
chine. A spray fluid ceases to be a spray fluid
the moment it becomes contaminated."

Thanks to recent experiment and research it
is now possible to destroy by spraying the eggs
of most insects, and what is now termed winter
spraying will undoubtedly become as common
a practice as ploughing or manuring.

The injury occasioned to man by insects has
during the past few years received special atten-
tion in view of their great importance as car-
riers of disease. Recent research has shown that
such diseases as typhoid fever, anthrax, plague,
cholera, enteric fever, &c, are disseminated by
certain insects, whilst gnats or mosquitos con-
vey from man to man the parasites which give
rise to such diseases as malaria, yellow fever,
sleeping sickness, filariasis, &c.

One of the chief agencies in carrying disease-
causing organisms from infected to uninfected
animals is the common House-fly, and it does
not seem unlikely that ere long our Departments
of Public Health in all our large towns and
i [ties will take this matter in hand with a view
to preventing the wholesale breeding of these-
pests.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending September 21, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather was a^ain almost entirely rainless, and
generally very bright, but a good deal of mist or fog prevailed
in places during the early morning. A little rain occurred
during the earlier days of the week in the far N. and N.W.,
and slight drizzle at some eastern and south-eastern stations
on Saturday.

The temperature exceeded the average except in England
S., the divergence being 2° or more in many British districts. .
and more than 3-5° in Ireland. The highest of the maxima
were registered on rather irregular dates, but mostly about
the middle of the week in England and Scotland, and ox».
Friday in Ireland. In England S. the thermometer rose to
76°, and in most of the other districts to 75° or 74". In Scot-
land \V. the highest was 71u. The lowest of the minima,
which were generally recorded early in the week, ranged
from 34° in England S.W. (at Llangammarch Wells), and
35° in Scotland E. to 45° in Ireland N., and to 46° in the
English Channel. The lowest gross readings reported were
28° at Crathes, 30° at Balmoral, and 29* at Llangjmmarch.
Wells.

The mean temperature of the sea.— The warmth of the
water did not, as a rule, differ much from that of the pre-
ceding week ; at Aberdeen, however, there was an increase
of 2-8°, and at Eastbourne a decrease of 1-1°. The actual
figures ranged from 49-4° at Lerwick and 514° at Wick to
60'6° at Seafield, 61*6° at Eastbourne, and 61 '8° at Margate.

The rainfall.— Over the kingdom generally the week was
rainless.

The bright sunshine exceeded the average in all districts
except Scotland W. and Ireland N. The percentage of tbe
possible duration ranged from 75° in the English Channel,
63* in England S.W., 62° in England S.T and 60" in England
E. to 31° in Scotland W., and to 29" in Scotland N. aud
Ireland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week emiing September 25.
One very warm day and two very cold nights.—^On tbe-
warmest day of the past week the temperature in the ther-
mometer screen rose to 78°— making this the warmest day as
yet recorded here during the present year. On the other
hand two nights proved almost equally cold, the thermometer
exposed on the lawn on these two nights indicating respec-
tively 6° and 5° of frost, both very low readings for so early
in the autumn. The range in temperature during the
week was very large, and on one day the difference
between the lowest and highest readings in the ther-
mometer screen amounted to as much as 36°, which has only
once before been exceeded here in September during the
past 21 years. At 2 feet deep the ground is now 1° warmer,
and at 1 foot deep 2° warmer, than is seasonable. No rain
has fallen for 18 days, and no rain-water at all has passed
through either of the percolation gauges for three days.
Notwithstanding that one day proved sunless, the record of
bright sunshine for the week averaged nearly 7^ boors a
day, or more than three hours a day longer than is usual at
this season. The atmosphere again continued unusually
calm. The mean amount of moisture in the air at three
o'clock in the afternoon fell short of a seasonable quantity
for that hour by as much as 12 per cent, The two frosts
above referred to do not appear to have done any injury to
my single Dahlias, which are at the present time flowering
as freely as ever. E. M., Bcrkhamstcd, September 25, 1907.

240

THE GA RDENERS CIIR 0 NICLE.

[September £8, 1907.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

MISCELLANEOUS.
W. Paul & Sons, VValtham Cross, Herts. — Roses.
R. Wallace & Co., Kilnfield Gardens, Colchester— Lilies,

Hardy Plants and Bulbs.
1 in, . Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, Herts.— Fruit Trees,

Roses and Shrubs.
Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park Nurseries— Carnations :

Greenhouse, New Holland and Stove Plants : Fruit

Trees and Roses.

FOREIGN.

Chas. Sprenger, Naples, Vomero, Italy — Interesting lists of
new and rare plants, including species hardy at Naples ;
also trees and shrubs.

SCHEDULE RECEIVED.

The Winter-Flowering Carnation Society's third
exhibition, to be held in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's
Park, London, on Wednesday, December 11, 1907. Hon.
Secretary, Mr. Hayward Mathias, Lucerne, Stubbington,
Fareham, Hants.

to
Lorrejpondenfa

* , * The Editor will be glad to receive, for considera-
tion, large photographs of horticultural subjects, suitable
for forming Supplementary Illustrations to this Journal.

Address : E. J. We fail to trace the address of
the nursery firm you mention.

Begonia : F. S. Your Begonias appear to be
suffering from the attack of some species ot an-
thracnose on the veins, but hitherto no fructifi-
cation, or certain evidence, can be discovered.
You might, perhaps, use a diluted form of fungi-
cide without injury. In any case it will be
advisable to remove all diseased plants from the
neighbourhood of the healthy ones.

Book : T. B. We have no knowledge of a work
such as you require, but you will find the
subject referred to in the larger books on
gardening practices.

Burning Bush : T. L., Jr. We suspect you
mean the species Dictamnus Fraxinella.

Carnations Diseased : Miss P. The plants are
affected with a fungus disease — Helminthos-
porium echinulatum. Spray the plants with
potassium sulphide, and destroy by burning any
leaves that show traces of disease.

Celery Diseased : T. H. 71. Your plant is
very badly affected with the Celery spot
mould — Cercospora Apii. Dig up and burn
all the diseased plants and spray the healthy
ones with a solution of permanganate of
potash, which may possibly prevent the
further spread of the disease.

Chestnut Trunk : /. T. S. Your Chestnut tree
is now suffering from the iron staples driven into
its trunk. Hence some wound parasite has
found an entrance, and produced a kind of
gummosis of a harder and more resinous kind
than that found on Plum and Cherry trees. At
present we have not been able to determine the
fungus, but efforts are being made by cultures.
There is no hope of saving the tree, as the trunk
is affected ; had it been a branch, that might
have been lopped off and the wound cicatrised.

Fungus on Pear Leaves : Pear Leaves. The
leaves are suffering from an attack of the fungus
known as Reestelia cancellata, but at present in
an imperfect condition. The disease has been
known in this country for at least 100 years (see
Gardeners' Chronicle, L862, p. C89), it is figured in
Cooke's Pests of Cultivated Plants, p. 122, PI, x.,
fig. 8. Latterly it has been suggested that the
i tospores, or final spores, are developed on
Juniperus Sabince, and in that condition the
fungus is known as Gymnosporangium Sabina?.

Gladioli: Amateur. When potting up the corms
mix a small quantity of well-decayed cow
manure with the soil. For a stimulant during
the season of growth dissolve a little Peruvian
Guano in water, and apply weak doses twice or

three times each week afier the pots have
be:ome nicely filled with roots. It is not
necessary to choose special corms for culture in
pots ; firm, well-ripened corms that would be
selected for culture out of doors are those
required. The plants you mention have been
obtained at various times during the last few
years from the nurserymen. The various
sections of Gladioli, Gandavensis, Lemoinei and
Nanceianus have been inter-crossed so much
during recent years that it is almost hopeless to
try to classify them at the present time. You
can obtain flowering corms capable of producing
flowers equal to those you mention from any
good nurseryman. In catalogues they are
described as follows : Gladiolus hybrids or
seedlings, mixtures to colour, pink and rose
shades ; scarlet and red shades, and so on ;
Lemomei Hybrids, Childsii, Canadian Gladioli,
&c.

Grape Lady Downes : D. Y. Ii. The shrivelled
appearance is not due to a fungus disease but to
an insufficient warmth in the vinery to enable
the berries to ripen properly. In the great
conservatory at Chiswick this Grape always pre-
sented a shrivelled appearance, similar to those
you send, towards the close of the season, and this
was due to planting the vine on the colder side
of the house. You will notice the under portions
of the berries near to the stalk are quite green.
The variety requires a long period to perfectly
ripen.

Grapes Turning Black in the Stalks : C. G.
The trouble is due to shanking. See reply to
G. H . on p. 224 in the last issue.

Insects on Pear Leaves : H . C Smith. The in-
sect known in France as " Le Tigre " is, we
believe, the Tingis pyri. This insect has a wide
distribution in Europe, and is recognised as a
pest in Italy. The specimens submitted to us
are all effete skins of the immature stages and in
a very imperfect slate of preservation, but we
think that they belong to the above named
species. It belongs to the family of plant bugs,
but we believe that it has not been recorded
from Great Britian. Can you send us some
perfect examples of the insect ?

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both of
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, togive
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits: C. W. T. King Harry.— C. G. B.
1, Peach Dymond ; 2, Beurre Clairgeau. — ■/. D.
Irish Peach. — G. S. Franklin's Goiden Pippin.
— T. II7. C. 1, Fondante de Cuerne ; 2, Black
Worcester; 3, Doyenne Gris ; 4, Broom ParK ;

5, White Nonpareil. — J. W . S. The Pear is the
variety Forelle. Apples: 1, Irish Peach; 2,
Lord Derby ; 3, Sheep's Nose ; 4, Tower of
Glamis ; 5, Not recognised ; 6, Ecklinville
Seedling. — E. L. 1, Beurre Sterckmans ; 2,
William's Bon Chretien; 3, Beurre Bosc ; 4,
Beurre d'Amanlis ; 5, Souvenir du Congres ;

6, Bellisimer d'Hiver. — Chewton Hill. 1, Pond's
Seedling; 2, Victoria; 3, not recognised; 4,
Denniston's Superb. — D. IF. Not recognised ;
you should have sent two fruits at least, and a
shoot with foliage. — /. G. Probably Pond's
Seedling ; you should have sent some foliage
with the fruits. — .1. /. C. 1, William's Bon
Chretien ; 2, Decayed ; 3, Marie Louise d'Uccle ;
4, Marie Louise ; 5, General Todleben. — /. B.
1, Decayed ; 2, Bellegarde : 3, Sea Eagle ;

4, Barrington ; 5, Victoria.

Plants: IF. D. M. Jasmmum humile. —
II1. G. Verbascum Blattaria. — F. T. Bourton,
1, Polygonum cuspidatum ; 2, P. tomentosum ;
3, Cichorium Intybus ; 4, Collomia grandiflora;

5, Aster Linosyris ; 6, Eryngium triparlitum. —
f.T. Phacelia tanacetifolia — T.B.B. Rham-
nus Alaternus. — T. B. The specimen appears

to be a species of Prunus, but do please send
something more than a couple of shrivelled
' leaves. If there are no flowers or fruit a leafy
branch would help. — W. 0. 1 and 2, Thuya
gigantea; 3 and 4, Picea sitchensis : the cones
are also of P. sitchensis. — H. Mousley. 1, Pyrus
Sorbus ; 2, Phillyrea media; 3, Juniperus vir-
giniana viridis ; 4, Lonicera japonica aureo-
reticulata. — A. B. Acanthopanax spinosum
(syn. Aralia pentaphylla). — J.H. B. 1, no
flowers, probably Lonicera involucrata ; 2, Spiraea
Douglasii; 3. Berberis vulgaris; 4, Claytonia
sibirica ; 5, Epilobium augustifolium ; 6,
Chlorophytum elatum variegatuni. — H. C.
Statice sinuata.— A'. Certain of your speci-
mens are numbered, others are not. 1. Statice
macrophylla ; 2, Centranthus rubra ; 3, Agros-
temma coronaria ; 4, send wdien in flower. Two
others that are unnumbered are Veronica sp.
and Solidago canadensis. The fruits are un-
numbered, and it is therefoie impossible to deal
with them. You have not sent any letter or
even initials. — H. S. Rubus phcenicolasius :
2, not recognised ; 3, Chrysanthemum uligino-
sum ; 4, Helianthus rigidus ; 5, Potamogeton
natans. — IF. A. S. Colutea arborescens :
Bladder Senna. — P. T. Empetrum nigrum. —
Constant Reader. 1, Begonia incarnata ; 2, Be-
gonia Louise Closon ; 3, Begonia Mrs. Anna
Low. Florists' varieties of Fuchsias we cannot
name. — V. 71/. 1, Oncidium caesium ; 2, Bras-
sia Lawrenceana ; 3, Gongora galeata. — L. H.

1, Aster Acris ; 1, Chrysanthemum uliginosum ;
3 and 4, varieties of Aster Amellus. — D. 1,
Tecoma jasminoid :s ; 2, Salvia sp. ; 3, Abutilon
megapotamicum ; 4, Begonia discolor (Evans-
iana) ; 5, Woodwardia radicans ; 6, Pteris
arguta. — A. A. F. 1, Adiantum hispidulum ;

2, Adiantum formosum. — IV. H. Heeria rosea
syn. Heterocentron mexicanum.

Purple Elder : R.Manson. The shoot sent seems
to us quite distinct from any Elder in commerce.
It is decidedly ornamental and will, we think,
be a valuable acquisition to coloured-leaved
shrubs.

Rhododendrons: Amateur. A mixture of peat,
leaf-mould and sand is the most suitable com-
post for your plant. You can mix a little loam
with this, if you are sure it contains no lime.
See that the boxes are provided with holes at
the base to allow the water to escape, and place
plenty of crocks or other drainage material over
these holes to keep them free from soil. Neglect
in this direction would soon cause the soil to be-
come too wet, and thus have the effect of killing
the roots of the plant.

Sweet Peas : Amateur. Sweet Peas are scarcely
suitable for cultivation in window-boxes ; as a
rule these are shallow, containing no great
quantity of soil, whereas Sweet Peas are deep-
rooting plants and gross feeders. Thus the
plant food contained in the soil of the boxes
would soon be exhausted. It is, however, pos-
sible to cultivate them successfully in tubs.

Twelve Ornamental Foliage Plants for
the Decoration of a Table : A. P. The first
six might be as follows: — Cocos Weddelliana,
Pandanus Veitchii, Aralia Veitchii gracillima,
Codiaeum (Croton), a fine leaved variety such as
Countess, elegantissima, &c, Cordyline (Dra-
caena), a narrow leaved variety, and Phoenix
Rcebelinii. To complete the dozen you might
select, Geonoma gracilis, a Codiasum, Cordyline,
Grevillea robusta, a choice Fern, and Kentia
Fosteriana.

Twin Apples : W . B. These are not uncommon ;
we frequently receive specimens during the fruit
season. The abnormality is the result of a fusion
of two flowers. An illustration of ,i " double
Apple" is given in the Gardeners' Chronicle,
October 20, 1855, p. G92.

Vine Leaves : F. S. There is no disease of the
leaves or berries. Some external circumstances
have caused the leaves to turn brown and fall
away.

Communications Received.— C. J —Bees (see p. x.I — F. B.
—A. S".— J. S. S.— Daisy— F. S.— Agriculturist— J. I '.—
H. B.— G. R.— J. H.,Trinidad-C.T. D.— W. S.— H.W.W.
— L. B. & Co.— F. P.— L. G.— B. L.— C. J. C- G. P. S.—
W. A. C— S. C— H. C. P. -Zebra-M. Linden— F. W. C.
— F. C— R. S.— YV. T.-W. J. W.— E. M.— L. G.—
W. B. H.— H. W. W.

For Market Reports see page x

October 5, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Ml

THE

(&mbmtxB €bxanidt

No. 7ASI— SATURDAY, October 5, 7907.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden —
Anthem is Bierber-
steiniana

Broadway, Mr. W. E....

Bulb trade in Japan ...

Bulbs, purchasing

Cupressus lusitania

Debating societies and
iheK.H.S

Fernery, the —
Some Polypodiums
in Trinidad.

Florists' flowers-
Carnations, tree 01
winter flowering ...
Peonies in Amei i' a

Forde Abbey, Chard ...

Forestry —

Heredity and forestry
Forestry in Scotland

Fruit, the gathering and
storing of

■Gooseberry-mildew, the
American

Herbaceous Spirasas ...

Hesperis matronalis as
a garden plant

Hippeastrums in Ame-
rica

Horticultural returns ...

Hydrangea Hoitensia in
tubs

252

251

25 1
245

242
250

In I.. i mpferi, the culti-
vation of

Laelio-i attlej a

Lychnis, large B
nudicaule

Pineapples injured by
butti rflies

P] ml notes —

Combretum purpur-

- urn

Rainfall, deficient, in

Kent

Rubus bambusarum ...
Se i ide planting
Semele au<h i igyna
S< "lrties—

igbam and Mid-
land * ounties Gar-
deners'

National Chrysanthe-
mum

Royal Horticultural...
Trees and Shrubs-
Magnolia hypoleuca...
Trees, the defoliation of
Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ...

Fruits under glass ...

Hardy fruit garden ...

Kitchen garden, the ...

Orchid houses, the ...

Parks and gardens ...

Plants under glass ...

2.r.0
249
243

250

246

252
251
242
244

255
252

254
248

247
246
246
■J 17
247
246
247

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Forde Abbey, Chard

Laslio-Cattle'ya elegans (Supplementary Illustration)
Lilium longiflorum giganteum, a field of, in Japan

Lychnis Haageana, an improved form of

Rubus bambusarum

Semele (Ruscus) amlrogyna in flower

245

251

244

HIPPEASTRUMS IN AMERICA,

THE articles and illustrations of various
•Hippeastrums (Amaryllis) which ap-
peared in the last volume of the Gar-
deners' Chronicle have kindled a new en-
thusiasm for, and a new interest in these beau-
tiful plants in every lover of refined and noble
flowers. I have grown and hybridized Hip-
peastrums for nearly thirty years, and it gives
me pleasure to see that the old species, such
as Hippeastrum pardinum, H. reticulatum,
and their hvbrids again come to the front.
Dr. Bonavia's " Queen of Spots," a hybrid
of H. pardinum, and Mrs. Carl Jay's
hybrid of II. reticulatum, var. striatifolium,
bearing her name, which were finely illus-
trated in these pages, remind me of the work
that was done in this country in years gone
by, and of the men who did that work. Dur-
ing the earlv part of the nineties in the last
century Air. Henry Pfister, for many years
the able and enthusiastic gardener at the
Executive Mansion at Washington, D.C. (now
again known as the White House), obtained
great success not only in the hybridization
of large and gorgeous show Hippeastrums,

but also in crossing the different species with
choice hybrids. Various crosses between
Messrs. Williams' fine Hippeastrum Dr.
Masters (itself a hybrid of H. pardinum) and
II. pardinum— the latter the pollen plants-
resulted in a number of exquisitely spotted
varieties, varying from a light to deep shade
of red, all heavily spotted with deeper red.
He selected the three finest, and named them
Ruth, Esther, and Marion, after President
Cleveland's daughters. The bulbs flowered
when very small, and before they were quite
two years old. These hybrids, however,
w.re very delicate, and I lost mine during
an exceptional^ cold winter. They multi-
plied rapidly by offsets. The pollen of the
variety Dr. Masters was also used on II. par-
dinum, but thi' flowers, though beautifully
coloured, were defective in form, and were
destroyed bj then raiser. Another cross be-
ii II. psittacinum and one of Messrs.
Witt h's shnu Hippeastrums result i d in a very
beautifullj deep-pink hybrid, without lines or
's of white or deeper red veinings. I In-
interior of tin- tube was green. Mr. Pfister
was, perhaps, the first who grew and
hybridized Hippeastrums on a large scale in
this country. Shortly after he had been
appointed b) President Hayes, in 1N77, he
ordered a collection of the inn it \ 11
from Louis van Houtte, from van Eeden,
and from Baelens, at that time tin leading
Hippeastrum specialists. In later years
Messis. Veitch, Williams, and Haage and
Schmidt, supplied him with new kinds.

Mr. \Y. Otto Gronen, of the Rock Island
Arsenal, Rink Island, III., worked in a some-
what similar manner, but with less material,
although his collection was extensive. He
used particularly Hippeastrum psittacinum
major, not in itself a very showy kind, as a
seed-bearer, and it proved exceedingly pro-
ductive in beautifully-coloured hybrids. We
all known that de Graaf's " Empress of In-
dia," one of the parents of our present show
Hippeastrums, was raised from a cross be-
tween H. psittacinum and H. " Gravinae."
Mr. Gronen crossed it with Ycitch's " Bril-
liant," and obtained a number of magnifi-
cently coloured hybrids. The three finest and
most characteristic he named Koh-i-noor,
Madame Modjeska, and Barbara Pomfret.
These Hippeastrums were short-tubed, they
had broad, well-rounded segments, and were
of a great substance; in regard to colour-
combination they were the most exquisib 1
have seen. They were perfect in form, but
their flowers were small, being only 6 in
in diameter. Koh-i-noor had a glowing scar-
let centre, a small, greenish-white star in
the tube, and the segments were broadly
tipped creamy-yellow. Madame Modji »ka
had a deep crimson ground-colour, a small,
greenish eyi , and the segments were broadly
tipped and edged with almost pure white,
heavily spotted with crimson. The third
hybrid was similar, but the red was very
light, with no green in the tube, and the seg-
ments were narrowly tipped with creamy-
white. The constitution of all of them was
rather weak, and I scarcely believe that they
are still in cultivation. It would be interesting
if these experiments could be repeated. H.
psittacinum major can be easily obtained,
and I think that Brilliant is also still in cul-
tivation in England.

Mr. P. H. Oberwettcr, of Austin, Texas,
also used H. psittacinum major as a seetl-
bearer with grand results, but he used, in
addition, van Eeden 's Fidelio and Count
Cavour, and particularly Johnsonii. The
hybrids between the two first were very fine
ami of good form, but all showed too much
j ;i - n. The hybrids between H. psittacinum
and Johnsonii, and vice versa, were all good
at thai time, but to-day they would scarcely
be noticed. Mr. Oberwettcr succeeded also in
rig large numbers of hybrids of the
smaller Hippeastrums of the Habranthus
section, with very line flowers, blooming at
a time when other flowers are scarce— in
October and November. In these experi-
ments he used the following species : — H.
advenum, II. roseum, II. brachyandrum, II.
[Mai. use, and several others. The experi-
ments proved very successful, and he ob-
tained large numbers of fine hybrids rang-
ing from almost pure white, creamy-yellow,
and a delicate pink to deep orange and
bright scarlet. The leading breeders of Hip-
peastrums in this country at the present
time are English and Scotch gardeners,
and their productions rival the very best
European kinds. Mr. Kenneth Fin!

iener to Dr. G. C. Weld, of Brooklyn,
Mass.); Mr. E. O. Orpet, Lancaster, Mass.;

and Mr. T. D. Hatfield (gardener to Mr.
Walter Ilunnewell, Wellesley, Mass.),
have achieved gnat mh i i ss. .\ very beau-
tiful strain of exquisitely-coloured Hippeas-
trum originated with Mr. Byrnes, the able
gardener to the U.S. Department oi Agricul-
ture, Washington.

In recent years Mr. Luther Burbank, of
Santa Rosa, Cal., has produced a strain of
cross-bred varieties which are said to out-
rival all others in size and colour-combina-
tion. I have only lately obtained a collection
of these, and, as they have not yet flowered,
I am unable to express an opinion upon
them.

During the last 15 years I have raised
many thousands of cross-bred varieties from
collections received from the late B. S. Wil-
liams, from James Yeiich and Sons, De
Graaf Bros., Mr. Kenneth Finlayson, and
particularly from Mr. James Douglas. Mr.
James Douglas's writing on this subject in
the Gardeners' Chronicle and other English
horticultural journals gave me my first start,
and his letters still more encouraged me.

All my Hippeastrums are grown in the
iir. They grow will in the sandy soil
when liberally supplied with a commercial fer-
tiliser, but they ilo I, est in moist situations
along our lakes. Most of them are ever-
green, and our frosts — the thermometer
sometimes falls to 1S0 F. — never have hurt
them in the least. During their flowering
period, from late in March to the beginning
of May, when thousands of spikes appear,
tin- sight is exceedingly gorgeous.

I have only taken up the hybridization of
the different species within recent years, and
have as vet obtained but a very limited
collection.

Hippeastrum equestre is the most common
Amaryllis of our gardens, being even
found in large clumps around old, deserted
homes in the woods. During April all the
gardens are gorgeous with the huge masses
of flowers. The clumps often consist of

242

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 5, 1907.

from 30 to 50 bulbs, and very frequently 50
to 100 flower spikes appear at the same time
from one cluster of bulbs. The colour is a
dazzling light orange-red, with a yellowish-
white star in the tube. I never have seen
more than two flowers on a scape. A row
of big clumps in my garden is 30 yards
long, and, when in flower, it forms a grand
mass of dazzling colour. This Amaryllis
thrives in the driest and poorest sandy soil.
It is very much used in the decoration of
cemeteries and for planting along borders of
the sub-tropical shrubbery. Though rarely
bearing seed, even if hand-fertilised, it can
be easily used in crossing other showy kinds.
I have raised very beautiful hybrids of a
glowing light orange-scarlet from such kinds
as Empress of India, fertilised with the pol-
len of H. equestre. Our Florida plant
appears to be- the variety H. equestre major.
HirPEASTRUM REGiNiE does not grow as
luxuriantly and easily as the former, requir-
ing much better and moister soil. I have
used it in crossing H. vittatum, and vice
versa, in the hope of obtaining a hybrid
similar to A. Johnsoni, which is one of the
most common Amaryllises in the gardens
along the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic as
far north as Norfolk, Va. All the hybrids I
obtained were greatly inferior to, and very
distinct from, Johnsoni. This leads me to the
belief that our present Johnsoni is probably
not identical with the one raised about a
hundred years ago by the watchmaker John-
son. However this may be, Johnsoni will
always be one of our most beautiful garden
plants of the Gulf region. The gardens of
Mobile, New Orleans, Houston (Texas), and
many others, are replete with big clumps
of this Amaryllis, and, when in flower, the
aromatic and delicious' perfume exhaled by
the masses of flowers forms a characteristic
feature of this southland. In Florida it does
not grow quite as well, requiring a richer
and somewhat heavier soil. H. Neyrling,
Florida.

(To be continued.)

FORESTRY.

HEREDITY AND FORESTRY.
Accordino to the North British Agriculturist
of July 18th, Dr. Somerville discussed this sub-
ject in a paper read at a meeting held in con-
nection with forestry at the late " Highland "
show, and if Dr. Somerville has been correctly
reported, his conclusions seem to come in con-
flict with the science and practice of forestry as
hitherto understood.

HEREDITY AND FORESTRY.

" Dr. Somerville referred to experiments that had been
conducted in Switzerland and Australia on behalf of the
Departments of Forestry of the respective countries, and
dealt with the results in connection with Spruce, Larch, and
Sycamore, three trees well known in this country and
widely distributed throughout Europe. He discussed the
difference in size of seed and in the percentage germination
of trees at high and low elevations, and said the reduction
in stature of trees as a greater height above sea level was
reached was a character that was inherited -it was trans-
mitted to progeny. It would be most unsafe to apply
Australian and Swiss results to the conditions prevailing in
Scotland, but in the countries referred to there was no
doubt that where plantations of Spruce and Larch were
being formed at low or moderate altitudes care should be
taken to secure seed from similar localities. For use at
high altitudes seed from high altitudes must be obtained,
and it seemed to be not unlikely that in Scotland they might
cultivate woods at greater heights than they did if they made
a point of securing high-grown coniferous seeds for the
purpose."

If I understand this paragraph correctly, it
means that, if you plant on low lands Scotch
Kir or Larch, for example, that have been raised
from seed produced at high elevations, they will

have inherited a stature according to the eleva-
tion, and will not produce tall timber trees, no
matter how favourable the conditions may be
to height-growth, and that trees from lowland
seed will grow tall at high elevations having
inherited that quality.

I have not heard of the experiments referred
to by Dr. Somerville, but the theory is certainly
new, and, if it is true, I should think that the
fewer the trees that are planted that have in-
herited a high elevation habit the better. It is
not trees of short stature timber-growers want,
at high or low elevations, but tall trees of good,
measureable dimensions.

It appears to me that if we only get more
stunted trees through the combined influences
of heredity and elevation, the less we ascend
the better. We don't want short trees, and it
is known nowadays that the higher up we plant,
the shorter the trees become, and the less valu-
able the crop, no matter where the trees or
seeds come from. I believe in weak and
vigorous constitutions in trees, from the seed
stage upwards, and that very much may be done
in growing timber crops by selecting the
strongest which keep the lead through life, but
that you may convert giants into dwarfs and
establish heredity according to the altitude at
which you plant, one can hardly believe.

I have seen such planting at high and low
elevations, and it has always been a puzzle
to me why foresters have planted so high up on
steep mountain sides when they could just as
easily have utilised the lower reaches of the
same waste land, where double or treble the
weight of timber could have been got per acre
in the same time.

" Height-growth " is what Continental
foresters try to secure by every means, knowing
that height-growth means also girth and bulk
under proper conditions of culture. Stunted
growth should never be encouraged in any form,
because it means loss, but Dr. Somerville's
heredity theory tends that way.

If the heredity principle holds good, one would
think that it would do so in Larch from the
high Alps. According to Schlich and others,
this tree is generally found from 3,000 feet alti-
tude up to 7,000 feet, the limit of tree growth,
but the Larch raised from such seed and planted
in Britain and elsewhere has produced trees of
a height and bulk that surpasses anything known
in the Alps.

It would seem also that the Japanese Larch
does not support the heredity theory.

I lately saw at Novar the Japanese Larch
leaving the common Larch quite behind ; and
at Holme Hall, York, 6-inch untransplanted
seedlings, dibbled in in 1905, are, many of them,
now approaching 7 feet, and are branched in
proportion. They were about 6 feet 4 inches six
weeks ago, and will grow until the end of
October.

If only planters would realise the advantage
of planting small seedlings instead of trans-
plants, 4 and 5 years old and more, and keep
rough grass and bracken down for two or three
years, they might reduce the cost of planting
50 per cent. /. Simpson.

SEASIDE PLANTING.

There are many species suitable for growing
in exposed positions, and near to the sea ; but
in almost all ses the plants should be
thoroughly hardened and transplanted annually
before being placed in their permanent quarters.
The more exposed the position, the more neces-
sary is it to carefully prepare the soil before
planting. Dig, trench, or plough the soil as
may be most convenient, but cultivate it so that
the plants may have a favourable rooting-

medium. This tilling is best done early in the
autumn, and if a month or two elapses before
planting, so much the better. The land should
be harrowed or hoed to destroy any weeds.
Hares and rabbits are very destructive creatures,
and a fence of wire-netting of a suitable height
must be placed in position before planting. In
making a fence of wire-netting, plough around
the piece of land, and turn the turf or soil, as
the case may be, outward ; drive down the neces-
sary stakes equidistant in the furrow, and lay
the lower edge of the netting flat for 5 inches ;
thus, when it is stapled to the stakes and the
" ream " is turned back into the furrow, we have
not only the netting 4 inches below the surface,
but also 5 inches at right angles from the up-
right netting. When a rabbit digs close to the
foot of the visible netting, it encounters the out-
turned wire : the animal rarely commences to
dig at a greater distance than 5 or 6 inches from
the netting.

In Cornwall during the past few years a con-
siderable amount of planting has been done
along the coast by nurserymen and by private-
persons. 1 have made notes of those subjects
which have succeeded best, and these are given
below. It must be remembered that not all those
I enumerate are hardy in the Midlands and more
northern localities: —

The Tamarisk (Tamarix anglica). — This is a
well-known seaside shrub, and it will flourish
even in spots where the waves reach it ; the
plant is not affected by cold, rough winds. The
shrub should be pruned in the springtime to
induce a bushy growth, for when the plants are
dense they form a good wind-break. The long,
straight shoots form suitable stakes for garden
and greenhouse plants.

Veronica Andersonii and its variegated
variety are excellent subjects for seaside plant-
ing, and quickly attain a good size.

Olearia Haastii and O. macrodonta may be
planted in the most exposed positions. These
shrubs are handsome, especially when in bloom.

The Sea Buckthorn (Ilippophae rhamnoides)
withstands the rough winds and the salt spray
well, but if it is required as an effective wind-
break it requires to be planted thickly.

Amongst Conifers suitable for coast planting
is Pinus insignis radiala. At first the foliage
appears very yellow, but later it prospers beyond
expectation If it proves to be capable of with-
standing the wind when 20 years planted as
well as it does in a young state, it should afford
one of the best of wind-breaks. P. contorta, P.
Laricio, P. Pinaster, and P. montana are also
grown in such positions.

Escallonia macrantha and E. rubra are both
planted extensively. As single specimens, and
when they are formed in rows, either quite
close to the sea or as shelter belts inland,
they form grand wind-breaks. They make
dense masses of growth if they are pruned
hard every year. These two species are, per-
haps, the most extensively planted along this
coast. I recently saw a hedge of Escallonia
growing quite close to the water's edge.

The Pampas Grass (Oynerium argenteum) is
also adaptable for exposed situations, and others
are Euonymus in variety, Griselinia littoralis,
Cytisus scoparius, Buddleia globosa, Choisya
ternata, Cupressus macrocarpa, Ligustrum vul-
gare, Laurus nobilis, Phillyrea intermedia,
Osmanthus ilicifolius, Leycesteria formosa, and
Atriplex. This list includes the principal genera
and species used, but it does not exhaust the
number.

Dwarf, short-jointed plants that have been
well hardened in the nursery should be chosen,
and if they are about 1 foot in height they are
better than larger ones. It is much better to
plant a wide belt than a narrow one. Ti. \V .,
Trtvince.

October 5, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

243

LYCHNIS.

At fig. 104 is reproduced a drawing bv Mr.
Worthington G. Smith of a Lychnis exhibited
by Mr. Amos Perry at a meeting of the Royal
horticultural Society on September 3 last, when
it obtained an Award of Merit. Mr. Perry in-
formed us that several sorts of Lychnis then ex-
hibited were original introductions from Thibet,
and when first shown they were all described as
L. grandiflora. Two or three sorts were of the

true L. grandiflora, Jacq. 1786, or L. coronata,
Humb. 1784 (see Botanical Magazine, t. 223).

On submitting specimens of the hairy plants
to Kew, we are informed by the Director that
it is a form of " L. Haageana, Lem., which is
said to be a hybrid between L. fulgens (Botani-
cal Magazine, t. 2104) and L. Sieboldii, but is all
but indistinguishable from the wild L. cognata
max. of Manchuria. It is certainly not typical
fulgens."

3 inches in diameter, being circular and almost
regular in outline. The colour of the variety
figured was rich rosy-crimson ; but this is evi-
dently a variable character.

HERBACEOUS SPIRAEAS.

The herbaceous species of Spiraea have not
been planted so freely in gardens as their merits
deserve.

Fig. 104. — mr. perry's form of lychnis haage

ANA, WHICH RECEIVED AN AWARD OF MERIT ON SEPTEMBER 3
UNDER THE NAME OF L. GRANDIFLORA.

type now shown in the illustration, being very
hairy, and differing from each other chiefly in
the colour of the flowers. One form, however,
■was perfectly glabrous, being similar to the
specimen figured in our issue for September 7,
p. 189. The glabrous form appears to be the

Though the plant may be equivalent to L.
Haageana in its botanical characters, it appears,
nevertheless, to be distinct in the size and colour
of the flowers from L. Haageana as generally
cultivated in this country. The plants grow to a
height of about 2 feet, and the flowers are nearly

The planting of water-gardens on natural prin-
ciples has brought many robust species into
cultivation, but there are many other equally
good garden species suitable for planting in the
herbaceous border.

The chief cultural requirement of all Spiraeas

24i

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 5, 1907.

is a rich soil of deep tilth, and given this, all
the species, including those used as waterside
plants, can be planted amongst trees, shrubs, or
flowering plants in any part of the garden.
Their foliage is decorative, and in the springtime
may be said to rival that of many Ferns in their
delcate lobing and in the softer shades of green,
whilst in the autumn season their leaf-colouring
— principally shades of yellow and bronze — is
very beautiful. Their inflorescences are ele-
gant in habit, and vary from the flattened,
" heads " of the dwarf S. digitata to the large,
foamy "plumes" on flower-stems 2 yards long
of the giant S. camtschatica.

Many plant borders would be enhanced by
the addition of a few plants of Spiraeas ; they
lend lightness and elegance to heavy colour
masses, and they give a touch of informality
amongst stiff-growing subjects. Recent intro-
ductions, mainly forms of S. palmata, S. lobata,
and S. camtschatica have so far improved this
genus from a garden point of view, that it is
now difficult to imagine from what quarter theii
further improvement can be anticipated.

All the Spiraeas can be readily increased by
division of the root-stock in winter. A few
species produce seeds freely, and by means of
seedlings still greater variation in the plants is
possible. Three or four small-habited species —
S. decumbens, S. digitata, S. pectinata, and
S. filipendula are pretty rock-plants that grace
any position that may be assigned to them, and
they are exceptionally valuable in that they
flower when the bulk of true Alpine flowers are
over. In a poor, hungry soil Spiraeas will not
grow well : improve the staple, and the plants
will thrive as long as the improved condition
may last. An annual mulching of the site will
keep the plants thriving indefinitely, but there
must be no relaxation of cultural aid. The only
species capable of growing anywhere is S. fili-
pendula. This species forms huge mats of its
tubercled roots, square poles in extent, on some
limestone hills, and it manages to live where
the majority of plants literally starve. Such
plants are practically flowerless, however, for
only well-developed specimens flower freely.

S. aruncus. — This is the common Goat's
Beard, and is a plant that lends itself
for effective grouping in the wild-garden,
by the water-side, in clearings, among shrubs,
&c. It is one of the few plants that
can be planted anywhere in the garden
without fear of failure. I have seen splendid
specimens in various parts of Britain worthy of
all praise, but the best plants I know are grow-
ing in a garden at the foot of a chalk cliff on the
banks of the River Thames by Henley. There
were 24 strong clumps in the group, and one
felt astonished at the stately grandeur the plantr
presented.

S. A. var. kneiffii. — This variety has de-
pauperate foliage that may be admired for its
elegance, but as a flowering-plant it possesses
no real beauty, the panicles being small. One
cannot compare this plant with the type with-
out noting its deficiency in stature and also its
lesser garden value. The variety is worth cul-
tivating, however, for its leafage alone.

S. A. var. plumosa is of a better type than
the last-named, and it serves a useful purpose
in gardens in that its stature is about one-half
that of the type, and for that reason it may be
planted in quite small gardens. The foliage is
of a pale nut-green and the leaf-lobes are
minutely serrulate — so minutely as to appear
fringed. The stems and leaf-stalks are ruddy
tinted ; the inflorescence consists of an elegant
white panicle 2 feet long.

S. asttlboides. — This plant and its varieties
(now classed by botanists in the genus Astilbe)
are the well-known Spiraeas of the market
florist, and are so well known that a description
is quite unnecessary. As a garden plant, this
species is inferior to many other Astilbes for

waterside planting for it is often destroyed by
late frosts, but as a plant for forcing it is of
much value.

S. cespitosa. — This is a distinct little plant,
that one would not consider to be a Spiraea at
first sight. The leaves and creeping stems form
a dense, silvery mat, similar to a close-habited
Achillea, and the growths are studded with small
spikes of white flowers in their season of flower-
ing. It is of easy cultivation, and may be
grouped in the rock-garden or among the stones
at the edge of a border. The plant is a native
of the Rocky Mountains, and is very rare in
cultivation.

S. camtschatica (S. gigantea) is a splendid
garden plant, and taller than S. aruncus when
well cultivated. The leaves are Sycamore-
shaped, and of a dark green colour. The stems
exceed 6 feet in height, are quite unbranched,
and develop huge, foamy masses of white
flowers, often 18 inches across. A colony of 30
to 40 such stems, each crowned with its head
of flowers, cannot fail to impress one with the
grandeur of the species. It comes from the

Fig. 105. - sumele (ruscus) androgvma
flowering in the open in devonbhike.

north-eastern extremity of Siberia, and has been
in cultivation for a long period. The vaiiety
elegans has pale-rose coloured flowers, and is
of a less robust habit. There is another variety
named rosea, which is similar to the type, with
the exception of its flowers which resemble
those of S. venusta in their colouring — a rich
shade of rose.

Recent seedlings of this plant show traces of
hybridity with S. venusta, and there is now an
unbroken chain of connecting variations between
the two species. One character remains, how-
ever, to separate the species — all the derivatives
of S. camtschatica are pubescent throughout,
including the stems and the leaves. In those
of S. venusta (lobata), they are distinctly gla-
brous, and some varieties have highly-polished
stems and petioles. S. camtschatica cannot well
be overfed, and liberal mulches in dry seasons
help it to bear its flowers without strain. It is
a splendid plant when grouped in sunny clear-
ings of woodland in quantity. G. B. Mallett.

[To be continued.)

SEMELE ANDROGYNA.

This handsome climbing plant is a native of
Madeira and the Canary Islands, and in the first-
named island it adds much to the beauty of the
landscape and is often seen wreathing the pillars
at the entrance to Quintas. The species was
introduced into this country nearly 200 years ago
and is perhaps better known in gardens as Ruscus
androgynus. It is very rarely met with in the
open in this country, but in Devon and Cornwall
it is found in gardens, though, owing to the past
severe winter, two small plants in Cornwall
appeared almost dead in April of the present year.
The cladode-systems (see fig. 105) have the appear-
ance of pinnate leaves : they are from a foot to 2 feet
in length and are furnished with from 12 to 20 pin-
nate sections of brightly polished green colour. As
the whole is of a drooping habit the shining green
colour is well displayed, and a wall well covered
with the plant is an attractive feature. The cladodes
are very leathery in texture and it is not uncommon
for them to remain in a perfectly fresh condition
for six or seven years. When the plant is well
established, strong, Asparagus-like shoots are
thrown up that, in vigorous specimens, often
attain a length of 40 feet in one season. In young
plants these shoots often appear as early as
November, but in others that have been established
for some years these do not show until the
spring. Semele androgyna forms a splendid sub-
ject for a cool structure. In the Temperate House
at Kew there is a fine specimen which has reached
the glass roof, at a height of over 30 feet. In the
summer the small, greenish-white flowers, each
about one-eighth of an inch across, are borne, as
will be seen from the accompanying illustration,
in clusters at the edges of the pinnules. Every
cladode upon the plant from which the one illus-
trated was cut was covered with these tiny
blossoms, and the effect produced was pretty,
I hough it is owing to its attractiveness as a foliage
rather than a flowering-plant that this Semele is
chiefly valuable. The flowers are followed by
red berries, and these are sometimes seen on
plants grown in the open in Cornwall. S. W.
Fitzhcrbert.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

MAGNOLIA HYPOLEUCA.
According to a communication of Mr. J.
Meehan, in The Florists' Exchange, this plant
may be increased not only from seed, but also
by layering and grafting. It is necessary to
sow the seeds as soon as they are mature,
as they will not germinate when once they have
been dried. Of the known species of Magnolia,
U. tripetala has the greater similarity to M.
hypoleuca, more particularly in habit, as well
as in its behaviour under cultivation, but M.
hypoleuca is the finer of the two. The leaves
are firmer and stronger, and differ in having
reddish veins. Another advantage that M. hypo-
leuca has, is that the odour given off from the
blooms is less penetrating than that of M. tripe-
tala, which is both, pungent and unpleasant.
The flowers of both species appear after the
foliage has fully developed, towards the middle
of June. Seed sowing is to be preferred to either
of the other methods of increase named above.
F. M.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

ANTHEMIS BIEBERSTEINIANA.

This species is one of the prettiest of the
Alpine Chamomiles. It is of very neat and
graceful habit and develops handsome, silvery
foliage, which gives a fine contrast to the golden
flowers, each of which is about 1 inch across.
The plant is quite hardy and easy of culture.
A mixture of good loam and sand forms a suit-
able rooting medium; and it should be afforded
a sunny position in a well-drained border ■>'
rock garden. A copious supply of water must
be given the roots at least once a week in a hot,
dry season. W. Glover, Somerset.

October 5, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

245

FORDE ABBEY, CHARD.

This old abbey was, until 1842, included in the
county of Devon, being one of the five Cister-
cian houses founded in Devonshire, but it is
now regarded as belonging to the county of
Dorset.

The abbey is one of the most interesting and
probably the most perfect in preservation in the
country, and although it retains so much that
is ancient, the interior is fitted with every
modern convenience.

The West of England abounds with beautiful
scenery, and Forde Abbey is situated in one of
the most delightful parts. The River Axe, said
to be the most winding stream in the country,
flows through its grounds, meandering along

feet in height, are now used as a winter
garden, and they are decorated with groups of
flowering and foliage plants, including some
fine Palms.

Many years ago the estate was purchased by
Mrs. Evans, who, with the co-operation of her
son, W. H. Evans, Esq., did much to restore
and beautify the old structure. On the decease
of this lady, in 1906, Forde Abbey came into
the possession of the present owner, Mrs. Free-
man Roper.

There are two entrances to the estate — the one
adjoining the main road from the station on
the south, the other on the east, leading to a
broad drive, a quarter of a mile long, that passes
the front of the abbey and extends to an elevated
spot known as Blacksmith's Hill. By the side

There is a fine specimen of the Rose Reve
d'Or growing to a great height and entwined
w-ith green Ivy, forming a beautiful object
when in flower. The roots of this Rose
ramify beneath heavy paving-stones, and one
wonders how it finds nourishment to produce
its long shoots. A gateway at one end of a
tower is clad with Ampelopsis and Clematis
montana ; this latter when in bloom mingles its
flowers with the new boughs of the Creeper.
On the central tower the common Virginian
Creeper reaches almost to the top, and other
walls are covered with old garden Roses, late-
flowering Clematises, Jasminum revoluta, &c.
A small sunken flower garden is seen from
the carriage drive. At the time of my visit the
beds were occupied with tender bedding plants,

Fig. io6. — forde abbey, chard, the residence of freeman roper, esq.

[Photograph by F. Mason Good.

a fertile valley of rich pasture land or backed
by hills that are covered with cornfields,
■orchards, and woodland. The monks who
first settled here made a wise choice of locality,
and in those remote days the spot was pro-
bably not less beautiful than now. The abbeys
in olden times often changed ownership, and
Forde was no exception. But it is worthy of
note that the fields, &c, are still known by the
same names as are recited in the deed when
they were conveyed to one Richard Pollard.

The building includes some noble towers, an
ancient chapel, a spacious saloon containing
some of the most beautiful old tapestry in the
country, and a magnificent hall of great height
and beauty, in which are examples of the work
of the famous artist Inigo Jones. The stately
cloisters, measuring 82 feet in length and 17

of this latter walk are aged Lime trees, which
form a canopy up to the chapel. Close to this
spot a Yew hedge, many feet wide, encloses a
part of the garden known as "The Park
Garden."

Th abbey itself faces south, the chapel be-
ing at the extreme end according to the monkish
custom. A tree of Jargonelle Pear is growing
against the walls of the chapel, where it was
planted about 150 years ago. It is still in good
health, and furnishes good crops of fruits
that ripen early. Close by the chapel door
is a specimen of the Loquat, planted more
than 40 years ago ; the tree bears fruits,
but they have never ripened. One of the
buttresses of the. cloister has a large area
covered with Lonicera fragrantissima, which
blooms all through the winter in mild seasons.

including a choice strain of tuberous-root;ng
Begonias. At the foot of the abbey wall is a
flower border 3 to 4 feet wide, and this was
gay with Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, Roses, tall-
growing Salvias, and Zonal Pelargoniums, all
planted in groups of one colour.

The abbey is 100 yards long, and at the
western portion of a broad walk is a border in
front of a south wall ; on this I noticed man?
aged Apple trees, among them the true old
Golden Pippin. Roses, Ceanothus, full of
bloom, and many other beautiful plants adorned
the wall.

Herbaceous and many annual flowering plants
in this border were attractive. Especially fine
were large masses of Calceolaria amplexicaulis
and single blue China Asters, with white and
red Phlox associated together.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 5, 1907.

On the other side of this walk is a sunken tennis
court. An ornamental pond is situated near to
rising ground, known as The Mount. The gar-
dens here are much sheltered, and are planted
with an assortment of tender-flowering and
ornamental-foliaged shrubs. On the grass is a
large plant of Juniperus sabina prostrata, a
variety seldom met with. Near this spot a
tree of Douglas Fir attains to a height of about
150 feet. Trees of Araucaria imbricata equal
those at Bicton, and there are fine specimens of
Cypresses and deciduous trees, with large bushes
of common Rhododendrons growing by the side
of the carriage drive. A wild garden has been
formed in an old disused gravel pit.

The Park Garden has a number of interesting
features, and it is planted with many choice
shrubs, both on the grass and in beds. The
shrubs have been spaced so as to leave room
for the planting of hardy perennials, tender-
flowering plants, and annuals.

A small kitchen garden is situated on the
north side of the abbey. The walls surrounding
the kitchen garden are very old ; they are well
covered with fruit trees. The glasshouses are
old, and are shortly to be replaced by new build-
ings. Two of the vineries are heated with flues,
but they contained good crops of Grapes. An
orchard contains a selection of the best kinds
of fruit trees, many of which are young speci-
mens. Western.

PLANT NOTES.

COMBRETUM PURPUREUM.

When in good condition this stove climbing
plant will flower throughout the summer months,
and even into the first part of autumn. It is
well adapted for clothing a rafter in a medium-
sized structure, being less vigorous than many
climbers. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate in
shape, and dark green in colour, while the
flowers are totally unlike those of any other
occupant of our stoves. Though individually
small, the blossoms are borne in dense spikes
quite 6 inches long, the latter in their turn form-
ing a somewhat fan-shaped panicle. The colour
is a kind of crimson scarlet. The flower-spike is
not cylindrical in shape, as the blossoms stand
erect along its upper surface. The plant is not
a vigorous-rooting subject, therefore care should
be taken not to overpot it, and the pots which
are to be used should first be made clean and
*>Jso be effectually drained. A compost consisting
i"f equal parts good fibrous loam and peat, with
a liberal sprinkling of silver sand and a few
nodules of charcoal, will suit it well.

The propagation of this plant by means of
cuttings was at one time considered a difficult
matter, having, indeed, been referred to as an
impossibility ; but this was years ago refuted
by Mr. Lynch, of Cambridge, who rooted it with-
out any particular difficulty. In Index Kewensis
this species is referred to as C. coccineum. W .

The Week's Work.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Pines. — The succession plants which are ex-
pected to afford ripe fruits early next year
should now be well established and have their
pots full of roots. As the plants will require
to rest during the next three months, the at-
mospheric temperature of the pit should be kept
at about 60° at night and 75° by day ; the bot-
tom heat should not be permitted to exceed 63°
or 70°. The roots will require very little water
throughout the winter, but care must be exer-
cised, because the plants should not flag at any
time from drought. Admit air to the pit daily

during mild weather. Pines which are now
showing fruits require the atmosphere to be
moist, and its temperature at night should range
from 70° to 80D. During very fine weather ad-
mit a little air to the pit each day, but close up
again early in the afternoon, keeping up a heat
equal to 90°. When the weather is bright a
thorough damping down of the floors is neces-
sary. A bottom heat of 85" is required at this
stage for the fruits to mature. Let the watering
be done with care, neither applying too much
nor too little.

Pine suckers which were potted into 6-inch
pots and are now growing freely should have
an atmospheric temperature at night of
65° to 70°, and a bottom heat of 75°.
Maintain the atmosphere in a humid con-
dition, and lightly spray the plants with
water each day. Admit air daily, and en-
deavour to grow the plants as sturdily as pos-
sible. All the best suckers should be detached
from the autumn-fruiting plants and potted-up,
in order that they may get established before
winter.

Fig trees which have been yielding ripe fruits
for some time past, and have still fruits in the
swelling and ripening stages, should be afforded
a supply of liquid manure once each week.
Keep the house well ventilated and the at-
mosphere dry while the fruits are ripening. Fig
trees from which the fruit has all been gathered
need an abundant supply of fresh air, and they
should be well syringed and the house kept cool,
but the borders must now be kept drier. Cut
out all shoots that will not be required for fruit-
ing next season. The early Fig trees in pots
plunged out-of-doors will require protection from
heavy winds. If heavy rains become frequent,
the plants must be placed in some structure,
such as an unheated orchard-house.

Melons now colouring should be well exposed
to the air and light. Keep the atmospheric tem-
perature of the house at about 70° at night, and
803 to 85° by day, according to the state of the
weather. Be careful not to over-water the plants
or the fruits may be caused to split and so be-
come useless. Admit air daily, and leave the
top ventilator open very little throughout the
night. Later plants, on which the fruits are now
swelling, need a warm, moist atmosphere. Main-
tain a liberal bottom heat, and afford water very
carefully, but do not allow the plants to flag.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
Hast Devon.

Grease bands. — The annual spraying of fruit
trees now practised by most growers may be
said to render less necessary the wrapping of the
tree stems with grease bands, but anything that
will lessen the attacks of caterpillars in early
spring should not be neglected. The fern il; s
of the winter moth come out of the ground dur-
ing the next two months and climb up the stems
of the trees, locating themselves either between
the rugged bark or wherever they get a footing
secure enough to lay their eggs. By placing
grease-proof bands of paper some 6 inches wide
around the base of each tree and stake,- making
the same secure with ordinary paste made from
flour and water, and then smearing the bands
over with grease, the moths may be prevented
from ascending the trees. I have used Home's
preparation with good effect. Prevention is
always better than cure. Examine the bands
every few weeks, and make a fresh application
of grease as often as is necessary. These re-
marks apply principally to trees in the open
garden or orchard ; those against walls, fences,
or trellises cannot be preserved in this manner,
as the insects have more ways of climbing than
by the stem of the tree. In these cases repeated
sprayings are more effectual.

Mulberries are much later in ripening this
season than usual, and the birds here are taking
a considerable share of the fruit, partly, no
doubt, on account of the dry state of the ground
affecting their food supply. Gather the ripe
fruits every few days, and if the trees are grow-
ing over turf, the branches may be shaken and
the fallen fruits gathered up, doing this at a
time when the fruits are perfectly dry. These
are useful for the making of tarts, as well as
jelly.

Pears. — Many varieties will be ready for stor-
ing, but locality must determine, as no precise
date would meet each individual case. Beurre
Hardy, Beurre d'Amanlis, Beurre Bosc, Beurre
Superfin, Doyenne Boussoch, Fondante d'Au-
tomne, Hessel, Gratioli de Jersey, Pitmaston
Duchess, Seckle, and Louise Bonne of Jersey,
growing against warm walls especially, will now
be fit to gather in this part of the country. Many
of the later varieties should be allowed to hang
on the trees until nearly the end of the present
month, shrivelling taking place if gathered too
soon, these later sorts requiring a long time to
mature. The varieties mentioned above must
be examined every few days, as they ripen
quickly when stored, and are not capable of
keeping in good condition for a long time.

Late Plums. — Blue Imperatrice, Grand Duke,
Belle de Septembre, Monarch, Late Orange, and
Late Rivers are varieties worthy of note, and
will continue the supply until quite late in the
month. The cold nights experienced lately will
have destroyed many of the wasps and flies,
which prove such a pest to these fruits, and the
excellent weather of the past few weeks has
increased the colour as well as flavour of those
fruits still hanging on the trees.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. VV. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks" and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Autumn flowers. — The recent fine weather
resulted in such a profuse display of all
kinds of autumn flowers, that parks in
which these are made a feature have been
additionally attractive this year. The value
of this display has been greatly enhanced
in consequence of the general poverty of the
earlier summer-flowering plants. The vagaries
of the past season illustrate how necessary it
is for those in charge of public gardens always
to make the most ample provision for spring,
summer, and autumn flowers, so that whatever
the weather may be during one of the seasons,
there is always the possibility of the others pro-
ducing their quota of floral wealth. Those
who have worked on such lines will remember
the present year as an ideal one for spring and
autumn-flowering plants.

Generally speaking, it seems as if autumn-
flowering plants are not so much used in parks
as they might be, a circumstance all the more
regrettable when it is remembered how easily
this could be done. The borders of many shrub-
beries which are often dull and uninteresting
may be made bright and attractive by utilising
them for autumn-flowering plants. The late
Mr. Jordan, while at Regent's Park, made it
noted for the beautiful flower-borders formed in
front of the ordinary shrubberies, showing in a
striking manner what opportunities there were
for utilising and improving them in this way.

The bands usually cease playing music in
parks by the beginning of September, whilst
visitors are still very numerous, and therefore
it becomes the more necessary to provide some
other attraction, such as a display of autumn
flowers. To obtain the best effects with
such a display, there is undoubtedly no better
method than arranging the various varieties of
plants used in bold groups of a kind, set out
at irregular intervals throughout the length of
the border.

Arrangement of colours. — While no clashing of
colours should be allowed in such an arrange-
ment, it does seem that in some quarters too
much stress is now being laid upon the ques-
tion of colour-design. In nature there is no
methodical blending or contrasting of colours,
and yet in sub-Alpine meadows, where a great
abundance of different kinds of flowers are
growing indiscriminately together, what more
pleasing, and, to the ordinary observer, har-
monious effects can be desired. Provided there
is a sufficiency of moisture in the soil, the
present is a good opportunity to divide up and
plant the herbaceous section of autumn-flower-
ing plants. Plenty of room should, however, be
left for the many annual and half-hardy plants
which help to make our gardens gay until the
advent of frost.

October o, 11)07

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

247

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. II. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Lycastes. — Plants of Lycaste Skinneri and its
varieties are now making many young roots
from the growths made during the present year,
and as the growths are commencing to form
their new pseudo-bulbs, the plants hence-
forth will require to be liberally supplied with
water at the root until pseudo-bulbs are fully
developed.

Pltiones, having completed their pseudo-bulbs,
should be placed in a position perfectly ex-
posed to the sunlight, and as the leaves become
yellow and fall away, only sufficient water will
be needed to keep the soil in a moderately
moist condition. The flower buds will presently
spring up from the base of the young, green
snoots, and if much water were afforded at such
a time, it would cause the delicate blooms to
lose their colour and fall. Just before the
flowers are expected to expand, the plants
should be arranged in a dry position, that the
blooms may be capable of remaining fresh for
a considerable time.

Mittonias. — If the plants of Miltonia vexillaria
have been cultivated in the cool house during
the past few months, they should now be re-
moved to a light, well-ventilated position in the
intermediate or Cattleya house, and as the new
growths advance and roots become plentiful,
gradually increase the quantity of water at the
root. Do not keep their immediate surround-
ings very moist, especially in dull or wet
weather, as the tender leaves would be liable to
become spotted and decay at their points. The
Brazilian Miltonias that have completed their
season's growth and are developing flower-spikes,
will require to be watered very carefully, as too
much moisture would cause disease to attack
the leaves and pseudo-bulbs. The amount of
water used for damping between the pots should
also be reduced as the season advances.

Lcelias. — The dwarf-growing Laslia prasstans,
and L. pumila and its varieties, that are now
showing flower buds, will require a few degrees
more warmth than heretofore to assist their pro-
per development. Suspend the plants near to the
roof glass of the intermediate house in full sun-
light. Affoid plenty of water to these plants
all through the flowering season, and till the
new pseudo-bulbs are made up, but afterwards
reduce the amount gradually.

Cvlogyne cristata and its varieties are now
growing actively and should be kept well up to
the light in the- intermediate house, affording
them copious waterings until the pseudo-bulbs
are fully made up.

Epidendrum viiellinum grows exceedingly well
when suspended from the roof in a moderately
shady position in the intermediate house. As
the flowers commence to fade, keep the plants
rather drier than before, but do not allow the
pseudo-bulbs to shrivel for want of water at the
root.

Cymbidium Lowianum. — Plants that have
made their growth should be kept rather on the
dry side for several weeks, otherwise they may
start into growth again, and therefore fail to
produce flower-spikes. Immediately the flower-
spikes can be seen, afford the plants every en-
couragement to develop them perfectly. Let
them be cultivated on the lightest side of the
intermediate house, with the foliage almost
touching the roof glass.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Violets under glass. — These plants having been
cultivated on a prepared border, should now be
lifted for replanting in their winter quarters. If
it is intended to put them in a frame, select one
that faces to the south, if this is possible. One
that has been used for the cultivation of Melons
during the summer would be a capital place for
Violets in winter, and the moderate heat afforded
by the old hot-bed would prove of great service
to the Violet roots. If such a place is avail-
able, it will be necessary to mix a good propor-
tion of leaf-soil, and some sand, with the soil
already in the Melon bed. I do not recommend
the practise of planting Violets so high that the
leaves will almost touch the roof-glass. It is

better to allow for a distance of 6 to 12 inches
between the leaves and the glass, because the
foliage will then be less susceptible to suffer
injury during a long period of bad weather.
If the plants have been well cultivated during
the summer, they should now possess strong,
healthy -crowns, most of the runners which
formed having been taken off early to promote
the strength of the crown. If the weather is
still dry, let the plants be afforded a thorough
watering on the day previous to being lifted.
Be careful to avoid breaking the ball of soil
around the roots, as Violet plants that have
been carelessly lifted and mest of the soil
shaken off, seldom give satisfactory results in
winter. As space under glass is most valuable
in winter, the plants may be put moderately
close together in the frame, or so that the plants
will just meet with their outer leaves. Make the
soil firm around the roots of each plant, and
when the planting is completed apply a
thorough watering. During bright, dry weather
the lights should be put on, and the plants
shaded for a few hours during the middle of the
day, removing them again in the afternoon, and
damping the plants lightly overhead at the same
time. As soon as the plants have recovered
from the check caused by transplantation, keep
the lights off them altogether in the day time for
a period unless rains are prevalent. In
any case, the frame should be ventilated freely
by night and day, closing it only at such times
as there appears to be danger from frost. Keep
all decaying leaves picked off, and stir the sur-
face soil if it is inclined to become caked. I
would strongly advise gardeners to put a num-
ber of the plants into pots, Violets being cap-
able of succeeding exceedingly well under pot-
culture. Such plants can be moved about as
desired, and they are very useful in the show
houses, and also in the dwelling-house, where
they will last in good condition for a few days
at least, and, being a favourite flower with al-
most everyone, they never appear to be "out
of place." The pot plants may be given the
same treatment as recommended above, but the
cool fruit-houses may be utilised for these
plants in winter. If they are placed on a shelf
in such a house, they will be exposed to the
light, and there will be a good circulation of
air around them which is essential to the suc-
cessful cultivation of Violets in winter. The
atmospheric temperature of the fruit-houses at
night under ordinary conditions is very suitable
for Violets.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honi >■>. Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Cauliflowers. — These will now be large enough
for planting out in cold frames for the winter,
or they may be potted-up to be placed on the
shelves of a late vinery or Peach-house. It is
essential that the plants should be given this
attention as soon as they are in a fit condition,
in order that they may not become weakly and
drawn through overcrowding, and consequently
the less able to withstand the ill effects of dull
and cold weather in winter. If the plants show
signs of flagging, keep the frames rather close
for a few days, or until the roots become active,
after which air should be admitted freely when-
ever the weather is favourable, this applying to
all the winter season. If a second sowing of
Cauliflowers was made, it will, of course, be
necessary to leave sufficient space in a frame to
make a further planting of the later plants. If
the character of the weather should have the
effect of causing the first batch to get too large,
the later plants will prove to be most useful and
be less likely to bolt or turn-in prematurely
after they are planted in the open garden in
the spring.

Tomatos. — Many fruits will now be on the
point of ripening, the plants generally being in
full bearing owing to the backward season. To
obtain the best results under the circumstances
the plants had better be cut off at their base
with their fruits attached, and suspended their
full length in the vineries or other convenient
places, as by this means they will retain their
plumpness much better than if cut off individu-
ally or in clusters, and the supply will be kept
up for some considerable time.

Herbs. — Such herbs as Tarragon and Chervil
should now be cut hard back, that the root3

may be lifted and put into boxes ready for plac-
ing into moderate heat towards the end of the
present month. The plants may then be
expected to afford supplies from Christmas
onwards, when additional plants should be in
readiness to form a succession. Mint raised from
cuttings inserted in boxes, as was advised in
Calendar printed in the issue for July 13, should
be cut back ready for starting at the same time
as the Tarragon. If cuttings were not taken, it
will now be necessary to lift some roots and
treat them as the other herbs.

Onions. — Owing to the fine weather which has
been so general throughout the country, Onions
will have been harvested in excellent condition,
and should now be placed under cover while
th; bulbs are thoroughly dry.

Carrots and Turnips. — Young plants of Car-
rots and Turnips rai>ccl from the late sowings
are looking wonderfully clean and healthy.
They may be expected to continue growing for
another three weeks or so. Loosen the surface
soil frequently with the hoe, and keep the
ground free from weeds in order to give these
young crops the best chance possible. The
same remarks apply to the August-sown Onions,
which this year appear to be thriving unusually
well.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Planting trees and shrubs. — Except in very
heavy, cold soils, autumn is to be preferred for
planting most kinds of hardy trees and shrubs,
and when the ground has been well moistened
by rains the sooner this work is commenced the
better, in order that the freshly-planted subjects
will have sufficient time in which to make new
roots before the winter sets in. If the staple is
poor, it should be enriched with manure, leaf-
soil, road-soil, ditch-clearings, etc., if these
materials can be afforded. Heavy soils may be
made more suitable by the addition of charred
garden refuse. The essential details to be
observed in transplanting are as follow. Make
the holes sufficiently wide that the roots may
be laid out at full length, remove, with a clean
upward cut, the ends of all mutilated roots ;
carefully fill in between the roots with soil that
is in good condition as regards the right degree
of moisture ; make the soil firm about the roots
of each tree ; stake and tie each tree securely ;
afford a copious watering if water is needed ;
guard the stems against the attacks of rabbits
and vermin, and affix an indelible label to all
but the commoner kinds. Trees which have to
travel long distances from the nurseries some-
times arrive with their roots in a dry condition,
and these should at once be immersed in water,
for no matter how much the shrub is watered
after it is planted, it will rarely thrive if planted
with a dry ball of soil and roots. Hollies are
exceptions, and may be transplanted during
May with better results ; Rhododendrons should
be planted in the spring ; Camellias as soon as
the year's growtli has been completed. All these
and any shrubs of doubtful hardiness, which
may be tried during late spring or early sum-
mer, may be regarded as exceptions when treat-
ing of the autumn planting of trees and shrubs.

Gladiolus. — When the foliage has thoroughly
ripened, the corms should be carefully lifted
and laid, with the stems attached, in a cool
house or pit to dry. Before storing them for the
winter it is as well to rub off the offsets, and to
grade the corms in different sizes.

Herbaceous plants. — Frequently clear away all
dead flower-stems. Remove any stakes which
are no longer needed, and all annual plants
which have finished flowering. Mark, by affix-
ing labels or small stakes, the positions of all
deciduous bulbous plants, so that when the bor-
der receives its annual dressing these dormant
bulbs and corms may escape injury. Do not
delay doing this important work until the loca-
tion of such plants cannot be determined.

The propagation of bedding plants. — Propa-
gation should now be completed, as very late-
rooted plants are not often satisfactory. Any
varieties of Pelargonium, &c, of which the stock
is still short, may be supplemented by lifting
and potting-up the more compact plants at pre-
sent in the flower-beds.

243

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 5, 1E07.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimen-, and plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed bv the writer. If r'eired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a gu.ri'itee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undeitake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5-

Soc. Franc. d'Hort. de Londres meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 51"7°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, October 2 (6 p.m.): Ma*. 64°;
Min. 53".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London.— Thursday, October 3
(10, A.M.): Bar.. 29'7 ; Temp., 61*; Weather—
Bright sunshine.
Provinces.— Wednesday, October 2 (6 p.m.): Max. 57",
Cornwall ; Min. 53°, Scotland N.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c„ at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY to FRIDAY —

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 10.30.

MONDAY—

The Freehold Nursery with 19 Greenhouses, &c, Bun-
galow Residence, and the Stock of Ferns. &c, at Ave-
nue Road Nurseries, Southgate, by Protheroe & Morris,
at 12.

TUESDAY—

Aspidistras, Palms, Privet, &c, at Lilford Road Nur-
series, Camberwell, S.E., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

WEDNESDAY—

Young Nursery Stock at the Old Nursery, Spring Grove,
Isleworth, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.
Liliums, Bulbs, &c. ; Palms, Azaleas, &c, at 67 & 6S,
Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 5.

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY—

Well-grown Nursery Stock at Cart House Lane Nur-
series. Woking, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

FRIDAY-

The " Cambridge Lodge " collection of Orchids, at 67 &
68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

It often happens after a spell

Defoliation of dry weather, such as that ex-

of Trees, perienced during the September

which has just passed, that

many of our trees, especially those growing

on sandy soils, lose their leaves prematurely.

Now the mechanism of ordinary leaf-fall,

a> it occurs in autumn, is one of considerable

interest, affording as it does one of the best

examples of the adaptation of a plant t<> its

environment. But it is so common that save

when it happens at an unusual time of year,

it hardly excites remark.

Everyone knows that a branch of a tree cut
off in summer does not shed its leaves. They
merely dry up and shrivel, but they do not
fall off. If the same operation be per-
formed later on, or in early autumn, the re-
• lit is vi r\ different. The leaves begin to be
di tached from the branch sometimes even
before the) begin to wither. Other plants,
again, like the common Grevilka robusta,
when grown under unfavourable conditions,
display the phenomenon of defoliation in a
must striking and irritating manner.
<? The method by which the detachment is
provided for is very simple, albeit a very
effective one. The tissues of the leaf-stalk
consist of a midrib enclosed in a soft mass of
cells known as the cortex, the whole being
contained in an external skin or epidermis.
Whilst the leaf is young, the cortex is directly
continuous with that of the stem, but sooner

or later a plate of cork appears across the
cortex at the base of the leaf. In this way
the living tissues of the latter become cut off
from direct communication with those of the
stem. The midrib, however, still remains as
a continuous strand of tissue permitting of an
exchange of water and food between the stem
and leaf, and this connection is maintained
until the very end. Although this plate of
cork is normally produced in deciduous
trees as the summer advances towards
autumn, its appearance is hastened if for
any reason the supply of water to the roots
should fall short.

The significance of this layer of cork lies
in the fact that the cells of which it is com-
posed are dead when they reach maturity,
and so the living cells of leaf and stem be-
come separated by a sheet of what is prac-
tically (and actually) a scar tissue. The struc-
ture of the scar is such that not only does it
provide for the cutting off of the leaf, but
the wound is, so to say, already healed before
■ t is really formed, and thus no fungal or
other pests find an entrance when detach-
ment finally takes place. Everyone must
have noticed how quickly the leaves fall off
after (he first frosty nights of autumn, even
when there is no wind, as soon as the morn-
ing begins to get warm. What has happened
is that water has frozen in the separation
layer, and this causes a rupture of the tis-
sues just as water pipes burst when they are
frozen. For in the act of solidifying, expan-
sion takes place with great force, and not
only is the cork layer ruptured, but the cells
of the midrib are also torn asunder. Thus
as soon as the sun's rays are strong enough
to melt the plate of ice which is now all that
holds them on to the stem, the leaves drop
off in continuous showers.

A special point of interest connected with
this cork plate, or absciss-layer as it is
often termed, is this : it represents a definite
kind of response which a plant makes to-
wards conditions that hinder the adequate sup-
ply of water to the leaves. Hence a droughl
in summer, if sufficiently severe, hastens and
intensifies the formation of the absciss-layer,
and may thus lead to the premature defolia-
tion which results from such conditions. In
any event, the plate is almost always forming
during the drier weather that usually pre-
vails in August or September. In autumn
tin- shortage of water is often due to condi-
tions other than those occurring in summer.
For the roots, as the soil becomes chilled by
the cold rains, are less active in absorbing
water. A similar state of things may also
result from any other circumstances thai pre-
judicially affect root-absorption, stub as in-
sufficient aeration of the soil, whether due to
excessive water-logging, or to other condi-
tions such as often occur in urban districts.

We may speak of plants which for any
reason are unable lo utilise existing water
supplies, as suffering from physiological
drought, because, like the ancient mariner,
although there may be " water, water every-
where," it is not really available; it cannot
In' absorbed by the organism, which is thus
no better off than if it were exposed to con-
ditions of physical drought.

There are, however, some apparent excep-
tions lo this common form of response on the
part of must wood} dicotyledons lo conditions
of physical or of physioli gical drought. Thus

the evergreen trees and shrubs do not or-
dinarily lose their leaves in winter, although
they drop them at other periods of the year.
But when they do throw them off, they com-
monly form an absciss-layer like that of the
deciduous trees. This shows that the habit
of forming a cork plate is not enly very
widely spread, at least amongst the dico-
tyledons, but that it can perhaps be evoked by
circumstances other than drought, although
this is unquestionably the most common
stimulus. As a matter of fact, however,
evergreens may respond readily enough to a
condition of inadequate water supply. Hol-
lies when transplanted, in dry soils at any
rate, often cast off their leaves during the
following season. This is due primarily to
the shortage of water consequent on the
damage unavoidably done to Ihe roots, and it
is a well-recognised symptom that the trans-
planted bush is going to thrive. Of course,
it implies that the plant retains enough
vitality to enable it to respond to the dimin-
ished water-absorption by the formation of a
new tissue, the cork plate, which causes the
evaporating organs — the leaves — to drop off.
Thus, by economising the available supply of
water the plant is enabled to carry on
its life till the new roots render it capable
of providing for the needs of the fresh foli-
age. It oflcn happens, especially in the case
of Hollies, that those individuals which fail
to thow off their leaves in this way lose water
faster than the roots can absorb it, and so
they dry up and perish.

There are, however, other ways in which
plants may respond to the lack of water be-
sides casting their leaves. Thus, in some;
species the leaf surface is greatly curtailed^
the foliage even assuming a spiny condition,
and this tendency may also extend to the
branches, as in the common Gorse or Furze.
Or the leaves may be produced, but only
enjoy a very transient existence, as in some
dry-country species of Senecio, in which the
functions of the leaves, after their death, are
more or less imperfectly discharged by the
green steins. Numerous other structural
modifications adapted to withstand conditions
of limited water-sunply will doubtless occur
to our readers.

It is of interest to observe that many plants
have the property of responding to drv con-
ditions by a change of habit which is suited
to the new conditions. Thus the leaf of the
common Ash, when growing under the butler
and drier surroundings that prevail in the
more southern parts of Europe, is far more
leathery than in these islands, whilst at
the same time the tree assumes a luxuriance
of foliage quite unknown here. Indeed)
exposure to similar conditions in Britain
would almost certainly lead lo defoliation,
since the moister climate encourages the
formation of a shallower root system.

Temporary drought leading to defoliation
is, naturally, far more active in the case of
shallow, than in that of deeper-rooted, trees.
Limes, Elms, and many others, soon show
the bad effects when grown on shallow,
sandy soils. This is apt to be aggravated
in a climate like ours, for the frequent
rainfall enables trees to be grown on situa-
tions which would be impossible in a drier
'and hotter climate. On arid soils special
care is needed to prevent the loss of foliage
during rainless intervals, especially if the

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October 5, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

249

trees are grown for ornamental purposes.
The roots will go where the water is, and if
the surface of the ground is kept constantly
moisler than the subsoil, there the roots will
grow, and on that account will be more
susceptibly to the effect of an intermittent
supply.

Doubtless this encouragement of shallow
rooting is one of the most frequent causes of
the early loss of foliage by the trees of so
many of our towns. Of course, smoke and
noxious gases are in some districts partly
responsible for the premature bareness of the
branches, but independently of these evils the
planting and treatment are too often carried
on as if with the express intention of secur-
ing the minimal period of leafage. Grown
in a drained soil, the roots are often covered
bv flag-stones to within a few inches of the
trunk, and when water is given at all it com-
monly takes the form of a mere sprinkling,
instead of a good supply at less frequent in-
tervals. In some of the Continental and
American towns the ground is sunk round

as the tendency is to flower from the outer growths,
a marked point of cultural skill was shown by
the middle of this specimen being equally
well furnished with flowers. This was done
by severing the rhizomes around the central
part of the plant, causing new flowering
growths to be formed, and thus the whole
plant is equally well furnished with rich rose-
purple coloured flowers with deep mauve-crimson
labellums, and numbering in the aggregate 230,
the largest spike bearing 13 blooms. Laelio-Cattleya
elegans, although originally imported as a natural
hybrid between Laelia purpurata and Cattleya
Leopoldii, and in company with L.-C. Schilleriana
(L. purpurata x C. intermedia), which for many
years was confused with L.-C. elegans, has been
raised at Westonbirt and several other gardens.
The home-raised specimens have in this case, as in
others, assisted materially in establishing the
records of the imported natural hybrids.

The Royal Horticultural Society and
Horticultural Mutual Improvement So-
cieties.—We have received the following com-
munication. " The President and Council of the
Royal Horticultural Society, having a very huh

FlG. 107. — LILIL'M LONGIFLORTJM GIGANTEUM AS CULTIVATED FOR EXPORT BV THE
YOKOHAMA NURSERY CO., LTD., YOKOHAMA.

Hie base of each tree, so that a proper
amount of water can readily be supplied.
Although our own climate is, on the whole,
favourable to their growth, we might with
advantage exercise more care in preventing
the premature defoliation of the ornamental
trees in urban districts if we would pay a
little attention to the elementary facts of
practical plant physiology.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

The noble specimen of Laelio-Cattleya elegans,
depicted in our Supplementary Illustration, was

! shown by Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O., CLE.,
Westonbirt, Tetbury, at the Royal Horticultural
Society's meeting held on August 21 last, and

i for which a Silver-Gilt Lindley Medal was
awarded. This specimen was considered to be
not only the finest of its kind ever shown, but
also, from a cultural point of view, one of the
best Orchids ever staged. The specimen was
grown from a comparatively small plant, and

opinion of the benefits accruing to gardeners
throughout the kingdom by the establishment
and maintenance of Horticultural Mutual Im-
provement Societies, and being desirous of pro-
moting and assisting them in every reasonable
way, have resolved to form a Union of Horticul-
tural Mutual Improvement Societies ; and further,
1. That a register of Horticultural Mutual Im-
provement Societies shall be kept at Vincent
Square. 2. That a register of competent lecturers,
with their addresses, and as far as may be of the
subject of the lecture, shall be kept at Vincent
Square. 3. That a copy of the rules and
regulations and of the current seasons arrange
ments, or syllabus of each Mutual Improvement
Society, shall be kept at Vincent Square 4.
That 1, 2, and 3 shall be open to inspection
at any reasonable hour by the secretary of any
Mutual Improvement Society joining the Union.
5. That an annual conference of three delegates
from each Mutual Improvement Society joining
shall be held at Vincent Square at 2 p.m. on the
second day of the Annual British Fruit Show or
at such other time as may be preferred. 6. That

a series of typewritten lectures with lantern slides
shall be prepared for the use of Mutual Improve-
ment Societies and hired out to them at the lowest
possible charges. 7. That any Mutual Improve-
ment Society forwarding to the Secretary of the
Royal Horticultural Society a copy of their rules
and regulations and the syllabus of their arrange-
ments for the ensuing season, together with a fee
of 5s. per annum, to cover incidental expenses,
shall be considered to have joined the Union, and
be forthwith enrolled therein. The objects
in view are: — a. To strengthen existing Mutual
Improvement Societies. b. To promote inter-
change of lecturers. c. To provide interesting
lectures where lecturers cannot be obtained.
d. To increase the number of such societies all
through the kingdom, and e. To furnish them
with an outline of rules, regulations and syllabus.
The Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society,
Vincent Square, Westminster, will be glad to hear
from the secretaries of all and any Horticultural
Mutual Improvement Societies who may be in-
clined to look favourably on the proposed union.
W. Willis, Secretary. By order of the Council,
Vincent Square, October 1, 1907. N B.— The
council wish it to be understood that they retain
the right to decline (or to determine) the union of
any society which possesses a political basis or
whose rules appear to them [un] satisfactory."

The Horticultural Club. — Owing to
several horticultural meetings having occurred on
the evening of October 1, the house dinner and
lecture announced for that date was postponed
until Tuesday, October 15, at 6 p.m., when Mr
Arthur W. Sutton will lecture on "A Camping
Tour from Damascus to Petra in Arabia," and the
subject will be illustrated by painted slides from
original photographs.

The Japan Bulb Business. — To what ex-
traordinary dimensions the Japan bulb business
has attained may be proved by a few interesting
figures sent us by Mr. Alfred Unger, proprietor
of the business of Messrs. Boehmer & Co., Yoko-
hama. The steamer "Monteagle," of the
Canadian Pacific S.S. and Railway Company,
which left Yokohama on August 27 for Vancouver,
B.C., carried 4,699 cases of bulbs, or about
360 tons measurement — one ton = 40 cubic feet.
Taking as an average 225 bulbs per case, this
steamer contained one million fifty-seven thousand
two hundred and sixty-five (1,057,265) bulbs. The
principal portion of the shipment was entered for
the United States and Canada, although some of
the bulbs will eventually reach Europe by this
route, partly direct, via Montreal, and partly by
transhipment in New York. The bulbs shipped
at this season are principally of Lilium longiflorum
and its varieties. At fig. 107 we have reproduced
a photograph kindly supplied us by Mr. A. Dim-
mock, and which affords a view of part of the trial
grounds belonging to the Yokohama Nursery Com-
pany, Limited. The plants under cultivation are
Lilium longifolium giganteum.

United Horticultural Benefit and
Provident Society. — We are informed that
the 21st anniversary dinner of this Society will
be held at the Holborn Restaurant, High Hol-
born, W.C., on Friday, November 1st, at 6.30
p.m. Sir Albert K. Rollit, LL.D., D.C.L.,
Member of the Council of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society, will preside. Tickets may be had
from the Secretary, Mr. W. Collins, 9, Martin-
dale Road, Balham, S.W.

New State Forest. — An estate of 12,000
acres, known as Inverliver, in Argyllshire, has just
been purchased by the Government for the purpose
of converting it into a State forest station, at a cost
of about £30,000. It is situated on the shores of
Loch Awe. in one of the most sparsely populated
districts of the Highlands, and is surrounded by
mountains and moorland.

250

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Octobek 5, 1907.

Mr. W. E. Broadway, who left the Royal
Gardens. Kew, in 18b8 to take up a position in the
Botanical Gardens at Trinidad, and has since held
a similar post in Grenada, has now returned to
Trinidad, where he will reside at Circular Road,
Belmont, Port of Spain. Mr. Broadway informs
us that he will be glad to supply botanical and
natural history specimens obtainable in Trinidad
to anyone requiring to purchase them

Forestry in the North of Scotland. —

The Teaching Staff Committee of the Aberdeen
and North of Scotland College of Agriculture,
on Friday, September 27, recommended to the
Governors the appointment of a lecturer in forestry,
whose dutieo would be, in the first instance, to
lecture in the principal forest areas in the North
of Scotland. The committee recommended that the
appointment be given to Mr. William Dawson,
M.A., B.Sc, Aberdeen, which was adopted. Mr.
Dawson, who has studied forestry in Germany
and France, has been specially engaged in the
study of diseases affecting trees.

Gooseberry- mildew. — Our correspondent,
Dr. Plowright, informs us that the County
Council of Norfolk have distributed the accom-
panying handbill in the county villages, together
•with leaflet No. 195 of the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries — American Gooseberry-mildew (Spbaero-
theca mors-uvae, Berk.). Unfortunately the disease
has already made its appearance in the large
Gooseberry-growing districts of the county.

"The Board of Agriculture have made an order which
applies to the County of Norfolk as from August 1st, 1907,
and is intended to prevent the spread of the serious disease
known as American Gooseberry-mildew (Sphasrotheca mors-
Uvae), which has recently been detected in this country.

The disease attacks both Gooseberry and Currant bushes
(possibly Rdspberries).

The following are the chief provisions of the new order :

Notification of Disease.
The occupier of any premises on which there is a bush
which is diseased or suspected of being diseased shall forth-
with notify the fact to the Clerk to the Local Authority, and
where practicable a specimen showing the disease or sus-
pected disease shall accompany the notice.

Measures for Prevention of the Spread of Disease.

1. The local authority on receiving in any manner notice
of the existence or supposed existence of disease shall take
such steps as may be necessary to determine whether the
disease exists, and the area covered by diseased bushes, or
by bushes to which the disease is likely to spread, and shall
cause a notice to be served on the occupier of any land
within that area requiring him to adopt such measures for
prevention of the spread of the disease as are authorised by
this article.

2. A notice under this article shall require —

(i.) the immediate destruction by burning or other
effective method ot all diseased bushes, including
the fruit on such bushes ;

(ii.) the thorough spraying as soon as possible with a
solution of copper sulphate (containing at least one
pound of copper sulphate to a gallon of water) or
with some other fungicide approved by or on behalf
of the local authority for that purpose of the site of
any bush that has been destroyed ;

(iii.) the thorough spraying of all Gooseberry and Cur-
rant bushes on the area defined in the notice with a
fungicide approved by or on behalf of the local
authority for that purpose and so that the spraying
shall be carried out at such time or times as an in-
spector of the local authority shall direct and to his
satisfaction ;

(iv.) that no Gooseberry or Currant bush, or any part
of any such bush shall be removed or permitted to
be removed out of the area defined in the notice ex-
cept with, and subject to the conditions (if any) of, a
license authorising such removal, but this restriction
shall not apply to fruit of a bmh that isnot diseased.

3. Any notice may be altered or withdrawn by the local
authority if and when they are satisfied that this may be
done without risk of the spread of disease.

Powers of Entry.

Any officer or inspector of the Board or the Local
Authority may enter on any land or premises and examine
any Gooseberry or Currant bushes for the purposes of this
order.

Any failure to comply with the order, or failure to notify
disease or suspected disease, or any act obstructing or im-
peding an inspector involves liability to a penalty of £10.

it is most important that any case of disease should be
detected and reported at once, in order to prevent it spread-
ing. Occupiers who fail to do so and to take the steps -
required by the order may incur serious losses, and risk
infecting their neighbours' crops also. It is obviously to the
grower's advantage to notify suspected cases at once.
Generally (but not always) the disease appears first in damp
and low-lying places, and attacks the young shoots, but is
most infectious.

An illustrated leaflet to assist growers in identifying the
disease is sent herewith.

All growers are requested to make this order known as
widely as possible, in order to assist in the detection of
disease."

Presentation. — On the occasion of the King's
recent visit to Lord and Lady Savile at Rufford
Abbey, Notts, His Majesty presented Mr. J.
Doe, the head gardener, with a gold watch
bearing the Royal monogram and crown. His
Majesty also expressed to Mr. Doe the great
pleasure he had derived from the gardens during
his stay, and congratulated him on their condition.
Mr. Doe has had charge of Rufford Gardens
for upwards of 13 years, and has done much to
improve their appearance. He is also a very
successful exhibitor of fruit.

Bulbs for the London Parks. — Active
preparations are now being made in the London
parks for the planting of the spring- flowering
bulbs, and we are informed that the London
County Council has ordered, through Messrs.
Wm. Cutbush & Son, of Highgate Nurseries,
London, N., a supply of hundreds of thousands of
Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, and the
many other varieties of bulbs required for the
various floral displays afforded by the 28 parks
and other open spaces throughout the metropolis,
for which the Council is responsible to the citizens
of London. For furnishing the London Royal
Parks, Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Hol-
born, have been commanded by His Majesty's
First Commissioner of Works to supply the
enormous number of 66,000 Hyacinths, 150,010
Tulips, 133,000 Narcissus and Daffodils, 116,000
Crocus, and 194,003 Liliums, Snowdrops, &c.

The Cultivation of Iris K/empferi. — Mr.
E. V. Hallock, writing in the Weekly Florists'
Review of August 22, concerning Iris Ksempferi,
states that it serves to illustrate some common
fallacies as regards the necessary precautions for
successful cultivation of plants. " In 1878 we
bought Professor Pringle's entire stock of this
plant. There were many very fine varieties, and
many of the kinds are sold to-day. We noticed
that the clumps, when being sub-divided for
planting, had a large centre that was entirely
dead or dried up ; in many you could put your
hand right through the centre. This came from
leaving the clumps too long before sub-dividing.
We were told that this plant required damp, low
ground, and if it could be covered by water
occasionally it would be better. We planted
them on common Long Island plains soil, 2 feet
of soil above clear sand, 50 feet above water.
William Falconer, in describing our planta-
tion of Iris, said he walked ' waist deep '
through the plants. When transplanting a field
of these, we used a cart and wheelbarrows, and
sub-divided them with an axe. One year we
left several hundred plants along a driveway on
top of the ground when transplanting in the
spring. In the fall these plants were alive.
Personally, I don't think it is necessary that
Iris Kaempferi should be flooded with water to
produce a good growth." Much the same thing
can often enough be seen at home. Thus it is
commonly stated that Pratia angulata should be
grown in a damp, partially-shaded position.
But at the Edinburgh Botanic Garden there is
a magnificent patch of this plant growing fully
exposed to the sun on a dry, sandy bed ; and
precisely the same conditions have been found
successful in cultivating the species at the Physic
Garden at Chelsea.

Saponaria vaccaria. — An article in the
Revue Horticolc suggests the more extensive culti-
vation of Saponaria vaccaria for cut flowers.
The blossoms recall those of Gypsophila, but
they are of a Rose colour, and as large as those
of Silene pendula. By making fortnightly sowings
from February to July it is possible to maintain
a succession of bloom from May till October.
If the sprays are cut when the flowers are com-
mencing to unfold, they will open completely
in water, and they have the merit of lasting well
under these conditions.

Pineapples Damaged by Butterflies in
Trinidad. — The Superintendent of the Botanical
Department, Trinidad, Mr. J. H. Hart, draws
attention to damage caused to Pineapples by a
small " blue " butterfly belonging to the family
Lycaenidae. The insect lays its eggs in the
flower of the Pine, and, on development, the
larvae eat away the fleshy part of the fruit, caus-
ing a reddish gummy matter to exude. The
Pine becomes deformed and useless when
severely attacked. The life history of the insect
was worked out in the laboratory of the Depart-
ment.

The Double Sweet Rocket (Hesperis
matronalis) is not seen as often as it deserves.
Although the species is often grown in cottage
gardens, it is well worthy of a place in more
pretentious borders, where its pleasing form and
long period of blooming should render it more>
acceptable than many plants which are often
found there. Many of these old-fashioned flowers
of easy cultivation are too often neglected, per-
haps because each is regarded as "everyone's-
plant" ; but the gardener's art should not stop
short at raising the conventional border plants,
and those rare or difficult species which are the
delight of many amateurs ; it should utilise even
common things, if they satisfy the requirements
of good habit and long duration of blooming. The
Sweet Rockets, with their white, Rose, or Lilac
flowers, fulfil these conditions better than many
which occupy, less worthily, their places. In
this connection it may be remarked that some
of our English wild flowers are far more beauti-
ful than many exotics which are grown at much,
trouble and expense. The writer recollects a
visitor to his greenhouse stopping before a pan
of Bog Pimpernel (Anagallis tenella), which was-
covered with its pink blossoms, and anxiously
inquiring if the plant could be procured from a.
certain distinguished firm of nurserymen. On
being informed that it could be obtained from
almost any Surrey common, all the interest at
once disappeared. This vulgar prejudice in
favour of the merejy uncommon or expensive
article is not an easy one to combat ; but there
are many persons who love flowers for their
own. sake, and a little education in the direction,
of showing what can be done with some of our
native species would certainly not be thrown
away, quite apart from the fact that they, no less
than plants of foreign extraction, may well fur-
nish the sources from which "improved" varie-
ties may be raised.

Purchasing Bulbs. — We have received a
letter from Mr. Robert Sydenham in which he
relates circumstances in his own experience which
go to prove that bulbs purchased direct from
Holland are not cheap merely because they are
sold for lower prices lhan are charged by English
firms. As was pointed out in our article published
in the issue for September 21 last, the bulbs may
be as inferior in quality as they are lower in price.
Goods are not dear merely because their prices are
high in comparison with others, or cheap because
they are lower. It is usually a question of quality.

THE HARDY FLOWER
BORDER.

PAPAVER NUDICAULE.
This Poppy is a biennial, flowering the
second year, and one that must be sown where
it is intended it should flower, or, failing that,
transplanted the first year. The first is the
better plan, the least interference with the roots
having a bad effect on the flowering of the
plant. For this reason the strongest seedlings
must be transplanted to the places in which they
are to flower early in the first year. As a pot
plant Papaver nudicaule is not to be recom-
mended. /*'. .'/.

October 5, 1207.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

251

RUBUS BAMBUSARUM (Foche).

This fine plant, from China, was discovered
by Dr. Augustine Henry, and was introduced
to this country through Mr. E. H. Wilson, when
■collecting for Messrs. James Veitch & Sons.
Our illustration shows the general habit of the
fruit and foliage. The leaflets in shape some-
what resemble a Willow leaf, and are dark green
above, but white or dun-coloured underneath.
They are said to he used as a substitute for Tea
in some parts of China.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

P^ONY CULTIVATION IN AMERICA.
In recent years the Paeony, in its many im-
proved varieties, has taken a high position in
English, American, and French gardens. In
America, at the end of the month of June this
year, the American Paeony Society inaugurated
at Ithaca, New York State, a conference com-
bined with a Paeony show. Mr. Ward, a Paeony
raiser and President of the Society in question,

Fig. 108. — rubus bambusarum. a Chinese species.

The plant, which is of a vigorous constitu-
tion, is adapted for pillars, the long branches
reaching a length of from 10 to 12 feet in one
summer, and the black edible fruit hangs in
effective clusters, which compensate for the
somewhat obscure blossoms. The specimen
figured was obtained from a plant exhibited by
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons at the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's meeting on August 20, when
ihe species was awarded a First Class Certificate.

stated as his opinion that the existing crosses
and seedlings would not be productive of varie-
ties showing better characteristics than the
parents, and that, in order to improve the race,
"new blood" must be introduced. In en-
deavouring to raise new varieties of these
flowers, a saving of time and labour would re-
sult if a better and a fuller knowledge of the
materials already existing were generally known.
Each member is entitled to send one plant to the

research garden at Ithaca. Further, a commit-
tee will be appointed for the study of Paeony
diseases, and another to decide as to the merits
or otherwise of the new varieties. Mr. J. E.
Coit, who has been engaged for a long period
with the study of Paeonies, spoke at great length
concerning the classification of these plants, of
which he has worked out a perfectly new sys-
tem. Mr. Coit divides Paeonies into six types,
including the single, of which Fiancee is the
type ; the Japanese, of which the variety Glory
is the type ; the bomb form, such as is seen in
the variety Charles Binder ; the half-double
form (the confusion of names is greatest in this
class) ; the crown form (Kelway's Princess
Beatrice is a good type of this class) ; and the
Rose form, of which the type is Avalanche.

TREE OR PERPETUAL-FLOWERING CAR-
NATIONS.

In some gardens the cultivation of Carnations
of all sections is rendered impossible by reason
of the presence of the fungus Helminthosporium
ecm'nulatum. In cases of slight infection by
this fungus, a quarter which has not been pre-
viously planted with Carnations or Pinks should
be selected, and soil for potting should be
brought from totally unaffected sources. A com-
mon cause of failure in the culture of Carna-
tions under glass arises from excessive warmth
in the glasshouse, thus causing a too
rapid development of growth, with the result
that the flowers have not the strength to expand,
and the plants become weak and offer a ready
prey to the fungus.

If the propagation of Carnations is undertaken
in early autumn (the best season), a hotbed
should be made with fresh tree-leaves, or the
unfermented leaves of the previous year, and
stable dung, sufficiently large as to afford a
bottom heat of 78°-80°. Such a hotbed may be
constructed to accommodate one single-light
frame, or several, according to requirements.
On the surface of the hotbed a layer of rotten
dung should be placed ; this should be made
level, anil on this a mixture of leafmould, dis-
used hotbed soil, and a small quantity of sand
should be laid to the depth of \\ inches. Finish
the surface with an inch layer of sharp sand.
The cuttings should be taken from plants grow-
ihe open ground, and they should consist
of the lowermost side shoots of the developed
flowering stems that are neither too long nor too
short. Water the cuttings after they are inserted,
and shade the frame only during the hottest
hours. At first the cuttings should be
syringed with sun-warmed water almost hourly,
by which means the formation of roots will be
encouraged, and in about 14 days a root-system
will be completed. Ventilation should be
afforded at this stage, and, under favourable
conditions, the lights may be dispensed with
by night. In about one week the plants may be
set out in well-prepared beds 8 to 10 inches
apart. The stopping of the plants should be
carried out at the end of the month of May, and
this will favour the development of bushy
plants. Young Carnations intended for pot cul-
ture should be taken up with great care in
August and be set in pots of suitable sizes, in a
mixture consisting of loam two-thirds, leaf-
mould one-third, a small quantity of sharp sand
and horn shavings. The pots, which should be
afforded plenty of drainage material, are best
placed on a coal-ash bed in a sheltered spot.
By moderate applications of water and repeated
syringings, fresh roots will soon develop. The
plants should, if convenient, be placed in Octo-
ber in pits or houses having portable top lights.
The average temperatures to induce the greatest
abundance of bloom may range from 44°
to 48° Fahr. Owing to lack of room under glass
in the winter season, propagation may be under-
taken in January, February, and early in March,
and the plants thus propagated will grow quite
satisfactorily. F. M.

252

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 5, 1907.

THE FERNERY.

SOME POLYPODIUMS IN TRINIDAD.

In the old Botanic Gardens of Trinidad there
exists a strong natural growth of several Poly-
podiums, self sown in the axils of the lower
leaves of various Palms of about 16 years'
growth. These Ferns are particularly effective
during the months of July to November, when
the fronds clothe the Palm stems with a mass
of drooping, green fronds. The West Indian
varieties are Polypodium aureum, Linn., and its
varieties reductum, areolatum, pulvinatum,
and attenuatum, H.B.K., and the grand
old Phlebodium, Polypodium decumanum,
of Willd., with fronds 8 to 10 feet in
length. Besides, we have the Polypodium
Phymatodes, of Ceylon and Polynesia, which
has become so well naturalised that it
niav bo seen growing upon the stems of trees
in every direction, showing sporiferous fronds
ranging from pinnate lorm of 2 to 2^ feet long
to a single simple frond of some 3 inches in
length. Polypodium incanum and T. vaccini-
fulium are also common li Palm-stem " plants.
In the dry season most of these are deciduous,
and only their strong, creeping, scaly root-
stocks are to be seen, P. Phymatodes being only
partially so, but P. incanum and P. vaccini-
folium adapt themselves to the dry season by
curling up into various moss-like masses. Two
of the simple leaved Polypodiums join the above
in P. irioides and P. phyllitidis, the first of which
is partly naturalised and keeps company with
the native P. phyllitidis. The mainland P.
percussum, Cav., is also well naturalised in the
garden, mostly on stems and branches of the
large trees, but is threatened lo be outgrown by
P. Phymatodes.

These species of the section Phlebodium are,
however, the most numerous and ornamental,
forming a striking feature of the garden.
Nephrolepis exaltata and its congener, N.
sesquipedale, Jenm., are also very common as
Palm-sten plants, and Jenman noted the fact
in his Ferns of the West Indies and British
Guiana in his description of N. sesquipedale,
Jenm., when he described it as being a common
species in British Guiana, abounding in great
profusion in the decaying debris of spathes and
spadices in the crown of Maximiliana regia, and
it is found in the same position in Trinidad.
/. H. Hart, Trinidad.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

( I'ke Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

Burning Bush (See p. 240). — I have always
found that Rhus cotinus is known as the Burning
Bush. /. G. Hill, Grcysuic. Muswell Hill, N.

Hydrangea Hortensia. — When paying a
recent visit to Delamere House, near Northwich,
the seat of Major Wilbraham, I saw some very
fine plants of Hydrangea Hortensia growing in
tubs on the terrace. It may interest your corre-
spondents, Mr. A. R. Pearce and Mr. E. S. Pigg,
who wrote on this species in the issues for
August 24 and September 14, if I give some par-
ticulars of the plants at Delamere House. Two
of the specimens measured 5 feet 6 inches in
height and 4 feet 6 inches in diameter, and were
masses of flower. At the time of my visit one
plant bore 288 and the other 274 fully-expanded
inflorescences. The plants, I was given to
understand, are placed in a shed during the
winter months. Mr. John Thompson, the gar-
dener at Delamere House, has about 50 splendid
specimens, but the two plants I have mentioned
are the largest and best. Calanthes are culti-
vated well in these gardens, some of the pseudo-
bulbs measuring quite 10J inches in length and
8 inches in circumference. Every plant is show-
ing its flower-spikes. Chrysanthemums are
a lother prominent feature at Delamere House.
/•'. Roberts, Stoke Edith Park Gardens, near Here-
ford.

The Gathering and Storing of Fruit. —

It is very important that Apples and Pears
should be perfectly dry when they are gathered
for taking into the store-house or fruit-room.
It is equally important that the fruits should
be handled with great care, and laid in
shallow baskets as the work proceeds. The
finest specimens should be laid one layer deep
on the truit-room shelves to ripen. When fruits
are gathered in the full sunshine, they " sweat '■
only for a very short period ; at the same time,
the fruit-store must not be closed, but provision
made for the escape of moisture by keeping the
room well ventilated. The sweating process
over, the fruits will require looking over occa-
sionally in order to remove any that are not
perfect specimens, or any that show any signs
of disease or decay. As the season proceeds and
the store becomes filled, the time of year ap-
proaches when it is necessary to close the struc-
ture. In a good fruit-room, built on approved
methods, it should be possible to keep Apples
through the severest winters without the help of
artificial heat or internal coverings. Bare lath
shelves of odourless wood answer best, and it is
not advisable to place the fruits on straw or
cover them with such material. Apples can be
kept in a very much lower temperature tnan
Pears. It is necessary when Pears are approach-
ing to ripeness, and in order to bring out those
good qualities which many varieties possess, that
they should be removed to a warmer, drier, and
brighter place some time before they are
to be eaten. Choice fruits are sometimes
picked in a hurried and ill-considered man-
ner. In order 'o ascertain when they are
fit to be gathered, they need to be tested
by raising a few of the fruits quickly in
the palm of the hand to a horizontal position,
and if under such circumstances they will part
readily from the tree, gathering may be com-
menced. The experienced gardener knows fairly
well about the time each variety should ripen,
and accordingly he knows when to apply the test.
Some of the more tender varieties of fruits, in-
cluding Plums, Peaches, and Nectarines, may be
gathered just before they are perfectly ripe and
taken into the fruit-room where they will keep
in good condition for several days, thereby pro-
longing the season, and therefore preventing
waste. If Plums are gathered when perfectly
dry, they may be kept for a considerable period
if they are first wrapped in silvered paper and
stored in a warm, dry place. The skin of a ripe
Pear or Apple becomes of a richer tint, and the
perfume of the fruit is at its best when it is
really fit to eat. The common practice of pinch-
ing a fruit near the stem in order to ascer-
tain if it is ripe should be avoided. W . H.
Clarke, Aston Rowant Gardens, Oxon.

Horticultural Returns.— The remarks on
this subject on p. 230 are forceful and to the
point ; whether they will induce an alteration in
the method of tabulation adopted by the Board of
Agriculture remains to be seen. Several large
fruit growers ha\e sent their forms to me this
season and asked for advice on the matter, while
others, to save trouble, have simply given their
returns under " other kinds," both in small fruits
and orchards. The result will be, as far as can be
seen at present, more misleading and inaccurate
than those obtained under the old form. Beyond
that, even if the method is altered another year,
the returns for the present year cannot be corrected
until the following one, so that next year's agri-
cultural tables will not, as regards the fruit
average, be comparable with either the preceding
or following returns except in the totals. A brief
explanatory paragraph would render clear what is
really required in the case of a mixed plantation.
If, for example, Apples, Pears, Plums, with
Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberries, or Straw-
berries between them constitute the mixture in
question, it should be known what is the total
number of plants of each kind, and the distances
they are set apart. The area occupied by an in-
dividual of either kind multiplied by the number
gives the total area occupied by the respective
kinds. It is such an obvious and simple piece of
arithmetic that it would seem superfluous to men-
tion the matter, but the enquiries I have received
prove that the officials of the Board of Agriculture
have failed to make ihe subject clear, while if their
instructions are taken literally the whole affair be-
comes an absurdity, as was pointed out in the letter
in last week'sissue, towhich I havealready referred.
The incomplete and inconsistent character of these

official returns in relation to fruits was brought
under the notice of the Board over 16 years ago by
Mr. George Gordon and myself as representing a
large party of fruit growers, and the necessity for
alteration was freely admitted. Since that time
the subject has been repeatedly menlioned in com-
munications to the Board and in conversation
with the late Mr. Hanbury, Major Craigie and
Professor Somerville, and in every case suggestions
have been received with courteous attention.
There, unfortunately, the matter has rested, and
the same applies to the recommendations of the
" Fruit Enquiry " Committee. Progress is blocked
somewhere in the complicated official system, but
where, and how, and why, it seems impossible for
outsiders to ascertain, as even acknowledged
experts appear to be seldom consulted. A'. Lewii
Castle.

Deficient Rainfall. — Your readers (especi-
ally in the west) will probably be surprised to learn
that the rainfall of the nine months just ended was,
up to noon on Tuesday last, the lowest I have
recorded since I came to Kent in 1899. Such a
combination of small rainfall and low day tempera-
tures must be very rare Below I give the eight
years in question : the excess of 0 09 inch over
1901 was caused by rain on Tuesday night. January
to September inclusive: 1900, 1726; t'JOl, 1376;
1902,14-13; 1903,2643; 1904, 17-32; 1905, 17 o'J ;
1906, 14-64; 1907, 1385. Alfred O. Walker, Kent.

Cupressus lusitania (Cedar of Goa.
This Cedar seems to be a very rare plant in ilns
country, and it would be interesting to know if
there are any specimens in the more favoured
parts of Great Britain. A young tree- was
brought home by my employer early in the spring
from Bussaco, where it is said to grow at a con-
siderable altitude, and at certain periods of the
year the temperature falls rather low. On the first
appearance of this young tree it impressed me as
being very similar to Cupressus funebris, but on
closer examination it is quite distinct, being much
finer in its growth and having a more glaucous
tint. It is evidently a tree of rapid growth judg-
ing from the previous season's growth this tree
had made, and, if it is not generally hardy, it
would probably thrive and make a valuable and
attractive law-n s[ ecimen in the counties of Devon
and Cornwall. 11'. H. Clarke, Aston Rowai,t,
Oxon.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

October 1. — The ordinary fortnightly meet-
ing of the Committees of this society took place
on Tuesday last, when a very good display was
made, in which hardy flowers, collections of
fruit and fruit-trees, and a collection of species
of Vitis were prominent features.

The Orchid Committee recommended two
Awards of Merit and one Botanical Certificate
to novelties among Orchids, and the Floral
Committee recommended two First-Class Cer-
tificates and five Awards of Merit to novelties in
miscellaneous flowering and foliage plants.

A joint Committee of a deputation from the
Floral Committee and from the National Dah-
lia Society recommended seven Awards to new
Dahlias.

In the afternoon a lecture on "The Cultiva-
tion of Plants by Electricity " was delivered by
Mr. B. H. Thwaite.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (chairman), and
Messrs. C. T. Druerv, H. B. May, T. W. Turner,
G. Reuthe, Chas. Blick, Jas. Douglas, W. T.
Ware, Chas. Dixon, H. J. Cutbush, J. T. Ben-
nett-Poe, Chas. E. Pearson, W. P. Thomson,
E. H. Jenkins, W. J. James, J. F. McLeod, R.
W. Wallace, M. James, R. C. Notcutt, J. YV.
Barr, A. Turner, James Hudson.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., K
Road, Chelsea, showed an exhibit of ornamen-
tal Vines, embracing 62 distinct species and
varieties, many of them being new to gardens.
The majority of the new species are introduc-
tions from China, through their collector, Mr.
E. H. Wilson, and those shown for the first
time were Vitis sinensis repens, V. tomentosa,
V. flexuosa chinensis, V. Delavayana, ami \ ■
species nova. The habit of the various plants,
as is to be expected from such a representative

October 5, 1E07.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Ib3

collection, varied greatly, and, whilst some
plants attained to a height of 112 or 14 feet,
others were not more than 11 or 3 feet high.
The following were carrying handsome autumn-
tinted leaves : — V. flexuosa major, V. amurensis,
V. armata, V. Brandt (a form of V. vinifera),
V. vinifera purpurea, V. armata Veitchii (of
rich, red colouring), V. Henryana, V. hetero-
phylla variegata (the variegation is white and
green), V. Thunbergii (one of the showiest of
the genus), and V. megalophylla. (Gold
Medal.)

A very beautiful display of Roses was shown
by Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross,
Herts. The exhibit occupied the whole of one
side of a long central table. The majority of
the blooms were shown in baskets, but these
were interspersed with vases, and at the back
were epergnes. The good quality was re-
markable for this late season, and the varie-
ties included nearly 100. Prominent blooms
were those of Warrior, Pharisaer, Le Progres,
Earl of Warwick, the new Hugo Roller, Com-
tesse de Cayla (a China Rose of exquisite col-
ouring), Mad. Abel Chatenav, &c. (Silver-Gilt
Flora Medal.]

Mr. George Prince, Longworth, Berks.,
showed many beautiful blooms of Roses, includ-
ing choice specimens of the white variety rained
after Frau Karl Druschki, White Maman Cochet,
and a new variety named Mme. Constant Sou-
pert, with deep yellow petals slightly edged with
rose-colour. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Colchester,
showed bunches of Roses in variety, all of fresh
and clean appearance, and including the choicer
kinds for garden decoration. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. D. Prior & Son, Colchester, exhi-
bited a choice assortment of Roses, exhibition
boxes, vases, and epergnes being filled with
splendid blooms of such kinds as Frau Karl
Druschki, Maman Cochet, Mme. de Watteville,
White Maman Cochet, The Bride, Caroline
Testout, &c. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. II. B. May & Sons, t'dmonton,
showed varieties of Veronicas of the Andersoni
type and about 90 varieties of hardy F'erns. (Sil-
ver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Wm. Hi i i & Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea, again showed ornamental-leaved species of
exotic plants as a setting to a bank of Orchids.
(Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. R. II. Bath, Ltd., The FToral Farms,
Wisbech, showed Chrysanthemums of the mar-
ket type and sprays of perennial Asters in
variety'. Perle Chatillonaise, Nina Blick, Le
Pactole, Roi des Blancs, Champs d'Or, Ryecroft
Crimson, and other well-known varieties of
early-flowering Chrysanthemums were noticed.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

A very extensive and prettily-arranged exhibit
of Dahlias was shown by Messrs. T. S. Ware
Ltd., Ware's Nursery, Feltham. The display-
occupied a long table that ran the whole length
of the hall at the end opposite the clock. We
have no space to enumerate the many varieties
shown, but may state that they included excel-
lent examples of most of the best kinds in com-
merce. With the Dahlias were Asters, Chrvsan-
themums, coloured foliage, Grasses, &c, used
for relief, and the whole was edged with a row
of Isolepis gracilis. (Silver-Gilt JTora Medal.)

Mr. M. V. Seale, The Nurseries, Sevenoaks,
exhibited varieties of the Pompon-Cactus type
of Dahlias. The flowers are about half the size
of those of ordinary Cactus Dahlias. Among
notable varieties may be instanced Mignon
(pink), W. Marshall (crimson), Tom-Tit (pink),
Coronation (scarlet), Little Albert (yellowish
bronze), and Mary (white, tinted with red).
(Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. J. T. West, Tower Hill, Brentwood, dis-
played Dahlias of the Pompon and Cactus-
flowered types in most of the choicer varieties.
The exhibit was very prettily arranged. (Sil-
ver Banksian Medal. i

Messrs. II. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
again showed a selection of many of the best
varieties of Cactus and Paeony-flowered Dahlias.
The exhibit was of great extent, and displayed
w a pleasing manner. (Silver-Gilt Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. James Stredwick & Son, Silverhill
Park, St. Leonards-on-Sea, staged VI varieties of
Cactus Dahlias, most of which have been de-
scribed in our columns.

Messrs. G. van Waveren & Kruyef, Sassen-
heim, Holland, presented a number of single
varieties of the Paeony-flowered Dahlias. (Bronze
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, exhibited plants of Nephrolepis exal-
tata Whitmannii, a large specimen of Chironia
exifera, crowded with its pretty pink-coloured
flowers, and a pan of Rochea falcata with bril-
liant red inflorescences.

Messrs. Gunn & Sons, Olton, Birmingham,
showed border Phloxes, of which flowers this
firm makes a speciality. The manner of staging
was pleasing, hanging baskets filled with these
flowers being very pretty. Almost all the best
varieties were included in the display, and
although we have seen them finer in some
seasons, the exhibit ranked as one of the most
interesting in the exhibition. (Silver-Gilt Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. W. Ci rBUSH & Son, Ilighgate Nur-
series, London, N., staged an attractive exhibit
of hardy flowers on the floor near to the entrance.
In the centre of the group was a tall bamboo
epergne filled with long spikes of Liatris pycno-
stachys, and on either side smaller stands accom-
modated such flowers as Tritomas, perennial
Asters, Sunflowers in variety, Hemerocallis Dr.
Kegel, Aster Linosyris, Eupatorium purpureum.
&c., with Phloxes, l'yrethrums, Polygonum am-
plexicaule, Physalis Franchettii, ' and many
other subjects forming a groundwork. Messrs.
Cutbush also sh >wed as a table group vases
of Carnations, and between these were flower-
ing sprays of the dwarf Polyantha Rose Mis.
F. W. Flight, and at one end were vases of the
new Astilbe (Spiraea) Queen Alexandra. (Silver-
Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Asters of the border type were shown in great
variety by Mr. AMOS Perry, Enfield Chase. Mid-
dlesex, in addition to many other seasonable
garden flowers, including Erigeron hybridurn,
Senecio cliyornm, Kudbeckias, Tritomas, Ama-
ryllis Belladonna. &c. (Silver Flora Medal.]

Mr. F. Brazier, C tterham, set up a verv large
exhibit of perennial Asters, Chrysanthemums,
Scabiosa, Roses, Phloxes. &c. (Bronze Flora
Medal.)

\l ~srs. John Peed & Son, West Norsood,
London, S.E., showed a number of Alpine plants
in small pots and pans, with Clematis, Lobelia
cardinalis, Campanulas, Veronicas, etc., in
flower at the back.

Mr. G. REUTHE, Hardy Plant Nursery,
JCeston, Kent, showed autumn-flowering Colchi-
cums, C. gigantea, C. Bornmuelleri, C. specio-
sum album, <Vc, liliums, a batch of Nerine
coruscans, Asters, Phloxes, &c.

Messrs. Barr tV Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, London, displayed an assortment of sea-
sonable hardy flowers, including perennial Asters,
Phloxes, Sunflowers, Sedum spectabile, Cen-
taureas, Gladioli, and early-flowering varieties
of Chrysanthemums. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. R. C. Notcutt, The Nursery, Wood-
bridge, showed border flowers in variety, plumes
of the Pampas Grass (Gynerium), Liliums,
Asters, and tall Sunflowers overhung dwarfer
subjects such as Anemones, Roses, Phloxes,
Romneva Coulteri, Statices, &c. (Bronze Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, N.B., and
Mark's Tey, Essex, exhibited a remarkably fine
strain of Scabiosa (see Awards), a new- crimson-
coloured Cactus Dahlia named Dreadnought,
and a selection of Montbretias. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

A very fine hybrid Nerine was displayed by J. T.
Bennett-Poe, Esq., Holmewood, Cheshunt (gr.
Mr. Downes). The petals were much crimped
and deener in colour than the well-known N.
Fothergillii, of which it is evidently a derivative.
Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrev,
displayed a very large number of single Chry-
santhemums.

AWARDS.

First- Class Certificates.

Polystichum aculeatum pulcherrimum Drucryii.
— A handsome, finely-dissected variety of the
native Prickly Shield Fern was shown bv Mr.
C. T. Druerv, V.M.H., under this name." The
fronds had more the appearance of those of P.
angulare subtripinnatum, so finely were they
divided, and with graceful curving rachis. The

pinnae were interrupted to the third and fourth
degree, and some, at the extremity of the fronds,
showed a tendency to tasselling, and then they
overlapped slightly. The variety is one of the
most beautiful and graceful of Ferns.

Scabious. — Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay,
exhibited a very fine group of these showy and
useful annuals. The colours of the flowers in-
luded white, rose-pink, lilac, blue, map on-i rim-
son, and other shades. A First-Class Certificate
was awarded to the strain which displayed the
highest excellence in the form and colour of the
flowers and in theii cultivation.

Awards oi Merit.

Ampelopsis Lowii. — A dainty and self-clinging
i limber with very small leaves. The somewhat
cordate leaves are deeply cut or lobed and vary
greatly in these respects, the segments acutely
pointed. The plant assumes a dark purple hue
at this season, and will be likely to meet with
appreciation. The variety is said to have origi-
nated from seed, and will most likely pi ve
to be a variety of Vitis inconstans, a species of
which the popular "Veitchii" is also a variety.
From Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield.

Aster Nora Peters. — A graceful variety of peren-
nial Aster, with nearly pure-white ray florets and
flower-heads H inches across. The florets are
exceedingly numerous and almost thread-like in
character. F"rom Mr. W. Peters, Givons Park
Gardens, Leatherhead.

Cotoneaster applanata. — A pretty and graceful
species, with a tendency to a drooping habit of
growth. The exhibited specimen was about
:"> feet in height, with leading central stem, the
branches gracefully arching outwards and down-
wards. The leaves are small in size, ovate in
form, entire, and alternately disposed on the
branches, the scarlet fruits appearing in clusters
on stems of about one inch in length. From
Messrs. Jas Veitch & Sons.

Phlox George Si A very handsome and

effective variety, best described as an improved
The individual blossoms are of large
size, good form, and of a rosy-salmon colour,
with scarlet shading. From Messrs. Gunn &
Sons, Olton, Birmingham.

ides. — A distinct species from China,
said to have pinnate leaves composed of fine
ovate-oblong leaflets, the central one being of
large size and Unusually prominent. In the
plant shown the leaves were generally tri-lobed.
All the leaflets are serrate, with an acuminate
apex, and are of a glossy green above and violet
shade beneath. The plant i.-: glabrous in all its
parts (see description and figures in R.H.S.
Journal, 1901, vol. x--viii.). From M
James Veitch & Sons.

Joint Awards of the Royal Horticui ixeai
and National Dahlia Societies.

The Dahlias were inspected by a joint c^n-
mittee of the National Dahlia Society and a depu-
tation from the Royal Horticultural Society ,
Floral Committee. The varieties described
below have therefore the awards of both si
ties : —

Dahlia Saturn. — White, with rosy-si
colour in small streaks. The florets are well
incurved and very finely pointed.

D. Dorothy. — The most refined of the pink-
flowered Dahlias we have yet seen.

D. Clara. — This variety has rosy-peach-
coloured flowers, in which the florets are strongly
incurved.

D. Etruria. — A showy variety of a deep-red-
dish orange shade.

D. Harold Peerman. — This flower is of pure
yellow, and has excellent form.

D. //ilium. — A pale orange-red-coloured
flower with yellowish centre, the finely-pointed
florets being well incurved.

The six Cactus flowered Dahlias described
above were exhibited by Messrs. James Stred-
wick & Son, St. Leonards-on-Sea.

D. C. H. Curtis. — This flower is of a glowing
crimson scarlet, the white-tipped florets forming
a complete arch over the centre of the flower ;
very handsome and distinct. From Mr. H.
Shoesmith, Westfield, Woking.

254

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 5, 1907.

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, de B. Crawshay, H. Little, W.
Boxall, R. G. Thwaites, F. Sander, J. Wilson
Potter, T. W. Bond, A. A. McBean, Arthur Dye,
W. Cobb, J. Charlesworth, W. P. Bound, W. H.
Young, H. G. Alexander, H. A. Tracy, W. H.
White, F. J. Hanbury, and W. Bolton.

Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton Park, Rei-
gate (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound), was awarded a Sil-
ver Flora Medal for a small group of bright
appearance, composed principally of hybrids
raised at Gatton Park. Cattleya amabilis var.
illustre (labiata X Warscewiczii) is a pleasing
novelty, in which the features of both parents
are blended, the showy purple-crimson lip deriv-
ing much from the influence of C. Warscewiczii.
Varieties of Laelio-Cattleya Nysa, L.-C. Phryne,
and other Lselio-Cattleyas ; the handsome
Cattleya Adula Colmanae, C. Mrs. Pitt, and
other hybrid Cattleyas were also contained in
the group, which included a plant of Cirr-
bopetalum appendiculatum var. Fascinator, with
a handsome flower, the sepals and petals hav-
ing a deeper purple fringe and the sepals a
darker claret-coloured tint than those in the
original form.

Major G. L. IIolford, Westonbirt, Tetbury
(gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed Brasso-
I.aelio-Cattleya Rowena rubella, a variety that
differs from the exhibitor's original yellow form
in having the sepals and petals slightly veined
with pale rose, and the front of the fringed lip
of a clear, reddish mauve colour. Besides this
plant was noticed Laelio-Cattleya Lustre (C.
Puddemanniana x L.-C. callistoglossa), a
flower of the best type, with broad, lavender-
tinted sepals and petals, and violet-purple lip
with a yellow patch on either side of the tube ;
and Cypripedium Dante (Charlesworthii x
Euryades), the fine white dorsal sepals of which
have broad, spotted lines of purplish-rose colour.

J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. Davis), showed a fine form
of Cattleya Prince Edward (Warscewiczii x
Schilleriana), with seven flowers on a spike;
Cymbidium erythrostylum, and the singular
Catasetum Laminatum. (See Awards.)

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a
group of rare hybrids and varieties. Among
Odontoglossums were O. crispum Queen Maude,
a .very distinct form of the O. c. Lady Jane
class; handsome forms of the "Heaton" strain
of O. Rolfeae ; several good plants of O. amabile,
and one with a specially fine dark-coloured
flower ; many well-flowered examples of O.
grande, &c. Among the Brassavola-Digbyana
hybrids we noticed the clear, white Brasso-Cat-
tleya " Queen Alexandra," varieties of Cattleya
Iris, C. Mrs. J. W. Whiteley, C. John Baguley,
and C. Chamberlainiana ; the curious Schombo-
Cattleya spiralis, the rich, coppery-red and
purple-coloured Sophro-Laelia Gratrixiae, and
other hybrids. The species included the large
and singular Bulbophyllum grandiflorum, B.
Godseffianum, Burlingtonia fragrans, and a
finely-flowered batch of Vanda Kimballiana.

II . S. Goodson, Esq., Fairlawn, West Hill,
Putney (gr. Mr. G. E. Day), received a Silver
Flora Medal for a bright and varied group of
Orchids, which included the white Brasso-
Cattleya Queen Alexandra, B.-C. Grogani, and
other Brasso-Cattleyas ; a very handsome form
of Cattleya Chamberlainiana, Cattleya Goossen-
siana, otner hybrid Cattleyas and Laelio-Cat-
tleyas, and a large number of choice Cypri-
pediums, the best of which was a magnificent
form of C. Chapmanii superbum, with a very
large and finely-formed flower, densely spotted
with purple. Other notable Cypripediums were
a bright rose-tinted variety of C. Wm. Lloyd ;
the handsome C. H. S. Goodson (Swinburnei x
T. B. Haywood), with large flowers of best
shape and attractive colouring ; several forms of
C. Io, of which C. Io grande was the best ; C.
Rothschildianum hybrids, &c.
■^ Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a re-
markable group, the body of which was com-
posed of more than 100 good specimens of the
pretty little Cypripedium Fairrieanum which> J
until recently, has been so rare. Although the
flowers varied in shapo and colour, few phe-
nomenal varieties have been bloomed. Messrs.

Cypher have this plant in many thousands, and
have hopes of flowering an albino form before
all are proved. At one end of the exhibit was a
batch of good forms of Dendrobium Phalaenop-
sis Schroderianum, and at the other the fine
Cypripedium Leeanum Corona, C. Milo, Wes-
tonbirt variety, C. insigne The Queen, a beau-
tiful form of Cattleya Wendlandiana, C. Man-
tinii nobilior, Laelio-Cattleya Clive, with silvery-
white sepals and petals and a richly-coloured
lip, Oncidium Papilin, &c.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, secured a
Silver Flora Medal for a group in which was a
good specimen of the pure white Cattleya Gas-
kelliana alba with four flowers. Varieties of
Cattleya Iris ; Laelio-Cattleya elegans and other
Cattleyas and Laslias ; a well-developed speci-
men of Stanhopea oculata ; Cypripedium
Charlesworthii rubrum, one of the largest and
finest in colour yet shown ; Houlletia Brockle-
hurstiana, Stelis muscifera, Warscewiczella
velata, W. Wailesiana ; Oncidium microchilium,
the yellow form of O. oblongatum, and some
good Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Schroderianum,
&c, formed the principal features in this group.

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a
group containing many plants of their noted
strain of Cattleya Iris, the plants being obtained
by crossing C. bicolor and C. Dowiana aurea
both ways. This is one of the brightest of Cat-
tleya hybrids, and no fewer than nine distinct
varieties have been given awards by this com-
mittee. Cattleya Pankhurstiana and C. Arm-
strongiae are two pretty hybrids with rose-tinted
flowers, the disc of the lip being coloured
orange. Other hybrids were C. fulvescens, C.
Lord Rothschild, Laelio-Cattleya Geo. Wood-
hams (C. Hardyana x L. purpurata), with
purplish-rose flowers, having a dark claret-col-
oured lip ; Cypripedium Maudiae, C. Kimbal-
lianum, &c.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, staged
a select group, including several very fine forms
of Cypripedium Fairrieanum ; the handsome
Cymbidium erythrostylum, Cattleya Lord Roth-
schild, the rare Enlophia Guineensis purpurata ;
Laelio-Cattleya Endymion var. amabilis ; and
L.-C. The Duchess. (See Awards.)

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea,
showed a beautiful variety of Cattleya Davisii
(velutina x Hardyana), with buff-coloured
sepals and petals, and a yellow lip beautifully
veined with rose-crimson and having an orange
disc.

Messrs. William Bull & Sons, Chelsea,
staged a selection of choice Orchids in the
centre of their group of foliage plants.

C. J. Lucas, Esq., Warnham Court (gr. Mr.
Duncan), showed a plant of Cattleya Iris,
" Warnham Court " variety, with five apricot-
yellow flowers having purple lips.

G .W. Jessop, Esq., Cliff Cottage, Rawdon,
Leeds (gr. Mr. Wilkinson), sent Bulbophyllum
grandiflorum, a finely-developed flower, veined
with olive green on a whitish ground.

Francis Weli.ksley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), sent Laelio-Cattleya Lady
Leese (L.-C. callistoglossa x L. xanthina), of
which the sepals and petals are white, with a
slight yellow shade, the disc of the lip is
orange, with reddish lines at the base, and
purple in front.

Monsieur Mertens, Ghent, showed hybrid
Odontoglossums, Miltonia vexillaria Leopoldii,
M. Bleuana, &c.

Col. Brymer, Ilsington House, Dorchester (gr.
Mr. Powelll, showed three plants of Laelio-Cat-
tleya Powelii, said to be derived from L.-C.
Brymeriana x L. xanthina. The sepals and
petals are cream-white, front of lip purple.

AWARDS.

Awards of Merit.

Lalio-Cattleya The Duchess (C. Hardyana x
L.-C. Hippolata J, from Messrs. Sander & Sons.
— A grand hybrid that somewhat resembles a
flower of L.-C. Cappei, but with much larger
flowers than that form. The sepals and petals
are coloured a light orange shade, and this is
faintly tinged with rose ; the elongated and
finely-crimped lip is ruby-purple.

Odnntoglossum Pescaiorei ornaium, from
Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge. — A

large and handsome form of the species, the
labellum bearing large, deep-purple blotches on
the greater part of its surface.

Botanical Certificate.

Catasetum laminatum, from J. Gurney' Fow-
ler, Esq., Glebelands, South Woodford (gr.
Mr. J. Davis). — A very remarkable species, with
greenish sepals and petals slightly marked with
rose, lip long and narrow, and having in the
middle a narrow, whitish keel or blade half an
inch in height.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, showed 30 young trees of Apples
lifted from their nursery, and placed in pots.
They were per. . i little specimens, some being
bush and others cordon-trained. All were very
heavily fruited, the most noticeable being King
of the Pippins, Warner's King, Newton Won-
der, Golden Spire, Cellini, Tyler's Kernel,
Schoolmaster, Col. Vaughan, Stone's Apple,
Cox's Pomona, Peasgood's Nonsuch, and Bis-
marck. (Silver-Gilt Knightian Medal.)

Leopold de Rothschild, Esq., Gunnersbury
House, Acton, W., displayed two varieties of
autumn-fruiting Strawberries. The following
particulars were appended to the variety
labelled Merveille de France : — " The original
plants were received as runners this season
from France, and, after being grown for some
time in pots, they were planted in the open in
May." From these, runners were obtained,
which were taken between July 8 and 13, grown
on and placed under glass on September 10 to
ripen their fruits, some of which were exhi-
bited. The other variety had pale-coloured
fruits, and was labelled La Perle.

From the society's gardens at Wisley was dis-
played an exhibit of two dozen varieties of
Pears, of which the more notable were Triomphe
de Vienne, Beurre de Mortillet, Madame
Treyve, Marguerite Marillat, Doyenne Bussoch,
Calebasse Grosse, Souvenir du Congres,
Gratioli de Jersey, and Louise Bonne of Jersey.
(Silver Knightian Medal.)

THE LECTURE.

At the afternion meeting of Fellows, Mr. B. H.
Thwaite gave a lecture on " The Cultivation of
Plants by Electricity." After a general intro-
duction, the lecturer demonstrated by the aid of
diagrams the cyclical character of natural pro-
cesses. He explained that when the rays of the
sun or of an arc lamp fall upon the green leaf of
a plant it is electrically energised. The history
of experiments in endeavouring to accelerate the
growth of plants by means of electrical power
was traced back to 1746-1749, when Maimberg
and Abbe Nollet electrically stimulated plants.
The lecturer next surveyed the work of the two
schools of experimentalists — the one who em-
ploys the voltaic electric arc, the other the
electro static system. He gave, interatim, the
results of Siemen's work in the former system
and of Lemstrom's work in the latter method.

Certain results of Newman's experiments were
detailed ; this investigator obtained an increase
in the productions of Strawberries equal to 36
per cent., in Cucumbers 13 per cent., and in
Beetroot 33 per cent.

The lecturer gave details of a system he has
invented for electric cultivation, and he demon-
strated, by the help of lantern slides, the remark-
able acceleration of the growth of plants at the
Royal Botanic Society's installation at Regent's
Park, due to electric stimuli.

TRIAL OF DAHLIAS AT WISLEY.

A trial of comparatively new varieties of
Cactus Dahlias has been undertaken at Wisley
this year, in the interests both of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society and of the National Dahlia
Society. Varieties put into commerce during the
previous three years were admissible only, and
the principal object of the trial was to determine
the merits as decorative earden plants. A jourt
committee, consisting of members of the R.H.S,
Floral Committee and of the N.D.S. Committee,
visited the gardens on September 12 last. Most
of the plants were at that date too backward for
their merits to be adjudicated upon. A

OCTOBER 5, lfc'OV'.j

THE G A RDENERS CHR ONI CL E.

2oo

second meeting was therefore held on September
26, and even then very few plants were at their
best period of flowering, although many pre-
sented prospects of blooming freely in October.
The following varieties secured three marks: —
Lustre, rich scarlet, good erect stems, and
flower of true Cactus form ; Meteor, terracotta ;
A. D. Stoop, crimson-scarlet, with magenta tips
to the florets ; Primrose, soft sulphur-white ; and
Mrs. J. G. Brunton, straw-yellow. A large num-
ber of older varieties were also grown close by,
but none showed great decorative quality. Even
the best selected varieties of the newer set
showed little diversity in habit from that com-
monly seen in the Cactus section, and little
prospect seems to be offered of the section ever
producing characters that can in any way vie in
garden effect with some of the old Decorative
section, or the better types of the pretty Pom-
pons. No doubt, for garden decoration, where
the quality of the flowers, from the florist's point
of view, is of no moment, by far the best effects
are obtained from the new large or Paeony-
flowered forms, of which several varieties are
being grown at Wisley. It is hoped next year
that not only will the varieties of the large
Faeony-flowered section be largely increased,
but that the number of plants of each
variety will also be enlarged. They pos-
sess long, stiff stems, and, for floral deco-
ration in vases, are very attractive. In the gar-
den the clumps of three or four plants have a
remarkably pleasing effect. Amongst those so
excellent at Wisley were Nicholas, pure white —
the plant is of a medium height ; King Leopold,
pale yellow ; Paul Kruger, white ground, heavily
flushed with rosy-red ; Queen Emma, apricot ;
Duke Henry rich crimson ; and Dr. van Gorken,
soft peach. Whilst the lateness of the summer
checked Dahlia growth to some extent, another
reason for the lateness of the plants flowering at
Wisley is to be accounted for by the delay in
sending the plants for trial in spring.

BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND
COUNTIES GARDENERS'.

September 25 & 26. — An exhibition of early-
flowering Chrysanthemums and Dahlias was
held at the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, under
the auspices of the above association on these
dates. The show was a great success, and the
entries in all classes were more numerous than
in former years.

Honorary exhibits were exceptionally fine,
Messrs. Simpson & Sons, The Nurseries, Chad
Valley, Edgbaston, exhibited early-flowering
Chrysanthemums in variety. Messrs. Gunn tk
Sons, The Nurseries, Olton, put up a fine ex-
hibit of hardy flowers, including Delphinium
chinensis, Asters, Montbretias, and a collection
of herbaceous Phlox. Mr. S. Mortimer, Row-
ledge, Farnham, displayed Show and Cactus-
flowered Dahlias. Mr. C. H. Herbert exhibited
hardy flowers. Mr. E. Burden, The Nurseries,
Billesby Lane, showed a collection of well-col-
oured Apples.

Chrysanthemums. — The 1st prize for a group of
Chrysanthemums cut from the open and ar-
ranged for effect was won by Mr. C. H. Her-
bert, who had a very tastefully-arranged group ;
2nd, Mr. A. F. Phillipson.

The best six vases of a yellow variety of Chry-
santhemum were exhibited by Mr. A. F. Phil-
lipson ; 2nd, Mr. C. Wall.

Mr. Herbert showed the premier six vases
of a crimson Chrysanthemum, and Mr. C. Wtall
the best six vases of a white Chrysanthemum.

Dahlias. — In the class for a collection of
Cactus or decorative varieties of Dahlias ar-
ranged in vases for effect, the 1st prize was
awarded to Messrs. Pemberton & Son ; 2nd, Mr.
C. H. Herbert. Messrs. Pemberton & Son
also won in the class for six varieties of show cr
fancy Dahlias. The best six vases of Pompon
Dahlias, six blooms in each vase, were displayed
by Mr. C. Herbert.

Classes were provided for members of the
association only. One was for a group of Chry-
santhemums arranged for effect, and in this Mr.
C. Batchelor was successful ; 2nd, Mr. T.
Sceaney. The best vases of a yellow Chrysanthe-
mum were put up by Mr. W. T. Collison ; the
best vases of a crimson variety and the best
vases of a white variety by Mr. R. Usher.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

October 2 and 3. — The early autumn exhi-
bition of this society was held on Wednesday
and Thursday last at the Crystal Palace, Syden-
ham. The show compared favourably with
those of former years, and must be pronounced
a success. The entries totalled 120 ; very many
of these were in the decorative classes, decorated
dinner tables being especially numerous. None
of the exhibits was displayed on show-boards,
and the general effect was enhanced by their
elimination.

Two new varieties of the decorative type re-
ceived the society's Certificate of Merit.

Group of Chrysanthemums.
The 1st class on the schedule was for a
group of Chrysanthemums, arranged with suit-
able foliage plants on the floor, and occupying
an area measuring 14 feet by 7 feet. There
were three competitors, the 1st prize group
being exhibited by Messrs. J. Peed i; Sox, Rou-
pell Park Nurseries, West Norwood. This firm
showed the finest flowers, the back of their
group having large blooms of Japanese varie-
ties, and sloping to the foreground were small
plants, well-flowered, of the border type.
Amongst the big disbudded plants were good
examples of Mrs. R. Hooper Pearson, Mrs. R.
F. l'elton, Lady Henderson, Miss Phyllis
Fothergill, Miss Mona Davis, Beatrice May (a
fine white variety!, and Miss Kathleen Paget. A
few Palms, Codiaeums (Crotons), Dracaenas, and
Ferns were used as foils. 2nd, Lady Tate, Park
Hill, Streatham Common (gr. Mr. Howe), who
staged large Japanese varieties only.

OPEN CLASSES.

Cut Blooms.

Japanese Chrysanthemums. — The class for the
largest number of Japanese blooms was that for
24 flowers of eight varieties. Four exhibitors
contested, the most successful being A. T.vih,
Esq., Downside, Leatherhead (gr. Mr. W.
Mease), who was awarded the 1st prize for the
varieties A. R. Wakefield (rosy-mauve), Mrs. W.
Knox (a fine vase of this excellent yellow
variety), Sappho (pink), Mrs. A. R. Knight (an
intense shade of yellow , Mrs. R. Hooper Pear-
son (soft canary yellow), J. II. Silsbury, Presi-
dent Viger, and Algernon Davis. 2nd, G. H.
Davies, Esq., Woodside, Maidenhead (gr. Mr.
E. A. Pocock). W. Duckham, Mrs. W. Knox,
and Miss W. II. Lee were the best examples
shown by Mr. Davies. 3rd, Mr. Norman
Davis, Framfield, Sussex, who had some excel-
lent flowers, notably those of Mrs. R. Hooper
Pearson, a yellow-coloured seedling, and Mrs. J.
Hygate, the last-named being a white variety of
great substance of petal.

Twelve blooms of Japanese varieties. — The best
exhibit among three was displayed by Mrs. Jere-
miah Colman, Riddings Court, Caterham' Val-
ley (gr. Mr. Geo. Halsey), the varieties being
Marquis Venosta, Mrs W. Knox, Mrs. A. R.
Knight, and J. H. S. Silsbury. 2nd, A. Tate,
Esq., Downside, Leatherhead (gr. Mr. W.
Mease).

Six blooms of Japanese varieties. — Four dis-
plays were staged in this class, the premier one
by Mr. C. B. Gabriel, Eardale, Horsell, Sur-
rey. 2nd, Mrs. Ford, Parkside, Ravenscourt
Park, S.W. Mr. Gabriel had much the best
blooms, including excellent examples of the
varieties Mrs. W. Knox and Mrs. F. W. Vallis.

Two vases of twelve blooms. — Although only
two displays were staged, this was a very
pleasing class, and the premier flowers were of
high merit. Suitable decorative foliage was al-
lowed for embellishment, and the winner of the
1st prize was Mr. G. Halsey, Riddings Court
Gardens, who utilised long, narrow Codiaeum
leaves, with sprays of Asparagus Sprengeri and
Fern fronds.

Early'-Flowering Pompon Chrysanthemums.
The most important class in this section was
one for 12 bunches in not fewer than eight varie-
ties. Chrysanthemum foliage was allowed, but
the size of each bunch was restricted to a dia-
meter of 12 inches. The response was poor, for
only two exhibitors contested, much the better
flowers being shown by Mr. Eric Such, Maiden-
head. 2nd, Mr. J. Smellie, Pansy Gardens,
Busby, near Glasgow. Mr. Such's flowers were
Flora, Mr. Selbv, Blushing Bride, Bronze Bride,
M. E. Lefort, Alice Butcher, &c.

Border Chrysanthemums.

Twelve bunches of distinct varieties not dis-
budded.— This proved a well-conte9ted class,
Chief honours went to two Busby growers,
who showed much the better flowers, and
in tall, bold bunches. The winner of the
1st prize was Mr. G. Bowness, Riverside Nur-
sery, Busby, near Glasgow, and he was very
closely followed by Mr. J. Smellie, of the same
town. Mr. Bowness had such well-known varie-
ties as Nina Blick, James Bateman, Goacher's
Crimson, Dolly Prince, Hector, Roi des
Blanches, The Champion (yellow), Lillie (pink),
Improved Mdlle. Marie Massee, Polly (bronzei,
and Champs d'Or. Mr. Smellie showed similar
varieties to the foregoing. 3rd, Mr. J. Ember-
ton, Grove Road Nursery, Walthamstow.

In the similar class for disbudded blooms, the
flowers were of much finer quality, as was to be
expected, and the 1st prize exhibit, shown by
Messrs. \Y. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey,
was excellent in every respect. This firm dis-
played Nina Blick, Goacher's Crimson (very
fine), Roi des Blanches, Miss B. Miller (yel-
low), Perle Chatillonaise (blush pink), La
Cygne (a beautiful, new, white variety), Queen
of the Earlies, Polly (very handsome bronze
shading with a paler reverse), Carrie, &-c. 2nd,
Mr. E. F. Such, Maidenhead, with Mrs. E. J.
Castle (yellow, with a bronze centre), Ernest
Baltet (dull red), Queen of Earlies, Perle Chatil-
lonaise (very fine), Rev. E. Wright, &c.

Mime choice exhibits were seen in the class
for six bunches of early-flowering Japanese or
decorative varieties grown in the open, and not
disbudded. Mr. J. Emberton, Walthamstow,
won the 1st prize with excellent bunches of
Perle Chatillonaise, the petals being pure white,
Nina Blick, Mrs. W. Sydenham (crimson), Le
1 (white)-, (arrie (yellow), and Hector
(pink). 2nd, Mr. Smellie.

Amateur Classes.

The exhibits generally in the amateurs' sec-
tion were inferior in quality to those in the open
classes, and in many instances the competition
was not good. Only one exhibit was seen in
the class for six bunches of early-flowering
Japanese varieties, disbudded, and this was
awarded the 1st prize. The exhibitor was Mr.
W. II. Clark, 244, High Street, Putney, his
varieties being Murillo (pink), Miss B. Miller
(yellow), Mme. Desgrange (white), Le Pac-
tole (pale bronze), Nellie Black (red), and Bur-
rell (pale yellow).

Mr. D. B. ( rave, 4, Woodview Terrace, Arch-
way Road, Highgate, London, X., won in the
class for 12 bunches of Japanese varieties grown
in the open, disbudded, and in the similar class
for Pompon varieties, the competition being
poor in both cases.

The best three vases of Japanese Chrysanthe-
mums of a yellow colour were shown by Mr.
C. B. Gabriel, Horsell, Surrey, in the variety
Mrs. W. Knox. Three excellent blooms of Mrs.
A. F. Miller secured the 1st prize for the same
exhibitor for a white variety, and he also won
in the class for three Japanese blooms of any
colour other than white or yellow with Lady
Henderson.

Miss C. B. Cole, The Vineyard, Feltham ;
Mrs. Brewster, Canterbury : Mrs. A. Robin-
son, Park Hill, Carsh.ilton,' and Mr. D. B-
Crane were prominent winner-: in the decorative
classes.

First-Class Certificates.

Le Cygne. — An early-flowering, decorative
variety having pure-white florets of much sub-
stance. The blooms are developed on long, stiff
stalks which render the flower valuable for mar-
ket purposes. When grown disbudded it re-
sembles a small Japanese variety. Shown by
Messrs. W. Wells & Co.

Minnie Carpenter. — A free-flowering border or
decorative variety, of a shade between bronze
and red, and will be classed as a dark "bronze."
The sprays were shown without disbudding, and
numerous flowers were developed on the shoots.
The largest flowers measured about 4 inches
across their widest part. Shown by Mr. H. J.
Jones.

Non-Competitive Exhibits.

Mr. H. J. Jones, Hither Green, Lewisham,
staged a group of Chrysanthemums in which
were exceptionally' fine blooms of Moneymaker
(white), Mrs. H. T. Miller (white), and Mrs. W.
Beadle (red). Decorative Chrysanthemums and

25G

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 5, 1907.

perennial Asters completed an attractive ex-
hibit. (Silver-Gilt Medal). Mr. Eric Such,
Maidenhead, exhibited Chrysanthemums in a
pleasing manner with vases of Asters inter-
spersed. (Silver-Gilt Medal.) Messrs. W. Wells
& Co., Merstham, Surrey, staged a beautiful ex-
hibit of Chrysanthemums, having banks of large
flowering varieties upon a ground-work of
smaller "kinds. (Gold Medal.) Messrs. R. H.
Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, filled two tables with
Chrysanthemums, principally of the border
type. (Silver Medal.) Exhibits of Dahlias were
shown bv Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swan-
ley, Kent. (Large Silver Medal.) Hobbies,
Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk, also showed Roses
in variety (Gold Medal), as did Messrs.
T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham. (Gold Medal.)
Messrs. H. Spooner & Sons, Hounslow, exhi-
bited a large collection of hardy fruits. (Silver-
Gilt Medal). Messrs. John Peed & Sons, West
Norwood, showed flowers of tuberous-rooting
Begonias. (Silver Medal.) Mr. F. Brazier,
Caterham, showed seasonable, hardy flowers.
{Large Silver Medal.)

ENQUIRY.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending October 2.
More warm nights titan in any -week for over four mont lis.—
Both the days and nights have continued warm during the
past week. On the warmest day the temperature in the
thermometer screen rose to 76°, which is a very high reading
for so late in September. For three consecutive nights the
exposed thermometer never fell lower than 51°, the average
for the end of September being about 39°. The ground still
■continues warm for the time of year, and is now 2° warmer
at *2 feet deep and 3° warmer at 1 foot deep than is season-
able. Very slight rain fell on three days, and on the first
day of October there occurred a fall approaching a quarter
of an inch, which, although only sufficient to moisten the
surface of the soil, is the heaviest recorded here for four
weeks. This rain was not sufficient to affect even the bare
soil percolation gauge, which has been quite dry for 10 days.
The sun shone on an average for three hours a day, or for an
hour a day short of a seasonable duration of bright sunshine
at this season. Light airs and calms have again alone pre-
vailed during the week. The mean amount of moisture in
the air at 3 p.m. was 3 per cent, less than a seasonable
quantity for that hour. A selected plant of the wild Ivy came
first into flower on September 24, or eight days earlier than
its average date of first flowering in the previous 16 years,
and six days earlier than last year.

September.

A n exceedingly dry, calm and sunny month, — The days were
nearly all warm, whereas the nights, except in the last week,
were mostly as unseasonably cold. On the warmest day
(the 25th), the temperature in the thermometer screen rose
to 78° — a reading which has only once before been exceeded
so late in the month. On the contrary, on the coldest
night the exposed thermometer registered 6s of frost— or
greater cold than has been experienced here during any Sep-
tember for 18 years. Rain fell on but eight days, to the
aggregate depth of only three-quarters of an inch, which is
less than a third of the average rainfall for the month.
Between the 7th and 24th, or for 18 days, no rain at all
fell. The sun shone on an average tor nearly six hours a
clay, or for an hour a day longer than is usual in September.
In the last 21 years there have been only three Septembers
as sunny as the month just closed. This was also a remark-
ably calm month, in fact, the calmest September I have yet
recorded here, and in no hour did the mean velocity of the
wind exceed 10 miles. The average amount of moisture in
the air at 3 o'clock in theafternoon fell short of a seasonable
quantity for that hour by 5 per cent.

The Summer Rainfall.

During the summer half of the present drainage year
ending September, 12f inches of rain fell, which is nearly
1 inch short of the mean rainfall for the same six months in
the last 51 years. Taking the fall on each square yard of
surface in my garden the total deficiency amounted to 4fc
gallons. April and May were wet mom lis, but since then the
fall of rain in each month has been, more or less, deficient.
E. A/., Berkhamsted, October J, 1907.

TRADE NOTICE.

CROMPTOX 8t F. A. FAWKES, LTD.
This newly formed company has a capital of .£5,000, in
£1 snares. Its objects are to take over the business of
horticultural builders and repairers, mechanical engineers,
joinery and moulding manufacturers, &c, carried on by
Crompton and Fawkes, and by F. A. I-awkes, at Chelmsford.
There is no initial public issue. The registered office is at
Anchor Works, Chelmsford.

(Dfcttuanj.

Thomas Simcoe. — We regret to hear of the
death of Mr. Thomas Simcoe, at one time gar-
dener to the late George Neville Dyatt, Esq , at
Lake House, Cheltenham, at the age of Gl years
I >> ■ ised had occasionally contributed articles to
these pages.

Cyclamen heder.t.folium. — Whilst renovating
an old rockery I recently found a corm of this
species which measured 20 inches in circumfer-
ence. Do the conns of this species often attain to
this size ? H. E., Cardiff.

rrcjfoondcnt

Anguloa Clowesii : Anxious. The treatment you
describe seems to be correct. Place the plant
on a shelf near to the glass of the roof in a well-
ventilated situation.

Books : /. C. G. British Fresh Water Alga, by
Dr. M. C. Cooke (expensive), with coloured
plates, two vols. The British Fresh Water Alga,
by G. S. West, 10s. 6d.

British Gardeners' Association : E. S. IV. The
secretary is Mr. J. Weathers, Talbot Villa,
Talbot Road, Isleworth.

Celery Dying : /. A'. There is no fungus disease
present in your plants ; the damage is caused by
millipedes (Julus) eating the roots. Sprinkle the
soil with nitrate of soda, and then afford a
copious watering. A mixture of lime and soot
should be applied to the soil aftei the crop is
removed.

Chrysanthemums for Market: B.L. Varieties
are now very numerous, and they vary consider-
ably in cultivation by different growers. It is,
therefore, difficult to make a selection, but the
following are among those which are most
popular in the market. Early flowering —
White : Madame Desgranges, Market White,
Lady Fitzwigram, and Countess. Bronze: Nina
Blick, Mrs. A. Beech, Polly, and Harvest Home.
Yellow: G. Wermig, Miss B. Miller, Horace
Martin, and Carrie. Mid-season — White : Money-
maker, Ivory, Miss Alice Byron, and Mrs. A. T.
Miller. Bronze: Soleil d'Octobre, Le Pactole,
Kathleen Thompson, and Source d'Or. Yi.
Soleil d'Octobre, Mrs. F. Greenfield, New
Phoebus, and Old Gold. Late varieties — White:
Madame Theresa Panckouke, Niveum, Mrs.
Thompson, and Western King. Yellow: Negoya,
H. W. Reiman, Golden Age, and W. H. Lincoln.
Bronze: Lord Brooke, Tuxedo, Bronze Fabre,
and Gratianopolis. In regard to the flowering
season all varieties are inclined to vary ; for
instance, that known as W. H. Lincoln may-
be seen quite early in the season, and yet is
equally good when purchased at Christmas
time.

Grape Lady Downe= : W. <~ T. S. See reply
to D. Y. R. in the last issue, p. 240.

Grapes Decaying : C. V. The berries are badly
shanked, a condition caused by some check
such as a cold atmosphere in the vinery, or an
unsatisfactory rooting - medium. To cultivate
Muscat of Alexandria Grapes successfully there
must be no parsimony in regard to the fuel
necessary for heating the vinery.

Names of Fruits: Caen. 1, Jersey Gratioli ; 2,
Beurre Capiaumont ; 3, Duchesse d'Angouleme ;
4, Louise Bonne of Jersey ; 5, Marie Louise; 6,
Marechal de la Cour. — Welch. Dean's Codlin.
— F. W. C. 1, Duchess of Oldenburgh ; 2,
Yorkshire Beauty: 3, Emperor Alexander: 4,
Brockworth Park; 5, Autumn Josephine; 6,
Vicar of Wink field.

Names of Plants : Myrtle. 1, Pyrus salicifolia ; 2,

Crataegus mollis ; 3, Tilia platyphyllos aspleni-
folia ; 4, Thuya orientalis ; 5, Crataegus Crus-
Galli prunifolia ; G, Thuya gigantea. — V. T. 1,
Epidendtum aromaticum ; 2, Broiuhtonia san-
guinea; 3, Coelogyne corrugata ; 4, Epidendrum
ochraceum ; 5, E. ciliare ; 6, Miltonia Pussell-
iana. — W. J. F. All varieties of Gongora
armeniaca. It is a singular species, and one not
difficult of cultivation.— 7 /. Laelia xanthina. —
A. C„ Finchley. Odontoglossum constrictum. —
S.McG. Polygonum cuspidatum. — G.P.C. 1,
Lobelia cardinalis ; 2, Gaura Lindheimeri ; 3,
Helenium autumnale var. cupreum ; 4, Malva
moschata ; 5, Plumbago Larpenta?; 6, Achillea
Ptarmica "The Pearl."

Pears: T.W.C The variety Fondantede Cuerne
is in season about the third week in August.
This Pear has no synonyms, so far as we can
trace. It is to be found in most collections,
and can be purchased from the nurserymen you
mention, although it does not appear in their
catalogues. The variety Broompark ripens in
January and is an excellent dessert Pear. This
also is known by no other name Von should
experience no trouble in obtaining trees from
the nurserymen. — G. T. Your fruits reached us
in a bruised and decayed condition due to want
of care in packing them. If you will send us
fruits packed in suitable material, and just be-
fore they are quite ripe, we will endeavour to
name them.

Pronouncing Dictionary : G. W . F. If you have
a copy of Nicholson's Dictionary of Garden-
ing you will find that there is a pronouncing
dictionary included in the supplement to that
work. There is no book which deals exclusively
with this subject.

Sapling Oak : F. P. There are several varieties
of hardy Oaks with leaves variegated with white,
but none with leaves that are wholly white. The
foliage of the specimen you describe is certainly
very deficient in chlorophyll, i.e., green colour-
ing matter, and those that will be produced next
season may not be quite similar. During the
winter the plant should be placed under a hand-
glass, air being admitted by raising the moveable
top ; the latter may be taken off entirely during
mild weather. The plant should be transferred
to the open ground in spring.

Schedule for Exhibition : /. E. H. B. The
Royal Horticultural Society's Rules for Judging
and Suggestions to Sehcdu'c-niahers will supply you
with the information. The work can be obtained
from the Secretary, Royal Horticultural Hall,
Vincent Square. Westminster, price Is. Id. free
by post. Any first-class printer will supply you
with cards suitable for use as certificates of
merit.

Seedling Apple : G. H. Judging from the some-
what acid fruit sent us we do not think your
variety is equal in quality to many of the
culinary Apples which ripen at the end of Sep-
tember. At this season there is no lack of good
codlin and other sorts fit for use. There is a
greater need for Apples that will ripen earlier, or
that are capable of keeping sound longer, than
most of those already in cultivation.

Silver or Spinach Beet: G. H. In preparing
this vegetable for the table, the thin parts of the
leaves must be removed from the main rib, as
the amount of cooking required by the ribs
would reduce the vegetable to a tasteless mess.
The thin parts of the leaves should be cleaned in
several waters, and left immersed in water for an
hour previous to being boiled alone like Spinach,
and be served up like that vegetable. The mid-
ribs should be likewise cleansed from dirt, and
if more than a foot in length they should be
sized, cut in halves, and tied in small bundles of
12 to 18 pieces each, and be boiled, as also the
thin parts, in soft water, or if the latter be hard,
it. should have a small pinch of carbonate of
soda added before the bundles are placed in it.
As in the case of other green vegetables, the
water should be slightly salted, and when they
sink in the water they are sufficiently done
if the water has been kept constantly boiling.
The ribs must be tested with a fork, and the
thin tops will be found to need rather less boiling
than the butts. These may be served on toast
with butter sauce. Except in hard weather
Spinach-Beet may be gathered out of doors, a
few leaves being taken off each plant. If the
plants are taken up and planted in cold pits or
protected cold frames, and induced to make
growth, leaves are available all the winter.
October is a good time to take up the plants,
which should be done carefully with a digging
fork, reserving as many of the roots as pos-
sible; afterwards affording them an abundant
application of water so as to settle the soil about
them and prevent flagging of the leaves.

Communications Received. — A. U. — J. PI.— J. M. P.— J. lT.
—A. B. G.— H. W.-S. E.— J. P. R.— E. C. C. D.— A. K. H.
— C. K.— W. D. &S.-K. & B.— E. L.-L. (",.. Brussels—
M. C. C— C. F. C- D. G.- G. R— J. M.— P. M.-A. H.-
R. &Co — M. C.-H.B.-A.M.N.—J.S. S. II. II. -B.L,
—P. M.-R. V. & Son— J. R. I.— S. c— C. T.-H. I
W. E. W.— T, H. H.— C. T. D.-T. S.-C. P. K.-
W. A. C— H. S— J. D. G.-W.-Geo. S— W. II I -
R. S.— L. L., Brussels— H. C, Geneva- T. H.-J. R. ].,
1 i vonsliire,

October 12, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

257

THE

^arbcnets (ffbronicd

No. 1. 0S5.— SATURDAY. October 12. 1907.

CONTENTS.

Autumn planting, the
advantages of 2;jS

Bedding, summer flower 2t;s

Books, notices of —
1 1 itanical Magazine ... 265
Publications received i?)iii

Bushey House, Herts.... i*(i I

Chrysanthemums as
specimens out-of-
doors ... 267

Chrysanthemum blooms
exhibited on boards... 269

Colonial note-
Cosmos sulphureus ... 207

Cypripedium bella-
tulum x 260

Eucryphiacordifolia ... :;f>9

! 'lis in flower gar-
dening 264

Flowers in season 265

Fruit crops in S. lutliern
Russia ■! ;.">

Fruit distribution 26 •

Fruit plantation, not< s
from a 257

Gardeners at cricket ... 26G

Glasnevin, notes from 258

Half -holiday for gar-
deners ... 265

Hardy plant border—
\'< ntstemons 259

Hippeastrums in
Knv rica 258

Kew notes —
Gra in m a t o pliyllum
speciosuTii ... 2G6

Ledien, F., appointment
of 265

Market Gardening —
Chrysanthemum sat an

Uxbridge nursery... 267
Damson season, the... 267

Obituary —

Davies, Chas

Heath, Dr. E. A. ...

Orchid notes and glean-
ings—
Cirrhopetalum appen-
diculatum var. Fas-
cinator

Potatos from seed

Rainfall, deficient

Roses at the late show...

Seeds, home-grown ...

Silver Fir, disease of the

Single Chrysanthe-
i /I--, cross-fertilisa-
tion of

Societies-
Debating

National Potato
Royal Horticultural ..
(Scientific Committee]

Spireas, herbaceous ...

Trees and shrubs —
I'limns japonica as a
fruiting shrub

Vatican gardens neg-
lected, the

Vegetables-
Late Culinary Peas ...

Vines and Peach trees
under glass, planting
of

Week's work, the —
Flower garden, thr ....
Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden ...
Kitchen garden, the...
Orchid houses, the ...
Parks and gardens ...
Plants under glass ...

271
271

260
265
268
266
268
265

267

271
■.'7n

■ 65
270
26!)

262
265
26S

271

263
262
263
262

262
263
263

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Aster Norah Peters

Bushey House, Herts. (Supplementary Illustration)
Chrysanthemum, a specimen plant of, on a terrace

Bucryphia cordifolia

View in the gardens at Bushey House, Herts, ...

267
259
261

NOTES FROM A FRUIT
PLANTATION.

THE picking of the great Plum crop is
now finished, and there is time for
giving attention to other departments
of the fruit industry. A great deal of non-
sense has appeared in the daily papers about
the glut of Plums and the prices realised for
the fruit. In consequence of the slowness of
the ripening season, until nearly the end of it
the picking was spread over an unusually
long time, and on this account the glut of
Plums was prevented from assuming disas-
trous dimensions. Reports from Evesham
state that at-1 the crop, not excepting that of
the common Egg Plums, was gathered and
sold, although part of it, and particularly
Egg Plums, sold at very low prices. As
usual, London was about the worst market
in England, and, no doubt, Saturday's clear-
ing prices were occasionally as low as those
stated in some sensational reports. But no
regular quotation was lower than 6d. per
naif-sieve, and only a verv small proportion
of the fruit—chiefly consisting of Egg Plums
—was disposed of at such an unsatisfactory
price. I tried London on two occasions, and
they were enough for me, the return for

the second lot being only is. per half-sieve of
281b., with commission and all other market-
ing expenses to be afterwards deducted. I
began to market Kiwis' Early Prolific when
the fruits were half-coloured at 2s. 6d. per
sieve, and they realised 3s. 6d. when they
were fully coloured, and finally 2s. The
variety Czar started at 2s. 3d. and 2s. 6d.
for parts of the same consignment, but
nearly all made the latter price afterwards.
Victorias began when half-coloured at is. od.,
went up to 2S. 3d. for one lot, but they were
mostly sold at is. bd., excepting a consign-
ment sent to London which was dispose, 1 01
at is. The crop of this variety, although
much the heaviest, brought in less mon y per
acre than any other sort, excepting Gisborne,
the latter fetching only is. to is. 6d. per half-
sieve. Monarchs made 2s. 3d. to 3s., and
Pond's Seedling mostly 3s., while Damsons
brought in only is. 6d. These are low prices
it is true, and where heavy rail charges have
to be deducted the profit left after paving
these and the commission, and after deduct-
ing the cost of picking, packing, and carting
to the station, is extremely small. Still, con-
sidering the enormous bulk of the crop, the
returns are belter than mighl have been
expected.

Apples are making moderate prices, con-
sidering how poor the qualit) is as a rule ;
but the rates are low in relation to the defi-
ciency of the crop. IV bably this is a si
in which it will pay to hold back Apples that
will keep well, if any are capable of doing so.
This proviso is necessary on account
doubts as to the keeping qualities of the
fruit, which seems this year to rot mon
quickly than usual. Apples that will keen
are likely to make high prices, as no( onlj
is the home crop a very small one, but the
American crop is alsi> below tin- average.
The Report of the American Department of
Agriculture indicates the Apple crop as being
only about half that of last season.

In an article published in these columns on
July 27 reference was made to the tremendous
and persistent attack of the aphis as being
mainly responsible for the deficient size of
Apples generally and for the large proportion
of dwarfed and unsaleable fruit.

Among the numerous fungal attacks of
the season, Plum leaf rust (Puccinia pruni) is
strikingly noticeable now. The under sides
of nearly all the leaves of my varieties of
Plums and Damsons are covered with tiny
black or dark-brown spots, and many trees
have lost almost all their foliage. S, me
Damson trees were leafless before the fruit
was picked, and the fruit on them was very
small.

Cob Nuts are selling very badly this season.
Last year I made 3d. per pound of quite
green nuts, while the recent rates have been
only 3d. to 3^d. per pound. The crop was a
good one, except where it was exposed to the
cold winds which so seriously damaged the
Apple blossom. Evidently Cobs like a shel-
tered situation.

A recent operation has been that of cutting
the bindings of budded stocks of Apples,
Pears, and Plums. Contrary to the experi-
ence of last season, when the weather was
tco hot and dry during the budding period,
the success has proved highly satisfactory.
As the grafting done last March and April
was even more successful, the nursery plot is

one of the most satisfactory parts of the
farm.

In Mr. F. V. Theobald's valuable Report
"u Economic Zoology for 1906-7 (Headley
Brothers, Ashford; 2s. 6d.), recently received,
there is a good deal about the woolly aphis,'
or " American blight," as it is often called.
The author writes of the attack of this pest
upon the roots of Apple trees. No doubt,
this form of attack is very serious where it
occurs, but, although I have had, and still
have, an immense amount of trouble with the
pest in my nursery plot, extremely little root
attack has been found. In taking up trees
sufficient to stock nine acres in the last two
autumns, I did not find more than a score
instances of root attack. These, unless gi od
trees, were burnt; but good ones ha. I their
roots immersed in a strong solution of soft
soaf or paraffin emulsion, and this treatment
probably completely annihilated the pest,
which, fortunately, is not known to produce
eggs below -round. At any rate, in going
over about 2,500 young trees planted in the
autumns of 1905 and 1906, although woolly
aphis was found close to the ground in a few
instances, the scraping away of the earth
failed to disclose .tnv attack below the ground
level. Moreover, fewer than a score of the
ivere found attacked in any part, in
spite of the fact that the pest had been preva-
lent anion-- them before they were trans-
planted. This fact indicates that woolly
apiiis may be eradicated by persistent efforts
to destroy it, and nurserymen should be
ashamed of sending out infected tree- ,„•
storks. My farm was entirely free from the
pest until I imported it on some crab stocks
from a large nursery. It is necessarj to go
over the attacked trees or stocks at least once
a week, applying an insecticide to the several
colonies of the aphis with a small brush,
'iid twice a week is better. I have found
undiluted methylated spirit by far the best
insecticide for this purpose, because of its re-
markable penetrative capacity. On the othei
hand, soft soap solution with or without
quassi, or paraffin emulsion, will run oil a
woolly colony instead of into it miles.
well brushed in, but methylated spirii
saturates it in a moment, and kills
the aphis instantly. Dilution impairs the
penetrative quality of the spirit. It is
somewhat expensive to use, but one appli-
cation of it, in my opinion, is better than
two or three applications of any other insei li
cide that I have tried. If only it were cheap
enough to use as a spray for the leaf-
curling aphis on Apples and Plums, it would
probably be found effective where every other
insecticide fails, because of its great penetra-
tive capacity. But even if it would kill the
aphis when diluted with four times its
volume of water, it would still be far tco
expensive to use on a large scale.

The past season has been a splendid one
for promoting the growth of young Apple
trees, those planted nearly two years a 0
and those put in last autumn alike. Both
have done far better than the former did in
1906, when the summer was too drv.

Among the trees planted last autumn, one
row was left not cut back, while all the rest
were cut back shortly before the buds began
to burst, in the following March. Already
I am pretty well satisfied that this small trial
will be the last I shall need to make, as the

258

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 12, 1907.

trees not cut back appear to be forming fruit-
buds right up their long- and thinly-disposed
young branches, and I am not sure that I
shall find a wood bud on some of the branches
to which to prune. The trees that were cut
back, on the contrary, have branched out
well, and their buds are mainly wood buds,
as it is desirable that they should be until
the young trees are well furnished with
branches. Working Grower.

HIPPEASTRUMS IN AMERICA.

(Concluded from page li'l.)
HlPPEASTRUM vittatum can only be grown
here successfully by giving it a considerable
amount of attention. This is due, perhaps,
to its deciduous nature and its peculiar root
system. The sandy nature of the soil ap-
pears not to be to its taste, or the humidity
of the climate may be against it. All the H.
vittatum hybrids are poor growers here, and
cannot be recommended.

H. RUTILUM, VAR. EQUESTRIFORME, grOWS

as well here as H. equestre, provided it is
planted in very rich moist soil in a half-
shady place. In soil very rich in humus
it multiplies rapidly by stolons which ap-
pear all around the bulb.

II. RUTILUM, var. CROCATUM (which seems
to be identical with Amaryllis croceum
grandiflorum) is also a stoloniferous kind,
bearing light, saffron-coloured flowers. In
many gardens it is common, but it is not
very showy. It requires rich soil and a shady
place.

H. SOLANDRIFLORUM, VAR. CONSPICUUM.—
The well-known plant collector, Carlos
VVerckle (after whom Hildalgoa Wercklei was
named), sent me, some years ago, a number
of bulbs from Costa Rica where this kind is
a common garden plant. A German gar-
dener, the late Mr. Pfan, if I am not mis-
taken, had introduced this Amaryllis in largo
numbers into cultivation in Europe. From
these importations, which were received by
Haage and Schmidt of Erfurt, the beautiful
coloured plate in Regel's Garten flora (PI.
949) was drawn. I wrote Mr. VVerckle ai Ic-
ing him to keep his eyes on the Hippeas-
trums in Costa Rica. He reported that only
H. vittatum was cultivated in the gardens
of San Jose\ He sent me, however, a few-
bulbs, and I saw at once when unpacking
them that they were not those of H. vit-
tatum, as the tunics were entirely blackish,
whereas in H. vittatum they are of a very
light colour. A few weeks later the bulbs
were in bloom, and they proved to be iden-
tical with the variety figured in Gartenflora.
Later on he sent me more bulbs. The plant
grows exceedingly well here in Florida, is de-
ciduous, and flowers late in April when most
other Hippeastrums have finished, pushing
up its blunt, glaucous leaves after the
flowers are expanded. The flowering scape
attains to a height of from 36 to 40 inches,
and develops a magnificent umbel of from
six to eight very long-tubed flowers which
are white suffused with pink, and are heavily
lined with deep crimson, and are strongly
and deliriously fragrant. This Amaryllis
is one of my favourites, and I have
used it largely in cross-breeding. A cross
from this and Enchantress resulted in
a few rather short-tubed, widely-open flowers
— much more beautiful in every respect than
Enchantress. These were again crossed

with Madonna and Holloway Belle, and thus
I obtained a race of light-coloured, short-
tubed, broad-petalled and vigorous kinds,
with a very strong perfume. Some of these
flowers are 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
Crosses between this variety and Empress of
India, Southey, and other kinds with red
flowers, were inferior to their parents, and
experiments along this line were discon-
tinued.

The true species Hitpeastrum solandri-
florum, which I received from the late Dr.
A. Ernst, of Caracas, is inferior to the
variety, and, as it is a very tender plant and
difficult to manage, I never used it in cross-
breeding.

H. LEoroLDii. — This I have employed
several years in cross-breeding, but finally
lost it and was unable to obtain it again.
A new consignment of fresh bulbs from its
habitat in the Peruvian Andes would be wel-
comed by all lovers of these beautiful plants.
I have raised quite a number of hybrids from
this plant, and also from other show varie-
ties of Amaryllis on which I used its pollen.

H. pardinum seems to vary a good deal,
not only in colour, but also in constitution.
Some are very weak growers, while others
are quite vigorous. My success in using its
pollen in my experiments is scarcely worth
mentioning. A fresh supply from its home
in the Andes of Peru would be a boon to the
hybridizer. We scarcely know anything
from whence these two last-named gems
among Hippeastrums came, where they
grow, at what altitude, in shady or sunny
places, in rich or poor soil, and when they
flower.

HlPPEASTRUM AULICUM, VAR. PLATYPETALUM,

and the still finer H. AULICUM, var. robustum
(or Tettani) grow exceedingly well here in
the open air in leaf-mould and sand. They
are fair foliage plants and very ornamental,
even without flowers. The blossoms appear
here in November and December, frequently
at a time when our first frosts occur. At
such times leaves and flower stems are cut
down, but the leaves soon begin to grow-
again. Though the flowers are very showy,
they are not well formed — from a florist's
point of view — and I never had an oppor-
tunity to use them in hybridizing, for the
simple reason that at this time no other Hip-
peastrums are in flower.

The show Hippeastrums, particularly the
fine, sturdy strain of Messrs. James Veitch
&- Sons, grow- exceedingly well here in the
open. They flower profusely, and grow
luxuriantly year after year, but the grower
has to keep a watchful eve on his pets all
the time. During the middle of March the
first broods of lubber grasshoppers (Romalea
sp.) emerge from the ground in colo-
nies of from 100 to 200, and, if not
killed immediately, not a vestige of foliage,
flower scapes, or flowers would remain.
Later in the season the fully-grown grass-
hoppers will appear from the woodlands all
around, and one specimen will eat several
fuily-grown leaves of an Amaryllis in a won-
derfully short time. Fortunately, these
clumsy insects appear usually singly or in
pairs, and are easily killed. No bird, not
even the chickens, eat them. Later in the
season the Amaryllis caterpillar would de-
strpy all the foliage of the Hippeastrums,
Hymenocallis, and many Crinums, if not
picked off and destroyed. H. Nehrling,
Florida.

NOTES FROM GLASNEVIN.

Eucryphia pinnatifolia. — This beautiful
Chilian shrub is now in flower in these gardens,
and although the plant is not a large specin.e.i
it is bearing numerous flowers. A half-shaded
position and a soil containing much peat will
be found to suit the requirements of this rather
capricious subject.

Cestrum termixale (Parqui). — This is an-
another Chilian plant that is flowering freely
in these gardens. The plant is trained against
a wall, and has been in flower for several weeks
past. The inflorescences consist of panicles of
light yellow-coloured flowers.

Genista .ethnensis. — For several weeks
past a group of this lovely Sicilian species has
been much admired for its flowers. The habit
is exceptionally graceful, and the plant is ex-
tremely floriferous. The branches are slender
and somewhat pendulous, and the bushes attain
to a height of 10 feet or more. The colour of
the flower is a clear shade of yellow.

Clematis intermedia. — This species is one
of the most satisfactory for gardens of the
Clematis grown at Glasnevin. The habit of
growth is strong, and the branches produce an
abundance of light blue-coloured, medium-sized
flowers. Clematis intermedia forms a good sub-
ject for training on a pergola or trellis-work.

Clematis Hexdersonii is a similar habi:ed
plant to the foregoing, but the flowers are of a
darker colour. This species is also a desirable
garden plant, and does not die off similar ;:>
grafted plants of showy flowering kinds.

Phormium tenax purpureum. — A noble
clump of this fine variety of New Zealand fax
grows by the side of a stream which skirts the
lower part of the arboretum in these gardens.
At the present time it is throwing up numerous |
flower-spikes, many of which are already 10 to
12 feet in height. None of the flowers is
expanded. This I'hormium is suitable for
planting by the water-side in gardens, the
climate of which is sufficiently mild for it to
withstand the winter.

Xymph.eas. — Perhaps the finest feature in
Glasnevin at the present time is the collection
of hardy Nymphasas in flower. The majority
of the best sorts known to cultivation are grown
in a shallow serpentine pond, that has a setting
of green grass which slopes to the water's edge.
The varieties include N. Marliaeea albida, N.
M. camea, N. Gladstoniana, N. atropurpurea.
N. Ellisonii, N. Laydekeri purpurea, N. Robin-
soniana, N. chromatella, and the tiny N. pyg-
mrea helvolla. /. W. Besant, Glasnevin.

THE ADVANTAGES OF AUTUMN-
PLANTING.

In more than one respect there is an advan-
tage in autumn-planting over that done in the
spring. The work is sometimes delayed until
the latter period because the planter considers
that the summer growing season following im
mediately upon planting it must have a gooc
effect. This is not always so, however, witl
many subjects, and particularly with fruit tree;
and bushes. The spring often sees warm shower:
and sunshine alternate with frost. Too fre-
quently in April, and, indeed, in the beginning
of May, frosty nights and cold blasts are ex
perienced, and these prove detrimental to re
cently-planted trees, especially when the cole
is followed almost immediately with a spell o!
dry, hot weather. The soil at that season ji
below the surface is still cold after the winter
low temperature, causing the roots to remaii
inactive. A few warm, sunny days, however
will be sufficient to excite both wood and Hi
buds into growth from nourishment stored up ii|
the woods in the previous season. This rese:\
of food is very limited, and is quickly exhai
If bulbous plants are placed direct int.

October 12, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

259

heat and excessive moisture, the resultant leaf-
growth soon exhausts the sap in the bulb ; the
latter then withers, and no bloom is forthcom-
ing for the simple reason that root action was
not encouraged previous to forcing.

The same conditions rule in transplanting
trees and shrubs, and in every case one should
first consider how to preserve the roots
so that they receive very little or no check,
and, secondly, how they may become established
again in the new soil and situation in the least
possible time. If this is accomplished success-
fully, there need be little fear as to the top
growth doing well, since the foundation for the
production of this has already been achieved. It
is surprising how new roots will develop in a
month or more in the case of a tree or shrub
newly planted, say, early in November. When
the planting has been properly carried out, and
the roots embedded in fine friable soil, a mass of
new white fibrous roots will be found permeat-
ing the fresh compost, and this notwithstanding
top growth has been almost dormant since the
planting. This I have proved to be so from prac-
tical observation, and especially in connection
with fruit trees in pots. Some trees that were
turned out of their pots early in autumn for re-
potting were plunged in a light soil, to enable
the pots to be prepared for their reception again.
The work was interrupted, and the plants re-
mained plunged for a longer period than was
intended, and on moving them a mass of new
roots was seen. This proves that the roots of
fruit trees will remain active, providing the con-
ditions are favourable, after the foliage has
fallen. A point of importance to observe in
planting trees is to afford the roots a fine com-
pest, not necessarily of a rich description, but
rather of a light, gritty and porous nature. Too
frequently rough, lumpy soil is placed around
the roots of newly-planted trees, and the cavities
formed in the soil favours the admission of
frost and drying winds, which injure the young
rcot-fibres. A few spadefuls of a finely-divided
compost should always be placed amongst the
roots of newly-planted trees and shrubs. After
the planting is finished, water should be afforded
if the soil is dry : a top-dressing of half-decayed
leaves is preferable to the use of rank manure.
Richard Pari, r.

EUCRYPHIA CORDIFOLIA
CAVANILLES.

The subject of our illustration at fig. 109
was received from Mr. W. E. Gumbleton, of
Queenstoun, Ireland. It forms a fine shrub with
dark persistent foliage, and bears beautiful white
blossoms. It is a native of Chili, and seems to have
been first flowered in this country by Messrs.
las. Veitch & Sons, at Coombe Wood, in 1897.
A figure appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle for
October 9, 18'.17, which was drawn from a specimen
supplied by Messrs. Veitch, and we understand
that the plant which forms the subject of the
present notice was also obtained from the Coombe
Wood Nurseries. Its special interest lies in the
way in which the leaves have come to differ from
tbe typical form, as originally figured in our
columns. Comparison with specimens at Kew
and the Natural History Museum leaves, however,
no doubt as to the identily of the plant with e!
cordifolia, for although the leaves are commonly
much blunter and more rounded at the apex,
berbarium specimens show that the plant varies
somewhat in this respect, and in Cavanilles'
[cones, plate 37'2, the pointed leaves, so char-
acteristic of the Irish plant, are clearly shown to
«cur along with others more oval in outline.
Tlie shrub is quite hardy in Mr. Gumbleton's gar-
Jen, where it is growing near, but not trained on,
1 wall, and reaches a height of 10 feet.

HARDY PLANT BORDER.

PENTSTEMONS.
The value of Pentstemons for summer and
early autumn decoration in the garden has been
especially seen this season. The range of colour-
ing in the different varieties enables the planting
of beds with almost any colour, or they may
be blended to produce a good effect. A variety
especially suitable for massing in beds or in bor-
ders is George Home, with its stately spikes of
brilliant crimson-coloured flowers, which are
white in the throat, and its deep green foliage.

lights are removed and the plants are fully
exposed. In the autumn the growths are cut
down to within a few inches of the soil, a mulch
is applied for protection, and in the following
spring several shoots push from the base of
each plant. Grown in this manner they give a
free crop of flowers.

Pentstemons are easy of propagation. Cut-
tings inserted in September or early in October
in sandy soil in a cold frame that is kept close
loot readily, and the plants are ready for plant-
ing out the following April. Some cultivators
of Pentstemons prefer raising their plants from

Fig. 109. — eucrvphia cordifolia: flowers white.

If a pale pink variety is required, Lady Curzon,
with pale pink edging on a white ground, may
be selected. Rachael is still the nearest approach
to a white variety in this flower.

One almost wishes Pentstemons were quite
hardy, for if they could be retained in the bor-
der over the winter, they would produce a
wealth of flowers early in the season. When
growing new varieties on trial, I usually retain
the most promising plants, and flower them in
their second year. They are first planted out
in a cold frame, but later in the season the

seeds each year out of considerations for space,
but those propagated from cuttings of well-
known and approved sorts are the most satis-
factory.

The varieties of Pentstemons are very numer.
ous, and amongst the best of the newer kinds
with their colours are: — Hilda Stevenson, a
variety having tall, strong flower-spikes, a deep
shade of rose-pink in colour, but with a pure
white throat. Mrs. D. McOmish, in colour
bright scarlet, with crimson-chocolate striped
throat, a very showy and strong growing

260

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 1:2, 1907.

variety. Lady Morrison Bell, flowers of a bright
crimson colour, with a cinnamon margined
throat, and developed on tall spike. Jesse
Forbes, white, with an edging of pale rose and
a pure white throat. Charles Lunn, rosy crim-
son, throat heavily margined with chocolate.
Mrs. Alexander Brown, rich crimson, white
throat. Sir Dighton Probyn, intensely dark
crimson, with puce-coloured stripes in the
throat. Colonel Hope, white, margined with
rosy-scarlet, a very choice variety. Alexander
Brown, claret-coloured tube and white throat.
Thomas W. Cuthbertson, rosy pink (the large
open throat is margined with chocolate). Wil-
liam Bull, rosy scarlet, with chocolate throat.
Mrs. Robertson, deep rose, fading to pale pink
on the margin, bells closely set on a compact
spike. John Michie, deep crimson, with a
richly-striped crimson throat. Thomas Hay, the
flowers are fully 2 inches in diameter, rosy scar-
let in colour, with a deep crimson mottled thror.t.
Mrs. Ovens, violet-purple, with a crimson-choco-
late throat. Lady Clementine Waring, the"bells"
of this variety measure 2 inches in length ; they
are of a deep rosy crimson colour, the throat
is flushed with magenta. Mrs. Lucking, this
variety has extra large flowers that are deep
rose in colour, and with a clear white throat.
John Lamont, the long, narrow tube is a clear
shade of crimson, with an expanded white
throat. This is an improvement upon the variety
George Home or Lord Lister. John Forbes,
violet-purple, chocolate throat. Marconi," white
in the throat, the "bells" spotted with crim-
son, and margined with rose. Lord Rothschild,
rose-pink, the throat veined with crimson. Mrs.
Joseph Chamberlain, rose-pink, with a pure
white threat. Mrs. Wigan, cream, with a pink
margin. All these varieties have been raised by
Mr. John Forbes, Hawick.

Another person who has devoted much time
to the improvement of these flowers is Mr. E.
Beckett, Aldenham House Gardens, and his
newer kinds are: Lord Kitchener, with flo\v€ -
2J inches in diameter, coloured rosy magenta,
with a clear white throat. Wm. Fyfe,
crimson-maroon, flushed with rose on the edge,
and with a pure white throat ; this variety pro-
duces the largest flower-spike of all, the " bells "
are 2^- inches in diameter. Fascination, this
variety grows fully 4 feet high ; it is purple-
■crimson in colour, with a few stripes and
"blotches of crimson in its white throat. Earl of
Minito, dark crimson on outer surface, and
with a crimson-striped," chocolate-ooloured
throat. Gertrude Saunders, soft rose, with a
pure white throat ; an effective variety for plant-
ing in a mass. Nulli Secundus, flowers a rich
shade of scarlet ; the habit of growth is free.
Maxima, a variety having extra large, bright
scarlet flowers; the plant is of strong growth.
Red Splendour, bright red, with scarlet-striped
throat ; a vigorous growing variety. Aldenham
Pride, large, rosy pink flowers, and throat
blotched and striped with crimson. Rosalba,
the outeT surface of the flower is coloured rose,
the inside, pale creamy white ; the habit is com-
pact, the growth free. Burston Beauty, dark
red, with a deeply-striped throat. Painted
Lady, flowers bright scarlet, with a heavily-
striped throat ; a variety of robust growth.
Virgin Queen, creamy white, height, 4 feet.
Henry Irving, rich red exterior, and throat
heavily marked with chocolate ; a vigorous
growing variety. Cinderella, this variety is ex-
ceptionally free in flowering, the flowers are
rosy violet in colour with a white throat. E
Molyncux.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

expected, it closely resembles the lighter form
of C. Chapmanii (bellatulum X Curtisii), the
variety magnificum of which is illustrated in the
Gardeners' Chronicle, June 5, 1897, p. 365. The
flower sent, however, has narrower petals and
with a whiter ground colour. The dorsal sepal
is pale green, with a white margin and radiating
purple lines from the base. The petals are
white, with a greenish tinge at the base, the
whole being spotted with dark purple ; the
staminode and face of the lip is dull, purplish-
rose colour.

CIRRHOPETALUM APPENDICULATUM
VARIETY FASCINATOR.
A very attractive form of the type is now
flowering in the collection of Jeremiah Colman,
Esq., Gatton Park (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound). Com-
pared with the original form for which Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart., was awarded a Botani-
cal Certificate at the Royal Horticultural
Society's meeting on November 26, 1898, and
which was illustrated in the Gardeners' Chronicle,
December 10, 1898, p. 415, the variety Fascinator
differs chiefly in the purple colour of the basal
half of the lower sepals, which in Sir Trevor
Lawrence's plant was spotted with purple on a
cream-white ground. It bears solitary flowers
about 8 inches in length, the lower sepals repre-
senting the greater part. The concave upper
sepal is whitish, marked with purple, and bears
at the apex a purple plume on a filiform base.
The petals, which are similarly decorated with
purple plumes, are white with purple lines, both
sepals and petals having the outer halves
fringed. The lip is purplish-crimson, and the
closely-approached lower sepals whitish, the
basal half purple on the face, and spotted with
purple on the thin, tendril-like outer halves. The
species is figured in King and Pantlin's Orchids
of the Sikkim Himalaya =s Cirrhopetalum
ornatissimum, but that species, which was illus-
trated in the Gardeners' Chronicle, November 4,
1898, has an umbel of flowers, and is very dis-
tinct from C. appendiculatum.

CYPRIPEDIUM BELLATULUM HYBRID.
A flower of a hybrid Cypripedium, said to
have been obtained by crossing C. bellatulum
and C. Beechense (Curtisii x superbiens) is sent
us by Mr. W. Thorpe, gardener to J. W. Col-
lett, Esq., Hillfield, Gloucester. As might be

HERBACEOUS SPIRAEAS.

( Concluded from page 244.)

S. decumbens (S. procumbens). — This is an
Alpine species, and one that forms a thick carpet
of lobed leafage from underground stolons.
The flowers are pure white, 6 inches in height,
and appear like minute blossoms of S. filipen-
dula. S. decumbens delights to ramble among
broken rocks in the freest possible manner in
a rocky recess, or to form a low patch at the
foot of a boulder. The root system is shallow,
hence droughts affect the plant in poor soils.

S. digitata. — There is a small Spiraea
in cultivation which came to us, probably from
Siberia by way of Japan, and has borne the
name S. lobata for several years. The true S.
lobata is the S. venusta of gardens, and there is
no connection between the two plants. Lately it
has been referred to as S. digitata, a plant known
to me from published descriptions only, and
the misnamed S. lobata is now regarded as a
dwarf-habited form of S. digitata. It forms a
close tuft of palmately-lobed leaves 6 inches
high, and produces pretty red flattened cymes
of rather large flowers on ruddy stems scarcely
a foot high. Its rich green leafage and showy
flowers are very attractive, and as the plant
grows exceedingly well and flowers freely, it
should become popular. It is rather rare, and
its propagation is somewhat slow.

S. filipendula (Dropwort). — The double-
flowered form of this British species is exten-
sively grown in gardens. The leafage is ele-
gantly pinnate, and the flowers in the type are
creamy white, and developed in loose cymes.
The size and colouring of the flowers vary in
the wild forms, and I have collected two plants
with very large flowers on the Mendip Hills.
One of these was pure white, the other creamy
tinted. I have the plants now, but have not

succeeded in inducing them to flower under
cultivation. The double variety is a useful
and attractive border plant, at its best during
July, but when well cultivated one or two
flower-heads are almost always present.

S. Hacquetii is a rare Tyrolean species of
trailing habit, and is best described as a car-
peting plant for the rock-garden. It forms a
thin mat of hairy leafage that is studded at mid-
summer with tiny white flowers developed on
dainty flattened panicles.

S. lobata (venusta). — This species is the
pink-flowered Spiraea that is so widely know-n as
S. venusta. It is a beautiful species, with
elegant leafage, the side lobes of which resemble
an Elm leaf in shape, the terminal lobe that
of the Sycamore. The leaf cluster exceeds 2 feet
in length, the flowering stems 5 feet, and both
leaf stalks are ruddy tinted. The flowers are
produced in flattened cymes, the central cluster
terminating the growth, whilst two lateral clus-
ters rear themselves 6-12 inches above the
central one, and there one or two smaller lateral
clusters are developed from the uppermost
leaves. This plant has somewhat the habit of
our native Meadow-sweet, but the inflorescence
is altogether finer and coloured a rich rose-
carmine, "shot" with pink. The late Uev.
Wolley Dod reared several seedling forms of
this plant, and these are now becoming general
in cultivation. Seedling variations embrace
flowers of all shades of rose and carmine.. The
species is a native of North America. Few
plants can surpass S. lobata in elegance of out-
line and beauty of flowers. The plant succeeds
in any good soil.

S. palmata. — This Japanese plant is now
common in gardens. The flowers are coloured
a bright .crimson and are arranged in flattened
heads, which surmount the palmately-lobed and
elegant foliage. The plant forms a grand sub-
ject for planting by the waterside, and it will
thrive with its roots perpetually submerged. A
well-tilled border is also a suitable place for its
planting. There is a pretty white-flowered
variety known as alba, having pale green foliage,
and the contrast with the type plant is very
pronounced. Other varieties exist, including
S. p. elegans, a strong-growing form, and often
exceeding 3 feet in height. The plume-like in-
florescence is pale rose in colour. This variety
should be planted in every garden. There is a
form known as purpurea, with ruddy leaf colour-
ing, and another named maxima. This last-
named is undoubtedly of hybrid origin, and
either S. lobata or S. Ulmaria, with S. palmata,
are the parents. Its leaf system resembles that
of typical S. Ulmaria, with the exception of the
glaucous reverse. The inflorescence is that of
a glorified S. Ulmaria, but of pale rosy colour-
ing. As a border plant it is a grand subject,
and quickly forms a huge clump with 10 to 20
flower-heads.

S. pectinata. — This procumbent-habited
species is a native of the Rocky Mountains. Tin
acutely-lobed leaves and interlacing stems form
a mat-like growth that is sparsely covered with
pretty heads of white flowers that are reared just
above the foliage. S. pectinata is not a common
plant in gardens.

S. Ulmaria (the Meadow Sweet). — A British
species found in marshy sites everywhere. The
double-flowered form is a splendid garden
plant : a few clumps planted three years ago
have now huge sheaves of snow-white flowers,
and they are superlatively beautiful. The
double-flowered form has not the after
habit of the wilding, but is vigorous — even
robust — in comparison. Although quite com-
mon in some districts, it is not planted half St
extensively as its merits deserve. It thrives well
in any good soil, and is a most accommodating
plant. There are two forms of the type wit')
variegated leaves. One form has golden
tion, the other is heavily variegated with j
throughout. This latter is the common varie-
gated form of gardens. G. B. Mallett.

October 12, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

261

BUSHEY HOUSE, BUSHEY,
HERTS.

(See Supplementary Illustration and Fig. 110.)

BUSHEY House, the subject of the supplemen-
tary illustration, occupies an elevated position
on the main road from London to Bushey, and
is the residence of E. H. Cuthbertson, Esq. The
mansion, which is built of white stone, is ap-
proached by a fine drive. The lawns and

them at the time of my visit were quite up to the
best exhibition standard. They are planted 250 in
a group of one colour, and the flowers are
used for decoration in the residence. Other
large beds in the front of the mansion are
planted with Roses, which, succeed everywhere
at Bushey House Gardens. Near the house,
on a broad terrace, are a number of flower-beds
with statues and large vases. The anangement
is after the Italian style, and they appealed very

was growing a collection of half-hardy plants,
including Grevillea rosmarinifolia, Carpea-
taria californica, Myrtles, Camellias, choice
varieties of Ceanothus, Caesalpinia japonica,
Buddleia variabilis Veitchiana, and many others.
These were in a good condition of growth, and
made a pleasing covering for the wall. Around
a stretch of ornamental water at the bottom of
the lawn, near the terraces, were some fine speci-
mens of Acer Negun'do variegata ; the pond

Fig. iio. — scene in the gardens at bushey house, Hertfordshire.
(See also Supplementary Illustration.)

grounds have been much enlarged and made
more beautiful since this gentleman has been in
residence, during the last seven years. The
grounds are entered through ornamental iron
gates, and near by are some beds and
arches of Roses, planted in well-trenched
ground that originally formed part of
the park. These Rose trees are flourishing
splendidly, and many of the blooms seen on

bright with their summer occupants. The con-
servatory was furnished with groups ot decora-
tive plants, including hanging baskets of Ferns
and other suitable plants.

The terrace was adorned with two very fine
specimens of the Pomegranate. From this spot
a beautiful view is obtained of the lawns in the
foreground and Of the distant hills behind.
At the foot of a lower wall of the terrace

itself was planted with choice varieties of
Water Lilies.

Rambling Roses and cone-trained specimens
of Pelargoniums, some 400 plants in a bed,
appeared very effective near this water.

By the side of a path near this part of the
grounds are some cleverly executed miniature
rock-gardens. Small rustic bridges span
other ornamental water hereabouts, and the

26:

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[October 12, 1907.

water sides are planted with choice aquatic and
bog-loving plants. At a distance from the
water, banks and borders are planted with a col-
lection of choice shrubs, both deciduous and
evergreen species. I noticed a fine plant of
Davidia involucrata, and another of Clematis
montana rubens. There were also seen Astilbe
Davidii flourishing grandly by the side of the
water ; Loropetalum chinense, Abelia flori-
bunda, Cyrilla racemiflora, Enkianthus campa-
nulatus, Cytisus sessiliflorus, Olearias in
variety, Rhododendrons, Cistus ladaniferus, An-
dromedas in variety, Spiraeas, &c. The rockeries
contain a choice collection of rock-garden
plants, all of which grow freely, including many-
half-hardy species.

In a corner near by was massed a representa-
tive collection of succulent plants, some of
which were handsome specimens.

In the glasshouses were seen good crops of
Grapes, Peaches, Melons, and Figs, also plants
for furnishing the conservatory. One green-
house was entirely filled with plants of Calanthe
and another with Codiaeums (Crotons). A batch
of Clerodendron fallax was contained in another
house ; this plant is much prized at Bushey
House for its beautiful flowers.

In the kitchen and fruit gardens were noticed
many plants of Chrysanthemums. The gardens
are maintained in a high state of efficiency, re-
flecting credit on the gardener, Mr. C. G. Blake,
and denoting the interest taken in horticulture
by Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbertson. W. A. Cook,
I.eonardslee Gardens, Horsham.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

PRUNUS JAPONICA AS A FRUITING
SHRUB.

Until recent years Prunus japonica, or P.
sinensis, as it is sometimes known, was repre-
sented in English gardens by its white and rose-
coloured double-flowered varieties only. Messrs.
James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, however, have
introduced plants of the type from China,
through the medium of their collector,. Mr. E. H.
Wilson, and these have proved to be very orna-
mental, fruiting shrubs. The double-flowered
■varieties of Prunus japonica form bushes from
2 to 5 feet in height, and about the same
measurement in diameter, every young branch
becoming thickly covered with the double blos-
soms, each three-quarters of an inch across.
The type plant, having single flowers, as pre-
viously stated, is not well known in British
gardens, and it is doubtful whether many plants
have been distributed, for it cannot be regarded
as a good ornamental flowering shrub.
The flowers are borne profusely, but they are
small in size and inconspicuous. Their colour
varies from white to rose. As an ornamental
fruiting bush, however, the type is seen to advan-
tage. At the time of writing (mid-September)
bushes at Kew are laden with the bright red,
almost scarlet-coloured fruits, each a third of an
inch in diameter, and with a stalk half an inch
long. The fruits are round, with a furrow along
one side, and have a short, sharp point at their
apex. Although these fruits are usually pro-
duced singly, some are produced in pairs. The
flesh is very sour, and resembles in eating that
of the European species, P. acida. Should the
plants prove to be fruitful in most seasons,
they will be valuable for the effect they afford in
autumn. The species may be of value to the
fruit-grower for hybridising purposes. IV. D.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Sophro-i 'attleyas, &*c. — Where a collection of
all the Sophro-Cattleya and Sophro-Laelia hy-
brids is grown they should form a very prominent
I ature- in the Orchid houses. Many of these
hybrids may now be obtained at quite moderate
prices, owing to their free habit of growth
rendering propagation easy. Anyone having a
moderately warm intermediate house may be
i i '-1 to include most or all of the following
sorts in their collection. Sophro-Cattleya

exirnea, S.-C. Calypso, S.-C. Doris, S.-C. Cleo-
patra,'S.-C. .\yuia, S.-C. Chamberlainiana,
S.-C. Saxa, S.-C. Leemanii, S.-C. Queen Em-
press, S.-C. George Hardy, and S.-C. Bate-
manmana. The Sophro-Laelias consists of S.-L.
Heatonensis, S.-L. Psyche, S.-L. Gratrixae,
S.-L. Marriottiana, S.-L. Laeta and its variety
Orpetiana, also S.-L. Veitchii and its variety
Eros. All of these are charming and useful
plants, capable of producing brightly-coloured
flowers which are especially suitable for wearing
in the button-hole. The beautiful rich colours
appear to good advantage when seen by arti-
ficial light. During the past summer these
plants have been cultivated in a structure the
atmosphere of which is just a trifle warmer than
that of the Odontoglossum house, but now that
the nights are becoming colder, they should be
placed in the warmest and most sheltered part
of the intermediate house or in the Cattleya
house. Sophro-Cattleya Chamberlainiana, So-
phro-Laslia Veitchii, S.-L. V. Eros, S.-L.
Marriottiana, and others are now producing new
growths, and when in this condition may safely
be re-potted if this is considered to be necessary.
The plants at Burford are grown in ordinary
flower-pots with copper-wire suspenders attached,
so that they may be suspended near to the roof
glass. The pots should be quite half filled with
drainage material, well-dried bracken rhizomes
being preferable to crocks, as they are lighter in
weight. The plants make roots freely when
potted in the same kind of compost as was
advised in my Calendar last week for the
Cattleyas, &c. Whilst growth is being made,
and the plants are rooting freely, a sufficient
quantity of water should be applied to make
the compost just moist, but no plant should be
watered until the potting material has become
quite dry. Later, when the resting period is
ci mmenced, very little water will be needed to
keep the pseudo-bulbs in a fresh and plump
condition.

Epi phronitis Veitchii. — Another hybrid closely
allied to those already enumerated is the well-
known Epiphronitis Veitchii. This plant is one
of the easiest of Orchids to cultivate when its
requirements are properly understood. During
the month of May I placed several small plants
together in a shallow, 6-inch, teak-wood basket,
using as a compost well-drained fibrous peat
and sphagnum-moss, mixed together in equal
proportions. This compost was packed rather
firmly around the base of the plants so
as to keep them fixed in their places. The
made-up specimen was suspended from the roof
of the Cattleya house in the lightest position
available, and several times each day during the
summer it was sprayed overhead and around
the sides of the basket, the spraying being quite
sufficient to keep the compost and roots moist
without affording any other water. The plant
has greatly improved and growth is free and
robust.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk. Gardener to I. Thomson PATON,Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

The vinery. — Remove as soon as detected
any decayed berries in the bunches, which
should be examined for this purpose once or
twice each week. Test the borders for moisture,
and if they are found to be dry give water suffi-
cient only to keep the roots active until the
leaves drop. Care must be taken not to saturate
vine borders when the berries are ripe, or the
latter will decay rapidly. Admit an abundance
of air daily, and leave the top and the bottom
ventilators open slightly at night-time, but in
damp or foggy weather the bottom ventilator is
best closed. To expel superfluous moisture in
the house maintain a little heat in the hot-water
pipes. Vines that are cleared of their bunches
should be well syringed each morning, especially
if red spider is present. This will assist in
keeping the foliage healthy, which is essential
to the proper maturation and ripening of the
sin »its and buds. Examine the inside borders
and renew any that are exhausted. Those that
were re-made two or three years ago will be
filled with roots, and a 2-feet layer of new com-
post should be added to them. Good fibrous
loam, with a 6-inch potful of coarse-grade vine
manure to each barrow load of the chopped
turf, will form a suitable compost for the
replenishing of vine borders, and it will be better

if some lime rubbish and wood ashes are mixed
with it, being guided in the amount of lime by
the nature of the loam.

The Orchard house. — Pot-trees should, directly
the fruit has been gathered, be plunged in wood
ashes in a sheltered position out-of-doors. Trees
that have fruited badly should be turned
out of their pots and their roots examined. Ii
necessary afford them larger pots, or they may-
be planted in a border that is sheltered from
strong winds, and be lifted and potted again in
the spring. The compost for orchard-house
trees should consist of well-chopped, turfy
loam. To every barrow load of the turf add
a 6-inch potful of coarse-grade vine and
manure. Be careful not to provide too large pots.
Reduce the "ball " by picking out all loose soil
from among the roots. Trees that are not well
rooted should be placed again into pots of the
same size as they formerly occupied. Pot firmly
and leave a space of about 2 inches at the top
of the pot, so that a slight top-dressing can be
applied in the spring. After potting, plunge the
pots in coal ashes to their rims and afford them
a copious watering. If birds are troublesome, it
is advisable to net the trees to protect the fruit
buds.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

i 'aitages. — The.-e have started nicely into
growth, and in the event of any gaps occurring,
through attacks of grub, or from club-root or
ether causes, such gaps should be made good
without delay. In removing a plant attacke 1 by
grub, make a search for the pests below the
ground, following the stem of the plant. Loosen
the surface soil by means of the Dutch hoe at
frequent intervals both at this season and early
in spring. Rough weather may be expected
soon, therefore the drills should be filled in as
the work of hoeing proceeds, for this will help
to make the plants firm, which is a great con-
sideration during the next month or two. If the
old plants in last season's bed have been kept
for supplying Sprouts, they will now be giving
good returns. The plants should be thor-'
(Highly cleared from all their outer and decay,
ing leaves, if it is intended to keep them through
the winter, in order that they may yield a
further supply of Sprouts during late winter
and early in spring, when other green vegetables
are so often scarce.

Polalos. — The work of lifting the tubers should
be pressed forward with all the speed possible,
there being nothing to be gained by leaving
them longer in the ground, and as wet weather
may now be expected, the effects would be
injurious.

Salads will require close attention frcm the
piesent time throughout the winter. Salads
should be grown extensively to allow for loss
from damping. The varieties should be as
numerous as possible, the object being to supply
the house with as many changes as can be
arranged. Continue to blanch Endive as it
attains to its full growth, and in sufficient quan.
tities to meet the requirements. A few roots of
Chicory should be lifted, and after wrenching
off the foliage put the roots into boxes contain-
ing damp leaf-soil. Place the boxes in the
Mushroom house or other dark structure, where
the Chicory plants will soon start into growth,
but on no account subject them to an excessive
degree of heat, as this would cause a weakly
growth lacking in flavour. Lift and box-up a
few roots of Chives, covering them from 2 to
3 inches deep with fine leaf-mould, and stand
them in a mild, moist atmosphere. Moderate
sowings of Mustard and Cress should be made
frequently.

Rhubarb for forcing. — A few roots should
now be lifted and placed in a cold, damp pi si-
tion, fully exposed to the weather, so that they
may receive as decided a check as possible,
previous to being introduced into heat after ten
days or a fortnight. A further batch should be
cut well round with a spade; this will stop ro it-
action, and will prepare them for removal later,
when they will be required to succeed tin1
earlier plants. If the roots are subjected to this
treatment they will often be found to give
satisfactory results, whilst others that are lifted
from the open ground and placed directly into a
forcing temperature mat fail.

October 12, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

»G3

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

The propagating house. — As the autumn ad-
vances, many plants which have been grown
principally for use in summer decoration, be-
come of rough appearance and, if retained,
would require much valuable space under glass.
It is, therefore, a good practice to propagate
some young plants for stock purposes and destroy
the old specimens. Choice varieties of Coleus
are still grown and admired in many places,
but being of little use in large pots during
winter, cuttings should now be inserted in pots
of light sandy soil. Pots measuring 3 inches or
4 inches in diameter are large enough for this
purpose. When the cuttings are rooted and
fairly established, they should be placed on a
shelf close to the glass in a warm house. In this
situation, in small pots, they often develop a
very beautiful colour, and may be used occa-
sionally for imparting brightness in a decorative
scheme, but they will not keep in good health
if kept for a long period out of the warm atmos-
phere. Where Fuchsias are grown into large
specimen plants, a start must be made early in
autumn, but if this has not already been done,
cuttings of selected varieties should be inserted
without delay. When the cuttings have rooted
well, they should be potted up singly into small
pots, using a light sandy soil, such as one com-
posed of leaf-soil two parts and turfy loam one
part, with a moderate addition of sand. In
propagating Fuchsias so late in the season and
with this object in view (contrary to the method
practised with established plants that have
flowered and are now being partially dried off
previous to being stored away), these young
plants must be kept gently growing all winter
in a genial atmosphere, but not in one that is
kept moist and but little ventilated, or the cut-
tings will make weakly growth. If placed on a
shelf close to the glass, in a house where the at-
mospheric temperature ranges from 55° to C0°,
according to the character of the weather
outside, the conditions will be suitable. Early
in spring it will be found that these plants have
made good growth, and should be re-potted as
often as they require more rooting-space. They
will quickly grow into fine plants, and must not
be checked either by allowing them to remain
in a pot-bound condition or by neglect in the
matter of watering.

General work. — Continue to push on with the
housing of tender plants. ( lirvsanthemums
with forward buds should be removed under
glass, but varieties grown for flowering late in
winter should be kept out-of-doors as long as it
is safe to keep them there. These late plants
being very valuable, should be given much care,
and if it is thought inadvisable to leave them
in an exposed position in the open, a corner
behind a wall may be available for the purpose.
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Cytisus,
Acacias, and many plants usually cultivated out-
of-doors during the summer, must now be
removed indoors, the fruit houses, of necessity,
often being required for housing plants at this
season. Advantage should be taken of a fine
day to take down all the blinds that will not be
required again this season, numbering them and
storing them in a dry loft ready for use next
spring. Where permanent shading has been
employed, this should now be washed off
thoroughly in order that the plants may be
exposed to the full light.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Baktlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford/ Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Dahlias. — Before the effects of frost make it
difficult to distinguish the different varieties
from each other, they should be marked by tying
small labels to the main stem just above the
surface of the ground. It may not be necessary
to lift them for a week or more yet, but when
doing so choose a dry day, and stack the tubers
upside down to allow them to dry for about
ten days before storing them for the winter.

Carinas should also be examined, marking the
best varieties for propagation from early in the
spring in order that the poorer ones may be
gradually discarded. Directly the leaves have
been blackened by frost the foliage should be
trimmed off to within 5 or 6 inches of the ground,

and the roots lifted and stored for the winter. It
is not always necessary to partly dry them as is
done with Dahlias, but if "they are very wet it
will be wise to allow some of the superfluous
moisture to escape before storing them.

The flower beds. — Even though frosts have not
yet made it necessary to remove the summer
bedding, those beds which have ceased to be
attractive should be cleared and planted with
the spring-bedding subjects. Both the tuberous
and the fibrous-rooted Begonias are still flower,
ing freely, therefore these beds should be left
untouched for the present.- The amount and
nature of the dressing required will depend on
the condition of the soil and the class of plants
to be grown in the various beds. As very little
artificial watering was required during the past
summer, many of the beds will not require so
much manure as usual, but all of them should
be deeply dug to ensure good drainage. Wall-
flowers require rich soil, therefore the beds
allotted to them should be manured liberally.
If the soil is of a heavy nature it will be wise
to modify it for such plants as Tulips by adding
old soil from beneath the potting-shed table,
mixing this with the top spit. If the beds are
surrounded by grass, let the edges be clipped
before commencing this work, and do not neglect
to use plenty of planks and boards 'for wheeling
and treading upon, that the grass may be pre-
served. The planting of the main stock of
Dutch bree ler Tulips may well be left until the
end of the month. If this is done their shoots
may not appear above ground before the spring,
when there will no longer be danger of injury
by hard frosts. Some desirable varieties, such
as Bleu Celeste, Penelope, The Shah,
make splendid beds alone, but are difficult
colours to harmonise with others. Win re it i~
desired to carpet these beds with other plants,
the utilising of such plants as Veronica genti-
anoides vat. pallida, and Saxifraga Wallacei
mav be recommended. The Veronica makes a
good display late in the spring. Parisian Yellow
is a beautiful Tulip, but its leaves are narrow
and the surf. ires of the beds filled with it appear
comparatively bare, making a car|>et advisable.
Here Anemone chrysantheiniflora or A. ful
is very useful. Phlox amoena, which bears lilac-
coloured flowers about 6 inches high, and Phlox
Newry Seedling, with rather paler flowers, also
make good carpeting plants for Tulip beds.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
t .i-t Devon.

Apples.- With the exception of a few very late
vanities the majority of these fruits should now be
gathered. Apples generally are below the average
in size this season, and they are not plentiful.
Extra care should therefore be taken in gathering
and storing them. It is advisable to make a note
of those varieties that crop regularly in a particular
garden, as this should be a guide when planting
fresh trees.

Figs. — Unless the weather is dry and bright
during the period of ripening of these fruits the
flavour is deficient, and if much rain is experienced
many of the choicer fruits crack and decay. Any
trees that have made an excessive number of new
shoots should have their growths thinned. If
growth has been too rampant the roots should
be pruned before the leaves fall. A trench should
be made to the drainage material i feet from the
base of the stem, and the soil removed carefully
with a fork to expose the roots. All strong-growing,
fibreless roots should be severed. In returning the
soil to the trench it should receive the addition of
some fresh lime or old mortar rubble and be made
firm with a rammer, a necessary procedure to obtain
short-jointed wood.

General remarks. — The recent rains have been
welcome in many parts of the country where water
is scarce. Remove wood that has borne fruits on
late varieties of the Peach in order to assist the
proper ripening of the current season's shoots.
The foliage of the Peach and Nectarine has been
remarkably free from red spider this summer, and
with much less syringing than is usual ; do not
apply any water to the leaves after this date.
Nets that have been used for protecting fruits from
birds should be thoroughly dried previous to
storing them. Sort those that need repairing ;
new ones recently purchased should be sent to the
maker to be re-tanned.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

New laws for Park-government. — The Pub-
lic Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907, which
comes into force on January 1 next, marks
a very important development in park ad-
ministration. The new Act, while safeguarding
the freedom of the people, confers additional
powers upon the local authority, whereby it be-
comes possible, by restricting the use of the
parks, to make them of greater service and value
to the public. In its provisions for the better
government of public pleasure grounds, the new-
Act sanctions little that is not already carried
out in many parks in this country, al-
though the local authorities were not cm-
powered by law to do so. The impor-
tance of the new Act lies, therefore, in the fact
that many park undertakings which at present
are carried on illegally will, under the new legis-
lation, be perfectly in order. Hence, in this, as
in many other Acts of Parliament, the law is
merely being brought into line with present-day
views, and does not inaugurate any very radical
change.

Hire of tennis courts, iS~Y. — For a number of
years much revenue has been derived in parks
from bowling greens, tennis courts, quoit
grounds and the hiring of chairs. Money de-
rived from such sources — excepting where
authorised by a special local Act — is really ob-
tained in an illegal manner. Any person would
be quite justified in refusing payment even while
taking full advantage of the conveniences pro-
vided. The new Act, where adopted, will
legalise all such charges, and persons refu
to pay for the use of any park apparatus, &i ,
for which a recognised charge is made, «
become amenable to the law.

Games. — Under the amended Act, ground may
be set aside specially for cricket, football or
other sports ; hence, it becomes possible for
park authorities to define the seasons when cer-
tain games shall begin and others end. In it
existing conditions this is a matter which is
sometimes surrounded with many difficulties
that cause considerable trouble.

Skating. — Powers are granted to the local
authority to close parks during frosty weather
for the protection of ice when forming. Al-
though a very drastic step to take, it must be
admitted that this is the only effective method
of guarding ice from damage until it reaches the
bearing stage. It is almost impossible to pre-
vent the public, when permitted near a sheet of
ice, from throwing sticks and stones upon it dur-
ing the time the ice is forming. In addition, a
quarter of the whole surface of ice when in a
bearing condition may be enclosed and a charge
made for the use of it.

Bands. — In connection with the provision of
bands, it may be noted that besides authorising
the payment for music in the parks out of the
rates — the total amount, however, must never
exceed Id. in the pound — it permits of a portion
of land up to an acre in extent being enclosed
around a bandstand and a charge made to the
public for entry.

Entertainments. — Local authorities may, under
the 1907 Public Health Acts Amendment Ai t,
provide and maintain reading rooms, pavilions,
or other buildings, and charge (with certain re-
strictions and limitations in the case of reading
rooms) for admission thereto. Refreshment
rooms may also be provided and maintained,
and, if desirable, managed by the local
authority itself. The right to provide en-
tertainment and refreshment for the pub-
lic, or any apparatus they may need for
the playing of games, may be leased by the local
authority to any person or persons they may
deem fit, but not for a longer period than three
vef.rs. This proviso, while tending no doubt to
lower the financial value of such concessions, is
a verv wise one, in view of the fact that it is so
easv for these things to become the monopoly of a
private firm, which often looks for considerable
compensation when required to give them up.

The majority of park officials will welcon.e
the new Act as' a decided step in the right direc-
tion. On the contrary, certain sections of
ratepayers may view some of its provisi
especially those dealing with the payment of
bands out of the rates — with mixed fee'ings, and
mav even be led, on this account, to oppose i'.s
adoption in many towns.

264

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 12, 190..

EDITORIAL, NOTICE,

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as-well as specimens and plants
/or naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early tn the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unit
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspond ruts.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it isdesirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

Illustrations.- The Editor -will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, jtowers, trees, &c, but he
cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14—

United Ben. and Prov. Soc. Com. meet.

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Floral Com. meet.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Exh. of British-grown Fruit (2 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 49"7°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, October 9 (6 p.m.1 : Max. 68°;
Mini 47\
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, October 10
(10 a.m.): Bar.. 29-6; Temp., 60'; Weathei —
Bright sunshine.
Provinces — Wednesday, October 9 (6 p.m.) : Max. 55°,
Colchester ; Min. 49", Scotland N.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY TO FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 10 30.

MONDAY-

Sale of Nursery Stock, also Greenhouses, Piping, &c,
at Bridge and Park Nurseries, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton,
by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.

TUESDAY—

Sale of Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Orchids Green-
houses, Piping, &c, at Cedars Gardens, Glenburnie
Road, Upper Touting, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

WEDNESDAY—

Palms, Bays, Azaleas, &c, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C.,
by Protheroe & Morris, at 5.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY—

Sale of Nursery Stock at The Nurseries, South Wood-
ford, by order of Mr. John Fraser, by Protheroe &
Morris, at 11.

THURSDAY and FRIDAY—

Clearance Sale of the whole of the Stock ; also 40 Green-
houses. Piping, Boilers, &c, at the Nurseries, Coburg
Road, Upper Teddington, by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.

FRIDAY—

Orchids in large variety at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

Fashions

The season has now arrived
when the glories of the summer
Flower- flower gardens have departed,
gardening. an(j t[ne garciCner is therefore
contemplating the removal of the plants, in
order that preparations may be made for re-
planting the beds with bulbs, and other
species that will flower early in the spring. It
is a time when one's thoughts naturally revert
to midsummer; the effects produced by
the system of planting adopted in the spring
are considered in the light of the pleasure they
afforded, and the value they possess as indi-
cating what may best be done next season.
No gardener can afford to dispense with these
moments of reflection which occur from time
to time during his year's work. They should
be encouraged and turned to good account,
for thus it is possible to benefit by previous
experience. For ourselves, we have noticed a
tendency to dulness in many of the gardens

visited during this and last year. We do not
mean a dulness that could be attributed to the
influence of sunless weather, but rather to
the preference that has been given to the less
showy plants when selecting the species for
adorning the beds. The subject may be
easily understood by those whose memories
can recall the days when the system of
carpet-bedding was so generally considered
to be desirable that examples could be seen
in every public park and most private gar-
dens in this country ; many of the other
beds being filled with masses of scarlet
Pelargoniums, yellow Calceolarias, blue
Lobelia, or similar-habited plants, whose
brilliant floral masses were totally unrelieved
by even the merest foil. This was a period
when masses of showy colours were almost
worshipped, and the repetitions of the garish
displays in garden after garden became as
monotonous as they were uninteresting.

It was evident to the more observant that
a revulsion would occur from such a system
as was then so general, and very little if any
surprise was occasioned when the carpet sys-
tem proved to have lost the fascination which
it formerly possessed.

The colour-masses were the next to fall into
disfavour, and the Pelargoniums, Petunias,
Ageratums, Calceolarias, and such-like plants
were either greatly reduced in numbers or
they were distributed in a different manner,
being used in association with other species
that served to prevent the beds exhibiting the
• flat, unbroken surface of colour previously
encouraged. The change was all for the
better. A method of mixed bedding" obtained
a place, and what is known as the " dot "
system gradually became more or less com-
mon. Some of the earliest and best instances
of this were to be seen in the London parks,
as Baltersea Park, Hampton Court gardens,
the Zoological Society's gardens, and in Hyde
and Regent's Parks. By planting the beds
with a dwarf-growing species, and inserting
a few " dot " plants in each bed, which would
grow to a greater height, the beds were made
doubly interesting, and twice as effective as
formerly. When viewed from a moderate
distance the standard plants, whether of
Fuchsias or other free-flowering species,
were those which yielded an effect, but as the
visitor drew nearer the dwarfer plants came
into view and the picture afforded another
effect, probably of quite a different colour.
We have seen combinations of this kind that
were commendable in the highest degree,
being effectively floriferous whether viewed
from the path at some little distance from the
bed, or after stepping across the sward and
inspecting the plants from directly overhead.
It has to be admitted, however, that the
anxiety of gardeners to avoid the suspicion
that they were still admirers of masses of
colour has driven them to the opposite ex-
treme, and the fashion has so far changed
in this respect that there is good reason
to complain that absence of colour is in
danger of being regarded as a fetish, and that
our English flower gardens will therefore be-
come dull and uninspiring. In some of the
London squares, as well as in certain
beds in some of the parks, we have noticed
this tendency with regret. The fault lies in
the selection of the plants and in the abuse
of the "dot" system. Plants are chosen which
produce flowers but are not showy, and pillar,

standard, or dot plants are employed so
abundantly in a bed as to produce an effect
in which they themselves require relief. We
fear there is lacking the appreciation there
should be for the glorious effects of masses
of colour to be seen in Nature, in a bank
of Bluebells for instance, a meadow of
Cowslips, or a heath-covered moor. It
should be further remembered that the
greater number of flower beds are formed
out of the grass-covered lawn, and for this
reason alone they should be made bright.
Many of them are seen from a distance a
dozen times for every occasion on which they
are examined minutely, and their effect on the
landscape should therefore be given full con-
sideration. It is refreshing, nowadays, to
see some of the old-fashioned flower-garden-
ing in Scotland, at Dalkeith or Ardgowan
for instance, where the profusion of flowers
and displays of colour offer so great a con-
trast to some southern bedding schemes that
are almost remarkable for their paucity of
flowers. We do not want to go back to the
methods that were justly discarded in the
last century, but at the same time there can
be no reasonable objection to the statement
that a flower garden should, at least, be
floral. If there is not a place for flowers' in
the flower garden itself, to what other situa-
tion shall they be banished? A flower garden
which lacks " colour " is as a casket from
which the jewel has been lost. An excellent
illustration of good flower-gardening may
be seen in Lady Wantage's garden at Lock-
inge Park, in Berkshire, of which some
illustrations were published in our issue for
February 3, 1906. The dwelling-house is
surrounded with flowers, showy flowers,
and we believe that their companionship is
more delightful to their owner than any sys-
tem that could be substituted for that at
present employed.

We publish on another page a letter from
an old and valued correspondent, who is
familiar with the bedding systems that
have been practised for fifty years past,
not that we agree with all that he has
written, but because his criticism may
have a corrective influence, and help to pre-
vent us from drifting into extremes that
would be just as deserving of condemnation
as the stereotyped and formal flower-garden-
ing that we have so often criticised in the
past.

In regard to what our correspondent writes
in relation to carpet-bedding, it must be ad-
mitted that such beds have always appealed
strongly to the popular taste, but this has
been on account of the curiosity they have
aroused, just as floral cushions, clocks, and
other similarly stupid arrangements of cut
flowers may be depended upon to excite u
notice from the public than a tastefully-
arranged bouquet. There are doubtless cer-
tain gardens, and certain positions in our
public parks where beds so planted as to
represent a carpet may not be greatly out of
character with their surroundings, but tiic
fewer the better.

Our correspondent pleads that there should
be evidence of design in the planting of tho
beds, a perfectly reasonable pleading, but in
the light in which the situation presents itself
to us, it is brightness and elegance, especially
brightness, that should be the more insisted
upon.

I

October 12, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

265

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next
meeting of the Committees will take place on
Tuesday, October 15, in the Vincent Square hall.
At the afternoon meeting a lecture on "British
Floral Relationships with Foreign Countries " will
be delivered by Rev. Prof. G. Henslow, V.M.H.
At the Scientific Committee a discussion on the
summer pruning of fruit trees has been arranged,
and it is expected that Messrs. A. H. Pearson,
Stencer Pickering, and H. S. Rivers will take
part. Fellows who are not members of the
Committee, but who are desirous of attending,
should communicate their wishes either to the
chairman or to the secretary of the Committee.

Flowers in Season. — A flowering spray of
Feijoa Sellowiana has been sent us from the
gardens'of the Earl of Annesley, at Castlewellan,
Co. Down. This South American shrub was
illustrated in the Gardeners' Chronicle, December 24,
1898, p. 451, when the plant was recommended for
the delicious fruits it bore. Mr. Ryan, the gar-
dener at Castlewellan, informs us that the plant
grows in an open border at Castlewellan, and that
it has received no protection for the past five years.
The specimens are about 6 feet in height and
measure as much in diameter.

From Mr. M. Cuthbertson, Rothesay, N.B.,
we have received 70 varieties of early-flowering
Chrysanthemums.

Botanical Magazine. — The issue for October
contains illustrations and descriptions of the
following pi ants : —

Ferula communis, var. brevifolia, tab.
8,157. — Dr. Otto Stapf, who describes this
species, states that particular interest attaches
to it because the problem of the origin of the
gum ammoniac (Fashook) of Morocco has
been solved owing to its successful cultivation
at Kew. This gum was originally referred to
Ferula orientalis L., a plant confined to the
Orient, and later on to F. tingitana, which is a
native of Morocco. Sir Joseph Hooker, and
afterwards Sir William Thiselton-Dyer, en-
listed the services of Mr. G. I\ Hunot, then
British Vice-Consul at Saffi, amongst others, to
procure authentic specimens of the plant yield-
ing the Fashook gum, with the result that its
source is now traced to Ferula communis. A
full account of the history of the drug will be
given shortly in the Kcw Bulletin. F. com-
munis, var. brevifolia, was introduced as a
root-stock to Kew from Morocco by Vice-Consul
Hunot in 1886, and it flowered in December,
1892. It represents a form of Ferula com-
munis, characterised by shorter ultimate leaf
segments, which occurs along with the typical
form almost throughout the area of the species,
which extends from the Canaries and Portugal
to Constantinople and Syria, excluding North-
East Africa. The plant is a herb, sometimes
10 feet high, quite glabrous. The leaves are
bright green, very large, and the umbels are
compound in a thyrse, 3 feet or more long ;
the flowers are yellow. At Kew the plant has
been cultivated in a pot in a greenhouse.

Rosa Soulieaxa, tab. s,158. — This specks is
described by Mr. W. Botting Hemsley as one
of the most desirable of the single white Roses,
both in flower and fruit. It was received from
M. Vilmorin in 1899, and it may be seen to
great advantage in the Rose valley near the
pagoda. It differs from R. moschata in the
smaller leaves, usually oval leaflets rounded at
both ends, shortly stalked glands on the
peduncles, and in the shorter tails of the sepals.
R. Soulieana forms bushes at least 8 feet high
and as much through, armed with curved
prickles, or with straight ones in the barren
branches. The leaves are pale green, usually
with seven leaflets, and the stipules are adnate,

acute with marginal glands. The flowers are
ivory-white, about 1J inch across, very numerous,
in compound, dense, terminal corymbs or some-
times solitary on short lateral branches. The
fruits are described as orange-vermilion, and as
represented in the figure they are exceedingly
ornamental. Mr. Bean describes this Chinese
species as one of the most vigorous and gross-
feeding of Roses.

Iris verna, tab. s,159. — This is an old
species, which was cultivated by Philip Miller
in 1739, but it has never been common in gar-
dens. Its natural habitat is in the Eastern
estates of North America, from Pennsylvania to
Virginia, Kentucky, and Georgia. The speci-
men now figured was forwarded to Kew by Mr.
Lynch from the Cambridge Botanic Gardens ;
it has fibrous roots, linear leaves, and one-
flowered scapes, the flowers being violet-
coloured except for the orange-coloured claws.
Mr. W. Watson states that the species is grown
in a pot in a cold frame. It rarely flowers if
planted out of doors, in which respect it differs
from other members of the Pumila section.

Bulbophyllum dichromum, tab. 8,160. — This
is a species first described by Mr. R. A. Rolfe
in the Kew Bulletin, 1907, p. 128. It was intro-
duced by Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans,
about two years ago, and flowered at the Royal
Botanic Garden, Glasnevin, in February last.
The species is described as a very attractive
garden plant, owing to the dark purple lip
forming a striking contrast to the bright yellow
sepals and petals, while the inflorescence is very
graceful.

P^eonia Cambf.ssf.desii, tab. 8,161. I
species is a native of the Balearic Islands and
Corsica, and was introduced to cultivation by
Miss Frances Geoghegan, Glasnevin, Dublin.
Mr. J. Hutchinson states that P. corallina, Retz,
its nearest ally, differs in having glaucous-
green, never purple, leaves and hairy cai
The flowers are deep rose-pink, solitary, erect,
usually about 3i inches in diameter. Mr. W.
Watson states that the species has the same
claims as a garden plant as those possessed by
P. officinalis, P. peregrina, P. corallina, and the
other species of the herbaceous section requiring
the same cultivation as those species.

F. Ledien. — This talented horticulturist, who
until recently tilled the post of curator of the
Botanical Garden at Dresden, has been appointed
curator of the Botanical Garden at Dahlem,
succeeding the late Herr Perring. He entered
on his duties on October 1. Max Lobner,
hitherto head gardener at Wiidenswil (Switzer-
land), will succeed F. Ledien at Dresden Botanical
Garden.

National Sweet Pea Society.— We are

informed that the next annual show of this society
in London will be held on Friday, July 24, 1908,
in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster.

Surveyors' Institution. — The first ordinary
general meeting of the session 1907-08 will be held
on Monday, November 11, 1907, when the presi-
dent, Mr. Thomas Taylor Wainwright, will
deliver an opening address. The chair will be
taken at 8 o'clock.

The Fruit Crops in Southern Russia. —

The crops, according to advizes to hand, are
extraordinarily abundant in so far as concerns
Grapes, Apples, Pears, Plums, and Nuts ; while
Peaches and Apricots have suffered greatly from
the winter frosts. It is intended to send extensive
and comprehensive consignments of fruits from
the Crimea, in which the great fruit-producing
orchards and vineyards are found, to the chief
cities of the Empire, and above all to St. Peters-
burg. The Russian Government's assistance can
be reckoned upon for a moderation of transit costs.

Change of Date. — We are informed that the
date of the Manchester Chrysanthemum Show has
been changed to Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday, November 13th, 14th, and 15th. Some
alterations have also been made in the schedule,
several new classes having been added.

Half-Holiday for Nursery Employees.

— The firm of Messrs. James Hill & Son, Barrow-
field Nurseries, Lower Edmonton, N., has con-
ceded to their staff a holiday each Saturday from
1 o'clock. Messrs. Hill & Son are extensive
cultivators of Ferns, especially for the London
markets.

Disease in the Silver Fir.— M. E. L.
Bouvier describes in the Comptes Sendus for
September 23, a disease which is attacking the
Silver Fir (Abies pectinata) in the forests of the
Jura Mountains. He terms it the " Red
disease," from the colour assumed by the leaves
of the dying trees. It was first noticed last
year as occurring sporadically in the forest, but
during this season it has spread to an alarming
extent, and is affecting both the young and old
plants. It does not touch the Spruce Fir (Pirea
excelsa), even when the two species are growing
together, and this sharp preference indicates the
probability that the malady is parasitic in its
origin. No insect or other animal was detected,
and M. Bouvier believes that it is of a t
character. He found a new fungus, which has
been named Rhizosphaera abietis, growing on
the dead leaves that were lying on the ground,
and of course it is possible that this may turn
out to be the source of the mischief. But the
matter has not been as yet sufficiently investi-
gated to settle this point. It has been sug-
gested that the death of the trees might be due ti
the dry summer of last year, but this seems to be
clearly negatived by the fact that the trees in
the lower lying and damper districts were a3
severely attacked as were those growing in
unfavourable situations.

POTATOS FROM SEED. — Dr. T. H. Wll

writing in the Transactions of the Highland and
Mural Society of Scotland, describes the result
of experiments of crossing Potatos. As might be
expected from plants of mixed parentage, many
varieties made their appearance, not only when
different sorts were used as the parents, but also
when a variety was " selfed." Many of the off-
springs were, of course, worthless, but of those
showing good qualities the following may be
mentioned: Prior (New Zealand Red x Mvatt's
Kidney), which is asserted to possess tubers of
good size, to be resistant to disease, and to crop
well. It belongs to the class of second earlies, and
is of a flat oval shape, white, with occasional tinges
of rose-pink, and shallow-eyed. Another new
variety, named Rector (Maincrop x New Zealand
Red), is a red or russet, round Potato, a late
cropper of medium size. It is stated to possess
good constitution and high quality, and also to be
a disease-resisting and a good cropping variety. Of
course, it remains to be seen how far the cha-
racters will be so retained under cultivation, and
whether they will be such as to enable the new
varieties to compete with other sorts already
grown.

Rome. — We learn from Secolo that the magnifi-
cent gardens of the Vatican, once the chief poinl
of attraction for foreign visitors, are now in a
miserable condition in consequence of the nig-
gardliness of the management which withholds
the necessary means to keep them in condition.
Under Leo XIII. the gardens were most carefully
tended, and considerable sums dispensed for their
upkeep, whilst Pope Pius X. has but little interest
in them. The desire to limit expenses has led to
considerable reduction in the annual outlay and in
the number of the workmen.

2G6

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 12, 1907.

The Decoration of the Municipal
Offices in PARis.-The various municipal
authorities in the capital make use of cut blooms
of Roses for decorative purposes yearly to the
value of 50,000 frs.

Gardeners' Cricket.-Ou Saturday, Sep-
tember 28, a team, composed of representatives of
the firm of Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea
and captained by Mr. J. Gould Veitch, visited
the Dover House Grounds, Roehampton, on the
invitation of Mr. J. F. McLeod, to play a friendly
match with the gardeners in the employ of Mr. ] .
Pierpont Morgan. The game ended in a decisive
win for the Dover House men.

Publications Received.-™* Wild and Culti-
vated Cotton Plants of the World, by Sir George Watt
CLE., LL.D. Longmans, Green ft Co. A revision
of the genus Gossypium framed primarily with the
object of aiding planters and ^vertigatorB whonw
contemplate the systematic improvement of the Co .ton
staple.-^ of Rules for Judging, and Suggestions to
Schedule-Makers, Judges and Exhibitors Thvrd edi-
tion. Royal Horticultural Society. -Report of the
Annual Meeting of the American Association o fPa. .h
Superintendents at Toronto, Ontano Ca»a<la "ti
August 15, 16 and 17, 1907. -The British Bee-Keepe, *
Guide-Booh by T. W. Cowan. Nineteenth edition.
Pubthedbythe British Bee Journal Office, Henrietta
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

KEW NOTES.

GRAMMATOPHYLLUM speciosum.

A fine, healthy specimen of this interesting
plant is now in full flower at Kew m House
No 10, where it has been grown ever since its
presentation to Kew by Messrs. Sander & Sons
in May, 1893. The plant has developed three
stout racemes, the tallest of which is 9 feet 6
inches in height, has 82 expanded flowers at the
time of writing, and 40 unopened buds in
various stages of development. The raceme
will probably reach 11 feet in height when all
the flowers have expanded. The other two
racemes are each about 9 feet high, and have,
together 229 flowers and flower-buds. The lower
flowers of each raceme are aborted, most of
them being composed of four nearly equal seg-
ments in two rows, and arranged at right angles
to each other, with a short column and no lip.
The bottom flower of one inflorescence has six
nearly equal segments arranged in two tiers, the
lip in this case being elongated, and closely
resembling, both in shape and in marking, the
rest of the perianth segments.

These abnormal lower flowers appear to be
constant in all the plants which have flowered
in this country. This same plant made a poor
attempt to flower in 1901, the flowers which then
developed being also aborted. It was very late
in autumn when this inflorescence made its
appearance, and after expanding a few flowers,
it damped off during foggy weather

The largest flowers on the Kew plant are b
inches in diameter, these being on the lower half
of the inflorescence, where the flowers are very
loosely arranged on the scape, the upper and
later formed flowers gradually becoming smaller
and more densely arranged on the scape as they
approach the apex. The ground colour of the
flowers is dull yellow, heavily spotted with red-
dish-brown; the sepals and petals are spread-
ing broadly oblong obtuse, undulate ; the lip is
small, being scarcely 1 inch long ; three-lobed
orange streaked with red, the disk sulcate, with
three laised plates, bristling with short hairs.
The column is greenish-yellow spotted with
reddish-brown. .

The whole plant consists of 21 pseudo-bulbs
o~ stems and 7 leads. Several of the tallest
stems are 12 feet high, the result of about six
years' growth, the young leads making from 2
to 3 feet of growth per annum, the average

diameter of the stems being 2 inches. The leaves
are distichously arranged along the stems, linear
in shape, H to 2 feet long, and about 2 inches
in diameter, and remain on the stem for about
two years, gradually falling off as the stems
elongate with each season's growth.

A curious point in connection with the flower-
ing of this plant is that the inflorescences are
produced in each case from the base of the
stems, which were made in 1905, the growth of
the inflorescences coinciding with that of the
current season's young growths.

The plant is growing on a raft, on a mound
of compost consisting chiefly of peat, moss and
sand. In previous years the practice has been
to lower the base of the compost into the Lily
tank to a depth of 4 or 5 inches during the
summer months, and to raise the plant again
for the winter. This spring the plant was kept
out of the water altogether, and only given water
when the compost showed signs of becoming
dry As tropical Water Lilies have been grown
in this tank during the past two seasons, in
place of the Victoria Regia, it has been possible
to ventilate the house more freely than was
formerly the case. Whether either of these
slight modifications of treatment or the combina-
tion of both have had the desired effect, I am
unable to say, but it is interesting to record the
fact that ' formerly during the summer
months, when the plant was kept very wet at
the roots by partial submersion, aerial, spiny
roots were produced in such numbers as to com-
pletely cover the surface of the compost. Very
few on the contrary, have been produced this
season, those which have been formed arising
very near the bottom, and consequently the
wettest part of the ball. In this connection i
was recorded in this journal for August 31st
last, in the article accompanying the illustra-
tion of this Orchid growing at the Teradenyia
Botanical Gardens where it is grown as an
ordinary terrestrial plant, that these erect aerial
spiny roots are not produced at all freely, and
that the plant seems to have become so accus-
tomed to the terrestrial mode of life that it has
gradually lost the habit of producing the aerial
roots which are invariably present when the
plant is growing under the conditions of an
eoiphvte. This leads one to the conclusion that
the conditions which are necessary to cause this
plant to form these peculiar roots are directly
opposed to those which are necessary to cause
theP plant to flower. This class of .extra-terres-
trial roots is met with in many tropica and tem-
perate plants which thrive in swampy districts, a
well-known instance being the deciduous Cypress
.Sodium distichuml, This plant, when grown
n a very boggy position-as the well-known
"amplTat Sfof^use-usually sends up aena
conical butts or woody roots, in order to obtain
a supply of air at the roots ; when grown m the
ordinary conditions of the garden, these are
never produced. . .

The late Mr. F. W. Burbidge, writing in
regard to this Orchid in Gardeners' Chronicle ioz
March 8, 1890, p. 288, states that of the three
or four species known from the Malay Archi-
pelago and Malacca, the most common was G.
speciosum. In his book Gardens of the Sun p.
55, occurs the following passage-made by Mr
Burbidge on the spot, where the fall of a gian
forest tree revealed a specimen of this plan
growing upon it-" Here, right in the collar of
the tree, is a plant of the Giant Orchid, big
enough to fill a Pickford's van, and just opening
,, , ..lden, brown-spotted flowers on stout spikes
2 yards long."

Mr C Curtis who lately retired from the
management of Penang Botanical Gardens, and
who is an authority on all Malay plants, writing
in Gardeners' Chronicle, 1893, vol. xiv., p. 6L.L,
stated that this plant is rather widely distributed
throughout Malaysia, but, so far as his own
observations went, it was nowhere abundant.
The finest plants were generally found high up

in the forks of not very leafy trees, where they
get abundance of sunshine. Mr. Curtis then
described a plant in the Penang Botanical Car-
dens, which in 1893 produced 24 inflorescences
and had over 1,000 fully-expanded flowers. It
was grown on a mound 3 to 4 feet high, exposed
to all the sun possible, and received a top-dress-
ing of leafmould twice each year, this being the-
only attention it received.

Mr H. J. Veitch, who visited the Penang < .ar-
dens in 1892, describing this plant in Gardeners'
Chronicle (see Travellers' Notes, vol. xn., p.
641) states that the plant bore 30 inflorescences
the previous season, and gave its dimensions as
42.V feet in circumference, with growths 6 to 7

feet long.

Grammatophyllum speciosum is recorded as
having first flowered in 1851 in the nursery of
Messrs. Loddiges, at Hackney, when only one
flower opened, and that was a deformed one
about 3 inches in diameter.

In October, 1859, a much finer specimen
flowered in the garden of W. G. Farmer, Esq.j
of Nonsuch Park, Ewell, from whose plant was
prepared a figure for the Botanic! Magazine (tab
5157). This plant produced two racemes, each
bearing 40 to 50 flowers. Some time after an-
other plant was flowered by Mr. Scott, gardener
to Sir G. Staunton, Leigh Park. In 1897 a plant
flowered in the collection of Sir Trevor Law-
rence, and was shown before the R.H.S. A
figure of one of the lower imperfect flowers ap-
peared in the Gardeners' Chronicle for that year,
p. 147, fig. 42. The Kew specimen having pre-
viously flowered in -1901, the present is the sixth
recorded instance of this Orchid having flowered
in this country. The plant is a native of Java,
Lampong, Malacca, Singapore, and Cochin
China. C. P. Rafftll, Kew.

THE ROUT OF THE ENGLISH
ROSE.

[•" At the Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show the
principal prizes were taken by Roses grown in Aberdeen,
Dundee and Belfast."!

OH, weave a shroud, where none may see

Her sorry clay, than doornails deader,
Oh pile it thick with Standard Tea,

And cuttings of the Crimson Bedder ;
My England, where the lanes resound

With noise of bees and bullocks chewing,
At Little Slowly-in-the-Pound

What were your Surrey gardens doing?

When sterner crowns were lightly shed,

When sport or science suffered losses,
" Our reputation lives," I said,

On Damasks and Perpetual Mosses;
But now the clods where shamrocks blow.

And thistles thrive on pawky humours,
Have been and whacked our bravest shov

Of emblematic autumn bloomers !

Where is the Pride of Waltham ? Where

The Magna Carta on the trellis?
What of the blooms that scent the air

In rural spots like Miss Corelli's?
Are there no hands to train the shoot

Of Bessie Brown, no touch caressing
To twine about the Moss-rose root

Restoratives of guano dressing ?

I see the Dundee Rambler trail

In riot through a broken border ;
The clusters of the Irish (Pale)

Have mocked the Earl of Pembroke's order;
Where scattered petals fall like chaff,

With haughty tendrils curving higher,
I hear the Lady Stewart laugh

At Lord Penzance's Hybrid Bi iar.

Then, Saxon gardeners, gird your hose !

Once more, your fathers' deeds endorsing,
Produce a high-class medal rose

By dint of early winter forcing ;
Next year, before the seedlings bud,

Let every man (that knows his duties)
Strike— were it only with a spud —

For England, home, and annual beauties.

Punch, October 9, 1907.

October 12, 1907.]

HIE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

2G7

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AS SPECI-
MEN PLANTS OUT-OF-DOORS.
The season of the Chrysanthemum has been
prolonged at either end by the raising of early and
late-flowering varieties, and while it is possible to
have them in flower in summer time, they are also
amongst the most useful of plants for furnishing a
floral display early in the new year. This season
the early-flowering varieties out-of-doors in most
southern districts, including London, are still
flowering freely in the second week of October.
At fig. Ill is reproduced a plant of Chrysanthemum
" Horace Martin," which has been cultivated in a
pot for terrace-decoration at Gunnersbury House,
the residence of Leopold de Rothschild. Esq. The
specimen measures 8 feet in diameter, and forms a
worthy companion to the unique specimen plants
of the scented-leaved Pelargoniums that Mr James
Hudson cultivates at Gunnersbury for the same
purpose, one of which was illustrated in our issue
for September 28 last. Chrysanthemum Horace
Martin is a vegetative sport from Crimson Mane
Massee ; it has rich yellow-coloured flowers, and,
as may be seen from the illustration, is one of the
freest flowering varieties.

recent visit were: — White Countess, of which
50,000 plants are grown, some having as many
as 18 large blooms ; this variety is the most im-
portant white Chrysanthemum now seen in
Covent Garden market. Mercedes, a yellow
Japanese Chrysanthemum of very large size ; the
colour of the florets is a beautiful shade of
golden yellow ; the flowers are at their best con-
dition from August to October ; a rule laid
across the flat under side of one of the blooms
gave a measurement of more than 7 inches ; the
stock at Uxbridge consists of 10,000 plants. Mrs.
Arthur Beech is a variety of a bright chestnut
colour ; I noticed a batch of some 17,000 plants
of this variety in rows of 500. Mrs. J. W.
Scott, a white variety of high merit ; about
40,000 plants of this variety are grown by
Messrs. Lowe & Shawyer. Miss Barbara Miller,
this flower is one of the best "yellows" grown
for the market. Mrs. W. Roots is a white In-
curved Chrysanthemum, and suitable for fur-
nishing a supply of cut blooms at the end of
October. La Pactole was being grown on trial.
Of Cranford White, a large stock was
being cultivated for furnishing sprays of

[Hhotogtapli by J. Gregory.

FlG. III. — CHRYSANTHEMUM "HORACE MARTIN " FLOWERING IN A POT ON THE TERRACE
AT GUNNERSBURY HOUSE, ACTON: DIAMETER OF PLANT 8 FEET.

MARKET GARDENING.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT MESSRS. LOWE &
SHAWYER'S UXBRIDGE NURSERIES.

I These firms of market growers cultivate as
many as 300,000 plants of Chrysanthemums, most
of which are grown as disbudded plants, either
in glasshouses or under some other form of pro-
tection. Very many of th^ best varieties of market
Chrysanthemums have been raised, either at this
nursery by Mr. J. W. Scott, or by Mr. W. Roots
at Messrs. Shawyer & Sons, Cranford, Houns-
jlow. The two firms have a working arrange-
ment with each other, and share the stocks of
^most of their new varieties, which they keep
strictly to themselves, for no stock of a new
variety is sold by them to other houses. Promi-
I nent varieties of Chrvsanthemums noticed on a

white flowers for florists' purposes. The variety
Carrie is also grown for furnishing sprays of
flowers. One of the best varieties noticed is
Cranford Pink, now flowering in these nurseries
for the first time. The variety Framfield is culti-
vated on a large scale in these nurseries as a
late-flowering variety ; glasshouses occupying an
area of 2 acres were filled with it.

THE DAMSON SEASON.
Crops of this fruit are plentiful but late.
Bradley's King of Damsons is one of the best
varieties, and it is of excellent flavour. Kent
Cluster (syn. Farleigh Prolific or Crittenden) has
produced heavy crops in some parts of the
country. Stone fruits have been so plentiful
this season that harm will be done the trees
unless they receive some additional feeding.
Stephen Castle.

CROSS-FERTILISATION OF
SINGLE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

In making crosses great care should be taken
to select those varieties for parents which pos-
sess desired characters. Crossing by no means
implies a blending1 of qualities ; often it is sim-
pler and results in the transmission of a single
quality.

The Chrysanthemum is a Composite, and in
the case of what is termed the flowered type,
each flower-head is composed of two distinct
sets of florets — the inner or disc florets and the
outer or ray florets. The ray florets give the
characteristic colour to the flower-head, whereas
the disc florets are almost invariably of a bright
yellow colour ; the new variety Phyllis has a
white centre, and is therefore a notable excep-
tion. According to the N.C.S. rules, the ray
florets of the true single are restricted to three
rows, if more rows are present they are termed
"decorative singles." The disc florets possess
both stamens and pistil ; they are therefore her-
maphrodite, whereas the ray florets are female
only. It follows that in order to effect cross-
fertilisation, the disc florets with their anthers
must be removed, leaving the ray florets, which
are purely female. The first thing to do in mak-
ing crosses is to select the parents ; this, of
course, needs practice, and the specialist who is
best acquainted with the constitution and good
points of the available varieties is the man most
likely to be rewarded with good results. Those
flower-heads which are to be the seed bearers
should be selected early, before the pollen from
the disc florets is ripe, thereby preventing self-
pollination ; at the same time the entire disc or
centre must be removed, leaving only the ray
florets. Having taken this precaution, the ray
florets should be covered over with a muslin bag
until such time that the stigmas are ready for
pollination. The stage at which the florets are
for pollination is reached when the flowers
are fully developed ; the pistil is then divided
into two at its apex, thus exposing the receptive
stigma. Pollen may now be applied from the
mature flowers of the selected male plant. A
bright day should be selected when the pollen
is dry and dust-like. Experience teaches one to
use plenty of pollen. In the case of the Chry-
santhemum, pollen may be. satisfactorily con-
veyed by means of a camel's-hair brush, which
is soft, and not liable to bruise the stigmas.
At the same time it is not always to be recom-
mended, particularly if one is short of pollen,
since much of it is lost among the hairs of the
brush, and, besides this, there is always a risk of
stray pollen being left behind after efforts to
cleanse the brush. A clean knife-blade, a pencil,
or the operator's thumb-nail are excellently
adapted for securing artificial pollination.
After pollination the flower-heads should
again be covered up, and the plants left
in a suitable place to allow fertilisation and
the ripening of seeds to take place. It is always
advisable to take reciprocal crosses, for neither
parent has the particular character of transmit-
ting a special quality to the offspring. Experi-
ments prove that the male parent no more ex-
clusively imparts colour to the cross than does
the female, and the same applies to other charac-
ters. After making crosses, each one should be
labelled and a record kept for reference. Herbert
Cowley.

COLONIAL NOTE.

COSMOS SULPHUREUS.
This species, which was figured in tb<- supple-
mentary illustration issued with the Gardeners'
Chronicle for August 24, is sparingly cultivated in a
few gardens in some of the West India Islands.
With moderate cultivation it attains to a height of
5 feet, forming a mass of colour, but in poor soils
its average height is only 2 feet. A lemon-yellow
coloured variety appeared here last year, but was
unfortunately lost. A. Patterson, Agricultural
School, St. Vincent, West Indies.

2CS

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 12, 1807.

VEGETABLES.

LATE PEAS.

It is many years since we experienced, in
this part of the country, a season so favourable
to the growth of late culinary Peas as the one
now closing. Usually the ground during the end
of July becomes so hot and dry that it is with
difficulty the young plants are kept alive. A
shade temperature of between 80° and 80° often
obtains during July and August, with an average
of 14 hours' bright sunshine daily, necessitating
much labour in watering to maintain the plants
in a flourishing condition. In such circum-
stances water needs to be applied copiously,
and with some fertiliser added. In our district
the rainfall this season compared with other
parts has been slight. At the time of writing
(September 7) the rainfall for the present year has
not exceeded 16 inches, but in some seasons
at this date it is considerably less. There were
only three days in July when the shade tempera-
ture reached 80°, while there were 15 days on
which rain fell, but these falls were not heavy,
the total for the month being 1.45 inch. The
nights were cold, the average minimum being
47°, and this suited culinary Peas, though the
early varieties did not fill their pods very
quickly. In August rain fell on 12 days, but
the total amount for that month was only 1.87
inch, and the last 10 days were dry and warm.
As an indication of the lateness of the crops this
season, I may instance Peas of the following
varieties which were sown on April 25 and
gathered during the first week in September: —
Gladstone, Stratagem, and King Edward varie-
ties, sown on May 10, were ready a week later,
while those sown on May 23, including Autocrat,
Late Queen, and Michaelmas, will be in use
during the end of October. The latest sowing
was made on June 6, and these plants are now
(September 7) in flower.

From June and onwards the finest marrow
varieties of Peas are in season, and though the
pods do not fill rapidly when the nights are cold,
the flavour of the Peas is excellent. Some varie-
ties of Peas resist an attack of mildew much
better than do others, and in some parts of the
country this pest is less troublesome than in
other localities. In gardens where the water
supply is deficient it is well to select the more
robust-growing varieties for planting.

Late Peas should always be sown in an open
situation, and preferably in one' that is sheltered
from the north and east winds. Not much diffi-
culty need be experienced in producing supplies
of late Peas, provided an ample supply of liquid
manure can be obtained. Before sowing late
Peas the ground should be thoroughly prepared
by liberal manuring and deep digging, for Peas
are gross feeders and need an abundance of
moisture. In preparing soil for sowing it should
be made firm, therefore it is advisable to prepare
the ground some time in advance. The seedlings
from these late sowings need ample nourishment
in their early stages, for if they become stunted
in growth at the start they are generally a failure,
and it must be remembered that one robust plant
will produce more pods than a dozen sickly ones.
Do not waste seed by sowing it too thickly ;
half-a-pint will be sufficient for a row 20 yards
long. There are about 650 Peas in half-a-pint of
seed, the number varying according to the size
of the individual Peas. A row 20 yards long,
planted with two lines 6 inches distant from each
other and 2J inches between the Peas in the
lines, will require 576 seeds, so that there will
be sufficient Peas left to make a surplus sowing
for filling any vacancies that may occur. Very
tall varieties are liable to be injured by the au-
tumn gales, and for this reason varieties of a
medium height will be found the most suitable.
The staking of Peas is an operation few persons
accomplish satisfactorily, and it needs much
knowledge and practice to place the sticks so
that they may be of the greatest support to the

plants. In addition to leaning diagonally and
in an opposite direction on the two sides of the
row, the stakes should slant outwards so as to
allow a considerably wider space between them
at the top than at the bottom. H. C. Prinsep,
Buxted Park Gardens.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)
Deficient Rainfall, &c. — Contrary to the
expectations of your correspondent from Kent
(see p. 252), the most western counties share the
shortage of rain which appears to be fairly general
over the country. This year, to the end of Sep-
tember, our rainfall amounted to 2270 inches —
7 19 inches below five years' average ; and as last
year's rainfall was 2T8 inches below the average,
we may anticipate a very wet period at no distant
date, for nature always balances matters sooner or
later. There seems to be an impression that the
past summer has been a wet one, while, as a
matter of fact, it has rather been damp and cold,
'lhe absence of sunshine, and heat, allowed the
rain which did fall to remain in evidence longer
than is customary during the summer. It is sin-
gular that September 8 furnished the hottest
day in the year in this neighbourhood, when we
registered 84° Fahr. in the shade. But the climato-
logical conditions, esp e;ially as regards solar heat
and rainfall, have been extremely local during the
past six monihs, and on that dale many stations
in the west did not record a very high temperature ;
dates on which some of these stations reported
high temperatures were comparatively cold days
in this locality. Here September also had the
highest mean temperature (57-78°) of the year.
From September 7 we had an absolute drought
of 19 days— the longest period of drought in Sep-
tember for a great while ; during this period the
dewfalls were very heavy, twice the deposit mea-
sured 0 02 inches, and five times 001 inch. As
there is often some uncertainty as to what con-
stitutes a drought, it may be interesting to note
the definitions formulated many years ago by the
British Rainfall Authorities. An absolute drought
is a period of more than 14 consecutive days on
which no rain is recorded (the smallest figure re-
corded in any case being 0 01 inch). A partial
drought is a period of more than 28 consecutive
davs the average rainfall of which does not exceed

0 01 inch per day. By an extraordinary coinci-
dence the rainfall of October 1 of this year was

1 01 inch, and that of the same date last year was
105 inches. A. C. Bartlett, Pcncanow Gardens,
Cornwall.

Summer Flower-Bedding. — Probably no
form of summer flower-bedding has been more
popular in public parks and gardens than the
old system of carpet or mosaic arrangement.
These evoked great interest in their intricate
designs, the variety of plants employed in them,
and the remarkable neatness shown in their
keeping. The whole of any one bed, however
large, was fully under observation. However,
the garden critic and the artist declared them to
be in bad taste, and that they were cruelly un-
natural, even vulgar. Up to the last, these beds
attracted the greatest attention of the visitors,
and when at length but one such carpet or
mosaic bed was left in a public garden, so great
was the attention devoted to it that iron guards
had to be erected to preserve the grass near it.
But now the taste, not of the public which
never is consulted, but of decorative artists,
has veered round to quite the other pole, and
the public are treated to a series of beds full of
tall pillar or pyramid-like plants, 4 to 5 feet in
height, ranged with all the stiffness, formality,
and regularity seen in a regiment of soldiers.
These have a groundwork of Verbena, Viola, or
similar plants, that soon grow loose, rank, and
devoid of any beauty, because of the great shade
thrown by the taller plants, and being closely
planted, "the base or carpet plants need to
struggle hard for sheer existence. These regi-
mental squads of tall plants are either Fuchsias,
Heliotropes, Plumbagos, Streptosolens, Abuti-
lons, Acalyphas, or similar subjects of a free
habit of growth. They are saved from year to
year, being pruned hard each winter to induce
them to break afresh in the spring, and thus
w-hen planted out speedily furnish a bed. The
question arises, are these beds attractive or

beautiful? Watch the people pass by them, and
it will be seen that no one hesitates or stops to
examine the plants. They are mere squads of
floral soldiers, drawn up in square formation
and presenting a similar face all round, yet too
tall for other than the face to be seen. Half a
dozen of these taller plants in a large bed very
thinly disposed may be tolerated, but whole num-
bers of them become intolerable. It is a mistake
to proclaim such bedding as superior to or an
improvement upon the old carpet bedding, which
needed skill to devise and to plant, as well as to
maintain. Most certainly it should be an
axiom in creating summer beds of tender plants
that they be seen in entirety in each case. Low-
growing plants, giving clearly defined bodies of
colour, with light graceful plants introduced
here and there to break the continuity, invari-
ably give the most pleasing effects. The garden
labourer who may have none or little of the
artistic in his nature, can with a garden line
plant a bed of cabbages with fair correctness.
Equally well could he, with rod and line, plant
one of these beds of regimental plants. Surely
if there is any part of the gardener's vocation
which calls for the highest display of artistic
taste, it is in the arrangement of a large flower
garden for summer effect, work that compels, or
should compel, even greater skill and taste when
it is included in a popular public garden. In
spite of the modern artists, memories of Batter-
sea Park, Heckfield, and some other once famous
flower gardens, still linger in our minds. We
require in our flower-beds variety of design, as
well as variety of plants. We want designs that
command attention, that arrest the eye, and that
arouse the interest. We need beautiful com-
binations especially, but, at the same time, an
entire absence of anything that is merely stiff,
formal, or monotonous. Correspondent.

Home-Grown Seeds. — Home-grown seeds
are satisfactory if the best selection is made of
the different types under cultivation. To fully
maintain the germinating properties of the seed,
it must be thoroughly well ripened, and if this
is not possible outside, recourse must be had
to inside culture in pots, pans, or boxes. This
will apply to choice florists' flowers, also
Stocks and Asters, and to any choice vegetables.
Cucumbers and Tomatos will be planted out
in the usual way. For seed purposes all the
plants named above require a warmer and
drier atmosphere than is obtainable out-of-
doors to finish them off. These conditions
are intelligently taken advantage of by Con-
tinental seedsmen, for, although their atmos-
phere contains less humidity than our
own, most of their high-priced strains of
Stocks, Asters, and choice annuals are saved
from pot-plants grown under glass. If it is to
germinate satisfactorily, home-saved seed must
ba kept stored in a dry and cool place, exotic
and tropical seeds and bulbs excepted. It is a
difficult matter in dull wet weather to collect
seeds, and if any are obtained they have prob-
ably ripened prematurely. The only remedy for
this is to use seed of last year's crop, i.e., if it
was favourably harvested, and to sow them
more thickly than usual. The seeds will require
a rather longer time to germinate, but the plants
will be satisfactory. All transplanted subjects
intended for seed purposes should be kept apart
and in groups if to be kept true, as otherwise
they are much more likely to be impregnated
with foreign pollen. The best type should be
selected, and the first harvesting is invariably
the best. All the specimens selected should be
clean grown, with all the best characteristics of
the genera and species they represent, and they
should be grown on rich and well-trenched
ground. /. D. G.

Fruit Distribution. — The leading article on
page 232, entitled "Plums and their Prices,'' is
a valuable contribution to a highly important
subject, and the suggestions offered are worthy
of careful consideration. The matter is sur-
rounded by many difficulties, but that they are
not insurmountable has been proved by the suc-
cess which has attended several efforts on a
limited scale in special localities to facilitate
the distribution of fruits in periods of abundance.
Much has been written upon the subject, and
the interests of both growers and consumers are
so closely concerned'that it is surprising some
generally organised action has not been taken to
effect improvements in our present system. It

October 12, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

269

has been repeatedly stated that the railway
rates press unduly heavily upon growers, and in
many instances this is undoubtedly true, the
expenses being especially felt when there is a
glut of fruit and prices fall to a very low point.
But the rail charges do not always account for
the growers' poor returns. For example, the

city to which they were conveyed at a less price
than 2Jd. to 3d. per lb., yet the rail charges did
not amount to Jd. per lb. on the whole of the
consignments. Obviously in this case the cost
of carriage could not be held responsible for the
loss to the growers nor the high charge to the
consumers. When the Board of Agriculture's

Fig. ii2.— aster norah peters: flowers white, and i-J- inches in diameter, an award

OF MERIT WAS GRANTED THIS VARIETY AT THE MEETING OF THE R.H.S. ON OCTOBER I.

(See note on p. 253.)

district manager of a large railway company
pointed out to me that when growers were com-
plaining they could not obtain more than an
average of \A. per lb. for their Plums, the same
fruits were not purchaseable in the shops of the

markets price list was first issued it was thought
it might help to favour the better distribution
of produce, and in some respects it has that
effect, no doubt. But a weekly list is of little
service as regards such perishable fruits as

Plums, and much more frequent information is
needed to enable cultivators to take advantage of
the best markets. The largest growers provide
tor this by private means, but smaller producers
would be helped by combination on a co-opera-
tive basis. A strongly supported society might
do some useful work in this connection, and the
subject should be worth the attention of the
National Fruit Growers' Federation, even if it
went no farther than drawing up a carefully
devised series of suggestions as a preliminary,
including the ideas set out in the article refeued
to at the beginning of this letter. R. L. CastU.

Chrysanthemum Shows: Boards v. Vases.

—Now that the Chrysanthemum shows are comi
ing on, I should like to call attention to the
decrease of interest shown by the public at
many of the exhibitions. At some shows in large
towns the attendances may be as large as ever,
but they are artificial, as they are bolstered up by
popular military bands and other extraneous in-
fluences. Where, however, the Chrysanthemum
is the almost sole attraction, there is un-
doubtedly a great falling-off, and the question
arises, why should it be so, considering that
there are quite as many lovers of the flower now
as formerly. I think it unfortunate that writers
and would-be teachers, on the conducting of
Chrysanthemum exhibitions, cannot recognise
the clear distinction between the enthusiasm of
the grower on the one hand and those who only
look upon the artistic side of the flower on the
other. After exhibiting Chrysanthemums my-
self, and trying for a great number of years to
teach the public both sides of the question, no
one can accuse me of want of interest in the
artistic aspect of the flower. I maintain that
the time has not yet come— if we wish for
financial success— when we can afford to throw
impediments in the way of those who grow
for skill only, for they are the backbone of every
society, whether it be a Chrvsanthemum or a
Potato Society. It has been sa'id that the R.H.S.
can maintain its exhibitions without the use of
show boards, but the circumstances are alto-
gether different. In the R.H.S. there are chang-
ing interests all the year round. Specialists de-
vote their interests to one societv in its particu-
lar season, and I venture to say that, rlotwith-
standing the lack of interest shown by the
R.H.S. in special societies, without the
"specials" there would be no R.H.S., as the
specialist is the improver of nearly every flower,
and the parent society is, after all, but an amal-
gamation of the whole. Unfortunately, com-
mittees, after the first flush of success of their
societies, get over dominated by irresponsible
persons who are quite out of touch with the
zeal of the grower, and too often seek to intro-
duce the attractive features of other countries
■ sometimes with advantage) without studying the
English side of the question. We are not artists
in the way the French are, nor are we quite so
commercial as our American cousins, but I
think we hold our own in the culture of our
flowers. Take an Englishman cultivating his
Chrysanthemums. His almost sole ambition is
for a fight on the exhibition boards, where he can
contest every point. Generally speaking, he does
not care a straw for the artistic side, and thinks
it very hard, after cultivating his flower for 365
days and then watching every floret develop,
when those who cannot understand him make
vexatious and impracticable rules to prevent him
exhibiting. There are several aspects of this
vexed question :— (1) The boards that have been
commonly used may not be large enough for
present-day flowers, but there is no reason why
larger ones should not be employed even without
altering the carrying boxes, as loose boards of a
larger size can easily be carried and blooms
transferred to them at the exhibitions by those
exhibitors who already possess an outfit. As
an exhibitor and judge, I am convinced that
both for displaying the characteristics of the
flower and obtaining a just decision from the
judges, there is nothing of a practicable nature
to equal the boards. What have we in their
place? Rows of inartistic green jars, certainly
no improvement on the boards, even if well ar-
ranged ; but with the frequently bad arrangement
on the part of the exhibitor himself, and the
crowding together of the jars by the exhibition
officials, the result is often more hideous than
artistic. (2) Owing to the limited number of
varieties asked for, these jars have counteracted

-270

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 12, 1907.

the very object the public has contended for, viz.
greater variety in form and colour. As the varie-
ties introduced became improved by the raisers,
we made the competition more severe, demand-
ing distinct varieties instead of duplicates. Now
all the beautiful flowers are discarded, just for a
very limited number of the largest and coarsest,
and the encouragement to the raiser is of the
most meagre description. (3) The great cost
of transporting unwieldy packages at the risk
of the blooms receiving damage, and the neces-
sity of spending more time than need be at the
exhibitions, prevents many cultivators from ex-
hibiting, however enthusiastic they may be.
Wherever the jars have been introduced to re-
place the boards, the competition has
dwindled to small proportions and the interest
has waned accordingly. Where are the thou-
sands of amateurs and gardeners who used to
crowd round the exhibits, taking note of every
bloom with keen enthusiasm, and adding their
names as members of the society? Although
showing has certainly received a set-back, if the
boards are re-introduced and the old conditions
revived, the finances of societies will improve
and artistic interest in the Chrysanthemum will
spread more widely. Norman Davis, Framfield.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee.

October 1. — Present: Mr E. A. Bowles, M.A.,
F.L.S. (in the chair), Prof. J. B. Farmer, F.R.S.,
Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., Dr. M. C. Cooke, Prof.
G. Boulger, Messrs. E. M. Holmes, J. W. Odell,
A. W. Sutton, W. C. Worsdell, J T. Bennett-Poe,
H. T. Giissow, G S. Saunders, A. Worslev, G.
Massee, J. Douglas, and F. J. Chittenden (hon.
sec ).

Diseased Plants- — Mr. Gossow reported that the
diseased Sweet Peas shown at the last meeting
were attacked by a fungus, but there was no fruit
present, so the fungus could not be determined.
He also reported that the leaves of Clerodendron
trichotomum had been attacked by Botrytiscinerea,
and the Blackberry leaves by Phyllosticta rubi.

Uncommon Fungi. — Mr. Odell showed specimens
oT Ithyphallus caninus, a fungus belonging to the
T'halloideae, appearing somewhat erratically. The
specimens were collected in Middlesex. Mr.
Saunders showed a specimen of Tuber aestivum,
one of the Truffles.

Bulbils on Stem of Lilium candidum. —Mr. Saun-
de".s showed one of two similar plants of Lilium
candidum grown in a garden at Tunbridge Wells.
One of the plants had been growing in rather a
damp border, and had not been moved for a long
time, the other was in a very dry position, and was
moved two years ago. One plant bore three, the
other four spikes, each beset with small bulbils in
every leaf axil. The foliage was similar to that of
other plants of L. candidum growing near by. It
was suggested that possibly injury to the apex of
the stem had caused the formation of these bulbils.

" Wheat-ear " Dianthus. — Mr. Bowles showed,
from Rev. Canon EUacombe's garden, an inflor-
escence of a Dianthus raised from seed gathered
from Dianthus superbus. but the plant was evi-
dently a hybrid, being very dissimilar from that
species. No normal flowers had been produced,
but the bracts had been repeated again and again
in the manner seen in the " Wheat-ear" Carnation,
and at times also in the Sweet William.

Calycanthus Fruits. — Mr. Chittenden showed
fruits of Calycanthus lsevigatus from the R.H.S.
gardens, Wisley.

Bud on Cotyledon — Mr. Chittenden also showed
a seedling of Bryophyllum sp. having a small
shoot bearing two leaves growing from the petiole
of one of the Cotyledons and another in the notch
of the apex of the same Cotyledon, being produced
in much the same way as buds are in the angles of
the crenations of the ordinary leaves.

NATIONAL POTATO.
EXHIBITION AT WYE COLLEGE.
October 2. — The importance of the Potato as
a garden or field crop cannot be overestimated,
and any organisation which seeks to improve
methods of cultivation, and to promote the rais-
ing of useful varieties, should deserve the

encouragement, not only of specialists, but of
horticulturists generally. Concentration of
efforts upon a particular object must, under
judicious direction, produce results of a satis-
factory character, and in this way every well-
managed special society has contributed some-
thing to the advance of gardening. A great
work was taken in hand by the National Potato
Society, which was founded some four years ago
upon a broad and reasonable basis. Not only
were the usual competitive shows to be pro-
vided, but a carefully-devised scheme for county
and other trials of new and old varieties was
included within the scope of the Society. It
was rightly thought that by this means the par-
tial demonstrations of Potato merits afforded by
exhibitions alone would be supplemented by
practical information relating to cropping,
disease-resisting properties, &c, derived from
independent and reliable testimony-. The latter
part of the work has been performed in a satis-
factory manner generally, but, in the case of
Burgoyne's Farm at Impington, attached to the
University of Cambridge, it has developed into
elaborate experiments of the greatest possible
value, as can be seen from the records in the
guide recently issued by the Cambridge Depart-
ment of Agriculture

The exhibition side of the Society's work,
however, developed in undue proportion to the
other part, probably against the wishes and in-
tentions of the promoters. Trade interests of a
conflicting nature became involved, and "the
boom" seemed likely to be followed by an
equally injurious collapse. It appeared at one
time that the show of 1906 would be the last
held by the Society, and that all the good work
of the preceding years would be lost. At this
critical juncture Mr. Walter P. Wright, who
was practically the founder of the organisation,
came to the rescue, and, on the strength of his
representations, the Governors and Principal of
the South-Eastern Agricultural College at Wye
decided to offer a site for the 1907 show, free of
all expense, to the National Potato Society.
This welcome aid was promptly acknowledged
and accepted, and horticulturists will hopefully
look to the departure as a forward step to a long
period of successful and useful work. At the meet-
ing in the afternoon the Principal of the Wye
College, M. J. R. Dunstan, Esq., very properly
emphasised the necessity for the due recognition
of the fact that such societies should not exist
for the provision of shows alone ; there is much
instructional work to be done of importance
alike to growlers and the public. The rigid ex-
amination of novelties, the exclusion of those
with new names only to their credit, the reduc-
tion of the numerous varieties already in com-
merce to the chief types, greater care and more
general adoption of methods of combating
diseases, and many other matters all demand
attention. Much of this can be accomplished
without any severe demand upon the resources
of the Society, but there is no question that sup-
port will be forthcoming as the results of the
efforts are published in the annual record of
the trials, shows, and discussions.

The gymnasium at the Wye College was de-
voted to the exhibits of Potatos entered for the
National Society's prizes, and though the compe-
tition was not very keen, as compared with some
previous years, yet the uniformity of quality was
remarkable, and the whole were up to a high
exhibition standard. If large size, even shape,
and spotless skins were all that are essential to
perfection in Potatos, the ideal was fully attained
in the leading collections at Wye ; but how far
the winning tubers would have justified their
appearance, when cooked, is an open question.
Still, a handsome Potato possesses a distinct
and undoubted value, and it is quite possible to
secure fine appearance with good quality.

Mr. Bex Ashton, Lathom House Gardens,
Ormskirk, who has on many occasions given
substantial proof of his skill as a Potato grower,
was again the hero of the hour. Not only did he
succeed in finally winning the Carter-Findlay
Silver Challenge Cup, value £50 (being the third
time he has gained the award), but the Llewelyn
Challenge Cup was also secured for the second
time, and another win would make him the
owner of that as well. These honours were ad-
judged to a collection of 12 varieties, nine tubers
of each, selected from a list of 20 sorts sent out
by the donors of the first-named challenge cup,
and those represented were as follow : — Royalty,

a handsome, long, even-shaped, white tuber,
which was awarded a Silver Medal as the best
white Potato in the show, Empress Queen,
Monarch, Million-maker, Klondyke, Advancer,
Eldorado, Empire, Goodfellow, Snowball, Ruby
Queen, and Evergood, all being of exceptional
merit. M. T. G. Crampton, Gate House,
Sissinghurst, and Mr. G. R. Steward, Loseley
Park, Guildford, were the only other prize-
takers in the same class, in the order named,
and both had praiseworthy samples, the former
having the only first-class dish of Northern Star
we observed in the show.

Five collections of nine varieties provided a
good display, Mr. A. Woodgate, Capel Manor
Gardens, Horsmonden, leading with good tubers
of medium size : Recorder, Duke of York,
Duchess of Norfolk, Radium, British Queen,
Factor, Sensation, Windsor Castle, and Main-
crop; followed by Mr. G. Johnson, Vicarage
Lodge, Yalding. The well-proved Potatos Factor
and British Queen were very prominent in this
class, and were good examples of the varieties,
which include both exhibition characters and
real cultural value.

The competition between societies affiliated
to the National Potato Society was one of the
most interesting in the show. The conditions
were easy, as only six varieties were required,
four white and two coloured, and a wide range
was thus open to select from, as no other restric-
tions were imposed. The Saltwood Society,
llythe, won chief honours, showing well-selected,
even examples of King Edward VII. and the
Dean as the two coloured varieties — a handsome,
and distinct pair ; the others being Duchess of
Cornwall, Up-to-Date, Factor, and Britannia —
all in first-class order. The Sittingbourne
and Milton Society had an almost equally
notable exhibit. The Green Street District
Gardeners' Society and the Eccles Cottage
Garden Society, Maidstone, were also prize-
takers, and some of the remainder were highly
commended. In addition to the varieties men-
ti med, the following were noted as of special
merit, namely : Purple Frefection, Scottish Tri-
umph, Table Talk, Eastern Star, Lord Raglan,
Victorious, and Queen of the Veldt ; but Factor
and Up-to-Date were noticeable in the majority
of the collections, indicating that they had
passed the trials of the season exceptionally well.

Flavour in Potatos is an important property,

t ften overlooked in competitions ; but a class

was provided at Wye, in which two prizes were
presented by Mr. R. Sydenham, of Birmingham,
for six varieties to include at least three of the
half-dozen named in the schedule, viz., Factor,
Duchess of Cornwall, Royal Kidney, Windsor
Castle, Sir John Llewelyn, and Snowdrop. Must
of the exhibitors seemed, however, to be afraid
In venture outside this list, and it might be
advisable on another occasion to name a larger
number from which selections could be made.
Mr. W. Coleman, Buckingham, won 1st honours
wuh an excellent exhibit, comprising the six
varieties already named. Mr. A. Lawson,
Annfield, Kingskettle, N.B., was a close 2nd,
his collection including a dish of remarkably
handsome tubers of King Edward VII., for
which a Silver Medal was awarded as the best
dish of coloured Potatos in the show. Further
encouragement might be given to this depart-
ment of the exhibition, especially by providing
other classes, and so allowing the competitors
more latitude. The cooking tests should also be
repeated whenever practicable.

Three prizes were offered in each of 26 classes
for single dishes of different varieties, and this
is always an interesting section, as it affords an
opportunity of testing the relative popularity of
the newer Potatos, or their behaviour in any
particular season. On this occasion, however,
the competition was too restricted to afford con-
clusive evidence, as in more than half the
classes the entries did not exceed five. Up-to-
Date was far ahead with 14 exhibits, followed
by Sensation with 11, Factor and Duchess of
Cornwall with 9 each, King Edward VII. and
Superlative with 8 each, Snowdrop, Nobleman,
and Excelsior with 7 each. The most successful
competitors were Messrs. W. Coleman (who
secured seven 1st prizes), A. Lawson, Ben.
Ashton, A. Basils, Weybridge ; A. Woodgate,
T. King, Chippenham; G. Scourfield, Neath;
W. 1'iper, Ipswich; G. H. Quint, Tring ; F. G.
Crampton, and J. Williamson, Mallow, Ire-
land.

Octobek 12, 1907.

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

271

Special prizes were offered by Messrs. Webb &
Son, Wordsley, for four dishes of their new
varieties, and these were won by Mr. Ben.
Ashton, who was 1st with excellent, even, and
handsome tubers of Chieftain, Colonist, New
Umpire, and New Guardian ; followed very
closely by Mr. A. Basile, who showed Pro-
gress, Stourbridge Glory, Chieftain, and Em-
pire. Classes of this kind are much more
interesting and instructive when not restricted
to a few special varieties.

The handsome Potatos Highlander, Noble-
man, and Excelsior, were provided for in the
single dish classes where there was a total of
17 exhibits ; but Mr. Wm. Deal, Brooklands,
Kelvedon, Essex, also offered three special
prizes for them, which were accorded to Mr. T.
King, Mr. Ridgewell, and Mr. Crampton in
that order. A question was asked whether there
was more than one variety under the name of
Highlander, and an opinion was expressed that
in a certain district Highlander No. 2 was
superior to No. 1. Presumably they both came
from Mr. Deal, and probably he can explain
the matter before any confusion arises.

Non-competing exhibits from the great Potato-
growing and selling firms have usually formed
such an imposing feature that their absence on
this occasion was the more conspicuous ; per-
haps the distance from London was the deter-
rent, and when a more central position is
secured they wiil return. Mr. James Gardiner,
Perth, N.B., alone sent in a collection, which,
however, included a number of new varieties in
favour with growers.

In reference to the Potato Show, it only
remains to be said that the duties of secretary
were admirably performed by Mr. YY. 11.
Adsett, whose methodical arrangement of the
exhibits was satisfactory. The prompt announce-
ment of the judges' awards, with the courtesy
extended to all officials and visitors, gained
full and deserved commendation.

Collections of Vegetables.

A Kent County vegetable competition was
organised by Mr. W. P. Wright, to be held in
the Wye College on the same day as the Potato
Show, special prizes being secured from five
firms of nurserymen and seedsmen. The same
regulation applied in each of the five classes,
namely, six distinct kinds of vegetables were
required. All gardening societies in Kent were
eligible to compete, either collectively or through
individual members, but the seeds had to be
obtained from the firm in whose class the vege-
tables were entered. It was an excellent idea, and
the result amply justified the experiment, for the
high quality of the vegetables is rarely equalled
at county shows. Besides the many prizes, a
County Championship Award was offered for
the best exhibit, and this honour was ultimately
adjudged to the 1st prize collection from the
Sittingbourne Gardeners' Association, in the
class provided by Mr. John Charlton, The
Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells. A cup and cash
prizes were offered by Messrs. Harrison & Sons,
High Street, Maidstone, and the chief award
was won by the Wye Cottage Gardeners'
Society with a model collection of admirably
grown and well staged vegetab'es. Messrs. G.
& A. Clark, Ltd., Dover, T. Tutt &- Sons, Ash-
ford, and F. Webber, Tonbridge, also contri-
buted prizes which brought some attractive and
excellent collections.

The Potato and vegetable competitions weie
accommodated in the College buildings, but a
tent was required for the exhibits in the classes
provided by the local agricultural society, where
fruits and vegetables were included, though the
main features were capital displays of eggs,
honey, and dead poultry. Besides these various
attractions an interesting collection of Apples
grown in the College gardens was staged by Mr.
Deadman in one of the laboratories. Some of
the most useful varieties in cultivation were
represented by excellent fruits from dwarf trees.

Lecture on Potato Diseases.
The officials at Wye are energetic, enter-
prising, and distinctly up-to-date, one result of
these valuable qualities being that on the occa-
sion of the National Potato Society's show it
was also arranged a lecture should be given on
Potato diseases, to be followed by discussion.
The judging was not, however, completed in
time to allow this plan to be carried out as at

first intended, but though late a large audience
ultimately gathered in the lecture hall. The
principal of the college, M. J. R. Dunstan, Esq.,
presided, and after a few introductory remarks
by the chairman of the National Potato Society
(Mr. W. P. Wright), Mr. Dunstan gave a brief
but important address, indicating the direction
in which the society might perform increasingly
useful service in the future by developing the
educational and scientific sections of its work.
The lecture on Potato diseases by Mr. E. S.
Salmon, E.L.S., followed, and dealt principally
with the common scab and the black scab. The
former is now determined to be due to the fungus
Oospora scabies, for many years a troublesome
pest in some soils and districts ; but the other
is of recent introduction, and is believed to be
confined as yet to a few localities. The name
given to the black scab fungus is Chrysophlyctis
endobiotica, and the disease is regarded as of a
very serious character, since it cannot be
checked by the means adopted against other
diseases. This and the other pests were clearly
illustrated by lantern slides, and methods of
preparing Bordeaux mixture were also explained
and illustrated in a similarly lucid and interest-
ing manner. A few questions were asked, but
there was no time for a full discussion.
Correspond! at.

iDbttuarj).

Charles Davies. — We regret to announce the
death, <m the 20th ult., of Mr. Charles Davies,
.it Wells, Somerset. Mr. Davies was for man)
years gardener to Lady Howard de Walden at
the Mote Park, Maidstone, and afterwards to the
Baroness Adolphe de Rothschild, at Pregney,
iH.ii Geneva In 1890 he was awarded the Wor-
shipful Company of Fruiterers' Silver-Gilt Medal
for 50 dishes of Apples and Pears at the Guild-
hall Show. In 1889 he won the Silver-Gilt Paul;,
sian Medal awarded by the Royal Horticultural
Si iciety.

Dr. Edward A. Heath. — The Times. Oi
October 10, contains the announcement of the
death of Dr. E. A. Heath, of Khun- Street,
S.W., and Shoreham, Kent, at the age of 68
years. Dr. Heath was a Fellow of the Linnean
Society, and had studied botany and entomology.

VARIORUM.

DISTURBING THE PEACE OX SUNDAY.
Herr Griibel, the owner of a vineyard at
Maxdorf, in Germany, was recently charged,
with one of his workmen, before the justices
with having syringed or sprayed his vines in the
vineyard on a Sunday, and fined 1 mark, or in
default one day's imprisonment. Griibel's excuse
was that the spraying was a pressing necessity
that could not be deferred, not even on a Sunday,
as the Peronospora infestans was no respecter
of Sunday tranquillity. With this view of the
matter, the Bench did not agree. The vineyard
owner carried his case to the Sheriff's Court,
which reversed the verdict, holding that the
spraying was not in the nature of Sunday work,
and its non-performance would have caused
great injury and loss to occur.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Mr. P. Meyer, as Landscape Gardener to Messrs. R. Veiich
& Sons, Exeter.
'r. F. E. Hogbin, for the past 6 years Gardener to E.
Greev, Esq., King's Heath House, Birmingham, as
Gardener to C. E. Jeffcock, Esq., Wales Manor, nr.
Sheffield. (Thanks for contribution to R.G.O.F. Box.)

Mr. W. Cook, for 71 years Foreman at Silverlands, Chertsey,
as Gardener to Sir Philip Waterlow, Bart., Trosley
Towers, Wrotham, Kent.

Mr. C. Hart, for the past 11 years at Underwoods, Etching-
ham, as Gardener to Miss Tate and Miss Tanner,
Caldecote Towers, Bushey Heath, Herts.

Mr. Thos. Harris, for the past 8J years Gardener to A. H
Harman, Esq., Lower Grayswood, Haslemere, as
Gardener to Barclay Day, Esq., Dene End Gardens,
Haslemere.

Mr. C. Oakford, for the last 5 years Gardener to Col. Boyd,
Crofton House, Titchfield, Hants., as Gardener to Lady
Brownlow, Wartield Hall, Bracknell, Berks,

Mr. H. Williams, for 10 years Gardener to E. B.
Beaichamp, Esq., Trevinoe, Redruth, as Gardener to
Alfred Lanyon, Esq., Tolvean, Redruth, Cornwall.

Mr. F. L. Pike, for the past 7 years General Foreman at
Escot, Ottery St. .Mary, Devon, as Gardener to H. W.
Henderson, Esq., Serge Hill, Kings Langlev, Herts.

to

Lorrejpondenfa

• . * The Editor will be glad to receive, /or considera-
tion, large photographs of horticultural subjects, suitable
for forming Supplementary Illustrations to this Journal.

Agreement: Servant. If you signed an agreement
that a month's notice should be given before
relinquishing the duties of the situation, we think
you are bound by its terms. It is not a general
practice for gardeners to have properly drawn
up agreements when taking fresh situations, but
we think it would be to their advantage if the
custom could be instituted.

Application for Employment in Kew Gardens :
H. B. All the journeymen in these gardens ars
classed as young gardeners, and all receive a
uniform rate of wages, viz : 21s. per week. Appli-
cations for employment should be addressed lo
the Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In
the case of Hampton Court Gardens, you should
apply to the Superintendent. Vacancies in the
staffs of the gardens mentioned are not filled by
advertisement ; a list of young men who have
applied for admission is kept, and from this,
likely candidates are selected as vacancies occur.

Cabbage Butterflies: Arden. Hand-picking is
one of the surest means of destroying the cater-
pillars. Cleanliness in cultivation and proper
trenching of the ground, rotation of crops, and
dustings of gas-lime, soot, unslaked lime, etc.,
over the surface of the ground, are all helpful
means of keeping caterpillars of all kinds in
check. Chrysalids may be looked for in almost
every kind of situation that is capable of afford-
ing them shelter, and many may be thus de-
stroyed. Among other remedies which have
been advised are the watering of the plants with
weak brine- water or lime-water, and sprinkling
the plants with very small quantities of fine salt.

Canker on Apple Shoot : A'. &■ B. The disease
on the branch is canker, caused by a fungus —
Nectria ditissima. The fungus gains admission
to the tree through a wound in the bark, and
this may be caused by a blow, hail, frost, or
punctures of insects. Young branches that are
affected should be cut out and burned. Thick
shoots should have all the diseased parts cut
away and thesurface smeared with clay or gas
tar. Spray the trees with a solution of sulphate
of iron — 1 lb. to 1 gallon of water.

Carnation : S. E. The plants are affected with
the common black mould — Heterosporium
echinulatum. PicK off and burn all the affecled
leaves and syringe the plants with the Bordeaux
mixture. Any plants which are very badly
infested should be promptly destroyed.

Carnation Souvenir de la Malmaison : Amateur.
See the issi.es for July 2, lS'JS, p. 3 : March 11,
1899, p. 158; and November 4, 1 91), p. 333.

Celery Plants : T. H. H. The Celery spot-
mould or leaf-blight is caused by the fungus
Cercospora Apii. The best treatment is to spray
the plants with an ammoniacal carbonate of
copper solution when they are young, and re-
peat the sprayings occasionally during the period
of growth. To prepare this fungicide take of
copper carLonate 10 ozs. ; carbonate of ammonia
5 ozs ; and water 1 6 gallons. M ix the carbonate
of copper and the carbonate of ammonia, and
dissolve it in about a quart of hot water. When
it is thoroughly dissolved, add 16 gallons of cold
water. Spray one plant first and note the result.
Dilute the spray-fluid further if this appears
necessary.

Chrysanthemum : /. P. R. There is no fungal
disease in either set of leaves. The discoloura-
tion is not uncommon, but there is nothing in
the leaves themselves to indicate the cause.

Dividing into Two Halves, and Planting a
Lean-to House, 50 feet x 12 feet, with
Vines and Peach Trees : B. C. D. Excavate
the soil to the depth of 2 feet 3 inches and
4 feet wide from the front wall the entire
length of both divisions of the house. Next,
in order to provide means of drainage, place
in the bottom of the trench about 6 inches deep

272

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 12, j.907.

of brickbats or clinkers, broken fairly fine
on the top, covering this with thin
turves, grassy side down, or, with straw
litter from the stables.. Should stones
be more easily obtainable than brick-
bats or clinkers, they would answer the
purpose of drainage equally well, putting
sufficient gravel on the top to fill in the spaces
between the larger stones. A mixture, con-
sisting of four cartloads of the best loamy
soil at command, one load of horse-droppings,
and one load of old lime rubble or wood
ashes, preferably lime rubble, will be suitable
for the rooting medium. If the horse-drop-
pings are not at hand, short stable manure
that has been turned over several times in the
prooess of decomposition should be substi-
tuted. All the ingredients indicated should be
mixed together and turned over twice before
being wheeled into the house and deposited
in the trench prepared for their reception, fill-
ing this up to within 6 inches of the top in the
vine section and 9 inches in the Peach-tree
compartment. Trenches of the same dimen-
sions, but 3 inches shallower, should be ex-
cavated close up to and parallel with the back
wall and filled with the same kind of compost
in which to plant Fig trees in the vine division.
Two years hence the soil in the remaining
4 feet wide strip of old border should be ex-
cavated to the depth of 2 feet 3 inches, and
replaced with the same kind of compost
already recommended, making provision for
drainage as before. We assume that you will
plant standard fan-trained Peach and Nec-
tarine trees against the back wall of the Peach-
house. You will require two Peach or
Nectarine trees for the front of the house, and
these should possess clear stems about 3 feet
high before the branches appear. The trees
should be planted 6J feet from each end of the
house, and as close up to the front wall as the
position of the hot- water pipes will permit.
The trees at the back wall should be planted
at the same distances from the ends as recom-
mended for the front. This will give each
tree, whether at the back or front, a clear trel-
lis space of 12^ feet ; meanwhile Tomatos or
Roses could be grown on the unoccupied
spaces for two years. As to varieties of the
Peach and Nectarine to grow, we should re-
commend you to plant Hale's Early Peach and
Rivers' Early Nectarine in the front, with
Crimson Galande lor Dymond) and Sea Eagle
at the back. Plant the trees as soon as thev
are received from the nursery, spreading the
roots out evenly over the soil in a slightly
downward direction, and cover them with the
same kind of compost as is indicated above to
the depth of 9 inches, giving each tree a gentle
shake in an upward direction to allow of the
soil getting well in amongst the roots. After-
wards tread the soil over a little to firm it
about the roots. This done, lay on a surface-
dressing of horse-droppings — extending 4 feet
from the trees — of 3 inches deep, and then ap-
ply a good watering. The vinery being part of
the 50 feet range will accommodate eight vines,
commencing at 2 feet from either end and
planting at intervals of 3 feet, to consist of,
say, two vines of Black Hamburgh, one
Madresfield Court, one Gros Colmar, one
Gros Maroc, one Foster's Seedling, one Black
Alicante, and one Muscat of Alexandria, the
last-mentioned vine requiring to be planted at
the warmer end of the house. Should vi n
of this year's growth be planted early in the
New Year, all the soil should be shaken i ft,
and the roots should be disentangled, shortened
back a little and then spread over the surface
of the prepared soil in the manner advised for
the Peach trees, covering them 6 inches deep
with the compost, and afterwards treating them
as recommended above for the Peach trees.
You might plant three Fig trees against the
back wall of the vinery as you suggest — a
Erown Turkey in the centre, and a Negro
Largo (or Early Violet), and White Marseilles
on either side ; these last two varieties may be
gradually reduced and subsequently removed
altogether, as the specimen of Brown Turkey
requires more space to develop. The Fig trees
should be planted in the manner advised for
Peach trees. With regard to the heating of the
houses, the two 4-inch flow and return pipes
which you are fixing round the house on a
level with the surface of the border and brick-
work should suffice, assuming that you do not

intend to force the trees early, but owing to
the fact of your dividing the house, a little
alteration and extension of the heating power
in the way of hot-water pipes will be neces-
sary. It would, however, be better to have
the water pipes raised 6 inches above the level
of the border, and the flow pipe or pipes
should be given a rise of 3 or 4 inches in the
entire length of house — 50 feet — say H or 2
inches rise in each section from where" pipes
enter house. Assuming that the vinery section
is situate nearest to the heating apparatus, you
will require to fix a T piece in the flow pipe
at the farther end of the vinery, making the
connection by inserting a throttle valve be-
tween the T piece and flow, and connecting
the latter by means of the said T and a length
of 4-inch pipe with the return pipe at the back
of house 3 feet from and parallel with the
back wall, in which connection another T
piece and fitted with two throttle valves will
be necessary. These fixed, you can heat your
vinery without heating the Peach-house, or you
can heat both at the same time. But while
about it, we should advise you to put an addi-
tional'flow pipe in the vinery if not in both
divisions. The extra cost would not be heavy.

Dry Rot : IV. T. Undoubtedly you have got the
dry rot (Merulius lacrymans) iii its most luxuriant
and fruitful condition. The myriad of fertile
spores will prove a centre of infection. It is too
late to adopt any but the most drastic measures.
The woodwork you will find to be thoroughly
rotten, the disease being fostered by moisture
and the absence of a current of air. We fear
that there is no alternative but to remove all the
infected woodwork and disinfect with lime
thoroughly before replacing with fresh wood.
Provide air-bricks to allow air to circulate under
the floor.

Fig Trees in Vinery : If. B. We do not think
your Grapes are likely to suffer from any such
influence as you describe from the Fig trees.
There are, however, other reasons why vineries
should be reserved exclusively for Grape-culture,
where it is convenient to do this. The two
crops require different treatment at the same
time, and Fig trees are liable to attacks from
scale insects which might be communicated to
the vines.

Fungus: C. B. G. The fungus is Daedalea con-
fragosa.

Hybrid Tea Roses : B. L. Your list is a good
one, but it by no means exhausts the number of
really good Hybrid Tea varieties. Among others
might be named Antoine Rivoire, Dean Hole,
Griiss an Teplitz, Gustav Grunerwald, Gustave
Regis, Lady Ashtown, La Tosca, Liberty,
Madame Jules Grolez, Madame Ravary, Prince
de Bulgarie and Yiscountess Folkestone.

Indentures : Subscriber, Kerry. You are not likely
to require a solicitor. It will first be necessary
to determine where the youth is to be apprenticed ,
the kind of agreement or indentures that would
be approved by both parties might then be dis-
cussed. In gardening, long periods of apprentice-
ship are inadvisable, it being better that the
youth should move from place to place in search
of further experience, say after the first three
years.

Lilium candidtjm: C. T. The bulbs are deterio-
rating through their crowded condition, and it
will therefore be advisable to lift and replant
them.

Peaches : Daisy. Your Peach tree having been
raised from a seed planted only five years ago
has succeeded uncommonly well, if it has borne
100 good fruits this season. The specimen you
sent us suffered considerable damage in the post,
and we were therefore unable to test its flavour
under the best conditions. At the same time we
think the variety is a good one. The fruit was
of moderate size, had developed considerable
colour, and possessed a satisfactory degree of
flavour. Its cropping qualities are certainly of
the best. If you still possess fruits in a satis-
factory condition for transport, you might send
half a dozen to the meeting of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, which will take place on
Tuesday next, in the Royal Horticultural Hall,
Vincent Square. Westminster, and state that
they are submitted for inspection by the FrurJ
and Vegetable Committee.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants.— We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they roust bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits : H. H. Your fruits were good speci-
mens, but we are unable to name them
because they were over-ripe when they were
received, the interior of each being partially
decayed.— IV. D. and S. 1, Golden Spire: 2,
Old Nonsuch.— E. Lewis. l.Catillac; 2, Beurre
Hardy ; 3, Louise Bon of Jersey ; 4, Beurrt
d'Amanlis; 5, Beurre Clairgeau ; 6, Beurre'
Superfin.— C R.&Co. Reine Claude de Bavay,
Denniston's Superb. No numbers were attached
to the Plums — C. Kerry. 1, Warner's King ;

2, Stone's; 3, Gascoyne's Scarlet; 4, the
Queen ; 5, Forge Apple ; 6, New Hawthornden.
— P. U. M. 1, Triomphe de Jodoigne ; 2, Fon-
dante de Cuerne ; 3, Doyenne du Cornice. —
John Maters. The cuttings must have been taken
from the old stock, below the point at which the
Crimson Queening was grafted. The Apple is
Hanwell Souring. — Cona. 1, Scarlet Golden
Pippin ; 2 and 3, Worcester Pearmain.— Beurre.

1, Souvenir du Congres ; 2, Fondante d'Au-
tomne ; 3, Brockworth Park.— C. F. C 1, Apple
Pitmaston Pine.— Coleman. Please send again
when the fruits are nearly ripe. It is almost
impossible to name such hard green fruits with
any degree of accuracy.— H. T. H. Pears
Williams' Bon Chretien.

Plants: A. R. H. 1, Aster Novi Belgii
Candida; 2, A. N. B. aurove; 3, A. puniceus.
You should have given the approximate height
of the plant, as this information is most helpful
in determining the variety. — H. B. 1, Aster
Novi Anglian praecox ; 2, A. cordifolius major .

3, A. ericoides (probably type) ; 4, A. undulatus.
— MissM.E. 1, Colchicumautumnale plenum ;

2, C. Sibthorpii ; 3, C. montanum ; 4, C. Alici-
cum ; 5, Merendera Bulbocodium ; 6, Crocus
zonatus ; 7, Haemanthus puniceus ; 8, Lobelia
Cavanillesii. — W. H. W. 1, Lycopodium
clavatum ; 2, L. annotinum. — A. R. Scabiosa
caucasica.— E. C. C. D. 1, Too small for
identification; 2, Sedum spurium. — J. McP.
Senecio tanguticus.— H.D. Cortaderiaargentea,
Stapf, a male inflorescence. See Gardeners'
Chronicle, December 4, 1897, p. 396.

Primula : H. B. The species which most fre-
quently causes irritation and eruption upon the
skin of those persons who have occasion to
handle the plants is Primula obconica. See
notes in the issues for August 31, p. 173, and
September 14, p. 205

Rhododendrons: R.V.&-S. Rhododendrons are
not virulently poisonous to cattle, but it is con-
ceivable that were the beasts to eat greedily of
the bushes the effects would be serious. We
believe that cases of death have been reported
from this cause.

Societies : Agriculturist. The conditions in
either case are only financial ones concerning
entrance fees and annual subscriptions. Write
to the Secretary, Royal Horticultural Society,
Vincent Square, Westminster, and Secretary,
Linnean Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly,
London, W.

Verbena : /. H. E. The leaves were so crushed
when they reached this office that it was impos-
sible to determine the nature of the affection.

Communications Received.— La France— J. R. S.— H. C—
L. L. T.-B. T. A.— W. I. W., Ltd.— E. D— E. F. C—
J. C.-J. F. S.— W. J.M.— J.G. W.— Amateur— C. R. F.—
H. E.— H. W. W.-Brighton-H. W.— J. R. J.— H. J. C.
— C. T. D.— C. R.-M. A. P.— J. C— A. D.— P. L. H.—
W. H. G.-A. W.— C. J. G.— Jas. R. — F. Mason -G.—
J. S. S.— W. K.— F. Roemer-T. H.— H. T. G.-W. E. G.
Prof. T., South Russia.

For Market and Weather Repir'.s sec page X.

October 19, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

.273

THE

(!)arbcncrs(L broniclc

No. 1,086.— SATURDAY, October 19, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the—
Erigeron glaucus
Polygonum vaccini-

folium

Sedum brevifolium
Pottsii

American blight on the
roots of Apple trees ...

Amphicome Emodi

Anchusa italica, Drop-
more variety

Books, notices of —
British rainfall for
1900

Chrysan t h e m u in S o-
ciety, French National

Chrj - .i ii t h e m ii ms,
ertilisation of-,
hemums, ex-
hibiting 2b0,

Foreign correspond-
ence—

Odontoglussnm Pes-
catort-i versus O.
nobile

Fruit-culture in Canada

Fruit-preserving and the
Factory Act

Gladioli, quick growth
of seedling

Gooseberry-mildew and
the Red Currant

Hexisia bidentata

Ivy killed by a Poplar...

Law note —
Carnage of produce
by railway...

Lilac, a tine variety of

Orchid notes and glean-
ings

Market gardening —
Forcing Lily-of-t he-
Valley

Manure, horse and
cow

Paeon y list, a

P e I argoni urns, Ivy-
leaved

Plants near the coast ...

Plants new or note-
worthy—
Passiflora x Allardii

Plums, late ripening

Polystichum aculeatum
var. pulcherrimum
Drueryi

Ppl itos, ttials of 277,

Rosary, the —
Rose I'enelope

Senecios, two good

Societies —
Manchester and N i *l b
of England Orchid
Royal Botanic
Royal Horticultural ...

Sunshine in 1907

Sweet Pea season, the ..

Union of Gardenei s1
Societies

Vegetables-
Pea Goldfinder
Bean Scarlet Em-
peror

Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the

Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden ...
Kitchen garden, the
Orchid houses, the ...
Parks and gardens ...
Plants under glass ...

276

2S^

2*1

276
287

274
273

•27:1
285

277
283

•>f,
286
284
275
274

283

278

278

•JTs
279
■j:<
279
278
279
278

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Amphicome Emodi 276

Anchusa italica " Dropmore variety " 282

Polystichum aculeatum var pulcherrimum Drueryi . . 274
Syringa Josika?a eximia (Supplementary Illustration)

LATE RIPENING PLUMS.

?'

i'LUMS, indeed," may be remarked b)
some cultivators, " I shall cut down
many of my trees, for pecks of fruit
have been wasted this year!" Undoubted!)
this is the case, but the fault probably lies in
having planted early and mid-season kinds
selected for their good cropping qualitie-,
and in neglecting to plant varieties which
ripen late in autumn. The crops to be ob-
tained from a well-selected score of the best
varieties of Plums are always valuable to
■every owner of a garden, but so plentiful are
the choice mid-season sorts that a great num-
ber of cultivators never extend their selection
beyond them. It is not because there is any
further difficulty in cultivating the later
kinds, for if grown against walls almost any
aspect will suit these, and they may be suc-
cessfully fruited if they are kept in check by
biennial root-lifting or pruning.

A collection of Plums growing against a
wall ioo yards long in these gardens is
extremely valuable for dessert purposes, most
of the trees being of late ripening varieties.
Peaches Nectarines and Figs being past,

the latest Plums meet with every apprecia-
tion, notwithstanding over abundance of the
earlier supplies. Few there are who do
not relish well-ripened fruits of the many
kinds of Gages. Apart from the indispensable
Greengage, there is Golden Drop, now carry-
ing a very good crop and facing due north.
Many people believe this variety must be
given the best position in the garden, but it
is not so. The fruits obtained from a tree
growing in a sunny aspect are, no doubt,
better in quality than those that may be
ripened on a wall facing to the north, but
for the best latest ripening Plums a
western aspect is sufficiently good. From a
wall having such an aspect the variety
Angelina Burdett has just finished bearing,
and a good succession of fruit is now obtain-
able from Golden Transparent. It onlv re-
quires a little dry weather in order to ensure
the development of that rich flavour and
beautiful golden colour SO characteristic of
this variety. These lines are written on
October ioth, and it is possible that by the
time they are published the fruits will have
been gathered, likewise those of the variety
Bryanston Gage, which are both rich and
juicy, being very much after the style of
Greengage, but much larger in si/e. This
variety is first-rate when cultivated against a
wall. Before choosing the sorts for planting
every cultivator should determine the objeel
he has in view, and in the instance I have
mentioned the quality of good flavour was
primarily studied. Of the three or four
Transparent Gages I believe the late ripen-
ing variety is the best, but they all possess
such a vigorous habit of growth that they
require to be frequently checked by root-
pruning, especially if the wall is not a high
one. There is a difference of three weeks in
the ripening period between the original
Gage and Early Transparent Gage, but the
former is better than the latter in point of
flavour.

An extra large fruiting variety of Green-
gage is that known as Reine Claude de
Bavay. I have reason to expect that in
another week or ten days this variety will be
fit for the table, but it may be necessary to
put the fruits for a short time into a
heated atmosphere to ripen them perfectly.
These fruits, like most of the Gages, can be
kept for some time in good condition if
wrapped in silver paper. Our crop of Count
Althann's Gage is over. The fruits of this
variety are of an attractive appearance and
possess high merit ; a recently-planted tree of
Bonne Bouche is carrying a satisfactory crop
of large fruits, which appear to be capable
of keeping for some time. Decaisne, al-
though not a Gage Plum, is well worth
growing. The fruits are of large size and
are oval in shape, being greenish yellow in
colour, very handsome, and possessing
delicious flavour. Of purple Plums Reine
Claude Yiolette upholds its reputation as a
good late-ripening variety, the qualities of
which are mort apparent when the fruits are
allowed to hang until the skins begin to
shrivel ; the flesh is then rich and sugary and
of a delicious flavour. It is curious that
some kinds drop so readily from the shoots
when approaching maturity, and others
adhere to the tree until decomposition sets in.
Ickworth Imperatrice is an October fruit, of

good flavour and dark colour; it is much
improved if allowed to hang and shrivel,
although the quantity of the juice is con-
siderably diminished by this treatment. The
saccharine matter increases, which shows
that although the season is late when these
varieties ripen, and therefore not so con-
ducive to the development of good flavour,
there is a chemical action which transforms
these juices into saccharine matter very
much as is found to be the case in cider
Apples which, if left to thoroughly mature,
not only make a superior-flavoured liquid,
bul are much denser in sugar matter.

I must not omit to mention Brahy's Green-
gage, which is generally at its best from the
end of September until the second week in
I ' ber. It is a very fine late Plum of large
size, and suitable for exhibition. It is not a
verj sure cropper, but the fruits it is capable
ol yielding well compensate the cultivator for
his labour.

II is a pit) Coe's Fate Red has not the same
superior qualities as Golden Drop, it would
then give lis what is much required, namely,
a good, late ripening, red dessert fruit. Not-
withstanding the many kinds now in com-

. there is still room for the hybridist to

produce a high-flavoured fruit of that colour.
Ii is to be regretted that the large handsome
late-rip< ning variety Autumn Bi auty is not of
better quality, for it can only be properly
described as a culinary Plum. W. II. Clarke,
Aston Rowani Gardens, Oxon.

POLYSTICHUM ACT LEATUM
VAR. PULCHERRIMUM DRUERYI.

The two chief native species of Shield Fern
' ilystichum— P. angulare, the soft Shield
Fern, and P. aculeatum, the hard Shield Fern-
have been most prodigal in producing sports of
great diversity, and spores from these have fur-
nished plants of even greater diversity by
selection, so that no further advance in this
direction appeared possible — at any rate, as
regards types. The variety under notice (see fig.
113), and which was awarded a First Class Cer-
tificate by the R.H.S. Floral Committee on Octo-
ber 1, affords, however, another variation of
much beauty. This has sprung from a plant found
wild many years ago in Dorsetshire. Dr. Wills,
resident near Chard, was an enthusiastic Fern
hunter, and he supplemented his own finds by
many discoveries of his even more fortunate
neighbour, Mr. Moly, whose list embraced no
fewer than 600 varieties. Dr. Wills had natu-
rally assumed that he had exhausted, at least,
the immediate vicinity of his house, but he was
astonished and delighted one day by a farm
labourer who brought him a Fern gathered in a
hedge in the vicinity. This proved a form of
P. aculeatum of peculiarly graceful form, and
which was consequently named P. a. pulcherri-
mum (Beavis), that being the finder's name.
Although a singularly robust grower, and of a
larger size than the normal, it remained per-
fectly barren for many years, though, fortunately
for other Fern lovers, it proved fairly liberal in
offsets, and consequently in time the variety was
contained in most collections of note. An off-
set from the late Mr. G. B. Wollaston's plant
came into my possession some 25 years ago, and
a division of this plant was given to a neighbour,
Mr. C. B. Green, and under his care this throve
to such an extent as in a couple of years to quite
eclipse my own plant in size. It occurred to
Dr. Stansfield and myself, on visiting Mr.
Green's collection, to examine the fronds of his
specimen for spores, and to our delijht, with the

274

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 19, 1907.

aid of a lens, minute sori, consisting of two or
three sporangia or spore capsules, were detected.
These spores were sown, and in time a con-
siderable batch of young plants appeared, but
it was not until these had been pricked out and
grown to some size, that several very promising,
slenderly-divided plants were observed, both in
Mr. Green's batch and in my own. As these
progressed it became evident that a new and
beautiful " break " had occurred. The bulk of
the remaining plants promise to be fairly
replicas of the parental type, and some half
dozen or more have reverted almost to the
normal. Those of the new type number fully a
score, and only one intermediate form has so
far been detected. There is a certain amount of
subvariation among the sports, and one of my
own plants has exceptionally graceful pinnules,
so that it has been named P. ac. pulcherrimum
Drueryi, thus retaining an indication of the
parentage. The peculiarity of this section lies
in the extreme slenderness and length of the sub-
divisions of the fronds, the falcate pinnule of
the parent, about j inch in length and J inch in
width, being transformed into a quite linear
one 2 inches or more in length, and prettily
serrate near the tip, this serration in P. ac.
pulcherrimum Drueryi developing into a further
series of linear pinnulets forming a sort of
fringe. The parental form is of erect habit,
but the new type has spreading, almost pen-
dulous fronds, so that a difference exists which
renders it difficult for any but the raisers to
credit the parentage. Whether the new type will
be fertile remains to be seen ; the plants presum-
ably have by no means reached maturity, but
they are of a type which might be expected to
produce basal bulbils, and one has already
appeared on a rather distinct plant of Mr.
Green's raising, in which the make and habit
differ markedly from the rest. Besides the
plant certificated, I have nine plants which I
propose to name P. ac. gracillimum. Dr.
Stansfield has informed me that a number of
years ago sori were noticed on P. ac. pulcherri-
mum, but nothing resulted from a sowing, and
this season he has observed others on a plant in
his possession ; they are, however, always more
or less rudimentary, but in the case which
has yielded the results recorded, the sporangia
were quite perfect, though few. Chas. T.
Dnii) v.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

PASSIFLORA x ALLARDII.

This is a hybrid between P. quadrangularis 9
and P. ccerulea Constance Elliot, raised not long
since by Mr. E. J. Allard, when foreman of the
plant houses of the Botanic Garden, Cambridge.
It is chiefly remarkable for the small evidence it
affords of the mother parent, but there is still
enough to show that there can be no mistake in
the record. The petals are almost pure white, but
with just a pink tinge, while the filaments of the
corona -are of deepest cobalt-blue, showing the
white marks or bars below, both conspicuous
features derived from P. quadrangularis. Although
the foliage is totally unlike that of P. quadrangu-
laris, and might pass much more readily for some
condition of P. coerulea, it is still quite distinct.
The leaf has usually three broad lobes, and has
never the numerous, narrow divisions usual in P.
ccerulea.

It may be remembered that the well-known
Passiflora Imperatrice Eugene was obtained from
a similar cross. In this cross the typical P.
ccerulea was used, and it is interesting to observe
the differences obtained by crossing with the
variety Constance Elliot. The corolla is much
whiter and the corona much darker, so that in
coloration these parts of the flower are in stronger
contrast. R. Irwin Lyich.

THE SWEET PEA SEASON.
Notwithstanding the many difficulties with
which, during the past season, all cultivators of
Sweet Peas have had to contend, the plants
have seldom grown better or flowered more
luxuriantly than they have done this year.
In many large Scottish gardens which I have
visited recently, and especially in those of the
Earl of Stair at Lochinch and Castle Kennedy,
in this county, they have reached a
truly marvellous height. In my own somewhat
shady garden such superb varieties as King

Horace J. Wright, of exquisite deep violet hu.
Both of these, notwithstanding their strict at
herence to the production of only two flowe,
on each stem, I admire very much. Shasta an
Helen Pierce, sent to me all the way from the
native California by the distinguished raiser, M
Lester Morse, have also succeeded admirably i
my garden though I cannot doubt that the
flowers would have been considerably larger ha
I been able to give them a more open and sunn
situation. Frequent manuring, however, ha
helped them considerably ; during the autumn;
months it has also not seldom given a manife-

^vrv?<M^cr/N,

FlG. 113. — POLYSTICHUM ACULF.ATLM VAR. PULCHERRIMUM

DRUEKVr.

Edward VII., Dorothy Eckford (assuredly the
largest and loveliest of all pure white Sweet
Peas), Countess Spencer, and Queen Alexandra
have been magnificent, alike in size, colour, and
texture, as by reason of their splendid charac-
teristics they must always be, when so highly
favoured as they were during the month of
September, with benignant atmospheric influ-
ences. Several varieties of quite recent in-
troduction have also been very beautiful here,
conspicuous among which were F.arl Cromer,
of very distinctive crimson-lake colour, and "

stimulus to much older and more reliable varie-
ties. I find, for example, that such periodical
applications tend to intensify both the size
and colour of such grand introductions as
King Edward VII., Queen Alexandra, and the
now almost entirely superseded Scarlet ('.em
Of the variety last mentioned, so great! •
gised on its first appearance, a precious varie
tion — if such it may be termed — has come to ui
from the Santa Clara Nurseries in California
and it is warranted not to " burn " 'it the
strongest sun. If it does not "burn " it will b.

October 19, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

'i->

much valued by those numerous cultivators who
have hitherto regarded this regrettable tendency
:m the part of the far-famed Scarlet Gem as a
serious drawback. But it is also a flower of but
limited dimensions at the best, and unlike most
jf its highly-coloured contemporaries it does not
attain to a commanding height. The variety
Queen Alexandra is a much more vigorous
production, and one that I think is likely
:o endure. I have been much gratified by the
achievements of my own beautiful namesake this
season in this and other gardens, also by its
orominence, of which I have heard much, at
ihe Holland House and other Metropolitan
shows. It is especially effective, I find, when
,TO\vn between such varieties as Sadie Burpee
and the Scarlet Gem.

One of the most attractive of the pure white
pweet Teas, and probably the most recent of any
ponsequence, is Nora Unwin, which has the ex-
quisitely waved or crenulated form of Countess
[Spencer, a variety which has given us many at-
tractive derivatives. Some cultivators predict
I hat this will, ere long, supersede Dorothy 1 • k-
"ord, but I question if it will ever prove suffi-
ciently vigorous or floriferous to achieve such a
esult. I find there is a considerable difference
jf opinion regarding the merits of Henry Eck-
ord — I mean, of 'course, the orange-coloured
lower which bears that name. For my own
iart, I think that in what may be termed artistic
-ituations — where it has a strongly contrasted
•nvironment — it is undoubtedly most effective.
Urs. Collier is an exquisite pale prinn
joloured Dorothy Eckford, and E. J. Castle,
vhose supposed resemblance to another variety
if similar extraction has been too much empha-
sised, while florally effusive in no common de-
cree, possesses a charming colour combination
pf salmon and rose. David R. Williamson,
Manse of Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire, Scotland.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

ODONTOGLOSSUM PESCATOREI. Linden,
O. NOBILE, Reichb. f.

Of late years a tendency seems to have sprung
ip on the part of certain writers to replace the
lame of Odontoglossum Pescatorei, Linden, by
hat of O. nobile. Rchb. f. It is, however, beyond
question that the first of the above-mentioned
specific names is the one which ought to be
etamed. The following quotation from Pescalorea
18G0) . of which the younger Reichenbach was a
listinguished contributor, supports -this view :
' The original description of this species was given
)y Reichenbach fil., in Limned, xxii., p. 850 (1849).
'3ut under the name Odontoglossum nobile the
.vord ' callis,' by a typographical error, appeared in
alace of ' cavinis ' [sic]. Further, the labellum is
said to be purple, and the rest of the floral whorls
;-ose-coIoured ." On this account Dr. Lindlev was
jnable to recognise with certainty the identity of
D. Pescatorei, Linden, and O. nobile, Reichb. f.
The latter author, however, has since then
.lefinitely stated that the same plant is designated
jy the two names, and he has generously abandoned
.he right of priority and adopted the specific name
Pescatorei, under which the plant is now generally
inown. Moreover, whenever Reichenbach has
lad occasion to describe a new variety of O.
Pescatorei he has always used this name (e.g.,
0. Pescatorei Leucoxanthum, Gardeners' Chronicle,
18S7, p. 60G ; O. Pescatorei Scbroderianum,
hardeners' Magazine, 1892, p. 135, and other
examples could be cited).

1 Having regard to the above facts, there can
"emain no doubt as to O. Pescatorei being the
name which should be retained for this species.

Perhaps this short note, by correcting some
Errors of citation or description that have recently
appeared, may serve to conduce to the more
orecise naming of Orchids. L. Li' den.

[To acknowledge the right of an author to with-
draw a prior name on relative'v slight grounds is
Ml in accordance with modern usage. — Ed

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

SEDUM BREVTFOLIUM POTTSII.
The smaller Sedoms are valuable for man}'
purposes in the garden, and are especially de-
sirable in the rock-garden, where they can be
employed for covering dry rocks, on which few
other plants will grow, or as a carpet for dwarf,
early-flowering bulbous- subjects. One of the
prettiest of these dwarf species is Sedum brevi-
folium, a charming little Stonecrop not more
than an inch or two in height, even when its
white flowers are expanded, and having thick,
short leaves that are charmingly tinted with
white and chocolate. Still prettier is its variety
S. brevifolium Pottsii, which was, I believe,
introduced from the Continent by the late Mr.
Potts, Fettes Mount. Lasswade, Edinburgh.
This variety is smaller in all its parts than the
type. The leaves, which have a white, mealy
appearance, are in parts pleasingly tinted
with shades of red and brown. Owing to its
being so dwarf, the plant is especially valuable
as a carpet or ground-work for taller subjects.
Unfortunately, it has proved somewhat tender
in some parts of the country, especially in
those which are subjected to a heavy winter
rainfall combined with a low temperature. A
dry soil and a sunny position should be given
this beautiful little Stonecrop.

POLYGONUM VACCINIFOLIUM.

Under ordinary conditions this Knotweed,
which has been described by an authority as
" one of the most useful plants in cultivation
for rockwork," is easily grown, but in some
gardens it is found almost impossible to culti-
vate it successfully. Few plants in the rock
garden are more pleasing than this Whortle-
leaved Knotweed from the Himalayas, with its
prostrate habit, its neat, glossy leaves, and its
long spikes of pretty rose flowers. A well-
grown specimen hanging over a stone or small
rock has an extremely pretty appearance. The
growths, which are of a woody nature, are often
destroyed by late frosts. This is particularly
the case in the north, where there are few gar-
dens in which this beautiful Knotweed is to
be seen.

In my garden I find it succeeds in a cool and
partially shaded position, in a soil that is well-
drained, although the plant requires plenty of
moisture and perfect shelter from cold, cutting
winds. I have a plant of this species that has
been grown in the same spot without disturb-
ance for two years. It is planted close to the
base of a rockery that faces almost due east,
and protection from north winds is provided by
a high wall about 6 feet away, and from the
east by one about 20 feet distant. Another
specimen planted on an open rockery succumbed
in the spring.

ERIGEROX GLAUCUS.

Although frequently listed in hardy plant
catalogues, this species is not often met with
in gardens, and this is the more difficult to
understand, as there are many flowers of less
beauty and more troublesome of cultivation
that are largely planted. Many of the newer
Krigerons, or Fleabanes, are much inferior as
a garden plant to this once well-known species.
There is in my garden a plant which I have had
for at least 15 or 16 years, and which, after
being for some 13 or 14 years in my former gar-
den, was removed to my present one, where it
is now thriving.

Erigeron glaucus grows from 6 inches to a
foot high, and produces a number of rather
large, purple-coloured flowers well above its
glaucous leaves. It is not very particular in the
matter of situation, and will flower in a spot
facing north with apparently almost equal
freedom to a plant in one facing south. The
species is a native of Western North America,
whence it was introduced as far back as 1812,

Propagation can be effected by seeds, di\
and cuttings.

A variety of E. glaucus, named semjerflorens.
ra mentioned in the list of new garden plants of
the years 1905, in the Appendix to the Kew
Bulletin of 1906. This is said to be "a
dwarf, floriferous variety," and to come from
California. It is described in the Revue llorti-
cole from the garden of M. Ph. de Vilmorin,
Verrieres, France. S. Arnott, Sunnymead, Dum-
fries.

THE SUNLESS SEASON.

The Rothamsted Agricultural Station's
meteorological records show that the season of
1907 has been exceptionally sunless and cold.
The bright sunshine for the nine months,
January to September inclusive, amounted to
1,356 hours, being 43V hours less than the aver-
age record at this station. The four months of
January, February, March, and September, each
gave an excess of sunshine, while each of the
other five months, April to August inclusive, re-
corded a deficiency. These months included
the more active growing period of the year, with
the blooming fruiting and maturing time of
most of the fruit crops.

The total rainfall at Rothamsted for the nine
months amounted to 16.68 inches, being 3.4:2
inches less than the average for the past 5 I
in this neighbourhood, which is equivalent to a
deficiency of 345 tons of water on each acre of
land. The three months of April May and June
each gave an excess of rainfall compared with
the average, while the other six months each
recorded a deficiency of moisture.

The mean shade temperature showed four
months above average and five months below
the average in warmth.

LTnder these weather conditions we find that
while Cherry trees and most stone fruits, includ-
ing the Wild Sloe, as a rule, produced abund-
ance of blossom, but very little of it " set" ;
consequently in this district there was a great
deficiency of matured fruit of these kinds.

Strawberries responded to ihe abundant rains
of April May and June, and a good average
quantity of fruit was produced, but the sunless
condition of the usual ripening period almost
proved disastrous ; a spell of warmth, however,
quickly brought the crop forward, although the
fruit lacked colour and flavour.

Apples of most varieties are an abundant crop
as far as numbers of fruit £.re concerned ; in
fact many trees are greatly overladen with fruit,
although almost without exception the Apples
are extremely small and flavourless. Even Cox's
Orange Pippin and the Beauty of Bath this year
fail to sustain their reputation for quality and
richness of juice.

It would appear that while the moist, calm
weather enabled the blossoms to " set " for fruit,
the excessive cold nights chilled the sap as it
ascended to the growing parts of the trees, with
the result that the foliage in many instances
curled up and became blighted. The writer
saw some Apple trees which were exposed to
chilling north-easterly winds with their leaves
in a condition as if they had been scorched by
a fire, and with the branches heavily laden
with poor shivelled-up fruit, while Apple trees
on either side of them that were protected from
the cold by a high brick wall were yielding verv
fair sized fruit, and none of the leaves were
curled or blighted.

The lack of bright sunshine in the daytime
appeared to result in a deficient assimilation of
carbon from ihe atmosphere by the leaves of the
Apple trees ; consequently there was a corre-
sponding want of development of the carbo-
hydrates in the fruit, hence the small size and
poor flavour.

Blackberries on the hedges promised a fair
crop, but the fruit is ripening very badly ; the
berries are small and tasteless.

Hedge Nuts and Filberts are a scanty crop in
this district. /. /. Willis, Harpenden.

276

THE GARD ENER S' CHR 0 NI CL E.

[October 19, 1907.

IVY-LEAVED PELARGONIUMS.

Of the numerous tender subjects that are
employed in the embellishment of our gardens
and greenhouses, few if any are more in evidence
than the different varieties of the double-flowered
Ivy-leaved Pelargonium. Under glass they may
be grown as bushes of varying sizes ; those of a
drooping habit form del'g':tful subjects for plant-
ing in hanging baskets, while the more vigorous
growing kinds are suitable for training up pil-
lars, walls, or similar positions in the green-
house.

Large specimens are extensively used out-of-
doors for planting in the large mixed flower-beds
that are now frequently met with in public
parks and gardens, or for plunging in the grass.
As simple bedding plants, many of the varieties
are suited for ordinary summer use, and they
are largely used for furnishing window-boxes,
draping of balconies, &c.

The present type of Ivy-leaved Pelargonium is
a comparatively recent one : the first of the class
was the variety Konig Albert, raised by Hen-
Oscar Liebmann, of Dresden. It was distributed
in this country in 1875 by the late Mr. William
Bull, of Chelsea, and although the price of each
plant was 15s., it sold readily. In colour the
flowers of Konig Albert were a bright violet-
pink. Though several new varieties were dis-
tributed within the next few years, they were all
too much alike, and it was not until 1880 that
the first decided "break" appeared. This was
seen in Gloire d'Orleans, a variety with rose-red
blossoms. It was raised by M. Crousse, who
the following year distributed another variety
named after Madame Crousse, characterised by
a loose, trailing habit, with salmon-pink flowers.
This is still one of the most popular of all Ivy-
leaved Pelargoniums grown for market pur-
poses, and probably the only other varieties
cultivated equally extensively are Souvenir de
Charles Turner, sent out by the late Mr. Robert
Owen, of Maidenhead, and Galilee, raised by
M. Lemoine, of Nancy, and put into commerce
m 1887.

After Madame Crousse a large number of
varieties were raised on the Continent, some of
which are still favourites. Judging by the stiff
habit of growth and the round shape of the
flowers of many Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, they
contain an admixture of the Zonal type, in some
cases perhaps to a very small amount. This
circumstance will account for the bright colours
of many of their flowers.

Instances of direct crosses between the mem-
bers of these two sections of Pelargoniums are
to be found in Achievement, a variety having
cherry-pink coloured flowers, and one exten-
sively cultivated for bedding and market pur-
poses ; Alliance, with blush coloured flowers ;
and Chingford Rose, with rosy-pink blossoms.
Several English cultivators appear to have raised
varieties having a similar parentage as that of
Alliance, and some of them were exhibited at
the recent Holland Park Show.

The list of varieties of Ivy-leaved Pelar-
goniums in cultivation is an extensive one, and
it is a difficult matter to make a selection, par-
ticularly as many are alike. The following with
their colours are distinct, and amongst the best :
Beauty of Castle Hill, soft rose ; Colonel Baden-
Powell, blush lilac ; Corden's Glory, scarlet ;
Galilee, rich rose-pink ; Giroflee, magenta-
purple ; Hector Giacomelli, pink, feathered with
crimson ; Lamartine, orange-scarlet ; Leopard,
lilac-pink, and blotched with crimson ; Murillo,
violet-crimson ; Princess Victoria, pale lilac ;
Resplendent, crimson shaded with magenta (the
flowers are very large) ; Ryecroft Surprise, pink ;
Sabrina, scarlet ; Souvenir de Charles Turner,
reddish-pink ; The Queen, salmon-red. The
purest of the white flowered varieties with which
I am acquainted is Merimee, a novelty sent out
by M. Lemoine some years ago ; it is but little
known. The petals are almost white, with dark
featherings just at their bases. W .

AMPHICOME EMODI.
This Bignonaceous plant (see fig. 114) grows
at high elevations in India. It was introduced
to British gardens in 1852, and in the most
sheltered positions in favoured localities it will
succeed out-of-doors. Generally, however, the
species is treated as a greenhouse plant, and it
is very ornamental when cultivated in pots.
The plants grow about \\ feet high, the flower-
ing stems producing rose-coloured flowers with
a slight suffusion of orange. When the species
was exhibited by Messrs. Jas. Veitch and Sons
before the Floral Committee of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society on June 25 last it was
granted an Award of Merit. The specimen
shown in the illustration is 18 months old from
the seed.

amongst them if the returns are to show a profit.
I am strongly of opinion that far more care and.
conscientiousness should be exercised by those
persons who sell the crowns wholesale. If the
flower is not present in the crown, no system of
forcing can produce it, and growers and packer.;
should be very careful to include only such
crowns as from experience they can recognise as
flowering crowns. I can generally select the
crowns that will give good sprays of bloom.
with stiff long stems. These I plant first, and
the thinner and weaker crowns later by them-
selves ; the contrast between the two grades
is great. Some few years ago my practice was
to force Lily of the Valley quickly at a high
temperature, but I now grow them slowly in a
moderate degree of warmth, for L find the results

[rhotograph by C. P. Rafftlt.
FlG. 114- — AMPHICOME EMODI : FLOWERS ROSE-COLOURED, MARKED WITH ORANGE.

MARKET GARDENING.

FORCING LILY OF THE VALLEY.

The first point of importance in the forcing
■of Lily of the Valley is the quality of the crowns.
When one orders a weekly consignment of, say,
2,500 of retarded crowns and pays full value for
them, some little anxiety is felt as to the condi-
tion of the crowns when received, and also how
many of second and even of third grade will be
found amongst them. Retarded crowns of Lily
of the Valley are very expensive, and their high
price does not admit of any inferior crowns

are much better with less- heat, the blooms being
finer, the foliage darker and more robust, the
stems stiffer, longer, and more erect. The
crowns are placed in the forcing case, which is
an enclosed cupboard under the staging. The
cases are provided with evaporating pans, and
have flow and return 4-inch pipes passing
through them. The plants are kept in this dark
cupboard until the flower-spikes appear well
through the crowns, with a stem 2 to 8 inches
long. At this stage the doors are opened during
the night-time, but they are closed again in the
morning. Damping or watering is afforded
according to the condition of the pots- or boxes.

October 19, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

277

in the matter of moisture. The flowers and the
foliage under this treatment grow in strength
and colour daily, and when the blooms are
almost expanded the plants are removed from
the cases and placed under lights on the stage
above. The lights are opened slightly and the
plants are shaded from bright sun-light. (Growth
quickly develops, and long-stemmed well-de-
veloped flowers are harvested from the best
crowns, with foliage that can withstand the cold
atmosphere in florists' shops, &c. I have often
seen Lily of the Valley flowers droop and fade
quickly when exposed for sale through being
forced too hard and without being afterwards
gradually inured to a colder atmosphere.
Another point in favour of a moderate degree of
heat in forcing this flower lies in the fact that
less water is needed, for excessive waterings ren-
der the stems, foliage, and flowers soft and
short-lived. Lily of the Valley flowers are always
more or less expensive when out of season, and
the short life engendered through hard forcing
causes their sale to be greatly diminished. The
carriage of a case of 2,500 crowns from London
to the Midlands costs 7s. 4d., but the same
number is conveyed from Hamburg for 5s. 5d.,
the weight of both cases being the same within
a few pounds. This seems to me another strik-
ing illustration of how our railway officials
hamper British trade by their strangely varying
and apparently very unfair charges. The home
grower is sufficiently handicapped by alien im-
portations and competition, without receiving
a further check from excessive railway charges.
Birmingham.

POTATO TRIALS.

If Potato experiments are to be of much value
they must be carried on for several years and
the seed tubers of the different varieties planted
must all be grown under the same conditions.
These are the lines on which the Edinburgh and
East of Scotland College of Agriculture has
been working for a number of years. On Satur.
day, September 5, the final inspection for the
season took place, when the second early and
late varieties were inspected. There was a large
and representative gathering of well-known agri-
culturists and a few prominent horticulturists.
Mr. William Bruce, Director of County Work,
.conducted the party, there being also present
Mr. James Wyllie, of Cockburnspath, convener
of the County Work Committee and one of the
directors of the college. The experiments em-
braced 70 plots, which had been planted to test
the cropping qualities of the various varieties,
the effects of spraying, artificial manuring, cut
sets versus whole sets, and planting at different
distances apart. A rather hurried inspection
was made of a number of cooked dishes of tubers
of the different sorts, but Mr. Bruce did not
seem to attach much value to the results, as he
thought such work would be much better done
in the college buildings under better conditions
and when more time could be given to it. The
following is the official statement respecting
the conditions under which the trials were
made : —

" The Potatos are grown in the ordinary
course of the rotation on Pinkie Hill Farm,
near Edinburgh, and the cultural treatment
was the same as given to the farmer's crop.

Manuring for variety trials. — 30 tons of short
stable and byre dung, ploughed in during the
winter ; 6 cwt. of a special Potato manure.
Analysis: — Amm., 4 to 5 per cent.; phospate,
20 to 22 per cent. ; sulp. potash, 10 to 11 per
cent. In order to secure uniformity, the land
was ridged and manure sown with a double-drill
and manure-distributing machine.

I suggested to Mr. Bruce that his dressing

of farmyard manure was abnormal. His an-
swer was that it was not of particularly good
quality.

Seed. — The seed was grown on last year's trial
plots, which were in the adjoining field. It was
all carefully selected, counted and weighed by
the college staff. The seed was planted at the
rate of 20 cwt. per acre, or 56 lb. per full plot.
The same number of sets was placed in each
drill, which is exactly 1 pole, a full plot being
4 drills, or 1-40 acre. Most of the varieties have
now been on trial for three years."

The produce of each plot was sorted out and
placed on the ground in Potato boxes for the
visitors to inspect. The ware was dressed over
lf-inch riddle, the seed over 1J inch ; what
passed through 1J inch was classed as chats,
all diseased tubers being picked out as the
dressing was done and placed by themselves.

II.— Experiment with Second Early Varieties (100 sets,
14 inches apart per drill).

Total per

Yield in lbs. on 3 poles. acre.

Ware. Seed. Chats. Dis'd. Tn. ct. lb.

l9i British Queen .. 201 1)4 15 40 9 10 53

|K' D.ilmeny Radium.. 231 147 23 40 10 10 0

111) Maul of Coil .. 240 83 71 12 S 11 101

(31 Johnston's Diamond 273 81 111 18 11 10 0

' ' : ' .. .. 195 72 64 16 8 5 80

[121 l!u ■ l ijueen .. 165 162 21 39 9 4 32

(51 Evergood .. ..249 189 — 42 11 8 64

(111 LMurado .. .. 126 75 — 25 5 7 96

(9) British Queen .. 230 158 8 28 10 1 101

(duplicate plot)

(8i Dalmeny Radium.. 224 137 11 36 9 14 32

(duplicate plot)

(4i Moneymaker .. 29i> 149 — 36 11 9 5

l"i Royal Kidney 264 126 — 39 10 4 32

16) Dalmeny Acme . . 245 148 — 46 10 9 5

111 The Cottar .. 366 108 3 21 II 17 16

[10 Ti , Laird .. 291 97 9 15 9 16 21

(2) Niven's Premier .. 205 192 19 68 11 10 53

It— Experiment with Maincrop or Late Varieties (100 sets,
14 inches apart per drill).

Dressed yield per pole. Total per

Wan. Seed. Chats. Dis'd. acre.

lb. lb. lh. lb. Tn. ct. lb.

Tyne Kidney (cul I 129 36 4 3 12 5 80

Tyne Kidney [whole do.) 110 29 5 1 10 7 u

Northern Star .... 88 31 7 1 9 1 47

Up-to-Date 113 45 7 3 12 0 0

Pad at. sets) ..175 23 3 2 14 10 0

Factor (whole sets) .. 152 45 5 4 14 14 32

Pink Blcssom .. ..133 37 5 3 12 14 32

Dalhousie 149 37 5 5 14 0 0

Table Talk 102 39 6 4 10 15 30

Dalmeny Hero .. .. 116 39 6 5 11 17 16

Dalmeny Be.iuty.. .. 102 36 6 2 10 8 64

Dilmeny Regent.. .. 123 33 4 4 11 14 32

Warrior Ill 29 5 2 10 10 0

Triumph 1U7 35 5 6 10 18 64

Duchess of Cornwall ..79 18 5 5 7 12 96

Mavflnld Blossom ..112 46 6 2 14 0 0

Heather Blossom ..46 20 5 — 5 1 48

Scarlett's "No. 2" .. 73 29 5 3 7 17 16

Table Talk 78 38 6 2 8 17 16

Up-to-Date 91 47 8 3 10 12 96

Dalhousie 109 39 6 3 11 4 32

Langworthv .. ..77 41 4 1 8 15 80

Peacemaker .. ..62 35 7 — 7 8 64

What's Wanted .. ..65 44 6 — 8 4 32

Whole versus Cut Sets.
Mr. Bruce explained the plan adopted to
secure a fair trial. Two-ounce whole sets were
planted, and four-ounce sets cut longitudinally
in two were planted as cut sets. This gave
exactly the same weight of seed tubers per acre
in each case. Mr. Bruce also pointed out that
the produce of cut sets invariably gave a large
proportion of ware tubers. I have always con-
tended that this is one of the causes of Scotch
seed being better than English seed. Scotch
growers are, and have always been, given to
planting cut seed, and my argument is that the
resulting effect of persisting in this practice is
in favour of heavier crops and larger tubers as
against the planting of small sets. It must
be remembered that cut seed is more suited for
planting under the climatic conditions of Scot-
land than under those that obtain further south.

Artificial Manuring.
Ten plots were set aside to test 10 different
mixtures. The mixture recommended by the
Board of Agriculture gave the best results last
year, and this vear the yield from the plot where
it was applied is very near the top. The con-
tents are as follow, and Mr. Bruce remarked that
he considered it "a good all-round mixture."
It is as follows: — i cwt. sulphate of ammonia,
J cwt. nitrate of soda, 2 cwt. pure dissolved

bones, 2 cwt. superphosphate, J cwt. muriate of
potash (92 per cent.). I hope the college authori-
ties will observe how the Potatos grown with
the different mixtures of artificial manures keep
during the winter, and also what the tubers are
like when cooked.

The outstanding feature of the trials was the
care and thoroughness with which all the work-
was done. Duplicate plots to check the results
of the first plots were grown, and even the
produce of the different rows was weighed up
separately in the manure experiments.

One thing that impressed me as a horticul-
turist was that quite a number of varieties which
I knew gave excellent results in gardens were
found to be of no use as croppers under field
culture. A list of them is not given, but horti-
culturists will recognise among the sorts named
above many which they know to be excellent as
garden varieties, and therefore have the double
qualification. Such work as this, being carried
out by an authority so independent of all private
interest in respective varieties of Potato and
manure mixtures, is worthy of great encourage-
ment.

I was informed that the secretary of the
college or Mr. Bruce, whose addresses are 13,
George Square, Edinburgh, will gladly send a
copy of the full report when it is published —
about Christmas — to anyone interested. Wm.
Cuthbertson.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

HEXISIA BIDENTATA.
An inflorescence of this rare and pretty scarlet-
flowered Orchid is kindly sent by Mr. F. W.
Moore, Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin,
Dublin, who has succeeded in establishing a
rather weak specimen imported from Nicaragua in
1905. The plant bears jointed, slender pseudo-
bulbs, the newer growths furnished with rather
stiff linear, oblong leaves, and bearing short
racemes of pale-scarlet flowers, with linear sepals
and slightly shorter, ovate, acuminate lip, bearing
at the base a chrome-yellow callus. The plant
thrives best in an intermediate, or Cattleya house,
in a shallow, teak-wood basket, or suspending
Orchid pan.

EPIDENDRUM LAUCHEANUM.
This very attractive Epidendrum produces its
flowers after the manner of the Platyclinis, it
producing a thin, wiry, ascending stem 8 inches
or so in height, and furnished with a drooping,
many-flowered raceme about 10 inches long. The
flowers are half-an-inch across ; the sepals and
petals are of a coppery orange shade, and the lip
light yellow. The pedicel and the reverse side of
the flower are tinged with purple. A fine inflor-
escence of this rare species is sent by Mr. F. W.
Moore, Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Dublin. /. O'B.

THE ROSARY.

ROSE PENELOPE.

In the Journal of Horticulture of Australia of
April 1, 1907, this new Tea Rose, which origi-
nated from seed with Mr. John Williams, Broad-
water Nurseries, Mount Graven, Brisbane, is
highly commended. It is described as being
very free and constant in flowering, each bloom
being carried singly on long stalks and furnished
with prominent guard leaves. The bloom has
good substance, is conical in shape, and solid.
The base is of the colour of Francis Dubreuil —
deep crimson — the centre cream coloured. The
tints are a distinct break from any other Rose in
commerce. The variety will be offered for sale
this season. F. .17.

278

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 19, 1907.

VEGETABLES.

SCARLET EMPEROR RUNNER BEAN.

This Runner Bean is succeeding remarkably
well this season. It bears most profusely, and
the Beans are of good colour and flavour when
cooked. It appears to be the best Runner Bean
procurable. W. A. Cook, Leonardslee Gardens,
Sussex.

PEA GOLDFINDER.

This is a first-class variety of culinary Pea,
and plants of the true stock are difficult to
excel for sturdiness of growth, freedom of crop-
ping, excellence of flavour, and absolute im-
munity from mildew. It belongs to the marrow-
fat type, and each pod is filled with about eight
Peas, which are equal in edible quality to
those of Veitch's Perfection. As a second early
variety Goldfinder is useful, and continues crop-
ping for an equally long period as the Ne Plus
Ultra. It reaches a height of about 6 feet, but
in a wet season it is often 7 feet in height.
E. M.

temperatures at night may for the present range
between 48J to 55° in the Carnation and cool
plant houses, 58° to 63° in the intermediate house,
and from 65J to 70° in the stove, allowing a rise
of from 5° to 10" in each structure by sun-heat
during the day.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

llumca clegans. — This graceful biennial being,
as a rule, a favourite both for conservatory
decoration and for use in the flower-garden, care
should be taken to have a good stock of plants.
If seeds were sown (as was advised in a previous
Calendar) in the eaily part of the season, the
plants should now be strong specimens in 6-inch
pots. The roots being comparatively active all
through the winter, the plants must not be
allowed to become stunted or checked through
remaining in a pet-hound condition. Therefore
it will be necessary to repot them without delay
into pots 8 inches or 9 inches in diameter. Use a
potting compost consisting of good turfy loam
three parts, leat-soil one part, and manure from a
spent mushroom-bed one part, adding sand and
a 5-inch potful cf soot to each barrow-load of
the compost. Make the soil firm in potting,
taking care not to bury the stem lower than it
has been buried previously. Afford water with
care during the winter, and keep the plants in
a cool atmosphere ; a suitable position at the
present time being one in a frame having an
ash-bottom, from which the frost can be ex-
cluded in severe weather. In such a place they
will require very little attention until spring,
when the plants, commencing to grow strongly ,
will require weak stimulants at regular intervals.
To prevent Red Spider, employ the syringe freely
during the growing season. Weak, clear soot-
water is an excellent preventive. Vaporise the
plants on the first appearance of green fly.

Hydrangeas. — Cuttings propagated in heat late
in the summer, and potted on at once, will by
now have become quite established, and should
be kept in a cold frame during the winter, re-
moving the lights on all favourable occasions.
Where these are wanted in flower early in the
season, it is a good plan to place a small batch
into heat at intervals, a Vinery or Peach-house
just started affording a very suitable place.
These plants will form a succession which will
last in bloom during the whole season, and be
very acceptable for decorative purposes. Plants
growing in small pots, and which are develop-
ing the flower-heads, will require manure-water
at almost every alternate watering. They must
at no time be allowed to suffer from want of
water.

General work. — After the heavy rains experi-
enced recently, the outside atmosphere has been
much cooler, therefore it will be necessary to
reduce the atmospheric moisture in all the plant-
houses. Do not keep the houses closed or the
atmosphere "stuffy," but by thoughtful atten-
tion to outside conditions endeavour to keep the
temperatures even, and prevent cold draughts.
Though but little fire-heat is necessary to keep
the heat of the houses as high as is required, it
is a good plan to have a little warmth in the
watei pipes, and ventilate accordingly, thus dis-
pelling superfluous moisture. The atmospheric

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

The rock garden. — Where the heavy rains have
beaten down the surface soil, making it so hard
as to partially exclude the light, it should be
lightly stirred with a pointed stick or a hand
fork, taking care not to disturb any roots. Re-
move wind-blown leaves from the pockets. Many
of the occupants of the Rockery are compara-
tively short-lived plants, and these species and
varieties should be propagated, either by seeds
or by cuttings, which latter may be rooted in
pots to be wintered in frames. Any valuable or
delicate plants about which there is any doubt
as to whether they would safely pass through
the winter, should be potted up and placed in a
cold pit until next spring, when they may again
be placed in the rock garden.

Tigridias. — The "Tiger Iris" is hardy in
many warm, light soils, but in others it becomes
necessary to lift the roots when the foliage has
ripened, and store them for the winter in coco-
nut fibre or dry sand. Some cultivators tie the
roots by their stalks into small bunches, and
suspend them in sheds for the winter, but under
these conditions there is always a danger of them
shrivelling. Tigridias seem to have lost favour
of late years ; perhaps on account of the evanes-
cent nature of their flowers, which only last for
one day, but good plants produce a wonderful
succession of flowers, so that during the six
weeks or so of their flowering season there is
always plenty of blooms. Tigridia pavonia is
the best known species ; the variety Wheelen
has larger and brighter flowers ; alba, flava,
rosea, and grandiflora are other varieties suffi-
ciently described by their names. T. canariense
and T. speciosa are desirable species.

Arundo conspicua. — The plumes having now
become of a shabby appearance, they should be
removed. From June until a week or so ago the
New Zealand Reed has shown marked superiority
over the more common Pampas Grass, which
has only just come into flower. Owing to this
late flowering the plumes lose much of their
attractiveness during wet weather, whereas the
arched plumes of the Arundo are more loosely
arranged and do not hold the water. In locali-
ties where its hardiness is doubtful it will be
well to give this and the Giant Reed (A. Donax)
some protection for the winter.

Climbers. — Such climbing plants as Clematis.
Wistaria, Ivy, Ampelopsis, &c, may well be
planted at this season. As they will probably
remain in the same position for many years the
preparations should be thorough. Make the
drainage perfect, and provide good soil varying
in richness according to the need of the different
species. Amongst the more recent introductions,
Yitis Hem vana and Actinidia chinensis are desir-
able plants. V. Ilenryana has prettily-marked
leaves, and it requires a sunny position.
Actinidia chinensis makes long, stout trailing
growths, and very large, handsome leaves.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Maynb, Gardener to Loro Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Rootpruning. — This is a necessary operation
in instances of trees making rampant growth in
order to bring them into a fruitful condition,
especially if such trees have been established
for many years, and it is considered to be unsafe
to transplant them. For younger trees the latter
operation is decidedly better, such removal check-
ing at once the exuberant growth which young
trees frequently exhibit for a few years after
being budded or grafted. In the operation of
root-pruning, before taking out the necessary
trench, be careful to see if the soil is in a moist
condition, and if it is not, apply a good
watering and wait for a few days. If this pre-
caution be not taken, it will probably be found
that most of the soil will crumble away
in reaching the stronger roots, and this would

cause the tree to suffer a greater check than
desiied. Take out a trench 4 ieet from the base
of the trunk, and afterwards gradually work
away the soil towards the stem with a garden
fork quite down to the drainage, preserving all
fibrous roots, and tracing to their origin all
thong-like fibreless roots which cause the ex-
cessive wood growth. Search well under the
ball of soil, as these " robbers " often penetrate
straight down into the sub-soil, and cut well
back all such roots, making an upward sloping
cut, so that the new roots that will be formed
may be encouraged to grow towards the surface.
Return the same soil to the trench, making it
quite firm about the roots, and lay out evenly all
roots, with the points trending upwards. If it
is considered to be necessary, a few inches of
fresh soil may be put on the surface as an en-
couragement to keep the roots there. Should
the weather remain dry for long afterwards, it
may be necessary to afford water to the trees
thus treated. Extra large trees should only have
half their roots interfered with this autumn, and
the remainder may be done next year.

Prospective planters. — If convenient to the pur-
chaser a visit should be made to a good nur.
sery where he may select the trees for himself.
I append a brief list of the different varieties of
fruits found to be satisfactory generally. Apples
(dessert) : Beauty of Bath, Mr. Gladstone, Irish
Peach, Langley Pippin, James Greive, King
Harry, Ribston Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin,
Cockle's Pippin, Sturmer Pippin, Warwickshire
Pippin, Allington Pippin, King's Acre Pippin,
Charles Ross, Blenheim Pippin, Christmas Pear-
main, Adams' Pearmain, Claygate Pearmain,
Hormead Pearmain, Rival, Old and Scarlet
Nonpareil, The Houblon, and Duke of Devon-
shire. Culinary : Potts' Seedling, Ecklinville
Seedling. I.ord Grosvenor, Lord Suffield, Peas-
good's Nonsuch, Warner's King, Lane's Prince
Albert, Bramley's Seedling, Alfriston, Annie
Elizabeth, King of Tompkins County, and
Newton Wonder. Pears : Beurre Gifford, Fon.
dante d'Automne, William's Bon Chretien,
Louise Bonne of Jersey, Thompson's, Marie
Louise, Beurre Bosc, Beurre Hardy, Beurre
Superfin, Winter Nelis, Doyenne du Cornice,
Glou Morceau, Marie Benoist, and Olivier de
Serres. Peaches: Amsden June, Hale's Early,
Dymond, Royal George, Violette Hative, Prin-
cess of Wales, Goshawk, Late Devonian, Nec-
tarine Peach, Gladstone, Sea Eagle, Barrington,
and Dr. Hogg. Nectarines: Elruge, Lord
Napier, Early Rivers, and Humboldt. Apricots:
Early Moorpark, Breda, Royal, Shipley's, Hems-
kirk, Moorpark and St. Ambroise. Plums (des-
sert) : Old Greengage, Jefferson, Denniston's
Superb, Coe's Golden Drop, Reine Claude de
Bavay, and Late Orange. Culinary : Rivers'
Early Prolific, Czar, Kirke's Victoria, Pond's
Seedling, Magnum Bonuni (white), and Monarch.
Cherries (dessert) : Frogmore Bigarreau, Napo-
leon Bigarreau, Black Tartarian, Black Eagle,
Early Rivers, Governor Wood, Elton, Noble,
and Florence. Culinary : Kentish Red and
Morello.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H.White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Cattleya laiiata. — At the present time the
autumn-flowering varieties of Cattleya labiata
form one of the principal attractions in the
Orchid houses, and if the atmosphere be kept a
trifle drier than usual, the blooms will remain
perfectly fresh for several weeks, a matter of
considerable importance to those who grow the
plants for obtaining flowers for cutting and for
decorative purposes. When the plants have fin-
ished blooming, some of them will produce a
quantity of young roots from the base of the
flowering pseudo-bulbs, and at that stage the
operation of lepotting may be carried out if
necessary. Following the flowering period, very
careful watering will be necessary, whether the
plants have been repotted or not, as the newly-
made pseudo-bulbs (especially if they have not
been sufficiently matured) are liable to decay if
the roots are kept too moist.

Cattleya Bowringiana is another useful species
which blooms at this season, and its richly-
coloured flowers are most effective when seen by
artificial light. This plant will require the same
treatment as C. labiata

October 19, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

279

Cattleya gigas, C. Dowiana, C. D. aurea, C.
Triance, and C. Mendeli. — Such species as these
which have finished their growth should now
receive just sufficient water to keep the pseudo-
bulbs in a plump condition, and the leaves fresh,
the object being to induce the plants to make
fresh roots, but not any premature growth.

Cattleya Lawrenceana, being actively in
growth, needs every encouragement. Elevate
each plant well up to the roof glass, where it
will be fully exposed to the light. This Cattleya
needs copious supplies of water during the grow-
ing season, but no plant should be watered
until the compost has become quite dry, and
care should be taken to prevent any water lodg-
ing in the young growths. After growth is com-
pleted, keep the potting material on the dry
side, but when the flower-buds commence to
develop in the sheath, more water may be
afforded.

Vanda Kimballiana is now in flower, and the
blooms will last in good condition a long time
if the plants are kept in a dry, well-ventilated
position in the Cattleya house. A similar posi-
tion should be afforded to plants of the pretty
white V. Watsonii, which are now producing
their flower-spikes. This species has some re-
semblance in its habit of growth to V. Kim-
balliana, and when w-ell cultivated both plants
are very floriferous.

Ansellia africana, A. a. nilotica, and A.
humilis. — A light, sunny position in the Cattleya
house is suitable for such plants as these, which,
having commenced to grow, may now be re-
potted if this operation is necessary, but other-
wise the roots should not be disturbed, as
the plants thrive equally well when kept in a
pot-bound condition, provided the compost is
sweet and the plant has sufficient room wherein
to make its growths. Avoid over-potting, and
use the best fibrous loam obtainable, mixing
plenty of small crocks with it, also a little coarse
silver sand. Make the material firm about the
roots, and in the same manner as one would pot
an ordinary greenhouse plant. While growing
and rooting freely, these plants require copious
waterings whenever the compost becomes dry.

Oncidium papilio and 0. /Crameri, now in
bloom in the Cattleya house, always prove
attractive to visitors. As is generally known, the
flower-stems continue to produce a succession of
flowers for a long period, and, if allowed to do
this, the plants gradually become debilitated.
In order to keep the plants in good health, it is
advisable to remove the spike after it has pro-
duced two or three flowers.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Peaches and Nectarines. — Late crops of fruit
now ripening will require fire-heat at this cold
season of the year. It will be necessary also to
maintain a good circulation of fresh air in the
structure to induce the fruits to develop satis-
factory colour, and the shoots of the trees to
mature perfectly. Remove any leaves that
would shade the fruit, and expose the latter
fully to the sun's rays. Keep a sharp look-out
for wasps, which are liable to cause damage
in a short time if their presence is unob-
served. If they are troublesome, paint the hot-
water pipes with sulphur mixed in water. If
new borders are to be made up or fresh trees
planted, October is the best month for doing such
work. Lift and transplant at once young trees
that have shown a tendency towards grossness
of growth, for this is best done before the leaves
drop from the trees. Before re-planting these
gross-growing trees, they should be root-pruned.
The compost for supplj'ing the rooting-medium
should consist of chopped turfy loam, with a
liberal addition of lime-rubble and wood-ashes.
To every five loads of this compost add 1 cwt.
of a chemical vine manure (coarse grade). Do
not in any case introduce farmyard manures,
which would cause the trees to grow gross, and
become liable to " gumming." New Peach bor-
ders should be made up in the same manner
as I recommended for vines in the Calendar of
last week. A border of a width of 3 or 4 feet
inside is ample for a period of two or three
years. Compost can be added to such borders
as the roots extend. Peach and Nectarine trees,
from which all the fruit was gathered early in
the season, should be frequently syringed until

the leaves fall, especially if they have been
attacked by red spider. Admit plenty of air,
and keep the atmosphere as cool as possible
after it is found that the wood is well ripened.
Until the wood is well ripened or matured, fire-
heat must be used in conjunction with free ven-
tilation. Thin out all shoots that will not be
required for fruiting next year, especially the
thickest shoots. Be careful not to allow Peach
borders to become dry any time throughout the
period of rest, as this is a frequent cause of
bud-dropping in spring.

Strawberries. — Plants in pots may be allowed
to remain in their present position until the
end of the present month if the weather is
favourable, as they should now be well rooted,
and at the end of the month should possess well-
developed crowns. But in the case of continued
heavy rains or severe frost, the plants must be
removed to unheated pits or frames, or be
afforded protection out-of-doors by placing glass
lights over them. If frames are available, they
may be placed in their w-inter quarters at once.
If the plants cannot be protected from heavy
rains, turn the pots on their sides, it being
harmful to allow the roots to remain saturated
with water. They may also, if desired, be
stacked up on their sides, keeping the crowns
outwards.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Turfing. — The present being the best time of
the year at which to lay turf, all bowling greens,
tennis courts, or croquet grounds requiring reno-
vation should be seen to without delay.

New bowling greens. — The formation of new
bowling greens should also be proceeded with
immediately, in order that the turf may be down
in time to be well joined together by the be-
ginning of May, when play usually commences.
There are various methods of constructing bowl-
ing greens, the choice of which largely depends
upon the sum of money available for the pur-
pose, as the cost varies from about £80 to £300
per green. In some parks bowling greens are
laid with a little more care only than is be-
stowed upon the formation of a good lawn. The
main guiding levels only are gauged with a
spirit level, the intermediate turves being merely
beaten down to the main ones and tested with
a straight-edge. A green of this description will
no doubt satisfy beginners, but once a person
becomes proficient at the game, he is not so
easily satisfied, and requires a green as near
perfection as possible, to obtain which a very
different method of construction and turfing
must be adopted.

The Glasgow bowling greens. — Glasgow un-
doubtedly possesses some of the best public bowl-
ing greens in Great Britain, and they are equal
in every respect to the finest of private greens.
They are, in the first place, formed upon the
most approved principles, and afterwards main-
tained in the best possible manner. The Chief
of the Glasgow Parks Department has very de-
cided views upon this question, and rightly
thinks that where the public pays directly for its
amusement — as in the case of bowls, &c. — it is
entitled to enjoy the sport under as favourable
conditions as obtain in a private club. When
visiting Glasgow a year ago I was so impressed
with the appearance of these greens that Mr.
Whitton very kindly supplied me with a plan
and specification, from which we have con-
structed one of the best of our public greens in
the city of Cardiff. Scotch greens measure
126 feet by 126 feet, with a 12-inch deep ditch on
the four sides, and, unlike the Lancashire Crown
greens, are perfectly level. The one great aim
in forming these playing lawns is perfection of
drainage. The whole area is therefore treated in
such a manner as to enable water to pass
quickly from it. In the ditch 4-inch land tiles
are laid, into which 2A-inch pipes — placed in
rows at 9 feet apart — discharge any water that
may fall on the surface or rise from the subsoil.
The further construction as adopted is as fol-
lows : — When the site is levelled and drained it
is covered to a depth of 4 inches with rough
ballast, which is made quite stable by a heavy
rolling. A layer of coarse ashes 3$ inches in
thickness is then placed over the ballast, and,
after being consolidated by means of a roller, is,
in turn, covered with 3 inches of fine ashes.

After this third layer is thoroughly rolled, an
inch of fine sand is added, upon which the
turves, each lj inch thick, are laid and beaten to
the desired level. These turves, when cut, are
12 inches square and 2 inches in thickness. Be-
fore being laid they are placed, grass down-
wards, into a wooden mould, 12 inches by
12 inches by 1% inch deep, and well beaten
with a wooden mallet, after which, by the aid of
a scythe blade, the superfluous soil is cut awav,
leaving the turf exactly lj inch thick. This
process is adopted so as to ensure every turf
being solid and of an uniform thickness — attri-
butes they could not possibly possess if cut and
laid in an ordinary manner. The turfing is done
diagonally across the green, and each turf is
tested with the spirit level and beaten down to
the correct position as the laying proceeds. It
will be noticed that no soil other than that in the
turf itself is used, hence, while the grass cannot
grow luxuriantly, it needs careful attention to
prevent it from being injured from a want of
moisture.

Selection of turf. — Although the proper con-
struction of a green is a most vital point in deter-
mining its success, the kind of turf used is
equally important. However well drained, or
however well supplied with conveniences for
watering, a green may prove a failure if the turf
used is not suitable. Good mountain or seaside
turf, composed of fine grasses, growing in a
light, sandy soil, is generally regarded as the
best for this purpose.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,

Cobham Park, Surrey.
Cauliflowers. — Continue to prick out young
seedlings obtained from successional sowings.
The earliest plants should be large enough for
planting into their winter quarters by the end
of the present month or early in November.
The ground for these should be thoroughly and
deeply worked, for Cauliflowers require rich
ground and the best cultivation. The labour
expended in this way will be well and surely
repaid next spring in the superior produce
obtained.

Early Potatos. — Tubers that have been treated
according to previous directions will now be
making satisfactory progress. Further plantings
of tubers that are well rooted and have started
into growth, in boxes, should now be made either
in pots or in frames, the latter for preference if
frames are available that can be heated. An-
other selection of tubers should now be put into
boxes containing leaf-soil, that they may also
be started into root action and growth, so that
as more frames become vacant, another even
"plant" may be carried out.

Late Peas. — The present season has been a
most favourable one for late Peas, but by the
present date the supply will, in nearly all cases,
be finished, and the haulm should therefore be
cleared off the ground. Where it is customary
to sow Peas in the autumn for earlv spring
supply, the seeds should in all cases be sown
during the next fortnight, choosing a warm, shel-
tered position, and where a little protection can
be given during the most severe weather. Re-
garding varieties, it will be best to choose the
dwarf-growing sorts, such as Little Marvel,
Green Gem, &c. Such varieties, if sown now
out-of-doors, may be expected to come into use
before those which are sown in pots in the New
Year. The latter will afterwards be planted out
in the open as soon as the weather will permit,
and the crop so raised will follow soon after-
wards, and thus form a very valuable succession.
Scakale. — Examine the beds of Seakale ; re-
move all the leaves which are showing signs
of decay. This done, the crowns will be the
better exposed to the influences of the weather
and early frosts, which will serve to "ripen"
the crowns and bring them ir^o such a condi-
tion that they will quickly s.art into growth
presently, after they have been removed into
a heated atmosphere.

Turnips. — The roots, which are already of a
serviceable size, may now be lifted and stored,
for they will thus keep in better condition than
if they were left longer in the ground at this
season. The latest Turnips will still be making
growth, and should be left in the ground
for some time to come.

280

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 19, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as welt as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41; Wellington Street, Covent Qarden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the PAPER, sent as early in the meek as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents. —The Editor does not
undettakt to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless bv
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25— Royal Bol. Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for- the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 48-1°.
Actual Temperatures:—

London.— Wednesday, October 16 f& P.M.) : Mai. 54°-
Min. 43".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Cpvent Garden, London. — Thursday, October 17
(10 a.m.): Bar.. 29'1 ; Temp., 55 , Weather—
Overcast,
Provinces.— I Ycdnesday, October 16 Hi i\m.) : Mai. 55°,
Yarmouth; Min. 41°, Scotland N.

' SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY—

Nursery Stock at the Nurseries, Eynsford, Kent, by

order of Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, by Protheroe &

Morris, at 11.
MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King

Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
MONDAY to FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs at 67 & 69, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe

& Morris, at 10.30.
TUESDAY—

Nursery Stock, at Rose Nurseries, Derby Road, Beestoii,

Notts., by order of Mr. W. Lowe, byPro'theroe & Morris,

at 12.30.
WEDNESDAY-

Nursery Stock, at the Nurseries, West Wickham, Kent,

by order of Mr. J. R. Box, by Protheroe & Morris, at

11.30.
THURSDAY and FRIDAY—

Thirty-third Annual Sale of Nursery Stock at Hollamby's

Nurseries, Groombridge, near Tunbridge Wells, by

Protheroe & Morris, at 11.30.

The Cambridge Lodge collection of Orchids, at 67 & 68,

Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

The letter published on this sub-

Chwln-* J('et '" OUr laSt issUe fr0nl a
themums, valued correspondent again
raises the question of the utility
of show boards at the floral exhibitions. For
many years past we have advocated the dis-
use of the boards, and have besought the
exhibition authorities to devise more suit-
able means for the display of their flowers.
During a long period our appeals appeared to
avail little ; the custom had been practised
in the case of every floral society, and it was
thought by those most concerned to be in-
separable from exhibitions which, being com-
petitive, needed to be judged with the great-
est possible accuracy. This could only be
done, it was said, by displaying the blooms
in the show boards, and, therefore, divesting
them of all the natural fnliage of the plant,
and hiding the stems quite out of view. In
the case of Carnations, even this treatment
was considered to be insufficient to bring the
blooms into a proper condition for inspection,
and, therefore, each was provided with a
paper collar on which the petals might rest
flatly and ineffectively, even white flowers
being placed on white paper. Our view is,
and has always been, that, in order that
floral exhibitions shall afford a means of in-
struction and pleasure to the public, it is
necessary that the flowers shall be displayed
in a manner as attractive as possible, and
particularly in a manner that the public may
be expected to employ them for their own
purposes. The flowers that are capable of

attracting most notice under these conditions
will be likely to be also the most satisfactory
to the purchasers. Furthermore, a natural
method of display should increase the attrac-
tiveness of the exhibition itself. Latterly,
these views have obtained many converts, and
the results have been particularly marked at
the exhibitions of the National Rose Society,
the National Chrysanthemum Society, the
National Dahlia Society, and the two Carna-
tion societies, all of which have provided
some classes, at least, in which flowers might
be shown in a decorative manner.

We rejoice that such a change has taken
place in the views of those responsible for
arranging the various shows, and from this
point of view cannot but regard the sugges-
tion now put forward as being of a retro-
gressive character.

If, however, the letter from our corre-
spondent be read carefully, we believe it will
be seen that the complaint is based as much
upon the present alleged mismanagement of
the "vase" classes, as upon a desire to revert
to the system that has been discarded. He
writes of " inartistic green jars," the " fre-
quently bad arrangement on the part of the
exhibitor himself, and the crowding together
of the jars by the exhibition officials," &c.
These are matters that might easily be
remedied, and doubtless would be im-
proved upon after longer experience with
this method of exhibition. In regard to
the question of variety in form and
colour, it would appear to us that there sel-
dom lacks sufficient variety at the shows,
and a class which serves to point out to the
visitor which are the very best forms of a
particular type certainly serves a useful pur-
pose. If the " vase " classes have the result
of placing before the public only the largest
and coarsest flowers, the fault may be traced
to the judges, for exhibitors may be trusted
to display those possessing the characteris-
tics which judges on previous occasions have
singled out for awards, and the prizes could
be just as well awarded for rich and bright
colours, and for refinement in the flowers
when exhibited in vases, as they could be if
the flowers were inserted in boards.

We think, therefore, that the objections
raised by our correspondent are worthy the
careful attention of those whose duty it will
be to compile future schedules, and where it
can be proved the new system at present fails
to fulfil conditions which appear desirable in
the interests of the flower, the public, or the
exhibitors themselves, efforts should be made
to so modify the schedule as to meet the
legitimate objections that are raised, and at
the same time to preserve the more natural
method of display.

Rain, or more frequently the
British deficient supply of it, is a ques-
Rainfall. tion of so much importance to
the horticulturist that the ap-
pearance of a publication which deals ex-
haustively with the fall of rain, and its dis-
tribution over the United Kingdom in the
previous year, should be an event of no little
importance to all interested in the welfare
of their gardens. In the volume before us,
entitled Britisli Rainfall for iqoO, by Dr.
II. R. Mill, record-, for that year from no
fewer than 4,300 rain-gauges are tabulated
and discussed from various points of view.

It is surprising to find how these records
vary not only in different parts of the country,
but even within the limits of a single county.
Take, for instance, a county of mod. rate
size, and with few hills of any importance,
like Berkshire, where last year the difference
between the driest and wettest rainfall
stations amounted to as much as 10 inches,
or nearly half the total fall of the driest of
those stations.. Glancing down the column
which gives the heights of the different places
above sea-level, it will be noticed that, as a
rule, the higher the locality the greater the
fall of Train. If, however, we turn to the
records of a hilly county like Derbyshire, we
shall find the differences in the amount of
rain measured in the lower and the elevated
districts still more striking. There the
smallest quantities in 1906 fell at places less
than 200 feet above ordnance datum, whereas
at the highest station, which is situated near
Buxton and 1,600 feet above sea-level, the
total record amounted to as much as 57
inches, or more than double that at anv of
those at the lowest levels in the county;
where the total falls for the year were under
24 inches. Great as are these differences, the
above figures represent them only approxi-
mately at their true extent, for it is well
known to meteorologists that the more windy
the position in which a rain-gauge is placed
the smaller is the proportion of the actual
rainfall it collects owing to the eddies oi air
in anything like high winds which form
about the mouth of the gauge and prevent
the full quantity of rain from entering it.
For those who would like to pursue this ques-
tion further it may be pointed out that an
interesting article on the influences of the
wand on rain-gauges will b« found in the
volume under review.

During the six months ending March,
1906, or what may be termed the winter half
of the year, the rainfall over the British Isles
was, as a rule, slightly in defect of the
average. This we gather from a summary
of the rainfall of " the winter six months."
The particulars given under that heading,
however, more concern the engineer than the
gardener. But for the six summer months
there is no such summary, and therefore the
required information in respect to that period
can only be obtained by gleaning it from the
descriptions of the individual months. This
omission would seem to imply that the author
is of opinion that a brief review of the rain- '
fall, and its distribution over the six months
in question, would have no particular interest
for his readers, whereas to those engaged in
agricultural and horticultural pursuits they
must necessarily be of special interest.

From the descriptions of the various
months we gather that April was dry in all
parts of the kingdom, and that, taking
England alone, the total fall was only half
the average. May, on the contrary, proved
relatively the wettest month of the year in
the British Isles, the heaviest rainfall occur-
ring in Scotland and the north of England.
June was everywhere very dry until the end
of the month, wdien heavy falls of rain tock
place in some districts. July was the driest
month of the whole year in England, with a
slight excess of rain throughout the western
half of Scotland and Ireland. August was
another dry month, and more particularly in

Supplement to the "Gardeners' Chronicle.'

Syringa Josik/Ea eximia, as shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., at the
R.H.S. Meeting on June ii. Colour of flowers, reddish-rose.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.

October 19, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

281

the south-east of England, with an excess of
rainfall in Scotland and Ireland. Taking
the country as a whole, September proved
exceptionally dry. From the foregoing par-
ticulars it will be seen that during nearly the
whole of the growing period of the year the
weather remained in nearly all parts of the
country singularly dry.

What, however, made the summer months
of last year, by which is meant throughout
this article the six months ending September,
so distressing to vege-ratior:, was not only the
continued dryness of the ground, but also
the continued dryness of the air, the latter
being to most plants the more trying of the
two conditions. The want of moisture in the
atmosphere is clearly shown by the unusual
evaporation from Dr. Mills' evaporation
gauge at Camden Square in the north of
London, which was greater than the average
for the previous 21 years in every month of
the growing period, except May. In fact,
the evaporation in August had only once
before been exceeded in that month, and in
September never before.

We have had, at all events in the home
counties, a long and almost unbroken series
of dry summers, including that of the pre-
sent year, and have therefore become so well
acquainted with the evils of drought that we
have come to regard rain as an unmixed
blessing, but should the conditions change
and wet summers be the rule rather than the
exception, we may find reason to modify our
views. As the truth is said to lie half way
between the two extremes, so summers of
seasonable rainfall will be found in the long
run those most to be desired. For rain is
only a perfect blessing when accompanied
by, at all events, moderately high tempera-
tures. Unfortunately in this country dry
summers are, as a rule, also characterised by
excessive warmth and dryness of the air,
whereas wet summers are almost invariably
not only moist, but cold as well.

Our Supplementary Illustration shows
the very fine variety of Lilac displayed by Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart. (gr. Mr. Bain), under
the name Syringa Josikaea eximia, at the meeting
of the Royal Horticultural Society on June 11 last,
when it was granted an Award of Merit by the
Floral Committee. The inflorescence of reddish-
rose coloured flowers is very large and strongly
scented. The variety flowers when most other
Lilacs have passed out of flower, and is therefore
the more valuable.

Small Holdings. — We are informed that
Earl Carkington, KG., President of the Board
of Agriculture and Fisheries, has appointed Messrs.
Edwin John Cheney and Matthew Talbot
Baines to be small Holdings Commissioners for
the purposes of the Small Holdings and Allot-
ment Acts, 1907.

Ivy Killed by a Poplar. — The Ivy is so well

known on account of its destructive effects
upon the trees infested by it that an example in
which the tables were completely turned is of
some interest. A writer in Le Bambou describes
a Canadian Poplar which was enfolded by a very
large Ivy, the stem of which had grown across
a deep furrow near the base of the supporting
tree. The edges of the furrow slowly grew to-
wards each other, and in this way the climber
was finally enclosed and strangled. After its
death and ultimate removal, the signs of the
damage caused to the tree, of course, dis-
appeared.

French National Chrysanthemum
Society. — The Annual Show and Congress of
this Society will take place at Toulouse from
November 5 to 7. The agenda comprises the
following subjects for discussion : The production
of Chrysanthemum seed, spring flowering of
Chrysanthemums, manures for outdoor culture,
insects and diseases, best modes of packing cut
blooms and plants, uses of Chrysanthemums for
decoration of gardens and apartments, sports, how
to secure and fix them. Medals will be awarded
for the best papers on these subjects. The floral
committee will meet on October 15 and 26 and
November 5 and 16.

Fruit - Preserving.— The Home Secretary
has, in pursuance of Sections 41 and 58 of the
Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, issued statu-
tory rules and orders for factories and work-
shops, in which women and young persons are
employed in the process of cleaning or prepar-
ing fruit. These special rules are concerned
with the sanitary and hygienic conditions which
are to be observed in the wiork-rooms, the hours
of work of women and young persons, and the
keeping of a register by the occupiers of fruit-
preserving factories. Several of the rules fre
not to take effect till June 1, 1908.

Helps for the Seed Trade. — The Weekly
Florists' Review, under the foregoing headline, tells
its readers what agricultural exploration work,
when carried out by experienced men, has done
for the country. The results achieved by Mr. A
Carleton in securing grains from Russia and
other parts of the world for use in the U.S A. was
mentioned at the Seed Trade Convention at New
York last month, as an illustration of the import-
ance of sending practical men upon explorations of
this nature Mr. Carleton lias made grains a
special study for 20 years, and he was able to
select varieties of Wheat which produced last year
in the U.S about 50,000,000 bushels, worth about
37,000,000 dollars. Particular attention was called
to the Japanese salad plant Udo, which is cu'ti-
vated and served much like Celery, and is proving
a promising plant for use in American households.
About 5,000,000 dollars worth of matting is im-
ported annually, and the Department of Agriculture
is trying to establish the manufacture of matting
from Japanese grass, which grows readily in the
U.S.A. As the types of Juncus employed do not
come true from seed, it has been necessary to secure
a large shipment of these plants from Japan, and
they are now in successful cultivation in California.
Machinery has been perfected for weaving this
grass, and by its aid one person can make in a day
as much as an Oriental can make in 30 days.

A P/eony Check List. — Most of the special
societies in England and America appear to be
busy in preparing for the use of their members
literature of the subject under their special
charge. The publication now under notice appears
to be the first official catalogue of Paeonies, and is
due in a large measure, though not altogether,
to the American Paeony Society. The book, a
substantial brochure in paper wrappers of 232
pages, has been prepared by John Eliot Coit,
and contains the names of the leading varieties of
Paeonies of which authentic descriptions can be
found. After a few pages of introductory matter,
in which the intent and scope of the catalogue are
set forth, and in which also the system of alpha-
betical classification is explained, the reader will
find a list of something like 2,706 varieties, arranged
alphabetically, and accompanied by necessary de-
tails of information . First appears the name, then
the section, raiser, date, and reference to other
authorities who have catalogued or described the
Paeony. The publication bears no indication of
price, and it has probably been prepared only for
the use of members of the society.

Canadian Fruit. — According to the Crop
Bulletin 95 of the Ontario Department of Agri-
culture, the yield of Wheat and fruit in this pro-
vince of Canada is below the average.. The
problems of disease are more acute than with
us ; thus black knot is said to be steadily killing
out the Cherry trees, whilst the dread San Jose
scale insect, which has spread from California,
is working havoc amongst the orchard trees in
some of the districts.

Asparagus Damaged by Caterpillars. —

Mr. F. H. Chittenden, entomologist in charge
of breeding experiments under the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, gives an account of two
moths, the caterpillars of which are causing
damage to Asparagus and other crops. One of
the species, the Cranbury Spanworm (Cleora
pampinaria), has long been known on the Cran-
berry plants, and the caterpillar belongs to the
class of " loopers " or "geometers.7' It attacks
many other plants besides the two mentioned
above. The striped garden caterpillar (Mame-
stra legitima) is also a general feeder, but is
said to be specially partial to Asparagus, as
well as to leguminous and cruciferous vege-
tables. Its distribution is more southern than
the former species, which is common in Ma.ss-i-
chusetts.

Euphorbias (Poinsettiasi on Benches. —
Gardeners in this country do not seem to have
adopted the American bench method of growi ig
Euphorbia (l'oinsettia) pulcherrima ; but if the
plant is cultivated for producing bracts for cut-
ting only, it may be carried out at less cost than
pot culture. The species is a surface-rooting
' plant, and in order to prepare the young plants
for planting on the benches, it is essential to set
out the cuttings in trenches 4 inches deep, hav-
ing a layer of coarse sand or fine gravel at the
bottom, upon which the cuttings will rest. If
the benches are not ready when the cuttings are
fit for lifting, they should be put into cutting-
boxes until the\- are required at the end of the
season. As the wood ripens, water must be
gradually withheld, so that by the time it is quite
matured the bracts will be of full size and fad-
ing, whilst the leaves will have fallen, and the
soil be quite dry..

Another Phylloxera Regulation. — The
Italian Government obliges exporters of Italian-
grown Grapes to pack the fruit in close, boxes or
baskets. There are, it is stated, isolated centres of
infection in Italy from which the insect can easily be
exported to places abroad, and this circumstance
may become the cause of a conflict between the
Italian and German Customs authorities, for the
Italian export firms obstinately refuse to agree to the
new regulations, owing to the increase in the cost
of packing. It may be stated that instead of there
being a few isolated centres of infection in Italy,
there are thousands of such, and millions of vines
are or must be destroyed. It is a matter for sur-
prise that the German Government should be So
apprehensive of the Phylloxera being imported.
Thousands of the insects enter the country in late
autumn in packages of fresh Grapes, and the new
regulations will do nothing to stop them. Hence it
is immaterial whether the fruit be sent in closed
boxes or baskets, or after the manner hitherto em-
ployed. The winged insect comes over the frontiers
without disturbance, hidden securely between the
berries. The potted plants, trees and shrubs, which
come mostly from places in which neither vines nor
Phylloxera exist go, as is well known, through a
close and costly examination, usually to the in-
evitable injury of the plants; but the packages of
Grapes go through and are never examined. The
utter futility of regulations against the spread of
this pest of the vines has often been pointed out in
the Gardeners' Chronicle and other publications,
but appaiently with no effects in certain quarters
abroad.

282

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 19, 1907.

ANCHUSA ITALICA "DROPMORE
VARIETY."
This well-known Boraginaceous species was
introduced from the Caucasus nearly a cen-
tury ago, and it has since been cultivated very
commonly in British gardens. Its value as a
hardy flowering plant has depended to a con-
siderable extent upon the colour of the flowers,
for there is usually a deficiency of blue in the
herbaceous borders during summer and early in
autumn. The Dropmore variety, which origi-
nated at Dropmore, in Berkshire, several years
ago, by its splendid qualities has caused the
species to be given a better place generally in
gardens than it possessed formerly. In
habit and rich colouring, as well as in
the size of the individual flowers, the variety

Unfortunately, the raisers of Chrysanthemums
are not careful to keep records of the crosses
made ; when new varieties are first exhibited,
they are awarded according to merit as " sports
from " — or " seedlings from " — such and such a
variety, and the male parent is often overlooked.
There is a desire on the part of the Chrysanthe-
mum specialist to introduce early " singles," and
so to extend the flowering season ; there is a
growing demand for varieties of this section in the
London markets. The variety "Nonin's Single" is
one of the best of the early singles having a large
yellow flower. Two seedlings have been raised
from this variety by Messrs. Cragg, Harrison, and
Cragg, of Hounslow, namely, Mrs. H. W.
Cowley and Mr. A. K. Bowstead ; both are
white, the former having slightly reflexed and

which have been awarded the First-Class Cer-
tificate by the N.C.S.), but also on account of
their great diversity in colour.

Uncertain as the results of crosses are — yet
those obtained from the crossing of "sports"
are even less reliable — there seems to be a ten-
dency, when using a " sport " for a parent, for
the offspring to revert to the variety from which
the " sport " has arisen. A good example has
been noted in the Japanese section. " Mme.
Carnot," crossed with " Charles Davis " (the lat-
ter being the male parent), gave a cross of a
deep mauve or amaranth, resembling " Vivian
Morell," fiom which "Charles Davis" had
sported. In such instances the " sport " appears
to represent a superficial change, incapable of
being transmitted sexually. Herbert Cowley.

Fig. 115. — anchusa italica "dropmore variety": flowers blue.

[Photograph by C. P. Raffill.

greatly excels the type. It is, therefore, not
unusual now to find Anchusa italica given a
large bed to itself, as is the case in the instance
shown in the illustration at fig. 115, where the
wealth of flowers upon the plants and on the
ground afford sufficient proof of the effect such
a mass of blue would have in the landscape.
Anchusas require a rich, porous soil, and should
be cultivated in a position that is exposed to
the sun.

CROSS -FERTILISATION OF -

CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
No one can have the same interest in the
results of cross-fertilisation as the specialist
who, it may be, has spent years endeavouring
to introduce new varieties and to bring about
improvements in his own speciality. To him
it is particularly interesting to observe the varie-
ties around him of his own raising, and, what is
more, to see before him a field for new work.

curled petals. Both flower outside in early
September, and next season they will be intro-
duced.

The results of crossing among the singles
seem to show how impossible it is to conform
this work to any law. The following is a list of
varieties obtained from the same cross: —

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

Colour.

Beauty of Weybridge .

. Terra c 0 1 1 a ~

crimson

Edith

Lizzy

. Crushed straw-

Pagram

berry

(pink)

Crown of Gold. .

. Old gold

X

Iv. elyn

. Amaranth

- Annie

Eva Pagram

.Blush pink,

Farina

white ring

(terra

Elizabeth Phyllis

. Cerise

cotta

Willie

. Park pink

red).

Dan

. Pink, fine petal .,

This cross was made by Mr. W. C. Pagram,
of Weybridge. It is noteworthy, since it not only
gave rise to ouch high-class varieties (three of

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents. )

Chrysanthemums: Boards v. Vases.—

Mr. Davis, on page 269, calls attention to the
lack of interest in Chrysanthemums, and attri-
butes this to the introduction of the vases.
Much as we admire vase exhibits, it is beyond
dispute that this method of exhibiting has done
nothing to promote the cultivation of Chrysan-
themums. The vases alone are not responsible
for the waning interest in these plants. The
large blooms of the Japanese varieties and
the constant flow of interesting novelties have
been the cause of the wonderful interest
which has been taken in Chrysanthemums.
Consider the vast number of provincial exhibi-
tions which are held during the month of
November. Practically the whole of these shows
are due to the culture of the Japanese Chrysan-
themum. Hardy fruits, especially Apples and
Pears, would have stood a poor chance of being

>

Ociobkr 19, 1P07.|

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

2S.:

seen at their best had it not been for these much
abused " mop heads " of Chrysanthemums. No
one can deny the fact that the public do not
attend the autumn shows in the same numbers
as in days gone by, neither are fanciers of the
Chrysanthemum to be found in the same num-
bers. Mr. Davis seems to deprecate the ex-
traneous influences given to some shows, and
with these includes popular military bands.
Possibly we should "stick to our last," but ex-
perience generally proves that good music pays,
and if a good " gate " cannot be obtained with-
out it, by all means let the band be employed.
The Scottish Society pays between £300 and
£400 for music alone during the three days of
its November show, and its "gate" alone is
worth between £1,100 and £1,200. Would it be
as much as half this amount without the band?
I think not. Would Shrewsbury have done so
much for horticulture without "outside" attrac-
tions? Returning to our text, 'Boards v.
\ .it has been my fortune, either as an

exhibitor (non-competitive) or judge, to have
attended most of the important autumn exhibi-
tions, and my experience is that half-a-dozen
blooms in a vase do not attract growers as
they will on the formal board. The chief
objections to vases are: — The heavy expenSf
incurred in packing and transit to the shows :
the curtailment of the number of varieties
and the larger number in each which has to
be grown. Many may consider a reduction in
the number of sorts to be advantageous, but,
nevertheless, there is something to be said on
the other side, ('.rowers cannot afford space and
time to cultivate varieties with the chance of
having only a bloom or two of each. They must
grow a large number of kinds which have already
been seen, and may be exhibited, even at the
risk of repetition, in the various classes. \\ hilst
I contend that the large exhibition Japanese
Chrysanthemums constitute the life of the show,
1 wish it to be clearly understood that I do not
regard mere size as the acme of perfection. Far
fr"in it ; but no one can deny the fact that most
judges place this character before anything else,
ami it is this which has to a certain extent
brought the large flowers into disrepute. Judges
write against size, but when they award the
prizes, dull-coloured, coarse, and sometimes stale
flowers are preferred to slightly smaller, clearly-
coloured, handsome, fresh flowers. Twice last
season I had to meet a committee and explain
why the large, coarse, poorly-coloured, and stale
flowers were not placed first. My suggestion
was that if size is to be the only standard oi
excellence it should be so stated in the schedule,
and then have a carpenter with his "-(out rule
to award the prizes. I would like to suggest
that the National Chrysanthemum Society call
a conference of growers to discuss boards v.
vases and also the question of " How to increase
the popularity of the Chrysanthemum." II'. /.
Godfrey.

Union of Gardeners Societies. — The

step taken by the Council of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society in forming a union of the
various Horticultural Mutual Improvement So-
cieties will, I am assured, meet with universal
approval. On behalf of the Croydon Society,
who were the originators of this union, I appeal
to other societies to join at once, and thus show
their approval of the scheme. During October,
190G, a provisional committee was appointed to
formulate a plan for federating these Mutual
Improvement Societies, but after considerable
and careful deliberation, it was decided to ap-
proach the Royal Horticultural Society, and to
ask them to take the matter up. This suggestion
the premier Society has been good enough to
adopt. Such recognition will, I trust, act as a
stimulus to the many Mutual Improvement So-
cieties throughout the country, and tend to
create fresh endeavours in these bodies for the
betterment of horticulture. Harry Boshier, Hon.
Sec. to the Provisional Committee, 62, High
Street, Croydon.

It must be gratifying to the members

of the many Gardeners' Mutual Improvement
Societies in this country to learn that tie
President and Council of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society have decided to form a union
of such bodies. The Gardeners' Debating
Societies must have a beneficial effect upon
gardening in general, and have become im-
portant fact rs in British horticulture; therefore

it is appropriate that the premier horticul-
tural society should link together the numerous
Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Associations
that exist in the various parts of the country.
From si,, h ,1 unii in nothing but good can accrue,
and if no more is accomplished than an annual
conference of delegates the work will not have
been in vain. W . P. Bound (Chairman, Redhill
and Reigate Gardeners' Mutual Improvement
Society), Gallon Park Gardens, Reigate.

American Blight on Apple Tree Roots. —
A Working Grower (p. 357) has had but limited
experience in hardy fruit culture or he would not
write in so light a strain respecting the attacks of
American Blight on the roots of Apple trees, and
the efforts made by nurserymen to keep the pest in
check. I am familiar with the best nurseries in
the United Kingdom, and I do not know one
where the utmost care is not adopted to ensure
clean stock. Purchasers are, however, sometimts
tempted by cheap oilers, and beginners are especi-
ally liable to make t his mistake, with the result
thai they olten obtain a good deal more than they
expected or desired. If A Worfa isever

so unfortunate as to have his trei badly attacked
at the roots, he will sympathise with other growers
who have h ; v u hole plantations on that

" nt 1 have known nur-ei yuien who have,

through this pest, had to give up valuable pieces
of land at a heavy loss because all efforts had
failed to e'ear their stock of the blight sufficiently
to enable them to give the necessary assurance to
customers. Methylated spirits should be used
with great caution ; it is certainly " penetrating,"
and has killed many a young tree when employed
without due care. Petroleum and soft soap is the
safest effectual mixture I have tried, but more
ids upon the thoroughness of the application
and the watchfulness exercised. R.

Quick Growth of Gladiolus, — The late
moisl season has been so favourable to the growth
of Gladiolus, that from a plant raised from
so»n on March 2. we have to-day cut a fine spike
of bloom. The seed was saved from mixed
\arieties of G. gandavensis, and was not oi the
new G prsecox type It should, in fairness, be
said that the soil was specially prepared, so that
the seedlinss had plenty of assistance. Other
spikes of bloom are now forming in the same
bed. We never saw seedlings looking better.
Pifley, Bittou, Bristol, Oet. J.

The European Gooseberrv - mildew
Attacking the Red Currant. -The European

Gooseberry-mildew (Microsphscra grossulariae,
Wallr., Lev.) has again attacked the Red Cur-
rant this season, as it did last autumn. In
October last I reported this mildew as occur-
ring on some Red Currant bushes in the Colli ge
plantations, and pointed out that up till then
this Gooseberry-mildew had apparently never
been observed on this plant. This season the
same lot of Red Currant bushes in the College
plantations have been attacked by the mildew,
and I have observed it in Red Currant planta-
tions in two other localities in Kent, viz., not
far from Linton, near Maidstone, and in the
vicinity of Sittingbourne. In both cases the
growers had never previously observed any
mildew on the bushes. Has any grower else-
where noticed any mildew on Red Currant
leaves? It must be remembered that the Ameri-
can Gooseberry-mildew |Spha?rotheca mors-uva3,
Schwein. Berk.) is able to attack the Red Cur-
rant ; and I have seen bushes this summer in
Norfolk which were attacked by this mildew. —
E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., Mycologist to the South-
Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent.

Two Good Senecios.— S Clivorum still (Octo-
ber 6) makes a brilliant patch of orange ; its large
(lowers and handsome leaves have been effective
for several weeks. It is suitable either for the
large border or for planting in wilder surroundings,
but it never appears better than when in grass at
the waterside. Indeed it prefers a moist position,
as the leases are apt to flag wdien the roots are in
dry soil. Much less robust in habit is S. pulcher,
whose large red-purple flowers are amongst the
last to appear in the autumn weather It should
be given a place in a sunny, sheltered border com-
posed of light, well-drained soil. This plant is of
ihe easiest culture, but beingslightly tender should
be protected in winter with a covering of ashes
p'aced over the roots unless growing in a shelteied
position Harold Evans, Llanishcn, Cardiff.

LAW NOTE.

CARRIAGE OF PRODUCE BY RAILWAY.

At the Brentford County Court on October 11, before
His Honour Judge Howland Roberts, the Great Wes-
tern Railway Company sued Fredk. Thomas, of Lelant,
Cornwall, and Kew Bridge Market, for £33 14s. 9d.,
carnage of goods. The claim was admitted, and a
counter-claim of £62 lis. was set up for loss of market
value on vegetables and flowers through late delivery
by the railway company. Mr. Hume appeared for the
Company, and Mr. Jarvis for the defendant.

On the counter-claim plaintiff stated that he was
in the habit of having vegetables and cut flowers sent
up from Cornwall by the Great Western Railway. He
made arrangements with the Brentford stationmaster
that all goods arriving were to be delivered by six
o'clock on market mornings at Kew Bridge. On March
28 a consignment of Broccoli arrived late and he lost
the best customers at the market. He estimated that
he lost £35. On March 30, thirty dozen of cut flowers
were five hours late in delivery and had to be sold at a
ind on several other dates in April the goods
arrived late. On one occasion there was a delay of
two days. When he spoke to the stationmaster he was
adyised to sell the stuff as best he could. The market
served a very large district, being the only one west-
ward of Covent Garden. It opened at five o'clock in
the morning, and the best customers were there from
6 till 7.30. Unless goods were on sale between these
hours the best prices could not be obtained, and they
had to bi sold to second-rate buyers.

Cross-examined : Some of the goods were sent at
special rates, others at ordinary rates. He did not
complain of delay on the line in transit, but of delay iu
sending from the station after arrival.

Mr. Hume submitted that there was no liability
against the Company. Some of these goods were car-
ried at the ordinary rate, and were delivered in the
ordinary way. Others were carried at a special rate
to ensure quicker transit, but the Company were pro-
tected by a condition on the back of the note signed by
the consignee that they would not be responsible for
the loss of market value in consequence of non-
delivery.

His Honour pointed out that the case here was that
they were not delivered to a specified time.

Mr. Hume replied that the Company carried accord-
ing to their conditions. Any arrangement made by a
u master, or directions given by a pointsman,
were outside the. conditions. Unless the goods were
■ ! they were saleable, and the Company would
not be liable. There was no unreasonable delay and
no proof of wilful misconduct. Even in the absence
of the special condition the loss of market value was
too remote, and there was no proof of the actual
market price and the price at which the goods were
sold.

Mr. Jarvis argued that the clause in the conditions
was unreasonable and must be governed by certain
conditions as to the nature of the article. It had been
held that the non-delivery of cloth, so that it missed
the fashion, was a wrongful act which carried damages.
Here the goods were Broccoli and cut flowers, both of
which perished rapidly, particularly the flowers, and if
not sold in market hours they would be useless, since
they could not be kept till the next market day. There
wis no question of delay on the line, but the defen-
dants had declined to send out in reasonable time
goods received at their destination station, and from
that they should be liable. There were penalties in
common law resting upon them as common carriers,
and they could not contract themselves out of them.
They were in this instance monopolists. Theirs was
the only system by which the plaintiff could get his
goods to the market, and by insisting on such a clause
they were crippling business.

His Honour said that the ruling case on railway
carrying was Moore v. The Midland Railway, and
he had failed to see anything in this case which
put the plaintiff outside it. Undoubtedly the goods
were delivered late, and then came the question,
was the Company protected by their contract ? He
thought the clause was framed to meet just such a con-
tingency as this, and to protect the Company against
claims where goods carried by them w-ere only an
hour or two late. The plaintiff was well aware of the
clause, and he did his business with the Company
knowing his own risk of loss. No statements or
arrangement by the stationmaster could ovl- ri le the
written contract. As to the goods carried at ordinary
risks they were sent at owner's risk, and there was no
proof of wilful misconduct on the plaintiffs part. He
therefore found for the Company with costs.

2S4

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[October 19, 1907.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

October 15. — The usual fortnightly meeting
of the Committees of this society took place on
Tuesday last in the Royal Horticultural Hall,
Vincent Square, Westminster.

The Orchid Committee recommended two
First-Class Certificates and three Awards of
Merit to novelties in the Orchid exhibits ; the
Floral Committee one First-Class Certificate
and five Awards of Merit to novelties amongst
other plants and flowers ; and the F"ruit and
Vegetable Committee Awards of Merit to two
varieties of Potato. At the afternoon meeting a
lecture on " British Floral Relationships with
Foreign Countries " was delivered by Prof. Geo.
Henslow, MA.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (chairman), and
Messrs. C. T. Druery, H. B. May, Jno. Green,
T. W. Turner, George Nicholson, James Wal-
ker, George Gordon, H. J. Cutbush, R. Hooper
Pearson, \V. T. Ware, J. F. McLeod, W. Howe,
J. Jennings, C. Blick, H. J. Jones, W. Cuthbert-
son, C. Dixon, C. E. Pearson, J. T. Bennett-
Poe, C. E. Shea, W. P. Thomson, E. H. Jen-
kins, W. J. James, George Paul, and G. Reuthe.

Messrs. II. B. May & Son, Upper Edmonton,
London, N., staged a representative collection
of species and varieties of Adiantum. This ex-
hibit, which was displayed in a semi-circular
manner on the floor, showed the remarkable
diversity of form seen in the members of this
genus of Ferns. The foliage in some was very
finely divided and delicately poised on slender
petioles, others had stiff fronds with pinnules
of large size, and still others, as in A. asari-
folium, had simple foliage; in the species
named the leaves were represented by large kid-
ney-shaped lobes. A. peruvianum has big lobes,
2 inches or more across their widest parts, but
in this species they are pinnate. A. macrophyl-
lum albo-striatum has its leaves marked with
white and rose colour. A. ciliatum has once-
divided leaves, similar to a species of Nephro-
lepis. Other interesting plants observed were
A. tenerum Farleyense, A. trapeziforme, A. un-
dulatum, and A. micropinnulum. Adjoining
the Ferns was another exhibit from this firm
that was composed of Carnations, Veronicas,
and Bouvardias. (Silver Flora Medal.)

C. Y. Raphael, Esq., Potter's Park, Shenley

(gr. Mr. A. Grubb), displayed blooms of varieties

of Carnations of the Souvenir de la Malmaison

' type. The blooms represented the very highest

standard of culture. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, ex-
hibited a very handsome and large exhibit of
ornamental-leaved and berried shrubs and trees.
The group occupied the whole of a long table
at the platform end of the hall, and was ar-
ranged with skill. Varieties of Maples were es-
pecially handsome in their autumnal tintings,
some, such as Acer tataricum Ginnale, A.
japonicum laciniatum, and A. dasycarpum pul-
, verulentum, had deep-red coloured foliage.
Catalpa Bungei aurea had big, cordate
leaves of a beautiful gold colour. Another
shrub with foliage of this colour is Virgilia
lutea, the leaves being pinnate. Nandina domes-
tica resembles in its leafage a plant of Aralia,
and this was shown in splendid colour — a shade
of red. Ampelopsis hederacea and other species
were prominent in their autumn tints, rivalling
the beautiful Cornuses, such as C. mas elegan-
tissima, C. Spathii, C. sibirica, and others in
their shades of colouring. Oaks, Crataegus,
Berberis, Peaches, Azalias, Arbutus, and many
others added much beauty to this extensive dis-
play. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

A group of trees and shrubs, including many
ornamental Conifers, was displayed by Messrs.
H. Lane & Son, Great Berkhamsted/ Golden
Yews, Cupressus Macrocarpa, Picea [Abies]
polita, Cryptomeria elegans, Cedrus atlantica
glauca, Retinospora obtusa aurea, Abies Dou-
glasii, Retinospora squarrosa, Cupressus Law-
soniana in variety, and many others were shown
in well-cultivated specimens.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, Surrey,
showed ornamental shrubs, many in berry. Per-
nettyas, Skimmias, Aucubas, Cotoneasters,
Crataegus, Veronicas, Clematis, &c, were the

principal subjects, and these were in small pots
of a size suitable for the embellishment of
dwelling rooms. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, showed their rich collection of
Nepenthes, as beautiful as in former seasons.
This unrivalled collection was greatly admired,
and the culture of the plants left little to be
desired. Some of the specimens were carrying
as many as twenty well-developed pitchers, N.
mixta sanguinea and N. Burkei excellens hav-
ing this number. Among the handsomest was
the variety named after Sir W. T. Thiselton-
Dyer, the long pitchers being splashed with red
on a yellowish ground, and with a broad, hand-
some rim. N. Curtisii superba has narrow,
dark-coloured pitchers. Those of N. Mastersi-
ana are broad and red. N. Chelsonii has a very
long lamina, and at the end of the long mid-
rib is a broad pitcher, beautifully marked with
red, and with broad wings. The pitcher of N.
ventricosa has a constricted centre, and is very
pale green or yellow. There were also N.
Tiveyi, N. Ruby (new), and many others. Ad-
joining were greenhouse flowering plants, in-
cluding a specimen of jEschynanthus grandi-
florus in flower ; Begonias, Streptocarpus, An-
gelonia grandiflora, &c. In another part of the
building Messrs. Veitch displayed a group of
trees and shrubs in fruit, including Pernettyas,
Skimmia Fortunei, Cotoneasters, amongst which
was the tall C. frigida with its panicles of showy
red berries, and the dwarf C. uniflora ; Sym-
phoriearpus mollis, Aucuba japonica nana, in
tiny specimens, Hypericum Androsaemum, and
Crataegus Syracantha Laelandii, the last-named
the most beautiful of all. (Gold Medal.)

Chrysanthemums of high merit were shown
by Mr. H. J. Jones, Hither Green, Lewisham,
and .Keston, Kent. Vases of the variety Mrs.
A. T. Miller were very fine in every respect, the
handsome receptacles used for their accommo-
dation being filled with 18 or more blooms of
this large white Japanese variety. There were
also good vases of \V. Beadle, Moneymaker,
Mrs. W. Knox, Mrs. A. H. Lee, George Terry,
and other choice kinds. These, with vases of
decorative varieties, completed the group. (Sil-
ver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. John Peru & Son, West Norwood,
staged a semi-circular group of Chrysanthe-
mums, in which were big blooms of Japanese
varieties above a setting of smaller decorative
varieties, with Palms, Codiaeums, Dracaenas,
and Ferns as relief. On a table opposite the
Chrysanthemums Messrs. Peed staged flowers
of tuberous-rooting Begonias in boxes, each of
separate colours.

Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey,
arranged a group of Chrysanthemums with much
skill. The back of the exhibit contained tall
groups of such varieties as Golden Queen of the
Earlies, Mrs. A. Thomson (a bright yellow
flower of the decorative type), Roi des Blanches,
iVc. In the centre of the group was a stand ar-
ranged with the pink flowers of the variety
Lillie, and at the base of this was the new
white La Cygne, which received an Award at
the recent show of the National Chrysanthemum
Society. Some large blooms were also dis-
played, including those named after Mrs. K.
Hooper Pearson, Miss M. Godfrey, Mdlle. S.
Gauthier, Mrs. W. Wells, &c. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Mr. Eric Such, Maidenhead, exhibited
Chrysanthemums principally of the border or
decorative type, and several hardy flowers,
amongst which was a beautiful new Solidago.
(See Awards.) (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, Kent, exhibited
choice hardy and Alpine plants. (Silver Bank-
sian Medal.)

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Ware's Nursery,
Feltham, Middlesex, showed flowers of single
varieties of the Paeony-flowered Dahlias, Chry-
santhemums of the decorative type, and peren-
nial Asters in great variety.

Messrs. R. & G. Cuihbert, Southgate, dis-
played a large number of flower-spikes of Lilium
tigrinum Fortunei, set off with tall shoots of
Phalaris arundinaria. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate,
London, showed an assortment of seasonable
flowers from the herbaceous border, principally
varieties of Aster, Solidago, Pentstemon, Sca-
biosa, Pyrethrum, Fhlox, Pernettya, &c. The
display was staged with good artistic effect.
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, London, W.C., showed hardy flowers,
including perennial Asters, decorative Chrysan-
themums, Gladioli, Kniphofias, Crocuses, Phy.
salis Franchetii, &c.

Mr. Frank Brazier, Caterham, showed, in a
decorative manner, an exhibit of border Asters
and small-flowered Chrysanthemums. Bamboo
epergnes were used extensively for their display,
with dwarfer vases between these. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Ltd., Dover, Kent,
showed, among a collection of hardy flowers,
some splendid spikes of the snow-white Cimici-
fuga simplex. Pennesetum longistylum is an
ornamental grass, suitable for mingling with cut
flowers. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. R. Veitch & Sons, Exeter, displayed
specimens of Mutisia decurrens, Dendromecon
rigidum, and Gilia coronopifolia.

Messrs. W. Bull & Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea, London, again exhibited ornamental-leaved
stove and greenhouse plants as a setting to a
group of Orchids.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.
Berberis Wilsons. — This is a new species in-
troduced from Central China. The branches are
thickly clothed with narrow leaves, generally
less than J-inch long. The reddish spines are
in some cases twice as long as the leaves. The
berries are bright red, or the red of a Bigarreau
Cherry, except towards the base, where they de-
velop but little colour. The flowers are- de-
scribed as of rich yellow, .and the collector has
stated that in China the leaves develop even
richer colouring than the berries. This charac-
teristic, however, is not yet apparent in this
country. F'rom Messrs. James Veitch & Sons.

Awards of Merit.

Aster Miss Southall. — This is a variety of the
perennial Asters or Michaelmas Daisies. It be-
longs to the Nova Angliae group and has lilac-
coloured flowers about \\ to L! inches across. It
is the best in this section of this colour. Shown
by Mr. Davies, Ross-on-Wye.

Chrysanthemum Estne Reed. — This is a white
sport from the variety Mrs. Winkfield, and, like
the type, is considered valuable for its dwarf
habit and capacity for blooming freely whilst
the roots are confined in pots as small as 5 inches
or 6 inches in diameter. It is said to be im-
possible to grow either variety into tall plants.
Shown by Mr. P. Ladds, Swanley.

Chrysanthemum H. J. Jones. igoS. — This is
a variety belonging to the large-flowered
yellow Japanese-incurved section. The florets
are very broad and the colour rich. We think
better flowers than those exhibited will be forth-
coming at a later date. Shown by Mr. II. J.
Jones.

Nepenthes X Ruby (N. sanguinea X N. Curtisii
superba). — This plant has very broad pitchers,
each about 9 inches in length and 4 inches in
breadth. The colouring is a shade of red, as is
indicated in the name. The wings are
small, but the rim is finely developed. The
plant had very robust leaves, and four excellent
pitchers. Shown by Messrs. James Veitch &
Sons, Ltd.

S'lidago "Golden Wings." — This is described
as a seedling form of the common " Golden
Rod," but its appearance would hardly lead
one to such a conclusion. It is an excellent
garden plant, for the inflorescences are not erect,
as most Solidagos are, but spread almost hori-
zontally or feather-like, and are extremely effec-
tive when seen from above. The colour is rich
yellow. Shown by Mr. E. F. Such, Maidenhead.

Orchid Committee.

Present : Harry J. Veitch, Esq. (in the Chair! ;
and Messrs Jas. O'Brien (Hon. Sec), D< B
Crawshay, W. Bolton, W. Cobb, II. Little. \\
Boxall, E. Ashworth, A. A. McBean, F. Sander,
H. T. Pitt, H. T- Chapman, W. P. Bound, H.
G. Alexander, H. A. Tracy, F. J. Hanbury, R.
Brooman-W hite, F. W. Moore, H. Ballantine,
A Dye. W. A. Bilney, R. G. Thwaites, and li,
F. Moore.

Leopold de Rothschild, Esq., Gunners'
bury House, Acton (gr. Mr. Jas. Hudson), was
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an exhibit
of finely-flowered Orchids. In the back of the

October 19, 1E07

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

285

group were well-cultivated examples of Cattleya
Bowringiana and on either side specimens of
its hybrids, C. Mrs. J. \\ . Whiteley and C. John
Baguley. The front portion of the display con-
tained good forms of C. labiata. At one end
was an arrangement of Vanda ccerulea, Onci-
dium varicosum, and Odontoglossum grande,
and at the other a selection of the white Den-
drobium formosum giganteum and Oncidium
varicosum.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, secured a Silver Flora Medal for an ex-
cellent group of Orchids, in which were two
new Laelio-Cattleyas named L.-C. Lusitania (C.
Iris X L.-C. Phryne) and L.-C. Aureole (L.-C.
luminosa X C. Iris). Of the better-known kinds
were varieties of L.-C. luminosa, L.-C. Dom-
iniana ; a very fine form of L.-C. Cappei, hav-
ing rich, redaish-scarlet-coloured flowers with a
maroon-coloured lip ; and other showy hybrid
Laslias and Cattleyas. Among the Odontoglos-
sums and hybrids of this genus was the pretty
O. Phcebe. Rodriguezia fragans was shown
with a wealth of white flowers ; we also noticed
the true Cycnoches Egertonianum with a raceme
of claret-coloured blooms, the curiously-fringed
Cirrhopetalum ornatissimum, Bifrenaria aureo-
fulva, Maxillaria nigrescens ; the new and dis-
tinct Dendrobium regium, a good example of
the pure, white-lipped Odontoglossum bictoni-
ense album, and a selection of fine varieties of
Cattleya labiata.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, were voted
a Silver Flora Medal for an effective group in
which were several fine varieties of Cattleya labi-
ata, the best of which — C. labiata King Edward
VII. — is a noble flower of fine proportions and of
much substance. The flowers were a shade of
magenta-rose ; the broad labellum ruby-purple,
with orange colour in the throat. Another fine
Cattleya shown in this exhibit was C. Lord Roth-
schild variety Rex, a variety bearing a resem-
blance to a fine C. Hardyana, but with dark
orange in the lip, which in form resembles that
<>f Cattleya labiata. Other choice plants noted
were the rare Cymbidium lancifolium, the new
and handsome C. erythri istylum, Catasetum tri-
dentatum, several distinct forms of Cypripedium
insigne, and various hybrids.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, were awarded a Silver Mora Medal for
a group containing many showy hybrid Laelio-
Cattleyas, including varieties of L.-C. Xysa, L.-
('. Bletchleyensis, L.-C. Haroldiana, &c. Also
Cattleya Mantinii, Masdevallia Imogen, M.
Acis and the fine orange-scarlet M. Veitchiana
grandiflora, which is still the most beautiful of
its class. In the centre was a specimen of Odon-
toglossum grande carrying 24 flowers, and
around it a selection of Cattleya labiata ;
Cypripedium insigne Sanderas ; the distinct
Veitchian hybrids C. Baron Schroder, C.
Little Gem, C. H. Ballantine, and C. Jas. H.
Veitch ; Odontoglossums, &c.

Norman C. COOKSON, Esq., Oakwood, Wylam
(gr. Mr. 11. J. Chapmanl, received a Silver
Banksian Medal for an interesting group, in
which were several hybrids raised from seeds
obtained by crossing albinos, the progeny being
invariably coloured varieties. In the group
were the fine Cypripedium Dom Carlos Rex,
with large white flowers blotched with purple ;
the distinct C. Chapmanii, " Oakwood variety,"
which differs from the type plant in having a
yellowish ground colour to the flower ; C. Io-
Argus, an attractive flower with large blackish
blotches on the petals ; C. Nandii, Low's
variety (see Awards) ; the pretty, pale yellow
Lselia De Geesteana, Oakwood variety, and a
fine plant of Odontoglossum crispum punctatis-
simum with two spikes, the one having 14 and
the other 19 well-developed flowers.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBEAN, Cooksbridge,
secured a Silver Banksian Medal for a neat
group containing Cattleya aurea, Odontoglos-
sum crispum, O. Pescatorei, Miltonia vexillaria,
M. Roezlii, Cypripedium insigne Sanderae with
m\ flowers, and other showy Orchids. The best
hybrid in this group was Cypripedium Alport-
ense, Gratrix's variety (insigne Harefield Hall
X Boxallii), a large flower, of perfect form and
with the marking of C. insigne, but on a softer
ground colour.

Messrs. Moore, Ltd., Rawdon, Leeds,
secured a Silver Banksian Medal for a group in
which were several hybrid Odontoglossums :
Cypripedium insigne macuiatum, C. insigne
nigrum, and C. insigne, Green Bank variety,
the last-named is a very distinct flower, and has

attractive markings. Other plants noted in the
group were Lselia majalis, Cattleya Iris, C. Bow-
ringiana superba, some pretty varieties of
Cypripedium Fairrieanum, Brasso- Cattleya
Madame Hye, a light-coloured variety of Den-
drobium Phalaenopsis, the singular Nanodes
Medusae, Oncidium bicallosum, &c.

Messrs. Stanley & Co., Southgate, received
a Silver Banksian Medal for a group contain-
ing excellent varieties of Cattleya labiata, On-
cidium varicosum, yellow varieties of Cypri-
pedium insigne, C. Leeanum, and the dark-col-
oured C. nigratum (Swinburnei magnificum X
Argus Moensii).

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, Middle-
sex, were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for
a group in which were good examples of Cat-
tleya labiata, including one of the white variety
Empress; also Laelio-Cattleya Firefly, Cattleya
Pittiana, C. Maronii, Cypripedium Milo, Wes-
tonbirt variety, C. Olivia, C. triumphans, C.
Maudiae magnificum, Cattleya Gaskelliana alba,
&c.

Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
staged a group in which were varieties of Cat-
tleya labiata, a fine pan of the rare white Zygo-
petalum rostratum, some excellent varieties of
Cypripedium insigne, including The Oueen,
Commander-in-Chief, Ernestii, and Oddity. C.
X Kitty, a very good flower; C. Milo, Weston-
birt variety, of very dark colour ; C. Niobe, a
selection of C. Fairrieanum, &c.

The Earl of Onslow, Clandon Park, Guild-
ford (gr. Mr. lil ike), showed a spike of Cattleya
labiata with six flowers.

II. J. BromiLOW, Esq., Rann Lea, Rainhill,
ashire, sent Cypripedium Actaeus revoluta
and C. insigne, Rann Lea \ariety.

J. FORSTES Ai.cock, Esq., Northchurch, Herts,
displayed a seedling between Cypripedium liar-
risianum superbum and C. Charlesworthii, in
which the lower sepals were veined with rose
as well as in the dorsal sepal.

Henry Little, Esq., Baronshalt, Twii
ham (gr Mr. Howard), showed Cypripedium
Winnifred Little, a pleasing yellow flower with
a purple line on the dorsal sepals and petals.

Messrs. Linden & Co., Brussels, showed
Odontoglossum crispum Madame Linden secun-
dum, a good flower, heavily blotched with claret
red, and O. c. Reve d'Or, white, blotched with
yellowish-brown

J. Bradshaw, Esq., The Grange, Southgate
(gr. Mr. G. G. Whiteleggei, sent Cattleya Mi-.
J. W. Whiteley var. Regalis, a very large flower
of fine shape and of a bright purplish-rose col-
our, the lip being deep ruby-crimson.

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, showed the singular Bulbophyllum Daya-
num with a short inflorescence of four blooms,
the segments of which are fringed, and a small
white-flowered Dendrobium.

G. \Y. [ESS0P, Esq., Rawdon, Leeds, sent a
small form of Cirrhopetalum appendiculatum.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.

Arachnanlke Pohaniana ( Renanthera Rohaniana
i. and R. Hookeriana), from J. Gurney
Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South Woodford
(gr. Mr. J. Davis). A very remarkable plant,
with flowers resembling those of Arachnanthe
Lowii, but very distinct in growth, its broad,
slightly ascending leaves being not curved
downward, as in A. Lowii. The inflorescence
bore three large yellow basal flowers, each
slightly spotted with brown ; beyond these the
stout pubescent stem was naked for about 9
inches. The remainder of the inflorescence car-
ried twenty cream-white flowers, heavily barred
with deep red blotches. In describing this plant
(which was originally in the collection of Prince
Camille de Rohan), in Xenia I., p. 89, the char-
acters relied on to distinguish A. Rohaniana is
" Epichilii aristula retrorsa ; carinula inflexa
simplex" as opposed to duplex in the descrip-
tion of A. Lowii.

Cattleya Hardyana, " Westonbirt variety,"
from Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O., C.I.K.,
Westonbirt, Tetbury (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander).
A superb form raised at Westonbirt. The flowers
have a white ground colour that is veined and
tinged with bright rose, the white showing be-
tween the reticulation of colour. The flower
measured 8 inches across ; the rich ruby-crim-
son and gold-coloured lip 3 inches.

Awards of Merit.

Cattleya labiata "Daphne," from J. Brad-
shaw, Esq., The Grange, Southgate. A charm-
ing pure white variety, with a small violet-
coloured blotch in front of the yellow disc of
the lip.

Cattleya Armstrongia magnifiea (Hardyana x
Loddigesii violaceaj), from Messrs. Armstrong
cV Brown, Tunbridge Wells. The variety is the
most beautiful of the section which has yet
appeared; the finely-formed flowers being of a
bright magenta rose, the labellum deep orange,
changing to chrome yellow, and with a rose ray
on the front.

Cypripidium Nandii, Low's variety ( callositm
X TantzianumJ, from Norman C. Cooksdn,
Esq., Oakwood, Wylam, Northumberland [gt
Mr. H. J. Chapman). The flowers are of
medium size, and white, delicately tinged with
rose.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: Joseph Cheal, Esq. (in the Chair);
and Messrs. W. Crump, W. J. Jefferies, Alex.
Dean, John Basham, 11. Parr, |. Davies, H.
Somers Rivers, G. Rev, .olds, P. C. M. Veitch,
Jesse Willard, J. Jaques, J. Mclndoe, Owen
Thomas, C. G. A. Nix, and W. Poupart.

Several seedling fruits and vegetables were
presented for Awards, including a white-fleshed
Melon of good flavour, and to which an Award
of Merit was proposed, but, as this was not in-
cluded in the trial of these fruits at Wislev Gar-
dens,this summer, the Award was not confirmed.

Messrs Dobbie & Co., Rothesay N.B., and
Mark's Tey, showed a collection of Onion- in
about 70 varieties. Rarely has the Hall con-
tained a finer exhibit of this vegetable, all the
samples being solid, clear-skinned and evenly
matched. They were all sown on the same date
— March 2 — and a card on each variety indi-
cated the date of harvesting, which, in the
majority of cases, was October. The seeds were
obtained from British, French, German, Italian,
Dutch and American sources. Thus the dis-
plaj was very representative, and had much
educational value. The variety from which the
heaviest weight of bulbs resulted was the well-
known Ailsa Craig, and another heavy cropper
is Cranston's Excelsior. The best keeping varie-
ties were Bedfordshire Champion, Golden
Globe, Dobbie's Main Crop, and James Keep-
ing. Red varieties were numerous, and these
are recommended for their extreme hardiness :
good red Onions are Deep Blood Red, Dobbie's
Selected Red, and Saint Marie. The small Sil-
ver Skinned Pickling Onion was shown, and
other kinds deserving of mention are Roushain
Park Hero, Perfection, Dobbie's Champion, and
International. (Silver-Gilt Knightian Medal.)

Very large collections of Potatos were shown
by Messrs. Geo. Massey & Sons, Spalding, Lin-
colnshire (Silver Banksian Medal), and Miss M.
H. Dodge, Losely Park, Guildford (gr. Mr.
Staward). [Silver-Gilt Knightian Medal. I In
each instance about 100 varieties were dis-
played.

Mr. W. H. Barber, Culham Court, Henley,
was awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for an
exhibit of Onions, and a Bronze Banksian
Medal was granted to R. H. Comvns, Esq.,
Heath Farm House, Watford (gr. Mr. Waterton),
for an exhibit of 100 excellent Onions of the
Ailsa Craig type.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed a collection of Apples, the most
pleasing being those of Bismarck, Allington Pip-
pin, Bramley's Seedling, Lord Derby, Lane's
Prince Albert, Cellini, Wealthy, Tyler's Kernel,
Potts' Seedling, and Stirling Castle. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Awards of Merit.
Potatos The Provost arid Longkeefer. — These
two varieties having satisfied the Committee in a
cultural trial with other kinds at Wislev, and
having afterwards passed a culinary test, were
each granted an Award of Merit. The Provost
was sent by Messrs. Dobbie & Co. ; Longkeeper
by Messrs. Carter & Co.

POTATOS, &C, AT WISLEV.
A meeting of the members of the Fruit and
Vegetable Committee was held at Wislev on the
8th inst. Mr. J. Cheal was chairman, and a full
quorum attended. Late Potatos were inspected
first, the varieties Up-to-Date and Factor both

286

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 19, 1907

yielding fine crops, and stocks had their pre-
vious awards confirmed. The following varie-
ties were given 3 marks, to be followed by
Awards of Merit if satisfactory in passing the
cooking test at Vincent Square : — Forester, Long
Keeper, The Provost, and Kirke's No. 3 Seed-
ling, a name for which is to be obtained. These
■were all white varieties, and partook very much
of the "Up-to-Date" or the "Abundance" type.
Scottish Triumph, synonymous with Up-to-Date,
-gave the finest stock. Good crops were also fur-
nished by the varieties Conquering Hero,
Duchess of Cornwall, and a few others, but these
■■were not selected by the Committee for cooking.
It is greatly hoped that the Potato trial next
year will be one of testing the growth of tubers
from diverse soils and climates. The mere
.growing of varieties as now conducted has little
or no educational value. Some 70 rows of
spring-sown Onions, all pulled and lying on
their sides were next inspected. These would
have given better results if they had been duly-
thinned, but the desire seemed to be to test the
plants' bulbing powers just as sown. The best
red Onion was Crimson Globe, certificated in
1888 as Southport Red Globe, and the best of
brown varieties were Ailsa Craig, Cranston's Ex-
celsior, Banbury Cross, and Nuneham Park.
An Award of Merit was made to Excelsior, that
variety not having previously been thus hon-
oured. There were numerous duplicate rows of
varieties, the stocks coming from divers seeds-

■A large breadth of Tomatos, in 66 assumed
varieties were somewhat of a surprise, as outdoor
Tomatos have generally done so badly this
season. Most of the plants were heavily fruited,
though the fruits were green. There was not
much disease, but very many fruits were uneven
in form, and had no market value. Probably
the best fruits, none being large, but the crop
a heavy one, was Carter's Sunrise, which pro-
mises in good seasons to be as fine for outdoor
culture as it is indoors. An Award of Merit
was made to Up-to-Date, also a heavy cropper.

A good stock of "Exquisite" Parsley was
-seen, but as there were no other varieties by to
compare it with, the Committee advised that a
.trial of Parsleys take place next year.

On such sandy soil, a trial of winter-sown
Onions under glass, the plants put out in April,
would no doubt prove very successful.

There is a remarkably fine trial of Celeries
to be seen later. The sand seems to suit Celery
admirably.

JVIANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

"October 2. — Committee present : Messrs. E.
Ash worth, Cypher, Ashton, Ward, Sander,
Keeling, Stevens, Cowan, Walmsley, P. Smith,
and Weathers (hon. secretary).

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, staged
a very interesting group of plants, one of the
main features of which were about 100 plants
of Cypripedium Fairrieanum in flower. Dendro-
bium radium in Messrs. Cypher's group obtained
a First Class Certificate. (Silver Medal.)

W. Thompson, Esq., Stone, Staffs (gr. Mr.
Steverts) was again a prominent competitor in
the section for Cypripediums. In addition to
a collection of these plants, this gentleman
showed a glorious plant of Oncidium incurvum
var. album, with a wealth of its handsome white
flowers : the plant was voted a Cultural Cer-
tificate. In the same 'group Cypripedium x
Waltonense was shown ; its parentage is un-
known, but evidently it is a secondary hybrid
in which C. x Antigone has effected some in-
fluence : an award of a First Class Certificate
•was made to this plant. (Bronze Medal.)

J. Macartney, Esq., Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes)
was represented by a collection of clean, well-
grown plants. Cattleya x Iris Hey House
Variety was voted an Award of Merit ; a similar
award was given to a grand plant of Cypri-
pedium x Shillianum var. giganteum. (Bronze
Medal.)

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill,
Bradford, staged a varied group of plants,
to which a Bronze Medal was awarded. Mil-
tonia x Bluntii, Reeling's variety, was given an
Award of Merit.

Mr. W. Bolton, Warrington, exhibited fine
plants of Cattleya x Hardyana var. rubescens
and Cypripedium x Boadicea var. magnifica.
Both these plants received Awards of Merit.

E. Ash worth, Esq., Wilmslow (gr. Mr. Hol-
brook) exhibited Dendrobium macrophyllum, a
plant not frequently met with, and remarkable
for its green flowers. It was granted an Award
of Merit.

E. Rogerson, Esq., Didsbury (gr. Mr. Price)
obtained Awards of Merit for three Cypripe-
diums, viz., C. x Rene, C. x Memnon var.
magnificum, and C. X Olga Bagsham Oakdene
Variety.

W. Farrer, Esq., Carnforth, exhibited two
hybrid Cypripediums, evidently forms of C. x
Actasus.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rainhill (gr. Mr. Mor-
gan) gained an Award of Merit for Cypripedium
X Actaeus var. revoluta.

Dr. A. Hodgkinson, Wilmslow, was granted
a First Class Certificate and a special vote of
thanks for Dendrobium Lowii, a well-grown but
small plant of this very difficult subject to cul-
tivate.

Mr. J. Robson, Altrincham, exhibited Cypri-
pedium X Robsoniae.

Mr. D. McLeod, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, also
exhibited some good Cypripediums. F. W.

m: arkets.

ROYAL BOTANIC.

October 9. — At the show held on this date,
the chief exhibitors were those following: —
Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, staged
Dahlias, Asters, &c. (Large Gold Medal.) Mr.
Eric Slxh, Maidenhead, showed a large display
of autumn flowers, Chrysanthemums, perennial
Asters, Kniphofias, &c. (Gold Medal.) Messrs.
Barr & Sons, Thames Ditton, exhibited hardy
flowers extensively. Asters were well shown,
and included many choice new varieties ; Chry-
santhemums and Kniphofias were also promi-
nent. Gladiolus Childsii W. Falconer has flowers
a pleasing shade of rosy-salmon. Certificates of
Merit were awarded to Aster cordifolius
" Ideal," a variety with small lavender-coloured
flowers ; Kniphofia Obelisque, with flowers
coloured a deep yellow, with a shading of
orange, and each spike had smaller lateral
spikes just below the main spike ; both shown
by Messrs. Barr & Sons ; Solidago " Golden
Wings" from Mr. E. Such; and Gaillardia
grandiflora " Lady Rolliston," a distinct variety,
with large, pure yellow flowers : shown by
Messrs. Harrison & Sons, Leicester.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week outing October 16.
The heaviest rain for V, months.— The weather remained
warm in the eai ]y part of the week, but since then lower
temperatures have prevailed. On the two warmest days the
highest reading in the thermometer screen was 61", and on
the coldest night the exposed thermometer showed 4° of
frost. The ground is at the present time rather warmer
than is seasonable, both at 1 and 2 feet deep. Since the
month began rain has fallen on all but four days, and to the
aggregate depth of 2J inches. On the 14th over 1 inch cf rain
fell— making this the wettest day since the end of June.
1906. Between 5 and 6 p.m. on that day half an inch of
rain was deposited. This heavy fall re-started the per-
colation gauge on which short grass is growing, which had
been dry since the third week in July, and since then about
three gallons of rain-water has come through that gauge, and
over four gallons, or very nearly the whole of the rainfall,
through the bare soil gauge. The sun shone on an average
for 4} hours a day, or for about an hour a day longer than is
usual at this season. Throughout the week the wind has
been moderately high, but in no hour did the mean velocity
exceed 15 miles— direction S.S.E. The mean amount of
moisture in the air at 3 p.m . exceeded a seasonable quantity
for that hour by one per cent. E. M., Berkhamstcii, October
16, 1907.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Altrincham, Bowdon, Sam, I Iaie and District Chry-
santhemum Society's exhibition, to be held in the Drill
Hall, Hale, on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 12, 13,
1907. Hon. secretary, Wm. Hazlehurst, 20, Ashley Road,
Altrincham.

Huntingdonshire Daffodil and Spring Flower
Society's show, to be held in .the Corn Exchange,
Huntingdon, on Tuesdav, April 21, 1908. Hon. secretary.
Miss L. Linton, Stirtloe House, Buckden, Huntingdon.

Darlington Horticultural Society's autumn flower
show, to be held in the Drill Hall, Darlington, on Wed-
nesday. November 20, 1907. Hon. secretary, Mr. A. H.
Harrow, Priestgate House, Darlington.

Stoke Newington and District Chrysanthemum show,
to be held at St. Matthew's Parish Room, Warwick Road,
Clapton, on Wednesday and Thursday, November 6, 7, 1907.
Hon. secretary, Mr. W. Edwards, 12, Sutton Road, South
Tottenham.

Transvaal Horticultural Society's spring show, to be
held in the Wanderers' Grounds, Johannesburg, on Novem-
ber 29, 30, 1907. Hon. secretary, Mr. A. Dowdlc, Box P.O.
1.0H4- Johannesburg.

CO VENT GARDEN, October }&.
[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the jubjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered Itiat these quotations do- not. repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but ooJy the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they mav fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Ed.]

Cut Flowers,

Ac: Average Wholesale Pr*c*s*

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s^d.

Asters, per dozen

Lilium longiflorum

2 Or- 2 6.

bunches

10-2 0

— tigrmuin

16-20

Eouvardia, per dz

Lily of the Valley,

bunches

40-60

p. dz. bunches

4 0- 6 0

Calla aethiopica, p.

— extra quality ...

8 0-12 01

dozen

Carnations, per
dozen blooms,
best American

16-26

Marguerites, white,
p. dz. bundles

2 0- 3. 0.

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

2 0- 3. 0'

various

10-26

Mignonet(e, perdz.

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

9 -12 0

bunches

2 0-30

Cattleyas, per doz.

O don t oglossum

blooms

10 0-12 0

crispum, per

Chrysanthem urns,

dozen blooms
Pancratiums per

2 0-26

best blooms, p.
dozen

10-20

dozen rU.

2 0-3 0>

— small, per doz.

Pelargoniums,

bunches

3 0-40

show, per dcz.

— maximum

10-20

buncnes

4 0-60

Coreopsis, per doz.
bunches

2 o- a o

— Zonal, double
scarlet

4 0-60

Cornflower, per dz.

Roses, 12 blooms,

bunches

10-20

Niphetos

10-3 0'

Cypripediums, per

— Bridesmaid ...

2 0-3 0*

dozen blooms..

2 0-26

— C. Testout ...

2 0- 3 0-

Dahlias, doz. bchs.

1 6- 2 6

— General Jacque

Eucliaris grandi-

minot, per doz.

flora, per doz.

bunches

10-2 0*

blooms

2 0-30

— Kai serin A.

Gaillardias, per dz.

Victoria, dozen

bunches

16-20

blooms

1 6- 30

Gardenias, per doz.

— Mrs. J. Laing

10-30

blooms

1 6- 2 0<

— C. Mermet

10-30

Gladiolus, various

— Liberty

10-26

hybrids, perdz.

— Mad. Chatenay

10-30

spikes

10-20

Scabious, per doz.

— Brenchleycnsis

2 0-30

bunches

2 0-30

Gypsophila elegans

Statice, per dozen
buncries

p. dz. bunches

2 0-30

2 6-30

Heather, doz. bchs.

2 0-40

Stephanotis, per

Lapageria alba, dz.

10-10

dozen trusses

3 0-50

Lilac (French), per

Tuberoses, per dz.

bunch

3 0-40

blooms

0 4-06

Lilium auratum ...

2 0-30

Violets, per dozen

— lancifoli um.

bunches

10-20

rnbruni and

— Parmas, per

album ...

16-20

bunch

16-20

Cut Foliage,

lie: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Adiantuni ennea-

Hardy foliage

luin, per dozen

(various), per

bunches

4 0-60

dozen bunches

2 0-60

A sparagus plu-

Ivy-leaves, bronze

2 0-26

niosus, long

— long trails per

trails, per doz.

8 0 12 0

bundle

16-30

— — medium,

— short g r een,

bunch ...

1(1-2 0

doz. bunches...

2 0-30

— Sprengeri

0 6-10

Moss, per gross ...

4 0-50

Berberis, per doz.

Myrtle (English),

bunches

2 0-26

s mal 1-leaved,

Croton leaves, per

doz. bunches...

4 0-60

bunch

10-16

— French, dozen

Cycas leaves, each

16-20

bunches

10-16

Fern, English, per

Pernettya, p. bunch

0 9-10

dozen bunches

10-20

Physalis Franchetii,

— French, dozen

perdz. bunches

3 0-50

bunches

10-30

Smilax, p. dz. trails

16 2 6

Plants in Pots, &c. Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Ampelopsis Veit

chit, per dozen 6 0-80
AraliaSieboldi, per

dozen 4 0-60

— larger 9 0-12 0

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen ... 12 0-30 0
Aspidistras, green,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0

— variegated, per

dozen 30 0-42 0

Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, doz. 9 0-12 0

— Sprengeri, dz. 9 0-12 0

— tenutssi mus

per dozen ... 9 0-12 0
Asters per doz. ... 3 0-60
Bouvardias, per dz. 6 0-80
Cbrysanthem urns,

per dozen ... 4 0 8 0
, — best disbudded 12 0 18 0
Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90

— in flower ... 12 0-18 0
C ocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen 9 0-18 0
Coleus, per dozen 2 0-40
Crotons, per dozen 12 0-30 0
Cyperus alternifo-

lius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Bracrenas, per doz. 9 0-24 0
Erica gracilis, per

dozen 10 0-12 0

— nivalis, perdz. 15 0-18 0

s.d. s.d.
4 0-90

7 0-10 0

hyemalis

Euonymus, per dz.
I< i us, in thumbs,
per IOC.

— in small and
large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, per dz. 4 0-10 0

— in 32's, perdz. 10 0-18 0
Fieus elastica, per

dozen 8 0-10 0

— repens, per dz, 4 0-60
Fuchsias, per doz. 3 0- 5 C
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteiiana, per

dozen 18 0-24 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Lilium longi-

norum, per dz. 12 0-24 0

— lancifoli um,
per dozen

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Marguerites, white,

per dozen
Pelargoniums,

Zonals, per dz.
Selaginella, per

dozen

Solanums.per doz.
Spiraea japonica:

per do^en
Verbena,Miss\Yil!

mott, perdozen

12 0-18 0

10 0-12 0

• 60

4 0-60

4 0-60
6 0-90

6 0-10 0

12 0-18 0 i Veronicas, per dz.

4 0-60

5 0-80

Octobes 19, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

2s:

Fruit; Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d s.d.

5 0-70
46 -
■3 '6- 4 '6

.. 3 .6- 4 6

2 6-40
2 6-29
2 3-26

_ 3 .0- 6 0

Apples (English^
per bushel :
liramley'sSeed-
ling 4 3-49

— Lord Derby „ 4 0-46

— Warner's King 4 0-49

— Lord Sufheld 3 «6- 4 0

— Ecklajiville
Seedling ... 3 S- 4 <6

— KeswiokCodLin 2 3-30

— Peasgood's
Nonsuch

— King Pippins...

— Cox's Pomona

— Blejiheiim Pip
pin

— W o r c e 5 t-e r
Pearmain, pr. fc
sieve

— Beauty of Bath

— Gladstone

— Cox's Orange
Pippin
Nova Scotian

— Gravenst eins,
per barrel

— Ribstons
Californian :

— Newtowns, per
box

iBanauas, bunch :

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giants „ ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cranberries, p. case
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes 2 6 —

tigs, (Guernsey), p.

dozen 0 9-10

— Italian, box ... 0 10- 1 2
Crape Fruit, c.i^e 10 6-12 6
Grapes (English),

Hambro's, p. lb. 0 4-10

— Alicanle.perlb. 0 6-10

— Gros Maroc,

per lb. ., ... OS- 1 0

— English Mus-
cats, per lb. .. 10-30

— Canon Hall,

per lb 2 0-36

— Belgian Ham-
bro's, per lb.... 0 6-09

— Lisbon, p. case 5 6-66

— Denia, barrel... 5 0-60

— Almeria, per

barrel 7 0-17 0

l-enions :

— Messina, case 17 0-18 0

— Naples, p. case 19 0 30 0
Lychees, perbox... 10 —
Mangoes, per doz. 4 0-80
Melons (Guernsey),

each 0 8-20

— French, Rock,

each 2 6-30

14 0-15 0
18 0-24 0

13 6-14 6

4 6 —

5 0-60

6 6-70
8 0 —
5 0-56
0 9-13
8 6-96

s.d. s.d.

Melons, Canta-

loupe, each ...

0 4-05

— Valencia, case

10 0-12 0

Nuts, Cobs (Eng-

lish) per lb. ...

0 Si- 0 4

— Filberts

02 -

— VVahiuts(French),

dozen lbs.

4 6-

— GrenoblesWal-

nuts, per bag...

9 0-96

— Almonds, bag

54 0 —

— Brazils, new,

per cwt.

40 0-42 6

— Barcelona, per

bag

32 6 —

— Cocoa nuts. 100 12 0-17 0

Oranges (Austra-

lian), per box...

8 0-12 0

— Naples, p. case

11 0-17 0

— Jamaican, per

case

11 0-13 0

Peaches (English),

per dozen

J 1st quality ...

8 0-12 0

V2nd „ ...

10-26

— Fre n c h, per

box

13-16

Pears (English), $

sieve

10-30

— per bushel

2 3-50

— French, Doy-

enne du Cornice

per crate

7 6-12 0

— French, Louise

Bonne of Jer-

sey, per crate...

8 0-10 6

— Duchess d'An-

gouleme, per

crate

9 0-11 6

— Catillac, Dutch

per basket

2 6 —

— per barrel

10 0 —

— (Californian),

Beurrtf Hardy,

per box

7 0-80

— American Bart-

lett Pears,

per box

6 0-63

— (Call t uinun,)

I toyenni du

Cornice, p. box

20 0 —

— Italian, basket

16-19

Damson (hngli^h),

J sieve

0 9-16

Plums (l-nglish), p.

i sieve:

— Pond's Seedling 3 6-43

— Monarchs

3 0-40

— English Prunes

2 0- -J. li

— Californian, per

box

6 0-63

Gages (English), J

sieve

16-30

Pineapples, each ...

16-26

Quinces (French),

per crate

2 0 -

Lisbon, p. case 11 0-11 6

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Ai'ticuokes(l-'iench),
per dozen ... ;

Auberginesi French),
per doz. ... ]

Beans, home-grown,
per bushel

Beetroot, bushel ...

Cabbages, per doz,

— Greens, bag ...

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— washed, per
bag

Cauliflowers, per
dozen

— per tally
Celeriac (French),

per dozen
Celery, washed, per

dozen

Chow Chow (Sec-

hium edule), p.

dozen

Cucumbers, p. dz.
Endive, per dozen
Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.

bundles
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score

— French, p. doz.

,.d. s.d.

2 0-
1 3

0 6-

1 0

2 0

26

2 6
09

0 9-10
4 0 —

2 0-
0 10-

3 0
1 6-
1 6-

12 0 —

1 6 —

10-13

0 9-0 10

s.d. s.d.
Marrows (English),

per tally ... 3 0 —
Mint, doz. bunches 0 9-10
Mubluuoms(house)

per lb 0 6-08

— buttons, per lb. 0 10 —
"Broilers"p.lb. 0 5-06

Mustard and Cicss,

per dozen pun. 1 0- 1 G
Onions (Spanish),

per case ... 5 0 —

— Dutch, per bag 4 0 —

— pickling, per

bushel 2 0-26

Peas (English), per

bushel 2 6-40

Parsley, 12 bunches 16-20

— $ bushel ... 10-16
Radishes (Guern-
sey), doz. bun. 0 4-06

Salsafy.p. dz. bdls. 36 —
Spinach, English,

per bushel ... 0 9-10
Tomatos: —

— French, p. crate 2 0-23

— selected, per

dozen lbs. ... 2 0-30

— small selected,

per dozen lbs. 2 0- 2 G
Turnips (English),

doz. bunches... 2 0-30
■ — per bag ... 2 6 —

Watercress, per

doz. bunches .. U 4- 0 G

Remarks.— Home-grown Peaches are generally of very
inferior quality; the very best samples are realising high
prices. Nectarines are now finished. A plentiful supply of
Apples is arriving, principally from Kent ; dessert varieties,
including Cox's Orange Pippin, are selling at much advanced
prices. Trade is quiet for home-grown Tomatos, but for
fruits of a good colour there is a brisk demand. Jamaica
Oranges are arriving in increased quantities ; these fruits
are of fine quality. P. Z,., Covent Garden, October 16, 1907.

POTATOS.

Kents. 3s. Gd. to 5s. per cwt. ; Bedfords, 70s., 90s. ; Lin-
colns, 70s., 90s. ; Blacklands, 75s. to 85s. ; Maincrops 85s,
to 100s. per ton. Prices show an advance all round. The
Scotch crops are being harvested, but up to the present
supplies from this source have not affected the market
greatly. Buyers are seeking to lower prices, but it is ex-
pected the value of Potatos will still advance. The crops in
Lancashire, Cheshire and Ireland are below the average,
and northern salesmen are purchasing largely from Covent
Garden Market. J. D, C, Covent Garden, October 16, 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Best quality plants of Chrysanthemums which have been
disbudded have made good prices during the past week,
especially the variety Soleil d'Or, extra good plants of
which have realised 24s. per dozen. The varieties W.
Holmes, Mrs. Wingfield, Souvenir de Petite Amie, Le Paca-
tole, Caprice du Frintemps, and Kathleen Thompson are
now at their best condition. I have rarely seen white Mar-
guerites so good at this time of year as they are this
season, but they are over plentiful and prices are in conse-
quence low. Spiraeas have also a good demand. A few
Roses, including the Madame Levavasseur and Tea varieties,
are seen, bin supplies are very uncertain. Genistas in flower
are to be had but they are out of season. Ericas are now
well flowered. E. gracilis is well coloured ; the white
varieties have a tendency to exhibit reversion. Zonal
Pelargoniums in well flowered plants include Mrs. Law-
rence, Heimione, F. V. Raspail and others. Asters are pro-
curable and I noticed well flowered plants of a pretty pink
variety unknown to me. Some dwarf, well flowered plants
of perennial Asters were observed on Messrs. Groves and
Sun's stand. Plants of A. cordifoiius, A. ericoides and
A. vimineus from late-rooted cuttings are dwarf. Bouvar-
dias are plentiful. Verbenasare now almost finished for the
season. Liliuins are very good, also Lily of the Valley.
Some Fuchsias are seen, but supplies may now be finished
at any time. Solanums in well berried plants are now
plentiful. Prices for best Palms have advanced, and
especially for good Kentias in 48 and 32 size pots. Latanias
are realising advanced prices, and they will probably become
more valuable. Cocos may also command better prices.
Ferns are well supplied in all sizes: prices vary but little.
Many imported Aspidistras are now on the market. Dra-
caenas, Aralia Sieboldi, Ficus, Crotons, Cyperus, &c, are all
well supplied.

Cut Floweks.

Parma Violets seem to have become plentiful suddenly
during the past week. The first I saw weie not of the best
quality, but I noted a great improvement in the samples seen
this morning (Wednesday). Very fine blue Violets can now
be had. 1 noted some extra fine flowers of La France from
an English nursery. "Mimosa" is already arriving from
France, but it is not the same species (of Acacia) as seen
early m the spring. White Lilac is very good. Liliums
are inclined to advance a little, but Callas are not making
good prices. The value of Roses is uncertain ; some of best
quality have sold at advanced prices. Carnations are cheaper
than they were at the corresponding period of last year. Or-
chids are well supplied. Cattleya labiata is now at its best.
Odontoglossums and Cypripediums are plentiful. Chrysan-
themums are plentiful in all qualities, and as long as sup-
plies from the open ground are available, prices will not
improve. There is a little advance in the value of best
blooms. Foliage and sprays of berried shrubs are well
supplied. The red Oak, Quercus coccinea, is now well-
coloured. Beech sprays, with yellow leaves, are exten-
sively sold. A.H.,Covent Garden. Wednesday, ihtobcr ?6,
VJ07.

ENQUIRIES AND REPLIES.

Plants Growing near the Coast.— (1 1 Why
are some plants more vigorous near the sea than
they are inland? (2) Why is it possible to grow
many tender plants outside during winter near
the coast that perish in that position further
inland? Is it alone due to the power of the sea,
or gulf stream, in equalising the temperature?
|3| Why are the leaves of the same plants thicker
and more glaucous near the seaside than else-
where, and the flowers larger, and intensified in
colour? (4) What are the properties of the sea
air that are so beneficial to some plants? [s it
its saline nature ; if so, would it not be possible
to produce this artificially for some plants by
the means of sprays of dilute solutions? /. C.

(1) The increased vigour is due to succulence
of growth, which is a common attribute of plants
near the sea, and is found in such examples as
Sea Kale, Horned Poppy (Glauciuml, lVc, all of
which, when growing on the coast, have fleshy
leaves with thick rinds which prevent undue
evaporation. The common Wallflower will, if
sprayed with a very weak brine, develop this
thick, leathery foliage. In our issue for May 25,
1907, p. 3312, is an account of a Primrose that was
found close by the Corbiere lighthouse in Jersey,
and in which the foliage had thickened enor-
mously. (2| This is due to the more equable
temperature obtaining near the sea. Water
parts with heat much less readily than soil ;
consequently, the sea is, in winter, generally
warmer than land in the same latitude, and
plants growing on the coast are influenced by
this extra warmth. (3) The first part is answered
under 1. The more intense light near the
produces a brighter floral effect than in inland
places. Inland much of the sun's light is
absorbed by the soil ; water, on the contrary,
reflects the sun's rays. (4) The saline properties
in the atmosphere are undoubtedly the cause
of the extra growth in coastal plants, and many
experiments have been conducted by spraying
with a solution of common salt, the results
being a very great increase in thickness of
leaves, &c.

Correspondent:)

Apple Twigs: .1. A. Your Apple tree has no
fungus disease. It is probable that two years
ago it suffered from a slight attack of frost,
which has killed small tissues, and it grows
unhealthily, and is trying to overcome tht
injury. The tissues show plain distortions
such as generally result from early frost.

Assessment: J.S.S. In your enquiry as to
"assessment for tax," we assume you refer to
income tax and not to rates. The assessment
for income tax on glasshouses, vineries, and
market gardens is estimated according to

Schedule D. of the Income Tax Act, 1842

that is, on a three years' average of the annual
net profit derived from the business. Farmers
on the other hand, come under a different rule
by special statutory provisions. Although you
would be assessed under Schedule D., the tax
when thus ascertained, is charged under
Schedule B., because your income represents-
profits derived from the occupation of land."
the area or condition of your glasshouses is
for this purpose, immaterial.

Correction : For Peronosporainfestanson p. 271
column 2, read Peronospora viticola.

Cyanidi.ng in Plant Houses: M. G. K You
will find the process fully described in the issue
for April 23. 1904, p 271.

Desfontania spinosa : A.W. This shrub suc-
ceeds out of doors in sheltered positions in the
warmer counties. In the colder counties of the
Midlands and north it is not sufficiently hardy.

Gooseberry and Currant Shoots: G. P. On
the Currant shoots there is the "sooty
mould" (Fumago vagans), common on the
Lime and other trees— with a little also on the
Gooseberries twigs, together with a minute
Phoma, but there is no trace of American mil-
dew (see Fungoid Pests of Cultivated Plants
p. 162, pi. xiv., fig. 21).

Grapes : \V . J. .1/ . The condition known as
shanking is the result of the vines having
suffered a check during their season of
growth. The cause can usually be traced to
a defective rooting medium, and should you
suspect the borders to be in an unsatisfactory-
condition, the proper plan will be to over-
haul them in the resting season. Improper
culture will also cause the berries to become
shanked.— W. B. J. The berries show traces
of shanking. The brown marking is the re-
sult of rubbing the "bloom" from the ber-
ries, probably when the bunches were being-
thinned. fc

Heating Conservatory, 20 feet by 12 feet:
Brighton. Instal a No. 1 "Loughborough" heat-
ing apparatus, the fixing in position of which
is very simple and inexpensive; it being only
necessary to break a hole in the brickwork
of the conservatory at the lowest end, and to.
place the boiler flush with the wall in the
opening thus made. Afterwards attach there-
to one 4-inch pipe and carry it round three
sides of the house — that is, up the right-hand
side from boiler round the top end and back
along the other side of the house to feed
syphon. The "Loughborough" boiler is virtu-
ally a saddle boiler on end. The front is
solid, pierced with three doors, the upper-
most one being that through which the fuel
is placed on the fire, the middle one for rak-
ing out the fire, and the lowest for cleaning
out the ashes. No building and excavating
for stokehole, formation of flues round the
boiler, and brick chimney are necessary in
the setting and employment of the " Lough-
borough " boiler. Fifty-one feet of 4-incrt
piping and three 4-inch bends will be re-
quired to heat your conservatory, the joints
being made either of cement or elastic (rub-
ber! rings. If your house is a tenant's fixture,
we should recommend you to use the rubber
ring joints. In fixing the pipes allow a
gradual rise from the boiler to the feed
syphon of J-inch in 9 feet (nearly 3 inches
rise from boiler to syphon). The entire cost
of No. 1 heating apparatus complete (including.

28.8

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 19, 1907.

the 51 feet of 4-inch piping and three bends)
would be about 10 guineas. The heating
of a conservatory or greenhouse by means
of hot water" is not only better for the
health of the plants, and more efficient,
but also cheaper in the end than heat-
ing either by gas-heated pipes or oil.
Other good boilers for heating small green-
houses are the " Beeston "■ (in sizes to heat
from 40 to 1,000 feet of 4-inch piping), the
"Robin Hood Junior" (240 feet to 480 feet),
the " White Rose," series F. (250 feet and up-
wards), the "Independent Star" (65 to 200
feet), and the"Victor " (80 to 380 feet). There
are many other suitable and efficient boilers
advertised in our pages from time to time.

Horse and Cow Manure : La France. Horse
manure is decidedly richer in plant food than
is cow manure, and more especially is this
the case with the urine. The horse urine is
nearly four times as rich in nitrogen as the
cow urine, and the readiness with which this
liquid is converted into plant food is clearly
demonstarted on entering a stable. The car-
bonic acid of the air enters at once into com-
bination with the nitrogen of the urine, con-
verting it into carbonate of ammonia, which
is given off as gas, and is detected by one's
sense of smell. The following figures will
show the relative value of the two manures in
lbs. per ton.

Phosphoric
Nitrogen. Potash. Acid.

Droppinqs of lb. lb. lb.

Horse ... 17 13 9

Cow ... 9 8 3

Urine of

Horse

42

33

Cow

11

31

Horse droppings contain less moisture than
cow manure, and are not so coherent. Owing
to this circumstance, horse droppings are
readily distributed in the soil, and pass
rapidly into a decaying condition; hence
horse manure is termed a "hot " or forcing
manure, and the plant-food properties become
quickly available for use. Horse-dung with-
out litter is by no means a lasting manure,
and its effects do not extend much beyond
the first year of application. Cow-dung, on
the contrary, owing to the large proportion
of water it contains, is termed a " cold "
manure, and decomposes slowly in the soil.
It is, however, of great value where a lasting
effect is desired. Much depends upon the
character of the soil as to which manure is
the more suitable. For the heavier and clayey
soils horse manure is better, while for the
lighter and sandy soils cow manure is to be
preferred. It has been found that if cow-dung
is dried on the top of a furnace to get rid of
the excess of water, it then forms a splendid
fertiliser for Roses and many other plants.
Equal portions of dried cow-dung and horse
droppings mixed together form a most use-
ful fertiliser.

Ixora : /. F . S. Your plant being in good
health, the present blooms will not injure it
in the least. After flowering is past, prune
the shoots only as much as is necessary to
preserve the symmetrical form of the plant.
Tie out the growths to form the foundation
of a specimen, and place the plant in the
warmest house you have, keeping it well ex-
posed to the light. Re-pot the plant early in
spring when growth is active, and shade it
from the sun for a few days after the opera-
tion. Following this stage, encourage the
plant to grow strongly, with little or no shade,
in an atmospheric temperature of 70° to 75"
at night, allowing it to rise 10° during the
day with sun-heat. Close the house early in
the afternoon that the heat may rise to 90° if
possible. Keep the leaves perfectly clean, and
feed the roots with stimulating manure as may
be necessary. You should have no difficulty
in getting the plant to an excellent condition
by the time mentioned.

Landlord's Right to Plants : F . C. J . S. In
the case of a private tenant of a house and
garden (as distinguished from a nurseryman
or market gardener), whatever is planted by
him in the soil becomes part of the freehold,
and, i accordingly, belongs to the landlord.
This is clearly established in the case of all
plants and shrubs. As to your rockery,

although structures resting merely by their
own weight on the surface of the ground do
not become landlords' fixtures, the Court
would probably hold that a rockery sunk in
the ground and at least partially covered by
soil and plants is sufficiently affixed to the
soil to be regarded as a landlord's fixture.
Metrosideros : R. 0. It is quite usual for the
fruits of this plant to remain persistent for a
long period. If they fail to dehisce at all in
your locality, the reason will probably be found
to be the failure of the seeds to become de-
veloped. The generally accepted name for the
Common Broom is Cytisus scoparius, but the
species has formerly been described in botanical
works under several others, which have been
discarded, owing to the application of the rule
of priority.

Names of Flowers, Froits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both of
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits: G. IV. B. 1, Fulwood ; 2, Alfriston ;
3, Castle Major. — N. S. Beurre Hardy. —
C. E. A. 1, Ribston Pippin ; 2, Stirling Castle ;
3, Hormead's Pearmain ; 4, Ribston Pippin ;
5, Tower of Glamis. — Dean. 1, A deformed
fruit which we cannot identify ; 2, Lodgemore
Nonpareil ; 3, Franklin's Golden Pippin. —
W. D. &■ S. 1, Potts' Seedling; 2, Smart's
Prince Arthur.

Plants: S E. L. 1, Lonicera involucrata
(syn. Ledebouri) ; 2, Leycesteria formosa ; 3,
Ceanothus americana, garden variety ; 4,
Astrantia major ; 5, Veronica Hectori ; 6,
Mesembryanthemum polyanthum. — F. W. M
Crinum Moorei var. alba. — J. U. 1, Bignonia
ornata ; 2, Helxine Soleirolii. — A.T. 1, Micros-
tylis congesta ; 3, Liparis capensis ; 3, Bartholina
pectinata ; 1, Satyrium carneum. — A.F. Gogar.
1, Selenipedium Schlimii; 2, the unstriped form
of Cymbidium Gammieanum ; 3, Cymbidium
longifolium. — D. 0. N. Pentstemon lsvigatus,
figured in Botanical Magazine, t. 1425. — /. B.,
Cheshire. Solanum Wendlandii, the Hibiscus
sent last week seems to be a form of the common
Hibiscus syriacus, probably an introduced plant
in Colombia. Send flowers with leaves when
available.— S. S. A. Euphorbia Cyparissias. —
A. V. C A species of Gleditschia, it is
impossible to say which without flowers or fruit.
We know of no other tree than the Cercis that
is called Judas tree. The plant from which the
crown of thorns was made is, by some persons,
stated to be a species of Gleditschia.

Nepenthes with Two Pitchers from One Leaf :
E. B. The case you describe must be very rare
It is probably the result of the fusion of two
leaves, but we could not say definitely without
seeing the specimen.

Nuts Damaged : P. L. 71. The Nuts have
been eaten by either squirrels or mice.

Pears Deformed: .1. B. The injury has not
been caused by the Pear-midge, but by an
imperfect fertilisation of the ovules or seeds.
" Pips " which aie not fertile will be found
on the corresponding side of the depression.
The swelling of the ovules, due to changes
brought about by fertilisation, acts as a
stimulus to the surrounding tissue, including
in the case of the Pear a part of the thalamus,
which does not belong to the true fruit.
There are also slight traces of scab (Fusi-
cladium pirinum) on your Pears. To combat
this fungus you should spray the trees before
the flower-buds have expanded with a solu-
tion of iron sulphate — 1 lb. to each gallon of
water. When the fruits have set, spray with
the Bordeaux mixture (see Gardeners'
Chronicle, August 24, 1907) at intervals of two
or three weeks. Burn the leaves after they
have fallen.

Plants for Hampstead : H. D. It. Lily of the
Valley will thrive in any aspect. The following
Roses will be found to succeed in this suburb : —
Killarney, La France, Caroline Testout, Mad.
Abel Chatenay, Longworth Rambler, Madame
Ravary, Mme. Constant Soupert, Cheshunt
Hybrid, Captain Christy, Clio, General Jacque-
minot and Mme. Lambard. All the plants you
mention with the exception of the Myrtle will
flourish at Hampstead. Of Apples you should
select (Dessert) Mr. Gladstone, Irish Peach,
Lady Sudeley, Worcester Pearmain, James
Grieve, Ribston Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin,
Allington Pippin, Ross Nonpareil and Chrisim s
Pearmain. (Culinary) Lord Suffield, Ecklinville
Seedling, Golden Spire, Warner's King, Dome-
low's Seedling, Lane's Prince Albert, Newton
Wonder, Bramley's Seedling and Annie Eliza-
beth. Two suitable Pears for your south wall
are Thompson's and Fondante d'Automne. Two
Teaches may be found in Violette Hative and
Bellegarde. There is a variety of Rhubarb
known as " Christmas, " and if you purchase a
few roots without delay they will furnish you
with a supply of Rhubarb at about the New
Year. We do not know if this is what you mean
by Perpetual Rhubarb.

Plum Tree Blight : A. J . W. Your trees are
suffering from the Plum-tree rust (Puccima
Pruni). Gather and burn the leaves to pre-
vent the disease spreading. Syringe the trees
with the Bordeaux mixture.

Rose: J. R. We could not determine the cause
of the trouble without specimens for examina-
tion, and possibly it would also be necessary for
us to know the exact conditions in which the
plants are growing.

Rose Leaves : E. D. Your Roses exhibit two
diseases. The Rose-leaf blotch (Actinonema
Rosas) and the Rose rust and brand (Phrag-
midium subcorticium), with its Uredo stage.
For both diseases we can suggest nothing bet-
ter than syringing the plant with the Bor-
deaux mixture and burning all ths diseased
leaves by fire.

Tomatos : E. F. C. The trouble appears to be
the Bacteriosis, known best in the United
States, for which no remedy has yet been found.
It will be well to remove all diseasesd plants
and burn them to prevent the other plants be-
coming infected. — B. T. A. The fruits are af-
fected with a fungus — Macrosporium Tomato.
When a fruit has become infected you can do
nothing to prevent the fungus developing with
it. Diseased fruits should, therefore, be
burned as soon as disease is seen on them.
Do not cultivate Tomatos in the same house
next season.

Tuberous Begonias : Amateur. The Begonia
seed should have been sown towards the end
of January or in February. All that can be
done now is to encourage the plants to make
as much growth as possible during the
autumn by giving careful attention to the
watering. When growth ceases and the leaves
begin to change colour watering must be dis-
continued. By that time it will probably be
found that small tubers have been developed,
and these may be allowed to remain in the
dry soil until the spring, when they may be
started into growth in the usual manner. It
would be useless to attempt to grow the
plants continuously through the winter.

Violets Diseased : F. G. The fungus causing
this disease (Ascochyta violae) may be destroyed
by spraying with potassium sulphide, 1 ounce to
3 gallons of water.

Weed in Lawn: W . J. IF., .Jd. The plant
is the Common Self-heal — Prunella vulgaris.
Encourage the growth of the Grasses by a
liberal dressing of some nitrogenous manure,
and the weeds will in time be crowded out.

Weights of a Bushel of Vegetables : /. Me.
A bushel of Broad Beans weighs, approximately,
36 lbs. ; Peas, 40 lbs. ; Beetroot, 56 lbs. ; Onions.
56 lbs. A bag of Carrots should weigh 112 lbs. ;
a tally of Marrows is reckoned at 60.

Communications Received.— R. A., Cap d'Antibes— G. M.
A. G. N.— J. C.-Bakers-C. A. F.— E. M.— G. W.—
C. T. D.— R. T. H.— J. G. W.— Chloris— I. H.— R. P. B.—
T. W. B— W. H.— H. M. V.— F. M.— G. H., New Zealand
— S. A.— L. C— J. C— W. H. C.-G. Bunyard-G. W.—
R. L. H.— H. J. C.-J. A. S.-W. W.— R. P.— N. & W.—
J. B. M— E. H. B.— A. E., Henley— G. H. S.— E. S.—
G. F. E. M.— G. H., California—]. Canber— F. G. Murray
—Sir A. Rollit-G. T.-E. H.-G. S.-S. S.-E. H.—
C. A. F.— J. C— S. VV.-R. S.— A. G. N.— G. M.— W.J. F.
— A. S.

October 26, 1907.

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

289

THE

(Surbencrs'dL-bronicIc

A:„. i 0S7.— SATURDAY, O, tuber 26. 1907.

C3NTENTS.

Aniencan blight on
Apple-tree roots ... 291)

Anchnsa italica, Drop-
more variety 2'J!)

Books, Notices of —

B i of Fruit Bottling 292

British Beekeeper's

i.uhle-book 2112

Our Trees and How to
Know Them . 298

< ounn v garden, the ... 2SW

C tipi i -us lusitanica at
HHrdwick House gar-
dens 299

Destructive Insects and
Pests Acts .. 20*

Fashions in flower gat-
nVnnu 299

Floi ists' [lowers —
I ,ij !y flowering Chry-
santhemums ... 293

Foreign stations, visits
to 298

French Gardeners in
London 299

! iow, the 297

[at i A Supplementary piigt s)

Gtadi"lus priinulinus 291

Grape: I ornichon 11 anc 29H

Heeria (Regans ... ... 293

Horticultural Debating
Si ii ties, proposed
Union of ... ... 302

M.i iiinillaria, a curious
fo in of 290

Nu: i y Employee s
Union, a 298

Obiuiurs —
Ailuiuin, Alexander .. 303

Orchid notes and glean-

Dendrobium Aphro-

dite

Zygopetalum rostra-
luui...
Pah - 1 me, lecture on a

visit to ...

■ ; j anthemutn

sin., v, the

Potato, black-si ab, oi

warty disease of
R ii l, garden, die —
A ii t ii in n-llo wering

Saxifragas

Boenninghausenia al-

bifli >i .i

Saxifra ;a gemmipara
Roman { ar Jen, a
Rosary, tne —
Cultural notes for
November ...
S i r ties-
Horticultural Club
Royal Horticultural 2! 19 I
Summer pruning 2! 6 29 I
Tinner, Mr. Henry ... 298
Week's work, the—
i ■ ■ er garden, the .. 295
Fi nits under glass 295

Hardy fruit garden ... 295
Kitchen garden, the . '-'■' I
Orchid houses, the 2! 1

Parks and gardi tis ... 295
Plants undei glass ... 294
Yews, golden and varie-
gated 289

291
291

802
298
299

292

292
292

290

302

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Aikman, Alexander, the la:e ... ... 303

G.irilen front in thecloister of St. Paul's Church, k e

[Supplementary Illustration)

Gla is primulinus 291

Heeria elej»ans 293

Maniiuilluiia rhodantha, a curious furni of ... 290

GOLDEN AND VARIEGATED

YEWS.

TAXUS baccata, the common Yew, compares
with the Holly in the number of varieties that
have arisen under cultivation from the one
indigenous species, and also in the divei
character of the;e forms, which difier from each
other and from the parent species far more than
d es the common Yew from the two or three other
species of Taxus. Of the 40 or more varieties of
Yew cultivated in this country, about a dozen have
either golden or variegated foliage which renders
them suitable subjects for garden decoration.
They are especially valuable for those parts of a
garden where a certain formality and brightness
are required, as they are very amenable to training,
and, being slow of growth, rarely become too
large for their position. These ornamental Yews
are also adapted for planting in terrace gardens, in
small beds, or as isolated specimens when they
have attained to a sufficient size, though it must
be remembered that many years must elapse before
a Golden Yew re iches 6 feet or more in height.
Ornamental-leaved Yews present a bright appear-
ance throughout the year, but they are at their
brightest during June and July, when the colouring
of their young growths varies from pale-yellow to
deep orange yellow, according to the variety.

The cultural requirements of Golden Yews are
similar to those of the other members of the genus,
and they need a well-drained, but not dry soil,
v ith a fair amount of manure, not placed too close
to the roots. An open and moderately sunny
situation is essential to success with these trees, as
their colouring is not so pronounced when they are
grown in the shade, though partial shade during
hot weather is beneficial.

Propagation-.

f'ropagation is effected by cuttings or by graft-
ing ; the fastigiate, or Irish Yews as they are
termed, can easily be raised from cuttings, but the
other varieties of Golden Yews need to be grafted
on stocks of the common Yew, for though cuttings
form roots readily, the plants propagated in this
manner do not afterwards grow freely, but remain
dwarf and stunted for years. Grafting is per-
formed during February or March under glass.
The young plants are placed in a close case in a
temperature of 65° to 70°. Fungus is sometimes
troublesome, but this trouble can be overcome if
tne inside of the case is syringed with a strong
solution of sulphide of potassium before the plants
are placed in the propagator, ft is not advisable
to syringe when the plants are in the case, as the
fungicide works its way between the scion and the
.ii. Is and prevents a proper union. Standards are
grafted outdoors, in March, o i young, free-grow-
ing, straight stemmed plants of either the common
or the Irish Yew Grafting-wax should be u
cover the union, as clay is liable to crack and allow
the colli, drying winds usually experienced in
spring to enter, and thus kill the scion before
union is effected. 1 he aftei treatment of the young
plants consists, aftei they are properly planted in
a suitable situation, "l keeping thera to a single-
leader in the case of bush plants, and of inducing
them to form a well sh iped, round head in the case
of standards, I he Go) len varieties of Irish Yews
should always be trained to a single leader, and
the side grow ih^ thai appear should be stopped at
their points as soon as they have attained a suffi-
cient length. The middle of May is the best
time to do this wo.k, trimming the standards over
with the shears and using the knile fairly hard on
the side-growths of pyramid plants, while any long
shoots that appear on the latter during the summer
should be pinched back as soon as they are seen.
If this be done regularly the growths will become
s'.out and able to withstand any ordinary stress of
weather Irish Yews, both green and golden-
leaved, are often seen with from 10 to '20 stems
springing horn what is practically a common base,
and when a heavy fall of snow occurs they are bent
and ottei broken by the weight. These plants
show that they have been improperly trained when
young.

\11 the Golden Yews produce seeds nearly as
freely as the green forms, and though the seed-
lings do not resemble the parents entirely, a large
proportion will be found to possess variega'ed or
golden leaves, and very pretty forms are sometimes
found amongst them. Seedlings of the Golden
Irish Yews are intermediate in character between
their parent and the Golden English Yew, thus,
while the leaf arrangement and the habit of growth
is of an upright character, the plants are much
bushier and ofien approach the Golden English
variety in size.

Varieties of Ornamental Yews.

Varieties of Taxus baccata having coloured
foliage are : —

T. B. var. adpressa aurea — A dwarl-growing,
spreading plant, and one suitable for planting on a
rockery or for training as a standard specimen.
The leaves are from a quarter to half-an-inch in
length, rather wide, and thick in proportion, and
have a narrow green stripe in the centre with

margins of bright gold. The variety torms a
handsome and desirable plant, but is not common
in gardens.

T. b. var. albo-variegata. — This is a strong
and comparatively fast-growing plant, the leaves,
each about 1 inch long, being margined with
creamy-white. It should not be planted near to
the golden forms.

T. b. var. aurea. -The leaves in this form are
more than 1 inch in length, and are almost
entirely of a bright golden-yellow colour. The
plant is of bushy habit, a strung grower, and is to
be recommended for planting. The variety aureo-
variegata somewhat resembles the one under
notice, but has a green stripe in the centre of the
leaf and is of a more straggling and less robust
habit.

T. b var. aurea Barroni. — A variety that
originated as a seedling in the Elvaston Nurseries.
It has a dwarf, compact habit, with rather short
leaves of a distinct bronzy-gold colour, which is
especially effective in winter.

T. b. var. Dovastoni aureo-variegata forms
an excellent plant for a corner of the rockery. The
habit of growth is spreading, thus rendering the
plant suitable for covering spaces on which a
bright-coloured plant is required. The foliage is
of a bright yellow colour, that appears pleasing
especially when the plant is trained as an informal
standard.

T. b var. elegantissima. — This is one of the
oldest forms of the Golden Yew, and is a strong
and vigorous plant of comparatively quick grov, th.
The leaves are about 1 inch in length and are of
a pale-yellow colour on their margins, their centres
being coloured green With age this variety
makes a handsome specimen, trained either in the
bush form or as a standard.

T. b. var. YVashingtonii — Plants of this variety
assume a rounded form, somewhat intermediate in
shape between the two last named. The leaves
are about 1 inch long, curved, oi a greenish-
yellow colour in summer, changing to bronze-gold
in winter.

The Golden Irish Yews.
T. b. var. FASTIGIATA aurea.— A variety of
strong, upright habit, with leaves 1 inch to IS inch
long, and of a bright yellow colour, with a small
patch of green in the centre, at the base. A tree
of this handsome Yew is a decided acquisition in
any garden.

T. B. VAR FASTIGIATA AUREO-MARGINATA. — This

is the variety sometimes met with under the name
of Fisher and Holmes' Golden Irish Yew, and is
an upright plant with leaves exceeding 1 inch in
length. The foliage is marked with a green stripe
in the centre and is margined with gold. A tree of
this form has a tendency to grow broader at the top
than at the base, for which reason it requires more
training than the majority of Golden Yews.

T. b. var. fastigiata Standishii.— The habit
of this variety is very narrow. The foliage is of the
brightest golden colour, the colouring being most
prominent on the side next the sun. Growth is
rather slow in this form, but its rich colour atones
for this defect, and it is to be recommended as an
upright growing golden-leaved shrub of good con-
stitution.

Yew hedges are best clipped in May, though on
young, strong hedges a second light trimming,
especially on the top, may be necessary in Sep-
tember. By clipping them fairly hard in May,
the plants make a certain amount of growth
during the year, sufficient to keep the balance even
between the tops and roots. The autumn trim-
ming, if necessary, should be a very light one, and
only just sufficient to keep the hedge in shape.
/. C, Bagshot.

290

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

MAMMILLARIA RHODANTHA
VAR.

The Mammillarias have either simple,
branched or caespitose stems clothed with spine-
bearing tubercles, and their flowers are produced
in a whorl near the top of the stem. M. rhodantha
has a sub-cylindric stem from 6 inches to 1 foot
high, and it is sometimes forked. The variety
here figured is an exceptionally fine example of
a cristate or proliferous deviation from the type.
It is difficult to account for the occurrence of
these crested varieties of Cacti. They are known
in most of the genera, from the big Cereus gigan-
teus to the smallest, and they appear to be per-
manent. The best known of them is Cereus
peruvianus monstrosus, of which there is a large
•example in the Kew collection.. Such monstrosi-
ties occur among Cacti in a wild state, so that
they cannot be set down to cultural influences.
Nor are they likely to be the result of injury to
the central growth bud, for the whole plant is

spit deep of good, sound loam should receive
this addition at once. The planting of standard
Roses should claim the first attention, and
these should be followed by dwarf Hybrid Per-
petuals, Hybrid Teas, Hybrid Chinas, Bour-
bons, Teas, &c, also some of the best varieties
of the Japanese or Rugosa section, Ayrshire,
evergreen, and other climbers. The bushes
should be carefully examined at their roots
before re-planting, and have all thick, gross-
vi owing roots that usually spring from near the
stem removed. Make the bottom of the hole
quite firm for the reception of the plant, and
carefully spread out all the fibrous roots. A
little ballast, grit, and wood ashes, well mixed
with the soil, is a great help to newly-planted
Roses, and especially if the ground is of a
heavy, retentive character. Tender varieties of
Teas and Hybrid Teas should not be planted
now, but are best left until April and May ; they
may, however, be planted at this season if some

Fig. ii6. — mammillaria rhodantha var.

affected, and cuttings, when rooted, never lose
the peculiar habit of growth. A collection of
such freaks as this Mammillaria would be inter-
esting, but they would not flower ; at any rate,
we do not remember to have seen flowers on any
of these proliferous Cacti. We are indebted for
this photograph to Mr. Juan Balmejr., Mexico

THE ROSARY.

CULTUKAL NOTES FOR NOVEMBER.

November is an important month in the
Rose garden. If the borders and beds were
duly trenched and manured in October, they
will be in a suitable condition for planting,
providing the soil is settled. Planting must be
done when the weather is fine and the ground
fairly moist without being sticky. All unsuit-
able soils that have not been improved with a

protection is afforded the plants during
severe weather. In transplanting, care must
be exercised that the trees be not inserted
deeper in the soil than they were before
shifting ; as a rule, shallow planting is
best for Roses providing they are well
secured by staking and well mulched. Standard
Briars should be planted as early as possible
according to the quantity required and the
space for their accommodation. The individual
plants differ much in their habit of growth and
colouring, which ranges from grey, green to
black. Plants of the two former colours are the
more free in growth, and if their shoots are
well ripened make the best stocks ; those of a
black colour are frequently " hide bound," and
success with them is uncertain. These stocks
should be planted in ground that has been
trenched and manured, placing the roots 9
inches deep in good stiff staple loam. Allow

a space of 3 feet between the rows and 1
inches between the plants. Tread the soil abo\
them, level the ground, and tread well again, s
that the soil presses tightly against the stod
When planting is finished, apply a thick mulcl|
ing of manure.

Raising Rose Stocks.
Hips of the wild Dog Rose, from whic
Briars are laised, can now be gathered. Mi
the fruits with some fine road grit or
throw the whole together in a heap, and cove)
with a thin la\er of soil. The fleshy envelop!
will by this means rot, allowing the seeds to b)
collected. Sow in drills 3 inches deep durin |
the spring. November is a suitable time t
insert cuttings of the De la Grifferie and Manetti
stocks. The cuttings should be made about 9 t'
12 inches long from firm, ripened wood. I
preparing the cuttings all the buds that woub
be below the ground line should be cut out t<|
prevent a plague of suckers from springing u]
later in the season. Stretch a line across ;
border of well-trenched ground and cut in ;
sloping direction a trench 9 inches to 1 foo
deep, throwing the soil back on the bed. Plac
at the bottom of this opening a quantity o I
river sand and press the base of the cuttin;
well into this material at about 2 inches apart
Succeeding rows should be 18 inches apart |
Place some soil against the cutting and treai
this firmly and until the whole surface is level
Established plants of dwarf and s'eedlind
Briar, Manettii, and De la Grifferie stocks, tha
were raised from cuttings inserted last autumn
may be set out in the beds for budding, as ii
the case of the standard Briar stocks. Plan
the strongest of them in rows made 3 fee
apart and allow 9 inches between the plants ii
the rows. The De la Grifferie and Seedlin;,
Briars should be planted 6 inches deep; tb I
other varieties need not be quite so deep. I
the plants are very vigorous and have spread
ing growths, a Mttle more room than I hav
stated should be given them both ways. In al
cases plant firmly.

Roses in Pots.
All Roses in pots plunged outside, excep
those newly potted, should now be brough
under cover of some kind, and be kept dry a
•heir roots but as cool as possible. The plant
that were placed under glass during Octobe:
can now be kept gently growing without amli
increase of heat, which should range from 50
to 55°. Afford less ventilation, and after dam]
ing the walks and the stages, close the house
entirely early in the afternoon. If artificial
heat is available in houses in which Roses a:e
planted out, the valves of the hot-water pipe,
should be turned on a little at night-time .it
the end of the present month. In the mean-
time gradually reduce the amount of ventilatii n,
and damp down on bright mornings, but admit
a little outside air at night.

Grafting Roses under Glass.
About the middle of November arrangements
should be made for grafting under glass, bit
this early start will be successful only on estab-
lished stocks of either the Briar, Manettii, or |
De la Grifferie types that were potted int -
60-pots during the spring and afterwards plunge '
outside all the summer. These stocks are use i
for the early or dormant grafting from the
middle of November until December. Stoci
potted up now can be used for herbaceous
grafting early in the New Year, for as the
season of dormant grafting ends the herbaceos
or soft grafting takes its place. The best
tion in the house for the work is on a thin
slate bench over the hot-water pipes, and under
glass frames of a sufficient depth movable bot'i
back and front, to allow for the growing grafts. ;
The Briar and De la Grifferie stocks should be i
used in the grafting of Tea, Hybrid Tea.
Noisette, China, and hybrid varieties.
Manettii stock is best suited for the Hybri

October 26, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

291

perpetual, Bourbon, and other Roses not of the
Tea and China class. Tongue or side grafting
is usually practised ; the stock is cut down to
within 3 or 4 inches of the pot, and should be
as nearly as possible of the same thickness or
a little thicker than the scion. If the scion is
smaller, care must be taken to place it so that
the two layers of cambium are united on one
side at least, or there can be no proper union.
The wood of both stock and scion should be
well ripened. I have occasionally used soft
pithy wood when I was anxious to propagate
as many plants as possible of new and scarce
varieties, but I do not advise its general adop-
tion unless in expert hands. In new and rare
varieties one bud only is allowed to each scion,
but when grafts are plentiful two or three buds
may be permitted. A layer of ashes or cocoa-
nut fibre in the frame needs to be kept damp over
the hot-water pipes. A temperature of 50° to 55u
is sufficient to commence with, and this amount
can be gradually increased after Christmas,
but the grower must be guided by the weather
outside; in any case, the temperature should
xcept with solar heat, exceed 60u to 65".
The propagating frames should be kept close
the first week or ten days. Care must be taken
not to allow excess of moisture to hang about
the grafts, and to avoid this the sashes should

I be opened an hour or two each morning. When

I a callus forms and growth begins gradually give
more air. In about three or four weeks the

: more forward plants will be ready to take out of
the frames and place on a stage well up to the
light in the house. ' As these are taken from- the

I frame, other stocks can be grafted and take their
place in the propagator. To counteract the

I drier atmosphere of the house a light syringe
should occasionally be given overhead to the
grafted plants. / D. G.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

DENDROBIUM APHRODITE.
This pretty Burmese Orchid, once plentifully
represented in collections as D. nodatum, seems to
lia\e become rare in gardens. Flowers are sent
by Messrs. Jones, Howes & Co., Elmdon Nursery,
Kenil worth. The species was originally discovered
i by the Rev. C. Parish in Moulmein and flowered by
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. in 1S62, but it has never
been imported in quantity. The pseudo-bulbs,
which are G to 8 inches long, are swollen at
the joints, and are closely arranged in compact
tufts. The flowers, which are 2 inches across, are
produced singly or in pairs, and are cream-white
with a sulpbur-yellow disc to the lip and two
maroon-coloured blotches at the base. The species
shou'd be grown in suspended baskets or Orchid
pans and rested in a cool, airy house when not
actively growing in winfr.

ZYGOPETALUM ROSTRATIM

The fine specimen of this rare species which was
show^n by Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Sons, Exotic
Nursery, Queen's Road, Cheltenham, at the Royal
Horticultural Society, October 15, well represented
the beauties of one of the most distinct and pretty
species of the genus. It was awarded a First-Class

. Certificate at the Temple Show in 1902, the plant
being one of the most admired in the fine collection

. staged by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bait., on that

r occasion. The sprays of wax-like flowers, each
about 3 inches across, with a large white labellum
bearing some purple lines at the base, render
it a very attractive species. Being a native of
Guiana, it requires to be grown in a warm,
moist house, and it is probable that the chief
reason of its scarcity in gardens lies in the fact

.that it has been grown with Z. maxillare and
other Zygopelalums which thrive in a cooler
temperature. Z. rostratum requires to be watered

Jail the year round, although less water should be
given after the season's growth is completed. It
does best in teak-wood baskets, suspended near

i the glass of the roof. /. OB

GLADIOLUS PRIMULINUS.

Although discovered 20 years ago in the
Usagara Mountains of Southern Central Afrii a,
nothing much appears to have been heard of
this Gladiolus till within the past year or two,

lected and distributed, especially in England.
A description of the plant is to be found in
th : -ue of the Botanical Magazine for June of
I i I | ear, and from the particulars given as to
its habitat, it is clear that this Gladiolus, like

FlG. 117. — GLADTOLUS PRrMULINUS. COLOUR OF FLOWERS, PALE YELIOW.

when, owing no doubt to the opening up of the
country, and particularly to the advent of the
Cape to Cairo railway at that part of the world
where the plant is found, bulbs have been col-

many of the genus, but not all, requires much
moisture, for it is described by one of the
officials of the British South Africa Company
who has seen it growing, as flourishing in one of

;92

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

the wettest places close to the Victoria Falls,
where the atmosphere is nearly always charged
with misty vapour.

The shape of the flower is curious and un-
usual ; the upper perianth is seen to be curved
right over so as to form a shield or roof over
the inside, which is most delicately beautiful,
and if it should turn out that the natural habitat
of the plant is confined to places where it is sub-
ject to the continual wetting of fine spray, such
as obtains at the foot of the Victoria Falls, th^
fact is only one more illustration of the extra-
ordinary way in which nature adapts her flowers
to their surroundings.

The tallest plants of the group in my garden
are no less than 4 feet high, and have from
eight to nine buds or flowers on them. These
open regularly though slowly to the topmost
bud, which comes into flower about three weeks
after the first one, so that the blooming period
is unusually long for plants of this genus. The
stem is not wiry and twisted, like that of G.
tristis, but firm and fleshy, as in the case of the
German Iris, and rather more than a quarter
of an inch in diameter at the ground. The full-
sized corms are about as large across as a half-
crown, and of rather a stronger colour than the
bloom, which is an exquisite Primrose yellow ;
and while it does not appear possible to say
much at present with certainty about the culture,
a mixture of granite chippings, charcoal, and
coarse sand, with enough peat dust to make the
mixture brown, and very free drainage, has, at
any rate, answered very well so far in the case
of mv own plants.

Whether or not this Gladiolus will prove to
be hardy in Great Britain is doubtless a ques-
tion which only time can decide ; and in this
respect it would probably be wise to be on the
safe side and treat it like Gladiolus sulphiireus
and others of doubtful hardiness. It is a most
beautiful plant, with a singularly attractive
habit of growth and refined flower. G. [Our
correspondent has sent us excellent photographs
of the species, but we reproduce a sketch
(Fig. 117) of a flower-spike from Mr. Fox's
garden at Wimbledon, which has already ap-
peared in these pages. — Ed.]

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

The Book of Fruit Bottling.*

This is a book of 97 pages written by two
lady experts on the preserving of our common
fruits by bottling, drying, and conversion into
jam, jelly, &c. A series of papers on the
subject by Miss May Crooke appeared in
Farm and Garden in 1905, and we are told by the
authoress, Miss Edith Bradley, that they form
the basis of the book. A reprint of an article
entitled Ancient Recipes and Old World Cures,
which appeared in the Woman's Agricultural
Times, has also been incorporated, by the per-
mission of the writer Mrs. Collier. The hope is
expressed by the authoress that the publication
of the practical details of these industries may be
instrumental in arousing greater interest in them
among all living in country districts, and that
county councils may follow the example set by
Worcester a few years ago, and devote some
money to fostering this work.

The formation of cooperative societies to work
small fruit-preserving manufactories in a few
of the best fruit-growing districts, aided by sup-
port from the county councils, seems the most
desirable method of setting to work. That co-
operative fruit culture and fruit-preserving
as a remunerative industry would be help-
ful in keeping the rural population on the
land there is very little doubt. As we
all remember, "jam" was one of Glad-
stone's remedies for rural depopulation. The
Rev. W. Wilks, Vicai of Shirley and secretary

P-ubli ihed l>v John Lane ; price 2s. 6d.

of the Royal Horticultural Society, writes a
very sympathetic introduction to the book.

He is old enough, he says, to be able to see back very
clearly to the late forties and early fifties of the last century.
It was the beginning of the decadence of housekeeping.
The elder folk of those days were true housewives and
were teaching the younger ones, but many of these were
already beginning to shirk. Every country house at that
time had its store room, and bottled its own fruits, made its
own jams, dried its own Cherries, and so forth. The ladies
of those days did not think it beneath them, or too much
trouble, to see to this department themselves.

Our appliances are much superior to those of
that time, for there were only awkwardly shaped
bottles, a fish kettle, haybands, and raw bladder,
but generally speaking the fruit was preserved
in abundance and failures were few. Mr. Wilks
thinks that the influence of the R.H.S. among
public bodies, and the exertions of Miss Bradley
and Miss Crooke have done something in re-
viving the art.

There are full directions for bottling fruits by
the aid of steam as a steriliser, viz., the Wytten-
bach (German), the Mercia, used in the West of
England, and Fowler's or Lee's patent eco-
nomic steam cooker, forms of bottles, jars, and
steam-pans being shown in photographic repro-
ductions. Various close estimates of cost of
utensils, and of bottles and jars, and the ordi-
nary selling prices of products are supplied.
General directions are given for jam-making ; all
the old directions for grading the fruit, gather-
ing whilst in a dry state, the quantity of sugar
to be made use of, cleansing, the kinds of boil-
ing pans to be used, and the best places for
storage being clearly given. The making of fruit
jellies is reduced to a certainty, Red Currant,
Black Currant, Apple, Crab and Grape jelly
being brought fully under notice. It is a pity
that Guava and Pineapple are not included
among preserved fruits, though they be not
English hardy fruits. Marmalades from Oranges,
Rhubarb, and Tomatos, both ripe and green,
are fully explained as to the making : as are
home-made wines, fruit drying, vegetable desic-
cation, and cider making.

The British Bee-keepers Guide Book.*

Those who can recall the publication of the
Guide Book of Mr. Cowan in 1881, will remember
what pleasure and profit was derived therefrom.
Since then much advance has been made in api-
culture and appliances, and the most advanced
in the art will find a new pleasure in perusing
and closely studying the nineteenth edition re-
cently issued. The illustrations, from photo-
graphs, will prove interesting and instructive.

The chapter on natural history is concisely
and simply stated, and can leave no doubt in
the mind of the beginner about the development
of bees ; while the illustrations of broodcomb
and queen cells leave nothing to be desired.

The beekeeper who is of a mechanical turn of
mind will be interested in Chapter VIII., where
all the details of hive making are set forth, and,
at the same time, he will do well to study the
chapter on comb foundation very closely.

To handle and subdue bees with success, the
hints in Chapter XIX. will prove useful, and
help to bring about a race of beekeepers who
can work in an apiary successfully without set-
ting the whole of the bees in an uproar.

Some beekeepers would be prepared to sell
swarms and stocks if they could only make sure
of packing them safely. In the chapter, " Mov-
ing Bees," mos" minute details are given, and
success is certain if the methods described are
adopted. The advanced apiarist will find
invaluable hints on the most advanced lines, on
queen-rearing, nucleus hives and introducing
queens ; and all could materially assist in
stamping out disease by a close study of the
diseases common among bees.

In many districts there are great quantities
of bees destroyed annually over the brimstone

•Bv T. W. Cowan; published by Madgwick, Koulston
.. Co.. Ltd.

pit, which might be utilised with advantage b
the more advanced beekeepers if they only knt-
hciw to carry them home. Bellairs' methor
described in Chapter XXXII., is an excellent on'
and I can strongly recommend it. Chloris.

THE ROCK GARDEN

AUTUMN-FLOWERING SAXIFRAGAS.

As a whole, the members of this genus ar
usually associated with spring-floweiing plant'
but there are two or three species which do m
flower until autumn. Of a different habit fror
all other Saxifragas, these, together with th
well-known S. sarmentosa, form a distinct ser
tion of the family, and are all natives of Chin
and Japan. Of the two now in flower,

S. Fortunei has been longest in cultivatioi
having been introduced from Japan by the tra
veller after whom it is named, and it flowered i
the nursery of Mr. Standish at Bagshot in th
autumn of 1863. The reniforni-cordate leave
are lobed and laciniately toothed, and are pr.
duced on stout petioles. They form a rosette
from which arise the stout stems, bearing pani
cles of pure white flowers. These flowers ar
remarkable for the unequal petals, one or mor
of which exceed in length by two or three time
all the others. The petals, which vary ia lengt
from \ to 1 inch, are unequally serrated or saw
edged. Although hardy in a somewhat sheltee
and shady position, it is seen at its best whe
grown in a pot in a cold frame, where it flower
profusely. Closely resembling this is

S. cortus.efolia [Bot. Mag., t. 6,680), whir
is also in flower, and which differs chiefly
having entire petals. These, like those of th
latter, are of unequal length, and somewha
narrow, but the flowers are very freely pro, In.
on much branched panicles, making quite a
elegant plant with the many-lobed renifon
leaves. This species was introduced by Messi
Veitch in 1883, having been found by their co
lector, Mr. Maries, on the central mountains i
Japan, at an elevation of 2,000 to 7,000 fee
Like S. Fortunei, it is also found in China, an
varies to a great extent. Broadly speaking, the-
two plants may well be two extreme forms •
one species, as they are of the same habit, an
flourish under similar conditions. They do no
produce much if any seed when grown out o
doors, but may be freely propagated by means 0
dividing the crowns. The fourth species belong
ing to this set is S. cuscutae.'ornn^, which ma;
be described as a miniature S. sarmentosa.

BCENNINGHAUSENIA ALHI FLORA.

This Himalayan plant has been in cultivatio
since 1823, but is rarely seen in garden-
Its elegant habit and numerous small whit
flowers produced in September and Ccto
ber should recommend it for more gi
favour. It is a slender, erect-growing perennial
about 2 feet high, with branching stems, two
three pinnate, Rue-like, glaucous leaves, am
nodding, pure white flowers in abundance. I
is in flower in a sheltered, ha'.f-shidy positioi
in the rock-garden. Belonging lo the Rui
family, it is also known as Kuta albiflora.

SAXIFRAGA GEMMIPARA.

This species from the Province of Yunnan, in
China, was introduced by Messrs. Bees, Ltd.
of Neston, in 190."). It is more nearly allied
to the aizoides set of the genus, and possesses
similarly-arranged, but much broader lea\
which are i to $ inch long, and \ inch
wide, and are thickly set with long I
It is of tufted habit, only 1 inch or '_'
and bears white flowers about } inch in
meter, with prominent orange-coloured stamens.
It appears to be rather tender, requiring th<
shelter of a cold frame. W. I '.

Ocu>UEK 26, 1907

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

THE COUNTRY GARDEN.

At the autumn, and again at the spring-plant-
ing, it is important to give due considt ration to the
need for a liberal proportion of plants that produce
a bold distinct effect. In some cases it may be
produced by large-sized handsome flowers ; in
others the characteristic boldness may belong
more especially to the foliage, whilst in other
species, flowers and foliage alike are strikingly
effective. These several characteristics make for
a definite decorative effect, and distinct decoraiive
value — value and effect that tell at a considerable
distance.

The larger the garden the bolder should be the
planting this would seem to be an obvious
truism, but it is far too frequently neglected, and the
result is seen in the indefinite and indistinct effects,
combined with a sense of monotony and tameness,
that sometimes run throughout the whole garden.
Supposing we realise the need for planting bold,
handsome subjects, to a considerable extent, it is
well to go a degree further, and see to it that we
establish them in positions and amid surroundings
that accentuate these characteristics as much as
possible. A very careful selection of the places
they are to occupy should be made, bearing in

Pampas Grass, Yuccas, and Phormium, when
grown to perfection and used to the utmost advan-
tage, all rank high as bold and striking subjects,
and to them should be added the beautiful, but
not hardy, Agapanthus umbellatus. A glance
through these names will show that the flowering
periods of one and another cover many months,
so that each may, with a little care as to site and
surroundings, become a feature of beauty in its
own season. Each should be planted in a position
that ensures its being in full view from a consider-
able distance. These and such as these are the
things that are distinct and bold enough to carry
well. Better to see them far from us, and thus
approach them, than to come upon them suddenly
round a corner, or in the bend of pathway where
their full value, from a distance, as well as from a
nearer view, cannot be properly appreciated.

It is difficult to find a more effective subject than
the herbaceous Paeonies where there is ample space
available ; in small gardens they must be barred
because of the brief duration of the flower, but
there is this much to be said, they do not need the
most open situations the garden affords ; the f.ood
old-fashioned crimson varieties flower quite satis-
factorily under partial shade, so that they make

Fig. 118. — heeria elegans, a trailing greenhouse plant.

mind that a bold and important subject would
gain much by having an important position, just
as it would lose by being placed in some half-
bidden and inferior spot. These bold subjects
may be led up to by subjects of vaguer and more
indefinite appearance (I have in mind the (fleet
from a distance), but they should never be half-
hidden by thrm. They should catch the eye, and
more than that, they should hold it at different
points of vantage. In this way, and perhaps only
in this way, can we achieve the charm which
comes with chara:ter, individuality, and distinct-
ness— qualities that go to make beautiful gardens.
So far as possible, where it is a qi estion of
establishing new subjects of bold and handsome
habit, it is well to select the positions they shall
occupy while still the leaves are upon the trees.

To consider a few of the subjects that readily
come to mind as especially effective when made
the most of, and are hardy, and of easy cultivation,
there should, at as many different seasons as p s-
sible, be this succession of bold plants at the height
of their beauty in one or am iher of the points of
vantage in the garden. Paeonies. Hydrangeas,
He.acleum, the shrubby Spiraeas, Clematis,

grand plants to fringe the pathway of a bit of
garden woodland. Some of the newer herbaceous
varieties are very beautiful, especially the pale
tender shades, Kelways Queen, for instance, a
soft pale pink ; Glory of Somerset, a little deeper ;
Maria Kelway. blush suffused yellow. Paeonies
are sufficiently hardy even to stand the winters of
North Western Canada. The tree varieties are,
perhaps, even more valuable from the decorative
point of view, and here again the choice is large
enough to be bewildering, but Weisse, Belle de
Monza, M. Jules Orban, and Javii are excellent.

Well-grown Hydrangeas are hard to beat,
whether cultivated in tubs or in the open ground.
This year I have noticed Hydrangeas tend more
than usual to blue tints, and a broad pathway
between raised borders largely planted with them,
with tubs of Agapanthus at interi als, made one of
the best effects I have seen this year as a foil to
mere vivid colouring in close juxtaposition The
Hydrangeas were of some seasons' growth, and
carried a mass of blossom.

A raised bed with cne of the well-known blue
Clematis Jackmanii, trained to wires about ] foot
alo\c tie roil, either co\erirg the led entirely or

as an edging, produces a grand bit of colouring,
wonderfully effective, and I have in my rrind a
most successful treatment of a dry slope — Clematis
was planted at the bottom and trained over it — a
spring display of colour being produced by an
under planting of bulbous subjects. It is difficult,
I think, to over-estimate the value of this particular
tone of blue in a large garden and in a sunny
position, and where there is space it might well be
used as freely and generously as is the Crimson
Rambler, and nothing yields this colour in the
same effect as C. Jackmanii. Practical Gardener.

HEERIA ELEGANS.

Amongst the number of greenhouse plants of
a trailing habit, and which are suitable for pans
for edging the stages, or as basket plants, this
species is valuable. It grows only a few inches
in height, and has trailing, wiry steins, whii h
branch freely, and bear small, opposite, green
leaves. The blade of the leaf is about half an
inch in length, of an ovate, lanceolate shape,
slightly serrated at the margins, around which
small, whitish hairs appear springing from the
serrations. The petioles are reddish and about
one-eighth of an inch long. The flowers are
produced terminally on peduncles, about 1 inch
in length, on the numerous short side branches,
which just raises them above the level of the
foliage, while in diameter they are about 1 and
1$ inch. A description of the species is given
in Lmna-a, 1839, p. 432, and it is there described
as resembling in colour and magnitude the blooms
of Geranium sanguineum ; but as grown here,
the colour appears brighter and of a more pleas-
ing shade. The coloured stamens are conspicu-
ous with their white anthers. The fruits are
very hairy, turn to a reddish colour with age,
and produce an abundance of seed, from which
plants may be easily raised, or they may be
obtained by cuttings, which have the habit of
making roots quickly. The cuttings should be
placed in well-drained pans in a mixture of
good, fibrous loam and peat. In the southern
counties of England Heeria elegans should prove
a good summer bedding plant, as a plant put out
into the ''Order" beds this summer here
flowered freely, and for a long period; indeed,
foi its long duration of bloom, the species is
only surpassed by few plants having a similar
habit. Schizocentron elegans is the name under
which this melastomaceous plant is sometimes
known, Mexico being its native habitat. The
photograph reproduced at Fig. 118 illustrates
foul plants grown here. R. L. Narrow, Royal
Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

EARLY-FLOWERIXG CHRYSANTHE-
MUMS.

Apart from the usefulness of the early-flower-
ing varieties of Chrysanthemums for furnishing a
supply of cut flowers, they brighten the herba-
ceous garden at a time when the permanent oc-
cupants of the borders are becoming past their
best season of flowering. For the amateur cul-
tivator, and the cottager especially, these early-
flowering Chrysanthemums are especially valu-
able. Now that their season of flowering is with
us, the opportunity should be taken of noting
the best varieties for next year's planting, and
in order to assist in this, I have compiled the
following list of varieties as being especially
suitable for the flower garden: — Carmalite has
flowers of the deepest shade of golden yellow ;
the habit of growth is stiff, free in flowering,
and useful for any purpose : height 2 feet. Carrie
is also a yellow-coloured variety, but the flowers
are smaller than those of Carmalite : the plant
attains to a height of 2 feet. Clara, the deep
orange-yellow flowers of this variety are pro-
duced in plenty on shoots 2 feet 6 inches high.
Comtesse Fouchier de Cariel forms a broad,

294

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 126, 1907.

bush-like plant 2 feet in height, bearing flowers
of an ora'nge-bronze shade. Hector, the rich
mauve-pink blossoms of this variety, borne on
long, stiff stems, have drooping florets, and it is
one of the best Chrysanthemums for early-
flowering ; the height is 3 feet 6 inches. Harrie,
the flowers of this variety assume an orange or
a bronze tint, according to the season of flower-
ing : the height of the flowering shoots is 2 feet.
Goacher's Crimson, this well-known variety
grows 2 feet 6 inches in height and has bright
crimson flowers. Fred Goacher has creamy-
white flowers that are tinted with rose. The
plant is free and erect in growth, reaching to
a height of 2 feet. Kthel Blades has medium-
sized blooms of a bright crimson colour ; height,

2 feet. Diana, the flowers of this variety are
coloured a deep orange-bronze shaded with gold,
the plant is 2 feet 6 inches in height. Perle
Chatillionaise grows fully a yard high ; its
flowers possess, when opening, a delicate rose-
coloured centre on a creamy-white ground. This
variety is to be specially recommended for plant-
ing. Nina Blick, a variety having flowers of a
reddish-bronze tint ; the height is 2 feet 6 inches.
Terle Rose is of a stiff, erect habit of growth,
the colour of the flowers is a pearly-pink and the
growths reach 2 feet in height. Mrs. A. Thomas
has small flowers of a deep golden-yellow col-
our, on stem 2 .feet 6 inches long. Le Pactole
has shapely, bronzy-yellow incurving flowers.
The habit of growth is somewhat tall, usually

3 feet. Lillie, the flowers of this pretty variety
are pearl-pink, the height is 2 feet. Polly,
the earliest flowers of this variety are of the
shade known as amber, but this colour passes
to orange in the older flowers. Wells' Masse
is a pale blush-coloured sport from the lilac-
mauve Mdme. Marie Massie, and is a most de-
sirable variety for planting. Tapis de Neige
produces its pure-white flat-shaped flowers in
profusion. The height of this variety is also
2 feet. Koi des Blancs is one of the best of the
white varieties ; the flowering shoots reach 2
feet 6 inches in height. Wells' Scarlet is espe-
cially free in flowering, and the colour being a
pleasing shade of scarlet terra-cotta ; it is a most
valuable subject for the herbaceous border, and
its height is not more than 1 foot 6inches. Rosie
has rich terra-cotta flowers, the height is 2 feet.
Horace Martin is a variety extensively cultivated
by market-growers on account of its freedom of
flowering, the deep yellow-coloured flowers are
tinged with bronze ; the height is 2 feet 6 inches.
I.i ( vgne, bears its pure white flowers on
long, stiff stems that are 3 feet in length. E.
Molyneux.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Vandas. — The tall growing Vanda tricolor, V.
suavis and their several distinct varieties, should
now receive attention. Every leaf should be
carefully sponged, so as to effect a clearance
of all dirt and insect pests, particularly the
small brown scale which adheres very firmly on
both the upper and the under surfaces of the
leaves. Great care must be exercised in the
removal of this scale so as not to damage
the leaves ; the XL-All liquid preparation is
to be recommended for this work, for after
sponging the leaves with this insecticide, the
insects may be easily detached by a thin, smooth
piece of wood. Give the foliage a thorough
washing with clean, tepid, soft water after the
work is finished. From now till the middle of
November is the best time for re-potting or re-
surfacing these plants : the loss of foliage conse-
quent on the disturbance of the roots being much
less at this season than when the work is per-
formed in the spring. Any plant which has be-
come bare for some distance up the stem through
the loss of its older leaves should have its pot-
ting material carefully removed in order to sever
a portion of the stem. The plant may then be
placed lower in the pot with as little breakage
or cracking of the roots as possible, and some
of the longest aerial roots may also be brought
within the receptacle. Previous to re-potting,
place a sufficiently strong stake in position to
support the plant in an erect manner. Replace
the drainage, work in amongst the roots some
■clean .crocks and fresh sphagnum-moss, press-

ing the whole firmly. Finish to within half
an inch of the rim of the pot, surfacing the
whole with a conical layer of clean, freshly-
gathered sphagnum-moss. When the operation
is completed, stand the plants upon a cool,
moist stage in the Cattleya-house where they
can be conveniently shaded from the sun.
Afford no water to the plants until several days
have passed, after which it should be copiously
applied. The moss on the surface will soon
become dry again, but must be kept in a
growing condition by the use of a fine sprayer.
Beyond this light spraying no further waterings
will be necessary.

The intermediate house. — The night tempera-
ture should now range between 55° and 60°.
Plants of Cypripedium insigne and its varieties,
also numerous cool-growing hybrids, are sending
up their flower-spikes, and these should be care-
fully guided up past the strong growing leaves.
This remark also applies to the pure white
Masdevallia tovarensis. The pretty Oncidium
cheirophorum should now be carefully watered :
if this plant be kept in too moist a condition
at the roots, the small flower buds are liable
to decay. The inflorescences are growing
rapidly, therefore suspend the plant at the
warmest end of the house in a light position,
for a little extra sunshine at this stage will be
of benefit.

The cool house. — Plants of Odontoglossum
crispum and others that were re-potted or top-
dressed last month are now making considerable
progress in growth. Those which are rooting
freely will require copious waterings whenever
the compost becomes moderately dry. The quan-
tity of water should be gradually increased as
the new pseudo-bulbs commence to form, and
the flower-spikes begin to push up. Keep the
temperature of the house at night-time from 50°
to 55°, according to the weather outside ; afford
as much fresh air as is possible, but carefully
avoid cold draughts, especially when the weather
is cold and the winds boisterous.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. ]. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Stove and greenhouse climbers. — All the light
it is possible to get in plant-houses being neces-
-,irv for the welfare of the plants during the
dull, winter months, the climbing plants should
be overhauled, carefully thinning out all super-
fluous growths and cutting back the old flower-
ing shoots. Allamandas (unless grown under a
special treatment) will now be past their best,
and the roots will not require nearly so much
water, but merely sufficient during the resting
period to keep the wood firm. In no case should
the water supply be withheld suddenly, it being
necessary to reduce the quantity gradually, ac-
cording to the requirements of the individual
plant ; the situation in which the plant is grow-
ing will largely determine the amount required.
Plants growing in a border, for instance, will
require less than is necessary for speci-
men plants in pots or tubs. Clerodendrons
require a similar resting period to Allamandas,
and if in movable receptacles they should be
taken from the plant stove and placed in a drier
atmosphere the temperature of which will not
fall below 55 degrees during the winter. Many
of the greenhouse climbers that do not require a
perfect resting period, at the same time need
moderate rest that is not enforced by drying off
the roots severely. Tacsonias and plants of
similar growth being practically evergreen
can only be thinned as recommended above.
Severe pruning must be deferred till growth
becomes active in spring. Much less water will
be required by all the spee'es than was given
them in the summer months, but each plant
should be carefully studied, as no hard-aad-fast
rule will be applicable to all the species.

Cyclamen. — The more forward plants will now
be developing their flower-stems, and if they
are cultivated in frames during the summer no
.time should now be lost in transferring the plants
to a light house, arranging them thinly on the
stages as near to the roof-glass as possible. Have
the house thoroughly washed before housing the
plants, and take advantage when handling these
latter to apply a little top-dressing of approved
manure, taking care not to allow any of the
manure to lodge in the crowns. Fumigate occa-
sionally, and keep the atmosphere of the house

at a temperature of 50° at night, rising to 55°
during the day, admitting a little air at all times
when the climatic conditions out-of-doors are
favourable.

Forcing plants. — Where a quantity of flowering
plants is required in the middle of winter, pre-
parations should now be made for obtaining the
supply. Probably a certain amount of stock is
already available, but any that it is necessary to
procure from the nurseryman should be ordered
without delay. Rhododendrons [Azaleas] of all
kinds, indica, Ghent, and the mollis x sinensis
are indispensable, also Lilacs, Prunus triloba,
Spiraeas, &c. When these .plants are unpacked,
any that show signs of extreme dryness at the
root should be plunged in a pail of water and
allowed to drain again before being potted.
Plunge the pots in ashes out-of-doors, and intro-
duce a batch of plants into heat at intervals as
required, starting them gently in such a degree
of warmth as would be obtained in a vinery or
Peach-house which has just been shaded.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Asparagus. — Plants that are intended to sup-
ply crowns for forcing and were therefore cut
from but lightly, will be sure to mature their
growth and become ripened well in advance of
those beds that provided the main supply. As
soon as such early plants are thoroughly " ripe,"
the growths should be cleared off the ground,
together with all weeds that may be present.
As much of the surface dressing as possible
should be raked off, leaving just sufficient to
protect the plants from the drying influence of
the wind, but removing sufficient to cause the
crowns to feel the full effects of any frosts that
we may experience before it is necessary to lilt
the roots for forcing. It should be remembered
that Asparagus is capable of withstanding a
considerable amount of frost without injury,
and, as with most other vegetables, so with
Asparagus, if the plants can be subjected to
some extreme influence, such as that of frost,
they will afterwards be capable of responding
the more readily to the influence of heat. For
the first batch or two an ordinary hotbed of
litter and leaves should be used in preference to
artificial heat. The heat obtainable from a hot-
bed is quite sufficient, and seems to suit the
plants, for the " Grass " is better in both flavour
and size than when fire-heat is applied. As
the winter advances, however, and the in-
clemency of the weather increases, it will be-
come necessary to employ fire-heat. As the
young growths commence to advance, admit all
the light possible, in order to obtain the best
colour and delicate flavour in the Asparagus,
rather than cultivate it in darkness, which re-
sults in white, weakly, and often tasteless pro-
duce. If blanched Asparagus is requested, how-
ever, then the gardener must, of course, pro-
vide it. Beds that afforded produce until the
end of the season will be later in ripening, and
not until the growths are actually shrivelled
should they be cut from the plants. When,
however, this condition is reached, take and
clear the tops, rubbish, and all weeds from the
ground and afford a liberal mulch with well-
decayed manure.

Horse-radish. — Although one plantation is
often allowed to stand for several seasons, the
roots from beds made annually or every other
year are much to be preferred to those that are
allowed to stand for a longer time. Where it is
intended to make a fresh plantation, this work
should now be undertaken. The plants in the
existing bed should be lifted and the roots of ser-
viceable size selected and laid out in a i nvi
nient place ready for use in the kitchen through-
out the winter, 'i'he smaller ones, about 3 inches
in length with a crown, should be reserved as
sets for the new bed, and all pieces, however
small, should be closely looked for and re-
moved, as these would all start into gr iwth and
give much trouble next year. The ground to be
planted should be trenched quite 2 feet in i
manure being placed at the bottom only, and
the sets should be placed from 18 inches to
2 feet below the surface. As this work can be
done in the autumn, it should not be delayed, for
if done now it will be one the less operation de-
manding time and labour during the first few
months of the new year.

October 26, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

•295

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Baktlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Peitcarrow,
Cornwall.

The Lawn. — Towards the end of the autumn
the use of heavy horse-machines for grass-cut-
ting should be discontinued, and the necessary
mowing be done with the lighter hand mowers;
the ground at this season is soft, and unsightly
marks are often made by the horses' feet and
the rollers of the mower when making short
turns. After the final cutting the machines
should be thoroughly overhauled ; if repairs or
the renewal of any of their parts are needed,
they should be sent to the makers at once
rather than wait until just before the mow-
ing commences next season. Any machines
which are in good order should be taken to
pieces, cleaned, and well oiled ; when put to-
gether again they should be stored under a
covering in a dry shed or barn. This work may
be performed on a wet day.

Lawns should be regularly rolled with a light
roller, choosing favourable weather for the
operation. If there are any deciduous trees on
or near the lawns, the turf will require to be
swept daily. The removal of fallen leaves entails
a considerable amount of labour at this season,
especially in the flower-garden, around the
mansion, and along the principal walks. In the
wilder parts of the garden leaf-strewn walks are
in keeping with the season and surroundings,
and have a great charm to many people. The
collected leaves should on no account be burnt,
for although the ash is of value, decayed leaves,
in the form of leaf-mould is much more so.
Any leaves which are not required for the regu-
lar store should be placed in heaps conveniently
near to where they are collected. A few
branches of Laurel or Silver Fir laid across the
heaps will prevent the leaves from becoming
blown away; the extra store of leaf-mould so
obtained is sure to be of much value sooner or
later.

Gales and tlorms are frequent and destructive
at this time of the year. Immediately the storm
has abated all available labour should be sel it
work to remove its traces as quickly as possible.
The flower-beds and herbaceous borders should
receive the first attention and next the lawn- and
the walks. Catch-pits should now be frequently
cleared. The gravel on steep paths is often
washed to the lower parts during a storm and this
should be replaced. The removal of gravel from
paths by storm-water can be largely prevented
by fixing slates or slabs of stone edgeways at fre-
quent intervals at the sides of the path. Splin-
tered limbs of trees should be removed with a
slanting cut as near to the main trunk as possi-
ble, and the cut surface be afterwards coated
with tar to prevent the entry of fungoid diseases
. and water, and also to render the cut surface
less conspicuous.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Tomatos. — Plants intended for fruiting in
winter will now be well advanced, and should
be tied carefully to the trellis, rubbing out all
lateral growths, and pinching out the point of
the leader as soon as it reaches the top of the
stake or trellis. Cut back each long leaf to half
its length, and thus expose the fruit and flowers
to the sunlight. A warm free-circulating at-
mosphere should be maintained in the hi i •• 3,
in order that the flowers may become fertilised.
Fumigate at regular intervals if the white fly
(Aleyrodes) is troublesome. At this dull season,
when the days are shortening more and more, it
is essential to maintain a good, steady heat in
the water pipes. A little air may be admitted
through the top ventilator during the day, and
at night also. The atmospheric temperature
by day should be 70°, and at night 65°. Be
extra careful in affording water to the plants,
never applying it unless the roots are dry.
Manure water may be afforded once each week.
Tomato plants for potting in spring should now
have filled their 3-inch pots with roots, and be
cultivated in a cool, well-ventilated position
close to the glass. Endeavour to obtain sturdy,
short-jointed plants that will withstand the
winter and remain in good condition.

Cucumbers. — The plants cultivated for fruiting
during winter and spring should be growing
rapidly. Tie in the shoots regularly to the

trellis, and pinch them so as to have a good ex-
pansion of foliage throughout the house before
the winter sets in, after which the plants will
be unable to make much growth. Discontinue
syringing, but maintain the atmosphere in a
humid condition by damping the paths. Admit
a little air when the weather is clear, and dry
by the top ventilator only, always closing the
house with sunheat if possible. Attend to the
pollinating of the female flowers as soon as they
open. This is done by taking a male flower,
and, after removing the petals, placing it in the
centre of the female flower, which can easily
be known by the embryo fruit behind it. A
warm, dry atmosphere is essential immediately
after this operation has been carried out. A
steady heat of about 70° at night and 75° to
80° by day, or more with sunheat, will suit
them. A bottom heat of 65° to 70° is also re-
quired. Be very careful not to apply too much
water to the roots, but, at the same time, never
allow the plants to flag for want of sufficient
moisture. If insects are troublesome, fumigate
with the XL-All vaporiser.

Pot vines. — Whether these have been raised
from " eyes " or are cut-back plants which were
placed out-of-doors to mature their wood, they
should now be placed under glass, or, at the
least, be protected from heavy rains. Those re-
quired for forcing early should now be pruned,
leaving the rods at a length of from 4 to 5 feet,
aci irding to the strength of the canes and the
trellis or space to be allotted them. Be careful
to cleanse the canes thoroughlv with Gishurst
Compound, especially if red spider has been
prevalent. Take care that in using the brush
near to the buds no damage is inflicted upon
them. Afterwards place the vines in the coldest
house obtainable until it is time to remove
to the forcing-house, when reference will
again be made to the subject.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavb G tei to Lord Cltnton, Bicton,

iii I levon.

M dlars.— Most old gardens contain one or
more trees of Medlar, the fruits of which are
1 1 - L t nl formaking into jelly. Medlars should not
I' gathered much earlier than this date, othe'r-
they will shrivel instead of ripening,
which take- place three or four weeks after
they are stored. Place the fruits thinly on a
cool, airy shelf, with the "eye'' downwards,
for when decay occurs m this fruit it usually
commences at the stalk. This decay may be
I ii evented by dipping the stalk in brine,
but even when this precaution is taken the fruits
should be examined occasionally, and bad ones
removed. Some persons prefer this fruit un-
cooked, in which case only the largest and the
ripest fruits should be selected.

Hardy fruits. — All Apples, Pears, and Plums
should now be gathered. Of the latter, Coe's
Golden Drop, and Reine Claude de Bavay may
be kept for several weeks if they are carefully
gathered and placed in a moderately dry room.
Belle de Septembre is a good late culinary Plum,
and will hang well into October if the tree be
planted on a north aspect. Another good late
Plum is YVyedale, a market variety. None of
these late Plums are fast growers, but thev are
sure croppers.

Fruit-tree borders. — To be successful with wall
trees, especially those of stone fruits, the proper
preparation of the border is of the utmost im-
portance, and where planting is contemplated this
should be undertaken without delay. Even where
the soil is naturally drained sufficiently, it is ad-
visable to insert a layer of from 6 to 9 inches
of broken brickbats, stones, or clinkers, at the
butt, mi of the tre.ich, as the roots of the trees
are thereby kept warm during winter and early
spring. Good fruits can be grown upon a border
2 feet 6 inches deep over the drainage material
on comparatively light soils, whilst 2 feet is of
ample depth in the case of a cold and retentive
loam. It is usual to make the borders as wide
as the wall is high, but a space of 6 feet will
be sufficient, providing no other crops are grown
upon the border. If it is considered necessary
to drain the border, a 3-inch pipe, placed some
6 inches below the rubble, and near to the front
of the border, will suffice ro carry off the super-
fluous water which must have a fall as well
as an outlet. Cover the drainage material with

turves, placed grass-side downwards, to prevent
the finer soil choking the drainage. The compost
should consist of two-thirds best turfy loam and
about one-third of ordinary garden soil, mixed
with a quantity of mortar rubble or old plaster
pounded to about the size of Walnuts ; in the
case of retentive loams, it may be necessary to
add some pieces of broken bricks of the size of
hen eggs. Wood-ash is a splendid material to
add to soil for any kind of fruit tree, more
especially when it is heavy, for the heavier the
soil the greater is the necessity for adding
materials that will give porosity to the whole.
The compost should be moderately dry when it is
used, for it must be made quite firm in the
borders by treading or ramming. Peaches, Nec-
tarines, Apricots, Figs, and dessert varieties of
Plums should be planted against the warmest
walls.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
, Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Pruning and lopping street trees. — The method
adopted in many towns of pruning and lopping
street trees often gives rise to much adverse
criticism. It would appear sometimes as if
the average householder regards himself as an
expert upon such matters, and what he
fails to see a reason for he forthwith condemns
in the local Press. Even horticultural papers
often denounce the prevalent style of pruning
and lopping street-trees, regarding the question
from a purely arboricultural standpoint without
taking into consideration the peculiar circum-
stances leading to the adoption of the methods
complained of. No responsible park official
would attempt to treat a tree in an open space
as he would one growing in a crowded thorough-
fare. Trees are so entirely out of their natural
surroundings in a public street that the treat-
ment that has to be accorded to them is cor-
respondingly unnatural. It simply resolves
itself into a question as to whether, in many
localities, trees are to be thus dealt with or
whether they are to be removed altogether.

A great deal of the annual mutilation of street-
trees could undoubtedly be prevented if more
suitable species and varieties were utilised for
planting. Trees of a fastigiate type are more
suitable for street decoration than those of a
spreading character. Where there is much ve-
hicular traffic, branches spreading over the roads
become not merely a nuisance, but a menace to
public safety. .Even in the more secluded streets
in the residential parts of towns, where trees
have greater freedom to develop their growth,
their branches require every now and again to
be thinned out and the lower limbs gradually
removed to produce a clean trunk.

The Plane. — Few trees tolerate severe pruning
better than the Plane. However hard it may
be cut back in the winter it produces strong,
healthy shoots during the following growing
season, which retain their large, glossy foliage
till well into November. Planes are grown in
the busiest parts of numerous cities, where
other trees less amenable to the knife could not
possibly be grown. In such places they have
to be pruned every year.

Other species. — The Black Poplar and the Eng-
lish Elm also bear rigorous pruning very well.
The Birch, Mop-headed Acacia (Robinial, and
Maple do not as a rule need either much
cutting back or thinning out. In the case of the
Maple, when pruning is necessary, it should
be done as soon as possible after the leaves fall,
as the sap begins to rise in most of the Maples
very early in the year.

Large specimens. — In addition to the pruning
of medium-sized trees, it often becomes expe-
dient to lop off the head and branches of any
large trees that may be growing in close prox-
imity to the footpaths and public highways in
towns. To witness beautiful trees — usuallv
Elms — treated in this manner invariably arouses
much sentimental indignation upon the part of
the public. As several fatal accidents have re-
cently occurred through branches falling upon
people in parks and highways, the opposition
to lopping trees in towns is not so strong as it
was a few years ago. When the lopping is done
carefully and the cuts properly dressed, the trees
regain their beauty in the course of a year or
two.

29G

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

EDITORIAL, NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens ami plants
for naming, should be addressed to the E DlTOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Floral Com. meet.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet.

Brit. Card. Assoc. Ex. Council meet.

Croydon Chrys. Show (2 days}.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30—

Kent County Chrys. Soc. Exh. at Blackheath (2 days).

Streatham and Dist. Hort. Society's Autumn Show (2
days'.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31—

West London Hort. Society's Show at Hammersmith.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1—

Annual Dinner of the Unit. Hort. Ben. & Prov. Soc. at
Hoi horn Restaurant.

Battersea, Clapham ik Wandsworth Amateur Chrys.
Sh. (2 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 47°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, October 23 (6 p.m.): Max. 56°;
Mm. 49".
Gardener ' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, October 24
(10 a.m.): Bar.. 298; Temp., 50"; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces. — Wednesday, October^ (6 p.m.): Max. 56-\
England, N.E. ; Min. 47', Banow.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and TUESDAY—

Nursery Stock at Arthurs Bridge Nursery, Woking, by-
order of Messrs. W. Spooner & Sons, by Protheroe &
Morris, at 12.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY to FRIDAY-

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 10.30.

WEDNESDAY—

Roses at 1 30 ; Japanese Liliums, Miscellaneous Bulbs,

&c, at 3; Palms and Plants, Azaleas, Rhododendrons,

&c, at 5; at 67 and 63, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe &

Morris.

Nursery Stock in variety at Tivoli Nurceries, Holling-

ton, Hastings, by order of Mr. T. Relfe, by Protheroe &

Morris, at 12.

Shrubs, Ornamental Tre^s, &:., at Shorllands Nursery,

Shortlands, Kent, by o.der of Mr. J. B. Bryant, by

Protheroe & Morris, at 11.

THURSDAY—

Nursery stock, including Paul Crample Geraniums, at
Northfield Nursery, Putney Bridge Road, Wandsworth,
S.W., by order of Messrs. Fordham & Co., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 12.

Carnations. Roses, and other stock at Hassocks Nur-
series, Hassocks, Sussex, by order of Mr. H. Elliott, bv
Protheroe & Morris, at 12.30.

FRIDAY—

Odontoglossum crispum and Orchids in variety, at 67 &
68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.
Third Annual Sale of Nursery Stock, at Bellingham
Nursery, Bromley Road, Catford, by order of Messrs.
J. Laing & Sons, by Messrs. Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

The

The results of the discussion on
Discussion Summer Pruning held at the
on Scientific Committee of the Hor-

Summer ticultural Society, which we
runing. prjn{ ;n another column, suffice
to show how great is the need for careful
and systematic experiments on this important
subject. Not onlv are the questions raised
of great scientific interest, but they involve
matters of no small importance to the prac-
tical man who wants to secure the largest
possible returns of marketable fruit from the
area he cultivates.

Some months ago we gave the results of
an enquiry as to the benefits >>i- the reverse
lo be expected from mi miner pruning, and the
opinions expressed by our correspondents
turned out to be verj « onflicting. This diver-
gence ol views was again emphasised in the
meeting last week, and it is clear that the
principles underlying the treatment are not

as yet understood, and that we have not got
beyond the first stage of collecting the facts.
What we want to arrive at is a true concep-
tion of the nature of the causes which deter-
mine whether a given bud shall give rise to a
wood or to a fruit bud. We want a scientific,
that is, a genuine, explanation of the matter;
for only in this way can we hope to replace
the empirical statements of the present time
by a comprehensive knowledge of the relation
between fruitfulness and the nutrition (in the
widest sense) of the tree. Then we shall be
able to look forward to gaining control over
these functions in a rational manner, and to
diverting' exuberant vegetative activity into
channels of fruitfulness, as far, at least, as
the plant can economically bear it.

It must be understood that the problem
thus stated is one of vast biological and
economic importance, and we are not likely
to arrive at its solution until we have accu-
mulated a mass of data drawn from care-
fully-devised experiments. Everyone thinks
he can make an experiment, and yet very-
few people have any clear idea of what an
experiment really is. Properly speaking, il
resolves itself into a definite question put to
nature, to which we expect to get a de-
finite reply. And we may be quite sure
of one thing — that the answer returned
will always be a true one, though it may
not be the one we either expect or desire.
When, as in the present instance, the answers
seem confused or contradictory, the fault lies
with us. We are unwittingly asking not
one, but many, questions till at once, and
the worst of it is that we do not even realise
what some of them are ! It is small wonder
then that we cannot disentangle the one reply
we want from the number that we get.

It may be quite true that in a particular
place, and under the special conditions pre-
vailing there, the operation of summer prun-
ing may prove to be beneficial, but the fact
that in other localities and under other con-
ditions an opposite result is arrived at, only
serves to show that we have as yet failed to
accumulate sufficient or properly-analysed
data.

There is a generally-expressed opinion
amongst those who speak with practical
knowledge, that there exists a balance be-
• tween the different organs of the tree which,
when properly struck, leads to fruitfulness.
The balance may be reached naturally, and
without external interference, or it may re-
quire artificial adjustment. And here we
seem to find outlined the difficulties which
are unavoidably felt as soon as an attempt is
made to reconcile the conflicting statements
of the experts.

This is certainly not the time, nor is it,
perhaps, the place, to enter on a full discus-
sion of the results that have so far been col-
lected, but it will not be useless to endeavour
to glance at one aspect of the complex pro-
blem involved in an explanation of the results
of pruning. We are, of course, primarily in-
terested in the operation only so far as the
production of fruit is .affected; the secondary
results of shaping the tree, admission of light
into its interior, and other such matters do
not now concern us.

It is often asserted that the vegetative and
reproductive developments are antagonistic to
each other, ami that by curbing the vegeta-

tive growth the organism is forced into repro-
ductive activity.

The statement is only partly true, and
perhaps not at all true in the sense in which
it is generallv made. It would be more cor-
rect to say that the reproductive process is
complementarv to the vegetative, and is con-
ditioned by, or produced as the result of, a
special kind of vegetative activity. In a
general way it would appear that the fruiting
capacity is stimulated by any cause which
tends to the sudden utilisation of the elabo-
rated organic food within the plant, whilst
at the same time the rate of construction
of that food from raw materials is depressed.
This is what, in effect, is commonly brought
about by curtailing the rate of absorption of
water and the salts therein dissolved. Thus,
when the strong, deep-running roots of an
Apricot or Apple tree are severed, there is at
immediate check in the supply of raw
material to the plant. The surface roots are
constantly exposed to more variable condi-
tions, which in their turn affect the rate of
absorption of water and salts, and in this
way a number of more or less definite, if
slight, intermittent checks are given to the
plant.

When the leaf surface in proportion to the
total available root area is large, perhaps
similar checks may arise in other ways, a-,
for example, in the relatively inadequate
supply of water to provide for periods of ex-
cessive evaporation, or, as it is often called,
transpiration, in the case of Apples grafted
on Paradise stocks.

Now, this balance between root absorption
ami the loss of water by the leaves has been
the subject of much investigation, but it has
never been sufficiently examined from the
point of view that interests us just now. The
subject is a large one, and needs a full and
careful investigation in relation to the nutri-
tional changes that proceed within the plant.
It is, we believe, quite certain that a research
conducted on such lines would yield results
capable of being turned to practical account.

It is not unlikely that the balance of water-
supply to the constructive activity of the
leaves may prove to be a factor of principal
importance in determining whether a tree
should be pruned, pinched, or let alor.e, in
the summer. Many circumstances however,
will obviously have to be taken into account
in estimating the probable result of a par-
ticular mode of treatment. For example,
with an active root svstem the buds of a
pruned branch will be more likely to break
into leaf than if it had been merely bent or
twisted, for in the latter case, although the
channels of the water may have been partially
blocked by the injury, they will not have been
completely destroyed. The excess of water
tan be eliminated bv the leaves above the
wound, whilst they, in their turn, are still
able to contribute to the manufacture of the
elaborated organic food, and hence to its ac-
cumulation within the branch.

We desire further information as to the
exact stage at which the destiny of a lateral
laid is determined as regards its future de-
velopment, as well as on the nature of those
early changes which are as ociated with the
development of wood and fruit buds respec-
tively.

A consideration of the above points — and
Ihey form only a very small part of these that

October 26, 1907.1

THE GA R D EA'ER S7 CHR ONICLE.

29i

c lUld bo raised — will suffice to show the
Urgent need for further enquiries, and we are
glad to see that the mailer is attracting the
attention of those whose interest it should be
l. see that it is fully investigated.

It is a satisfactory circumstance
The Fruit fa h c ;, f ,hc R u

Show.

Horticultural Society appears

now to regard the holding of a threat and
representative exhibition of British-grown
fruits as one of its annual responsibilities,
the recent exhibition being the fourteenth
held under the Society's auspices. At the
\.i\ least, these displays help to keep the
public mind informed as to the character i I
the hardy fruits that are grown in these
Islands, and they certainly imparl a dignity
to the industry of fruit cultivation that would
otherwise be lacking. We think, however,
that they go further than this, for they are of
some value to fruit-cultivators themselves,
whether such cultivators are engaged in the
occupation for the purpose of supplying their
own needs, or for the production of fruits as
k means of livelihood. Ii may reasonablj be
supposed lh a main of the visitors to the
Show are less experienced than the practised
Exhibitors, and it is useful for them to study
the varieties of Apples, Pears, Plums, or
Peaches, that are selected for display in the
various classes, because the specimens afford
an illustration of the type of fruit1 generally
considered to be most perfect.

In the " County " classes, where the com-
petition is confined to one or more counties,
in order that the growers in such areas mav
be enabled to compete with each other on
more or less equal terms, it may generally be
seen what varieties succeed besl in each dis-
trict, and the prospective cultivator can obtain
information as to the suitability of a county
for commercial fruit-growing by studying the
quality of tile fruit that particular county fur-
nishes to the general display. In the market
growers' division the inexperienced may
usually gather valuable hints as to the best
systems of packing fruit for transit to
market, which is one of the most necessary
lessons that have to be learned if the under-
Baking is to be remunerative. So much is
this the case that the classes in this divi-im!
might be advantageously increased in
number, and the former classes for specially
demonstrating systems of packing should be
revived. It would be advisable to offer liberal
prizes for exhibits which would illustrate
some novel or improved method of market-
ing, or satisfactory appliance or system for
grading the fruits.

The exhibitions do not in any degree
show the processes connected with fruit-
growing, fruit-gathering, or fruit-preserv-
ing. At the dairy exhibitions, or even
Tobacco exhibitions, the authorities not
only offer to visitors an inspection of the fin-
ished product, bat they go to elaborate pains
to provide object-lessons in the various stages
of t!ie manufacture of the milk or cream into
cheese or butter, and of the raw Tobacco into
Commercial samples. In order that the
annual exhibitions of fruit may serve the pur-
po ,es that arc desirable, it is essential thai
tlu- general public should be induced to visit
Bern. There is much room for improvement
in this resDert. Although the attendance on

the first day was considerable, we fear that
if all the exhibitors and their assistants, to-
gether with professional gardeners and nur-
serymen, were excluded, it would be found
that the public was but poorly represented.
There are two directions in which efforts
might be made to attract the public, and the
first is by having practical demonstrations
of the processes that are employed either in
connection with fruit-culture or the conserv-
ing of fruits by evaporation, bottling or other
means; or even by the manufacture of cider
or perry. The other means would lie in mak-
ing the displays of fruit more effective from
the spectacular point of view. Granted that
the individual fruits shown in the competitive
classes, and by the nurserymen, are of such
excellent quality as lo excite admiration and,
in a measure, satisfy our ambition, at tin
same time they are shown in such a manner
as to indicate that not the least trouble is
taken to obtain an exhibition-like effect. It
is incredible that our exhibitors and exhibi-
tion authorities are incapable of doing things
heller than they are carried cut at present.
This recent exhibition, like all its predeces-
sors, was mosl uninspiring if viewed in the
aggregate, with iu table after table laden
with Apples and Pens, almosl devoid of
relief. It cannoi seriouslj be argued that the
sight could interest main who are no'.
specialists, or who have not a considerable
knowledge < t the varieties exhibited.

We have in our mind an exhibition in which
the same fruits will) their good qualities un-
impaired would be arranged lor the produc-
tion of spectacular effect, as the French and
Belgians are in the habit of arranging their
floral shows. The schedule, for instance,
might encourage cultivators to exhibit a
greater number ol ui, hard house fruit trees
in puts, for what could be more effective than
the beautiful specimens abundantly furnished
with choice fruits, such as are usuallv ex-
hibited by the firms of Bunyard and Rivers?
With a greater number of such trees, and a
suitably constructed central stage, a magnifi-
cent and tall group could be arranged in the
centre of the hall that would at once serve
to arrest the eye of the visitor immediately
upon entering the building, and break the
monotony thai at present extends from the
one end to the other. The nurserymen's ex-
hibits on table spaces of specified dimensions
would lose nothing in value if each were ar-
ranged on a plan totally different from that of
adjacent exhibits, and the show itself would
gain immeasurably in effect, and thereby in
interest to the casual visitor. These are
matters which must be left to the Society's
council, and we trust that at no very distant
time the arrangements for our fruit shows
will be conceived and carried out on a very
different basis than at present. Since the
erection of the new hall, our artists have on
several occasions photographed the displays
of fruit, but in no single instance, up to the
present, has the resultant picture been one
that could have been published in these pages
with any degree of pride or satisfaction.

In spite of all this, we freely acknowledge
that the effect of the shows upon fruit-
growers themselves is one that should not be
despised. They are powerful incentives to
strive fir the best results. The visitor who is
very proud of his own specimens of Cox's

Orange Pippin, or Lord Derby Apples, or
some variety of Pear, Grape, or other fruit,
discovers that they are very moderate if com-
pared with the best fruits that others have
obtained, and he determines to make greater
efforts in the future. All this tends for good,
and should be encouraged by every means
possible.

We need not refer in detail to the show,
especially as a full report is published on sup.
plementary pages to this issue. The effects
of the season on the fruit crops were fully
set forth in the tabulated returns published
in the issue for August 3, and in the re-
marks from our correspondents subsequently.
Apples, although less than an average
Crop, boomed pretty largely at the show,
and in size appeared to be as large as
ever, but the skins had failed to develop
the high colour that is characteristic of cer-
tain varieties in ,, more sunny season. Pears
were as numerous and as good in quality as
they are generally seen, and Plums .and
Pearlies were abundant, whilst Nectarines
wire few owing to the lateness of the season.
Grapes were generally up lo or better than
the average at the R.H.S. shows, and a
bunch of Muscat of Alexandria shown by the
Earl of Harrington, had il exhibited rather
better colour, would have been a perfect
specimen.

The judges at such shows have an onerous
task lo perform, and they deserve every con-
sideration that can be given them. A difficult
point presented itself in the judging of the
two besi collections of indoor fruit shown in
the class for nine dishes. These collections
were nearly similar in point-value, but
doubts were raised as to the identity of a
white Grape in one of the exhibits that
was labelled Muscat of Alexandria. Upon
tasting it, the judges were convinced it was
not a .Muscat, and the exhibit was probably
placed in the second place from this circum-
stance. Throughout the first day, one or
another tasied a berry until one of the two
bunches had been consumed, and the other
commenced. Some held with the judges that
the Grape was misnamed, and others were
decidedly of the opposite opinion. No one
in the meantime had been able to suggest
another name for the variety, assuming it
was not a Muscat. We ourselves thought its
appearance was that of a Muscat, allowing
that the berries were a trifle shorter and
more rounded than usual, but upon tasting a
berry we were perfectly unable to detect any
Muscat flavour, although (he texture of the
flesh was quite that characteristic of a Mus-
cat. On visiting the show on the second day,
we were informed that the matter had been
definitely settled by the discovery that the
Grape was none other than Charlestovvn To-
kay, which, it was alleged, hail been shown
to the Fruit Committee many years ago;
this name had been therefore boldly placed
upon the exhibit. On looking the matter up,
however, we find that the late Dr. Hogg, who
doubtless took considerable trouble to estab-
lish the identity of varieties, has stated in the
Fruit Manual that Charlestown Tokay is
synonymous with Muscat of Alexandria, and
the same opinion is expressed in the late Mr.
Barron's Vines and Vine Culture! „ It would
appear, therefore, that the judges even now
may not have settled the point conclusively.

298

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

Our Supplementary Illustration affords
a glimpse of the enclosed garden around the Church
Df St. Paul, Rome, as seen from the Cloisters,
.vhich are amongst the most notable in the world.
The tall standard trees seen through the arches
ire of the Citrus family. Mr. James Hudson, of
Gunnersbury House Gardens, who obligingly fur-
nished us with the photograph from which our
picture was prepared, states that these are chiefly
Oranges and Lemons, and that these trees thrive
better in this garden than at any other place in, or
around, Rome The shelter they obtain from the
church protects them during March from the
wintry blasts which blow for a few weeks over
Rome. The original Church of St. Paul, other-
wise "San Paolo fuori le Mura," i.e., St. Paul
outside of the walls, was burned down in 1823.
The present structure is not yet completed. Note
in the picture the great diversity in the sculpture
of the columns, which is beautifully executed.

Royal Horticultural Society. — The next
meeting of the Committees will be held on Tuesday,
October 23, in the Vincent Square hall, West-
minster. At a meeting in the afternoon a lecture
on " The Birds of Our Gardens " will bedelivered
by Mr. Cecil Hooper, M.R.A.C., F.S.I.

Fruits in Season. — From Mr. Geo. Taylor,
Byram Gardens, Ferrybridge, Yorkshire, we have
received a bunch of Grape Cornichon Blanc, a
variety brought into prominence by our valued
correspondent, Dr. Bonavia, Worthing, and from
whose gardens Mr. Taylor received his stock. A
bunch of this curiously-berried Grape was figured
in the issue for October 8, 1904, p. 251, from a
photograph supplied us by Dr. Bonavia.

Mr. J. Howes. — Orchid growers will be
interested to know that Mr. J. Howes, who so
successfully cultivated the fine collection of
Orchids belonging to Mr. Walter Cobb, and
later that of Mr. Whately, has commenced busi-
ness as a nurseryman, with a speciality in Orchids,
in partnership with Mr. Jones. The firm is
Messrs. Jones, Howes & Co., Elmdon Nursery,
Kenilworth.

Visits to Foreign Stations. — The New

Zealand Department of Agriculture has recently
published a Bulletin (No. 17) dealing with the
methods of fruit growing and marketing as prac-
tised in California. Mr. Boucher, Government
Pomologist, was sent on a special mission to
find out for the benefit of the Colonial growers
what is being done in this great fruit district of
America, and the information contained in his
report cannot fail to be of great service to them.
This practice of seeing what others are doing
is one that we might, with great advantage,
adopt more extensively ourselves. But it should,
of course, be remembered that visits of this kind
are mainly useful in so far as they enlarge our
knowledge and appreciation of the complex con-
ditions that determine the results of agricultural
operations. It is not likely that a transplanting
of purely Californian, or any other methods,
without reference to the prevalent local condi-
tions at home, will prove at all advantageous.
The real and great benefit resulting from such
visits lies in those habits of mental alertness and
the readiness to grasp suggestions which may
lead to improvements that are stimulated by
a wise inspection of " how they do it abroad."
But it is a waste of money to send any but men
trained to habits of investigation on such
errands, and they ought, if possible, to be al.eady
equipped with a practical knowledge of the busi-
ness before them. Such persons are best able
to bring discriminating intelligence to bear on
the new conditions, and hence are most likely
to yield, in the form of helpful suggestion to
those at home, a maximum return for the expen-
diture necessarily incurred.

British Gardener's Success in America.
— At the recent flower show in Mineola, U.S.A.,
a special diploma was awarded for a group of
plants staged by Mr. Henry Turner, gardener
to Howard Gould, Esq., Castlegould, Port
Washington. Mr. Turner was appointed gar-
dener to Mr. Gould in March, 1906, being pre-
viously foreman at Burghley House, Stamford,
and at Luton Hoo, Luton.

Nursery Employees' Union We under-
stand that a Nursery Employees' Union has been
formed. The secretary's address is 56, Totteridge
Road, Enfield Wash, London, N.

Our Trees, and How to Know Them, is

the title of a new book by Mr. Francis George
Heath. It will include about 200 illustrations,
and will be published by the Country Press of
Kensington.

The Paris Chrysanthemum Show. — This
annual gathering will take place in the greenhouses
of the Cours la Reine from November 8 to 13.
There are few finer sites for a flower show any-
where, and the Paris show ranks as one of the most
brilliant exhibitions of the flower in Europe. The
schedule comprises 101 classes, of which 75 are for
Chrysanthemums, and the others are for Cycla-
men, Carnations, Orchids, &c. Fruit is always
staged in abundance, and the general artistic
arrangement of the show is a sight well worth a
visit. Special interest centres on the exhibits of
novelties for which important prizes are offered for
competition among the raisers of seedling varieties.

Bulletin de la Societe Francaise d'Hor-
ticulture de Londres (66, Long Acre,
London, W.C.). — We welcome once again the
appearance of this interesting annual volume,
which will meet with a ready acceptance by the
ever-increasing number of the Society's members.
For the eighteenth year in succession the Society,
under the guidance of its president, Mr. Geo.
Schneider, has annually rendered an account of
its raison d'etre, which is amply justified. The
objects are now too well known to be recapitu-
lated here, and in briefly reviewing the contents
of the present issue, we may say that it has for
a frontispiece an excellent photograph of M.
Lageat, who presided at the Society's annual
dinner last January. Then follow the rules and
lists of members of various grades, the reports
of the monthly meetings, financial statement,
library catalogue, lVc. There are some nicely-
executed photo-engravings of views in the Congo
at intervals throughout the book. The re-
mainder of the volume consists of the text of
various papers read by the members at meetings
of the Society. A few titles will suffice to show
the scope of these, viz., "Tomato Culture,"
"Begonia Gloire de Lorraine," " Aralias,"
" Exotic Fruits Grown on the Mediterranean
Coast," "The Dahlia," "The Sparrow,"
" Cultivation of Witloof," &c.

Publications Received.— The Flower Garden,
by T. VV. Sanders ; published by VV. H. L. Colling-
ridge. — Two Legs, and Other Stories, by Carl Ewald ,
published by Methuen & Co. — My Rock Garden, by
Reginald Farrer ; published by Mr. Edward Arnold.

THE DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS
AND PESTS ACTS, 1877 and 1907.

It is certainly a matter for regret that the
fears expressed by horticulturists with reference
to their position under the Destructive. Insects
and Pests Act 1907 should so speedily have
proved to be well founded. It will be recollected
that the Act in question conferred upon the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries power to
take steps for preventing the introduction into,
or spreading in, Great Britain of any insect,
fungus, or other pest destructive to agricultural
or horticultural crops or to trees or bushes, and
for this purpose to exercise powers similar to
those already vested in the Board under the

Destructive Insects Act 1877 for dealing with
the Colorado beetle. The powers conferred on
the Board of Agriculture included the right to
order the removal or destruction of any crop or
substance on which these pests, in any stage of
existence, might be found, or to or by means of
which it might be likely to spread. There is,
however, this important distinction between the
Acts of 1877 and 1907 ; in the former Act the
Board of Agriculture may direct the local
authority to pay compensation on the following
scale for any crop officially destroyed under the
exercise of these powers : (a) In case of a crop on
which the insect may be actually found, the com-
pensation is not to exceed half of the value of
the crop ; (b) in any other cases the compensa-
tion is not to exceed three-fourths of the value
of the crop. Under the Act of 1907, however,
the position is wholly altered, as it is expressly
provided that the payment of compensation by
any local authority for the removal or destruc-
tion of any crop or any trees or bushes is to
depend entirely on whether or not the local
authority chooses to charge itself with such pay-
ment.

The position of the horticulturist thus created
would be farcical if it were not of such vital
importance to those who are thus at the mercy
of the new Act. It being left entirely to the dis-
cretion of the local authority whether the local
authority itself shall or shall not pay compensa-
tion to a grower whose crops, trees, or bushes
may have been destroyed in the public interest,
it is not very surprising to find that pay-
ment is now promptly refused, such being the
experience which the growers in the Evesham
district have recently undergone.

It is stated that the chairman of the Worces-
tershire County Council justified the refusal on
the ground that the Gooseberry bushes lately
destroyed by order of the Board of Agriculture
were already infected with the American Goose]
berry-mildew, and suggested that in the analo-
gous case of swine fever, compensation is not
given in respect of swine destroyed while actu-
ally suffering fiom the disease. The learned
chairman, if correctly reported, appears to have
beeoi labouring under some misapprehension, as
the Diseases of Animals Act 1894 expi
directs that animals affected with the cattle
plague, pleuro-pneumonia, foot-and-mouth dis-
ease, swine fever, &c, may be slaughtered, and
that the Board shall pay compensation to tha
owner at the rates therein mentioned, that is to
say, in some cases three-fourths, and in other
cases one-half of the value of the animal imme-
diately before it became so affected. However,
what is fair and reasonable in the case of the
agriculturist evidently does not apply when the
horticulturist is ihe victim. It was pointed out
in these columns a few months ago, that when
it comes to imposing burdens, as in the case of
the Workmen's Compensation Act 1900, for in-
stance. Parliament does not forget to provide
that the term " agriculture " shall be deemed to
include "horticulture," but that when it is a
matter of extending benefits such, for instance,
as those conferred by the Agricultural Holdings
Acts, nurserymen, at all events, are altogether
ignored.

When the Destructive Insects Act of the pre-
sent year was before Parliament, strong protest
was raised on behalf of nurserymen and market
gardeners against their being left at the mercy
of the local authorities on the subject of com-
pensation. The Board of Agriculture, however,
considered it urgently necessary to get the Bill
through the House before Parliament rose, so
that the long-delayed powers for dealing with
pests destructive to vegetable life might be
ready to hand, and urged that if compensation
were to be made compulsory the Bill would
assume a controversial aspect and might be
crowded out, no suggestion apparently 1
made that the principle of compensation was in
any way inequitable. The Board of Agriculture
now have their desired powers, and it would be
interesting to know whether they are taking
steps to bring forward a supplemental Bill, pro-
viding that a grower whose stock-in-trade is
eompulsorily destroyed shall have meted out to
him the same measure of justice as the cattle
breeder. If not, v/hat is the justification for
inaction?

A further somewhat curious anomaly is to be
found in the fact that in the case of cattle com-
pensation is paid out of funds provided by
Parliament, whereas compensation directed to

October 26, 1907

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

299

be paid under the Destructive Insects Act 1877
had to be borne by the local authority. It is
certainly difficult to justify this distinction ; in
each case the Board of Agriculture takes certain
steps for the public benefit, and each matter
is of general, and not local, importance.
It is true that in the case of diseases of animals
the Board of Agriculture might direct payment
of compensation by local authorities out of the
local rate where the disease is other than cattle
plague (a case in point being the Glanders or
Farcy Order of 1907), but it is noteworthy that
even in this case the payment of compensation
is compulsory. Furthermore, it is especially
instructive to note at the present moment that
the Board of Agriculture has recently addressed
a circular letter to local authorities in Great
Britain informing them that before making this
new Glanders Order the Board laid before the
Treasury Commissioners representations that
the cost of compensation, or a substantial por-
tion thereof, should be made a charge upon
money provided by Parliament instead of being
borne by the local authorities, and the Board
proceeds to express its regret that their Lord-
ships had found themselves unable to sanction
these proposals, mainly owing to the special
wording of Section 19 of the Diseases of
Animals Act 1894. Is it too much to hope that
the Board of Agriculture may feel equal regret
if compulsory compensation out of Parlia-
mentary funds should not speedily be authorised
by the legislature in the case of those market
gardeners and nurserymen whose stock-in-trade
the Board may feel compelled to destroy in the
public interest?

During the past few months the Board of
Agriculture has on more than one occasion
protested that its interest in horticulture is at
least as great as in agriculture, and now that
the opportunity of supplementing verbal assur-
ances by speedy action has arisen, growers of all
classes will await with interest the action of the
Government department which is expressly de-
puted to watch over and protect their industry.

Meanwhile the expert grower may take com-
fort in the fact that he— even he — is not wholly
deprived of statutory protection in other
respects. He should bear in mind that if, by
chance, infectious disease should attack his
household, and the destruction of a few articles
of clothing be ordered with a view to avoiding
the spread of infection, he will be entitled, as a
member of the public, to demand compensation
nil no niggardly scale! And if the unreasonable
fellow be not satisfied with such privileges as
these, if he grows weary of waiting for the exten-
sion to his own class of those elementary prin-
ciples of justice w-hich are at present enjoyed by
the agriculturist in respect of his live stock, if
he fears lest at any moment his stock-in-trade,
representing years of labour and scientific study,
as well as a considerable proportion of his
invested capital, may be officially destroyed
without the right to demand compensation of
any kind, there is at all events one way of
escape open to him. Let him abandon horticul-
ture— and keep pigs ! His right to compensa-
tion will then be undeniable. //. Morgan Witch.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

American Blight on Apple Tree Roots. —

Why does K. say that I wrote in "so light a
strain" en this subject? I did nothing of the
kind. I simply gave the results of my own
experience. I have an immense amount
of trouble with American blight on young
Apple trees and stocks above ground, but
hardly any on the roots. The almost
complete immunity I attribute to the ex-
treme care exercised in dressing the trees and
stocks, and doing it very frequently. If I find
any blight on the ground level or on a sucker
just under the ground, I thoroughly soak the
soil around the tree or stock with paraffin emul-
sion, preferring to kill it rather than let it live,
if I cannot cure the blight upon it. As
for K.'s other pure assumption of my
"limited experience," I have been a grower
of hardy fruit nearly all my adult life,
which is not a short one. As to methylated
S] nit killing many a young tree, I doubt the

statement, unless it has been used in extreme
and unnecessary profusion, as I have used it
extensively without doing any damage. Paraffin,
or, as R. calls it, " petroleum," on the other
hand, is about the most deadly of all dressings
commonly used, and many persons use it neat
and recommend it publicly in this form. A
Working Grower.

Fashions in Flower-Gardening. — I was

much pleased with the excellent leader in the
issue of the 12th inst. upon this important sub-
ject, and sincerely trust that the suggestions put
forward may bear fruit. Undoubtedly the ten-
dency in the great majority of summer bedding
arrangements in these days is to dullness, where
there ought to be brightness and character. So
many hard things have been said in the past
about "blazes" of colour in the flower garden,
that the pendulum of fashion — I cannot say taste,
as tins still seems to favour brightness — has
swung to the other extreme. As was pertinently
lemarked in the article I have mentioned, it
would appear from many of the bedding ar-
rangements now in vogue as if gardeners were
afraid of giving the slightest cause for their
being suspected of ever having had a predi-
lection for masses of colour in their flower
gardens. In public grounds, where visitors
are not as a rule permitted to approach very
near to the flower-beds, these have to be fur-
nished in such a manner as to produce a
good effect from a distance. L'nder these
circumstances it is especially important that
showy, floriferous plants should predominate,
rather than those whose decorative value
merely lies in their foliage or general outline.
The attitude shown towards the vexed ques-
tion of carpet bedding will commend itself to
most gardeners, especially when you state that
you think the fewer examples of tin- kind of bed.
ding exhibited in a garden " the better.'1 II". 11'.

•real, Superintendent of Public I
i 'ardi .

The Dropmore Variety of Anchusa

italica (see p

-I was at Dropmore for

seven years with Mr. Chas. Ilerrin, and he was
always of the opinion that this form of Anchusa
italica was given t i his predecessor. Mr. Philip
Frost, by Mr. Hubbard, who for many years
had charge of the neighbouring gardens at
Blythewood. During the dozen or so of years
Mr. lien in was in charge of the Dropmori I
dens he propagated it and gave freely of this
plant to any me who expressed a wi-h foi
that it one tune, though not boomed, it was
widely grown. A. C. Bartlett.

Cupressus lusitanica (Cedar of Goa). —

Some years ago a young specimen of this species
was planted by Mr. Marks, the late gardener at
Hardwick House, Bury St. Edmunds When I
had the pleasure of visiting these well-cared-for
gardens in 1903 the tree was about 6 feet in
height, and had evidently made considerable
growth during that and the previous season. It
would be interesting to know if the plant sur-
vived the rather severe weather of last January.
In Veitch's Manual of Conifcra a tree is re-
corded as " over 33 feet in height, in perfect
health and vigour, growing in the grounds of
Mr. Thomas Acton, Kilmacurragh, in the county
of Wicklow." Two other reputedly tender
varieties, growing in the pinetum here, and
which somewhat resemble C. lusitanica, viz.,
C. Benthamii, and its var. Knightiana, came
through last winter quite uninjured. /. Cornier,
Xymans Gardens, Handcross, Crawley, Si:

Black Scab or Warty Disease cf
Potatos. — I have just investigated a verv severe
outbreak of Black Scab in Potatos upon about a
dozen allotment gardens near Carlisle, and have
also had information regarding it from another
centre. The disease was first reported in this
country from Cheshire and the neighbourhood of
Liverpool, about 1901, although it had formerly
been observed attacking Beetroot in the grounds
of the School of Agriculture at Rouiba, near
Algiers. During 1901-2 it was very fully investi-
gated at Kew and at the Armstrong College.
This disease, which is the work of the fungus
Chrysophlyctis endobiotica, causes large warty
excrescences to protrude from the "eyes" of
the Potato tubers ; these outgrowths are, in
some cases, quite as large as the tuber itself,
and may even entirely surround it. In general
appearance the attack much resembles that of

the well-known "finger and toe " of Turnips;
indeed, the resemblance does not end here, for
it has also much of the virulence of the latter's
attack, and the soil may be infected for
some years to come. Regarding this. Professor
Pi tter, of the Armstrong College, who investi-
gated the disease in 1901, in an interesting ac-
i "int of his experiments with this disease, pub-
lished in the 9th volume of the Journal of the
Board of Agriculture, writes : " The parasite
can thus be propagated by means of spores in
the soil, and when once it has been established,
can maintain itself over the winter and mfect
the crop in succeeding years." The attack is,
therefore, one requiring very prompt attention.
Wherever there is reason to suspect an attack,
the following preventive measures should be
taken: (1) Burn all diseased tops and tubers;
(2) be careful not to plant diseased sets; (3) do
not sow Beetroot on infected land as this
is also liable and may carry the attack on to
another year; (4) if at all possible, do not plant
Potatos on infected land for the space ol two
years ; where this is not practicable, then about
the middle of February dress the infected area
with gaslime, at the rate of lib. to the square
yard, leaving this dressing on the surface of the
land until the beginning of April, when it may
be dug in and a crop planted. The gaslime is
ineffective if applied in the autumn, as the win-
ter resting spores of the parasite are covered by
very thick coats, but as the spores germinate
in the spring, the tender mycelium is readily
destroyed by an application at that time.
Quii klime may be applied shortly before plant-
ing at the rate of Mb. to the square yard, but
this is said to be less effective than gaslime.
The Board of Agriculture have recently pub-
lished a leaflet on the disease, which may be had
on application at the offices of the B'oard, 4,
Whitehall Place, London. /. G. Murray, /.,.-
turcr in Horticulture, Armstrong College] New-
castle-upon-Tync. [The disease was illustrated
in these pages on October is, 1905, under the
name of Oedomyces leproides. — Ed.]

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
SUMMER PRUNING.

October 15. — A discussion on the "Summer
Pruning of Fruit Trees " took place before the
Scientific Committee of the R.H.S. on the above
date.

The Chairman, Mr. A. E. Bowles, in intro-
dui ing the subject for discussion, pointed out
that the subject of summer pruning of fruit trees
is one upon which there is much difference of
opinion and much variety of practice among
fruit growers. It, therefore, becomes important
to collate the experience of the practical grower
and the results obtained by those who have
made the matter a subject of careful experiment,
in order that a rational system of procedure may
be laid down for the benefit of the fruit-growing
industry in the country, and that those points
which are still obscure may be defined so that
they may the better be made a matter for future
experiment. The principal points upon which
it seems desirable to obtain evidence are, the
bearing upon the question of the form of the
tree dealt with, the nature of the stock upon
which it is grafted, the nature of the root svs-
tem developed, the nature of the varietv, the
method of pruning adopted in the winte'r, the
age of the tree, the character of the scil, and the
character of the season both before and after the
pruning is done.

Mr. II. Somers Rivers said: Whether an
Apple or Pear tree be summer and winter pruned,
or winter pruned only, makes net a particle of
difference, as far as I can see, to the buds at the
base of the current year's shoots. They are not
changed from long into dwarf shoot producers,
because the shoot on which they are borne has
been shortened a few weeks earlier or later.

Summer pruning is beneficial because it lets
the light and air into a tree, exposing the fruit
to the evening dews and the summer sun, enab-
ling it to develop its full colour and beauty.
The root system and branch system are closely
correlated, and in their mutual relations the
former is the dominant partner.

300

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

By using dwarfing stocks which develop a
multitude of small, fibrous roots, we obtain trees
with a diminished growth vigour and a corre-
sponding increase of dwarf shoots. Root prun-
ing has the same object and effect. Fed by the
roots of the sturdy Crab or Pear stock, the
Apple or Pear builds up a larger framework, and
the tree devotes its energies more or less to this
until its vegetative vigour slackens and it has
attained its full size. An old orchard standard
is usually somewhat like an open umbrella,
boughs and branches answering to the supports
and ribs, leaves and fruits to the silk envelope,
each of the latter exposed as fully as possible
to the light.

Nature summer prunes. In a cold, sunless
period, aphides multiply amazingly, especially
on the shoot tips. The tree cannot grow away
from them. They curl up the leaves, reducing
their breathing and shade area ; they appropriate
to themselves the sap which the tree sends up
for the further development of the shoots and
leaves.

Ordinary summer pruning makes the trees in
a garden look neater, and, as has been said
before, lets in the light and air to the fruit. It
is possible there may be a result something ana-
logous to root-pruning in the suppression of so
many leaves, and the ensuing check to, or,
rather, diversion of, the activities of the tree.
This could no doubt be ascertained by direct
experiment during a number of years.

With Peaches and Nectarines, which bear
their fruits along shoots the year after they
have been formed, the case is different. These
trees are always necessarily subjected to a much
more artificial treatment than the hardier fruit
trees. For them, too, we have, as yet, no dwarf-
ing stocks.

The shoots must be stopped ; the buds behind
this point then get the benefit of the food which
would otherwise be employed in the lengthening
of the shoot.

Mr. Spencer Pickering, F.R.S., Director of the
"Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm, said: Such
remarks as I may make in contribution to the
c'iscussion on this subject must be prefaced by
the statement that it is a subject on which no
■very complete experiments have yet been made
at Woburn, and it is one, therefore, on which I
■wish to speak with considerable diffidence. It
is true that two or three of our experimental
plots of 18 bush Apple trees each have been sub-
jected to summer pruning for the last 13 years,
but two or three experiments were quite inade-
quate for any complete examination of the sub-
ject ; whilst other more extensive experiments
have not been in progress long enough to admit
of any conclusions being drawn from them. The
results, however, which have been obtained at
the farm on the subject of pruning in general
are calculated to throw some light on the more
special question of summer pruning.

One of the general conclusions from our prun-
ing experiments, which have been dealt with at
length in the Seventh Report,* is that in oppo-
sition to the popular opinion on the subject, the
pruning of a healthy growing tree results in a
diminution of the amount of new wood formed
as unnatural, either by the increase in size or
V»eight of the tree, or by the length or weight of
the new shoots. The harder the pruning the
.greater is this diminution : as compared with
moderately pruned trees, those which had been
•- Hitmuously hard pruned were nearly 20 per
cent, smaller, whereas those which were left im-
pruned were about 20 per cent, larger. It cer-
tainly cannot be a matter of surprise that the
removal of any essential portion of an organism
should, under normal conditions, result in a
check to the natural growth of that organism,
and this check should be all the greater if the
part is removed whilst it is still functioning
actively, i.e., if the pruning is practised in sum-
mer. Such evidence as exists indicates that this
is so, and shows that pruning in summer checks
the growth of the tree much more than pruning
at any other time of the year. The experiments
win h illustrate this point most clearly are .some
in which very hard pruning, or cutting back, was
done on similar trees at different times in the
year (see Seventh Report, p. 37). Trees cut back
at various dates during the dormant season,
Kovember to April, all behaved similarly as

* Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1007 : the Fifth Report
■/>) deals more fully with the results up to that
date from the summer-pruned plots

regards their subsequent growth, but when cut
back in summer (the middle of July), the amount
of growth made by the end of the season was
only one-fifth of that of the other trees ; and
the evil effects were not confined to the one
season only, for in the succeeding season these
trees still produced only three-quarters of the
wood produced by those which had been cut
back during the dormant season, and they were
otherwise deficient in health and vigour. Cutting
back quite early in the summer (middle of May)
produced similar, but much less serious, results.
Other experiments on cutting back young,
freshly-planted trees are leading to like con-
clusions, but the actual figures cannot yet be
given.

Ample evidence has been brought forward in
our Seventh Report to show that branch prun-
ing generally, when done in autumn, is inimical
to heavy cropping, but it does not follow that
this will be so with summer pruning ; indeed,
the object of summer pruning is to increase crop-
ping, and on account of the check produced by
it on wood formation, it is easy to see that such
a result should, or may, follow. The removal
of a portion of any shoot which is in a state
of activity will divert the flow of sap to the buds
on that portion of the shoot left, and these, in
consequence, will start developing. This de-
velopment may take one of two directions : it
may proceed only sufficiently far to nourish the
dormant buds and convert them into future
fruit buds, or it may proceed far enough to
force the buds into growth. The latter effei t 1-,
of course, the reverse of what is desired, since it
will result in the formation of numerous small
shoots, which will not have time to ripen and
will have to be cut away in the following
autumn.

Whether summer pruning will bring about the
desirable or the undesirable result would appear
to depend on so many circumstances that any
general statement in the matter, or the predic-
tion of the event, would seem to be an impossi-
bility, and this would account for the diversity
of opinion which is held on the subject. Clearly
the vigour with which a tree is growing at the
time will determine whether the buds at the base
of the shoots will be forced into activity or not,
and the vigour of growth depends on many
things : on the variety of the tree dealt with,
the nature of its root stock, and the age and
character of the individual tree ; also on the
position and sturdiness of the branch pruned,
the extent to which the pruning has been car-
ried, and the time at which the pruning has
been done, as well as on the condition as to
moisture of the soil in which the tree is grow-
ing, and the character of the weather following
the operation. This last circumstance, above all
others, would appear to render the results of
summer pruning uncertain, even in the hands
of the most skilful.

It would seem that the summer pruning of any
shoots which are growing vigorously should be
avoided, if the object in view is the formation
of fruit buds, and the operation, therefore,
should be confined to the weaker shoots, which
will generally be side shoots : such pruning is
more appropriately termed summer pinching,
and, as it is desirable to have the fruit spurs
as near the base of the shoots as possible, it
seems clear that the pinching should be close,
leaving not more than three or four buds on the
shoot, for it is only the buds nearest to the cut
which appear to be affected by the pruning.
To avoid starting the basal buds into growth, the
pinching should evidently be done late in the
season, though the actual time at which it will
be most successful must vary very much with
the character of the trees, and that of the season
in question..

In the experiments which have recently been
started at Woburn, the influence of the date of
summer pruning is being investigated on a
number of different varieties of Apples and
Pears, the dates selected ranging from the
middle of July to the beginning of September.
In the few experimemts which have been in pro-
gress there since 1894 the summer pruning had
been done in August, and the general results
obtained are entirely negative in character,
neither the size of the trees nor the weight of
the crops showing any appreciable difference
when compared with similar trees which have
been subjected to moderate autumn pruning
only [loc. cit.). In 1906, however, the crops from
the summer-pruned plots were very much below

the average, but only one of the three varieties
under investigation (Bramley) fruited that year.
Although the present size of the summer-pruned
and winter-pruned trees is the same, it is not
possible to affirm that the wood formation has
been identical, for the prunings have not been
weighed. From the results cbtained with very
severe pruning and cutting back in summer, it
would appear that even moderate summer prun-
ing must decrease somewhat the wood forma-
tion.

In illustration of the great variation of results
produced by differences in soil, I may quote a
letter received some time ago from Mr. F. W.
Moore, of the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. He
says : " Within a radius of 15 miles from this,
the conditions are quite different. Here if I do
not summer prune — or, I should say, summer
pinch, for I never remove more than two eyes
in summer — I get a number of blind eyes at
the base, and if I cut hard enough in spring to
make these eyes break, I only get growths, and
not spurs. The soil here is a poor light loam,
shallow, and resting on limestone gravel. At
Straffan, about 15 miles from this, on a cool,
stiff clay near the river, Mr. Bedford finds that
if he summer prunes he gets too much rank
growth, and that the eyes break well even after
a light winter pruning. We have often com-
pared results. He suffers from too much
moisture as a rule ; I suffer from too much
drought.'*

The more serious operation of summer pruning
proper, as contrasted with summer pinching,
may doubtless have some inhibitory effect on
the growth of the tree similar to that which
followed from the hard pruning in summer in
the case of the Woburn experiments already
quoted. It can only be in exceptional cases that
such stunting of a tree can ever be desirable,
and, whatever the immediate effect on the fruit-
ing may be, it is probable that it will result in
a diminution of the total crops borne by the
tree in its lifetime. It is clear, too, that with
such summer pruning there is always a great risk
of getting a thicket of useless growth and a con-
siderable reduction of fruit. It would seem,
therefore, that summer pruning proper should
only be applied to vigorously growing branches
in cases where it is desirable to check their
growth for the sake of improving the balance
of the tree.

Perhaps it is legitimate to raise the question
as to how far summer pruning, even when it
accomplishes all that is expected of it, is really
desirable. All that it can do is to increase the
blossom buds on a tree, but that does not neces-
sarily increase the fruiting, and it may even have
the opposite effect. Probably in nine cases out
of ten a deficiency of crop, in the case of a tree
which has come to maturity, is not due to
deficiency of flowering, but to the destruction of
the blossoms by frost or living pests, or to the
imperfect fertilisation, or setting, of the fruit.
Numerous cases may be noticed every year in
which trees which seemed rather deficient in
flower have yielded as much fruit as they could
well carry, and others in which there has been
excessive flowering, followed by little or no fruit.
Excessive flowering also often leads to reduction
in the value of a crop by the strain which it
puts on the resources of the tree. This is very
noticeable with Lord Grosvenor and some other
Apples. A row of 20 large bush trees of this
variety, which have been under my immediate
observation, have offered a conspicuous example
in point this year. About half of them had very
little blossom, but yielded eventually a good
paying crop of fine fruits, the trees being
throughout the season in a good, healthy con-
dition ; the other half of the trees flowered so
profusely, and the fruit set so well, that the trees
have been quite exhausted and almost killed ;
and, in spite of the most ruthless thinning, the
Apples never swelled and the crop was worthless.
In fact, with many varieties it is a reduction,
and not an increase, of the blossom buds which
is required to assure a paying crop, and this is
recognised in the case of trained trees, where
persistent summer pruning often multiplies tie
fruit buds to such an extent that disbudding has
to be resorted to.

Mr. A. H. Pearson, Lowdham, Notts, (whose
paper was kindly read in his absence by
his brother, Mr. C. E. Pearson), said : In accept-
ing your invitation to write a short paper upon
" Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees," I fear I have
done wrong, for science, it would seem, asks

October 26, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

301

for a large number of data which the ordinary
practical pruner has not made himself familiar
with, and the facts accepted by science have
frequently to be demonstrated by a long and
wide series of experiments which many of us
have not the leisure to undertake. However, if
any remarks of mine are likely to be of the least
service I shall only be too pleased to give them.

At the onset I would say that summer pruning,
as it is often understood, is, I think, perhaps the
most mischievous practice which fruit growers
undertake, and the cause of more dismal failures
than any other operation in the fruit garden.
What I advocate is summer pinching, which is
done by taking off the points of growing shoots
when they have made some five or six leaves,
or, say, from 4 to 6 inches of wood, when the
shoots break again from the top bud, pinch back
to two more leaves, which will be all that is
necessary in the ordinary season, but in a wet
summer a third pinching may be required.

The shoots treated in this way are of course
side shoots ; the leading shoots will in many
cases need no stopping in the summer. The
object of this pinching is to keep the side growths
from becoming too strong, and to cause the
basal buds to plump up and subsequently de-
velop into fruit buds. The word subsequently
applies to such fruits as Pears, Apples, &c, for
in the case of small fruits — Gooseberries and
Currants — the buds will develop the first season.
The winter pruning of these side shoots depends
much upon the age and condition of the tree,
but on all young and vigorous trees every side
shoot should be left from four to five buds in
length, according to the habit of the tree and
whether the variety has buds placed far apart or
more closely together ; if pruned in this way the
top bud, and probably the second, will make
growth, thus providing an outlet for the vigorous
sap of the tree, whilst the lower buds will
remain almost dormant and will make the little
rosette of leaves which plainly foretells a bloom
bud next season. When bloom buds are formed .
and fully developed at the lower part of the shoot
and not before, the shoots may be shortened back
to such bloom buds in order to keep the spurs
close to the leading branches and so to ensure a
full supply of sap and also to prevent over
crowding.

Summer pruning, as often practised, consists
in letting all side shoots grow wild, and then
in cutting them back to within two or three buds
of the leading branch which carries them ; by
this method all the side shoots get very strong,
and the vast majority of the buds left after prun-
ing make vigorous growth either in the following
spring or, as is quite as often the case during
a growing season, the growth is made the same
autumn. The result is much the same as that
obtained by clipping a Hawthorn hedge in July
and again at Christmas. I believe there is a
Scotch saying, " Saw ye ever haws on a clippit
hedge," and most certainly one rarely sees
fruit on the thousands of almost solid pyramids
which are to be seen in British gardens, almost
as handsome as the Continental bay trees and
useful to form shelters for blackbirds' nests.

Summer pinching, as described, is proper for
all kinds of fruit trees which form fruiting spurs
— Apples, Pears, Plums, and Cherries, with ex-
ception of the Morello class, and also for cordon
and trained Gooseberries and Red and White
Currants, whilst Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots,
and Morello Cherries fruit on the young wood,
and the pinching of these is confined to stopping
hard those shoots which will not be required for
laying in, or any which threaten to upset the
balance of the tree by too vigorous growth. If
pinching be practised, the knife will only be
required to cut out the wood which has carried
a crop of fruit, and gumming will be much less
seen than where the knife is used more freely.
This is most marked in the case of young trees ;
it was formerly the custom of nurserymen to
grow their one-year trees of these fruits, which
are termed maidens, in a natural manner, and
they made upright bushes 3 or 4 feet in height,
which, when required for training, were cut back
the following season to some 12 or lj inches
from the soil in order to make them branch out
from the lower buds ; this severe pruning often
caused gumming, and to avoid this we now
pinch out the lead of the trees which are wanted
for training, and so cause the buds to break the
first season. The resulting shoots are tied out,
and the foundation of a trained tree is secured

the first season, which is a gain, but the great
point is that gumming is almost unknown upon
trees treated in this manner.

Now as to the form of tree which should be
summer pinched, one naturally turns first to the
single cordon as an example of the tree which
must be so treated ; then we take all wall and
espalier trees of those fruits which bear on spurs,
and we say that the side branches of horizontally
trained trees are only cordons growing laterally
from the main stem ; double cordons, palmettes
and Verrier's palmettes are, of course, only
duplications of the single cordon, and, lastly,
true pyramids are only single cordons springing
from the central axis of the main stem. Sui li
pyramids one rarely sees in this country, where
skilled pruners are scarce, and their labour
dear ; but in Belgium, where I learned my prun-
ing, every decent fruit garden can show grand
specimens of this style of pruning, especially of
Pears, trees of many years' standing, and carry-
ing crops of grand fruit to old age. In many
gardens in Britain, one finds Apple trees trained
in basin shape, and all the branches treated as

rdons, which carry fine exhibition fruit; and
m \\ i in rstershire there are hundreds of acres so
pruned, but as the trees get older and carry
heavy crops, they are only pruned once a year.

The great majority of growers for market do
very little pruning upon either standard or bush
fruit trees, after the first three or four yeai ,
beyond cutting out any dead or crossing brain hes,
but allow the trees to follow their own inclina-
ii' ms.

With regard to the value of summer pirn I
one has only to walk into the young quart'
a fruit tree nursery, and see three-year Apples
which have been pinched for cordons can
full crops of fruit, whilst the bushes amongst
which they are standing, and under prei
similar conditions otherwise, may have odd fruits
here and there. At the last R.ll.S. meeting,
Messrs. Veitch S Sons showed two-year cordon
Apples with 10 large fruits on each ; they could
not carry more, because there was no space to
stick them on. Again, how frequently one goes
into gardens where the wall trees run wild, with
summer growths from 1 to 2 feet long smother-
ing the trees, and fruit conspicuous by it- ab-
sence, or only to be found at the extreme end "I
the extension shoots. This is often because the
head gardener delights more in glass than in
hardy fruits, but more often because in these
dax- large gardens are terribly under-handed,
and there is no one to do the work at the proper
time. In these cases I always say, as soon as
the rush of early summer work — bedding and
what not — is over, run round the walls and
espaliers and break the side shoots back to 6
or 8 inches, leaving the broken portion hanging
on. This broken part will absorb a small
amount of sap, and so prevent the lower buds
from breaking into growth, but at the same time
there will be a sufficient check to throw the
sap into these lower buds, and plump them up
ready for forming fruit buds the following sea-
son. If the owners of the trees should object to
the untidy appearance of hundreds of broken
shoots hanging on the trees, the obvious remedy
is to provide labour to do the pinching earlier.

I fear I have failed to answer many of the
questions put to me, but it will, I think, be
clear that young trees, especially those growing
in rich soil and upon free stocks, will need more
attention in the way of summer pinching than
those which are older and less vigorous, or
worked upon dwarfing stocks, or growing in
less fertile soil.

In conclusion, I may say that pinching may
be too severe as well as pruning. Healthy trees
must have some outlet for the sap ; the extension
shoots will not take all the roots sent up, and
if one will pinch or prune too closely, the re-
maining buds must make wood growth in>;ead of
bloom. I was once asked to see the trees of an
amateur, who said he could obtain no fruit,
and after looking round his walls and espaliers,
I told him I had never seen trees better pruned.
He thought I was joking, and said that was only
his first pruning to allow the wood to ripen off,
and that he intended to go over them again and
shorten every side growth to two buds ; under
which treatment only complete exhaustion of
the trees would produce fruit buds.

Too close pinching or pruning, especially the
latter, is the great cause of our gardens being
fruitless, and the next great fau't is allowing

bunches of spurs to remain on older trees. Aft< i
fruit spurs are fully developed, they should be
pruned closely ; two or three bloom buds on a
side shoot, each bud capable of producing a
bunch of flowers and leaves, should suffice, but
many old trees will be found with a dozen or
more fruit buds on a side growth, the result
being that they smother one another out oi
existence.

Mr. YV. ■ Seabrook, Springfield Nurseries,
Chelmsford, said that he had learned to grow gcod
fruit by making mistakes and correcting them.
luiiity years ago, when he had first begun to
grow fruit, he read all there was to be read in
books upon the subject of pruning, and found
much diversity of statement, a condition of
things that persisted to this day, and he had
come to the conclusion that pruning could not
be learned from books. As a result of his ex-
perience, he had formed the opinion that if first-
class fruit was to be grown — and that was the
only kind for which there was a continual
demand at remunerative prices, and the only-
kind that was worth growing — severe pruning
both in winter and summer must be resorted to.
Dwarfing stocks must be used, and then fruit
will be formed and grow well early in the life of
the tree, and the tree will keep on fruiting. lie
had at one time tried the method of breaking
down the laterals, and had come to the conclu-
sion that it was far better to remove them all
I ig< i her, because it they were left hanging, they
shaded the rest of the shoots, and a considerablt-
part of the benefit that was to be derived from
summer pruning was lost. He had been told
that the trees so treated would not last Iongi
but he thought it better to have 20 years' fruit
to start with, even if after that time the trees
wanted to be renewed, rather than to wait 15
years while the trees were growing before he had
any fruit at all. Many people advocated pruning
back to within six buds of the base of the shoot,
but he considered that not to be sufficiently far.
as the fruit buds that would develop on the shorl
as the result of that treatment would be too far
from the branch. He found that the basal buds.
were quite unaffected if the shoots were left as
long as that. They should be pruned back to
three buds ; then usually the highest of these
would develop into a vi gi t dive bud, the middle
one would remain dormant, and the basal one
would either in the same season or in the suc-
ceeding one become a fruit bud. If the tree was
in too vigorous a condition, the second bud
might develop into a shoot bud ; then he thought
was the time. to root prune the trees. The sub-
sequent development of the shoot left after
pruning gave a good indication of the state of
the root system, and showed well when n " it
pruning was necessary. He considered that the
best form of tree for growing good fruit on this
system was the open bush, or the single cordon,
when space was a greater consideration. The
late Dr. Bartrum had. during the closing years
of his life, resorted greatly to severe summer
and winter pruning, dealing even with his stan-
dard trees in this way, but Mr. Seabrook thought
that would be probably carrying the applica-
tion of the method too far. in the first six or
>even years of their life, however, even stan-
dard trees would benefit greatly by the treat-
ment.

Mr. F. W. Moore, Glasnevin, followed, and
upheld most of what had been said about sum-
mer pruning. He thought that this particular
subject was one that was particularly fitted to
come up for discussion before the Scientific
Committee of the society, as it was a subject
that was intimately connected with both the
practical and scientific aspects of plant physio-
logy, and much good should arise from the wed-
ding of the scientific enquiry with the experi-
ences of the practical man. He thought that a
considerable amount of the difference of opinion
expressed upon the subject by growers arose
from the fact that the expression " summer prun-
ing :; was often misconstrued, and many had
insisted upon the term " summer pinching " as
being the more accurate one. He considered, how-
ever, that the process was properly called prun-
ing, and that all such operations as the pinching
and thinning of shoots should be included under
the same term. He insisted upon the principle
that no general rule could be laid down for the
treatment of all trees, but that several things
should be taken into consideration. The nature
of the stock should be considered ; the variety of
fruit grown should also be nsidered. For

30:

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

instance, the varieties Early Victoria, Lord
Grosvenor, and Stirling Castle he had found, if
severely summer pruned, gave too much fruit,
while, on the other hand, such Apples as Bis-
marck and Blenheim Orange called for much
more severe treatment. He spoke in eulogistic
terms of the Belgian system of pruning, and
advocated the open bush as the best form of tree
for giving the greatest amount of first-class fruit
from the smallest space. He thought that judi-
cious summer pruning would go a long way to
avoid the necessity of heavy winter pruning.

Mr. Smith, of Loddington, was the next
speaker. He said he could add very little to the
remarks that had been made by the previous
speakers, but he would like to emphasise the
advice that had been given to thin the trees out
well, and to shorten the lateral shoots back to
three buds in the summer. He thought, too,
that each variety should be considered sepa-
rately, and each requires different pruning from
the others, giving as instances of this the fact
that Bismarck should be severely pruned, while
Worcester Pearmain should be thinned only. He
pointed out the necessity for admitting all the
light and air possible into the tree, and said
that the pruning should be done from all round
the tree, not from one side onlv.

Mr. F. J. Baker, A.R.C.S., thought that there
was need to investigate the conditions under
which the bud may be made to form a fruit
instead of a shoot, and suggested that the pres-
ence of a considerable amount of nitrogenous
manure in the soil would tend rather to the
formation of shoot buds than to that of fruit
buds. He considered that many of the previous
speakers had suggested the carrying out of the
operation under discussion at a period too late
in the year, and thought that twisting the shoot
some little distance above its point of origin was
a better practice than actually removing the
whole of the portion of the shoot that was con-
sidered undesirable. He had found that by
carrying out this operation in the first week in
June that there was an unmistakable develop-
ment of fruit buds at the base of the shoot
operated upon towards the end of July.

Mr. Chas. Foster, of Reading, considered that
the balance between the root and branch system
could be better kept up by lifting the tree at
frequent intervals than by doing so much prun-
ing. Each variety should be treated upon its
merits, but he thought that severe summer prun-
ing was not to be advocated.

Mr. W. H. Divers sent a branch of an Apple
tree of the variety Bismarck heavily laden with
somewhat small fruits, showing the result of
omitting both summer and winter pruning in
1906. The tree was bearing a heavy crop on the
top, so that it was really breaking down with
the weight. Several of the speakers referred to
the branch in the course of their remarks, and
regarded it as a good illustration of an unde-
sirable state of things, since many small fruits
had been secured instead of a few of much better
quality, and these in a part of the tree that was
not easily dealt with, and where they were
greatly exposed to the wind.

THE HORTICULTURAL CLUB.
"A CAMPING TOUR FROM DAMASCUS
TO PETRA IN ARABIA."
On Tuesday, the 15th inst., the Horticultural
Club resumed its monthly dinners at the Hotel
Windsor, Mr. Harry J. Veitch occupying the
chair, and a large number of members and
guests attending for the purpose of hearing a
lecture on the above subject, delivered by Mr.
Arthur W. Sutton, of Reading. Although the
lecturer did not touch at all upon the botanical
interest of his journey, his hearers were de-
lighted by his graphic comments on no fewer
than a hundred beautifully-coloured slides illus-
trating the journey of himself and his small
party from Beyrout via Damascus to the re-
mains of Petra. Petra, for many centuries, was
utterly unknown to occidental travellers, and
until a few years ago could only be visited at
imminent risk of life, owing to predatory
Bedouins. I'.ven now, under the immensely
improved conditions, this ruined city can only be
reached after considerable and costly arrange-
ments with the powers that be, authoritative and
nomadic, on the line of route. Even the rail-
way, which covers a great part of the distance,
is normally traversed by trains which can only
be described as mere cattle trucks, and, when

crowded by natives, they become intoler-
able to visitors. It is only, therefore, by great
favour and by the giving of backsheesh in many
forms, that Petra can even now be reached,
though Messrs. Cook and Son, for the first time,
have planned out a tour to Petra which will take
place in April next.

Marvellous as are the evidences scattered
about the world of vanished communities whose
edifices, religious and other, are found in
ruins in spots which are now depopulated
deserts, those of Petra must undoubtedly rank
among the most striking, and are, indeed, in many
respects, unique. By the aid of scores of faith-
fully-coloured photographic slides, mainly taken
by himself, the visitors were enabled to mentally
follow Mr. Sutton on horseback through the chaos
of brilliantly-red sandstone rocks and hills amid
which Petra was, we cannot say built, but sculp-
tured. It is approached through a deep, narrow
canon a mile and a half long, and but a few
yards wide, with lugged, perpendicular sides
hundreds of feet in height, which has been ex-
cavated by a small river through the crimson
sandstone. After a series of views depicting
this canon in varied aspects, in deep shadow for
the main part, but this invariably contrasted
with a glimpse of intense blue sky above and a
dash of brilliant sunlight, absolutely dazzling to
the eye as it strikes on the rich crimson and
scarlet of the upper cliffs, visitors saw facing
them, and apparently closing the chasm, a
totallv unexpected glimpse of a magnificent
facade of a temple which is hewn wholly out of
the solid rock. The next view exhibited the
front of this temple, the immense size of which
is evidenced by the apparently pigmy nature of
the party on horseback and on foot assembled at
its entrance. One of the most striking features,
amongst many, is the advanced artistic and
architectural character of not only this temple,
but the scores of others that were shown. One
of these, being unfinished, afforded an idea how,
the site being chosen, the rock was cut away and
excavated bit by bit until eventually the entire
edifice was sculptured out in bold relief, pre-
cisely as the sculptor evolves the statue from
the marble block.

At the ancient (ireek city of Jerash or Gerasa,
about half-way between Damascus and Petra,
an immense amphitheatre was shown, capable
of accommodating many thousands of specta-
tors, mile-long lines of magnificent Ionic
columns, the remains of former palaces, temples,
&c, indicate the site of a great city, now a
desert plain. Petra itself has its amphitheatre
on similar colossal lines, indicating, as does
the infinity of architectural work effected, an
immense population, and yet even the few
natives which people the vicinity know nothing,
even by tradition, of the past splendour, or of
the commerce which must have been associate 1
with it. On most of the slides could be seen
evidences of a sparse vegetation, which in most
cases, and especially about the temples, was
composed of Oleander shrubs.

Mr. Sutton concluded his admirable and
remarkable exhibition and lecture by quot-
ing some of the references to Petra and other
places visited, which are undoubtedly indicated
in the Bible, whence it would appear that Petra
was inhabited by the descendants of Esau, and
suffered innumerable vicissitudes of fortune in
the conflicts between the tribe of Fdom (Esau)
and the rest of the Israelites. The last slide
was taken from a beautiful picture of a French
artist, depicting the descent of Joseph, Mary,
and the infant Christ into Egypt as a fitting ac-
companiment to some remarks of Mr. Sutton on
the salutary influence of a visit to the Holy
Land on the wavering mind as regards belief
in the Christian religion.

Mr. Harry J. Veitch, in a felicitous speech,
proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Sutton, and
this was seconded by Sir Albert Rollit, LL.D ,
who said the address had been a spectacular
one, illustrated by what he might call, from
their subjects, petrified pictures. It had re-
called a similar journey of his own, when, leav-
ing Cyprus, he crossed to Beyrout, on the
Syrian coast, and rode thence over the Lebanon
to Damascus, and through Syria. As Mr. Sut-
ton had so vividly described, everything was of
interest in that "Nearer East" — the vast Fir and
the ("aroub trees of Cyprus — the wonderful
florescence of the slopes of the Lebanon and
Anti-Lebanon in the early spring, equalled onlv
by those above Smyrna, in Asia Minor. The

Purple Valley; the magnificence of Mount Her-
mon ; the Gardens of Damascus ; the ruins of
temples and cities, were all sights to see. Mr.
Sutton had enabled him to see all this again,
which, by-the-bye, he had nearly been pre-
vented doing, for, as he rode over the Lebanon
on his return, he was very nearly lost in a
storm, and in deep snow, near the summit. Mr.
Sutton had made a remark about backsheesh.
Well, this was a nuisar.ee ; but, after all, in the
East it did not amount to much, generally a
few words in Arabic sufficed — Bukra fil mish-
mish — which meant, " There will be Apricots
to-morrow," or, proverbially, " Christmas is
coming." Life in the Lebanon was nowadays
comparatively safe, and the improvement in the
country in recent years immense, while the
Order of St. John, through its Ophthalmic Hos-
pital, the colleges of Beyrout, and other tem-
poral, not less than spiritual, missionary work
having done much to eradicate the fearful
scourge of ophthalmia and other sources of
misery and conflict.

Mr. Sutton, in response to a strongly ex-
pressed request, promised to exhibit another
series of slides from Palestine at a future date.

PROPOSED UNION OF HORTICUL-
TURAL MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT
SOCIETIES.

October 18. — In respons; to an invitation
issued by the Council of the Royal Horticultural
Society, and published in our issue for Oct. 5,
p. 249, there was a large gathering of representa-
tives of Mutual Improvement societies in th;'
Vincent Square Lecture Hall on the after-
noon of the above date, to discuss the
proposals put forward by the Council with
respect to the formation of the proposed
union and the general rules or principles which
would guide its constitution and work. Sir
Albert Rollit, a member of the Council, pre-
sided, and was supported by the Rev. YY. Wilks,
secretary, and Mr. A. J. Gaskell, assistant secre-
tary. The special aims of the Council in
relation to the formation of the union — a work
the Society had been invited from outside to
undertake — were set forth in a paper distributed
to the delegates, and included the following sug-
gestions : — That there be kept at Vincent Square
a register of the Improvement societies, and
also a register of competent lecturers willing
to address the members of these societies ;
that copies of the respective societies' rules
and cards of arrangements for each season
be deposited at Vincent Square; that the
foregoing registers be open to inspection by duly
appointed officers of the respective societies ;
that an annual conference of the societies' dele-
gates be held at Vincent Square ; that a series of
typewritten lectures, with lantern slides to illus-
trate them, be prepared and let on loan at very
moderate cost to the societies ; and that the pay-
ment of an annual fee of 5s. by a society, with
adherence to the above conditions, should con-
stitute affiliation to the union. It was further
shown that the primary objects aimed at were
to strengthen existing societies, to increase their
numbers, to promote interchange of lecturers,
and other purposes already described. These
various proposals were warmly discussed, repre-
sentatives of numerous societies offering sug-
gestions of various descriptions. In relation to
the affiliation fee, it was suggested that societies
affiliated to the K.I IS. by a payment of one
guinea annually should be exempt from paying
the 5s. fee. The secretary thought the council
would agree to that proposal. Some delegates
wished the conference could meet annually on
the first day of the October Fruit Show, but
that was held to be impossible. After general
discussion, the Rev. W. Wilks gave a clear reply
all round, and made the relations the union
would hold to the Royal Horticultural Society to
be readily understood.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Borough of Croydon Chrysanthemum Society's twen-
tieth exhibition, to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday..
October 29, 30, 1907, at the Public Halls, Croydon. Secretary,
Mr. W. B. Beckett, " Woodcote," Purley.

Devizes Benevolent Society's annual Chrysanthemum
Show and Bazaar, to be held in the Corn Exchange, Devizes,
nn Tuesday, November 12, 1907. Hon. secretary, Mr. A. J-
Randell, Exchange Place, Devizes.

October 26, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

303

tEHMuarj).

Alexander Aikman. — Many of our readers
will regret to hear of the death of Mr. Alex.
Aikman, business manager of The Garden news-
paper. Deceased was engaged at his usual
duties at the office on the 15th inst., and death
took place at his residence, Barnes, on the 19th
inst., from heart-failure following upon pneu-
monia. Mr. Aikman was a son of Mr. R.
Aikman, formerly head gardener at Duns Castle,
Berwickshire. In 1893 he came south, and
served for a period in the Marquis of Bute's
gardens at Cardiff Castle, under the late Mr.
Andrew Pettigrew. From Cardiff, Mr. Aikman
went as a journeyman to the Royal Gardens,
ICew, and leaving Kew in December, 1895, he
filled a position for a short time in the nurseries
of Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons, Nottingham.
Following this appointment he became corre-
spondence clerk in the offices of Messrs. Jas.
Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea, where he remained
until about nine years ago, when he was ap-
pointed business manager for the horticultural
department of Country Life. Subsequently, on

THE LATE ALEXANDER AIKMAN.

the purchase of The Garden by Messrs. Xewnes,
Mr. Aikman managed the business side of this
paper also. The deceased's body was removed
from Barnes on Tuesday night last to Duns for
interment. Numerous friends attended at King's
Cross to witness the departure, including about
40 members of the London Scottish Volunteers,
of which corps Mr. Aikman was an enthusiastic
member. Deceased, who leaves a widow and
child, the latter but 18 months old, was much
respected by all who knew him, and every sym-
pathy will be felt for the bereaved widow.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Mr. R. Moore, for 3 years general Foreman to Lord
O'Hagan, Pyrgo Park, Romford, Essex, and previously
for 2 years at Knole Park Gardens, Sevenoaks, as
Gardener to Mr. Mayo Robson, The Manor House,
Moulsford, Wallingford, Berkshire.

Mr. F. Burgess, for the past 12 months outside Foreman at
Bramham Park, Boston Spa, Yorks, as Gardener to
H. Preston, Esq., The Grange, Moss Flatts Park,
Leeds, Yorkshire.

Mr. H. G. Luckhurst, for the past 5J years Gardener to Sir
John Edwards N'os;, Bart., Thamesfield, Henley-on-
Thames, as Garc'ener to the same gentleman at Roby
Hall, Torquay, South Devon. (Two shillings has been
placed in R.G.O.F. Box.)

Mr. Thomas Harrison, for the past 2i years Gardener at
Crowton Vicarage, and previously 5 years at Hartford
Grange, as Gardener to Colonel Langford Brook, Esq.,
Mere New Hall, Knurford, Cheshire. He commenced
his new duties on the 14th inst.

Mr. T. Woodward, until recently in the gardens at
Eastcott, Kingston Hill, Surrev, as Gardener to
W. Burnett, Esq., Park View. Kingston Hill, Surrey.
(One shilling has been placed in R.G.O.F. Box.)

Mr. E. H. Gibson, lately Foremar m Surrenden Park
Gardens, Pluckley, Kent, as Gardener to Baron de
Tuvll, Ashleigh, Virginia Water, Surrey.

Mr. J. Barleycorn, formerly of St. Osyth Priory, as
Gardener to A. H. Stanford, Esq., Beaumont Hall,
Weeley R.S.O.

MARKETS.

Cut Flowers, &c

4 0- G 0
1

1 0- 2 G

10 0-12 0

10-20

CO VENT GARDEN, October 23.
[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
maniples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — En.]

Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d.

2 0-30 Lilium longiflorum 2 0- -j. .;

1 0- 2 U — tigrinuin ... 16-20

Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches 4 0-60

— extra quality ... 8 0 12 0
Marguerites, w lute,

p. dz. bunches 2 0-30

— yellow, per dz.
bunches ... 2 0-30

Mignonette, perdz.

bunches ... 2 0-30

O don toglossum

crispuui, pi r

dozen blooms 2 0-26
Pancratiums per

dozen fls. ... 2 0-30
Pelargoniums,

show, per dcz.

bunches ... 4 0-60

— Zonal, double
scarlet 4 0-60

Ranunculus, p. dz.

bunches ... 2 0-40
Roses, 12 blooms,

Niphetos ... 10-30

— Bridesmaid ... 2 0-30

— C. Testout ... 2 0-30

— General Jacque-
minot, per doz.
bunches ... 4 0-60

— Kaiseri n A.
Victoria, dozen
blooms ... 16-30

— Mrs. J. Laing 10-30

— ( Mermet ... 10-30

— Liberty ... 10-26

— Mad. Chatenay 10-30
Scabious, pet doz.

bunches ... 2 0-30
Statice, per dozen

bunches ... 2 6-30
Stephanotis, per

dozen trusses 3 0-50
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms ... 0 4- 0 G

Violets, per dozen

bunches ... 10-20

— special quality 2 G- 3 0

— Parinas, p. bch. 2 0-30

3 0
1 0

Anemones, dz bchs.
Asters, p. dz. bchs.
Eouvaidia.dz.bchs.
Calla a?tluopica, p.

dozen ...
Carnations, per

dozen blooms,

best American

various

— smaller, per
doz. bunches 9 0-12 0

Cattleyas, per doz

blooms
Chrysanthem urns

best blooms, p.

dozen

— small, per doz.
bunches

— maximum
Coreopsis, per doz.

bunches
Cornflower, per dz.

bunches
Cyclamen, per di ■■■■

bunches
Cypripediuins, per

dozen blooms..
Dahlias, doz. bchs.
Eucharis grandi-

flora, per doz.

blooms
Gaillardias, per dz.

bunches
Gardenia--, perdu/.

blooms

Gladiolus, various

hybrids, per dz.

spikes

— Brenchleyensis 2 0-30
Gypsophila elegans

p. dz. bunches
Heather, doz. bciis.
Lapageria alba, dz.
Lilac (French), per

bunch

Lilium auratum ...

— lanci f ol i uin,
r u br u m and
album

2 0-30

10-20

6 0-80

2 0-26
16-26

2 0-30
16-20

16-20

10-20

2 0-30

2 0-40
10-16

3 0-40
2 0-30

16-20

Cut Foliage, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiantum cuuea-
lum, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per doz.

bunches
Croton leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Fern, English, per

dozen bunches

— French, dozen
bunches

s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d.

Hardy foliage
I various), per
4 0-60 dozen bunches 2 0- G 0

Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-26

— long trails per
bundle 1 G- 3 0

— short green,

1 G- 2 0 doz. bunches... 2 0-30
0 6-10 Moss, per gross. ... 40-50

Myrtle (English),

2 0-26 small-leaved,
doz. bunches... 4 0-60

0 9-10 — French, dozen

16-20 bunches ... 10-16

Pernettya.p.bunch 0 9-10
Physalis Franchetii,

perdz. bunches 4 0- G 0
Smilax, p. dz. trails 16-26

Plants in Pots, &c. Average Wholesale Prices.

Ampelopsis Veit-
chii, per dozen

AraliaSieboldi, per
dozen

— larger

Araucaria excel sa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, per
dozen

Asparagus plumo-
' sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— ten u issi mus
per dozen

Begonia Gloire de
Lorraine, p. dz.

Bouvardias, perdz.

Chrysanthem urns,
per dozen

— best disbudded
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen
Crotons, per dozen
Cyclamen, per doz.
Cyperus alternifo-

lius, dozen

— laxus, per doz.
Orac^nas, perdoz.
Erica gracilis, doz.

— nivalis, per dz.

— hyemali?

s.d. s.d. j s.d. s.d.

Euonymus, per dz. 4 0-90
6 0-80 Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 7 0-10 0

4 0-60 — in small and

9 0-12 0 large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, perdz. 4 0-10 0
12 0-30 0 — in 32's, per dz. 10 0-19 0

Ficus elastica, per
18 0-30 0 dozen 8 0-10 0

— repens, per dz. 4 0-60
30 0-42 0 Fuchsias, per doz. 3 0-50

Kentia Belmore-
9 0-12 0 ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

9 0-12 0 — Fosteriana, per

dozen 18 0-24 0

9 0-12 0 Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
9 0-15 0 Lilium longi-
6 0-80 riorum, per dz. 12 0-24 0

— lancifo li urn,

5 0 9 0 per dozen . . 12 0-18 0
12 0 18 0 Lily of the Valley,

8 0-90 per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
12 0-18 0 Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 4 0-60

9 0-18 0 Pelargonium s,

12 0-30 0 Zonals, per dz. 4 0-60

12 0-18 0 Selaginella, per

dozen 4 0-60

4 0-50 Solanums, per doz. 60-90

4 0-50 Spiraea japonica,

9 0-24 0 | per do;en ... 6 0-10 0

10 0-12 0 J Verbena, Miss Will-

12 0-15 0 mott.perdozen 4 0-60

10 0-15 0 I Veronicas, per dz. 5 0-80

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices,
s.d s.d

■ 7 0

5 0
4 6
3 6-50

Apples (English),
per bu;ht_-l :
Bramley'sSeed-
ling 4 3-49

— Lord Derby ... 4 0-50

— Warner's King 4 0-49

— Lord Suffield 3 6-40

— E c k 1 i n v i 1 1 e
Seedling ... 3 9-46

— KeswickCodlin 2 3-30

— Peasgood's
Nonsuch

— King Pippins...

— Cox's Pomor.a

— Blenheim Pip-
pin

— Worcester
Pearmain,pr. *
sieve

— Beauty of Bath

— Gladstone

— Cox's Orange

Pippin

Nova Scotian :

— Gravenstein s,
per barrel

— ■ Ribstons

— Blenheims
Caltfoniian :

— Newtowns, per

box 13 6-14 6

Bananas, bunch:

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giants „ ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cranberries. p. case 10 0-10 G
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

Figs (Guernsey), p.
dozen

— Italian, box ...
Grape Fruit, case 14 6-18 G
Grapes (English),

Hambro's, p. lb. 0 4-10

— Alicante, per lb. 0 0- 1 0

— Gros Maroc,
per lb

— English Mus-
cats, per lb. ..

— Canon Hall,
per lb

— Belgian Ham-
bro's, per lb...

— Almeria, per
barrel

Lemons :

— Messina, case 12 0-14 0

— Naples, p. case 17 0 3D 0
I \ chees, per box... 10 —
Mangoes, per doz. 4 0-80
Melons (Guernsey),

each 0 8-20

— French, Rock,

each 2 6-30

3 G- 5 6

2 6-40
2 6-29

2 3-26

3 6-70

12 0-14 0
16 0-19 0
18 0-iiO 0

4 6 —

5 0-60

6 6-70

8 0 —
5 0-56
0 9-13

2 6-

0 9-10

1 ]- 1 a

0 8-

1 0

1 0-

3 0

2 0-

3 6

0 6-

0 9

0 0-20 0

S 0-
11 0-

12 n
17 0

12 0-

14 0

8 0-
1 0-

12 0
2 6

1 0-

2 3-

3 0
5 0

s.d s.d.
Melons, Canta-
loupe, each ... 0 4-05

— Valencia, ca=c 10 0-12 0
Nuts, Cobs (In f-

lish) perlb. ... 0 3J- 0 1
- 1 ilberts ... 0 2 —

— Walnuts(French),
dozen lbs. ... 4 6 —

— GrenoblesW, li-
mits, per bag... 7 6-80

— Almonds, bag 35 0-36 0

— Brazi in ■
perewt. ... 65 0-70 0

— Barcelona, per

bag 32 fi —

— Cocoa nuts. 100 12 0-17 0
Oranges (Austra-

lian), per 1"

— Naples, p. case

— Jam. in:. in, pi |

Peaches (English),
per 'i

1 i i quality ...
[2nd ,, ...
Pears (English), \
sieve ...

— per bushel

— French, Doy-
enne du Cornice,
per crate

— French, Louise
Bonne of Jer-
sey, per crate...

— Duchess d'An-
gouleme, per
crate ...

— Catillac, Dutch,
per basket

— per barrel

— (Cal if ornian),
Bemrc Hardy
per box

— American Batt-

led Pears,
per box . .

— (Call f ornian,)
Doyenne du
Cornice, o. box 20 0 —

— Italian, basket 16-19
Damson (English),

* sieve ... 0 9- 1 G

Plums (English), p.
4; sieve :

— Ponds Seedling 3 6-43

— Monarchs ... 3 0-40

— English Prunes 2 0-26

— Califoruian,per
box

Gages (English), $
sieve

Pomegranates (Lis-
bon), per ca^
. i>!es, each ...

Quinces (French),

per crate ... 2 0-

— Lisbon, p.ca^e 11 0-11 6

7 0-12 0

8 0 10 6

9 0-11 6

2 6

10 0

7 0

7 0-73

6 0-63
16-30

8 0-86
16-26

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices,
s.d. s.d.

Artichokes(French).

per dozen
Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle
Aubergines(Frencb),

per doz.
Beans, home-grown,

per bushel
Beetroot, bushel ...
Cabbages, per doz.

— Greens, bag ...

— red, per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— washed, per
bag

Cauliflowers, per
dozen

— per tally
Celeriac (French),

per dozen
Celery, washed, per

dozen

Chow Chow (Sec-

hium edule), p.

dozen

Cucumbers, p. dz.
Endive, per dozen
Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.

bundles
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

Cos, per score

5 6-
0 6-

6 0
0 7

2 0-26

2 0-
1 3

2 6

0 6-

1 0

2 0

0 9

10-20

0 9-
4 0

0 10- 1 0

3 0
1 6-
1 6-

12 0
1 6

2 0-46

16-20

1 0- 1 G

0 4-06

3 6-

0 9-10

2 0-23
2 0-36

2 0-26

2 0-30
2 6 —

0 4-06

Remarks.— Kent Prunes are now arriving in a very un-
soundcondiiion, but supplies of this fruit are nearly finished.
Apples are dearer, especially choice dessert and large
culinary varieties. Home-grown Tomatos are more plenti-
ful; best coloured samples are selling freely at advanced
prices. Kentish Cobs, although arriving in moderate quan-
tities only, are much cheaper than they were last year.
Blenheim Pippin Apples from Nova Scotia, and Paris Green
Asparagus are the latest arrivals in the market. Trade
generally is quiet. P. Z,., Covent Garden, October 23% 1907.

Potatos.
Kents, 3s. Gd. to 5s. perewt.; Bedfords, 70s\, 90s. ; I.in-
colns, 70s., 105s. ; Blacklands, 75s. to Us. ; Maincrops sOs.
to 105s. per ton ; Dutch Magnum Bonum, per bag, 3s. Gd. to
3s. 9d. ; Dutch Imperators, 3s. to 3s. 6d. Prices again show
an advance: supplies are modera:e. /. D. C. Covent
Garden, October 23, 1907.

10-13

Lettuce (French),

per dozen
Marrows(English),

per tally
Mint, do/, bunches
Mushroon)s(huii-i)

ger lb
uttons, peril).

— "Broilers"p.lb.
Mtistardand Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Spanish),
per case

— Dutch, per bag

— pickling, per
bushel

Peas (English), per

bushel

Parsley, 12 bunches

— £ bushel
Radishes (Guern-
sey), doz. bun.

Salsafy, p. dz. bdls.
Spinach, English,

per bushel
Tomatos : —

— French, p. crate

— selected, per
dozen lbs. ...

— small selected,
per dozen lbs.

Turnips (English),
doz. bunches...

— per bag
Watercress, per

doz. bunches ..

0 9-0 10

3 0 —
0 9-10

0 6 —
0 6-08
0 5-06

5 0-
4 0

5 6

304

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[OCTOBEE 26, 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Although it cannot be recorded that trade is very brisk,
there is a little improvement. Good Chrysanthemums have
•been selling freely, the variety Soleil d" Octobre is now at
its best, and other prominent kinds are the bronze variety,
Ryecroft Glory, La Triumph ante, Boule de Neige, and
Madame Desgranges. Miss Elliott is one of the best of
the orange bronze shades. Erica hyemalis is now seen on
-several stands, but, though the plants are well flowered, they
<do not sell readily. E. gracilis is over-abundant, parti-
cularly the white and the pink varieties. Bouvardias are
plentiful, the plants generally are dwarf and well flowered.
UejfonTa Gloire de Lorraine is now seen, but it is not yet at
its best condition. Cyclamen are well flowered and possess
good foliage, but, although supplies are limited, many plants
were unsold at closing time. Lily of the Valley, in pots,
is now of the best quality. Rose Madame Levavasseur,
though well flowered, does not attract buyers. Marguerites
are well supplied, and most of those seen are equal to spring-
grown plants. Solanums are over abundant. Perennial
Asters (Michaelmas Daisies) of the vimineus, ericoides and
jcordifolius types are seen in dwarf well-flowered plants,
some of these in large 60's pots, and with shoots about 6
to 9 inches high, are very pretty. Ferns have been selling
rather more freely, but they are over-abundant in all sizes.
Some remarkably tine Asplemum biforme, in 32 pots, are
seen. Asplenium nidus is now rather over plentiful, being
oaivked about the streets, and when this occurs the value of
a plant depreciates, especially any which are regarded as
**choice." Codiaeums (Crotons) in 48's and 32's are highly
coloured. Palms are well supplied, but higher prices are
mow asked for Kentias in 48's and 32"s sized pots, although
large specimens are offered for little money.
Cut Flowers.

Best and medium-sized Chrysanthemums are selling at
better prices. Horsfieldi is one of the finest of the yellow
varieties. La Triumphante is a good "pink" There are
several good bronze and crimson varieties. Lizzie Adcock
tthe yellow sport from Source d'Or) is very bright, but the
flowers are rather small. Among the white kinds Mrs. Scott
is still good, also Queen of the Earlies. Immense quantities
-of blooms from the open ground are seen, but the rough
■weather has somewhat spoiled many of them. The Roses
from the open are now nearly finished, but good blooms
from under glass are fairly plentiful *, prices for Roses have
advanced a little. Carnations are well supplied and are no
clearer. Liliums longiflorum and lancifolium are a little
more valuable. Callas are now very good, but have not much
demand. Chinese Asters are now nearly over for the reason.
but the Perennial Aster is seen in large heap?, and the rough,
■wet weather seems to have very little effect on their quality.
Lily of the Valley is more abundant again. Eucbaris,
Tuberoses. Gardenias, and Lapagerias are well supplied.
English Violets are of good quality, but large importa-
tions of this flower from France, including the Farina
Violets, depreciate their value. Autumnal-tinted foliage is
now very good. The Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) is par-
ticularly bright in appearance. Beech, Berber is, oi
sorts, Prunus, Viburnum, &c, are all to be had, and their
returns must be more profitable than those from flowers.
-i. //., Covctit Garden, II tJmsday, October 23, 1907.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Acacia Julibrissin : Lexdcn. This Acacia is one
that is partially deciduous, and often behaves in
its early stages in the manner you describe. A
position in a cool greenhouse is all that it
requires during the winter months. When
growth recommences next spring give the plant
a good shift into a rich compost, the plant being
a gross feeder. As the summer advances, and
there is no danger of frosts, plunge the plant in
its pot in a bed of ashes in an open position. At
the end of the year the plant will probably flower,
by which time it should be at least 5 feet high

Begonia Leaves Injured : II'. IF. The damage
is not caused by a fungus, but has resulted from
excessive moisture on the leaves Afford more
ventilation to the house in which the plants are
growing, and so prevent a too humid atmosphere,
affording artificial heat if necessary.

Xegonia with Green Petals: D. &• Co. The
abnormality is not uncommon, and isoccasionally
seen in most flowers, of which the green Dahlia
is a good example.

Bindweed and Coltsfoot in a Garden : X.
From your letter it appears that these weeds are
prevalent in one corner of the garden only,
therefore the best plan is to trench the weedy
quarter, and, as the work proceeds, to throw out
the stems and roots of the obnoxious plants and
to burn them. Your labour in trenching the
soil will be repaid in other directions alter the
weeds are extirpated.

BULBS : Calif ornicus. Many good bulbs are un-
doubtedly disposed of at the sale moms. It
is not part of our business to compare them
with those that can be purchased in the or-
dinary manner from retail firms. As a rule,
if goods are obtained at very low prices, it is
not to be expected they represent the best
selected samples.

CcelogyNE : W . B. The plants must have
suffered from some severe check, but whether
ttis was due to cultural treatment or to the
p.esence of disease, we cannot say in the
absence of specimens for examination.

Crapes : /. B. M. The shrivelling of the
Hamburgh Grapes is caused by the lack of
moisture at the roots after the fruit had be-
come perfectly black and ripe. Fruit of
Black Hamburgh that does not become black
but remains red will keep much longer with-
out shrivelling than that which has ripened
perfectly. The cause of the redness is gene-
rally an excess of moisture in the borders,
which keep the roots in action. The cause of
the unusual thickness of skin is an excess of
moisture at the roots ; the general unsatisfac-

. tory condition of the fruit is partly due to
want of bright sunshine. An abundant admis-
sion of air to vineries is essential through-
out the season when the vines are growing and
the Grapes ripening.

Grubs Attacking Cyclamen: /. A. S. The
grubs are those of a weevil. Trap them with
pieces of some vegetable, such as Carrot, or hunt
them at night as they feed during the darkness.

Hippeastrum vittatum : Californicus This species
is known to have been in cultivation in England
in 1775. It was first crossed with H. Reginae by
Mr. Johnson, a Lancashire watchmaker, in 1799,
H. Johnsonii resulting. Since that time it has
been crossed with almost every available species;
especially was this done previous to the last 30
or 40 years since when it has been little used as
a parent, its funnel-shaped perianth not lending
itself to the florist's ideal of openly expanded
segments which H. Leopoldii and others of the
more recently introduced species afford. Never-
theless, the discontinuance of hybridising H.
vittatum, H. marginatum, and some of the
earlier hybrids of H. vittatum, which bore six or
eight flowers on a spike, has resulted in the
majority of the more recent hybi id Hippeastrums
having but two to four flowers open at once.
We doubt whether the three to five guineas now
paid for a really fine new Hippeastrum has ever
been exceeded, although probably the same
prices were asked for the earlier crosses of H.
vittatum. The size and arrangement of the
flowers of H. vittatum crosses can be well seen
in H. Johnsonii.

Leucoium : Californicus. We are unable to
suggest what may be the cause of failure, not
knowing the exact conditions under which the
purchased bulbs have been cultivated.

Names of Fruits: J. H. A. 1, Emperor A'ex-
ander ; 2, Old Nonsuch; 3, Prince Albert ; 4,
Yorkshire Greening ; 5, Doyenne du Cornice ; 6,
Fondantede Cuerne. — R. E. 3. 1, Belle Dubois ;
2 Keswick Codhn ; 3, Yorkshire Beauty. —
Glasgow. Peach Dymond ; Apple Grenadier. —
1 S. 1, Red Doyenne ; 2, Bergamot d'Esperen;

3, Cheshunt Pippin ; 4, Belle Dubois ; 5, Broom
Park -E. G C. 1, Bon Chretien Fondante ;
2, Emile d'Heyst; 3, Groom's Princess Royal;

4, Beurre Diel ; 5, Marie Guise ; G, Thompson's.
— Barum. Autumn Colmar. — IF. IF. 1, Court
Pi-ndu-Plat ; 2, Warner's King; 3, Decayed;
4, White Westling ; 5, Old Hawthorden: 6,
Castle Major. — E. J. M. The Pear was rotten
when received. Please send other specimens
better packed, and not so ripe.— G. .1/. 1 , Cox's
Pomona ; 2, Warner's King ; 3, Castle Major ;

4, Dumelow's Seedling (syn. Wellington);

5, Bramley's Seedling ; 6, Pear Gansell's Ber-
gamot.— C. A. F. 1, Fondante d'Automne ;

2, Beurre Bachelier ; 3, Marie Louise d Uccle ;
4, Doyenne du Cornice; 5, Seckle ; 6, Apple
Warner's King. — J. Child. 1. Pear Beurre
Clairgeau ; 2, Apple Sturmer Pippin; 3, not
found ; 4, Benoni. — S. IF. 1, Peasgood's Non-
such ; 2, Bismarck ; 3, Emperor Alexander ;
4, Castle Major; 5, Winter Strawberry. — Caen.

1, Leon le Clerc de Laval ; 2, Beurrfi Clairgeau ;

3, Mane Louise; 4, Beurre Ranee. — A . G.
Nichols. 1, too small for naming; 2, Manks
Codlin ; 3, Gooseberry Apple ; 4, Waltham

t Abbey Seedling ; 5, London Pippin.
Names of Plants : E.H. 1, Aster Novi Belgii var.;

2, A. N. B. F. W. Burbidge ; 3, A. Novae anglia?
pu'chellus ; 4, A. ericoides Clio; 5, A. Amellus
major (good variety) ; 6, Rudbeckia speciosa
Newmanii. — C. E. Homisell. Aster ericoides. —
E Hall. 1, Populus deltoidea; 2, Juniperus
\ irginiana ; 3 and 4, Forms of Thuya orientalis.
— G. Stentiford. 1, Aster Novi Belgii , var. ; 2,
A N, B. Daphne: 3, A. cordifolius major ; 4,
A. Tradescantii ; 5, A. Novi Belgii Top Sawyer ;

6, A. N. B. Robert Parker.— G. Smith. 1 and 2,
Abies nobilis ; 3, Tsuga canadensis ; 4. Pinus
rigida. — IF. G F. 1, Chrysanthemum uligino-

sum ; 2, Helenium autumnale var. cupreum .

3, Coronilla varia ; 4, Malta moschata ; 5,
Prunus lusitanica myrtilolia ; G, Cupressus
pisifera plumosa ; 7, C. Lawsoniana lulea. —
H. G. Ives. We cannot undertake the naming
of Roses. — S. R. K. Hsemanthus albiflos ; the
plant is not of any special value. — M . G. W . 1,
Veronica salicifolia ; 3, Rudbeckia speciosa ;

4, Chrysanthemum ; 5, Matricaria inodora ; G,
Senecio Jacobaea ; 7, Galium verum ; 8, Eche-
veria secunda glauca — V. 1. 1. Ionopsis utri-
cularioides ; 2, Maxillaria Houtteana ; 3, Onci-
dium pubes ; 4, Sarcanthus paniculatus. — E. R.
Iresine Herbstii. — Dendrobe. 1. Dendrobium
suavissimum ; 2, Dendrobium Farmeri ; 3,
Dendrobium crystallinum ; 4, Epidendrum va-
riegatum. — C. M. D. Eupatorium cannabinum
(Hemp Agrimony). — R. J. G. The almost defo-
liated shoot you send is insufficent for deter-
mination. It is probably a species of Acacia. —
Z.Y.X. 1, Dracaena Sanderiana; 2, Curculigo
plicata ; 3, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens (Areca
lutescens of gardens) ; 4, Fittonia (syn. Gym-
nostachyum) Verschaffeltii.

Nepenthes Leaf with Two Pitchers :
E. B. Your interesting specimen of Nepen-
thes seems to show clearly that the basal blade
like portion of the leaf whilst in the very
young state had begun to bifurcate near the
apex. The effect of this would naturally be to
produce two pitchers in the place of one.
The basal foliar part of the leaf is formed
before the pitcher and tendril, and therefore
any such bifurcation as we have indicated,
taking place at a period earlier than that at
which the pitchers were first developing,
would explain the peculiarity. After seeing
the soecimen it is clear that it cannot be due
to the concrescence of two leaves.

Onions : F J . The young bulbs forming round
the base of the flower-stem are quite a frequent
and natural occurrence. If allowed to remain
undisturbed, each would probably produce a
flower-stem and bear seed. If you remove
them, and place them under glass, they would
produce miniature flower-stems out ot season,
and therefore worthUss.

I'iitatos Destroyed by Millipedes: Zebra.
The tubers have evidently been injured both by
slugs and by a species of millipede, chiefly the
latter. Deep trenching of the soil and the use of
artificial manure for the first year should materi-
ally check the latter pest. Sliced Mango ds,
Carrots, or bran form atiractive baits for milli-
pedes, and mny be used as traps for this insect.

Roses: A. S. Your cuttings show no trace of
mildew or any other fungal disease It is im-
possible from the material furnished even to
guess at the cause of tiie leaves falling off the
plant. There appears to be no need for any pre-
paration containing sulphuric acid.

Salt Spray for Sea-side Plants: A. G. S.
The strength at which the spray might use-
fully be applied would differ with the various
species of plants. No conclusive experiments
have been made on this subject. If you in-
tend to apply such a spray, it will be neces-
sary to commence with an exceedingly weak
solution, and gradually increase the strength
as long as you find that the results justify this
being done. The extra thickness in the leaves
of some plants, due to a salt spray as referred
to last week, is not always a desirable condi-
tion to encourage. All will depend upon what
is required in the particular plant. The con-
dition certainly indicates increased develop-
ment in a particular portion of the plant, but
this may not tend to constitutional hardiness
or to longevity. In the cultivation of Aspara-
gus, common salt is recognised as being of
considerable manurial value.

Soil Analysis: Earth. If you are a Fellow of
the Royal Horticultural Society, you can send
samples of soil to the Society's Chemist, Dr.
J. A. Voelcker, 22, Tudor Street, E.C., who
will conduct the analysis fcr a small fee.

Communications Received.— E. B. tone shilling has been
placed in R.G.O.F. box).— E. M— H. YV.— J. II. -W. H.—

5, B— J. J. W.-J. R. J.— Miss W. -G. W.-H. M. v.-
A. B. W.— S. C— H. M.- W. W. P.-R. N— J. E. T.-
C. G.— T. C— A M. J.C ,C.n ich— N. M. R., Copenhagen
— N. D. (next week)— R. P. B.— Women's Agr. .\ Hort.
Inst Union— J. T.-W. E. I..-C. J. M.-H. B.-W. P.—
G. H. S.—E. S.—G. B.- Anxious One— T. P. Mis! I.
W. C— J. W. S.-C. B.— W. P.-E. B.-A. A.— J. B.—
J. R.— A. M.— H.J. M.—H. M. B.— Mrs. K— Frederick
A. D. W.— J. D. S.-H. M. B.— C. C.-J. T. H.-J. G.—
R. C. G.-W. P.- A. D.— T. L., Keir.

October 26, 1907] SUPPLEMENT TO THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Exhibition of BritisH-Grown Frtaits.

October 17, 18.— The Royal Horticultural
Society's autumn fruit show was held on these
dates in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent
Square, Westminster. The exhibition was
again a success, and although a falling-off was
noticed in some of the classes for Apples, it
was entirely due to scarcity in some districts.
The exhibits of Pears and Apples were fewer
than last year, and considerably fewer than in
1904, when upper rooms, and even the base-
ment, were utilised for their display. The
weather, on the whole, was unfavourable, but
this did not deter fruit cultivators from visiting
the exhibition on the opening day, when the
Hall was well-filled with visitors. On the
second day, however, the attendance was
sparse. The arrangements were perfect, and the
thanks of all interested are due to the secre-
taries, Mr. S. T. Wright (Superintendent), Mr.
Frank Reader, and the other members of the
Society's staff.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee sat
on the opening day, and an Award of Merit was
recommended by this committee for a late-fruit-
ing variety of Raspberry, which is referred to
below.

DIVISION I.

Fruits Grown Under Glass or Otherwise.

(Open1 to Gardeners and Amateurs <>ni.\.j

GaUtciioo of nine dishes. — This class was ar-
ranged for six kinds at least, and each collec-
tion might include only one I'm-, one Melon,
one black and one white variety ot Grape. -Not
mi. re than two varieties ot any other kind were
allowed, and no two dishes ol the same variety.
The 1st prize was awarded to the Earl of Har-
rington, Elvaston Castle, Derby (gr. Mr. J. H.
Goodacre), whose Grapes were specially good,
particularly the variety Muscat of Alexandria,
the bunches of which were very large and of
good form, and the berries well developed, al-
though not so perfectly coloured as they might
have been. The bunches of Black Alicante were
good, being of about average exhibition size, and
finely coloured, but they were not such well-cul-
tivated specimens as the Muscats. Kibston Pip-
pin Apple was capital, also Doyenne1 du O mice
Pear, though not perfectly ripe for consumption.
The other dishes included Taunton Hero Melon,
Princess of Wales Peach, Victoria Nectaiine,
Transparent Gage Plum, and a rather small
Pineapple. The total numb:r of \> lints awarded
this exhibit was 51.

The 2nd prize was awarded to the Hon.
Mr. Justice Swinfen-Eady, Oatlands Lodge,
Weybridge (gr. Mr. J. Lock). In the centre
this exhibitor had a magnificent and weighty
Pineapple, such as we have seldom seen.
His Crapes included Blai k Alicante, and
a white Grape, which was labelled Muscat of
Alexandria, but the judges expressed the
opinion that it was not a Muscat. The on-
looker had grounds for suspecting that if the
judges had co rsidered the Grape correctly
named, this exhibit would have deserved the 1st
prize. It is only fail to add that, in the opinion
of many Grape growers, the variety was really
a Muscat. In the circumstances, the number of
poir*,; awarded for this exhibit was 49V.

• in the second day of the show the Crape
was definitely labelled by some critic Charles-
worth Tokay, but the question can hardly be
thus settled, for Hogg, in the Fruit Manual, has
state 1 that Charlesworth Tokav is svnonvmous
with Muscat of Alexandria. The other dishes
included Pitmaston Duchess and Marguerite
Marillat Pears, Cox's Orange Pippin Apple,
Princess of Wales Peach, Victoria Xectarine, and
Hero of Lockinge Melon. 3rd, C. R. Adeane,
Esq., Babraham, Cambridce (gr. Mr. R. Alder-
man), who gained 49 points.

Collection of six dishes. — There were seven
exhibits in this class, which required that at
least four kinds of fruit should be included in
each collection of six dishes. Exhibitors might
only include one Melon, one black and one white
variety of Grape, and not more than two varie-
ties of any other kind, nor two dishes of the

same variety. Pines were excluded. The 1st
prize was awarded to a very fine collection
liom the Earl of Londesborough, Market
Weighton, Yorkshire (gr. Mr. J. C. McPherson).
His Grapes consisted of the varieties Gros
Colmar and Muscat of Alexandria, either of
which was of exhibition quality, but beyond
that not specially remarkable. Apples Wash-
ington and Cox's Orange Pippin were very
good, being of large size, and exhibiting perfect
condition for consumption. Very large fruits
of Pitmaston Duchess Pears were shown, and
a fruit of " Ringleader" Melon. The 2nd prize
was awarded to M. W. Price, Esq., Codicote,
Welwyn (gr. Mr. T. Patman). This exhibitor
had Black Alicante and Muscat of Alexandria
Grapes, Marguerite Marillat Pears, Lady Pal-
merston Peaches, Duchess's Favourite Apples,
and Rovaltv Melon. 3rd, Sir Chas. Hamilton,
Bart., Hatley Park, Sandy (gr. Mr. T. W.
Birkinshawi.

Grapes.
Collection of six varieties. — The 1st prize ex-
hibit was displayed by J. W. Fleming, Esq.,
Chilworth Manor, Romsey (gr. Mr. \\ .
Mitchell), who staged beautifully-coloured ex-
amples of Lady Downe's Seedling, one bunch
being ill-shaped; Madresfield Court, in medium-
sized bunches, although the individual berries
were of grand size and were perfect in bloom ;
Mn-i jt of Alexandria, excellent in ever)
respect, the colour being of that tender yellow
tint that indicates perfect ripening; Gros Mar pi .
massive bunches of very large berries that were
almost perfect in colour; Mrs. Pince Muscat,
the largest bunches in the set, the berrie
above a normal size, with nerfect colour and
bloom ; and good bunches of Black Hamburgh,
one being tather over the average in size, and
both with faultless bloom. 2nd, II, J. King,
Esq., Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent (gr. Mr. J
('•. Weston)), The varieties consisted of I . . ■ ■ 1 \
Downe's Seedling, the bunches <1 u!m li were
very good in form and showed a considerable
amount of bloom on the fruits, but the colour
was somewhat lacking, as was the case in Mis
Tince. Of this last-named variety large bunches
were shown; Chasselas Napoleon and Muscat
of Alexandria were above the average in colour
and size of berry and buiT-h. Mrs. Tate,
Park Hill, Streatham Common (gr. Mr. W.
Howe), was the only other exhibitor in this class.
Black Hamburgh. — The 1st prize was awarded
to J. W. Fleming, Esq., for compact, heavy
bunches, perfect in colour, bloom, and all other
essentials, well shouldered and having the 1> St
shape. 2nd, the Farl of Harrington, Elvaston
Castle, Derby ie,r. Mr. J. H. Goodacrel, with
good bunches but inferior in size to those shown
by Mr. Fi eming.

Mrs. Pince. — The 1st pri^e in this case did
fall to the largest bunches, but to small, com-
pact, not over-thinned bunches shown by Mr.
J. Edmonds, Bestwood Park Gardens, Arnold,
Notts. 2nd, O. E. d'Avigdor-Goldsmid, Esq.,
Somerhill, Tonbridge (gr. Mr C. Earlj.
Mr. G. Richardson, gardener, Stover Park,
i Abbot, showed excellent bunches in
this class, but unfortunately the berries of one
bunch were badly rubbed.

Black Alicante. — In this class there was
greater competition than in any other, and
some uncommonly fine bunches were shown,
the fruit in most cases being good in colour and
finish. The 1st prize was awarded to \\
Raphael, Esq., Castle Hill, Englefield Green
(gr. Mr. H. 11 Brown), for close, compact
bunches that were good in shape. 2nd, Sir
Wai pole GREENWELL, Bart., Marden Park.
Surrey (gr. Mr. W. Lintott), with bunches but
little inferior to those which gained the 1st
prize. Colonel Hon. C. Harborh. Gunton
Park, Norwich Igr. Mr. W. Allan), was pla I
3rd ; one of this exhibitor's bunches lacked a
"shoulder," otherwise the exhibit had eJ
lent points. The other exhibits in this
included some bunches of enormous dimen-
sions, and others that would have disgraced a
cottagers' show.

Madresfield Court— 1st, J. W. Fleming, Esq.,
Chilworth Manor, with neat, fairly compact

bunches, having capital colour and bloom.
2nd, Mr. John Doe, Rufford Abbey, Ollerton,
with bigger and finer bunches, lacking in even-
ness of size and colour. 3rd, F. R. Rodd, Esq.,
Trebartha Hall, l.aunceston Igr. Mr. F. A. Bill-
ings), with small bunches that had suffered from
rubbing on the long journey from Cornwall.

Any other Black Grape. — In a good competi-
tion the Earl of Londesborough, Market
Weighton, York (gr. Mr. J. ('. McPherson), was
placed 1st with very fine bunches, having large
berries of Gros Colmar; the bloom on the fruit
was perfect. 2nd, .Colonel the Hon. C. Har-
bord, Gunton Park, with Gros Maroc in niassive
bunches, having enormous berries and perfect
bloom. 3rd, Right Hon. Earl Stanh.ii-!,
Chevening Park, Sevenoaks (gr. Mr. J. C.
Sutton), with compact bunches of Gros Maroc
possessing enormous berries and faultless bloom.
Muscat Hamburgh, Lady Downe, and Appley
Towers are other varieties that were shown in
this class. Some enormous bunches of Gros
Colmar came from the Horticultural COL-
LEGE, Studley, Warwickshire, but the bunches
could scarcely be railed handsome and they
lacked colour.

Muscat of AlexaHdria.-J-lst, J. W. Fle-mikg,
Esq., Chilworth Manor, with large bunches of
good form and best colour throughout, indii a-
tive of perfect ripeness and fine flavour.. 2nd,
\V. G. Raphael, Esq., Englefield Green, with
-mailer bunches, having less of the desiral.V
golden tint. 3rd, Colonel the ' Hon. C. lilt-
BORD, Gunton Park, with small bunches
feet finish. This class iva, abundantly filled,
and the exhibits were g< neraily of a trsh order
of merit.

Any oilier While Grape. 1st, Alfred Benson,
- 1 . Upper Catton Park. Merstham Igr. Mr.
W. Mancey), with Mrs, Pearson, the bunches
being symmetrica] and quite ripe. 2nd, Lady
Tate, Park Hill, Streatham Common, with the
pale-coloured variety Chasselas Napoleon.

Collection ok IIardv Fruits.

The schedule required a collection of .'10
dishes of distinct varieties, grown entirely in
the open, not more than 12 varieties of Apples
or eight of Pears being allowed. There were
six displays, .and these occupied much table
space, for each exhibit covered an area
measuring 12 feet by 3 feet. The 1st prize fell
to Colonel Borton, Chfeveney', Ilunton, Maid-
stone (gr. Mr. J. Whittle)! He displayed
choice samples of Lord Derby, Lane's Prince
Albert, Bramley's Seedling, Erriperor Alexander,
Wealthy, American Mother, and other Apples ;
of Pears there were noted Beurre Diel, Le
Lectier, Doyenne du Cornice, Beurre Hardy,
Beurre Paltet Pere, and Durondeau ; of Plums
were Belle de Septembre and Coe's Golden
Drop ; of Peaches, Lady Palmerston, Princess
of Wales, Gladstone, and Nectarine; and
Morello Cherries. The 2nd prize was awarded
to G. T. Bates, Esq., Whitfield, Hereford (gr.
Mr. R. Grindrod), for a more varied collec-
tion. The finest Apples in this exhibit were
Worcester Pearmain, Emperor Alexander, Peas-
good's Nonsuch, Royal Jubilee, Mere de
Menage, and Lane's Prince Albert ; and of
Pears, Beurre Bachelier, Beurre Diel, Duchess
d'Angouleme, Beurre Superfin, Gros Calebasse,
and Louise Bonne of Jersey ; Peaches included
Malster, Lord Palmerston, and Late Admirable;
Plums, Monarch, Pond's Seedling, (
Golden Drop, and Grand Duke. 3rd, Major
Powell Cotton, Quex Park, Thanet (gr. Mr.
J. Cornford), whose exhibit was strong in
culinary Apples, such as Chas. Ross, Lord
Derby. Warner's King, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
and Withington Fillb

DIV1SIOX II.

Fruit Grown Entirely Out of Doors.
(Open to Nurserymen Only.)
Twenty-four feet run of tix fee' tabling. — The
1st prize in this important class was awarded
to Messrs. G. Bunyard .V Co., Ltd.. Royal
Nurseries, 'Maidstone. The fruit bad high
colouring mostly and was of a high degn
merit. Of Apples some of the finer examj

11.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

were Cornish Giant, Jas. Grieve, Blenheim
Pippin, Woodstock Pippin, Rambour Franc,
Crimson Quoining, Lane's Prince Albert,
Grenadier, Pott's Seedling, Worcester Pearmain,
Stirling Castle, Golden Noble, Bramley's Seed-
ling, New Winter Hawthornden, Gascoyne's
Scarlet Seedling, Roundway Magnum Bonum,
Duchess of Oldenburg, Emperor Alexander,
King of the Pippins, Rival, Norfolk Beauty,
The Queen, Bismarck, Warner's King, Northern
Dumpling, Charles Ross, Royal Jubilee, Alling-
ton Pippin, Tyler's Kernel, Lady Henniker, and
Mabbott's Pearmain. The finer Pears were
large, but not being ripe they did not exhibit
their true colour. There were remarked Gilogil,
Conference (very large), Princess, Pitmaston
Duchess, Durondeau, Duchess d'Angouleme,
Beurre Superfin, Marguerite Marrilat, Parrot,
Alexander Lucas, St. Luke, Beurre Clairgeau,
Fondante d'Automne, and Fondante de Thirriot.
2nd, Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Eynsford,
with a very superior exhibit, between which and
the 1st prize display there was little to choose.
Much of the fruit was finely coloured and well
developed, and free from blemishes, either of
fungoid or insect agency. There were in this
display 45 bushels of Apples in 165 varieties.
Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling, Blue Pearmain,
Gravenstein, Pott's Seedling, The Queen, Peas-
good's Nonsuch, Lady Henniker, Schoolmaster,
Cox's Pomona, Golden Spire, Bietigheimer, and
Emperor Alexander were remarkable for either
large size or for colour. Some excellent Pears
were also shown by Messrs. Cannell.

Fruit arranged on tables sixteen feet by six feet.
— Messrs. Laxtqn Brothers, Goldington Nur-
series, Bedford, made a good display of fruits,
which, although excellent, was not fully up to
the usual Kentish development or colour. Most
of the favourite varieties of Apples were shown,
both cooking and dessert, including Charles
Ross, The Queen, Ribston Pippin, and Newton
Wonder. Tne new Strawberry Laxton's Per-
petual was shown in well-coloured, large and
small examples. It is a crimson-coloured fruit,
with the achenes slightly embedded. Strawberry
St. Anfoine de Padoue was likewise well shown,
and fruits of the Fern-leaved Blackberry, which
are jet black and of large size. The 2nd prize
was taken by Messrs. John Peed & Son, West
Norwood, Surrey, with a really fine display of
fruits, large, clear in the skin, high in colour,
and very varied as regarded varieties. Of
modern varieties of Apples that were shown
were Newton Wonder, Wadhurst Pippin, Ailing-
ton Pippin, Sandringham, New Hawthornden,
Wealthy, Mrs. Barron, Nonsuch, Lord Derby,
Charles Ross, Lady Henniker, Bismarck, The
Queen, King of Tompkin's County, Lane's
Prince Albert, Betty Geeson, Schoolmaster, and
Lord Lennox. Of Pears we noted a nice dish
of Directeur Hardy, Duchess de Nemours,
Beurre Clairgeau, Abbe Fettel, Beurre Alex-
andre Lucas, Conference, Emile d'Heyst, Prin-
cess, and Louise Bonne of Jersey. 3rd, Messrs.
Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt.
This exhibit consisted of Apples and Pears set
up as pyramids in shallow baskets. Most of
the Apples and Pears were of large size, free
from blemish, but lacking in the bright tints of
the Kentish and West of England fruits. Pears
Beurre- Baltet Pere, Durondeau, Dr. Piganeau,
Beurre Diel, Triomphe de Vienne, Beurre Super-
fin, Gansel's Bergamotte, Doyenne Boussoch,
Louise Bonne of Jersey, Catillac, and ritmaston
Duchess were good examples. Apples Ailing-
ton Pippin, Emperor Alexander, Gascoyne's
Seedling, Lord Derby, Blenheim Pippin, Non-
such, and Bismarck were all praiseworthy. This
part of the table was decorated with arches of
white fruited Raspberry canes, red Raspberries,
and other members of the genus Rubus.

Messrs. Spoonee & Sons, Hounslow, and Mr.
Will Tavler, Osborn Nursery, Hampton,
Middlesex, made exhibits in this class.

Orchard House Fruit and Trees.
Twenty-four feet run of six feet tabling. — As
in former years this important class was con-
tested by two exhibitors only, viz., Messrs. Geo.
Bunyard & Co., Ltd., Maidstone, and Messrs.
T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, Herts., and
these were placed by the judges in the order
named, Messrs. Bunyard being awarded a Gold
Medal for their exhibit in conjunction with
their display in class 14. There were remarked
in the premier exhibit trees of the Chiojuro

Pear, a bright brown-russety fruit of globulai
shape ; Marie Louise, of large size ; Alexandre
Lucas, Doyenne du Cornice, Emile d'Heyst,
( harles Ernest, Bellisime d'Hiver, and Fondante
de Thirriot. The Apples consisted chiefly of
brightly-coloured varieties of large size, and
very highly indeed was the colouring de-
veloped. The trees ranged in height from 6 to
10 feet, growing in pots of from 10 to 14 inches
in diameter. Gathered fruits were shown in
trays and flat baskets with from six to 12 fruits
in each. Very large and fine were Apples The
Queen, Loddington Pearmain, Charles Ross,
Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling, Ribston Pippin,
Twenty Ounce, Washington, Golden Noble,
Lord Hindlip, Allington Pippin, Cox's Orange
Pippin, Emperor Alexander, James Grieve, and
Peasgood's Nonsuch. The finer Pears were
Beurre Diel, Emile d'Heyst, Marie Benoist,
Durondeau, President Osmanville, Uvedale's St.
Germain, Duchess d'Angouleme, Doyenne du
Cornice, Beurre Alexandre Lucas, Conference,
Pitmaston Duchess, and Conseilleur de la Cour.
Two dishes of Peaches were shown, viz., Lady
Palmerston and Golden Eagle, both of high
colour.

Messrs. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth,
Herts., had greater variety in their exhibit, the
trees including Oranges, Figs, and Cherries. In
addition to the 1st prize, a Silver-Gilt Knightian
Medal was awarded. The gathered fruits con-
sisted of the following, viz., the Parrot Pear,
of reddish-orange colour, Doyenne du Cornice,
St. Luke, a variety of their introduction ;
Beurre d'Amanlis, Magnate, Marie Louise, Pit-
maston Duchess, Conference, Beurre Fouqueray,
Marie Louise d'Uccle, Glou Morceau, and
Princess. The finer Apples were Ribston Pip-
pin, The Queen, Allington Pippin, King of
Tompkin's County, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Belle
Dubois, Cox's Orange Pippin, &c. Plums, of
which there were many in fine condition, in-
cluded Monarch (with which Messrs. Rivers
have lengthened the season of Plums by a
month), and other varieties.

DIVISION III.
(Open to Market Growers Only.)

Two classes were provided for exhibits of
hardy fruits, the one for a collection occupying
an area of 18 feet by 6 feet, and the other for
one measuring 12 feet by 6 feet. The use of
berries and ornamental foliage plants were
allowed, but not flowers. In the larger class
there were two contestants, Mr. W. Poupart,
Marsh Farm, Twickenham, and the Hereford
Co-operative Fruit Company, Hereford
(manager, Mr. W. H. Press). The first-named
exhibitor was an easy 1st prize winner, his dis-
play being composed of best sorts of market
varieties of Apples, Pears, and Plums, staged
in round and square " baby " baskets, on a
padding of wood wool covered with blue paper.
He had well-graded samples, nicely coloured,
of Apples Alexander, Mabbott's Pearmain, Blen-
heim Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin, Coronation
(a variety of fine appearance), Wealthy, Norfolk
Beauty, Sandringham, Waltham Abbey Seed-
ling, Peasgood's Ncnsuch, &c. ; Pears Duron-
deau, Beurre Bachelier, Beurre Fouqueray,
Emile d'Heyst, with Plums, Damsons, &c. The
2nd prize fruits were shown in boxes as packed
for transit, with a few single dishes and sprays
of Smilax for relief. The varieties were of the
commoner market Apples.

In the smaller class the only exhibit staged
was from the Horticultural College, Swan-
ley, Kent (gr. Mr. Lawson). The fruits were
very finely coloured, and were set off by sprays
of Cotoneaster, vine leaves, and other foliage
with autumnal tints, a row of Acalypha Mac-
feeana being arranged down the centre of the
display. The varieties included Peasgood's
Nonsuch, Lane's Prince Albert, Newton Won-
der, Alfriston, Queen Caroline, and other
Apples ; Doyenne du Cornice, Duchess d'Angou-
leme Pears, &c.

Twelve dishes of Apples, distinct varieties, six
culinary and six dessert. — Only one exhibitor,
Mr. H. T. Mason, Hampton Hill, Middlesex,
staged in this class, and instead of utilising
dishes, he showed his fruits in square, shallow
baskets. This notwithstanding, the exhibit
merited the highest praise, for the quality of the
fruits was of the best, and the grading and pack
ing (in wood-wool) excellent. The varieties were
all choice market varieties, and included Ribston

Pippin. Lady Sudeley, Pott's Seedling, Newton
Wonder, King of the Pippins, Cox's Orange
Pippin (a fine sample), Warner's King, The
Queen (excellent), Allington Pippin, Claygate
Pearmain, Bismarck, Ecklinville Seedling, and
others. Autumn-tinted vine leaves, with Dra-
caenas and other ornamental plants, were inter-
spersed in the group

DIVISION IV.

Fruits Grown Entirely in the Open Air

(Excepting Class 32).

(Open to Gardeners and Amateurs Only.)

Apples.

Twenty-four dishes, distinct. — The conditions
in this class were that sixteen culinary and
eight dessert varieties should be included in
each exhibit. There were three collections, and
Col. Borton, Cheveney, Hunton, Maidstone
(gr. Mr. J. Whittle) was awarded the 1st prize.
Particularly noticeable among the culinary sorts
were Peasgood's Nonsuch, Gascoyne's Scarleu
Seedling, Emperor Alexander, and Newton
Wonder, all more or less coloured with red, and
among the perfectly green fruits were Alfriston,
Lord Derby, Warner's King, and Belle Dubois.
Of dessert varieties those which attracted most
notice were Christmas Pearmain, American
Mother (one of the best of Apples), Wealthy,
James Grieve, and Allington Pippin. The 2nd
prize was won by Sir Marcus Samuel, Bart.,
Mote Park, Maidstone (gr. Mr. W. PI. Bacon).
A dish of Worcester Pearmain in this exhibit
was so intensely coloured with red as to be the
most noticeable variety in the exhibit. The
culinary varieties — Lane's Prince Albert and
Mere de Menage — were both shown as very fine
specimens. 3rd, J. G. Williams, Esq., Pendley
Manor, Tring (gr. Mr. F. G. Geirish).

Eighteen dishes of Apples, distinct, twelve
culinary and six dessert. — Three good displays
were seen in this class, the premier prize being
taken by a magnificent collection from the gar-
dens of Major Powell-Cotton, Quex Park,
Thanet (gr. Mr. J. Cornford). The front row
was comprised of dessert varieties, and here
was seen Chas. Ross (size and colour were re-
markable in these fruits), Cox's Orange Pippin,
Rival, Ribston Pippin, and Wealthy (a beauti-
fully finished sample). At the back were excel-
lent fruits of Emperor Alexander, Lord Suffield,
Bismarck, Washington, Fillbasket, Mere de
Menage, Belle Dubois, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Lord Derby, The Queen, and other notable
varieties. The 2nd prize was awarded to E.
Ascherson, Esq., Charing, Kent (gr. Mr. J.
Pitts). Amongst the dessert varieties was seen
a grand sample of Worcester Pearmain. Ribston
Pippin, Ben's Red, Court of Wick, Winter Quar-
renden, and James Grieve were other prominent
varieties in the front row, and among the culi-
nary kinds such varieties! as Lane's Prince
Albert, Sandringham, Lord Derby, Lord Suf-
field, Gloria Mundi, Alexander, Warner's King,
and Ecklinville Seedling, were displayed in the
best exhibition style. 3rd, Earl de Grey,
("oombe Court, Kingston-on-Thames (gr. Mr. J.
Smith).

Twelve dishes, distinct, to include eight cooking
and four dessert varieties. — The 1st prize was
gained by F. A. Bevan, Esq., Trent Park, Bar-
net (gr. Mr. H. Parr), and his specimens were
certainly of much merit. The culinary varieties
were immense specimens of the following varie-
ties: Mere de Menage, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Warner's King, Lord Derby, Emperor Alexan-
der, Laing's Cornish Giant, Lane's Prince Albert
and Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling. Mere de
Menage and Peasgood's Nonsuch were well
coloured also, but Gascoyne's Scarlet Se?dling
was duller than it is sometimes seen. The des-
sert varieties selected for this exhibit were Cox's
Orange Pippin, King of the Pippins, Allington
Pippin, and another. An extra 1st prize was
awarded to C. R. Adeane, Esq., Babraham,
Cambridge (gr. Mr. R. Alderman), for an ex-
hibit that would have been placed in the 1st
position, but for a mistake having been made
in showing Cox's Pomona as a dessert variety.
But for this oversight, the collection was of
the greatest merit ; all the specimens were of
large size, and the skins clear, and well coloured
in the specimens that should show other
than green colour. The selection of varieties
suffered, in our opinioi, through the omission
of every first-class dess;rt variety. Omitting

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SUPPLEMENT TO THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

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Cox's Pomona, the three dessert varieties shown
were Wealthy, Iving of the Pippins, and Wash-
ington, not at all a good selection when four
only have to be chosen. The 2nd prize was
awarded to the Right Hon. W. H. Long, M.P.,
Rood Ashton, Trowbridge (gr. Mr. W. Strug-
nell), and the 3rd prize to O. E. D'AviGDOR-
Eoldsmid, Esq., Somerhill, Tonbridge (gr. Mr.
Chas. Earl). There were five exhibits.

Six dishes of culinary varieties, distinct. —
Colonel Borton was awarded the 1st prize for
a collection consisting of Lane's Prince Albert,
Belle Dubois, Lord Derby, Warner's King, Bis-
marck, and Peasgood's Nonsuch. 2nd, Sir
Earcus Samuel.

Six dishes of dessert Apples, distinct. — Colonel
Borton was also awarded the 1st prize in this
class, showing the varieties Christmas Pear-
main, Ribston Pippin, Wealthy, Cox's Orange
Pippin, King of the Pippins, and American
Mother. The last-mentioned variety was shown
splendidly in this collection, the fruits being
of large size and having the rich colour charac-
teristic of the variety, finely developed. The
2nd prize was awarded to Sir Marcus Samuel,
Bart.

Pears.

Eighteen dishes of dessert Pears, distinct. — In
this, the largest class for Pears, Sir Marcus
SAMUEL, Bart., gained the 1st prize with a grand
collection. The ripest fruits were Louise Bonne
Of Jersey (excellent fruits), Souvenir du Congres,
Marguerite Marrillat, and Beurre Superfin.
Beurre Hardy was almost as ripe, and the speci-
mens were very characteristic. Beurre Baltet
Pere, Pitmaston Duchess, St. Luke, and Marie
Benoist were extremely large, and moderate to
large size ruled throughout the exhibit. A very
pretty collection from Col. Borto.x was placed
2nd, and Major Puwell-Cottox, Quex Park,
Thanet (gr. Mr. J. Cornford), was awarded the
3rd prize.

Twelve dishes, dessert Pears, distinct. — Mr. A.
Basile, Woburn Park Gardens, Weybridge,
won the 1st position in this class, showing good
specimens of Beurre Superfin, Triomphe de
Vienne, Souvenir du Congres, Charles Ernest,
Durondeau, and Conseiller de la Cour, Doyenne
du Cornice, Beurre Bachelier, Pitmaston
Duchess, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Nouveau
Potteau, and another. 2nd, F. A. Bf.vax, Esq.,
and 3rd, the Right Hon. W. H. Loxg, M.P.

Six dishes, distinct. — The best collection of
dessert Pears in this class was from C. A.
Morris Field, Esq., Ashurst Park, Tunbridge
Wells (gr. Mr. J. R. Allan), who showed the
varieties Triomphe de Vienne, Pitmaston
Duchess, Doyenne du Cornice, Marguerite Maril-
lat, Beurre Baltet Pere, and Doyenne Boussoch.
It was found impossible to separate the 2nd
prize exhibit, therefore equal 2nd prizes were
awarded to Mr. Richard E. Phillips, East
Street, Sittingbourne, and C. A. Morris Field,
Esq., Sevenoaks (gr. Mr. R. Edwards). There
were five exhibits in this class.

Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Sc.

One dish of Peaches, one variety. — Out of
twenty-one exhibits in this class, generally of
high merit for the advanced season, the variety
Sea Eagle, as shown by the Marquis of North-
ampton', Castle Ashby, Northampton (gr. Mr. R.
Searle), gained the 1st prize. The same variety
in smaller and less perfectly developed fruits
from C R. Adeane, Esq., "obtained the 2nd
prize.

One dish of Nectarines, one variety. — There
were five exhibits of Nectarines, and generally
thev were less good in quality than the Peaches.
The fruits selected to receive the 1st prize were
very small specimens of the variety Pineapple,
but for this late season they were extremely well
coloured. They were exhibited by C. R.
Adeane, Esq.

Three dishes of Plums, distinct, grown under
glass. — Excellent fruits of moderate size were
shown bv Mr. Jas. Vert, Audley End Gardens,
Saffron Walden, who gained the 1st prize. The
varieties were Golden Transparent Gage, Coe's
Violet, and Coe's Golden Drop. The Marquis of
Northampton- was awarded the 2nd prize, and
he had the varieties Grand Duke, Coe's Golden
Drop, and Reine Claude de Bavay. 3rd, Mr.
J. H Goodacre.

Three dishes of Plums grown out-of-doors. —
Remembering the abundant Plum season, it
appeared appropriate that there were as many
as thirteen exhibits of three dishes in three
varieties. The Earl of Ashburxham, Battle (gr.
Mr. G. Grigg), won the 1st prize with Grand
Duke, Coe's Golden Drop, and Monarch. Mr.
James Vert was awarded the 2nd prize for the
varieties Pond's Seedling, Monarch, and Presi-
dent.

One dish of any other dessert Plum. — The
variety which gained the 1st prize was Reine
Claude de Bavav, as shown by E. S. Hanbury,
Esq., Poles Park, Ware (gr. Mr. Church). The
variety Rivers' Late Orange, though gaining no
award, was particularly noticeable in this class
by reason of the large size and rich colour of
the fruits.

One dish of culinary Plums. — Out of seventeen
exhibits, a dish of Pond's Seedling, shown by the
Marquis of Northampton, was awarded the 1st
prize.

DIVISION V.
Special County Classes.
These classes were provided for counties
having approximately the same meteorological
conditions to compete against each other, in
the case of Apples, the schedule required six
dishes, four of culinary and two of dessert
varieties: and of Pears, six dessert varieties.

Kent. — .1 ppl,s : Seven exhibits of Apples were
seen from this county, all of excellent quality
and remarkable for the high colour and finish
seen in the fruits. The premier position was
taken by W. E. S. C. Drax, Esq., Olantigh
Towers, Wye (gr. Mr. J. Bond). Of dessert
varieties were Worcester Pearmain and Lady
Sudeley, and of culinary sorts Bramley's Seed-
ling, The Queen, Hambling's Seedling, and
Peasgood's Nonsuch. The 2nd prize was awarded
to H. G. Kleinwort, Esq., Wierton Place,
Maidstone (gr. Mr. B. J. Mercer).

Pears. — The same number of entries was
staged by Kentish growers in the class for Pears
The winning fruits of both the 1st and 2nd prizes
were next each other, and not much difference
was seen in their quality, but The Dowager Lady
HILLINGDON, Wildernesse Park, Sevenoaks (gr.
Mr. J. Shelton), had slightly the better examples
and was awarded the premier place. Doyenne
du Cornice, Beurre Bosc, Beurre Superfin (excep-
tionally good), Durondeau, Pitmaston Duchess,
and Marie Louise d'l'ccle constituted the varie-
ties in the lst-pnze exhibit ; those in the 2nd,
shown by Mr. Richard E. Phillips, East Street,
Sittingbourne, being Doyenne du Cornice, Beurre
Hardy, Beurre Bachelier, Princess, Conseiller
de la' Cour, and Pitmaston Duchess.

Surrey, Sussex, Hants, Dorset, Somerset,
Devox, and Cornwall. — Apples: Much the
best collection of the three staged from these
counties was shown by B. H. Hill, Esq., New-
combes, Crediton (gr' Mr. G. Lock). All the
fruits shown by Mr. Hill were of remarkably
fine colour, and very large. Emperor Alexander
and Gascoyne's Scarlet were the pick, but Salt-
marsh Queen, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Cox's
Orange Pippin, and Coronation were also of
high quality. 2nd, J. B. Wingfield-Digby
Esq., Sherborne Castle, Dorset (gr. Mr. T. Tur-
ton), whose best dishes were those of Pott's
Seedling, Wealthy, and Peasgood's Nonsuch.

Pears. — The best Pears in this section were
shown bv Sir Edmund Loder. Bart., Leonards-
lee, Horsham, Sussex (gr. Mr. W. A. Cook). All
the' fruits were of very large size, especially those
of Beurre Baltet Pere, Souvenir du Congres, and
Marguerite Marillat. The other dishes were
Doyenne du Cornice, Pitmaston Duchess, and
Beurre Hardy, and together they constituted a
remarkably choice exhibit. 2nd. B. H. Hill,
Esq., Crediton (gr. Mr. G. Lock), with smaller
fruits. Pitmaston Duchess was very fine in this
exhibit, but the best dish was that of Doyenne
du Cornice.

Wilts, Gloucester, Oxford, Bucks, Berks,
Beds, Herts, and Middlesex. — Apples: Seven
excellent exhibits were seen, the premier one
being shown by Lord Hillingdon, Hillingdon
Court, T'xbridge (gr. Mr. A. R. Allan). In the
lst-prize collection, Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling
and Lord Derby were of high merit ; Emperor
Alexander, Warner's King, Cox's Orange
Pippin, and Ribston Pippin were also choice
fruits. 2nd, Mrs: Coney, Braywick, Maiden-
head {gr. Mr. Alfred Tidy).

Pears. — The same number of exhibitors staged
as in the class for Apples, viz., seven, and the
quality ran high throughout the seven. Lord
Hillingdon again won the 1st prize. A not ibl
dish nf Triomphe de Vienne was shown in this
exhibit. Durondeau, Emile d'Heyst, Doyenne
du Cornice, Thompson's, and Pitmaston Duchess
completed the half-a-dozen varieties. 2nd, Mr,
II. St. V. Ames, Cote House, Westbury-on-
Trym, Bristol, with Souvenir du Congri s,
Hacon's Incomparable, and Doyenne du Cornice
as the better examples.

Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge,
Hunts and RUTLAND. — Apples: Only two ex-
hibitors contested in the class for Apples, but
the premier display constituted one of the best
exhibits of Apples in the whole of the county
classes. The fruits were not only of large size,
but of high colouring and exquisite finish. They
were Blenheim Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Stone'
Apple, Mere de Menage (a dish of highest merit,,
Peasgood's Nonsuch, and Warner's King.
The exhibitor was Major Petre, Westwick
House, Norwich (gr. Mr. G. D. Davison).
Nicholas R. Page, Esq., Thorness, Marine
Parade, Clacton-on-Sea, was awarded the 2nu
prize.

Pears. — Major Petre also excelled in the class
for Pears, but the exhibit shown by Col.
the Hon. C. Harbord, Gunton Park, Norwich
(gr. Mr. W. Allan), ran very close in point ol
quality. Major Petre had Doyenne du Cornice,
Emile d'Heyst, Triomphe de Vienne, Marguerite
Marillat, Durondeau, and Pitmaston Duchess,
and no dish could be regarded as below the
very highest standard. Col. Harbord had Marie
Louise d'Uccle of very large size, and Mar-
guerite Marillat of superb finish.

Lincoln', Northampton, Warwick, I. kicks-
ter, Notts, Derby, Staffs, Shropshire, and
Cheshire. — Apples ."Five exhibits were shown,
the premier one by John Lee, Esq., Kingscroft,
Higher Bebington, Cheshire, but an absence of
colour was observed in the fruits, which, al-
though large, had not such fine colour and finish
as those shown by the Duke of Rutland, Bell il
Castle, Grantham (gr. Mr. W. II. Divers). Mr.
Lee exhibited Lord Derby, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Warner's King, Gloria Mundi, Cox's Orange
Pippin, and Ribston Pippin. Allington Pippin
and Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling were notable
dishes from Belvoir Castle Gardens.

Pears. — The best of five exhibits was shown
by the Marquis of Northampton, Castle Ashby,
Northampton (gr. Mr. A. R. Searle). Souvenir
du Congres and Beurre d'Amanlis were shown
in condition fit for the dessert table, but Doyenne
du Cornice, Beurre Superfin, Beurre Baltet Pere
and Pitmaston Duchess were not in season.
2nd, Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle, Gran-
tham (gr. Mr. W. II. Divers), who staged
Triomphe de Vienne, Directeur Hardy, Mar-
guerite Marillat, &c.

Worcester, Hereford, Monmouth, Glamor,
can, Carmarthen, and Pembroke. — Apph
A glance at the exhibits from these western
counties sufficed to show their adaptability for
Apple culture. All the fruits showed the delicacy
of skin pertaining to fruits of the highest finish
and quality, and in this respect they were prob-
ably unsurpassed by those from Kent. The best
were from the gardens of F. P. Norbury, Esq.,
The Norrest, near Malvern, his dish of Chas.
Ross being of a high standard of quality, and
of very large size. James Grieve was also ex-
cellent. The culinary varieties were Lane's
Prince Albert, Bramley's Seedling, Lord Derby,
and Bismarck. 2nd, G. H. Hadfield, Esq.,
Moraston House, near Ross, Hereford.

Pears. — The last-named exhibitor was 1st for
Pears with Souvenir du Congres, Doyenne Bous-
sech, Emile d'Heyst, Durondeau, &c.

Welsh Counties Other than those Named.
— Apples: The best exhibit of three was dis-
played by Sir George Meyrick, Bart.. Bodor-
gan, Anglesey (gr. Mr. Pilgriml. Neither the
Apples nor the Pears from these Welsh counties
calls for much comment. They were generally
small, especially the Pears, the best of which
were also shown by Sir George Meyrick,

Six Northern Counties of England, and
the Isle of Man. — Apples: One exhibit of
Apples only was seen, and this was shown by
John Brennand, Esq., Baldersby Park, Thirsk,

IV.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE GARDEXERS' CHRONICLE.

[October 26, 1907.

York (gr. Mr. J. E. Hathaway). Worcester
Pearmain and l.ady Sudeley were the dessert
varieties, and Lord Suffield, Ecklinville Seed-
ling, Peasgood's Nonsuch, and Lord Derby the
culinary varieties, the quality generally being
mediocre.

Pears. — Mr. Brennand also won the 1st prize
for Pears with no competition. He showed
Doyenne Boussoch, Doyenne du Cornice (very
pale in colour), Souvenir du Congres, Beurre
Diel, Pitmaston Duchess, and Durondeau.

Scottish Counties.— A pples : There were two
exhibits, and of these one was staged too late
for judging, but this was the better of the two.
The judges' awarded the 1st prize to Mr. James
Day, Galloway House Gardens, Garlieston,
Wigtownshire, and the Council gave an equal
1st prize to Col. Gordon, Threave House, Castle
Douglas (gr. Mr. James Duff). Col. Gordon had
Lady Sudeley and Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling
of remarkably fine colour.

Pears .—The only exhibit of Pears was staged
by Mr. James Day, and this was awarded the
1st prize. All were small and russety in ap-
pearance, Fondante de Thirriot being the best
sample.

Irish Counties.— A pples : There were three
exhibits of Apples from Ireland, but none of
Pears. All the Apples were good examples, and
greatly surpassed those from Scotland in point
of quality. In the 1st prize exhibit of Mr.
Clement B. Broad, Aghern, Conna, co. Cork,
a dish of the variety Chas. Ross was grand, and
he also showed good fruits of Bramley's Seed-
ling, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Worcester Pearmain,
&c. 2nd, Thos. O'Donnell, Esq., Tinnakelly,
Piltown, co. Kilkenny, with James Ross, Wor-
cester Pearmain, Golden Spire, Bismarck, 6tc.

DIVISION VI.

Single Dish Classes.
The following are the winners in the single
dish classes for fruits grown in the open air.
Six fruits in all cases constituted a dish. Nur-
serymen and market-gardeners were excluded
from the competition. The figures in parentheses
indicate the number of entries.

Dessert Apples.
Adams' Pearmain (11) : The finest dish was
shown by Lord Poltimore, Poltimore Park,
Exeter (gr. Mr. T. H. Slade). Allington Pippin
(15) : A highly-coloured half-a-dozen fruits won
the 1st prize for F. P. Norburv, Esq., The Nor-
rest, Malvern. American Mother (7) : 1st, Mr.
John II. Wootton, Byford, Hereford, with fruits
of the highest colouring. Bens Red (2). An even
sample staged by J. B. Fortescue, Esq., Drop-
more, Maidenhead (gr. Mr. C. Page), was the
finer. Blenheim Pippin (13) : The best finished,
but not the largest fruits, won the 1st prize.
These were all of regul.ir size and nicely
coloured. The exhibitor was Lord Foley, Clay-
gate (gr. Mr. II. C. Gardner). Claygate Pear-
main (7) : The fruits in this class varied greatly.
The largest were shown by G. H. Hadfield,
Esq., Moraston House, near Ross, and these
were awarded the 1st prize. Cockle's Pippin
(2) : The 1st prize was ?-varded to Mr. G. C. D.
Weddell, Park House, Teddington. Cox's
Orange Pippin (19) : This popular variety was
seen in diverse sizes and quality. Medium-
sized, well-finished fruits from the gardens of
F. P. Norbury, Esq., The Norrest, near Mal-
vern, were adjudged the best, and thus received
the 1st prize. 2nd, H. G. Wadlow, Esq., Peter-
borough. Egrcmont Russet (8) : Much the finer
fruits were shown bv W. E. S. Erle Drax,
Esq., Olantigh Towers, Wye, Kent (gr. Mr. J.
Bond). The fruits were coloured russety-brown on
a clear yellow ground. James, Grievi (10): E. P.
Norbury, Esq., Malvern, won in close compe-
tition with Col. Archer Houblon, who was
placed 2nd. King of the Pippins: 1st, IL J.
King, Esq., Ashford, Kent (gr. Mr. J. G.
Weston). King of Tompkins County (8): The
finest sample was disqualified as not being grown
in the open. The award went to Mr. John H.
WOOTTON, Byford, Hereford. Lord Hindlip
(4) : Much the best sample was shown by H. J.
King, Esq., Eastwell Park, Kent (gr. Mr. J. G.
Weston). Margil (7): 1st, G. II. Hadfield,
Esq., Moraston House, Ross, for the best
coloured fruits. Ribslon Pippin (25): The
largest fruits were also the finest in point of
quality, and these won the 1st prize for the

Earl of Ashbcrnham, Battle, Sussex (gr. Mr.
G. Grigg). 2nd, Mr. James Vert, Saffron
Walden, with large finely-finished fruits. Rival
(2) : 1st, Col. Archer Houblon, Welford Park,
Newbury (gr. Mr. C. Ross). Scarlet Nonpareil
(4) : 1st, Mr. J. MclNDOE, V.M.H., Dartford,
Kent. St. Edmund's Pippin (1) : The only ex-
hibit from J. B. Fortescue, Esq., Dropmore
(gr. Mr. C. Page), received the 1st prize.
Wealthy (9) : A fine dish of this highly-coloured
variety won the 1st prize for G. H. Hadfield,
Esq., Ross. Any other variety not named above
(22) : This brought forth a good competition,
but the 1st and the 2nd prizes were taken by
the variety Chas. Ross. Mr. Edgar Ross, Win-
chester, had the premier dish.

Culinary Apples.
Alfriston (1) : John Lee, Esq., Higher Beb-
ington, Cheshire, was awarded the 1st prize
for this variety. Annie Elizabeth (6) : An even,
clean-skinned sample shown by J. B. WlNG-
field-Digby, Esq., was awarded the 1st prize.
Beauty of Kent (5) : Jeremiah Colman, Esq.,
Gatton Park, Reigate (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound), had
the best fruits of this very irregularly-shaped
variety. Bismarck (12) : The largest and best
coloured fruits were shown by F. P. Norbury,
Esq., Malvern, to whom the 1st prize was
awarded. Bramley's Seedling (12) : A clear-
skinned, but green sample shown by Major
Petre, Westwick House, Norwich (gr. Mr. G.
D. Davison), was awarded the 1st prize.
Dumelow's Seedling (syn. Wellington) (8) : This
excellent culinary Apple was shown in the best
form by Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton (gr. W.
P. Bound). Edward VII. (1) : 2nd, Mr. John H.
WOOTTON, Byford, Hereford. Emperor Alexan-
der (8) : The fruits shbwn by Mr. T. Eden-
borough, Elmhurst, Rayleigh, were slightly
superior to those of W. E. S. Erle Drax,
Esq., and were placed 1st. The remaining ex-
hibitors were much behind these two mentioned.
Gascoyne's Scarlet (7) : It was easy to pick out
the winning dish, shown by H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park (gr. Mr. J. G. Weston). Golden
Noble (5): 1st, Mrs. Coney, Braywick, Maiden-
head (gr. Mr. A. Tidy). Golden Spire (6): The
largest and best fruits were shown by G. T.
Bates, Esq., Whitfield, Hereford (gr. Mr. R.
Grindrod). Grenadier (2) : 1st, J. B. Fortescue,
Esq., Dropmore, with a rather irregular sample.
Hambling's Seedling (7): II. St. Maur, Esq.,
Stover Park, Newton Abbot (gr. Mr. Geo.
Richardson), had fruits of almost double the size
and quality of those of any other exhibitor. Hec-
tor Macdonald (1) : 1st, Col. Archer Houblon.
Hormead Pearmain (3): G. II. Hadfield, Esq.,
Moraston House, Ross, was easily 1st for this
variety. Lady Hen inker (1) : j. B. WlNG-
field-Digby, Esq., showed the winning dish.
Pane's Prince Albert (15) : This well-contested
class resulted in F. P. Norbury, Esq., winning
with a magnificent dish. Lord Derby (8) : Mr.
Norbury again excelled with a magnificent half-
a-dozen fruits of this variety. Mere de Menage
(6): 1st, |. B. Wingfield-Digby, Esq.
Newton Wonder (17): (Northern growers): 1st,
Major Petre, Norwich (gr. Mr. G. D. Davison).
(Southern growers) : 1st, F. P. Norbury, Esq.
Norfolk Beauty (4) : Large well-coloured fruits
shown by Col. C. Harbord, Gunton Pork, Nor-
wich (gr. Mr. Wm. Allan), were adjudged the
best. Peasgood's Nonsuch (16): This huge variety
was shown in the finest form by W. E. S. Erle
Drax, Esq. ; 2nd, Mrs. Coney, Braywick,
Maidenhead (gr. Mr. A. Tidy). Pott's Seedling
(7) : 1st, J. W. Platt, Esq., View Road, High-
gate (gr. Mr. Chas. Turner). Royal Jubilee (4) :
The largest and best fruits were shown by J. B.
Fortescue Esq. Stirling Castle (11) : Col.
Archer Houblon showed the winning dish of
this variety. Tower of Glamis (5) : Much the
finest dish was shown by J. B. Wingfield-
Digby, Esq. Warner's Xing (12) : Among keen
competition, the 1st prize was awarded to A. P.
Brandt, Esq., Bletchingley Castle, Surrey ('gr.
Mr. J- W. Barks). Any other variety than those
enumerated (18): 1st, Gloria Mundi, shown by
Jeremiah Colman, Esq.; 2nd, Hollandbury,
shown by J. B. Wingfield-Digby, Esq.

Dessert Pears.

Belle Julie (1) : The 1st prize was given to the

only exhibit, shown by the Dowager Lady HlL-

I.INGDON. Beurre Alexander Lueas (8) : 1st, J. B.

Wingfield-Digby, Esq. Beurre d'Amanlis (6).

1st, Col. Archer Houblon, for the largest and
best fruits. Beurre d'Anjou : 1st, J. T.
Charlesworth, Esq., Nutfield Court, Suney (gr.
Mr. T. W. Herbert). Beurre Bosc (6) : A keen com-
petition resulted in the Earl of Ashburnham
winning the premier prize. Beurre Dumont (3) :
1st, Lord Hillingdo.n, Uxbridge (gr. Mr. A. R.
Allan). Beurre Hardy (15) : This well-con-
tested class resulted in Sir Edmund Loder,
Bart., winning with a choice dish of this
variety. Beurre Super fin (8) : 1st, J. B.
WlNGFIELD-DlGBY, Esq., with highly-finished
fiuits. Charles Ernest (2) : Very large fruits
won the 1st prize for Lord Poltimore. Comle
de Lamy (5) : 1st, Dowager Lady Hillingdon.
Conference (9) : Medium-sized fruits shown by
Jeremiah Coleman, Esq., were adjudged the
best. Doyenne du Cornice (20) : This keenly con-
tested class exhibited fruits of great diversity in
size and ripening. The winning dish easily
out-distanced the others in quality, and were
equal to orchard-house fruits. They were from
the gardens of F. Leverton Harris, Esq.,
Camilla, Lacey, Dorking (gr. Mr. James Mac-
Donald). Durondeau (12) : 1st, Right Hon.
Lord Hillingdon. with a magnificent sample.
Entile d'Heyst (9) : 1st, Rev. H. A. Bull,
Westgate-on-Sea (gr. Mr. F. King). Fondante
d'Automne (3) : Lord Hillingdon was successful
in this class, but the competition amongst the
three exhibitors was very keen. Fondante de
Thirriot (7): 1st, M. W. Price, Esq., Codicote,
Welwyn (gr. Mr. T. Patman). Glou Morccau
(£>) : Pale, flushed-red fruits won the 1st prize
for E. E. Croft, Esq., Stanstead Abbotts, Ware
(gr. Mr. G. Longhurst). Josephine de Malines (5) :
1st, J. B. Wingfield-Digby, Esq. Le Brun
(1): 1st, F. R. Ronp, Esq., Launceston. Le
P, etier (7) : The Earl of Ashburnham had the
winning dish of this variety in the largest fruits.
Louise Bonne of Jersey (16) : Magnificent fruits
won the 1st prize for W. E. S. Erle Drax,
Esq., the other samples staged being generally
much below this in point of merit. Marie Benoist
(3) : 1st, J. B. Wingfield-Digby, Esq. Marie
Louise (10) : 1st, G. H. Hadfield, Esq.,
Moraston House, Ross. Nouvelle Fulvie (4):
Col. C. Harbord, Gunton Park, won the
premier prize with much the largest fruits.
Pitmaston Duchess (15) : Rev. H. A. Bull won
with the biggest and finest-coloured fruits of
this variety. President Barabe (6) : The 1st prize
was won by Col. Harbord. St. Luke (1) : 1st,
J. B. Fortescue, Esq., with no competition.
Thompson's (7) : Lord Hillingdon was success-
ful in a good competition. Triomphc de Yienne
(!) : 1st, Lord Hillingdon, in competition with
other exhibitors, other splendid dishes of this
variety. Winter Nclis (5) : 1st, II. G. Klein-
wort,' Esq., who had the biggest but greenest
fruits. Any other variety than those enumerated
above (31):' 1st, Doyenne Boussoch, shown by
Mr. W. A. Voss, Rayleigh, Essex ; 2nd, Gansel's
Bergamot, exhibited by Jeremiah Colman, Esq.

Award of Merit.
Raspberry Alexandra.— A very late variety of
Raspberry, shown under this name by Col. the
lion. ('.Harbord, Gunton Park, Norwich (gr.
Mr. W. Allan), was granted an Award of Merit
by the Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Miscellaneous Exhibits.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, showed a collection of fruits,
grown entirely in the open, and very similar to
the two competitive exhibits in Class 14. The
Apples and Pears were remarkable for their ex-
cellence. The Council awarded this fine collec-
tion a Silver C,ilt Hogg Medal.

Messrs. H. Lane & Son, Great Berkham
Herts., show-ed some splendid vines in pots, well
laden with bunches. They included a Prince of
Wales Vine, 18 months old, bearing five bunches
of l< lb. each; a fine black variety, Appley
Towers, with 10 bunches ; Diamond Jubilee, a
black Grape bearing 12 bunches, some 1 sing
2 lbs. in weight ; Melton Constable, two vines
in 12-inch pots, bearing heavy crops; als Mrs,
Pearson and Black Alicante, both 1 eivily
fruited.

Messrs. T. Rivers & Sox. Sawbridg-worta,
showed bun;hes of Black Alicante Cranes on
boards, the shape of bunch, colour, and bloom
being alike good. This firm also showed pot-
vines in fruit, the varieties being Golden Queen,
Gros Colman, and Appley Towers.

November 2, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

305

THE

^arbcncrs'Cbrontcli

No. 7,088.— SATURDAY, November 2. 1907.

CONTENTS.

American blight, a dress-
ing for

Apple leaf-spots

Belgian garden, a

Books, notices of —
A Dictionary of Botani

cal Terms

Publications Received

Burghley House, Stam-
ford

Cattleya, a magnificent
plant of

Cultural memoranda —
The Bouvardia

Destructive Insects and
Pests Act, 1907

Exhibiting Chrysanthe-
mums : Boards v.
Vases

Fernery, the —
The distribution of
Ferns

Fruits, cold storage of
small

Florists' flowers —
New Chrysanthe'
mums ,

Fruit register —
Apples, Golden Spire

and Mank's Codlin 309
Fig culture 310

Fruits, some new ... 309

Fruit show, the recent 314,3(5

Garden competition at
Kingston 314

314
314

307
313
307
313

316

308
313

306

Grape disqualified at the
recent fruit show

Half-holiday for nursery
employees

Hardy flower border—
Silene Fortunei

Marlow, W. J., presen-
tation to

Montbretias, the propa-
gation of

Muscat of Alexandria
Grapes, judging

Plant notes —
Asparagus pastorianus 307

Pruning, summer ... 316

Prunus spinosa 308

Societies —
Debating

Royal Horticultural..
(Scientific Committee)

Linnean

Manchester and N. of
England Orchid ...

South-eastern Agricul-
tural College, Wye ...

Thomas, Mr. H. H. ...

Trenching

Tree planting

Week's work, the —
Flower garden, the ...
Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden

315
313

310
314

30C
316

319
317
319
313

319

313
314

312
309

310
311

311

Kitchen garden, the... 311
Orchid houses, the
Parks and gardens
Plants under glass

310
310
311

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Apple leaves affected with leaf-spot diseases ... 305, 306
Cattleya Warscewiczii, a remarkable plant of {Supple-
mentary Illustration)
Phyllosticta, a fungus causing leaf-spot disease in

Apples — pn«*

Prunus spinosa, a flowering spray of 308

Sphaeropsis, a fungus causing spotting in Apple leaves 306
Views in a Belgian garden ... 314, 315

APPLE LEAF-SPOTS.

DURING the past summer fruit-growers
in many districts have been complain-
ing that the leaves of a number of
varieties of Apples have become affected with
some disease which has turned the leaves
brown in places and in some cases caused
them to fall. Numerous examples of such
leaves have been sent to me from a number
of counties. After excluding those cases
which showed, on microscopic examination,
no disease attributable to any organism, and
in which the " browning " appeared to be
caused by some unfavourable atmospheric
conditions, there remained a large number of
cases in which it was evident that the damage
was caused by certain definite species of para-
sitic fungi which had attacked the leaves.
Some of these are still under investigation.
The object of the present note is to draw at-
tention to two definite " leaf-spots," and to
the fact that they can be cured by spraying ;
also to ask growers who notice any injury-
appearing on Apple leaves during next season
to kindly forward me examples of the same.
One of the commonest " leaf-spots " is
that shown in fig. 120. This is caused by a

species of Phyllosticta. The disease is char-
acterised by the presence of small, light-
brown spots 1 to 3 millimetres across, usually
circular, but sometimes oval. These brown

Fig. 120. — apple leaf affected with "leaf
spot," caused by a species of phyllosticta.

spots, which usually occur in numbers on a
single leaf, are composed of dead leaf-tissue
which has been killed by the fungus, and are
so sharplv marked oil from the surrounding
leaf-tissue as to bear the appearance of
having been stamped out. Scattered over the
brown area can be seen a number of minute
black dots. These, which are just visible to the
naked eye, are shown enlarged in the photo-
graph in fig. 121. Each black dot is a fruit-
conceptacle, or pycnidium, as it is called, o;
the fungus (see fig. 122), and contains within

Fig. 121. — a single " leaf spot " magnified,

showing the black dots, which are the

pycnidia of the phyllosticta.

it thousands of very minute, oval, colourless
spores, each measuring 6 to S by 2 to 3 /1.

The second " leaf-spot " is represented in
fig. 123. In this case larger areas of the leaf
are killed, and form dark-brown patches of

irregular shape, such as is shown in the
photograph in fig. 123. When a number of
such areas occur on a leaf, or when a single
dead patch is of considerable size, the whole
leaf may shrivel up and fall prematurely. The
fungus causing this " leaf-spot " is a species
of Sphaeropsis. If the dead area of the leaf
is examined withalens.a number of minute
black bodies can be seen breaking through
the .epidermis (sec fig. 123). These bodies,
whBh are usually arranged in a concentric
manner, are the fruit-conceptacles, or
pyenidia, of the fungus. Each pycnidium
contains many hundreds of comparatively
large, oblong-, dark olive-brown spores, which
measure 25 to 30 by 10 to 15 H. (see fig. 124).
The spores are borne, inside the pycnidium,
00 stalk-like conidiophores, which are often
10 be found attached to the ripe, or nearly
ripe, spore (see fig. 124, d.).

These two " leaf-spot " diseases, caused bv
species of the two genera Phyllosticta and
Sphaeropsis, have occurred this season on a
number of varieties of Apples, and have been
. specially prevalent on Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Cox's Orange, and Ribston Pippin.

In the case of several plantations which I
have had under observation during the entire
season, it has been very noticeable that these
" leaf-spots " have been entirely absent from
the trees which have been sprayed with Bor-
deaux mixture (for Apple " scab "), while
occurring to an injurious extent on the
surrounding trees.

FlG, 122. — DETAILS OF THE PHYLLOSTICTA
MAGNIFIED.

a, Dead cells of the Apple leaf ; b, Section of a pycnidium
c Spores ; d, Seven spores highly magnified.

The " leaf-spot " caused by Sphaeropsis is
of special interest, owing to the fact that a
species of this genus, viz., S. makirum Pk.,
has been proved in the United States to be
the cause of a distinct " canker " of Apple
trees, which has been termed the " New
York Apple-tree canker." This disease
(which until lately had been ascribed to sun-
scald) has been very destructive in New York
State, as well as in adjacent States, certain
varieties of Apples suffering heavily from the
injury caused by " cankered " limbs. A full
description of this "canker," which differs
in several details from that produced bv the
common " canker "-fungus of our orchards,
viz., the European canUer Nectria ditissima,
will be found in Bulletins Nos. 163 and 1S5
of the New York Agricultural Experiment
Station. In the latter publication we read:
" The leaves of Apple trees are occasionally
attacked by a Sphaeropsis, when injuries ap-
pear in the form of round brown dead spots
somewhat like those from burning by im-
priper sp»aying with Paris green. This form

306

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November

1907

of Sphaeropsis has not been definitely proved
to be identical with S. malorum, but the in-
dications are that it is the same."

Whether or not the Sphajropsis represented
in fig. 123 is the S. malorum which causes a

lrlG. 123. — APPLE LEAF AFFECTED WITH "LEAF
SPOT," CAUSED BY A SPECIES OF SPH^ROPSIS.

special " canker " of Apple trees in the
States, it is worthy of notice as being one of
the fungi which is able in this country in cer-
tain seasons to cause a definite injury, in the
form of " leaf-spots," to certain varieties of
Apples.

It is to be noted, too, that Spha?ropsis
malorum is well known in the States as the
fungus which causes the " black rot " of
Apples, not only when the fruit is in storage
but also in the ripening stage on the tree (see
the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station,
Bull. No. 69).

definite " leaf-spots," there appeared the
Farmers' Bulletin No. 2S3 of the U.S. De-
partment of Agriculture on " Spraying for
Apple Diseases." Here it is stated that the
fungus diseases which are " quite destruc-
tive " in certain Apple orchards are " bitter
rot," Apple "blotch," and "leaf-spot."
Under " leaf-spot diseases " the following
interesting remarks occur : " The disease
may begin to appear in the spring, soon after
the young leaves unfold, but the spots are
usually more prominent between midsummer
and the end of the season. This diseased con-
dition causes the leaves to drop prematurely,
frequentlv leaving the trees denuded in early
autumn, six weeks or two months before the
normal period of leaf-fall. Trees thus de-
prived of their foliage cease activity, and as
a result the fruit is small and not properly
matured ; the buds for the crop of the fol-
lowing year are weakened, and in some .
cases not fully developed, and the life of the
tree is materially shortened. These leaf
diseases are partly responsible for the failure
of the trees to produce crops and for the early
decline of the orchard. Leaf-spots are due to
several different fungi, perhaps the most pro-
minent of which is a species of Phyllosticta.
A species of Hendersonia and the ordinary
' black rot ' fungus, Sphasropsis malorum,
are found in conjunction with some of the
spots, and may be responsible for the injury
in some cases. These leaf-diseases are largely
prevented by application of Bordeaux mix-
lure, and the foliage remains fresh and green
long after unsprayed trees are defoliated."
Two good applications of Bordeaux mixture
are recommended, the first application about
two or three weeks after the petals have
fallen, and the second about seven weeks
later.

It appears, therefore, that in the States the
injury caused by " leaf-spots," such as those
shown in figs. 120 and 123, if not actually
identical with them, is sufficiently serious to
demand spraying. It is quite possible that with
the constantly increasing acreage of Apples in
England, growers in this country will be
obliged to have recourse regularly to the same
measures. It is certain that in many dis-

FlG. 124. — DETAILS OF TilE SPHvEKOPSIS MAGNIFIED.

a, Dead cells of the tissue of the leaf; b, Section through a pyenidium ; c, Spores;
d, Three spores very highly magnified.

Whilst I was investigating during the past tricts this season it would have paid well to

summer the "spotting" and "browning" have sprayed against Apple "leaf-spots."

nf Apple leaves, and after I had ascertained E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., Mycologist to the

that the species of Phyllosticta and Spha?rop- South-Eastcrn Agricultural College, Wye,

sis described above are the cause of two Kent.

THE PROPAGATION OF
MONTBRETIAS.

The beautiful new hybrids of Montbretia do
not naturally increase so readily as many of the
older kinds ; the following remarks may there-
fore prove useful.

Plants that have been grown in the open
border should now be lifted very carefully, and,
after being divided, be potted into small pots
in a light, sandy compost, and be afforded a
greenhouse temperature. At the time of lifting
the corms, it will be found that some of the
stronger plants have developed one or more
long underground stems very much resembling
Couch Grass, but considerably stronger and
thicker. These shoots have always a few root
fibres present along their sides. These rhizomes
should be detached from the bulb, and be potted
separately with just the point of the shoot pro-
truding above the soil. If the pots are placed
on a shelf in an intermediate house, the shoots
will continue to form roots, and in the spring
the plants will be growing freely. The corms
which have been potted should show no signs of
growth until early in the spring, when, besides
the centre shoots, several underground stems
will appear along the sides of the pots. When
these shoots are 1 inch or more above the level
of the soil, the plant should be turned out of its
pot and the side growths be cut off with a few root
fibres attached, but without disturbing the ball
of earth around the parent bulb.

These small, rooted suckers should be placea
into small pots; in the spring, they will require
a ilhift into larger receptacles. If the weather
is favourable they may be planted direct from
the small pots into a well-prepared bed in the
open. Many of these plants will flower the
first season after planting, and will form good
corms, from which a plentiful stock can be ob-
tained the following year. Montbretias prefer a
sunny position in the flower-garden, and, during
dry weather are much improved by a mulch-
ing and copious supplies of liquid farmyard
manure. The newer hybrids form elegant sub-
jects for pot-culture, either when grown singly
or several together. W. H. Clarke, Aston
Rozuant, Oxon.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

THE BEST CHRYSANTHEMUMS SENT
OUT SINCE 1903.

As a result of an election by the members of
the Paris Chrysanthemum Committee, organised
early in the year, a list of the best novelties since
1903 has just been published in the journal sup-
plied to its members. Of course, English growers
would probably add others, but it is interesting to
record the names of some of those that obtained
the greatest number of votes.

There were 34 votes in all, and upwards of 200
varieties received from three to 30 votes each.
These appear in the audit, arranged in order of
name of variety, raiser, date, and number of votes
given in each case. The most successful are the
varieties obtained by Cahert, Marquis de Pins,
Nonin, Durand, Wells, Jones, Vilmorin, Chan-
trier, and several others not widely known in this
country.

Out of the 200 I have selected the first 30 ; these
obtained from 30 votes to 18, and areSapho, Mme.
Marguerite de Mons, Mme. Rene Overthur,
Lt.-Col. Ducroiset, President Viger, Tokio, Jean
Calvat, Souvenir de Bailleul.Ch Schwartz, Mme.
Henri Douillet, M. Ant Marmontel, La Gracieuse,
President Loubet, Le Brevannais, Alliance, Souve-
nir de Mme. Buron, Nathalie Bourseul, Ami A.
Nonin, Albert Maumene, Rose Poitevine, M.
Loiseau Rousseau, Henri Second, Souvenir de
Calvat Pere, Mme. Toussaint. Charvet, Vierge
Montbrunoise, Amateur Rozieres, Mme. de la
Verbeville, Mile. Ren(5e Avisard, Villede Phenicie,
Mrs. J. A. Miller. C. H. P.

November 2, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

307

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

THE BOUVARDIA.

The culture of the Bouvardia is much simpler
than that of many commonly-grown flowering
plants which yield fewer blossoms in return
for an amount of labour bestowed upon
them than is necessary in the case of the
Bouvardia. Plants may be had in little more
than six months from the time of inserting the
cutting, measuring 2 feet in diameter and the
same in height. If these be grown a second year
they will reach a size double that mentioned,
but for general decorative purposes in the con-
servatory or dwelling-room, yearling plants are
to be preferred. Propagation is readily effected
by cuttings which are best secured from old
plants that have been pruned hard back, as in
the case of an old Fuchsia. The pruned plants
should be placed in a warm moist plant-house,
in February. They will soon form new growths,
and these will furnish the cuttings which should
be taken off about 2 inches long, and preferably,
but not necessarily, provided with a heel. Well-
drained pots, having a diameter of 5 inches,
should be filled with a mixture of leaf-mould and
sand, the cuttings inserted, and be placed upon a
hot bed. Roots will form readily, and potting
must be done before the roots become matted
together. Thumbs or small sixties will be suit-
able pots, and the compost should consist of
equal parts leaf-mould and fibrous loam, with
a free addition of sand. When potted, return
the plants to the hot-bed. The leading shoots
should be regularly pinched in order to pro-
mote a bushy habit of growth, and when they
have filled their pots with roots a shift into
4-inch pots should be afforded, using at this
stage a mixture of loam and peat in equal pro-
portions with sufficient sharp sand to keep
the compost open. Should peat not be avail-
able, leaf-mould may be used in its place ; I have
seen Bouvardias do very well when this material
has been substituted for peat. After a time,
when the heat has declined in the hot-bed, they
may be removed to a cold frame, and placed
as near to the glass as is convenient. Syringe
the plants overhead, and close the structure
early in the afternoon to retain the sun's heat.
At their final potting they should be afforded
6-inch pots, and this should take place not later
than the end of July if the plants are intended
for early winter flowering, but it may be de-
ferred a fortnight if flowers are not required so
early. Use a compost similar .to that in the
4-inch pots. As the summer advances, the plants
should be plunged in some open material such
as leaves, in order to keep the roots cool and
prevent a sudden drying of the ball. The Bou-
vardia requires plenty of moisture at its roots,
and the ioliage should be frequently syringed
during the summer months. At this stage the
lights should be removed from the frame both
day and night ; in fact, no frame is needed.
The pinching of the shoots must be regularly
performed, for growth is vigorous throughout
the summer till the end of August. There is
often a difficulty in preventing Bouvardias
running to flower in a hot dry summer ; this is
owing to the plants having too much sunlight,
which ripens the wood quickly. This precocious
blooming may be prevented by plunging the
plants in the manner described, and protecting
them from full exposure to the sun at midday.
For flowering in November and December
the plants should be housed about the end of
September in a plant-house having a tempera-
ture of 50°. As the flowering shoots appear
the plants should be given a stimulant such as
manure water. This should be very dilute and
be applied at frequent intervals. When flowering
is over the plants should be gradually brought
to a resting condition, and be placed in a cool
house. When they are to be started into growth
again the shoots should be cut back to about the
second node, and the plant be grown on as
recommended above.

Bouvardias may be propagated from roots
at the same time of the year as from stem
cuttings. The old plants should be freed from
soil and the thickest of the roots cut into
portions about an inch long. These pieces
should be placed near the surface in sandy soil
in pans and about an inch apart. Their after
treatment will be the same as in the case of
stem cuttings Amongst trie best varieties for
winter flowering are Alford Neuner, Elegans,
Hogarth, Dazzler, Maiden's Blush, Jasminoides,
President Garfield and Vreelandi. H. R. W.

BURGHLEY HOUSE.

This beautiful historic mansion, the seat of
the Marquess of Exeter, is situated near to
the town of Stamford. It stands in a well-
wooded park of several hundreds of acres, the
scenery of which is most beautiful. Double
avenues of Lime trees and Elms afford a
natural shade in the summer to the browsing
cattle and deer.

The pleasure grounds, which are very exten-
sive, contain some fine specimens of the Cedar
of Lebanon, and bold groups of flowering
shrub.;, many of which are planted near to a
lake. A dell in the pleasure grounds contains a
rock-garden, and, during hot weather, provides
a cool and refreshing walk. Large banks of the
common Laurel, planted by the sides of the
paths, form a feature in these gardens. They
are well trained, and as the pruning is per-
formed by means of the knife, much labour is
involved in their trimming. Rambling Roses,
trained on iron arches, are another notable fea-
ture, and these plants grow with the greatest
freedom. Plants of the variety Crimson Ram-
bler are trained to represent a tent, the chains
forming the design being entirely covered with
the plants. Large flower-beds, near the man-
sion, are planted with Violas in varieties of
different colours ; Pelargoniums, Fuchsias,
Heliotropes, and Lobelia compacta var. Kath-
leen Mallard appeared extremely pleasing at the
time of my visit — the last day in September.
Tropaeolurn speciosum, planted on the north
side of a Yew hedge and sheltered by a belt of
trees from rough winds, was a beautiful object.
A wild garden is in course of planting, and this
will add greatly to the beauty of these wood-
land pleasure grounds. There are three plant
houses near to the mansion, and these are occu-
pied by plants suitable for room and table deco-
ration.

The kitchen gardens comprise an area of more
than 12 acres. Among the vegetables was
Chou de Burghley Kale, which was raised at the -^e
gardens some years ago. I noticed one border
60 yards long planted entirely with " Horace
Martin " Chrysanthemum, the plants being a
mass of flowers.

Peach trees were seen on walls in the open
in great quantities, and they were carrying heavy
crops of well-finished fruits. The varieties
Princess of Wales and Sea Eagle are grown for
a late supply. Pears and Apples were fair
crops, although their number was below the
average for Burghley.

The glass structures are extensive and com-
prise several span-roofed houses, each 45 yards
in length. Tomatos and Cucumbers were
planted out in one house, and another was filled
with winter-flowering Carnations. These Car-
nations were planted in 6-inch pots. A batch
of Begonia Gkire de Lorraine, and another of
Euphorbia (Poinsettia) gave promise of a fine
show of flowers later. Plants of Calanthe
Veitchii were fast maturing their large, healthy
pseudo-bulbs, which appeared capable of de-
veloping good flower-spikes. One house was
filled with pot plants of Myosotis.

Another span-roofed structure had two side
stages filled with the scarlet Raspail Pelar-
gonium. The plants were covered with flowers
over a groundwork of Adiantum Ferns. Pits
and frames accommodated Strawberry plants ;

these will furnish a succession of fruits to those
grown in pots. A frame contained a large batch
of Cyclamen just showing their flowering spikes.

Several glasshouses are devoted to the culture
of fiuit, including Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines,
Figs and Melons, the last-named being grown
on square turves placed upon slates as a pre-
ventive of canker.

Chrysanthemums were strong and healthy,
and appeared capable of producing excellent
blooms in their season. In several lights are
grown Violets on long manure placed on fag-
gots, and with a covering of loamy soil on top.
Under this treatment the plants furnish an
abundance of good flowers. Mr. T. Grant, the
gardener, has made several improvements in the
kitchen gardens, and also in the pleasure
grounds du'ing his tenure of service, and he is
to be congratulated on the excellent condition of
the gardens at Burghley House. T. W. B.

PLANT NOTES.

ASPARAGUS PASTORIANTS (ASPARAGUS

ALBl'Si.

There exists in certain remote parts of
Teneriffe, and in one locality of the Canary
Islands, a species of Asparagus known as
Asparagus Pastorianus, a plant very similar
in growth to that of a miniature Pseudo-lanx.
The " leaves " (cladodes) are of a bluish-green
tint, the root is a fleshy tuber not unlike that of
a Dahlia, only smaller, and the seed is enclosed
in a red fleshy berry. The finder, Mr. Oskar
Burchard, seedsman at Orotava, brought a
number of living plants to the town, and he has
also raised others from seeds. The plant does
not suffer greatly by the rough removal from
the soil in which it is found wild, and it
soon begins to grow when potted. A year-old
plant makes a pretty decorative object for the
dwelling-room. The plant is not a climber, but
has a bush-like habit of growth not gener-
ally seen in the species of Asparagus cultivated
in glasshouses. Although an erect-growing
species, the lateral shoots are drooping, and
these are covered with a white coating which
gives an appearance suggestive of ivory. For a
certain length of time the branches are desti-
tute of side shoots, and then the latter appear,
and are followed by soft linear "leaves"
about 5 cm. in length. They stand about an inch
apart and are united in bundles of 30 or more.
The branches of strong plants grow to a length
of 3 feet, and by the rapid production of shoots
the plant soon makes a bush of considerable
breadth and regular form. By stopping the side
growths an erect pyramidal or columnar habit
is obtained, or by a timely stopping of the leader,
a drooping or a grotesque plant is equally
readily formed. As a consequence of its possess-
ing fleshy corms, the plant is but little influenced
by changes in the amount of moisture present in
the soil. Shoots are produced during the greater
portion of the year till the flowering season is
passed at the end of the summer, when a season
of rest, lasting for several months, should be
afforded. The plant at that season loses a
small portion of its " leaves," but it still remains
green. The flowers appear in numerous little
clusters, and are stellate in form, white, and
very fragrant. The berries become of a purple
colour in the winter season. The management
of the plant is very simple. The seed retains its
germinating po.ver for several months and
should be sown in small pots singly or several
together, and the seedlings shifted once or twice
during the first year. It is advisable to employ
sandy loam at the first potting, but a more nutri-
tive loamy soil should subsequently be used.

The plant ought in the winter to be staged
close to the glass, and kept dry for the first few-
months ; indeed, complete dryness at the root
is not injurious to its well-being. The plant is
figured in Mailer's Deutsche Gartner-Zeitung, No.
31, 11)07. F. 31 .

30d

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 2, 1907.

THE FERNERY.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF FERNS.
As the result of observation made during a
recent Fern-hunting trip to Cornwall, I was
much struck by the apparently entire absence of
several species of Ferns over a considerable
range of country where suitable habitats for them
abounded. The Wall Rue — for instance, Asple-
nium Ruta-muraria — is so adaptive a little Fern
that, even in the vicinity of London, we may find
it on old walls, in some places in abundance, and
in most of our expeditions north and south, east
and west, it has figured in my list of species.
Both in North Cornwall, Camelford to Tintagel
and Boscastle districts on this occasion, and in

account for, especially when we consider the
easy transference of spores by the wind and the
apparent identity of conditions which prevail in
the lanes in question, yet in many of them a
careful search would not reveal a single Harts-
tongue, and then suddenly I would come across
a long stretch in which it would be abundant, only
to cease as abruptly as it commenced, its com-
panion Ferns, Male Ferns, Lady Ferns, Broad
Buckler, and Hard Ferns, however, would con-
tinue without interruption, thus indicating no
great change in these conditions which favour
Fern life. Here and there, too, small colonies of
the Lemon-scented Fern, fine strong plants,
would be found, but only for fifty yards or so,
and Lastraea cemula, the pretty crispy Hay-
scented Fern, was equally erratic and sporadic,

FlG. 125. — FLOWERING SPRAY OF PRUNUS SPINOSA ; THE BLACKTHORN, OR SLOE.

South Cornwall, the Falmouth district last year,
this little Fern was conspicuous by its absence
on innumerable suitable walls and dykes, not a
single example being found anywhere. Asple-
nium trichomanes and A. Adianlum-nigrum, its
usual companion in Ferny districts, were, how-
ever, plentiful. Polystichum angulare, the soft
shield Fern, an extremely common Fern in
Devonshire, the adjoining county, where it pre-
vails in abundance in precisely such shady
green, deeply embowered lanes as are common
in Cornwall, only supplied a single specimen
in a week's hunting, this, strange to say, being
a fair-sized plant, though not even a seedling
was detected anywhere else. The apparent
waywardness of some species is also difficult to

half-a-dozen plants appearing at short distances
and then no more for miles, though the lanes,
as we have said, presented little or no apparent
change as regards shade and humidity. The
common Polypody (P. vulgare) appeared every-
where more or less abundantly, and was,
to the Fern hunter, annoyingly constant to
the simple normal type, not a sign of
variability turning up amid the many thousands
of plants inspected until I turned down a lane a
little to the west of Camelford, when almost
without exception a serrate and even sub-bipin-
nate robust form fringed the walls, and hung
pendent from the hedge tops or the trunks and
branches of the wayside trees ; two lanes
scarcely showed a normal smooth-edged frond,

but on crossing the high road all were found to
be normal again. A narrow papery fronded
somewhat serrate Blechum (B. s. strictum) turned
up as a fine tuft among the normal plants in one
lane, and about half a mile away, in another
lane, its counterpart appeared, these being the
only variants in this species among the thousands
inspected. Lastraea montana, though by no
means abundant, furnished a very marked cris-
pate variety, and it is worthy of note as an
encouragement to those who are endeavouring
to suppress the wholesale raiding of Ferny
habitats by vandalistic market purveyors, that
this plant, being of some size, I was advised by
my guide to cut off the fronds and make a
parcel of the roots to avoid the risk of being
wrongly classed, as some prosecutions had been
instituted in the district. Since, however, a
whole week's bag only filled a cubic foot biscuit
box, my conscience did not prick me, though
I adopted the precaution suggeste'd for fear of
setting a bad example. Incidentally, on my
return journey to London, I paid a visit to the
place on Dartmoor where 19 years ago I found
L. montana cristata gracilis Druery, and was
afforded thereby a singular piece of evidence as
to change of land surface in course of time.
That Fern when originally found grew on the
bank of a stream running off Dartmoor, the bank
sloping at such an easy gradient that, sighting the
Fern from a path above, I walked down and in-
spected it. To-day there is so precipitous a dip
that no slope at all exists, and I could only reach
the stream by a detour, the place where the Fern
was found being now the stream bed, the course
being altered to that extent purely by natural
means. Singularly enough, in searching for a
possible seedling of my former find, a very
marked sub-plumose plant of the same species
was found on the almost perpendicular bank,
within a few yards of the site of the first dis-
covery. From the varietal point of view, I con-
sider my bag a poor one — i.e., as compared with
those obtained in other years — though it con-
sists of Lastraea montana crispata, L. m. sub-
plumosa, Blechum spicant strictum, Scolopen-
drum vulgare, a possible ramo-cristatum, but
too small to be sure of, a very singular form
with oval fronds, the midrib tapering off to
nothing in the middle of the frond, which
finishes off roundly, and a sub-lineatum with
crenate edges. These and a specimen of Foly-
podium vulgare serratum constitute the list.
Chas. T. Druery, V.M.H., F.L.S.

PRUNUS SPINOSA L.

The common Blackthorn, Prunus communis
lluds, is too well known to require a lengthy
description. Several sub-species or races have
been distinguished, the chief being the Sloe or
Blackthorn proper (P. spinosa L.), which is re-
presented in our illustration (fig. 125), and the
Bullace (P. insititia L.). The latter is more
widely distributed than the Sloe, and it extends
beyond the confines of Europe into N. Africa
and into Asia.

The flowers afford interesting examples of
adaptations to cross-pollination. The stigma
is already receptive before the flower is fully
open, and it projects well in front of the half-
unfolded petals, whilst the stamens are still in-
rolled, so that their anthers point in towards
the centre of the blossom. As the flower ex-
pands, the style continues to grow for a while,
thus keeping the stigma well out of the way
of the stamens as they successively unfold.
During this period the flowers may easily be
cross-pollinated by any of the insects that
chance to visit them. Later on, however, self-
pollination may be effected, either by the in-
sects or by pollen which happens to fall from
the stamens on to the still receptive stigma.

Cut sprays of Blackthorn, when properly
treated after the Japanese fashion, form very
effective and decorative objects for the house
at a time when it is not easy to obtain much
floral variety. It seems not to be generally
known that this plant, like its relatives the
Apple and Pear, readily lends itself to simple
forcing. The blossoms are fully formed by the
end of the autumn, and if the sprays are cut
early in the year, whilst the flowers are still
enclosed in the winter buds, they can easily be
forced into flower by keeping them in water for
a time in a warm room, and the flowers thus
produced will last much longer than those
which naturally unfold later on in the spring.

November 2, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

309

THE NEWER VARIETIES OF
FRUIT.

The planting season being now at hand, the
following particulars of new fruits, describing
the experiences gained in my nurseries, may be
interesting. Among dessert Apples Langley
Pippin proves a very useful early kind, a
good bearer, of free growth. James Grieve
seems to improve, and it is certainly one
of the best varieties for late in Septem-
ber and during October. It may best be de-
scribed as an early Cox's Orange Pippin. Belle
de Boskoop bears freely, and is a large russet-
coloured fruit of rich flavour. Charles Ross suc-
ceeds in a cold season better than Cox's Orange
Pippin, but the fruit is too large for dessert,
especially if grown on young trees ; when trees
have become older and are well cropped the
variety may prove of value. Coronation, how-
ever, is one of the most promising seedlings
which have been obtained from Cox's Orange
Pippin. The fruit is handsome and the tree is
apparently hardier than Cox's Orange Pippin ;
but it does not bear well at so young a stage.
Rival is a great bearer, and, I think, the best
that Mr. Ross has raised. I find it to be of good
flavour. Ballinora may be said to be a scarlet-
fruited Blenheim Pippin, of rich flavour, and a
better bearer when young than its parent. The
Iloublon has not yet fruited with me. Allington
Pippin, Jas. Grieve and Ben's Red are finding
great favour with market growers. By the way, .
in the Daily Telegraph for October 12 it was
stated that " nurserymen do not cater for the mar-
ket growers." This is far from the fact. But
the writer is not, perhaps, aware of our difficul-
ties. 9 For instance, a grower may want a large
number of one kind that is seldom asked for.
It takes three years to work up stock, and it has
often happened that when we work heavily on
the desired sort the growers have altered their
minds, and we are left with thousands of two-
year-old trees, for which there is no demand.
If they would let us know three years ahead, any
nursery could supply them. No outsider has
any idea of the sudden changes in popularity
which take place among the market growers or
dealers. For example, Newton Wonder is far
and away a better Apple in all respects than
Bramley's Seedling, yet the growers will prefer
Bramley's, and therefore have to wait two years
longer for a crop.

To return to recent kitchen Apples, I consider
Early Victoria one of the very best early Codlins,
an enormous and regular bearer, although not
new. Biel Borodawka is, for private gardens,
far better than Duchess of Oldenburg, for use
in September and October. Hector Macdonald,
one of Mr. Ross's latest varieties, I believe, has
a great future before it, as it is practically a
Lane's Prince Albert, but of more vigorous,
sturdy habit, and an equally good bearer, even
at two years old. Norfolk Beauty is a splendid
large and free-cropping Apple of excellent cook-
ing quality ; for use in October, November, and
December. It does not fall in a tart, and has a
very free-growing habit. Edward VII. may be
called an improved Golden Noble ; it is a free
bearer. Lord Stradbrooke has not yet fruited ; it
will prove a fine exhibition fruit for placing in
the back row. Byford Wonder is fast growing
in popularity as a late large green fruit. It is of
sturdy and free-growing habit.

The only recent Pear will be the new " Santa
Claus," to be sent out this season, and may best
be described as a Doyenne du Cornice, for use
at Christmas. The growth is very promising,
and it appears most fertile. Le Brun and Beurre
Alexander Lucas are very fine, though not recent.
Charles Ernest, which one might call a late Pit-
maston, is very fine. An early and little-known,
free-cropping, green Pear for August is Aspasie
Ancourt, of very sweet flavour. General
Wauchope and R. D. Blackmore, introduced by
Mr. Chas. Ross, are very promising, but they
have not yet fruited with me. St. Luke is a
handsome Pear, of good flavour, but it requires

watching, as it is apt to become ripe before it
appears to be so.

A very fine November Pear, but little known,
is Belle Julie ; while the September Marguerite
Manllat gives every satisfaction. Doyenne du
Cornice still stands pre-eminent. It is somewhat
surprising that the crop of Pears is so good this
cold season, when Apples have suffered so
severely ; but many are very much spotted, ex-
cept where cultural conditions have been
properly observed. This may be due to the
Pear foliage being shiny or varnished, so to
speak, and thus allowing the wet to pass quickly
over it ; while Apples, being rough and hairy,
retain moisture a longer time.

In Peaches, the Earliest of All came first to
pick, and from its robust habit it will prove
valuable. Duchess of Cornwall succeeds it, and
is a very fine early fruiter. No other variety
calls for special remark, but Devonian Late is a
fully-flavoured late kind, whilst Rivers' Pere-
grine and Thomas Rivers are sorts to be relied
upon.

No new Nectarines have called for notice. We
still lack one of the stamp of Early Rivers, of
free-stone nature. At present Darwin is the
best white-fleshed, and Pineapple the best
yellow-fleshed, variety.

In Plums, Rivers' Admiral, Primate, and Pre-
sident are kinds all should grow ; and the Japan
Mirabelles are worthy of being placed against a
wall. The new primrose-coloured Shiro is as
large as Oullin's Golden Gage, and of rich
flavour. Burbank seems to fruit freely when the
tree is well off the ground, and for cooking pur-
poses it is very rich and Apricot-like in flavour ;
very fine for cool orchard-house culture.
Burbank's Giant Prune is a good bearer, and is
capable of hanging late. It resembles a small
Pond's Seedling Plum, and is very firm and will
cook well. Messrs. Veitch's Langley Black
Bullace proves vigorous in growth (maidens 6
to 9 feet), and being very late and a great bearer,
it will be in demand.

In outside fruits, Messrs. Veitch's Madhi
Beury is of good flavour, and ripens at a time
when such fruits are wanted. The Logan Bern-
is now grown largely for market sale.

In Raspberries, I have not seen any that call
for special notice.

Of Strawberries, Reward and the Bedford have
done well. Laxton's Latest is very fine, but not
a heavy bearer with me. Givon's Late is still
the best large fruit for the last pickings.

No new Cherries have come to the front ; in
fact, they are so good that we cannot do better
than plant recognised sorts.

I have heard the remark that " no fruits have
been up to their usual standard in flavour this
season," showing that no care and extra cultiva-
tion can atone for the want of genial sun heat
and light. For the same reason the rich colour
we generally get in Apples and Pears will not
be attained this season.

Advantage should be taken to thin out the
branches of all fruit trees as soon as possible to
ripen wood and plump up the buds for 1908,
which at present promise an abundant blossom.
George Bunyard, October 14.

TREE PLANTING.

Ground that is intended for planting trees and
shrubs should be dug deeply from end to end,
and if necessary, trenched, though planting at
once on newly-trenched ground is not to be re-
commended as a period should elapse to allow
the soil to become properly settled. If small
forest-trees, such as Larch, Spruce, &c, are to
be planted, ploughing the ground will suffice,
but the subsoil plough should follow if neces-
sary to break the ground to a sufficient depth
for the roots of these plants. It should always
be remembered that any extra labour expended
in the preparation of ground for planting per-
manent subjects is amply repaid by the in-

creased growth of the plants afterwards. 1 or
isolated trees and shrubs, or in the case of land
that has been properly prepared in former years,
it will be necessary only to dig holes of a suffi-
cient size to accommodate the roots of the
plants. The shape of the hole is immaterial,
the chief point is to make them of a sufficient
size and depth. The planter should endeavoui
to provide his plants with sufficient space for at
least two years' root development in well-broken
ground that has been enriched by the addition
of manure, leaf-mould, or good loam.

Planting.
This operation should not be hurried, for it is
not wise to waste time and money in preparing
ground and purchasing plants, and then to nega-
tive the result by improper planting. It must
always be remembered that, however carefully
transplanting is performed, some of the roots are
certain to be broken or injured by the spade,
and every care and attention is necessary to
enable the plant to repair the damage and to put
forth new roots. Before a tree is placed in the
ground the roots should be trimmed with a
knife, and have all bruised and ragged ends
severed by a clean cut. The roots should be
carefully spread out, and have, some of the finer
soil worked amongst them by the hand. This
is especially important in the case of a thick
mass of roots from which all the mould has been
shaken, for, if they are not separated and
brought into contact with the soil, many of them
will decay. Particular care should be exercised
in this respect when planting large deciduous
trees, as, in addition to their possessing a large
number of roots, the latter often spring from
the crown of the tree in such a manner that a
hollow place may be left just under the bole,
and this tends to keep the roots dry, and also
renders the tree liable to be moved by high
winds. After the hole has been filled in again
the ground should be trodden as firmly as pos-
sible, except in very wet weather, but it should
receive a final treading when the soil has dried
somewhat. Planting is best performed when
land is on the dry side, as the soil then works
much more easily, and the roots lay hold of it
more readily.

Staking.
Trees should be properly staked after plant-
ing to train them upright, and to hold them
firmly. A tree that is blown about by everv
wind shifts at its base, and thus prevents the
roots from getting quickly hold of the ground.
A single stake is sufficient for small subjects,
but for trees of a considerable size three stakes
arranged in the form of a triangle some distance
from the stem, and brought together just below
the head, should be used. Placed in this man-
ner the stakes prevent the tree from moving in
any direction. A piece of old mat or sacking
should be put around the tree where it is tied to
prevent the bark becoming injured by rubbing
against the poles. /. Clark, Bagshot, Surrey.

FRUIT REGISTER.

APPLE GOLDEN SPIRE.
I would strongly recommend this early Cod-
lin Apples as a tree of compact growth,
capable of giving a maximum amount of
fruit from a minimum of space. The tree
is of upright habit of growth, not vigorous,
and in appearance may be likened to a tree mid-
w-ay between Keswick Codlin and Lord Suffield,
smaller than the latter yet larger than the for-
mer. In colour the fruits are an ordinary Codlin
yellow, the quality is all that can be desired, and
the fruits are in season at the end of July. S. P.

APPLE MANK'S CODLIN.

For home consumption, and especially in gar.

dens where space is limited, this is a suitable

variety of Apple for planting. Quite small trees

ciop freely, and the quality of the fruits is all

310

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

(November 2, 1907.

that can be desired; indeed, when roasted
whole, there is a pleasing flavour which I do
not find in any other Apple. The fruit has a
yellow skin that is flushed with crimson on the
sunny side. This is the only variety of Apple
that, to my knowledge, succeeds from cuttings ;
trees raised in this manner, although requiring
many years to reach the fruiting stage, bear
heavy crops. E. M.

FIG CULTURE.

If there is only room for one tree, I would,
without the least hesitation, recommend Brown
Turkey to be planted, either under glass or out-
side on the open walls. There are several other
varieties that succeed well under pot-culture, but
how far some of these would succeed if given
a good position out-of-doors I do not know. I
have grown White Marseilles out-of-doors, and,
although it has borne fairly heavy crops, the
fruits were never so plentifully produced as those
of the Brown Turkey, and to keep the trees
in anything like fruiting order the roots had
to be repeatedly pruned, otherwise the trees grew
too strongly to bear well. The same may be
said as regards the variety growing under glass,
notwithstanding the Figs of this variety are
exceedingly rich and good. Brunswick, with its
large fruits, succeeds very well, and in some of
the more favourable parts probably stands next
to Brown Turkey, but, like all Fig trees, it re-
quires plenty of room for extension, otherwise
it is a shy bearer. I have grown in pots, with
good results, Black Ischia, Bourjassotte Grise,
Malta, Negro Lagro, White Ischia, and other
varieties.

I think it would be interesting if those fruit-
growers who have made a speciality of Figs in
the open were to record their experience with
reference to the different varieties.

The heaviest crops of Figs out-of-doors which
have come under my notice have been from
trees whose root run has been hard and some-
what restricted. In the neighbourhood of Mar-
gate Figs grow well in the open, needing but
little care and attention, and the fruits produced
are excellent in every way. The soil is rather
shallow and rests on deep chalk. At Falmouth,
a few years ago, I saw a tree growing on a
lawn, and the crop was enormously heavy, while
under glass at Preston Hall, Kent, heavy. crops
could be seen growing on trees which had been
planted on a back wall and allowed to grow to
the top, and then the shoots trained in a down-
ward direction at a distance of about 18 inches
from the glass. H. Markham, Wrotham Park,
linnet.

The Week's Work.

THE HARDY FLOWER
BORDER.

SILENE FORTUNEI.
This Chinese species is one of the most elegant
plants of the whole genus, and is especially valu-
able as an autumn-flowering plant. At the present
time it is in full beauty, and promises to last in good
condition still longer. It grows to a height of
between 2 to 3 feet, and as it branches freely, forms
a compact bushy plant covered with loose panicles
of erect flowers. These vary from very pale to
rose-red in colour, are about 1| inches in diameter,
and have deeply laciniated petals. Although
it is a perennial, and will stand the winter,
the best results are obtained from plants, the
seeds of which have been S)wn in heat early
in spring, and planted out as soon as they are large
enough. They grow rapidly in any light rich
soil during the summer, and commence flower-
ing in the month of September. It is said to be a
common Chinese plant, and was first found by
Robert Fortune after whom it was named ; but
it was not introduced into this country till the year
1S98, when seeds which had been collected in the
province of Shensi by Father Piccoli were received
at Kew. These germinated, and the plants flowered
in September. The figure in the Botanical Maga-
zine, t. 7'i49, was prepared from these. Like so
many other members of this family, the stems are
covered on the upper portions with a viscid sub-
stance. As a cut flower it is light and graceful,
and lasts well in water. IV. I .

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Habenaria pusilla. — Amongst Orchids now in
bloom at Burford, a group of about 60 plants
of Habenaria pusilla (militaris), many of them
having several flower-spikes from one pot, are
the most conspicuous, the dwarf, bright, cinna-
bar-scarlet heads of bloom presenting a very
gay appearance. For many years past this
terrestrial species was considered very difficult
to cultivate, but now that its requirements are
more generally understood, little difficulty is
experienced in the management of the plants.
When the flowers have faded the foliage will
begin to wither, and eventually the stem will
die down ; during this natural decay water must
be gradually withheld. Place the plants
on a dry shelf exposed fully to the sun-
shine, so that the newly-formed tubers may ripen
thoroughly. It is not advisable to cut off the
leaves or stem whilst they are in the act of
decaying, but they should be allowed to dry
off, as is usually done with Caladiums. The
critical period is during the winter, as over-
dryness will cause the tubers to shrivel, pre-
venting their starting strongly into growth when
re-potted in the spring; on the other hand, if
they are kept too wet, decay will set in. The
best method I have found is to examine them
every week, and if the surface of the soil has
become dust dry, it is lightly sprinkled with
tepid rain-water from a fine rose watering-can.

Habenaria carnea, &c. — This beautiful flesh-
coloured species is also in bloom, but from my
own experience a thoroughly established plant
of this species, as well as its pure white-
variety nivosa, is still rare, and its suc-
cessful cultivation has yet to be discovered.
The new and singular H. Uganda; is also in
flower at Burford ; it is a very strong tall-grow-
ing species, some of the stems measuring 4 feet
in height, with a spike at the apex a foot and a
half long, carrying about 20 curiously formed
green and white flowers. All through the grow-
ing season the plants have succeeded well under
the same treatment as advised above for H.
pusilla, and its resting conditions will pro-
bably prove to be similar to those recommended
above.

Bulbophyllums. — In a shady part of the
warmest house, plants of the rare B. Ericssonii,
B. Binnendjkii, and B. virescens, each exhibit-
ing similar characteristics in habit, are
now growing freely, and it is a suitable time
to afford them fresh rooting material if this is
necessary. Owing to the rambling habit of these
plants, it is almost useless to try and make them
conform to pot treatment, and the grower
must adopt some plan so that the roots from
each growth will have a thin layer of peat and
sphagnum-moss to root in. A flat teak-wood
raft, or a shallow, boat-shaped basket, answers
the purpose admirably. Whilst growth is being
made, the rooting materials should be kept
moderately moist at all times, as the plants
appear to succeed best when the sphagnum is
growing luxuriantly at their base.

In the cool house the Brazilian Oncidiums
Forbesii, crispum, and varicosum will be de-
veloping their flower-spikes, and only strong,
well-rooted plants should be allowed to bloom.
Small, weakly plants, if permitted to produce
flowers, are liable to gradually dwindle away
afterwards. O. concolor having completed its
new pseudo-bulbs, should from this time be
afforded only just sufficient water to prevent
their shrivelling.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Calochortus. — Beds containing these plants
should now 'be covered with a layer of cocoanut
fibre or coal ashes to protect the bulbs from
damage by severe frost. The more choice and
expensive varieties of Calochortus should be
grown in beds in cold frames, but most of the
standard varieties may be grown out-of-doors
provided they are given a partially protected
site, such as a border in front of a glasshouse.
Good drainage is essential for the successful

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

B) W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks anc
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Alterations. — The present is not only the best,
but fortunately the most convenient, period of
the year for undertaking the various alterations
and repairs which it is often desirable and neces-
sary to carry out in public parks. So few visi-
tors are, as a rule, about just now that many
of the paths and roads needing repairs or an
entire overhauling may be closed without caus-
ing much inconvenience, and the work, in con-
sequence, carried out much better than would be
possible earlier in the year.

Shrubberies may also be replanted or re-ar-
ranged, and their whole aspect altered or modi-
fied in such a way as to give them the appear-
ance of a new feature in the landscape. Clumps
of trees that are requiring thinning out should
now have the surplus ones — if not too large —
taken up with large balls of earth around their
roots, and planted in the new position selected
for them. Large trees transplanted in this way
can be kept securely in position by the aid of
three strong wires attached to the stem and fixed
in the ground at equal distances apart on a
fairly large circle, the centre of which is the
tree so supported. This method is better than
the use of large stakes.

Herbaceous borders which have not been re-
arranged for several years past could now be
taken in hand. The most satisfactory method
of carrying out this work is by first planning to
scale on paper all proposed arrangements, and
then working out the plan on the border. Paral-
lel lines drawn at equal distances apart upon
the plan and marked off at equal points in their
length, and indicated upon the border by cords
and pegs, enable the gardener to transfer the
design to the ground in a very easy and correct
manner. By following this method of working
it is quite possible before a single plant is put
in the border to have a very fair idea of what
it will look like when completed.

Labour. — As the alterations indicated usually
require a good staff of workmen to carry them
out, it is fortunate that the work can be done at
a season when labour can be most easily spared
from the ordinary routine work of a park.

culture of these flowers, and hence it is ad-
visable to raise the bed in which they are
planted above the level to give it a slight slope.
The rooting medium of the surrounding soil
should contain a larger proportion of leaf-soil
than is usually allowed most bulbous plants,
together with plenty of grit. The present
is a suitable time for planting the bulbs, which
should not be placed at a greater depth than
3 or 4 inches. Calochortus venustus and its
varieties splendens, Nuttallii, and Gunnisonii
are common garden varieties. C. pulchellus and
C. amoenus require partial shade, and may be
planted in the wild garden. In many gardens
Freesias may be grown under the conditions
above named.

Zephyranthcs Candida is another small bulbous
plant that should now be planted. This species
is practically hardy, and will thrive in any ordi-
nary garden soil. As the white Crocus-like
flowers are comparatively small, the bulbs
should be placed in groups, or they may be used
with a good effect in four or five closely-planted
rows as an edging in the bulb garden.

Erythronium dens-canis. — Not only are the
flowers of the Dog's-tooth Violet pretty and of
uncommon shape, but the leaves are beautifully
mottled, and for this alone they amply repay
the slight trouble their culture entails. A mode-
rate amount of moisture is essential to their
welfare. The bulbs should be planted 6 inches
apart and from 6 to 8 inches deep. Erythro-
niums will thrive in a partial shaded position.

Bedding Pelargoniums. — The cuttings which
hitherto have occupied pits and frames should
now be moved into their winter quarters. At
this stage an abundance of ventilation is neces-
sary : they should be given fire-heat sufficient
only to expel frost and superfluous moisture.
For several months water should be afforded
cautiously, and only when absolutely necessary.
All dead and decaying leaves and flowers should
be promptly removed.

November

1907.]

THE. GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

311

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell 1'ark, Kent.

Stove and greenhouse Ferns. — These plants
should not be kept in too warm an atmosphere
at this season, for their growths, generally, are
now matured, and they require a pe:iod of rest.
If much warmth is afforded them, they will
probably be hastened again into growth and
the plants be weakened in consequence the fol-
lowing season. Adiantum cuneatum, and simi-
lar species that are largely grown for decorative
purposes, should now be afforded an atmospheric
temperature at night of 45°, with a rise of 5° to
10° during the daytime. Afford a moderate
amount of ventilation, but prevent cold
draughts, which would quickly cause the fronds
to turn a rusty brown colour. See that the
centres of the plants are free from decaying
fronds, and give the plants as much space as
can be afforded them. Do not allow the roots
to suffer from dryness, though much less water
is required during their resting period. The
majority of stove Ferns do not require a great
heat during the winter, a minimum of 55° being
ample. Gymmogramme, however, forms an
exception to this rule, for the species
succeed best in an atmosphere not lower
than 60° at night, with the usual extra
heat during the daytime, and if they
are kept in a cold and draughty house much
harm results, death often taking place under such
conditions. The common varieties of Nephro-
lepis, such as N. exaltata and N. tuberosa, will
withstand much rough treatment, and may be
utilised for the embellishment of dwelling-rooms
without suffering serious injury. The beautiful
newer varieties, however, such as N. Whitmanii,
N. Todeaoides, and N. elegantissima, are more
delicate, and, after use in dwelling-rooms, need
to be returned to their permanent quarters with
as little delay as possible. Afford them a mini-
mum temperature of 55°. Ferns of a hardier
nature such as Dicksonias, and Gleichenias, are
Subject to attacks of scale and thrip if they
are placed in a hot, dry atmosphere or near to
the hot-water pipes. In these dry and hot por-
tions of a plant-house, insect pests increase
rapidly, and, if left undisturbed for any great
length of time, will prove a source of much
trouble. Ferns require no manurial stimulants
during the winter.

General remarks. — Frames containing plants
should be freely ventilated on all favourable occa-
sions. Remove all decaying leaves from the plants,
and be careful not to over-water them. 'Primulas,
Cinerarias, and similar winter-flowering species
should be placed well up to the glass : any late-
raised batches of these plants iequiring potting
should be attended to without delav.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Vines that were planted in the spring, having
been raised from eyes in February, will now
have reached the top of the rafter and should
be given an abundance of air both by day
and at night. They will also require some fire
heat, especially if the wood has grown strongly,
a little fire-heat with plenty of fresh air being
well calculated to assist in the maturation of
the wood. Syringe the foliage daily with clear
water. This treatment will cause the wood to
become of a rich brown colour, bearing well-
developed buds.

Pot vines which are intended to supplv the
earliest crop of Grapes should be in readiness
for placing in heat some time during the present
month. They will require a little bottom heat
to start them into growth at this dull season of
the year, but be careful not to excite them with
excessive heat. The atmospheric temperature
should not exceed 55° until the buds swell, when
it may be increased by 5°. Do not attempt to
force these young vines with artificial heat ex-
clusively. Admit a little air by the top venti-
lator when the weather is bright, but cold
diaughts must be prevented. Keep the atmos-
phere of the pit or house in a humid condition
by damping down the paths daily, and afford
very little water at the roots until the vines
have well started into growth, but take care to
prevent the soil in the pots becoming dust-dry.
Exercise great care when working among the

vines after they have started into growth, as the
buds may be very easily rubbed off.

Grapes. — Grapes which are still hanging
on the rods should be examined two or three
times each week for the purpose of removing
any decayed berries that may tie discovered, also
faded leaves. Keep the vineries well ventilated
during favourable weather. A cool and dry
atmosphere is necessary for keeping ripe Grapes
in good condition. A little fire-heat will there-
fore be necessary during such weather as now
obtains. Remove any pot-plants from the vinen
which require supplies of water.

Pinning. — Vines may be pruned a month or
six weeks before they are required for stan
into growth. The laterals may be pruned to two
eyes, but the older the vines, the longer should
the laterals be left. After the pruning has been
done it will be necessarv to scrub the interior of
the vinery with hot water and soft soap, and to
give the woodwork a coat of paint if red spider
has been troublesome. Wash the rods thoroughly
but carefully with the Gishurst Compound, not
injuring the buds. Before tying the rods up to
the trellis again, remove the surface of the border
down to the roots and apply a fresh dressing
of rich fibrous loam, adding a 6-inch potful of
vine manure (fine grade) to each barrow load
of soil. Test the border with the soil test .
and if the soil is found to be dry apply sufficient
water to last throughout the winter. Apply a
good mulch and the house will then be ready for
starting. Protect the roots in outside borders
by applying a mulch of long litter from the
stable.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Beans. — Both the dwarf and runner Beans
have done very well in this neighbourhood, and,
although they were a little late in coming into
season, they have lasted in good condition until
nearly the end of October. In many northern
localities, however, they appear to have failed
altogether owing to the action of frost directly
picking had commenced. Dwarf Beans in un-
healed frames will now be almost finished, for,
even if they are not crippled by frost, damping
will set in owing to the atmospheric conditions.
Therefore, pot plants will be the chief source
of supply, and it will be necessary to make fre-
quent sowings, remembering that at this time
of the year the plants are seldom very produc-
tive. The seeds should be sown in pots seven
inches in diameter, and containing good light
soil, half of which may consist of manure from
a spent mushroom bed. Do not apply anv water
until the seeds have germinated. Before water
is applied to the roots of Beans growing in a
heated atmosphere it should be warmed to about
the same temperature as that of the atmosphere
in the house, which should now range from 55°
to 60°. Maintain plenty of moisture in the
atmosphere, and take every means to preserve
the plants in a condition of cleanliness. When
the flowers have set and the Beans are swelling,
afford the roots a little weak manure-water once
or twice each week, but varying according to
the frequency that the plants require to be
watered.

Roots.— The crops of Beet, Carrots, Salsafy,
Celenac, &c, should now be lifted from the
ground, have their tops wrenched or twisted off,
and be stacked in layers of sand or fine ash
in the store-house. This proceeding will re-
quire considerable time, and should be pushed
forward with all speed during open weather.
The ground will then be ready for digging or
trenching, and it is very imp'ortant that this
work should be commenced at the earliest mo-
ment possible, thus allowing the ground a suffi-
cient length of time to settle down before it is
required for cropping and enabling the heavy-
soils to derive to the utmost the benefits of the
cleansing and breaking down of the soil that
results from the action of frost. Pars-
nips and Jerusalem Artichokes .are just as
well if left in the soil for the time being, lift-
ing only sufficient for ensuring a con-
tinual supplv in the event of hard weather, and
covering the crowns of the remainder by draw-
ing a little extra soil over them. Under these
circumstances they will keep in good condi-
tion well into the new year. Before much

ground work has been carried out, the neces-
sary arrangements for next season's croppii
should be decided upon. The system of rotat-
ing the crops is one of the most important ques-
tions in vegetable culture, but, as so much de-
pends on the nature of the soil, the size of the
garden, and the different products required, no
hard and fast rule can be laid down in this
matter. If a liberal amount of manure
plied, and trenching is done frequently,
tion is not such an absolute nec< as where

the supply of manure is scanty, ami the ground
merely dug over year after year, alth ugh even
then it would be better to change the ground
as much as possible. As most of the ground thai
is ready, or will soon Ik ready, for turning over,
has recently produce! root-crops, this ground
should be next cropped with Peas or some sort
of Brassica.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By I. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
hast Devon.

Small fruits. — If a few cuttings of Red and
White Currants are rooted each autumn, they
will provide a stock of young bushes to take the
place of older ones that are worn out. The
cuttings should be formed from shoots of a
medium size, about 12 inches long. Make a
clean, but not a slanting cut through a joint,
remove the top bud on the shoot and rub off
all the others except the three upper ones, as
Red and White Currant bushes are best grown
with clean stems, and the removal of the lower
buds prevents the growth of suckers. In the
f Black Currant bushes, the basal buds
should be left intact, as young basal growths are
necessary for replenishing exhausted branches,
for the best bunches of fruit are developed upon
the young wood. Insert the cuttings, 6 inches
apart, in lines 12 inches distant from each
other, and make each shoot quite firm in the
ground. Cuttings of Gooseberries should be
prepared in the same manner as those of the
Red Currant, or sucker growths will develop m
abundance. Young bushes raised from cuttings
rooted last autumn should now be transplanted
at a distance of 2 feet apart each way.

Raspberries. — The new canes should be secured
to the wires, allowing a distance of 4 or 5 inches
between each. Any vacancies in the rows
should be made good from the reserve garden,
or from stools out of line in the main rows. In
making new plantations of Raspberries, the
ground should be in good cultivation. Manure
should be placed not deeper than 18 inches
below the surface, as the Raspberry does not
root to a very great depth. The rows should
preferably run from north to south, and the
canes be planted at a distance of 18 inches
apart, allowing 5 to 6 feet between the rows.
Superlative is a good standard varietv.
Carter's Prolific, Hornet, and Norwich Wonder
are other desirable varieties, while the new
varietv, Penwill's Champion, has a high repu-
tation as being a continuous bearer. Secure
the canes to stretched wires, and do not
cut them down until new growths appear in
spring ; should severe frost set in, apply a
mulch to the surface to protect the roots. Good
autumn-fruiting varieties are November Abund-
ance and October Yellow.

The Strawberry. — Many . cultivators of this
fruit spread manure between the plants at this
date, so that the manurial properties may be
washed down to the roots. At present the
ground is too wet to permit of manure being
wheeled upon, but this may be overcome by put-
ting down planks, or a better plan is to wait
until a frost appears, when the ground will be
hard and allow such work to be expedition slv
carried out. Late-planted Strawberries will be
benefited by some protective material such as
half-decayed manure, placed around the collar of
the plants, but avoid making too rich a layer for
the rampant-growing variety Royal Sovereign.
Remove all runners of the autumn-fruiting varie-
ties, and reserve a few of the best-rooted plants
for stock. These may either be planted direct
in their permanent quarters or be set out in
lines, 6 inches apart, to be again replanted next
March, by which date they should be well estab-
lished and be little the worse after their neces-
sary removal if the transplanting is carefullv
performed.

512

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 2, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER. 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Newspapers. — Correspondents sending newspapers should be
care/ulto mark the paragraplis they wish the Editor to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR NOVEMBER.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2—

Soc. Fran?. d'Hort. de Londres meet, German Gard,

Soc. meet.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5—

West of Eng. Chrys. Soc. Sh. at Plymouth (2 days). Nat.

Amateur Gard. Assoc, meet. Brighton Chrys. Sh.

(2 days). Ann. meet Croydon Hort. Soc. Scottish

Hort. Assoc, meet. Southend-on-Sea Chrys. Sh. (2 days).

Southampton Chrys. Sh. (2 days).
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Exh. at Crystal Palace (3 days). Cardiff

Chrys. Sh. (2 days). Colchester Rose and Hort. Soc. Sh.

Brixton, Streatham, and Clapham Hort. Soc. Autumn

Sh. (provisional). Cambridgeshire Hort. Soc. Autumn

Sh. (2 days). Stoke Newington and Dist. Chrys. Sh.

(2 days). Bromley Chrys. Sh. (2 days).
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7—

Torquay Chrys. Sh. Putney, WTandsworth, and Dist.

Chrys. Sh. (2 days). Addlestone. Chertsey, and Otter-

shaw Autumn Sh. Newport (Mon.) Chrys. Sh. Spalding

Chrys. Sh.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8—

Leicester Chrys. Sh. (2 days). Windsor, Eton, and
Dist. Chrys. Sh.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11—

United Ben. and Prov. Soc. Com. meet.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Coins, meet. Exeter Fruit and Chrys.

Exh. (2 days). Ulster Hort. Soc. Sh. at Belfast (2 days).

Altrincham, Bowdon, Hale and Dist. Chrys. Sh., Hale

(2 days). Devizes Chrys. Sh. Birmingham and Midland

Counties Chrys. and Fruit Sh. (3 days).

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13—

Liverpool Hort. Assoc. Sh. (2 days). York Chrys. Sh.
(3 days). South Shields and Northern Counties Chrys.
Sh. (2 days). Bath Gardeners' Soc. Chrys. Sh. (2 days).
Reading Chrys. Sh. Tonbridge Chrys. and Fruit Sh.
(2 days). Brixton Chrys. Sh. Chester Paxton Chrys.
and Fruit Sh. (2 days). Manchester Bot. Gardens
Chrys. Sh. (3 days). Lancaster Chrys. Sh.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14—

Edinburgh Chrys. Sh. (3 days). Barnsley Chrys. Sh.
(2 days) (provisional). Weston-super-Mare Chrys. Sh.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15—

Sheffield Chrys. Sh. (2 days). Bradford Chrys. Sh. (2

days). Bolton Chrys. Sh. (2 days). Derby Chrys. Sh.

(2 days). Stockport and Dist. Chrys. Sh. i2 days).
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16—

Burton-on-Trent Chrys. Sh. German Gard. Soc. meet.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Floral Com. meet.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19—

Leeds Paxton Soc. Chrys. Sh. (2 days).
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20—

Darlington Chrys. Sh.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22—

Roy, Bot. Soc. meet. Aberdeen Chrys. Sh. (2 days).
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23—

Morley and Dist. Paxton Soc. Chrys. Sh.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26—

Royal Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex.

Council meet.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28—

Exhibition of Colonial Produce at Hort, Hall, West-
minster (2 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 44'9°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, October 30 (6 p.m.): Max. 56°-
Min. 51".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London.— Thursday, October 31
(10 a.m.): Bar.. 29'7; Temp., 53°: Weather—
Bright sunshine.
Provinces— Wednesday, October 30 (6 p.m.): Max. 51°,
England S.E. ; Min. 48', Ireland N.W.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY—

Clearance Sale of Nursery Stock, at The Nursery, Red
Lake, Winchelsea Road, Ore, Hastings, by Protheroe &
Morris, at 12.30.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY TO FRIDAY—

• Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 10.30.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY—

Second Annual Sale of Nursery Stock, at Wooldale
Nurseries, Thongsbridge, near Huddersfield, by order of
Messrs. Broadhead & Son, by Protheroe & Morris,
at 11.30.

WEDNESDAY—

2,250 Roses, at 1.30. Palms, Azaleas, Bays. &c, at 5, at
67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

JRIDAY—

500 Imported Odontoglossum crispum. Importations of
Ccelogynes and Cypripediums, and other Orchids, at
67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at
12.45.

The season is approaching when
Trenching, the greater part of the kitchen
garden will be bare of crops,
and one of the chief items of the daily work
will consist in preparing the soil for use in
the following season by trenching or dig-
ging. On the present occasion our remarks
refer exclusively to trenching.

There are two ways in which this may be
done, the top soil may be left on top or a
considerable portion of it may be buried and
some of the subsoil brought up to the sur-
face. The former process is often spoken of
as double digging or bastard-trenching, and
the latter simply as trenching ; the two
methods differ considerably in their effects
and one may be very successful where the
other would be of no use or might even be
injurious. A knowledge of the effects pro-
duced on the physical and chemical proper-
ties of the soil and on the bacteria and other
organisms present is necessary before one
can decide which method to adopt.

Of all the properties of soil, its power of
holding water is fast becoming the most im-
portant to the gardener, and for very obvious
reasons. In choosing a site for a modern
house it is considered essential that the soil
should be dry and porous, so as to allow-
free drainage, that the elevation should be
sufficiently high, and that the surrounding
country should be as wild and open as pos-
sible. These conditions are all closely con-
nected ; they can be found on high-lying
chalk or sand formations, and if we examine
the country- for twenty miles round London
we shall find that such formations are usually
laken up by large houses, while the heavier
soils and clay, particularly if low lying, are
occupied by small villas or cottages. The re-
lative value of high, dry situations and of
low, moist ones have become reversed since
the old farming days, for when other land
u as being enclosed and taken into cultiva-
tion, the light high-lying soils were often
left alone, owing to their dryness. Indeed, it
is not too much to say that the existence of
wild, open country in counties like Kent
and Surrey, which have always been highly
farmed, is due to an unsuitable water supply.
It is this kind of soil, rejected by the farmer
even when cultivation was most profitable,
which has now to be taken in hand by the
gardener.

The amount of water needed for plant
growth has been variously estimated, but we
shall probably not be far wrong in supposing
that the plants growing on each rod of
ground require, during the summer months,
about six tons of water, equivalent to 10
inches of rain. The average rainfall at
Rothamsted during the months of May, June,
July, ami August is io inches, but so much
of this would run through a light sand or
chalk soil that hut little is left for the plants;
these are, therefore, dependent for their water
supply on rain which has fallen during the
preceding months. February, March, and
April usually constitute the driest period of
the year ; the chief water supply comes from
the autumn and winter rains. One of the
problems the gardener has to solve is to keep
this in the soil until the summer.

Several factors influence the amount of
water retained by the soil, but two of the
most important are the arrangement of the
particles and the amount of organic matter

present. Just as a sponge holds less water
when squeezed than when in its ordinary
loose state, so a compact soil holds less water
than a looser one. Ground that has been dug
one spit deep is better able to soak up and
keep rain water than untouched ground, and
the difference is increased when the land is
trenched. The writer found in May that the
trenched ground in his garden contained 19
per cent, of water, while the adjoining undug
part only contained 16 per cent., a difference
of 3 per cent., equal to 4CWL per rod, in
favour of trenching. This was on a good
loam ; a light sand might not have shown so
great a difference.

The influence of organic matter is equally
great, and one of the reasons why well rotted
dung, leafmould, and similar substances are
so highly valued as manure is that they enable
the soil to hold up water which would other-
wise run away and be lost. In the case of a
light soil, the amount of organic matter pre-
sent is probably the chief factor regulating
the amount of water it can hold. At short time
ago the writer had occasion to examine a
very light, sandy soil from a high-lying Sur-
rey garden, which always suffers from
drought in the summer. It was found that
the top spit, which had been well dunged
and contained a fair amount of organic mat-
ter, was able to hold 53 per cent, of water,
while the lower spit, which, of course, con-
tained much less organic matter, could hold
only 28 per cent., even under the most favour-
able circumstances such as would rarely oc-
cur in practice. Part of the ground had been
trenched, and dung worked in to the bottom
spit ; here the subsoil had a greatly increased
power of holding water, and plants did much
better. The subsoil had been made to more
nearly resemble the surface soil.

The briefest way to summarise all the
effects of trenching would be to say that it.
makes the lower soil in every respect more
like the top soil. The difference in compo-
sition between the two is often very marked
on untrenched ground ; the surface soil con-
tains more nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric
acid in forms suitable for the plant, more
organic matter to hold water, and less sticky,
unkindly, often harmful, clayey matter than
does the soil lying below. The difference is
partly due to the fact that many of the ma-
nures used remain near to the surface, and
partly to the fact that air circulates more
fn civ in the top six or seven inches than in
the more compact soil lower down. Where
the air moves, earthworms can easily get
about and exert the beneficial action known
to all observant gardeners, and fully set forth
in a book all gardeners should read : Charles
Darwin's Formation of Vegetable Mould.
Air is also needed for the myriads of living
things, too small to be seen except by aid
of a very powerful microscope, that inhabit
the soil and contribute largely to its fertility.
In its absence they can do nothing, but are,
instead, replaced by organisms that do not
improve the soil for plants, but tend to de-
stroy, rather than make, plant-food. Air also
destroys many substances harmful to plants.
All these actions go on in the surface soil to
an enormously greater extent than in the sub-
soil, and this partly accounts for the marked
difference in productiveness. The writer re-
cently grew one lot of mustard in pots filled
with surface soil, and another lot in puts lilled

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November 2, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

313

with subsoil, and obtained nine times more
crop in the former than in the latter case.
As soon, however, as the ground is trenched,
air can get into the bottom spit ; before long,
earthworms and useful bacteria will follow,
and bring about there the same beneficial
changes they have exerted in the surface
soil, thus reducing the difference between the
two.

It must be carefully remembered that
trenching does not improve the top spit.
Many experiments on this subject have been
tried, but practically all with the same result.
It has sometimes been thought that the sub-
soil is a kind of virgin soil, rich in plant
food and very beneficial if brought up to the
surface. This, however, is not usually the
case. A very famous experiment was made
many years ago by the Rev. S. Smith, vicar
■of Lois Weedon. Finding that it no longer
paid to use much dung for wheat, he hit on
the idea of using the subsoil for manure, and,
therefore, trenched his ground so as to bring
much of the subsoil to the top. Though the
plan succeeded at Lois Weedon, Lawes and
Gilbert found that it failed at Rothamsted,
and that it certainly added no plant food to
the surface soil.

The improvement is in the bottom, not in
the top spit, and this is the important fact to
bear in mind in deciding whether to trench
or to bastard-trench. Trenching is often
found better than bastard-trenching on light,
sandy soils, where the lower depth is almost
pure sand. No harm need be feared from
bringing up this bottom spit, because
it is quite 'harmless to the plant; it
can be enriched with manure, and will
then make a useful medium for the roots
of plants. On the contrary, much good may
result from burying the top spit. It has a
better power of holding water, and will keep
the soil moister than before. It is also
richer, and when the plant roots get down
into it, they grow well and produce what
all who cultivate sandy gardens should aim
at — a luxuriant root-development several
inches below the surface, out of reach of
scorching or drought. If, however, the bot-
tom spit contains a sticky, unkindly clay, it
must not be brought up but carefully kept
below ; recourse must be had to bastard-
trenching and not to real trenching. An ex-
cellent illustration is afforded by the red,
flinty clay capping the chalk round London.
Gardens on this formation have been
trenched, the top soil being buried and the
bottom spit brought up. The results are very
disastrous. The lower soil is quite unsuited
for plant growth ; young plants grow badly
from the beginning, and either die or sur-
vive as |XKir, ■-tunted specimens. But where
the bottom spit is carefully kept below and
enriched with manure, excellent results are
obtained. Of course, the top soil must be
manured and cultivated just as usual, or in
course of time the root system is apt to de-
velop too much in the subsoil and too little
on the surface.

To sum up, the results of trenching are (i)
to increase the amount of water the soil can
hold in reserve for the summer, (2) to allow
mere air to enter and exert its beneficial
effects on the subsoil, (3) to cause the bene-
ficial action of earthworms, air-loving bac-
teria, and other organisms to go on more
readily in the subsoil, (4) to increase the root

range of the plant and so bring about a
larger root development and a greater amount
of growth. In deciding whether to trench or
bastard-trench, the chief point to bear in
mind is that the top spit is not benefited and
may be injured by the process. If sticky,
unkindly clay is brought up, it is better to
bastard-trench, but if the subsoil is harmless
sand proper trenching may give better
results.

Our Supplementary Illustration repre-
sents the fine specimen of Cattlcya Warscewiczii,
which was included in the remarkable group of
Orchids for which Major G. L. Holford,
C.V.O., CLE. (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), was
awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society on July 23 this year. The
specimen, which was grown from an ordinary
example imported from Medellin, bore 26 flowers
and buds, and was probably the grandest ex-
ample of the species ever seen during the many
years it has been in cultivation. The flowers
were silver-white tinged with rose, the labellum
being ruby-crimson with yellow lines from the
base, and with an attractively crimped pale lilac
margin.

Linnean Society. — An ordinary meeting of
the Fellows will be held on Thursday, Novem-
ber 7, at 8 p.m., when the following papers will
be read : — 1, the Rev. George Henslow, M.A.,
F.L.S., " The Origin of the Di-trimerous Whorls
among Flowers of Dicotyledons"; 2, Mr.
Albert D. Michael, F.L.S., " Unrecorded Acari
from New Zealand " ; 3, Mr. R. Shelford, M.A.,
F.L.S., on ^Enigmatistes africanus, a new genus
and species of Diptera. Exhibitions: 1, Mr.
Alexander Stevenson, a copy of Hudson's
Flora Anglica, 1778, with numerous annotations
by the Rev. William Kirby, F.L.S. ; 2, Dr. A.
B. Rendle, M.A., F.L.S., abnormal stem of Eu-
calyptus salmonophloia, F. Muell., from West
Australia.

The National Dahlia Society.— Mr II H.
Thomas has accepted the honorary secretaryship
of this society.

National Fruit Growers' Federation.—

A meeting of the council will be held on Monday,
November 4, at 3 p.m., at the Royal Horticultural
Hall, Vincent Square, S.W. The recommenda-
tions of the sub-committee on the election of a
secretary and alterations of the rules will be con-
sidered, and a date will be fixed for a special
general meeting.

South-Eastern Agricultural College.

— We are informed that a meeting of the gov-
ernors (Lord Ashcombe presiding) was held at
the Caxton House on Monday. The Principal
(Mr. M. J. R. Dunstan) reported the entry of
42 new students for the session 1907-8, a total
number of 120 students in residence, and a wait-
ing list of students unable to join on account of
all available accommodation being filled up.
The following appointments were made: —
Head of the chemical department, W. Goodwin,
F.Sc, Ph.D. ; head of agricultural department,

B. N. Wale, B.Sc ; assistant agricultural lec-
turers, R. N. Dowling, P.A.S.I., J. Macintosh,
N.D.A. ; head of estate management depart-
ment, A. H. J. Haines, P. A.S.I. ; assistant lec-
turer in engineering, A. F. Hood-Daniel,
P. A. S.I. A new department of soil bacteriology
is being established under the charge of Mr.

C. T. Gimingham. The conference of hop-
growers will be held on November 27, under
the chairmanship of Mr. E. C. Lister-Kay, of
Godmersham Park, when papers on Fertilisa-
tion of Hops, Eelworms, and Hop drying will
be communicated.

Mr. John Wright, V.M.H. — Many of our

readers will sympathise with Mr. John Wright
in the bereavement he has sustained in the
death of his wife, which occurred on Tuesday
last at Rosehill Road,' Wandsworth. Mr.
Wright, who will be remembered best as a
former editor of the Journal of Horticulture, is
still a lecturer on gardening for the Surrey
County Council.

The Half-Holiday. — We announced in a
recent issue that Messrs. J. E. Hill & SON, oi
Lower Edmonton, had given their employes the
privilege of leaving work at 1 p.m. instead of
5 on Saturdays. A correspondent now writes
us to the effect that 21 other firms have granted
their employes the same boon : seven at Enfield
Wash, ten at Flamstead End, Cheshunt, and
four at Lower Edmonton. This valuable con-
cession promises to become general.

Destructive Insects and Pests Act,

1907. — At a meeting of the council of the National
Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades Associa-
tions held on the 29th ult., the following resolu-
tion was adopted: — "That this Council views
with serious apprehension the position of
growers and market-gardeners under the Destruc-
tive Insects and Pests Act, 1907, whereby the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries is authorised
to order the destruction of agricultural or horti-
cultual crops, trees, or bushes without the power
to give or direct compensation of any kind, and
while otherwise welcoming the powers thus
vested in the Board to prevent the spread of
disease dangerous to vegetable life, this Council
protests against the inequitable position thus
created, and desires to urge that the right to
compensation (payable partly out of Parlia-
mentary funds and partly out of local funds)
should be recognised without delay in the in-
terests not only of horticulturists but also of
those who might otherwise contemplate avail-
ing themselves of the provisions of the Small
Holdings and Allotments Act, 1907." Further
resolved : " That a copy of the above resolution
be forwarded forthwith to the President of the
Board of Agriculture and to the Prime Minister."

Cold Storage of Small Fruits. — The

U.S. Department of Agriculture has just issued
an excellent and instructive bulletin (Bureau of
Plant Industry, Bull. 1081 dealing with the ques-
tion of the cold storage of small fruits. In the
States, as in Canada, cold storage is largely used
in connection with the larger fruits, but it is
less practised in the case of the small ones, since
most of them will not remain in marketable con-
dition for very long when kept in the cold cham-
ber. But the results so far obtained show
that further experiments are worth making, for
by holding up the fruit, even if only for a week
or two, during a glut, a considerable advance
in price may often be obtained. Experiments
made in England some eight or nine years ago
under the auspices of the Kent County Council
yielded encouraging results, Cherries remaining
sound for a month, and Red Currants for as
long as six weeks. The whole problem of fruit
storage can hardly have been said to have re-
ceived the attention which, from its economic
importance, it assuredly deserves. The changes
that go on during the process of ripening are by
no means understood as yet, and indeed our
knowledge on the subject hardly goes beyond
the elementary fact that the changes^in question
can be slowed down, or otherwise interfered with,
by lowering the temperature. The matter is one
that calls for co-operation on the part of the
plant physiologist and the chemist, for as we
come to understand the nature of the processes
involved we at least stand a chance of getting
them under intelligent control.

314

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November

1907

The Recent Fruit Show. — In the report
of this show, published as a supplement last
week, we omitted to record the excellent display
of fruits staged by the King's Acre Nursery
Company, in the class for a collection of hardy
fruits, occupying an area measuring 16 feet by
6 feet. This exhibit was awarded the 1st prize,
being a Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal. Visitors
to the show will doubtless remember the beau-
tiful colour and the general high quality of the
Apples and other fruits contained in this Here-
fordshire exhibit.

"The Gardener." — Air. W. P. Wright, who
has edited this weekly journal since its establish-
ment, is about to retire, and Mr. H. H. Thomas
has been appointed to succeed him. Mr.
Thomas, who is a son of Mr. Owen Thomas,
V.M.H., has had good experience in the Royal
Gardens. Windsor ; Royal Gardens, Kew ;

Towards the close of the evening, Mr. Jackson,
on behalf of the park keepers and other em-
ployees, presented Mr. Marlow with a gold
albert as a token of esteem. Mr. Marlow, in
acknowledging the gift, said any results that
had been in beautifying Greenwich Park during
his term of office had not been attained by his
own personal endeavours alone, but through
the loyalty and enthusiasm of his colleagues,
and no superintendent could have had a more
willing staff.

A Dictionary of Botanical Terms. — Mr.
A. M. C. Jongkindt Coninck has published a
second edition of his dictionary of the principal
terms employed in botany and horticulture.
The exact title of the book is Dictionnairt Latin-
Grcc-Trancais-A nglais-A llemand-Hollandais des
prin.ipaux termes employes en Botaniqite et en
Horticulture. It is an alphabetical index of
Latin and Greek terms, with the synonyms of

the Surrey Education Committee to all whose
front gardens were awarded 35 marts. The
borough is, for the purposes of the compe-
tition, divided into halves, the classes in
each part being for large gardens, small
gardens, and for window boxes. In all,
3:2 prizes were awarded. Competitors are
restricted to those occupying houses rated at
£-0 and under, thus in all cases limiting com-
petition to manual workers. The judging took
place on August 13 last, the awards being made
by the county horticultural instructors, Messrs.
J. Wright, V.M.H., A. Dean, V.M.H., and
the borough gardener, Mr. J. Hallett. Many
of the gardens, though relatively small, being
practically street forecourts, were wonderfully
furnished, every little space or contrivance pos-
sible being utilised to furnish plants and to add
to the beauty of the gardens. In some cases
where the front garden was very narrow, the

Fig. 126. — view in the "fond de mary" garden, Belgium.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons. Chelsea; M.
Rothschild's garden, near Paris, &c. For the
past seven years he has assisted Mr. E. T. Cook
in editing The Garden. He is the author of
two books, The Apple and Town Gardening, the
latter work having been published very recently.
We wish the new editor every success.

Presentation to Mr. W. d. Marlow. — On

Friday evening Mr. and Mrs. Hendry, the
caterers at the refreshment pavilion in Green-
wich Park, entertained the park keepers and
other employees with their wives to tea. The
occasion gave opportunity to bid farewell to
Mr. W. J. Marlow, the superintendent of the
park, who, as announced in the Gardeners'
Chronicle a few weeks since, has been appointed
to the management of Hampton Court Gardens.

each, in four modern languages, and is ex-
tremely useful for reference when the exact
equivalent of some foreign word is needed.
Several errors that appeared in the first edition
have been corrected, and we may recommend
the work as being especially suitable for nur-
serymen and others having commercial relations
with foreign countries. It is published by the
author at Bussum, Holland, price 4 francs.

Front Flower Gardens. — The annual dis-
tribution of prizes to competitors in connection
with the usual front flower gardens competition
for the Borough of Kingston-on-Thames took
place on Saturday evening last in the hall of
the Public Library. In addition to these, there
were also presented certificates to new competi-
tors and merit cards to old ones, granted by

front of the house was covered with climbers,
window boxes, plants on brackets or in
baskets. One front garden, securing 56 marks,
came higher than any larger cottage flower
garden in the county. The prizes are chiefly
furnished by contributions from the Mayor and
Corporation. "To beautify our town'' was the
motto of the originator of the competition, and
that idea has been firmly adhered to. The
annual cost is about £20. The secretary is
Councillor T. Lyne, J. P., of Kingston. The
present year's competition is the eighth of the
series.

Publications Received.— The Garden that 1
Love (second series), by Alfred Austin. — Amateur
Sport Illustrated, a new weekly journal devoted tq
sport and published at the price of threepence.

November 2, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONACLE.

^ i r

A BELGIAN GARDEN.

The illustrations at fig. 126 and fig. 127 repre-
sent views of the pond in what is known as the
"Fond de Mary" garden, Esneux, Belgium, a
park belonging to the Rond-Chene estate, which
is kindly placed at the disposal of the public.
M. Louis Gentil, Curator of the State Botanical
Garden, Brussels, and Editor of La Tribune
Horticole, to whom we are indebted for the
photographs, states that this magnificent
park or garden is known all over Belgium, and
is visited by most of the inhabitants of the
Ourthe Valley at Esneux. In this park portions
may be seen where nature appears just as it was
before the interference of civilisation. The park
itself is really " wild " in effect, with charming
cultivated features, including a splendid screen
of Scotch Firs, plenty of verdure, thick shades,
stream, &c. The estate of the Rond-Chene was

publication or advertising seems to influence
the London papers, as the show was either
ignored or treated by them as of very small
importance, or, as in one case, with such stu-
pidity as to show that Pressmen generally are
ignorant on fruit matters. Probably the Council
relies on its huge fellowship to fill the hall at
an October fruit show. That most of the Fel-
lows fail to visit the show at all is because
most of them are Fellows for purely social
purposes. When some years ago a great show
of hardy fruit was held in the City Guild-
hall, tens of thousands of persons flocked to
see it, and were delighted. Certainly there was
no charge for admission, and tens of thousands
of persons would hardly be welcomed at Vincent
Square. That popularity was largely due to
wide advertising, and the notices were favour-
able and liberal in the daily and evening papers.
It is not merely that the public should be cap-
tured at a fruit show to make a good gate.
That is, of course, desirable, but the public are

from one of the best-known nursery firms, has
shown produce from this same vine many times
since without any question of correct nam«
being raised, and even in the classes for Muscat
of Alexandria in the same hall in previous years.
A well-known nurseryman who saw the produce
some years ago was so impressed with the ap-
pearance of the Grapes borne by this vine that
he was, and has been anxious ever since, to
secure all the eyes for his stock, which he has
grown and distributed widely and without the
slightest doubt ever having been cast upon the
identity of the variety. What must be his feel-
ings now on witnessing the scene in the R.H.S.
Hall or in reading the report in the Gardeners'
Chronicle''. Is it not just possible that the judges
were misled in their belief that the Grape was
not the Alexandria variety owing to the bunches
having been cut five weeks ago and kept in
water? Would not they lose a little of the true
Muscat flavour in consequence, especially as

FlG. 127. — WATER SCENE IN THE "EOND DE MARY" GARDEN, BELGIUM.

formerly the property of M. le Senateur Monte-
fiore-Levy, a renowned amateur, and during the
life of Mrs. Montefiore it was considered as the
most beautiful garden of Belgium. It belongs
now to Mr. Balser, a rich banker.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)
The Public and the R.H.S. Fruit Show.

— You comment, in your leader in last week's
issue on the fruit show at Vincent Square, on
the lacking interest shown in the exhibition by
the -general public. But what did the public
know of the show? Thousands of persons in-
terested in British or home-grown fruit would,
I am sure, gladly have visited the show, but
thev knew not of its existence. The lack of

also wanted to learn the true nature of British-
grown fruit, what it is, and how it can be pro-
duced, and to see what is its real superiority
over all other fruit of similar nature from else-
where. As it is, the public see in the markets
imported fruit which is beautiful in appear-
ance, and generally British fruit which is
inferior. Did they attend a hardy fruit show,
they would then learn to understand what
good home-grown fruit really is. Pomona.

Judging Muscats. — It is a long time since so
much excitement was manifest in the awards
given to two collections of fruit as that which oc-
curred at the recent fruit show, or since such
various opinions were expressed as to the identity
of two bunches of Grapes. I sympathise with Mr.
J. Lock, the exhibitor of the Grapes in dispute,
who staged them in all good faith as being true
to name — Muscat of Alexandria. Originally — 10
years since — he obtained the vine with others

they were not good examples of that variety? I
tasted the berries, and at once decided they were
of the Alexandrian variety. Was it wise on the
part of the judges to denounce the name given
in all good faith by the exhibitor in such a moot
case? I have had experience with so-called
forms of Muscat, such as Charlesworth Tokay
and Escholata, as well as the more commonly-
known Bowood form, and have come to the con-
clusion that they are seedlings from the original.
According to the late Dr. Hogg, the
name Escholata was given by Daniel Money,
a nurseryman and vine-grower at Haver-
stock Hill, from having named his place
Eschol Place," in allusion to the brook
Eschol, where Israelite spies got the large
bunch of Grapes on their return from Canaan.
A'though the berries on the disputed bunches were
more bluntly rounded than usual, the small, dark
speck which many of them carried at the point

516

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 2, 1907.

was unmistakably characteristic of the Alexan-
drian variety. If the judges decided the name
was incorrect, the public would be interested to
know what name they give it? Grape Grower.

Respecting the awards of the judges

in Class 1, Division I., for nine dishes of ripe
dessert fruits at the recent fruit exhibition of the
Royal Horticultural Society, may I be allowed to
state the following facts: — In my exhibit I in-
cluded Muscat of Alexandria Grapes cut from
the same rods and in the same house from which
I have gathered Grapes that have been
awarded 1st prizes at different exhibitions
for the last 10 years. To my astonish-
ment, these Grapes were pronounced by the
judges "not Muscats," although two of the three
judges have awarded me prizes for the same-
named Grapes on a previous occasion. Rule 5
of the R.H.S. says the decision of the judges
shall be final, and, according to the pointing of
the judges on my exhibit card in blue pencil, I
was awarded 52 points, as against Mr. Good-
acre's 51 points on his card, and the 1st prize
label was originally stuck on my card. Who
caused the judges to reverse their decision? On
my label, "Muscat of Alexandria" was struck
through, and " Charlesworth Tokay " substi-
tuted. The latest published edition of the R.H.S.
Rules for Judging, p. 16, note 62, says : " For
exhibition purposes Bowood Muscat, Charles-
worth Toquay, and Tyninghame Muscat are to
be regarded as synonymous with Muscat of Alex-
andria, and cannot be shown as distinct varie-
ties." I have been awarded 1st prizes for these
Grapes as "Muscats" during the last 10 years
at the following exhibitions, viz. : Devon and
Exeter Horticultural Society, Woking Horticul-
tural Society, Guildford Chrysanthemum, Wey-
bridge Horticultural Society, Kingston Horticul-
tural Society, National Chrysanthemum Society ;
and at the last great R.H.S. fruit show, held
at the Chiswick Gardens, when I was placed 2nd
in the Muscat class. Well do I remember Mr.
Iggulden saying I ought to have put my Muscats
which I had exhibited in the collection in the
Muscat Class instead, for he said they were the
finest Muscats in the show. At the Taunton
Deane Horticultural Society's exhibition of
1901 I was 1st with Muscats, and also
won the Veitch Memorial Medal and £10
for eight dishes of fruit, which included
Muscat Grapes cut from the same rods as
those shown at the R.H.S. a fortnight ago. /as.
Lock, The Gardens, Oatlands Lodge, Weybridgc.

As the incident alluded to in your

leading article on p. 297 has provoked
considerable discussion among Grape-growers,
perhaps the following information on a
similar subject may be welcome. Some years
ago our firm supplied the vines for planting a
new range in the neighbourhood. The gardener,
a well-known grower, gave them a rather rich
diet, the result being magnificent growth, and
the third year he took all the first prizes at a
local show. An attempt was made to disqualify
his Muscats as not being true to name. A por-
tion of a bunch was sent to the leading expert
of the day, who pronounced it to be " Treb-
biano " or " White Tokay," I forget which. The
gardener informed us of the trouble, and I went
over to see the vines. The Grapes had not a
trace of Muscat flavour, but the wood and
foliage were unmistakably those of a Muscat.
I stated my opinion that they were true to name
but had grown out of character owing to over-
feeding, and that another year or two of crop-
ping would bring back the flavour. This pre-
diction was fully verified, and these vines a year
or two later bore Grapes of thoroughly charac-
teristic flavour. Whether Muscats without
flavour should be allowed full points is another
question, but that they may be grown (or over-
grown) to this condition is undeniable. Chas.
E. Pearson, Nurseries, Lowdham.

Muscat Variations and Synonyms. — The

doubts expressed at the recent Royal Horticul-
tural Society's Fruit Show concerning the white
Grapes exhibited in the handsome collection of
dessert fruits from Mr. J. Lock, Oatlands Park
Gardens, Weybridge, have introduced a subject
of great interest, namely, the variations of

Grapes under cultivation. Some years ago I
had occasion to call the attention of Dr. Robert
Hogg to some strange differences in the forms
of berries of Black Hamburgh and Muscat of
Alexandria. He confirmed my observations by
several instances within his own experience, and
finally referred me to the following passage in
the last edition of the Fruit Manual, which
occurs under a description of Black Hamburgh :
" I have watched this subject with some care,
and I have remarked that the same vine will in
one year produce berries which are perfectly
round and in another they will be distinctly
oval. This is also frequently discerned in Mus-
cat of Alexandria. In one year the berries are
roundish oval and in another they are long oval,
and frequently with a contraction at the stalk
end, giving it a Pear shape." Mistakes have
arisen before now in hastily condemning ex-
hibits as not true to name, and in the same way
seedlings from certain Grapes have been thought
to be distinct from limited experience, and have
been sent out under new names that have ulti-
mately served only to swell the list of synonyms.
Thus the Charlesworth Tokay (printed Charles,
town on p. 297), the Bowood Muscat, and the
Tottenham Park Muscat have all been regarded
at different times as distinct from Muscat of
Alexandria, yet careful comparative trials have
determined their indisputable identity. For a
long time the last of the three named above was
considered to be an improvement, but George
Lindlev said of it, 76 years ago (Guide to the
Orchard, &c), " the identity has been proved
over and over again by the best practical gar-
deners, who have grown them both (i.e., Muscat
of Alexandria and the seedling). The size of
its berries has been urged as constituting its
difference, but berries of the old Muscat have
been grown near London which measured 4
inches in circumference the long way, and 3^
inches the short one." The old Red Muscat of
Alexandria, which we now know as Muscat
Hamburgh, has afforded similar examples be-
lieved to be distinct, in Greave's Muscat Ham-
burgh and Venn's Seedling Black Muscat.
Chasselas Musque also reproduces itself fairly
constant to character from seed, and both Gos-
ling's St. Albans and Graham's Muscat Musca-
dine were undoubted seedlings genuinely be-
lieved to be distinct by the raisers. But besides
variation in the shape of the berries, the flavour
also varies — and this was the point which
as I understand, influenced the judges adversely
to Mr. Lock's Grapes — according to the influence
of many conditions. Mr. A. F. Barron once
gave me a striking example of this in the old
conservatory at Chiswick, where a vine of Mus-
cat Hamburgh was grafted on some unknown
Spanish Grape of little value. Though the
bunches and berries were in good character, the
typical flavour was almost lost, and would never
have been recognised as a Muscat. During the
past week I had a similar example of the true
Muscat of Alexandria which had been worked
on the stem of another unsatisfactory vine, and
the berries were almost flavourless, though the
appearance was excellent. The suggestion made
at the show in question that Mr. Lock's Grape
resembled "Waltham Cross" was much more to
the point than any other I heard ; this is now
little known, but it has been described as an
exaggerated Muscat of Alexandria as regards
size, rather paler in colour, and much deficient
in flavour. It is a fine variety for exhibition
where judges are not allowed to taste the fruit,
but not of much real value at home. R. Lewis
Castle.

— ■ Remarking on the class for " One dish

of any other dessert Plum," your reporter stated
that the variety which gained the first prize was
Reine Claude de Bavay, and goes on to remark,
" the variety Rivers' Late Orange, though gaining
no award, was particularly noticeable in this class
by reason of the large size and rich colour of the
fruits." In reality it was the Rivers' Late Orange
which gained the first prize, but the prize card
had been placed as reported, on the wrong dish
by visitors. I was sorry not to see this estimable
variety, Late Orange, included in the list of
" Late Ripening Plums," given by Mr. W. H.
Clarke in his article on this subject in the issue
for October 19. This variety is sure to become
a favourite when better known, being a good crop-
ping Plum and one of the most pleasing in appear-
ance. Intending planters should not overlook two
other valuable late Plums sent out by the same firm,

viz., Monarch and Grand Duke, both of which are
at the time of writing still holding very nice fruits
on a west wall. F. W '. Church, Poles Park Gardens,
Ware, October 28.

Chrysanthemum Shows: Boards v. Vases.

— Mr. Godfrey misunderstood my remarks as
to extraneous attractions at Chrysanthemum
shows. I cannot see that I gave the impres-
sion that I objected to such things as music,
but merely stated that we must not consider
the attendances at large provincial shows ot
be entirely owing to the Chrysanthemums. I
feel grateful to the fact that with the aid of good
bands, &c, we are able to hold so many shows,
that could not succeed without such aid. Nor-
man Davis.

1 quite agree with Mr. Godfrey's

remarks (p. 282) on the heavy expense incurred
in the packing and transit of Chrysanthemums
for the vase classes. If a gardener enters in
two or more classes nowadays at a Chrysanthe-
mum exhibition, his employer might imagine
his servant was taking the whole contents of the
plant houses with him, should he see the boxes.
Since exhibiting at flower shows, I was never
called upon to pay excess fare for my boxes until
the vase classes came to the front ; but last
season I was called upon to pay heavily at
Sheffield in this respect. In my opinion the
vase classes are responsible for keeping exhibi-
tors away from our exhibitions. A committee
man at one of the best shows in the Midlands,
to whom I complained of having to furnish five
blooms in a vase, which meant forty blooms, for
one class, stated that the committee had the
public to cater for. If this is so, I do not know
how the exhibitors will fare. C. Crooks.

1 have read with much interest Mr.

N. Davis's and Mr. Godfrey's letters on this
subject, and I agree with them that in dispensing
with boards for showing the blooms the varieties
are greatly limited in an exhibit, and that many
fine varieties are thus not displayed. All large
societies should have some board as well as vase
classes. Many new varieties of Chrysanthemums
require to be grown a year or more before suffi-
cient good blooms can be obtained for filling a
vase, whereas if the schedule required 24 or 36
distinct blooms on boards, any novelty could be
included even if only one good bloom developed,
and thus the exhibit would be made more in-
teresting to Chrysanthemum specialists, who
are ever on the look-out for new varieties.
Another point in favour of this system of staging
is that an increased number of varieties ex-
hibited has a greater attraction for the visitor.
Many growers can and do exhibit 24 or 36 dis-
tinct blooms, but they probably would never
attempt the staging of a dozen vases containing
as many varieties, because sufficient flowers of
each variety to include three of each would be
difficult to obtain. Mr. Godfrey's remarks on
judging Chrysanthemums are very appropriate.
Thomas Lunt, Keir Gardens, Dunblane.

The Discussion on Summer Pruning. —

You have stated the whole case, practically and
scientifically, in the following paragraph from
the leading article in last week's issue : — " There
is a generally-expressed opinion amongst those
who speak with practical knowledge, that there
exists a balance between the different organs of
the tree which, when properly struck, leads to
fruitfulness. The balance may be reached
naturally, and without external interference, or
it may require artificial adjustment. And here
we seem to find outlined the difficulties which
are unavoidably felt as soon as an attempt is
made to reconcile the conflicting statements of
the experts." Until ordinarily favourable condi-
tions, as regards climate, the fruitful balance is
easily struck if the roots are prevented from
going too deep and kept so near the surface by
an impervious bottom that they will ripen like
the wood. I don't see that this idea came out
in the discussion. Under these conditions a tree
will always be sufficiently vigorous and fruitful
without pruning in any form. Thinning and
feeding will secure size and quality, which have
nothing to do with the pruning question. Mr.
Spencer Pickering's paper was full of interest,
and Mr. A. H. Pearson made it clear, for the
first time, that pinching and summer pruning
were different things, while Mr. Spencer Picker-
ing showed that both curtailed the bearing capa-
city of the tree. /. Simpson, Stud field.

November 2, 1907. J

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

317

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

October 29. — The ordinary fortnightly meet-
ing of the Committees of this society took place
on Tuesday last in the Vincent Square Hall,
Westminster. The most remarkable exhibit was
a group of Orchids from Major Holford's col-
lection at Westonbirt. The superb quality of
the varieties staged, the excellent cultivation
the plants exhibited, and the tasteful ar-
rangement of them in the group, were
beyond praise. Next in importance was a mag-
nificent group of Chrysanthemum blooms set out
boldly in handsome vases and illustrating in
the highest degree the decorative uses to which
the large-flowered Chrysanthemums may be put.
This was from Mr. Norman Davis, of the Fram-
field Nurseries.

There were many novelties at this meeting,
and numerous awards were made. The Orchid
Committee recommended 4 First-Class Certifi-
cates and 4 Awards of Merit ; the Floral
Committee 13 Awards of Merit, these latter
being awarded mainly to varieties of Chrysan-
themum and Carnation.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee re-
commended an Award of Merit to a variety of
Damson named Merryweather.

At the afternoon meeting a lecture on " Birds
of Our Gardens " was delivered by Mr. Cecil
Hooper.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (chairman), and
Messrs. C. T. Druery, Henry B. May, J as.
Walker, Jno. Green, T. W. Turner, G. Keuthe,
J. F. McLeod, W. Cuthbertson, C. R. Fielder,
H. J. Cutbush, Chas. Dixon, J. T. Bennett-1'oe,
H. J. Jones, C. E. Pearson, Chas. E. Shea,
W. P. Thomson, E. H. Jenkins, M. J. James,
Geo. Paul, Chas. Blick, Jno. Jennings, W.
Howe, Rev. F. Page Roberts, R. C. Reginald
Nevill, R. W. Wallace, and R. Hooper Pearson.

Mr. Norman Davis, Framfield, Sussex,
showed a magnificent group of Chrysanthemums,
for which a Gold Medal was awarded. The exhibit
was accommodated at the end of the hall usually
occupied by the platform, and it extended
almost the whole length of the wall at that end.
The manner of staging was only excelled by the
quality of the flowers ; not one inferior bloom
was noticed, whilst the majority represented the
very highest degree of perfection in culture. At
the back overhung tall Palms, and as a centre-
piece was arranged a plant of Dracaena Vic-
toria ; then on either side were tall epergnes
filled with blooms of the yellow Algernon Davis
and the bronze W. King, while in front of these
was the white form of YV. King, and the some-
what similar variety Mrs. Norman Davis. Next,
baskets on stands filled with beautiful single and
decorative flowers, and, again, other large
epergnes with the white incurved Mrs. J. Ilygate,
Mrs. A. T. Miller, and many more, the
whole being interspersed with Palms, Ferns,
Codiaeums (Crotons), and sprays of Red Oak and
other autumn-tinted foliage.

Mr. H. J. Jones, Hither Green, Lewisham,
and Keston, Kent, also contributed an excel-
lent display of Chrysanthemums. The group
was smaller than that shown by the last-named
exhibitor, but all the blooms were of a high
standard of merit, and the whole formed one of
the features of the exhibition. Handsome vases,
several feet in height, were used for the display
of big flowers, a dozen or more in each, with
autumnal-tinted foliage as relief. At the back
were Bamboos, and in the foreground were
smaller receptacles with decorative varieties and
single flowers of large Japanese kinds. Mrs. W.
Knox (yellow), Reginald Vallis, George Terry
(a seedling with crimson florets having a golden
reverse), Jumbo, H. J. Jones, 1908, and Mrs.
A. T. Miller represent the finer of the big exhibi-
tion blooms. Baskets containing Source d'Or
and La Triumphante were staged at either end,
and a row of the pink-coloured Mrs. Wingfield
formed a pleasing finish to the whole. (Silver-
Gilt Floral Medal.)

A group of Chrysanthemums was staged by
Mr. J. Spink, Summit Road Nursery, Waltham-
stow. Large blooms of Japanese varieties in
great variety were arranged in a setting of
Palms, Ferns, Codiaeums (Crotons), with an
edging of Adiantum. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Other exhibits of Chrysanthemums were
shown by Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham,
Surrey (Silver Banksian Medal) ; and Mr. W. J.
Godfrey, Exmouth, Devon.

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., showed flowering greenhouse plants,
Liliums, Ericas, Astilbe (Spiraeas), Azalea
sinensis, Lily of the Valley, Nerine Fothergillii
major, &c, with Crotons (Codiaeums), Ferns,
small Palms, Ficus repens, &c, interspersed.
I Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, Sur-
rey, showed vases of Carnations draped with
sprays of Asparagus Sprengeri. The flowers
were of fine quality, and represented a selec-
tion of the best varieties in cultivation. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Mr. G. Range, Hampton, showed Carna-
tions of the winter-flowering type, including
several new varieties (see Awards). The beau-
tiful pink-coloured Enchantress was shown in
exquisite form. White Perfection and other
standard varieties were also seen in the best
of condition. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
staged bunches of flowers of Zonal Pelargo-
niums in scarlet, salmon, pink, white, and
other shades. The " pips " of some of the
varieties were enormous in size ; some must
have measured 3 or 4 inches in diameter. The
variety Saxonia is a rich, clear scarlet. Other
good kinds are Caronia (pink), Cymric (purple
"shot'' with crimson), Prince of Orange (scar-
let), Campania (new, pink), Lady Folkestone
(pink), and Mrs. Geo. Cadbury (salmon). (Sil-
ver Flora Medal, i

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, showed large blooms of
Japanese Chrysanthemums as a background to
winter-flowering Begonias, Exacum macran-
thum, and Angelonia salicariaefolia. At cue
end "f the exhibit were fruiting plants of the
Citrus tribe, and at the other a batch of the
blue-flowered Salvia Pitcheri and the carmine-
coloured Begonia Mrs. Heal. Messrs. VEITCH
also staged as a separate group a collection of
small Conifers suitable for the rock-garden,
Many of these miniature trees were exceedingly
handsome, both in foliage and in form, and
all those following may be recommended for
this kind of planting : — Picea excelsa Gre-
goriana, Abies subalpina (lasocarpa), Retinos-
pora filicoides tetragona aurea, Cupressus noot-
katensis compacta, C. Lawsoniana nana, Picea
excelsa pygmaea, Pinus strobus pumila, Juni-
perus sabina, J. procumbens, Picea excelsa
Clanbrassiliana, Pinus montana, Retinospora
filifera aurea (a conifer of magnificent colour-
ing), Taxus baccata Dovastonii, and Picea ex-
celsa Remonti. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Thos. Rochford & Sons, Turnford
Hall Nurseries, Broxbourne, Herts., filled the
whole of a large table with small plants of
Codiaeums of a size useful for the embellish-
ment of dwelling rooms. The collection em-
braced no fewer than 67 varieties, which in-
cluded almost all the best in cultivation. As
a selection of the finer, we may enumerate
Souvenir of Thomas Rochford, a narrow-leaved
variety with beautiful shades of colours ;
Princess of Wales, with long leaves that
drooped gracefully below the pots ; Sunset ;
Hawkeri, the yellow ground of this variety is
mingled with green ; Le Comte, a broad-leaved
variety ; Flambeau ; Mortii ; Maurice Rouvier ;
Evansiana, and Warrenii. (Silver-Gilt Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Upper Edmon-
ton, London, N., showed a representative col-
lection of Davallias — in all, 65 species and
varieties of these beautiful Ferns. The centre
of the group was occupied by a bold specimen of
D. fijiensis. Davallia solida superba was also
represented by a handsome plant. The graceful
D. tenuifolia Veitchii has very finely-dissected
fronds. Among other choicer and rarer kinds
displayed were D. amcena, D. repens, D. assa-
mica, D. heterophylla, D. braziliense, D. Mayi,
and D. parvula. The last-named is the smallest
of the genus. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Wu. Bull & Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, again displayed ornamental-leaved
foliage plants of stove and greenhouse varieties.

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
London, exhibited winter-flowering Begonias of
the Turnford Hall, Agatha, and Mrs Leopold
de Rothschild varieties. The flowers made a

very bright display, and they had, as an edging,
a row of a pretty variety of Begonia Rex.

Lord Aldenham, Elstree (gr. Mr. Ed.
Beckett), showed forms of Aster Amellus. The
seedlings showed diversity of colouring in their
flowers ; some were approaching white (see
Awards).

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, Surrey, set
up a very large group of berried shrubs, all of
hardy species. The principal subjects were
Aucuba japonica, Crataegus pyracantha Laelan-
dii, golden-berried Hollies, Pernettyas, Skim-
mia japonica, and, as an edging, small plants
of the pretty Veronica Andersonii variegata.
(Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, London, staged hardy flowers and a
few pots of Alpine plants. A shoot of l'vrus
(Cydonia) japonica contained a dozen or more
fruits, many of which were as large as medium-
sized Apples. Plants of Nerine fiexuosa alba
were nicely flowering, also the Belladonna
Lily (Amaryllis Belladonna), Asters, Chrysan-
themums, Kniphofias, Physalis, &c.

Mr. Frank Brazier, Caterham Hardy Plant
Nursery, Caterham, exhibited bamboo epergnes
filled with perennial Asters and border Chry-
santhemums, with a few spikes of Pampas
Grass (Gvnerium) as relief. (Silver Banksian
Medal. I

Mr. (',. Reuthf., Keston, Kent, showed
Alpine and border plants in flower, includ-
ing Crocuses in many species, Colchicums,
Sternbergia lutea, S. macrantha, Lilium phil-
lipinense, Hypericum olympicum, Tanakaea
radicans, ftc.

AWARDS.

Awards of Merit.

Asler Amellus "H. J. Cutbush." — An excellent
variety, with flowers about 2J inches in dia-
meter ; colour reddish-rnauve, deeper in shade
than Perry's Favourite. It is said to grow 2 feet
high. Shown by Mr. Ed. Beckett.

I '. Rose Pink Enchantress. — This is a first-class
flower of large size and good form, with broad,
smooth petals, only faintly fringed. The colour
is clear, but rich rose. This variety was shown
by Mr. A. F. Dutton, Iver, Bucks.

C. Beacon. — A brilliant, red-coloured, winter-
flowering variety, with slightly-fringed petals.
Shown by Mr. G. Lange, Hanworth Road,
Hampton, Middlesex, and Messrs. Paul &
Sons, Cheshunt.

I . 1 1";;; tor. — This is a magnificent pink flower,
of considerable size and excellent form. The
petals are good and only slightly fringed.
Show.i by Mr. G. Lange and Mr. A. F. Dut-
ton.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Wakefield. — A variety
suitable for market supply, or for the produc-
tion of large blooms for home decoration. The
flowers are of Japanese type, the florets re-
flexed, and the colour brownish-red. In size
they are much too small for exhibition.

Chrys. F. W. Lever. — A Japanese flower of the
largest size, florets broad and white, incurving
a little at tips. The flower has a lemon-
coloured centre. This is an exhibition variety
of the first merit. These two varieties were
shown by Mr. H. J. Jones.

' 'hrys. Clara Wells. This is a very large in-
curved flower. The florets are somewhat pointed
at the tips, but the variety promises, neverthe-
less, to become a good exhibition flower.

Chrys. Clara Vurnum. — A decorative variety,
with blooms 5 or 6 inches across ; colour rich
velvety crimson, the bronze reverse showing in
the centre. These two varieties were shown by
Messrs. W. Wells & Co.

Chrys. Mrs. G. F. Cosier. — A moderate-sized
exhibition Japanese Chrysanthemum, of apricot
or chestnut yellow, the tint being exceedingly
attractive. It is a smooth flower of considerable
refinement.

Chrys. Splendour. — An incurved Japanese
flower, of dull crimson colour, with bronze re-
verse. The florets are enormously wide, and
the bloom contains unusual substance. The two
varieties named above were shown by Mr. Sils-
ni-Rv, Shanklin.

Chrys. Romance. — This variety has a very rich
yellow incurved flower that will be suitable for
exhibition. Shown by Mr. W. J. Godfrey,
Exmouth Nurseries, Devon.

318

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 2, 1907.

Cyclamen latifolium fimbriatum giganteum. —
Mr. T. Jannock, Dersingham Nurseries, Sand-
ringham, exhibited varieties of Cyclamen ob-
tained from crossing C. latifolium with the
strain known as " Papilio " (see figs, in Gar-
deners' Chronicle, May 22, 1897). The petals are
flattened and spread out, as shown in fig. 112 in
the issue already mentioned, but they are
broader, and the flower much more impressive
than the flower illustrated. The natural ap-
pearance of the flower has become perfectly
obliterated. The Award of Merit was for the
strain.

Nerine " F. D. Godman."— This variety^may
be described as like a silvery-red form of N.
Fothergillii major. The 5-inch pot contained
only three bulbs, and each had produced a first-
class inflorescence bearing about one dozen
blooms. Shown by F. D. Godman, Esq.,
Horshan.

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the chair),
and Messes. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec), Harry J.
Veitch, De B. Crawshay, W. Boxall, F. Sander,
F. M. Ogilvie, G. F. Moore, H. T. Pitt, A. Dye,
A. A. McBean, W. Cobb, R. G. Thwaites, H. G.
Alexander, W. P. Bound, W. H. Young, W. H.
White, H. A. Tracy, F. J. Hanbury, and R.
Brooman-White.

The meeting was rendered exceptionally at-
tractive by the beautiful and exquisitely-arranged
group for which Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O.,
CLE. (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), was awarded
the Society's Gold Medal and the Gold Lindley
Medal, .the latter in recognition of the superb
cultivation of the plants. The finest varie-
ties were arranged in batches, the centre
being of the gorgeously-coloured Westonbirt
strain of Cattleya Fabia ; and at intervals were
clusters of Vanda coerulea, V. Kimballiana,
varieties of Cattleya Mantinii, C. Mrs. J. W.
Whiteley, and other showy varieties. The
group, which occupied a space of 200 square
feet, contained over 100 distinct varieties, most
of them hybrids raised at Westonbirt. The
species included finely-flowered Oncidium vari-
cosum, tvith graceful sprays of large, yellow
blooms ; specimen plants of Vanda Kimballiana,
fine varieties of Odontoglossum crispum, Den-
drobium Phalaenopsis Schroderianum of varying
rose tints, and a nice example of the pure white
variety hololeuca ; the clear blue Vanda coerulea,
Oncidium tigrinum, O. Jonesianum, Phalaenop-
sis Rimestadtiana, Cymbidium Mastersii, C. ery-
throstylum, fine forms of Cattleya labiata, C.
Bowringiana, C. Dowiana aurea, C. Warsce-
wiczii, and its showy and fragrant hybrid C.
Hardyana in several varieties, including one of
the rare variety alba. Of the hybrids, the finest
were the forms of C. Fabia and C. Mantinii, the
Westonbirt variety of which is of a rich rose-
purple with maroon lip veined with gold ; C.
Dusseldorfei Undine, C. Enid, C. Molle, C.
Wendlandiana, C. Cleopatra, ('. Thayeriana, C.
Lord Rothschild, C. Mrs. J. W. Whiteley, C.
Mrs. Pitt, and C. Waldemar. Two new Laslio-
Cattleyas were shown, L.-C. Memnon (elegans
X Mendelii) and L.-C. Hildegard (Warscewiczii
X Decia), both pretty and distinct; and other
Laelio-Cattleyas noted were L.-C. Baroness
Schroder, L.-C. Clive, L.-C. Helena, L.-C. ele-
gans, L.-C. Cassiope (Westonbirt variety), L.-C.
Berthe Fournier, L.-C. Lustre, L.-C. Rowena,
and L.-C. luminosa. The hybrids of Brassa-
vola Digbyana, with their large, rose-tinted,
fringed flowers included B.-C. Helen, B.-C.
Digbyano-Warscewiczii, and B.-C. Digbyano-
Mossiae. Sophro-Cattleya Nydia and S.-C.
Chamberlainiana afforded bright colours, and
the Cypripediums were represented by a
selection of varieties of C. insigne, C. Fairrie-
anum, C. Tityus superbum, C. Dante, C.
Charlesianum superbum, and other hybrids.

H. S. Goodson, Esq., Fairlawn, W'est Hill,
Tutney (gr. Mr. G. E. Day), was awarded a
Silver Flora Medal for a very meritorious group
containing many excellent specimens, the finest
being Cattleya Fabia Goodsonii, a grand flower
of rich rose-purple and crimson colour ; and C.
Octave Doin " Herbert Goodson," both of which
secured First-Class Certificates last year. The
new plant in the group was Cattleya Alicia? (Iris
X labiata), a very pretty and distinct variety,
which secured an Award of Merit. A selection
of well-flowered C. insigne Sanderae had with
them the remarkable three-lipped C. i. Oddity,
and other good forms, and among other Cypri-

pediums noted were C. H. S. Goodson, a very
large, finely-formed, and distinct hybrid, C.
Maudiae, &c. Some finely-flowered plants of
Pleione lagenaria were in front and others re-
marked were Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-Wars-
cewiczii, B.-C. Digbyano-Mendelii, good forms
of Cattleya labiata, Miltoma Bleuana, Onci-
dium bicallosum, O. cucullatum, &c.

Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
were voted a Silver Flora Medal for an extensive
group, the middle of which was occupied by a
large number of the pretty Cypripedium Fairrie-
anum and several of its hybrid C. Arthurianum.
On each side were arrangements of other good
Cypripediums, among which were C. insigne
The Queen, a very well-marked form ; C. i. Sun-
ray, with a yellowish glow in the flower and
dotted raylike lines on its broad petals ; C. i.
Commander Walter, also distinct ; C. i. Hare-
field Hall, C. i. Oddity, and many others. Of
the hybrids, C. triumphans, Westonbirt variety,
was the best dark-coloured. Others well repre-
sented were Epidendrum ciliare, Dendrobium
Phalaenopsis, Cymbidiums, Masdevallias, &c.

Jeremiah Colman, Esq., Gatton Park (gr. Mr.
W. P. Bound), was awarded a Silver Banksian
Medal for a neat group of showy hybrids, all
raised at Gatton Park, and which included good
Cattleya Fabia, C. Iris, C. Adula, two pretty
and dissimilar forms of C. Chloris, C. Portia
Gatton Park variety, a fine flower ; C. Wend-
landiana, C. Mrs. Pitt, C. Brownias, Laelio-
Cattleya Nysa, L.-C. Phryne, &-c.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nurseries, King's Road, Chelsea, were awarded
a Silver Banksian Medal for an attractive group,
principally hybrids, among which were noted a
pretty, light-coloured form of Cattleya Lord
Rothschild, finely-coloured C. Mantinii nobilior,
C. Portia, and other hybrids of C. Bowringiana ;
a very fine Laelio-Cattleya Epicasta, L.-C. An-
dreana, L.-C. Tenos, and other hybrids. The
centre was of the clear yellow Cypripedium in-
signe Sanderae, and at one end were C. Baron
Schroder, C. Actasus, &c.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, secured a Silver Banksian Medal for a good
group containing a fine example of their pure
white Brasso-Cattleya Queen Alexandra ; a dis-
tinct form of Cypripedium Thalia, the noble C.
Zeno, a C. insigne Harefield Hall hybrid, and
larger than its parent ; varieties of Cattleya
labiata, including a good white form, Cattleya
Adula, C. Iris, C. Vulcan, C. Octave Doin ; a
splendid form of Odontoglossum Uro-Skinneri,
and other Odontoglossums, and a pretty Zygo-
petalum obtained between Z. maxillare and
Colax jugosus.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, obtained
a Silver Banksian Medal for a group in which
the varieties of Cattleya labiata were well dis-
played, seven white forms being included. With
them were Houlletia Brocklehurstiana, Ancistro-
cheilus Thompsonianus, Cattleya Bowringiana,
Low's variety, and another finely-coloured form
with five spikes, bearing together over 80 flowers,
Odontoglossum crispum, one being nicely
spotted, &c.

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal
for a group of hybrids containing several forms
of their pretty Cattleya Armstrongiae, C. Iris,
C. Adula, and other pretty hybrids.

J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), showed the rare
natural hybrid Odontoglossum Duvivierianum
and Laelia pumila alba.

J. Bradshaw, Esq., The Grange, Southgate
(gr. Mr. Whitelegge), showed the fine white Catt-
leya Harrisoniae alba superba and C. labiata
Augusta. (See Awards.)

F. Ducane Godman, Esq., sent Cypripediums
Phaedra superba, with a good, white, dorsal
sepal blotched with rose colour.

Monsieur Mertens, Ghent, showed three
hybrid Odontoglossums,. Miltonia Bleuana, and
a large-flowered M. vexillaria.

Miss Willmott, Warley Place, Great WTarley,
showed a very handsome form of Cattleya
Minucia.

De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Seven-
oaks (gr. Mr. Stables), snowed the exception-
ally finely-blotched Odontoglossum crispum
Boadicea, with silver-white sepals and petals,
strongly tinged with rosy-lilac and bearing at-
tractively-displayed dark red blotches. Tip
white, with a large chestnut-red blotch in front
of the yellow crest, and several smaller

blotches on each side. Also O. crispum
Imperatrix, a model flower, white slightly tinged
with mauve on the sepals, which also bear
brownish spots on the lower halves.

J. Shepherd, Esq., Twyford, Berks., sent a
very fine specimen of Laelio-Cattleyd Tiresias.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.

Cattleya Fabia gigantea (labiata X aurea),
from Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O., CLE.
(gr. Mr. Alexander). — The finest of the superb
Westonbirt strain of this showy winter-flower-
ing Orchid. Sepals and petals of a rich, rosy-
mauve colour ; the large labellum deep ruby-
crimson, with a dark-gold centre and orange
lines from the base.

Cattleya fulvescens, Westonbirt variety
(Forbesii x aurea), from Major G. L. Hol-
ford.— Flowers larger than any yet shown.
Sepals and petals yellowish buff, the large,
crimped lip orange, changing to yellow, and
with pretty rose-coloured markings of different
shades, the darkest being in the centre.

Cattleya labiata alba Purity, from Major G.
L. Holford. — A perfectly pure white variety,
with chrome-yellow disc to the lip.

Odontioda Devossiana (0. Edwardii X Coch-
lioda Noezliana), from Monsieur H. Graire,
Amiens. — An excellent novelty. The plant
bore a compact inflorescence about 2 feet high,
the upper half being furnished with about two
dozen flowers, each 1 inch across, and borne
on a four-branched spike. Sepals lanceolate,
the lateral ones reflexed ; petals ovate-acu-
minate, both deep blood-red ; lip three-lobed,
purplish-red, lighter at the apex ; crest yellow.

Awards of Merit.

Sophro-Lalio-Cattleya Medea (C. bicolor X
S.-L. lata Orpctiana), from Major G. L. Hol-
ford.— A dwarf hybrid bearing in its purplish
flower a distinct resemblance to C. bicolor, es-
pecially in its deep violet-purple lip.

La-lio-Callleya Epicasta "The Premier" (L.
pumila x C. Warscewiczii), from Jeremiah
Colman, Esq., Gatton Park, Reigate (gr. Mr.
W. P. Bound). — One of the largest, most per-
pect in shape, and finest in colour of the L.
pumila hybrids. The broad sepals and petals
are white delicately flushed with rose-pink ; the
front of the well-rounded lip deep purplish-
crimson.

Cattleya Alicia ( labiata X Iris), from H. S.
Goodson, Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr. Mr. G.
E. Day). — A pretty and distinct hybrid, with
rosy-lilac sepals and petals ; the fine labellum,
which is protected as in C. Iris, rosy-crimson.

Cattleya labiata Augusta, from J. Bradshaw,
Esq., The Grange, Southgate. — A fine white
variety with distinct deep chrome-yellow mark-
ing in the tube of the lip, which has a very
slight trace of pink in front.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: Geo. Bunyard, Esq. (in the chair),
and Messrs. Jas. Cheal, J. W. Bates, Alex. Dean,
Geo. Keif, A. R. Allan, J. Davies, J. Jaques, G.
Reynolds, Chas. Foster, P. D. Tuckett, J.
Mclndoe, Owen Thomas, C G. A. Nix, W.
Poupart, A. H. Pearson, and James Vert.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, displayed fruits of a hybrid
fruit obtained from the Quince X Pear Berga-
motte Esperen. The fruits were named Pyronia.
Some resembled the first-named parent, and
others were similar to the Pear, although all
were raised from the seeds of one fruit.

There were also seen the usual array of seed-
ling Apples, sent for award, but none was found
to merit that distinction.

Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Ltd., Royal
Nurseries, Maidstone, showed a magnificent ex-
hibit of Pears. The collection embraced nearly
one hundred varieties, and was of much
educational value. President Osmanville is a
large fruit with a rich yellow skin ; Doyenne du
Cornice was represented by a magnificent
sample. Beurre Diel, Beurre Alex. Lucas, St.
Luke (a large, russety fruit), Beurre Bosc, Gilo-
gil, Winter Windsor, ("hiojuro (a Japanese variety
of the Bergamotte type with a round eye, show-
ing no trace of the stamens or sepals, and having
a delicate russety exterior), Princess, Beurre Jean
Van Geert, Magnate, President Barabe, and
Ramilies were all of exceedingly fine appearance.
(Silver-Gilt Knightian Medal.)

November 12, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

119

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed 42 dishes of Apples and Pears,
all highly-coloured fruits and of medium size.
The best dishes were those of Bismarck, King of
the Pippins, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Warner's
King, Blenheim Pippin, Saltmarsh Queen, and
Bramley's Seedling. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Miss C. M. Dixon, Elmcroft Nursery, Wester-
gate, Chichester, staged a dozen Melons of the
Urn i of Lockinge type, and labelled Lawson's
favourite and Elmcroft Beauty. (Silver Bank-
sian Medal.)

Fifty very excellent bulbs of Ailsa Craig Onion
were shown by R. H. Ling, Esq., The Braes,
Berkhamsted. (Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Mr. R. W. Green, Wisbech, showed a very
large number of varieties of Potatos. All the
l\ | n s of this vegetable were represented — kidney,
flat, round, coloured, &c. — and the varieties em-
braced the newer as well as the older standard
kinds. The tubers were especially clear of skin,
and, staged in fancy baskets on a green ground-
work, made as pleasing an exhibit as is possible
with this subject. (Silver Knightian Medal.)

Award of Merit.
Damson Merryweather. — At the meeting of the
Committee held on the opening day of the
autumn fruit show, a variety of Damson was
presented under this name for an award. It
was decided to subject the fruits to a culinary
test, and this having proved satisfactory, an
Award of Merit was granted. The fruits were
sent by Mr. W. Merryweather, Southwell.

Scientific Committee.

OCTOBER 15.— Present : Mr. E. A. Bowles,
M.A., F.L.S. (in the chair) ; Dr. J. B. Farmer
F.R.S., Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., Dr. A. B. Kendle,
M.A., Messrs. C. E. Shea, J. T. Bennett- 1'...-.
('. T. Druery, \Y. C. Worsdell, W. Cuthbertson,
F. J. Baker, C. E. Hennessey, F. W. Moore,
F. J. Chittenden (hon. secretary), and .numerous
visitors.

The up-country Tea root disease of Ceylon. —
Dr. C. B. Pi.owrigiit sent specimens of bark
and roots of Tea plants, illustrating the follow-
ing note: "Mr. T. Petch, the Government my-
cologist of Ceylon, sends specimens of this
disease. It is due to Polyporus hypolateritia of
Berkeley, a species which is now allocated to
the genus Poria. It is most prevalent above
4,000 feet, and is easily distinguished from the
disease caused by Rosellinia. If a dying bush
be uprooted the roots are seen to be covered
with small white raised patches or knobs of
mycelium about one-twelfth inch in diameter
with reddish raised margins. From these
nodules a mycelium spreads to other roots, white
at first, but subsequently forms a thick cord
with a tough red coat, while the mycelium be-
tween the bark and the wood forms a thin con-
tinuous white sheet. The fructification (the
Poria) is generally formed on the stem just
above the ground, but it may be formed on the
surface of the soil. In one experimental cul-
ture it was produced on the under side of a
flower pot, an illustration of the travelling
power of the fungus. The fungus is white with
a red edge and under surface, hence the speci-
fic name which was given it by Berkeley to
specimens from India. Its life history as a
parasite has been worked out by Mr. Petch."

Hybrid Orchids.— Mr. F. W. Moore, V.M.H.,
made some interesting remarks upon two
hybrid Orchids sent by Mr. H. J. Chapman.
The first was the result of intercrossing the two
albinos Cattleya intermedia alba and C.
Schroderae alba. The flowers of the cross had
the three sepals and two of the petals with a
rosy tinge, while the lip was at the edges of
the basal portion a little deeper in colour,
and had the terminal portion magenta with a
stripe of the same colour running towards the
throat, the only portion of the flower that was
pure white being the inner part of the throat
on each side of this stripe. The colour, there-
fore, showed reversion to the typical form ; the
shape, however, of the flower showed traces of
both parents. The second flower was the re-
sult of a cross between the so-called albino
forms, Cypripedium insigne Sanderae and C. cal-
losum Sanderae. This, like the first, showed
distinct traces of the colouration of the typical
forms of both parent species, thus again revert-
ing. These two specimens seem to illustrate in
another group of plants that phenomenon that

has been pointed out by the Mendelian workers
with Sweet Peas, where the colour-producing
factors that were present separately in the two
parents, so that they were albinos, meet in the
offspring and produce colour. As Mr. Moore
pointed out, not all albino Orchids when crossed
produced coloured flowers, but albinos may
be produced. The Orchids were from the col-
lection of X C. COOKSON, Esq., of Oakwood,
Wylam-on-Tyne.

Injury to Applt twigs. — Vx. F. J. Baker,
A.K.i '.S., showed some Apple twigs that had
been injured by too tightly binding the shoots
together. The shoots had been washed in May
with a somewhat strong solution of paraffin,
and the result had been that the injuries to the
stems appeared very like cankered spots. The
wounds were now beginning to callus over.

Cup-shaped leaves of Pelargonium. — Mr. W.
C. VVORSDEIX showed some leaves of Pelar-
gonium zonale from Kew, which had grown
in a cup-shaped manner. Each of these was
terminal, a fact that accounted for the form.
One of the cup-like leaves bore a second spring-
ing from its outer surface. These leaves pro-
bably took the place of the flowering shoots,
which would have been developed in the same
position in a normal season.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

October 28. — A meeting of the Executive
Committee was held at Carr's Restaurant,
Strand, on the above date, Mr. Thomas Bevan
presiding. It was announced that Mr. C. E.
Shea would occupy the chair at the annual
dinner to be held on November -6, and that he
would be supported by Sir Albert Rollit, who
has been nominated for president next year.
Arising out of the correspondence was the resig-
nation of Mr. Caselton from the Executive Com-
mittee and the consideration of the protest
handed in at the last show.

The Secretary submitted the usual financial
statement to date. It was stated that the prize
money awarded at the October show would be
paid at the end of the year. Arrangements were
made for carrying out the details of the Novem-
ber show, and it was resolved that a Dean
Memorial Medal be awarded by the Floral Com-
mittee to the exhibit that may be considered
specially worthy. The award will be confined
to Chrysanthemum exhibits. It was also re-
solved that honorary awards be made to exhibits
of sundries. Five new Fellows and twenty-one
ordinary members were elected.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

October 17. — Committee present : Messrs. E.
Ashworth, R. Ashworth, Ashton, Cowan,
Cypher, Duckworth, Keeling, Parker, P. Smith,
H. Smith, Stevens, Shiel, Ward, Warburton,
Walmsley, and Weathers (hon. sec).

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr.
Dalgleish), exhibited an excellent collection of
Orchids, consisting of a group of Cypripediums,
another of miscellaneous Orchids, and a group
of species of Cattleyas and Laelias. Each
group was in competition for the various
trophies which have been offered by Messrs.
Sander and Sons, W. Thompson, Esq.,
and Messrs. H. Low & Co., and they were
awarded respectively a Silver Medal, Silver-
Gilt Medal, and a Bronze Medal. Among the
plants shown was Cattleya labiata var. Em-
press, a white form with coloured lip, and this
was awarded a First-Class Certificate ; while
Awards of Merit were granted to Cattleya x
fulvescens, Vine House variety ; Cattleya X
Pittiana, Low's variety ; and Cypripedium x
Bingleyense, Warburton's variety.

W. Thompson. Esq., Stone (gr. Mr. Stevens),
exhibited Cypripedium x triumphans, Weston-
birt variety, C X " St. Alban," and C. Charles-
worthii var. grandiflora.

J. H. Craven, Esq., Keighley (gr. Mr. Cor-
ney), staged a meritorious group, notable plants
being Cypripedium x Keighle3-ense, a good hy-
brid, the parents of which were C. x nitens
magnificum, Balls' var. X C. X Arthurianum ;
also C. X Niobe, Westonbirt variety ; C X
" Rene," C. X Maudiae var. magnificum, and
C. X Arthurianum pulchellum. A First-Class
Certificate was awarded to C. X Keighleyense,
and a Silver Medal for the group.

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill,
Yorks.j gained an Award of Merit for a plant
of Cirrhopetalum ornatissimum.

E. Rogerson, Esq., Didsbury, sent the beau-
tiful natural hybrid Cattleya x Countess of
li rby, which was originally in the Stand Hall
collection, and has only appeared at public
exhibition on two occasions. The specimen was
in good health, and the flowers were very beauti-
ful ; the nearest plant allied to this is the white
form of Cattleya x Hardyana. A Tirst-Class
Certificate was awarded to the hybrid. Cattleya
X Labia var. " Mrs. Rogerson " also obtained
a First-Class Certificate. Cypripedium x
Actaeixs var. revoluta was also shown by Mr.
Roi ::son.

Messrs. Linden & Co., Brussels, exhibited
Odontoglossum crispum var. " Reve d'Or." An
Award of Merit was conferred on the plant.

Mr. W. BOLTON, Warrington, obtained an
Award of Merit for Cypripedium X Wootonii
var. rubens.

H. J. Bromilow, Rainhill (gr. Mr Morgan),
obtained a Silver Medal for a collection of
Cypripediums, among which were Cypripedium
X Maudiae var. magnificum, C. X Kubele, C.
insigne, Harefield Hall variety, and C insigne
var. Chantinii, Linden's variety.

Messrs. J. W. Moore, Ltd., Rawdon, near
Leeds, staged a miscellaneous collection of
plants, in which was a distinct form of Cattleya
Schroderae. On being placed before the com-
mittee, that body expressed a desire to see the
plant again.

J. Macartney, Esq., Bolton (gr. Mr.
Holmes), exhibited a plant of Cypripedium X
Shillianum in a pleasing group, which was
awarded in two of the competitions a Bronze
Medal and a Silver Medal.

Mrs. H. PI. Bolton, Newchurch, exhibited
Cattleya X Fabia, " Heightside variety," and
was awarded a Silver Medal for a collection of
plants.

Messrs. Chari.esworth & Co., Bradford,
gained Awards of Merit for Cattleya labiata
var. Emperor.

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, were
awarded a Silver Medal for a group of plants in
many varieties.

A Cultural Certificate was awarded to A.
Warbtjrtok, Esq., for a fine specimen of
Cattleya X Fabia var. ardentissimum. P. 11'.

DEBATING SOCIETiES.

MANCHESTER HORTICULTURAL. -The annual
general meeting of this society was held recently. The
president, Mr. James Brown, occupied the chair, and there
was a large attendance of the members. The secretary's
and treasurer's reports were satisfactory. The officers
of last year were all re-elected, after which some c< vi mv
of the members and their friends dined at the Mosley
Hotel. A pleasant feature of the meeting was the presen-
tation of a handsome timepiece to Mr. Charles Paul, the
honorary secretary, in recognition of his long and gratuitous
services on behalf of the society. The chairman, Mr.
Abraham Stansfield, proposed the chief toast, " Prosperity
to the Society." He regarded professional horticulturists, or,
in plain terms, " gardeners," as an under-paid, under-esti-
mated class of men, considering the battle they had constantly
to wage against numerous difficulties, of which, in Lanca-
shire, climate was not the least. He had just been reading
Mr. Llovd-George's confession of his ignorance of the
secret of* Lancashire's success as a cotton-spinning centre
— the humidity of the climate. But that which made
Lancashire's success industrially made the Lancashire
gardener's difficulty greater, and, considering the damp and
smoke against which be had to struggle, he thought that the
result, as was shown at the exhibitions, was wonderful,

SALISBURY AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'. -
At the weekly meeting of the above society, held on the
23rd ult., the night was again devoted to questions. Mr.
Tucker occupied the chair, and Mr. Gullick opened the
debate. The attendance was not large, but many of the
members present took part in the d ^cussion. A vote of
thanks was accorded the Earl of Pembroke for his kindness
in providing the society with tables upon which to stage the
exhibits of flowers, &c.

PEPPARD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.

The members of this society held their second meeting of
the session on October 24, when Mr. Tubbs, of Crowsley
Park Gardens, gave a paper on " The Cultivation of Chrysan-
themums"; a good discussion followed the reading of
the paper. W. G. W.

DEVON AND EXETER GARDENERS'. — The

opening paper of the new session was given on October 23,
by Mr. Francis George Heath, his subject being "Trees,
Flowers, and Ferns." Mr. Heath furnished many beautiful
wood-pictures of sylvan scenery in the county of Devon and
in the New Forest, exhorting the members to admire the
works of nature so lavishly displayed around them. Mr.
P. C. M. Veitch occupied the chair, and made some inter-
esting and appropriate remarks in introducing the lecturer.
The preceding gathering formed the annual meeting. The
Mayor of Exeter presided. The secretary's and the
treasurer's reports were read and adopted, and the officers
for the ensuing year elected. A . H.

:20

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 2, 1907.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending October 26, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office:—

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather was generally unsettled, and rain frequent,
but most parts of England experienced considerable inter-
vals of sunshine ; and in England S. and E., as well as in
Scotland N., the rain was usually slight. Thunder was heard
at Tunbridge Wells early on the morning of the 20th.

The temperature was above the mean in all districts, except
Ireland S., the excess being greater in Scotland and the
East of England than elsewhere. The highest of the
maxima were recorded during the early days of the week,
and ranged from 64u in the English Channel arid the Mid-
land Counties to 59° in Scotland E. and W. The lowest of
the minima, which occurred at most stations on Friday or
Saturday, were no lower than 45° in the English Channel,
but elsewhere they varied from 33° in Ireland N. and
Scotland N. to 29° in England N.W. Frost on the grass
was recorded over a large part of the Kingdom, the lowest
readings reported being 23° at Crathes, 21- at Harrogate,
and 25° at Newton Rigg and Birmingham.

The mean temperature oi the sea differed little from that
of the preceding week. The actual values ranged from
567* at Plymouth and 56'4* at the Shipwash Lightship, to
rather below 50° in several parts of the Scottish coast, and
to 48° at Lerwick.

The tain/alt exceeded the mean in Ireland, the west of
Scotland and the south-western and central counties of
England, but was less elsewhere. The excess was greatest
in Ireland and the deficit greatest in Scotland N. and
England E.

The bright sunshine was deficient in Ireland and Scotland,
but was above the average in England. The percentage of
the possible duration ranged from 49 in the English Channel,
39 in England S., and 3S in EnglandS.W., to27in Ireland N.
and to between 17 and 10 in Scotland.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending October 30.
The most sunless week since January. This was on the
•whole a rather cold week. The first two nights were the
only very cold ones, and on one of them the exposed
thermometer showed 5° of frost, or a lower reading than at
any previous time in October. The ground still remains
warm for the time of year, the temperature at 2 feet deep
being ab mt 1° warmer, and at 1 foot deep about 2° warmer,
than is seasonable. Rain fell on three days, but to the total
depth of less than half-an-inch, making this the driest week
of a very wet month. There was no measurable percolation
through the soil gauge, on which short grass is growing,
until yesterday, but nearly two gallons of rain-water came
through the bare soil gauge during the week. The sun
shone on an average for only 54 minutes a day, which is not
more than a third of the average daily duration of bright
sunshine at the end of October. Calms and light airs alone
prevailed. The mean amount of moisture in the air at 3p.m.
exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour by as much as
1J per cent. E. M.t Bcrkhamsted, October 30, 1907.

ClTlAlfm
Mr

mjpondent

Wpr, ->^

• # • The Editor will be glad to receive, for considera-
tion, large photographs of horticultural subjects, suitable
for forming Supplementary Illustrations to this Journal.

Apple Shoot with Swelling : C. C. The
injury is caused by American blight — a species
of aphis. Your shoot contains numbers of
these pests, and you must destroy them by an
application of some insecticide. A suitable
wash is composed of 10 lbs. of caustic soda,
10 lbs. of carbonate of potash, and 2 or 3 lbs.
of soft soap dissolved in 100 gallons of
water. The bark should be painted in winter
with a mixture of 1 lb. of soft soap, 1 gallon
of lime, and a small quantity of size mixed to
form a thick whitewash.

Appointments in the London Parks: E. S.
The responsible positions are usually filled by
the appointment of members of the staff. You
are quite right in supposing that it is good
experience which is necessary to qualify you for
taking the best positions in this or any other
branch of gardening.

Canvassing for Books : Correspondent . If you
could show that the order for the book was given
on the condition the man obtained a situation for
you il would probably invalidate the agreement.
But it appears that whilst you signed your name
for the book the rest of the agreement was
verbal. Consult a solicitor.

Carnations : Lapageria. The tips of the
leaves are suffering from a diseased condition
that has been called " Stigmanose." This was
at first believed to be Bacteriosis, but it has
since been discovered to be due to punctures
of insects — which perhaps introduce bacteria.
The best preventive is to destroy all the

minute insect life, by using some approved
insecticide. We fail to discover on the leaves
the aphis you mention.

Chrysanthemums: IV. C. The petals themseh'es
give no clue to the cause of their discoloration
and falling off. There is no fungal disease, and
the failure must ba due to the surrounding con-
ditions or some error in treatment.

Coleus and Cucumber Roots Diseasfd : Eel-
worm. You are quite correct in ascribing the
damage done to your Cucumber and Coleus to
the attacks of eelworms. The plants are badly
infested with the pests, which are a species of
Heterodera (probably H. radicicola). The best
course to pursue is to burn the roots together
with the infected soil, as it is impossible to
to ensure killing the animals in any other
practicable way.

Employment in America : C. G. The contract
should be made after your arrival in the States.
We do not think the wages of £120 a year in
America would be more than equal to £100 if
paid in this country.

Grapes : W. Peters. The berries are extremely
large, and, though some of them are more or less
hollow, lacking firmness, the flavour is certainly
as good or better than that of Gros Colmar.
We cannot recommend the seedling as a first or
even second rate variety, but at the same time
it is likely that well-coloured bunches would
attract buyers in the market, for it has been
proved again and again that the public appre-
ciates the quality of " size."

Indian Name : C. /. G. The Nim, or Neem Tree,
is Melia Azadirachta, belonging to the genus
which furnishes mahogany. A full account of
its products, such as gum, dye, fibre and oil is
given in Watt's Dictionary of the Economic Products
of India, v., 211. See also Beddome's Flora
Sylvatica, t. 14. It is stated that the sweet pulp
of the fruit is eaten in the Bombay Presidency,
especially in times of scarcity. The tree is in
cultivation at Kew, and is referred to in the
Guide to Museum No. 1.

Market Gardening : T. C. There appears to be
no reason why you should not succeed, having
had the exellent experience which you relate in
your letter. The district being a manufacturing
one the population is considerable, and there
are convenient means of conveying the produce
to the local markets. The degree of success
you may obtain will depend upon the business
capacity you possess, and the amount of energy
you are capable cf putting into the business.
We assume that your capital is sufficient for the
initial outlay that is necessary, and to provide
for the payment of the working expanses for the
first year.

Mats for the Garden : Mrs. K. Apply to the
horticultural sundriesmen, whose addresses
will be found in our advertising columns.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are, requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits : T. B. R. Doyenne du Cornice ; 2,
Passe Colmar ; 3, Baron de Mello ; 4, Jalousie
de Fontenay ; 5, Bishop's Thumb ; 0, Beurre
Capiaumont.— \V. P. 1 and 2, Although differ-
ing so much in outward appearance both are
Beurre Superfm. The russety fruits are gene-
rally the better flavoured. — A. M. 1, Black
Worcester; 2, Beurre1 Clairgeau ; 3 and 4,
Beurre Bachelier; 5, Beurre Sterckmans ; 6,
Beurre Superfin. — Correspondent (no letter en-
closed). 1, Withington Fillbasket ; 2, Mank's
Co&Wn-A. A. 1, Brockworth Park; 2, Comte
de Lamy ; 3, Conseiller de la Cour ; 4, Autumn
Nelis ; 6, Jalousie de Fontenay. — C. B. 1 , Beurrtf
Hardy; 2, Chaumontel ; 3, Pitmaston Duchess ;
4, not recognised; 5, Fondante d'Automne ; C,

not recognised. — E. Bennett. 1, Wiltshire De-
fiance ; 2, Sandringham ; 3, Radford Beauty ;
4, White Nonpareil; 5, Forfar.—/. W.S. 1,
Matlhews's Eliza ; 2 and 3, Flemish Beauty ; 4,
Old Hawthornden ; 5, King of the Pippins. —
A. A. Temple. The particulars you give are very
interesting, but of course it is an erroneous state-
ment that these small Apples or Crabs will
grow in monastery gardens only. We do not
know of any particular name by which the fruits
are known.

Plants : F. N. Kniphofia aloides var. grandi-
flora. — Odorus. 1, Pelargonium tomentosum ;
2, P. viscosissimum ; 3, P. radula major; 4,
P. quercifolium var. Mrs. Douglas; 5, P. quer-
cifolium (type) ; 6, P. crispum ; 7, P. capitatum ;
8, P. Prince of Orange (a bad example). Shoots
in every case should be sent, not merely leaves.
— /. G. Poison Ivy, Rhus Toxicodendron. —
H.J.M. Arbutus Unedo.— A. D. W. 1, Mal-
formed Quercus pedunculata; 2, Capparis spi-
nosa (Caper). — E. H. 1, Aster vimineus ; 2,
A. diffusus horizontalis : 3, Aster ericoides ; 4,
Eupatorium Weinmannianum : 5, Lavendula
dentata ; 6, Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, Japa-
nese form. — Foreman. 1, Elseagnus pungens
aureo variegata ; 2, Ginkgo biloba ; 3 Coton-
easter Simonsii ; 4, Cupressus Lawsoniana
viridis ; 4, Cupressus Lawsoniana glauca; 6,
Cupressus Lawsoniana. — Warwick. Epidendrum
prismato carpum. — A. T. 0. 1, Oncidium cu-
cullatum ; 2, Oncidium cheirophorum ; 3, Mas-
devallia simula. — A. H. L. Cosmos bipinnatus,
white variety. — J. B. The plant is Hibiscus
syriacus, as we suggested.

Notice to Terminate Employment : G.B. The
first intimation may be regarded as the notice.
Consult a solicitor. — G. H. S. We do not know
the arrangements which existed between the
gardener and yourself. If you feel that the
action was illegal it will be wise to consult a
solicitor.

Parti-coloured Chrysanthemum : H. B. If you
refer to your back numbers of the Gardeners'
Chronicle you will see in the issue for December
22, 1906, p. 436, an illustration of a similar
instance of sporting in a Chrysanthemum flower.
The abnormality is attributed to a partial rever-
sion to an ancestral form.

Rose Leaves Diseased : H. J. M. The black-
markings on your Rose leaves are caused by a
fungus— Phragmidium subcorticatum. In the
spring time this pest is of a bright orange-red
colour, for which reason it is known as orange
rust fungus, but at this season it assumes the
dark-coloured stage seen in your specimens.
Burn all the fallen foliage, and next spring and
summer spray the plants with the Bordeaux
mixture or with ammoniated carbonate of copper
solution at intervals.

Roses Failing to Open : /. R. The condition
as seen in the flowers you send is due
entirely to wet or dull weather. Some
varieties are very susceptible to decay in the
bud through these causes.

Seeds : A Very Old Subscriber. The seeds found
among the grains of the Wheat are those of
Lychnis Githago.

Smallholdings: W.E.L. Apply to the Secre-
tary of the Board of Agriculture, 4, Whitehall
Place, London, S.W.

Sycamore Trees : /. T. These should be
pruned in the early part of the year. If any
of the branches to be removed are very large
and heavy, a cut should be made on the under
side of each one previous to being cut from
above. The reason for this extra care is to
prevent the falling branches tearing the bark
off the portion left. All cuts should be made
clean and as near to the old wood as possible ;
immediately afterwards dress with coal-tar, to
prevent bleeding. This dressing will also keep
rain and drip out, and act as a protection
against fungoid diseases.

Tomatos : Gorseland. The Tomatos are in no
way diseased, but appear to show only accidental
variations in colour.

Communications Received. — T. H. — W. H. — Jno. A —
W. H. C— A. H. H.— R. L. C— Constant Reader. -J. C—
E. C— C. L. L.-S. E. A.— C. G. P.— J. K.— E. B— E. M.
- L. F.— W. S. and S.— VV. P. B.— W. B.— W. D. and S.—
C. B. E— C. P. G.— R. W.-A. B. H.— G. B.— R. P.—
J. E.— C. B. C— J. E.— J. J. W.— E. P. W.— J. W— H.—
W. F.— J. C— W. E. B.— E. B. M.-G. B. M.— W.— H. S.
— Dr. R.— J. D.— H. M. V.

For Market Reports see page x.

No\ EMBER 9, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

321

THE

^iaibcncrsCL broniclc

jVo. U0S9.— SATURDAY, November 9, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Apple Charles Ross ... 331
Alpine plants, some, at

Sunnymead, Dumfries 323
.Birds, a sanctuary for ... 330
Books, notices of —
Botanical Magazine... 330
Icones Selects Horti

Thenensis 330

The Garden That I

Love 330

Italian Gardens ... 325

Publications received 330

Botany, applied 328

■Carludovica palmata ... 322
■Chrysanthemum shows:

boards v. vases ... 331

•Chrysanthemums ... 328
Eremurus, a new species

of 330

I 1 i w e r-g a r d e n i n g,

fashions in 331

Forestry —
Sylviculture in the
Chiltern Hundreds 322
Fuchsias, large plants of 329
Grape Muscat Ham-
burgh 331

Grapes, judging of .. 331
Library, the late Dr.

Masters' 330

Nursery Notes —
J. R. Pearson & Sons,
Lowdham 324

Orchid notes and glean-
ings—
Epidendrum erubes

cens

Obituary

Allsop, John

Assbee, John

Nation, William
Potato Highlander
Rhododendrons, Javanese
Rubber cultivation in
the Straits S- ill. m< nl -
Schneider, George, din-
ner in honour of
Societies —
Horticultural Club ,.,
Maidenhead Chrysan

themum

National Chrysanthi

mum 330,

Portsmouth Chrysan-
themum
Royal Horticultural ...
United Horticultural
Benefit & Provident
Weybridge Chrysan-
themum

Tchihatchewia isatidea

v.. i , ■ w. .i k| the
Mower garden, the
Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden ...
Kitchen garden, the ...
Orchid houses, the ...
Parks and gardens ...
Plants under glass ...

323
335

335
330
333
321

333

335

332

332

332
325

327
326
826
327
326
327
327

ILLUSTRATIONS.

•Carludovica palmata, an inflorescence of 322

Tchihatchewia isatidea, a plant of, 325; inflorescence

an. I floral details of 324

Fuchsias, large specimens of (Supplementary Illus-
tration)

HYBRID JAVANESE RHODO^
DENDRONS.

THIS beautiful section of the genus
Rhododendron has at one time or
another had various names applied to
it. The different varieties are sometimes
clawed as greenhouse Rhododendrons, at
others as tube-flowered, while they are also
occasionally referred to as perpetual-flower-
ing. This last title is a fairly descriptive one,
as the members of this group will bloom more
■or less throughout the year, being in this
respect totally different from the tender
hybrids of the Himalayan species, which
lower in the spring, then make their growth,
and at the end of the summer set their buds
for the following season's display.

The Javanese hybrids, on the contrary,
have no set period of growth, and conse-
quently young flowering shoots, flower-buds,
and expanded blossoms may often be seen on
one plant at the same time. The many varie-
ties now in cultivation afford a remarkable
instance of the hybridist's skill, for in the
creation of the group as it now is, seven
■different species have played a part, some
of them, it is true, a not very important one.

The seven species are as follow : —

R. Brookeanum gracile. — The individual
flowers of this species are large, funnel-
shaped, and of a pale yellow tint. It was
introduced by Thomas Lobb from Borneo in
1855, when he was travelling in that region
on behalf of Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons.

R. JASMINIFLORUM is a native of Malacca,
and was introduced by Messrs. Yeitch in
.840. This forms a much-branched small
shrub, clothed with deep green, oval-shaped
leaves, and bearing terminal umbels of long-
tubed, white flowers, with pinkish anthers.

R. javanicum. — A large shrub with oblong,

shining leaves, 6 inches or so in length, and
2 inches wide. The individual flowers are
large, in many instances more than 2 inches
in diameter, and of a bright reddish-orange
colour. This was first introduced by Messrs.
Rollisson, of Tooting, in 1S47, from the
Island of Java, and it has played a more pro-
minent part than any other species in the
production of the group of hybrids.

R. Lobbii. — A loose-grow hit; shrub, intro-
duced from Borneo by Lobb. It has lanceo-
late leaves, and bears long, tubular-shaped
flowers, remarkable for their extreme slender-
ness and curved form. The colour is a bright
glossy crimson.

R. Malayan um. — A rather compact shrub
with lanceolate leaves, and few-flowered
umbels of small deep-red blossoms. It was
introduced from Sumatra by Messrs. Veitch
in [854. I believe that this species has only
play, d a part in the production of one gardi n
form, viz., " Little Beauty."

R. multicolor. — This sp. cies is a native of
Sumatra, and was introduced by Messrs.
Veitch through their collector, Mr. Curtis.
The typical R. multicolor produces yellow
blossoms, and those of the variety Curtisii,
flowers that are deep crimson. This last,
under the name of Rhododendron Curtisii,
was exhibited at a meeting of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society on November 13, 1883, and
awarded a First Class Certificate. The next
year Messrs. Veitch showed the yellow-
flowered form (now regarded as the typical
R. multicolor) under the name of R. Curtisii
luteolum, but no award was given it. B..th
plants, however, have proved of very great
value to the hybridist.

R. Te.s.maxnii. — A species with yellow-
flowers, not so large as those of R. javani-
cum, but somewhat of the same description.
According- to my notes taken at the time, it
was awarded a First Class Certificate b;. the
Royal Horticultural Society when shown by
Messrs. Veitch on March 24, 1SS5, but it
does not occur in the official list of certifi-
cated plants. Soon after that date it was
taken in hand bv Mr. John Heal, and has
since given rise to many hybrids.

As Messrs. Veitch were so closely identified
with the introduction of these different Rho-
dodendrons from the islands of the Malayan
Archipelago, it was to be expected that they
would be first to take advantage of them for
hybridising purposes. The entire race of
hybrids now in cultivation may be said to
have been to a great extent raised by this
firm.

The first hybrid was Princess Royal, raised
somewhere about 60 years ago, the parents

being R. javanicum and R. jasminiflorum.
This variety furnishes an illustration of the
pilules that come under the notice of the
hybridist, for, though the parents have
orange and white flowers respectively, yet in
the progeny (Princess Royal) the yellow tint
is completely eliminated, and the flowers are
in colour deep pink. Crossed again with one
of its parents, the little white R. jasmini-
florum, the variety Princess Royal yielded
Princess Alexandra, an almost white flower.
Singularly enough this last-mentioned plant,
fertilised with the pollen of R. javanicum,
gave us several varieties with flowers of some
shade of pink. This peculiarity of dissociat-
ing one colour from another in these hybrids
is exceedingly interesting.

The different varieties now in cultivation
bear flowers which vary in colour from white
to crimson, through all the intermediate
shades of yellow, pink, orange, and scarlet.

I here is also a very limited number of
varieties in which the flowers instead of
being single are double, and to these the
name of R. balsaminajflorum has (for garden
purposes, at least) been applied. There are
foul varieties — album, aureum, and carneum,
whose colours are indicated by their respec-
tive names, and Rajah, whose blossoms are
a kind of fawn-yellow tinged with rose.
These were first distributed about 20 years
ago, and at that time they attracted much
attention.

Method of Cultivation.

The culture of these Rhododendrons is not
at all exacting, provided a few simple facts
are borne in mind. In the first place, they
are often termed greenhouse Rhododendrons ;
this is apt to be misleading, for the word
greenhouse is used in an indiscriminate man-
ner, being applied equally to a structure from
which frost is only just excluded in the
winter, or to a house in which the atmos-
pheric temperature seldom falls below 50°.
As might be supposed in the case of
plants that have originated from the
various species which occur on the islands
of South-Eastern Asia, this last-named
temperature suits them best, and under such
conditions they will flower more or less
throughout the winter. In summer no arti-
ficial heat will be necessary, but shading from
the direct rays of the sun is beneficial. The
method generally followed for the propaga-
tion of these Rhododendrons is by cuttings of
the half-ripened shoots, which make roots
without difficulty. The best time of the vear
to carry out this operation is in the spring
or early summer, as the young plants have
then ample time to become established before
winter sets in. As the plants grow at all
seasons, it will, at least in some cases, be
necessary to take the cuttings when they are
ready — that is to say, as soon as the shoots
of the current season are in a half-ripened
state.

If the shoots do not exceed 5 inches in
length, they form the best cuttings when
taken in their entirety, as the somewhat
swollen base just where the new sh< 1
starts from the old wood is capable of
developing root more readily than from
any other part. In some cases it may he
necessary to remove the bottom leaf, or

322

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 9, 1907.

even two leaves, for the purpose of inserting
the cutting, but none should be taken off that
can be retained. Clean well-drained pots, from
4 to 5 inches in diameter, should be used, and
they should be tilled with a mixture of peat
and silver sand in equal proportions. The
soil must be pressed down very firmly, and
the cutting inserted securely therein. From
four to six cuttings around the edge of the
pot is, as a rule, a very convenient number.
When finished, a good watering, through a
fine rose must be given sufficient to settle
evi rything in its place. A close propagating
case in an atmosphere somewhat warmer
than that in which they have grown is very
suitable for the cuttings. If carefully
attended to in the matter of shading, water-
ing the cuttings when necessary, and admit-
ting a little air occasionally if there is an
excess of moisture, rooting will take place in
about a couple of months. When rooted, they
may be potted singly into small pots, effective

selected for use in potting must be of a good
fibrous nature, and a liberal sprinkling of
sand will be necessary. Some of the original
species from whence these hybrids have origi-
nated are frequently epiphytes in a state of
nature, so that their rooting powers are not
very vigorous. Consequently over-potting
must be strictly guarded against, while effec-
tive drainage is very necessary. A selection
of varieties is not an easv matter, as there
are so manv good ones, and individual tastes
vary considerably.

The following sorts, however, can be
highly recommended : — Aphrodite, blush
pink ; Baroness Henry Schrceder, pale rose ;
Brilliant, scarlet ; Cloth of Gold, bright
golden yellow; Jnsminiflorum carminatum,
carmine; King Edward VII., rich yellow;
Latona, cream yellow; Little Beauty, crim-
son ; Luteum roseum, a curious mixture of
pale yellow and rose; Mrs. Ileal, pure white;
Ne Plus Ultra, crimson-scarlet; Neptune,

FlG. 128. — INFLORESCENCE OF CARLUDOVICA PALMATA WITH THE BARREN STAMENS FALLING AWAY.

drainage and a compost made up of two-
thirds peat to one-third sand being in this
stage very suitable for them. In their younger
stages, the temperature of an intermediate
house will encourage growth. A liberal
amount of atmospheric moisture is very help-
ful, hence in bright weather they may with
advantage be syringed two or three times
each day. Insect pests give but little trouble
to these plants, for, though aphides occasion-
ally put in an appearance, they can be easily
destroyed by vaporising. Thrips only thrive
if the atmosphere is too dry, while mealy
bug may possibly make its appearance, but
can be easily destroyed by touching with a
small brush dipped in methylated spirit. This
of course cannot be used where bug has taken
possession of a structure, but where only a
few individuals exist it is a valuable and safe
insecticide.
As the plants become larger, the peat

brilliant scarlet; President, buff-yellow,
tinged rose; Ruby, bright ruby-red; Sou-
venir de J. II. Mangles, orange, suffused with
pink; and Triumphans, crimson-scarlet. To
these may be added the double forms already
mentioned.

As a proof of the continuous flowering
qualities of these Rhododendrons, it may be
noted that a few years since Messrs. Veitch
made an exhibit of cut blooms at every meet-
ing of the Royal Horticultural Society
throughout the entire year. W.

CARLUDOVICA PALMATA.

Carludovica palmata, the inflorescence of
which is shown in fig. 128, belongs to the small
but interesting order of Cyclanthaceas. It is
confined to tropical America, and includes
species of varied habit, some forming upright
Palm-like plants, whilst others are climbers.
The order is somewhat isolated, though it ex-

hibits certain affinities with Aroids, and, to ^.
less extent, with the Palms.

The inflorescence is borne at the end of j
stalk, and is ensheathed in imbricated spatiK'
leaves. Within these the flowers are denseh
aggregated on the spadix, and they are um-i
sexual. Each female flower is surrounded b\j
four staminate ones, and the regularity of thei:
distribution almost gives the effect of a geomet-
rical design. The female flowers each contaii
four long barren stamens or staminodes, whicfj
are shown in the figure, and constitute the cuilyl
mass lying in front of the drooping spathe.

Carludovica palmata is a handsome plant oil
Palm-like habit, somewhat recalling, perhaps,
that of Livistonia. The leaves are, however. 1
divided here and there down to the base of the
blade. The plant is of some economic import-
ance as the source of the true Panama hats.
1'he " straw " is obtained by taking the leave=
whilst still unexpanded and cutting off the
strong ribs. Thus the remainder falls into thin
strips which, after further treatment, are then
used for plaiting.

Carludovica Drudei is another handsome
species. The plant and its inflorescence were
both figured in the Gardeners' Chronicle, vol. :
viii. (1877), figs. 136 and 139.

FORESTRY.

SYLVICULTURE IN THE CHILTERN
HUNDREDS.

In this part of Buckinghamshire there are, as
is well known, extensive forests of Beech that
have succeeded each other for a very long period
and created an industry in the making of chairs,
brush backs, and many other articles for which
Beech is suitable.

What I wish to draw attention to here, how-
ever, is the quality of the timber from a sylvi-
(ultural point of view. Nowhere in Britain, I
believe, are there whole crops of trees with
trunks of such fine shape and quality, and it
appears strange that in the search for forestry
teaching areas the Beech forests of Bucks have
never been thought of. Not that the cultural
system has been either intentional or systematic,
fur the woods are semi-natural, as far as the
Beech is concerned, but the trees are there, near
at hand, and show in a way that no one can
misunderstand the effects of different degrees of
density on the shape and quality of the trunks
of trees of all kinds. The pity is that the Beech
scale, or bug, threatens to destroy, sooner c
later, the Beech forests.

It is well known that the Beech is an unman-
ageable tree in a mixed wood, owing to its shade-
bearing power and wide-spreading, dominant
habit ; but, when crowded judiciously, it not
only alters its own habit, but that of every other
species that will grow with it.

I know the Buckinghamshire woods well, but
it is in the Beech woods where sylvicultural
lessons are to be learned. The Beech crops are
probably the densest in Britain, and, conse-
quently, amongst the most profitable, not be-
cause the timber commands a big price, but
because, in the best woods, there are more sticks
to the acre than are found elsewhere, and that
the sticks are tall, straight, and clean. From
6d. to KM. per foot is got for thick limbs in
the wood, and from Is. 2d. to Is. 6d. for butts,
and when the crop is regular and dense, thea
prices mean an annual rental exceeding the
average almost everywhere else in this country.
These Beech woods have, to a large extent,
grown up naturally and taken care of them-
selves. Hence they are more like natural forests
and the timber is of the right shape. It is a
pretty severe commentary on British forestry that
you rarely find much timber of the right shape
and length except where the forests have been
left to nature more or less, like the Scots I- i r =
in some of the few yet remaining fragments of
Pine forests in the Highlands, and which 1
spond to the Beech woods of Buckinghamshire.

There are still foresters who will sluike their
heads if you tell them that almost any kind oi
timber tree can be grown to its full height ami
yet have a stem nearly as thick at the top
the bottom. I have shown a true portrait, in
the New Fi>>,-!> v. of an Oak about 50 feet high
of this description, but the model trees to b^
seen in the Chiltern Hundreds, in the neighbour-
hood of High Wycombe, beat all the exan

November 9, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

'62?>

I have seen elsewhere in England, and they con-
sist of Beech, Oak, Ash, Fir, Sycamore, and
Larch. The last four are few by comparison
with the Beech, which constitutes the crop, but
they are mixed with it. They have come from
seed apparently, and have been pulled up by the
Beech in height and growth, and are perhaps
amongst the finest examples of length of trunk
and uniform girth to be seen anywhere — quite
• ual to anything I ever saw in Germany or
France. Both the Oak and Ash are much ad-
c'L'ted to throwing out side branches in a wood
wherever a ray of light strikes through, but the
trees referred to range from about 50 to 70 feet in
height of trunk and are cylindrical and sound
■throughout. For such trees timber merchants
will go a long waj\ and the only causes which
are likely to deter them from buying are the dis-
tance from a station and the railway rate, whit h
fix the limit for buyer and vendor alike. Great
quantities of the best timber in this country are
so handicapped in that way that they cannot be
disposed of to any advantage. I know, at the
present time, estates where a quarter of a mil-
lion or more cubic feet would be sold right off,
and a good sum invested in replanting and im-
provements, if it was not for the cost of haulage
and delivery, which prevents a sale.

But it is the shape and quality of the trees
under the conditions named that are interesting
to the forester. In Sussex and Surrey there are
B:eches in the mixed woods, where each monopo-
lises space sufficient to hold a dozen properly-
Brown trees, but they are almost worthless be-
cause their butts are so short and tops so rough.

The great objection to pure Beech woods in
this country is that they do not hold game.
When dense enough to produce clean timber,
they are naked underneath. All underwood dis-
appears, and they are cold in winter.

One is not inclined to disparage scientific
knowledge of forestry, but it is certainly nut
diffi ult to grow timber trees straight, tall, and
cylindrical in shape, in any soil or situation.

Given an owner who knows what trees have
grown, and will grow, on his estate, his forestry
system might be reduced to planting about half-
a-dozen species, planting thickly, leaving planta-
tions unthinned for from 20 to 43 years, accord-
ing to the species, and keeping out rabbits for
the first few years. In this country I would put
the last item first in the science and practice of
forestry, for, next to over-thinning, it has been
responsible for more failures than all other
eauses. /. Simpson, Stud field.

NOTES FROM SUNNYMEAD,

DUMFRIES.

Yucca x Sanderiana.

This handsome Yucca came very late into
flower, the first blooms not opening until Sep-
tember, shortly after the severe frost that oc-
cirred here on September 4. The frequent slight
frcsts we have had since then have injured it
somewhat, but it is a bold and handsome
Yucca, producing a good spike of its creamy-
white flowers, and in an earlier season it will
piobably be even finer than this year. It is one
of the numerous hybrids raised by Mr. Charles
Sprenger, Yomer^ Naples ; its parentage is Y.
fnamentosa major x Y. gloriosa glauca pen-
dula, and I think it is one of the boldest in the
character of its foliage, this being broad, long,
and ornamental. I have had it for three or four
years, but this is the first time that it has flow-
ered.

COLCHICUM BORNMUELLERI.
In my collection of Colchicums I have none
s i much admired as this one, which is but
little seen in gardens. It is one of the largest
of all, and its flowers are conspicuous among
the majority of the genus by the very large white
ione and the soft colouring of the whole flower.
The zone covers almost half of the flower, the
V" er portion of the segments being of a hue
•difficult to describe, but one might be dis-

posed at one time to call it a soft rose-purple
and at another a rose-lilac. It is a free grower,
and from my original corm, purchased about the
time of its first introduction to commerce, I have
a nice clump, now giving upwards of 30 flowers
at once. Since September came to a close the
weather has been most unsettled, and the clump
has been covered with a handlight, which has
preserved the blooms much longer in beauty.

COLCHICUM SPECIOSUM RUBRUM SPLENDENS.

I have several forms of the noble Colchicum
speciosum, but among these is one which came
to this district originally from the garden of the
late Mr. John Wood, of Kirkstall, and ought to
bear the above name, so fine is its colouring.
It is, possibly, not quite so large as C. specio-
sum maximum, but it is much finer in its
colour than that variety, or than C.
rubrum. The flowers are an intense ruby-
purple, and are quite unrivalled in their own
particular tone among hardy bulbous plants.

Crocus pvi chellvs.
Less brilliant in colouring than C. speciosus,
the smaller C. pulchellus, from the north-west
of Asia, is a very beautiful little autumn-flower-
ing species, whose soft, pearl-blue flowers are
most delightful in their delicate tinting and with
their neat pencilling.

Genista ma.ntica (syn. Corxiola man in \
This is proving one of the most valuable of
all the Brooms, as it has been in bloom for
several months, and its bright yellow (lowers on
their graceful arching stems give one much
satisfaction. As yet it seems but little culti-
vated in the ordinary garden, but it is sure to
make its way among those who care for good
and free-flowering shrubs of moderate growth.
One of my plants in a very exposed position was
severely cut last winter, but it has quite re-
covered and has again bloomed well. S. Arnott.

RUBBER CULTIVATION IN THE
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

The attention that has been given of late
years to the discovery of new- sources of Rub-
ber, and the extended cultivation of well-known
Rubber-yielding plants in almost every part oi
the British Empire is an indication, if sni h
were needed, of the vast importance of the
future of the Rubber supply to the commerce of
the world. Though it is scarcely possible to
take up any report or bulletin of a tropical gar-
den or botanical station without finding some
reference to Rubber plants, in the Straits Set-
tlement this is specially evident, for in recent
issues of the Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits
and Federated Malay Slates, edited by Mr. H.
N. Ridley, the consideration of the Rubber ques-
tion has occupied a very large proportion of the
space. In the course of a review of some notes
on the Africin Rubber vines, Mr. Ridley refers
to the fact that though the natives of the
Cameroons had been taught how to collect the
Rubber without destroying the plants, they paid
no attention to the warning, and in three years
all the vines in the mountains had been de-
stroyed. On the prospect of the early extinction
of the plants by this wanton cutting down, Mr.
Ridley says :

" Exactly the same thing would happen totheLa~do
as has happened to Rattans in many places m ar a populated
district. Tiie Rattans being constantly cut before fruiting
have practically disappc ared."

This reminds one of the fate that befel the true
Gutta-percha trees when their properties were
first discovered at Singapore, the trees being cut
down in such large numbers that thev were
practically exterminated in five years. It is,
however, satisfactory to know that by careful
cultivation of the plant there is every prob-
ability of its again becoming common.

With reference to the cultivation of Willugh-
beia in Java, the opinion of M, Seembruggen, a

Dutch planter, that Rubber trees can only be
cultivated by people who can afford to wait
many years while Rubber vines can be more
quickly grown, is met by Mr. Ridley with the
remark that "our experience in the Straits is
that Rubber vines are much slower to give a
return than Rubber trees. Willughbeia firma is
very slow in fruiting. Bushes of it, which have
been growing in the Botanic Gardens at S
pore for about 20 years, have flowered regularly,
but only once or twice produced one or two
fruits." In summing up the matter, Mr Ridley-
says :

" I recently saw in Malacca a very small plantation on
extremely bad soil belonging to a Chinaman who had, sonic
years ago, borrowed enough money to plant a few trees of
Para Rubber ; he planted, too, some Willughbeias. From
the latter, now grown into fairly large clumps, he obtained
nothing, nor was there any likelihood of his ever. getting any
Rubber from them. From the Para Rubber he was making
a good profit. It might be possible to cultivate
vines profitably, but at present it seems very improbable.
'1 heir habit of producing numerous small stems from which
it is difficult to get any Rubber at all, and their very slow
growth militate considerably against their ever playing an
"t part in the production of the woi
after the easily accessible forests in which they occur
have been exploited. "

Besides the productive character of Rubber
trees as compared with vines, the remarkable
vitality of a Para tree eight years old in a
Johore plantation is recorded. The tree in
question is stated to have a girth of 12 inches,
at 3 feet from the base. It has been tapped on
two sides. Four years ago it was completely
ringed 4 inches from the base, and the wood
cut into all round to the depth of H inches.
With a moderate push it would break off. The
thin bit of wood which connects the main trunk
with the base is rotten and black in colour, and
there is not a hair's breadth of bark between
them. Despite all this, the tree has lived for
four years, its leaves are the same colour and
size as its neighbours, it looks healthy and
yields latex. The last tapping of the tree was
made in October, 1906, and the bark still yields
a good and abundant supply of latex. When the
tree was cut all round, and nearly through, it
was intended to have cut it down, but for some
reason the coolie ceased his work and the tree
was forgotten. /. R. J .

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

i PIDENDRUM ERUBESCENS.
Few Orchids have such a bad reputation for
being unmanageable as this pretty Mexican
species. It is, therefore, a great pleasure to see
flowers of it sent by Mr. H. Haddon (gr. to
J. J. Xeale, Fsq., I.ynwood, Park Road, Penarth),
and to record the method of treatment which
brings such good results. Mr. Haddon writes
as follows :— '• I grow my Epidendrum erubes-
cens on a teak wood block, suspending it near
to one of the ventilators in the roof of the cool-
intermediate house, and syringing it every day.
It is treated in a similar manner to the Odonto-
glossum Londesboroughianum, which thrives
and blooms well here, and of which I gave par-
ticulars of culture when I sent flowers last
year. The Epidendrum erubescens now bears a
fine spike of 14 flowers." Lindley's remark in
Folia Orchidacea — " A magnificent plant, with
large panicles of delicate rose-coloured flowers
as large as a shilling"— is an excellent, brief
descrintion of the species. The plant is pecu-
liar in growth, having stout, woody rhizomes
rooting from the under side, and bearing at in-
tervals of about 6 inches fusiform pseudo-bulbs.
The flowers, which are circular in outline, have
the sepals and petals ovate, the petals nearly
twice as broad rs the sepals. The tri-lobed
li-i has the side lobes unusually developed. The
flowers, which are on pedicels over i inch in
length, are rose-coloured, darkest on the front
lobe of the lip, which has a yellow crest of three
elevated lines.

THE GA RDENER S CHE 0 Nl CL E.

[November 9, 1907.

NURSERY NOTES.

THE CHILWELL NURSERIES, LOWDHAM.
Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons removed to
Eowdham, Nottinghamshire, some 12 years or so
ago from the Chilwell Nurseries, near Notting-
ham. The extent of the present nursery is
about 100 acres, the greater part of which is de-
voted to fruit-tree culture. The land is undu-
lating, and portions of it slope towards the
south and north. The soil is a somewhat heavy
loam or keuper marl, and contains little or no
lime. Although the present season cannot be
considered one of the best for fruit-tree growth,
the trees at the Chilwell Nurseries have made
short-jointed sturdy shoots. During a recent
visit note) was made of a large quarter of dwarf
Apples growing on the Paradise stock and bear-
ing heavy crops of fruit ; these were the " stock "
trees from which all the buds and grafts are
obtained. Similar provision is made for Pears,
Peaches, Nectarines, &c. The trees throughout
are remarkable for their cleanliness. The crops
this season upon the young trees were not so
heavy as usual. Some of the ornamental Crabs,
however, were loaded with fruit. Why are not
more of these effective trees cultivated?

Trained Trees.
A feature in the Chilwell Nurseries is the
admirable way in which the trees are trained.
This is apparent from the very first start in
training until the saleable tree is fit to send out.
It is a good sign when only a few trees in each
quarter are left over from the previous year.
This was noticeable in many instances. Not
that trees are all sold off at a certain age by any
means, for there are abundant examples of
finely-developed specimens available for those
who desire to gain time by planting larger trees.
It has come under the notice of the writer that
these larger trees whilst still in the nursery are
at times neglected, so to speak ; not so, however,
in this nursery. They stand as prominent ex-
amples of skilful training, and recommend
themselves by their very appearance. Messrs.
Pearson have worked up a large stock of hori-
zontally-trained trees. Horizontally-trained
Pears and Apples may be seen more often, but
large numbers of Plums and of Cherries trained
in this manner constitute an uncommon feature.
The writer advocated years ago that Cherries
should be trained in this fashion rather than in
the fan method, and when the trees are better
known they will assuredly become popular.
Cherry trees for cultivation against walls are
much more valuable when trained horizontally
than as fans. All who have had experience with
young trees know what difficulty there some-
times arises in regulating the flow of sap, and
the consequent equalisation of wood growth in
Cherries. Given a well-trained tree of the hori-
zontal form, it becomes much easier to manage,
and a wall can be covered with greater certainty
and more expeditiously. The same remarks
apply to Plums of any kind, where grown
against walls. For amateurs it is far and away
the easiest system of training that can be
adopted. Trees of Cherries, Plums, Apricots,
Pears, and Apples fit for walls of 8 to 10 feet
in height were noted in large numbers, and in
the best and choicest kinds. It does not follow
that no other plan of training is adopted in these
nurseries, for there are large numbers of fan-
trained trees as good as one could wish to see.
Cordons, too, with one, two, or four stems, are
numerous, the latter being commonly known as
the Palmette form. Those who have had ex-
perience in selecting trained trees in nurseries
where the old-fashioned system of training in
any and every direction is practised know how
difficult it is to inspect the stock when one tree
is interwoven with its neighbours by the cross-
ing of the branches. The difficulty does not
end here, but extends to the lifting, as it has
also previously affected the training itself, taking

longer to affix the stakes and to do the tying
also. At I.owdham this is avoided by keeping
all the training straight with the lines of the

during the growing season and to attend to alt
of their requirements. It may be that not quite
so many trees are grown upon a given plot of

FlG. 129. — TCHIHATCHEWIA ISATIDEA, A HARDY ROCK-PLANT: COLOUR OF FLOWERS, ROSE.

trees as they are planted, so many sticks to every
tree throughout, all in order, and as straight as
possible. Thus it is easier to inspect the trees

ground, but the convenience of working, and,
what is of even greater importance, the circula-
tion of air between them, compensates for this.

November 9, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

325

As already stated, all the trees of whatever kind
are planted at 3 feet apart between the rows, and
usually as near as possible from east to wes*.
Another feature of the nursery is that all the
land is divided into quarter-acre plots, which
are nearly square. Prior to planting the stocks
the land oftontimes lays fallow, or nearly so,
for one season. By this method a thorough sys-
tem of deep cultitation is followed, and the land
is got into good tilth. A persistent use of the
hoe is adopted after planting, resulting not only
in aerating the soil and retaining the moisture,
but also in keeping down the weeds.

Standard trees are evidently still in great re-
quest; in cne quarter were 16,000 crab stocks
budded at the base, the stem of the standard
afterwards being formed of the scion itself. This
is a commendable plan. In another plot or plots
were 20,000 Paradise stocks, as true and even as
possible. Noting the immense number of trained
trees, the question was asked as to how many
there were under training ; the reply was given
that there were nearly 70,000, and of standard
Apples now fit for moving some 16,000 trees.

Of bush fruits there are large quantities of
palmette-trained Gooseberries. These are grown
two to the yard, but still at 3 feet between the
rows, and the plants are well furnished with
shoots to the base.

expected will prove valuable. These are raised
from cuttings and from seed, being budded, not
upon the lateral shoots, as in the case of the Dog
Rose, but upon the main stem itself. Thus the
growth of both stock and scion will proceed to-
gether. Vitis.

*TCHIHATCHEWIA ISATIDEA,
BOIS.

This species is a very singular-looking Cruci-
fer, that at the first sight might be easily mis-
taken for a member of the Boragineae. The
drawing reproduced at fig. 129 was prepared by
Mr. Worttiington Smith from specimens ex-
hibited by Viscountess Emlyn, Frensham Hall,
Haslemere, at the Royal Horticultural Society's
meeting held on April 20 last. The specimens
were some of the finest that have been seen, and
the Floral Committee emphasised this fact by
awarding a Cultural Commendation. On the
afternoon of the same day the Scientific Com-
mittee awarded the plant a Botanical Certificate.

T. isatidea was discovered by the late Count
Paul de Tchihatchef in Asia Minor, at an eleva-
tion of 5,000 to 6,000 feet, on the mountains near
the town of Krzinhan, in the Pachalik of Erze-
roum, that is at the sources of the Euphrates.-

Sir Joseph Hooker, in the Botanical Magazine,

FlG. IjO. — TCHIHATCHEWIA ISATIDEA AS li FLOWERED IN CAMBRIDGE BOTANIC GARDEN.

Upon enquiry as to the varieties of each kind
of fruit most in request, Mr. Pearson stated that
the following should be noted: — Of Apples:
Newton Wonder, Lane's Prince Albert, Bis-
marck, Cox's Orange Pippin, Pott's Seedling,
Allington Pippin, Bramley's Seedling, James
Grieve, Warner's King, Lord Grosvenor, Mr.
Gladstone, and Stirling Castle. Of Pears : Beuxre
Diel, Beurre Superfin, Williams' Bon Chretien,
Doyenne du Cornice, Durondeau, Glou Morceau,
Le Lectier, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Pitmaston
Duchess, Souvenir du Congres, and Thomp-
son's Marie Louise. Plums : Czar, Early Prolific,
Early Transparent Gage, Jefferson, Kirke's
Monarch, and Victoria. Peaches : Barrington,
Dyniond, Bellegarde, Royal George, Stirling
Castle, Waterloo. Nectarines : Early Rivers,
Humboldt, Lord Napier, Rivers' Orange, Vio-
lette Hative, and Elruge. Cherries : Early
Rivers, Bigarreau, Napoleon, Frogmore Early
Bigarreau, Black Tartarian, Bigarreau Jaboulay,
and Morello.

Roses
are cultivated in large numbers, the soil suiting
them admirably. Experiments are now being
made with a stock for stands, which it is

tab. 7,608, states that the seed-pod is two-celled,
and these are separated by a membranous sep-
tum, one of them containing a perfect seed, the
other an arrested ovule. Boissier, therefore, was
in error in stating in the original description
that the pod is one-celled and two-seeded. The
genus differs from Peltaria L. in the two-celled
ovary.

The plant was introduced into cultivation by
Mr. Max Leitchlin, of Baden-Baden. In 1890
it flowered in the Botanic Garden at Cambridge
(see fig. 130| , and in Mr. Wilson's garden (now
R.H.S.) at Wisley. In 1896 seeds were received
at Kew from the Imperial Botanical Gardens,
St. Petersburg, and the figure already alluded
to in the Botanical Magazine was prepared from
specimens which flowered at Kew in May, 1898.
The plant is a dwarf-growing perennial, 6 to 10
inches high, of tufted habit, with a stout top-
root, sessile runcinate leaves, covered with stiff,
white hairs. The flowers are numerous, in close

* Tchihaichevna isatidea. — Boissier, Flor. Orient., I., 310;
Micheli, in Revue Horticole, August 1, 1895. p. 851, figs. 116,
117 ; Baillon, Hist, des Plantes, vol. III., 1872, p. 261 ; Prantl,
in Englcr u. Piantl. Die Natiirlichen Pftanzenjannluii, III..
Theil,2 Abtheilung, p. 206 (1891); Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
in Botanical Magazine, tab. 7,608 (1896).

terminal corymbs 4 inches in diameter, each
bloom being about the size of the common Hes.
peris (Rocket). The flowers are rose-red in
colour, and distinctly fragrant. T. isatidea i-- a
very interesting, perfectly hardy rock-plant, and
should be cultivated in a'position exposed to the
sunshine. The late Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, writ-
ing of the species in these pages on August 10,
1890, gave the following information in respect
to the best way of pronouncing the generic name,
which, although obtained from the surname of a
Russian nobleman, and, therefore, perfectly un-
derstood in that country, is, nevertheless, almost
an impossibility to Englishmen. " In order to
gain information as to the proper pronunciation
of the Russian name we applied to a Russian
friend, from whose instructions we arrived at
' Tche-hatch-off,' with a strong stress on the
second syllable, as the nearest approach of
which we are capable. The name was Latinised
for botanical purposes as ' Tchihatchewia.' "

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Italian Gardens.*

For some few years past there would seem to-
be a growing interest on the part of English
readers in all that concerns the art of Italian
gardening. Several beautiful books have ap-
peared on the subject that appeal to the book-
lover bv virtue of the excellence that printer,
author, and illustrator have bestowed upon
them.

Italian Gardens is a handsome book, royal 4to
in size, consisting of 157 pages of beautifully-
printed text, set off to great advantage by a
liberal width of margin. It is illustrated by 52
full-paged plates in colour, after original draw-
ings by the author, and these portray in a
variety of ways the many interesting and pic-
turesque features of some of the most famous
Italian villa gardens. Mr. Elgood's experience
of Italy dates back to 1881, when he paid his
first visit to that country, and when he com-
menced the series of drawings which he has
since continued without a break to the present
time.

The contents include, among other things,
short, explanatory chapters on the various villas
represented. In some cases several views of the
same place are given, but from different stand-
points. Among historic villas treated in this
way we may mention Villa Borghese, Villa
Medici, Villa Falconieri, Villa Lante, Boboli
Gardens, Villa Palmieri, &c. The general plan
of the work is divided into groups under the
following headings, viz. ; " Pompei," " Roman
Villas," " Villas at Frascati and Viterbo,"
"Florentine Villas," "Other Tuscan Villas,"
"Villas of Northern Italy." Although in each
chapter Mr. Elgood gives some historical details
of the place under consideration, in addition to
particulars of the gardens, and has been assisted,
in a measure, by reference to various ancient
authorities, whose works are referred to at the
end, yet there is not a general history of the
garden art as practised in Italy. Particulars of
this kind are easily accessible to the English
reader by reference to the Art of Garden Design
in Italy, by H. Inigo Triggs, another handsome
volume, issued by the same publishers not long
ago, and noticed in these columns at the time of
its publication.

Of the views themselves, a few words may be
acceptable to those readers of the Gardeners'
Chronicle who have enjoyed the pleasure of a
visit to some of the famous gardens of Italy, as
it was the privilege of the writer of these notes
only a few years ago. Early summer was the
period chosen for the visit, when the flowers of
spring were gradually making way for those of

* Italian Gardens, after drawings by George S. Elgood,,
R.I.. with notes by the artist. Longmans, Green & Co.,
London.

326

THE GARDENERS' CH ROM CLE.

[November 9, 1E07.

the summer, and when the intense heat had not
set in. So we notice in some of Mr. Elgood's
pictures indications of his presence there at the
same interesting season.

In garden architecture, exemplified by balus-
trade and fountains, we have several examples
from the Villa Borghese, the forecourt, the
aviary, and the seahorse fountain — three dis-
tinctive pictures. The 'Villa Medici depicts a
quiet corner, with garden seats in stone, and a
few flowers at intervals. The Parterre, Villa
Colonna, is a very attractive garden view, with
pond and fountain-flower beds in the distance,
and huge pots on stands, containing Lemon
trees in fruit. Terminal Statues, Villa Piatti, is
typically Italian, flower pots standing about
here and there. The Bay Walk at the same
place is a pretty view, as also is Villa Lancel-
kitti. Many of the views can hardly be called
garden views ; they are, of course, taken from
gardens, but are largely stone fountains, ter-
races, steps, and balustrades, and of this a con-
spicuous example is the great fountain at the
Villa Conti. A contrast to this is found in the
Villa Lante, a pretty flower garden, within
clipped borders, that is quite bright when com-
pared with some of the others. A nice bit of
colour, furnished by pots standing about on the
ground, is found in the picture of the Boboli
Gardens, and again in Florence, from sthe Villa
Palrnieri. Villa Reale di Castello is probably,
from an English point of view, the picture that
most nearly comes near the designation of a
flower garden. A Florentine Terrace displays a
wealth of colour, supplied by plants in pots, that
is not furnished by any of the others. The Gar-
den Gate, Villa di Caniparola, is also a delight-
ful little view of flower-beds at the foot of a
flight of steps leading to a gateway.

We must conclude this notice with the briefest
mention of a few remaining pictures that will
arrest the attention of the reader. In the Par-
terre, Villa Garzoni, the great stairway at the
same place ; Wistaria, Villa Cavagnaro ; the
Lower Terrace, Villa Imperiali ; a Stairway,
Villa Arson, there is much artistic effect. The
book is an interesting, highly artistic addition
to the literature of Italian gardens. It forms a
companion volume to a book illustrated by the
same artist, and which we also noticed at the time
of publication, called Some English Gardens.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Sobralias. — These plants are now developing
young growths, and they will soon make many
large roots, which should be afforded a sub-
stantial compost into which they may extend.
If it is necessary to re-pot or divide large speci-
mens, the present is a favourable time for doing
the work, as the plants will soon become re-
established. All pot-bound plants should be
afforded a liberal shift, and they may then be
left for several seasons without being again dis-
turbed. Fill the pots to one-third of their depth
with clean crocks, and employ for the rooting
medium fibrous loam and sandy peat in equal
parts, with a small quantity of sphagnum-moss
and sufficient small crocks to keep it porous.
In potting keep the base of the plant and the
surface of the soil below the rim of the pot, so
as to make watering easy, as when in full growth
Sobralias need to be plentifully supplied with
water. The potting material should be made
vi i firm about the roots. After this operation
ha- been carried out, carefully tie out the young
grow ths, so that they will be clear of each other,
and that light and air may pass freely between
tli The centre stage in the intermediate

1' will afford a suitable position for them.

■ . — In the same house plants of Mil-
a vexillaria are now growing freely ; examine

the young growths several times each week, and
when the young leaves are found sticking to eai h
other, carefully separate them. It will also be
noticed that at the base of the young growths
there is sometimes a yellowish outer sheath,
which should be carefully slit in several places
and pulled off in small pieces ; by the removal
of this sheath the roots will be the better able
to penetrate into the soil, instead of pushing up-
wards into the air. Sometimes the young leaves
of this plant turn black at their points, which
is an indication that it is being subjected to too
much warmth, or that insufficient ventilation is
provided. Miltonia (occasionally catalogued as
Odontoglossum) Phalasnopsis has been a rare
plant for some time past, but fortunately newly-
imported plants are now being distributed,
which, on being placed in the growers' hands,
should at first be potted into pots filled with
clean crocks, affording them water every day
until root action commences, when they may be
re-potted in an ordinary Orchid compost. After-
wards suspend or e'evate them well up to the
roof glass of the Cattleya or Mexican house, and
keep them well supplied with water at all sea-
sons.

Odontoglossum coronarium is also being im-
ported at the present time, and many growers
may attempt its cultivation for the first time.
On receipt of the newly-imported pieces, I have
generally found the best plan is to obtain a
flat teak-wood raft, which should be thinly
covered with sphagnum-moss. Firmly fix the
plant to this, either with copper wire or stout
tar string. Suspend the plant horizontally from
the roof of the cool house, and lightly spray the
under side of the raft with water whenever the
iikiss appears dry. Avoid wetting the rhizome
too much for a few weeks, as the pseudo-bulbs
are liable to decay from this cause. Immediately
root action has commenced, the plant may be
removed from the raft and placed in a long,
narrow teak-wood basket, which should be made
rather shallow. Cover the bottom of the basket
with large flat crocks, over which place a layer
of smaller ones ; then make a firm bed of the
compost, which should consist of lumpy peat
and sphagnum-moss in equal parts. Lay the
plant upon this, and fill up firmly to its rhizome
with about 1 inch deep of freshly-gathered
sphagnum-moss. Suspend the plant at the
warmest end of the cool house in a position well
exposed to the light. Careful watering is neces-
sary for a time following this operation, but
when the plants are growing and rooting freely
moisture should be plentifully afforded.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

The early Peach and Nectarine house. — The
trees, provided the new wood is well matured,
should now be pruned, cleansed, and trained.
Before the trees are seen to, it is advisable to
thoroughly cleanse all parts of the woodwork
of the house with soft soap and hot water,
also to perform any painting that may be neces-
sary, and to lime-wash the walls. Unfasten
the tree from the trellis, cut out all immature,
useless shoots, and wash the whole of the tree
thoroughly with Gishurst Compound, using 1
ounce of the specific to 1 gallon of water.
Apply the wash with a soft brush, which should
be drawn towards the ends of the shoots to
avoid injuring the buds. When washed, the trees
can be fastened neatly again to the trellis,
after which the borders should receive atten-
tion. Remove 2 or 3 inches of the surface soil,
and apply a fresh dressing of rich loam, mix-
ing a 6-inch potful of fine-grade vine manure
to each barrow load of the new soil. Next
apply a mulch of light stable manure, or, if
procurable, Moss litter manure from a stable,
which is the best material for mulching gener-
ally. Mulch also the outside border.

Figs in pots intended to produce an early
supply of fruits will have shed their foliage,
and may be pruned at this date . If the growths
have been properly pinched throughout the
growing season, very little superfluous wood will
be present. Turn the plants out of their pots,
examine the drainage, and shift into larger pots
any plants requiring a greater root run — always
remembering, however, that the best results are
obtained in small pots, provided the roots are

not cramped, arc- wcl supplied with water dur-
ing the growing season, and are fed with suitable
maniiriai stimulants when actively growing and
fruiting Top-cress any plants not requiring a
shift with turfy loam, and keep all the plants as
cool as possible in a cold pit or orchard-house
until they are required for forcing.

Fig-trees in borders which have shed their
leaves should now be unfastened from the trel-
lis, in order that the house may be thoroughly
cleansed, and the necessary training be per-
formed. Old, worn-out branches should be en-
tirely removed, and all other necessary pruning
be done. Wash the shoots thoroughly, and
afterwards dress them with Gishurst Compound.
Fig trees are very liable to attacks of red spider.
They may, therefore, require to be dressed
twice with the insecticide ; but take care that the
compound is not sufficiently strong to harm the
fruits of the first crop. Fasten the shoots again'
to the trellis, then remove 2 or 3 inches
of the surface soil down. to the roots-, apply a
fresh dressing of good turfy, loam, and mulch
with horse manure. The trees will then be in
readiness for forcing to furnish a succession to
the pot Figs.

Strawberries in pots. — No time should be lost
in placing all the plants for forcing under cover.
The best plan of wintering Strawberries in pots
is to plunge the pots to the rims in coal ashes
in cold frames. This prevents the roots from
becoming frozen, and saves the pots from being
broken by the frost. Give the plants an abun-
dance of ventilation whenever possible.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Notes on planting. — In the west the month of
October has been a very wet one, 6.*9 inches ot
rain having been registered here, while in the
preceding month less than f of an inch fell,
this will prevent any planting being done for
some little time, as it is contrary to sound prac-
tice to carry out such work while the ground is
in a vecy wet condition. Nurserymen usually
begin to execute their orders early in the present
month, and should any trees arrive while plant-
ing is impracticable they should be carefully
unpacked and all roots examined, cutting away
any bruised portions. In some instances it may
be necessary to shorten considerably the more
robust roots, or any that show an inclination
to grow downwards, after which the trees should
be placed in a slanting position against some
buildings and the roots carefully covered with
old hot-bed manure or leaf-soil. Of the many
mistakes made in planting trees, none is greater
than that of burying the roots too deeply. Four
inches of soil is amply sufficient for covering
the last tier, and as all roots are inclined to
strike downwards, it should be the planter's
object to encourage them to the surface by
applying an annual top-dressing of sweet soil,
in preference to that containing much manurial
clement. It is also advisable to have some dry
soil at command (see Calendar for September
1-i) ; this may be much more easily worked
down among the roots with a gentle shake of
the tree than when soil from the open has to
be used. All trees* in the open should be
securely tied to a stout stake at the time of
planting, using a piece of old bag to prevent
the bark being chafed, while those set out
against walls or trellises require a tie here and
there so that the wind will not rock them to and
fro. In taking out stations for fruit trees allow
ample space in each so that the root can be
evenly spread out, the subsoil broken up with
the fork, and a few shovelfuls of the top spit
placed in the centre of the pit for the roots to
rest on. Turf ought not to be placed over the
roots, but the surface soil kept in a fine tilth tor
two or three years after planting, by frequent
h ?ings during the spring and summer months.
It is a good plan to apply a strawy mulch over
the surface of newly planted trees to prevent
the frost penetrating too deeply among the roots.
I do not recommend the grower to prepare the
holes much in advance of planting, in case of
heavy rains, which would sodden the ground
and hinder rather than accelerate the work.
The proper distance at which to plant 'he
various fruit trees and bushes will form the
subject of my contribution next week.

November 9, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

II)' \. C. I'.aktlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
* Hi 11 wall.

Lily of the Valley. — It is a good plan to have
several beds in which the plants are of different
ages, so that it only becomes necessary to lift
a part of the stick at one time. The crowns
must not be allowed to become unduly crowded,
as when this takes place the quality of the
flower spikes soon deteriorates. The lifted
crowns should be sorted into three sizes, re-
serving the finest for use in forcing purposes,
and replanting the other grades in separate
beds. Any surplus crowns of the smaller sizes
may with advantage be planted at the margin
of the woods, or in a cool part of the shrubbery.
When replanting the crowns in beds, a fresh
position is advisable, but if this cannot be
afforded, the soil in the old bed should be
worked well and have plenty of rotten dung
mixed with it. In order that the flowers may
be gathered conveniently, the beds should not
be made more than 5 to 6 feet in width, allow-
ing a space of about 15 inches between the beds
fur a footway. In dealing with a damp, cold
situation, it is generally wise to raise the beds
a few inches above the level of the alleys. The
established beds should be cleaned over and
afforded a top-dressing ; for this purpose
nothing is better than the cleanings from a
fowl-house.

Hellebores. — The remains of the top-dressing
applied to the Christmas Roses last spring on
the completion of the flowering, should now be
cleared away. Very lightly prick over th
face soil with a hand-fork, and make an appli-
cation of guano or Clay's fertiliser. As the
purity of the flowers is often marred by mud
splashes, it will be well to place a spare frame
over, at least, a part of the bed; this will also
gently force the plants. Air should be freely
admitted by day, and the lights withdrawn
during fine weather. The Lent Lily section of
the genus Helleborus may also be similarly
cleared now, but the crowns will not need to be
covered for a long time to come.

Herbaceous plants. — It will generally be found
convenient to overhaul the mixed flower borders
at this season. The work can only be performed
during fine weather, and the border should be
dealt with piecemeal, making good each section
as the work proceeds. If the deciduous bulbous
and tuberous-rooted plants were labelled or
otherwise marked, as was recently advised in
this Calendar, they will now run no danger of
being damaged. Many of the stronger-growing
subjects, such as the taller Heleniums, Solidagos,
Pyrethrum uliginosum, and the perennial Sun-
flowers, although very beautiful in their seasons,
soon assert themselves aggressively and to the
detriment of their less vigorous, but not less
desirable, neighbours, that it becomes neces-
sary to lift them almost every year, and after
providing fresh soil replant small pieces ob-
tained from the outsides of the clumps. For
obvious reasons, unless dealing with a rare or
choice plant, the replanting should never be
done with growths taken from the middle of the
clump. But I must return to this subject next
week.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. Kino, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Chrysanthemums. — The main batch being now
in full beauty, every effort should be made to
keep the blooms in a good condition as long as
possible. Ventilate the houses with care,
watching the weather in order to be able to
guard against sudden heavy showers, which
have been very prevalent of late. Maintain a
little heat in the hot-water pipes to dispel
moisture ; a damp, stagnant atmosphere is
most detrimental to the large blooms, causing
them to damp-off arid become useless. Leave
the top ventilators partially open at night and
maintain a minimum atmospheric temperature
of 50°. When the heat of the houses rises in
the morning, increase the amount of air accord-
ing to outside conditions, and try to secure an
equable temperature of 55J. If the floor is of
such a nature that the water lies about after
watering has been done, let such water be taken
up by means of a mop and so make all the
surfaces as dry as possible. Remove any
decaying leaves as soon as they are seen, and

make everything in the house as clean and
attractive as possible. As the early varieties
pass out of flower, throw out all those plants
not required for propagating purposes, retaining
only the best for this purpose. Cut down these
selected plants and place them in a frame near
to the glass, that the suckers may become
sturdy and robust, remembering that strong
"cuttings" are in every way desirable. Tl ■
latest varieties should be kept as cool as is
possible without allowing frost to reach them,
but when the buds begin to show colour a
warmer atmosphere will tend to the
development of the blooms.

Bulbs for forcing. — As the batches of bulbs
arrive from the nurseries, no time should be lost
in getting them potted up, particularly any th it
are required to flower early in spring, as unli
the bulbs have time to make plenty of i
before being introduced into heat, no amount
of forcing will bring about good results. \\ In
large conservatories have to be kept continually
furnished with a succession of flowering plants,
a good batch of May-flowering Tulips, if potted
up. will be found of much service- [\hi
succeed in any sized pot, but if really fine
specimens are wanted, place 12 to 18 bulbs in an
8-inch pot. These will make magnificent groups
of colour, and the considerable length of stem
make them quite suitable for this purpose.
These need not be forced, but should be
allowed to come on naturally outdoors, taking
them inside before there is any danger of the
blooms being splashed and damaged. Such
plants make a gorgeous show, last well, and
are very elegant, and graceful for decorative
work. Bulbs plunged in leaf-soil or ashes
should be examined at intervals, taking out all
that have started nicely and have made good
ii is. l'lace these in a frame, and shade them
with a mat for a few days from sunshine till
the growth becomes green, after which batches
may be placed in heat as required. Tulips
will succeed in greater heat than many bulbs,
but Xarcissus should not be subjected to a high
temperature, or many will go blind, and any
flowers they produce will be flimsy and thin.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham ParU, Surrey.

Cauliflowers. — The crop that is now "turning
in" should be carefully watched, in order that
a leaf or two may be laid over any where the
flower is coming to exposure. This is necessary
to preserve the flower from rains and frost.
Severe frost would ruin any which are nearly
fit to cut, and if there are many approaching
such a condition it will be well to lift them and
plant them again in a cold shed or other shel-
ter that is capable of resisting the frost. After
a week or two the later plants may also be
lifted and laid-in by the heels in a cold frame,
and they may then be expected to afford a
supply of small Cauliflowers until Christmas
time if the plants are sufficiently numerous.

Asparagus. — The plants have ripened rapidly
during the past fortnight, a point to be desired
in gardens where considerable forcing is done.
The tops may, therefore, be cut off and a dress-
ing applied to the beds. In the earliest beds
the crowns should soon be in a proper condi-
tion for lifting ; therefore, all available litter
should be collected and reserved for the pur-
pose of forming hot-beds. With this litter it is
desirable to add tree leaves to the extent of three
parts in four, mixing them well together, and
placing the materials in the situation ready I i
placing the crowns upon as soon as the lifting
commences. Crowns which are four years old
are best for the purpose of forcing, but from
old beds which it is intended to discard some
very good results are often obtained.

Hfushrooms. — Continue to make fresh beds at
convenient intervals, so as to ensure a continuous
supply. Whenever water is applied to the beds
(which on no account should be allowed to be-
come dry), be sure that water is used which
has been heated to the same temperature as that
of the atmosphere of the house.

Rhubarb. — Ro.ots that were lifted and exposed
as was advised in a previous Calendar will now
be ready to be placed in the forcing quarters,
and as the first batch is generally productive

of only very indifferent results, a second bati h
should be put in hand after a fortnight has
• ■hijised. When a batch has been introduced
to heat, take the necessary steps to lift a furthi
lot of roots and expose them to the air to pre-
pare them for future use, remembering that
when once Rhubarb has been supplied to the
kitchen it will be expected that the supply will
be maintained.

General remarks. — Owing to the wet weather,
it will be found impracticable to work on the
soil in most places; therefore, advantage
should be taken to push forward the work that
has been kept in reserve for such times, as, t,.i
instance, tying and bunching-up ot Oni
picking over l'otato tubers, and properl}
ing roots that have been temporarily housed,
&i . Drains may in some cases be g<
blocked, and these should be thoroi ,
amined and cleaned. All odd jobs thai have
accumulated during fine weather should now
be given attention. Standing crops such as
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, &c. (if it is pos-
sible to get about them), will be greatly bene-
fited by having all decayed leaves renin d,
afterwards working the hoe between the rows.
The main crop, or that part of the winter
supply of l'otatos that in some cases has to
remain out-of-doors during the greater portion
of the winter, will need to be covered and made
secure from frost. Although rough and wet
weather often prevents progress being made with
the more important operations, it affords the
opportunity to get these and other matters put
into satisfactory order.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Chrysanthemum displays in public parks. —
Generally speaking, there is but little floral
beauty in public parks to attract visitors after
the end of October until February or March. To
brighten the first portion of this dull and— to
the average visitor — uninteresting period of the
year, it has been customary for some time past
in many of the leading parks throughout the
country to make an annual display of Chry-
santhemums, which, fortunately, are at their
best at this season. Where such exhibitions
have been inaugurated they have proved a
very popular ' institution, being patronised by
thousands of interested and appreciative visi-
tors every year. Were it not for these displays,
many people would not otherwise be indin < to
visit the parks during the whole of the win-
ter. Taking everything into consideration, the
trouble and expense necessarily involved in pre-
paring for and maintaining a Chrysanthemum
display during the autumn is thoroughly
well repaid by the great amount of pleasure it
undoubtedly affords the public. Where a parks
department is fortunate enough to pi
spacious conservatories, the facilities for making
a successful and prolonged display are very great,
and should be utilised to the fullest pessi ile
extent. Needless to say, however, very good,
though more restricted, shows are produced —
which are much appreciated — in less pre-
tentious structures. It sometimes happens that
the structure set aside for the Chrysanthemums
is too small to permit of visitors entering it at
all, and arrangements have therefore to be
made to enable them to view the flowers from
the outside only. Even where no suitable glass-
house exists, it seems to me that, by using a
good-sized skeleton frame, fitted up with ranvas
attached to rollers, that it would be quite pos-
sible during an average season to make a very
fair show with Chrysanthemums more or less
in the open. No doubt, under such circum-
stances, the varieties best adapted for growing
would be early-flowering, robust kinds. An
amateur's collection which I once saw protected
in this manner was well worth seeing, and gave
me the idea that where a suitable position
could be found for carrying it out on an ex-
tended scale, the results would, in all proba-
bility, be satisfactory. Both exhibition and de-
corative plants should be grown for the fore-
going purpose (whether they be shown under
glass or out in a skeleton framel, as a co n-
bination of the two gives a very pleasing effect,
and enables the public to see the result ■ i the
different methods of cultivation.

o.o<

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 9, iy(J7.

EDITORIAL NOTICE,

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41. Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11—

United Ben. and Prov. Soc. Com. meet.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Exeter Fruit and Chrys.

Exh. (2 days). Ulster Hort. Soc. S,h. at Belfast (2 days).

Altrincham, Bowdon, Hale and Dist. Chrys. Sh., Hale

(2 days). Devizes Chrys, Sh. Birmingham and Midland

Counties Chrys. and Fruit Sh. (3 days).

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13-

Liverpool Hort. Assoc. Sh. (2 days). York Chrys. Sh.
(3 days). South Shields and Northern Counties Chrys.
Sh. (2 days). Bath Gardeners' Soc. Chrys. Sh. (2 days).
Reading Chrys. Sh. Tonbridge Chrys. and Fruit Sh.
(2 days). Brixton Chrys. Sb. Chester Paxton Chrys.
and Fruit Sh. (2 days). Manchester Bot. Gardens
Chrys. Sh. (3 days). Lancaster Chrys. Sh.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14—

Edinburgh Chrys. Sh. (3 days). Barnsley Chrys. Sh.
(2 days) (provisional). Weston-super-Mare Chrys. Sh,

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15—

Sheffield Chrys. Sh. (2 days). Bradford Chrys. Sh. (2
days). Bolton Chrys. Sh. (2 days). Derby Chrys. Sh.
(2 days). Stockport and Dist. Chrys. Sh. (2 days).

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16—

Burton-on-Trent Chrys. Sh. German Gard. Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 42'4°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, November 6 (6 p.m.): Max. 54°;
Min. 45".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, November 7
(10 a.m.): Bar.. 30; Temp., 50 ; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces — Wednesday, November 6 its p.m.): Max. 51°,
England S. ; Min. 40', Scotland X.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c„ at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY to FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 10.30.

TUESDAY—

Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Orchids, &c, at The
Gardens, Tvlney Hall, Rotherwick, Hants., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 12.

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY-

Sale of Nursery Stock at the Brooms Nursery, Clifton,
Brighouse, Yorks., by order of Mr. L. Kershaw, by
Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

Yi 1 hNESDAY—

200.000 Fruit Trees and Bushes, &c„ at Perry Hill,
Cliffe, near Rochester, by order of Messrs. Home ii
Sons, by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.30.
Dutch Bulbs, at 10. Roses, Plants, &c, in variety, at 5,
at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

THURSDAY—

Japanese Liliums, at 2. Palms, Roses, Azaleas, &c, at
5, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

FRIDAY—

20,000 Apple Trees and other Fruits, Hop Sets and
Ornamental Shrubs, at Ladd's Court, Chart Sutton, near
Maidstone, by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.30.

The German Society of Economic
Applied Botanists was well represented
Botany, at the Botanical Congress held

at Dresden during September.
A resolution was passed urging upon the
Government the need of making better provi-
sion in many of the technical colleges for the
various branches of botanical science. It is
a pity that there is not more organisation
amongst the botanists and zoologists in this
country who are interested in the practical
applications of their science. The general
public, and even many of those who should
be more directly interested in the matter, do
not always sufficiently realise the benefits that
ought to accrue to the great industries of
agriculture and horticulture by the establish-
ment of closer relations between theory and

practice. Nevertheless, the movements that
have taken place within recent years show an
increasing appreciation of the true connection
between the biological sciences of botany and
zoology and the industrial pursuit of agricul-
ture in the widest sense. The opening of the
laboratory at VVisley, the recent foundation
of a chair of botany at the University of
Leeds, as well as the establishment of a
similar one which, it is understood, is likelv
to occur shortly in another great industrial
centre, are all steps in the right direction.

A society of Economic Biologists was
formed in this country not very long ago,
and we hope to hear a good deal more of it
in the future. Comprising as it does both
botanists and zoologists, it ought to prove a
valuable means of organising the somewhat
isolated workers in this field of research into
a coherent and energetic body of investi-
gators. It is most important for the welfare
of economic biology that the two main divi-
sions of botany and zoology should remain
in close touch with each other, although of
course the individual workers must naturally
be compelled to specialise in different direc-
tions corresponding broadly with the distinc-
tions between the animal and vegetable
kingdoms. But so many qf the problems,
whether connected with disease, with breed-
ing, or what not, are really border-line prob-
lems, that co-operation, as above indicated,
becomes absolutely indispensable.

Furthermore, the newer branch of chemis-
try, which goes by the name of bio-chemistry
because it has to deal especially with the
processes that are characteristic of living
matter, should likewise be pressed into the
service

Such a combination, if properly organised,
will not only help to bridge over the gulf
that still separates the work of the laboratory
too widely from that of the field, but in
achieving this it will not fail to render im-
mense service to the country at large.

The present week witnesses
Chrysan- the high-water mark of the
themums. Chrysanthemum season, and ex-
hibitions of the flower are being
held in most of the populated centres through-
out the country. There are some instances in
which the shows of former years have been
abandoned owing to the lack of sufficient
public support, but they are comparatively
few, and they scarcely affect the overwhelm-
ing pressure upon our columns which has
been general at this season for many years
past. At the same time, it is alleged in sup-
port of the contention that show Chrysan-
themums are less popular than formerly, that
at the principal exhibitions there is noticed
a falling-off in the degree of enthusiasm
evinced by gardeners and their employers in
the novelties displayed, and that the attend-
ances are apt to be less numerous than was
the case ten years ago. Some of our correspon-
dents are disposed to attribute these circum-
stances to the fact that it is becoming a com-
mon practice to display the flowers in vases
or jars instead of on boards as heretofore.
They allege that the use of vases inflicts
upon the exhibitor an increased amount of
trouble and expense which he is unable or un-
willing to bear; that it is tending to decrease
the number of varieties exhibited, and, there-
fore, cultivators are the less eacfer to

purchase the novelties the raisers have to offer
them each season. Having discussed these
questions on a recent occasion, it is not our
present purpose to dwell upon them at any
great length, but there are several points
which ought to be borne in mind by exhibi-
tors and exhibition committees alike. In the
first place, it may be assumed that exhibi-
tions are not held exclusively for specialists,
but inasmuch as the prize money is usually
furnished by the payment of the public for
admission to the show, some effort, at least,
should be made to provide the best decorative
effects obtainable, and further to ensure that
the exhibits will be capable of affording the
visitor such information and object-lessons as
will be calculated to repay him for his patron-
age. Those who had the privilege of witness-
ing the imposing display arranged by Mr.
Davis at the last meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society are not likely to have
any further doubt as to the best method of
staging the Japanese blooms. Such an effect
as was afforded by that exhibit could never
have been obtained from flowers arranged on
boards, and we do not remember an instance
in which Chrysanthemums shown exclusively
by the latter method at these meetings have
been judged to be worth the highest award
of a Gold Medal ! In respect to the number
of varieties, would it not be possible for the
Committee of the National Chrysanthemum
Society to institute a class for sixty blooms to
be shown in twenty vases, each vase to con-
tain three blooms of a distinct variety? This
would take the place of the older class for
sixty blooms in twelve varieties. In order to
obtain the necessary money to offer prizes of
greater value to compensate for the additional
expense incurred in the transit of blooms
with long stems attached to them, it might
be necessary to reduce the number of classes.
Such a reform would enable the societies to
meet this case, and, in addition, to make the
fewer classes cover a greater number of
varieties. If it is found that, after all, it is
needful to have boards for the gratification
of the specialists who, it must be remem-
bered, have every right to be considered
equally with the public, then keep them by
all means, but let them remain a subordinate
feature of the exhibitions.

But to turn from this aspect of the ques-
tion, it is by no means established that the
decline in the interest evinced for exhibition
blooms is caused by any such circumstance.
There are other factors that have an effect
of no inconsiderable weight. During recent
years the race of early-flowering Chrysanthe-
mums has been improved by the raising of
numerous varieties of greater merit, and cap-
able of producing flowers of larger size.
These flowers have been abundant in gar-
dens and in the public markets for two
months past, and it is not surprising if this
fact has a prejudicial effect upon public ap-
preciation for the still larger flowers when
displayed at the November exhibitions. There
is a charm in novelty that appeals to most
people, and if Chrysanthemum blooms were
unfortunately unattainable until the season is
ripe for the exhibitions, such deprivation
might be expected to greatly stimulate public
enthusiasm.

Another circumstance has even a greater
importance in its bearing on this question,
namely, that of the decree of merit possessed

Supplement to the "Gardeners' Chronicle.'

Specimen Fuchsias, cultivated at Kelsey Park Gardens, Beckenham.
Height of centre plant, io feet 4 inches.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.

November 9, 1E07.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

329

by new varieties. The development of the
exhibition Chrysanthemum is a page in the
book of modern gardening, and most culti-
5 have watched the process in more or
less degree for themselves. It is not many
\t.ii s ago since the advances made by the
Urn ists each season in the particular direction
thought to be most desirable were by leaps
and bounds. Professional cultivators and
amateurs alike were in the habit of visiting
tin shows in the old inconvenient Aquarium
at Westminster to see some startling novel-
ties, and they were seldom disappointed. The
novelties they saw there were of much greater
size, or they possessed colours and forms that
were quite different to those they themselves
could exhibit ; therefore, purchases were freely
made, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
It was not to be expected that the process
could be continued indefinitely, and, as a
matter of fact, we know that it has now be-
come a matter of the greatest difficulty for
the florists to breed varieties that are greatly
superior to existing sorts in the qualities of
size or colour. There is reason for believing,
however, that in the shades of colour further
advances may be made even if the steps lead-
ing thereto are short and intermittent. Our
plant-breeders should recognise that in seek-
ing to obtain greater refinement of bloom
and floret, in the raising of single-flowered
types of better quality, in giving renewed
attention to all the sections of the Chrysan-
themum instead of exhausting their efforts
upon the Japanese varieties alone, they would
be working for results that are reasonably
possible and most desirable. The craving lm
mere size has been satisfied perhaps as fully
as it is possible to satisfy it.

We are not likely ever to see Japanese
Chrysanthemums of much greater size than
the variety Madame Carnot as it was shown
half-a-dozen years or more ago! That it is
deemed to be impossible to grow such flowers
of Madame Carnot at the present time is a
circumstance tending to illustrate what an
exceedingly unnatural product the exhibition
Chrysanthemum really is ! No -such thing
as our modern Chrysanthemum was ever
discovered in nature or herbaria. Similar
results to those obtained in this country have
doubtless been reached by the Japanese many
years previously; but with them as with us
they have been gained bv methods of
cultivation, not merely by ordinary culti-
vation, but by disbudding, selection, and
other similarly restrictive processes. So un-
natural is the product that, as a rule, a
modern variety can only be expected to
remain useful for exhibition purposes for a
period of about six years. One of our fore-
most raisers informed us quite recently that
this was the case. A variety is usually two
years old from the seed before it becomes com-
monly seen in the exhibition stands, and after
about four or six further years a Japanese
variety may be expected fo lose its value as
an exhibition flower. This is not due to the
raising of larger-flowered varieties, but the
growers allege that the plant, having its con-
stitution impaired by high cultivation, it is
no longer possible to force from it such fine
flowers as it previously afforded. The cor-
rect explanation is probably this: that in
order to get the extreme size considered to
be necessary in exhibition blooms, the culti-

vator has to resort to every device possible,
and among these may be counted the practice
of employing plants which possess the in-
creased vigour usually gained after sexual
propagation. The extraordinary vigour of a
new variety is merely the fleeting vigour of
a young seedling, which may be expected
to become less in degree as the variety
settles down into its normal condition, that
is, the condition that it is capable of main-
taining for the longest period. This normal
condition is what the grower terms enfeebled
constitution, an error that arises from the
fact that he compares the average capabilities
of the variety with those it possessed during
its babyhood. Thus it is necessary to con-
tinue to raise new seedlings, and the new
" Mrs. Norman Davies " or " F. W. Lever "
therefore succeeds Madame Carnot, not
necessarily because the flowers are larger,
whiter, or of better form, but because
Madame Carnot at its best is no longer
possible. The history of the variety Edwin
Molyneux would appear to provide an ex-
ception to this rule, but in this case it will
be remembered that the variety continued in
the exhibitions after the greatest size was
unattainable, merely because no novelties
were forthcoming that possessed the same
colour.

It is satisfactory to know that whatever its
prospects may be asl an exhibition flower, the
Chrysanthemum is never likely to lose favour
in gardens. Its cultivation is inexpensive; it
flowers freely and at a season when other
flowers are scarce, therefore it will probably
remain indefinitely a popular plant, although
at one period this, and at another that, sec-
tion will receive the greater attention and
appreciation.

The season of 1907 has not been

The favourable to exhibition Chry-

Present
Season, santnemums. I he sun has

been so often obscured, and
the atmosphere damp, that Chrysanthe-
mums have been induced to make soli shouts,
which have failed to mature and harden so
perfectly as they should. This being the case,
the best blooms this year should be seen at
the later shows, and they are likely to be
the produce of second crown or terminal
buds. On the proper selection or " taking,"
as the term is generally used, of the buds
for flowering depends to a large extent
the success of the cultivator. As a rule, the
grower knows that large size is more easil)
obtained from crown buds, especially first
crown buds, and greater refinement and de-
velopment of colour from terminal buds. Cer-
tain varieties are generally too small in size
if allowed to go to the terminal bud, and
others are much too coarse when grown from
the crown bud. It will be seen that the less
natural and restrictive the treatment applied,
the less refinement and quality is to be ex-
pected in the flowers. If the plant were left
to itself, the first crown bud would seldom or
never develop ; it merely serves to put a check
to growth, and by this means cause lateral
growths to form below, and these bv their
vigour eventually starve the central bud,
which accordingly perishes. The terminal
bud, on the contrary, would develop into a
fkwer in any case, though in size it would
not be comparable with those which are

obtained after the severest disbudding has
been practised. It is these circumstances
that induce cultivators, in a season like the
present, to select terminal' buds in all cases
where the varieties may be safely treated in
such a manner.

Since the Chrysanthemums have been
housed, there have been many complaints of
damping of the florets, a condition due in
the first place to high cultivation, attended
with an excessive use of stimulating manures,
often persisted in longer than is necessary,
and in the second place to damp climatic con-
ditions and absence of sunshine. In the Face
of all difficulties, however, the National
Chrysanthemum Society were aide to make
a good exhibition at the Crystal Palace, as
will be seen from our report on another page.

Our Supplementary Illustration to the

present issue will serve to remind the reader
of the type of Fuchsias that was common a
quarter of a century or more ago, when speci-
men plant-culture was encouraged at the horti-
cultural exhibitions. Irrespective of all that
might be said for and against the old type of
specimen-plant, it does seem a pity that most of
us are so prone to follow in the beaten track,
that the prevailing fashion in -flower gardening,
plant-culture, or any other form of gardening ap-
pears to appeal to us with irresistible force Gar-
deners, like most other men, are insufficiently
original in their practices ; therefore, as the
pendulum swings to and fro, this or that fashion
is generally followed, and the exceptions to the
general rule are too small in number to afford
that greater interest that variety and novelty alone
can impart. The plants shown in the illustration
are certainly attractive objects, and they obtained
the first prize in a class for Fuchsias at the
Beckenham horticultural exhibition last summer.
The centre plant was 10 feet 4 inches in height,
yet was only two years old from the cutting.
Mr. Mark Webster, gardener to E. J. Preston,
Esq., at Kelsey Park, Beckenham, describes his
method of cultivation in the following letter : —
" Fuchsias appear to us indispensable for the
decoration of the conservatory and flower-gar-
dens during summer. In August strong cut-
tings are taken from stools which have been
cut down and planted out for that purpose.
Three cuttings are inserted round the sides of
a 3-inch pot containing sandy soil. They are
kept in a somewhat close atmosphere, and roots
soon form at the base of the cuttings. Before
the roots become matted together, the plants are
potted separately into pots 3J inches in dia-
meter, which are afterwards placed on a shelf
near to the glass in an intermediate house,
where the plants quickly establish themselves in
the fresh soil. By the month of October they
are ready for re-potting into 5-inch pots. The
plants are encouraged to make slow, strong
growth during the winter months, and in Febru-
ary they are ready for a shift into 7-inch pots.
The soil used at this potting consists of loam,
leaf-mould, and road grit, but is enriched by
some manure from a spent hotbed. The plants
are next transferred to a vinery which has just
been started. When they have filled these pots
with roots, a selection is made ; those intended
for potting on are again shifted into 9^-inch pots,
adding some finely-sifted cow manure to a simi-
lar compost to that used on the previous occa-
sion. The plants are arranged in a light posi-
tion in a Peach-house in which the trees have
just bloomed. They grow rapidly under the
treatment accorded the Peach trees, and quickly
develop into shapely, pyramidal plants by
timely pinching and stopping. The plants which
were allowed to bloom in the 7-inc{ pots
having become exhausted, a selection of stools

330

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 9, 1907.

for producing cuttings is made and planted out-
side in a cool situation. About July the plants
in the 9i-inch pots also begin to show signs of
exhaustion. Another selection has to be made
before the plants are stood outside. A limited
number are cut hard back to be grown on as
pyramids, while the others are trimmed up
as standards. Watering and an occasional
stopping is all the attention they require until
the fear of frost renders shelter necessary. While
resting, the standards are stored in the space
required by the pots, and next season they are
planted out in" the flower garden. The pyramids
are shifted on into 14-inch pots in the month
of March, when growth and roots have become
active. A very rich compost is used for this
potting, but it is kept very porous by a free use
of coarse grit. A very strong cane in the centre
of the plant is required for supporting the
growths. For the rest it consists in careful
watering, syringing, ventilation, shading, and
stopping of the shoots to within six weeks of the
time they are required to commence flowering.
In such a manner plants are grown which
measure 10 feet in height. It is unnecessary to
keep the plants after the second season."

Botanical Magazine. — In the issue for
November (No. 1,449) the following species are
described and illustrated: —

Arctotis decurrens (Jacq.), tab. 8,162. — A
beautiful figure is given of this species, a plant
which was obtained from Mr. W. E. Gumble-
TON. The species was originally introduced into
this country from the Cape in 1794, and was in
cultivation at Kew in 1813. The plant seems
not to mature seeds in this country, but can be
propagated by means of cuttings which grow
vigorously, reaching a height of 4 to 6 feet in
about two years. They thrive in a loamy soil,
and, except during the winter, require plenty of
water.

Rhododendron intricatum (Franch.), tab.
8,163. — This species, belonging to the Osman-
thus section, is figuied from a plant supplied
by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons. The plant was
awarded a First-class Certificate, under the
name of R. nigro-punctatum, Franch., at a
meeting of the Horticultural Society on April 2
of this year, but comparison with type specimens
show that the plant was then not correctly
named. The plant is said to be hardier than,
the dwarf Indian forms, and it will form a
suitable addition to the Alpine garden or
Ericetum. The plant has teen figured in the
Gardeners' Chronicle, April 27, 1907, f. 111.

Ccelogyne Lawrenceaxa (Rolfc), tab. 8,164.
— This is a fine species from Annam, introduced
into cultivation by Messrs. Sander & Sons. A
specimen which flowered in the collection of Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart., received an Award of
Merit at a meeting of the Horticultural Society
in 1905. It may be compared to Coelogyne
speciosa, Lindl., from which, however, it shows
differences in the mode of origin of the in-
florescence, as well as in the details of the lip
and keel.

Shortia uniflora [Maxim.), tab. 8,166. —
This is a beautiful plant, differing from the
better known S. galacifolia in its creeping habit
and its larger rose-coloured flowers. The Kew
examples were obtained from Yokohama, and
flowered freely last April in an unheated frame.
The plant is hardy and likes a moist, peaty
soil and an open position. The leaves, like
those of the other species, assume a rich crimson
colour in autumn and winter.

Horticultural Club. — The next house
dinner of the club will take place on Tuesday,
November 12, when Mr. George Gordon,
V.M.H., will deliver a lecture on " Gardens of
Roses," to be illustrated with lantern slides.

Mr. George Schneider.— We have received
the following interesting communication: — "A
few English friends of Mr. George Schneider,
president of the French Horticultural Society
of London, are desirous of celebrating his recent
promotion to the rank of Cfficier du Merite
Agricole. A dinner has therefore been arranged
to take place at the Cafe Royal, Regent Street,
W., on Saturday, November 16 next, at 7.15
p.m., when a presentation will be made to Mr.
Schneider. You are cordially invited to attend.
The price for the dinner will be 6s. per head,
and, for the purpose of the presentation, sub-
scriptions not exceeding 5s. are solicited.
Replies should be addressed to Mr. W. Hiehle,
Flower Market, Covent Garden, W.C., not later
than November 12.— C. Harman Payne,
Foreign Secretary, National Chrysanthemum
Society." We are sure Mr. Schneider has
thoroughly deserved the congratulations that are
to be offered to him under such felicitous
circumstances.

Icones Selectae Horti THENENSIS. —

Tome vi., fasc. 3 and 4. — This work, describing
and figuring the plants of interest cultivated in
the garden of M. van den Bossche, at Tirle-
mont, in Belgium, contains many notes of
interest. Dombeya Wallichii, Benth. and
Hook., from Madagascar, is a fine plant,
flowering in December. It was figured in the
Botanical Magazine, vol. li., tab. 2,503. Tetra-
theca pilosa, Labill., is related to the blue-
flowered Tremandra, not seldom to be seen in
conservatories. It has a somewhat similar
habit, bearing acicular heath-like leaves, but
rosy flowers. The plant is often confused with
T. ericifolia, in which the leaves occur in
whorls, which is seldom the case in the plant
under consideration.

A New Species of Eremurus. — M. O. A.
Fedtschenke has recently described a new
species of Eremurus under the name of E.
chinensis. The plant occurs at Kan Su and
Su Tchuen in Western China, and was collected
by Messrs. Pratt and Potami.n. The flowers,
some 60 or 70 in number, are borne in a spike,
and recall those of E. Olgae, differing chiefly in
the narrower segments of the perianth. La Tri-
bune Horticole, October ig.

"The Garden that i Love" (Second
series), by Alfred Austin. — Some of our
readers may recollect the appearance of the first
volume which was issued under the above title.
In the new series the Poet Laureate continues
to use the garden as an incidental setting for
rather discursive conversations and reflections.
There are diatribes against exhibition flowers,
praises of manure water, and many verses on
various subjects. A disquisition on Straw-
berries leads quite naturally to an appreciation
of England's greatness vid an interview with an
American globe-trotter. The work is published
by Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

A Sanctuary for Plants and Birds. —

The New Zealand Government intend to make
the small island of Kapiti, situated in Cook's
Straits, a sanctuary for native species of birds
and plants, especially those which are becoming
rare. Dr. L. Cochayne was commissioned to
undertake a botanical survey of the island. An
interesting report is the result, in which are
described the various plant formations, and an
enumeration of the indigenous Ferns and flower-
ing plants. Corynocarpus laevigata, Dysoxylum
spectabile, Macropiper excelsum, Myoporum
laetum, and Melicytus ramiflorus are conspicuous
trees.

Library of the Late Dr. Masters, F.R.S.

■ — Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge have
announced the sale of the late Dr. Masters'
library, which will take place at the sale roums,
13, Wellington Street, Strand, London, on
Thursday, November 21. There are 246 lots,
including valuable works on botany and scien-
tific horticulture, agriculture, chemistry, &c.
Catalogues may be obtained from the auc-
tioneers, 13, Wellington Street, Strand.

National Chrysanthemum Society.- We

are informed that the annual dinner will take
place in the Royal Venetian Chamber, Holborn
Restaurant, High Holborn, W.C., on Tuesday,
November 26, at 6.15 p.m. Charles E. Shea, |i
Esq. (president of the society), will preside, and
will be supported by Sir Albert Rollit,
D.C.L., LL.D. The Challenge Trophy and the
Holmes Memorial Cups and Medals will be pre-
sented to the winners during the evening. The
presence of ladies is specially desired.

Legacy to a Gardener. — By the terms of
the will of the late Mr. Henry J. Francis, of
Rosenheim, West Hill, Wandsworth, a sum ot
£200 is to be paid to his gardener. Other
servants also benefit under the will, and a con-
siderable sum is left to benevolent institutions.

Death of a well-known Botanist.— Pro-
fessor William Nation died recently at
the residence of his niece, Mrs. J. Scott, 80,
Bramfield Road, Clapham Junction. Although
he had been in failing health for some years,
his death was rather sudden, and he was con-
fined to his bed only two days. He had reached
the ripe age of 81 years. The deceased gentle-
man was born at Staplegrove in 1826, and hav-
ing in 1840 passed the necessary examination,
he was appointed to the Royal Botanical Gar-
dens at Kew. Here he remained till 1849, in
which year he was sent by the authorities to
study and explore the flora and fauna of South
America, and, as the translation of an article in
the Commercio, dated Lima, May 26, 1907, shows,
he was an active assistant to eminent scientists,
such as Darwin, Sir Clements Markham, Sir
William Hooker, and Dr. P. L. Sclater, late
secretary of the Zoological Society, London. Mr.
Nation was made Professor of the National
College at Guadalupe, and discovered and
classified many hitherto unknown species of
birds, flowers and animals found in the neigh-
bourhood of Peru. After having spent 57 years
of his life at his scientific labours he was
granted a small pension, which ceased directly
he left Lima. He came to London, where lie
resided up to the time of his death with his
niece. The funeral took place at Wandsworth
Cemetery. South-Western Star.

Mr. J. Wright, V.M.H., whose bereavement
was recorded in our last issue, requests us to
state that it is impossible to reply at present
to the numerous letters of sympathy he has re-
ceived.

" La Merite Agricole." — We have more
than once remarked the generosity of the 1
Government in bestowing this decoration on
workers in horticulture other than French sub-
jects. One of the most recent instances is the
case of Mr. Nicodemo Severi, a correspo
member of the National Horticultural So< ietv <t
France, who is sub-director of the public gar- ;
dens of the City of Rome and editor of the
Italian gardening paper, La Villa ed i! Gin
Mr. Severi has been appointed Chevalier of the
Order.

Publications Received. - Forage Crops,
Edward B. Voorbees, D.Sc. (U.S.A.). publi
Macmillan and Co., Ltd. Price 6s. 6d.—i

Fruit lor tin- It, .me. Edition II. By J. I
Published by Mr. T. N. Foulis. Price 2s. 6d.

November 9, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

331

HOME CORRESPONDENCE

(Tlu Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed ty his correspondents.)

Judging Grapes. — After the many expressions
' of opinion in these columns over the Grape-

I judgment at the recent Fruit Show — a judgment
which does unquestionably, though doubtless
unintentionally, reflect on the honour of Mr.
Justice Swinfen-Eady's gardener, Mr. Lock — is
it tint incumbent on the Council of the Royal
Horticultural Society to appoint next year a
; i il Committee or Commission of one of its
own body and two members of the Fruit Com-
mittee to inspect the vine when in fruit, and to
report upon it to the Council? Only in that
way can the disputed matter be rightly settled.
As a matter of justice to all concerned, such a
course as is here suggested seems absolutely
essential. A. D.

The awards of the four judges, whose

names are appended, having been publicly ques-
tioned (see page 316), we, in courtesy to the
parties interested, briefly state the facts as fol-
lows : — Three collections of fruit were very
carefully pointed through, and in doing so we
were very suspicious that two bunches of white
Grapes, by their appearance, were not true Mus-
cat (if Alexandria, although named as such.
Ultimately we decided to exercise our
rights, and taste the Grapes. This test of
quality fully confirmed our previous doubts, for,
in addition to the suspicious shape of the
berries, there was a total absence of Muscat
flavour and an unusual thickness of skin. As
this was the unanimous opinion of all four
fudges, and in order to render perfect justice to
all concerned, there was no alternative but to
reduce the number of points awarded to these
said Grapes previous to tasting, and which, of
course, very materially altered the position of
the exhibit in question. It may be added that
we accept no responsibility for any nam-
ing of Mr. Lock's Grapes by other persons,
nor for any previous awards that may have
been made to his "Muscats." A'. F. Barm .
II ' ill tarn Crump, John Doe, C. R. Fielder (Judges
in i 'l.l ss I.)

Muscat Hamburgh Grape. — In my note on
p. 316, Greave's Muscat Hamburgh was a mis-
print for Snow's Muscat Hamburgh. This fine
Grape was extremely well grown at Wrest Park
for many years, but it was about 1860 when
attention was especially drawn to the variety
under the above name, though whether Mr.
Snow claimed it as a seedling or not, I have
failed to ascertain. My impression is that it
was generally believed in the district to have
originate 1 in Wrest Park Gardens, but it is
beyond dispute practically identical with the
old Black or Red Muscat of Alexandria. Per-
haps Mr. Mackinlay could give some informa-
tion on this point, for I know he is well up in
the history and traditions of the interesting gar-
den he superintends so well. When I last had
the pleasure of visiting Wrest Park we had so
much to discuss in regard to hardy fruits and
vegetables that we missed several other subjects
of importance. It might be added that Venn's
Seedling was considered to be distinct by Dr. R.
Hogg, and was awarded a First-class Certificate
by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1874; but
Mr. A. F. Barron regarded it as identical with
Musi at Hamburgh, an opinion shared by most
who have grown the two side by side. Still, it
was raised from seed at Sneyd Park, Bristol,
| beyond doubt. R. L. Castle.

Apple Charles Ross.— As that fine dessert
Apple Charles Ross has so worthily won its
j spurs by being placed first in the class for " any
other dessert variety" at the recent R.H.S.
show, thus repeating the similar experience of
last year, I trust that next year it will be ac-
corded a class to itself. No recently introduced
Apple, and few old ones, excels it in flavour or
appearance. This " any other variety " class
should be made the stepping-stone to higher
honours, and inasmuch as fruits of any
variety have to be tasted for flavour,
the test is a good one. Two of the varieties
honoured with a special class each — Ben's Red,
with two dishes, and Edmund's Pippin one dish
— are apparently not popular varieties. In any
case, as a dessert fruit Charles Ross is greatly
superior to either. D.

Chrysanthemum Shows: Boards v. Vases.

I sympathise with such an enthusiastic cultiva-
tor as Mr. Norman Davis in the great interest
he takes in all matters connected with the Chry-
santhemum. I have long noted the lack of in-
terest shown in the exhibition side of the flower.
The Chrysanthemum, in certain phases, does not
stand alone in this loss of public favour, other
special flowers suffer in the same way. The show
Dahlia has given place to the less formal ( a< tUs
type. The florist's Carnation is not so inter* sting
to the general public as the more showy and use-
ful American varieties. Surely no one will dis-
pute the advantage of the change m bi th the
examples quoted. Even the popular Rose has,
in one section, lost its hold upon the public,
though to a lesser extent perhaps. I allude to the
11. P. section. #No one will say that these are as
popular as what are termed "garden" varieties
— those cultivated to produce a mass of blossoms.
Nowadays, when quantities of flowers are prized
more than individual quality of flower, no won-
der that the H.P. section has given way some-
what to the more freely-flowering type. Now,
as to Chrysanthemums, apart from an exhibi-
tor's point of view, no one will say that these
large blooms are useful, except to create won-
derment and a surpriss for visitors. In private
gardens where exhibiting is not favoured, there
are fewer large blooms cultivated than was
the case a few years ago. This has an effect
upon the public; if non-exhibitors do not en-
courage them at home, they are not likely to do
so at publn shows. This is one section of the
visitor class which diminishes the number of en-
thusiasts, and thus they are lost to the show-.
The great increase in out-of-door varieties for
flowering in October, and also those for Novem-
ber decoration in quantity indoors, of which the
single-flowered section is a case in point, has
di in- much to alter the exhibition aspect. It is
m t that the public take so little interest in the
manner thev are staged at shows, but r.'i 1 1 1 • I il
is the diminishing interest in the method of cul-
ture adopted, which unquestionably entails a
i nun of cost and a minimum of
return. This is opposed to present-day require-
ments. Many persons who have not a know-
ledge of flower-show management would at once
sweep away the orthodox show board and sub-
stitute vases. In support of their argument they
would quote the Edinburgh and Birmingham
shows. In the neighbourhood of Edinburgh Chry-
santhemum are not so numerous as they
are around 1 ondon. The great success of the
Edinburgh Society in the sole use of vases is
due in a great measure to the splendid prizes
offered. No other society can do likewise in
this respect. It is not the Chrysanthemum alone
that enables the executive to provide such prizes ;
it is, as Mr. Godfrey says, the added charm of good
music. Perhaps no society is better served by trade
exhibits than the Birmingham Society ; these
add considerably to the display and attraction
for the visitors, and at a small cost to th." society
Many societies are strongly censured for fall-
ing to discard the stands entirely. But the exe-
cutive officers are perfectly well aware that more
exhibits can be obtained for the same amount of
prize money when the blooms to be shown are on
boards than if they were to be staged in vases ;
they have to make a display, and do it in the
manner best calcu'ated to serve, their own ends.
Prizes of the value of a co-.ple cf guineas can-
not induce exhibitors to enter in "vase" classes ;
in many prue schedules tl.is is the limit of the
leading classes. There is no comparison in the
cost of conveyance to shows of blooms for
" vase " classes as compared to those for stands.
I note that the National Chrysanthemum Society-
has dropped the classes for incurved blooms in
vases, owing mainly. I presume, to want of com-
petition. No one who saw the winning exhibits
the last three years could do other than praise
the method of displaying the blooms, even of
that class which has apparently lost its hold on
the public and exhibitors alike. At other
shows there has been, during the last two
years, a steady increase in the number of
exhibitors of incurved blooms on boards, attribu-
table perhaps to an improvement in the new
vari lies in that section as compared with those
introduced just previously, which were ad-
mittedly neither incurved nor Japanese. In
what is known as the great vase class at the
N.C.S. November show, three blooms of each,
instead of five, are now required. This will make
the class easier for the exhibitor, and there will

be less likelihood of the vases getting over-
crowded. At some shows vase classes for large
bloom do not increase at all, but there is to be
seen a gradual return to the boards. What is
taking the place of the vase classes at many
shows is the display of what are known as
" decorative " varieties cut in sprays of many
small blooms apiece loosely arranged in
vases, baskets, and epergnes. Indeed, the last
two styles of arrangement are meeting with
much favour. Committees do not fail to note
the trend of public feeling, and they cater ac-
cordingly. The Birmingham leading class is
quite recast this year, reading thus : " A group
of cut blooms of Chrysanthemums (to face all
. any variety admissible, to be arranged
on the floor in a space of 20 feet bv 12 feet.
Cut foliage, Ferns, and foliage plants admis-
sible, variety and general effect to be con-
sidered, any kind of vase or stand may be used."
The prizes are £15 with a silver challenge
shield, second £10, third £7 10s., and the fourth
£:">. This is a plain proof to me that the Bir-
mingham officials are not satisfied with either
vases or boards in providing the chief attraction.
F. "Molyneux.

— If the primary object of flower shows,
and Chrysanthemum exhibitions in particular,
is to enable the flowers to be seen and minutely
examined by the judges, then the old method of
exhibiting the flowers in tubes in boxes is best.
If, however, the principal aim is to create a
handsome artistic display, then exhibiting the
flowers on long stems in vases is the proper
plan. Thus the question must be considered
from the standpoint of the judges or the public.
The vase method should furnish the best floral
effect, yet their decorative value has been dis-
counted by the method adopted of staging the
flowers in vases of equal height, and then
they appear just as formal and monotonous
as when shown in boxes or tubes. Probably the
chief difficulty to surmount in the exhibiting of
large Chrysanthemum blooms, as with the large,
rotund, show Dahlias, is that the blooms are too
massive to get from them good effects, except
when shown in quite tall receptacles, each
having nine or 12 blooms, with abundant decora-
tive foliage. By this arrangement, as was seen
in Mr. N. Davis's groups at the Palace, for
instance, nothing can be nobler. But the
common rule is to show 12, 18, or 24 big blooms
in trebles in vases without any decorative
foliage, and only heavy formality without beauty
results. Were vases arranged in diverse heights,
and a free hand given to exhibitors both to
any decorative foliage and to drape their
vases, the effect obtained would then be very
pleasing. By allowing draping the objection to
the naked appearance of ungainly vases would
disappear. It by no means follows if flowers
be shown in vases, that judges should favour
large coarse ones in preference to those less
large, but more refined and perfect. I very
much doubt whether any judges of repute do so
now. At the shows, the vase is everywhere
displacing the box as a means of displaying
flowers, and were the same effort made to
arrange or stage Chrysanthemums as is done in
the case of Roses or winter-blooming Carna-
tions on long stems, the same pleasing results
should follow. Judges are able to judge these
flowers (Roses and Carnations) when they are
shown in vases as in the case of Sweet Peas,
with considerable facility, and there seems no
reason to assume that Chrysanthemums may not
be judged also as easily. It does seem, accord-
ing to recent complaints, as if competitors at
Chrysanthemum shows were put to rather in-
creased cost in the transit of their flowers on
long stems than was incurred by carting huge
boxes. That complaint, however, appears diffi-
cult to justify, seeing that they have to cart not
vases, but flowers only. It does seem as though
public interest in Chrysanthemums at shows is
waning, and this is probably mainly due to the
fact that gardens and markets are filled with
early flowers long before shows are on. D.

Fashions in Flower - Gardening. — The

leading article in the issue for October 12 on this
subject was very opportune. Who could but
admire the gorgeous display of colour even from
the Pelargoniums employed this summer in front
of Buckingham Palace? Such masses of colour
in suitable places are quite appropriate, and will
always attract attention and admiration. At
Blickling Hall, in Norfolk, the flower-garden is

332

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

[November 9, 1207.

situated near the house, and has a background
of evergreens and forest-trees. The flower-beds
are made as bright as it is possible to make
them, and the effect is always excellent. The
severe critic might say upon examining these
beds there is nothing particular in their indi-
vidual arrangement, yet the brilliancy of the
whole makes the gardens attractive to thousands
of visitors. In Lord Aldenham's gardens at
Elstree bright masses of colour are employed in
such a manner that the effect is not in the least
of a garish nature. For instance, a large bed is
filled with Lobelia cardinalis Queen Victoria,
which produces flower-spikes nearly 6 feet in
height, thickly furnished with rich cardinal-
coloured blossoms. Were it not that this bed is
backed up by a wealth of foliage plants, and
subdued by the green setting of grass and the
carpet of Antennaria tomentosa, some critics
might even object to this brilliant parterre.
Where the ordinary green or bronze-coloured
('annas are employed in a mass with such
subjects as Streptosolen Jamesonii, Plumbago
capensis (with a thin crop of flowers),
large numbers of silver-leaved Veronicas,
Acalyphas and dull-coloured Iresines, the
effect is monotonous and uninteresting. Even if
big beds are planted with mixed species, it is still
possible to have them bright in appearance by
the introduction of free-flowering, showy plants
to aid in relieving the dull hues of so many
sub-tropical species. E. M.

Potato •• Highlander." - My attention has

been called to the report of the National Potato
Society's Show, published in the Gardeners'
Chronicle for October 12. Your correspondent
refers to Highlander "No. 1" and "No. 2,"
assuming there are two stocks, and suggesting
I should give an explanation. So far as I know,
only one stock of true Highlander, as introduced
by me, is in commerce (there may be substitutes
for which I am not responsible), but if your
correspondent refers to Nos. 1 and 2 as on trial
at Wye College, this is easily explained.
These were not different stocks, but the seed
last year was grown in different districts, with
a different result as to crop. William Deal.

not grow. It is an exceedingly interesting ex-
ample of a variation of the Cabbage, where the
reserve food is stored in an elongated, thickened
stem instead of in a barrel-shaped stem as in
Kohl Rabi.

Kale with leaf-like growth from midrib. — W.
J. Maitland, Esq., of Witley, sent leaves of a
purple Kale having leaf-like outgrowths from the
midrib. This kind of hypertrophy is common
in Kales, and has become fixed, so that such
forms come true from seed.

Hybrid Pear and Quince. — Messrs. James
Veitch & Sons sent further specimens of the
hybrid fruits borne on the two plants raised
from seeds from a single fruit of the Pear Ber-
gamotte Esperen, the result of crossing that Pear
with the Portugal Quince. Immature fruits
were shown at the meeting of September 3, and
as was then observed, the fruits of one tree
approached the Pear in character,' those of the
other the Quince. The Pear-like hybrid for
which Messrs. Veitch propose the name X
Pyronia John Seden, was practically ripe, and
had a distinct Bergamotte flavour. Bergamotte
Esperen ripens much later. The Quince-like
fruits were still quite hard.

Crocus. — Mr. Bowles showed specimens of a
Crocus which he believes to be a hybrid be-
tween Crocus speciosus and C. pulchellus. In
1904, and each season since, he has found a
corm or two among seedlings of C. speciosus
from seeds saved from plants growing near C.
pulchellus that show characters intermediate
between these two species, and which may be
tabulated as follows : —

C. SPECIOSUS C. PULCHELLUS SUPPOSED HYBRID

Throat white orange yellow shading to white

Anther orange white cream colour

Filament white orange yellow

glabrous pubescent with scattered hairs

Corm tunic membranous coriaceous a thick stiff membrane

In colour the perianth segments are somewhat
variable, and most nearly resemble speciosus,
but are paler and less distinctly veined, except
on the inner surface of the inner segments,
where the characteristic purple veins of pulchel-
lus are clearly defined.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

October 29. — Present : Mr. E. A. Bowles,
M.A., F.L.S. (in the chair) ; J. W. Odell, G.
Gordon, A. W. Sutton, J. T. Bennett-Poe, W.
C. Worsdell, G. S. Saunders, H. T. Giissow, A.
Worsley, and F. J. Chittenden (hon. secretary).

Cup-shaped leaves of Saxifraga. — Mr. W. C.
Worsdell showed leaves of Saxifraga ligulata
which had grown in a cup-shaped manner, so
that the leaf had the appearance of an inverted
cone on the top of the leafstalk. The plant on
which they had been produced each year formed
similar leaves in October and November, but
not in the early part of the year. Not all the
leaves were so far developed as to assume the
cup-shape completely, but all stages from the
normal to this form were to be found. Mr.
Woksdell suggested that the cause of the mal-
formation might have been lack of vigour in
the plants.

'Malformed Cattleya. — Mr. BeNNETT-Poe
showed two flowers of Cattleya labiata, each of
which had but two petals and two sepals, the
labellum in each case being completely sup-
pressed as well as one of the sepals. Mr. Wors-
dell took the flowers for further examination.

Calycanthus Fruits. — Mr. Bowles showed
fruits of Calycanthus occidentalis from
his garden for comparison with those of C.
laevigatus shown at a recent meeting.

Marrow Cabbage. — Messrs. Cooper, Taber
& Co. sent specimens of the Marrow Cabbage
(Chou Moellier) grown at Witham, Essex. The
Cabbages were about 5ft. in height, the stem
being between 4in. and 5in. in diameter in the
middle. The central part of the stem is filled
with soft tissue, and forms the chief edible por-
tion of the plant. The Cabbage is grown largely
in France, where it is pulped and used for cattle
food in districts where Swedes and Turnips will

WEYBRIDGE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

October 30. — The ninth annual autumn ex-
hibition was held in the Holstein Hall on this
date, and was again a success. The arrange-
ments were perfect in the hands of the hon.
secretary, Mr. J. Lock.

The leading open class for cut blooms was
that for 24 Japanese blooms of distinct varieties,
and in which a handsome silver challenge cup
was offered for the premier exhibit. Mr. T.
Stevenson, gardener to E. G. Mocatta, Esq.,
Addlestone, won the trophy easily, with large
fresh examples of such popular varieties as
Lady Talbot, Mrs. Norman Davis, and Mrs. R.
Hooper Pearson. In the class for nine varieties
of Japanese Chrysanthemums, three blooms of
each kind arranged in vases, there was only a
very limited competition. Mr. T. Caryer, gar-
dener to A. G. Meissner, Esq., Weybridge, was
placed 1st. The best vase of Chrysanthemums
arranged with foliage was shown by Mr.
Stevenson ; his variety was Mrs. A. T. Miller,
lightly arranged with dark Oak leaves.

Mr. Carver won in the class for six triplets
of Pompon varieties with standard kinds.
Single-flowered sorts made even a better dis-
play than the Pompons, and in the "single"
classes Mr. Stevenson won for six bunches,
each of three flowers ; the varieties were well
chosen, and the exhibit was pleasingly staged.
Mr. W. C. Pagram was a good 2nd to Mr.
Stevenson.

A class was provided for a collection of cut
Chrysanthemums, arranged with any kind of
foliage for effect in a tray measuring 3 feet by
2 feet 6 inches. Mr. E. Watford was easily
1st with fully developed flowers of Japanese
varieties arranged in Bamboo stands, with, good
foliage well blended.

Two classes were devoted to ladies. For the
best arranged basket of Chrysanthemums, with
any foliage or grasses, Mrs. Elwood, Wey-
bridge, was placed 1st with'a pleasing arrange-
ment. A basket of autumn foliage, berries and
grasses, shown by Mrs. F. Wood, Brown
Lodge, Weybridge, obtained the 1st prize.

The exhibits of groups of Chrysanthemums
and foliage plants were satisfactory. Mr.
Pagram had much the best exhibit in this
section, using many single-flowered varieties in
his group.

MAIDENHEAD CHRYSANTHEMUM.

October 31 & November 1. — This exhibition
again proved a great success ; the entries
totalled 60 more than at last year's display,
and all the classes were well contested.

In the large class for 48 Japanese blooms in
24 varieties, Mr. Waller, gardener to Mr.
Hammersly, Abney House, Bourne End, was
awarded the 1st prize, which carried with it a
Challenge Cup. Mr. Waller was successful in
winning the cup last year, and he has thus
taken it two years in succession. There were
four competitors in this class. Mr. Waller also
staged the premier flowers in the principal vase
class and in several others. The best group
of miscellaneous plants was displayed by Mr.
R. Evans, gardener to H. F. Slattery, Esq.,
The Orchard, Marlow. In this class there
were again four competitors. Mr. Evans was
also successful in the class for 18 Japanese
blooms in competition with six other growers.
The 1st prize carried with it a Silver Medal.

UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT
AND PROVIDENT SOCIETY.

November 1. — This thriving and excellent
society held its 21st annual dinner at the Hol-
born Restaurant on the above date. Sir Albert
K. Rollit presided, and he was well supported by
Messrs. H. J. Veitch, H. B. May, G. Gordon,
Cox, Anderson, J. T. Taylor, T. Bevan, Withy,
'J. Hudson, Riley, Scott, and a large gathering
of the officers, committee, and members.

The occasion will be memorable because Mr.
Jas. Hudson, who recently retired from the
treasurership, after holding office for 25 years,
was the recipient of a very handsome testi-
monial.

In proposing "Success to the Society," the
Chairman, dividing his speech into three parts,
dealt firstly with the Royal Horticultural So-
ciety, its rise and progress ; secondly, with hor-
ticulture as an art and as a science, showing the
variety and usefulness of the gardener's call-
ing; and thirdly, with the U.H.B.P. He said
he had special knowledge of friendly societies,
and that knowledge, together with a careful
scrutiny of the society's work and the actuarial
reports concerning it, enabled him to say that
the U.H.B.P. was one of the very best insti-
tutions of its kind. Its funds were well in-
vested, its rules excellent, its management care-
ful, and its usefulness beyond question. He
urged young gardeners to become members, and
so provide for sickness, for infirm old age, and
for those whom at death they might leave behind.
Mr. Chas. H. Curtis, chairman of committee,
in replying, observed that there were now 1,200
members, and the invested funds amounted to
£30,000, a larger sum per member than any
other friendly society could show. He then
asked Sir Albert, on behalf of the members,
to present to Mr. J. Hudson a substantial tes-
timonial of the high esteem in which the society
held one who had for 25 years acted as treasurer.

Sir Albert made the presentation, and handed
Mr. Hudson a very handsome solid silver tea
and coffee service and salver, and an enlarged
portrait of himself in carbon, framed in oak.
The inscription on the salver read : — " Presented
to James Hudson, V.M.H., Nov. 1, 1907, by
the members of the United Horticultural Bene-
fit and Provident Society in recognition of ser-
vices as treasurer, cheerfully rendered over a
period of 25 years— 1882-1907."

Mr. Hudson was warmly greeted when he re-
turned thanks for so signal a mark of esteem.
He had acted as treasurer without hope of re-
ward, and he was glad to find his efforts were
so highly appreciated. In his first year of office
he invested £200, and in his last year £2,000,
for the society.

The other toasts were " The Honorary and
Life Members," "The Chairman," "The Visi-
tors," and "The Press."

The tables were handsomely decorated with
plants, flowers and fruits supplied by Messrs.
J. Veitch & Sons, H. Cannell & Sons, W. Cut-
•msh & Son, and many other friends.

November 9, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

go-

od

Nattioinal Clhir^aiiiilhieifiasuiEia Society.

',\^\"'-.f November 6-7-8.

Wfifrr HRYSANTHEMUMS are now at
fwlf^lx their best, and the autumn exhi-
bition of this society was held on
these dates at the Crystal Palace,
Sydenham. Everything combined
on the opening day to make the
show a success, and in this
respect it was one of the best held
since the notable displays made
in the old Westminster Aquarium.
The weather was perfect for November ; the
displays more than equal to those of recent years,
both in number and in quality ; whilst the ar-
rangements were perfect. The exhibition gained
much from the spectacular standpoint in the
very handsome groups of Chrysanthemums
staged by the leading trade firms, who make a
speciality of this autumn flower, and in this
connection we may instance the very beautiful
groups staged by Messrs. H. J. Jones, Norman
Davis, H. Cannell & Sons, and W. Wells &
Co. Although no fewer than eight First-Class
Certificates were granted to new varieties, none
could be declared as a great advance on exist-
ing sorts.

Displays of Chrysanthemums.

In Class I. (open), the 1st prize, con-
sisting of a large Gold Medal, was taken
by Mr. Norman Davis, Framfield, Sus-
sex. He exhibited a display arranged on
a circular space of about 300 superficial feet.
The form was slightly conical, and it consisted
of Incurved, Japanese, Reflexed, and single-
flowered varieties, mixed with Ferns, Asparagus,
Codiaeums, &c. Eight tall bouquets of Chrysan-
themums, Japanese varieties, and one bouquet
in the centre completed the scheme. The Jap-
anese blooms were quite up to the best exhibi-
tion standard. Very fine were Mrs. Norman
Davis, Mrs. J. Hygate, an Incurved Japanese
white ; Algernon Davis, a beautiful golden
yellow ; W. Ring, old gold, a grand Incurved
Japanese ; Mad. G. Rivol, one of the best of its
tint, which is bronze-yellow, &c. The exhibitor
of this display was also awarded the " Dean "
Memorial Medal, offered for an exhibit having
special merit.

The second class was arranged for a floral
display of Chrysanthemums and suitable foliage
plants in pots, with the addition of cut blooms
and foliage ; area not to exceed 200 square feet.
Trade members were excluded from this class.
The 1st prize was taken by Mr. W. Howe (gr.
to Lady Tate, Park Hill, Streatham Common),
with a massive, cone-shaped group, rather
closely filled with Chrysanthemums of Japanese
varieties, partly shown as cut blooms and the
rest as growing in pots. These formed the bulk
of the exhibit, and were of general fine quality,
single and semi-double-flowered varieties formed
the remainder, Ferns, Palms, and Codiaeums
being interspersed with these. The group suf-
fered in effect owing to lack of contrast with
green-leaved plants, and from the closeness of
the arrangement.

Class for Affiliated Societies.
A class was arranged for affiliated societies
to compete with each other in showing a semi-
circular group of cut Chrysanthemums on a
space measuring 12 feet by 6 feet, to be arranged
on the floor, to consist of any section, but in-
cluding not fewer than four sections. The
flowers were arranged in vases, and relieved by
suitable Ferns and other " greenery." The only
exhibit was one from the Dulwich Chrysanthe-
mum and Horticultural Society, which accord-
ingly was awarded the 1st prize. It was a
creditable group, but the varieties of Chrvsan-
themum should have had names attached to
them. Here was a class that ought to have
been one of the most interesting in the show,
ind yet it was entered by one society only !

Chrysanthemums Shown in Vases.
The principal class in those for blooms staged
in vases was that for 12 vases of specimen
blooms of Japanese varieties. Each receptacle
was required to contain three blooms of a
distinct variety, with not less than 6 inches of
the stem above the top of the vase. As the

vases were 14 inches in height, they made a
good display collectively.

The specimen blooms shown in this class were
superb in size, shape, and condition, and the
1st prize fell to Mr. J. Hall (gr. Melchet Court,
Romsey, Hants). The varieties were R.
Vallis, Bessie Godfrey, Edith Smith, W.
A. Etherington, F. S. Vallis (immense
blooms), J. H. Silsbury, Mrs. A. T. Mil-
ler, Mme. P. Radaelli (perfect blooms), Mrs.
W. Knox, Mrs. Vallis, Maud Jefferies, and Mme.
Rivol. The 2nd prize was taken by Mr. W.
Iggulden, Lock's Hill Nurseries, Frome, with
very slightly inferior blooms. His best were
Viola, F. S. Vallis, Magnificent, Mrs. A. T
Miller, Walter Jinks, and Mme. G. Rivol Mr
W. Mease (gr. to A. Tate, Esq., Downside,
Leatherhead), won the 3rd prize.

Twelve vases of Incurved blooms (trebles),
distinct. — Only two exhibits were forthcoming in
this class; the better was shown by J. 15.
Hankey, Esq., Leatherhead (gr. Mr. W. Higgs).
The vases were spaced widely apart, and each
contained three blooms, on long stems with
foliage. The largest flowers were those of the
variety Lady Isabel, the florets of which are
white, with a faint tinge of rose in the basal
florets; J. Agate (white, and of perfect form),
Hanwell Glory (bronzy), Chas. H. Curtis (yel-
low), Frank Frestian, Topaze Orientale (creamy,
yellow), Mrs. G. Denyer (pink), and Embleme
Poitevme (yellow), were the pick of the varie-
ties. 2nd, Pantia Ralli, Esq., Ashtead Park,
Epsom (gr. Mr. G. J. Hunt), with flowers of
less perfect form.

One vase of five blooms of a white Japanese
variety. —The best of four exhibits contained the
beautiful flower named after Mrs. A. T. Miller.
It was shown by John Balfour, Esq., Moor
Hall, Harlow (gr. Mr. A. Jefferies). 2nd, the
same variety shown by Mrs. Nathan, Little
Heath Wood, Potter's Park (gr. Mr. W. II.
Newton). Only one other variety, Mrs. C.
Beckett, was used in this class, and this re-
ceived the 4th prize.

One vase of a yellow Japanese variety. — There
were five exhibits staged in this class, and much
the best were five noble blooms of F. S. Vallis,
shown by Mr. Jefferies. These flowers were
good in every respect. 2nd, Mrs. Jeremiah
Lyon, Riddings Court, Caterham Vallev (gr.
Mr. G. Halsey), with the smaller Bessie' God-
frey, a variety of pale canary yellow.

One vase of any other colour than yellow or
white.— This class brought forth nine exhibits,
of which much the best was that of
the crimson W. Beadle, shown by A. T. Miller,
Esq., Leatherhead (gr. Mr. G. Mileham). These
flowers were large and very finely coloured.
Both the 2nd and 3rd prizes were awarded for
flowers of Reginald Vallis, shown by Mr. Jef-
feries and F. J. Yarrow, Esq., 18, Abbey
Road, St. John's Wood, London, N.W. (gr. Mr.
A. Robertson), respectively.

Market varieties, disbudded. — A class was pro-
vided for six varieties of Chrysanthemums such
as are grown for market. Twelve blooms of
each variety were required for a vase. There
were only two displays, and of these the largest
flowers staged by F. J. Yarrow, Esq., 18, Abbey
Road, St. John's Wood, London (gr. Mr. A.
Robertson), gained the premier award. The
varieties were Vivian Morel (pink), Souvenir de
Petite Amie (white), Kathleen Thompson (a mag-
nificent bronze variety), Lady Hanham (rose on a
bronzy-yellowish ground), Caprice du Printemps
(carmine), and Chas. Davis. 2nd, J. L. Bur-
gess, Esq., Maisey Hampton, near Fairford (gr.
Mr. J. A. Humphries), whose best examples
were Dazzler (red) and Moneymaker (white).

Anemone-flowered Chrysanthemums. — Three
classes were provided for these flowers : the
one for Japanese Anemones, another in which
Japanese forms were excluded, and the other for
mixed types of these flowers. The best examples
in the class for Japanese Anemones were shown
by T. L. Boyd, Esq., North Frith, Tonbridge,
Kent (gr. Mr. A. C. Horton), in competition
with three other exhibitors. The examples
shown by Mr. Boyd were Le Chalonais, Duchess
of Westminster, John Bunyan, Edward Bell,
Mme. I.awton, Sabine, W. W. Astor, Mrs. H.

Eland, Souvenir des Norgiots, Owen's Perfec-
tion, Sir W. Rayleigh, and Halcyon. 2nd, C.
Douglas Clarke, Esq., Bromley, Kent (gr. Mr.
A. Henderson).

Anemone-flowered Chrysanthemums, Japanese
excluded.— Mr. Boyd also won in this class with
Junon, Gluck, Gladys Spaulding, Lady Mar-
garet, Delaware, J. Thorpe, jun., Cincinnati,
Mrs. Judge Benedict, &c. 2nd, Mr. Henderson.

Large-flowered Anemone blooms, including
Japanese varieties.— Mr. Boyd again won in this
class, being followed by Mr. Douglas Clarxe.
Mr. Boyd showed fine examples of Mrs. H.
Eland and Sir Walter Rayleigh.

Pompon Chrysanthemums. — There were two
classes for Pompon varieties : the one for Pom-
pons of the ordinary type, and the other for
Anemone Pompons. Only three exhibitors were
attracted in the two classes, two being in the
first named. Of these the winning exhibit was
shown by J. L. Burgess, Esq., Maisey Hampton
(gr. Mr. J. A. Humphries), who had the largest
and best coloured flowers. Very pretty were
Osiris, W. Kennedy (purple), W. Sabey (yellow),
Prince of Orange (bronze), Soeur Melaine
(white), Mr. E. Kigevor (pink), &c. 2nd, F. J.
Yarrow, Esq. (gr. Mr. A. Robertson). In the
Anemone-flowered class, Mr. Humphries was
awarded the 1st prize for examples of Perle
Ella, Antonius, Marie Stuart, Mr. Astie, and
Emily Rowbotham.

Single Chrysanthemums. — The schedule re-
quired that the sprays of single flowers should
not be disbudded, and the collection was to
contain not fewer than six varieties. The best
exhibit was shown by R. D. Cleasby, Esq.,
Langley House, Abbots Langley (gr. Mr. C
Brown). This was a very fine exhibit, the
flowers being large and well selected as to
colours. Pink varieties, such as Mrs. E.
Roberts, -Edith Pagram, and F. W. Smith pre-
dominated, but there were also white and
bronze-coloured flowers. 2nd, Messrs. Wit.
Sanford & Co., Ltd., Hall Green, Birmingham,
with taller but fewer-flowered sprays.

Decorative Classes.
(Open.)

These, as on former occasions, proved an
attractive and popular feature of the exhibition.
Dinner tables decorated with Chrysanthemums
and suitable foliage were very numerous. The
best in the open class was arranged by Mrs. A.
Robinson, Norhyest, Park Hill, Carshalton, who
used tiny bronze-coloured and yellow flowers of
decorative varieties in metal displayers, having
grasses, Asparagus sprays, &c, as relief. 2nd,
Miss B. Saunders, Highgate, with similar varie-
ties.

Mr. Robertson (gr. to F. J. Yarrow, Esq.,
St. John's Wood, N.W.) showed the best vases
of Pompon Chrysanthemums arranged with suit-
able foliage of other plants for effect.

The best vase of single Chrysanthemums was
shown by Mr. T. Stevenson (gr. to E.
Mocatta, Esq., Addlestone, Surrey), in a very
strong competition.

Miss Cole, The Vineyard, Feltham, excelled
in the competition for a basket of autumn-tinted
foliage and berries, with a magnificent basket ;
and this lady was closely followed by Mrs.
Brewster, St. Peter's, Canterbury, with a very
similar arrangement.

Chrysanthemums Shown on Boards.
(Open Classes.)
Incurved varieties.— In the principal class for
Incurved Chrysanthemums, that for 36 blooms
of distinct varieties, there were four exhibits,
three of which were of a high order of merit!
The 1st prize was awarded to J. B. Hankey,
Esq., Fetcham Park, Leatherhead (gr. Mr. w!
Higgs), for an exceptionally fine collection, the
flowers being characterised by their uniformly
large size and their clearness of colouring. The
blooms throughout showed good globular form,
and they were as fine a collection as have been
staged in this class in recent years. In the back
row were the varieties Mrs. G. Denver. Duchess
of Fife, Mrs. F. Ashworth, Buttercup, H. Hearn,
Daisy Southam (a beautiful deep shade of vellow),

II') )

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 9, 1907.

Mrs. Barnard Hankey, Embleme Poitevine,
Pantia Ralli, Mrs. F. Judson (a fine flower,
white), Miss E. Holding, and Lady Isabel (a
big flower, coloured a suffusion ot pink on
white). Centre row: Globe d'Or (a pleasing
bronzy-red colour), Mme. Vrembley, G. I.
Evans, Frank Trestian (a well-formed flower ot
very pale bronze colour), Godfrey's Eclipse, M.
O. Meulanacre, J. Agate (white), Mrs. A. H.
Hall, Chas. Curtis (perfect in form), Frank
Hammond, Le Peyron, W. J. Higgs (dark, a
shade of red). Front row: W. Pascoe (rich
pink), Mrs. H. J. Jones, Ialene, Mrs. J. Seward,
Hanwell Glory, Romance (a fine yellow variety),
Doris Rayner, Mme. Ferlat, Ladywell, 'lopaze
Orientale, Nellie Southam, and Tnomphe de
Montbrun. 2nd, Pantia Ralli, Esq., Ashtead
Park, Epsom (gr. Mr. G. J. Hunt). There were
many flowers of a high merit in this exhibit, but
others were somewhat flat, and the quality was,
therefore, not so uniformly good as in the pre-
ceding exhibit. The best blooms were Duchess
of Fife (white), Godfrey's Eclipse (yellow), Mrs.
F. Judson (white), Mrs. B. Hankey (reddish), C.
H. Curtis (yellow), Mrs. F. Ashworth, and Globe
d'Or. 3rd, A. Tate, Esq., Downside, Leather-
head (gr. Mr. W. Mease).

Twelve Incurved blooms, distinct. — This class
was contested by four exhibitors, the largest
flowers, shown by J. B. Hankey, Esq., Leather-
head (gr. Mr. W. Higgs), being awarded the 1st
prize. Notable flowers in the premium stand
were Romance (yellow), Mrs. G. Denver (pink),
Hanwell Glorv (a shade of reddish-bronze), and
F. Agate (White). 2nd, A. T. Miller, Esq.
(gr. Mr. G. Mileham), with similar varieties ;
and 3rd, Mr. G. Halsey, for compact, uniform-
sized blooms.

Six Incurved blooms of one variety. — Of the
four exhibits, two were of yellow and one each
of a white and a pink variety. The yellow
Buttercup, staged by Mr. G. Mileitam, was
adjudged the best.

Japanese Varieties.

Forty-eight blooms, distinct.— There were six

competitors in this class for Japanese varieties,

and the quality was much in advance of the

flowers staged at the similar show of last year.

The premier collection was shown by John

Balfour, Esq., Moor Hall, Harlow, Essex (gr.

Mr. A. Jefferies). The flowers were large, of

fresh appearance, and with colours well assorted.

Many of the flowers were possessed of those

long basal florets which give them a greater

depth. The varieties were Mrs. A. T. Miller (as

good as ever), Godfrey's Pride, Lady Mary

Conyers (a shade of carmine, with recurving

tips to the long florets), Mrs. Eric Crossley,

Elsie Miller, Mrs. Norman Davis, Reginald

Vallis, Dorothy Gouldsmith, Valerie Greenham,

Mary Inglis, George Terry, Dorothy Oliver,

Sidney Penford (a pleasing reddish shade),

Edith' Fuller, Mrs. F. W. Vallis, F. S. Vallis

(the largest bloom in the six displays), Walter

Jinks (a fine colour — purplish-pink), Mme.

Gustave Henry, Mme. A. Choulet, Algernon

Davi.- (richest shade of yellow), Mine. L.

Rousseau, Joseph Rocher, Mrs. G. Mileham,

Lady Henderson, Lady Hopetoun, Edith Smith,

John Peed, Mrs. W. Knox, Mrs. A. H. Lee (one

of the best of the red-coloured varieties), Mrs.

H. Barnes, Beatrice May, Mrs. Barkley, George

Lawrence, O. H. Broomhead, Mme. M. de Mons,

Mons. Paul Watine, Oliver Miller (a pleasing

shade of pink), Bessie Godfrey (still one of the

best "yellows"), W. R. Church (a good bloom,

rich-red underlaid with a silvery shade),

Duchess of Sutherland, Norman Davis, Mar-

quise Venosta, Magnificent (the richest of the

red shades, with a pale yellow reverse), Mme.

G. Rivol (yellow, resembling somewhat a large

Incurved bloom), W. Gee, Chrysanthemiste

Montigny, J. H. Silsbury, and President

Loubet. The 2nd prize collection adjoined Mr.

Balfour's display ; the exhibitor was Mr. G.

Hall, Melchet Court Gardens, Romsey, Hants,

and in point of quality it was little behind the

1st prize group. Among the more notable

flowers we may enumerate Magnificent, Norman

Davis (beautifully coloured), Joseph Stoney

(rich crimson), Mrs. A. T. Miller, F. S. Vallis,

P. Radaelli, Mme. G. Rivol, Walter Jinks,

and Mrs. Norman Davis (white). 3rd, E. G.

wta, F"sq., Woburn Place, Addlestone,

Surrey (gr. Mr. T. Stevenson).

Eighteen blooms, in not fewer than twelve
varieties.— The prizes in this class were given by
Mr. W. Wells, Merstham, and the conditions
were that not more than two blooms of one
variety were to be staged, and they were to con-
sist of novelties introduced during 1906 or 1907,
or novelties not yet in commerce. There were
two exhibits only in this class, staged by Mr.
Norman Davis, nurseryman, Framfield, Sussex,
and A. T. Miller, Esq., Emlyn House, Leather-
head (gr. Mr. G. Mileham), who were awarded
the 1st and 2nd prizes in the order named. Mr.
Davis staged his flowers on long stalks in a set-
ting of Ferns and on a groundwork of green
velvet, the effect being better than that of any
other exhibit in the show. His varieties were
Mrs. C. Penfold (yellow), President Loubet, W.
Ring (pale yellowish-bronze), Sidney Penfold
(reddish), Mrs. Norman Davis (white), C. J.
Champion (pink), British Empire, a white un-
named seedling, J. Turk Adams (yellow, tinged
with bronze), Mme. J. de la Croull, Magnificent
W. Watson, and Thos. Stevenson (clear yellow).
Mr. Miller exhibited several unnamed seedling
varieties.

President's prizes. — The president of the
society, Charles E. Shea, Esq., offered prizes in
a class for 24 blooms of Japanese varieties, and
this class attracted six exhibitors. The best
display was from the gardens of John Balfour,
Esq., Moor Hall, Harlow, Essex (gr. Mr. A.
Jefferies). He displayed Reginald Vallis, Mme.
G Rivol, Bessie Godfrey, Walter Jinks, Magni-
ficent, Mrs. A. T. Miller, F. S. Vallis, W. Gee,
J. H. Silsburv, and others in fine form. 2nd,
Mr. G. Hall,' Melchet Court Gardens, Romsey,
Hants, with an exhibit not far behind the 1st
prize collection in merit, and including Walter
links, Mme. P. Radaelli, F. S. Vallis, Leigh
Park Wonder, Magnificent, A. Davis, and other
standard kinds. 3rd, J. B. Hankey, Esq.,
Leatherhead (gr. Mr. W. Higgs). The other
exhibits were all of fine quality.

Twelve Japanese blooms, distinct. — Prizes were
offered for 12 Japanese Chrysanthemums, of dis-
tinct varieties, by the Ichthemic Guano Com-
pany, Ipswich. This proved a strongly con-
tested class, no fewer than ten exhibitors
competing. The flowers generally were of
excellent quality, and especially the dozen staged
by E. G. Mocatta, Esq., Addlestone, Surrey
(gr. Mr. T. Stevenson), which gained the 1st
prize. The varieties were Lady Talbot (a large
yellow flower of the F. S. Vallis type), Leigh
Park Wonder, Mrs. Norman Davis, F. S. Vallis,
Walter Jinks (a flower of fine quality), Algernon
Davis, Henry Perkins, Reginald Vallis, Mrs. W.
Knox, Mrs . A. T. Miller, Magnificent, and
Duchess of Sutherland (a deep shade of yellow,
an old favourite). 2nd, Mr. G. Hall, Melchet
Court Gardens, Romsey. 3rd, Mr. W. Iggulden,
Lock's Hill Nurseries, Frome, Somerset. Mr.
Hall had magnificent flowers of Walter Jinks,
A. Davis, Edith Smith (white), and Mire. P.
Radaelli. In the 3rd prize exhibit was a fine
example of the narrow Detailed Mrs. Norman
Davis (a white variety).

Reflexed varieties. — A class was provided for
12 large-flowered varieties of this type of
Chrysanthemum, but only one grower exhibited,
Mr. J. A. Humphries, and he was awarded the
1st prize. He showed among others King of
the Crimsons, Chevalier Domage, Pink Christine,
Hetty Dean (white), John Boxall (yellow), and
Dorothy Oxberry (rose-pink).

Amateurs.

Eighteen Japanese blooms, distinct. — The 1st
prize was won by Mr. C. B. Gabriel Eardale,
Horsell, Surrey, with a remarkably fine lot for
an amateur, especially fine being J. H. Doyle,
Mrs. F. Dalton, Lady Conyers, Mrs. A. T.
Miller, F. S. Vallis, and R. Vallis. 2nd, Mr.
J. A. Humphries (gr. to J. H. Burgess, Esq.,
Maisey Hampton, Fairford), in whose stand
there were nice blooms of Mrs. F. W. Vallis,
Mrs. A. T. Miller, Mr. T. Carrington, A. Davis,
Ethel Fitzroy, and others. 3rd, Mr. C. Hazel-
grove (gr. to W. Brander, Esq., Sydenham Hill)

Twelve Japanese blooms, distinct. — Mr. C. B.
Gabriel Eardale, Horsell, obtained the 1st
prize with excellent blooms of Lady Conyers,
Duchess of Sutherland, Reginald Vallis, and
others. 2nd, Mr. J. A. Humphries, gardener,

Maisey Hampton. Mine. G. Rivol, Piincess Bran-
cova, and F. S. Vallis were among the best.
3rd, Mr. J. W. Stevens (gr. to W. H. Stone,
Esq., Donnington, Lawrie Park).

Twelve Incurved varieties, distinct. — The 1st
prize was won by Mr. A. Osmond (gr. to A.
Kempt, Esq., 15, Ross Road, South ISorwood),
with extremely nice, well developed blooms, the
finer of which were Mrs. J. P. Bruce, Buttercup.
Mrs. B. Hankey, Lady Isabel, and C. H. Curtis.
2nd, Mr. J. A. Humphries, gardener, Maisey
Hampton, with good blooms, but not well
chosen as regards size, the bigger ones being of
extraordinary development, viz., Godfrey's
Eclipse, Miss N. Hall, and Triomphe de Mont-
brun.

Section B.

Table Decoration with Chrysanthemums.

The 1st prize was awarded to Mr. H. L. Sell,
Hampton Villa, Luton ; effective, but too much
crowded, although the design was adequate.
2nd, Mr. A. Williamson, East Street, Haslemere,
with an arrangement that was exceedingly con-
fused and overdone.

Plants (Open).
Six bush specimens. — These plants were shown
in a few instances, and Mr. E. Houlton (gr. to
J. Gardiner, Esq., Croxted House, Dulwich)
was 1st with tall specimens carrying 12 blooms,
one on each branch. The varieties were in all
cases Japanese. 2nd, Mr. C. Bowyer (gr. to P.
Dawson, Esq., Marybourne, Lawrie Park, S.E.).

First-Class Certificates.

The following new varieties were awarded the
society's First-Class Certificate : —

W. J. Higgs (Incurved). — A large, somewhat
irregular flower that will probably improve next
season. The inside of the florets are a deep
claret red, and this shows through, giving the
flower a bronzy-claret colour. Shown by Mr.
Higgs, Leatherhead.

Geo. Mileham ( Incurved- J apanese ). — Another
addition to the yellow Incurved-Japanese sec-
tion ; the colour is canary yellow. Shown by
Mr. Geo. Mileham.

Freda Bedford (decorative). — This was shown
as a pot plant ; the specimen had eight medium-
sized disbudded flowers of a deep apricot colour.
Shown by Messrs. W. Wtells & Co., Ltd.

Felton's Favourite (market or decorative). — A
medium-sized creamy-white variety. Shown by
Mr. Phillip Ladds, Swanley.

E. Not tell (single). — A large flower of pale
primrose-yellow.

Crown Jewel Improved (single). — This variety
has commendable form. The flower is large
and coloured terra-cotta which is tipped and suf-
fused with gold.

Elsie Matthews (single).— A large, single
variety of pale chestnut colour, and with n pro-
minent yellow centre.

C. Robjaut (single). — A variety of pale
cinnamon-red colouring, with a yellow centre.
These "singles" were from Mr. H. Reddens,
Manor House Gardens, West Wickham, Kent.

Fruits and Vegetables.
The schedule made provision for competitive
classes of fruit, whilst Mr. Robert Sydenham,
Birmingham, offered many monetary prizes, or
the equivalent value in plate, for vegetables
grown from his seeds. These vegetables made a
big display, and some excellent produce was
staged. In the Grape classes the best three
bunches of a white Grape were Muscat of Alex-
andria, shown by Mr. J. G. Weston, Eastwell
Park Gardens, Kent ; and the same exhibitor ex-
celled in the class for six dishes of dessert
Apples. Mr. Lintott, Marden Park Gardens,
Caterham, was awarded the 1st prize for three
bunches of black Grapes for well-grown ex-
amples of Black Alicante ; and for three bunches
of Gros Colmar the 1st prize was taken by Mr.
Dunkley (gr. to Hugh Kerr, Esq., Ardgowan,
South Woodford).

NON-COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS.

Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham,
was awarded a large Gold Medal and the-

November 9, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

335

"Simpson" Medal for a very imposing group,
consisting of cut blooms arranged in bam-
boo stands and vases, these being widely
ilaced so that the blooms might be sen from
every side. The blooms, Japanese varieties
, mostly, were large of size, very varied in colour,
and in good condition. Here and there
were stood plants of Bamboo and specimens
of hardy foliage ; sprays of Asparagus were
mixed with the blooms. The outer lines of the
group consisted of cut blooms of Japanese varie-
ties, and dwarf plants of single-flowered and
other small Chrysanthemums.

A Gold Medal was awarded to Mr. W. J.
Godfrey for a large amount of table space
rilled with Chrysanthemums in Japanese In-
curved, single-flowered, thread floreted, &c,
varieties ; a fine lot of blooms of the Incurved
yellow variety Buttercup, of Mrs. P. Laxton,
Mary Mason, F. Gooding, W. Jinks, Melba,
Miss Mary Pearse, Reginald Vallis, Miss Lily
Baker, Mr. H. Hughes, &c. Of true Incurveds
we may name Viola, Godfrey's Eclipse, Mar-
jorie Shield, and Frank Trestien.

Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Ltd., Merstham,
Surrey, exhibited a large collection of Chrysan-
themums of all types, including many large
Japanese blooms and a few plants in pots.
(Silver Gilt Medal.)

Messrs. H. Caxnei.i. & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
exhibited Chrysanthemums, Zonal Pelargo-
niums, Celosias, Cannas, and a fine table of
175 dishes of distinct varieties of hardy fruits.
The Chrysanthemums were principally large
Japanese varieties, and these in a setting ol
autumnal foliage constituted an exhibit of high
merit. (Large Gold Medal.)

Messrs. T. S. Wake, Ltd., Ware's Nursery,
Peltham, showed single Dahlias and Carnations
tastefully arranged with coloured foliage, As-
paragus sprays, &c. (Large Silver Medal.)

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
London, showed vases of Carnations, Begonias
of the Gloire de Lorraine type, an effective
group of Chrysanthemums, and an exhibit of
hardy fruits. (Gold Medal. i

Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill Nur-
series, S.E., arranged a small conical group of
miscellaneous varieties of Chrysanthemums, and
were awarded a Silver Gilt Medal.

Messrs. Hobbies, Ltd., Norfolk Nurseries,
Dereham, staged a group of the more showy
single and semi-double varieties of Chrysanthe-
mums, such as Gaiety, Edith Pagram,
Marie Cover, and Mary Richardson. A
Gold Medal was awarded the exhibi-
tors. This firm had a conical group of
the large single-flowered Dahlias, of which Duke
Henry is the type, and a pretty lot of Hybrid
Tea Roses.

Messrs. W. Sandford, Hall Green Nurseries,
Birmingham, were awarded a Silver Medal for
a table of cut blooms of Chrysanthemums, set
up in bamboo stands and vases. These con-
sisted of semi-double and single-flowered varie-
ties : Robert Milner (yellow), Pink Felicity
(pink), and Mrs. Austen Chamberlain (pink,
zoned with white), and many others.

Mr. P. Ladds, Nurseries, Swanley Junction,
Kent, was awarded a Gold Medal for a big ex-
hibit, consisting of Chrysanthemums, shown in
groups of varieties of Japanese, large and small
flowered.

Mr. J. Cole, Midland Road Nursery, Peter-
borough, received a Silver Medal for a table
furnished with cut blooms of very fine Chry-
santhemums.

A small Silver Medal was awarded to Mr. J.
Williams, 4, Oxford, Ealing, for a variety of
arrangements for displaying Chrysanthemums
or other blooms in silvered stands.

The Government of British Columbia
showed some magnificent Apples and Pears,
the produce of that Colony. Apple Nonsuch is
a remarkably handsome fruit, splendidly col-
oured, and fine in shape. Jonathan, Rome
Beauty, and Grime's Golden are other Apples
of fine appearance. (Large Silver Medal.)

Mr. Robert Sydenham, Tenby Street, Bir-
mingham, showed vegetables of very high merit,
especially good being Lyon Leeks, Autumn
Giant Cauliflower, Ailsa Craig Onions, and
Hollow-Crown Parsnips. (Large Silver Medal. I
Mr. William Dane, Hawkenburv, Tunbridge
Wells, showed shrubs and Conifers. (Silver
Medal.)

Mr. G. W. Riley, Heme Hill, S.E., showed
greenhouses and rustic summer houses, &c.
(Silver Medal.)

Messrs. H. Scott & Sons, Woodside, South
Norwood, S.E., exhibited rustic summer houses,
garden seats, tables, barrows, kennels, and hor-
ticultural sundries. (Silver Gilt Medal.)

<tiH>ttuarjg.

PORTSMOUTH CHRYSANTHEMUM.

October 30, 31, & November 1.— The 21st
exhibition was held on these dates in the Town
Hall, the display being up to the standard of
former shows, the entries as numerous, and the
general quality as good. Cut blooms were,
perhaps, the most prominent feature. In the
class for 36 Japanese blooms, in not fewer than
18 varieties, four growers competed, valuable
prizes being offered. The Dowager Ladv
^SHBURTON (gr. Mr. G. Hall), Melchet Court,
Komsey, easily won the 1st prize with
large, highly-coloured examples of popular
ties, of which the examples of Mr.. W.
Knox, Melchet Beauty, Mme. P. Radaelli, Mme.
M. de Mons, Mrs. R. Hooper Pearson, and 1
.V Vallis were especially fine. 2nd, Mrs.
Ogii.vie, Koseeroft, Hambledon, Hants (gr. Mr.
Dawes). Mr. Hall also won the premier prize
in the class for 24 Japanese blooms, in not fewer
than 16 varieties, with blooms similar to those
in the larger class. Pantia Ralli, Esq. (gr.
Mr. G. II. Hunt), Ashtead Park, Epsom, was
2nd in this class.

In the classes for Incurved blooms, the last-
named exhibitor won the 1st prize fur 24 blooms
with an uneven set, though of good quality.
For 12 Incurved Chrysanthemums, Mr. W. G.
Adams, Southsea, was the most successful ex-
hibitor. His dozen were the best Incurved
flowers in the show, an especial quality being
their neatm ;s.

The various exhibits of Pompon varieties made
a prettj display. In the class for 12 triplets of
these flowers Mr. H Snook, 5, Fitzroy Street,
I i. hi. .n, won the 1st prize. Single-flowered
varieties produced a big display and proved
an attraction. Mr. J. Agate, Havant, was the
most successful exhibitor of "singles" with a
highly effective combination of choice varieties.

Plants were an important feature in the show.
A class was provided for 12 specimen plants of
Chrysanthemums, each with not fewer than 12
blooms on each. Mr. G. Lambert, Bognor
Road, Chichester, was an easy 1st prize winner ;
several of his plants had more than 40 high-
class blooms. The best group of Chrysanthe-
mums was staged by Mr. Papworth, gardener
to the Portsmouth Parks Committee. Mr.
Papw-orth showed dwarf plants, all carrying
good blooms, the stems well clothed with
healthy leaves, and what was of equal import-
ance, they were not overcrowded in their
staging.

Miss Minnie Snellgrove. London Road,
Southampton, was a successful exhibitor in the
decorative classes.

Displays of vegetables were meritorious. Mr.
(">. Ellwood, gardener to W. II. Myers, Esq.,
Swanmore Park, Bishop's Waltham, won both
the society's prize for nine, and Messrs.
Sutton's for six kinds, with excellent dis-
plays. Mr. Ellwood also won the 1st prize in
the class for two bunches of Black Grapes.

Among the non-competitive exhibits, Messrs.
Sutton & Sons, Reading, had a highly interest,
ing exhibit of vegetables ; and Messrs. Dobbie
& Co., Rothesay, showed 40 dishes of Onions.
This was an exhibit of much merit.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Herd Bros., Penrith.— Forest, ornamental, and fruit trees,

4c.
James Cocker & Sons— Roses, herbaceous plants, shrubs,

fruit trees, 4c.
W. Drummond & Sons, Ltd., Stirling and Dublin.— Trees,

shrubs and Roses.
W. and T. Samson, Kilmarnock— Forest and ornamental

trees.

FOREIGN.

Messrs. Julius Roehrs Co., Rutherford, New Jersey,
U.S.A. — Rose Newport Fairv.

John Allsop.— The death of this well-inown
gardener, at the age of 66 years, occurred o i
Wednesday, October 30, at Roundhay, near
Leeds, the residence of his son. For some time
past deceased had not been in good health,
though he was able to follow his duties at
Dalton Holme Gardens until quite recently.
A short tin he decided to consult a

surgeon specialist at Leeds, and an operatii
was considered necessary. The operation wa
successful, but deceased was not strong enough
to overcome its effei ts, and death resulted from
heart failure. In 1872 the late Mr. Allsop en-
tered the service of Lord Hotham : previously
he had occupied the position of head gardener
to the late Admiral Duncombe, at Kilnwick
Percy, also situate in the East Riding of York-
shire. Deceased was a native of Derbyshire,
and began his gardening career as a boy in Mr.
Godwin's nursery at Ashbourne. From that
establishment he went to Longford Hall, the
residence of the Hon. Mr. Cole, and later was
foreman at Kedleston Hall, the seat of Lord
Scarsdale, both places being in the count \ . i
Derby. After that he was gardener to Capt.
Stewart, near Tamworth, for a few \
coming from thence to Yorkshire. Mr. All
excelled in fruit culture, both indoors and out,
and also in landscape gardening. His services
as a judge have for many years been in re-
quest at many of the principal exhibition- in
the county of Yorkshire. A family of six
sons, three of whom are gardeners, is left to
mourn his loss. The eldest, William, is
dener to Lord Derwent, Hackness Hall, Si ar-
borough; another, Arthur, is superintendent of
the public parks at Leeds; and Walter, for
some years gardener at Osberton Hall, Worl
is now in business as a florist in Leeds. Tin- in-
terment took place on Saturday, 2nd inst., in
the churchyard attached to the parish church
of Dalton. Lord Hotham was present at the
service, and at his request the whole of the em-
ployes on the estate attended also. Yorkshire
Gardener.

J. Assbee. As our pages are passing through
the press, the regrettable news has reached us of
the death of Mr. J. Ashhee on Wednesday even-
ing, the 6th inst. Mr. Assbee, who was £8 years
of age, has been superintendent of the Covent
Garden market for about one quarter of a cen-
tury, and he was familiar in horticultural
circles, having been until his unfortunate death
a member of the Executive Commitlee of the
Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund, Horticultural
Club, &c.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

REDHILL, REIGATE AND DISTRICT GAR-
DENERS'.—A meeting of this association was held on
October 21. Mr. C. F. Walters, of Deanland Nur-. o,
Balcombe, Sussex, gave a paper on " The Introduce
Cultivation of the American Carnation." The lecturer cul-
tivates 30,000 plants, and he gave his hearers some good
practical hints from his own experience.

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS .
meeting of this association was held, on Thursday,
October 31, under the presidency of Mr. A. O. Shelton,
vice-chairman. Mr. J. Pentland, representative of the Bath
Society, gave a paper on "The Pleasures and Sorrows of
Gardening." The lecturer was very optimistic in hisviews.
having all pleasure and no sorrows to relate. Mr. Pentland
said there was a reciprocity of feeling between the
sympathetic gardener and hisplants, that they would thrive in
response to the attendant's care and kindness. But, to a less
sympathetic man, be he never so skilful and experienced,
the plants fail to respond to his treatment. A competition
in wreath-making for under gardeners, hardy flowers and
foliage only to be used, resulted in Mr. Farley gainine the
1st prize. H.W.

SALISBURY AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'

At the weekly meeting of this society, held on October 30,
a paper was read by Mr. W. Nandall, of Longford Gardens
on the cultivation of the Strawberry. Mr. T. Challis,
Y.M.H., presided over a large attendance of the members.
The lecturer dealt in an exhaustive manner with the details,
both for outside culture and for forcing. Agood discussion
ensued after the reading of the paper. G. W. Tucker.

READING AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'
large attendance of the members assembled at the re. . nt
fortnightly meeting of the above association. Thesubjei.il r
the evening was "Sweet Peas," introduced by Mr. I. C.
House, of Coombe, Bristol. The lecturer referred to the
great popularity of the Sweet Pea as evidenced by the
magnificent shows now held by the National Sweet Pea and
other societies. Details on culture, including the prepara-
tion of the soil and position, chemical manures, mulching,
watering, time of seed sowing, sowing in pots, thinning,
staking, 4c., were given, also a list of the best varieties in
their respective colours.

336

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 9, 190/.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Lancaster and District Horticultural Improve-
ment Association's Chrysanthemum show, to be held on
Wednesday, November 13th, 1907. Hon. Sec. J. W. Pring,
New Street, Lancaster.

Birmingham and Midland Counties Chrysanthemum,
Fruit and Floricultural Society's 47th annual Chry-
santhemum show, to be held in Bingley Hall, Birmingham,
on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, November, 12, 13,
14, 1907. Secretary, Alfred Noakes, 148, Bristol Street,
Birmingham.

Newcastle and District Chrysanthemum Society's
3rd annual exhibition to be held in the Town Hall and Corn
Exchange, Newcastle, on November 20-21, 1907.

Alteration.— The Liverpool Horticultural Asso-
ciation's Chrysanthemum and Fruit Show (Wednesday
and Thursday, November 13 and 14, 1907t.-Owing to the
altered date of the Liverpool Assizes, this forthcoming show
cannot be held in St. George's Hall. Arrangements have
been made to hold the same in the Drill Hall, 204, Upper
Warwick Street,

Wmfm

Mr

rmpondent

Apple Roots : R. W. The roots are attacked
by the white mycelium, which has evidently
emanated from some buried stump or dead
root, and so often alluded to in this journal
as "root fungi." There is little hope of
exterminating the pest unless you can clean
the roots and disinfect the soil. We have
frequently warned readers against planting
fruit trees in soil containing dead wood, roots,
or tree stumps.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine : Avon. The
bases of the stems are cankered, probably
through over-watering or keeping the plant
more than one year.

Bulb Mite : /. E. The paragraph appeared in
our issue for March 25, 1905, p. 185, and
was taken from the March number of the
Journal of the Board of Agriculture of that
year. The measures recommended are: 1, to
burn the affected bulbs ; or 2, wash and
spray every affected bulb with paraffin, re-
peating the operation after a fortnight ; 3,
wash the bulbs in sulphide of potassium
(liver of sulphur), 1 oz. to 3 gallons of water ;
4, fumigation with bisulphide of carbon. In
order to do this, place the bulbs in an air-
tight receptacle, and on the top of the bulbs
put a saucer of the bisulphide and let the
bulbs remain in the vapour for 48 hours. It
must be remembered that the vapour is
poisonous and inflammable, so that no light
of any description should be brought near
the fluid.

Calcium Carbide Refuse as Manure : F. B.
This substance, after having been used for
the preparation of acetylene gas, may be used
on the soil in a similar manner and in about
the same proportion as freshly slaked lime, the
manurial values of each substance being ap-
proximately equivalent. Do not allow the
substance to come into direct contact with
vegetation, and if possible apply it when the
land is lying fallow.

Chrysanthemum Stem Diseased : W. S. & S.
The black objects in the Chrysanthemum stem
are the sclerotia, or resting bodies, of a
fungus known as Botrytis. It belongs to the
Pezizas or cup fungi. These objects, resem-
bling mouse dung, are common in the pithy
stems of many plants at this time of year. It
is possible that the fungus may have appeared
since the attacks of the insects, if you are
sure that they have bored into the stem. The
sclerotia are often preceded by a mould-like
condition,, which affects the leaves and stems.

Cordyline (Dracena) t /. A". The leaves
appear to be attacked by a species of
Anthracnose, probablv Glceosporium dracaeni-
colum (B. and Br.). All diseased leaves should
be destroyed by burning, and the plants
syringed with a weak solution of the Bordeaux
mixture.

Fungi : C. B. G. The fungi were received in
a condition impossible to determine the
species. All of them were nearly devoured
by maggots, and mostly without perfect stems
and rotten ; 2, Clitocybe cerussata. The
others cannot be determined.

Group ok Miscellaneous Plants : //. M.
The schedule definitely states that the group
should be arranged on a space not exceeding
10 feet in .diameter. It is peculiarly unfortu-
nate that you should have been misguided by
the person in charge of the arrangements, but
in the face of the terms printed in the
schedule the Committee may be right in their
insistence that they should be carried out to
the letter.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the folloiving numbers.
Froits : IV. W. 1. Fondante dAutomne ; 2,
Marie Louise. — E. W., Shansted. 1, Fondante
de Malines ; 2, Beurre Diel ; 3, Bergamot
Esperen ; 4, Conseiller de la Cour ; 5, Marie
Louise ; 6, Beurre Bosc. — T. S. F., Apple. In
appearance the fruit is exactly like Wealthy, but
is much too sour for that variety. We do not,
therefore, recognise it. 1, Beurre d'Hiver;
2, Beurre" dAmanlis; 3 (rotten) ; 4, Beurre
Giflard.

Plants: F.B. 1, Codiarinn (Croton) irregu-
lare ; 2, Codiaeum augustifolium maculatum ; 3,
Codiaeum volutum ; 4, Curculigo recurvata ; 5,
Dracaena marginata ; G, Dracaena terminal is. —
V. A. 1, Oncidium praetextum ; 2, Cypripedium
Schlimii ; 3, Palumbina Candida ; 4, Stelis
muscifera. — A.J. W., Epsom. Cattleyaelongata.
figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 7543, and
often grown in gardens as Cattleya Alexandra.
— A. R., Heath field. 1, Cotoneaster frigida ; 2,
Rhamnus frangula. — T. C. Lycium chinense,
the Box Thorn, sometimes called the " Tea-
plant."

Peach Roots : L. F . The knots on the roots
are not due to insects or fungi. They fre-
quently appear on the roots of Raspberries,
Plums, Apricots, Apples, and Pears. On
cutting through one of the knots it becomes
apparent that it consists of a number of
adventitious buds. The woody part of the
root is much enlarged, and one can easily
trace small parenchymatous wedges arising
from the medulla, being later transformed
into real bud stalks. These buds, however,
rarely develop leaves, but are suffocated
every year : thus after a few years this
growth results. As to the cause of this extra-
ordinary development of buds, it must be
said that it has been proved by experiment
that these knots develop on places where
roots are slightly bent, thus interfering with
the normal flow of the sap, which is stowed
in these places, and in consequence adven-
titious buds are formed. Thus in planting
trees care should be taken not to break or
bend any roots into an unnatural position.
It is also known that loamy, clayey, and
stony soils prevent the natural development
of the roots and produce such knots. You
have already done the best thing to prevent a
recurrence of this injury by lifting the
Peach trees and cutting away the injured
portions, and by the supply of fresh soil. It
is doubtful whether chlorosis is due to the
knot-like growths. A deficiency of iron in the
soil results in chlorosis, which is apparent in
the yellow spotting you describe, but other
causes which produce unhealthy root develop-
ment, e.g., stagnation of water, may produce
somewhat similar results.

Pears : H. M . B. Your Pears are attacked by
the brown rot (Monilia fructigena), which
attacks Apples, Pears, Cherries, and Apricots
(see Fungoid Pests of Cultivated Plants, p.
136, with figures). The methods hitherto
recommended are to remove and burn all
diseased fruits, and spray the trees with a
solution of 4 lbs. of sulphate of iron in 5 or

6 gallons of water. It is a difficult disease to
combat.

Roses : T . N . Judging from your letter, it is
probable that the cause of the stated varieties
failing was mildew attacking the foliage in a
very young state, consequently checking de-
velopment and causing the leaves to fall.
Some varieties are much more liable to attacks
of mildew than others. A sharp look-out should
be kept next spring, and directly mildew i5
suspected, the young growths should be freely
dusted with flowers of sulphur, or the plants
may be sprayed with sulphide of potassium,
using half an ounce of sulphide to each gallon
of soft water. We do not advise the removal
from the bed of these established plants,
which are all of good constitution, and should
be capable of succeeding equally as well as
the other kinds. You would do well, how-
ever, to delay the spring-pruning for a week
or ten days longer than usual ; the plants will
then push vigorously into growth directly
afterwards, and may be further encouraged by
copious ppplications of diluted liquid manure
water twice weekly throughout the season of
growth. As the heat of the sun increases dur-
ing the summer months, a surface mulching of
cow manure would prove very beneficial.
Such a check and failure of foliage as you
have described is sometimes owing to the roots
having penetrated deeply in search of moisture,
and, in the case of beds not properly prepared,
finding their way into a hard, inert, and alto-
gether unsuitable subsoil. Your plants having
recovered during September, leads us to the
conclusion that they suffered earlier in the sea-
son from want of moisture at the roots. If
you prefer lifting the plants, they would grow
and flower well in a greenhouse, but it would
be unwise to attempt to force them this sea-
son, it being necessary to have established,
well-rooted plants for this purpose.

School of. Forestry: S. S. A. The best is
certainly that which has been established at
the Oxford University. There is another at
Bangor, North Wales, and lectures on fores-
try are delivered in connection with the Uni-
versities at Edinburgh and Aberdeen, also at
the Armstrong College, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
The Journal of Forestry is issued quarterly,
at the price of two shillings, published by J.
Davidson, Haydon Bridge. For the Journal
of the Royal Scottish Arboricullural Society
write to Mr. R. Galloway, 5, St. Andrew's
Square, Edinburgh.

Seedling Carnations : W. V., Box Rd. Both
the pink and white varieties are very pretty
and possess elegant form, but we do not think
they are superior to existing varieties. Several
novelties of high merit were certificated by
the Royal Horticultural Society at the last
meeting, a report of which appeared in our
issue for last week.

Shanking in Grapes: Norfolk. Nothing defi-
nite is known as to the direct cause of this
common complaint of Grapes, although it is
generally agreed that some check is indirectly
responsible for the trouble. By most authori-
ties it is agreed that an unsuitable rooting
medium and over-cropping are two indirect
causes of shanking. The border should be
thoroughly overhauled and re-made with
fresh loam with bonemeal and old lime rubble
added, and every inducement made to en-
courage the roots to grow near to the surface.
Improper treatment in the vinery, such as per-
mitting cold draughts, practising careless
watering, &c, will also cause shanking in the
berries. Shanking is generally associated
with, if not caused by, a fungus. This com-
plaint is referred to in all the works on Grape
culture.

SOLANUM Leaves : Constant Reader. We can
detect no fungi or other disease on the
Solanum leaves sent. The spotting may have
been caused by thrips.

Communications Rfceived.— G. W. B. (the sixpence lias
been placed in the R.G.O.F. box.)— Irvine & Co.— A Reader
—A. Lear— G. R.-G. G.-J. D. G.— H. G. K.-R. B., Jr.—
Tennis— J. W.A.— J. C— W.E. B.— H. W. W.-W. H.t .
—Lady P.— J. A.E.— J. D.-A. B. S.-J. J. W.— T. A.—
H. G.— A. O.— R. P.— Yorkshire Gardener— C. H. P.—
— 1. W.-W. H.-J. R.— A. M.— P. W.— J. Tindall— F. M.
— F. W. P.- ]. B.— W. G. F.— J. R. J.— A. C. B.— Owen I
— W. A.C.— R.T. H.-F. S. & S.-A. J. G.— Arthur \V. >.
— Northumberland— H. S.-Eigot— E. G. C— A. B. H —
J.C.-C. L. L.-J. H.-C. G. P.-W. D. & Co.-C. P.-
T. B.-J. O— A. (".— A. D.— E. B.— Miss R.

November 16, 1907.]

THE G A RDENER S' CNR O NI CL E.

337

THE

<^arbcncrs<r brontclc

No. 7,090.— SATURDAY, November 16. 1907.

CONTENTS.

Arctotis decurrens ... 315
Books, notices of —
The Wild and Culti-
vated Cotton Plants
of the World ... 341

Publications received 34b
Bouvardias ... ... 346

Chrysanthemums,

single 339

Coal, anthracite, for

heating greenhouses... 352
Cold storage of fi ml ... 346
Debating Societies,
Union of ... ... 345

Eastwell Park, Kent ... 337
Fodder-plant, a new ... 314
Foliage, green colour in 340
Fuchsias as decorative-
plants 345

Geo. Monro, Ltd. annual

dinner 345

Gooseberry disease, a

new 311

Herbaceous plants.some

new and rare 342

Honours for horticul-
turists 345

Judging Muscat Graj 346
Meetings of the Et.H.S.

for 1908 344

Obituary —

Assbee, John 351

Newton, John 351
Plant-collecting in China 311
Potato, Winter-rot dis-
ease of .. 315

Propagator, the —
Layering plants ... 311

Schneider, Mr. George,

banquet in honour of

Societies —

Birmingham and Mid-

i ountiesChrys.

Brighton and Sussex

Hort

Bristol Chrys.

Cardiff and County

Chrys.

Hereford Fruit and

Chrys.
Manchester and N. of

England ' irchid ...
Mai gate l lays,
luiiii v and Wands-
worth Chrys. ..f
Royal Horticultural ...
Southampton Chrys.
Si luthend - on - Sea

Chrys ...

Torquay District Gar-
deners

\\ indsor Chrys.
Tree-planting and stak-
ing

Vegetables for exhibi-
tion

Wallflowers and subse-
quent crops

w i ii k, the —
Flower garden, the ..
Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden ...
Kitchen garden, the ...
Orchid houses, the ...
Parks and gardens ...
Plants under glass ...
Weights and measures
1 1 gulal ions, the new..

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Assbee, John, the late

Begonia " Miss CHbran "

Eastwell Park, House

Gateway at Eastwell Park, Kent

Gooseberry disease, a new

Mangels, showing the effect of potash-manuring

Newton, John, the late

Rose Felicite-perpetue on a lawn

Views in the Winter-garden at Eastwell Park (Supple-
mentary Illustration)

350
313

350

249

319
350

351

:m

350

351

351

316

352

342

143
.i-l.I
313
34*
343
343

351

317
333

937

311
340
351

EASTWELL PARK.

[See Figures 131, 132, and 133, also Supplementary'
Illustration.

THE gardens attached to the residence
of II. J. King-, Esq., at Eastwell
Park are among the most interesting
and important establishments in the county
of Kent. They are not merely extensive, but
contain features that in themselves are of
unusual grandeur, the most dominant being
the remarkable winter-garden, of which
views are afforded in our supplementary illus-
tration to this issue. This feature alone
would be amply sufficient to attract numerous
visitors to the place if Eastwell were situated
in a more accessible district, for the nearest
important railway station is As .ford, lour
miles distant. Ashford, however, being on the
main railway line from London to Folkestone
and Dover, may be reached in a reasonable
time from Charing Cross. It is a small Kent-
ish town, typical of the county, and parts of
it, including the buildings, are undoubtedly
of considerable age. Eastwell is also with-
in driving distance from Canterbury, being
ii miles from that city, whilst Folke-
stone and the English Channel may be
reached in 16 miles. The little village and
church of Wye, and the Wye Agricultural
College can be seen clearlv enough on a
bright day, for they are only two miles from

Eastwell village. The park includes about
1,500 acres of laud, and its undulating gn un !
furnishes beautiful and picturesque views.
The prospect from the higher em'n.n es
ranges over the chalk downs of Kent, the
plains of the Weald, the rich va leys of the
Stour and Medway, the distant Thames on
the one side and the English Channel on the
other. Eastwell is noteworthy for its his-
torical associations, as well as its beautiful
park. It is mentioned in Domesday, and

ownership of Earls of Winchilsea, as it bears
the Winchilsea amis. Subsequently the e tate
was purchased by the late Lord Gerard, and
it was he who developed the gardens
by building the conservatory and adding
a number of valuable features at the ex-
penditure of much capital. He was an en-
thusiastic gardener, and a most liberal patron
of the art. On the death of Lord Gerard, the
family removed to a smaller seat which the)
»s in Lancashire, and leased Eastwell

FlG. 131. — THE ENTRANCE GATEWAY NT EASTWELL PARK.

yaphby D'Alh.

was given by the Norman Conqueror to one
of his adherents. Subsequently it passed
into the possession of various families, in-
eluding the Finches, Heneages, and, finally,
the Earls of Winchilsea.

The late Earl of Winchilsea leased ii to the
Duke of Abercorn and, again, about 35 years
ago, to the Duke of Edinburgh.

The handsome stone gateway built at the
entrance to the park, and illustrated in
fig. 131, was evidently erected during the

to H. J. King, Esq., the present tenant. The
building itself is chiefly of modern date, but
still includes portions that were erected in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth. Generally, thi p.
pearance is not very imposing.

The south front of the residence may be
seen in the photograph reproduced at fig. 132.
A distance of about 1,000 feet intervenes be-
tween the point at which the photograph was
taken and the house itself. The ground si pes
gently upwards towards the house all the

338

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 16, 1907.

way, and at about half the distance a low
wall crosses the front forming- a new level,
which is approached by steps, as shown in
the figure. The wall affords a very sheltered
and sunny position for the cultivation of the
less hardy flowering, climbing and trailing
plants. Between this wall and the house is
a first-class tennis court kept in the most
excellent condition, and the front flower
garden, which consists of about sixty distinct
beds. At the time of our visit in July last
these were gay with flowering plants of a
miscellaneous character, the effect being of a
pleasing nature. Proceeding towards the
house, the conservatory, to which reference
will be made presently, is attached to the
building on the righthand side. On the

of the owner and consequent changes that
were not foreseen. The result is one that
presents an infinite puzzle to the present gar-
dener with a desire to set the matter right.
We walked amongst the shrubs, and there
were choice varieties on every hand, but each
had grown against and into the other, inso-
much that the outlines of none remained
distinct. The first idea would be to com-
mence thinning at once, but where and
how? Every specimen is ill-shaped, and, if
isolated, would be positively ugh ! It is a
disagreeable fact, but we fear the only
manner in which a proper remedy could be
applied would be in the total removal of por-
tions at a time for the purpose of replanting.
The large trees at present in the pleasure

about 5 feet from the ground it has de-
veloped seven huge branches, six of them
having grown erect, and the seventh, on the
contrary, has extended outwards at a very
considerable angle. The Rosary is one of the
pleasantest portions in the grounds. It
covers an area of two acres, and although it
contains numerous beds and borders these are
sufficiently large to prevent any appearance
of triviality, as happens when many small
beds are formed on an area that is insufficient
to allow a good " setting " of lawn between
them. In the centre there is an ironwork in
or 12 feet in height and representing a
crown, whilst at equal distances on either
side are structures of a similar nature which
represent coronets. These do not exhaust

Fie

132. — EASTWELL PARK HOUSE, THE RESIDENCE OF H. J, KING, ESCj.

[Photograph by D'Ath.

opposite side a broad shrubbery extends from
the residence, at right-angles thereto, and
separating the pleasure grounds from the
park. In this area is one of those ex-
amples unfortunately so common in gardens,
in which a liberal planting of choice
shrubs is followed by an effect altogether
incomparable with that which ought to have
been obtained. In the first instance, the
liberality of the owner provided a sufficiency
of shrubs to afford a good effect immediately
after the planting, the intention being, pre-
sumably, to thin them out as soon as the
specimens required more room for proper
development. But this was not done in this
case, as in many others, owing to the decease

grounds are chiefly of deciduous species, not-
withstanding some memorial trees of selected
species were planted by distinguished persons
during the tenancy of H.R.1I. the Duke of
Edinburgh. Many of the indigenous trees
are finely-developed specimens that excited
our admiration, for in their dimensions and
age they are equally interesting, but the ap-
pearance from the house might be improved
by the planting of evergreen species which
are necessary to impart to the place a more
furnished appearance in winter. We must
particularise amongst the deciduous trees a
very remarkable specimen of the common
Horsechestnut (/Eseulus Hippocastanum)
with a bole 22 feet in circumference. At

the provision for rambling Roses, for there
are nurrferous pillars with chains suspended
from them that at the time of our visit were
garlands of bloom. The gardener, Mr. J. G.
Weston, cuts the rambling sorts quite to the
ground each season directly they have
flowered, and the plants are thus induced to
make strong growths of great length from
the base, which flower profusely in the fol-
lowing year. Many of the beds are planted
exclusively with one variety of Rose for the
purpose of presenting a patch of colour of the
same shade. A noticeable circumstance in
relation to the Rose-garden generally Was
that all the plants appeared to be unusually
vigorous and therefore capable of flowering

November 1C, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

the more abundantly. When any of them
show signs of diminished strength, the plants
in that particular bed are lifted and much of
the old soil taken away to make room for
more possessing a greater amount of plant-
food and vegetable fibre. The Roses illus-
trated at fig. 133 are not cultivated in the
Rose-garden, being in an adjacent part of the
grounds. As seen in full bloom the arrange-
ment shown in the figure has the appearance
of a great bell composed of Roses. The
device consists of fastening a number of
wires in a ring at a point near to the ground
and attaching the other end to the top of a
central pillar or stake 12 feet in height, allow-
ing each wire to hang very loosely. The
variety illustrated is the popular Felicitd-
Perpetue and has small double white flow -i rs.

Before turning our attention to the indoor
department, mention should be made of
.several excellent borders of herbaceous and
other flowering plants, which are among the
best managed we have seen. There appeared
an abundance of flowers everywhere, and
Sweet Teas, among other species, were re-
markable.

The kitchen garden consists of six acres of
land, and it has been properly formed at the
commencement, being divided into con-
venient plots and provided with proper
paths. There are walls for the cultivation of
fruit trees, and the whole garden is main-
tained in a high state of efficiency. Mr.
Weston only removed to Eastwell from the
Earl of Bessborough's garden near Piltown,
in Ireland, 2 A years ago, but he has already
planted bush Apples and Pears round the
plots, trained fruit trees against the walls,
and formed a separate garden for Cur-
rants, Gooseberries, Raspberries, &c, which
is now entirely covered with netting as a pro-
tection against birds. The soil in the kitchen
garden being of stiff loam, it is of a suitable
nature for most kinds of hardy fruits. The
kitchen garden is now being further enlarged
by the enclosure of four acres of land.

The Glass Houses.

The finest of the glass structures are the
winter-garden and the houses attached to
it. Two views of the interior of these are
reproduced in the supplementary .illustration.
The first one is directly attached to the dwell-
ing-house, and is known as the " Winter
Garden." From the opposite end of this
there extends a corridor, which leads to the
" long conservatory," built at right-angles
to the corridor, and giving access to seven
span-roofed plant houses. The dimensions of
these structures are as follows : — Winter Gar-
den : Height 40 feet, length 96 feet, width
63 feet. Corridor : Height 23 feet, length 52
feet, width 21 feet. Conservatory : Height 27
feet, length 160 feet, width 26 feet. The
Winter Garden and conservatory are main-
tained as warm houses, and the corridor is
somewhat cooler. The manner in which the
houses are decorated with vegetation may be
seen from the illustrations, but there are many
fine specimen plants of Ferns and Palms,
particularly in the conservatory, which are
not shown. Provision exists for illuminat-
ing all these houses with electric light,
and the excellent effect they are capable of
affording may be imagined. Each of the
seven plant houses to which allusion has
already been made is 60 feet in length. They
contained batches of plants of numerous
species valuable for decorative purposes.

(To be continued.)

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES.

SINGLE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
Many of the newer varieties of the single-
flowered Chrysanthemum are passing into the
stage when size becomes a noticeable feature.
The colouring in many has of late years been
intensified, and the "singles" are certainly
charming flowers for decorative work. In build
there seems to be a tendency to encourage a
light, long floret, instead of a short, stiff, flat
one which characterised many of the earlier in-
troductions. One of the most popular varieties
is Ladysmith, and at Victoria Park, London, Mr.
Moorman has an immense display of this very
effective and free-flowering rosy-pink variety.
At Finsbury Park, in the conservatory, there is a
representative collection of "singles," and they
form quite an interesting display amidst the
greenery of the Palms and Ferns. There are
so many now in cultivation that I can only
mention a few of the most recent or the most

yellow centre. Emile has medium-sized flowers
of a pale shade of rosy mauve, with yellow
centre ; the florets are narrow. Bessie Payne
has a high centre and flat florets of a pretty
shade of pinkish mauve. The variety is very
free, and the flowers are effective. Among
others noted in good form are Edith Pagram,
Emily Clibran, Merstharn White, Acme, Ideal,
Golden Fleece, Pink Beauty, Miss Mary Ander-
son, and Miss Annie Holden. C. Harman Payne.

THE NEW WEIGHTS AND

MEASURES REGULATIONS.
The new Regulations issued by the Board of
Trade under the Weights and Measures Act of
1904 have now come into force. The rules are
too voluminous to quote in extenso, but the fol-
lowing extracts with reference to " dry measures
of capacity " may prove of interest to members
of the seed trade and others. The general effect
of the Regulations is that nearly all weights and

Fig.

[Photograph by DAlh.
133. — ROSE FELICJTE-PERPETUE ON THE LAWN AT EASTWELL PARK.

attractive of those already known, which I have
seen in good form this season. Blushing Beauty
is a wonderful bloomer ; the flowers are very
large and coloured a delicate rosy blush, with a
yellow centre. Miss E. Partridge is a neatly-
built bloom of almost the same colour as Lady-
smith ; the florets are flat. Derrydown has very
broad, flat florets, and in colour is a reddish
shade of terracotta, with a yellow centre. White
Duchess is a very free-flowering, pure white
variety ; the blooms are large and the florets
flat and stiff. Progress is a very striking
variety, of terracotta colour passing to golden
yellow at the base of the florets. Florence
Adams has very long florets folded over ; they
are white, shaded blush towards the extremities.
Mrs. E. Allen has large flowers of rosy-amaranth
shade and long, stiff florets. Mr. J. Fergus-
son is a sport from Mary Anderson ; the flowers
are pale pink, with white base and yellow centre.
Mary Richardson .has rich golden flowers,
coloured a very warm shade of terracotta, with

measures will have to be re-tested and, in some
cases, re-stamped by the Board of Trade inspec-
tors.

Examinai n IN

Dry measures of capacity shall be made of
sheet-iron or steel, with or without nickel-
plating, tinplate, brass, bronze, copper, nickel,
aluminium, well-seasoned wood, or other
material approved by the Board of Trade.
Measures may be protected by galvanisation, or
by other process approved by the Board of
Trade.

Wooden measures turned from the solid or
made of sappy wood shall not be stamped.

Measures of a half-bushel or upwards shall be
provided with handles.

All dry measures of capacity, of a bushel and
under, shall be of circular cylindrical form, and
the internal diameter shall not differ by more
than 5 per cent, from the depth or double the
depth.

Measures made of wood of the capacity of a

340

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[XOVEJIBEH 1C, IC07.

gallon and upwards, shall be bound or strength-
ened with metal or wooden straps or hoops, ex-
cept when made of wicker or similar open
material. A metal band shall be placed round
the rim of all wooden measures of the capacity
of a peck and upwards.

Every measure shall have its denomination
clearly, permanently, and legibly marked upon
the outside of the body thereof, and not upon
the handle, bottom, rim, or edges ; and on a
glass measure, in which the capacity is defined
by a line, the denomination of the measure shall
be plainly marked at the line. On an enamelled
metal measure, the denomination shall be
marked in a distinctly different colour from that
of the body of the measure. In the case of a
measure made of sheet metal, the denomination
shall be marked on a slip of tin, or on a shield
(e.g., of sheet brass), securely soldered on the
measure, with a small piece of tin or solder se-
curely fixed thereto for receiving the stamp. On
a wooden measure the denomination shall be
branded.

Measures made of wicker or similar open ma-
terial shall have the denomination marked on a
suitable brass tablet or plate, fastened to the
measure by means of a copper wire, or branded
on a tablet of wood securely worked into the
side of the measure.

No measure shall be stamped which is con-
structed to contain more than one denomination
of measure, unless of a pattern approved by the
Board of Trade under Section 6 of the Weights
and Measures Act, 1904.

Verification.
Every dry measure of capacity, not being a
measure made of wicker or other open material,
shall be tested either with water or in the follow-
ing manner with rape seed : —

(a) The standard shall be filled with seed
passed through a hopper, a distance of 6 inches
being left between the bottom of the hopper
and the top of the local standard.

(b) All the seed contained in the standard
shall then be replaced in the hopper, and
thence run from the hopper into the measure
under verification, which shall be placed s i
that the same distance of 6 inch, 1 intervenes
between the bottom of the hopper and the top
of the measure.

Measures made of wicker or other open ma-
terial shall be tested by means of cereals of the
smallest size practicable.

The errors permissible on the verification of
Imperial dry measures of capacity are: —

Denomination.

Error in

excess

only.

4 bushels
1 busl

a ..

1 peck
1 gallon

* .-

1 quart
1 pint
* ..

1 pint = 35

* ,, = l"k

* ., = 17J
li gills = IS"
lj „ = 13
1 ,. S)

* ., = 4J

i ,, =~ 2
i „ = 1

nihic

pprox.

Inspection.

The instructions to the Board of Trade in-
spectors include the following: — Under the
Weights and Measures Acts, every weight or
measure for use in trade must be of the de-
nomination of a Board of Trade standard, and
all weights, measures, and weighing instruments
for use in trade must be stamped by an inspector.

The limits of variation of the diameters of
dry measures in relation to the depth are, in
certain cases, as follows : —

Diameter equal to

Diameter double

depth.

the depth.

- y L

Allowable

Allowable

Capacity.

limit

| >E

limit

(diameter).

(diameui |.

I. - —

Ins.

Ins.

Ins.

Ins

Bushel

1414

13-43 to 14-85

17-81

16-92 to 18-70

Half-bushel ...

11 22

10-66 „ 11 78

1414

13-43 „ 14-85

Perk

8 ill

8-48 ,, 936

11 22

10-66 „ 11-78

Gallon ...

7-07

6-72 „ 7-42

891

8-46 „ 9-8B

Half-Gallon

5-61

5-33 „ 5-89

7-07

6-72 ., 7-42

Quart

4 -45

4 23 ,, 4-67

561

5-33 ,, 5-89

Hint

8-54

3-36 „ 3-72

4-46

4-23 „ 4-67

Half-pint

281

2-67 „ 2-95

3-54

3-36 „ 3-72

GREEN COLOUR IN PLANT

FOLIAGE.

All who are accustomed to observe vegetation
must have been struck with the great variety of
shades of green which the foliage of different
plants presents.

It may also be noticed that the same descrip-
tion of plant will exhibit very characteristic
differences, not only at different stages of
growth, but at the same stage in different condi-
tions of luxuriance as affected by the external
conditions of soil, season, and manuring, but
especially under the influence of different con-
ditions as to manure.

From some researches made at the Rothamsted
Experimental Station on this subject, it was
found that the green chlorophyll formation in
plants has a close connection with the amount
of nitrogen assimilated, but that the carbon
assimilation is not in proportion to the chloro-
phyll formed.

Further, it has been found that the presence
in the soil of certain mineral or ash constituents,
and especially that of potash, is essential for
the assimilation of carbon, no starch being
formed in the grains of chlorophyll without the
aid of the element potash.

collected each received nitrogen in the form of
farmyard dung, rape cake, and sulphate of am-
monia. In addition, one plot received sulphate
of potash at the rate of 500 lb. per acre, while
the other plot received no potash. The illustra-
tion speaks for itself of the great value of potash
for the Mangold crop, which is very dependent
on an abundant supply of available potash.

It is characteristic of the various descriptions
of feeding roots that they supply to the consum-
ing animal a large amount of the non-nitrogen-
ous respiratory and fat-forming substance,
namely, sugar.

Growth of Potatos.

The Rothamsted experiments on the growth
of Potatos have still further shown that the
high proportion of chlorophyll in the haulms
and foliage of the Potato plant increases with
the nitrogen content of the tubers. The more
nitrogen found in the juice of the Potato tuber,
the more undeveloped the tubers will be and the
darker green will be the foliage.

As root crops are essentially sugar-yielding
crops and their feeding value for livestock de-
pends upon the proportion of matured sugar in
the roots, so the Potato is essentially a starch-

FlG. 134. — EXPERIMENT SHOWING THE EFFECTS OF POTASH MANURES ON LEAF-GROWTH.

H. M. V.

Growth of Mangolds.

In the experiments at Rothamsted with
Mangel Wurzel the effect of potash and of the
other saline manures is plainly visible in the
appearance of the growing plants themselves.
On the plots of land receiving potash in the
manure the plants begin to ripen early in the
season, the leaves turn yellow and become
flaccid, so that in the month of October these
plots may be seen outlined from the rest by their
lighter green tint at any distance from which
the field can be viewed

On the contrary, the plots of land receiving no
potash show all the signs indicating an excess of
nitrogen in the foliage by the premature death
of the outer leaves and the dark green, curled,
and unhealthy appearance of the remaining
tufts of small crown leaves, which show no signs
of completing their growth however prolonged
the season may be. This fact is strikingly
shown in the following photograph reproduced
at fig. 134.

The two plots from which these plants were

yielding crop, and its cooking quality, as also
its nutritive value, depends to a very large ex-
tent upon the percentage of starch in the tubers.

The Rothamsted experiments show that, pro-
vided a liberal supply of potash is availab'e in
the soil, the produce of both sugar and starch is
correspondingly increased by the amount of
nitrogen taken up by the plant, the ingredient
potash acting as a carrier of nitric acid from the
soil to the plant.

In the presence of a sufficient supply of p<
the deep green colour of the foliage disappears,
and an abundance 01 carbo-hydrates — sugar or
starch — is deposited in the roots or tubers,
the reproductive organs of the different plants.

But if potash has been exhausted from the
soil, then the foliage of both root crops and
Potatos remains of a dark green colour, and the
non-albuminoid substances of the roots or
tubers will be found chiefly as amides, and the
nutritive quality will be considerably lessened.
/. /. Willis.

November 16, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

341

THE PROPAGATOR.

LAYERING EVERGREEN AND
DECIDUOUS PLANTS.
We are entering the season in which the pro-
pagation of plants by means of cuttings out-of-
doors has, with few exceptions, to be postponed
for a period of time — that is, till growth recom-
mences in the spring and vegetation feels the in-
fluence of increasing solar warmth.

There are, however, certain evergreen and
deciduous plants that may be layered whilst
the weather keeps open, viz., Phillyrea, Laurus-
tinus, Alaternus, Aucuba, Magnolia, Bignonia,
Ceanothus, Cercis, CTethra, all species of Cor-
nus, Cotoneaster, Cydonia, Cytisus, Deutzia,
Hamamelis (lays two years|, Laurus (two
years), Morus, Myrica, Ornus, Platanus, Rhodo-
dendron, Rhus (many species), Rosa, Rubus,
Ribes, Sophora japonica, such Spiraeas as form
roots readily from cuttings, Tilia, Ulex, Ulmus,
Vinca, Vitis, Wistaria, and many more, but the
foregoing are common garden plants. Scarcely
any of those enumerated fail to make roots the
second year, whilst most will be suffi-
ciently rooted by the following autumn to
be safely detached and planted in nursery lines
in the reserve garden, or potted, if that method
be preferred or called for. It should be noted
that layers of tree-like plants have the pecu-
1 1 . i i 1 1 y of assuming a shrubby habit and charac-
ter. All shrubs and trees which permit of in-
crease by means of cuttings make plants the
more surely when layered, and some can
only be increased vcgetatively by layering, as,
for example, Magnolia, Berberis, Crataegus,
Mahonia, and Corylus. The most suitable
shoots or branches for forming layers are those
near the ground level, or which spring from the
collar of the plant, and when such are not
available or present the plant should be com-
pelled to push forth such shoots by hard head-
ing back. Another method of obtaining the de-
sired layers from tall plants is to excavate the
soil beneath them, bend the stems to the soil,
and fasten them by strong wooden hooks, so
as to bring suitable shoots low enough for the
purpose. The shoots must be laid -, 3, or 4
inches deep in the soil and be fixed therein.
Cover them with soil L> inches deep, and over all
place a layer of leafmould, Fir needles, or Moss,
so as to retain moisture round about the layers.
The tips of the layers should, with a few ex-
ceptions, range above the covering of soil, &-c,
and remain in an oblique position. In the case
.if Rubus, the shoot should be left free, and
the point only layered.

The shoots, previously to layering them,
should be variously prepared. They may be
half-cut through under a joint ; a slight cut may
be made in the rind and wood on the lower
side of the shoots, and the latter twisted two-
thirds or more round at that point, so that the
rind bursts; or the shoots may be treated as are
Carnation layers. The shoots of hard-wooded
trees and shrubs, which make roots with diffi-
culty, should be " ringed " above and under an
eye or bud, that is, a small ring of bark should
be excised not deeper than the cambium layer.
Another method is to fasten a bit of wire tightly
under an eye, and deeply into the rind ; or the
operator cuts a notch down to the centre of the
shoot, either on the under side, or alternately
under and over, by which the base of every bud
will be compelled to push forth roots. These
various operations of incising the bark have
the purpose of causing the ascending sap to be
arrested and form a callus at these points, and
later to emit roots. Those species which grow
most readily from the young wood can be
layered as soon as the shoots are sufficiently
matured — some species so early as the month
of June ; and others which succeed best with the
old wood should be layered in the spring just
before the leaves are put forth. The species of
Rubus should have the growing points layered
in the mouth of August. Layers of plants which

make roots quickly should be left undisturbed
till the new growth is ripe, and, should but few
roots have been made, the layers should be
notched to two-thirds of their diameter, and
taken up at the end of the next year. It is ad-
visable in all cases to take up the rooted layers
the first spring, so that the more tender species
may be afforded better protection against frost
by being planted out properly, and afforded a
covering the following winter.

Layers which take two or three years to form
roots should be similarly detached and planted
in the second or third year. The layering work
described above may be even better carried out
in September and October and earlier, as at this
season. F. M.

corded from the Continent as parasites on living
Ribes and other plants, and do not seem, so far,
to have proved very hurtful ; but it is not an un-
usual experience to find a comparatively harm-
less parasite develop, under somewhat different
conditions, until it is a serious pest. A. Lorram
Smith.

A NEW GOOSEBERRY DISEASE.

Ix the early summer of 1906 Gooseberry
bushes in Worcestershire were found to be suf-
fering from some disease that caused the leaves
to fall off prematurely. An examination Of the
branches showed that they were dotted all over
with the fruits of a fungus belonging to Conio-
thyrium. The fungus develops in the cortex,
and the minute black points where it pierces the
outer layer are plainly visible with a hand lens.
It grows in the form of a hollow sphere, inside
which are borne small brown spores. The oc-
currence of the disease at this stage, and of the
fungus, which had not been previously recorded
for this county, were notified in the Transactions

C>rdchron . A ou'

Fig. 135.— a new gooseberry disease.

A, portion of a Gooseberry shoot affected with Coniothyrium

B, section through a conceptacle of Coniothvrium vagabun-
dum ; C, section through the fructification of Lepto

vagabunda ; b, spores highly magnified.

of the British Mycological Society, 1906, p. 168,
under the name C. ribicolum, now proved to be
synonymous with C. vagabundum. The bushes
were kept under observation, and the following
season the further and more developed fruiting
stage of the fungus was found. This had been
considered as a species of Leptosphaeria, a genus
very similar in appearance to Coniothyrium, but
believed to be distinct on account of the dis-
similarity between its spores and those of a
typical Coniothyrium. The disease was reported
by Mr. Carleton Rea (who had first observed
it) to be doing great damage in gardens near
Worcester.

In August of this year bushes similarly at-
tacked were found in a garden at Annan, Dum-
friesshire. The branches of a number of bushes
growing in the same plot of ground were entirely
denuded of leaves, though a few ripening berries
were still hanging on the twigs. The fungus in
both the Coniothyrium and Leptosphaeria stages
covered the affected branches with innumerable
black points, and the cortex was found to be
full of the mycelium of the fungus. No other
gardens in the same neighbourhood were known
to have suffered. The disease is still under ob-
servation. Probably early and vigorous prun-
ing and burning of the diseased branches would
suffice to stamp out the fungus. The associated
Coniothyrium and Leptosphaeria are both re-

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

•The Wild and Cultivated Cotton
Plants of the World.

Cotton, one of if not the most important
commercial product of to-day, is obtained en-
tirely from plants of the genus Gossypium,
closely allied to the familiar Hollyhocks of our
gardens. The use of Cotton has been known
from time immemorial, although, curiously
enough, it is only within comparatively modern
times that cotton fabrics have ousted those of
linen, wool, and silk from their former posi-
tions. For such ages has Cotton been cultivated
that, in common with several other plants of
great economic importance, that its origin is lost
in obscurity. Linnaeus founded some five or six
species of Gossypium from cultivated plants,
and it has been almost generally held that there
were no wild members of the genus. Subse-
quent attempts at the classification of the group
have resulted in great diversity of opinion, some
authors proposing the reduction of all the forms
to one species, whilst, e:g., Todaro in his
classical work recognises 54. Sir George Watt,
during his long residence in India, took a great
interest in the problem, and has given us the
benefit of his work in this handsome volume,
which, with its wealth of beautifully coloured
and other plates, its exhaustive references to
type specimens, and its full critical discussions
of the botanical origin of the commercial
Cottons of the world, should be carefully studied
by all interested in the botany and economics
of the group.

As an indication of the complexity of the
subject, a single case, the origin of American
upland Cotton — the "bread and cheese " Cotton
of Lancashiie — must suffice. Formerly generally
referred to as G. herbaceum, it has more recently
been recognised as G. hirsutum, many regard-
ing these names as synonyms. Sir G. Watt
traces the introduction, first of the Levantine G.
herbaceum into America, and later, in 1734,
through the agency of that great English gar-
dener Miller, of the Physic Garden, Chelsea, of
the Mexican G. hirsutum. Another introduction,
('.. mexicanum, played an important part, and
by hybridisation principally between the two
latter stocks the present varieties of American
upland were apparently evolved.

The Cottons afford a standard example of the
value of plant breeding work, inasmuch as we
now have the greater portion of the world's
crop produced in a country, the U.S.A.. beyond
the limits of the" geographical distribution of
the genus, and from plants which have been
converted from perennials into annuals. feSir
George Watt summarises the practical results
achieved in various parts of the world, and the
best means of attaining such improved races ;
and for these reasons combined with the general-
isation formulated from geographical considera-
tions his work should be of great interest to the
large band of workers engaged throughout the
world in endeavouring to improve the local
laces of Cotton. Author and publisher alike
are to be congratulated on the production of this
important contribution to our knowledge of a
group of plants most difficult from the standpoint
of the botanist, and at the same time from its
overwhelming importance to man it is evident
that no means should be neglected to enable us
to enlarge our area of supply as well as to
improve the quality of the produce from exi-tmy
areas. W. G. F.

» By Sir George Watt, CLE., M.B., tc. Longmans,
Green" & Co., 1907. 30s.

342

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 16, 1907.

SOME NEW OR RARE HER-
BACEOUS PLANTS.

Withii/ recent years the number of good her-
baceous plants has considerably increased, and
we are able to select from a large number of
new species and varieties for material where-
with to fill our borders. At this period of the
year it is especially to the Composite that we
look to supply us with beautiful flowers, and
some of the new sorts, though introduced with
no flourish of trumpets, yet are deserving of
attention.

In my garden at Floraire I have a specimen of
Helianthus ciliaris, D.C.,
which is a source of great pleasure. It is a
Mexican plant, and was described by De
Candolle in 1836 in The Prodromus* but it
has not yet, as far as I know, found its
way into cultivation. It forms large clumps,
which increase by runners, and is of a
glaucous colour, with narrow, sinuate, and
opposite leaves. The stems, about 2 feet in
height, bear large heads of golden ligulate florets
surrounding the discs of brown ones, from which
the orange-coloured anthers protrude. The
plant blossoms from July to December, is per-
fectly hardy, and requires no protection from
frost. I grow it in a well-drained soil, exposed
to the full sunshine.

Another good plant which is rarely met with is
Silphium albiflorum, A. Gray.
The leaves are deeply lobed and rough; the
stems are thick and prickly, and attain to a
height of about 3 feet. The whole of the upper
part is covered with large, sessile heads of
greyish-white flowers enclosed in spiny in-
volucres, which give the plant a strange appear-
ance. This rare and beautiful plant occurs in
Texas, and needs a sunny and dry spot.
Silphium dessicum Poir and S. laciniatum
A. are plants possessing fleshy leaves, but
their flowering stems reach a height of 10
feet, and are crowned with yellow capitula.
S. terabinthinaceum L., bears enormous leaves,
measuring sometimes as much as 2 feet long
by 1J feet in width, and the yellow flower-heads
are arrayed in spreading panicles about 7 feet
from the ground.

Aster sericeus.
At the present time we have a suffrutescent
Aster which is flowering for the first time. It
bears downy, silvery leaves, and the slender,
almost woody, stems are bending beneath the
weight of the reddish-violet blossoms. This
plant, Aster sericeus vent (= argenteus michx.),
of Texas and Illinois, was figured in The Gonial
and Forest, October 5, 1902, and flowers freely
during the months of September and October.

Brickellia grandiflora, Nutt,
resembles a yellow Ageratum, the flowering
heads of which are pendulous. It is a curious
and pretty plant, a native of California, and its
flowering period lasts from August to winter.

Berkheya purpurea, Benth. and Hook.

This is a South African plant, and one of the
most beautiful of the Composite. The leaves
are like those of a Thistle, and grow upon
winged and prickly stems. The large capitula
are white, with very beautiful purple centres.

Turning to other families of plants, I may
mention

Dracocephaijm heterophyllum, Benth.,
one of the habiatas, a native of Turkestan and
the Himalayas. It is of dwarf habit, and is
very effective with its spikes of large, white
flowers rising 6 or 8 inches above the green
carpet of foliage. It appears to be quite hardy,
and the plants, which flowered this year at
Floraire, received no protection during the pre-
vious winter.

Salvia Przewaldskyi, Maxim,
from Western China, is now (October) in full
bloom. It is a strong and vigorous plant, the
stems of which are thickly covered with leaves
and reach a height of 3 or 4 feet The violet-
blue spikes of flowers are very effective, and
their remarkable size, added to their beautiful
colour, renders the plant a very valuable one
from the decorative standpoint.

• Prodromus, vol. v., p. 587.

Salvia scabios.-efolia Lam.
Seeds of this plant were received from the
mountains of the Taurus, and the plants
have been in blossom from June to the
present time, and they are still covered with
as yet unopened buds. The Index Kcwensis
describes that this species is a native of
Peru, but I received mine from the Taurus,
and Borrier declarest that it is indigenous to the
limestone hills of that region. The plant forms
clumps, and the numerous stems bear pinna-
tifid leaves recalling those of a Scabious or a
Knantia, whilst the flowers are large and are
borne in long verticillate spikes. Some years
ago the Director of the Botanic Gardens
at Tiflis in the Caucasus published an account
of a number of new species from the East in
The Moniteur dio Jardin Botaniauc de Tiflis,
and he was good enough to send seeds to
Floraire. Many of the plants have flowered this
year, especially a number of the mountainous
species, which, however, hardly belong to the
category of herbaceous plants. One of them,
however, deserves notice, although it is not new,
having been described by Borrier some time ago.
The plant in question,

Campanula phyctidocalix, Boin.,
has not, so far as I am aware, been introduced
into cultivation before. At first sight it resem-
bles C persicifolia, but it is really quite distinct,
and far more beautiful. It was figured in the
Moniteur in 1905, and seed was distributed from
Tiflis the same year. When this dis-
tinguished botanist visited me this year he ex-
pressed surprise at the size of the flowers, which,
under cultivation, considerably exceed those of
the wild plant. The stem is about 2 feet high,
and bears long spikes of lilac-blue flowers, with
large and widely-expanded corollas. It inhabits
the Alpine regions of Kurdistan and Central
Armenia. It is of easy cultivation, requiring a
light soil and partial shade. Henry Correvon,
Geneva.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Tkevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.
Phalanofsis. — At the present time several
species of Phalaenopsis, including P. Aphro-
dite, P. amabilis, P. Sanderiana, P. Schilleri-
ana, and P. Stuartiana, are now developing their
flower-spikes, and for several months to come
the plants must all be watered with great care.
Copious applications, whether by dipping or
other means, will not be needed. At the same
time, it is not advisable to allow them to re-
main drv at the roots for long -together. It is
a better practice to examine the plants more fre-
quently than usuai, and, whenever the compost
is dry, to lightly sprinkle the sphagnum-moss
and the sides of the basket to which the ma-
jority of the roots cling ; this may be done con-
veniently by means of a fine sprayer. Water
should not be allowed to remain in the centre
of the plant or in the axils of the leaves, as
" spotting " is frequently brought about by such
negligence. All of the Phalaenopsis are ex-
tremely free-flowering in habit ; even very small
plants will produce flowers. It is not advis-
able to remove the flower-spikes if the plants are
healthy with the object of getting them more
quickly into larger specimens, because other
spikes will appear, and eventually from the
centre of the plant, which is detrimental to
the formation of new leaves. It is far better to
allow a few flowers to open, and then cut the
spike as close into the growth as possible, after-
wards keeping the plant in a resting condition
until the growing season commences. Speci-
mens which have long flower-spikes should be
lowered, so that the spikes are a foot or more
from the roof glass, as sometimes the cold air,
which passes between the laps in the glass,
will cause the point of the spike to become
black and decay ; in such cases the remaining
part of the spike will produce large blooms,
but the general effect of the inflorescence will
be unsatisfactory. During the winter keep the
plants in a light position, but one that is not
exposed to direct sunshine, especially such ten-
der, green-leaved varieties as P. Luddeman-
niana, P. rosea, P. violacea, P. sumatrana,
i'. Marias, P. speciosa, P. tetraspis, P. denticu-

t Flora oriaitalis, vol. iv., p. 600.

lata, &c. In mild weather let the atmospheric
temperature of the house be kept at about 65°
at night, and allow it to fall several degrees
by morning. On very cold nights, when extra
fire heat becomes necessary, a few degrees less
warmth will suffice. The immediate surround-
ings of the plants should be damped down both
morning and afternoon, but the quantity of
water thrown about should be regulated accord-
ing to the external temperature, and for several
hours during the middle of the day the atmo-
sphere should be comparatively dry, thus allow-
ing the plants to discharge superfluous moisture.
Phalaenopsis do not thrive in a close, stuffy at-
mosphere for long together : they like fresh air,
but it must be afforded in such a manner that
cold draughts will be prevented. The Phalae-
nopsis at Burford are cultivated in a house
having a lean-to roof with a westerly aspect,
and the top ventilators are more or less always
open, according to the direction of the wind
and other external conditions. Even during
very cold weather a " chink " of air is left on
at night as well as by day. The lower ventila-
tors are never opened, thus the prevention of
draught is assured, and a suitable growing at-
mosphere is easily maintained. Under such
conditions, thrip insects rarely attack the plants,
but the leaves should be lightly sponged over
occasionally to free them from all dirt and
dust, cleanliness being of great assistance to-
wards successful cultivation.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow, _
Cornwall.
The herbaceous border (continued). — Before re-
planting any subject in the same spot a fairly
large hole should be dug with the object of
replacing the spent soil with fresh. A common
fault is to overcrowd the border with large
masses of tall, broad-habited plants, and, al-
though those named on p. 327, together with
others, such as the Oriental Poppies, Paeomes,
&c, are undoubtedly very beautiful and showy
during their seasons of flowering, their excessive
employment leads to grave defects. The capacity
of the border is, at the most, limited, and if
the major portion of it is occupied with varie-
ties of plants which are at their best during the
summer months, not only does this leave a
small amount of space in which to cultivate
spring-flowering, and, even more important,
late autumn-flowering plants, but the blanks
left, when these erstwhile "masses of flower"
have passed away and the ripened foliage has
been cleared off, are unsightly. Even though, as
was advised in an earlier calendar, much may
be done to obviate this by the judicious em-
ployment of prepared annual plants carefully
lifted and planted close around the crowns
of the permanent occupants which have finished
flowering, yet this is a somewhat expensive
method, and, at the best, a makeshift. The
aim of the gardener should be to render the
herbaceous border bright and attractive during
the dull season. The garden is in the early
part of the year fairly bright with flowers of
the spring-flowering bulbs. But, to keep the
border even moderately-well furnished and pre-
sentable from the first real frost to the advent
of the Snowdrop and Crocus is a matter of some
difficulty. With this end in view, the taller,
early summer-flowering deciduous plants should
be planted well at the back of the border, em-
ploying the evergreen subjects in the middle
and front portions. A few evergreen shrubs of
moderate size and good shape, such as Rose-
mary, Lavender, shrubby Veronicas (in gardens
where they are hardy), and an occasional
Yucca planted a little to the back from the
middle of the border, are useful. Along the
front, Pinks, Arabis, Aubrietia, Campanula,
&c, should be planted, but in fair-sized patches,
and not in rigid lines, as is often seen. Strict
gradations of size, running from the tallest
plant at the back to dwarf ones in the front
of the border, should be avoided. Although in
general this must be done, yet the front por-
tion should have an occasional plant some-
what taller than its fellows. Those selected for
this purpose should not be dense-growing sub-
jects, but rather those of a slender habit, such
as Campanula pyramidalis, Foxgloves, Phlows,
Michaelmas Daisies of a moderate size, and
bulbous plants, including Galtonia candicaftis,
Gladiolus, iVx.

November 16, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

243

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastvvell Park, Kent.

Euphorbia (Poinsett ia) pulcherrima. — These
plants are now forming their handsomely-
coloured bracts, and should be assisted by appli-
cations of diluted stimulants and the affording
of a rather warmer atmosphere than formerly,
which is necessary to encourage the bracts to
obtain their full development. A minimum
temperature of 65" at night will be found suit-
able and it may be allowed to rise 10° to
15° during sunny days. Admit a little air on all
favourable occasions but on no account allow
draughts of cold air to reach the plants.
Syringe them lightly overhead on bright days1 at
the time of closing the house in the afternoon.
When the bracts have fully developed, reduce
the atmospheric moisture and high temperature
by slow degrees, so that the plants will become
sufficiently hardened for use for indoor decora-
tion if required. For this purpose Euphorbias
are much in demand at Christmas-time, their
brilliant crimson heads showing to great advan-
tage by artificial light, and with Palms and with
a few white flowering plants providing a fine
effect.

Euphorbia jacquinicefiora. — This species is very
beautiful, and is much appreciated for the
making of sprays and other decorative devices,
for which its long slender growths render it
peculiarly suitable. These plants are also show-
ing their flower buds, and should be kept in a
hot atmosphere. Let water be afforded cau-
tiously, as these plants have very fine roots
which are impatient of much water at any
season ; over-watering soon causes some leaves
to fall, and eventually the plant may die.

Coleus thyrsoideus. — Keep the plants of this
flowering species arranged thinly and well up to
the glass, or they will become drawn and
weakened and will not flower so well. This
species has a very free root-system, and should
be afforded weak stimulants at intervals as
appear to be necessary, to assist in the develop-
ment of the flower-spikes. Where blue flowers
are admired, this plant is a welcome feature in
the flowering house or conservatory ; it is
capable of lasting a long time if the cultural
conditions are kept suitable, but the flowers are
of very little use for cutting, and the colour is
ineffective under artificial light.

1/ tchosma riparium is a good plant for asso-
ciating with the Coleus, and at this season
thrives under similar treatment. Keep the
atmosphere of the house at a temperature of
55° to 60u at night, according to the weather,
allowing it to rise to 65° or 70° in the daytime.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Pineapples. — Plants now swelling their fruit,
such as the variety Smooth Cayenne and others
that fruit in winter, should be afforded a warm,
moist atmosphere. Do not syringe them at this
dull season of the year. The damping of the
paths three times a day will be quite sufficient
to maintain a moist atmosphere. During the
time the fruit is colouring, the roots only
require very little water. Maintain a steady
atmospheric temperature of 70" to 75° at night,
allowing it to rise to 80u by day ; the bottom
heat may be 80°. It is advisable to have a
covering to place over the Pine pits during
severe frost ; such protection will help con-
siderably in preventing the heat of the pit de-
creasing, and it will to some extent prevent the
use of an excessive amount of fire heat.

Pines for fruiting early next year. — Plants
which are to be started at the commencement of
the new year should be kept at present in an
atmospheric temperature of about 65u at night,
and a bottom heat of 70°. During mild weather
admit air to keep down the heat of the pit
below 70u, and do not afford the roots more
water than is necessary to keep the plants from
flagging ; the plants should now be resting.

Pint suckers, which were potted into 6-inch
pots early in autumn, will nowbe well rooted,
and should have a temperature at night of 60u,
allowing a rise of 5° by day and a bottom heat
of 70°. Keep the atmosphere of the pit humid,
and do not allow the plants to suffer for want
of water ; at the same time, remember the
caution never to apply water to a plant that is
not in a condition requiring further moisture.

Being plunged in fermenting materials they do
not often require water at this season. Detach
any suckers from old plants, and pot them
firmly in fibrous loam, using 6-inch pots, which
should afterwards be plunged in a bottom heat
of 70 \

Peaches. — Late varieties, such as Golden
Eagle, Sea Eagle, and Princess of Wales, being
now cleared of their fruit, should be syringed
thoroughly once each day. Examine the trees
now, and cut out any gross shoots and any that
may be considered undesirable for next year.
Admit an abundance of air, and apply some
fire-heat to induce the wood to " ripen." When
the leaves have fallen, the fire-heat may be dis-
continued, and the houses be kept as cool as it
is possible to keep them. Young Peach and
Nectarine trees which have grown too strongly
will now require to be lifted, have their roots
pruned and be re-planted, unless this operation
was done in October. It is advisable to add a
good quantity of lime rubble to the border when
planting or transplanting young and gross-
growing trees. Strong manure should Dot be
mixed in the compost. Make all the borders
very firm, and apply a mulch over the surface
when the work of planting is finished.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lorcn Clinton, Bicton,
East ! '

Planting fruit trees, &c. — Apple trees worked
on the Crab, and Pear trees on the 1'ear stock
require planting at a greater distance than those
worked on the Paradise and Quince stocks re-
spectively. Standard Apple trees should be
placed at a rod apart each way, and standard
l'ears require almost the same distance; an
extra 6 feet between the rows will allow a line
of bush fruits or Strawberries to be planted.
Bush and pyramid trees of Apple and Pear
should not be less than 12 feet apart, whilst in
the case of horizontal or espalier-trained trees
the distance should be 20 feet. Pan-trained
trees, including those of Apricots, Teaches,
Pears, Plums, Nectarines, and Cherries require
a space of 15 feet between each tree, but cor-
dons of these may be planted as close as 2 feet.
If a greater distance than that mentioned be
allowed, spare trees may be planted between the
permanent ones, especially against wall
fences, and it is advisable to have a few extra
young trees to take the place of any that die or
become exhausted, particularly in the case of
stone fruits. Gooseberry and Currant bushes
should stand 6 feet apart each way, while in
cases of cordons or grid-iron shaped trees
against walls the distance may vary from 18
inches to 4 feet.

Small fruits. — The best varieties of Red Cur-
rants are Raby Castle, Fay's Prolific and Comet.
White Transparent and White Dutch are the
pick of the white varieties. Boskoop Giant,
Lee's Prolific, and Baldwin are the best varieties
of Black Currants. The best-flavoured Goose-
berries are Careless, Bonny Lass, Pitmaston
Greengage, Leader, Early Sulphur, Alma,
Whitesmith, Greenock, Red Warrington, and
Golden Gem. A few bushes of Gooseberries
planted against a north wall prolongs the sea-
son of fruiting, but the flavour of the fruits
from these bushes is not as good as those grown
in sunnier positions.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq..
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Broccoli. — These plants are still making a
very free growth, owing chiefly to the warm
weather and humid atmosphere of the past few
weeks. The plants will, in consequence, be
very liable to injury directly hard weather sets
in, unless the practise of " heeling-over " is re-
sorted to. This precaution, although it reduces
the size of the curds, protects the plants, and
thus provides against absolute failure. The
work is done by removing about a couple of
spadefuls of soil from the north side of the
plants, partly raising and forcing the stems into
this space with a spade from the opposite side,
and leaving the " head " of the plant resting on
the surface in a slanting position facing to the
north. In gardens where the plants are more
backward, and have not made such active late
growth, this method of protection will not be
necessary, as under usual circumstances

Broccoli is hardy enough to withstand the
ordinary cold of winter.

Early Peas in borders. — In favoured distn I
the seeds should, if not already sown, be
planted at once, but unless a warm position and
one that is protected from east winds later on,
is available, the sowing of this crop will be in
vain. On a light, sandy soil, in protected situa-
tions, however, no doubt need be entertained
as to the result.

Potalos. — Continue to plant Pot».tos in frames
from "sets" that have been given a good starl
in boxes, and that have made both root and
top growth. If a continuous supply is needed
more " sets " should be placed in boxes, in order
to have them well started into growth by the
time they are required for planting.

Salads. — Continue to blancn endive as re-
quired, and, as Lettuce will now be getting
scarce, the greater will be the demand for the
former. Further supplies of Chives and Chicory
should be got in, and sowings be made of
Mustard and Cress.

General remarks. — Any necessary work that
has been delayed should in all cases be taken
in hand as soon as possible, while the weather
remains favourable. Where digging and trench-
ing are in progress, full advantage should be
taken of dry mornings to wheel on to the ground
the different materials, such as the stumps of
Brassicas, tops of Carrots, Beetroot, &c, which
are intended for placing at the bottoms of the
trenches. These vegetable remains not only
form a valuable manure, but they have a bene-
ficial effect on the ground for a long time.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.
Pruning shrubs and thinning out shrubberies.—
In a great many instances shrubberies are
planted in parks for the purpose of blocking
out a view or screening some object. This is
especially the case with boundary shrubberies,
and for this reason the invariable aim of those
who plant them is to get as dense a growth as
possible. For the first few years after a shrub,
bery is planted all the attention bestowed upon
it is with the object of inducing the plants to
grow as rapidly and freely as they will, and
during that period they give but little trouble.
When, however, they begin to fulfil their object
and become dense screens, they commence to
give trouble to those whose dutv it is to keep
them in a healthy and useful condition. For
a time this can be attained by thinning out and
transplanting perhaps every other shrub in the
border, but the time comes sooner or later when
this is no longer possible, and the only means
of maintaining the shrubbery in a proper con-
dition is by the vigorous use of the knife in
cutting back and thinning out the overgrown
branches.

Pruning is necessary. — Those who have seen
small nursery plants gradually developing into
an imposing and picturesque shrubbery will
readily sympathise with the person who is
tempted to put off pruning his shrubs as long
as possible. It is, however, this very disin-
clination to use the knife which is often the
ultimate cause of spoiling many good shrub-
beries. If taken in hand before the branches
touch each other, it is quite possible for a
shrubbery to be kept in good condition for an
indefinite period, while the shrubs composing it
retain their individual character for a consider-
able time. To keep the plants in good health
it is necessary that plenty of light and air should
be able to circulate amongst the branches, and
when the shrubs have fully developed this can
only be brought about by a periodical pruning.

Time for pruning. — Many flowering shrubs
which bear their bloom on the old wood are
best pruned immediately after their flowering
period, but, generally speaking, the majority of
shrubs can be dealt with during the winter and
spring months of the year. Care should be
taken when pruning to avoid as much as pos-
sible giving shrubs a formal or hedge-like
appearance. While this kind of treatment is
sometimes in keeping with the purpose and sur-
roundings of a shrubbery, it is invariably far
better to allow each shrub to take on its natural
form. When large branches are removed the
cuts should always be dressed with paint or tar,
otherwise there is a danger of the main stem
becoming damaged and diseased.

344

FHE

GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 16, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent ai early >n the iveek as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

-Special Notice to Correspondents. — The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. Tin Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by Ins correspondents.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Floral Com. meet.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19—

Leeds Paxton Soc. Chrys. Sh. (2 da>
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20—

Darlington Chrys. Sh.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22—

Roy. Bot. Soc. meet. Aberdeen Chrys. Sh. (2 days).

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23—

Morley and Dist. Paston Soc. Chrys. Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 42"la.
Actual Temperatures: —

London-— Wednesday, November 13(6 p.m.): Max. 54°;
Min. 45".
Gardeners1 Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, Novemba
14 (10 a.m.): Bar. 301; Temp., 51'; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces — Wednesday, November 13 (6 P.M.) : Max. 53°-
Cornwall & S.W. Ireland ; Mill. 40', Scotland N-

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King

Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
MONDAY TO FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe

& Morris, at 10.30.
TUESDAY—

Clearance Sale of Nursery Stock at White Hart Lane

Nurseries, Barnes, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.
WEDNESDAY—

3,300 Roses at 1.30; Palms, Azaleas, &c, at 5 ; at 67 &

68, Cheapside, B.C., by Protheroe & Morris.
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY—

Clearance Sale of Nursery Stock at Royal Nurseries,

Ascot, by order of Messrs. Standish & Co., by Protheroe

& Morris, at 12.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY—

Clearance Sale of Fruit Trees and Nursery Stock at The

Nurseries, Eynsford, Kent, by order of Messrs. Cannell

& Sons, by Protheroe Sc Morris, at 12.
FRIDAY—

Imported and Established Orchids in large variety ;

Orchids in flower and bud, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C.,

by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

Owing to the courtesy of Pro-
Plant fessor C. S. Sargent, of the
Collecting ,. i t- • -i tt c- >

;_^i.:_» Harvard University U.S.A., we
in unina, J >

are enabled to print the follow-
ing details extracted from a private letter
written by Mr. E. H. Wilson, on July S last,
whilst at Ichang.

" I have just returned from a trip to the
Lushan Mountains, near Kinkiang, a dis-
trict previously visited by Pere David, Maries,
and others. I was away just three weeks,
two of which were occupied in travelling to
and fro. The foothills of the range are
reached after traversing 10 miles of Hat
country from the port of Kinkiang. From
the foothills an ascent of five miles brings
one to the top of the first ridge (alt.
3,000 feel |, facing and around which is the
Missionary Sanitorium of Killing. The range
reaches 5,000 feet in its highest parts, and
consists of three more or less distinct and
liar ridges separated 1>\ narrow valleys.
The upper parts of the range enjoy a cool
temperature and an abundant rainfall. At
one time, doubtless, the whole range was
well v, oded, lull now il is absolutely tree-
less and covered onh by a dense low jungle-

growth. The variety of shrubs midst this
jungle-growth is surprising. The species
and genera are chiefly such as are found in
western Hupeh around 3,000 feet alt. During
the week spent there I managed to secure
some 340 species in about 2,000 specimens.
The majority are in half-ripe fruit, unfortu-
nately, but this could not be helped.

" Of plants entirely new to me a magnifi-
cent Euonymus with large white flowers and
a fine Schizandra with thick leaves and large
yellow flowers were the most interesting.
Bushes of Cladrastis sinensis abound, and
near a temple I got a fine Tilia.

" At one time the Tulip tree must have
been very common on the Lushan Mountains.
Bushes still abound, and I saw one fine old
gnarled specimen in a ravine — the sole re-
maining tree of any size. From this tree
good fruiting material was obtained. The
Sassafras and a Liquidambar occur sparingly
as small trees, while Magnolia conspicua (?)
is abundant but only in bush-form like every-
thing else.

" One of the most interesting finds was
Nyssa sinensis. It is fairly common, but I
only found one large bush bearing fruit.
Stuartia monadelphia (?) is abundant midst
rocks, in the water-courses and everywhere.
Laurineae was the largest family collected,
although, strange to say, only two or three
species are recorded from this locality. Four
species of Maple were secured; these include
the true A. truncatum. Hamamelis mollis,
Stephanandra chinensis, Schizophragma in-
tegrifolia, Cardiandra alternifolia, three
species of Styrax, two species of Symplocos,
several Vacciniums, Yitis, Ilex, and Vibur-
nums are some of the plants of interest
secured. Corylopsis is an exceedingly com-
mon shrub and extremely variable in foliage
and degree of hairiness. At present 1 am
undecided as to whether one, two, or three
species occur. Hydrangea panieulata is a
very common fluviatile shrub, and is very
happy amidst rocks in the bed of the numer-
ous torrents where it is fully exposed to the
sun. I was interested in the discovery of this
species since it does not occur in Hupeh or
further west, nor can I find any record of its
having been found wild in China proper here-
tofore. Possibly it is the same as the H.
Moellcndorffi, Hance. Around, the base of
the range and on the Kinkiang plain Gym-
nocladus chinensis is one of the commonest
trees ; nowhere else to my knowledge is it
nearly so common. A species of Liquidambar
and Comptotheca acuminata also occur with
Gymnocladus, whilst Magnolia hypoleuca is
sparingly cultivated in the same locality. The
Liquidambar may be the same as the species
collected by Alabaster near Hankow.

" Pseudolarix Fortunei occurs wild on the
Lushan, but I only succeeded in finding small
trees. Around a temple half-a-dozen trees
of this Conifer are planted, but none are of
any considerable size. Fortune, it will be
remembered, discovered this tree in the
Chekiang Province. The Lushan Mountains
probably represent its western limit of distri-
bution. At iht' temple mentioned above are
two magnificent Cryptomerias and an equally
majestic Ginkgo, all these planted, tradition
says, a thousand years ago. Certainly they
ait very old, but slill in good health.

" Cephalotaxus Fortunei was very common

in the jungle, and Cunninghamia sinensis
on the foothills. Two species of Pine occur,
one on the plain and another on the higher
parts of the range. The lowland species is
the same as at Ichang, but the upland
species differs from anything I have
gathered elsewhere.

" Much has been written on the Chinese
wax insect and its hosts. On the Lushan 1
found wax (wild) deposited on two species of
Ash and a Privet, not one of the three being
the recognised host. I am beginning to
think that as far as the insect and wax are
concerned any species of Ash or Privet will
stive."

The interest which was taken

Tagasaste some twenty or more years ago

Fodder. ln a new fodder plant under the

name of Tagasaste, the seeds of
which had been received at Kew and distri-
buted for trial in many of the Colonies, has
been revived by a correspondence that has
been published in the May and July numbers
of the Agricultural Journal <>/ the Cape of
Good Hope. The plant referred to (Cytisus
proliferus, L. fil. var. Palmensis), is a small
tree of the Canary Islands, the leafy branches
of which were recommended for feeding
cattle. It is pointed out that, as a result
of the distribution of the seed years ago,
the trees have been raised and are thriving
in many parts of South Africa, but no experi.
ments have as yet been made with rega d to
the value of the leaves for cattle-feeding.
The reason for this is said to be that they
have already got lucerne in S. Africa, so that
there is no need to cultivate anoth°r plant
which is known as Tree Lucerne. Besides
this the tree-form prevents it from being
cut with the ordinary sickle, furthermore,
stock refuse to eat the leaves, and finally
the seeds are difficult to germinate. The
writer says these difficulties are not insur-
mountable. First — " He poured boiling water
on the sulking seeds and' left them in the
water for a day, and then planted them in a
seed-bed, when nearly all started growing.
He planted them out, a yard apart, in tilled
soil, and let them grow as they liked for
three years ; then he cut them down to 5 feet
high. In three months' time they had given
long, soft, succulent, shoots. These he cut
down regularly at intervals, and gave to his
horses and stock. The horses struck eating,
but he starved them into submission. Ever
after they were greedy for that food. They
throve on it, and so did the cows and the
other stock." The above account refers to
lenenlTe, and what has been done there, the
writer argues, can easily be done under simi-
lar circumstances in the Karroo and other dis-
tricts in Africa, as well as in other countries
possessing climates of a similar character.

R.H.S. Fixtures for 1908. The Council
of the Royal Horticultural Society have fixed
the following dates for the exhibitions of the
society in 1908: — January 14 and 28, February
11 (annual meeting), March 3, 17, 31, April 14,
28, May 12, May 2G, 27, 28 (spring show at the
Temple Gardens), June 9, 23, July 7 and 8
(summer show at Holland House, Kensington),
July 21, August 4, 18, September 1, 15, 29,
October 13, 27, October 15 and 16 (British Fruit
Show), November 10, 24, December 8, 22.
Shows of Colonial fruit and vegetables, pre-
served fruits, and jams are also arranged for

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle."

Photograph by D'Ath.

Views in the Winter/Garden at Eastwell Park, Kent, the residence of

H. J. King, Esq.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C,

November 16, ISO".]

THE GAPxD EN ER & CHR 0 NICE E.

345

March 5-6, June 11-1:2, and November 26-27.
Bottled British fruits, home-dried fruits, and
preserved British vegetables will also be ex-
hibited on November 26-27. The Royal Horti-
cultural Hall is to be used for their annual
shows by the Carnation Society on July 22, the
Sweet Pea Society on July 24, the Rose Soi
for their autumn exhibition, probably on Sep-
tember 17, and the Winter-flowering Carnation
Soi ety on a date yet to be fixed.

Special Societies. — The Council of

the Royal Horticultural Society have re-
vised their arrangements for the engage-
ment of the hall by kindred societies for
their shows in 1908 as follow: — 1. If a
kindred society can by arrangement fix t' e i
show on a Wednesday or a Thursday fol-
lowing one of the R.H.S. fortnightly shows,
then the kindred society has the use of the hall
free of charge, as well as the gate money re-
ceived at their show (gate and other attendants
being provided by thenii, but free admission is
to be given to all holders of R.H.S. annual
tickets. 2. A kindred society unable to adopt
such Wednesday or Thursday must pay £5 to
cover the cost of table arrangement, the gate
money being taken by them. R.H.S. tickets
again to admit free. 3. A kindred society de-
clining to admit R.H.S. tickets must negotiate
for the use of the hall on the same basis as an
ordinary lessee. Kindred societies wishing to
engage the R.H.S. Hall in 1908 should com-
munii ate with the Secretary, Royal Horticul-
tural Society, Vincent Square, Westminster.

Union of Horticultural Mutual Im-
provement Societies. — In order that this new
" union " may be in complete organisation by
the beginning of next year — 1908 — secretaries of
horticultural mutual improvement societies in-
tending to join it are asked to kindly communi-
cate with the Secretary of the R.H.S. without
delay. Societies affiliated with the R.H.S. will
enjoy the benefits of the union in addition to
their existing privileges without any additional
fee.

Linnean Society. — A meeting will be held on
Thursday, November 21, at 8 pm., when the
following papers will be read: — 1, Mr. W, C.
Worsdell, F.L.S., " Abnormal Structures in
Leaves, and their Value to Morphology " : 2,
Mr. J. G. Otto Tepper, F.L.S , " Specimen-
preservation in Australian Museums"; 3, Mr.
3. T. Dunn, F.L.S.. " Revision of the genus
Illigera, Blume." Exhibitions: 1, Mr. C. W.
Anderson, "Luminous Larva from British
Guiana"; 2, Prof. A. Dendy, F.L.S. , "Living
Specimens of Peripatus from South Africa"; 3,
Mr. G. C. Deuce, M.A., F.L.S., " Linaria
arenaria, and other BritiJi Plants."

British Gardeners Association.— We are

informed that a meeting in connection with the
above association will be held in Leeds on Tuesday,
November 19, 1907 (first day of the Chrysan-
themum show), in a room adjoining the Show
Hall at the Engineers' Barracks, Claypit Lane.
Messrs. E. F. Hawes and R. L. Castle, of the
Executive Council, and other speakers, will address
the meeting. The chair will be taken at 5 p.m. by
Mr. Campbell. All gardeners are cordially invited
to attend.

The Birthday Honours. — Amongst the
recipients of Birthday Honours from the King,
on the occasion of his Majesty's birthday, are
Mr. Jeremiah Colman and Mr. Frank Crisp.
Mr. Colman, who has received a baronetcy, is
the proprietor of Gattoa Park, Reigate, and is
well known for his liberal patronage of gar-
dening, especially Orchid-culture. Mr. Crisp,
who has received a knighthood, has a most
interesting garden at Friar Park, Henley-on-

Thames, including a rock garden he has
constructed himself, which is one of the most
remarkable we have seen in any private estab-
lishment. The rockery has been illustrated on
several occasions in these columns. In addi-
tion, Mr. Crisp was treasurer of the Linnean
Society for many years, and all those con-
nected with the management of that society
well know what valuable services he rendered in
that capacity. We congratulate Sir Jeremiah
Colman, Bart., and Sir Frank Crisp, and wish
them health to enjoy their honours for many
years to come.

Geo. Monro, Ltd. — A pleasant reunion took
place on Saturday last, the 9th inst., at the
Cafe Monico, Piccadilly Circus, London, the
ion being the 13th annual dinner of t he-
staff of Geo. Monro, Ltd., of Covent Garden.
Mr. Geo. Monro occupied the chair, and was
supported by his co-directors, Messrs. E. G.
MONRO, GEO. Monro, JUNR., A. J. Monro, and
C. Cole, and a few friends. After dinner an
excellent musical programme was enjoyed, inter-
spersed by a few short speeches. The Chair-
man, in proposing the health of hjs staff,
mentioned that, when he commenced business
in Covent Garden 38 years ago, his staff was
one boy, to whom he paid 9s. per week. To-
day his London staff totalled 155, of whom 130
were present, and he had branches in Manches-
ter and Guernsey. Several speakers, in propos-
ing or acknowledging other toasts, testified to
the excellent manner in which the business was
conducted and to the cordial and sympathetic
relations existing between employers and em-
ployees.

The "Schneider- Banquet in Paris. —

On Saturday evening last a large and enthusias-
tic gathering of Mr. Geo. Schneider's friends
took place at the Restaurant Ledoyen, Champs
Elyst'es, Paris. The object was to celebrate his
recent nomination as Officer du Merite Agri-
cole. Mr. Albert Truffaut presided, and
among the distinguished company present we
noticed MM. Abel Chatexay, Moseb & Son,
Louis I.eroy, Geo. Bruant, Sallier, H. Mar-
tinet, Salomon. Thiebaut & Son, Xomblot,
Bois, Millet, Nonin, Gravereau, Croux fils,
Aug. Cordonnter. Brochet, G. Truffaut,
C. IIarman Payne, and many others. The
Chairman, after an eloquent speech, in which
he made frequent allusions to the many services
rendered to horticulture, and especially to the
work of the French Horticultural Society of.
London, by Mr. Schneider, presented him with
a handsome testimonial consisting of a clock, a
pair of vases, and candelabra. An album con-
taining the names of the 180 subscribers accom-
panied the presentation. Of these, 25 were Bel-
gians, 10 English, 1 Italian, and the remainder
were French. Mr. Schneider received an over-
whelming ovation on rising to return thanks.
At the conclusion of his speech he said he was
commissioned to hand to M. Thiebaut a hand-
some fruit stand in silver, and to add that the so-
ciety had resolved to confer upon him the honour
of a life membership of the society. M. E.
Thiebaut responded, and alluded to the warm
welcome always accorded to young foreigners by
Mr. Schneider on their arrival in London, and
the help and advice he unceasingly accorded to
them.

Arctotis decurrens. — In the notice of the
current number of the Botanical Magazine (see
p. 330l the methods there mentioned as employed
in propagating the shrubby species of Arctotis (A.
aspera, &c.) were, by an obvious error, extended
to the herbaceous A. decurrens. The great rarity
of the latter plant sufficiently emphasises the
difficulties that lie in the way of increasing it.

The Winter Rot of Potatos. — This
common disease of Potatos is nearly always pre-
sent to some extent in the tubers when in store,
and reaches the proportions of an epidemic dur-
ing hot, dry seasons. The tubers only are at-
tacked, and inoculation by spores present in
the soil takes place when the tubers are young,
but as a rule, the disease is not noticeable when
they are lifted although the mycelium of the
fungus is present in the tissues. A leaflet re-
cently issued by the Board of Agriculture states
that as a preventive of an attack of winter rot
tin' tubers should be well dried before storing.
Flowers of sulphur sprinkled over them at the
rate of 2 lb. to the ton will destroy the fungus,
and also hold in check wroodlice, &c, which by
their movements convey the spores throughout
the mass of tubers. Potato stores of whatever
kind should be well ventilated. Land that has
carried a diseased crop should not be planted
with Potatos for some years afterwards. Kainit,
at the rate of 5 to 6 cwt. per acre, applied in
the drills before planting the tubers, or as a top-
dressing before the horse hoe is used for the last
time, will help in preventing attacks of this
fungus.

Publications Received. Onions, by Horace J.
Wright, published by the London Agricultural and
cultural Association, Ltd., 92, Long Acre, W.C.
Price one penny. — Les Arbustesd Ornement de Pleine
Terre, by S. Mollet, published by Octave Doin, et
Librame Agricole, Paris. Price, 3 fr. 5u c— Mutations,
Variations, and Relationships o] the Oenotheras, by
D. T. MacDougal, A. M. Vail, and G. H. Shull ; pub-
lished by the Carnegie Institution ol Washington. —
I.cs Plantes Trqpicales de Grai,de Culture, by E. de
Wildeman, Tome I. ; published l,\ Allied Castaigne,
28, Hue de Berlaimont, Brussels.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents, j

Fuchsias as Decorative Plants.— An old
gardener may possibly regard the Fuchsia as of
more worth than do the younger men. The older
gardeners in their earlier days employed Fuch-
sias largely, and found them charming, graceful,
beautiful subjects. They grew them u.en, as
Mr. Webster does' so finely now, as pot plants,
both pyramidal and standard. They planted
them against pillars and other supports, and
employed them for draping the sides and roofs
of conservatories or corridors. Out-of-doors
they were similarly planted, and also largely
used for flower-beds. At one time so popular
was the Fuchsia that raisers had full encourage-
ment to produce new and charming varieties ;
hence we had, and still have, a wealth of
varieties. Would that the beautiful illustration
you published last week of Mr. Webster's fine
specimens cause a return to popularity for the
Fuchsia, whether as a pot plant or for any other
form of cultivation. Huge double Begonias,
gigantic Chrysanthemums, tender, short-lived
Dahlias, and similar plants have societies
specially formed to promote their interests, but
the beautiful Fuchsia has no such interests.
It Mr. Webster of Beckeaham, Mr. li.ight of
Reading, or some of those growers in the West
of England who were in days past disciples or
imitators of that veteran grower, James Lye,
would bring some of their noble specimens to
Vincent Square or to one of the great metro-
politan summer show-., it would enable Lon-
doners and other people to see how beautiful
those lofty pyramidal Fuchsias really are.
It is pleaded that these tall plants when in
full bloom travel badly. Mr. James Lye, when
at Market I.amington, specially raised varieties
that did not drop their blooms readily. . He
realised the importance of this, and produced
in his day some of the most free-growing,
heavily-flowered varieties, and these did not
drop their "bells" readily. I well remember
seeing his noble specimens, 10 feet in height,
which had travelled some 15 or more miles to
a West of England show and back, yet seemed
as full of flower two days later as though not
one had fallen. With such varieties the danger
in transit is minimised. To build up a noble

34G

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 16, 1907.

and perfect pyramid, some patience and cultural
skill is needed. Once formed, it will remain a
good specimen for several years. D.

Judging Muscats. — The letter on p. 331,
signed by the four judges — honoured names in
the horticultural world — is clear as far as it
goes, but it leaves one point unexplained, and
it is a very important one to all interested in
fruit exhibitions. If they had the doubt men-
tioned respecting the Muscats being true to
name, why was the 1st prize awarded to the
collection, and the prize slips affixed to the
cards of the three exhibitors before the final
decision? It was stated at the show that a
complaint was made after the awards were re-
corded and the cards turned face upwards. Is
this the case or not? That the 1st prize slip
was attached to Mr. Lock's card many can
testify, so there must have been a mistake
somewhere. But as it appears from the judges'
statement that they decided the Grape was not
a Muscat, the suggestion by A. D. in the same
page should receive consideration, though if all
the fruit has not been removed from the vine, 1
cannot see why the matter might not be settled
this season. As it stands, the affair is exceed-
ingly unsatisfactory all round. R. L. C.

1 was very glad to see a note on p.

331 from the judges respecting their decision in
Class I., but with very great respect to them, I
must say I am not at all satisfied with their
explanation. If, as they say, when pointing
the collections of fruit they were suspicious as
to my Grapes being Muscats, why did they
label my card 1st prize, and Mr. Goodacre's
lard 2nd prize? Surely before doing this they
must have been absolutely satisfied that I had
the best collection, and I should like to know
who caused them to alter their decision. Do
they mean to say that after awarding me 1st
prize, they were not satisfied, and then tasted
my Grapes, or after they had finished judging
was their attention called to the fact that my
Grapes were not Muscats, and they were thus
caused to reverse the labels? I note the judges
say they are not responsible for the naming of
my Grapes, but surely judges selected for such
an important exhibition should be qualified to
satisfy exhibitors as to the names of the variety
or kind of fruit which they decide is not truly
named. At the Guildford Chrysanthemum
Society's exhibition held last week, I was
awarded 1st prize for Muscats cut from the same
rods, and judged by three gardeners well known
in the horticultural world. James Loik.

The Cold Storage of Fruit. — The remarks
on above subject (p. 313| remind one of a recent
conversation with a man who deals in country
produce. He was saying that he had pur-
chased over 100 stones of late Apples in various
lots. In reply to the query as to where he
stored them, he said he had "pied" them like
Potatos, having found from experience they
kept very well in that way until Christmas time
and later if the process was carried out care-
fully. His plan is to choose a sheltered posi-
lion in his garden, the soil of which is of a
sandy character. He next marks out a space
about o feet in width and in length, according
to the quantity to be pied. He digs out the soil
one spade depth with the crumbs, then lays a
good bed of clean 'Wheat straw on the surface
and up the sides of this opening. On this the
Apples are carefully laid into a ridge, say, 3
feet in height, -.electing only sound fruits. A
good layer of the straw is placed on each side
of the ridge, with the cut ends downwards,
covering the whole up with about 9 inches in
thickness of the surrounding soil, which is well
beaten down. Yorkshire Gardener.

Tree Planting and Staking. — The instruc-
tive article,, which appeared on p. 309, from Mr.
J. Clark, should be of great value to many. I
would like to add a suggestion to that artii le,
and invite thoset who have not yet tried the
lasting value of coir yarn for use in tying trees
to do so, and tbfey will find it will last about
three times as long as the tarred hemp generally
used. It is not so nice to handle or so easily-
strained up as hemp, but if it is first tied round
the mat on the stem of the tree (not too tightly),
the tree may then be held midway between two
stakes so arranged as to take the strain from
the windy quarter, or be tied firmly to one stake
with the matting or sacking between. Robert
Brown, Junr., J/, Bridge Street, Bristol.

Bouvardias. — In the article by H. R. W. on
p. 307, in which he furnishes a list of selected
varieties for winter blooming, the very finest
scarlet of all — President Cleveland — is omitted.
It is far superior to Hogarth and Dazzler, and
has to a great extent superseded these varieties
in the large trade establishments where plants
are grown to supply Covent Garden Market.
Again, a double white and double pink are
given, but not Hogarth flore pleno, which is as
far as my experience goes the best of the double
reds, for at present we have no double counter-
part of President Cleveland. In the article
above referred to, mention is made of propa-
gating the Bouvardia by means of root cuttings,
and on this point I had at one time a rather
singular experience. It happened many years
ago, just at the time the double white variety
Alfred Neuner was distributed. There was a
great demand for it at a comparatively high
price, and being engaged in the propagating
department of a prominent nursery, I naturally
desired to work up as large a stock as possible
in a short time. Towards this end I propa-
gated from cuttings both of the young shoots
and of the roots, but while the first proved all
true, the plants obtained from the roots only
produced about 30 per cent, of double blossoms,
the others being simply B. Davidsonii, from
which the double-flowered Alfred Neuner
originated. The experiments were repeated two
or three times with much the same results, but
circumstances have of late years prevented me
making any further experiments in the mat-
ter. W.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

November 12. — The ordinary fortnightly meet-
ing of the Committees took place on Tuesday
last in the Vincent Square Hall, Westminster.
The exhibits were .not so numerous as usual,
but they included an exceptionally fine group
of stove and greenhouse plants from Messrs.
Jas. Veitch & Sons, for which the firm was
awarded a Gold Medal.

Awards to novelties included one First-Class
Certificate and one Award of Merit recom-
mended by the Orchid Committee, and one
First-Class Certificate and five Awards of Merit
recommended by the Floral Committee.

In the afternoon a lecture on " Succulent
Plants" was delivered by Mr. R. Irwin Lynch,
V.M.II.

Floral Committee.

Present : II. B. May, Esq. (in the chair), and
Messrs. C. T. Druery, Geo. Nicholson, A. R.
Goodwin, J. Green, J. T. Bennett Poe, Chas. E.
Shea, E. Mawley, J. F. McLeod, G. Reuthe, W.
Bain, Jas. Douglas, W. T. Ware, Chas. Dixon,
C. E. Pearson, W. Cuthbertson, W. P. Thom-
son, E. H. Jenkins, W. G. Baker, Geo. Paul,
J. Jennings, and Jas. Hudson.

Messrs. J. Hill & Son, Barrowfield Nurseries,
Lower Edmonton, staged a group of Gleichenias
in about 14 distinct varieties and species. All
the plants were examples of high culture, and
the group excited much interest. (Silver-Gilt
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. James Veiich & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, set up a magnificent group of
ornamental-leaved plants of exotic species, re-
lieved with some showy Orchids and other plants
in flower. This group was shown in Messrs.
Ykiich's best style, and, in conjunction with
an exhibit of winter-flowering Begonias, received
the highest award of a Gold Medal.

A very long table was wholly filled with ad-
mirable plants of Begonias of the Gloire de Lor-
raine type by Mr. H. Parr (gr. to F. A. Bevan,
Esq., Trent Park, New Barnet). (Silver-Gilt
Banksian Medal.)

Rev. H. Buckson, Sutton Hall, Derby (gr.
Mr. Shambrook), showed Cyclamen latifolium
in a setting of small Cocos Palms and Isolepis
gracilis. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
again displayed bunches of Zonal Pelargoniums.
This firm also exhibited an interesting collec-
tion of Cactaceous plants that served to illus-
trate many of the examples mentioned by Mr.
Lynch in his lecture at the three o'clock meet-
ing of the Fellows. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. W. H. Page, Tangley Nurseries, Hamp-
ton, Middlesex, exhibited remarkably well culti-
vated flowers of winter-flowering Carnations in
most of the choicer varieties. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Clibrans, Altrincham and Manches-
ter, staged winter-flowering Begonias of the
semi-tuberous rooting type, including the varie-
ties Mrs. Heal, Winter Glow, Winter Perfection,
Bowden Beauty (rose colour), Ensign, &c. (Sil-
ver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Russell, Richmond Nurseries, Richmond,
Surrey, showed tiny pot plants of Aucuba
japonica that were bright with the scarlet
berries. At one end of the group were small
plants in fruit of C'otoneaster horizontalis.

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate Nur-
series, London, N., also showed berried plants
intermingled with Conifers and choice shrubs.
As a separate exhibit this firm displayed Carna-
tions in vases, Ericas, and other greenhouse
plants. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed vases of Carnations, plants of I
Cyclamen, Ericas, &c.

Messrs. H. B. May & Co., Dyson's Lane Nur-
series, Upper Edmonton, showed Veronicas of
the shrubby type, Begonia Gloire de Lorraine,
and its derivatives, small plants of Chrysanthe-
mums, Poinsettias, Carnations, Ferns, &c. (Sil-
ver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
London, displayed a number of Alpine and bor-
der plants.

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, Kent, made a big
display with choice species of Himalayan Rho-
dodendron, small Conifers in pots, interesting
shrubs, and a number of Alpine and border
plants. Amongst the shrubs were noticed Loma-
tia pinnatifolia, Vaccinium ovatum, Pittosporum
Tobira, Daphniphvllum macropodon, i&c.

Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey,
showed Chrysanthemums in newer varieties, and
including many of the single and decorative
types.

Mr. C. J. Simpson, St. John's Nursery, Mild-
may Road, Chelmsford, made a pretty exhibit
with Chrysanthemums, tall bamboo epergnes
filled with single varieties being very effective.

Several big blooms of a white Japanese Chry-
santhemum named Mrs. J. May and a few speci-
mens of the pink-coloured Miss Olive Miller were
shown by F. L. Davis, Esq., Northaw House,
Potter's Bar (gr. Mr. May). (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

AWARDS.

First-Class Certificate.
Nephrolepis exaltata superbissima. — This is an-
other Plumose variety of the well-known Ne-
phrolepis. The fronds are more plumose and
dense than N. todeaoides, each frond being
almost like a cushion, several inches in depth.
Some of the pinnae grow upwards, at right-
angles to the rachis, thus producing the re-
markable thickness of the frond. It is a very
" hard " fern, and will probably be capable of
withstanding ill-usage better than N. todea-
oides, but it is much less beautiful than that
variety, being too dense, therefore of heavy ap-
pearance. Shown by Messrs. F. R. Pierson &
Co., Tarrytown-on-Hudson, New York, U.S.A.

Awards of Merit.

Chrysanthemum Foxhunter. — A very pretty, de-
corative variety of the Japanese type. The col-
our of the florets is brownish crimson, with buff
reverse, which shows in the centre of the flower
and almost all over it by reason of the tips of
the florets incurving inwards.

Chrysanthemum Frank Payne. — This is a
Japanese flower of sufficiently large size for ex-
hibition. It is a smooth flower, almost white,
but having a very pale lilac shade over the
entire surface.

Chrysanthemum Freda Bedford (see description
in our last issue, p. 334). — These three Chrysan-
themums were shown by Messrs. W. Wei.i s &
Co.

Nerine "Purple Princess." — This is a very fine
Nerine, shown by H. J. Elwes, Esq.. Coles-
bourne (gr. Mr. Walters). It was raised from a
cross effected between N. " Purple Prince " and
a novelty. The scape bore eight large flowers
of good form, and in colour rich scarlet ap-
proaching crimson.

November 16, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

347

'Begonia Miss Clibran. — This is described as
being a hybrid Begonia, obtained from a cross
between a tuberous variety and B. socotrana.
It is, therefore, a winter flowering variety be-
longing to the section raised by Messrs. Jas.
Veitch & Sons. The flowers are double, rich
pink in colour, and are very freely produced.
Judged by its habit as shown and the finely-
developed foliage, this plant has an excellent
constitution, and is capable of making very free
growth. It may be described as a more vigor-
-ius Julius. Shown by the raisers, Messrs. W.
Clibran & Son. (See fig. 136.)

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the chair),
and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec.), Harry J.
Veitch, De B. Crawshay, J. Wilson Potter, R.
Brooman-White, W. Bolton, H. Little, W. Box-
all, W. Thompson, F. M. Ogilvie, J. Charles-
worth, R. G. Thwaites, F. J. Hanbury, F.
Sander, A. Dye, G. F. Moore, W. P. Bound, W.
Cobb, W. H. Young, W. H. White, H. A. Tracy,
iF. J. Thorne, H. Ballantine, C. J. Lucas, W. A.
Bilney, and H. G. Alexander.

H. Spicee, Esq., Aberdeen Park, Highbury
(gr. Mr. Lovegrove), showed a group of about
100 Cypripedium Spicerianum, set up with
Maidenhair Ferns and variegated Panicum.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, arranged
an interesting group, in the centre of which was
a fine plant of their good type of Vanda ccerulea,
with two spikes of 12 and 20 sky-blue flowers.
Among the species were the curious Listro-
stachys fimbriata from Uganda, a fine Phalasnop-
sis violacea, and various Oncidiums. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, staged a
group, specially good in Cypripediums, includ-
ing a fine selection of varieties of C. insigne, C.
Minos Young's variety, and other hybrid Cypri-
pediums. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, had a
showy little group, which included three distinct
white forms of Cattleya labiata, a selection of
Cypripediums, and several interesting species of
Orchids.' (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs". Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, showed a very good selection of hybrid
Cypripediums, C. insigne Sanderae, C. insigne
Hercules, &c. (Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Monsieur Mertens, Mont St. Amand, Ghent,
staged a small group of very pretty hybrid Odon-
toglossums and two hybrid Cattleyas. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Sir Ieremiah Coleman, Bart., Gatton Park,
Reigate (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound), showed his pretty
Brasso-Cattleya Mary, in form like a Brassavola,
but larger ; cream, white, slightly tinged with rose,
and spotted with purple ; and Ccelogyne Colmani,
both of which had previously secured Awards.

F. Ducane Godman, Esq., Horsham, sent the
superbly-coloured Cattleya labiata Mrs. F. Du-
cane Godman.

Mr. H. A. Tracy, Twickenham, showed
Cypripedium Fred Hardy var. grander — a finely-
formed flower.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, showed
a very nice selection of Orchids in the centre of
their magnificent group of stove-house foliage
plants. Cypripedium Diomede (Niobe X Lee-
anum) was a pretty new hybrid.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), sent Cypripedium Emperor
of India, a very large and finely-coloured flower.
Mr. W. H. Young, Mercury Nursery, Rom-
ford, showed a good yellow form of Cypripedium
insigne, and two very pretty C. Euryades.

J. Forster Ai.COCK, Esq., Northchurch, Berk-
hamsted, sent Cypripedium nobile, of unre-
i corded parentage, a large flower, of good shape
and soft colouring.

Messrs. Edgar & Co., South Woodford,
showed seven distinct forms of Cypripedium in-
i signe.

Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O., CLE., Wes-

■ tonbirt, Tetbury, showed Lselio-Cattleya Priam

(C. Harrisoniana X L.-C. callistoglossa), a

' pretty flower, with pale lilac coloured sepals and

I petals and ruby-crimson lip, with the median

| area white and yellow ; and L.-C. Golden Beauty

(L.-C. Ernestii X C. Dowiana), with two spikes

1 of 10 and 12 flowers and buds, of the form of

j L.-C. Hippolyta, yellow, with ruby-red front to

the lip, and a line of the same colour from the

1 base to the middle.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.
Cyfripediam nitens, Leeanum var. Hannibal,
from Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O., CLE.
(gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander). — A noble flower,
with a leaning towards C. nitens Sallieri in
colour, with the larger and finer-shaped qualities
of C. Leeanum giganteum. The fine dorsal
sepal is apple-green on the lower half, with
spotted purple lines, the inch-wide margin being
pure white. Petals broad and wavy on the mar-
gin, and, like the large labellum, honey-yellow
tinged with chocolate purple.

Award of Merit.
Habcnaria Uganda, from Sir Trevor Law-
rence, Bart., Burford (gr. Mr. W. H. White).—
A very remarkable species of the H. Bonatea
section from Uganda. The plant had a single
stout stem, bearing at intervals fleshy, light green
leaves, and a terminal inflorescence of 25 flowers
and greenish buds. The very singularly-formed
flowers were white in the centre, and green on
the outer parts, and furnished with a greenish
spur about 6 inches in length. The species of

Crawley, Sussex, staged a collection of vege-
tables, having Parsnips, Onions, Leeks, Brus-
sels Sprouts, Turnips, Cabbages, &c. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

THE LECTURE.
At the three o'clock meeting of the Fellows
a lecture was delivered by Mr. R. Irwin Lynch,
V.M.H., on "Succulent Plants." The lecturer
stated that all succulent plants belonged to the
type known as Xerophytes, that is to say, they
are so constructed that they are capable of
living under conditions where other plants
would fail owing to lack of moisture. All
Xerophytes, however, are not succulent, for
some are thin and dry. Succulents are enabled
to overcome this difficulty of water supply by
storing a larger quantity of moisture in their
cells (and hence their succulency), which they
are able to retain during periods of drought
owing to the character of their epidermis.
Xerophytes attain their highest development in
dry, warm climates, or on cold, wind-swept
mountains, but they are found in nearly every
country. Some are indigenous to Britain. It

Fig. 136.— begonia "miss clibran," as kxhibited at r.h.s. meeting on Tuesday last,
by messrs. w. clibran and son. colour of flowers, rich pink. (award of merit.)

this class are notoriously difficult to grow, and
a Cultural Commendation was given to Mr. W.
H. White (Orchid grower to Sir Trevor Law-
rence) for his success with this fine specimen.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: J. Cheal, Esq. (in the chair), and
Messrs. W. Poupart, C. G. A. Nix, P. D. Tuc-
kett, G. Reynolds, J. Davis, H. Markham, A. R.
Allan, H. Parr, W. Pope, Geo. Woodward, A.
Dean, Geo. Keif, and H. Somers Rivers.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, N.B., and
Mark's Tey, Essex, showed a very fine exhibit of
Potatos in 72 varieties. A prominent position
was given to a white oval-shaped maincrop
variety named The Factor. (Silver Knightian
Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, again displayed a collection of Apples
and Pears, in all about 46 varieties. Interspersed
in the group were trees of the Citrus family in
fruit.

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Lowfield Nurseries,

is a mistake to imagine that they always dislike
water, for they sometimes grow under condi-
tions of considerable moisture, and when this
is the case they do not necessarily absorb more
than they require. The plants further have,
as already indicated, a special epidermal
character, which, while checking the undue
loss of moisture, yet allows the functions of
respiration, &c, to be adequately dis-
charged. The plants often are of such a
shape as to expose to the air the smallest area
of transpiring surface. Some of the species
are of imposing appearance, and frequently
exhibit spines of a very ornamental character.
Many are remarkable for their gorgeous flowers
of the purest and most brilliant tints. Mr.
Lynch gave a list of representative species of
the various genera, and explained their habitats,
showing how certain genera occur in specific
parts of the world. A large number of Lantern
slides, and specimens of many of the plants
mentioned by the lecturer, added considerable
interest to the subject.

348

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 16, 1907

BIRMINGHAM & MIDLAND COUNTIES

CHRYSANTHEMUM, FRUIT AND

FLJRIOULrURAL.

November 12, 13, 14. — The fo.ty-seventh an-
nual exhibition of this society was held in the
Bingley Hall on the above dates. The show was
smaller than that held a year ago, and the
quality of the exhibits generally was not of such
a high order of merit. Chrysanthemums, on the
whole, were seen in fairly good condition, while
the tables decorated with Chrysanthemum
flowers were superior to those exhibited last
autumn.

There appeared to be a falling off in the fruit
classes : in some cases the quality of the fruit
was good and in others below the average.

Vegetables were wonderfully good in quality.

Honorary exhibits seemed scarcely equal in
extent to those of a year ago. They included
miscellaneous plants, flowers, hardy shrubs and
large displays of floral devices. Fruit and vege-
tables added greatly to the interest and spec-
tacular effect of the show, which is considered
to be one of the most important of its kind held
in the provinces.

Groups of Chrysanthemums.

Eight exhibits were staged in the three classes
provided for groups of Chrysanthemums.

The most important class was one for groups
shown in areas of 20 feet by 12 feet, and for
which the "William Butler" Memorial Silver
Cup, kindly given by W. W. Butler, Esq.,
together with £10, were offered as the 1st prize.
The cup, when won three times in succession,
becomes the absolute property of the winner.

Of the three contestants this year, Messrs.
Sanford & Co., Hall Green, Birmingham, took
the lead with an artistic arrangement, but in
which the flowers were not of the best quality.

The 2nd prize of £7 was awarded to Messrs.
James Randall & Sons, Shirley, Birmingham,
for a group consisting of very large well-finished
flowers of the Japanese and incurved sections,
but they were rather overcrowded, and the ar-
rangement much too flat. J. A. Kf.nrick, Esq.,
Berrow Court, Edgbaston (gr. Mr. A. Cryer) was
placed 3rd with a very creditable display.

In a similar class to the last named, but
occupying less space, there were three exhibits,
and much credit is due to Mr. J. Austin, Spark,
brook, who took 1st prize with a splendid col-
lection in which were several plants of the
variety C. H. Curtis, which showed remarkably
good culture. 2nd, Mr. Xormanskll, Edgbas-
ton (gr. Mr. S. Gibbs).

In a class for plants of decorative Chrysan-
themums, each exhibit to occupy an area measur-
ing 15 feet by 10 feet, to be arranged as grown,
Messrs. Sanford & Co., Hall Green, Birming-
ham, won the 1st prize ; 2nd, Messrs. James
Simpson & Sons, Harborne.
) Specimen plants. — With the exception of one
class, all the prizes awarded in the specimen
plant section were divided between E. Mar-
tineau, Esq., West Hill, Edgbaston (gr. Mr.
O. Brasier) and J. A. KENRICJt, Esq., Berrow
Court, Edgbaston (gr. Mr. A. Cryer).

The first-named exhibitor won 1st prizes in the
classes for (1) six large flowering Chrysanthe-
mums (Japanese excluded); (2) six Japanese;
(3) three Japanese; (4) one Japanese; and (5)
three single-flowered varieties. J. A. Kenrick,
Esq. (gr. Mr. A. Cryer) was 2nd in each of the
above-mentioned classes.

Both of these exhibitors were beaten by Col.
E. Paley, Mickleton Manor (gr. Mr. C. C.
Rowland) in a class for one large flowering va-
riety (Japanese excluded).

Cut Blooms.
The leading class was one for collections of
b'ooms arranged on floor spaces measuring 20 feet
by 12 feet. The inclusion of cut foliage, foliage
plants and vases or stands of any shape or size
was allowed. The 1st prize of £15 and a silver
challenge shield, the latter to be held by the ex-
hibitor during the ensuing year, was won by
Mr. Norman Davis, Framfield, Sussex, with a
magnificent group of flowers of excellent quality
artistically arranged in bamboo stands and
vases of various sizes. Richly-coloured Co-
diaeums and sprays of hardy foliage were used
with good effect to relieve the Chrysanthemums.
2nd, Messrs. W. SANFORD 8 Co., Hall Green ;
3rd, Studlfy Horticultural College, War-
wickshire.

Vase classes. — An important class was one for
18 Japanese blooms in six varieties and having
stems 18 inches in length. The 1st prize was
won by Lt.-Col. Beech, Coventry (gr. Mr. E. J.
Brooks), whose best flowers were Algernon
Davis, Marquise V. Venosta, and F. S. Vallis.
2nd, Sir A. Muntz, M.P., Rugby (gr. Mr. H.
Blakeway), with a splendid exhibit ; 3rd, Mr.
W. Iggulden, Frome, Somerset.

In a class for 12 Japanese blooms, distinct,
and another for six Japanese blooms, Mark
Firth, Esq., Leicester (gr. Mr. F. J. Clark), took
both 1st prizes with beautifully fiesh flowers of
splendid quality.

The winning vase of any pink-coloured Jap-
anese variety was staged by Mr. W. Iggulden,
Frome, who had very good flowers of the va-
riety Mrs. Barkley. The same exhibitor also
contributed the best crimson-coloured Japanese
variety in " Magnificent."

The Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,
Highbury, Birmingham (gr. Mr. J. Deacon) had
the best vase of any white Japanese variety in
his blooms of Mrs. A. T. Miller. Earl Spen-
cer, Althorp Park (gr. Mr. Silas Cole), secured
the premier prize for a vase of any yellow-col-
oured Japanese variety. The sort staged was
F. S. Vallis.

Single Chrysanthemums. — A. H. Hickman,
Esq., Cookley, Kidderminster, won the 1st prize
in a cjass for four varieties of singles, eight
sprays of each variety. He showed Edith Pag-
ram, Grace, Bronze Pagram, and Mrs. T. Bird.

Table decorations. — The 1st prize for a deco-
rative dinner table was won by A. Hughes,
Esq., Knowle (gr. Mr. T. Parry), who used
single Chrysanthemums, narrow Codiaeum
leaves and sprays of Ampelopsis Veitchii ; 2nd,
Miss M. Clarke, Sparkbrook. There were 24
exhibits in this class.

The best bouquet of Chrysanthemums was
staged by Mr. A. E. Forty, King's Norton, and
consisted of a small soft ipink Anemone-
flowered variety.

MisceUane, us. — Two classes were provided for
Cyclamen, the one for 12 plants and the other
for six plants. The 1st prize in each class was
awarded to Mrs. H. S. Power, Derby (gr. Mr.
A. Sime-son), whose plants were rather small
but well-flowered.

Primulas. — R. Peyton, Esq., Augustus
Road, Edgbaston (gr. Mr. A. W. Voung), had
the best six single-flowered Primulas ; 2nd, J. A.
Kenrick, Esq. (gr. Mr. A. Cryer).

Carnations. — The 1st prize of £4 offered for
cut Carnations was awarded to Messrs. Jas.
Randall & Sons, Shirley, Birmingham ; 2nd,
Mr. S. Mortimer, Farnham, Surrey.

Fruit.

There were only two competitors in a class
for British-grown fruit to occupy spaces not ex-
ceeding 40 square feet. The principal prize of
£7 was awarded to the Earl of Harrington,
Elvaston Castle, Derby (gr. Mr. J. H. Good-
acre), whose collection contained very fine ex-
amples of Muscat of Alexandria and Gros Col-
mar Grapes, richly-coloured Apples, Peaches,
Plums, and Pears; 2nd, the Earl of Carnarvon,
Burton-on-Trent (gr. Mr. F. Read). The
Grapes in this collection were large and well-
finished, but the Apples and Pears were defi-
cient in colour.

In a class for a collection of British-grown
hardy fruits arranged on a table measuring 12
feet by 8 feet, a silver challenge' cup was offered
by Councillor H. S. Bevins. The only collec-
tion was one staged by Mr. C. W. Powell,
Hereford, who thus holds the trophy for one
year.

Grapes. — Grapes were splendidly shown. For
six bunches in not fewer than three varieties,
the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle,
Derby (gr. Mr. J. H. Goodacre), took the lead.
The same exhibitor also had the best two
bunches of White Grapes (Muscats excluded).

Lord Bagot, Rugeley (gr. Mr. T. Banner-
man), had the best three bunches of Black
Crapes. His bunches of Barbarossa were very
large and well-finished ; 2nd, F. Need, Esq.,
Great Malvern (gr. Mr. J. Jones), with Gros
Colmar. The best three bunches of Muscat of
Alexandria Grapes came from the gardens of
Hugh Andrews, Esq., Toddington Manor (gr.
Mr. T. Tooley).

C. Winn, Esq., Selly Park, carried off the
1st prizes in two classes for Black and White
Grapes confined to local growers.

Apples and Pears. — The competition in these
classes was keen, and in the class for six
dishes of culinary Apples, Mr. E. W. Caddick,
Hereford, won the 1st prize, although closely fol.
lowed by Mr. J. Bott, Hereford. The best six
dishes of dessert Apples were shown by the Earl
of Harrington (gr. Mr. J. H. Goodacre).

Pears. — The Earl of Harrington (gr. Mr. J.
H. Goodacre) also won in a class for eight
dishes of Pears ; 2nd, Mr. Peter Blair, Trent-
ham. There were nine exhibits in this class.

Vegetables.

Special prizes tor vegetables were off'' red by
several seedsmen, and the produce exhibited
was meritorious.

Prizes offered by Messrs. Sutton & Sons,
Reading, for collections of nine kinds of vege-
tables brought two competitors only. Of these,
Mr. E. Beckett, Aldenham, Elstree, was
placed 1st ; Mark Firth, Esq., Leicester (gr.
Mr. F. J. Clark), being 2nd.

Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge, offered
prizes for eight kinds of vegetables, and six ex-
hibits were placed before the judges, who
awarded the premier position to Mr. John
Hudson, Leicester; 2nd, Earl Spencer, Althorp
Park (gr. Mr. S. Cole).

Prizes for vegetables were also offered by Mr.
Robert Sydenham, Messrs. W. H. Simpson
& Sons, and Messrs. Thompson & Co., all of
Birmingham.

Honorary Exhibits.

The following awards were made to non-
competitive exhibits: —

Gold Medals to Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stour-
bridge, for vegetables; Messrs. Perkins & Sons,
Coventry, for floral devices; Messrs. Gunn iV-
Sons, Olton, for floral devices; Mr. W. J. Gon.
frey, Exmouth, for Chrysanthemums and Zonal
Pelargoniums ; Messrs. Yates & Sons, Birming-
ham, for vegetables; Messrs. J. Waterer &
Sons, Bagshot, Surrey, for hardy shrubs.

Small Gold Medal to Messrs. Gunn & Sons,
Olton, for rockwork.

Silver Gill Medal to the King's Acre Nursery
Co., Hereford, for fruit.

Silver Medals to Messrs. Pewtress Bros.,
Hereford, for hardy fruit; Mr. Wooi.m an,
Tysley, Birmingham, for Chrysanthemums;
Messrs. Hewitt and Co., Solihull, for Carna-
tions and hardy shrubs ; Studley Horticul-
tural College, Warwickshire, for bottled
fruits ; Mr. W. B. Ellison, West Bromwich, for
Ferns; Messrs. Bick Bros., Olton, for Alpine
plants and cut flowers; Messrs. H. J. & A.
Hughes, Water Orton, for floral devices and
cut flowers; Messrs. R. Smith & Co., \\
ter, for hardy shrubs and hardy fruits ;
Messrs. J. Peed & Son, West Norwood, for
Chrysanthemums; Messrs. Child & Co., AcockS
Green, for Chrysanthemums; Miss Thompson,
Handsworth, for Cacti; Messrs. Sanforo 9
Co., Hall Green, Birmingham, for single
Chrysanthemums ; Messrs. Thompson & Co.,
Birmingham, for vegetables ; Mr. Vincent
Slade, Taunton, for Zonal Pelargoniums ; Mr.
R. W. Green, Wisbech, for Potatos.

Bronze Medals to Messrs. Pope & Son, Kind's
Norton, for hardy shrubs; Messrs. Wells S
Co., Merstham, Surrey, for Chrysanthemums;
Mr. Burden, King's Heath, for Apples ; Messrs.
Legg & Son, Moseley, for Chrysanthemums ;
Messrs. J. Simpson & Sons, Harborne, for
shrubs ; and Mr. Rudge, Smethwick, for rustic
work.

BRISTOL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 6, 7. — The 44th annual show of
this society was held in the Drill Hall, Clifton,
on these dates. Though Chrysanthemums form
a prominent feature in this exhibition, the
schedule also provides for numerous classes of
other subjects, including Orchids, fruit, and
vegetables. Trade exhibits added considerably to
the success of the show. The society sets an
excellent example in providing a stall, the
tents of which are sold for the benefit of the
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution and
the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund.

Groups of plants. — Mr. Bannister (gr. to Mrs.
St. Vincent Ames) was the onlv exhibitor in.

November 16, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

349

a class for a group of plants occupying an area
measuring 15 feet by 10 feet. The group was
deservedly awarded the 1st prize. It was ar-
ranged in a light manner, and contained a
number of well-grown Chrysanthemums,, mingled
with Palms and other suitable ornamental-
leaved plants. Two exhibitors staged in a class
for a group of Chiysanthemums occupying a
of 60 square feet. Mr. Atwell (gr. to Mrs.
J. 13. Brain) was placed 1st with an assortment
of large-flowered Japanese and single-flowered
varieties. Mr. Bannister, who was 2nd, con-
fined his arrangement to decorative varieties.
In each case creditable displays were made.
For a group of miscellaneous plants, other than
Chrysanthemums, in a space measuring 50
square feet, Mr. Atwell was the only exhibitor,
and he was awarded the 1st prize. The group
was composed chiefly of Orchids, Salvia
splendens, and winter-flowering Begonias, inter-
spersed with suitable ornamental-leaved plants.

Cut blooms. — Though some meritorious flowers
were staged, the blooms collectively were not
so fine as ;n some former years at this show,
and this remark applies to the leading class,
that for 36 blooms of Japanese varieties, in not
fewer than 24 distinct kinds. There were five
exhibits staged in this class, the leading one by
Mr. Icgulden, Frome, who had good blooms of
Reginald Vallis, Mrs. A. T. Miller, Algernon
Davis, Mrs. Neman Davis, F. S. Vallis, Mrs.
Barkley, Mrs. A. II. Lees, O. H. Broomhead,
Mrs. R. F. Felton, Victoria and Albert, &c.
2nd, Mr. Sutton (gr. to W. A. Todd, Esq.), with
a well-coloured set of leading varieties. 3rd,
Mr. Woodman (gr. to Sidney Hill, Esq.).

Twelve Japanese blooms, distinct '. — This proved
a good class, in which five competitors staged.
Mr. Baker (gr. to Dr. CROPPER) secured the
premier prize with a good display, amongst
which were the varieties F. S. Vallis, Mrs. F.
W. Vallis, General Ilutton, Lady Mary Conyers,
and Bessie Godfrey. 2nd, Mr. J. Marshall (gr.
to Mrs. Talbot Greaves) ; and 3rd, Mr. Perry
(gr. to E. P. Lewis, Esq.). A class was also
provided for an exhibit of 12 Japanese blooms,
the competition being open to amateurs and
gentlemen's gardeners only. Mr. H. Wood-
ward (gr. to ]■'.. Waits, Esq.) was placed 1st
in this class for an even stand of flowers. He
was followed by Mr. J. Marshall.

Incurved varieties. — The principal class for
Incurved Chrysanthemums was that for -4
blooms. There was little response, for Mr. E.
Argell (gr. to E J. Curtis, Esq i was the only
exhibitor, and he was awarded the 2nd prize.

Fruit — Five exhibits were staged in a class
for a collection of five dishes of fruits. The 1st
place was well secured by Mr. T. Wilkinson
(gr. to A. Gibbs, Esq., Tyntesfield, Somerset-
shire), with splendid bunches of Muscat of
Alexandria and Mrs. Pince Grapes, Beurre
Superfin Pear, Charles Ross Apple, Ladv Pal-
merston Peach, and Coe's Golden Drop Plum;
Mi. Strugnell (gr. to the Rt. Hon. W. H. Long,
Rood Ashton Park, Wiltshire i. was placed 2nd,
with an almost equally meritorious collection ;
3rd, Mr. Bannister

Grapes. — Six classes were provided for
Grapes, and many excellent examples were
staged, though some of the \l its lacked the
best golden colour. The best bunches of Mus-
cat of Alexandria were shown bv Mr. Atwell ;
the best Black Alicante by Mr.' A. O. Shelton
(gr. to F. C. J. Fisher," Esq.) (one of these
bunches secured a prize offered for the best
bunch of Grapes in the show), and the best
Lady Downes' Seedling by Mr. J. Bainton (gr.
to Mrs. Jefferies). The finest examples of Gros
Colmar were shown by Mr. Wilkinson, who
was also 1st for Mrs. Pince.

Pears. — There was very close competition in
the lass for six varieties, and some excellent
dishes were staged. Mr. Bannister won the
Ft prize with fine fruits of Fondante de Thir-
riot. Doyenne du Ccmice, Beurre Hardy, Pit-
maston Duchess, Souvenir du Congres |i:i excel-
lent condition), and Hacon's Incomparable. Mr.
Strugnell was a close 2nd. Mr. Strugnell
secured the 1st prize for four dishes, whilst for
one dish of any ripe variety, Mr. F. A. Little
(gr. to Mr. Justice FarweII) was 1st with a fine
dish of Doyenne du Cornice.

Apples. — Here Mr. Atwell was 1st in the
class for six dishes of dessert Apples : 2nd, Mr.
STRUGNE1 i . In the class for four dishes, Mr.

Strugnell led, with excellent fruits of Egre-
mont Russet, Coronation, Allington Pippin,
and King of the Pippins. Mr. \\ oodman took
chief honours for six dishes of culinary varieties,
with large, clean fruits ; 2nd, Mr. Strugnell.

Trade exhibits. — Messrs. Garaway & Co.,
Durdham Down Nurseries, displayed Apples,
Chrysanthemums, and miscellaneous plants, in-
cluding well-grown Cyclamen. Messrs. Parker
& Sons, Clifton, staged Orchids, Roses,
wreaths, &c. Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Royal
Exotic Nursery, Cheltenham, arranged a large
collection of Orchids. " Mrs. WlNSON, florist,
Bristol, had a display of bouquets, wreaths,
and other floral devices. Messrs. Brown &
Sons, Bridge Street, Bristol, staged bulbs and
garden sundries. Mrs. Rogers, Victoria Street,
arranged floral devices.

HEREFORD FRUIT AND

CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 6, 7. — The annual exhibition of
the above society took place on these dates
in the commodious Shiiehall. The displays.
as a whole, compared favourably with those
of former years, both in number and in quality.
The exhibits of Apples and Pears, which
were important features of the show, were
tastefully arranged with a decorative material
that relieved somewhat the monotony of many
dishes repeated.

Apples ami Pears. — The chief class was one
for a collection of culinary and dessert Apples
in not more than 50 varieties, and arranged in
a space measuring 70 square feet. Mr. i\. W.
Caddick, Carador, was successful in gaining
the 1st prize, but this gentleman's exhibit gained
only three points more than that staged by the
King's ACRE NURSERl Co., Liu., wh
A class was provided for a collection of 30 dishes
of Apples. Mr. R. M. Whiting, Credenhill, was
the only exhibitor, and he was awarded the 1st
prize. The 1 ii i • -lubit of dessert and culinary
Pears in not more than 24 varieties was staged
by C T. Bates, I sq., Whitfield (gi \i. i
Grindrod) ; 2nd, Captain PalaireT, Ledbury,
these two being the only exhibitors. In the
class for 12 varieties of culinary and di
Pears there were four entries. The 1st prize wa
taken by the Rev. G. H. Davenport, 1
2nd, Sir J. R. Cotterell, Garnons ; 3rd. Mr.
C. W. Hazlehurst, Moreton Court. Th< cham-
pion dish of dessert IV:ir> in the show was found
in the 1st prize exhibit in the variei . D
du Cornice. The fruits averaged 1 lb.^ the
heaviest being 1 lb. 2 oz. In the class for a
collection ,,i eight dishes of dessert Pears A \\
FOSTER, F.sq., Brockhampton, led, and he was
followed by the Rev. J. Brierlev, Bridstow.
The premier exhibit of eight dishes of dessert
Apples was shown by Messrs. Getting lV New-
ton, Mr. \\ . Fielden being awarded the 2nd
prize. Messrs. Cox Brothers, Ross, were 1st
in the class for 12 dishes of culinary Apples.

A collection of fruits. — A class was provided
for a collection of six dishes of fruits, but Pines
were excluded. Colonel Henry won the 1st
prize with black and white Grapes, a good
Melon, Cox's Orange Pippin Apple, Coe's Gol-
den Drop Plum, and a dish of Pears. The 2nd
prize was awarded to Sir George Cornwall,
and the 3rd to G. T. Bates, Esq. A. W.
Foster, Esq., was 1st for three bunches of Gros
Colmar Grapes ; and for any other black Grape
Colonel Henry was 1st. The best bunches of
white Grapes were shown by G. T. Bates, Esq.

In a class for a decorative group of fruits, pre-
served or fresh, the King's Acre Nursery Co.
w-on the 1st prize.

Messrs. A. W. Foster, G. T. Bates, Sir J.
Cotterell, Cox Brothers, Getting & New-
ion, R. M. Whiting, W. E. E. King King. G.
H. Davenport, and Mrs. WooDHonsE took the
principal prizes in the single dish clashes for
Apples and Pears.

G. T. Bates, Esq., took the 1st prize for a
group of plants; 2nd, Sir J. Cotterell.

A collection of finely-coloured Apples was
staged by the British Columbia Government.
The King's Acre Nursery Co. staged a collec-
tion of well-coloured plants of various kinds.
Mr. Wilson, florist, Hereford, exhibited bou-
quets, wreaths. &c.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

October 31. — Committee present: Messrs. E.
Ashworth, R. Ashwoith, Ashton, Cowan,
< ypher, Keeling, Leemann, Parker, P. Smith,
Shill, Sander, Upjohn, Ward, Warbu.ton,
Walmsley, Ball, and Weathers (hon. sec).

No fewer than 15 groups of Orchids were
staged at the meeting held on this date.

An interesting and welcome event was the
exhibit staged by Mr. G. Shorland Ball, who
through ill-health a few years ago was com-
pelled to disperse his collection at Wilmslow.
He staged a healthy batch of Cypripediums, for
which he was awarded a Silver Medal. In the
group were Cypripedium insigne (Harefield Hall
van), C. X Baron Schroder, C. insigne Sanderae,
C. X Archimedes (Ball's var.), and C. X " Eve,"
a charming hybrid, of which the parentage was
unrecorded. This very beautiful hybrid may be
likened to a form of C. X aureum, but it has
more tone and delicacy than any known varie-
ties of C. X aureum. The plant received an
Award of Merit. C. X Maudiae (var. delicata)
and C. X Harrisianum (G. S. Ball's var.) were
voted Awards of Merit. C. X Keighleyense was
also in the group.

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr.
Dalgleish), again exhibited a collection of Cypri-
pediums, to which a Bronze Medal was awarded.
Amongst these was a distinct form of Cypri-
pedium x triumphans called Crook's var.,
which received an Award of Merit. In a group
of miscellaneous Orchids staged by the same
exhibitor was a well-flowered plant of Vanda
coerulea, to which the Committee also voted an
Award of Merit; Cattleya aurea var., Cattleya
labiata var., Cattleya labiata var. " Purple
Moth," C. labiata var. Mrs. A. Warburton each
received an Award of Merit, while Cattleya
labiata var. King of Greece was given a First-
Class Certificate. (Silver-Gilt Medal.)

Messrs. J. Cvrin-K & Sons, Cheltenham, ex-
hibited a good group of plants, in which were
well-grown examples of plants in season. An
Award of Merit was granted to Phaio-Cym-
bidium x chardwarense, a distinct hybrid with
rich orange-coloured flow-ers, which plainly in-
dicated its generic parentage. (Silver Medal.)

S. Gratrix, Esq., Whalley Range (gr. Mr.
Shill), received a First-Class Certificate for Cy-
pripedium x Hitchensas var. " Diab

M -srs. Charlesworth cV Co., Biadford, ex-
hibited in a group of other Orchi !s the b auti-
ful Brasso-Cattleva x Queen Alexandra. (Silver
Medal.)

G. H. Peace, Esq . Monton, exhibited Cypri-
pedium x Memnon, and C. x Milo (Cobb's
var.).

E. Ashworth, Esq., Wilmslow (gr. Mr. Hol-
brook), was awarded a First-Class Certificate for
Cattleya x Fabia (Harefield Hall var.), a rich
and beautiful form of this hybrid.

E. Rogers. in, Esq., Didsbury (gr. Mr. Price),
staged a good group, principally composed of
Cypripediums. A few other choice plants such
as Cattleya x Hardyana var. alba, Cattleya X
" Dusseldorfii," and a fine form of Oncidimn
Cavendishii were included. Amongst the Cypri-
pediums exhibited were C. x Priam, C. X Vidor
(Award of Merit), C. X Mrs. Atchison (Award
of Merit), and C. X Abraham Lincoln. (Silver
Medal.)

J. H. Craven, Esq., Keighley (gr. Mr. Corney),
exhibited a group in competition for the " Sander
Cup." Cypripedium X Leeanum var. Adrian
Lefebre received an Award of Merit. (Silver
Medal.)

Z. A. Ward, Esq., Northenden, was awarded
i Silver Medal for a group of Cypripediums of
good quality.

H. J. Bromilow, Rainhill (gr. Mr. Morgan),
was awarded a Bronze Medal for a group of Cy-
pripediums. C. X Actaeus (Drewitt's var.) and
C. Charlesworthii (" Rann Lee" var.) received
Awards of Merit

Max Isaac, Esq., Blundellsands, Liverpool
(gr. Mr. Driver), staged a small group of Cypri-
pediums in variety, and Cattleya x Cranstonae.
(Bronze Medal.)

J. M'acartney, Esq., Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes),
received an Award of Merit for Cypripedium x
Mrs. Macartney. C. x grande, C. X Vidor,
C. X Leeanum (Hey House var.) were also
shown. A Bronze Medal was voted for the Cy-
pripediums and a Silver Medal for the general
collection.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 16, 1907.

Messrs. Sander & Sons made a good display
of Cattleyas, Cypripediums, and Odontoglos-
sums. (Silver Medal.)

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill, re-
ceived a Bronze Medal for an interesting group
containing several plants of botanical interest.

Mr. W. Boi.ton, Warrington, was awarded a
Bronze Medal for a group of Orchids, princi-
pally Cattleyas and Cypripediums. P. W.

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA AND DISTRICT
CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 5, 6. — The show held on these
dates, under the auspices of the above society,
proved to be the best all-round exhibition held
by the society, for not only were the exhibits
more numerous than in previous years, but the
cut blooms were larger and better in quality.
Mr. J. Buries (gr. to J. Tabor, Esq., The Lawn,
Rochfordl, staged the best circular group of
Chrysanthemums in pots, and he was followed
bv Mr. S. Hansen (gr. at the Queen's Hotel,
Westcliff-on-Sea).

Mr. Bines (gr. to Messrs. Gardner Brothers,
Southend|, had the best group of miscellaneous
plants, Mr. Davev having the second best ex-
hibit in this class.

In the open classes for cut blooms, Mr. John
Burles was very successful, taking no fewer
than five 1st prizes. Included in his stand of
24 blooms was the finest flower in the show, a
grand bloom of the variety W. Etherington.

Mr. H. E. Campkin was easily the most suc-
cessful exhibitor in the classes confined to ama-
teurs, being 1st in every class he contested —
seven. The blooms staged by this exhibitor,
had they been shown in the open classes, woujd
have competed very keenly with the 1st prize
group.

Mr. Epps had the best stand of 12 Incurved
blooms, Embleme Poitevine, Pantia Ralli, and
Edith Hughes being his best examples. The
most prominent blooms staged in the open and
amateur classes provided for Japanese varieties
were F. \V. Vallis, F. S. Vallis, Bessie Godfrey,
Duchess of Sutherland, Walter Jinks, and Nor-
man Davis. Mr. Robert May, Stroud Green,
Rochford, Mr. Davey, Mr. S. Hansen, and Mr.
A. Epps also staged creditable bloms in the
above-mentioned classes.

Fruit.

Mr. E. Elsdon (gr. to S. H. Rugg, Esq., Ham-
let Court, Westcliff-on-Sea), was 1st for twc
bunches of Black Grapes, showing fair examples
of Black Alicante. Apples and Pears were well
shown.

Mr. E. Hill (gr. to Alderman Martin, Prittle-
well), was 1st for three dishes of dessert Apples,
with even, medium-sized fruits of Ribston Pip-
pin, Cox's Orange Pippin, and Margil.

Mr. G. Murrell, Barling, was awarded the
1st prize for six dishes of kitchen Apples, show-
ing fine specimens of Gloria Mundi, Bismarck,
Beauty of Kent, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Warner's
King, and Lane's Prince Albert.

Mr. G. Murrell had also the best amongst
four collections of six varieties of dessert
Apples.

Mr. Epps had the best six dishes of Pears,
showing fine fruits of Brown Beurre, Pitmaston
Duchess, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Beurre Clair-
geau, Doyenne du Cornice, and Dr. Froissart.
Ten growers contested in this class.

Mr. W. A. Voss was a capital 1st in the class
for three dishes, showing good even fruits of
Beurre Hardy, Brown Beurre, and Doyenne
Boussoch.

SOUTHAMPTON CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 5, 6. — This annual autumn show-
was held in the Victoria Hall, and was again
a success. The exhibits of cut blooms were
quite up to the average in point of numbers and
quality. The leading class was one for 12
varieties of Japanese blooms in vases, three
flowers of each variety in a vase. Mrs.
Ogilvie (gr. Mr. L. Dawes), Rosecroft, Hamble-
don, was awarded the 1st prize after many years
competing for this position. She staged admir-
able examples of the varieties F. S. Vallis, Mrs.
Mileham, J. H. Silsbury, Mine. (',. Rivol, and
Mme. P. Radaelli. 2nd, Prince Hatzfeldt

i \[r. F. Bible), Draycot Park, Chippenham
two varieties of white flowered Japanese

Chrysanthemums, three blooms of each variety,
Major Chichester (gr. Mr. B. Hollis), Embley
Park, Romsey, was placed 1st for typical
examples of Edith Smith and Mrs. A. T. Miller.
2nd, Prince Hatzfeldt. In the similar class
for two varieties other than white, Mrs. Ogilvie
won with F. S. Vallis and Mrs. G. Mileham.

A class was devoted to gardeners and ama-
teurs only, for 18 Japanese blooms. This was
well contested. Mr. Tragett (gr. H. Pearce),
Awbridge Danes, Romsey, took the premier
prize with typical examples of popular varieties.

Single-flowered and decorative varieties of
Chrysanthemums, undisbudded, were numerous,
and no fewer than 10 exhibits of " singles " and
14 of decorative varieties were staged. A. F.
Fynn. Esq., Red Lodge, Bassett (gr. Mr. E.
Cook), showed the best single varieties; whilst
Mrs. Austin, Bishop's Waltham (gr. Mr. G.
Barnes), was the most successful for decorative
varieties.

Incurved varieties were of fairly good quality,
Prince Hatzfeldt being successful with good
blooms of well-known sorts.

Plants were well shown. The best collection
of Chrysanthemums arranged in a space
measuring 10 feet by 6 feet was displayed by
J. C. D'Esterre, Esq. (gr. Mr. C. Hosey), who
had well-grown plants carefully arranged.

Conservatory plants were best shown by Mr.
Allan Cooper, 115, Hill Lane, Southampton.

Mr. E. Wills, Winchester Road Nurseries,
Southampton, had the best miscellaneous group
of plants.

Exhibits of fruit and vegetables were
numerous and good. Grapes were best shown
by J. Willis Fleming, Esq., Chilworth, Romsev
(gr. Mr. W. Mitchell), and W. H. Myers, Esq.',
Swanmore Park, Bishop's Waltham (gr. Mr. G.
Ellwood). The best vegetables were from the
gardens of Mrs. Pearce and W. II. Myers, Esq.

BRIGHTON AND SUSSEX
HORTICULTURAL.

November 5, 0. — The above society's sixteenth
annual exhibition of Chrysanthemums, fruit,
and vegetables was held on these dates in fine
weather. Although a slight reduction was seen
in the number of entries, the show generally was
a success.

In the class for a group of Chrysanthemums
in pots, Mr. A. J. Blake (gr. to Dr. E. J. Gui.k-
Hart, Brightoni, won the 1st prize with a splen-
did group of plants that were well arranged ;
2nd, Mr. G. Sims |gr. to E. A. Wallis. Esq.,
Bright

The best exhibit of a circular group of Chry-
santhemums, in a class from which trade
growers were excluded, was shown by Mr. Geo.
Mann (gr. to J. DuDKEY, Esq., Portslade), and
he was followed bv Mr. Geo. Bennett (gr. to
P. H. Bayer, Esq., Withdean).

A strong competition was seen in the class for
36 Japanese blooms. Mr. J. Harris (gr. to
Colonel C. P. Henty, Avisford, Arundel) was
awarded the 1st prize, which included a Silver
Bowl. He showed, amongst others, fine blooms
of the varieties F. S. Vallis, Mrs. H. Davis, Mrs.
Knox, Valerie Greenham, Bessie Godfrey, E. J.
Brooks, President Loubet, &c. Mr. H. Basset
(gr. to Mrs. T. B. Haywood, Reigate), was
awarded the 2nd prize.

Non-com pe iitive Exhibits.

A collection of Orchids was displayed by
Jeremiah Oilman, Esq., Gatton Park, Reigate
(gr. Mr. W. Bound). (Gold Medal.)

Messrs. Cheal & Sons exhibited a collection
of fruit. (Silver Gilt Medal.)

Messrs. W. Balchin & Sons, Brighton, dis-
played Chrysanthemums and other flowers.
(Silver Medal.)

The Barnham Nurseries, Ltd., Barnham,
Sussex, staged a collection of fruit. (Silver
Medal.)

To commemorate the coming of age of the
Society, a special class was introduced into the
schedule this year for a collection in which not
fewer than six of the different sections of Chry-
santhemums were to be shown arranged in a
space of 8 feet by 4 feet. Messrs. S. Williams
lV Sons, florists, Cardiff, secured the 1st prize
and a piece of silver plate in this class with a
well-arranged group. F. S. Vallis, Buttercup,
Caprice du Printemps, Crimson Tangle, Crim-
son King, and Rosinante were the most notice-
able blooms.

A 1st prize and a valuable piece of silver plate
were awarded to Mr. Drake, Cardiff, for a col-
lection of eight vases of specimen blooms of
distinct Japanese varieties, three blooms of
each. The varieties shown were V. Greenham,
Reg. Vallis, F. S. Vallis, H. Silsbury, Mrs. A.
T. Miller, W. Jinks, President Viger, and Mrs.
Barkley — all of first-class quality. The same
exhibitor was successful in carrying off the 1st
prize for a collection of 24 blooms of Incurved
varieties of not fewer than 12 sorts. These
were as fine a lot of Incurveds as one could wish
to see, and comprised such varieties as Mrs. F.
Judson, Mrs. S. Denyer, Pantia Ralli, Godfrey's
Eclipse, F"rank Trestian, and Ialene.

For a stand of 24 blooms (Japanese), not
fewer than 18 varieties, the Marquis of Bute
(gr. Mr. l-'armer) was placed 1st, and awarded a
Challenge Cup. Some of the best blooms were
Ben Wells, J. H. Silsbury, W. A. Etherington,
Mrs. W. Knox, and P. Radaelli. A. T. Stevens,
Esq., Sully (gr. Mr. J. J. Graham), the holder
of the cup for the two previous years, took 2nd
place.

A. F. Hill, Esq., Cardiff, was awarded a
N.C.S. Silver Medal and 1st prize for a stand
of 12 Japanese blooms in not fewer than four
varieties. F. S. Vallis and President Viger
were the outstanding features of this exhibit. A
bloom of A. Davis, staged in the 2nd prize lot
in this class, received the certificate for the best
bloom in the show. This was exhibited by F.
Primavesi, Esq., Cardiff (gr. Mr. Webber).

For a stand of six white Japanese varieties,
Mr. S. Drake was awarded the leading prize.
Mrs. A. T. Miller, Mrs. R. Cadbury, and Mrs.
J. Lewis were among the best. F. Primavesi,
Esq., secured 1st place for 12 blooms in four
varieties, shown with their own foliage. F. S.
Vallis, P. Radaelli, and A. Davis were three of
the kinds staged. The same exhibitor won the
1st prizes for five blooms of one white Japanese
variety and five Dlooms of any Japanese variety
other than white. The varieties shown were
respectively Mrs. J. Lewis and P. Radaelli

Single varieties were well shown by Dr.
Wallace, Cardiff, who was the principal prize-
winner in this section. Some of the most
striking sorts were Mrs. T. Bird, G. W. Forbes,
Kitty Vaughan, Edith Pagram, and Metta.

Medals were awarded to the following firms
for the special merit of their various exhibits: —
Mr. W. Treseder, Cardiff, collection of
Dahlias; Messrs. S. Treseder & Son, Cardiff,
collection of Tea Roses ; Messrs. W. Clibran
it Son, Altrincham, collection of Chrysanthe-
mums; Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
Orchids; and Messrs. Case Bros., Mr. P.
Thomas, and Mr. W. Hodge, all of Cardiff, for
floral designs.

CARDIFF AND COUNTY
CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 6, 7. — The 21st annual exhibition
held in connection with this society took plai e
in the Park Hall, Cardiff, on the foregoing
dates. The entries were numerous, and the
exhibits of excellent quality; there were no
signs of any diminution in public interest, as
the show was well patronised on both days.

MARGATE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 6, 7. — The 21st annual exhibition
of this society took place on the above dates.
The various classes were well filled, and the
competition was keen. In the important class
for a group of Chrysanthemums and other
plants, the 1st prize for which included a cup
valued at fifty guineas, Mr. J. Chapman, Rams-
gate, was placed 1st ; 2nd, Major PoWEL
Cotton (gr. Mr. J. Cornford) ; 3rd, Mrs. Monte-
i ikkk. East Cliff, Ramsgate (gr. Mr. Kromlis).

Cut blooms of Chrysanthemums were largely
displayed. F. J. Bobby, Esq. (gr. Mr. Pullinger)
took the 1st prize for 24 Incurved blooms.

Mr. Burgess was similarly placed for an ex-
hibit of 12 Incurved blooms.

The best exhibit of 24 Japanese blooms was
shown by Mr. Cornford.

Miss Peacock, Birchington (gr. Mr. Bishop),
led in the classes for six and for three distinct
blooms of Japanese varieties.

Fruit was well shown by Messrs. Cornford,
Burgess, Bing, and F. King.

November 16, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

351

TORQUAY DISTRICT GARDENERS'.

November 7. — This society held their annual
Chrysanthemum Show in the Bath Saloons on
this date. The weather was fine, and the attend-
ance was satisfactory. Competition was poor
in the classes for plants, only two entries being
secured for the group, in which a Silver Cup
was offered, and only one for a group of single
i hrysanthemums. The entries for specimen
plants were also few, though the winning plants
were of high excellence. One of the features
of the exhibition was a group of six plants of
the winter-flowering Begonia Mrs. Heal, ex-
hibited by Mrs. H. J. Wray.

In the open classes, the best exhibit of 36
blooms of a Japanese variety was shown by
Rev. T. Sheepshanks, and he also won the 1st
prize in the class for 12 Japanese blooms.

In the amateurs' classes, Dr. J. Quick won
most of the principal prizes.

The best four vases of Chrysanthemums were
shown by Mrs. Tottenham, the best epergne
of Chrysanthemums, and the best single vase of
Chrysanthemums arranged with autumn foliage
by Mr. G. A. Emmett.

Fruit.

The premier exhibit of a collection of Apples
was shown by Mr. H. St. Maur. Other suc-
cessful exhibitors of fruit were Messrs. P. P.
Alexander, W. F. Baynes, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs.
Tottenham, and Mrs. Bundock.

In the vegetable classes, Mr. P. P. Alexander
won the chief award in the amateurs' classes,
and Messrs. G. H. Pearce & Sons in the open
classes.

Many trade exhibits were staged. The Devon
Rosery, Torquay, showed pot Chrysanthemums
and other flowering and foliage plants, and
about one hundred dishes of Apples and Pears.

Messrs. Robert Veitch & Son, Exeter, had an
attractive stand containing many herbaceous and
rock plants. This firm also exhibited Apples.

Mr. Heath, Kingskerswell, showed Violets,
the variety Kaiser Wilhelm being particularly
fine.

Mr. W. B. Smale staged a representative col-
lection of Cactus Dahlias, as well as some
winter-flowering Zonal Pelargoniums.

with a few Cattleyas, Carnations, and other
plants in flower.

The Hon. Secretary is Mr. J. F. McLeod,
and the Acting Secretary Mr. W. J. Reynolds,
53, Medfield Street, Roehampton.

<SH>ttitarg.

PUTNEY AND WANDSWORTH
CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 7, 8. — The thirtieth exhibition
under the auspices of this society formed a very
attractive display in the Cromwell Hall, Putney,
on the above dates. Although there was satis-
factory competition in most of the classes, only
one group was forthcoming in Class 1, which
was arranged for collections of pot Chrysanthe-
mums in not fewer than 20- varieties, and
arranged on spaces not exceeding 40 superficial
feet. J. W. Charrington, Esq., Roehampton
(gr. Mr. J. Prentice), was awarded the Silver
Cup and 1st prize for a very commendable ex-
hibit. There were three exhibits in a somewhat
similar class reserved for amateurs who do not
employ a gardener regularly, and the best was
shown by Mr. E. P. Yarham, 62, Mexfield Road,
Wandsworth. J. W. Charrington, Esq., won
1st prizes for the best group of miscellaneous
plants, twelve blooms of Incurved Chrysanthe-
mums, six blooms (Incurveds), six white
blooms (Japanese), six pots of Cyclamen, three
vases of Incurved blooms, and six pots of
Roman Hyacinths. J. A. Young, Esq., Stone
House, West Hill (gr. Mr. G. H. Street), won
1st prizes in the important class for 24 blooms
(Japanese), 12 blooms (Japanese), six table
plants, three dishes of dessert Apples, and six
distinct kinds of vegetables. In the class for
vegetables there were as many as eight exhibits.

Another successful exhibitor was Madame
Stuart, The Convent, Roehampton (gr. Mr. A.
Smith), who won 1st prizes for Pears, kitchen
Apples, Black and White Grapes, and eight
vases of Chrysanthemum blooms, &c.

Other winners of 1st prizes included the
Dowager Countess of Kintore (gr. Mr. D.
Anderson), Wimbledon Park ; Jas. Hooker,
Esq., Putney (gr. Mr. J. Dark) ; Sir J. W. Lan-
caster, Putney Hill (gr. Mr. F. H. Goddard) ;
Mrs. Barclay, " Ambleside," Wimbledon Park
(gr. Mr. French).

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nurseries, Chelsea, contributed a very interest-
ing group of fine foliage plants, interspersed

WINDSOR CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 8. — The annual show of this
society was held in the Albert Institute, Wind-
sor, and was an advance upon any previous
exhibition at Windsor in point of quality of
the exhibits. The Japanese blooms staged in
the class in which the King's Challenge Cup
was the coveted award were superior to any-
thing seen at the Crystal Palace show of the
N.C.S. Groups of Chrysanthemum plants
were also of a high order of merit. Cut blooms
formed the leading items of the schedule. The
King's Challenge Cup, with a cash prize added,
was offered for six varieties of Chrysanthemums,
to be shown in vases, five blooms in a vase.
Three growers only competed. Mr. F. Bible (gr.
to H.S.H. Prince Hatzfeldt, Draycot Park,
Chippenham) just beat by one point last year's
winner, E. G. Mocatta, Esq., Woburn Place,
Addlestone (gr. Mr. T. Stevenson). Both the
1st and the 2nd prize exhibits were extremely
fine in quality. The winning blooms were 1.
S. Vallis, W. A. Etherington (extra large),
Edith Smith, Mrs. W. Knox, Algernon Davis,
and J. H. Silsbury. The best blooms in the
2nd prize stand were Duchess of Sutherland,
J. H. Silsbury, F. S. Vallis, and Reginald
Vallis.

In the class for 12 Incurved blooms and the
same number of Japanese flowers, distinct, I-ady
Evelyn Mason offered a Silver Challenge Cup,
for which five growers competed. The premier
award was made in favour of J. B. Fortescue,
Esq., Dropmore (gr. Mr. C. Page), who staged
heavy blooms of Japanese and fairly good ex-
amples of Incurved varieties. Especially fine
were the varieties Lady Talbot, F. S. Vallis, Mrs.
C. Beckett, and John Peed. 2nd, Prince Hatz-
feldt, with superior Incurved bloc

Mr. Mocatta won easily in the class for 1l!
Japanese blooms, distinct, with superior flowers.
In the class for six blooms of any one variety,
Mr. Fortescue was the most successful ex-
hibitor with huge specimens of F. S. Vallis.

There were three competitors in a class for 18
Japanese blooms, arranged in a space measur-
ing 5 feet by 3 feet, with any foliage. Mr.
Fortescue won easily with almost perfect
blooms, lightly arranged with Ferns, Aspara-
gus, and brightly-coloured sprays of Rhododen-
dron (Azalea) molle.

Incurved varieties were well staged. Prince
Hatzfeldt won the 1st prize in the class for
18 blooms with large specimens of popular
kinds. Mr. Fortescue secured the premier
award in the class for 12 blooms with large
flowers that showed a lack of finish.

For six bunches of single Chrysanthemums
there were no fewer than seven entrants, of whom
F. Ricardo, Esq. (gr. Mr. R. West), was easily
1st with a brightly-coloured set.

Large Japanese blooms were effectively ar-
ranged in baskets and vases ; Mr. Mocatta
winning for 12 specimens of Mrs. A. T. Miller,
with Oak leaves and other attractive foliage in-
termingled.

There were only two groups of Chrysanthe-
mum plants arranged in a given space with
other foliage plants, but both contained blooms
of high quality. That from E. B. Foster, Esq.
(gr. Mr. W. Cole), Clewer Manor, however,
easily gained the premier position, so fine were
the blooms and so effectively were they ar-
ranged.

TRADE NOTICES.

Mr. Hfnrv Meads has been appointed Rose Grower to
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., at the Bush Hill Park Nurseries.

MALCOLM CAMPBELL, LIMITED, GLASGOW.

The eighth annual general meeting of the share-
holders of Malcolm Campbell, Limited, was held re-
cently in Glasgow — Mr. Malcolm Campbell, managing
director, in the chair. It was unanimously agreed to
declare a dividend of 5 per cent, on the preference
shares and 10 per cent, on the ordinary shares, payable
on the nth inst. The chairman stated that the business
was in a very healthy condition, the outstanding feature
for the year being the big increase in the floral decora-
tive department.

John Assbee. — We briefly recorded in our last
issue the death of the respected superintendent
of Covent Garden Market, whose portrait is
now reproduced. Mr. Assbee has filled the
important position as agent for the Duke of

the late john asseee.

Bedford for a quarter of a century, and the
extraordinary growth of the market in that
period is illustrated by the fact that when Mr.
Assbee was appointed there were only two col-
lectors, and at the present time the staff
numbers 50 persons. A memorial service was
held at St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden, on
Tuesday last, and the interment took place later
in the day at the Cemetery, Richmond, deceased
having resided in that suburb since May last.
The funeral . ceremony was attended by
numerous friends, and the floral tributes were
of such a character as went to show how
greatly deceased was respected.

John Newton. — The death occurred on the
7th inst. of Mr. John Newton, who for 25 years
had charge of the Temple Gardens, Thames Em-

THE LATE JOHN NEWTON.

bankment, London. It was during Mr. New-
ton's management that Chrysanthemum displays
were first opened to public inspection in these
gardens, and it is not too much to say that,

352

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 16, 1C07.

largely to this initiative, the much larger col-
lections were subsequently cultivated in the
public parks for the same purpose. In this
manner Mr. Newton may be said to have done
much towards popularising the Chrysanthemum
when its cultivation as a florist s flower was in
the earliest stages. He commenced gardening
as a boy in the gardens of the Duke of Bedford
at Woburn Abbey. Subsequently he was em-
ployed in the Roval Gardens, Kew. At one
time he held the position of head gardener at
Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire. Mr. Newton resigned
his position at the Temple about 12 years ago,
and since that time has continuously received a
pension from the Benchers. He was elected an
honorary Fellow of the Royal Horticultural
Society in connection with the holding of the
May shows in the Temple Gardens. Deceased
was 70 years of age. His son William is in
business as a wholesale florist in the same
street as the office of this journal.

ENQUIRY.

Effect of Wallflowers on Land. — I have le-
cently noted in market gardens, where Wall-
flowers have been cultivated for their blossoms,
that they seem, so to speak, to poison the
soil, insomuch that subsequent crops of all
kinds do not grow satisfactorily. Has any
reader found this to be the case? What kind
of manure would be best to apply after a crop
of Wallflowers? Wallflowers are Crucifers, but
so are Cabbages, and these have not a similar
effect upon subsequent crops. B.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Anthracite Coal for Saddle and Upright
Boilers : /. C. There can be no doubt as to
anthracite coal being the most efficient and
economical kind of fuel to use for the heat-
ing of large or fairly large saddle and tubular
boilers of both horizontal and upright pat-
terns. But it is necessary that the furnaces
should be large enough to contain a good
bulk of coal at one time. More especially is
this furnace-space necessary when banking
up the fire the last thing at night, say at 10
o'clock, so as to ensure having a good body
of fire and the desired degree of heat in the
glasshouses eight or nine hours later. If these
conditions are complied with, the water will
generally be found to be at the boiling point
at six or seven o'clock on the following morn-
ing. We may add that it is necessary alwa\ -
to have a fairly large body of clear fire
in the furnace when banking up for the night,
and, moreover, it is undesirable to let the fire
burn down very low at any time before adding
fresh fuel. When the desired degree of heat
is registered in the houses in the morning,
only a few lumps of anthracite need be placed
. in the furnace, and if the damper be pushed
pretty far back in the chimney flue, no
further attention will be required until the
afternoon, when the coal put on in the morn-
ing will be found smouldering in readiness for
receiving a few additional lumps of coal, re-
starting the fires and drawing the damper well
out. Anthracite coal requires more draught,
and consequently needs a higher chimney
stack than is necessary for coke fuel, to make
it burn well. These details, though belong-
ing to the art of stoking, are not altogether
out oi ] ' e in connection with the use of
anthracite. Where coke is used in the same
size and kind of furnace, to heat a given num-
ber of houses to the same degree of heat more
labour is involved in stoking, i.e., in look-
ing more frequently to the fires during the day
and at night. Regarding the question as to
which kind of fuel, anthracite or coke, is the
cheaper and more efficient to use in the heating
of glasshouses, experience shows that equally
good results in heating power are obtained by
the use of either anthracite or coke at about
the same cost in the actual price paid for the
fuel delivered, but that a great saving of labour
in the way of stoking is effected in the use
of anthracite coal, large red-veined anthra-
cite being the best. This should be used
in as large lumps as can be conveniently
placed in the furnace, for the lumps should be

broken as little as possible. Therefore its re-
commendation for use in large furnaces, in
which case greater economy and efficiency are
attained.

Apples : Northumberland. The specialist you
mention recommends the variety Beauty of
Bath in preference to Irish Peach for cultiva-
tion as dwarf trees in a villa garden. He
would plant Ecklinville Seedling for yielding
culinary fruits in September, and Warner's
King for October and November. He declares
the culinary variety Jubilee and the dessert
variety Court-Pendu Plat to be extremely late-
blooming Apples.

Begonia Unhealthy: T.A.&T.B. There is
no fungus disease present on the plant you
send ; the unhealthy appearance is the result
of some cultural error. Do not allow too much
moisture about the plants, and be careful in the
matter of ventilation.

Birds and the Use of Gas-tar Water :
/. A. E. The following is the substance of
a note on the subject which appeared in these
pages, February 16, 1907. Place a quantity
of newly-made tar in an old iron pan, about
half fill it with tar, and the other half with
soft water. Leave this water undisturbed for
48 hours. One gallon of the water only (the
tar must not be disturbed) should be mixed
with four gallons of soft water. If the trees
are syringed with this mixture, birds or in-
sects will not be likely to visit the trees for
some time afterwards. The unpleasant smell
will gradually be lost, and the treatment must
then be repeated.

Chrysanthemum Leaves: T.A. The trouble
is not caused by fungus disease. Your treat-
ment of the plants has been at fault ; have you
given them an excess of manurial stimulant ?
A leaf-mining insect is present in one of the
leaves, but this has not caused the general
injury.

Fruit Bottling : S.A.A. Apply to the manager,
Mercia Agricultural Store, Bredons Norton,
near Tewkesbury, or to Messrs. C. Lunn & Co.,
Chemical Works, Kirkburton, Huddersfield.

Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) Flowering Phema.
turel,k : R. P. These plants occasionally
flower prematurely. The cause of your plants
flowering, however, we think is due to drying
them off too early. A resting period of three
to four months is ample for the bulbs, and
yours have already had that period. Briefly,
the treatment of the general batch of Hippe-
astrums should be as follows : Start the bulbs
during January, February, or March ; allow a
period of growth extending from April until
September. The bulbs should rest from
October until December. We assume that the
bulbs are now in a cool house or frame. A
high atmospheric temperature would cause
them to flower out of season.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants.— We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both of
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondent!,
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits: G. W.B. Pear Beurre: Diel.— M. P. M.
Gansel's Bergamot. — W.E.B. 1, Scarlet Golden
Pippin: 2, Ribston Pearmain.— D. M. G. 1,
Ashmead's Kernel ; 2, Lancashire Pippin ; 3,
Duke of Devonshire; 4, Loan's Pearmain ; 5,
Debtsling Pippin ; 6, American Mother. — A. L.
1, Emperor Alexander; 2, Fearn's Pippin ;
Pears: 1, Fondante d'Automne ; 2, Pitmaston
Duchess; 3. Beurre Diel.— P C. 1, Seckle ; 2,
decayed; 3, Bellisimer d'Hiver. — / H. 1,
Beauty of Hants ; 2, Ashmead's Kernel. —
S.E.A. The Queen. — C G.P. Crofton Scarlet.
— C. L. Lawrence. 1, Beurre Clairgeau ; 2,
Beurre' Diel ; 3, Claygate Pearmain ; 4,
Alfriston; 5, Lady's Finger ; 6, Scarlet Golden
Pippin. — Eigot. 1, Sheep's Nose ; 2. Emperor

Alexander ; 3, Lord Burghley ; 4, Beurre'
Ranee; 5, Bergamotte Esp;ren; 6, Beurre
Diel — J. Champion. 1, Eas er Beurr£ ; 2, beurre
Diel.— IV. D. S. 1, Melon Apple; 2, not
recognised ; 3, Wyken Pippin ; 4, Crimson
Quoining. — A. B. H. 1, Priucess ; 2, Duchesse
d'Angouleme ; 3, Beurre Bacheier ; 4, Beurre
Superfin. — C. G. C. 1, Annie Elizabeth ; 2,
Dumelow's Seeding (Wellington) ; 3, Scarlet
Golden Pippin; 4, Allington Pippin; 5, Fearn's
Pippin ; 6, Calville Blanche.— L. C. R. Pit-
maston Duchess. — /. C. Pitmaston Duchess. —

E. Bennett. 1. Leon Leclerc de Laval ; 2,
Josephine de Malines ; 3, Winter Codlin. —
A. D. H. 1, Autumn Nelis ; 2, decayed; 3,
Winter Orange; i. Beurre Diel ; 1, Striped
Beefing ; 2, Warner's King.

Plants: A. B. Loasa canannoides. — C. P. 1,
Pinus Jeffreyi ; 2, Pinus Laricio ; 3, Pseudotsuga
Douglasii ; 4, Berberis vulgaris ; 5, B. Darwinn ;
6, Phillyrea oleaefolia ; 7, Phillyrea media ;
S, Quercus Ilex.—/. D. S. Linaria reticulata
purpurea. — H. P. 1, Adiantum assimile ; 2, Pteris
hastata ; 3, Selaginella Wildenovii ; 4, Selagi-
nella Kraussiana; 5, Pteris longifolia. — V '. O.
1, Catlleya luteola ; 2, Cattleya Loddigesii, —

F. F. Cotoneaster frigida.— X. Y. Z. Coton-
easter Simonsii (red). The other specimen is
insufficient for correct naming.

Nova Scotian Apple : //. G. K. The fruits
you have seen labelled " King's" are probably
of the variety known as " King of the
Pippins." The difference in climate renders
some of the Colonial fruits almost distinct 'in
appearance from our home-grown fruits of
the same variety.

Shelves for Fruit-room : T. T . T . The best
material for forming the shelves is match-
boards, and J inch space should be left be-
tween each board.

Soil for a Lawn : Tennis. The amount of soil
required will be 136 cubic yards, or about 136
cart-loads.

Vegetables for Exhibition : Hampshire. For
each of the three crops mentioned — Onions,
Cauliflowers, and Celery — farmyard or stable
manure is almost indispensable if the best
results are to be obtained. Therefore, during
the winter season apply about 3 cwt. of well-
matured dung to each pole of ground, working
it well in during the work of trenching or
digging. It is unwise to attempt to grow
Onions for exhibition purposes without dung,
however liberal the supply of artificial manuie.
Previous to trenching give a top-dressing of
8 oz. superphosphate and 4 oz. kainit mixed
together per square yard of ground ; these will
thus become well incorporated with the soil
before putting out the plants from the boxes
in spring. As soon as the Onions are estab-
lished give a top-dressing of 4 oz. per square
yard of nitrate of soda, or 4 oz. of guano and
2 oz. of soot mixed together and sown during
wet weather or wateied in. Celery likes a
loose, friable, sandy soil, and is a crop which
requires to be more heavily dunged than any
other crop of the garden ; it may be said to
be grown rather in dung than with dung ; 6 oz.
superphosphate, 4 oz. kainit, and 4 oz. nitrate
of soda per square yard may be sown in the
trenches, and worked into the soil before plant-
ing. For exhibition purposes quality must be
regarded as well as weight. Celery ra'sed
with dung and fertiliser mixed is always more
crisp and tender than when grown with dung
alone. Cauliflowers like a fertile soil, but if
the supply of dung runs short, then use 6 oz.
of superphosphate and 4 oz. of nitrate of
potash (ordinary saltpetre) per square yard of
soil before planting, and sow 3 oz. nitrate of
soda per square yard directly the plants are
well established, giving a further top-dressing
of 2 oz. of nitrate of soda or guano a month
later.

Walks in Sickness: G. K. The information
you have supplied is too meagre. Consult a
local solicitor.

Communications Received. — W. D. & S. (Thanks for 2s. 6d.
for the R G.O.F. box)-W. G. S.— W. P. B.-A. II. H.—
C. G. Girdham— Nat. Clirys. Soc— A. V. F.-S. \v. F. -
Hampshiie-C. H. P.— Journeyman— C. W. F.-YV. H. C.
— G. W.— A. D.— Carnafion-J. B.— C. T. D.— H. [. S.—
A. K— W. K.-J. D. G. -J. Douglas— Rev. D. N. W —
T. H.. Louth— Birmingham— Dr. J. Bedelian— T. C— W.
-J. O'B.— J. Perrin— J. M.— S. McG.-J. H. B.-H. B.—
F. D.-J. H.-C. B. G.— Mrs. M.-E. A. D. VV.-A. C-
A. L.-E. S.-J. S.

November 23, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

353

."HE

(2

mrbtnm Cbflr

No. 7,091.— SATURDAY, November 23, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Bamboos in Leonards-

Plum fruits, a second

lee gardens

358

crop of

861

Berberis, hybrid, a na-

Rose Dorothy Perkins ..

357

tural

861

Rosi arden, plan for

Books, notices of —

a small

368

Forage crops for Soil-

Salvias, new vat ii 1

371

ing, Silage, Hay

Schneider, Mr. Geo.,

and Pasture

361

banquet in honour of

361

Botanical lectures at

■ : ies—

< be) sea

SGI

Bradford Chrys.

365

Chrysanthemums sport-

Colchester Chrys. ...

363

ing —

362

Derby Chrys

363

Cockscombs,the culture

Devon & Exeter Hort.

365

of

362

Dumfries and Gallo-

Couch-grass, eradicat-

way Hort

367

ing

367

French ] [ort.

864

l astwell Park, Kent ...

355

Horticultural 1 lub ...

., 3

Florists' flowers —

I i ri tit an

. 65

W i ii t e r - f I o wering

Liverpool Hort.

866

Sweet Peas

355

National Chrys.

363

French gardeners in

Newport (Mon.) Chrj s.

■

London, forthcoming

Royal 1 tortjc'ultural ..

361

dinner of

361

(Scientific Committee)

362

Gardeners, foreign, in

Reading Literary and

Prance

361

Scientific

. 67

Larch canker, influence

Scottish Hort.

866

of Chennes on

353

Wargrave ( bi j

367

Molasses, a new use for

362

Winchester ( brj s

866

Kerine Bowdenii

362

\ 'i w !■. * brys

866

Nursery Notes —

Trenching ground

862

Lowheld Nurseries,

Week's work, the —

Crawley

S5G

1 low ei garden, the ..

359

Obituai j

Fruits under glass ...

Phillip, George

367

i i.D.K h in garden

859

Scott, ( hai les

367

Kitchen garden, the

: .,-

Yi itch, James Herbert

360

Orchid lions.

. 59

Oxford Botanic Gar-

Parks and gai

358

den

357

Plants undei |

359

ILLUSTR

ATIONS.

Aquatic plants in the Oxf

ordl

Sotanic Garden

357

Chrysanthemum Show in Par

in the

364

Colman, Sir Jeremiah, portrai

t of

863

Crisp, sir Frank, portrai

of .

362

Larch Chermes

358-35

Muscat of Alexandria Vines a

i i : ■. 'i Park < iardens

355

Oxford Botanic Garden

a \

iew in (Silppli

Illustration)

Rose-garden, plan for a

-

368

Veitch, I.iiiii s Herbert, the la

te ... _"

360

INFLUENCE OF CHERMES ON
LARCH CANKER.

OF all Conifers grown in this country, none
is of greater economic importance than
the Larch. The rapidity of its growth,
the strength and durability of its timber, and
the certainty of finding a ready market, ren-
der the Larch, when gro\vn under healthy
conditions, one of the most profitable trees to
plant.

Owing, however, to the prevalence of the
dreaded Larch canker organism (Dasyscypha
calycina, or Peziza Wilkommii as it used to
be tailed) the Larch is beginning to be re-
garded with suspicion, and owners of planta-
tions who have suffered loss in consequence
*jf the attack of the canker, hesitate to put
more land under Larch.

There is absolutely no cure for the canker
once it has gained an entrance to its host, but
the rejection of such a profitable tree should
not be finally decided on until every possible
means for preventing infection has been at-
tempted. How infection takes place, and
what are the causes which lead to it, are
questions still in dispute, and Mr. Forbes 0>

(1) English Estate Forestry, by A. C. Forbes ; pp. 285-804.

has given an account of the various theories
which have been advanced to account for the
disease, to which the reader should refei .

I only propose to speak of one of tl
theories, vi/., thai associated with the names
of Marti-, Marshall Ward, and Massee. Ac-
cording to these eminent authorities the
canker is a wound parasite, i.e., a fungus
u hose ] ores c annot penetrate the sound
bark bul can onlj enter a tree throuj
wound. Numerous inoculation experiments

Fig L39. — chkrmes strobilobius ox one-

YIAR OLD LARCH SHOOT IN WINTER.

a llord very strong evidence13' of the truth of
this view, which is now held 1>\ the majority
of mycologists. The statement by Mr. Car-
i ait hers1-' that the spores can germinate on
unwounded bark is not supported by evidence
of a convincing nature, nor is it based on any
inoculation experiments at all.

The further opinion lias been expressed,
that the aphis, Chermes, is responsible for

Fig. 140. — chermes strobilobius in hiber-
nating CONDITION, SHOWING PART OF THE
LONG PROBOSCIS (GREATLY MAGN.),

the majority of the wounds through which
the canker gains admittance to the tree. Mr.
Massee'3' held this view strongly, and the fact
that he succeeded in infecting trees by merely
placing spores below the bodies of the

(2) Journal of the Roval Agricultural Society, 3rd series.
Vol. ii., pt. 2 ; No. 6, 1891, p. 299.

(3) Journal of the Board of Agriculture, vol. ix., 1902-3,
p. 176.

insects added much strength to the argu-
ment. He believed that the destruction of
Mi: Chermes would eventuallj lead to the
disappearance of the canker, and stated how
insects might be destroyed by spraying
the trees in spring.

My own studies, which have been directed,
not to the fungus, but to the insect and its
effei i on Spruce and Larch, led me to ex-
press a similar opinion in two recent
articles. hi I was quite unaware of Mr.
Massee's previous work or of his conclusions,
until Mr. Henry recently directed my atten-
tion In it.

since, however, Massee confessed that he
could not say whether the Chermes actually
wounds the tree or merely rests on the bark,
seme foresters have apparently shelved his
sinking experiments as insufficiently con-
vincing. At all events Forbes, when review-
ing (he theory in his book, stales that there
is no direct evidence to prove any connection
between the Chennes and the canker, and he
demands "more | t than that now forth-
coming that l lie spores enter only by such
minute puni lines, and further proof as to the
extent to which two and three-year-old bark
is punctured b) aphides." He then goes on
to say that the insects " practically spend
their summer on the needles, and those that
hibernate do so chiefly in the axils of the
buds," by which he appears to mean that the
one-year-old shoots are the only ones attai ki d
by Chermes. He continues : " Do the fun-
gus spores enter through these damaged
needles? If so, then stem blisters ought to
be most prevalent on two-year-old shoots,
whereas this is far from being the casi as
every practical forester knows. Secondly,
there is no evidence that the hibernating
mother aphis does more than rest on the bud
or bark, or that she punctures the latter in
any way."

These remarks about Chermes show a
want of knowledge as to the habits of the
insects which might easily have been cor-
rected by reference to the extensive literature
of the subject. The author's omission to do
this is the more regrettable since adverse
criticism passed by a forester of such high
Stan ling cannot fail to exercise a far-reach-
in influence, and to deter many from putting
the theory to the practical test. The fact
that the winter-mothers puncture the bark is
well known to those who have studied the
subject, but owing to the sinuous course
which the wound takes through the tissues,
its minute size, and the obvious difficulty of
obtaining such a microscopic preparation, it
is doubtful whether the demand for direct evi-
dence of the still more minute spores entering
a tree through a Chermes wound will ever be
satisfied. We must rely rather on the in-
direct evidence afforded by a comparative
stud) of the habits of both insect and fungus.

1 have elsewhere'4' given a general outline
of the complicated life history of the genus
Chermes, to which the reader who wishes for
further information can refer. The point
that I wish to specially emphasise here is
this : — Assuming that Hartig, Marshall
Ward, and Massee are correct in their asser-
tion that the canker is essentially a wound-
fungus, then I maintain that the patches of

(4) Journal of Economic Biology, 1907, vol. 2, pt. 1. See
also Proc. Cambridge Philosoph. Soc, vol. 13, pi. 1.

354

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 23, 1907.

" wool "-covered Chermes, often sticky with
drops of honeydew excreted by the insect,
form an ideal nursery in which the fungus
spores may first be caught and subsequently
germinate, and that the minute hole where
the proboscis lies forms a natural door-way
for the hypha, leading as it does directly to
the inner cortex.

The history of the hibernating generation
is briefly as follows : — As the autumn ap-
proaches, certain Chermes iarvas withdraw
from the needles to the stem, and anchor
themselves by driving their long proboscides
into the bark. Such hibernating larvae arc
to be found on both Spruce and Larch (figs.
139 and 143) and their habits are practi-
cally the same in both cases. The only differ-
ence is that, whereas the Spruce insect anchors
itself on or near a bud, and causes that bud
to grow into a Pineapple-shaped gall in the
following spring, the Larch insect does not
exhibit the same preference for buds, but sits
anywhere on the stem and does not cause
the development of a gall in spring. But for
all practical purposes the structure and habits
of both inseets are identical. The proboscis,

^.CHron .

FlG. 141. — THREE-YEAR OLD LARCH SHOOT WITH

CHERMES STROBILOBIUS AT THE BEGINNING OF

AI'KIL. THE INSECTS HAVE BEGUN TO SUCK AND LAY

EGGS.

which is nearly three times the length of the
body (fig. 140) is driven deep into the tissues
of the stem, and I have repeatedly traced its
course in both trees through the bark into
the cortex, and found the apex lying either in
or quite near the cambium. I have no draw-
in- of this stage for the Larch, but fig. 144
illustrates the condition for the Spruce. As
soon as the insects are firmly attached they
pass into a dormant condition. In spring the
upward flow of sap appears lo telegraph a
signal along the proboscis, telling the insect
to awake. She at once responds and, with-
out moving from .her position, begins to suck.
She rapidly increases in si/e, undergoes three
moults, covers herself with the well-known
" wool," excretes a goad deal of honeydew,
lays some hundreds of eggs, and then dies.
The proboscis, be it remembered, is still em-
bedded in the stun, and the shfivelled'remains
of the mother are always to be found in the
sticks' little heap of empty egg cases, honey-
dew and mealy secretion, which marks the
1 nli of a Chermes. I should remark that

the commonest species on the Larch, shown
in the accompanying figures, only secretes a
little flocculent mealy matter in this genera-
tion, though other generations in the cycle

a.

FlG. 142- — LAUCH SHOOT IN MAY, WITH OFF-
SPRING OF WINTER MOTHERS. (fl) WINTER
MOTHERS AND EGGS.

of the same insect have the usual " woolly "
covering.

The insect is by no means always confined
to the one-year-old shoots as Forbest sup-
poses, but, as fig. 141 shows, itoccurson older
stems, and often in considerable numbers.
One.species which is easily distinguished from
the common Ch. strobilobius by its bright
green eggs and thick secretion of " wool "
is almost always found in crevices of the
bark on branches which are several years
old, or even on the main trunk of the tree.

Having now, as I think, stated sufficient
evidence from the habits of the hibernating
generations alone (without talcing any
account of their enormous progeny which I
believe are at least equally injurious) to satisfy
Foresters that the insects are found on wood
of all ages, and that they do actually puncture
the bark, I ask, what better environment
could a wound-fungus desire? A patch of
" wool " to catch the spores, a little heap
of decaying matter sweetened with the

<■— .

Fig. 143 — sriiUCE buds IN winter with (<ij

CHERMES STROBILOBIUS, (b) CHERMES ABIETIS.

sugary excretions of the insect in which
to germinate and a tunnel all ready
made leading' to its future home in the cor-
tex ! But when, in addition to this, there is
the convincing testimony of Massee'S experi-

ments, proving that the spores float about
in the air and can be caught by suspending
cover slips smeared with glycerine near can-
kered trees, and, further, that if the spores
are placed below the insects, cankers subse-
quently arise at those spots, the chain of evi-
dence against Chermes is almost as com-
plete as it well can be. It shows, with a
probability amounting almost to certainty,
that Chermes is chiefly responsible for the
most costly and destructive disease of our
woodlands.

I therefore earnestly hope that forest, rs
will not contemplate the attacks of the
Chermes in that spirit of calm, philosophic
resignation which Forbes recommends, but
w ill take energetic steps to rid the country
of these pests.

In the hope of finding some satisfactory
method of destroying the insects without
injuring- the trees, I tried the experiment of
spraying infected Spruce Firs during the
winter or in early spring, before the buds
began to open, with a few different washes,
the details of which experiments have been
described elsewhere. I5) The following wash
gave most successful results : — Dissolve 3 lb.

bud scales

'1 --lateral bud
•earliest stage of gall

'proboscis

main stem

Fig. 141 —section through a spruce bud about

the middle of april. showing chermes abietis

with its proboscis passing into the ii d

gall-formation has just commenced.

of soft soap in 2 quarts of boiling water, add
1 pint of paraffin to it while still boiling, and
churn the mixture till it forms a buttery mass,
The slock is then diluted with 5 gallons of
soft water. I found that the trees suffered
no damage whatever when sprayed at this
time of year, as the needles are sufficiently
hardened to stand the wash, and the buds
are protected by the thick layer of resinous
bud-scales. The effect on the hibernating
Chermes was deadly, and the diminution in
the number of galls this year most marked,
some trees hitherto always badly galled l>< ing
now absolutely clean. The method was alsa
tried at the Kew and Cambridge Botanic
Gardens with marked results.

Pressure of time unfortunately prevented
me from applying the method to the Larch,
but as the Larch insect is only a later gem ra-
tion of the Spruce-gall insect, there is no
reason to doubl that the wash would bd
equally effective, but the operation must be
done before the buds begin to open, as the

(6) Journal of E commit Biology, 1907, v<! ii., pt 8.

November 23, 1£07.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

000

tender young foliage would infallibly be
scorched if it were delayed till the buds had
burst. In the leafless winter condition not
only will there be less difficulty in applying
the treatment, but the insects are more ex-
posed to the action of the spray. It is per-
haps superfluous to add that young planta-
tions which have not yet become infected
with the canker are the important ones on
which the correclness or otherwise of the
Hieory should be tested, and with these there
is not the same difficulty in applying the
treatment as in older densely crowded planta-
tions. E. R. Burdon, M.A., F.L.S.

EASTWELL PARK.

(Concluded from page 330.)
There are seven vineries at Eastwell, and
all of them have hip-shaped or |-span roofs.
Four of these vineries represent a length
equal to 130 feet. They are built of teak
wood, the same kind of wood having also
been used in building four Peach and Nec-
tarine houses, which likewise extend 130
feet long. The vines are, in nearly all cases,
young plants, and they bore excellent crops,
Grapes from them having obtained first
prizes at Richmond in June (less than iS
months from starting the "eye"), Wolver-
hampton in July, and the second prize in the
largest class at the R.H.S. show held a few
weeks ago, &c. The photograph reproduced
at fig. 145 represents Muscat of Alexandria
vines as they appeared when they had In en
planted 15 months.

Carnations are given excellent cultute in
these gardens. We were much impressed
with the satisfactory appearance of the
numerous plants in July. Three large span-
roofed houses, one containing winter-flower-
ing or " tree " varieties, another border Car-
nations, and the third house varieties of
the Souvenir de la Malmaison section,
were exceedingly interesting. We noted
a few of the more prominent varieties of
the winter-flowering strain. Lady Bounti-
ful, white with occasional signs of pink,
measured as much as 5A inches in dia-
meter. Some of the flowers were pure white,
the calyx seldom, or never, splits, and the
petals are very wide and fringed. Mr. Wes-
ton was loud in his praises of this variety.
Winter Perfection has large flowers, but they
burst the calyces, and White Lawson is not
so satisfactory. Leander, of rose-pink
colour, had stiff, wiry stems 3! feet long.
Harlowarden, a fringed flower of deep crim-
son, was described as an unusually good-
tempered plant, growing and flowering with
the utmost freedom. Hannah Hobart is of
bright rose colour, the shade that is so liable
to " fly " if exposed to bright sunshine, but
shade is necessary for all these plants. The
flowers are very large, and the calyces remain
intact. Flamingo is a first-rate scarlet
variety, although the blooms are less in size1
than some others. Of pink varieties, Fair
Maid was making a good display, but Mrs.
H. Burnett and Britannia, though present in
the stock, were not in flower.

In the house containing Souvenir de la
Malmaison the variety Lady Grimston bore
nine open blooms whilst growing in pots only
7 inches in diameter. Trumpeter, of which
there were 50 plants in pots of a similar
size, had in some cases 10 flowers each,

the plants being only nine months old
from the layers. This effect was obtained
by layering growths with bunches of shoots
at the top instead of a single gr >\\ th. We
cannot refer in detail to the remaining plant
houses, including a Rose house, and others
containing Eucharis, Calanthes, Poinsettias,
Palms, Codiaeums, Caladiums, Cordyhnes,
and the numerous species requiring indoor
culture, nor need much be written in respect
to the pits and span-roofed houses in which
Melons, Cucumbers, and Tomatos are culti-
vated. Sufficient has been said to show what
an extensive and well-equipped garden East-
well possesses. It may, however, be added
that our visit having been made at the time
Strawberries were ripe, we ascertained that
the varieties chosen for cultivation include
The Laxton, Laxton's Seedling, Royal
Sovereign, Prince of Wales, Bedford Cham-
pion, Laxton's Latest, Latest of All, and
Givon's Late Prolific.

European Vetch, largely grown by farmers in
Central Europe as green fodder. In October,
1891, I sowed some of this seed gathered from
plants crossed with the Vetch, and on the fol-
ig January 1, 1892, I was surprised to find
two little plants, each with one open flower and
several buds. The flowers were very small,
colour reddish-pink, and not of much value, the
plants growing only to a height of 24 1:
under glass. But I was satisfied with this for a
start, and increased the stock of seed all that I
possibly could. I crossed and re-crossed each
year, and each new cross showed improvement
over the previous one in size of flower, colour,
length of stem, and in the plant itself. The first
seedling of value which appeared was obtained
from Blanche Ferry : it came of the same colour,
but the plant was only 20 inches high, under
glass, and bore only ten single flowers. But
after much crossing and re-crossing with the
parent variety, I secured fine, long-stemmed,
large flowers, plants over 6 feet high, which
were covered with masses of bloom all winter.
The first variety was named Christmas Pink. I

[Photograph by D'Ath.

Fig. 145.— eastwell park, muscat of Alexandria vines fruiting at 15 months old.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

WINTER-FLOWERING SWEET PEAS.
"About 2."> years ago," writes Mr. Anton C.
Svolanek in the Weekly Florists'' Review
(America), " I made my first experiments in rais-
ing Sweet Peas in winter under glass. I tried
all varieties which were at that time obtainable,
but could never raise a plant which would give
flowers before the latter part of the month of
April. After several years of such experiments,
I came to the conclusion that it was impossible
to get Sweet Peas earlier than the time men-
tioned from the present existing varieties, so I
started cross-fertilisation with other species of
Lathyrus, but, for the first few years, without
success. I obtained several new varieties, a few
of which were double-flowered, but not one that
was free-flowering, until I made a cross with the

now have a large number of varieties in all exist-
ing colours. All these varieties, when grown
under glass, begin to bloom when 3 to 4 feet
high, and continue flowering all winter, some-
times until June."

Mr. Svolanek states that he finds it necessary
each year to grow his stock seed under glass, as
in the beginning, because the varieties quickly
revert to the ordinary type of spring-flowering
Peas if not so handled. Last year he secured 40
pounds of stock seed in his greenhouses. This
seed was sown in the Santa Clara Valley, Cali-
fornia, and in a little valley in Austria, about
ten miles distant from Trieste, where, for an area
of about two miles in width and ten miles long,
the climate resembles that of Santa Clare, but is
rather more favourable for the Sweet Pea, owing
to there being scarcely any rain during the
flowering season.

55 0

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 23, 1907

NURSERY NOTES.

LOWFIELD NURSERIES, CRAWLEY.
The village of Crawley, in Sussex, was in
[i rmer days a post town ol some importance for
the Brighton coaches, it being situated from this
seaside resort a distance of 21 miles, and from
London 30 miles. At the present day it is
reached in a little more than one hour from
town by the London and Brighton Railway. A
short distance outside the town is situated the
nursery of Messrs. Joseph Cheal & Sons, which
comprises about 110 acres devoted to most sorts
of nursery stock. The specialities of the firm
are fruit trees, Dahlias, ornamental trees and
shrubs, and general landscape gardening, which
latter branch has of late years necessitated the
establishment of a London office. At the time
of our visit, at the end of September, the
Dahlias were still in their full beauty, and the
many acres of these autumn flowers presented a
glorious sight, notwithstanding the injurious
effects of a frost the preceding night. The stock
of single Dahlias in these nurseries is very repre-
sentative, and Messrs. Cheal have either raised
or introduced to commerce many of the best
varieties of recent years. The best new " single "
of this season is the variety Feggy, and this was
se ii among the extensive collection in company
with Sunrise, Fugi San, Kitty, Mrs. T. W. Bates,
Strornboli, and other new varieties of merit of
this firm's raising. We have no space to
enumerate the many other beautiful single,
Cactus, show, and other varieties. Near
the Dahlias was noticed a very large planting of
Kniphofia uvaria, of which the firm possess a
special strain. The plants had big spikes of
finely coloured flowers, among which the bees
and other insects were busy, and ov.r attention
was drawn to the fact that the tubes of the
flowers were in hundreds of cases filled with the
dead bodies of these insects. Whether the
nectar had poisoned the creatures or if they had
been suffocated when tightly squeezed in the
Power we are unable to say, but we counted no
fewer than 19 dead bees and wasps in a single
flower-head.

The stock of fruit trees in these nurseries is
extensive, and the soil is especially suitable for
producing strong, clean growths. The stocks
for the grafting of Apples are largelv raised from
cuttings inserted at the beginning of November,
and each year more than 20,000 are raised in tins
manner. Of course this does not include the
number of the Crab, or free stock, as it is known
in nurseries, raised from seeds. In addition to
the ordinary Paradise, the Doucin stock is used
for many varieties of Apples, as the growth from
this stock is very free, and the fruits finer than
on many of the other kinds. The strongest of
all the dwarfing stocks, however, is Rivers'
Nonsuch, and on this are worked varieties that
fruit heavily when in a young state. A breadth
of 8,000 young Apple trees were all grafted on
the free stock, as this must be used in the case
of standard and half-standard trees that require
a deep root-system to enable them to provide for
increased transpiration, owing to the larger leaf
area than the trained trees, and to act as an
anchor to withstand rough winds. These young
trees on the free stock were remarkably clean
in bark, and showed that robust growth asso-
ciated with trees of vigorous root-growth. A
very large number of Apple trees were trained
as cordon standards, the stem being " feathered "
instead of clear of shoots, as in the usual tvpe.
These are in demand for suburban planting,
where economy of space is a great considera-
tion. The stock of Apple trees embraced trees
of all types — bushes, cordons, pyramids, stand-
ards, &c.

The Pears represented a stock of many thou-
sands, some on the Pear — which corresponds to
the free stock of the Apple — and others on the
Quince. This latter, being a dwarfing stock, is
used for the smaller trained trees; the former

stock is suitable for the taller standard and half-
standard trees. One breadth of the ntir ery,
planted with maiden Pears, all on the Quince
stock, contained 10,000 trees. Plums are also
seen in these nurseries in quantity, and Peaches,
Nectarines, Cherries, and other hardy fruits.

We were also shown many acres planted with
small fruits, including 30,000 two-year-old trans-
planted Gooseberry and Currant bushes ; the
stock of these plants collectively is about 100,000.
The training of espalier and other wall trees is
done in the open ground, where the trees are
grafted. The suitable shoots are tied to Bamboo
canes, useless ones being entirelv removed.

The stock of forest trees is accommodated in a
separate nursery some distance from Lowfield ;
but in the home nursery ornamental trees and
shrubs are everywhere met with. At the time of
our visit many of them were in their autumnal
colouring, and others in fruit. A very large
number of the commoner kinds are propagated,
as these are always in demand. Almonds and
ornamental Peaches are worked on the common
Mussel Plum, and this stock is also used for
nther ornamental species of Prunus. Many
thousands of these were noticed, suitable for
planting in their permanent quarters. Near by
was seen a batch of 15,000 oval-leaved Privet,
planted at 1 foot distance apart in the rows.
The Bladder Senna, Colutea, makes a useful town
tree, and it is a curious fact that seedlings raised
from the red-flowered C. cruenta (syn. purpurea)
have either yellow or reddish-brown flowers ;
but the yellow-flow'ered species produce in me
but yellow-flowered progeny. A verv graceful
plant is the Tamarix, and the ' variety of T.
japonica known as plumosa is exceedingly hand-
some in its feathery growths, which are much
thicker than in the type. The best for flon d ig
is T. hispida aestivalis, of which some improved
forms are grown at Lowfield. Another pleasing
shrub seen was Potentilla fruticosa. There was
a large stock of Lilacs of numerous varieties,
worked on the common Privet. On this stock
the Lilac flowers when very young, and is the
best method of propagating this shrub for forc-
ing purposes. It has the disadvantage, however,
in throwing numerous suckers, besides which
the plants are short-lived. Leycesteria formosa,
Lonicera involucrata, Lycium sinense, shrubby
Hypericums, Philadelphus, Indigofera Dosua (a
form of I. Herardiana), Pittosporums, Nandina
domestica, Xanthoceras sorbifolia, Polygonums,
including P. baldschuanicum (propagated from
cuttings inserted in the open), Hedysarum multi-
jugum, and a host of other shrubs were notn ed,
all in the best of health. Of the Hypericums
the best for floral effect is H. densiflorum ; the
fruiting sprays of H. Androsaemum are extremely
effective in the autumn. These two, with II.
uralum and H. galioides (a form of H. densi-
florum), constitute four excellent plants for
general garden purposes. The Acers at the time
of our visit were very beautiful. The nursery
is especially rich in these trees, which are
amongst the hardiest and best for autumn effects.
The handsome Sugar Maple — A. saccharinum —
had put on its beautiful tint of red, and we saw
it in its full splendour. The Golden Sycamore —
A. lutescens (a form of A. Pseudo-platanus) —
was very noticeable, but it is in the springtime,
when the leaves are young, that its full beauty
is apparent. A. Lobellii has pale, smooth, green
bark, and red petioles to the leaves. The best of
the variegated forms of A. P. -p. is nana varie-
gata. A. virginianum aurea variegatura has
beautiful cut foliage of a gold colour. A.
Volxemii has strong growths and large leaves.
A. Heldreichii has almost. palmate leaves, like
those of a vine. It makes a fine forest tree.
Then the species of Cornus demanded our atten-
tion, for these in their leaf tints rivalled, and,
perhaps, excelled, the Acers. All the form .if
Cornus alba are most beautiful, including I .a.
sibirica, C. a. s. variegata, C. a. Spathii, and C.
a. tartarica. The golden form of C. macrophvlla
(brachypoda) is also a handsome shrub. The

collection of trees also included Limes, I
Catalpas, Willows, Acacias, Prunus specie-. Al-
monds, Conifers, &c. Examples of topiary work
embraced more than 500 figures of animals and
objects. One of the most remarkable examples is
a set of chessmen worked in the Golden \
the tree representing the King being 10 feet in
height. "

BAMBOOS IN LEONARDSLEE

GARDENS.
Bamboos appear to be equally well at home
either in high or low situations, in dry or moi i.
positions, on an island or by the sides ol a
lake, upon a bank or in the middle of rocks.
In each of these different spots, however, they
will probably require especial attention in the
matter of watering, for if the soil about their
roots becomes very dry, more than ordinarv
care is required to get the ball of earth tho-
roughly moistened again. There are no plants
more ornamental in the dull months of the
than the Bamboos, and they create quite an
Oriental effect in the garden. The plants may
be moved at almost all seasons, but the
should not be out of the soil longer than is
absolutely necessary; indeed, special prepara-
tion should be made for the shifting. The hole
should be prepared in readiness, and the plant's
roots be thoroughly moistened. Mats should be
in readiness to place over the roots dire, tly
they are exposed. A damp or wet day should
be selected for the planting, and, should dry
weather set in after planting, spray the fol
several times daily with the hose or svi
The best season to select for planting, if many
plants are to be moved, is the iate spring, but
in all cases the same preparation as advised
should be made. A dull, drizzling day provides
a favourable opportunity for the work.

In shifting large plants, a big trench should
be excavated, in order that the roots or rhizomes
be little interfered with, and, after planting, a
few mats or a tarpaulin should be spread in
front of the plant to protect it from the sun's
rays for a few days.

Bamboos in large banks or clumps of several
varieties are very effective features on larga
lawns or pleasure grounds, as are also a few
plants interspersed amongst the ordinary sub-
jects of a shrubbery. They afford relief and
give a more picturesque effect. These plants
have few insect or fungoid enemies, but rats are
sometimes troublesome by burrowing under the
roots. About 30 varieties of Bamboos are
planted in these gardens. One plant of Phyllo-
stachys nigra has flowered this season, but it
is hoped no more will do so, as flowering is
the precursor of their death.

All the plants have grown very freely this
year, and the past summer seems to have
suited them.

The following varieties have made exceedingly
fine growths: — Arundinaria falcata has de-
veloped canes 3 feet higher than in any previous
year. Many of the clumps have a spread of
15 feet, and the canes are 15 feet in height.
This species is one of the most graceful and
ornamental of all the Bamboos. The roots
require some slight, protection during severe
weather.

A. nitida is one of the hardiest and best of the
genus, and it is especially valuable for planting
singly, as a specimen plant. It is often -aid Unit
this plant prefers a shaded situation, but the
several good specimens in these garden-
fully exposed to the sunshine. A. nitida
grown most freely this season.

Arundinaria anceps succeeds exceedingly >
and is perhaps one of the best. It has tall,
dark, graceful canes, wdiich resemble hi
plumes. This variety, when growing well, ex-
tends over the ground surprisingly quick, its
rhizomes appearing here, there, and every-
where.
, Bambusa fastuosa is a Bamboo of noble

November 23, 1S07.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

357

appearance, and is very hardy. The plant is a
quick grower, the shoots reaching to a height
of -3 feet. The canes are of a rich olive green
colour, changing a light brown, and bear dark
green foliage. The whole shoot forms a plume-
like growth, and is unrivalled for beauty. In
these gardens young canes have this year
grown to a length of 23 feet. When planted
near to the roots of large trees, B. fastuosa
should be given frequent and copious supplies
of water. B. palmata has also made rampant
growth, the canes attaining to a height of
10 feet.

Phyllostachys aurea is a strong-growing plant.
It has developed canes 14 feet in height during
the past year. The species is very distinct, is
hardy, and one of the best for planting. P. nigra
is a species readily distinguishable by its black
canes. This plant is also very hardy. Several

with gold and glaucous beneath. This species
needs careful lifting and replanting, or it soon
becomes unsightly.

P. mitis forms a very large plant that grows
very fast when thoroughly established, but it
requires a warm and sheltered position. It suc-
ceeds best when planted on a slope that is
screened with tree-, or tall Rhododendrons. W,
A. Cook, Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham.

THE ROSARY.

ROSE DOROTHY PERKINS.
While training the Roses on a Rose arch here
recently I was surprised to notice what very
strong growths the variety Dorothy Perkins had
made in 1906. The Rose arch is 9 feet high
and 7 feet wide, and one of thi growths had

OXFORD.

(See figure 14G, also Supplementary Illustration.)
The Botanic Garden at Oxford is one of the
eldest institutions of the kind in Europe, hav-
ing been founded by the Earl of Danb)
in 1632. The ground belongs almost en-
tirely to Magdalen College, and the chemi-
cal and physical laboratories maim
by that Society are only separated bj a
wall from the botanical laboratory and lecture
rooms which front into the garden, and are
shown in our supplementary illustration These
buildings used to form part of the plant houses,
the lecture room itself being the Old Orangery,
but the general accommodation for teaching is
in no way worthy of even a second-rate univer-
sity.

The gardens have an old-time appearance, in

Fig. 146. — a scene in the botanic gardens, OXFORD.

plants here have reached a height of 22 feet.
When planted in a suitable position, few plants
are more handsome or decorative than is this
Bamboo.

P. Quilioi has grown very freely during the
past summer. The polished canes are of a
dark green colour : the leaves are also a deep
green, and slightly larger than any of the other
Bamboos. A well-grown plant forms an ideal
specimen.

P. viridi-glaucesens is represented by a
clump 80 feet in circumference, and is an
object of great beauty, especially when the
long shoots are swayed by the wind. The plant
is perfectly hardy, and our specimen has up to
the present time made no attempt to flower.

P. Castillonis has tall, golden-coloured canes.
The long leaves are variegated, being striped

passed over the top and dropped to within 2 feet
of the ground on the other side. I measured this
growth and found it was 18 feet 6 inches in
length. It was flowering on a length of 16 feet
out of the 18 feet 6 inches. I thought it was a
very good growth for one year, considering
there were 16 growths from the same root-stock,
and these varied in length from 12 to 18 feet,
covering a space 8 feet wide on the arch. The
Rose had been planted three years. The old
growths that have flowered are usually cut hard
back to the base each year. No other variety
of Rose on this arch had made such long
growths, although many had shoots 15 to 16 feet
long. This year, however, Paul's Carmine
Pillar has made quite 18 feet of growth. Geo.
Grimmer, Norton Manor Gardens, Barton Stare y,
Hants.

spite of the replacement, about 17 years ago,
of the rambling beds of sinuous pattern and
geometrical design by the more convenient if
less picturesque rectangular ones of to-day. A
number of fine trees — too many, perhaps, con-
sidering the small size of the garden, which is
only about five acres in extent — are to be
found here. A large Copper Beech, a fine ex-
ample of Sophora, and a pretty specimen of
the Fern-leaved Beech, together with specimens
of Fraxinus Ornus, Taxodium distichum, Pyrus
intermedia, &c, form striking objects of beauty
in the garden, whilst a pleasing effect is rendered
by the grey stone walls clad with creepers and
shrubs of various kinds. Amongst these latter
are to be seen fine specimens of Periploca grasca.
Colletia cruciata, Ercilla volubilis, Bupleurum
fruticosum, Azara microphylla, Pomegranai-

"TO

THE GA RDENERS' CHR0N1 CL E.

[NOVEMBEK L!3, 1907.

By means of an iron gateway in the south-
west wall of the main garden access is afforded
to a small enclosure, shown in the illustra-
tion at fig. 146, in which a small collection of
hardy Water Lilies and a few bog plants
are grown. The enclosure is circular in out-
line, and is partly banked up by brick stag-
ing, on which are arranged a selection of Alpine
and other small plants which are cultivated
in pots. Apart from this, there is no other
attempt made at growing Alpines in the part
of the garden visible to the public.

The principal plant houses are situated on
ihe south-eastern side of the garden, over-
looking the river Cherwell. They were
built on the corridor plan, under the direc-
tion of Professor Vines, F.R.S., the present
occupant of the Sheradian Chair of Botany
in the University. There is a moderate col-
lection of Nympnaeas in the Water Lily house,
but the general impression gained by a walk
through the houses is that they are overcrowded
with many specimens that might well be given
away or consigned to the rubbish heap. There
are, however, interesting plants among them,
such as Livistona inermis, Araucaria Rulei,
Dioon edule, Marattia fraxinea, Klugia zey-
lanica, &c.

The principal treasures of the Botanical Gar-
dens are to be found in the library, for it contains
valuable and rare books almost in profusion.
Amongst them may be mentioned the volume of
plates reproduced from the MS. of Dioscorides
in the Royal Library at Vienna. Only two
copies of this work are known to exist, and the
other, which belongs to the Linnean Society, is
inferior to the Oxford volume. Here are also
to be found the magnificent original drawings
of Bauer for the illustration of the Flora
Grceca and the Fauna Graca.

The library contains a number of valuable
manuscripts also, and amongst them is the un-
published volume I. of Morison's Historia, which
was written by Bobart.

Although the gardens and the buildings are
picturesque and beautiful, one cannot visit them
without a feeling of regret that the University
does not do more to enable them to be kept
up in accordance with the development of
modern botanical requirements. Cambridge, and
the newer universities that have been established
and are still being formed throughout the coun-
try, have recognised the importance of botany,
not only as an academic but as an economic
science. They are all affording increased facili-
ties for its proper pursuit, whilst Oxford, so far
as its provision for accommodation for students
is concerned, continues to content itself with
its beautiful grey stone walls and the glamour
of its old-time laurels.

" Rural Economy " has recently been estab-
lished in a new laboratory-building a mile away,
out the results of starving the botanical estab-
lishment in the old garden are only too appa-

The Week's Work.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham I'ark, Surrey.

Carrots. — Late crops of Carrots that were
Taised from seeds sown in July, as advised,
should now have some partly decayed leaves
spread between the rows to afford protection
during severe weather, if the roots are to be
allowed to remain in the ground until they are
required for consumption. The reason for using
the leaves in a partly decayed condition is that
they will not be blown about by the wind, which
would cause an untidy appearance. Late
Carrots have succeeded well this season, especi-
ally the variety Early Gem.

Scakale. — The plants that are to be forced in
the open ground do not yet appear to have
ripened up sufficiently to render it advisable to
commence forcing. Some severe weather is re-
quired to bring about this essential condition,

and in the circumstances it will be better to
postpone making a start for another week, or
even fortnight, than to start with immature
crowns that would only be capable of producing
indifferent results.

Globe Artichokes. — Sufficient side-shoots for
planting again next spring should be potted-up
and placed in a cold frame, or the plants may
be protected as they stand by covering them
with long litter from the stable. As this
material would need to remain on the plants
for a considerable time, and through very bad
weather, sufficient support to carry the weight
of the litter, and to prevent it from bearing
heavily on the crowns of the plants, when it
becomes wet and heavy with rain and snow,
should be afforded by placing a few short sticks
round and close up to each plant. It will gene-
rally be found that Artichoke plants treated in
this manner will be capable of standing through
the winter without suffering harm, but unless
the sticks are used many would damp off.

Tomatos. — Plants growing in pits or frames,
and now commencing to ripen fruits, may be
greatly assisted by occasional weak applications
of liquid manure water, also of nitrate of
potash, at the rate of half an ounce of nitrate
to each gallon of clear water. The nitrate can
be gradually increased to one ounce to the
gallon, with two or three alternate applications
of clear water. Tomato plants require fairly
liberal treatment, combined with firm potting.
For raising succession plants, seed should now
be sown in pans containing light soil and placed
in an atmospheric temperature of 50° to 55",
choosing seeds of any free-setting variety. Sow
the seeds thinly, and as soon as the plants are
large enough, pot them singly in small pots and
place them well up to the roof glass. Re-pot
them before the roots suffer from confinement in
the small pots. Plants now in flower should be
helped to " set " the fruit by drawing a camel's
hair brush lightly over each bloom to distribute
the pollen.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Pot vines, which are expected to supply the
earliest crop of Grapes, should now be placed
into heat, if forcing has not already commenced.
The pit having been made-up previously with
fresh stable manure and leaves, these fermenting
materials will produce a bottom heat, and the
pipes underneath will supply the heat when
more is required. Pot vines should not be sub-
jected to much bottom heat at the first, and the
less artificial heat employed the better the vines
will succeed. Maintain the atmosphere in a
moist condition by damping the paths twice
daily. Admit a little air through the top venti-
lator when the weather is favourable, but close
it again early in the afternoon whilst the sun is
still shining. The atmospheric temperature in
the pit should be 50° at night and 60" by day,
rising with sun-heat to 65". This heat will be
sufficient for the vines until the buds break into
growth, when the temperatures should be gradu.
ally raised by 5". Give water very cautiously,
as the roots require very little until the vines
have made considerable growth. Any water to
be applied to the roots should first be heated to
the same temperature as that of the atmosphere
of the house.

The early vinery. — The Grapes in the early-
vinery ripen in May. Such a house should now
be closed down for starting. Damp the paths
slightly twice each day, and apply a little heat
during very cold days. At the time of starting,
an atmospheric temperature of 50° should be
maintained at night and 55" by day. This little
warmth and a moist, freely circulating atmos-
phere will cause the vines to swell their buds.
Take care to see that the outside border is pro-
tected with a mulch and thatched with straw or
other material ; this must be well done in order
that rains and melting snows will be thrown off.

Cucumbers. — Plants which are swelling some
fruits and setting others require to be watered
with very great care, whether growing in pots
or in the border ; and the water employed should
be heated to the same temperature as the atmos-
phere of the house. Do not syringe the plants
during winter. A humid atmosphere can be
maintained by damping the paths, but this

should not be done very frequently. On sunny
days a little air may be admitted by the top
ventilator only. Do not employ very much
aitificial heat at any time. Should red spider
or thrips attack the plants, fumigate the house
lightly with the XL-All vaporiser, and repeat
the operation on the following evening. An
atmospheric temperature at night of 65", with
70" by day, rising with sun-heat to 80", will
favour their growth. The bottom heat should
be 70". Keep the growths pinched, and never
allow overcrowding of foliage. Train the shoots
regularly over the trellis. The female flowers
may require to be pollinated by artificial means.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Disused burial grounds. — Within recent years
Parliament has decreed that, under certain
well-defined conditions, all disused burial
grounds are to be maintained by the public
authority in whose boundaries they are
situated, and all expenditure incurred in
their upkeep may be charged to the rates.
Very naturally, they come under the charge
of the Public Parks Department. Although
many of these grounds already handed over
to the care of public bodies are technically
" disused," they are only so in that they con-
tain no new spaces which can be let for' burial
purposes. Owners of existing grave spaces con-
tinue to bury within them so long as they are
not filled up. This is, of course, always pro-
vided that the Home Office has made no defi-
nite order to close the ground against all burials.-
It is only under most exceptional circumstances
that the Home Office can be induced by any
authority to interfere with individual rights in
this way, a fact which gives rise to an anomalous
state of affairs in that, while the responsible
Council has to pay for the upkeep of the ground,
it does not receive a single penny from those
who continue to use it for its original purpose.
Excepting where old burial grounds are fairly
extensive and have been well laid out in the
first place, they are somewhat difficult to turn
to any great public advantage. In some towns,
where they lie midway between two busy
thoroughfares, they are used by pedestrians as
a connecting link, and are in this way of con-
siderable value. Except under such circum-
stances, disused burial grounds are not usually
frequented by great numbers of visitors.

Their utilization. — Public sentiment prevents
such places from being utilized for ordinary re-
creative purposes, however much they may be
needed for such a purpose in their immediate
neighbourhood. The most that can usually be
done is to keep them clean and tidy and pro-
vided with seats, and where possible have them
furnished with a few flower beds, when they
are thrown open as a retreat from the
busy streets for old folks and young children.
Under ordinary circumstances the presence of
numerous gravestones and mounds makes it
very difficult to keep cemeteries at all times in a
presentable condition. In old burial grounds,
where most of the stones and graves are becom-
ing dilapidated, this difficulty can be overcome
by laying them flat, and levelling and turfing the
intervening spaces flush with the surface of the
stones. In this way the grass can always be
cut with a mowing machine, thus giving a
much neater appearance to the ground than
where mounds are allowed to remain, the grass
upon which can only be cut by means of a
hook or scythe. It should, however, be borne
in mind that before interfering with the graves
in this manner due notice ought to be given,
so that those having any interest in the ground
may" be acquainted with the intention of the
authorities. This is best done by posting notices
at the entrances to the cemetery and by adver-
tising in the local papers what it is proposed to
to. A little attention to these apparently small
details often prevents subsequent trouble and un-
pleasantness. Bearing in mind the fact that to
many people everything appertaining to the place
of the dead becomes almost sacred, great care
should always be exercised in carrying out
alterations and improvements in disused ceme-
teries. On no consideration should any tomb-
stone, however dilapidated, be removed from
the position in which it marks a grave ; the
very fragments even ought to be kept together
and made as secure as possible.

November 23, 1C07.]

THE G A RDENER S' CHR 0 NI CL E.

oo\.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Hart.. Burtord, Surrey.

Healing and ventilation. — For several months
to come we shall have to rely chiefly on fire-
heat for the proper maintenance of the atmos-
pheric temperatures in the houses, and it will
be necessary to use this with great care and
discretion so that the plants may not suffer
during winter. Prevent fluctuations m the
temperatures and excess of fire-heat as far as
is possible, both conditions being extremely
injurious to Orchids. At night, when the
weather is mild, the heat of all the houses should
be several degrees higher than when it is cold
and frosty, and on bright days higher than on
dull days. The greatest heat during the 24
hours should be at mid-day, and lowest during
the early hours of the morning before daylight.
The winter temperatures for the various envi-
sions, with a range of 10" between the two
extremes, should be as follow : East Indian
house, 60u to 70" ; Cattleya, Mexican, and inter-
mediate houses, 55° to 65° ; Masdevallia and
Odontoglossum houses, 45° to 55°. When,
through severe frosts and cold boisterous
weather, excessive fire-heat would be necessary
to obtain the higher temperatures, the atmos-
phere of the houses being drier than usual, the
lower temperatures will be best, and at such
times even a degree or two lower for a short
time will cause no harm. In ventilating Orchid
houses through the winter months the aim should
be to admit as much fresh air as possible with-
out chilling the plants. High and lofty houses
will not require nearly so much air as small
low-roofed ones. It is impossible to lay down
hard and fast rules, as so much depends upon
the position and construction ot the houses.

Pamping-down. — Houses that are situated on
high and exposed elevations will require more
frequent dampings to maintain sufficient atmo-
spheric moisture in them than those houses
which are in low-lying districts. For instance,
at Burford the houses are in a very low-lying
position and as regards the Cattleya houses, no
syringing or damping-down is necessary from
the beginning of November until the end of
February, the usual waterings of the plants
which is done twice a week being quite suffi-
cient. The pseudo-bulbs and leaves of Cattleyas
and Laelias are particularly liable to decay
during the winter months, and this condition
is generally br lught about either by affording
too much water at the root, or by having an
over-abundance of moisture in the atmosphere.
If it is caused by improper atmospheric con-
ditions, the plants will require a warmer and
drier atmosphere, but if decay arises from over-
wetness at the roots the plants will he con-
stitutionally impaired and may not recover.
The paths and stages of the East Indian house
need to be well syringed every morning imme-
diately the heat of the structure has risen to the
proper day temperature, and again early in the
afternoon. The intermediate house, containing
Cvmbidiums, Vandas. I vpripediums, Maxil-
larias, Epidendrums, Miltonias, Sobralias, &c .
will require damping-down twice daily. The
ccol or Odontoglossum house, if a span-roofed
house running north and south, will need
damping once or twice each day, according to
the weather outside, but one with a northern
aspect will need very little special damping
until early in spring.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Penca on-,
Cornwall.

Winter protection. — Nothing is better or moTe
effective for protecting the roots of plants or
shrubs from cold than a layer of fallen leaves.
A layer 3 or 4 inches thick will keep the ground
warm and soft even during very hard frosts.
In many gardens it is necessary to protect
Kniphofias (Tritomas) during the winter. The
leaves should be drawn up together and tied,
placing a layer of leaves or ashes around the
crowns. If leaves are used a slight sprinkling
of soil over the surface will serve to keep them
in place. Kniphofia caulescens, being more
tender than the others, needs to be planted in a
warm border, and should have a heap of broken
coke piled around its stem ; this is a good
method of protection for all plants, shrubby or '
herbaceous, which suffer more from excessive

moisture than from a low temperature when the
conditions are dry After the first frost the
leaves of Gunneras should be cut off, and when
the stalks have been removed, the leaves may
be inverted over the crowns to afford pro-
tection. Where frost more severe than 15°
Fahr. is anticipated, it is necessary to
place dry bracken or straw around the
crowns ; a few sticks laced across the covering
with each end pushed into the ground will keep
it in place. The best method of protecting
tender young trees and shrubs is to enclose them
with wire netting— if labbits abound the netting
is usually already there — 9 inches or so clear of
the outer leaves. Place over the roots 4 inches
of freshly fallen leaves, and on this loosely
place some bracken. If the shrub is deciduous
and of doubtful hardiness, place the loo-e
bracken around the whole of it. Finally stick
a few large branches of some evergreen — Rhodo-
dendron ponticum answers best — in the ground
so that the leaves are around the netting and
over the plant. This method affords ample pro-
tection, and at the same time admits a fair
amount of light and air to the plant. Tender
wall shrubs should have a few pieces of bracken
or small branches of an evergreen shrub placed
amongst the growths.

Roses generally are best when planted in
November, but if the soil is very heavy and
retentive, and cold or wet weather should set
in, the work should be delayed until the spring.
It is assumed that the beds or borders were
previously prepared, so that as soon as the
plants arrive from the nursery they may at
once be planted. Lay out each root separately,
and make the soil firm bv treading. Beyond the
cutting away of bruised or broken roots, no
pruning should be done at this period. An

' it stake should at once be afforded
each plant so that it may not be blown about
bv the wind. In districts where winter protec-
tion is necessary for Roses, such material as
dry bracken or loose stable-litter should be kept
at hand in readiness for use. If a few- Sq
branches are stuck in the ground around, they
will effectively screen the plants from winds.

Watering plants in wittier. — At this season alt
watering should be done as early in the day as
possible. Be careful not to apply water where
it is unnecessary; it is better to take a lit. la
longer time and examine every plant, thoroughlv
soaking the roots of such plants only as really
require moisture.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

3v J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Ntrines. — As these plants pass out of flower,
place them in a good position near the glass,
and apply liquid manure to the roots in order
to get the foliage to develop perfectly. When
the foliage has fully grown and shows signs of
ripening off, decrease the water supply gradually
until it is entirely stopped. Keep the plants
after that stage in a hot, dry position,
thoroughlv baking the bulbs by sun-heat. Do
not disturb the roots until this operation be-
comes absolutely necessary, since Nerines ap-
pear to flower better if left undisturbed as much
as possible.

Plumbago rosea. — The graceful winter-bloom-
ing variety, known as P. rosea coccinea superba,
now coming into flower, should be afforded a
very light position as near to the glass as
possible, in order that the flowers may perfectly
develop their delicate colours. Do not syringe
the plants overhead, but if they are in a very dry
position damp lightly between the pots. As the
flower-spikes continue to develop, an atmo-
spheric temperature at night of 50° to 60°, with
the usual rise in the day-time, will be sufficient ;
at that period the atmospheric temperature
should be maintained less moist, in order that
the flowers may continue in good condition for
a considerable period. They possess a' most
effective colour for dinner-table decoration, for
which purpose the plants should be arranged
with some dwarf, white-flowering plants such as
Roman Hyacinths and Lily of the Valley, with
an edging of Ferns and Grasses.

Bouvardias are now at their best, and care
should be taken to prolong their season as far
as possible. Bouvardias are sometimes kept in
too great a heat, and in consequence the flowers
soon pass, and the plants themselves become
preyed upon by insect pests. When in bloom
an atmospheric temperature of 55u to 60°, with
ventilation on all favourable occasions, is suffi-
cient. King of the Scarlets, Alfred Neuner,
President Cleveland, President Garfield, Priory
Beauty, The Bride, and Vreelandii constitute a
good selection of the various colours.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,

East 11' vi>ii.

Pruning. — This is an important work, and
should be performed by men ot experience, tor
an injudicious use of the knife has ruined many
a good tree. The aim of the pruner should be
to maintain a shapely bush or tree at its cor-
rect shape, or to lay the foundation of a good
tree in the case of young specimens. It is im-
portant that light and air gain admittance
amongst the branches, as half-ripened wood is
not conducive to fruitfulness. The pruner
should be acquainted with the habit of fruiting
of the different varieties. Most kinds bear these
fruits on spurs, but several develop fruit on
well-ripened shoots made the previous year, and
a knowledge of these particulars is required be-
fore the work can be properly performed. Prun-
ing should be carried out while the weather
remains mild, as more work can be done and
the conditions are much better for the worker
when the weather is warm. The first trees to be
pruned should be those that drop their leaves
first. In these gardens we commence with
Cherries on north walls, cutting back all spur
growths of the current season to two buds, re-
serving enough leading shoots to have them not
less than 3 inches apart, and a few to take the
place of worn-out branches. Sweet Cherries
having large leaves require their branches fur-
ther apart than Morellos, and 9 inches to 1 foot
will not be too much. These, like the Morellos,
bear their fruit on the current year's wood as
well as on spurs.

/'railing wall trees. — The Plum, Apricot, and
Pear require similar treatment to that recom-
mended for the Cherry. Plum and Apricot
trees often require their branches to be
re-adjusted, a branch here and there dying
occasionally without any apparent cause.
Pruning and training being carried out at
one operation, the dead branches should be
cut out before commencing to train the shoots.
Plum, Apricot, and Pear trees produce their
fruit principally on " spurs," though more or
less on matured shoots of the previous sum-
mer's growth, especially Plums and Apricots.
Therefore, it is advisable to retain the most
suitable growths so long as their retention will
not cause over-crowding.. Strong leading shoots
should be shortened to about half their length ;
this checking of sap will induce the wood bu3s
to push out in spring, the most convenient
being retained to form spur-growths. Medium
shoots may be left intact, with the exception of
those of the Pear ; these usually form a blossom
bud at the point, and need, therefore, to be
taken out if an extension of the tree is desired.
Long-established trees, with Unsightly spurs,
may have a few of the spurs cut out annually,
and if a saw has to be uset fie wound should
afterwards be made smooth with a knife or chisel.
These remarks are applicable to espalier trees in
the open, and to cordons trained along wires.
Trees of any form, which have been recently
planted, should rot be pruned until spring.

Busk and pyramid trees of the Apple, Pear,
and Plum require similar treatment as regards
the spurs, cutting back to within two buds of
their origin all growths made this season,
except in the case of some few varieties such as
Jargonelle and Beurre Superfin Pears, I.adv
Sudeley and Irish Peach Apples, which in many
instances form natural spurs, or rather blossom
buds, without being stopped. Extension shoots
which exceed 1 foot in length should be
sh itened to within 8 or 9 inches of their oi
and any branches likely to cause overcrow
in any part of the tree must be cut hard bark.

Peach trees. — These are retaining their foliage
for a longer time than usual. If a tw
broom be drawn lightly towards the points of the
shoots, it will rid the tree of those leaves that
have performed their functions and are readv to
fall, but it is unwise to attempt to defoliate the
trees whilst the kaves are still firmly adtn
to the shoots.

5G0

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 23, 1807.

EDITORIAL NOTICE,

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
USHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
carejulto mark the paragraphs they wish tiie Editor to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23—

Morley and Dist. Paxton Soc. Chtys. Sh.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26—

Royal Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex.
Council meet.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28-

Eshibition of Colonial Produce at Hort. Hall, West-
minster (2 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 41*3°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London-.— Wednesday, November 20 (6 p.m.)': Max- 49°,
Mm. 43".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, Novembet
21 (10 A.M.): Bar. 303; Temp., 46'; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces —Wednesday, November 20 (6 p.m.) : Max. 45v,
Guildford ; Min. 39', Scotland N.E. Coast.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY—

Roses in variety, at 67 & 63, Cheapside, E.C., b

Protheroe & Morris, at 1.30.
MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c„ at Stevens' Rooms, King

Street. Covent Garden, W.C.
MONDAY to FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, C leapside, E.C., by Protheroe

& Morris, at 10.30.
WEDNESDAY—

Roses at 1.30. Palms, Azaleas, &c , at 5, at 67 & 68,

Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

A consignment of Liliuras and miscellaneous Bulb., at

67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 2.
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY—

Clearance Sale of Nursery Stock at The Nursi

Rothwell, near Leeds, by Protheroe & Morris, a: 11.3
THURSDAY—

Sale of Nursery Stock at Claremont Nursery, West End.

Esher, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.
FRIDAY -

Orchids in variety at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by

Protheroe .S: Morris, at 12.40.

It is with feelings of the utnm^i
James regret we have to record the
Veitch. death, on the 13th inst.,

James Herbert Veitch, at the
age of 39 years. The short, strenuous life of
the deceased nurseryman has been marl
several incidents of unusual interest. I
at Chelsea in the year iSbN, his education
commenced at the Craw ford ( loll :ge, Maiden-
head, and was continued in Germany and
France. He commenced work at Chelsea
in 1885, and when 23 years of age, the young
man undertook a voyage lo India, the Straits
Settlements, Japan, Corea, the Australian
Colonies and New Zealand, for the purpo e of
studying the vegetation of those regions, the
conditions of the native habitats of many
spi 1 ies of plants that are cultivated in gardens
in this country, and especially to ascertain
whether British gardens might be si ill
further enriched by the introduction of new
species from the rich flora these favoured
countries were known to possess.

Many of our readers will doubtless remem-
ber that extracts from the letters addressed by
the traveller to his uncle, Mr. Harry J.
Veitch, were printed in these pages under the
general heading "A Traveller's Notes," the
first contribution appearing in the issue for
March 12, 1902, and the last in that for
December 15, 1904. These letters described
tli' principal features of the botanic and
other public gardens, nursery establishments,
and private gardens Mr. Veitch visited. After
his return home at the end of 1893 he was
prevailed upon to revise and amplify the text
<or publication in a separate volume. His

work was issued in 1896, the title being the
same as that previously used for the notes
which appeared in these pages. A Traveller'*.
Notes was circulated privately, and con-
tained 220 pages of text, together with maps
and numerous illustrations prepared from
photographs taken by the author. It was
printed on thick, art paper, on which the
illustrations show to excellent advantage,
and some of the more important were printed
on parchment. The work will maintain its
value in future years as a means of spread-
ing reliable information upon the plants in-
troduced to our gardens from the countries
already mentioned.

Upon returning to England Mr. Veitch was
again associated in the management of the
Chelsea Nurseries. In 1898 advantage was
taken of the new company law and the busi-
ness was formed into a private limited com-
pany. Mr. Harry J. Veitch retired from the
management in 1900 and Mr. James Herbert
Veitch assumed the responsibilities of the post

LATE JAMES HERBERT VEITCH.

of managing director, his younger brother,
Mr. John Gould Veitch, being appointed
Secretary.

Very soon after this event Mr. James
Veitch conceived the idea of sending a
special representative to China fur the pur-
pose of collecting seeds and specimens of new
species of lues and shrubs and other plants
for introduction into England. In taking this
step he followed the best traditions of the
firm, for Messrs. Veitch had previously
despatched 21 travellers to various parts of
the world on a similar errand, including,
amongst others, the Brothers Lobb, John
Gould Veitch, P. C. M. Veitch, F. W. Bur-
bidge, Waller Davis, G. Kalbrever, and J. H.
Chesterton. It is recalling but recent history
when we state that Mr. E. H. Wilson was
selected to proceed to China in April, 1899, ami
our readers will remember that his tour was
so successful that, after spending the summer
of 1902 in England, he was again despatched
in January, 1903, to the extreme west of
China, and the border of Thibet, a thousand
miles further west than the former field of his
exploration. One of the special objects of the

second visit was to obtain seeds of Meconop-
sis integrifolia, and so successful was Wilson
that the plant has already become a common
species in European gardens. To the com-
mendable enterprise thus shown by the firm
of \ eitch, cultivators also owe the introduc-
tion of a very great number of new species of
trees and shrubs, including many Conifers,
and herbaceous and annual flowering plants,
a considerable proportion of these having ai-
ready formed subjects of illustration in these
pages.

The next and last important task under-
taken by the deceased gentleman was the
compilation of the Hortus Veitchii, which
was published as recently as last year.
This work relates the history of the nur-
series of Messrs. Jas. Veitch and Sons,
affords -biographical notes of the founders
of the firm, also of the principals, botanical
collectors and hybridists employed by them,
and it further contains a list of the
most remarkable plants that have been
introduced from abroad or have been raised
in this country, with descriptions and
references of publication. It contains up-
wards of 540 pages of text and 50 illustra-
tions, and was printed for private circulation
only. This book is a record of good work
well accomplished such as any firm might
be justly proud to possess, and its compilation
necessarily imposed a large amount of extra
work upon the author, who was already bear- ■
ing the entire responsibility of the manage-
ment of the business. It was during the pre-
paration of the Hortus Veitchii that Mr.
Witch showed unmistakable signs of failing
health, and shortly after its publication be was
obliged to retire from active work, his place
being filled by Mr. Harry J. Veitch., who
again returned to the position he vacated in
1900. Mr. James Veitch subsequently removed
lo the neighbourhood of Exeter, where his
health gradually declined until on Wednesday
week last he died from an attack of paralysis.
1 te was a man of extraordinary energy,
and during his brief business life attempted
more than it is possible for one man to perform
without suffering the effects of over-work, in-
sisting in devoting his personal attention to
details the ordering of which might very well
have been left to others. He was a Fellow of
the Linnean Society, for some years a mem-
ber of the Executive Committee of the Gar-
deners' Royal Benevolent Institution, and
had also served upon the Fruit and Vegetable
Committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society. Mr. Veitch 's labours, as we have
endeavoured to show, have been strenuous,
and their efforts will continue to be seen in
future years, although his business career
only extended over a period of 22 years. His
premature death will excite the greatest
sympathy for his immediate relatives and
especially for his widow. His father was
John Gould Veitch, who was born in 1839 and
died in 1870. Mr. Veitch leaves no children ;
his nearest relatives at present in England are
his brother, John Gould Veitch, his uncle, Mr.
Harry J. Veitch, his o( usjn, Mr. Morgan H.
Veitch, and Mr. P. C. M. Veitch.

The interment was at Exeter on Monday
last, in the presence of Mr. Harry J. Veitch,
Mr. John Gould Veitch, Mr. P. C. M. Veitch,
and other relatives and friends, including Mr.
T. H. Slade, gardener at Poltimore, Mr. J.
Maync, gardener at Bicton, and Mr. Garland,
formerly gardener at Killerton.

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NOVEMBEK '23, ltd".]

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

3d

Royal Horticultural Society. -At the

meeting of the Committees on Tuesday next,
November 26, Mr. Frank Golsworthy is ex-
pected to exhibit some floral pictures, including
some Himalayan Rhododendrons, Narcissus,
&c.

The show of Colonial-grown fruits,

vegetables, and Colonial-preserved fruits will be
held at the Society's hall, Vincent Square, on the
2Sth and 29th inst. Conjointly, an exhibition of
bottled l'.i itish-grown fruits will be held. A series
of lectures and demonstrations on fruit bottling
will be given by Miss Edith Bradley, at 3 p m.
on the first day and at noon and 3 p.m on the
second day.

The Surveyors' Institution. — The next
ordinary general meeting will be held in the
Lecture Hall of the Institution on Monday, Novem-
ber 25, at 8 p.m., when Mr. Sabin will re-open
the discussion, adjourned from March 18 last, on
the paper read by Mr. Aubrey J. Spencer, on
February 25, entitled "The Agricultural Holdings
Act, 190G."

SOCIETE FRANCAISE D HORTICULTURE DE

Londres. — The annual dinner will take place on
January 18, 1908, at the Cafe Royal, Regent
Street, London, W., at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Harry J.
Veitch will preside, and will be supported by
M. PHiLiii'ii he Vilmorin and others.

University of London (Advanced Lec-
tures in Botany).— A course of eight lectures
on the "Function of the Mineral Constituents
of the Soil on the Nutrition of Plants," by Mi.
A. I). Hall, Director of the Rothamste<
perimental Station, was begun on the 11th inst.
at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Mr. IIai l began
by setting out the analyses of the ash of a
series of typical plants, in which were to be
found a comparatively small number of con-
stituents : Potash, soda, lime, magnesia, and a
little iron among the metals; phosphorus, sul-
phur, chlorine, and silica among the non-metals
Traces of a large number of other elements
have been found from time to time in the ashes
of various plants, since plants must take up a
little of whatever is present in the soil ; but then
occurrence is irregular, and has little signifi-
■cance in the nutrition of the plant. To grasp
the true significance of the proportions present
in the ash, it is necessary also to know the
weight the plant usually attains when occupying
a given area of ground, as in a field crop, by
which means the amount of each constituent
withdrawn by the plant from the soil can be
calculated. Various analyses were then given
of crops grown at Rothamsted to show to what
extent the composition of the ash of a given
plant will vary under different conditions of soil
or of season, and it was found that the varia-
tions, never very great, were more induced by
season than by soil. The plant, in fact, reacts
against changes in the composition of the
medium in which it grows and strives to main-
tain a uniform composition. This led to a con-
sideration of Liebig's theorv that the composi-
tion of the plant serves as a guide to the manure
it requires, so that the proper manure for a
given crop would be a liberal allowance of the
same composition as that which it will ulti-
mately take away from the soil. This theory has
been found invalid when checked by the result
of field experiments ; and it also fails because it
does not take into account the soil, which itself
contains the necessary constituents for a hundred
or more full crops. • The need for manure rests
upon the fact that the valuable constituents in
the soil are but sparingly soluble, so that fcS
largely depends upon the deep or shallow root-
ing habit of the plant, the duration of its growth,
&c, whether it can obtain a sufficiency of a
given constituent from the soil, or whether it

requires the assistance of a little more in an
active form as manure. In the second lecture
on Thursday, November 14, Mr. Hall dealt
with the converse proposition of how far the
composition of a plant growing upon a given
soil will indicate the richness or poverty of that
soil. To some extent the plant can be used as
an analyst of the soil ; for example, the compo-
sition of Barley straw or of Mangels grown
without manure will indicate the need or other-
wise for manuring with phosphates or potash
salts. The mode of entry of the mineral con-
stituents into the crop was then considered ; it
is necessary that they should become di
in the soil water, whereupon they pass thi
the cell walls of the root hairs by osmotic diffu-
sion, As the living protoplasm of the plant
withdraws a given constituent from this solu-
tion, more will be able to diffuse in from the
soil water outside; is is in this way the plant
is able to discriminate between the substances
presented to it, accumulating, for example, more
potash than soda, although the soda may be
the more abundant in the soil water. The plant
may exercise its selective action between the
acid and basic constituents of a given salt : thus
from sodium nitrate it will take more nitric acid
than soda, leaving behind the soda in the soil
combined with carbonn acid excreted from the
root. The alkali thus set free may have a dele-
terious effect upon the tilth of the soil, as is not
infrequently seen in the field. The supposition
that the acid sap within the roots of plants exer-
cises a solvent action upon the soil particles was
considered to be unfounded, carbon dioxide
being the only exi n tion to which solvent actions
are due. The lei tures will be continued on
Monday and Thursday afternoons at 5 p.m. at
the Chelsea Physic Garden.

A Natural Berberis hybrid in England.

— The Rev. E. S. Marshall, writing in the
Journal of Bota Is the discovery of a

natural hybrid between the common Berberis
vulgaris and Mahonia Aquifolium in Somerset.
He describes it as possessing thorns, mostly in
groups of three, as in B. vulgaris, but the
foliage leaves are simple, coriaceous, glabroi
and probably ev< rgreen. The fruits, which are
produced abundantly, vary from round to oval.
and are briuht red when half-ripe, becoming
almost black, with a glaucous bloom and crimson
juice when mature. Dr. Focke, in his Vflanzen
Jlischlhige, remarks that : " . . . the species

of Barberry ci readily with each other, and

recalls the fact that a hybrid, B. Aquifolium x
B. fascicularis, was distributed by Rivers before
1850." Mr. Marshall believes his plant to be
the first known instance of the occurrence of a
quasi-wild hybrid in the genus.

Foreign Gardeners in France. — A society
called Ausliindischer Gartnerverein exists in Paris,
and the members numbering about 50 and repre-
sent horticulturists of ten or more different
nationalities. The general meeting was held
recently, when the Chairman gave a review of the
past half-year's work. The meetings held num-
bered 25, and there had been 12 excursions during
that period. The German language is employed
at the meetings which are held each Saturday,

Plum Trees bearing a Second Crop of
Fruits. — An unusual instance of second cropping
is brought to our attention by Mr. Perrin, of
Reading. The first crop of fruits ripened in the
third week of July and the second crop in the
fourth week of October. Our correspondent
states that the tree is 12 or 13 years old, and
at the second cropping it bore four dozen fruits.
The secondary blossoms were produced from the
old wood, and these buds were not observable
until the earlier fruits had made considerable
growth.

The " Schneider " Banquet in London.—

On Saturday last a few English friends of Mr
Geo. Schneider met together at the Cafe Royal,
Regent Street, to celebrate, as bis French friends
have already done, his recent decoration by the
French Government. Mr. Harman Payne pre-
sided. Mr. W. Hiehle read letters from numerous
friends regretting their inability to be present.
The Chairman briefly reviewed Mr. Scum id] r'
many services to horticulture, and especially in
connection with his work as President of the
French Horticultural Society of London. A pre-
sentation of a handsome silver hot-water jug and
cake-basket was then made in the name oi Mi
Schneider's English friends. Mr. Schneider
replied briefly returning thanks for this and the
many other friendly demonstrations of regard of
which he had lately been the object.

New Salvias— Amongst the Salvias that have
been raised within the last few years, the
variety known as Feuerball (Fireball) has
attracted a good deal of notice on the Continent.
It originated as a cross between Triumph X
Rudolph Pfitzer. and is a very handsome plant,
especially when grown in masses. But, writes
M. L. Dttrie in tic /c •', V Horticulture

Beige ct Etrangcre, it is easily surpassed by a
newer variety known as Zurich, so named be.
ause it originated in the Municipal Gardens of
that city. It flowers a fortnight earlier, and is
of a more compact and floriferous habit than
Feuerball. Both sorts, however, are e<
by a still newer introduction, Zuchterzwerg,
'•Inch, as its name implies, is also a dwarf
.M. Di n;n expresses the opinion tint
the new Salvia has a great future before it, and
describes it as of very good habit, reaching a
height of 12 to 14 inches, and as forming liter-
ally a mass of brilliant red blossoms, like those
of Feuerball, whilst it shares with Zurich the
great merit of early-flowering.

" Forage Crops for Soiling, Silage, Hay,

and Pasture. "*— Although this book deals
with the subject of fodder from the standpoint
of the American agriculturist, there is much in
it which may well arrest the attention of the
ilvitish farmer. The systems of intensive culti-
vation on which we perhaps rightly pride our-
selves in this country, are being followed and
improved, as local conditions dictate, on the
other side of the Atlantic. The questions of
agriculture are often more scientifically handled
than is the case with us, except, of course,
where they are being dealt with in research
establishments. The ratio of three acres and a
cow is becoming reversed, and with intensive
Grass and Clover cultivation the more skilful
of our American cousins are said to manage
to keep three cows to an acre. Of course, on
land of exceptional fertility this is some-
times rendered possible in England even on
the meadow and permanent pasture, which
owes its great value largely to the climatic
conditions that prevail in these islands. But
there is no doubt that, with the adoption of
more scientific practice, the feeding value of
pasture is susceptible, in most places at any
rate, of considerable improvement. The chief
difficulty to encounter lies in the natural pre-
judice against novelty, and in the cost and risk
that experiments necessarily entail, and these
are aspects of the matter which are apt to appear
especially unattractive during periods of agri-
cultural depression. The subject-matter of the
book, though of indirect interest to horticul-
turists, is worthy of consideration by them,
inasmuch as many suggestive sidelights are
thrown on the mutual relations that subsist
between soil-condition and crops. The soil is

* By G. B. Voorhees, Director of the New Jersey Experi-
ment Stations, &c. The Mactnillan Co., New York, 1907.

362

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[November 23, 1907.

not merely mechanical mixture of chemical
compounds, but it is capable of immense modi-
fication by the indirect action of the micro-
organisms which inhabit it, and to the influence
of which its fertility, at least in a great measure,
is to be attributed.

A New Use for Molasses.— Under this
heading, the Queensland Agricultural Journal
prints the following from the Bundabcrg Mail.
" It is surprising," the writer says, " how few
people are acquainted with the real nature and
properties of Molasses. Even men who have
worked in sugar mills and distilleries for years
often betray ignorance in this respect. The
writer had occasion some time ago to scientifi-
cally investigate the properties of Molasses, and
found it a very difficult problem to burn off
a large quantity of surplus Molasses without the
aid of specially constructed furnaces. Molasses
is not the highly inflammable mixture that
people imagine it to be. It would be practically
impossible to set a tank of Molasses on fire bv
any means whatever. Even a mixture of
Molasses and methylated spirits or sulphur will
burn very imperfectly at first, and finally
smoulder and die out. A charge of Molasses
will extinguish or damp down the strongest
furnace fire in a few minutes. A jet of Molasses
played on burning wood will instantly extin-
guish the fire, and the wood cannot be again
fired until the Molasses is removed from the
surface. For extinguishing large tanks of burn-
ing oil, kerosine, or spirit, there is nothing more
effective than bags or tarpaulins steeped in
Molasses, and when such tanks are in danger of
being fired, they should be covered over and
made airtight with tarpaulins that have pre-
viously been immersed in heavy Molasses."

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

Count Tchihatchef (see p. 325). —The
belief being very general that Count Paul de
Tchihatcbet was a Russian nobleman, allow me to
say that tins distinguished geographer and botanist
was not a Russian, but an Italian, Count. H. L.

Sporting of Chrysanthemums. — Some
plants of the single yellow variety Winnie
tjhernng have been grown here for several years
in the ordinary manner as bush plants, without
disbudding. No change of stock has taken place,
neither until this year has any sport occuned.
This year the first bloom that opened was a goou
double-refiexed flower : some of tne later flowers
are semi-double, one is single as at first, and there
are several intermediate stages. 11'. H. Divers,
Belvoir castle Gardens, Grantham.

Nerine Bowdenii (see fig 164 in Gard. Chron

November -6, 1904). — This handsome species
was recently in flower here, and it pre-
sented a charming sight ; the colour being
delightful. The bulbs were purchased on
their arrival from the Cape just 12
months ago. They were potted forthwith in
good fibrous loam, with the addition of a liberal
amount of sand and charcoal, and placed in a
cold frame. Everything was done to give them
as much light and air as the atmospheric con-
ditions would permit. As soon as any signs of
growth were seen a little water was afforded, in-
creasing the amount as the leaves increased in
number and size. In May the leaves showed
signs of fading away, and the supply of water
was gradually decreased and eventually discon-
tinued. During the late summer they were fully
exposed to the sun and kept dry, and in the
last week in August the flower-scape began to
appear. I do not think that this plant will mul-
tiply very fast, for the offshoots are but very
small, and they will probably take two or three
years before they attain to a flowering size. Two
or three bulbs which were kept warm during
their growing season have not grown so well as
the others. I propose trying some in a sunny
border out-of-doors, keeping them protected from
frost. //. W., Trevince.

Culture of Cockscomb (Celosia cris-
tata). — I have grown my plants lor several years
under the following treatment, and they have
succeeded well, notwithstanding that the degree
of heat employed is so much less than is usually
recommended. I generally sow the seed in a
well-drained seed pan containing light, sandy
soil, the first week in March, placing the seed
pan on a shelf near the glass in a moist atmo-
sphere having a temperature of 60°. In culti-
vating them at this temperature great care must
be taken when watering the seedlings, as the
plants when in the seedling stage have a tencency
to damp off when they are about 1 inch in
height. When large enough to be handled, they
can be potted into thumb-pots, using a richer
soil. Avoid potting any washy-looking seed-
lings, choosing the most healthy plants. As
growth increases the plants can be repotted, each
time into pots one size larger than they were in
previously, still keeping them near to the glass.
When the flower-heads show, the plants should
then be put into the pots in which they will
flower. I use 5-inch pots for this final shift.
When potting this time, add to the compost
one-third well-rotted manure. The plants
should then be removed to a drier part of the
house where they will be free from the drip from
shelves, &c. When the pots have become full
of roots, apply just enough water to the roots
to prevent the leaves flagging. There are very
few greenhouse annuals which attract the atten-
tion of visitors more than a well-cultivated

SIR FRANK CRISP

(who has received the honour of Knighthood, as was

announced in onr last issue).

Cockscomb. Even if they pass all the other
plants in the house with but a casual glance,
they are sure to stop and have a look at the
Cockscomb, whose peculiar form and beautiful
colour cannot be passed unnoticed. Titos.
Francis, The Gardens, Rockwood House, Bolton-
le-Moors, Lanes.

Late Peas. — We gathered a dish of Peas on
November 1C, from plants in the open garden.
The variety was Gladstone. G. F. Thomas,
Benthall Hall, Broseley, Shropshire.

Trenching Ground. — One very important
factor in plants producing a strong growth when
planted on trenched soil is the encouragement the
roots have to plunge deeply, and thus in hot
weather to be enabled to withstand drought,
Trenching is of more value for summer crops than
for winter ones, and this especially applies to
vegetables. Whilst deep working of the soil helps
to keep summer crops in almost luxuriant growth,
in winter the common growing crops are often too
luxuriant on the same land, but that trouble may
be obviated by sowing or planting rather later than
usual, also in having the ground made very firm.
But with trenching — and it matters little whether
the deeper system or the half-trenching, commonly
called bastard trenching, be adopted — a primary
aim of the cultivator should be to put a manure-
dressing, whilst the fienching is proceeding, down
beneath the top spit of soil. Such manure will serve
the double purposes of enticing the roots to grow

deeply, and thus be out of the hot, scorched-surface
soil, and also help to fertilise or improve the sub-
soil, and with the aid of the root action of the
crops and the admission of air, tend soon to make
this lower layer as fertile as is the surface soil.
Very commonly in large gardens deep or complete
trenching is practised, because this manuring of
the subsoil has enabled it to be brought to ihe
top, and therefore the whole body of soil from 2 feet
to 3 feet in depth is in good cultural condition.
Where the subsoil is stiff and inert it is a good
practise to open a wide trench, 3 feet deep, and to
bury in that trench, as fast as obtained, all garden
refuse, then to cast on that the soil of similar
depth from the next trench. In course of time the
whole will become fertilised through the addition
of this decaying vegetable matter. £>.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.
November 12. — Present : Mr. J. T. Bennett-
Poe, M.A. (in the chair), and Dr. A. B. Rendle,
Prof. Boulger, Messrs. W. C. Worsdell, G.
Saunders, H. J. Elwes, A. W. Sutton, C. T.
Druery, A. E. Bowles, and F. J. Chittenden
(hon. secretary).

Malformed Orchids. — Mr. W. C. WORSDELL
said that the flowers shown at the last meeting
showed only two sepals and two petals, the. lip
being entirely absent ; he also showed speci-
mens of Cattleya Loddigesii (?) with double lips>
and a Cypripedium with the same malformation.
The last two specimens came from Gurney
Wilson, Esq., Glenthorne, Haywards Heath.

" Low Country " Tea Root Disease of Ceylon. —
Dr. C. B. Plowright sent specimens illustrat-
ing this disease, which Mr. T. Fetch attributes
to an undescribed species of Ustulina. " The
fructification occurs in two forms, conidial and
ascigerous. The former consists of flattened,
rounded, disc-like growths upon the lower part
of the stems," which are covered with a copious
growth of greyish conidia. The ascospores
follow in due course upon these plate-like
growths, and can easily be recognised by their
minute black concentric openings, /he myce-
lium is white or yellowish, but becomes black
when it comes to the surface in a crack in the
bark of the root and forms irregular black lines
in the wood." The specimen sent showed the
disease in its typical state. There was also a
specimen of an unusually well-developed asco-
phore. " This disease resembles very closely in
many ways Ustulina vulgaris, Tul., which grows
in our own country, and this, in the light of
Mr. Fetch's specimen is' doubtless also a pyre-
nomycetous parasite upon Beech trees." Speci-
mens both in the conidial and ascigerous condi-
tions, gathered this autumn near Narford Hall,
King's Lynn, accompanied the notes. " It
has hitherto been regarded as a saprophyte, but
we must now regard it rather as a parasite on
this tree." Mr. Fetch says of this disease:
" In low-country districts nearly all root disease
in Tea appears to be caused by this species of
Ustulina. The indications on the dying root ara
not so clear as those of Poria or Koselinia, but
there is no difficulty in finding them once they
have been pointed out. The roots show
small black nodules or warts, which pro-
bably give rise to underground mycelium,
though this has not been clearly estab-
lished. The mycelium between the wood
and the bark spreads in white or yellowish fan-
shaped patches, which acquire a black edge
when they meet a crack in the bark. Irregular
black lines are seen in a cross-section of the
root. The fructification appears on the lower
part of the stem, emerging through a crack in
the bark in the form of a white swollen cushion.
This spreads over the surface as a more or less
flattened white plate, which finally becomes grey
and concentrically zoned. When quite ripe, it
is a grey, concentrically-zoned plate marked
with minute black dots"; it lies close to the
surface of the stem, but is only attached at one
point. The under surface is black, and the
whole surface hard and brittle. Two kinds of
spores are produced : the first are borne on the
outer surface, when the fungus is wholly
whit? : the second are produced when the
fungus is ripe, in minute chambers, whose

November 23, 1C07.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

3G3

openings are the black points previously
mentioned. On Tea bushes in the field
the fructification often takes a different shape,
springing from a very thin base to a height
of about half an inch and widening out to a flat,
circular top. In one instance this disease
began on Grevillea stumps, and spread to the
adjoining Tea by contact."

Hybrid Pear and Quince. — Mr. WoRSLEV wrote
that he had examined two of the fruits of the
hybrid between Bergamotte Esperen and the
Portuguese Quince ; in the small fruits he had
fjiind no perfect seeds, but merely husks.
" The skin was smoother than in the female
parent, and not so notably spotted with dark
brown spots. The colour of the flesh was
greenish, and both in this and in the amount
(if grit it resembled the female parent. The
time of ripening was synchronous with that
of the Quince, and more than three months
earlier than that of the Bergamotte Esperen.
The flesh was sweet and exceedingly aro-
matic, in both of which respects it ex-
celled the female parent and in the former the
male. I could discern no trace of either the
acidity, roughness, or special flavour of the
Quince. . . . The quality of this hybrid en-
titles it to be placed in the highest rank of
dessert fruits if sizeable fruits can be obtained
after grafting. It is interesting to note that the
Pear I have under the name of ' Conseiller de
la Cour ' is ripe at the end of October, that the
fruits vary greatly in size and shape, that fertile
seeds are rarely if ever borne, that the flesh is
yellow and in flavour very close to Mr. Veitch's
example. It is at least possible that these
characters attach to Pears crossed with Quince
pollen."

Wheat-ear Carnation, &c. — From Messrs. J.
Peed & Son, of Streatham, came specimens of
the Wheat-ear Carnation, and of fasciated and
contorted stems of Broom.

THE HORTICULTURAL CLUB.
"GARDENS OF ROSES."
On the 12th inst., at the Hotel Windsor, Mr.
George Gordon, V.M.H., gave an interesting lec-
ture on " Gardens of Roses," illustrating it by a
large number of photographic slides from photo-
graphs taken mainly by himself. Mr. Geo.
Monro, V.M.H., presided. Mr. Gordon showed
how wonderfully the Rose in its innumerable
forms lends itself to varied treatment and to
varied conditions ; while here and there among
the pictorial slides were interpolated written
lists of the varieties best adapted for the types
of culture shown. Standard Roses, as grown
in Kew Gardens, were displayed, and emphasis
was laid upon the necessity of the grafts being
effected upon young stocks and not upon old
and bark-bound ones. As a lelief to the some-
what stiff and artificial appearance 'of standards
when grown by themselves, several slides were
shown in which they were picturesquely associ-
ated with dwarf Roses. A series of pergolas were
shown in conjunction with arches, over which
some magnificent specimens of the rambling
types of Roses displayed themselves to the ut-
most advantage ; the finest effect being invari-
ably obtained when natural growth was per-
mitted and pruning confined to the elimination
of old, weakly, and useless wood. Some grand
specimens of Pillar Roses were shown, several
modes of obtaining fine effects in this direction
by simple means being exhibited. Roses on
walls were also touched upon, and the disadvan-
tages of one-sided illumination and risk of
drought induced by such positions were pointed
out as being the cause of many failures.

The Rev. J. H. Pemberton pointed out that
the word "climbing" in connection with Roses
was entirely misplaced, as none had really a
climbing habit proper, but merely spread and
intermingled with other plants by virtue of re-
dundant growth, and the more this was en-
couraged the better the display of bloom. One
drawback to most of the brilliant rambling tribe
was that they only bloomed for a comparativelv
short period, and it should consequently be the
aim of the Rosarian to obtain perpetual bloomers
such as we so happily possess in other sections.
Another point was the necessity for maintaining
Khe perfume so characteristic of the Rose, the
i finest form of flower falling far short of perfec-
tion if odourless. Sir Albert Rollit referred to a
visit he had made to ^he Danubian Rose-growing

districts of Bulgaria, where thousands of acres
were devoted to Rose culture and the renowned
attar of Roses was produced. He passed round
a tiny bottle of this scent, wherein the perfume
of a myriad Roses was concentrated into a few
costly drops,

COLCHESTER AUTUMN SHOW.

November 8. — This exhibition was held at
the Corn Exchange, Colchester, on this date.
Fruit of splendid quality was staged, there
bring no fewer than 30 classes devoted to hardy
fruits, in addition to others in which 'special
prizes were offered. Vegetables were also freely
displayed, but the exhibits of Chrysanthemums
were not so numerous as in some former years,
although the quality of the flowers was good,
especially in the larger classes. The premier
award for Chrysanthemums was won by Miss
Willmott, Warley Place, Brentwood (gr. Mr.
Preece), for an exhibit of blooms of Japanese
varieties.

Other successful exhibitors of Chrysanthe-
mums were W. E. Eyres, Esq., Colchestei (gi
Mr. Doidge), and Messrs. G. W. Fincham and
Beard, Colchester.

The best Chysanthemum bloom in the show,
and for which a Silver Medal was offered, was
Miss Willmott's flower of Buttercup.

Plants •'>;,/ groups. — Exhibits of these were
not numerous. Mr. W Diaper, Priory Street,

SIR JEREMIAH COLMAN, BART.

(who has received the honour of Baronetcy, as was

announced in our last issue).

Colchester, received the premier award for a
creditable exhibit ; 2nd, Mr. J. Claydon, Holm-
wood Lexden. Messrs. Diaper and Claydon
were also awarded the 1st and 2nd prizes in
the same order for a group of plants, and the
first-named exhibitor won the 1st prize in all
the classes for Pompon, Reflexed, and Incurved
varieties.

/ i ust. — There was a splendid competition in
the fruit classes. Some remarkably fine Crapes
were staged. S. F. Hurnard, Esq., Hill Street,
Lexden, had the best black Grapes in Black
Alicante.

A. T. Osborne, Esq., Colchester, had the best
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria.

The best six dishes of dessert Apples came
from the Hollesley Bay Colony, Miss Courtald,
Colne-Engaine, being 2nd.

The 1st prize for a collection of cooking
Apples was won by the Hon. W. Lowthes, with
grand specimens ; 2nd, Miss Courtald.

The best collection of Pears came from the
gardens of Miss Courtald, the Rev. R. W.
Chilton being a close 2nd.

I i ■■ tables. — Exhibits of vegetables occupied
much space. The 1st prize in the class for tin-
largest collections was taken by the Hon. W.

Lowther, Campsea Ashe, Wickham Market (gr.
Mr. Andrews), with splendid produce ; 2nd,
Mrs. E. Deacon.

In the class for a smaller collection, Mrs.
Deacon won the 1st prize.

Non-competitive exhibits.^ -Messrs. Dobbie &
Co., Mark's Tey and Rothesay, exhibited a
splendid collection of Onions ; Mr. E. Abbott,
Ardleigh, Essex, showed a collection of Apples
and Pears; Mr. Seabrook, Chelmsford, dis-
played a large number of hardy fruits, and some
beautiful Violets were exhibited by Mr. Francis,
West Bergholt.

DERBY CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 15, 16.— The 23rd annual exhibi-
tion was held at the Drill Hall, Derby, on these
dates, and, although the hall is a spacious one,
sufficient space to accommodate the whole of
the exhibits was only found with difficulty. Al-
though in the past few years a falling off has
been noticed in the exhibits, the society this year
has enjoyed a state of prosperity.

Trade exhibits added much to the attractive-
ness of the show. Messrs. I.axton Bros., Bed.
ford, were awarded a Gold Medal for a collec-
tion of Apples arranged with Nephrolepis
todeaoides and N. Whitmanii.

Messrs. Clibrans, of Altrincham, put up an
excellent miscellaneous group of flowering and
foliage plants, including single Chrysanthe-
mums. (Gold Medal. |

Mr. Godfrey, of Exmouth, staged a bank of
Chrysanthemums of recent introduction, taste-
fully arranged and relieved with foliage plants.
(Gold Medal.)

A display of Cyclamen was seen from the
gardens of the Rev. 11. Buckston, of Sutton
Hall, Derby (gr. Mr. A. Shambrook). (Gold
Medal.)
The variety E. S. Vallis shown by Mr. J.
(gr. to I ord Si irsdale) was the premier
bloom in the show.

In the competitive classes, an important one
was that for 24 blooms, distinct, of Japanese
varieties. The 1st prize was awarded to Mr.
Josiah Wood, Alveston ; 2nd to Miss Willmott,
Chaddesden Hall (gr. Mr. J. Evans).

In the smaller class for 18 blooms of Jap-
anese varieties, Mr. J. Brewer, Mickleover, was
placed 1st, followed by Mrs. W. Power. Mrs.
Power had also the best group of Chrysanthe-
mum plants arranged for effect.

The best exhibit of 18 blooms of Incurved
varieties was shown by Mrs. W. Power, The
Pastures, Derby (gr. Mr. A. Simeson) ; 2nd, Mr.
Josiah Wood.

Mr. Wood was to the fore for 18 blooms of
Japanese Chrysanthemums staged in six vases;
2nd, Mr. A. Simeson.

The classes devoted to fruit and vegetables
were well represented.

On the second day of the show, several thou-
sand school children were admitted free. Prizes
were offered to the children for the best essay on
" A Visit to the Chrysanthemum Show."

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 17.— At the meeting of the Floral
Committee held on this date First-Class Certi-
ficates were awarded to the following varie-
ties : —

Mrs. J. Hygate (Incurved). — This is one of
the largest of the white Incurved Chrysanthe-
mums. Shown by Mr. Jsorman Davis, Framfield,
Sussex.

Marquis of Northampton. — A bronzy-pink
sport from W. A. Etherington, shown by Mr. A.
R. Seal, Castle Ashby Gardens, Northampton.

Bessie Evans. — A large Japanese variety ; white,
shaded with pink, and having long, drooping
florets. Shown by Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Ex-
mouth.

Mab Ellis. — A decorative variety of medium
size ; colour golden yellow. Shown by Messrs.
Weils & Co.

Henry Prior, a yellow. Incurved, Japanese
variety of medium size, from Mr. J. Taylor,
Forest Gate, was commended, as was also the
variety Foxhunter (see p. 346 antel, shown by-
Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham.

304

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 23, 1907.

NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL OF
FRANCE.

November 8. — The great autumn exhibition of
the National Horticultural Society of France
was opened on this date in the immense green-
houses situated in the Cours la Reine, Paris.
There was a grand display of Chrysanthemums,
fruit, fruit trees, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and
flowering subjects, such as Carnations, Dahlias,
Begonias, Primulas, Cyclamen, &c. On the
opening morning M. Fallieres, President of the
French Republic, visited the show.

The weather was superb, and visitors attended
in large numbers. The promenade leading up
to the show was, as usual, supplied with many
choice groups of hardy shrubs, Conifers, &c, by
exhibitors, such as MM. Brochet, Lecointe,
Moser et fils, and others. Garden pottery, statu-
ary, greenhouses, trained fruit trees, and many
exhibits connected with horticultural arts and in-

Grand frix cFhonneur. Most of the varieties
were unfamiliar to us, but among the best may
be recorded W. Tricker, Miss Roosevelt, Boule
de Feu, Presdt. Nonin, C. Schwartz, Mme. Fd.
Roger, and A. Naumene. Facing the entrance
to the building was a big group of Chrysanthe-
mums exhibited by M. G. Magne, in which there
were some large flowers, two or three on a plant,
of F. S. Vallis, Mme. Ed. Roger, Duchesse
d'Orleans, Luzerta, Souvenir de Cologne, &c.
M. Nonin staged a grand exhibit, for which he
received a work of art. His plants were ar-
ranged in an immense square, with an inside
path and a rectangular middle bed. Some of his
best varieties were Ami Nonin, Ch. Bacque,
Sapho, W. Duckham, Naples, W. R. Church,
Roi dTtalie, Gloire de Vanves, and Petit
Andre. This exhibitor had also some large-
flowered early varieties that received First-Class
Certificates, of which mention may be made of
Plume de Coq, L'Africaine (a grand crimson

seen. The variety chosen was F. S. Vallis, and
the flowers were of the greatest dimensions, in
all, some 300 blooms of this one variety, mingled
with bronzy autumn foliage. At intervals there
were placed large vases of other varieties, in-
cluding Mrs. Barkley, W. R. Church, &c,
while at the corners were four large glass vases
containing Roses.

The firm of MM. Dubuisson-Foubf.rt, two
young brothers, whose successful culture of
Chrysanthemums was exemplified last year in
their flowers of F. S. Vallis, which were the
largest in the show, again distinguished them-
selves. On the present occasion their group
consisted of a series of massive flowers in vases,,
with a large central display of the variety F. S.
Vallis, in enormous examples. The other
flowers were arranged in separate colours by
themselves. Small vases were placed at inter-
vals with good effect, and autumn foliage was
freely used. A special prize was awarded to.

Fig. 150. — m. calvat's new seedlings at the paris chrysanthemum show.

(Among the judges may be noticed M. Philippe de Vilmorin and, on ei her side of him, Messrs. C. Harman Payne and Geo. Schneider.)

dustries were freely shown in this part of the
exhibition grounds.

On entering the first large greenhouse, to the
right and left were two grand exhibits in the
art of floral decoration. One by M. E. Debrik
consisted of a dinner table decoration, with
long sprays of Orchids and a corner decorative
group of mauve-coloured Chrysanthemums effec-
tively arranged with mauve silk and plush. The
other was a terrace balustrade, with a small grass
lawn, gravel paths, and flower beds. Here, again,
Orchids most artistically arranged and of various
species formed the chief objects. Behind these
were the two rooms in which the Orchid classes
were staged. MM. Regnier, Mahon, Beraxkk,
Re Sueur, and the Ecole Horticole du
Iii is put up some beautiful groups of
Orchids, while Messrs. Trufkaut set up orna-
mental foliage plants in exquisite style.

Chrysanthemums were shown in immense num-
bers. M. Cavron, as usual, showed grafl 1
plants in large pots, and was awarded the

flower), Leodie, Comtesse Francois Clary, Mme.
Camille Maheut, and Mme. Abel Chatenay.
Messrs. Leveque et fils, G. Avarre, and
many others also showed big groups.

In the corridor connecting the two large
greenhouses Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co.
staged a very large exhibit. This consisted of
grand specimen trained plants in the greatest
possible variety. They were arranged in a
series of geometrical beds of various shapes,
and in the middle of the whole was a wonderful
plant of Tokio, a pale pink-coloured Japanese
variety, grown as a standard, with a semi-circu-
lar head. The plant was carrying 738 blooms.
Some of the other standard plants carried 100
blooms each. The varieties were far too numer-
ous for us to mention.

Another grand exhibit came from M. G.
Truffaut. He, too, arranged his flowers on a
grass lawn. In the middle of the group was a
huge monument of Chrysanthemum blooms, the
most imposing thing of its kind we have ever

this firm for the biggest bloom in the show, the-
variety being F. S. Vallis.

Other exhibitors in the classes for Chrysanthe-
mums were very numerous, and their displays
contained many fine exhibition flowers. Many
of the varieties shown are unknown in England.
General Hutton, Pres. Viger, Mme. Paolo Ra-
daelli, Marquis Visconti-Venosta, M. Loisseau-
Rousseau, Le Bouvier, Reg. Vallis, J. H. Sils-
burv, Sapho, Rayonnant, Lt.-Col. Ducroiset,
Australia, Mr. T. Carrington, and Souvenir de
Bailleul were among the most frequently and
finely shown.

Dahlias, Begonias, Cyclamen, Carnations
Hydrangeas were also well shown.

New seedling Chrysanthemums were si
by M. E. Calvat (who had a fine eollei 1
the Marquis de Pins, and M. Chantries.

Fruit trees, trained in every conceivable form,
wefe shown along the promenade. Apples and
Pears were sent by many exhibitors in great

November l3, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

36 £

quantity. Good bunches of Grapes were shown
by MM. Salomon et fits, and by Messrs Cor-
donnier et fils. The latter firm also staged a
noble exhibit of cut blooms of Chrysanthemums
A grand exhibit of vegetables was arranged by
I well-known firm of MM. Vilmomn
Andrieux & I '... The group was 41 yard, long'
and was placed at the toot of the staircase lead-
ing from the corridor to the Seine. Every kind
ot vegetable in season was ini luded in this dis-
play, which was arranged with great taste.

LINNBAN SOCIETY.

November 7'.— A meeting was held on the
above date, Prof. W. A. Herdman, F R S
President, in the chair.

The General Secretary exhibited a copy of the
second edition oi Hudson's Flora A>:k<;, ,, 1778
on behalf of Mr. Alexander II. Stevenson, of
Dundee, who had picked up the volume in a
dilapidated state on a bookstall. It contains
numerous notes by Rev. William Kirby, an
Fellow of the Society, who spent his entire
clerical life of 68 years in the parish of Barham
a few miles from Ipswich in the direction of
Saxmundham. Many of these notes relate to
ocahties in the neighbourhood, recorded in
1*97, judging from the few which are dated.

Dr. A. B. RENDLE exhibited an abnormal

■■ "lien of Eucalyptus salmonophloia, 1-
Muell., from West Australia, having two stems
horizontally connected by new growth The
Rev. J. Gerard, S.J., who referred to similar
cases m the Yew (Taxus baccata), and the Kev.
G. Henslow commented on this exhibition.

The first paper of the evening was by the Rev
G. Henslow, "On the Origin of the Di-tri,
merous Floral Whorls of certain Dicotvled ms "

Mr. A. D. Michael, F.L.S., gave the abstract
of a paper upon eight very remarkable new
species of Acari from New Zealand, from the
collection of the late E. Bostock— six Onbatidae
and two Gamasidas ; the author considered them
to be probably the most striking species of the
respective families ever exhibited. They are to
be called Oribata Bostockii, distinguished by the
pteromorprne being attached to the anterior
margin of the abdomen instead of its lateral
margin ; Notaspis spinulosa, carrying spinulated
hairs of extraordinary size ; Notaspis caudata,
with a posterior projection not hitherto found
in the genus ; Hermannia phvllophora, with
great leaf-like processes on the legs ; Nothrus
cophinarius and N. unguifera, extreme exaggera-
tions of that section of the genus represented in
Europe by N. spiniger ; Trachynotus sclero-
phyllus, in which the great leaf-like transparent
hairs found on many Acari have become opaque,
hard, brown chitin ; and T. fimbriatus with
singular flattened borders to the first pair of
legs, much broader than the legs themselves.
A series of lantern-slides from the author's draw,
ings were shown in connection with the ex-
planations given.

NEWPORT (MON.) CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 7.— This Society held its 19th an-
nual show in the Gymnasium, Newport, on this
date, the exhibition being a success. The classes,
which numbered 43, were generally well filled
with exhibits of a high degree of merit.

Cut blooms. — In the class for 24 Japanese
blooms in not fewer than 18 varieties, Mr. Duff
(gr. to Mrs. F. S. Williams, Brynglas, Newport)
led amongst four exhibitors with choice examples
of Valerie Greenham, F. S. Vallis, Mme. Paola
Radaelli, Mrs. F. W. Vallis, Duchess of Suther-
land, W. H. Church, Mrs. Knox, M. C. H.
Boosey, President Viger, &c. Mr. Duff having
now won the 1st prize in this class for the third
time, he becomes the possessor of the " Fred
Phillips " Challenge Bowl. Mr. H. Pitt, Aber-
gavenny, won the 2nd prize with an almost
equally good set of blooms.

Five excellent exhibits were staged in the i lass
for twelve Japanese blooms distinct, the 1st
position being taken by Mr. Drake, Cardiff,
with excellent blooms of Walter Jinks, Valerie
Greenham, Mrs. Barkley, President Viger, W. A
Etherington, ftc. 2nd, Messrs. Geo. "Williams
& Sons, Cardiff.

Incurved varieties. — Only two exhibitors con-
tested in the class for six Incurved blooms, and
of these Mr. Drake was successful with blooms
of Godfreys Eclipse, Mrs. Denyer, &c. A

class open to gentlemen's gardeners and
amateurs only was provided for 12 Japanese
blooms. Mr. Duef was again successful with
good blooms of leading varieties.

In the amateurs' classes, Mr. W. H. FIollinc-
dale was a remarkably successful exhibitor
He was placed 1st for twelve Japanese blooms
thus winning the "James Clements" Challenge
Bowl ; 1st for six Japanese bloom- :
Japanese blooms arranged with foliage, and for
thiee Japanese blooms of an Incurved type

Blooms in vases— The principal class was one
for eight vases of distinct varieties, three blooms
in each vase. In this competition, Mr Drake
staged some of the best blooms in the show and
won the 1st prize easily. His flowers 'were
1 "-' fresh, and well coloured. He showed J.
II. Salisbury (one of these blooms secured the
prize offered tor the best bloom in the show),
Reginald Vallis, Valerie Greenham. Mrs Bark-
ley, I. S. Vallis, M. P. Radaelli, Walter Jinks,
and W. A. Etherington. Mr. DUFF was a'
-nd. Ihe 1st prize in this class included the
Society's Challenge Vase, valued at 25 guineas.
Mr. Hollincdale was 1st for three vases of
a Japanese variety in a cla iteurs

only. The 1st prize included the " William
Jesseman " Challenge Cup.

Single varieties made a pretty show. Mr. R.
Fry won leading honours foi sis
flowers, Mr. Long gaining the 2nd prize.

Groups. — A class was provided for a group
of Chrysanthemums arranged with ornamental-
leaved plants in a space occupying 50 square
feet. The 1st prize was won by Messrs Wll
liams & Sons, Cardiff. 2nd, Mr. Wiggins
to R. T. Maw, Esq.). In the smaller class for
a group occupying an area of 40 feel, Mr. L'O G
was 1st. The best group of miscellam
was shown by Mr. Powell (gr. to Col. \\ u I
Chesterholme, Newport).

BRADFORD AND DISTRICT
CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 15, 16.— The 21st exhibition of this
society, held on the foregoing dates, was again
a success. There were upwards of 240 entries
in 46 classes, and the prize money amounted to
about £150, in addition to a silver cup given
by the Lord Mayor, gold and silver medals, and
various prizes in kind. The premier award in
the open classes for cut blooms was again won
by Arthur James, Esq., Rugby (gr. Mr. A
Chandler), who has headed the 'list for manv
years. Amongst the winning varieties were F
S. Vallis, Reg. Vallis, Bessie Godfrey, Marquis
Venosta, General Hutton, Mme. P. Radaelli,
Duchess of Sutherland, &c. The 2nd prize in
this class fell to E. G. Mocatta, Esq., Addle-
ston (gr. Mr. Thomas Stevenson), whose group
comprised Lady Talbot, Mrs. D. Fairweather
Mrs. J. Dunn, Reginald Vallis, Valerie Green-
ham, Leigh Park Wonder, &c. This group was
only a little inferior in quality to that staged by
the 1st prize-winner. Mr. Stevenson secured
the National Chrysanthemum Society's Certifi-
cate of Merit for the best Japanese bloom in
the show. In the other classes for Japanese
blooms, the principal prize-winners were Messrs.
Chandler, Stevenson, and E. Ellis, HeswalL
Cheshire. The best Incurved blooms were shown
by Mr. Ellis, Mr. G. W. Drake, Cardiff,
winning the 2nd award. For 12 dissimilar blooms
of Incurved varieties Mr. Ellis was 1st, fol-
lowed by Mr. Drake. Mr. Chandler, in addi-
tion to securing three 1st and two 3rd prizes for
Chrysanthemums, was also awarded the 1st
prizes for Grapes, both black and white.

In the local classes Mr. John Thornton, of
Drighlington, showed an exceedingly meritoriou
exhibit of 18 Japanese blooms, which won
him the Lord Mayor's Cup. His collection em-
braced the following varieties : F. S. Vallis Mrs
Knox, Mrs. Miller, Leigh Park Wonder, Mme
M. de Mons, Algernon Davis, Miss E. Fulton,
&c. Messrs. H. Clark & Sons, Rodlev, pi
close competitors.

Alderman J. A. Godwin [gr. Mr. A. Atten-
borough) was the 1st prize-winner in the section
for six yellow Japanese blooms.

The stall provided by the society for the
benefit of the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund
was again a success, with the result that a
cheque for £6 will be sent to the secretary of
this charity. The committee has, during the past
five or six years, sent upwards of £50 to the
R.G.I >.F. by this means.

DEVON & EXETER HORTICULTURAL

November 12, 13.-The 205th exhibition of
this society was held in the Victoria Hall Exe-
ter, on these dates, the exhibits embracing '( hry.
santhemums, fruit, and veg i Ihrylanthe.

mum blooms were, as a rule, not up to the
standard of those of past years, but fruit n,,
especially good, considering ihe season. ,
tables were well shown, particularly th
ihe classes for special prize collections The
entries numbered over 600.

A feature of the exhibition was a lecture on
Fruit Culture,' given by Mr. S. Wright,
Superintendent of the Royal Horticulture
soi icty's Gardens at Wisley.

Chrysanthemums— In the open class for 30
Wooms of Japanese varieties in 10 distinct
and staged in vases with foliage, a spei ial pri
wa offered by the President, f. 11.' Ley,

u l;i;i" K> Esq., Parkerswell (gr. W. Row] i

was awarded the 1st prize, his best examples

blooms of Mrs. A. T. Miller, Re:
■allis, \alene Greenham, and Bess].
A bloom of the last-named variety was awarded
the prize offered for the best bloom in the show.
the ..nd prize was awarded to a very fine ex-
hibit shown by Key. T. SHEEPSHANKS,' who had
good specimens of Mrs. A. II. Lee and Valerie
iham, and grandly coloured blooms of
Reginald Vallis and Mrs. i.. Mileham Mr.

' ■ M- ' '" UNGfl the 3rd i

«w awarded th- \ I .S. Certifi
i ut blooms showed by an amati i

1 1st prize for a collection of cut blooms,
embrac.ng the different sections of Chrysanthe-
mums, was won by Mr. C. M. Collingmi

■ tceedingly interesting and meritorious
display. 2nd, Mr. W. Brock.

In the clas-c, for 'J4 Japanese bio in nol

fewer than 16 distinct varieties: for 1J 1,1
of Japanese Chrysanthemums and for six
blooms, the Rev. T. Sheepshanks, Chudlei
won the 1st prizes.

Mr. Sheepshanks (gr. _\. Dunkley) was also
awarded the medal for the best professional ex.
hlbit in the show, and the 1st prize for 12 blooms
of Japanese Incurved varieties.

The 1st prize for 12 vases of single Chrysan-
themums, three spravs in each vase, ' vi
awarded Mr. T. KEKEW1CH, l'eamore (gr |
Abrams), Mr. H. Townsend, Exeter (gr II
Phillips), being placed 2nd.

Fruit.

The best three bunches of Black Alicante
Grapes were shown by Sir Dl-dley Duckworth
King (gr. Mr. Sidney Baker).

Xo prize was awarded in the class for Muscat
of Alexandria, but for three bunches of any other
variety Sir Dudley King won the 1st prize with
very fine fruits of Gros Colmar.

Apples.— A Uass was provided for a collec-
tion of 24 varieties of Apples, to include 12
culinary and 12 dessert sorts. Mr. B. H Hn i
Crediton (gr. G. Lock), was 1st with an excellent
exhibit.

In the class for six varieties of dessert A]
Mr Dudley Duckworth King was placed 1st
and Mr. B. H. Hill 2nd.

Pears— The best collection of nine varieties

of Pears in six dessert and three culinary kinds

was also shown by Mr. B. H. Hill, who had

nne fruits of Pitmaston Duchess, Beurre Clair-

Durondeau, Beurre Diel, Marie Benoist,

.Sir J. W. Ferguson Davie, Creedy Park (gr
\\ . Seward), was 1st for three dessert varieties •
and Dr. Samways, Knowle (gr. A. C. Williams),
1st for the three culinary varieties of Pears.

Vegetables.

An important class was for a collection of
eight distinct kinds of vegetables. The 1st prize
was awarded to Mr. B. H. Hill : 2nd Mr T H
Ley. ' J'

The classes in which prizes were offered bv
Messrs Robert Veitch & Son, Sutton ,v -
James Carter & Co., and Jarman & Co were
keenly contested, and in the exhibits were in-
cluded some of the finest vegetables in the show.

Trade Exhibits.
Messrs. Robert Veitch & Son, Exeter, sf
an extensive collection of ornamental f'oliaged
and berried shrubs and Conifers, single Chrv-
santhemums, and a collection of Apples

366

THE GARDENERS1 CHRONICLE.

[November 23, 1907.

Messrs. Jarman & Co., Chard, showed a mis-
cellaneous exhibit of fruit and vegetables.

The British Columbian Government staged
an excellent display of Apples. A. 11.

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL.

November 14, 15, 16. — The unfavourable
weather during October seriously affected
Chrysanthemums in Scotland, with the result
that some blank spaces were seen on the
exhibition tables. At this show vases alone
were used for displaying the flowers, each re-
ceptacle containing three blooms. The chief prize
is the Queen Victoria Memorial Cup, with £10
in money : this is offered for 15 vases of dis-
tinct varieties. Five competitors staged, the
blooms as a whole being below the usual high
standard of this show. Mr. Nicoll, Rossie,
1' organdenny, who won the cup two years ago,
was placed 1st with 128 points out of a pos-
sible 180; Mrs. A. T. Miller, Mrs. F. W. Vallis,
Lady Conyers, and J. H. Silsbury were Mr.
NicOll's finest examples. Mr. Beisant, Castle
Huntly, was awarded the 2nd prize. 3rd, Mr.
G. Stewart, Tulliallan.

In the class in which the Scottish Challenge
Cup was offered, the 1st prize collection
embraced much the finest blooms in the show ;
they came from the gardens of D. J. Younger,
Ksq., Arnsbrae, Alloa (gr. Mr. T. Baird). The
schedule required eight vases containing blooms
of distinct varieties. Mr. Baird secured
76JL points out of a possible 96, and a medal
was awarded for the blooms of the variety Mrs.
A. T. Miller. 2nd, Mr. Hutton, Usan House,
Montrose. 3rd, Mr. R. McKenzie, Dochfour,
Beally.

In the class for six vases of Chrysanthemums
in six varieties, the premier award was given to
the Countess of Vealfield, Cullen (gr. Mr. A.
Morton), for large and well-developed blooms ;
2nd, Mr.' Baird. A class was provided for four
vases of Chrysanthemums only, but to be com-
peted for by gardeners of Edinburgh and Leith.
Mr. StenhouSe, Tipperlin Cottage, was the
only competitor in this and the smaller corre-
sponding class for two vases.

Some good blooms were seen in the class for
12 varieties, the prizes going to Messrs. Hutton,
Nicoi.l, and. Beisant in the order named. A
fair competition obtained in the decorative
classes, Messrs. Hay, Ferguson, Kidd, Hogg,
and Todd being the chief prize-winners. Ex-
hibits of single Chrysanthemums formed a large
and pretty section. Messrs. Knight, Brayton,
and Galloway were the leading prize-winners
in this section.

Plants. — Displays of plants other than Chrys-
anthemums were, considering the lateness of
the season, above the average in quality, espe-
cially those staged by Lady Steel, Borough-
field (gr. Mr. Michie) ; and D. R. M. Huie, Esq.,
Hollywood (gr. Mr. l'ulman), to whom the chief
prizes were awarded. There were only two
groups of Chrysanthemums, that to which the
1st prize was awarded being staged by Col. E.
R. S. Richardson, Ballathie, Stanley (gr. Mr.
Davis).

Fruit was particularly well shown. The Duke
of Westminster, Eaton Hall, Chester (gr. Mr,
Barnes), staged good Grapes, a Pineapple,
Melons, Pears, and 20 Apples in the 24-dish
class, the exhibit being awarded the 1st prize.
Lord Elphinstone, Carbery (gr. Mr. Kidd), the
only other exhibitor in the class, won the second
prize. Mr. Barnes, Mr. Grindrod, Hereford,
Mr. Sinclair, Drem, Mr. Galloway, Gosford,
and Mr. Melville, Dunrobin, also contributed
largely in the classes for Apples and Pears. A
class for a collection of eight dishes of fruits
brought only two exhibitors, Mr. Galloway and
Mr. Pirie, Dalhousie Castle, the prizes being
awarded in the order of their names. Grapes
were ail important feature, Mr. Leslie, Pitcul-
len, Perth, showed excellent bunches in most
of the classes, as also did Messrs. Barnes, Gal-
loway, Kidd, Pirie, Stewart (Dunkeld),
Highgate (Yester), and Shiells.

Vegetables were numerous and of fine quality.
The Duke of Portland, Welbeck (gr. Mr. Gib
son),, secured the President's prize offered for
12 sorts of vegetables, with large and clean pro-
duce ; 2nd, Earl of Home, Bothwell Castle (gr.
Mr. Bell). In the smaller class for a collec-
tion of six sorts, Mr. McMichie, Hillfort,

Dollar, secured the 1st prize and Mr. Highgate
the 2nd prize.

Non-competitive exhibits were less numerous
than usual. They included a selection of dried
fruits and other produce from South Australia,
which was awarded a Gold Medal, and Apples
from British Columbia (Gold Medal). Messrs. J.
& A. Glass, Princes Street, staged floral devices
(Gold Medal). Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothe-
say, showed Onio.is and Potatos (Gold Medal).
Mr. D. W. Thomson, 113, George Street, dis-
played a collection of berried shrubs in variety
(Silver-Gilt Medal). A Silver-Gilt Medal was
awarded to Messrs. Storrie & Storrie, Dundee,
for a collection of fruit trees, hardy fruits and
plants, and Silver Medals to Mr. J. Forbes,
Hawick, for Carnations and Asters; Messrs.
Boves iV Co., Leicester, for Carnations ; and
Messrs. Wells & Co., Mersham, for Chrysan-
themums. A First-Class Certificate was awarded
to Clara Wells, an Incurved variety.

WINCHESTER CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 14, 15. — This annual show was held
in the Guildhall on these dates. The exhibition
was a success, the exhibits being of remarkable
quality, and embracing many sections of horti-
culture.

Groups of miscellaneous plants arranged for
effect were exceedingly good : the principal sub-
jects employed were well-flowered Orchids, Poin-
settias, Amaryllis, Begonias, Codiaeums (Cro-
tons), Palms, and Ferns. The premier award
in this class was made in favour of F. C. Birch,
Esq., Clovelly, Winchester (gr. Mr. E. Long),
who employed some graceful sprays of Oncidium
varicosum Rogersii with good effect; 2nd, A. P.
Ralli, Esq., Twyford, Winchester (gr. Mr. J.
Hughes).

In the class for nine Chrysanthemum plants
suitable for conservatory decoration, and each
specimen having not fewer than five blooms,
Col. Dickins, Edge Hill, Winchester (gr. Mr. G.
Adams), was awarded the 1st prize for excel-
lent plants that were carrying large blooms of
good quality ; 2nd, the Rev. D. M. Moorson,
Holyrood, Winchester (gr. Mr. H. Gigg).

In a class for nine plants of white and yellow-
flowered varieties of Chrysanthemums, Col.
Dickins was again successful with good plants
of Niveus, F. S. Vallis, C. H. Curtis, Mrs. Jud-
son, and Mme. Oberthur ; 2nd, J. A. Fort,
Esq. (gr. Mr. G. Cousens).

Cut blooms. — Competition was keen in the
classes for cut blooms, and the exhibits were
generally of high quality. In the Japanese sec-
tion there were many competitors. In the class
for 36 blooms in not fewer than 24 varieties, four
growers competed. Martin Hodgson, Esq.,
Morton House, Kingsworthy (gr. Mr. A. J.
Marsh), won the premier award with full-sized,
massive examples of Bessie Godfrey, Magnifi-
cent, F. S. Vallis, J. H. Silsbury, Duchess of
Sutherland, Mrs. F. W. Vallis, Algernon Davis,
Reginald Vallis, &c. ; 2nd, Pantia Ralli, Esq.,
Ashtead Park, Epsom (gr. Mr. G. J. Hunt).

Much the best exhibit of 24 blooms in not
fewer than 18 varieties was shown by Major
Chichester (gr. Mr. B. Hollis). Mrs. Ogii.vii:
(gr. Mr. L. Dawes), Rosecroft, Hambledon, was
a creditable exhibitor in this class.

In the class for six varieties of Japanese Chry-
santhemums, three blooms of each variety, ar-
ranged in a vase, the executors of the late Ladv
Ashburton (gr. Mr. G. Hall) won the 1st prize
with handsome blooms of such varieties as Mine.
P. Radaelli, F. S. Vallis, W. jinks, and Edith
Smith.

Incurved varieties. — Exhibits in th:s section
were excellent. For 36 blooms in not fewer than
_'4 varieties there were three contestants. M.
Hodgson, Esq., was distinctly 1st with large,
handsome flowers ; 2nd, P. Ralli, Esq.

Decorative varieties, not disbudded and ar-
ranged in vases, made a brilliant display. In
the class for six varieties Mr. A. E. Taylor,
3, Hillside Terrace, Winchester, was placed 1st
for an exhibit of the highest excellence. The
blooms were shapely, clean, and well displayed.
Mr. Birch followed.

Single-flowered varieties were also well staged.
The best six bunches were displayed by A. P.
Ralli. Esq. ; 2nd W. H. Mvers, Esq., Swan-
more House, Bishop's Waltham (gr. Mr. G. Ell-

WOl "1).

Grapes were a feature of the show, and ex-
hibits of vegetables were numerous and good.

LIVERPOOL HORTICULTURAL.

November 13, 14. — The annual show of this
association was held on these dates in the Drill
Hall, Upper Warwick Street, a spacious buildi
ing, but very dusty, and lacking in artificial
light. The entries were slightly :ewer than those
of last year, but the high quality of preceding
shows was well upheld. The attendance, how-
ever, was poor, the gate money only totalling
half that of the 1906 show.

Chrysanthemums in pots. — Soma good examples
of trained plants were seen, the chief winners
in this section being Mr. T. Hitchman (gr. to
Arthur Earle, Esq.); Mr. R. T. Bushell (gr.
to L. Noblett, Esq.) ; Mr. E. Wharton (gr. to
J. Findlay, Esq.) ; Mr. J. Watson (gr. to James
Birch, Esq.) ; and Mr. F. Keightley (gr. to Mrs.
Duncan).

Cut flowers. — Greater competition has been
seen in former years, but this notwithstanding,
the classes were well filled. In the class for 48
cut blooms, including 24 Incurved and 24 Jap-
anese varieties, Sir W . H. Tate, Bart., Wooiton
(gr. Mr. Geo. Haigh), won the 1st prize with large
nright flowers, the best of which were of Jap-
anese varieties, such as Leigh Park Wonder,
F. S. Vallis, Valerie Greenham, Algernon Davis,
W. E. Etherington, Reginald Vallis, Mrs. W.
Knox, W. R. Church, &c. 2nd, E. Ellis, Esq.
(gr. Mr. J. Davies), with fine blooms of J. H.
Silsbury, E. J. Brooks, H. Perkins, Maieking
Hero, Mrs. T. Dalton, Buttercup, G. F. Evans,
ice.

Mr. J. Young won the 1st prize in a class for 18
Incurved Chrysanthemums, distinct, with excel-
lent flowers, and R. Hobson, Esq. (gr. Mr. W.
Wainwright), led in the similar class for 18
Japanese blooms, distinct.

Twelve Incurveds, distinct. — Joseph Smith,
Esq. (gr. Mr. J. H. Kefford), took the lead for
12 Incurved blooms, whilst in the two classes,
the one for six Incurved blooms, to be shown in
two vases; and the other for six Japanese blooms
similarly displayed, Mr. J. Macfarlane won
the 1st prize.

The b;st six vases of single Chrysanthemums
were put up by Mr. T. Nicholson.

The classes devoted to other species of plants
were well contested, and there were many fine
exhibits of fruit.

Non-competitive exhibits were set up by those
following: — Messrs. Dicksons, Chester, staged
l 'hrvsanthemums, Roses and Apples ; Messrs.
Clibrans, Altrincham, showed Chrysanthe-
mums ; Messrs. Fishlock Bros, had cut
flowers ; Messrs. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, dis-
played Salvias, Ferns, and Cyclamen ; Messrs.
Thos. Davies & Co. had Cyclamen, Lily of the
Valley, and Liliums ; Mr. C. A. Young showed
Carnations ; Mr. W. Rowlands displayed Car-
nations and Bouvardias ; Messrs. Moore ex-
hibited Orchids in variety; Mr. H. Middle-
hurst had Liliums, Spiraeas, &c. ; Messrs. W.
Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey, put up a group
of Chrysanthemums.

YORK CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 13, 14. — This autumn show was
again held in the exhibition building, which fur-
nishes an excellent site for a flower show.

Groups of Chrysanthemums and foliage plants
were of the usual first class quality seen at
York. Cut blooms were of an average quality
only, whilst specimen plants have deteriorated
considerably in this neighbourhood in the last
two years, although at one time this show pro-
duced a really fine display in this direction.

Decorative varieties are verv largely culti-
vated in the York district.

Valuable prizes were offered for a group of
Chrysanthemums mixed with foliage plants for
effect. Five growers competed, thus making a
bold display, which was staged down the centre
of the main hall. Each group occupied an area
of 100 square feet. Mr. J. G. Pettinger, Kent
Road Nurseries, Harrogate, won the 1st prize
with very finely developed Chrysanthemums and
good foliage plants, all well blended together.
The Frederick's Hotel Co. (gr. Mr. L. Han-
chant), Harrogate, was awarded the 2nd prize
for a group in which the Chrysanthemum blooms
were smaller.

Groups arranged as pillars 17 feet high,
and as much as 6 feet wide at their bases,
and furnished with decorative varieties of Chry-
santhemums and green foliage plants formed an

November 23, 1807.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

3g;

important feature of the show. The best of these
exhibits was put up by Mr. G. Cottam, Alena
Gardens, Cottingham, Hull. There were four
contestants.

The best group of Chrysanthemum plants was
exhibited by Mr. J. M. Petch, St. John's Street,
Bridlington, who showed dwarf plants having
excellent blooms ; 2nd, W. Talbot Agar, Esq.,
Brockfield Hall, York (gr. Mr. W. Barnes), with
a greater profusion of flowers, but they were not
of so fine a quality as those in the 1st prize
group. In the amateurs' classes were seen
several good groups of Chrysanthemum plants.

Cut blooms. — In the class for 36 Japanese
blooms in not fewer than 24 varieties Mr. W.
Iggulden, Frome, was awarded the 1st prize,
and the Marquis of Northampton, Castle Ashby
(gr. Mr. A. R. Searle), the 2nd.

The Earl of Fkversham, Duncombe Park,
Helmsley (gr. Mr. D. Williams), won in the class
for 12 Japanese blooms with creditable examples
of popular varieties.

Incurved varieties were of fair quality. The
Marquis of Northampton was the leading ex-
hibitor in this section.

The classes for single-flowered varieties were
interesting. In that for six bunches of these
flowers, the Right. Hon. H. W. Fitzwilliam,
Wigganthorpe, York (gr. Mr. A. Alderman), won
the 1st prize with a bright, attractive exhibit.

Decorative varieties. — In the class for 12 varie-
ties of decorative Chrysanthemums staged in
vases, five growers entered. Messrs. Theake-
stone, The Nurseries, Hull Road, York, won
the 1st prize with an admirable display.

A Gold Medal was awarded to Messrs. J.
Backhouse & Son, York, for a non-competitive
exhibit of hardy fruit and miscellaneous flower-
ing plants.

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
HORTICULTURAL

November 16. — A meeting of this society was1
held in the Town Hall, Dumfries, on the above
date. Provost Nicholson, Maxwelltown, occu-
pied the chair. The secretary and treasurer,
Mr. R. G. Mann, read a statement of the funds
of the society, showing that there was a credit
balance of £22 10s. The Chairman of the direc-
tors, Mr. R. Service, said the society having
some years ago fallen into an unsatisfactory con-
dition, the management had endeavoured to re-
establish it upon a firmer basis. They, however,
thought that others should take up the work,
and they did not intend to offer themselves for
re-election at present.

This report was adopted, and, after a motion
to appoint a provisional committee to revise the
rules, Sec, had been defeated, a new directorate
was appointed. Provost Nicholson was ap-
pointed chairman, Mr. J. Henderson, Elm-
bank, vice-chairman, and a committee of ten
others, with power to add to their number. Mr.
R. G. Mann was re-appointed secretary and
treasurer.

READING LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.

"THE WONDERS OF FERN LIFE."

On Thursday the 7th inst. at a meeting of this
society in the Lecture Hall, Friar Street, Read-
ing, with Dr. F. W. Stansfield in the chair,
and a numerous audience, Mr. Chas. T. Druery,
V.M.H., F.L.S., gave an interesting lecture,
illustrated by a large number of lantern
slides, in many cases of a unique character.
Commencing with an allusion to the wonders
which revealed themselves in every branch of
natural study if properly investigated, he stated
that Ferns possessed their own peculiar mar-
vels, and in some respects far and away tran-
scended flowering plants in biological interest.
In the first place, it was pointed out that al-
though nowadays Ferns are regarded chiefly as
merely pretty foliage plants, and their indus-
trial utility was almost nil, had it not been for
the existence of Ferns in the far distant past,
our coal seams would not have been formed,
and humanity would consequently have been de-
P-'ved of one of the main factors in its indus-
trial and commercial developments. An ideal
picture of one of the Fern forests of the coal
period was thrown on the screen, and was fol-
lowed by one of an actual fossil Fern remark-
ably like the bracken of to-day. The difference

between spore-bearing and seed-bearing plants
was then described, together with the life his-
tory of the Fern, illustrated by photographic re-
productions of Count Suminski's drawings of
the various stages, made in 1843 at the time of
the discovery of the last link in the chain of
phenomena which culminated in the production
of 3. young Fern.

The lecturer then explained how this life cycle
was varied and short-circuited as it were by
nature in some varieties of Ferns, and from this
proceeded to illustrate the wondrously sportive
nature evidenced so greatly in native species,
many beautiful slides showing the choicest
forms obtained by hunting for sports and by
subsequently subjecting such plants to selective
culture. The wondrous fertility of Ferns as
sport-producers was shown upon the screen by
means of a simple multiplication sum, demon-
strating that even a comparatively small grow-
ing Fern could produce in a single season from
a single plant over 1,100 millions of spores,
each of which was capable of producing several
plants, while large-growing tree Ferns could
multiply these results by thousands. The far
greater value of the beautiful British " sports "'
as decorative plants than many exotics was
dwelt upon, and Mr. Druery deprecated the
crowding of gardens with the common forms oi
our native species when much finer and equally
hardy varieties were available. The lecture con-
cluded with a representation of the lecturer's
Fernery, clearly demonstrating what a splendid
effect could be produced in a perfectly cold
house by British Fern varieties alone.

WARGR4.VE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

The sixth annual show of Chrysanthemums,
fruit and vegetables organised by the above
association was held recently in the Woodclyffe
Hall, Wargrave. The exhibition was non-com-
petitive, and was in aid of the Royal Gardeners'
Orphan Fund. A large number of visitors pat-
ronised the show, especially in the evening.
Of the numerous exhibits, the principal were: —
A group of Chrysanthemums shown bv C. S.
IIknrv, Esq., M.P. (gr. Mr. F. Goddard) ; 100
dishes of fruits exhibited by Mrs. Noble (gr.
Mr. T. Powell) ; a display of Chrysanthemums
and Begonia Gloire de Lorraine exhibited by A.
E. Hlggins, Esq. (gr. Mr. D. Turner) ; and a col-
lection of fruit from the gardens of M. Rhodes,
Esq. (gr. Mr. T. Haskett). After paying all ex-
penses, a cheque for £6 10s. was sent to the sec-
retary of the Royal dardeners' Orphan Fund,
thus making a sum of about £56 sent to the
various gardening charities during the six years
the shows have been held.

(EMn'tuarjj.

George Philip.— There were laid to rest on
Tuesday afternoon, 19th inst., in Nellfield
Cemetery, Aberdeen, the remains of Mr. George
Philip, superintendent of the Stewart Public
Park, Aberdeen. When the land which now
comprises the Stewart Park was acquired by the
Corporation of Aberdeen, Mr. Philip was en-
gaged by the Town Council to fulfil the duties
of head gardener, and during the dozen years
which have elapsed since then Mr. Philip has
occupied that position. The citizens of Aber-
deen know well the splendid work Mr. Philip
has done in this beautiful park. For a number
of years previously Mr. Philip was head gar-
dener at Blackhall Castle, BanchOry-Ternan,
Kincardineshire, and he left that position to
undertake the duties at Woodside, the district
of Aberdeen served by the Stewart Park. Mr.
Philip took a great interest in the affairs of the
Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen, and
was convener of several of the committees. He
was 54 years of age, and leaves a widow and a
young family.

Charles Scott. — Many botanists and gar-
deners who, during late years, have visited the
Glasgow Botanic Gardens, will regret to learn
of the demise of the principal propagator,
Charles Scott, who died from an attack of pneu-
monia on the 12th inst. in his 44th year. Scott
was born at Ladykirk, Berwickshire, where his
father was gardener for 43 years. During ex-

perience in good gardens in Scotland and
England he acquired an excellent knowledge of
gardening. His spare time was devoted to the
scientific study of plants, and he possessed such
general knowledge of their structure that he
proved a most successful propagator. In late
years he devoted his attention to the study of
mosses and hepatics, and to his enthusiasm and
zeal much of the success of the " Mossery " in
the Botanic Gardens, which is far the finest in
the country, is due. His kindly disposition en-
deared him to all the garden staff, by whom and
a large circle of plant lovers his untimely death
is deeply mourned.

to
>rr(jpondent

Agarics : C. B.G. The specimens when received
were much dried and shrivelled, and out of
shape, but they resemble Clitocybe tuba, and
are probably that species.

Black Hamburgh Vine in a Pot 11 inches in
Diameter: /. W. A. The plant, as stated
by yourself, will have rooted into the soil
beneath the pot, and it should not be dis-
turbed. Meanwhile protect the pot and stem
from severe weather by affording them a cover-
ing of straw or mats. In the month of March
let the pot be broken up, but not the ball of
earth and roots. Prepare three or four bushels
of turfy loam, and mix with this a barrow-
load of lime-rubble and wood ashes, adding
a little chemical vine manure. Place this
compost around the ball, and disentangle any
roots that you can get at without gnitl;.
disturbing the soil. Add some of the compost
wherever it can be worked into, and make the
whole firm. A small enclosure of stone re-
sembling rockwork can be built around the
whole mass. This will be sufficient to Sup-
port the vine for two years to come. Prune
the young vine after the leaves have fallen.

Carnation Rust: A.L. You should have for-
warded examples of diseased foliage. The two
principal fungus diseases of Carnations, Hel-
minthosporium echinulatum and Urofnyces
dianthi, are both checked by spraying with
potassium sulphide. The better plan, however,
is to stamp out the disease by burning all
affected leaves and any crippled plants ; after-
wards endeavour by good culture to keep the
plants free from disease.

Clearing Half an Acre of Land from Couch
Grass : Olga. It would be of no use;to trench
in and bury the roots under two or three spits
of soil, the weed being certain to re-appear on
the surface in the course of the next two years.
It would be better to bastard-trench the land,
using a steel digging-fork instead of a spade,
collecting the pieces of the roots, and break-
ing the clods to pieces, so as to extract all of
them. In digging the first trench, the
upper soil should be searched for the roots
before it is wheeled to the end of the quarter,
and the soil at the bottom of the trench be
dug over and all roots taken out that can be
found. Below this depth the roots are not
likely to have penetrated, if the land has never
been deeply cultivated. Each succeeding
trench should be treated in the manner al-
ready described. The second spit, although
dug as deep as the fork will go, should be
left in situ, unless it is of good quality, and
in that event half a spit or less might be
brought up to the top. The hoe must be kept
diligently at work all through the summer,
and every bit of couch grass that shows
should be forked up. Quick-growing crops,
such as Lettuces, Radishes, French Beans,
early Potatos, early Carrots, in lines^ or any
other crop which will need to occupy the land
only for a few months, are the best, the fre-
quent turning of the soil then required afford-
ing opportunities for the removal of the roots
of this weed. Several years would be needed
to cleanse the soil entirely. It is a good
plan to throw the weeds into a heap, with or
without fresh stable manure, and let the
whole heap ferment strongly, turning the
sides once or twice into the centre of the heap,

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 23, 1907.

s i that all roots may be destroyed by the heat
thus caused. Another, although more trouble-
e, method is to let the roots get partially
dried, turning them about in the manner of
haymaking, and burning them when they have
become sufficiently dry.

Ccelogyne cristata : I!'. R. H. You had better
let your plants flower in the natural manner.
Ccelogyne cristata does not like to be perfectly
dried off at any period of its growth. It merely
requires that the supply of water should be re-
duced after the old pseudo-bulbs have completed
their growth, a condition which may last until
the new flowering growths appear. The pseudo-
bulbs should not be allowed to approach such a
condition as shrivelling. Rain-water is best for
all plants.

Cceli igyne Leaves Injured : /. M. The injury
has doubtless been caused by the vaporising
with hydrocyanic acid gas. The receptacle
from which the gas is evolved should be placed
m the centre of the path and as far away from
any plants as is possible. When the gas is
evolving, it should be distributed in the house
by means of a " punka " worked from outside
the house by means of a string. We cannot
trace the fruit you mention.

Half an Acre of Land : Gardener. We cannot
undertake to sift such matters as those published
in the daily and weekly lay Press. The founda-
tion for some of the statements is probably of
the slightest description.

Hawthorn Seeds: J. R, Place the "Haws"
in a heap and mix them with sand equal to
about half of the bulk. Turn the whole over
with a spade occasionally so as to facilitate the
rotting away of the pulp or flesh. The seeds
can afterwards be easily separated from the sand
1 iy means of a sieve.

Names of Fruits : Porno. 1, Marie Louise ; 2,
Knight'sMi march. —H.B , Sale.— 1, BeurreDiel ;
2, Madame Trey ve.— J. H. Shobdon. 1, Shepherd's
Fame; 2, Norfolk Beefing ; 3, Napoleon III. ; 4,
Doyenne du Cornice. — F. D. 1. Doyenne1 du
Cornice; 2, Glou Morceau ; 3. Autumn Neli 1
Beurre Dumont ; 5, Beurre Diel ; 6, Napoleon.
— IV. D. i~Sons. 1, Gipsy Queen ; 2, not recog-
nised.— F.L. IV. Grape Gros Guillaume, often
known in gardens as Barbarossa. — W. Jajcoch
Apple Sturmer Pippin ; Pear Bergamotte Espe-
ren. — W. F. B. 1, Conseiller de la Cour; 2,
Josephine de Malines ; 1G, Pitmaston Duchess;
40, Marie Benoist.

5 of Plants: H. B. Clethra arborea.—

5. G. &■ Sons. Probably a form of Cupressus
sempervirens, but the specimen is not sufficiently
complete for verification.— R. E. Specimens
without numbers. The Herbaceous plant is
Saponaria officinalis fl. pi., the tree is Quercus
Phellos, and the Evergreen shrub Rhamnus
Alaternus var. angustifolius— A. M. N 1,
Magnolia conspicua var. ; 2, Jasminum revo-
lutum, a form of J. humile ; 3, Veronica spe-
ciosa ; 4, Myrtus Ugnii ; 5, Phillyrea latifolia ;

6, Schizostylis coccinea. — Hortus Servus. 1,
Satureia montana (Winter Savory) ; 2, Melissa
officinalis (Balm) ; 3, Artemisia' Dracunculus
(Tarragon) ; 4, Hyssopus officinalis (Hyssop) ;
5, Origanum Onites (Pot Marjoram) ; 6, Mar
rubium vulgaris (Horehound).— F. L. II'. 1,
Calanthe Veitchii ; 2, Calanthe vestita. — T. H.
1, Epidendrum umbellatum ; 2, Ionopsis ulii
cularioides; 3, Ada aurantiaca ; 4, Lycaste
xytriophora; 5, Aerides japonicum.— A . Y. 1,
Nerine sarniensis ; 2, Gladiolus tristis ; 3,
Cyrtanthus lutescens. — E. M. Trichosma
suavis, a very fragrant and pretty cool-house
Orchid. The Eranthemum leaves will be
examined. — J. H. T. Dracocephalum Ruys-
chianum.— E. A. D. White. Euonymus nanus.

Nei i i-.s: B. L. The treatment you adopted in
1906 is correct, as, in the position then given the
bulbs, they became thoroughly ripened, the
atmosphere being clear and dry. The quality
of the air in the greenhouse is not quite the
same, and, in conjunction with the prolonged
dull weather, the change favoured the produc-
tion of leaf-growth to the detriment of the
bloom.

Nova Scottan Apples : II. G. K . In respect to

suggestion in last week's issue that the

ty intended was probably King of the

Pippins, Mr. George Monro, of Covent Garden

\l :ket, has kindly written us stating that

the variety " is King of Tompkin's Countv,

but they are known simply all through the
trade as Nova Scotian 'Kings,' and the fruits
are very much larger than King of the
Pippins." Do our colonists in Nova Scotia
also cultivate King of the Pippins?

Pine Tree: /. H. B. The soil you send found
about the roots is permeated with a white fungus
mycelium which proceeds in the first instance
from some rotten stump, or buried wood. This
soil should be removed, and replaced If
possible the source of the fungus should be
ascertained and removed, afterwards the soil
should be trenched and disinfected by the
addition of lime. The danger is liable to extend
to neighbouring trees unless a deep trench is cut
around the infected spot.

Plan of a Rose Garden on an Area 16 Yards
Square : A Reader. There are all sorts of
ways in which a Rose garden might be
formed on such an area. The sketch at fig.
151 will suggest to you one method of carrying
out the work. In the centre of the design (1) mav
be planted climbing varieties, and these can
be trained to form an arbour, or their growths
may be suspended to a central pillar or stake,
as shown in fig. 133 in the last week's issue.

land lies very low, when it need not be made
quite so deep, but the trees should be planted
on a mound-like elevation. If the trees beai
a heavy crop of fruit and the weather is hot,
a good mulching of farmyard manure will
not only tend to keep the roots near to the
surface, but stimulate the trees and therefore
cause the fruits to swell well. You are prob-
ably aware that the Apple worked upon the
Paradise stock, and the Pear on the Quince
stock, are both shallow-rooting, and nun h
more fruitful than either the Pear stock fi :
the Pear, or Crab stock for the Apple; they
would answer your purpose well. Such treeV
planted in the manner you suggest will need
very little pruning, except whilst they are in
a young state.

Planting Paved Walks : L S. The article you
refer to was printed in our issue for April 28,
1906, p. 2S3.

Prizes at Farmer's Clvb Competition : //. S.
The garden labourers should be permitted to
exhibit with the other cottagers on the estate.

Rose Leaves : The disease is caused by a fungus
called Seploria rosae, which kills and bleaches

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.40 FEET

Fig. 151. — plan of a rose-garden.

(2) These four circular beds should be planted
with dwarf Polyantha Roses, using varieties
of one colour only to each bed. Between
these are beds (3) that can be planted with
Tea or Hybrid-Tea varieties of distinct
colours. The corner beds (4> should be planted
with Hybrid-perpetual varieties in clumps of
three plants of one variety, and interspersed
with standard plants. Seats in the recesses (5)
should have rustic arches above them trained
with Rosa Wichuraiana and other rambling
Roses. The entrance (6) should consist of an
arch-covered way, while four rustic arches (7),
spanning the grass-covered walk, will com-
plete the design.

Planting of Fruit Trees : J. B., Meaford. An
impenetrable base can be made in various
ways, and almost any hard refuse, brickbats,
stones, &c, can be used for the purpose.
Ram the materials well into the bottom of
the holes, then run amongst them some newly-
slaked lime, allowing the whole to dry and
set before the trees are planted. Chalk made
wet, so that it can be rammed down to an
even surface, answers very well. This base
should be made at least '2 feet deep, unless the

the epidermis of the leaf in patches. Diseased
leaves should be removed from the plant before
they fall.

Sale of Bulbs: F. C. E. We cannot interfere
in this matter, but it is not difficult to under-
stand your objections to the system of which you
complain. The question, after all, is one for the
seller himself and the employer of the canvasser
to determine.

Seedling Carnation : It'. V . We do not think
the white flower possesses merits superior to
those of existing varieties

Tennis Court: Carnation. Our columns are
too crowded thi?, week to admit of a diagram.
All the information you require, with dia-
gram, may be found in the Calendar of Garden
Operations, obtainable from our publishing
department, price 7JJd., post free.

Communications Received.— Interrogavi — JouriK-vr an
J. C. (next week.)-W. D. and Sons— S. C— F. F. Dr.
I. R— A. D.— F. M.— E. M.— A. O— W. B. L.— A. G.—
L. W. F.— E. J.— H. M. V.— G. P. M.— S. A.-S. R. P.—
Anxious— E, W, -J. C. P. -P. McL.-J. C.-Mrs. A.—
A. C-J. C.

November 30, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

369

THE

flwbcncrs'Cbronitli

No. 1,092.— S A TVRDA Y, November 30. 1907.

CONTENTS.

Apple-trees, planting, on

Pentland, Mr. J., pre-

heavy land

373

sentation to

377

Ariln ■ i] i iihtim cirrha-

Plants, new or note-

iLiin

379

worthy—

Books, notices of —

1 i i.i rhyncostyloides

370

Grapes and How to

Potatos, a large crop of

378

(.row Them

373

Rural education in

Chrysanthemum notes—

France

377

A ne in o ne - flow i red

Roses, late blooming ...

376

varieties

377

Roses, growth of

378

New French varieties

877

Seed germination and

Propagation, late

378

In I water

377

Chrysanthemums, mar-

Societies—

keting

384

Aberdeen Chrys.

383

Cockscomb, the culture

British Garden ert'

of the

378

Association

383

Eucalyptus ficifolia

376

Chester l'axton

382

Flower gardening, mo-

Debating

3^3

dern ...

379

Leeds Paxton

382

Forcing bulbous plants

3G9

Linnean

383

Frost, an instrument to

Manchester and \". of

foretell

378

England Orchid

381

Fruit growing in Trini-

National Chrys.

:tsi

dad

377

National Dahlia

883

Fuchsias as decorative

N e wcastle-on-Tyne

plants

379

Chrys.

3*2

Grape classesat Shrews-

Royal Horticultural ..'.

379

bury Show

379

Wooltoa and Di tri

Hollyhocks, rust on

377

Chrys.

388

Maqtii berries

377

Trees and Shrubs

Michie, Mr. A., presen-

Berberis Wilson* ...

372

tation to

376

Vegetable trials at

Narcissus and I [ya-

Wisley

378

cinths for exhibition

384

Vegetables, the rarer

Nursery notes —

kinds of

878
379

Geo. Bunyard & Co.,

Vines, effect of inarching

Ltd., Maidstone ...

371

Vine-border, renovating

Obituary —

a...

384

Gillett, H

384

Week's work, the—

Lees, Richard

384

Flower garden, the ..

374

i.'nv. m, William

384

Fruits under glass ...

374

Orchid notes and glean-

Hardy fruit gai den

376

ings—

Kitchen garden, the

.r,\

Odontoglossum X

Orchid houses, the ...

375

Andersonianum

370

Parks and gardens ...

376

Orchids at St. A I ban .

371

Plants under glass ...

375

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Berberis Wilsonae 372

Eucalyptus ficifolia (Supplementary Illustration)

Frost Foreteller, a 373

Fruit of Eucalyptus ficifolia 377

Odontoglossum X Andersonianum, variations in

(lowers of 370

Odontoglossum x John Clarke 380

THE FORCING OF BULBOUS
PLANTS.

THE forcing of bulbous-rooted plants during
the early winter months is one of the
phases of modern plant-growing in which
most gardeners desire to excel. That such
is not the case and that the successes are
still all too freely interspersed with failures
requires no further confirmation than the
many enquiries relating to the latter which
are answered from time to time in the " An-
swers to Correspondent-. " page of every gar-
dening newspaper.

Failure in a small place, where perhaps but
a few hundred bulbs are forced each year, is a
serious matter. For this, however, there is
a remedy, and there is no reason why anyone
having charge of a garden should a second
time be guilty of even an error of judgment
in these and kindred matters.

Chief among the essentials to success in
this matter of early forcing is to make an
earl} start by planting the bulbs at the pro-
per time. To plant in November bulbs which
should have been planted in the first half of
September is to court failure so far as the suc-
i essful forcing of such bulbs is concerned.

Once planted, whether in boxes or pots or
other receptacle, it must be borne in mind by
the cultivator that all bulbous plants do not

necessarily require the same treatment. In
respect to Daffodils of all kinds and
Hyacinths, I thoroughly soak the soil with
water immediately they are planted; but
Tulips, I.ilie-,, Spanish Irises, and early
Gladioli, when planted in soil that possesses
ordinary moisture, require no such watering,
and indeed, in my experience, are better
without it.

For Daffodils and Hyacinths a rich soil is
desirable, hut for the other genera I have
named, a soil generally lighter and less
rich is to be preferred. The plunging or
covering up for a season of all bulbous plants
that will be required for forcing is a matter
of some moment, and in the case of Daffodils
and Hyacinths the top covering should be of
considerable depth. They make the majority
of their root fibres quite early alter planting,
and such root-fibres descend in a straight line.
Most of the roots are produced at one time,
and owing to the resistance they encounter
in penetrating the soil below, they are
liable to lift the bulbs completely out
of the soil unless a sufficient hulk of the
plunging material be afforded to count
this pressure from below. A coveting of
6 inches in depth will In- ample, and coal
ashes will he found very suitable. For the
other genera named a lighter covering, such
as one of cocoanut fibre refuse, is 1> tti r, 01
this and coal ashes mixed together in equal
parts. Soil should not be employed for a
covering, being too cold and retentive of wet .
1 know that many amateurs entirely neglecl
to cover their pots of bulbs, and by such neg-
lect the} expose the bulbs to climatic vicissi-
tudes that are by no means beneficial, but un-
doubtedly have a s, rious effect on the crops.
The covering up oi the bulbs is a simple and
desirable process, and forms one of the little
d< tails that help in securing a full measure of
success.

The next important step is the intn
tion of the bulbs into structures that are
heated bv artificial means, and it is here that
many cultivators commit a very grievous
error. More than once in my experience have
I seen bulbs taken from the plunging beds in
the open and introduced to the worst possible
position in the greenhouse, viz., beneath the
i tge, not far removed from the hot-water
pipes. I have seen them in such positions
with the soil very dry when Hyacinths, Nar-
cissus, &c, required their roots to be in a
medium of quite opposite conditions. A fev
days under such treatment will have a very
bad effect, for it is about the worst position
that could be selected for the bulbs already
starting into growth. The two genera just
named are best when heat is applied gradu-
ally, though French-grown Roman Hya-
cinths are much less exacting in this respect
than are those of Dutch growth.

Those varieties of Tulips which are known
to be reliable for early-forcing, as La
Reine, Yellow Prince, and the Van Thol
class, require but little attention during
the introductory stages. For these and for
Roman Hyacinths there is no better place
than a frame within the greenhouse, the
frame being provided with bottom-heat.
Into such a frame they may be placed
without any delay. A moderate bottom-heat
say of 6o degrees, at the first, will be ample.
It is, how \ r, essential that absolute dark-
ness be assured and that the heat be kept

uniform, therefore free from fluctuations. A
considerable length of stem an I large si 1,1
blossom are items of the greatest importance
in early-forced Tulips, and these qualities are
best secured by attending closely to the
details of culture. Compared with the Daffo-
dil or Hyacinth, the Tulip requires less mois-
ture than either, and this fact should be i -
membered when forcing is in progress. The
boxes or pots of bulbs should, when placed in
the bottom-heat frame, be stood upon a 2-inch
thick bed of cocoanut fibre; the bulbs should
be thoroughly watered and, subsequently,
pots and all covered in to a depth of 6 inches
with the fibre. Heat and moisture quickly
I" rmeates the entire bulk under these circum-
stances, and when the lights have been placed
over the frame a quick and good growth is
the result. By covering the frame lights w ith
sacks the darkness is intensified and a greater
uniformity of heat assured, all to the benefit of
the crops. A week later the bottom-heat may
be increased to 70 degrees, and later to 75 de-
grees or So degrees.

Tepid water only should be applied to the
crop when thus forced, and the plants should
be allowed to remain in the frame till the
flowers have developed to their full size. A
critical stas^e is reached at about this period,
and it is highly dangerous to expose the
flower to the full light before they are per-
fectly developed. Fogs are especially harm-
ful at such a lime, ami the undeveloped buds
after exposure to them rarely do much good.
In the circumstances, therefore, the bulbs
should remain in the darkened frame as
before, the top-covering of the cocoanut fibre
to be removed when the flower-buds, are
well in sight. One is frequently asked in
reference to forcing, why pots of bulbs do
not succeed when placed over the hot-water
pipes? The answer has already been supplied
in the recommendations I have made; the dr} .
arid conditions of such a position, the absence
of darkness, and the lack ot a moist uniform
heat, arc the principal causes of non-success.
Many gardeners fail either wholly or in part
by removing the crop from the influence of
bottom-heat when the plant is but half
grown. In early-forcing scarcely .1 11, re
is error could be made.

With the main exception that they require
much larger supplies of water, the Roman
Hyacinths may be treated as recommended
for the Tulips. In their case it is necessary
to remove the pots from the plunging
material so soon as the earliest bells on the
spike begin to expand, but the pots must re-
main on the bottom-beat bed and in absolute
darkness until the spikes have fully grown.

In the forcing of Daffodils a different
method has to be adopted, and apart from
t he first preparatory stage of early planting
and plunging in the open, a second prepara-
tory stage is reached when it is considered
time to place the crop under glass. At this
time cool or quite cold houses are best, and,
I, greater progress is mad. under these
conditions than is possible under heat. It can-
not be too widely known that artificial heat
applied at such a time has a retarding in-
fluence on the crop, and a species of sulki-
ness or contrariness is set up in the plants,
from which ultimate recovery is very slow.
Therefore, the operator would do well
to adhere to the sound, simple prac-
tices of cultivating them on a cool base

370

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 30, 1C07.

in a cool house and affording them liberal
supplies of moisture. At no time should there
exist even an approach to dryness. Neither
bottom-heat, darkness, nor plunging when in-
doors, are necessary or even desirable for
Daffodils when being forced. A week after
they have been taken indoors the house may
be closed, and a few days later a little warmth
turned on. Subsequently, by easy stages, the
artificial heat should be increased, untii at
the end of four weeks an atmospheric tem-
perature of 50 or 55 degrees has been
reached. The most dangerous period in forc-
ing Daffodils may be said to be past when the

are necessary at such a time. But there must
be no half-measures in this question of mois-
ture. Lack of root-moisture, a too arid condi-
tion of the atmosphere, excessive heat, or heat
too earlv applied — these are the things that
cause ruin and disaster to the best of bulbs.
If I may single out a variety possessing
peculiarities in a marked degree, that variety
is the popular Narcissus poeticus ornatus.
This kind should be allowed to remain in the
open air to the end of the year, and then fol-
low out the advice already given.

The number of Daffodils that may be forced
readily and satisfactorily is not large, but for

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

Fig. 152.

[rlwtograph by C. I', ltajfi.ll.
-VARIATIONS IN THE FLOWERS OF ODONTOGLOSSUM X ANDERSON! AN 1/ \t.

flower-scape lias emerged from the orifice ol
the neck of the bulb. Another critical period
is reached when the stem is fully grown but
the flower is still imprisoned in the spathe.
If this condition should last too long strangu-
lation in some form or another follows, and
v ithered and disti rted trumpets in the case of
the single varieties, and the so-called " blind-
ness " in respect of the double •ones, are
the outward and visible results of cultural
errors.

Root-moisture, atmospheric-moisture, and
spraying (rather than hard syringing of the
buds at this stage), are all the conditions that

ERIA RHYXCOSTYLGTDES, N. sp.

This is a very fine species, which is in the
collection of the Hon. Walter Rothschild,
M.P., Tring Park, Tring (gr. Mr. A. Dye), the
specimen having been imported from Java. In
structure the individual flower approaches
most nearly to Eria convallarioides. The plant,
however, is much larger than that of E. conval-
larioides, more fleshy in all its parts, and it
bears a slight resemblance to that of the well-
known Rhyncostylis retusa (Saccolabium gutta-
tum) in the general appearance of its dense in-
florescence. It is one of the showiest of its
section, and a very desirable garden plant.

Eria rhyncostyloides, roots wiry, dark-col-
oured, pseudo-bulbs clustered, green in the
young state, brown with silvery covering when
mature, ovoid, compressed, showing deep open-
ings where the old flower-spikes had been, 3 to
4 inches in height, 2 inches wide; leaves 3 to 4,
12 to 18 inches long, 2 inches wide, thick in
texture, bright green. Inflorescence from the
upper part of the pseudo-bulb 8 inches in length ;
rachis stout, slightly tomentose, the basal 2
inches naked, the rest bearing an equally-ar-
ranged cylindrical spike of 250 to 300 flowers.
Pedicels and ovaries two-thirds of an inch, and
having at the base of each an ovate acuminate,
slightly concave reflexed, whitish-green bract.
Flowers half an inch across ; sepals ovate acu-
minate ; mentum broad, obtuse ; petals narrower
than the sepals, lanceolate. Labellum obscurely
trilobed, orbicular, concave at the base, which
is tinged with rose colour, front acuminate.
Column short, tinged with purple at the a|>ex ;
anther-cap brownish red. The flowers are white
with a slight blush tint, the labellum with rose-
tinted base. The surface of the flower has
a granulated, or frosted, appearance, and the
ovaries and backs of the sepals are sparsely
tomentose. /. O'B.

very earlv flowering those suited to forcing
may be taken in the following order : —

Single Van Sion as first early, to be followed
by Narcissus obvallaris, N. Ard. Righ, No.
Telamonius plenus, X. golden spur, N. prin-
ceps, X. Horsfieldi, N. Sir Watkin, N. Em-
peror, and N. ornatus.

For earlv supplies of bloom, and for which
the four first-named varieties are best, the
bulbs should be brought under glass at the
end of November or early in December and
given the treatment already prescribed.
Growth will soon be apparent. E. II. Jen-
kins, Hampton Hill.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ODONTOGLOSSCM x ANDERSONIANUM.
Many hybrids may be said to carry the stamp
of their origin in both their habit and flowers.
Especially is this the case in the numerous
hybrids of Odontoglossum crispum and O.
gloriosum, known collectively under the above
name. Their hybrid origin was suspected from
the date of the flowering of the first plant of
this hybrid in 1868, having been imported the
previous year in a batch of O. crispum by
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., of Clapton. It then
passed into the collection of J. Dawson, Esq.,
of Meadow Bank, near Glasgow, and was named
by Reichenbach in compliment to the gardener
at Meadow Bank, the late Mr. James Anderson.
Reichenbach, 1a describing the plant, pointed
out its affinities to both O. crispum and O.
praestans, but later when other plants of this
hybrid had appeared, he wrote that it was prob-
ably a hybrid between O. crispum and O.
gloriosum. As both these species are found
growing together in certain localities on the
western spurs of the eastern Cordillera of New
Granada, it is probable that the last conjecture
is the correct one. In the importations wof
Odontoglossum crispum, which have been so
numerous of late years, many plants of this
hybrid have occurred, showing every transi-
tional stage between the two parents. The
hvbrids partake of the character of O. en
in precocity of flowering, the flowers being pro-
duced nearly the whole year round, but the
greater number of them flower between February
and May. The great diversity in the forms of
each parent species has also had its effe. 1
the hybrids, and is particularly noticeable in
the illustration at fig. 152, representing 12 distinct
forms, tin- ground colour of each row of tl

November 30, 1S07.]

THE GAIWEXERS C1IHOMCLE.

371

being quite distinct from that of the rest. In
those of the top row the ground colour is pure
white, the centre flower being the pure white
O. Andersonianum, var. virginale, while those
on either side differ greatly both in size and
shape of the perianth segments, also in the size
and colour of the spots. In the second row are
forms with pink grounds, the centre flower
being spotted with brownish-red and much
larger than any other flower shown in the illus-
tration. The flower on the right is the nearest
approach to O. crispum of the whole batch both
in size, shape, and colouring. In the third row,
the ground colour is light yellow, the spots
being mostly rosy-purple in colour. In the
fourth, or bottom, row, the ground colour is
deep yellow, suffused on the edges and back of
the flowers with rose, while the spots are either
reddish-brown or purplish-brown.

The crossing and re-crossing of these two
polymorphic species and their numerous progeny
by natural means has resulted in the produc-
tion of numerous varieties, many being ex-
tremely distinct and beautiful. So numerous
are the forms that there seems to be every
possible combination of both parent species, a
fact which has led to much confusion in their
nomenclature, many of them being classed as
varieties of O. Andersonianum, while others
have been classed as varieties of the species
they most nearly resemble; others again
have been given specific rank. This is not to
be wondered at in the least when one bears in
mind the wide range in the forms of both
parents, both in size and colo/ring, and to a less
degree in the shape of t!ie flowers. C. P.
Raffdl.

MESSRS. SANDER & SON'S, ST. ALBANS.

The natural consequence of undertaking the
hybridising and raising of Orchids on a large
scale is that, no matter how extensive the accom-
modation of glasshouses may be, the time will
come when more houses will have to be built.
That has been the position in which Messrs.
Sander have found themselves on several occa-
sions notwithstanding the great extent of their
nurseries, when imported Orchids were the chief
consideration. Relief was gained by drafting
off the large batches of species to the Bruges
branch of the establishment ; yet again the in-
evitable has to be faced, and 17 new houses
are in the course of construction, eight being
already finished and several of them filled with
seedling Orchids. The new block includes a
model house for the raising ol the seed and
pricking off into their first pots the tiny seed-
lings, and with the elaborate contrivances
arranged in the house, there seems to be but
little difficulty in obtaining success in what
always used to be regarded as the most critical
stage of the life of an hybrid Orchid.

In the great maze of houses of the older part
of the establishment there are other seed-raising
houses, and commodious blocks of span-roofed
houses to accommodate the young plants.
These contain the more showy hybrids of new
crosses, or the proved favourite crosses repeated
by using the finest varieties. One house is filled
with many thousands of Brassavola Digbyana
crosses, both primary and secondary, the plants
being generally three years old. Another house
has similar crosses due to flower next season,
and many are filled with hybrid Cattleyas,
I.aelio-Cattleyas, and various combinations, in
which these showy species take part. So far as
the present show of flowers is concerned, the
honour can well be claimed by the Cattleyas,
the hybrids of C. labiata, C. Dowiana, C. Har-
risoniana, and others making a fine show, the
best being Cattleya Mantinii and its variety
nobilior, C. Mrs. J. VY. Whiteley, C. Fabia
(which is a rival of C. Hardyana, and very free
to grow and flower), and C. Clarkiae, Sander's
variety (obtained by crossing two fine forms of
C. labiata and C. bicoloi I, a very bright purplish
rose-coloured flower with violet lip. Although a

dull season for Orchid bloom, there were a few
in flower in most of the houses, spsi i ill
worthy being some white forms of Cattleya
labiata in the house which is filled entirely
with albinos, and white-petalled forms with
some colour on the lip.

In one block of huiises devoted to seedling
Orchids (a single stage in the first house held
about 10,000 plants) w ?re some prett\ 11
borne on plants raited between Cattleya Gaskel-
liana and C. Harrisoniana, and various othei

In one was a fine batch of a v;i
tinct type of Cypripedium ' ! ae in bloom,

the flowers on one variety being creamy-white
blotched with purple, aftei the manner of C.
bellatulum. Here also was a plant in bloom
of C. Niobe (Sander's variety), which is a grand
form, rather taller than other varieties, and
bearing pretty flowers, the 1> s .1 portion of the
dorsal sepal being emerald green, the blade
bright purplish rose on white ground, and the
petals and lip yellowish, heavily tinged with
purplish brown. Two houses in this block are
filled with hybrid Cypripediums. Among those
then in bloom were many that are pretty and
distinct, but the best novelties are expected
from those which will flower next year. Next
is a large span-roofed house of Cymbidiums and
Sobralias, both species and hybrids; the unique
and beautiful C. Sanderae was bearing a fine
seed-capsule. In a house of Phaius and Ly-
castes there was a batch of Epidendrum Wallisii,
raided true from seeds.

The connecting corridor was filled with Den-
drobium Wardianum, D. crassinode and
showy Dendrobiums, all of which had made ex-
traordinary fine new growths. Entered from the
corridor are five long span-roofed houses that
were filled entirely with seedling Orchids rang-
ing from two to four years, the vigour of the
plants being good throughout. In another
house crosses of Sophronhis grandiflora and
many promising unusual crosses were the most
prominent. Among them was a small batch of
a hybrid raised between Tetramicra (Lepl
bicolor and Laslia harpophylla, in the si
growths of which the charai i ristii s >f both the
plants can easily be traced ; and anothei oi
petalum Mackayi, crossed with Chondrorhyn ha
Chestertoni ; one of the plants was already d -
veloping a spike, so that the result will soon bs
known.

In one of the warm seedling houses a number
of fine specimens of l'halaenopsis were su
pended overhead and growing most luxuriantly,
the P. Rimestadtiana having enormous leaves
and promising well for flower. In the lofty
intermediate house, devoted principally to Catt-
leyas and Laelias, there was a good show of
Cattleya labiata in great variety, C. Bow-
ringiana and its hybrids, C. Dowiana aurea,
and others ; in the principal Odontoglossum
house only a few were in bloom, together with
some Masdevalhas, Scarlet Sophronitis, Coch-
liodas, Lycastes, &c. In the block of Cypri-
pedium houses, one of which contained a very
complete collection of varieties of Cypripedium
insigne, many of this species were in flower, the
two best being the charming clear yellow and
white C. insigne Sanderae, and the large and well
proportioned C. insigne (Haref.eld Hall variety).

Other Orchids specially noted in the collec-
tion included a batch of the pretty white V
Watsoni, an ally of V. Kimballiana, but much
freer to grow and bloom, the little plants only a
few inches high producing flower-spikes ; the
white Phaius Zollingeri, a very acceptable Java
plant and probably a constant winter flowerer ;
a batch of the true old type of the white
Calanthe veratrifolia, which used to be one
of the effective plants in Orchid collections at
exhibitions many years ago, and is still a very
fine plant if grown in an ordinary stove-house
with the foliage and flowering plants usually
grown there. The same remarks apply t >
Aerides, Saccolabiums, and some other dis-
tichous-leafed species of that class ; at St.

Albans their requirements are met by the pro-
vision of rockeries and ornamental
water at the ends of some of the warmer h
the rockeries being planted with Begonias, Fit-
. and various other ornamental-)

So situated, the gigantic specimen of
Ai ii hnanthe Lowii, often noted, is thriving re-
markably well ; some baskets of Aerides v
and other Aerides, suspended above the foli ig
plants, have rapidly increased in size, and are
in fine condition; the Angraecums also grow
- ttisfactorily.

A special house is provided for plants form-
ing seed-capsules, and an interesting prospect is
revealed by some of the verv wide crosses. As
in most Orchid collections, the Odontoglossum
and Cochlioda crosses are being worked dili-
gently, but the latter are said not to respond so
readily to the efforts of the raiser as some other
genera.

New Plants.

Mure space is now given than formerly to the
exhibition of new plants. Some of the previous
introductions of the firm, such as the beauti-
fully-variegated Fourcroya Watsoniana have in-
creased in beauty, and among the quite new
kinds are Nepenthes Sanderiana, with very large
" pitcher," having abnormally broad ciliate
wings and of very bright colour; a new and
very elegant Asparagus of the A. myriocladus
class, with very feathery, plume-like growths;
several new Palms, one of which has pale green
leaves spotted with dark olive green ; another
resembling a very finely-cut Kentia ; Codianim
in) trilobus Sanderi, the perfection of a
decorative plant, being of neat habit and hav-
ing the basal and inner parts of the unequallj
trilobed foliage . >t a bright Buttercup yellow,
the broad margin being equally bright green ;
Licuala triphylla, a remarkably dwarf Palm,
only a few inches in height, and yet bearing a
[Hi fusion of both flowers and fruits; a verv
brightly-coloured Pere^kia with shining foliage
coloured red, white, and green, and said
to be a fine plant for baskets, pillars, or
rockeries. Foliage Begonias of a new type are
also being tested, and several promising Ferns,
Cycads, Anthuriums, &c . se it by Micholitz, are
under cultivation to test their worthiness as
garden plants.

NURSERY NOTES.

GEO. Bl'NVARD & CO.
Few more agreeable or instructive changes
can be enjoyed by a gardener thin an occasional
visit to a nursery. There is a wide difference in
the aims and systems of culture between the
gardener and the nurseryman. The gardener
aims to produce the heaviest and best crops
from his fruit trees, and the choicest flowers
from his plants. The nurseryman's aim, on the
contrary, is to produce a crop of trees, shrubs,
and plants for the gardener's service by propa-
gation and growth on the most efficient and
economical methods possible. One may lear.i
much from the nurseryman, and I confess, as
one of a party who visited Messrs. Bunyard's
nurseries at Maidstone, in October, most of us
learned much, although we were already old ii
years and experience. After a close inspection
of some hours' duration, several matter
pressed themselves favourably on our minds.
First, there was the free, healthy, and clean
grow'th of the enormous plantations of fruit
trees, and another was the total absence of any
abnormally strong, soft, or pithy growth on
young trees. The credit for this healthy, hard
growth, we observed, must not, I think, be attri-
buted to good management alone — excellent as
this is. It is, rather, in pari, at any rate, due
to natural position, and other favourable cir-
cumstances. The Allington Nursery is situated
on high table-land exposed to all the winds that
blow, also to all the sunshine for which the
county of Kent is so tain- a well as to a

372

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 30, 1907.

generous soil, neither too heavy nor too light,
and in which the fibrous roots of trees luxuriate,
so amazingly — all most potent natural acces-
sories in the successful growth of fruit trees.

Another point noticed, and an important one,
too, was the system adopted of frequently lift-
ing and replanting the trees. This, no doubt,
has greatly helped to bring about the favour-
able condition of root and branch growth. The
benefit derivable from frequent transplantation
was further shown very forci-
bly in the splendid condition
and size of some large speci-
men horizontal and fan-
trained trees of Pears,
Peaches, Nectarines, Plums,
and Apricots. Although
some of them are from 8 to
10 feet high, and as wide
across, so fully furnished
are they with masses of
fibrous roots that they could
be moved any distance as
safely and successfully as
trees of much younger

during the summer, not only for the purpose of
keeping the land clean, but also for aerating and
cultivating the soil, and that at less than half
the cost of hoeing by hand.

In extensive plantations of fruit trees one
naturally looked for some halt, blind, or de-
formed trees. We saw none, with the exception
of a few scarce varieties held back for stork
purposes and planted by themselves.

The stock of trained Peach and Nectarine

•IG. 153. — BERBERIS WILSONS,
CHINESE SP1 CIES.

growth. The sight of these fine specimen
trained trees made one envious to possess a new
wall, in order to enjoy the privilege of clothing
it at once with fruit-bearing trees.

Another point of culture worthy of note is
that the rows of young trees were planted wider
apart than is usually the case, the primary
reason for this being that the land can be culti-
vated and kept clean by the use of a small
horse hoe, which is kept constantly at work

trees was one of the finest and largest I had
ever seen.

Besides the plantations of young trees
already referred to, a large plantation of per-
manent bush-Apple trees were shown to us ;
perfect specimens in every way, many of them
heavily laden with fruit. .We wish the advo-
cates of non-pruning could see these per-
fectly-formed and moderately-pruned bushes.
Every main branch of each bush an inde-
pendent cordon, many of them studded all
over from base to summit with the choicest
fruits.

The following new or little-inown varie-
ties of Apples were spoken of highly: — Ben's
Red is a September Apple, rivalling in colour
Worcester Pearmain, and of better flavour
than that variety ; a good bearer, and pro-
mises to become a grand early market Apple.
Belle de Boskoop is useful for dessert or
kitchen purposes, free-bearing and of large
size, it ripens in October and November.
Baron Wolseley is a kitchen Apple of im-
mense size, a good bearer, resembling
Warner's King, but it develops more colour
than that variety on the side exposed to the
sun. Foster's Seedling is a seedling from
Cellini ; a splendid bearer, and not liable to
canker ; the fruits are very handsome, and ripen
in October and November. Winter Ribston is
a Continental variety, a russety fruit of first-
class flavour. It has a habit of growth similar
to that of Blenheim Pippin, and bears freely,
ripening in November and December. Norfolk
Beauty, the result of a cross between the varie-
ties Waltham Abbey seedling and Warner's
King ; it produces large, golden-coloured fruits,
which are excellent for cooking purposes, and

ripen in December and January. A valuable ad-
dition to late dessert Apples is found in the
variety Mrs. Phillimore ; the fruits are of medium
size, and the flavour is sweet and pleasant.
This variety remains in season from November
until February. Like the song of the brook
which is said to " go on for ever," so might I
continue this note by remarking upon the splen-
did examples of growth amongst the Pear and
other fruit trees.

More could be written of the extensive collec-
tion of coniferous trees and shrubs, of the large
and representative collection -of Roses, herba-
ceous and rock plants, not to mention the con-
tents of the many glasshouses.

But I cannot close these remarks without
making allusion to the magnificent collection of
orchard house trees and fruits which we had
on opportunity of seeing a few days before they
were exhibited at the fruit show of the Royal
Horticultural Society at Westminster. A finer
exhibit of hardy fruit than this was has proba-
bly never been seen at this or any other show.
.-1 Visitor.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

BERBERIS WILSONS.

The Index Flora Sinensis enumerates 25
species of Berberis as natives of China, but it
is probable that when all the material recently
collected in that country has been dealt with,
the list will have to be considerably extended.
Amongst other species brought to light since the
completion of the Index is Berberis Wilsona;.

A fine fruiting specimen of this new specie--;
was included in a group of choice shrubs shown
by Messrs. James Veitch and Sons at the meet-
ing of the Royal Horticultural Society on Octo-
ber 15, on which occasion the Floral Committee
awarded it a First-Class Certificate (see note on
p. 284).

In its native habitat Berberis Wilsonae occurs
on grassy mountains at elevations of from 2,000
to 5,800 feet in the neighbourhood of Tatien-lu,
Western China.

It is an elegant low-growing shrub 2 to 4 feet
high, with slender branches clothed with small
leaves disposed in clusters at regular intervals
along the growths. The leaves are somewhat
variable in shape, but usually oblanoeolate, ob-
tuse, entire, occasionally 3-fid, about \ to 1 inch
long by J to \ inch broad. The upper surface
of the leaf is bright green ; the under side white.
Subtending each cluster of leaves is a spreading
three-forked spine, bright red in colour when
young ; the middle spine the longest, measuring
i to J inch, the two lateral from J to i, inch in
length.

The numerous berries which follow the small
yellow flowers are produced on short stalks in
clusters of from four to six; they are bright,
coral-red where, exposed to the light, yellowish
on the opposite side, semi-translucent, sur-
mounted by the remains of the stigma which
appears as a slightly raised point.

Each berry contains from three to four
greenish-yellow oval seeds.

So far as at present observed, the fruit is im-
mune from the attacks of birds, and, in conse-
quence, promises to remain on the plant for some
time after attaining ripeness and colour.

In its native country the foliage is said to
assume very brilliant autumn tints, but in the
specimen exhibited the leaves were still green.
From its small size, spreading habit, and neat
appearance Berberis Wilsonse is a suitable sub-
ject for clothing banks or margins of shrub-
beries, or, planted in the rock garden, its bright
red berries would form a welcome colour in the
autumn months. //. Spooner.

November 30, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

373

PLANTING APPLE-TREES ON
HEAVY LAND.

In choosing a new site for an Apple orchard,
select somewhat elevated ground that slopes to
the south or south-west. In such a position the
water will drain freely away from the trees or
holes : the effects of frost will be less severe when
the trees are in flower, and the ground if slop-
ing will be much drier and, therefore, warmer.
The situation should if possible be sheltered on
all sides from cold winds. Holes 10 feet in width
and 3 feet 6 inches in depth should be dug for
planting, and if the soil is enriched and well cul-
tivated, it will provide a sufficient rooting
medium for many years. A drainage pipe 3 inches
in diameter should be laid from the hole into a
main drain that should run down between the
rows. Place a foot-deep layer of large stones in
(he bottom of the hole, and cover tin -..■ with
turves. Fill the rest of the hole with good maiden
loam fresh cut from an old pasture, and incor-
porate si line fresh lime, chalk, wood ashe^. and
road scrapings with the soil. Fresh manure should
nut lie used. If the soil is in a good condi-
tion, raise it 6 or 8 inches above the ground
level, and let it remain at this height when
the trees are planted. This will keep the roots
drier in winter, and allow of them being lifted,
should they afterwards require to be moved,
more expeditiously. Planting in this manner
will entail much labour and expense, but it
must be done if the best results are to be se-
cured. Half standard trees should be selected for
planting, as this form of tree does not catch the
wind so readily as tall standards, which are less
easily pruned and trained. All exposed sides of
the orchard should be planted with Nuts,
Damsons, Bullaces, and other kinds of hardy
Fruits. In the kitchen garden bush and pyra-
mid-trained trees are usually selected for plant-
ing, but the above remarks apply equally to
their planting, and, as in the case of standard
trees, they should be planted above the level
of the ground because these also have to be fre-
quently lifted before they arrive in a satisfai -
tory fruiting condition.

Lime is one of the most essential fertilisers
for heavy land, and especially in that devoted
to fruit culture. In these gardens the fruit-trees
are top-dressed in the autumn, as soon as the
fruit is gathered '1 his practice helps to keep
the roots warmer in winter, especially if the
manure is pricked in with a fork after an inter-
val of a few days : the mulching also tends
to keep away insect pests. The trees should be
syringed or sprayed in the autumn and
spring with an approved tree-wash.

In choosing the trees,' they should, if po
sible, be obtained from a nursery where the
ground is moderately heavy, for if they are
raised on land that is light and warm, they
will receive a check in their fresh quarters, and
niiii h time will elapse before they become ac-
customed to their new surroundings. The less
the trees are pruned on heavy soil, the less
prevalent will be canker. If they grow too
strongly and will not fruit, they should be root-
pruned, not with a spade, but with a sharp
knife. Prune as little as possible in winter ; if
the branches are too thick, thin them judi-
ciously after they have fruited, as the wound
or cut will then heal before winter arrives. Sum-
mer pinching is preferable to winter pruning.
Slow or weak-growing varieties may be pinched
shorter than gross-growing kinds, as the latter
often break into growth at their lower buds,
which would otherwise develop into fruit-buds.
The partial lifting of a few trees each year in the
autumn, and working in sors#: light soil mixed
with slacked lime, is, in the case of fruit-trees
on a heavy soil, also preferable to winter prun-
ing. Canker is a serious affection common to

Apple trees on heavy land, and som.s varieties
are more susceptible to the disease than others,
but generally when the trees are growing freely
canker is less prevalent. Dessert varieties such
as Cox's Orange Pippin, Allington Pippin,
Ribston Pippin, Charles Ross, and King of the
Pippins may be grown against walls as cordons,
the bottom of the border being concreted and
sloping to the south. Varieties of Apples that
succeed well in these gardens as standard and
pyramid trees are : — Dessert : Worcester Pear-
main, Adams' Pearmain, American Mother,
Beauty of Bath, Cockle Pippin, Cornish Aro-
matic, New Rock Pippin, Irish Peach, K
Tompkins' County, Lemon Pippin, Rosemary
Russet, and Scarlet Nonpareil. Culinary : Annie
Elizabeth, Beauty of Stoke, Bismarck, Bram-
ley's Seedling, Grenadier, Hanwell Souring,
Kentish Fillbasket, Lane's Prince Albert, Lord
Derby, Lord Grosvenor, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Sandringham, The Queen, Striped Beefing,
Schoolmaster, llawthornden, and Newton Won-
der. .-1. B. W.idds, Paddoekhurst Gara
Su

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

•Grapes, and How to Grow Them.

Tins little book consists of 109 pages of text,
but includes 32 useful illustrations. The work
is conveniently arranged into 19 chapters. Mr.
Sanders is responsible for an interesting intro-
duction, dealing with the history of the Grape
vine, and he has written several chapters in the
book itself. The information given in tin i hap-
ters, which include one on the "I ' I Diffi-

culties of Grape Culture," will prove very helpful
to beginners in Grape-culture. In respect of the
thinning of the fruit, we agree with the method
it procedure described by the author, but not
with the distance he recommends to be allowed be-
tween the berries retained to form the individual
bunches. The author says (page .r>2), in explain-
ing the process of thinning the bunches, that
"The berry at the extreme point of the bunch
should be left, and also those at the extreme
points of the branchlets, but that all others
should be cut away that are within half an inch
of it," adding that " the berries on the top part
of the bunch should be left as thick again,
because they have so much more room to swell."
We are somewhat reluctant to have to point
out this direction as a weak point in the excel-
lent cultural details so clearly indicated in tin-
pages of this book. A space of J inch is much
too little to allow between the berries left to
form the bunch in the process of thinning any
variety of Grape. Ii as it does not afford

sufficient space to admit of the development of
the berries to a good average size. A minimum
space of 1 inch should be allowed between the
crown or central berries in the process of thin-
ning the bunches of such varieties as Black
Hamburgh, Mrs. Pearson, Lady Downes, App-
ley Towers, Lady Hutt, and Foster's Seedling,
allowing a little more than 1 inch from berry-
to berry in thinning bunches of Madresfield
Court borne by strong robust-growing canes.
i)ne inch and a quarter will be none too much
space to allow between the berries in thinning
bunches of Gros Maroc, Gros Colmar, and
Black Alicante, seeing that the berries are capa-
ble of attaining to a large size when due space
is allowed for their development without in any
way interfering with the compactness of the in-
dividual bunches. Moreover, in the case of
Madresfield Court, Gros Maroc, and Black Ali-
cante, bevond the fact that the berries them-
selves are capable of growing to a large size,

the footstalks of the berries are short and stiff,
and on that account require the more space to
op themselves. Bunches of Gn - Guil.
laume, Buckland Sweetwater, Mrs. 1'iace's Black
Muscat, and Muscat of Alexandria seldom re-
quire to have more than the small berrn
out, as the bunches are somewhat loose in habit
of growth, and the berries, being furnished with
long footstalks, have ample room to swell to
their proper dimensions. The berries on the top
part of the individual bunches require very little
thinning, simply because they are on the top.
Mr. Sanders, in the last paragraph (page 12i of
his History of if, utes that the heaviest

bunch of Grapes of which he has any record
was a bunch of Gros Guillaume grown at Charl-
ville, Tullamore, Ireland, by the late Mr.
Roberts, and weighing 231b. 7oz. We may point
out, however, that two heavier bunches
grown in Scotland and exhibited in Edinburgh
some 30 years ago by Mr. Curror, ot" Eskbank,
Dalkeith, whose bunch of Trebbiana scaled 261b.
•toz. Mr. Dickson, of Arkleton, Dumfriesshire,
staged a bunch of the White Nice Grape, which
weighed 251b. 1.3oz., both bunches having been
weighed at the show by the judges. The last
17 pages of Grapes and II ow to Grow Them con-
sists of monthly calendars, in which useful re-
minders of work to be done during each month in
the year are given in the most lucid manner. W .

VEGETABLES.

* By J. Lansdell ; edited by J. W. San. leu. W. II. & I .
Collingridge, US & 149, Aldersgate Street, London, E.C. ;
price one shilling.

RARER KINDS WORTHY OF CULTIVA-
TION.

In many gardens there is a demand t
greater variety of vegetables, and especially is
this so in severe winters, when the choice is re-
stricted to what are termed common vegetables.
At this season, if the supply of vegetables
can be added to by increased varieties without
resorting to forcing, there will be a gain.
Forced vegetables are valuable, but the n
are not always available for their forcing.

( lELEEIAC. — This is a delicious vegetable, but
how seldom one sees it grown ; indeed, I note that
in one large seed grower's catalogue a line or
two suffices for its notice, whereas pages are
devoted to the kinds of many vegetables of lesser
value. On the Continent this vegetable is i.i
constant use from November to May, and is
served cooked in several ways. It is ex -
when cut up as is Beetroot, and eaten as a salad,
whilst as a boiled vegetable it is equally good.
The culture is quick and simple r in tact, it does
not need so much attention as Celery. A deeply-
dug, well-enriched soil should be selected 1
planting. A distance of 2 feet apart between
the rows, and half that measurement between
the roots will suffice. Plants raised from seeds
sown in March or April in a frame, and after-
wards planted out when large enough, will fur-
nish good roots for winter use. All the side
growths should be removed, and in the case of a
light soil I advise planting in a deep drill as
this will assist in keeping the roots moist.
Deep trenches as in the case of Celery, are not
required, and the plants, though nearly hardy,
should, on a wet or heavy soil, be lifted late in
the autumn and stored in a cool shed or store
fur winter use. As previously stated, the several
varieties are not catalogued in this country, but
there are at least half-a-dozen good kinds grown
for the Paris market and some splendid root-
are sent from France to Covent Garden. We
can in this country grow roots of equal size and
quality to those on the Continent. To obtain
extra fine roots I have sown seed early in Febru-
ary in heat, pricked out the seedlings in boxes,
and planted them in their permanent quarters

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 30, 1907.

earlv in May. This practice gives a long grow-
ing reason, and the plants make fine roots. The
Large Early is a very reliable variety, and other
1 kinds are Pine Apple and Large Knob.

Salsafv. — This vegetable is quite different in
flavour to any other, and may be classed as an
excellent winter vegetable. It may be grown
like the Carrot, and be kept in a good condition
till May by storing in a cool, frost-proof shed.
The varieties are not numerous. The one known
as Sutton's Giant is a much superior root to the
old common form. This vegetable is grown on
the Continent under various names. A large,
fleshy, thick-rooted variety is much superior to
the forked, smaller-rooted ones. Salsafy seed
should not be sown very earl)', as early-
sown plants, especially in light soils, have a
tendency to "boh." I prefer May sowings if the
roots are intended for keeping; indeed, I have
mostly made two sowings in the south, the one
for autumn and the other for use after Christ-
mas. I have alluded to the distinct flavour of
this vegetable, and on this account it is valu-
able, but its importance lies in giving variety at
a -eason of the year when choice is limited.

Scokzoneka. — This root also is well worth in-
cluding in a list of winter vegetables. In growth
it is somewhat like Salsafy, but the long roots
are black. The same culture is required, and
much the same remarks apply as to flavour as in
the case of Salsafy. The large Russian variety
is the best, and greatly superior to the ordinary
type.

Cardoox. — This is a green vegetable, and its
culture requires more labour than the roots
above cited, but the plant is worthy of trial.
Crown for an autumn supply, it furnishes a
good return, and is a distinct vegetable when
cooked. The plant closely resembles the Globe
Artichoke, but the leaf portion is the edible
part, and this requires blanching. Seeds sown
under glass similar to those of Celery, and the
seedlings planted out in trenches in rich soil in
May. will make excellent plants. A supply of this
vegetable may be had for winter use by sowing
seed in trenches 3 feet apart in May, and thin-
ning the seedlings afterwards to 18 inches. An
abundance of moisture is required in dry wea-
ther, and liquid manure is very beneficial. The
blanching is best done in September or October.
The plants, if lifted late in November, can be
kept in a good condition for some weeks if
placed in a cellar or root store.

Spinach Beets. — In many gardens the ordi-
nary varieties of Spinach frequently fail, especi-
ally if the situation is very moist. The Per-
petual or Spinach Beet is a good substitute, as
this plant is not readily affected by climatic
■ hanges. Seeds sown in April will afford the
means of raising an early supply and a June
sowing a winter one. It is necessary, in order
to obtain strong plants, that ample room be given ;
not less than 18 inches between the rows and half
lli it distance between the plants. A supply of this
table may be easily maintained until the
.-sown Spinach is available. G. Wythes.

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mis. Ford, Pencarrovv,
Cornwall.

Border Chrysanthemums. — Remove the old
flower stems from all the varieties which have
finished flowering, and afford the standard
kinds a mulching or a layer of ashes around
their crowns as a protection against cold
weather. A few plants of each variety should
be lifted and planted in a cold frame or pit.
Some surplus plants of the large-flowered vatic-
tie which were planted here at the foot of an

old wall and in vacant places in the borders
have been most useful. These plants were not
disbudded and required little attention beyond
staking and an occasional watering. There is
now a large selection of early-flowering varieties,
but such old favourites as Mme. C. Desgrange.
George Wermig, Market Pink, October Yellow,
and Koi des Prccoces should not be discarded.
The single-flowered Ladysmith makes a capital
border variety.

IP dge Briars. — Briars for budding purposes
should now be collected. These must be
selected with judgment or many will be found
to be of little use. "When trimming their roots,
remove only the stump roots and retain as many
fibrous roots as possible. The dwarf stocks may
be planted together in a nursery bed, but it will
be better to plant any tall Briars in their perma-
nent quarters.

Planting under trees. — Now that most of the
leaves have fallen from the deciduous trees, the
bare spaces under them becomes more in evi-
dence. Where the shade is dense, grass fails to
grow, and even special mixtures of grasses only-
answer for a short time. Under many Conifers
it is almost impossible to induce anything to
maintain a healthy appearance, and Ivy, which
may be looked upon as a last resource under
most trees, becomes drawn and sickly. Lender
these conditions one can only plant outside the
radius of the tree so as to hide the bare place
behind. In such cases there is a wide range of
material from which to select, but whatever is
employed should be kept so pruned that they do
not grow up into the trees. With such trees,
deciduous or evergreen, as permit a moderate
amount of light to penetrate through their
branches, a fair measure of success may be
assured. The soil around the tree should be
broken up as much as possible without injuring
the roots of the tree. If at all dry, apply a
thorough watering, then add a goodly quantity
of fresTi soil so that the shrubs to be planted
may have plenty of nourishment. After plant-
ing, tie securely those plants which are likely
to be disturbed by the draughts which are com-
mon to such places, and water the ground
thoroughly. For some weeks after the planting
has been done, time should be spared to syringe
the shrubs on dry days. The best kinds of plant
to be used will depend largely on the district
and the density of the shade : evergreens of as
dwarf a character as possible should largely pre-
dominate. The following and many others of a
like character are very suitable: — Ivies, Andro.
meda Catesbaei, Haultheria Shallon, G. pro-
cumbens, Kuscus aculeatus, R. hvpophvllum,
R. h. var. hypoglossum, Hypericum ralycinum,
(lex europaeus, I". nana, Vincas, Fuonvmus,
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea, Sweet Briar, and many
species of Rosa. The Hart's Tongue Fern grows
freely under shade if planted in a light soil, and
many bulbous plants, such as the Colchicums,
Lily of the Valley, the hardy Cyclamens, &c,
may also be planted.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to I. Thomson Paton, Esq.
Norwood, Alloa, Clai kmannanshire.

Pate Grapes, such as Lady Oowne. Black Ali-
cante, and Gros Colmar, still hanging on the
vines, will require to be examined carefully and
regularly for the purpose of removing any de-
caying berries, which, if allowed to remain,
would quickly cause other berries to decay also.
This is the worst season of the year for keeping
Grapes. Gather all decayed leaves as soon as
they fall from the vines; admit abundance of
air throughout the day during favourable
weather, and leave the top ventilator just a little
open during the night, except when there is
frost. Turn a little heat into the water pipes
at sunset just to expel damp. Keep the atmos-
phere of the house as dry and yet as cool as
possible ; its temperature should never exceed
45" at night. Do not permit any plants thai
require root waterings to remain in a vinery
where ripe Grapes are hanging, as the watering
of such plants would cause much damp in the
housi

Pruning vines. — Vines that have shed their
lea' :s, and from which all the fruit has been
cut, may be pruned after the houses have been
thoroughly washed with hot water and soft soap,
and the wood-work painted if necessary. The

walls should be lime-washed with a wash made
by mixing 4 lb. of hot lime, 1 lb. of flowers of
sulphur, and - gallons of water. ';' tir this mix-
ture well whilst using it. It is nev. .•ssarv, some-
times, to reserve this work for wet or otherwise
inclement weather, as then the outside staff may
be comfortably employed during such weather.
Wash and dress the vines with the Gishurst
Compound, especially if red spider has been pre-
valent. Remove the surface soil of the inside
border down to the roots, and replace this with
well-chopped turfy loam. To each barrow-load
of loam add a 6-inch potful of a fine-grade vine
manure. Work in this top-dressing among the
surface roots, and make all firm as the work
proceeds. The borders should be tested, and if
the soil is found to be dry apply a moderate
watering, which will suffice until the time
arrives for starting the vines into growth.

Young vines will now have finished their
growth, and will require fire heat with air to
assist in properly maturing the wood before the
end of the year, after which time the young
canes should be pruned back to the bottom ol
the rafter.

Tomatos. — The winter crip -hould now be
mostly set, it being almost impossible to induce
Tomatos to flower in winter. Be careful
with the watering of the plants, and more es-
pecially if they are planted into borders. Pot
culture is preferable during winter. Apply a
little ventilation daily and sufficient fire-heat to
maintain a warm, dry atmosphere. The average
winter atmospheric temperatures for Tomatos
in the day time should be, maximum 70°, mini-
mum 65L', and at night 60°. Rub out all side
growths as they appear, and keep a sharp look-
out for white fly, fumigating lightly if this pest
is discovered. Young plants for potting in early
spring now in 3-inch pots should be wintered
near to the glass in an intermediate house or a
cool vinery. Exercise care in applying root-
waterings.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobhain I'ark, Surrey.

Forcing Asparagus. — Although the crowns,
owing to the abnormal season, have not enjoyed
a long period of rest, their lifting for fun ing
should be no longer delayed. It was noticed in
digging up some of these plants a few days
ago that new growths 3 inches in length were
present : with a view of checking this premature
growth, it will be advisable to lift the riots
some 10 days or a fortnight previous to their
being introduced into heat for forcing, and
litter should be placed about them when they
are lifted to protect them from the drying in-
fluences of wind and air, which are very in-
jurious to Asparagus roots.

Permanent beds of Asparagus that have been
made tidy should receive a good dressing of
manure as soon as a favourable opportunity
occurs to permit of the manure being wheeled
on to the beds. By applying this dressing now,
the manurial properties will get washed down
into the ground before spring arrives.

Pillage. — Digging and other ground work will
now be in full operation, and I once more
advise that, during the time this work is in pro-
. the sites of next season's crops be con-
sidered, for if this work is planned now, much
labour and manuring will be saved. Some crops
require considerably more manure than others,
and ground that was heavily manured last sea-
son might, with a suitable change of crop, an*

swer without any this season. It is g 1

practice to plant roots such as Salsafy,
Beet, &c, on land that was previous!)
occupied by Celery, or on ground that
was well trenched for Peas last winter. By
a systematic rotation of crops, arranged for
at this period of the year, the best results are
obtained, and much time is saved during the
busy months of spring. A general survey should
also be made of the various crops of the entire
garden, with a view of improving the selei i i I
of varieties, and with the object of deciding tin-
cause of any indifferent results and failures

Ti.ol-ieds. — Continue to collect litter for the
making of hot-beds for protecting Ci
during sharp frosts. The material should be as
dry as possible, and not be allowed to lie on
the tops of the Celery longer than is absolutely
necessary, as its presence will, in a short tune,
cause damping.

November 30, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

<i ■>

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell I .n k, Kent.

Perpetual- flowering 1 amotions. — The main
batch is now at its best, and to enable the
blooms to last in good condition as long as pos-
sible, care should be taken to pievent the at-
mosphere of the house from becoming very
damp. The temperature at night should range
between 45° and 50J, according to the condi-
tions prevailing out-of-doors. A little ventila-
tion should be allowed all the night unless there
is severe frost. Each morning increase the
amount of ventilation as the heat in the house
increases, until the atmospheric temperature is
55°, when the ventilators may be opened to the
full. Watering should be done as early in the
day as possible. These newer varieties appear
to be very susceptible to the fungous diseases,
more especially if kept in too warm an atmos-
phere, but if every particle of diseased foliage
is cut off and burnt as soon as seen, I believe
either disease may soon be eradicated. At this
season of the year when the space available
under glass is more than usually valuable, it is
often difficult to obtain the most suitable degree
of heat for the various plants, and this know-
ledge may have deterred some from growing
winter-blooming Carnations. However, if no
other house is available for these plants, then
the houses in which fruit trees are resting will
suit them admirably. 1 he flowers mry be long 1 i 1
opening, but less heat than I have recommenced
above is to be preferred, at this season, to exces'-
sive heat which would soon cause the plants to
become enfeebled. Amongst the many varieties
at present on the market and in cultivation
here, Fair Maid is specially satisfactory both for
the freedom with which its beautiful pink flowers
are produced on long, stiff stems, and also for
the lasting qualities of the flowers in a cut state.
Lady Bountiful is still one of the best for its
purity, quality of bloom and freedom, and for
its free-flowering habit, but White Perfection
and White Lawson yield blooms that are rather
heavier and are worth cultivation. Lord Rose-
bery is a fine, dark crimson, producing very large
flowers, but is not nearly so free in flowering as
Harlowarden, which, of its colour, I have found
to be the best. Crusader is a very good scarlet
flower, and identical in colour with Britannia,
but it flowers later than that variety. Reliance,
which improves on further acquaintance, is now
giving good blooms with very sturdy growths.
Mrs. H. Burnett is a lovely shade of salmon-
pink. T. W. Lawson is still very useful, also the
white Mrs. S. J. Brooks which, though not so
large in bloom as most of the varieties men-
tioned, is well worth growing for the great quan-
tity of good-shaped flowers produced of a size
very suitable for "button-holes." Nelson
Fisher seems rather a weak grower, but the
blooms are beautiful. Hannah Hobart is the
largest of its colour that I have grown so far,
the flowers being also of good shape. Royalty
(pink) is free-flowering, but the blooms are
small. Countess Lytton, of the same shad; as
Mrs. L. Rothschild, is improving, the flowers
being of especially good form. These, with En-
chantress, of similar tint to the old blush " Mal-
maison," make up a fairly representative col-
lection. Winsor, Aristocrat, Elliot's Queen, and
a few other varieties I have not grown long
enough to speak of their qualities with certainty.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Pleiones. — The Indian Pleiones, if well grown,
form valuable decorative plants, and are capable
of furnishing pretty flow-ers that are suitable for
" button-holes." Such varieties as P. concolor,
P. maculata, P. lagenaria, P. praecox, and P.
Wallichiana are now passing out of bloom, and
it will be noticed that the parts from which the
flowers have sprung are in reality the new
pseudo-bulbs, which are, at present, very small,
and scarcely formed. At the base of these
young bulbs numerous small white roots will
very quickly show themselves, and it is at this
stage that the plants should be turned out of
the old soil and afforded fresh-rooting material.
Shallow pans are very convenient receptacles in
which to cultivate Pleiones, being easily sus-
pended. Pans having a diameter of 8 inches or
10 inches, and therefore capable of holding from
15 to 20 of the largest pseudo-bulbs, are most

suitable. Drain the pans to about half their
depth with clean crocks, placing them very care-
fully in position, for the plants, requiring lai
quantities of water when in full growth, it 1-
necessary that any excess should be able t<
freely away. The compost should consist of
fibrous loam, peat, and chopped sphagnum-moss
in equal parts, adding some finely-broken crocks
and coarse silver sand, and mixing all the in-
gredients well together ; keep the centre ps
bulbs well raised, gradually sloping the others
clown towards the edge of the pan. Make the
compost rather firm, and when the operation is
finished place the pan containing the pseudo-
bulbs near to the roof glass at the coolest and
best ventilated part of the Cattleya or interme-
diate house. Apply water sparingly until the
young growths are well advanced, and as roots
become plentiful, and the leaves commence to
expand, so must the quantity of water be in-
creased. When the plants have become estab-
lished, they may be syringed overhead occasion-
ally, and the usual waterings mav be supple-
mented with applications of weak manure water,
afforded about once each week. The cooler-
growing Pin i< as 1'. humilis and 1'. Hookeri-
ana have completed their growth, and will here-
after require only just sufficient water to pre-
vent the pseudo-bulbs from shrivelling. Sus-
pend the pans in the lightest position available
in the Odontoglossum house. The plants should
flower in February.

Triehofileas. — Such species as T. suavis, T.
coccinea, T. tortile, T. rostrata, T. crispa, and
T. lepida having completed their growth-; will
not require so much water at the root as formerly,
or their leaves will become spotted. A coo], 111.
termediate atmosphere will suit them, but
plants of T. suavis, which are now producing
their flower-spikes, should be placed in the
warmer atmosphere of the Cattleya house. Tri-
chopilea fragrans, variety nobilis, often called
Pilumna nobilis, is now flowering; it is one of
the best of white, sweet-scented Orchids. Keep
this plant in a somewhat shadv position at
all times, as its leaves are apt to turn yellow
if exposed to much sunshine. After the plants
have flowered, be careful not to afford the roots
too much water. Repotting may be done in
February.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
I .ist Devon,

Pruning (continued J. — Red and White Cur-
rants should have the side shoots cut back
to within J inch of their origin, leaving 6 inches
of new growth on the main branches if exten-
sion is deemed necessary. The finest fruits of
Black Currants are produced on wood of the
previous year's development, and in their case
a few of the best located basal growths should
be left to take the place of old and exhausted
branches. Any young shoots of an undue length
should be stopped, others not required be en-
tirely removed, and the lateral growths on the
main branches spurred back. There are two re-
cognised systems of pruning the Gooseberry. The
old practice of spurring back those shoots made
during the preceding summer has fallen into dis-
use. The newer practice is to retain entire any
shoots needed to form a well-balanced bush,
shortening those that exceed 15 inches in length,
and entirely removing any old branches that
are not required for furnishing the bush. Even
in this case some of the shoots must be cut well
back to allow of the fruits being conveniently
gathered. In gardens where birds pick out the
buds of Gooseberries and Currants, the bushes
should be syringed two or three times during
the winter, either with Bentlev's liquid prepara-
tion or some other distasteful ingredient. Choos?
a fine day for the spraying.

Figs. — In gardens where severe frosts prevail,
the branches should be unfastened from the
wall, and be tied in convenient bundles so that
they can be quickly protected with bands of
hay, straw, or bracken.

The fruii room. — Afford a little ventilation
daily, unless the weather is wet or foggy.
Examine Apples and Pears frequently, as a de-
cayed fruit quickly infects its neighbour. Cox's
Orange Pippin and King of the Pippins are now
in condition for the table, and amongst the
newer varieties of Apples now in season are :
Allington Pippin, Charles Ross, The Houblon
and Rival. Most of the better varieties of Pears

unfortunately ripen before the New Year arrives,
and even those irari fi catalogued as ripe in
December ai last their best condition b,

the middle of November. Vm n the best late-
ripening Pears are 1 ... Zephirin
goire, President Barabe, and Le Lectier.
General remarks. — From November 8 1
November 22, very little rain has fallen in
locality, thus the planting of fruit trees and
bushes has been uninterrupted. On cold, heavy
soils planting during November is almost an
impossibility, and unless it can be done quite
early in November, planting should be post-
poned until about the first week in February.
See that all purchased trees are correcth lal
before the nurserymen's names become ob'ite-
rated. As opportunity offers, continue the d
struction of American blight on Apple trees bv
the use of methylated spirit or Gishutst com-
pound, which, with a later winter spraying of
caustic wash, should rid the trees of this pest,

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

B) W, W, Pettigrew, Sup- tmtendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the * it) ai Cardiff.

The " Un —With the advent of

:, park superintendents in many citKs are
faced with the possibility of having to find work
for the unemployed. When the unemployed are
engaged upon any work connected with parks,
it generally means that the officers in charge
have to put up with a considerable amount of
worry and anxiety in addition to much extra
work, for which the return is very small. The
same work, if undertaken by ordinary picked
workmen, would invariably be more efficient]}
carried out than when performed by the un-
employed, and probably at half the cost. Those
wh 1 have had any lengthened experience of the
" unemployed " ate too well aware of the fact
that, however deserving of sympathy they may
be, the greater number of them are often totally
unfit, either from the lack of experience or on
account of physical debility, to accomplish a
good day's work. When it is remembered that
in times of distress, tailors, shoemakers, factory
hands, all classes of casual labour, and even
the ubiquitous ''corner boy," form part of the
unemployed, it will not be wondered at that the
work is of poor quality and the troubles of the
officials great.

.1 redeeming feature. — From the superinten-
dent's standpoint, there is but one advantage
in utilising the services of the unemployed. It
is that he is sometimes enabled to get work
undertaken upon their account which would
otherwise be impossible, as requiring too much
expenditure. When a grant of money is made —
as it was in some cities almost annually prior to
the passing of the " Unemployed Act " — for the
purposes of providing labour for men out of
employment, it is sometimes easy, by showing
that certain work lends itself to the purpose,
to get it carried out free of charge to the depart-
ment. Even when the parks are debited with
such expenditure, no one finds fault, as the
money was spent, not so much in the interest of
the parks as for the benefit of the "unemployed."

Value of discipline. — The most satisfactory
method of dealing with this class of workmen
is to make them feel that they are not intended
to be the recipients of charity, but must earn
the money they receive, and that if they do not
try to do so, then you will dispense with their
services. The best piece of work I have known
done by the " unemployed " was carried out
under such conditions, although when they were
first started there was a little difficulty in get-
ting them to understand that it was not simply
a matter of putting in so many hours a day
with wages assured to them, but that it was
really "work" that was expected. After a few
loafers had been severely dealt with, this fact
was fully recognised, with the result that the
majority worked to the best of their ability.
It is always a good plan for park officials to
keep in view certain special work that, if neces-
sary, could be undertaken by the "unemplo
The cleaning out or forming of ponds, filling
up and soiling uneven parts of recn
grounds, turning over and preparing ground for
tree-planting, forming and ballasting carriage-
ways or footpaths, are matters which, under
suitable supervision, may be more or less
cessfully carried out by men selected
among the " unemployed

376

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 30, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
USHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side onlv of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents. — The Editor does not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
carefulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sendingto
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our renders, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

Illustrations. - The Editor will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c, but he
cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Appointments for December.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3—

Scottish Hort. Assoc, meet. Nat. Amateur Card. Assoc,
meet.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4—

Nat. Chrys. Soc. Exh. at Crystal Palace (:i da} s'.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7—

Soc. Franc. d'Hort. de Londres meet. German Gard.
Soc. meet.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9-

United Ben. & Prov. Soc. Corns, meet.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10— Roy. Hort. Soc. corns, meet.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11—

Winter Flowering Carnation Soc. Ex'nh. in Regent's
Park.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12—

National Rose Society's Annual meet, and Dinner at
Hotel Windsor.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21— German Gard. Soc. meet.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25—
Christmas Day (Quarter Day).

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26— Bank Holiday.
FRIDAY, DF.CEMBER 27— Roy. Bot. Soc. meet.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex.
Council meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 40*9*.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, November 27(6 p.m.): Max. 53°
Mill. 49".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, November
28 (10 a.m.): Bar.,29-7; Temp., 52"; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces. — Wednesday, November 27 (6 p.m.) : Max. 51-',
England S. ; Min. 88*, Scotland N.E. Coast.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, Sec, at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C. 0

MONDAY to FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Prother..,
& Morris, at 10.30.

MONDAY and FRIDAY—

Roses, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe &
Morris, at 1.30.

TUESDAY—

Unreserved Clearance Sale of the whole of the Stock
and Utensils in Trade at The Nurseries, Coburg Road,
Upper Teddington, by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.

WEDNESDAY—

Roses, at 1.30 ; Palms, Azaleas, and Plants, at 5, at
67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

THURSDAY-

Sale of Nursery Stock at Bury Road Nurseries, Gosport,
by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

FRIDAY—

Orchids in variety, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

During the next few months,

Late- when plantins- operations of all
blooming . . \. , . ,

Roses. descriptions may be carried out

with results more or less satis-
factory, it will be well to reflect upon the
degree of usefulness exhibited by particular
varieties of Roses during the past season.

There can be no question that the Roses
which are of the greatest value for garden
cultivation are those which are capable of

flowering both early and late in the
season. There are many varieties invalu-
able for exhibition which arc bv no means re-
markable for the production of what are
generally termed "autumnal" flowers.
Marchioness of Londonderry, for example,
as a general rule only blooms once during the
season, and usually as late as the end of July.
On the contrary, such fine Hybrid Per-
petuals as Captain Hay ward and A. K.
Williams, which as a rule come early into
flower, are sometimes found producing
blooms of great beauty at the commencement
of November. On November 9 we had the
pleasure of gathering a bouquet of Roses
from such excellent varieties as Margaret
Dickson, Clio, Hcrmosa, Madame Pernet
Ducher, Papa Gontier, and Viscountess
Folkestone, the flowers being almost as
bright and beautiful as those which developed
in the middle of July. What was even more
gratifying was the fact that they still retained
their fragrance at this cold and sunless season
of the year. The China Roses are especially
valuable for the production of late autumnal
blooms, and particularly that well-known
variety termed the Monthly Rose. Heroic it
undoubtedly is, for frost alone can check its
marvellous perpetuality. This variety may
occasionally be seen flowering with the
greatest equanimity even on the approach of
December. Laurette Messimy, raised by M.
Guillot in iSSy, and hardly since excelled for
distinctive beauty, is also very floriferous
quite late in the year. An extremely charming
hybrid between the China and Tea sections
having similar qualities is Enchantress,
which, when sent out in the year 1896 by
Messrs. VVm. Paul and Son, was hailed by
Rosarians as the first of a new and very
fascinating race. Of the many varieties of re-
cent origin which flower freely in late autumn,
one of the loveliest is Warrior, which, how-
ever, loses considerably its dark crimson colour
in October, and then reverts to something of
the normal complexion of its probable parent,
Papa Gontier, which it strikingly resembles
in its growth and characteristics. Of the
older Tea Roses, a supreme favourite is the
cream-coloured Devoniensis. The blooms are
much smaller, and perhaps a little less fra-
grant in October than in July, but they are
hardly less beautiful. It is sometimes said
that Devoniensis is exceedingly difficult to
grow, but this has not been borne out by our
own experience. The lovely hybrid Noisette
variety Madame Alfred Carriere is usually
only a summer flowering variety, but in some
gardens it flowers also in late autumn.

Many of the finest Roses have continued to
produce their flower-buds this season after
the climatic conditions had become unsuitable
for their successful development. Such a
Rose as the magnificent Frau Karl Druschki,
for example, cannot open its petals with
much facility amid the cheerless conditions
prevalent at the commencement of Novem-
ber; the flower-buds in such cases are pic-
tures of hope impossible of fruition.

Our Supplementary Illustration to the

present issue represents what is probably the most
gorgeous species of Eucalyptus in cultivation.
Eucalyptus ficifolia is a native of West Australia,
and, in some botanical features connected with
the fruit and foliage, is most closely allied to
E. calophylla. The species was originally
described by the late Baron Sir F. Mueller, in
his Fragmenta, Vol. II., p. 85. For garden pur-

poses the unique value of this species consists
in the scarlet flower's, which are showy to the
highest degree. The late Baron Sir F. Mueller
has described it as flowering at the end of
January and beginning of February in its
native country, " when the flowers diffuse a rich,
red hue over the dark green foliage of the land-
scape." The tree is said to grow to a moderate
size as compared with other species ; the hand-
some leaves are often 6 inches in length. Our
illustration has been reproduced from a sketch
prepared by Mr. Worthington Smith, from
specimens exhibited at a meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society in August last by W,
North Row, Esq., Cove House, Tiverton,
Devonshire, with whom the species flowered in
the open garden. The species is cultivated in the
Temperate House, Royal Gardens, Kew, but has
not flowered there. It has flowered many times
in the month of August in a cool Palm house in
the gardens of Mrs. Fitzroy Fletcher, of
Letham Grove, Arbroath, N.B., and commenced
to flower when only seven years old, the plant
having been raised from seeds received direct
from Australia. A figure prepared from speci-
mens obtained from Mrs. Fletcher's garden
was published in the Botanical Magazine, tab.
7697. We reproduce a figure of the fruit of
Eucalyptus ficifolia which was published in
these pages, together with illustrations of fruits
of several other species, on October 13, 1883. ■

Linnean Society. — A meeting will be held
on Thursday, December 5, at 8 p.m., when the
following papers will be read: — Professor J.
Arthur Thomson, " Report on Alcyonaria of
the Sudanese Red Sea " ; Mr. H. C. Chadwick,
" Report on the Crinoidea of the Sudanese Red
Sea" ; Prof. R. J. Harvey Gibson, M.A., F.L.S.,
" Notes on Some Marine Algae from the
Red Sea." Exhibitions: — Dr. Otto Stapk,
F.L.S., specimens of Spartina Townsendii, as
illustrating its distribution in Britain ; W. A. P.
Young, F.L.S., lantern slides, showing stages
of soil-denudation consequent on the removal of
forests.

National Rose Society. — The annual
general meeting of the National Rose Society
will be held at the Westminster Palace Hotel,
Victoria Street, S W., on Thursday, December 12,
at 3.30 p m. This dinner will be followed at
6 p.m. by the annual dinner of the Society, which
will take place at the Hotel Windsor, Victoria
Street, S.W. Mrs. Hole and her son, Mr. Hugh
Hole, have promised to attend the dinner. Edward
Mauley, Hon. Secretary.

Presentation to a Nursery Manager. —

Mr. A. Miciiie, who has occupied the position
of acting manager to the firm of Messrs. Laing .
and Mather, nurserymen, Kelso, for a period of
about 20 years, has started in business for him-
self at Alnwick. On his leaving Kelso, Mr.
Michie was presented with a purse of gold from
the temperance and religious workers of the town.

Belgian Horticulture. — We are glad to see
that our contemporary La Tribune Hortieole has
resumed publication after the brief interruption
caused by a strike on the part of the operatives.
The new number, containing three wesks' issue,
contains an open letter addressed to the
Government of Belgium, urging that steps
may be taken to ensure the more direct
representation on the Government of the
interests of horticulture. It is pointed out
that, from a national point of view, the im-
portance of horticulture is rapidly increasi tg :
and it is suggested that it is. officially, very
inadequately represented at the present time,
seeing that the Ministry of Agriculture is already
overburdened with other duties.

Eucalyptus ficifolia as it flowered out-of-doors at Cove House, Tiverton, Devon.
Calyx green, slightly tinged with red ; filaments of
stamens scarlet \ anthers deep red.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15. Rosebery Avenue. London, E.C.

November 30, 1S07.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

■j i i

Presentation to a Gardener. -To mark
the attainment of his silver wedding and his
twentieth year in the family's employment, Mr. J.
Pentland, Ashwicke Hall Gardens, Marshfield,
Chippenham, has just received from his employer,
C. H. B. Firth, Esq , a silver tea-service. Mr.
Pentland, it will be remembered, contributed our
weekly Calendar on "The Kitchen Garden" in
1904.

The Kew Guild Journals. — We are re-
quested by Mr. \V. N. Winn, Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew, and secretary of the Kew Guild,
to state that he wishes to obtain copies of the
Journal for 1893, and would be glad to hear from
anyone who has a copy or copies to spare.

Memorial Trees at Ingestre and Alton
Towers. — During the King's recent visit to
Ingestre and Alton Towers his Majesty planted
two young Cedar trees (Cedrus atlantica), one at
Ingestre and the other at Alton Towers. The
silver spade was handed to his Majesty by Mr.
E. Giluak, head gardene-

Maqui Berries. — Under this name the small
fruits of Aristotelia Maqui, L'Herit. (N. O.
Tiliaceae), have tecently been offered at the
London drug sales. For the last 20 years thest
berries have been imported into France and
Chili, and are used for colouring wines. The
fruits, as imported, are about the size of Black
Pepper, and, like those of Rhamnus cathartica,
show four segments, each containing a trian-
gular seed. Except that they exhibit no trace of
an adherent calyx, they might easily be mistaken
for Buckthorn berries. If wetted and rubbed
on paper they give an immediate purple stain
resembling Burgundy wine in colour. In France
they have taken the place of Elderberries, which
were formerly used in colouring wines. In 1884
France imported 500 kilos. ; in 1886, 115,600
kilos. ; and in 1887, 315,705 kilos. E. M.
Holmes, in the Pharmaceutical Journal, Novem-
ber 16.

Trinidads Fruit Trees. — According to a
paragraph in the last number of the Agricul-
tural News of Barbados, the fruit trade of
Trinidad is in a decidedly progressive condition.
As many as 10,000 bunches of Bananas, it is
stated, are shipped to England every fortnight.
Although on the estates of one proprietor in
Naparima, Bananas have begun to displace
sugar cultivation, yet it is not thought at all
likely that such a change will become general.
Indeed, it is said not to be wished that sugar
should be so displaced, as the new crop would
not require anything like the same amount of
labour as the present standard crop of the
island, nor would it be the means of putting
so much money into circulation. With the sugar
industry of Trinidad still prosperous, however,
there is at the same time abundant room for a
subsidiary, but also prosperous, Banana industry,
and one, moreover, specially adapted for small
cultivators. Nevertheless, there is a growing
demand in the island for Banana suckers, which
are being planted in considerable quantity on
Cacao and sugar estates. There is a large trade
also being done in Oranges and Limes.

Rural Education in France. — It is not

only in England that the constant flow of popu-
lation from the country to the towns excites the
apprehension of those who have the welfare of
the race at heart. In France the same trouble
exists, and the matter has recently been studied
with a view of finding a cure, by M. L.
Henry. As the result of a full investigation
into what is being done in other countries, he
urges the foundation by the State of schools in
which the ;irls shall be taught the principles of

rural economy in the widest sense. Criticising
this suggestion, M. Condry, writing in the
Journal de la Societe Nationale d' Horticulture de
France, states that it is the boys and youug men
of the rural districts who want this instruction,
pointing out that conscription necessarily re-
moves all the male population to urban centres
for a part of their life, and that it is therefore es-
sential to e:tert a counter influence against the at-
traction of the town. No doubt there is much
in the argument, and it is a comforting reflec-
tion that in a matter of this sort we are not
behind our neighbours. The instruction in rural
matters given under the auspices of the County
Councils in the country districts, added to the
wise policy of encouraging gardening, &c,
which the Board of Education has introduced
into the elementary schools, shows that England
is at least alive to, and is trying to grapple with
one of the serious problems of the present age.

Hot Water and Seed Germination. — It

is well known that many seeds germinate more
quickly if they are soaked in warm water before
they are sown. M. E. Draps-Dom, writing in
the Tribune Horticole, mentions that he obtained
remarkable success with some refractory Palm
seeds by keeping them for some hours in hot
water — so hot, indeed, as to be almost boiling.

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES.

Fig 154. — fruit of eucalyptus ficikolia.
(See also Supplementary Illustration.)

Thus a large sowing of 10,000 Latania seeds ger-
minated very evenly 14 days after sowing. It
is not likely that seeds would stand this
treatment unless they fulfilled two conditions,
viz., they must be dry to start with, and water
under any circumstances must only penetrate
them slowly. For anything like the tempera-
ture of boiling water would, of course, kill
the embryo if its cells contained any moisture,
whilst it is known that dry seeds can withstand
a temperature (as long as their living cells re-
main dry) even higher than that of boiling
water.

Rust on Hollyhocks. — This disease has
been assigned to various causes, but not until
lately have I become convinced beyond a doubt
that there exists a remedy for the disease. This
remedy consists in the main of what is know as
sulpho-naphthol, which is a liquid. A table-
spoonful of this liquid is put into an ordinary-
pailful — or nearly so — of water, and then the
water agitated, after which the plants affected
should be sprayed with this emulsion. Mor.-
than one application ma)- be required for a com-
plete cure, but cure eventually it will. D. J/.,
in the Florists' Exchange, November 2.

Publications Received. Punch Almanack for

1908. — Trees and "Their Stories, by Percy Groom,
illustrated by photographs by Henry Irving (Cassell
& Co.. Ltd.). — Studies in Plant and Organic Chemistry,
and Literary Papers, by Helen Abbott Michael (The
Riverside Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts).

ANEMONE-FLOWERED VARIETIES.
Although these do not occupy so prominent
a position at the exhibitions as formerly, there
are still many varieties to be found in the dis-
plays at the London Parks. Descartes is one of
the grandest, and its rich vinous-crimson col-
ouring is always most striking in mixed groups.
It is a back-row plant, but one that is seen
in each collection. Delaware is white and yellow,
John Bunyan (pure yellow), Junon (lilac-mauve
self), Le Chalonnais, M. Charles Lebocqz, and
Prince of Anemones, are well in evidence at
Victoria Park. In the conservatory at Finsbury
Park there is a nice little group of "Anemones,"
the best of which, at the time of writing, are
Grande Alveole, Sir Walter Raleigh, Owen's
Perfection, Mrs. Judge Benedict, and several of
the others previously mentioned. It would be a
pity to see these old-time favourites pass out of
existence in these days when the Japanese
flowers threaten to extinguish everything that
has not the mere property of size. C. H. P.

NEW FRENCH VARIETIES.

Many novelties were staged and certificated at
the recent Paris Shew. I have, however, taken
no account of the awards made by the French
Floral Committee, but in regard to the follow-
ing notes, the blooms have been judged on
their merits solely from an English point of
view. I know nothing of the habit and growth
of the plants. The following are my selection
of the 1908 novelties from the principal French
growers, viz. : —

Victoire (Ds Pins). — A very large Japanese
flower, after the style of Le Colosse Grenoblois.
The flower is very full and double, of pale lilac-
mauve, shaded with pink, the reverse being sil-
very.

.1/. /. Barat (De Pins). — A very full and
double Japanese flower, of deep build and
having rather broad florets. The colour is rich
rosy-purple, with silvery reverse.

Le tour d' Argent (De Pins). — A very globular-
shaped, pure w-hite Japanese flow-er, compact
and close in build.

Mile. Lenoble (Liger Ligneau). — A peri t
form of Japanese ; flower spreading and beau,
tifully shaded with rosy-purple, having a golden-
coloured reverse. One of the most delicately
coloured novelties of the season.

Le Cafitole (Calvat). — A Japanese Incurved
flower, with very narrow, grooved florets, but a
compact, deep flower. Colour, deep golden
yellow, shaded with bronze.

Vice-Consul Lew in (Calvat). — Japanese; not
unlike a pale coloured Mrs. W. Wells, in colour
being of a jather paler shade of warm, golden
terra-cotta.

Comle Grandence Torriclli (Calvat). — A large
Japanese, having narrow florets that build up
into a big. compact flower. Colour, golden
yellow, shaded outside with purple.

Francois Marchand (Calvat). — A Reflexing
Japanese of excellent form, but having rather
narrow florets. Colour, rosy-crimson shaded
with yellow.

Souvenir de Vindrac (De Pins). — A Japanese
Incurved variety, with broad, grooved florets ;
a big, solid-looking flower of rosy-crimson
colour ; reverse, straw colour.

Vicomtesse di Chanter ac (De Pins). — Another
large Japanese flower, with grooved, incu i
florets, very solid and deep in build. A full and
double flower. Colour, deep golden-orange
tinied with bronze.

378

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 30, 1S07

Genl. Drude (De Tins). — Large blooms of the
Japanese type. Colour, an effective shade of
reddish-crimson ; the florets are rather broad,
and on the reverse side, golden-yellow.

Pic de Pajollc (De Pins). — A noble, solid-
looking flower, incurving in form. The florets
are deeply grooved, close and" compact in build.
Colour, rosy-crimson, with straw-coloured re-
verse.

Mme. Nathalie Langle (Calvat). — A large,
blush-coloured Japanese flower of great size and
substance, very full and double, and possessing
good florets.

Martlie Panda (Calvat). — A very big Japanese
incurving flower, with medium-sized florets,
which are deeply grooved. Colour, creamy-
white.

LATE PROPAGATION UNDESIRABLE.

I have always advocated the early propagation
of the Chrysanthemum when large exhibition
blooms are desired. Too many instances have
been obvious again this season in which late
propagation has caused failure in obtaining
blooms of even moderate quality. There are
exceptions to every rule, and I know that
some flowers of first-class quality have been
produced from cuttings which were inserted as
late as the first week in March. For instance,
Lady Talbot has given extra fine blooms from
plants upon which the first bud that formed
was "taken." When, however, we look
upon the utilitarian side of the question, I can-
not agree that one bloom to a plant is in any
way compensation for nine months' labour ; even
if no accident should happen to the particular
i flower. I see no reason why every plant should
not produce three good flowers, excepting, of
course, for an occasional disaster to a shoot or
bud or an irregularly developed blossom which
no one can guard against with absolute cer-
tainty.

The Chrysanthemum requires a long season
of steady growth in a cool atmosphere where the
growths thus produced have the best possible
chance of becoming solid through the gradual
and continual maturation of the tissues of the
plants. The wood of late-rooted plants never
ripens thoroughly, and this is a decided disad-
vantage; the blooms resulting from such
culture may be large in diameter, but
they lack the solidity and " build " which
is so desirable in close competition ; the florets,
too, are wanting in fullness and lustre of colour.

Another objection to late propagation is the
space required to preserve the old plants for the
production of cuttings for two months longer
than is necessary when early propagation is
adopted, as the space required for the cuttings
is obviously much less than is needed for ac-
commodating the old plants, and at this time
of the year space under glass is valuable. Nor
can the cuttings be preserved in such a good
condition as they were two months earlier, for
they are sure to become drawn and weakened.

Some cultivators advocate the middle of
November for the taking of cuttings, but this is
too early. In many such instances the plants
persist in making bloom-buds instead of growth
shoots. This may be a source of much annoy-
ance to growers in the South of England. At
one time, when varieties were more generally
taller in growth than they are at the present
time, some growers thought that late propaga-
tion reduced the height of the plants, but now,
■with an improved race of varieties in their habit
of growth, there is very little cause to complain
about the height of the plants ; they are very
different to such varieties as Mme. Clemence
Audiguier, which commonly reached 14 feet in
height.

The second week in December is the best time
for the general propagation of Japanese and
Incurved Chrysanthemums. E. Molyneux.

NEW INVENTION.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE

FROST FORETELLER.

The advent of frost, especially when fruit trees
are in flower, is a matter of very great import-
ance to gardeners, and to be able to predict its
occurrence with some degree of certainty when,
for instance, the Peach trees on the open walls
are in flower, would often save the crop from
ruin. The older men on an estate are often
generally accurate in their conclusions as to
whether a frost is apparent or not, from observa-
tions and signs which they are not able to reduce
to any exact formulae. But there are many per-
sons who are not gifted in this matter of pro-
phecy, and an instrument which will determine
the question for them with a certain degree of
accuracy will be welcome. In our issue for
March 4, 1905, p. 133, we gave particulars of the
Pagoscope, an instrument invented on the Con-
tinent for foretelling frost, and which we have
had opportunities for testing that have furnished
satisfactory results. The well-known scientific
instrument makers, Messrs. Negretti & Zambra,
of Holborn Viaduct, have also registered an

Fir,. 155. — a frost foreteller.

instrument for this purpose, which they have
named the Horticultural Hygrometer.

The instrument is a wet and dry bulb Hygro-
meter, with a special cylindrical scale revolv-
ing between the thermometers. The cylinder is
figured in three sections, which are intended to
apply as follow : — White section, frost highly
improbable ; shaded, frost doubtful ; black, frost
very probable. The cylinder has 10 lines num-
bered 1, 2, 3, 4, up to 10; these represent the
difference of degrees between the readings of the
wet and dry thermometers. The method of ob-
serving is as follows: — The instrument must be
placed in the open air, but in such a position
that the sun's rays will not fall upon it. The ob-
servation should be taken as late in the evening
as possible. Upon arriving at the instrument,
note the readings of the dry bulb and the wet
bulb, and the difference between the two. The cy-
linder is next turned until the line and figure re-
presenting this difference is at the right-hand side
of the opening. The wet-bulb reading will fall
opposite one of the three sections of the scale on
the right-hand side of the opening, and from this
the observer can ascertain whether frost is likely
to occur during the night.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed cy his correspondents.)

Vegetable Trials at Wisley. — Whilst the
Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society have for some time past been aware
of the society's rule that no award be made to
Potatos, Peas, Beans, Tomatos, Cucumbers and
similar vegetables before trial at Wisley, it
has occasioned some surprise that the Council
have annulled an award recently made by the
Fruit and Vegetable Committee to a seedling
Melon. The action of the Council has naturally
caused much unpleasant feeling. That there
was a good trial of Melons at Wisley last year
is true, and it can be said to have been the very
best trial of anything of its kind, or of vegetables
yet seen at Wisley. Still no intimation had been
conveyed to the Fruit Committee that Melons
had been placed by the Council in the prohibi-
tory list for awards at Vincent Square
unless tried at Wisley with standard varie-
ties. So far as Melons are concerned, I
have no interest in them ; indeed, I think we
have not only far too many, but that also no
recently-introduced variety has excelled exist-
ing varieties. No matter how apparently meri-
torious the subject may be, the rules of the
Council are imperative, and the committee is
powerless to grant an award. What is needed
is the widest possible diffusion of the informa-
tion that certain specified subjects cannot be
adjudicated upon at Vincent Square if sent,for
award, but must be sent first to Wisley to be
there grown. That would save the public from
errors and the Fruit Committee from much un-
pleasantness. At the same time clear intima-
tion should be given by the Council as to what
subjects will be tried at Wisley during the suc-
ceeding year. That is important, and it is also
urgent that all such trials should be of the most
perfect description, and being so, need not be
conducted in successive years. The Fruit Com-
mittee warmly welcome these trials, for it is
far more satisfactory to see subjects under
growth side by side with standard varieties than
it is to judge of their merits at the committee
table. I trust, therefore, the Council will take
care that the widest publicity is given to their
rules in relation to trials, and thus in the future
lead to the avoidance of any misunderstanding.
A. D.

A Good Crop of Potatos. — Mr. F, J.

Buckler, Carr Hill. Whitby, has grown a good
crop of Potato " The Factor." The tubers
were planted on April 24, and the crop was lifted
on September 21. The rows extended from
east to west, two feet apart, and the "sets" at
distances of 18 inches apart. The total crop was
1,067 lbs from a plot of land 25 (eet by 35 feet. If
there is no error in the calculations this is about
24 tons per statute acre. /. Udale.

Growth of Roses. — Seeing the letter in the
last issue of the Giinicncrs' Chronicle in respect to
the growth of the climbing Rose Dorothy Perkins,
I think it may interest some readers to know that
I have just transplanted one, which was planted in
October, 1000, as a cutting 6 inches long, and has
within 12 months produced a growth measuring
17 feet 9 inches in length. I have several other
plants from the same lot from 10 feet to 14 feet in
length. C. N. Bramtld, Pightlcy House, Spaxtml
Bridgwater.

Culture of Cockscomb. — I do not agree
with Mr. Francis (p. 362), in placing these
plants on a dry shelf in a hothouse, for in such
a position they are usually attacked by red
spider and other pests, and then they seldom
produce clean, well-developed inflorescences.
Mv experience proves that seedlings do best if
the pots are plunged in a sweet, mild hotbed]
composed of table- manure and leaves, directly
they are potted. The plants should be placed
near to the glass and be allowed plenty of room.
They should be afforded larger pots as required,
until they are finally placed in 6 or 7-inch potSj
The plants need to be sprinkled overhead, and
the frames should be closed eaTly in the after-
noon, and at night-time be covered with mats.
By this treatment they will mak' vigorous
growth and develop 'large, handsome,
"combs," and b? ready for exhibition during |ulyj
August, and September. The plants shoi I
! m haded at any time. T. I.cckie, Senr.

Nov] mdes 30, 1907

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

379

Modern Flower Gardening. — A system of
flower gardening is carried out in varying degrees
ol intensity in the gardens at Hopetoun House,
Carberry rower, Preston Hall, Gosford House,
Tvnninghame, Broxmouth Park, Yester, and Floors
Castle. It is an offshoot of the herbaceous or
mixed border at its best, and though at most of the
places mentioned herbaceous borders are yet
extant — at Floors they have been practically swept
away, or rather refurnished — it is obvious that with
a few exceptions the sun of the herbaceous plant is
undergoing an eclipse, no doubt to emerge some
day out of its obscurity. I regret a step that must
crush out the always interesting mixed border,
but it is clear that the latter cannot compete in the
way of producing an autumn effect with borders
and beds planted solely for that season. In some
respects it is therefore retrograde, but the desire
for an overpowering floral display is irresistible,
and not improbably the shreds and patches of
former fashions in flower gardening which still
persist will all be swept away to make room for the
newest. There is no exclusiveness as to the
kind of flowers employed. Provided thev give
colour and remain in good condition till the end of
the season, that is enough. Sweet Peas in some
gardens, at Yester for instance, are made use of to
an unusual extent. In others they are not
employed for effect. Snapdragons and Larkspurs
(the stock-flowered in particular) are used in
profusion. It is hard to say which is the more
etlective, though the bold masses of the Larkspur
are, no doubt, the more imposing. Alonsoa
mutisii, .v. Warscewiczii, Salvia horminum and
lis pmk form ; Dobbie's Scotch Marigolds, Koch i a
trieopbylla, Celsia Arcturus, Dwarf Senecio
elegans, Dwarl Linarias. rose-coloured Mallows,
salmon-coloured Clarkias, and Hollyhocks are
the chief species raised from seeds. Salvia
patens, Calceolaria amplexicaulis, Lobelia cardi-
nalis, 1 lehotrope, Pentstemons Newbury Gem and
Preston Seedling, and an old pink-flowered variety,
are indispensable; these are all small flowered.
Mi i lalloway, of Gosford Gardens, has secured in
rd Pink a very tine clear rose-pink Pentste-
mon, and Lady Yester is claimed by Yester and by
Pre ton Hall. It is a deeper rosa-coloured Pent
stetnon. 1 am working up a stock of the large-
tiowered Crimson Gem and Mrs. James Keenan,
but on the whole the large-flowered section is best
represented by seedlings raised in the spring of
the same year. Aster acris is largely employed at
Floors and at Broxmouih ["here are several
Chrysanthemums more or less used at different
places. Goacher's Crimson, Crimon and other
forms of Madame Massee. Polly and the Gruner-
wald family. Late-flowering Helianthus, e.g , 1>
Dewar, Miss Mellish, and annual Sunflowers. Rud
bei kia laciniata and spei iosa, Campanula pyramid-
ahs, Aster Linosyris, Dahlia Glory oi theGarden,
Pompon, Mars, and Mr. Tail, together with East
Lothian Stocks are some others. Lobelia tenuior
has been fine here this season ; Queen Alexandra
Marguerite is making its way, and among the most
charming of the less used plants are large groups
of Montbretia Vulcan, Chrysis and Messidor.
Germania Brilliant and Vulcan are much alike aslo
eftect, but I prefer the latter variety, Fleuve Jaime
is also worth attention, bin Montbretias no doubt
require to be tested previously to being planted in a
conspicuous position. Humea elegans is regaining
the place it lost 30 years or so ago, and is being
employed somewhat extensively in some gardens.
Meanwhile there is no desire to eliminate tuberous
Begonias, Carnations, Kniphofias (Tritomas), nor
even Pelargoniums, though they are. perhaps, less in
ei idence than formerly. The reader will probably
smile as he peruses these remarks. There is
nothing novel about the plants, but arranged as
they are in large masses in wide borders, and used
in a profusion never before attempted, they pro-
vide a spectacular effect that must be seen to be
realised. Autumnal visitors from the south express
themselves delighted, and the style is sure to be
adopted in the gardens of many of these visitors
as it is being adopted elsewhere. Some of the
effects, it must be confessed, are crude, but time
will tone down these simultaneously with the
opening of the minds of gardeners to the defi-
ciencies. R I'. Brotherston.

Arthropodium cirrhatum. — About four
years ago I received some seedlings of this
New Zealand plant, a note on which appeared
on page 235, and determined to try the species
in the open garden in South Devon. The plants
made good growth, and last year flowered splen-
di lly, the clump producing 15 flower-heads.

These, with their large heads of pure white blos-
soms, carried well above the broad, drooping
foliage, made a ver)' pretty picture. They were
at their best early in June. Last winter, which
was exceptionally severe in the south-west, the
plants suffeied rather badly, and, though thev
eventually recovered, did not bloom this year.
Slugs are extremely fond of the juicy leaves, but
by placing a collar of perforated zinc around
the clump and by constant inspection they have
been prevented from doing any material harm.
S. II". Fitzherbert.

Grapes at the Shrewsbury Show. — The
Committee of the Shropshire Horticultural So-
ciety, I know from experience both as an ex-
hibitor and judge for the last 30 years, are
always open to consider any suggestions which
are put forward for the purpose of making their
show more attractive. I do not know if it is
their intention to offer another challenge vase for
a large collection of Grapes, which tends to
limit — owing to the number of varieties and
branches required — the competition to a few
gardeners. 1 should like to see in its p'.ace
three separate championship prizes for (1) three
bunches of Black Hamburgh, (2) three bunches
of Muscat of Alexandria, (3) three bunches of
Madresfield Court. The following I should sug-
gest as prizes for each : — 1st, £10 cup or money-
value (at exhibitor's choice; ; 2nd, £8; 3rd, £6.
4th, £4 ; 5th, E2; 6th, £1. I am aware that this
represents a lot of money, but money is not the
principal object with such a wealthy society.
Several of the classes for these three Grapes
might be discontinued, and the money used for
the championship prizes mentioned above. I feel
confident these liberal prizes would bring a
tremendous entry from all parts of the kingdom,
and they would bring forward a great many
growers who do not at present exhibit. I hi i
summer Grapes are generally grown by gar-
deners, and are mostly at their best when the
Shrewsbury show takes place, with the i
tion possibly of the " Muscats.'' Small gar-
deners would have a chance in these single
classes, whereas they were practi ill . luded
in the large collectio nal.

Fuchsias as Decorative Plants.— I read
with pleasure the note on p. 345 respecting the
Fuchsias cultivate '• and raised by mj late father-
id-law, Mr. James Lye. I beln hi
are still equal to any that have been n
At White Knights Gardens, Fuchsias are, in the
summer time, plunged and planted -nn in the
beds and bordei . vhere thej are much admired.
As exhibition plants Fuchsias are also very
suitable subjects. 1 have taken the first
for these plants at Reading Shows for more than
20 years. Nothing would give me greater plea-
sure than to bring half-a-dozen plants to Lon-
don to compare with Mr. Webster or any other
noted grower, providing the Royal Horticultural
Society olfers a sufficient inducement for our
trouble. F. Bright, T, , Card . '
Park, Readit,

Effect of Inarching Vines. -Main culti-
vators believe that the inarching of one vine on
to another variety has an effect upon the future
produce, and many instances can be quoted
where an advantage has apparently been ob-
tained, nits seem to be an improvement

upon ordinary cultural methods. I am prompted
to write tin i n what I saw at the recent

fruit show of the R.H.S. In the class for two
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria there were 13
competitors. The 3rd prize exhibit, from Mr.
W. Allan, Gunton Park, although small in
bunch, had the berries so magnificently coloured
that they attracted much attention, and, know-
ing the vines so well from which they were cut,
I was impressed with the apparent advantage of
inarching. The vine from which these bunches
were cut was inarched on to a plant of Foster's
Seedling. Since they came into bearing condi-
tion an entire absence of shanking is the re-
sult. The colour and flavour, too, have im-
proved, and so has the keeping quality cf the
berries, which are also more uniform in size.
Gros Maroc, in another vinery, is marched
on to Gros Colmar, which influences the shape
of the bunches, making them more massive in
the shoulde • and altogether improved. Mr.
Shingler, at Melton Constable, practises some
inarching Muscat Hamburgh, on a Black

Hamburgh 51 n k, ma le, in 1900. a remarkable

growth, giving proof of the suitabilitv of this
variety as a stock. At the time when Madresfield
Court was introduced to pubbc notice, some 35
years ago, its culture was not so well under-
stood as it is at the present time. To prevent
cracking of the berries, "to which the variety is
prone, the inarching on to various stocks was
one means of checking this fault. Mrs. Pince,
too, has been improved by inarching. I am
acquainted with an instance of this vine growing
on Black Hamburgh, and deriving much benefit
in the better colouring of the berries. Cannon
Hall Muscat inarched on to Black Alicante, and
Alnwick Seedling on the same variety, have also
been much improved. E. Molyneux.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

November 26. — There was a moderate display
of exhibits at the usual fortnightly meeting of
the Committees held in the Vincent Square Hall
on the above date. Orchids composed the
dominant feature, and the Awards recommended
by the Orchid Committee included one First-
Class Certificate, one Botanical Certificate, and
five Awards of Merit.

The Floral Committee recommended an
Award of Merit to a variety of Chrysanthemums
and a golden-coloured form of Juniperus chinen-
sis nana.

At the afternoon meeting of Fellows, Mr.
Baker delivered a lecture on " Garden Experi-
ments."

Floral Committee

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (chairman), and
Messrs. II. B. May, Geo. Ni holson, Jno. Green,
G. Reuthe, C. Dixon, R. C. Notcutt, C. R.

>. J. 1 . Mi Lei d, W. I. Ware, U . Bain,
H. J. Jones, C. I . Pearson, W. Cuthbertson,
W. P. fhomson, P. 11. Jenkins, \V. J. James,
Geo. Paul, W. Howe, Jas. Hudson, li. j. Cut-
bush, R. Hooper Pearson, and George Gordon.
Pool Howard de Walden, Saffron Walden
igr. Mr. James Vert), di playi ! < . excellent ex-
hibit oi Begonia G de Lorraine and its
white variety. The plants were fine, bold speci-
mens, some pyramidal-trained, others having a
more bush-like habit, but all alike were freely-
flowered, their colour being perhaps a little pale.
The group was relieved with Ferns and Palms,
the manner of staging gaining the approbation
of the Committee, (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.) /
M is. J. Hill & SON, Harrow-field Nurseries,
Edmonton, showed a miscellaneous col-
lection of Ferns in more than 100 varieties.
Nearly all the genera of Ferns were represented
in this large exhibit, which occupied the
whole of a long table at the platform end of
the building. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Me is. H. B. May iV. Sons, Dyson's Lane,
Upper Edmonton, showed an interesting group
oi Epiphytic Ferns. One of the most remark-
able plants was a specimen of Aglaomorpha
Meyeniana growing in a small pot. In the
centre of the exhibit were hanging plants of
ri.it> cerium, and around were Polypodiums,
Drymoglossums, Davallias, Goniophlebium
brasiliense, Asplenium elegantulum, and others
of a scandent habit. (Silver-Gilt Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs James Veitch & Soxs, Ltd.. King's
Road, Chelsea, filled a long table with showy
greenhouse plants in flower, including Begonias,
Jacobinias, Tillandsia Lindenii, and Exacum
macranthum. Interspersed at one end of the
exhibit were plants of the Citrus family in fruit,
and shoots of the brilliantly-berried Crataegus
coccinea indentata. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Ctjtbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., showed greenhouse plants, including
Astilbe (Spiraea), Ericas, small ornamental
Orange trees in fruit, Skimmia, Pernettya,
and other small shrubs in berry, with Palms,
Ferns, &c, for relief. (Silver Banksian Medal.)
Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, exhibited
a large group of ornamental-leaved and berried
shrubs in species of Eleagnus, Ilex, Pernettya,
Skimmia, Garrva, Aucuba, &c. (Silver Banksian
Medal

Soi e remarkably fine sprays of Pernettya

mi ata were shown bv A. Kingsmill, Esq.,

Harrow Weald (gr. Mr. T- Taplin). The large
clusters of berries resembled small bunches of
(■rapes.

380

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 30, 1907.

Messrs. John Waterer & Sons, Ltd., Bag-
shot, Surrey, showed choice varieties of Coni-
fers, many of which w.ere small specimens.
In addition to Conifers were variegated Hollies,
Skimmia japonica, Box in variety, Privets, Os-
manthus myrtifolius, &c. (Silver-Gilt Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed vases of Carnations and baskets
of their salmon-coloured Cyclamen named Sal-
mon King. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. H. Canneli. & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
showed bunches of Zonal Pelargoniums in most
of the newer varieties and several " single"
Chrysanthemums. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Hither
Green, Lewisham, showed Chrysanthemums in
variety. At the back of the exhibit were large
vases filled with big blooms of Japanese varie-
ties, including J. G. Day (reddish-bronze), R. C.
Pulling (yellow), Mrs. H. Perkins, Mme. R.
Oberthur (an excellent white variety), Mrs. Tom
Fagg (yellow), John L. Burgess (a rich colour,
a shade of magenta). In front were smaller
vases containing single specimen blooms and
bunches of decorative varieties, the whole dis-
played with the usual taste shown by this ex-
hibitor. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Philip Ladds, Swanley Junction, Kent,
staged market varieties of Chrysanthemums.
The exhibit contained medium-sized flowers well
selected as to colouring and including the best
of the older as well as the newer varieties suit-
able for market purposes. As a selection we
may enumerate Snowdrift (white), Negoya (yel-
low), Golden Age (yellow), Mme. Oberthm
(white), Winter Cheer (pink), Prolific (white).
Buttercup (yellow), and Mrs. T. Humphreys
(red). (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey,
showed a large selection of single Chrysanthe-
mums, including many new varieties of his
raising.

A display of Chrysanthemums was also staged
by the Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle, Gran-
tham (gr. Mr. W. H. Divers).

A number of seedling Chrysanthemums, many
of which were raised from C. indicum, was
shown by G. Ferguson, Esq., The Hollies,
Weybridge (gr. Mr. Smith). The whole of the
varieties in this extensive collection were raised
by the exhibitor.

Awards of Merit.

Chrysanthemum "Edith Jameson." — This is a
very large Japanese variety, with drooping or re-
flexed florets, colour deep rosy-lilac. An excel-
lent exhibition variety of considerable refine-
ment. Shown by Mr. Norman Davis, Framfield
Nurseries, Uckfield.

Juniperus chinensis nana aurea. — This is a
pretty little shrub, suitable for cultivation on the
rock garden, or in a similar situation. It is just
as dwarf as J. c. nana, and develops a pretty
golden tint. Shown by Messrs. John Waterer
& Sons, Ltd.

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, De B. Crawshay, J. Wilson
Potter, W. H. White, H. G. Alexander, H. A.
Tracy, H. J. Chapman, W. P. Bound, A. A.
McBean, G. F. Moore, F. J. Hanburv, W.
Boxall, H. Little, W. H. Young, W. Bolton,
Arthur Dye, R. G. Thwaites, F. M. Ogilvie,
and J. Charlesworth.

There were nine groups staged, and 35 plants
entered to go before the Committee.

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, secured
the highest award, a Silver-Gilt Flora Medal,
for a very fine group of Cypripediums, which
contained a remarkable selection of varieties of
C. insigne, and many fine hybrids. Among the
C. insigne varieties, Monkshood, with a cowl-
like arrangement of the dorsal sepal, Harefield
Hall, Dulcotense, and Mr. W. P. Bound were
the most distinct of the 30 forms) shown, which
included a good selection of yellow varieties.
Of other plants noted were Zygopetalum rostra-
turn, and a fine selection of varieties of C. Lee-
annm.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Brad-
ford, secured a Silver Flora Medal for a bright
group, in the centre of which were a number
of the orange and crimson Laslio-Cattleya
Cappei. With them were a fine example of the

richly-coloured Cattleya Dowiana Rosita, and
one of C. aurea marmorata, together with
several new hybrid Cattleyas. Also the rare
Phalasnopsis Lindeni, Lycaste Tunstillii, Phaius
flavus, and some fine novelties, including the
pure white Odontoglossum ardentissimum xan-
thotes, resembling the O. crispum xanthotes,
which was one of the parents.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking,
was awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a com-
pact group of rare Cypripediums, all very finely
grown, and including varieties of C. Arthuri-
anum, the unapproachable C. Thalia Mrs.
Francis Wellesley, C. T. giganteum, C. Gaston
Bultel (Westfield variety), a grandly-shaped
flower, &c.

Major G. L. Holford, Westonbirt, Tetbury
(gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed his new
Laslio-Cattleya Barbarossa (L.-C. callistoglossa
X C. Trianas), a noble flower with rosy-lilac

C. Euryades splendens, C. Milo (Westonbirt
variety), C. Tityus, Cattleya Portia, Cymbidium
Tracyanum, C. Winnianum, Oncidium Lance-
anum, Dendrobium heterocarpum (with over 50
flowers), the rare, unspotted Odontoglossum
Rossii immaculatum, and other good things.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, showed
a group in which were the beautiful 'Jypripe-
dium Beechense superbum, the dark-coloured C.
rufus (insigne McNabbiana X Milo), C. Shake-
speare (Euryale X Rothschildianum), C.
Charlesworthii albens, C. Niobe (Sander's
variety), a very finely-coloured and distinct
form, C. Maudiae, C. San-Actasus, &c.

W. M. Appleton, Esq., Weston-super-Mare,
staged an effective group, in the centre of which
was his Dendrobium Phalasnopsis splendens,
which had already secured an award ; also
several other brightly-coloured varieties. Mr.

Fig. 156. — odontoglossum "JOHN clarke," as exhibited dy baron sir henry schr"der

ON TUESDAY LAST (FLOWERS MUCH REDUCED). (See p. 381.)

sepals and petals and rich claret lip ; Cypri-
pedium Cynthia, a very beautiful flower with
large white dorsal sepal blotched with rose, the
petals and lip being yellow tinged with purple.

J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), sent Cypripedium
gigas (Glebelands variety), a very handsome
dark-coloured hybrid of fine form.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, were
awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for a neat
group, in which were the fine Laslio-Cattleya
Dominiana langleyensis, L.-C. Ilione, Brasso-
Laelia Digbyano-purpurata, Cypripedium vexil-
larium, Cypripedium insigne Sanderae, &c.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, showed a
good group of Cypripediums, &c, including C.
Actaeus (Drewett's variety), C. Ville de Paris,

Appleton also showed a number of very in-
teresting crosses of C. tonsum and C. exul, C.
Mastersianum X insigne, Laelio-Cattleya Clive,
L.-C. Decia, Dendrobium superbiens, &c,
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. H. A. Tracy, Amyand Park Road,
Twickenham, staged an interesting group, in
which the Cypripediums were specially good.
C. insigne Herbertii was a pretty variety of the
montanum class, C. i. King Edward VII., a
good flower, C. i. Harefield Hall, C. i. Sanders,
and C. Mauretania. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Monsieur Mertens, Ghent, showed a good se-
lection, including Odontoglossum altum, O.
Wilckeanum, O. Vuylstekei, O. percultum, Mil-
tonia vexillaria augusta, M. Bleuana, and other
hybrids. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

November 30, 1£07.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

381

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart. (gr. Mr. W. H.
White), sent Cypripedium Arnoldias inversum,
a fine, reddish-purple tinted flower, like a large
C. Chas. Rickman.

Norman C. Cookson, Esq., Oakwood, Wylam
(gr. Mr. II. J. Chapman), staged a charming
little group, in which were a noble specimen of
Cypripedium insigne Sanderae ; a smaller one of
the better Oakwood seedling variety of it ; C.
Actosus aureus, and others.

J. H. Craven, Esq., The Beeches, Keighley,
sent Cypripedium Daltonianum.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rann Lea, Rainhill>
Lancashire (gr. Mr. Morgan), showed Cypripe-
dium Fulshawense and C. Marjorie.

E. Roberts, Esq., Park Lodge, Eltham, sent
Cypripedium Hitchinsiae princeps.

J. Wilson Potter, Esq., Croydon (gr. Mr. W.
H. Young), sent a good variety of Laelio-Cattleya
Baroness Schroder.

H. S. Goodson, Esq., Putney (gr. Mr. Day),
showed Cypripedium Lily Blanche (Charles-
worthii x Niobe).

If. Little, Esq., Baronshalt, Twickenham
(gr. Mr. Howard), sent Laelio-Cattleya elegans,
Baronshalt variety, a good form, with unusually
large ruby-purple front to the lip.

H. Spicer, Esq., Aberdeen Park, Highbury
(gr. Mr. Lovegrove), showed a group of Cypri-
pedium Spicerianiiin.

Messrs. Heath & Sons, Cheltenham, staged
a good group, in which were the fine Cypripe-
dium Blanche Moore ; several good C. Leeanum,
the most distinct of which was the variety Fow-
lenanum ; C. Daphne, and other hybrids ; the
pretty C. Schlimii, good Oncidium varicosum,
Cattleya labiata, &c.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.
Odontoglossum John Clarke (sea fig. 156), from
Baron Sir H. Schroder, The Dell, Egham (gr.
Mr. H. Ballantine). — A grand Odontoglossum, of
unrecorded parentage, and named after Mr. J.
Clarke, for many years foreman in the fine gar-
dens at The Dell. The plant bore a strong spike
of 18 flowers and buds, each flower between 4 and
\\ inches across, and broad in all its segments.
The ground colour is white, tinged with purplish-
mauve, and heavily blotched with a darker tint
of the same colour. Lip, indicating O. Rolfeae
as one of the parents, pure white, with dark
purple markings around the light yellow crest.

Awards of Merit.
Lozli»-Cattleya Ortrude (L. anceps X C. Dowi-
ana aurea), from Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O.,
CLE. (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander).— The best of
the crosses of L. anceps and a really pretty
flower. Sepals and petals blush-rose colour ;
lip broad, crimson, with gold lines at the base.

Cypripedium Urnest Head {parentage unre-
corded), from J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebe-
lands, South Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis). — A
grand flower, and a perfect model from the
florist's point of view, the bloom being well
rounded, broad in all its parts, and of fine sub-
stance. The ground colour is cream-w-hite, deli-
cately tinted with rose, and slightly marked with
emerald green, after the manner of C. Felicity.

Cypripedium niveo-callosum, Coohsoti's variety
(niveum x callosum Sander a), from Norman C.
Cookson, Esq., Oakwood, Wylam (gr. Mr. H. J.
Chapman). — A very pretty, wax-like, white
flower, effectively tinged and spotted with bright
rose colour.

Cypripedium San-ac-derce superbum [San-Acteeus
x insigne Sanders), from Norman C. Cookson,
Esq. — A close approach to C insigne Sanderae.
but slightly darker in the yellow colour, and with
more white in the dorsal sepal.

Angrtzcum Buyssonii, from Messrs. Charles-
WORTH & Co., Heaton, Bradford. — A very re-
markable and rare species of the A. articulatum
and A. Ellisii class, but differing widely from
those species in its extended and trailing habit of
growth. The plant bore three stems of 16 to 18
leaves each, and with two spikes of many pure
white flowers, with long spurs tinged with pale
reddish-brown.

Botanical Certificate.

Cirrhopetalum Makoyanum, from Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Bart., Burford (gr. Mr. W. II.
White). — An elegant species, with slender stems,

bearing on the top an equally-rayed umbel of
yellow flowers, slightly tinged with red, and
arranged like the spokes of a wheel.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: G. Bunyard, Esq. (in the chair), and
Messrs. O. Thomas, C. Foster, P. D. Tuckett,
J. Jaques, G. Reynolds, J. Davis, Jas. Vert, A
R. Allan, Geo. Keif, H. Parr, A. Dean, W.
Bates, and S. T. Wright (hon. sec).

From the gardens of the Duke of Rutland,
Belvoir Castle, Grantham (gr. Mr. W. H.
Divers), was staged a group of Apples and Pears,
comprising 100 dishes, in about equal numbers.
This was a very excellent display, especially
when the adverse season is considered. The
fruits were finely coloured, although, perhaps,
not so clear of skin as is seen in fruits from more
southern counties. The varieties included repre-
sentatives of standard kinds. (Silver-Gilt
" Hogg" Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, again displayed a collection of hardy
fruits, and small trees of Oranges in fruit. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Dishes of Oranges and Lemons were shown by
Mrs. C. Thornhill, Stanton Hall, Bakewell (gr.
Mr. Geo. Harvey). The exhibit comprised six
plates of very large Oranges, and half that num-
ber of Lemons. The former fruits were suitable
for the making of conserves. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

" GARDEN EXPERIMENTS."
At the afternoon meeting, Mr. F. J. Baker
delivered a lecture on this subject. At the com-
mencement he explained some of the reasons for
cultivators undertaking experiments for them-
selves, and stated many advantages that may be
gained by their so doing. The second part of the
lecture consisted in describing certain ex-
periments that the lecturer had carried out
himself.. The first one had relation to the need
for supplying nitrogenous manures to Peas and
other crops of leguminous plants. The re-
sults were : (1) the most necessary requirement
in the cultivation of Peas was deep and thorough
tillage ; (2) the crop could be still further in-
creased by adding ordinary stable manure ; (3)
and in a much lesser degree by also adding
mineral manures.

The next experiment to which reference was
made showed the excellent results following
underground, as opposed to surface, watering of
crops. The third had to do with the pruning or
non-pruning of newly-planted trees, and the lec-
turer was emphatic in his recommendation that
the cultivator should prune the young tree whilst
he held it in his hand, and could therefore tell
how to secure the balance between the amount of
top growth and the roots, stating that he should
give a slight advantage to the roots.

In respect to summer-pruning, a system of
twisting the shoots spirally without cutting or
breaking them was described, and shoots with
fruit buds were shown, illustrating the results
obtained therefrom. The pruning is done in
winter, cutting the shoots back to the point at
which the twisting was carried out.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 26. — The annual dinner of this
Society was held at the Holborn Restaurant on
the above date, and was again a success, the
attendance numbering upwards of 100 and in-
cluding many ladies.

The president of the Society, Charles E. Shea,
Esq., occupied the chair, and amongst those
present were Sir Albert Rollit, and Messrs. John
Green, Thomas Bevan, C. Harman Payne, J. H.
Witty, J. W. Moorman, W. Howe, D. Ingamels,
J. McKercher, Geo. Gordon, J. Collingridge, S.
Mortimer, H. J. Jones, Norman Davis, D. B.
Crane, and J. Harrison Dick.

The usual loyal toasts having been duly hon-
oured, the Chairman proposed the toast of " The
National Chrysanthemum Society," and men-
tioned that, owing to continued ill-health, it
would be the last occasion on which he would
be present as their president. He considered
much good work had been done by the Society
during the past year ; the Year Book had been
of enormous value, and the exhibition of market
Chrvsanthemums was both interesting and in-
structive. Mr. Shea mentioned that 70 new

members had been added to the Society during
1907, and seven societies affiliated, and he con-
sidered this was principally brought about by
the leaflet the Society had caused to be ihserted
in the various trade catalogues.

Sir Albert Rollit gave the toast of " The
Donors of Special Prizes," and remarked that
the Society had now 430 members, 109 affiliated
societies, and a reserve fund of £100. The
Floral Committee had to deal with 194 applica-
tions for First-Class Certificates, 25 of which
were granted. The special prizes received were
valued at £36, of which the President gave eight
guineas.

Mr. J. A. Both am responded, and mentioned
that the Crystal Palace Co., whom he repre-
sented, were now on the high way to profit-
making, and, whilst continuing the special
prizes given to the Society, they hoped next year
to considerably augment them.

Mr. J. Collingridge proposed the toast of
" The President, Vice-President, and Officers of
the Society," and Mr. T. Bevan, in replying,
mentioned that he had been actively connected
with the Society for 23 years. Mr. John Green,
Treasurer, also replied, and said it was a lament-
able fact that the Society had only 430 mem-
bers, and he appealed to all members to bring
in at least one new member during the coming
year.

The toast of "The Exhibitors and Affiliated
Societies" was proposed by Mr. E. F. Hawes,
who said there was no sign of decay in the
culture of the Chrysanthemum. Standard and
trained plants were now practically non-existent,
and bush plants and plants in 5 and 6-inch
pots were cultivated in their stead. Mr. R.
Cannell responded, as also did Mr. R. B.
Leech, of the Dulwich Chrysanthemum Society,
who said he hoped his society would have to
fight for the Challenge Shield next year and not
find again that there was no competition.

Other speakers were Messrs. C. Harman
Payne, D. B. Crane, J. McKercher, J. W.
Moorman, Geo. Gordon, and H. G. Cove.

The prizes were presented during the evening,
and amongst the recrpients was Mr. W. Higgs
(gr. to J. B. Hankey, Esq., Fetcham Park,
Leatherhead), who received the Holmes Memo-
rial Challenge Cup for the tenth year in suc-
cession.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

November 14.— Committee present: Messrs. E.
Ashworth, R. Ashworth, Ashton, Cowan,
Cypher, Dr. Hodgkinson, Keeling, P. Smith,
Shill, Sander, Ward, Warburton, Walmsley,
and Weathers (hon. sec).

There was again a fine display of plants, and
if the present interest continues, more commo-
dious premises will be required for the society's
meetings.

No fewer than 14 distinct groups were shown.

E. Ashworth, Esq., Harefield Hall, Wilmslow
fcr. Mr. Holbrook), exhibited the rare Dendro-
bium Ccelogyne, which gained an Award of
Merit.

G. Shorland Ball, Esq., Burton, Westmore-
land (gr. Mr. Herdman), exhibited a group of
Cypripediums in competition for the " Sander
Cup," and received a Silver Medal. Amongst
the plants in this group were C. X Baron
Schroder, C. X Olivia, C. X Hitchensas var.
Perfection (Award of Merit), C. niveum var.
Goliath (Award of Merit). A plant shown under
the name of C. X Ballae appeared to be a form
of C. X Godefroyae var. leucochilum, but it
was declared to be a hybrid between C. bella-
talum delicatum and C. niveum. An Award of
Merit was voted to this last-named plant under
the name of C. X Godefroyae var. Ballae.

J. Macartney, Esq., Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes),
was awarded a Silver Medal for a group of
Cypripediums, of which C. X J. Ritson was
voted an Award of Merit.

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr.
Dalgleish), staged a group consisting of mis-
cellaneous Orchids and another of Cypripediums
(in competition for the " Sanders' Cup," and
the "Thompson's Cup"). Amongst the Cypri-
pediums were noticed C. X Memoria Mocusii,
C. Milo, Westonbirt var., C. insigne var. Stat-
teriana, C. insigne var. Bohnofiana, C. X
Leonae var. grandiflora (Award of Merit). A
Silver Medal was awarded for each of these
groups.

382

THE GA R D ENER S ' CHR 0 NI CL E.

[November 30, 1907.

Z. A. Ward, Esq., Northenden, staged a group
of Cypripediums, in which were well-grown
examples of leading varieties. (Silver Medal.)

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, were
awarder! a Silver Medal for a group of plants
in which were some good forms of Cattleya
labiata and Cypripediums.

Mr. J. Robson, Altrincham, staged a group of
plants, to which a Bronze Medal was awarded.

J. H. Craven, Esq., Keighley (gr. Mr. Cor-
ney), was awarded a Silver Medal for an exhibit
of Cypripediums. C. insigne, " Craven's
variety," gained an Award of Merit, and C. X
oenanthum, " Craven's variety," was awarded a
First Class Certificate.

S. Gratrix, Esq., Whalley Range, Manchester
(gr. Mr. Shill), exhibited Cypripedmm x Harri-
Leeanum, C. X Standard, West Point variety,
C. X Chorltonii, West Point variety, and Catt-
leya x Fabia, West Point variety, all of which
received Awards of Merit.

H. J. Bromilow, Rainhill (gr. Mr. Morgan),
made a fine display of Cypripediums, which
gained the highest award in a Silver Gilt Medal.
Cypripedium x I.eander, Rann Lea variety, re-
ceived an Afcvard of Merit. C. insigae var. Aber-
deen, a very distinct and well-marked form, and
C. X Marjorie, a hybrid of good quality, of
which the parentage was not recorded, received
First Class Certificates.

Mr. W. Bolton, Warrington, displayed a
small but interesting exhibit.

E. ROGERSQN, Esq., Didsbury (gr. Mr. Price),
received Awards of Merit for Cypripedium x
Actaeus. Kogerson's variety, C. X Sallied,
Rogerson's variety, and C. X Charlesianum var.
Rogersoni.

Mr. W. Shackleton, Bradford, was awarded
a Bronze Medal for a small group of Orchids,
principally Cypripediums.

Messrs. Sander & Suns, St. Albans, made a
display of Cattleyas, Odontoglossums, &c.

Messrs. High Low & Co., Enfield, and Mr.
J. E. Sadj er, exhibited Cattleya labiata var.
" Queen Maud," to which an Award of Merit
was given.

K. Farrar, Esq., Clapham, obtained an
Award of Merit for Cypripedium X Hitchensae
Ingleborough var.

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Bradford, were re-
presented by a small group of plants. P. W .

LEEDS PAXTON.

November 19, 20. — The 19th annual show of
the above society took place on these dates.
The Lady Mayoress of Leeds opened the exhi-
bition. The show has reached a high point of
excellence, and there was no falling off in num-
bers, more than 300 exhibits being staged.

Plants. — In the class for a group of plants ar-
ranged for decorative effect, J. PiCKERSGILL,
Esq , Bardon Hill, Weetwood (gr. Mr. J.
Donoghue), took the 1st prize, A. Willev,
Esq.. Hill Court, Headingley (gr. Mr. W.
Sharpe), receiving the 2nd, and Mr. J. G.
Petiinger, Harrogate, the 3rd prizes.

In the open class for a group of Chrysanthe-
mums with foliage plants and a margin of
Ferns, Mr. J. G. Petiinger, Kent Road Nur-
sery, Harrogate, was awarded the 1st prize for
a collection of well-grown plants ; 2nd, E. O.
Simpson, Ksq., Oak Lea, Adel (gr. Mr. E. Lup-
ton).

Aid. A. T. Walker, J. P., The Elms, Weet-
wood (gr. Mr. E. Norman), took premier
honours for four stove and greenhouse foliage
plants with -nme fine specimens of Palms.

The best specimen table plants were shown
by K. J. CriTciii.ey, Esq., Hvrst House, Dews-
bury (gr. Mr. S. Hurford) ; the best Hyacinths
by J. PiCKERSGILL, Esq. (gr. Mr. J. Donoghue);
and the best plants of Begonia " Gloire de Lor-
raine " l>v II. A. Watson, Esq. (gr. Mr. J. Mar-
shall).

Cut blooms. — The principal class for Chrysan-
themums was one for 36 blooms, including 18
Incurved and 18 Japanese varieties. There was
a good contest by six competitors, and of these
the winner was Mr. Chandler, Churchover,
Rugby, who showed some fine blooms of F. S.
Vallis, Reg. Vallis, Algernon Davis, J. H.
Doyle. Miss E. Crossley, President Viger,
Duchess of Sutherland, Mme. G. Rivol, Gen.
Hutton, Miss O. Miller, Mrs. E. W. Vallis, and
(Incurved) Duchess of Fife, Mrs. II. J. Jones,

C. H. Curtis, Triomphe de Montbrun, J. F.
Evans, &c. 2nd, Mr. G. Burden, Manor Gar-
dens, Sandyway.

In the class for 12 Japanese blooms Mr.
Chandler again won the 1st prize, and he was
closely followed by T. Wordsworth Jameson,
Esq., and Mr. G. Burden respectively.

For eight vases of Japanese Chrysanthemums,
three blooms in a vase, Mrs. Constable, Manor
House, Otley (gr. Mr. W. H. Aldridge), took the
1st prize with some well-finished blooms.

Incurved varieties. — The best exhibit of 12 In-
curved blooms, in not fewer than six varieties,
was shown by Mr. G. Burden ; 2nd, T. W.
Jameson, Esq.

Single Chrysanthemums. — The best twilve
vases of single Chrysanthemums, grown natur-
ally, were shown by Mr. John 'Ihoknton ; 2nd,
Mr. Geo. Buck, Hall Lane Gardens, Horsforth.

A table of cut blooms arranged for effect was
best shown by the proprietors of the Hotel
Majestic (gr. Mr. L. Hanchant).

Amongst other successful exhibitors in the
decorative classes were Mr. J. R. Grounhwell,
Buslingthorpe ; Messrs. Alius tV. Rowntree,
Leeds ; and J. Pickersgill, Eisq. (gr. Mr. J.
Donoghue).

Fruit and vegetables. — The best two bunches
of Black Grapes were shown bv Aid. A. T.
Walker, J. P., The Elms, Weetwood (gr. Mr.
E"red Norman) ; and the best two bunches of
White Grapes by G. H. Shaw, Esq. (gr. Mr. A,
Blakey). Mr. G. H. Shaw was also 1st for six
dessert Apples, and again for six varieties of
culinary Apples and in the class for Pears.

In the class for a collection of eight kinds of
vegetables, Mr. Oliver Pilling, Elland, won
the 1st prize ; while for a collection of six varie-
ties of vegetables Mr. J. R. Groundwell was
most successful.

Non-competitive exhibits. — A display of Carna-
tions was tastefully shown by Mr. E. C.
Edwards, Leeds. Collections of fruit were
shown by the Agent-General of British
Columbia, Messrs. Laxton, Bedford, and J. R.
Pearson & Sons, Lowdham. Chrysanthemums
were displayed by Messrs. Clihran, Altrin-
cham, and by Messrs. W. Wei i s & fa,
Merstham, Surrey. Messrs. J. W. Moore, Ltd.,
Rawdon, staged a collection of Orchids
Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge, staged a col-
lection of vegetables in most of the leading
varieties. A collection of Palms, Chrysanthe-
mums, &c, was exhibited by Mr. Wm. Green,
Leeds.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE CHRYSAN-
THEMUM.

November 20. 21. — The third annual exhibi-
tion of this society, held on these dates, was far
in advance of the two previous shows, both in
the number of the exhibits and in the quality
of the flowers. At the opening ceremony, which
was performed by Lady Anne Lambton, Lord
Durham announced that two additional cups
would be offered for competition next year, and
there would also be a 15-guinea subscription
cup. It was afterwards announced that eight
challenge cups and two gold medals had been
presented to the society for next year's com-
petitions.

i 'ul blooms. — In the class for 12 vases of Jap-
anese blooms, three blooms of one variety in a
vase, a Silver Cup and five guineas were offered
as the 1st prize This was won by C. Bewick,
Esq., Close House, Wylam (gr. Mr. W. Rome),
for the second time. The Cup thus becomes
Mr. Rome's property. The premier exhibit in-
cluded fine flowers of the varieties Bessie God-
frey, F. S. Vallis, Mrs. Knox, Magnificent, Mme.
V. Venosta, &c. ; 2nd, Col. Sadler, Dalston
(gr. Mr. Jas. Hardcastle), with bright but smaller
flowers than those that secured the cup; 3rd,
vlessrs. Ord Brothers, North Shields.

In the class for : •■. vases of Japanese bloom-
in not fewer than six varieties, Mr. J. Hard-
castle was placed 1st, Mr. A. Appleton,
Brampton Junction, being awarded the 2nd
prize.

The best four vases of Japanese blooms were
from the gardens of \\ . Davis, Esq., Gosforth
(gr. Mr. C. English); 2nd, Mr. Hardcastle.

In the class for three blooms of a white Jap-
anese variety, W. Runciman, Esq., Scotswood

(gr. Mr. J. Askew), was awarded the 1st prize
lor Elsie Foulton ; Mr. Rome followed with
good examples of Mrs. A. T. Miller.

Mr. Rome won the 1st prize for three blooms of
a yellow Japanese variety, with fine blooms of E.
S. Vallis, whilst in the class for three Japanese
blooms other than white or yellow varieties, Mr.
T. H. Bolton, Powderham Castle Gardens,
Devon, was successful.

In the competition open only to grower.- in
Northumberland and Durham, 'the Silver Cup
offered for four varieties of Japanese Chrysan-
themums in vases was also won outright bv Mr.
W. Rome, who showed fine examples of F. S.
Vallis, J. H. Silsbury, Algernon Davis, and
Miss Nellie Pockett ; J. R. Scott, Esq., Benton
(gr. Mr. H. Late), was awarded the 2nd prize
in this class.

The Gold Medal offered for the finest bloom
in the show was awarded to Mr. W. Rome for
a grand bloom of the variety F. S. Vallis.

Plants. — Mr. C. E2nglish was awarded the 1st
prize in the class for four bush plants, with
finely-grown and well-flowered specimens of
Vivian Morel, C. Davis, and Soleil d'Octobre.

The best group of Chrysanthemums arranged
with other flowering and foliage plants was put
up by Mr. T. Bell (gr. to A. E. Bambridge,
Esq., Jesmond) ; 2nd, Messrs. Ord Brothers,
with a group consisting principally of large-
flowered Chrysanthemums.

Fruits and vegetables. — The best two bunches
of Black Grapes among eight competitors were
shown by J. F. Laycock, Esq., Wiseton, Notts
(gr. Mr. W. Musk) ; he had finely finished
examples of Gros Colmar ; 2nd, Lord Arm-
strong, Jesmond Dene (gr. Mr. J. Elliott).

Mr. Elliott was 1st tor White Grapes, with
large, well-finished bunches of Raisin de
Calabre ; 2nd, Mr. T. Bell, with Muscat of
Alexandria.

Messrs. Mi sk, Bolton, and Davidson, won
the principal prizes in the classes for Apples
.old Rears.

The classes devoted to vegetables were well
contested. Perhaps the most remarkable ex-
hibits in this section were the 23 stands of Leeks.

Non-competitive EixHiBi is.
The trade exhibits were verv attractive. Mr.
W. H. Hardy, Gosforth, showed Carnations,
winter-flowering Heaths, &c. Messrs. Finney tv;
Co., Newcastle-on-Tyne, exhibited hardy fruits,
Potatos, and various flowering plants. Mr. W.
Lawrenson, Newcastle, had an extensive group
of hardy fruits, Carnations, decorative shrubs,
Heaths, &c. The Tyneside Seed Stores showed
a miscellaneous collection of fruit, vegetables,
bulbs, and winter-flowering plants. Mr. W. K.
Armstrong, Newcastle-on-Tyne, displayed
Palms and other plants suitable for floral decora-
tions. Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, were
awarded a Gold Medal for an exhibit of Potatos.
Messrs. Kent & Brydon, Darlington, had a
small collection of Carnations. //. /. C.

CHESTER PAXTON.

November 20, 21.— The annual exhibition of
fruit, Chrysanthemums, &c, was held in the
Town Hall on these dates. The entries exceeded
those of any previous year, the greatest increase
being in the farmers' and cottagers' classes for
hardy fruits. An interesting and extensive ex-
hibit of Hereford-grown fruit was staged by the
Hereford Co-operative Fruit Grading' So-
ciety, which was awarded the Paxton Society's
Silver Medal. His Grace the Duke of West-
minster, Eaton Hall, Chester (gr. Mr. N. E.
Barnes), showed a non-competitive exhibit of
Chrysanthemums and foliage plants, which
occupied the lower end of the Assembly Room ;
this added very materially to the appearance
of the room, and for general excellence was
awarded the Society's Gold Medal. All the
Chrysanthemum classes were well contested,
the principal honours going to the president of
the Society, T. Gibbons Frost, Esq. (gr. Mr. T.
Gilbert) ; F. B. Summers, Esq., Bache Hall (gr.
Mr. E. Stubbs) ; and the Chester County
Asylum (gr. Mr. H. Lawson).

A large collection of Chrysanthemum blooms
was exhibited by Messrs. CLIBRAN, Altrin-
cham. Messrs. Dickson's, Ltd., Chester,
staged a large and excellent exhibit of Chry-
santhemums.

November 30, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

383

WOOLTON AND DISTRICT
CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 20. — The ninth annual show of
this society was held in the Church Hall on the
above date. The show was an unqualified suc-
cess, the cut blooms being equal to any ever
exhibited here. The class for nine vases of
single Chrysanthemums brought seven entrants,
the prize being a silver challenge trophy pre-
sented by A. H. Tate, Esq., ilighfield. The
premier prize in the class for 24 Japanese
blooms, distinct, was won by Sir Wm. 11. Tate,
Bart. (gr. Mr. Geo. Haigh), who thus repeated
his previous year's success and won outright
the silver challenge cup presented by Mi's.
Gossage. The 2nd prize was awarded to \V.
Tod, Esq., Dry Grange, Allerton (gr. Mr. Geo.
Eaton). The best exhibit of 18 Japanese blooms,
distinct, was shown by Mrs. Gossage, Camp
1 1 ill [gr. Mr. J. Sumner). 2nd, T. Clarke,
Esq., Allerton Hall (gr. Mr. Jas. Clarke|. In
the Incurved section, Sir Wm. H. Tate, Bart.,
won the 1st prize for 18 distinct varieties.
Thos. Clarke, Esq., was placed 2nd. Tins
class excited a very keen competition.

The N.C.S. certificates were both awarded to
Sir Wm. H. Tate for magnificent blooms of
Leigh Park Wonder and Mrs. B. Hankey.

The 1st prize, consisting of a challenge cup,
for single Chrysanthemums was taken by P. W.
Barr, Esq. (gr. Mr. T. Keightley). Eor the
group of cut Chrysanthemums arranged for
effect, Sir Wm. H. Tate, Bart., was most suc-
cessful.

Exhibits of plants were best shown by W.
Cunningham, Esq., Gorsey Cap (gr. Mr. Wm.
Wilson), and Arthur Earle, Esq., of Child-
wall (gr. Mr. T. Hitchman).

The fruit classes were not so keenly contested
as in some former years. Colonel R. Ireland
Blackburne, C.B.,'Hale Hall (gr. Mr. A. A.
Evans), took 1st place for two bunches of Black
Grapes, and four 1st prizes for Apples and
Pears.

The vegetable classes were well contested
For a collection of six distinct kinds, confined
to gardeners, T. Clarke, Esq., was aware'ed the
1st prize. The " Farmers' Challenge Cup," pre-
sented by Mrs. Neil Gossage for a similar
collection, was taken by Mr. James Gore,
Halewood.

1st place for single white blooms. The Duke of
Somerset, Burton Hall, Lincoln (gr. Mr. George
Jamieson), was placed 1st in the class for In-
curved blooms, his flowers being much admired.
He also took the prize offered for the best In-
curved bloom in the show with a superb speci-
men of C. H. Curtis. Amongst other growers
whe took leading places in the cut-flower sec-
tion were Mr. Jenkixs. Woodside ; Mr. A. Oli-
phant, The Links, Montrose ; Mr. William
Milne, Corsindae House; and Mr. Alex.
Douglas, kepplestone House, Aberdeen.

Plants. — This section was the weakest part of
the show. The entries were fewer than those of
last year, and the quality was not quite so
good. Mr. A. Douglas (gr. to Mr. Ogilvie,
Kepplestone House, Aberdeen) was the only
exhibitor of a group of Chrysanthemums ar-
ranged for effect.

Fruit and vegetables made a good display, and
especially Apples. Some capital specimens of
this fruit were shown by Mr. R. Singer, Fir-
lands, Forres ; Mr. William Reid, Corsindae
House; and Mr. J. Robertson, I.etham Grange,
Montrose. Mr. Andrew Keid, Durris House
Gardens, and Mr. Robertson, Letham Grange
Gardens, won the principal prizes for Grapes.

There were no fewer than eight entries in a
class for a collection of vegetables. Messrs.
J. and D. Mackenzie, Bucksburn, Aberdeen,
won the 1st prize, followed by Mr. Lawson,
Oakbank, Aberdeen.

Non-competitive displays were made by Messrs.
W. WELLS >\ Sons; Mr. W. A. Dustan, Aber-
deen; Messrs. G. Bunvard & Co., Ltd., Maid-
stone, Kent ; and Mr. J. Robertson, Hadden
Street, Aberdeen.

ABERDEEN CHRYSANTHEMUM.

November 22, 23. — The annual exhibition
of this society was held on these dates in the
Music Hall Buildings, Aberdeen. Compared
with last year's show, the entries were slightly
fewer, but collectively the exhibits formed a
good, all-round display, and there was noticed
an absence of inferior flowers. The opening
ceremony was performed by Dr. Marshal
Lang, C.V.O., Principal of Aberdeen Univer-
sity.

Cut blooms. — The classes devoted to cut
blooms formed the leading feature of the ex-
hibition. The most important competition was
for a handsome silver challenge cup, offered by
the president and patrons of the society to the
exhibitor of the best twelve vases of Japanese
Chrysanthemums, three blooms of one variety
in a vase. George Keith, Esq., of L'san,
Montrose (gr. Mr. Andrew Hutton), who had
already won the cup twice, beat all other com-
petitors. His marks totalled 106, including 11
for grand specimens of F. S. Vallis. Other
varieties worthy of note in the premier collec-
tion were R. Vallis, Mrs. A. T. Miller, and Miss
O. Miller. The 2nd place went to the Countess of
Skakielii, ('ullen House (gr. Mr. Morton),
whose exhibit was only slightly inferior to Mr.
Keith's. This collection included some superb
blooms, especially an exquisitely-grown speci-
men of Mrs. A. T. Miller, which, was given the
prize offered for the best bloom in the show, and
also that for the largest bloom in the s'iow. 3rd,
Mr. W. Paterson, Balmedie Gardens, Aber-
deenshire. Mr. Hutton also gained chief hon.
ours for the best 24 blooms of Japanese Chrys-
anthemums, in not fewer than 12 varieties, with
a particularly fine collection, and several other
prizes.

In the class for nine varieties of Japanese
Chrysanthemums, Mr. James Jenkins. Wood-
side, Aberdeen, was awarded the 1st prize with
an exquisite display. This exhibitor also took

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

November 21. — A meeting was held on the
above date.

Mr. G. C. Druce showed dried specimens of
Linaria arenaria DC, which he had gathered
near Barnstaple this autumn, but which had no
pretension to be native, as it had been sown
there 15 years earlier. Further, he exhibited
herbarium specimens of Leontodon hirtus var.
Pristis, G. C. Druce, from Guernsey and Alder-
ney, and Picris hieracioides var. incana, G. C.
Druce, from the latter island.

The first paper was by Mr. W. C. Worsdell,
F.L.S., on "Abnormal Structures in Leaves and
their Value in Morphology." He stated that
there are no real " freaks " in nature, because all
so-called " sports " are reproduced in one form
or another as normal structures in other parts of
the vegetable kingdom. The great majority of
abnormalities represent reversions, or attempts at
reversion, to an ancestral structure.

The last paper, by Mr. J. G. Otto Tepper,
F.L.S., on "The Preservation of Specimens in
Australian Museums," was read in title. The
author based his remarks on Prof. A. J. Eyvart's
paper in the Journal, Zoology, vol. xxx., pp. 1-5,
on Anthrenus musaeorum, and pointed out that
the life-cycle of this insect involved visits to
flowers, and that the presence of their destructi\e
larva? in collections was due to the eggs being
laid in proximity to the cases, and the active
and minute larvae subsequently finding their
way into the containing cases, by cracks or sinii-
lar apertures.

NATIONAL DAHLIA.

November 26. — A meeting of the Committte
was held at the Hotel Windsor, Westminster, on
the above date. Mr. E. Mawley presided. The
commitlee received with deep regret the resigna-
tion of Mr. H. L. Brousson from the office of
secretary, which he had held for two years with
great benefit to the society. The vacancy was
filled pending confirmation by the annual gen-
eral meeting in December, by the appointment
of Mr. II. II. Thomas, editor of the Gardener.
Considerable discussion followed with respect to
the financial state of the society, which, if the
contribution from the Crystal Palace Co. was
paid, would be very satisfactory. Mr. Mawley
said that since the formation of the society
it had been favoured with five previous
secretaries in Messrs. Glasscock, Girdlestone,
Hudson, Tulloch, and Brousson, all gentle-
men deeply interested in the Dahlia and
most desirous of promoting its wider culture.
Without doubt the present position of the
society, with its 230 members, was largely due
to the active work of these gentlemen and to
iheir esteemed treasurer, Mr. Wilkins. But
specially was it due to the introduction of the
("actus Dahlia, which had become so remark-
ably popular. Still, he thought the time had
arrived when something more should be done to
make that popularity wider, and he specially
wished to see a section of Cactus Dahlias apart
from exhibition varieties that were to be pro-
moted for garden decoration. The new Paeony-
flowered forms, no doubt, had in them a great
future, and merited wide cultivation. Again,
single Dahlias, the special favourites of the late
Mr. Girdlestone, were very beautiful as garden
flowers. Any new developments in Dahlias
which presented themselves were worthy of all
consideration and development.

He proceeded to refer to the places for exhibi-
tion open to the society, and in doing so made
passing and kindly reference to the London
Dahlia Union, which invariably held its show
at a later date than the society did ; hence there
was no clashing, and only the most friendly
arrangement. The committees were in each case
almost of the same persons. Arising out of the
chairman's reference to places for exhibition
much discussion followed, some members
favouring the retention of the shows at the Crys-
tal Palace, and others being desirous of holding
them in London. No doubt some definite de-
cision will be announced at the coming annual
meeting. The schedule of competitive classes
for the ensuing year was considered.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting convened by the Leeds branch of
this association was held on the first day of the
Chrysanthemum Show in a room adjoining the
Exhibition Hall. All gardeners from toe neigh-
bourhood were invited to attend. A considerable
number were present, including Mr. J. Campbell,
Methlev Park Gardens, who presided, and Mr.
G. Carver, the branch secretary. After a brief
statement by the chairman, a letter was read
from Mr. G. Hemming, of the Alexandra Palace,
London, who was for many years an ardent
worker in Leeds, introducing the delegate, Mr.
E. F. Hawes, of the Royal Botanic gardens,
Regent's Park, a member of the executive coun.
cil. Mr. E. F. Hawes traced the progress of
the association from its formation up to the
present time. After the address, a discussion
ensued, the speeches showing that a keen in-
terest in the association exists amongst Leeds
gardeners.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

REDHILL, REIGATE AND DISTRICT GAR-
DENERS*.—At a recent meeting of this association, Mr E,
Salmon, F.L.S., Wye College, gave a lecture, illustrated by
lantern slides, on " Fungoid Diseases." G. P. S.

GUILDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'

A meeting of this association was held on Tuesday, Novem-
ber 19, when Mr. H. Tann presided over a moderate
attendance of members. Mr. W. Goodwin, of the South
Kastern Agricultural College, Wye, delivered a lecture on
" Manures." The lecturer dealt principally with nitro-
genous manures, including nitrate. of soda, nitrate of potash,
and sulphate of ammonia. Lime is of the utmost im-
portance in the soil, as, by its agency, acidity is corrected,
the development of bacteria is favoured, &c.

CROYDON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL

The meeting held on November 19 was devoted to micro-
scopical studies. Under the guidance of Mr. J. Gregory,,
classes have been held during the past year, and those
members attending were able to exhibit the progress they
had made in giving demonstrations to interest their fellow
gardeners.

BECKENHAM HORTICULTURAL.- At the meet-

ing held on Friday, November 22, a lecture on " Rose Culture"
was given by Mr. T. Burch, of Peterborough. The lecturer
stated that November was the best month for planting
Roses. Newly-planted trees should not be hard pruned
the first year. Hybrid Tea and Perpetual Roses should be
pruned in the third week in March, and ''Teas " in the first
week in April. All climbing Roses should have their growths
trained upright, for if the shoots are allowed to hang down
the growth is checked. A good specific for ridding Roses of
green fly and mildew Ci.n be made with half a bar of Life-
buoy Soap dissolved in three gallons of water. T. C.

DEVON AND EXETER GARDENERS'. Mr, J.

Weeks, gardener to Mrs. Sanders, Stoke House, read at-
the last fortnightly meeting a paper on the "Tuberous-
rooting Begonia." The lecturer related the history of this
plant, and dealt in a practical manner with its cultivation.
A. H.

384

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[November 30, 1907.

(Dbttuarj).

Harry Gillett. — We regret to ha\e to record
the death on the 20th inst. of Mr. Harry Gillett,
secretary of the Cardiff and County Horticultural
Society, and of the Cardiff and District Chrysan-
themum Society. Mr. Gillett settled in Cardiff
20 years ago, and was one of the founders of the
Horticultural Society which was formed in the
following year. Those who have any knowledge
of the Cardiff show will likewise know that much
of its success has been due to the tact and energy
of the late secretary. Deceased passed away sud-
denly, after supper, from an affection of the heart.

Richard Lees. — The death took place on the
19th inst. of Mr. Richard Lees, who for a con-
siderable number of years has occupied the
position of gardener to Lord Dunraven, at Kenry
House, Kingston Hill. A Scotsman by birth, Mr.
Lees was a man of amiable disposition, and what
work of a semi-public nature he undertook was
done in a quiet, unostentatious manner.

William Unwin.— The death occurred recently
of Mr. William Unwin, a well-known commission
agent in the Covent Garden fruit market.

The Sparrow in New South Wales. —

The sparrow has few friends, but he is so wily
that he has but little to fear from his foes. The
latest lament on his powers of devastation comes
from Australia, where, according to the Agricul-
tural Gazelle, his predatory habits, coupled with
his application to himself of the charge to "re-
plenish the earth and subdue it," is causing
the gravest apprehension. Grapes, Figs, and
other fruits are attacked before- they are ripe,
and even if they are protected ths little brown
bird vies with the rat in the cleverness with
which he extracts what he wants, in complete
defiance of traps and nets. The matter is get-
ting so serious that the need of a conference is
urged in order to discuss the situation, and to
devise remedial measures that can be tried with
some hope of success.

Jo *S%
LomjpondenU

Adiantum cuneatum foe Market: /. C.
There is no absolute rule in regard to the
number of fronds forming a market bunch of
this Fern, but in the case of the best fronds
it is usual to place about one dozen leaves in
each bunch. There may be two dozen fronds
in the bunches composed of smaller fronds.
In packing flowers or fruit for market, proper
grading is of the utmost importance. All
buyers prefer samples of equal quality
throughout.

Basic Slag as a Manure : G. S. You will find
a reply to your query in the issue for Feb-
ruary 17, 1906, p. 112.

Begonias: A. C. If you will send us a few
leaves they shall be examined.

Chrysanthemums for Market : /. C. There
are three distinct grades of Chrysanthemums
- Id in Covent Garden market. The large
specimen blooms are packed singly without
bunching. These are not always of the very
finest exhibition type, but they are well-grown
blooms, and have been disbudded. The next
grade are those in bunches of 12 blooms,
which have also been disbudded. These vary
somewhat in size, and some growers place only
six of the best blooms in one bunch. The
next grade includes those flowers grown
naturally and without disbudding. Most
market growers place 12 sprays of these
blooms in each bunch, but there is no abso-
lute rule. Sometimes 18 or 24 of the smaller
sprays constitute a bunch, but in the case
of the larger inflorescences from 8 to 10 may
form a bunch.

i : Anxious, Nottinghamshire. The fruit
is not in a sufficiently good condition to be
judged definitely. You should have sent it

earlier. All we can say in the circumstances
is that it appears to us as a form of Muscat of
Alexandria. The slight differences you have
observed are such as are sometimes pro-
duced by grafting upon a different stock,
but this may not be the case in your instance.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, togive
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruits: E. W., Stanstsd. 1, Marie Louise; 2,
2, Gansel's Bergamot ; 3, St. Edmunds;
4, Beurre Diel ; 5, Ribston Pippin ; 6, Belle
Dubois. — St. John Ackers. King of the Pippins.
— ■/. C. Van Mons. Leon Leclerc. — Chcwton. a.
White Nonpareil ; b, Beurre Diel ; c, Chau-
montel. — Minehead (no letter). 1, Scarlet
L^adington ; 2, The Queen. — G. M. The Apple
is a very fine fruit of Annie Elizabeth.

Plants: E. B. Escallonia floribunda, syn.
E. montevidensis. — 7*. R Y. 1, Pholidota chi-
nensis ; 2, Odontoglossum Lindleyanum ; 3,
Odontoglossum blandum ; 4, Bulbophyllum
auricomum ; 5, Masdevallia Simula ; 6, Pleuro-
thallis conanthera. — J. B. Oncidium aborti-
vum. The other flower sent is not recognised ;
kindly send a better specimen. — J. F. Hiera-
cium aurantiacum. — S. R. D, 1, Cupressus
Lawsoniana ; 2, Juniperus sp. ; 3, Juniperus
chinensis; 4, Thuya orientalis var. aurea ; 5,
Peruettya mucronata ; 6, P. m. var. angustifolia.

Narcissus and Hyacinths for Exhibition :
Narciss. You should have potted the bulbs
earlier ; further delay would only defeat the
object in view. The late planting of bulbs
generally results in the plants failing to develop
to their proper stature. In the case of the
Hyacinth, where many flowers are arranged
in one spike, the uppermost flowers do not
finish well, hence a weak point is presented
to the judges. How long such bulbs may
safely be kept in the dry state depends to a
considerable extent upon the conditions of
storage. There is an idea abroad that late-
planting is conducive to success, but this is
not so, and success is dependent to a far
greater extent upon the subsequent treatment.
The plant that in its more natural season is
given the opportunity of developing its root-
fibres has decided advantages over those
planted later, and another season you should
bear this in mind. The exhibition being fixed
for April, it will be held in the proper season
for the flowering of such species, and your
anxiety has no justification. The soil for
Narcissus and Hyacinths should be composed
of good loam three parts, the remaining part
being made up of silver sand, leaf-mould, and
decayed manure in equal parts. A small
addition of any reliable artificial manure or
bone meal should be added. If the bulbs are
to be exhibited in pots, the manner they
should be arranged will depend entirely upon
the conditions stated in the schedule issued by
the society under whose auspices you intend
to exhibit. Pot the bulbs quite firmly, just
burying the Narcissus from view, while keep-
ing the crown point of the Hyacinths level
with the rim of the pot. Following the plant-
ing, apply a thorough watering, and repeat
the application when the first has drained
away, so that the soil will be well moistened
throughout. On the same or the following
day stand the entire batch on a well-drained
ash-bed, and, preferably, against a north wall
for shelter. A covering not less than 4 inches
deep — 6 inches would be better — of coal-ash
or sand should be given, first covering each
of the Hyacinth bulbs with an inverted 3-inch
pot to prevent injury to the top of the spike
by contact with the plunging material. Thus
treated, the bulbs will be safe without atten-

tion for six weeks to come. At the expiration
of that time an examination should take place,
and if the soil is found to be dry, let an appli-
cation of water be given. It will not be very
dry, of course, but as both of these bulbous
plants are moisture-loving to a degree rarely
appreciated, water should be afforded them
whilst the soil is still moist. At a later period
a further examination should take place, and
the inverted pots and the ashes removed, re-
placing the former by larger pots and the latter
by a covering of litter. The subsequent treat-
ment should consist of affording abundance of
water and occasional doses of liquid manure,
putting the- plants into a darkened, cold
frame for a time, and ultimately exposing
them in a cold or slightly warmed greenhouse
or frame to ensure the plants being at their
best on the show day. As we do not know
the kinds of Narcissus you a:e growing, we
cannot give more definite instructions. See
also the article on p. 369.

Plants for a Wet Border : Narciss. Yuu
do not state the width or length of the border,
and, therefore, we cannot advise you defi-
nitely. There are, however, a large number of
plants well suited for cultivation in very wet
situations, and of these special mention may
be made of Monarda didyma, Narcissus Em-
peror, N. Empress, N. poeticus, the May-
flowering form, N. p. fl. pi., which is a capital
plant for such places, and many others. Leu-
coium aestivum, Colchicums (such as C.
speciosum and C. autumnale varieties), Crinum
Powellii and C. longiflorum are very suitable.
Such Astilbes or Spiraeas as S. palmata, S:
venusta, S. aruncus, and others make grand
specimens, and to these could be added Iris
sibirica in variety, I. laevigata, of sorts, I.
Pseudacorus, fol. var., I., aurea, and I. Mon-
nieri, Trollius in many sorts, Primulas as P.
japonica, P. rosea, P. cashmeriana, P. Sieboldii
in variety ; Lythrums, Epilobiums, Dodeca-
theons, Hepaticas, the taller Thalictrums,
and others are perfectly at home in wet soils.
If given frequent attention, many herbaceous
Phloxes and some Michaelmas Daisies would
also prove a success.

Record Carrots: U.S. Your friend's example,
weighing 2 lbs. 3 oz. is a large root, but it
scarcely approaches in size those in our " Record
Book" under dates 1858, 1859, both of which
turned the scale at 10 lbs. The measurement of
one of these is given at 20 X 39 inches. See
Gardeners' Chronicle, February 13, 1858, p. 111.
This Carrot is said to have been produced in
America, at Sacramento City.

Renovating a Vine Border : W . L. Carefully
remove the old soil from the roots, taking
care not to break the smaller root-fibres in the
operation, and when a trench has been opened
ascertain if the drainage is in a suitable con-
dition. If this needs attention, let the work
of re-making the drainage be done in a thor-
ough manner, and when put straight again,
fill in with a compost made up of good fibrous
loam, some old lime-rubble or broken bricks,
charcoal, wood-ashes, or burnt soil, and a
liberal quantity of fine bone manure. These
ingredients should be well mixed together. If
the roots are accommodated in inside and
outside borders, renew the inside border this
year, and after the lapse of one or more sea-
sons apply the same treatment to the other.

Wages during Illness : lnterrogavi &■ Macintosh.
A servant is entitled to his full wages during a
period of temporary illness, although the master
has to employ someone else to do his work. The
master may, if he pleases, put an end to Ins
liability to pay the wages of a disabled servant
by giving him the customary notice required in
that class of work in which the servant is em-
ployed, but unless such notice is given the
liability continues. The fact that sick pay is
given by a Benefit Society does not affect the
point.

Communications Received.— W. W. 1 1. and S. (We cannot
ms. it paragraphs in the editorial columns at the request
of advertising agents.)— A. J. E. (thanks for 2s. for the
R.G.O.F. box.)— W. B.— L. H.— E. A. (Cambridge)—
W. W. P.— W. G. S.— L. G.— J. A.— W. N. W.— W. \\
S. A.— W. I.— R. B.— E. M.— J. D.— J. S. B.-J. D. G-
G. H. H.— E. J. A.— T. G.— G. B.— H. T. & Co.— F. M.-
Mr-. II. -A. J. C— A. C— G. H. B.-E. F. W.— G. I>.--
H. A. M.-T. S.-A. P.-F. N.— J. T. S.

Foi Market Reports set f.ijc x.

December 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

585

THE

(BmhmtxB€\)wnklt

No. 1,093.— SATURDAY, December 7, 7907.

CONTENTS.

Bananas as a food for
cattle 395

Books, notices of —
Gardening in Town

and Suburb 386

The Book of Water-
Gardening 386

Celosias, the culture of 401

Chrysant he mums,
colour variation in ... 400

Chrysanthemum notes 387

Coal, anthracite, for
greenhouse heating ... 401

Colonial produce, an
exhibition of 395

Country garden, the ... 389

Debating societies,
question-night at .. 400

Diseases of plants ... 394

Exhibition, the forth-
comingFranco-British 395

Fernery at Wergs Hall 394

Floral Committee's ex-
hibits at the R.H.S.
Shows 400

Forage plants, Legu-
minous, propagation
of 396

Foreign correspondence —
The genus Magnolia... 390

Fruit register —
A new remedy for
Peach blister ... 389

Gooseberry, Whinham's
Industry 400

Grafting Tea Roses ... 899

Grapes at the Shrews-
bury Show 400

Grease-bands for fruit
irt-es 404

Hardy flower border —
Crocuses, winter-
flowering 396

Kniphofia multiflora 896

Kew notes —
The Greenhouse ... 388
TheTemperate House 390

Nitrogenous manures,
amount of 396

Nursery notes —

Laxton Bros., Bedford 391

Obituary—
Battersea, Lord ... 396

Orchid notes and glean-
ings—
Bulbophyllum pavi-

mentatum ... SP7

Dendrobium nudum 386
Listrostachys vesicata 3 6
Odonioglossum grar.ee 3^7

Pimento in Trinidad ... 396

Plant notes —
Select species of JEs-
chynanthus 389

Potato, black-scab, or
warty disease of — STT

Rosary, The —
Cultural notes for De-
cember 331

Seed and soil inoculation 385

Societies-
British Gardeners* As-
sociation 402

National Chrys. ... 40L

Putney and Wands-
worth Chrys. ... 395
Royal Horticultural ... 394
(Scientific Committee) 401
Saltaire, Shipley, and
District Rose ... 422

Trees and shrubs, notes
on some 300

Week's work, the —
Flower garden, the ... 393
Fruits under glass ... 392
Hardy fruit garden ... 393
Kitchen garden, the... 393
Orchid houses, the ... 393
Parks and gardens ... 39'2
Plants under glass ... 392

Wright, W. P., presen-
tation to 395

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Alsophila excelsa in the Temperate House, Kew ... 390

Apple Sykehouse Russet trained as a standard cordon 391
Bacteria found in the rout-nodules of Leguminous

plants — --. 385

Gooseberry Whinham's Industry 400

Nodules on the roots of a Leguminous plant 385

Odontoglossum grande, a fine plant of 3^7

Pea plants which have been inoculated with bacteria .. 385

Potatos affected with warty disease 397-398

View in the Fernery at Wergs Hall near Wolverhampton

(Supplementary Illustration)

SEED AND SOIL INOCULATION.

THE discovery during recent years of the
important part played by certain bac-
teria found in the soil, in maintaining
soil fertility and promoting plant growth has
directed the attention of all up-to-date horti-
culturists to the immense possibilities to be
found in the application of bacteriology7, the
most recent of the biological sciences, to the
oldest pursuit of the human race.

Among the many different kinds of in-
visible life incessantly at work below the
surface of the soil in fields and gardens, the
groupof nitrogen-fixing bacteria are of speci;l
importance in view of the limited amount of
combined nitrogen found in the soil. The
nitrogen naturally in the soil is contained
chiefly in the organic matter present. The
processesof decomposition and denitrification
tend to reduce this stock of combined nitrogen
by liberating it and setting it free as gaseous
nitrogen. So serious is this loss that Sir
William Crookes, at the meeting of the
British Association in 1898, predicted a
nitrogen famine within fifty years, and quite
recently Prof. Sylvanus Thompson has stated
that the existing sources of combined nitro-
gen will be exhausted in ten years.

And yet in the atmosphere around us there
is practically an unlimited supply of this valu-
able food element nitrogen in an uncombined
state. It is estimated that there are

Fig. 157. — bacteria- noiules, or tcbercles, on
the boots of a leguminous plan i.

75,000,000 lbs. of atmospheric nitrogen above
every acre of land of the earth's surface. If
this free nitrogen could be combined into the
form in which it exists in nitrate of soda, it
would represent a value of ^72rooo,ooo of
nitrogen over every acre. Unfortunately the
majority of plants are not able to avail them-
selves of this supply. Recently a certain
amount of this free nitrogen has been
rendered available bv electrical methods, and
the commercial production of what is known
as lime nitrogen has allayed all fears of a
nitrogen famine, but the process is an ex-
pensive one, and the product almost as dear
as nitrate of soda.

I

\ u

/

A

Fig 158. — bacteria found in the nodules
On' the roots of leguminous plants.

Fortunately Nature has a method of her
own for tapping the treasure of the air, and
lias shown us how, bv means of her wonder-

working bacteria, it is possible to obtain
practically unlimited quantities of nitrogen
from the air for the use of plant life at a
very small cost. These bacteria live in the
nodules or tubercles which are found upon
the roots of all leguminous plants — Peas,
Beans, Clover, Lucerne, &c. — and there
multiply and absorb the free nitrogen from
the air, and cause it to unite with other ele-
ments to form compounds which are suitable
for plant food.

Centuries ago, Pliny, writing on agricul-
ture, stated that leguminous or pod-bearing
plants supplied manurial material to the soil
as effectively as farm-yard manure ; and in
other ancient writings on agriculture many
references are found as to the necessity for in-
cluding some leguminous crop in the regular
rotation.

The exact meaning of this was not under-
stood until quite recent times, when in [886
Ilellriegel, in Germany, and Marshall Ward,
in this country, demonstrated that the nodules
which are found on the roots of leguminous

Fig. 159. — pea plants ; the larger one was
inoculated with the bacteria.

plants contain colonies of bacteria which
have the power of absorbing the nitrogen gas
of the atmosphere and rendering it available
as plant food, and the more numerous the
nodules the more vigorous are the plants
owing to the increased amount of nitrogen
absorbed. In 1888 Beyerinck found it pos-
sible to obtain pure cultures of these bacteria
on artificial media, and in 1890 Prazmowski
succeeded in inoculating the roots of Bean
plants growing in sterilised soils, and obtain-
ing luxuriant growth by simply watering the
plants with a liquid culture of the bacteria.

At this stage Prof. Nobbe took up the
work, and showed that by applying pure
cultures of certain bacteria to certain crops
an increase in root nodules resulted, and also
an increase in the yield of the crop. He
isolated the organisms from the nodules of a
number of leguminous plants, made a culture

386

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907.

of them in nutrient gelatine, and sold them
under the trade name " Nitragin." Unfor-
tunately, .litragin did not prove a success.
In a certain number of cases satisfactory
results were obtained from its use, but eventu-
allv the proportion of failures was so
numerous that its manufacture was given up.
The difficulty appeared to be in preparing
cultures of the right virulence which would
not deteriorate during transit. His theory of
inoculation was sound, but he had not hit
upon the correct method of application.

Little more was done at this subject until
1901, when the United States Department of
Agriculture commenced " a scientific investi-
gation of the root-nodule organism, with a
view to making practicable for use in the
United States the pure-culture method of
inoculation." It was soon found why
Nobbe's methods of culture and distribution
were so uncertain in their results. Nobbe's
bacteria being cultivated in gelatine naturally
preferred to feed on the combined nitrogen
of the gelatine rather than fix the free nitro-
gen of the atmosphere, and thus, not beini;
obliged to work for their living, as it were,
they became lazy and inactive, and lost their
virulence. The American scientists culti-
vated their bacteria in solutions free from
organic nitrogen, and demonstrated that by
this means the nitrogen-fixing power of the
organisms was increased. That is, they be-
came very active and virulent. It was also
demonstrated that the bacteria, when dried on
cotton wool in this condition, could be easily
distributed.

During 1903 and 1904 over 12,000 packages
of inoculating material were sent out free
by the Department of Agriculture to farmers
in the various States. In January, 1905, a
report of the results obtained was published,
which showed that 74 per cent, of the trials
were successful. The most astonishing re-
sults were received from poor soil districts.
One report states that " worthless, barren
ground, literally too poor to grow weeds, has
been inoculated and made to produce crops
four times as large as those taken from
average uninoculated soils. Scores of aban-
doned farms have been reclaimed simply by
inoculating the soils." II'. B. Bottomley.
(To be continued.)

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

"The Book of Water Gardening.

This book gives in detail the practical informa-
tion necessary to the selection, grouping, and
cultivation of aquatic and waterside plants. It
covers all conditions, from those of the amateur
with but a few plants in tubs, to those prevailing
in a large estate or park. It contains 198 pages,
and it is profusely illustrated with some 120 half-
tones, many diagrams, and two double-page
plates.

Upon even a cursory glance one is disposed
tn envy the luxuriance of the tropical and semi-
tropical vegetation illustrated in such detail and
variety ; but upon closer scrutiny it makes one
marvel at the results that have been accom-
plished in America in the growth of the choicest
forms of aquatic plants. We in England can-
not hope to equal, much less to surpass, the re-
sults that they have accomplished in the culture
of the tropical, semi-tropical, and the partially
tender plants which seem to revel under the

/ /, Booh of Water Gardening, by Peter Bisset. New
York : A. T. de la Mare Printing and Publishing Co., Ltd.,
1S07.

clearer skies and warmer summers with which
they are favoured. With the hardy Nymphseas
it may perhaps be said that we are able to
produce good effects.

The plates illustrate many beautiful and artis-
tic effects such as can be achieved here only
under glass. Some of the most charming plates
in this work are as follow: — An Amateur's
Water Garden, illustrating the Nelumbium, the
night-blooming Nymphaeas, as well as some of
Marliac's choicest hybrids, with Edchornia
crassipes and suitable surroundings. Another
one, which portrays Victoria regia, Musa, and
Nelumbium, forms a striking picture.

Turning to gardens of larger pretensions,
there is an illustration of the water garden at
Twin Oaks, Washington, the home of Mrs. Gar-
diner G. Hubbard. This is remarkable by rea-
son of the surrounding vegetation, even more
perhaps than by the water effect itself which is
somewhat too flat ; but the Water Lilies are
luxuriating to a wonderful degree. In this pic-
ture the importance of a screen is clearly de-
noted. One plate illustrates the Victoria regia
growing without artificial heat, and it is evi-
dently quite at home. Illustration and sugges-
tive diagrams are given of pools, basins, and
the like for the culture of water plants. One, on
a large scale, might well be adopted in the
more important gardens in this country, especi-
ally in public gardens. Some of these are shown
with heating arrangements and some without
them. It is a comparatively easy matter, even in
this country, to cultivate the tropical Nymphaeas
in heated houses, more could certainly be done
by us in this direction. Several plates are occu-
pied with single specimens of the tropical and
the hardy Nymphaaas. Those who are familiar
with these will readily recognise many of the
varieties, and those who are not so well ac-
quainted with the diversity that exists amongst
them might obtain much useful information by
a careful perusal of its pages.

In the letterpress will be found instructive in-
formation upon the problems that arise from
the first conception or creation of a water gar-
den up to its complete finish. The importance
of shelter, already alluded to, is clearly demon-
strated, and lists of suitable plants are given.
The work connected with the making of ponds,
the compost for the plants, the planting in the
pond, or in boxes or tubs, is all fully described.
Selections of the best Water Lilies and miscel-
laneous aquatic plants for cultivation by begin-
ners aire given, and appropriate plants are
enumerated for planting at the margins and on
the surroundings of the water. The propagation
of Water Lilies is described and illustrated. In-
sects, diseases, and other enemies are treated
of clearly. The book is written in a most
interesting and attractive fashion. As the
author states in the preface: "It is a heart-to-
heart talk, devoid of literary pretension, with
those of kindred tastes to my own." It is a
work that can be confidently recommended, and
even if one has no ambition to enter upon the
culture of aquatic plants, it will afford instruc-
tive reading. But to those who wish to enter
upon or extend their cultivation of such species,
it will be indispensable, /as. Hudson.

♦Gardening in Town and Suburb.

We think that, in spite of the great number of
books treating of gardening in its various
phases, there is room for this latest addition to
them. It is chiefly intended for the instruc-
tion of the amateur who may be the possessor
of a garden in the suburb or more open part
of a large town, and may give him a lead on
subjects of which he may have but a small
amount of knowledge, although he may yet
have ideals. The author commences, as a prac-
tical man should do, by giving the more neces-
sary details of laying out a garden which has a
border of herbaceous plants as its chief feature.

* By Harry II. Thomas. Longmans, Green & Co., 39,
Paternoster Row, London ; price 2s. Gd. net. Crown 8vo. ;

illustrated.

A select list is given of suitable plants that will
make the border gay with flowers from winter
to the end of autumn.

Uoses — an inexhaustible subject — are naturally
conceded a large space in the book, the best
methods of pruning the various classes being
pretty fully explained, and a sufficiently long
list of the varieties afforded.

Carnations and Pinks, good town plants, in-
cluding Border, Perpetual, and "Ma'lmaison"
Carnations, Laced Pinks,and the so-called Border
Pinks, Chinese or Indian (Dianthus chinensis),
&c, have a chapter to themselves, together with
useful information in regard to propagation.
Lilies and bulbous plants are enumerated and
species indicated. Considerable stress is laid on
the uses of annuals, and a fairly comprehensive
list is given of these. We miss the fragrant
Clematis flammula from the list of climbing
plants — a favourite with everyone for its masses
of white blossoms, that are produced on the plant
in almost any kind of soil. Everyone who has
remarked the dirty appearance of the foliage of
evergreens in towns will agree with the author
in his preference for hardy deciduous shrubs.
He should have included the beautiful Forsythias
and such hardy Fuchsias as Riccartonii and
globosa ; also such fragrant plants as Rose-
mary, Lavender, and the " Old Man " (Arte-
misia), Sweet Verbena, and Lemon Thyme.
" Tub" gardening and roof gardens each receive
a word of commendation. Fruit trees as covering
for walls, and as cordons and bushes are noted,
and suitable kinds are enumerated ; but that
capital variety of Pear that fruits freely about
London, the Chaumontel, is not included in the
list. The Greengage Plum is another that fruits
freely and is omitted.

Many amateurs will be glad of the chapter on
bulbs planted in " fibre." There is useful infor-
mation afforded on the culture of plants in warm
and cold greenhouses and unheated frames ; on
the cultivation of the Grape vine in a green-
house, and of plant culture in window boxes,
and in apartments. In connection with this last-
mentioned subject, there are some pertinent re-
marks on the proper affording of water to the
plants, a matter of much difficulty to many
amateurs.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

LISTROSTACHYS VESICATA.

This very singular species from West Africa
is flowering with the Hon. Walter Rothschild, at
Tring Park, and although the flowers are small,
their structure and arrangement are very curious.
The plant produces long spikes of small
greenish-white flowers, a few at the base being
arranged so closely together as to appear to be
in pairs, the remainder, to the number of about
100, being arranged alternately and in opposite
rows. Lindley, in Bot. Reg., 29 (1843), Misc.,
p. 6, under Angraecum vesicatum, remarks:
•' From the Ashantee country, whence it was
obtained by Messrs. Loddiges. It bears white,
inconspicuous flowers, whose spurs look like a
horn with a semi-transparent bladder at the
end." The bladder alluded to is nearly as large
as the flower, and gives it a very quaint appear-
ance.

DENDROBIUM NUDUM.

A fine specimen of this extremely rare and
little-known Javan species has flowered with the
Hon. Walter Rothschild. The plant resembles
a slender D. fimbriatum, and the flowers, winch
are produced in succession for a considerable
time, are in fascicles of two or three ; each
flower is about the size of the D. fimbriatum
alluded to, but totally different in structure, thf
large and stout mentum, which forms the lowei
part, being very conspicuous. The flowers are
yellow with a nankeen shade, and there are
purple markingf on the lip. Mr. R. A. Kolfe
makes the D. auroroseum of Rchb. f, in Bolt'
plandia, a synonym of this D. nudum, I. null.
Gen. et sf. Orch., 85.

December

1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

387

BULBOPHYLLUM PAVIMENTATUM.
To lovers of Bulbophyllums this charming
little plant should appeal very strongly, for it is
neat in habit and produces its brightly-coloured
flowers in profusion. A plant now in flower at
Tring Park, on a specimen obtained by the I I a
Walter Rothschild from Nigeria, has eight
spikes, and more are appearing. The s'.ender,
arching stems bear sprays of closely arranged
crimson flowers, the bases of the petals being
white and the fleshy lip furnished with rows of
hair-like processes. It was originally found by
Mann on the barks of the Nun River, where it
is reported that the ground in places is " closely
paved with the pseudo-bulbs of this spe i

ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE.

'i he plant of Odontoglossum grande illus-
trated at fig. 160 is in the collection of J.
Oakshott, Esq., Oaklands, Lower Bebington,
Birkenhead, whose gardener, Mr. Findlow,
obligingly forwarded us the photograph. The
specimen is growing in a pot 10 J inches in dia-
meter, and it recently bore 55 fully-developed
flowers. We give the following extract from
Mr. Findlow's letter: —

" Our plants of Odontoglossum grande are
placed at the warmest end of the cool house.
They were formerly accommodated in the inter-
mediate house during their growing season, but
we find they succeed equally well if they are
allowed to remain in the cool house all the year
through. During the season of growth, occa-
sional applications of w-eak manure water are
given. The staging about the pots is damped
occasionally with soot water. This species re-
quires rather more light during the summer-
time than O. crispum, and they are afforded
ventilation whenever possible. When the flower-
ing period is over, the plants are kept fairly moist
for a few weeks, in order to encourage them to
develop stout pseudo-bulbs. The amount of
moisture supplied to the roots is then gradually
decreased, but they are never allowed to become
sufficiently dry to cause the pseudo-bulbs to
shrivel. The rooting medium is the ordinary
compost used for Odontoglossums, viz., chopped
peat and sphagnum moss (no leavesl, and a good
sprinkling of finely-crushed crocks. O. grande
has a reputation for losing its vigour, but the
plants in thesa gardens improve each year.
Several of the growths developed three flower-
spikes this season, and some had nine perfect
flowers on one spike."

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES.

CHRYSANTHEMUM F. S. VALLIS.
This year in Paris F. S. Vallis was shown in
splendid form. M. G. Truffaut had 300 colossal
blooms of it in a single exhibit, and M.
Dubuisson-Foubert also staged an enormous
vase filled with grand examples. For the
special prize offered for the finest and largest
flower in the show, F. S. Vallis, shown by M.
Dubuisson-Foubert, was an easy 1st. From tip
to tip it measured 40 centimetres (16 inches).
The best bloom shown by him last year was
48 centimetres in diameter. The variety was
distributed by M. Calvat in 1902.

AMERICAN VARIETIES.

The varieties which came to England in such
numbers less than 20 years ago and many of
which were so frequently exhibited at the Eng-
lish and French shows, are rapidlv disappear-
ing. It is curious that no effort is being or has
been made by American growers to send their
novelties, but the fact remains that for a long
time past w-e have had but few additions to our
collections from the other side of the Atlantic.

After visiting the London parks, the trade
shows, and the English and French exhibitions,
I have only noted the names of the following
survivors of the American-raised varieties, viz. :
W. Tricker (bright rosy-pink), Hairy Wonder,

Delaware (Anemone), Simplicity (white Jap-
anese), Mrs. E. G. Hill (a big early pink),
Modestum, E. W. Childs, Mrs. Judge Benedict
(Anemone), Good Gracious (a most distinct,
whorled variety), Louis Boehmer (hairv),
Mutual Friend, Col. W. B. Smith, and W.
Falconer (hairy I.

CHRYSANTHEMUM MME. PAOLO
KADAELLI.
This is a grand flower wherever grown, and
a fine specimen of it was awarded 2nd prize at
the Paris Show in the class for the biggest bloom
in the show. Not long ago it threw a fine
yellow sp,,rt which was distributed under the
name of Mme. G. Rivol, which has been seen
this season in good form. Another new sport
has now appeared. It bears the name of Mile
Marthe Raffard ; the colour is reddish-butt oi
chamois, and it resembles its parent in every
other respect.

EARLY CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

At the recent Paris Show, M. Aug. Nonin
staged a nice collection of new large-flowering
early varieties, but before these can be tried in
England his novelties of last year will probably
have to be distributed. These have been
described by a well-kn ami English trade growei

thronged the Pans Show, especially during the
afternoons and evenings, were an object-lesson.
Looking over my notes, I am inclined to think
that the following may justly be described as
the most popular show flowers, the selection
being taken both from the classes for plants,
and from those for cut flowers : Baronne
Yinols is a charming decorative variety
plentifully used as a border or edging for big
groups in conjunction with a little yellow dwarf-
growing Pompon called Gerbe d'Or. Baronne
Vinols is a pretty shade of pinkish-amaranth or
purple, with white tips. It is incorrectly known in
this country as Caprice du Printemps. There are
probably half-a-dozen sports from it, but none
to my taste are so effective as the parent. Tokio
is a grand thing for specimen plants — a stiff
petalled, pale pink Japanese. In large blooms,
Duchesse d'Orleans, W. R. Church, F. S. Vallis
(superb), Mme. Paolo Radaelli (always fine), F.
Pilon, Mme. Rene Oberthiir, Sapho, W. Duck-
ham, Naples (not large but very effective), Alexis
Dessarps (a fine yellow, hairy flower), Mr. T.
Carrington, Mrs. I'oombes, President Viger,
Mme. Nagelnakers, Marquise Visconti-Venosta,
Souvenir de Bailleul, La Gracieuse, Princess
Alice de Monaco, Mrs. Barkley, E. J. Brooks, M.
Loisseau-Rousssau, General Hutton, Le Bou-

FlG. l6o. — PLANT OF ODONTOGLOSSUM bHANDE WITH 55 EXPANDED FLOWERS.

as the best lot M. Nonin has ever sent out, and,
indeed, in this section of early-flowering varieties
M. Nonin seems to be one of the most capable
growers on the ether side of the Channel.
They are mostly medium-sized, useful little
Japanese varieties, produced on bushy, dwarf
plants eminently suitable for the open ground.
They are all very free-flowering, and are first-
class amateurs' plants where a displav, or
blooms for cutting are required. Thev begin to
flower in September or October.

SOME POPULAR CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN'
FRANCE.
Walking round the various exhibits at the
Paris and Orleans shows, no English Chrvsan-
themum grower could fail to be impressed with
the large number of well-known flowers that
were finely shown there. Of course many of
the varieties are local, but there is no doubt that
most of the good English and Australian seed-
lings speedily find their way across the Channel.
I see there is some talk about Chrysanthe-
mums losing ground here in England ; it is
evident that in France they have not yet reached
high-water mark, for the immense crowds that

vier, Reg. Vallis, Chrysanthemiste Montigny, J.
H. Silsbury, Miss Alice Byron, Lt.-Col.
Ducroiset, and Australie. These were all remark-
able blooms, and were noted in a walk round
the exhibition for the purpose of ascertaining
the best varieties. A few Incurveds were noted,
but they were, of course, greatly in the
minority. Anemone-flowered varieties were non-
existent. There was not a single Pompon
staged, except as an edging for some of the
groups. C. Harman Payne.

SINGLE-FLOWERED CHRYSANTHEMUM 3.

As far back as 1886 I cultivated this sectio 1,
and ever since have endeavoured to induce
others to do likewise. I do not know a society
now that does not include the single-flovi
varieties in its prize list, even to the extent of
making groups of plants almost entirelv of
" singles."

At no show that I have visited during the last
few years has there lacked entries in these
classes, but, on the contrary, in many instances
as many as 10 competitors have taken their part.
In addition to the above practice of displaying
them for table decoration, the plants themselves

388

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907

produce a distinctly pleasing effect. Associated
with other foliage, and arranged in baskets,
they are at once light, graceful, bright, and in
every way charming.

The sprays are usually arranged in vases, the
blooms being limited or not in number, and a
capital effect they produce. At one time it was
remarked that the colours were all too dull and
sombre ; there was a want of brightness that
lessened the value of the flower as a decorative
subject. No such charge can be made now, for
there is an abundance of colour of all shades.
I have no liking for those varieties with several
rows of florets, which are really semi-double
in character and are not nearly so effective
in arrangement. This defect occurs very much
in what are best known as early-flowering varie-
ties— those capable of giving abundance of
flowers in the open in October. As garden
flowers there is not much objection to them,
but when cutting they cannot be arranged to
produce the best effect. There is a tendency
in some varieties of the ordinary November-
flowering sorts to become semi-double ; this is a
defect which I hope raisers will remedy.

The cultivation of single-flowering Chrysan-
themums is very simple ; an immense quantity
of blossom can be produced from 9-inch pots,
or even in a 7-inch pot a full-sized plant can
be grown. Insert the cuttings in January,
pinch the tops off them as soon as the
growths are 4 inches high, and allow the re-
sultant shoots to ramble away at will. If larger
flowers are required of any particular variety,
disbud the plants to the degree considered neces-
sary, but, as a rule, the handsomest plants are
obtained in specimens that have not been dis-
budded. Although varieties of Chrysanthemums
increase in great numbers, the single-flowered
varieties probably lead in this respect, as they
are so easily raised, therefore the compiling of
a choice selection is rendered still more difficult
for those who have not any previous experience.

* have drawn up a list of two dozen desirable
sorts for the guidance of the beginner :— Mrs.
J. F. McLeod, probably the finest yellow variety
in cultivation ; Pink Beauty, rosy-pink ; Lady
Mayoress Sayers, rich yellow, produced in fine
sprays ; Felicity, white, a large reflexed flower
having flat florets, a very fine variety, with a
rich yellow disc ; Victoria, yellow, flushed with
pink and rose ; Cannell's Yellow, having narrow
florets, especially at the tip ; Mrs. Carr Rad-
cliffe, rosy-carmine, with a pure white inner
ring next to the disc which renders this a strik-
ing variety ; Framfield White, a choice late-
fiowering sort, which is useful ; Nancy Magilli-
cuddy, glowing crimson ; Belle of Weybridge, a
chestnut shade of crimson ; Edith Pagram, rich
pink; Bronze Edith. Pagrani; reddish-bronze;
G W. Forbes, rich crimson-amaranth ; Mary
Anderson, pale blush ; Mrs. E. Roberts, white,
suffused with pink ; Mrs. R. N. Parkinson,
bright yellow ; Mrs. H. J. Hampson, a pretty
shade of fawn ; Miss Irene Cragg, white, with a
yellow centre; Framfield Beauty, deep, rich,
velvety-crimson ; Mary Richardson, reddish-
salmon ; F. W. Smith, rich pink ; Roupel
Beauty, wine red ; Winnie Sherring, apricot ;
and Purity, white. E. Molyniiiw

NAMING VARIETIES AT SHOWS.

It is very distressing to see the slovenly
manner in which Chrysanthemums are often
named at shows. Visitors to the exhibitions take
an interest in noting the varieties that attract
them most, with a view perhaps of adding them
to their collections. In this way gardeners like
to take stock of those staged, to criticise, and
perhaps to find fault with the various colours,
forms, and general manner of presentation. All
this renders the flower the more popular, and
oftentimes leads to business with the vendors
of new varieties.

The common manner now in practice of nam-
ing the flowers is to write down six and some-
times VI names on an ordinary sized envelop:

or card of a similar size, and place this list of
names — often badly written with a poor pencil —
on the stand in front of the blooms. Exhibitors
of course understand the method so generally in
vogue, and know at once which name is meant
for each flower. With the lady visitor, who
may be a keen admirer of show Chrysanthe-
mums, it is totally different ; she cannot tell the
order in which the names are placed, and too
often moves on quite uninformed, and thus some-
one suffers, perhaps the society. Very often,
too, these loose labels are brushed off the stand
on to the floor by various causes, and the names
are lost. It is quite an exception nowadays to
find a stand of blooms labelled in a proper
manner. I think societies are not severe
enough in imposing penalties for such lax at-
tention on the part of exhibitors. Seldom does
one see a printed name on a neat card. Mr.
Fowler Taunton set an example in naming
when he was an exhibitor that has not been ex-
celled, or even equalled. He had a wire
arranged with three spaces fixed in front of his
stand. Into this the three printed cards were
fixed, giving the names of the three blooms
behind. Visitors could tell at a glance the name
of each bloom in the stand.

If executive bodies would but penalise de-
faulters a few times, there would soon be an
improvement in the methods of labelling the
flowers. E. M.

KEW NOTES.

GREENHOUSE, OR "NO. 4."
At this season the major portion of the floral
display is obtained from Chrysanthemums.
These belong, generally speaking, to the deco-
rative and single-flowered sections, being more
suitable for cultivation as bush-plants. Varie-
ties like Source d'Or, Lady Selborne, Niveum,
Ladysmith, Emily Wells, Belle of Weybridge,
F.arlswood Beauty, &c, have thre? or four
flowers on a shoot. The following sorts are
disbudded to one flower on a shoot ; in many
instances three plants are grown in a pot, on
which there are 15 to 20 flowers — Viviand Morel,
Charles Davis, Lady Hanham, Market Red,
Soleil d'Octobre, Souvenir de Petite Amie, &c.
On the side stages smaller plants are grown in
6-inch pots from cuttings rooted the end of
March. Hood varieties for this purpose are
Soleil d'Octobre. Phcebus, Ladysmith, Ronald
Ferguson, Sceur Melaine, Nellie Pockett, and
Market Red. Several plants of Chrysanthemum
indicum are worthy of mention, the contrast
between this, one of the original species, and
the other plants forming an excellent example
of the work of the hybridist.

The side stages of the east wing are en-
tirely devoted to hard-wooded plants. Various
species and varieties of Erica are the most pro-
minent at the present time. These include E.
hyemalis and var. alba, E. gracilis and varieties,
E. caffra, E. melanthera, and E. cerinthoides
coronata. The distinct Acacia platyptera is one
of the first species of this large genus to flower,
the small globular blossoms are a rich yellow
colour and freely produced. Several varieties of
Correa speciosa are interesting ; the small tubu-
lar flowers remain a long time on the plants.
Correa saligna (syn. C. latifola) has con-
spicuous rich pink flowers ; it thrives better
grafted on Correa alba than on its own roots.
tltber hard-wooded plants in flower are
Epacris, Platytheca galioides, and Rondeletia
gratissima.

A group of the Scarlet Sage, Salvia splendens,
associated with Richardia Childsiana forms
perhaps the brightest feature in the house. The
blue-flowered S. azurea var. grandiflora (syn.
Pitched) is a useful plant at this season of the
year. The plants when growing must not be
stopped more than once or twice, as the best
flowers are obtained from long, vigorous
growths. It is better to grow three plants in

a pot if a dozen or more shoots are desired on
a specimen. Leonotis dubia is not so brilliant
in colour as the better-known L. Leonuras, but
it is worth growing nevertheless, as being two or
three months earlier in flowering. The orange-
yellow heads of flowers on Jacobinia chrysoste-
phana are effective ; one wonders how its value
for greenhouse decoration was overlooked when
first introduced.

The rich blue flowers of Daedal.acanthus ner-
vosus, better known in gardens as Eranthemum
pulchellum, are prominent at the warm end of
the house. It is a valuable winter-flowering
plant for the warm greenhouse. The plants of
Peristrophe speciosa are freely sprinkled with
the reddish-purple flowers. Chironia linoides
(syn. C. ixifera) lasts in flower over a long
period, the flowers are pink, the glaucous foliage
reminding one of miniature Carnation leaves.
Two plants which seem never out of flower
are Impatiens Oliveri and Lantana salvifolia
(syn. L. delicatissima).

The ornamental fruits of three sorts of
Tomatos hanging from plants grown in pots and
trained up the roof are a distinct feature of the
house. The variety Red Currant has long
racemes of fruits, 18 inches or more in length,
often with 50 fruits. The fruits of Sutton's Cas-
cade are slightly larger and the racemes
branched ; on one raceme there are 70 fruits.
The remaining variety is Cherry Yellow. The
fruits are rather larger than the two preceding
sorts, but not so freely produced.

ROSES.
At the present time (November 19) it is still
possible to cut really fine Roses in the open
garden. A walk round the Italian Garden at
the present time is delightful. Ouite a number
of the sorts are in flower, several making a brave
show. The place of honour as the best, must
be given to Frau Karl Druschki, from a bed of
which 50 lovely snow-white flowers with long
stems could be easily cut. Near at hand is
the popular Madame Abel Chatenay, truly one
of the best Roses for the garden or as
cut flowers. Caroline Testout is well known
as a perpetual-flowering Rose ; here it is still
blooming freely. Mrs. W. J. Grant, Lady
Ashtown, one of the newer kinds, together
with La France and Auguste Guinoiseau,
amongst the Hybrid Tea section, are all deserv-
ing of special mention. The best of the varie-
ties are Anna Olivier, G. Nabonnand, and Sou-
venir de Pierre Notting. The name of Hybrid
Perpetual is really a misnomer for most of the
varieties included in that section. Exception
must be made of the two sorts Dupuy Jamain
and Alfred Colomb. At the present time two
beds of the former variety and one of the latter
have a good number of flowers on them. The
China section is best represented by Madame
Eugenie Resal.

OUTDOOR CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
The present season has been an exceptionally
good one for these plants. During the past
three months Chrysanthemums have been a
conspicuous feature of the outdoor department
at Kew between the Cumberland Gate and the
Kew Green entrance to the gardens. The plants
were grown in one of the nurseries, and carefully
transplanted with good balls of soil at the end
of July and beginning of August to beds and
borders in which annuals had flowered in early
summer. The Duchess border alone contains a
thousand plants consisting mainly of the three
varieties Flora (yellowl, La Luxemburg (bronze-
yellow), and Crimson Marie Massie. For fully
two months this has been a delightful study in
crimson and gold, eminently suitable for this
season of the year. Other popular sorts at Kew
are Piercy's Seedling (bronze-yellow), White St.
Crouts, Pink Marie Massie, Ryecroft Glory (rich
yellow), Polly (amber- yellow), Perle Rose (pearl-
pink), Rosie (terra-cotta), and Ralph Curtis
(creamy-white). D. D.

December 7, 1907.]

THE GA R D EA> ER S' CHR ON ICE E.

389

THE COUNTRY GARDEN.

PLANTS POSSESSING PERFUME.

There is a certain amount of sentiment, but
charming sentiment, in having what for lack
ot a better name I must call a garden or gar-
dens within the garden. Thus the Rose
garden, the rock garden, the garden of sweet
scents, perhaps the herb garden, the old-
fashioned garden, sometimes even a garden de-
voted to one family — the garden of Poppies for
instance. We do well to emphasise the value
of titles such as these which, given to the
different portions, make for well-marked charac-
terisation and distinction.

The weak point of many of our English gar-
dens lies in the monotony that runs through the
whole space ; whereas if the different portions
were known by distinct titles there would be a
more definite basis to work upon, and greater
individuality and character would result. I am
going to-day to write down a few thoughts on
the seasonable making and stocking of a garden
of sweet scents. It may be that the position will
allow of a rather definite marking off of its
limits ; this entirely must depend upon the
surroundings. This marking off may be as slight
and unostentatious as a hedge of Lavender or
Rosemary, or Southern Wood — or, on the con-
trary, it might be found that high Fir poles
grown about with fragrant Honeysuckle and
Clematis would not be too important a
boundary. Then as to the form this little
garden within a garden shall take ; this again
must be decided by each gardener for himself,
according to the plan he has to work on. I
can only suggest a very charming little gar-
den of sweet scents consists of four borders
surrounding a square plot of grass, with or
without a pathway between the grass and the
borders. For preference, I should say by all
means have the pathways where possible, be-
cause they add greatly to the sense of com-
pleteness.

The squareness, the neat grass plot, the
straight pathways, all accentuate the sense of
formality. To many people this will be plea-
sant, and it will help to produce the sense of
neatness and trimness that should rule in these
gardens within gardens. The trimness may
further be emphasised by having an edg-
ing round the four sides ; and what can
be more suitable, more beautiful even,
than a border of the old-fashioned white
Pinks? These, by the way, are far to be pre-
ferred to the heavier Mrs. Sinkins and others of
a similar type, as the old-fashioned smaller
flowers do not get dashed down with the rain,
and they make a denser mass of colour on their
wiry, strong stems. Even when not in blossom
the plants make a trim, beautiful edging. Too
many people think, however, that a Pink edg-
ing once planted is planted for ever. This is a
mistake. Taking the Dianthus family as a whole,
it is not a long-lived one — at least, I will not
exactly say that, but when old they become un-
sightly and leggy, and the richer and heavier
the soil the oftener will the plants have to be
renewed. In poor soil I have a border in capital
condition that has been established over five
years, but I know of another garden containing
a heavy clay soil in which a similar edging has
worn out in the same period. However, it
is no serious matter to reset a Pink edging
occasionally ; it is not even necessary to have
recourse to layering : cuttings put in after
flowering make healthy young plants.

We must be careful to introduce as many as
possible of the flowers which have, as it were,
the sentiment of fragrance about them : those
which for their perfume poets have lauded and
the whole world has learned to cherish and to
legard with particular affection. Thus we must
see to it that we plant here the Lily .and the
Violet, Lavender and Jasmine, the Poet's Nar-
cissus, the Daphne, the Wallflower, the Lilac
and Philadelphus (Mock Orange Flower], and
the sweet-scented Hyacinths.

It must be full of scent over as long a period
as possible, and in summer the perennial plants
can be augmented by several annuals — Sweet
Peas, which may be sown the first week in
November except in very heavy soil, Nicotiana
affinis, Sweet Sultan, Stocks, and others.

It is, I find, an excellent plan to make a
late spring sowing of Mignonette, as this will
go flowering on into autumn in better condition
than almost any other summer-flowering plant.

The Lilies, where possible, may be autumn
planted ; and we must remember that many
varieties flower well under partial shade, and
these too are invaluable for autumn flowering
and perfume.

Half-hardy subjects will help to add to
the summer display— Heliotrope, Scented Ver-
bena, Oakleaf Pelargonium, and Brugmansias.

We must bear in mind that a good number
of the sweet-scented flowers are of somewhat
sombre hue. But we desire brightness, and we
can have it if we plant generously of those varie-
ties that are brilliant. Thus, the spring Wall-
flowers, with the two bulbous plants I have
mentioned (Hyacinths and the Poet's Narcissus)
should be largely planted for spring display.
The biennial Stocks in vivid rose-crimson are
grand bits of colour, and should be well used,
and in the best condition possible, so that they
stand out, a beautiful keynote of colour. The
brightest tints of the Sweet Peas should be
carefully selected.

In choosing such plants as Heliotrope for this
garden of sweet scents, bright tones, such as
that found in the variety President Garfield, are
strongly recommended. There is not a great
choice of fragrant yellow flowers, but yellow
Sweet Sultan, Musk, and Melilotus officinalis,
and some of the Evening Primroses are delight-
fully scented ; and, as already mentioned, for
background there may be great poles of Koses
and Honeysuckle, Clematis, and Jasmine.
Practical Gardiner.

PLANT NOTES.

FRUIT REGISTER.

A NEW REMEDY FOR PEACH BLISTER.

I had an opportunity recently of seeing the
effects of a new fungicide name Medela, in
Messrs. Geo. Bunyard and Co.'s Allington nur-
sery, near Maidstone. The specific had answered
splendidly, as the dressed trees were quite free
not only from blister but from leaf curl. Some
kinds of fruit trees, notably certain varieties of
Peaches, are much addicted to these diseases.
They include several of the best varieties for
flavour, and as a result they are not planted
largely. The Peach grower's trouble in this re-
spect will be largely minimised if Medela be
applied twice or thrice during the growing
season, giving an interval of a fortnight between
the dressings. From the results of trials made
in this nursery, notwithstanding the very un-
favourable season which has suited fungal
diseases, trees that were treated once with
Medela showed a great improven ent. and others,
to which a second and third dressing had
been given, were quite free of disease, al-
though trees in the same soil and posi-
tion upon which the specific was not used
suffered badly. The makers advise its appli-
cation early in the year when the trees
are in a dormant state. Rain-water is recom-
mended for its mixing. The trees should be
syringed when the buds are dormant, and again
when they are bursting, and if this does not
effect a cure it may be applied when the foliage
is fully developed, but at that period it must be
used in a weaker state. Medela is also an ex-
cellent remedy for mildew and other pests.
In heavy clay soils and gardens badty drained,
blister is most troublesome, and I recommend
a trial of this preparation. For mildew on the
foliage I would advise its use freely, but in a
weaker state. Trees grown under glass, if sub-
ject to mildew or curl, should be given a winter
dressing. Geo. Wythcs.

SELECT SPECIES OF ^SCHYNANTHUS.

The flowering of the ^Eschynanthus takes
place, with a few exceptions, in the late summer
and autumn months, when its bright-coloured
blossoms are much appreciated. About a score
of species have been at one time or another in
cultivation, but now there are few in general
cultivation, though, fortunately, these include
some of the very best for gardens.

One of the very finest of these is ALschynan-
thus speciosus, which has woody stems, several
of which are developed from the base.
These shoots attain to a length of 2 feet, and
they are furnished with oppositely-arranged,
ovate-lanceolate leaves of a dark green tint.
The flowers, which are borne in terminal clus-
ters, are individually about 3 inches long, and
have a peculiar curved shape — a feature common
to all members of the genus. Their petals are
coloured scarlet-crimson, and are marked with
darker blotches just inside the expanded mouth.

Perhaps the best-known member of the genus
is M. Lobbianus, and it is also one of the most
beautiful. The stems of this plant are slender
and coloured purple : the ovate leaves are not
more than an inch long and of a bright, deep
green. The inch long, thimble-shaped calyx is
hairy and of a dark purple tint. Protruding from
this is the bright scarlet corolla, curved as in the
others, and about a couple of inches long. As
the calyx is developed some little time before
the corolla, the plant presents the appearance
of being studded with dull, thimble-shaped blos-
soms, but as the corollas develop they impart
quite a different appearance.

JE. pulcher (syn. J£. Boschianus) greatly re-
sembles the preceding, but it differs principally
in having larger leaves, a shorter greenish calyx,
and a longer corolla, that is coloured scarlet
and yellow.

JE. Hildebrandii is a small but pretty species,
which was introduced to Kew in 1894, and dis-
tributed by Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, of
Chelsea, two or three years later. The plant,
however, seems to have almost dropped out of
cultivation. This is to be regretted, as it is a
charming little plant and quite distinct from
any of the other species. In the Shan
States, Burmah, where it is found wild, it forms
dense tufts on the trunks of trees in moist situa-
tions. The erect stems reach a height of about
4 inches, and are clothed with small, ovate,
fleshy leaves. The inflorescences form a ter-
minal cluster of tubular flowers, each about an
inch long and scarlet in colour. Less warmth
is required in the cultivation of JE. Hildebrandii
than for most of the members of the genus, and
I have seen it thriving in a cool Orchid house,
associated with Odontoglossums and similar
subjects.

The habitat of most of the species of /Eschy-
nanthus is south-eastern Asia, where they are
found growing in humid, tropical forests, in
company with Orchids and Ferns. Several
species were introduced by Thomas Lobb, when
travelling in that part of the world on behalf
of Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, more than
50 years ago.

Under cultivation, their epiphytic character
must be considered, and, for this reason, they
are, as a rule, best grown in suspended baskets.
The sides of the basket should be lined with
thin turves of peat, and a suitable rooting
medium consists of fibrous peat, leafmould,
sand, and pieces of charcoal. Care must be
taken that they are not allowed to become dry
at the roots, and frequent synngings are very
helpful. With the exception of /E. Hildebrancii,
the species of ^Eschynanthus require the tem-
perature of a stove, or the warmest part of an
intermediate house. Propagation is readily
effected in the spring by cuttings of the growing
shoots inserted in pots filled with a mixture of
equal parts of peat and sand, and placed in a
close propagating case in the stove. W.

390

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December

1907

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

THE GENUS MAGNOLIA.

In studying the vegetation of the Acclima-
tation Garden at Nikita, near Walta, on the Cri-
mea, I observed that in Magnolia grandifiora,
Linn., all the specimens are not of the same habit,
and when I began to compare different parts of
these trees with each other I discovered that
there are diversities in the direction of the
branches, the form of the leaves, the petals, and
the colour of the leaf-veins.

The leaves of a particular specimen, when
compared with those on other plants, were seen
to he shorter and broader, and in general
smaller ; besides which nearly all the leaves are
somewhat twisted, and instead of the usual deep
green, their colour is inclined to yellow. The
petals are smaller and narrower, and destitute
of a claw-like narrowing towards the petiole ;
its veins are yellow, or light yellow, whilst the
veins of the common Magnolia grandifiora, as is
well known, are red.

The branches of this particular specimen as-
cend, whilst those of normal examples droop,
and frequently touch the ground ; its fruits are
fewer.

Not having found in botanical and horticul-
tural literature (Hooker, Vilmorin, Lauche, K.
Koch, Wittmack, &c.) any description of the
Magnolia in question, I have drawn up this note.

As an illustration I append a table to show
the differences between the measurements of the
length and breadth of the normal form and what
I must consider a new sub-species t —

M. grandis n. s.-sp.

Length and breadth of leaf 273 CU1« l^icm.

Greatest breadth 6g cm. 10$ cm.

Proportion between length and breadth ifc cm. IS, cm.

These two instances are typical for the forms
in question. I may here state that in the sub-
species the leaves gradually narrow towards each
extremity, whilst in the normal species they are
nearly oval. The small and oval leaves do not
occur on the same tree. The brown hairs on
the under surface of the leaf are not constant,
and therefore cannot be relied on as characters.

I am greatly indebted to the kindness of my
friend Miss Katherine, who permits me to name
this new form after her, which I have the
greatest pleasure in doing — Magnolia grandifiora
Kathariniana, Bedelian.

Both the species and sub-species grow close to-
gether, so that the various peculiarities are not
the result of climatic differences, but may pos-
sibly be due to special constituents of the soil in
the case of the sub-species.

A long series of experiments on the part of
various botanists induces me to believe that the
varying size of the leaf depends upon the nature
of the soil.

I should be very much obliged if any botanists
in warmer situations than the Crimea would
ascertain if any similar variation occurs under
their observation, and, if so, if they would com-
municate with me, so that the geographic distri-
bution of this sub-species may be ascertained.
Dr. /. Bedelian, Nikita.

TEMPERATE HOUSE, KEW.

We have published from time to time illus-
trations of scenes in the Temperate House,
Royal Gardens, Kew, which is the most remark-
able structure of its kind in these islands. The
view reproduced at fig. 161 has for its principal
feature a very fine specimen of Alsophila
excelsa, one of the most ornamental species of
greenhouse Ferns. In some of the more
favoured localities in Cornwall and Devonshire
this species can be safely used for sub-tropical
gardening in summer.

Lonicera Heckroi.li.
This is one of the best of shrubby, flowered
Loniceras ; the rich orange-red blossoms are so
freely produced that they are extremely effec-
tive, especially when the plant has attained to a
good size.

Daphne laureola purpurea.
Where low-growing, compact evergreen shrubs
are needed for the front of the shrubbery bor-
ders to afford a variety of colour during the
autumn and winter months, this spurge laurel
will be very valuable. The richness of the
purple hue is very noticeable.

Veronica Cookii.
Unfortunately, this variety is not sufficiently
hardy to admit of its being left in the open dur-
ing the winter, but it is worthy of protection
under glass during the winter, or protection in
some other manner from frost. The drooping,
pure white blossoms are produced freely, and
the racemes are fully 6 inches long.

Berberidopsis corallina.
We seldom see this evergreen' climber in
a satisfactory condition. It flowers nicely at
Aldenham House, Elstree, on a wall facing to
the south-east. The plant requires a peaty
soil, and when growing freely in spring, an
abundance of water.

JASMINUM OFFICINALE FOLIIS AUREIS.
Although I am not generally an admirer of
golden-leaved hardy plants, this Jasminum, with
its rich, golden blotches, appears to me a very-
pretty plant. If trained to a pole amongst green
subjects, it is effective, and deserves to be more
widely known.

ROMNEYA COULTERI.
One more season has proved the value of
this Californian Poppy in localities where
it will succeed. Introduced in 1875, it has
hardly become as common as its merits deserve,
owing, possibly, to a want of knowledge
as to its cultural requirements. With me this
year it has flowered continuously from the
middle of July. On October 10 there were still

[Photograph by C. P. Raffill.

Fig. i6i. — view in the temperate house, royal gardens, kew.

The Evergreen Oak as a Hedge-plant.

This evergreen is seldom employed as a
hedge-plant, but it is probably due to the fact
that the price is somewhat dear. There is no
mistaking its suitability for the purpose, for the
growth is close yet vigorous, and it is easily
kept in order, for it will stand much cutting.
On the roadside from Margate to Kamsgaite I
recently saw a capital hedge extending for fully
a quarter of a mile. As growth is free and the
branches are freely increased by pruning, it is
not necessary to plant very thickly.

Berberis Fre.montii.
Those who appreciate plants with glaucous
leaves would do well to grow this Berberis.
Apart from its colour, it resembles a small
form of B. Bealii — an interesting plant. The
yellow flowers of B. Fremontii are sweetly
scented, and are followed by scarlet berries.

several fully-expanded blossoms. Many of them
this year have measured as much as 8 inches in
diameter ; they are pure white, except for the
yellow stamens. The species is not at all par-
ticular as to soil. A southern aspect at the foot
of a wall affords an ideal site, but an abun-
dance of water must be applied to the roots
when the plant is in full growth, and an occa-
sional application of liquid manure will do
much good in inducing vigorous growths to
push from the base of the plant : such shoots as
these produce the finest flowers. This plant is
generally regarded as an herbaceous subject, but
it hardly comes within the definition of such.
as it scarcely ever dies down to the ground.
Certainly not in my case, as it retains its de-
ciduous shrubby character. That it is some-
times shown as an herbaceous subject illustrates
how difficult it is to define strictly what is an
herbaceous plant. E. Molyktux.

December 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

>91

NURSERY NOTES.

LAXTON BROS., BEDFORD.

The speciality of this firm is the Strawberry,
«f which fruit Messrs. Laxton Bros, have raised
or introduced to commerce most of the newer
varieties in recent years. Messrs. Laxton Bros,
however have devoted much attention to the
raising of other fruits, and their nursery contains
many thousands of hardy fruit trees, flowering
plants in abundance, and many well-stocked
plant-houses. The nursery is approached by a
roadway on either side of which are spacious
borders filled with herbaceous plants and orna-
mental shrubs and trees, including many of the
choicer species of Conifers. Not far from the
entrance is a range of plant-houses, several of
which at the time of our visit were filled with
varieties of winter-flowering Carnations. The
plants were just about to expand their flower-
buds, and exhibited strong, sturdy growths. The
varieties included Victory, Robert Craig, Dor-
ner's White, Perfection, Enchantress, Mrs. Bur-
nett, Britannia, Christmas Eve, J. K. Haines,
and many others. Other houses were filled with
Ferns, many of which were species of l'teris
suitable for florists' purposes. We also noticed
the newer varieties of Nephrolepis, including the
beautiful Whitmanii variety of N. exaltata.
Amongst the miscellaneous plants in the other
glasshouses were subjects — either in flower or
fruit — that had been cross-pollinated with a
view to the raising of novelties. A plant of Cle-
matis raised from C. Jackmanii X C. flammula
was interesting. This was in flower, and the
inflorescence resembled neither of the parents,
but that of C. coccinea. There were large
batches of seedlings of Apple, Pear, Plum, and
other fruiting trees. The late Mr. J. Laxton
began experimenting in cross-breeding plants
about the year 1805, his first work being among i
culinary Peas and Zonal Pelargoniums. The
first certificate he obtained was for Pea Supreme
in 1868, and in the following year his variety
Alpha was similarly honoured. Pelargonium
Jewel followed in 1871, and then Emily Laxton,
one of the first of the semi-double scarlet varie-
ties. Mr. l.axton next produced Peas William
I., Dr. Hogg, Marvel, Omega, Fillbasket, and
G. F. Wilson, all standard varieties. He also
raised Roses, including the varieties Chas. Dar-
win, Dr. Hogg, Mrs. l.axton, Princess Louise,
Duchess of Bedford, and Mrs. Harry Turner.

The two sons of the late Mr. Laxton have car-
ried on the work of hybridising, and have de-
voted much attention to the 'raising of Straw-
berries ; it will be remembered that they have
raised such excellent varieties as King of
the Earlies, Royal Sovereign (one of the best all-
round Strawberries ever raised), Noble, the Lax-
ton, and others, their latest novelty being Bed-
ford Champion. The firm has also continued
to raise culinary Peas, and have distributed
such valuable varieties as William Hurst,
C.radus, Alderman, Thomas Laxton, and Lax-
tonian, sorts that would rank high in any census
of the best varieties of Peas. In a large orchard-
house trees in pots were fruiting, the majority
of which had been specially cross-fertilised and
the numerous labels attached to the fruits, each
bearing record of the cross, showed clearly the
object of the individual crossing. Messrs. Lax-
ton have crossed the Apricot with the Japanese
Plum, and the Peach with the common Plum ;
but although some of the trees have flowered,
none has yet borne fruit — a result which is
being eagerly awaited. A desirable Plum has
been raised from Grand Duke X Monarch, and
this was seen in fruit. It is a week later in
season than President, a variety which it greatly
resembles in appearance. Another interesting
seedling Plum was raised from Sultan x Early
Orleans. Cochet Pere is a new variety, of
French origin : when ripe it has a pleasing yel-
lowish-orange exterior. In this house were also
several new French varieties of Pears, of which
we noticed Belle de Portevine, a long pyriform

fruit, De Cure, a big, finely-shaped Pear, and
Belle de Premesque, an early variety with a
clear yellow skin. Then of seedling Apples we
were shown one with a beautiful form and pleas-
ing eye, raised from Schoolmaster X Wild Crab,
and another, the result of crossing Lane's
Prince Albert and Schoolmaster. Although a
quite young tree, it was fruiting freely. There
are altogether in this nursery more than 500
seedling Apple trees none of which, up to the
present time, has fruited, and as there are also
as many seedling Peaches and Plums, it is rea-
sonable to expect that varieties of merit will be
forthcoming, especially as all have been hy-
bridised with some definite purpose in view.
Experiments have also been made in the raising
of ornamental-flowering Tobaccos from Nicoti-
ana affinis x N. Sanderae, the resultant hybrids
having fli iwers larger in size than the hybrids of
X. Sanderae.

Fig. 1G2. — tree of svkehocse russet apple

TRAINED AS A STANDARD CORDON, OR "AMATEUR
STANDARD."

In the open nursery we were impressed by
the very large number of tiny pots piled in
many heaps. These are required for the layer-
ing of Strawberries, of which plants the firm
dispatches an enormous quantity to all parts of
the world during the season. Every year 100,000
new pots are required to replenish the stock.

A tour of the nursery grounds reveals the very
extensive area devoted to hardy fruits of all
kinds. There are Apples, Pears, Plums,
Peaches, Apricots, Gooseberries, Currants, and
other fruit trees in great variety and in large
breadths ; indeed, half the nursery is planted
with fruit trees. The stock of Apples is very
large, and it includes a number of standard cor-
dons, which many amateurs and cultivators for
market supply appreciate for the reason that the
stems of standards or half-standard trees are thus
made valuable for producing fruit before the

heads of the trees have become very large. The
variety illustrated as an " Amateur's Standard "
at fig. 162 is Sykehouse Russet.

Raspberries, Blackberries, the Loganberry,
and kindred fruit trees are made a speciality at
Bedford. We were shown a large stock of
Raspberry Abundance, a variety of stronger
growth than Superlative, and superior in flavour
to this older kind. The useful Loganberry has
been crossed with Raspberry Superlative ; the
hybrid bears the name of Laxtonberry, and it is
said_to possess the flavour of the Raspberry, with
the habit and general appearance of the Logan-
berry. In passing, we may record the excep-
tional growths made by the young Peach t
many of the current season's shoots were 5 feet
or more in length. The staff was busily engaged
in training suitable specimens as espalier and
other wall trees, all this being performed in the
open ground, bamboo canes being utilised for
training the shoots in position. There are large
breadths planted with Roses, and the nursery
contains a good stock of herbaceous plants, orna-
mental-leaved trees and shrubs, Conifers, and
other subjects.

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL NOTES FOR DECEMBER.

Of late years the most severe frosts have
occurred after Christmas, but precautions
should be taken early to protect, by
earthing-up, the dwarf, tender varieties.
Owing to the fine, warm weather of Sep-
tember, the plants generally have well-ripened
wood which is robust enough to resist damage
from frosts that are not too continued or severe.
The most harmful weather for Roses in the
open is an alternation of frost, thaw, and rain,
for these conditions are worse than a continued
dry frost. The recent rains have provided an
abundance of moisture in the soil, and any plant-
ing should be finished during dry mild weather.
Any Standard Briars that are temporarily
" heeled in "' should have the first attention and
be planted at once. If ground that was trenched
has been beaten down by the recent heavy rains,
or if the soil is of a heavy texture, apply a light
'Ires-iing of wood ashes, burnt earth, or leaf
mould, and lightly fork the surface. This will
make the ground more friable and easy to work.
Cuttings of Dwarf Briar, Manettii, and De la
Grifferie Stocks should be got in without delay,
according to the instructions given in my last
note.

Although the third week in October is 'un-
doubtedly the best time to plant Roses (except
Teas and other tender varieties), the soil and
weather at the time of writing are exceptionally
favourable for planting. In suburban and town
districts, where fogs and smoke are prevalent,
planting is best deferred until the spring.

le varieties of Roses are very popular just
now ; they are especially valuable for massing
in large groups. The following are among the
best varieties: — Dawn, Irish Beauty, Ander-
sonii, Gustave Regis, and Pyracantha ; the best
for planting on sloping banks are Dawson's
Rose, Anna Marie Montravel, Jersey Beauty,
and Edmond Proust ; while for covering tall
arches, Paul's Carmine Pillar and Aimee Vibert
are to be recommended, the pure white of the
latter blending well with the vivid carmine of
the former. Arches clothed with the Flybrid
Sweet Briars raised by Lord Penzance are also
an acquisition if space will permit of their in-
clusion. Of this type Anne of Geierstein, Amy
Kobsart, and Lady Penzance are some of the
best sorts.

The earliest batch of Roses in pots that were
started into growth during November will
be actively growing. As the dull season is now
approaching, the temperature of the house
should not exceed 55° during the day : provide

592

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907.

little top ventilation for a few hours daily in
favourable weather, but close the house entirely
at about 3 p.m. To prevent the plants from be-
coming drawn, place them well up to the light
and as near to the glass as is possible. The Tea-
scented varieties can be kept at the warmer
end of the house. On bright days a light syring-
ing may be given overhead in the morning in
time to allow the foliage to become dry again
before nightfall. If the weather is dull, an occa-
sional damping down of the floors and stages
will suffice to counteract the dry, hot air and to
keep down insect pests. If these latter become
troublesome, the vaporiser must be used, and if
mildew appears, the hot-water pipes, made not-
ter, should be smeared with a solution of sul-
phur vivum (not flowers of sulphur) and soft
soap. A second application of this specific will
usually suffice to remove all traces of the fungus.
Tea, and other Roses in pots, that have been
plunged outside and given temporary protection
to enable them to perfect their late autumn
flowers, should now be brought into a cool dry
"house, and if blooming is over, be kept quite dry
at the roots. This drying process, if done
gradually, will assist the plants to ripen the
wood. The grafting of Roses under glass
will now be in full operation, and as the first
batch of grafted plants are taken from the
frames and placed in the house, others newly
grafted can take their place. If green fly is
present, fumigate at once, for if this pest is
allowed to increase, the grafted plants will be
ruined. The grafting of freshly-potted seed-
ling Briars should not be attempted with dor-
mant wood. It is usual to select stock with
stems of about the thickness of a quill, and
when the shoots are trimmed, whip or splice
grafting can be practised, as in the case of the
Clematis. When the grafting is completed the
plants should be plunged in fibre or as^es under
frames, and as the union of stock and scion will
take a long time they should be allowed to
remain in the frames for this period. When
root and top growth has become active, the
plants can be gradually brought into the house
and treated in all respects like the other grafted
Roses. /. D. G.

The Week's Work.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Pot Vines. — The pot vines that are starting
into growth will now require very careful atten-
tion, and must not be subjected to extremes of
any kind. Maintain a steady bottom-heat of
'60°, and an atmospheric temperature at night
of 55° to 60°, allowing a rise of a few degrees
by day according to the weather. The vines
must not in any case be hurried into growth,
as root-action is still very slow. Disbud the
canes, rubbing off all weak buds. Those re-
maining should be 18 inches apart alternately
on each side of the cane. If they have not
broken away freely, a slight syringing of the
canes morning and evening will help them.
Never syringe them after this stage is oast, ex-
cept in cases of attacks of red spider. The damp-
ing of floors and borders each morning and even-
ing will be sufficient to maintain a humid atmo-
sphere. Prevent steam arising in the pit. A
little air may be admitted on fine days, but
draughts must be prevented. Use only the ven-
tilators at the top, and close these earlv in the
afternoon whilst the sun's rays are still upon
the glass. Apply water to the roots very care-
fully, for little is needed at the present. The
beat already mentioned will be sufficient until
the vines show signs of flowering.

Early Vinery. — If the house was closed last
month according to the directions then given,
the buds will now be swelling. Disbudding
should be done without delay. Leave two of
the strongest on each spur at present, but after-
wards the weaker one will also be rubbed off.
If any vines break more strongly on the upper
than on the lower part of the cane, it is some-
times necessary to loweT the canes to a
horizontal position. It is only in extreme in-
stances that the syringe has to be used. As
soon as the vin.es are in leaf, raise the atmo-
spheric temperature to 55° at night, and 65° by
day, exclusive of sun-heat; the.-e temperatures
will suffice "mtil the flowering period.
Continue to damp the borders morning and

evening, but only put a very small quantity on
the borders. Test the soil, and if it is found to
be dry apply a watering, which will be sufficient
for the vines until the flowering stage has been
passed ; during the flowering stage the borders
cannot conveniently be watered. Ventilate the
house very cautiously by means of the top ven-
tilator and close the house early in the after-
noon, sun-heat being preferable to that obtained
by artificial means.

Outside borders. — The outside borders of mid-
season vines should be mulched now and
thatched, so that the surface will throw off
heavy rains, and, indeed, all the outside vinery
borders should be given a mulch of rough, stable
manure 4 to 6 inches thick. This will protect
the roots from severe frost, and where vines
have been showing a tendency towards weak-
ness of growth, a rich mulch should be applied
which will benefit the vines by enriching the
border through the carrying down of the am-
monia and nitrogenous food materials by the
rains.

Fruit trees in pots. — See that all fruit trees in
pots plunged out-of-doors are supplied with a
mulch of fresh litter from the manure, putting
this 8 inches deep all around the pots to pro-
tect the pots and roots from frost. If birds are
troublesome by picking out the fruit buds, cover
the trees with nets.

open into bloom. When the blooms have par-
tially expanded, reduce the amount of heat some-
what, in order to harden them sufficiently for
use in the conservatory or dwelling-house.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwetl Park, Kent.

Cleaning of plants and plant-houses. — At this
season of the year when there is less pressure of
work in the potting-shed, the opportunity should
be taken to overhaul the interior of the plant-
houses. In the first place, let all the woodwork,
glass, &c, be thoroughly washed down, and the
walls may then be limewashed. When this has
been done it will be necessary to give attention
to the plants. Climbers under the roof and
pillar-plants may require to be thinned, and
some may need sponging and spraying to cleanse
them from dirt or insect pests. After all this
work has been done, let the plants be carefully
re-arranged, making the house appear as attrac-
tive as possible. In sponging tender foliage
plants, such as Codiaeums (Crotons), Cordylines
(Dracaenas), Pandanus, &c, every care should
be taken to avoid splitting or cracking the
leaves, as the results of carelessness in this re-
spect, if not noticeable at the moment, after a
few days would be only too plain, rendering
the plants almost useless for any prominent
position, such as the dinner-table, &c. Allow
each specimen plenty of room, and afford the
smaller plants a position on a shelf where they
will be the better exposed to full sunlight.

Richardia africana (eethiopica). — Where this
species is required to bloom in mid-winter, a
batch of the strongest plants should now be
selected and placed together in a house where a
minimum atmospheric temperature of 60° will
be maintained at night, rising 10° in the day-
time by sunheat. Afford the plants a top-dress-
ing containing some manurial stimulant, and
apply frequent and copious waterings to the
roots. On the first appearance of green fly,
fumigate the house at once, or this pest will
render the blooms useless. A variety called
" The Godfrey " is considered to be an improve-
ment on the type, having purer blooms, and it is
now cultivated in great quantities by market-
growers.

Retarded plants. — Where Lilacs, Rhododen-
dron (Azalea) molle, and Spiraeas are required
to bloom early in the winter, it should be remem-
bered that retarded plants are vastly superior to
those which have made growth during the present
j'ear. Before such retarded plants were avail-
able it was a matter of more or less difficulty
to get Lilacs, Spirasas, &c, ripened sufficiently
early to place in heat in order to have them
flower before the New Year ; but now the culti-
vator can be practically certain of success at any
given date, and this with very little forcing. At
the time of writing we have Lilacs, Rhododen-
dron molle, Spiraeas, Liliums, and Lily of the
Valley in full bloom, and they have caused very
little trouble. After receiving such plants from
the nursery, pot them in a light, porous soil, and
stand them in a moderately cool house until the
buds show signs of bursting. After this stage
more heat may be applied, and they will rapidly

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintt- ndent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.

Animals in parks. — The interest which living
moving creatures excite in most people is so
great that their presence, under certain restric-
tions, is desirable in public parks where the
necessary facilities exist for keeping them.
Waterfowl, whether of the commoner or rarer
kinds, always attract so much attention that
every park which possesses a sheet of water, no
matter how small, has its collection. Even
pigeons and doves, when housed in a park, be-
come a decided source of amusement and de-
light, especially to the younger visitors.

Aquarium. — A small aquarium furnished with
a number of suitable glass tanks, in which the
coarser native fish or hardy reptiles may be
exhibited, or an aviary containing a collection of
British birds, is a very cheap and effective
method of interesting the public. In localities
where no zoological garden exists, the provision
of animal life can be considerably extended
beyond this modest display without interfering
with the legitimate objects of a park or adding
greatly to the cost of its maintenance.

Exotic animals. — In the majority of seaport
towns it is generally a very easy matter to get
together a thoroughly interesting and varied
collection of animals at a very small cost.'
Sailors leaving their snips are only too glad to
dispose of pets (which on dry land often become
a nuisance to their owners) to anyone willing to
take care of them, while many ship's captains
bring from abroad all kinds of animals
with the intention of presenting them to
parks. In one of our parks in this city
we possess a very valuable collection of exotic
animals, all of which have been presented by
sailors, captains, or shipowners. At one time
so many of these creatures were offered to this
department that, with a view to restricting the
cost of their upkeep, it was decided that only
graminivorous animals could be accepted. As
this decision led to the refusal of many very
interesting species, it was found advisable to ac-
cept whatever could be provided for, irrespec-
tive of its being carnivorous or otherwise.

Accommodation necessary. — The most important
factor bearing upon the general welfare of such
animals and their successful maintenance is the
provision of proper living and housing accom-
modation for them. This is the only matter
which calls for any considerable initial expendi-
ture in making a small zoological collection.
Many things, such as deer, gazelles, goats, emus,
and the American ostrich can easily be accom-
modated, provided there is enough room,
as they merely require a shelter to retreat
into during cold and inclement weather. All
quadrupeds that are addicted to climbing and
birds which fly, need to be confined within
covered-in areas from which they cannot es-
cape. Squirrels, monkeys, coaties — the two last
are also the better for having shelters which can
be slightly heated during winter — pheasants,
-t' irks, and peacocks are some of the kinds which
can only be kept under covered areas. A more
rational method of dealing with the various
inmates of zoological gardens has, within re-
cent years, been adopted which may well be fol-
lowed in a modified form in parks where ani-
mals are kept. Instead of confining the more
harmless species in cages, as was at one time
usual, they are now put out in small colonies on
open ground securely fenced in. Here they have
plenty of space allotted to them, so that they
are able to move about freely and live under
more natural conditions. Hares, foxes, beaver-
rats, &c, lend themselves very well to this treat-
ments.

Educational value. — Whether the creatures ex-
hibited in a park are fish, reptiles, birds, or
quadrupeds, their educational value should never
be overlooked, and every care should be taken
to furnish the common and scientific names in
such a manner that visitors may readily de-
cipher them and easily identify the animals thus
indicated.

December

1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

93

Ol/O

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Injurious insects. — Fruit trees and bushes are
subject to the attack of many pests during the
spring and summer months, and most of these
can be most effectually dealt with while
the trees are leafless and in a dormant state.
Scale insects are often found on Peach, Apple,
and Pear trees ; the ordinary brown scale attack-
ing the Peach trees can be easily dislodged with
a small label, but the mussel scale that clings
so tenaciously to the Apple and Pear trees re-
quire the more drastic treatment. Trees grow-
ing against walls appear to be most affected,
especially Pear trees. In very bad cases the
bark should be scraped with a fiat piece of wood
or a piece of hoop iron, and afterwards brushed
with a hard scrubbing-brush, eventually spray-
ing with the caustic soda wash, which may be
applied this month to Apple, Pear, and Plum
trees, and a second application may be desir-
able at about the middle of February. The Pear
midge is becoming a very serious pest, and as
yet neither a preventive nor cure has been found,
but since the pupa? is said to harbour in the soil,
it would be well to remove 6 inches deep or so
of the surface soil for a radius of 5 feet, and
replace with fresh soil from the vegetable quar-
ters. Kainit is also recommended for applica-
tion at the rate of 4 ozs. to a square yard ; this
should be done in autumn, and again in March,
but in our case it has not proved successful.
Gooseberry plots that are annually affected
with the caterpillar should have the top soil
removed and a top-dressing substituted, which,
if not quite a cure, lessens to a great extent
the attack in spring. Apply fresh grease bands
to the stems of orchard trees to catch the winter
moth. Cankered branches on the Apple should
have the affected parts cut away, and be well
scrubbed with the Gishurst compound.

Manuring of fruit trees. — No definite instruc-
tions can be laid down regarding this matter,
and it must rest entirely with the cultivator to
decide what are the immediate requirements of
each tree under his charge. This much may be
said, that trees in the habit of carrying average
crops annually usually need some manurial
assistance, especially those occupying wall space
and having a limited root run. Fresh manure
from the farmyard or stable is usually too rich
for garden trees of the Apple, Pear, Plum,
&c. ; this is best used as a mulch in early
summer, and its nutriment will get washed down
to the roots by the rains. As a stimulant for
wall trees, we find a thin layer of soot and fresh
lime applied in alternate years keeps the trees in
a healthy and fruitful condition ; this is lightly
pointed in with the garden fork after the work
of pruning and training has been completed and
the prunings cleared away. Guano and some
chemical manures may also be' used with good
results. Grass orchards should be manured
annually. Manure from the farmyard, if mixed
with double its quantity of wayside or old pot-
ting soil, forms a good top-dressing. Goose-
berry and Currant bushes require the best of
manure, and this should be forked in after the
prunings have been collect' I.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W, H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.
Cleansing of plants and houses. — As soon as
the leaves have fallen from the tall, deciduous
trees with which at this place we are almost
surrounded, we make it a practice to thoroughly
overhaul the Orchids, and wash the glasshouses
both inside and out, taking every care to see
that in doing such work the laps of the glass
are properly cleansed from all accumulations
of dirt and slimy matter. If this work is done
properly, any atmospheric moisture that con-
denses will be able easily to pass between the
panes of glass, and in a great measure drips
will be thus prevented from falling on to the
plants. The brick walls under the stages, &c,
should be cleaned occasionally ; lime-washing
t&am will produce a clean white surface, which
r.ill add to the light appearance of the houses,
and at the same time the wash will destroy
many insect pests. Previous to re-arranging the
plants, each one should be thoroughly cleaned,
sponging the leaves, stems, and pseudo-bulbs
with some safe insecticide. There are many
insecticides now on the market, and extreme

care is needed in selecting one that will not
injure the plants. Very few Orchids now require
to be potted, but the cleansing and re-arrang-
ing of the collection will afford the grower an op-
portunity to thoroughly examine the plants, and
to ascertain exactly what condition they are in,
for, as a grower once remarked, " If you wish
to know how many leading growths, flower-
spikes, or pseudo-bulbs, &c, a plant may have,
ask those who cleaned it last."

Slugs and Cockroaches. — In going through the
cool houses slugs must be hunted for, as these
pests are most troublesome during the winter
months, having been introduced with the sphag.
num-moss used in potting. By day they conceal
themselves low down in the moss or in. the axils
of the leaves, but at night come out, and bite
through the young, succulent flower-spikes of
Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Masdevallia
Should any valuable plants be infested by these
creatures, isolate them by placing them on
inverted flower pots stood in pans of water, and
if the slugs cannot be caught, then carefully
pick out the surface of the compost to the depth
of an inch, afterwards re-surfacing with fresh
material, and as these slugs rarely bury them-
selves or their eggs below this depth, this i
tion is generally effective in clearing them out
Numbers of slugs may be caught by looking over
the plants with the aid of a good lantern at
night and early in the morning, also by placing
small shallow pans fille 1 with bran about on tin-
stages. Baits of young Lettuce, Cabbage leaves,
&c, are always useful for entrapping them.
Many of the Odontoglossums are now develop-
ing their flower-spikes, and particularly the
rare and special varieties should be pro!
by wrapping a piece of rough wadding round
the base of each spike. In m e oi the

need for extra fire-heat in the warmer houses,
cockroaches generally become troublesome at
this season, but they must be kept in chei
much irreparable damage will be done. Every
evening they should be sought after, in order
to destroy every one that it i- to get

.it. Also bait them with beetle , uch as

phosphorus paste, Vallis, Beetlecute, and several
other excellent kinds. It is not advisable to lay
the one kind of poison down in the same house
every night, as the pests soon get used to seeing
it about, and afterwards will not touch it!
Therefore, it is better to occasionally substitute
one kind of poison for another, as the change
of food is enticing to them.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Bj \ C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Coniferous trees. — Any specimens which show-
signs of deterioration may usually be brought
into a healthier condition if they are given ample
top-dressings of some suitable soil. Except in
small quantities, manure, either animal or arti-
ficial, is not to be recommended for Conifers.
Where road-scrapings can be obtained thev form
the best material for top-dressing these trees.
The road surveyors' men are usually busy from
now onwards "clearing the water-tables," and
the material thus obtained, together with the
road-cleanings, form goodly heaps. Frequently
this can be obtained in country districts for the
mere carting away. The general rule seems to
be that the owner of the land which adjoins
the highway has the first claim to it. Decayed
vegetable refuse and old potting soil also make
useful top-dressings. It is better to thoroughly
dress a few trees every year than to distribute
the available material in small quantities over
the roots of many trees. As these trees are
chiefly surface-rooters they need this assistance
earlier than the broad-leaved trees do. It is
generally wise to apply a top-dressing to any
valued specimen when it has become 2,i to 30
vears old. If a liberal dressing is applied, it
should suffice for five or six years. Results
from this treatment must not be expected to
become obvious until at least 12 months have
elapsed.

Impatiens Holstii. — Even in such an un-
favourable summer as we have experienced this
year a trial planting of this novelty has pro-
duced good results. Plants bedded out early in
June continued to flower freely, and have only
recently been cut down by frosts. Seeds were
sown in moderate heat early in March, and the
seedlings grew so freely that by the bedding-
out time they were nearly 2 feet in height.

Shelter from rough winds is most essential, and
it appeared that although abundant moisture was
■ iry during the warm weather, the plants
suffered more from wet than from light frosts.
Notwithstanding that the colour of the flowers
is described as a brilliant vermilion-red, there
was a great variation of tint; most shad:s were
very pleasing, whilst others were disappointing.
Impatiens Sultani seems to require greater solar
heat than we get in this part of Cornwall.

Pieris floribunda. — The value of this hardy
winter-flowering shrub does not appear to be
generally appreciated. Perhaps its only fault is
the slowness of its growth. Here several large
bushes have just expanded their first flowers,
and it will be the end of March or even April
before the last have faded. Cut sprays open
freely in water, and keep fresh for several
weeks. Like many other American shrubs,
it often requires peat for its well-doing, but
will thrive in any soil which suits Rhododen-
drons. When planting, the soil around its roots
should be made as firm as possible. Many
nurserymen catalogue this shrub under its old
generic name of Andromeda.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobhain Park, Surrey.

Parsley. — In many districts it is necessary to
transplant Parsley into unheated frames, or to
sow- seed in the open in such a position that the
plants can be afforded the protection of some
old lights during severe weather, and in the
event of heavy falls of snow. Although the
necessity for protection arises, the crop must
on no account be coddled, but liyht and air
should be afforded, whenever the conditions of
the weather will permit. There is often a con-
siderable demand for Parsley in winter, and it
is needed to take the place of some varieties
of salads, which during more favourable seasons
are used for garnishing.

Lettuce. — The supply obtainable out-of-doors
is now prai ti. illy exhausted, but if some plants
w'ere set out in sheltered positions during Sep-
tember, and have since received the protection
of some lights, satisfactory little "hearts" will
now be available for cutting. I am writing
particularly of that variety " All the Year
Round" Cabbage Lettuce. Plants in cold
frames will require abundance of air whenever
the weather is favourable; the surface soil be-
tween the plants should be frequently stirred,
and all decaying leaves removed. These latter
remarks apply to all young vegetable plants
that are being wintered in cold frames, for they
explain very necessary means to successful
culture.

< r. — The first batch of these that have
been started in a moderate degree of heat will
now be starting into growth, and another batch
should be brought forward, to come in as soon
as these are consumed.

Chervil, Mint, and Tarragon. — Chervil will
-till be quite green and fit for use, and some
should be placed in a cold house, the remainder
being cut hard back to induce it to start into-
growth early in the New Year. Mint and Ta:ra.
gon, if cut back as advised in a previous Calen-
dar, will now be ready for placing in a moderate
heat to start them into fresh growth. The ap-
plication of heat to herbs should always be
carried out with a certain amount of caution,
for if excessively forced the young leaves will
be found to be void of all flavour.

General work. — Up to the present time the-
work of preparing the ground for next year's
crops has not made as satisfactory progress as
could be wished owing to the continuance of
wet weather which has rendered wheeling and
carting a matter almost of impossibility. Full
advantage must be taken of frosty mornings to
get as much of this work done as is possible
by using all the labour available ; by this means,
sufficient can sometimes be done to last for seve-
ral days' digging or trenching as the case may
be, and the walks will not be nearly so much
cut up as if the wheeling were done in wet
weather. Where a fire is "generally kept going
to burn all garden refuse that can be burned,
an accumulation of ashes will now be available
for putting on the ground. Most vegetables will
derive great benefit from liberal applications of
wood ashes, and similar ashes will be verv
useful later on for sprinkling in the seel drill*
at the time of sowing.

394

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Qarden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and finals
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible ami duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee 0/ good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undeitake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

Local News.— Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7—

Soc. Fran?. d'Hort. de Londres meet. German Gard.
Soc. meet.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9-

Nat. Potato Soc. Annual meet. United Ben. & Prov.
Soc. Corns, meet.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10— Roy. Holt. Soc. corns, meet.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11—

Winter Flowering Carnation Soc. Eshib. in Regent's
Park, London.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12-

National Rose Society's Annual meet, and Dinner at
Hotel Windsor.

Aterage Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 39-3".
Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, December 4 (6 p.m.) i Max. 52°;
Min. 39'.
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London.— Thursday, December
6 (10 a.m.): Bar.. 291; Temp. 45"; Weather—
Bright.
Provinces —Wednesday, December 4 (6 P.M.) : Max. 51°,
Colchester; Min. 42', Scotland and N. Ireland.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

Freehold Nursery, Wolverhampton Road, Stafford, at

Swan Hotel, Stafford, at 4.
MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King

Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside. E.C.by Protheroe

& Morris.
MONDAY and FRIDAY-

Roses and Herbaceous Plants, at 67 & 68, Cheapside,

E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.
T U E S D AY

1286 cases of Japanese Lilies, Gladioli, Lily of the

Valley crowns, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe

& Morris.
WEDNESDAY— „L

Palms, Azaleas, Roses, &c, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C.,

by Protheroe & Morris.
THURSDAY— _ , , .

Nursery Stock at the Bellingham Nurseries, Cattord, by

order of Messrs. J. Laing & Son, by Protheroe & Morris,

at 12.30.

pRTr) a Y

Imported and Established Orchids, at 67 & 68, Cheap-
side, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

The subject of plant disease is
Plant one that must always be fraught
Diseases, with interest — often a melancholy
one — for those whose business
or pleasure lies in the direction of agriculture
and horticulture. Especially is this the case
when a malady assumes an infectious cha-
racter, and thus more seriously affects the ex.
istence of the attacked species over a con-
siderable area. The history of our cultivated
crops teems, unfortunately, with failures due
to epidemics, and yet we too often persist in
hesitating to ensure the proverbial stiti h in
time, and thus the enemy gets a foothold.

Perhaps this hesitation is not unnatural.
The causes of epidemics are often insidious,
and may not be obvious to those unaccus-
tomed to enquire minutely into the details of
plant structure. Thus they are apt to be put
down to natural and inevitable " conditions,"
whereas they are generally, as a matter of

fact, due to natural and preventable causes.
Preventable that is, if they are taken in time.
Nothing is more common, for example,
than to hear the remark that such and such a
tree is being killed by a fungus which is ob-
viously bursting through the bark, and is
forming its bulky fructifications. But the real
damage has a'.ready been mainly done. The
fructification is only the outward and visible
sign of the completion of the mischief that
has been going on inside the tree. The fruc-
tification is allowed to grow, and thereby to
scatter abroad its myriads of spores to infect
other trees in the vicinity- But, it is often
objected, the adjacent trees do not necessarily
take the disease. This may be quite true,
for in many cases it is not possible for a spore
to successfully infect a tree unless there hap-
pens to be a wound through which it can bur-
row its way inside. But trees are seldom
quite free from wounds, and given the suit-
able conditions infection may easily follow,
especially when the conditions of growth hap-
pen not to be favourable to that particular
species.

Instructive examples of infection of this
sort can be seen in most districts by those
who know how to look for them. But the
fungus pest may have methods of its own of
gaining entrance to the plant, quite apart
from previously inj ed surfaces. Thus the
so-called " blights," of which the Potato dis-
ease is a familiar example, do not wait for
any extraneous assistance, but readily invade
the plant through the leaves.

A very common, but, fortunately, not par-
ticularly dangerous, disease which affects
Sycamores is the black leaf-spot. We re-
collect observing an instructive instance of
the appearance and spread of this disease in
a fine avenue of Sycamores in the Midlands.
In the first vear only two or three trees which
grew near one end of the avenue were affected.
By the second year about half the trees had
taken the disease, and in four years every one
showed the disfigurement caused by the
blotching of the leaves. But it was, and ap-
parently still is, too much trouble to stamp
out the evil by destroying the dead leaves \r
autumn.

When, however, a malady seriously affects
a staple article of economic importance it be-
comes the urgent duty of all concerned to
spare no efforts in repressing it at its first
onset. Most of these diseases, as their causes
become known, prove to be vulnerable at one
or another stage; but others, on the con-
trary, when they have once become esta-
blished, are very difficult to deal with effec-
tively in any way short of extermination of
the infected crops. The Potato scab appears
to belong to this more refractory class, and
the difficulty in fighting it lies in the abund-
ant formation of resting spores, and in their
power of remaining alive in the soil through
several years. They lie there, waiting their
chance of springing into new activity when-
ever they get the opportunity of again infect-
ing a similar crop. In dangerous parasites
of this nature the only economic method to
pursue, so long as it continues to be possible,
is to stamp it out at its first appearance. The
earlier this is done the greater the economy
in the long run, but if the days of grace arc
allowed to expire and the pest succeeds in
establishing a firm hold on the land, the
difficulties which might have been easily

surmounted at first tend to increase indefi-
nitely, and the disease gets out of hand in the
same proportion.

Of course, scientific advice is necessary to
enable the practical man to decide as to how
he can best deal with the problems of dis-
ease as they arrive. Unfortunately, it hap-
pens— and in such complex matters this ought
not to cause undue surprise — that the experts
do not always agree. No one is infallible,
and the truth of the matter is only reached
when the causes of the differences of opinion
have been explained. The grower, however,
is perhaps not unnaturally impatient when
he sees the damage, which he cannot really
explain, continue to ravage his crops. He is
apt to undervalue the help that science can
give because the first opinions of his scientific
adviser may turn out to have been incomplete
or inexact. And yet it is clear enough that it
is only by a scientific, that is to say by a com-
plete and exact, explanation of the causes
and conditions of the epidemic that we can
hope to substitute intelligent preventive mea-
sures for the more or less imperfect remedies
with which we too often endeavour to check
the progress of disease.

Our Supplementary Illustration to the

present issue represents a scene in the interior
of the fernery at Wergs Hall, near Wolverhamp-
ton. The building was erected by Messrs. W.
Richardson & Son, of Darlington, entirely from
designs prepared by the gardener, Mr. G.
Bradley. It is situated on the north-west side
of Wergs Hall, one of the most beautiful and
picturesque residences in the Midland counties.
The building is about 50 feet long and 12 feet
wide at either end, the centre being about 21 feet
square. It is built, writes Mr. Bradley, of
brick, and is covered with cement. The inside
walls' are formed on the rough-cast principle,
with stone of a warm brown colour from a local
quarry (Codsall) about one mile distant ; the
stone is broken to a fairly small cubicle, and
attached by cement. It is very well adapted for
the purpose, as it is of a soft texture, and there-
fore capable of retaining a certain amount of
moisture. The floor is formed of gravel and
cement roughed over with sand. There are two
Roman archways, one at each end of the fernery,
the pillars of which are formed with iron rods
embedded in cement and random stone. These
act as a screen, and are very picturesque. The
whole of the roof is covered with glass. In the
centre of the fernery is an arched dome, which
projects beyond the height of the roof. An old-
fashioned bay window is fixed on one side of
the building, which was taken out of an old cot-
tage on the estate. In the recess aquatic plants
are grown, a seat also being provided, covered
with Virginian cork. Apertures are let into the
wall to resemble troughs, in which Ferns thrive
remarkably well. Under the dome there is a
spray fountain and miniature waterfall ; the
water is supplied by hydraulic pressure from a
large pool in the grounds, and can be turned
on and off at pleasure. There are two doors,
one communicating with the conservatory, and
the other leading to the drive. All apertures,
nooks, and crevices are planted with choice
Ferns, and they can all be seen to advantage.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next
meeting of the Committees will take place on
Tuesday, December 10, in the Society's Hall,
Vincent Square, Westminster. At the afternoon
meeting of Fellows a lecture on " Fungous Dis-
eases of Plants" will be delivered by Mr. E. S.
Salmon.

December 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

395

Horticultural Club. — The ne;t house
dinner of the club will take place on Tuesday,
December 10, 1907, at 6 p.m., at the Hotel
Windsor, when Mr. C. T. Druery, V.M.H.,
will deliver a lecture on " Natural Marvels."

National Potato Society. — We are in-
formed that the annual meeting of this Society will
be held on Tuesday, December 10, at 3 p.m., at
the Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, S.W.

The Surveyors' Institution. — The next

ordinary general meeting will be held on Monday,
December 9, 1907, when a paper will be read by
Mr. George C. Phillips (Professional Associate),
entitled " The Calculation of Equivalent Manurial
Values." The chair will be taken at 4 o'clock,
this being one of two ordinary general meetings
held for the convenience of country members in
the afternoon instead of in the evening.

National Fruit Growers Federation. —

A meeting of the council will be held at the Royal
Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster,
on Monday, December 9, at 3 p.m.

The Shows of Colonial Products at
Westminster. — Exhibitions of Colonial produce
under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural
Society now recur with fixed regularity, and
their announcement has, for the past four years,
occupied a prominent place in the Society's
schedule of functions. In a letter addressed by
the President and the Secretary to The Times it
is stated that unless a greater appreciation is
shown in them by the general public, the Coun-
cil will not feel justified in continuing the un-
remunerative outlay which the exhibitions
entail. Certainly no greater patronage was ac-
corded the show held during Thursday and
Friday of last week than previous ones. Apart
from a passing interest, the Fellows of the
Society generally do not concern themselves with
displays of products which they can, if they
choose, purchase from many of the larger em-
poriums. Nor is the public generally interested
with varieties of Oranges and Sugars ; these
rather appeal to those persons whose business it
is to place them before their customers, and who
have to make a market for supplies from fresh
sources. It is well known that in the marketing
of any novelty, however good it may itself
be, the public has to be educated as to
its value over existing kinds. But the first
person to interest is the retailer, and this
fact seems to suggest that these shows of
Colonial products, which are held with a view
to finding a market for the wares exhibited,
should be presented rather before an audience of
greengrocers than casual sightseers. The sam-
ples of Apples from British Columbia would ex-
cite much more interest if they were displayed
before an audience of Covent Garden market
salesmen and buyers, and the proper place for
exhibiting new samples of conserves and other
comestibles is a grocer's exhibition. Once in a
way, perhaps, an exhibition of this kind might
be tolerated at Westminster ; but to repeat them
several times each year is to devote the energies
of the Society in the wrong channel. In their
letter the President and Secretary state that the
subsidiary objects the Society have in view are,
besides the primary one of wishing to aid the
Colonies, an endeavour " to show the inhabitants
of the Mother Country what splendid and varied
supplies of fruit our Colonies can send us ; to
enable Colonial growers to discover which of
their fruits are best suited for our British mar-
kets ; the way in which the fruits should be
packed, and the season at which they can most
profitably be put upon the market, &c." All
these, we believe, would be much better deter-
mined by the holding of shows at the principal
fruit markets. The date of the show was
specially selected to suit the season of Canadian

and West Indian produce, and exhibitors from
these Colonies were the principal contributors.
The finest display in the Hall was the exhibit
of Apples from British Columbia, to which re-
ference has already been made. Nothing finer
amongst Apples has been seen in the Hall,
judged from their external appearance. The
fruits generally were coloured to a remarkable
degree, and this quality was combined with
clearness of skin and freshness of appearance.
Some of the fruits appeared as though just
gathered from the tree, with a heavier coating
of " bloom " than is seen in our home-grown
Apples. The variety Hubbardstone Nonsuch
appealed tc us as being an Apple of especially
fine appearance, and another — McMahon's White
— was of pale, wax-like appearance, flushed on
one side with red, and in appearance we have
nothing so beautiful amongst these fruits. Em-
peror Alexander, Yellow Ballflower (probably a
corruption of our Yellow Bellefleur), Grimes'
Golden Pippin, King of Tompkins' County, and
Spitzenberg may also be instanced as fruits of
remarkably fine appearance. A Gold Medal was
awarded this exhibit. A similar award was
conferred on a group of fruits, vegetables, con-
serves, &c, shown by the West Indian Pro-
duce Association, Ltd., 4, Fenchurch Build-
ings, London, and another to the West India
Committee for Citrus fruits, Colonial preserves,
&c, contributed by Grenada, Jamaica, and
Trinidad. Many fresh fruits from these latter
Colonies were shown by the Royal Mail
Steam Packet Co., 18, Moorgate Street,
London. The fruits included Oranges, Man-
gos, Grape Fruit, Shaddocks, Papaws, Cocoa-
nuts, Bananas, Granadillas, Avacado Pears,
Eddoes, Yams, Sapodillas, and many others.
The Government of Nova Scotia staged an
exhibit of Apples, exhibited as packed for mar-
ket, in boxes and barrels. This was next to the
exhibit from British Columbia in point of merit.
The schedule made provision for competitive
classes for bottled fruits, jams, &c, and in this
connection demonstrations in fruit preserving
were conducted by Miss Edith Bradley, Bre-
don's Norton, Tewkesburv.

The Annual Dinner of the Members and
Friends of the Putney and Wandsworth
Chrysanthemum Society took place on the
28th ult. at Putney, about ninety ladies and
gentlemen being present. It was pointed out
by the treasurer that there was a very slight
falling off in the number of exhibits at the re-
cent show, but the society had not found any
reason for trespassing on the reserve fund, and
there was a small balance to the good on the
year's account. Special prizes have already
been promised for next year's show, which will
be held in the Town Hall, Wandsworth. One
of the speakers recommended that the com-
mittee would do well to omit several of the
smaller classes and increase the value of the
prizes offered in those that were retained. In
order to attract the general public to the exhi-
bition it was necessary to institute a strong open
class that residents in the district might be
given an opportunity of inspecting flowers of
the highest quality obtainable.

Presentation to Mr. Walter P. Wright.

— The literary staff of The Gardener has recently
presented Mr. Walter P. Wright with a polished
walnut stationery cabinet on his resignation of
the editorship of that journal, a position he has
admirably filled since its inauguration nearly nine
years ago. The cabinet is of foolscap size with
folding doors, drawer, and screw top inkwells. A
silver plate attached bears the following inscrip-
tion : " Presented to Mr. Walter P. Wright by
the literary staff of The Gardener, November 30,
1907."

The Franco-British Exhibition, 1908.

There is every reason to expect that this exhi-
bition, which will be held at Shepherd's Bush,
a western suburb of London, will prove to be
one of the greatest events of such a nature
that have taken place in this country. Many
of our readers are probably aware the project
has received commendation from H.M. the King
and the President of the French Republic, and
the Governments of both countries are affording
all the moral support they can. The exhibition is
intended to cover the whole field of French and
British industries, but we are naturally most in-
terested in the sections for science, education,
agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, arboricul-
ture, forestry, &c. The chairman for horticul-
ture and arboriculture is Lieut. -Col. D. Prain,
Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew. We hope
that the importance of British commercial hor-
ticulture will be adequately set forth, and the
various chairmen of the sections we have men-
tioned will receive the support from the in-
dustries which they have every right to expect.
Sir Norman Lockyer is chairman of the
scientific department, and a section for vege-
table physiology and biology is placed in
the charge of a sub-committee. Much good
will doubtless be done by the efforts <>t
the scientific workers in connection with the
exhibition, but this section, perhaps more so
than any other, will be likely to suffer from
its limited scope, science having gained so much
during recent years from the work done in Ger-
man laboratories. The exhibition will be open
to the public from the month of May until
October.

Bananas for Cattle Feeding. — The use of

the Banana for any other purpose than that of
human food would seem, in these days, when
the fruit has become such a popular favourite,
to savour at least of unpardonable extravagance,
but in a recent number of the Agricultural News
of Barbadoes we read that Mr. C. W. Meaden,
of the Government Farm, Trinidad, recom-
mends, as the best way of utilising waste
Bananas, that they should be ground up and
given to live stock. He has followed this course
himself, obtaining, as he says, satisfactory
results. The Bananas are broken up in a root
pulper, and some cocoanut or cottonseed meal
together with a little molasses is added to the
crushed fruit ; this addition, apart from its
own feeding value, corrects the astringent pro-
perties of the green Bananas. Mr. Meaden
says that the mixture is used to the best advan-
tage when fed to milking cows, growing stock,
and working oxen, and all these animals con-
sume it with relish. It is not so suitable for
mules or other stock, and if given to pigs or
poultry it should first be cooked.- Stock owners
in Jamaica, too, have found this to be a good
way of utilising their waste Bananas, and the
practice has been followed in that island for
many years. Another view of the Banana ques-
tion is also given in the same number of
the Agricultural News in a quotation from the
Fruit, Flower, and Vegetable Journal, in which
this latter journal resents some disparaging re-
marks that have appeared in some papers relating
to the Jamaica Banana industry. It points out
that the Jamaica Banana is essentially the
popular variety of the fruit in England, inas-
much as there are thousands of people who
cannot afford to pay the price of the more
expensive Canary product, and who, but for the
cheap and plentiful imports from Jamaica,
would be unable to purchase Bananas at all.
London takes a considerable quantity - of
Jamaica Bananas, but this is not to be com-
pared with the enormous supplies consumed in
the Midlands and North of England, where this
fruit is largely appreciated by the thousands of
factory hands in the big manufacturing towns.

396

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907.

Death of Lord Battersea. — The late Lord
Battersea, in his younger days, was well
known to the horticultural world as Mr. Cyril
Flower. He showed at all times very great in-
terest in gardening, and during the last 20 years
has made the beautifying of his fine gardens at
the Pleasaunce, Overstrand, Cromer, one of his
chief pleasures. Latterly, during his declining
health, he has found his greatest comfort in the
gardens he had taken such pains to form. The
rock garden, the water garden, the arrangement
of Rose-covered pergolas, the excellent collec-
tions of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees
were not only highly interesting and instructive
to trained gardeners, but a source of delight to
the thousands of visitors to the neighbourhood,
for the grounds were thrown open to the public
on Sundays during the summer months. The
grounds were freely lent for fetes and other
events in the interests of the institutions and
societies of the district. The horticultural
charities claimed his lordship's personal in-
terest, and on one occasion he presided at the
festival dinner of the Royal Gardeners' Orphan
Fund. Some idea of the work which has been
done in bringing the gardens of the Pleasaunce
to their present state of perfection may be
gained when it is stated that 18 years ago there
was not a tree on the site, which extends to the
cliff above the sea. Lord Battersea was born
on August 30, 1843, educated at Harrow, and at
Trinity College, Cambridge, and passed his
younger days as a barrister-at-law. He died at
Ryde, Isle of Wight, on November 27.

Sulphate of Ammonia and Nitrate of

Soda.— The quanlity of sulphate of ammonia
produced in England during the year 1906 was
299,391 tons, an increase of 20,000 tons over the
figure for the preceding year. In 1906, nitrate of
soda was imported to the extent of 108, 4S6 tons,
this quantity being 4,000 tons more than the
imports in 1935.

Vegetative Propagation of Leguminous
Forage Plants. — From an article among the
miscellaneous papers published by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 102,
1907, by J. M. Westgate and G. W. Oliver, it
appears that the necessity for isolation to pre-
vent promiscuous pollination, and the time re-
quired to secure any considerable quantity of
seed, have together served to seriously handicap
the work of developing new strains of forage
plants, especially the perennial legumes. Tht
method of propagating forage plants by means
of cuttings therein described has been worked
out chiefly in the case of Medicago sativa and
Trifolium pratense ; but preliminary experiment,
indicate that it may be quite as successfully
adapted to all dicotyledonous forage plants. In
1903 a plot of Peruvian Alfalfa in the garden of
the Department of Agriculture proved resistant
to the leaf spot disease (Pseudopeziza medica-
ginis), which nearly ruined the check plot of
ordinary Alfalfa. Although the latter is non-
hardy and is killed in winter, except in the
Southern States, there were two plants which
survived the severe winter of 1903 and 1904 in
Washington, D.C. These points, together with
the hairiness, leanness, and vigorous growth of
this variety, secured the attention of those in-
terested in breeding Alfalfa. The plants were
placed in large pots and moved to the green-
house to be used in the hybridisation work inau-
gurated by Dr. B. T. Galloway, who conceived
the idea of raising a large number of plants of
these two plants vegetatively, in order to pro-
duce a large quantity of seeds the same season.
This was successfully accomplished by the
method described in the Bulletin above men-
tioned. Cuttings are made of reasonably ripe
stems taken from plants in the greenhouse. The
cuttings are inserted in sand, and when the

largest roots are f inch in length, they are
transferred to 2-inch pots, and later to 3-inch
pots. The size which the plants can attain in
such pots without becoming pot-bound will per-
mit them to be transplanted to the permanent
nursery rows if the season be suitable, or to
an outside frame to remain dormant till the
spring, in case the cuttings are made during
the winter. If greenhouse facilities are desir-
able, it is possible, with 30 square feet of green-
house space and 90 square feet of cold frames,
to secure in a single winter 1,000 plants from
an Alfalfa plant of average size. The efficiency
of the method is shown by the fact that at least
93 per cent, of Alfalfa cuttings become well
rooted in the pots. The tops were cut back to 6
inches in height before being removed from the
pots in the cold frames and planted in the nur-
sery lines. In establishing new varieties of such
leguminous forage plants as Alfalfa and Clover,
it is sometimes desirable to start with a strain
from a single individual, or at the best from a
limited number of individuals. This is the case
where an especially promising form is confined
to so few plants that the problem of increasing
the stock for further tests and possible introduc-
tion is a serious one. The several hundred
plants which can be readily produced from the
selected individual during the winter can bs
isolated by transfer to a considerable distance
from other plants of the same or closely-related
species.

Pimento in Trinidad. — It is well known that
the Pimento or Allspice tree (Pimento offici-
nalis) is especially a Jamaica plant, from
which island our supplies of the well-
known berries are chiefly, if not exclu-
sively, brought. The extension of its culti-
vation in Trinidad was commenced some ten
years ago, when seeds were obtained from
Jamaica, and a considerable number of plants
raised. The present condition of these plants,
and their future prospects, are referred to in the
following paragraph from the last quarterly
issue of the Bulletin of Miscellaneous Informa-
tion of the Botanical Department of Trinidad.
A section of land was planted at St. Clair, and
for several years the trees grew well and pro-
duced seed, reaching some 20 feet in height.
During the last two years these trees com-
menced to show signs of sickness, and during
the past month of June several of them died.
The situation is somewhat low, and is ap-
parently too dam]) for the species, as on higher
ground although the trees have not grown so
fast they are perfectly healthy, and present
characters much in common with those they
show on Jamaica plantations. This is probably
the cause of the extreme scarcity of this species
in Trinidad where it is not indigenous, while
its near ally, Pimento acris, is a common plant
in many parts of the island, and so also is its
variety P. acris, var. atrifolia. The ordinary
P. acris produces bay oil, and by distillation the
well-known bay rum is produced ; its variety
citrifolia, however, gives an essential oil having
a distinct citron odour, which distinguishes it
from that produced by the substantive species.

Publications Received. • Tax, and hou

to get it refunded. Twentieth edition. By Alfred
Chapman (Effingham Wilson & Co.), price 2s. —
Practical Advertising, 1907-8, published by Mather &
Crowther, Ltd., London.

THE HARDY FLOWER
BORDER.

KNIPHOFIA MULTIFLORA.

When first introduced into this country some
seven years ago, this interesting and distinct
species was treated as a cool greenhouse plant,
which treatment was justified owing to its not
flowering till the middle of November, a time of
year when few plants look happy in bloom
unless afforded protection of some sort. On being
planted out in an open border, it has proved

to be quite as hardy as most of the other mem-
bers of this attractive genus, and this year,
owing to absence of frost, it flowered well
outside. Its nearest ally in the genus is the
pretty little K. modesta, and it is one of the
few species with erect flowers. In appear-
ance it may be said to somewhat resemble a
small Eremurus, but the flowers are sessile
and densely packed on a spike, which varies
from 1 to 2 feet in length. The colour of the
flowers is not attractive, being of a yellowish
white tint. The plant grows from 3 to 6 feet
high, with leaves of the same length, and are
about 1 inch wide at the broadest part.

The native habitat of K. multiflora is in
Natal, where it is found growing in swamps on
the summit of the Drakensburg range of moun-
tains, at an elevation of 5,000 to 6,000 feet. The
plant, which flowered in the Cape House at Kew
for the first time in November, 1900, was re-
ceived from Herr Max Leichtlin, of Baden
Baden, and it was figured at the time in the
Botanical Magazine, tab. 7832.

Except in favourable situations in the southern
counties, it is not a plant for growing outside,
but needs protection in order to preserve the
delicate flowers from injury.

WINTER-FLOWERING CROCUSES.

Usually associated with the early spring, the
many kinds of Crocus now in cultivation have
various times of flowering, so that the numer-
ous species may be used to provide a succession
of dainty flowers for fully eight months out of
the year. The earliest of the autumn kinds, C.
Scharojani and C. vallicola, flower in August,,
followed by the handsome C. speciosus and
several others in September and October. These
make a charming display at a dull time of
the year, especially planted on grassy banks,
where the grass does not grow too rank. It is
in spring, however, that we get the greatest
wealth of kinds in flower, which light up the
garden in February and March with their rich
and varied colours. Linking up these two great
sections there are a few kinds which succeed the
autumn-flowering species, and, weather permit-
ting, continue blooming through the winter. In
warm, sheltered spots they may be grown out-
side, but to have them in perfection they ought
to be given the protection of a cold frame. Many
of the autumn-blooming species, like C. hadria-
ticus, C. cancellatus, C. laevigatus, and C. longi-
florus prolong their flowering period into
December in mild weather, and it is well worth
while using bell-glasses to protect the flowers
from heavy rain and bad weather. Those species
that flower in winter are : —

C. alatavicus, from Central Asia, which pro-
duces its flowers about the end of January. The
inner petals are white, while the outer ones are
very finely feathered and speckled with purplish-
grey on the outside. It is a distinct but some-
what rare plant in gardens.

C. ancyrensis is a pretty species, with deep
orange-yellow flowers, which sometimes bear
rich brown markings.

C. biflorus is a beautiful species, of which
there are many varieties. In some forms the
markings are very rich and varied, the type
having white flowers with lilac feathering on
the outside segments. It comes into bloom in
January. Some of the most distinct varieties
are : var. Adami, pale self purple, or feathered
with dark purple on the outer segments ; var.
Pestalozzae, a dainty little flower, white, with a
yellow base; var. Weldeni, white, shaded mauve
or blue, and pure white.

C. caspius. — One of the finest white-flowered
Crocuses, which has been recently introduced
fiom the Caspian region. It sometimes flowers
in November, and continues to do so until Feb-
ruary. There is a variety of this which has the
outer segments suffused with lilac.

C. hyemalis. — This winter-flowering species is
a native of Palestine, and comes into bloom
in December. It should be grown in pans in
the Alpine house, and as the coiras can be pro-
cured so cheaply, it is best to have a fresh Ftock
every year, as they do not flower so well the
second year in pans. The typical form should
have yellow anthers, but most, if not all of the
plants in cultivation are the var. Foxii, with
black anthers. The flowers are white and veined
or spotted with rich purple on the outside.

C. Impcrali. — This Italian plant frequently
comes into flower about Christmastime, but is at

December 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

397

its best near the end of January. It is a beautiful
species, the outside of the rich purple flower
being pale fawn colour, striped with brown.
The leaves are very long, while the colour of
the flowers vary considerably.

C". marathonisius. — This is another handsome
white-flowered species, which was introduced
into cultivation a few years ago by Herr Max
Leichtlin. It is a robust grower, and is just
coming into flower at the end of November.

I vitellinus is a native of Asia Minor, with
handsome orange-coloured flowers in January.

Fig. 163. — part of a potato plant showing
the effects of the disease both above and
below ground.

There is also a variety named graveolens, with
brown markings on the outside segments.

The culture of the Crocus is very simple, as
any light garden soil suits the corms. Their
main requirements are a sunny position, and
shelter from cutting winds. Shelter from rain
in the form of a bell-glass or light would be a
great advantage, in order to preserve their full
beauty. W . I.

VARIORUM.

THE USE OF ACCESSORIES.
Some florists still think that because the leading
florist in the town uses many more supplies, in
proportion, than the others do, it is because he
has the money to put into them. It is not that
way at all. The man who makes the most free
use of the things which add to the attractiveness
of Ins stock is the one who gets the business, and
any florist easily can demonstrate for himself how
the use of suitable embellishments adds to his
trade. For instance, take the item of Violet boxes.
Some retailers still send out Violets in any sort of
small box, but the one who knows his business has
a stock of special Violet boxes, and usually he has
more than one grade. It never fails that where
one florist sends out Violets nicely put up in a box
made for the purpose, and his neighbours use
an ■ ordinary box, or none at all, the trade soon
gets all into the hands of the one who has the
enterprise to do things right. What applies to the
small matter of a few pennies for a Violet box
applies to the larger items. No retailer can afford
to send out anything but attractive packages.
Florists' Review, U.S.A.

"BLACK SCAB" OR "WARTY
DISEASE" OF POTATOS.

(CHRYSOPHLYCTIS ENDOBIOTICA
SCHILB.)

In 1902 a new fungus disease of Potatos was
recorded for England. Prof. M. C. Potter, of
Armstrong College, Newcastle, gave an excellent
and well-illustrated account of the fungus caus-
ing the disease, in the December number, 1902,
of the Journal of the Board of Agriculture, In
this article the fungus was correctly dete: mined
as Chrysophlyctis endobiotica Schilbersky,
which had hitherto been known only from Upper
Hungary, where is was originally discovered in
1896. In the same number of this Journal, the
same disease was dealt with by Mr. Massee, who
determined the fungus as CEdomyces leproides
Trabut, a disease which had been recorded as
attacking Beetroot in the grounds of the School
of Agriculture at Kouiba, near Algiers. It sub-
sequently became apparent that an error had
been made in this identification, but the leaflet
on "Black Stab" which is being distributed by
the Board of Agriculture continues to perpetuate
the mistake of identifying this new Potato disease
with that of the Beetroot gall-fungus, GLdomyces
leproides. The matter is of some economic im-
portance, and I shall refer to it again later.

Although this "Black Scab" disease was
recognised on its first appearance as being of a
dangerous nature, no systematic steps have been
taken to eradicate it, or to stop it spreading
through this country. I have lately collected
information from reliable sources, and received
a large number of specimens from various dis-
tricts, which show clearly the dangerous nature
of the disease. It is evident, too, that the
disease is slowly and surely spreading from
county to county. It will be best to give the
facts bearing on these points under the various
counties from which the di?ease has been re-
corded, but before doing so, the disease and
the fungus which causes it must first be de-
scribed.

Photographs of Potatos attacked by the
" Black Scab " fungus are shown in figs. 103,
164. The normal growth of the tuber is altered
under the irritation caused by the attacks
o the fungus, with the result that warty
irregularly wrinkled and convoluted " gall "-
like outgrowths or excrescences are produced
at the expense of the growing tuber. Sometimes
the young tuber is entirely transformed into a
useless wrinkled mass, which soon decays and
turns into a rotten and pulpy mass. At other
times lateral or terminal "gall "-like excres-
cences are borne by otherwise sound and normal
tubers ; not infrequently these excrescences are
larger than the tuber itself. More rarely lateral
shoots of the stem above ground are attacked,
and transformed into a little dense bunch of
minute leaflike outgrowths, resembling on a
small scale the curled leaf of a Savoy Cabbage ;
an attacked lateral shoot is shown in fig. 163
above The "eve" of the tuber appears to be
the part first attacked. If all the growing
"eyes" of the " ^eed " tuber are attacked, no
crop at all is obtained.

If we cut across any of these warty outgrowths
at the time when the Potatos are dug, and place
a section under the microscope, the fungus can
be easily seen. There will be found, embedded
in the flesh of the Potato close to the surface,
an enormous number of comparatively large,
round, brown " resting spores," about 60 n in
diameter* (see figs. 165, 166). No fungus spawn
(mycelium) is to be seen at this stage or at any-
time. Earlier in the season the fungus exists
as a little naked mass of living substance, known
as protoplasm, in the cells of the flesh of the
tuber. This is known as the Plasmodium stage.
The fungus in its Plasmodium stage moves

* The germination of these " resting spores " has not yet
been observed. It seems probable that they are in reality
sporangia, and that on germination they set free "swarm
spores" in the soil. They function, however, as "resting
spores."

about during the summer months from cell to
cell, feeding on their contents, and irritating
the cells of the surrounding tissue to abnormal
growth, so that the characteristic warty excres-
cences are formed. At the end of the growing
season, the protoplasm . of the fungus in each
cell contracts into a globular mass and sur-
rounds itself with a thick wall, arid thus becomes
a " resting spore," such as those shown in
figs. 165 and 166. These " resting spores " on the
rotting of the diseased tubers are set free in the
soil, and remain there ready to attack the crop
of the next season. Prof. M. C. Potter has
demonstrated by inoculation-experiments that
these spores can remain resting in the soil over
two years, and then attack the crop in the third
year. Mr. J. W. Easth'am has the following in-
teresting note on the prolonged vitality of the
spores : " When once established in the land, it
is useless to grow Potatos again until the pest
has been starved out or otherwise destroyed :
but, so far as is known, no other crops are liable
to be attacked. Quite the worst case seen in
Cheshire occurred on land that had not borne
Potatos for six years ; " seed " from the same
source as that employed on this land yielded
satisfactory results elsewhere, indicating that
spores were not introduced by the seed, whilst
the manure employed started no infection else-
where. This indicates prolonged vitality on the
part of the fungus, which would render starving
out a very tedious process."

It is quite clear the efore that all aiseased
tubers should be carefully collected and burnt.
In Mr. Massee's article in the Journal of the
Board of Agriculture for 1904, p. 307, the advice
is given that, as an alternative treatment,
diseased tubers should be " deeply buried." la
my opinion this advice should never have been
given. Mr. Massee brings forward no evidenco

Fig. 164.— potato-tuber infected with
"black scab" (chrysophlyctis endo-
biotica, schilb.).

that deep burying would kill the spores, and it
is improbable that this is the case; there would
be the danger, too, of diseased material or in-
fected soil being brought to the surface by moles
or worms.

Diseased tubers should on no account ue fed
to stock, as the spores would not be injured by
passing through the intestinal canal of the
animal, and would eventually be returned to the
land with the manure.

39 S

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907.

We will proceed now to consider the present
distribution of the disease, and the injury it has
inflicted on the crop in various districts.

shirt. — Mr. J. W. Eastham has written (in
the Year Book of the College of Agriculture,
Holmes Chapel, for 1904) of the serious nature
of the present disease, which appears to be not
"iily very well established but spreading in
Cheshire. " The first recorded case of attack in
this county was in 1900, when a field of Potatos
was destroyed near Birkenhead. I am informed,
however, that so long ago as 1896 specimens of
tubers affected were sent to the College from

Fig. 1G5.— section of an out-growth on a diseased

POTATO, SHOWING THE SPORES IN THE FLESH OF THE
POTATO. (SLIGHTLY MAGNIFIED )

Cheshire, but nothing was then known concern-
ing it. In a mild attack the tubers are dis-
figured, but not seriously damaged, and their
keeping powers are not injured. In a severe
attack, however, the tubers are practically worth-
less, while if the young sprouts of the seed should
be affected, the growth of that plant may be
entirely stopped, and no tubers at all produced."
Mr. W. Neild, lecturer in horticulture at the
Holmes Chapel Agricultural College, has very
kindly supplied me with the following notes :
" I have to report that the disease is spreading
and the damage done is very considerable.
The fungus is spreading through the dis-
tribution of affected seed, and growers
whose crops have suffered from it either
don't or won't admit its presence on their hold-
ing as it would militate against the sale of
"seed." I first heard of it in 1895, and the fol-
lowing year specimens were sent to me ; these I
forwarded to London, but nothing appeared to
be known there about it. It is generally be-
lieved in Cheshire that it was introduced to
this country by the cattle-boats from the Con-
tinent arriving at Birkenhead. The worst case
I have seen was in a field of about three acres
quite near to the College ; the variety was Up-
to-Date, and nearly every tuber was more or
less affected, about one-third of the crop being
rendered quite useless. In another instance the
Eldorado suffered very extensively." Writing
later, Mr. Neild reported : " I have just met
with a very bad case. The field in which the
disease occurred had been pasture, which was
broken up last year ; area, 6 acres ; variety,
Up-to-Date. The haulm was strong, but the
crop was not worth harvesting, as every tuber
was affected with disease. I may add that cot-
tagers and others who have known the disease
long before it was designated ' Blade Scab '
know it by the name of ' Cauliflower disease,'
doubtless owing to the outgrowths bearing some
slight resemblance to a Cauliflower."

Merionethshire. — Prof. C. Bryner Jones, of
University College, Aberystwyth, has very
kindly supplied me with the following notes on
the occurrence of the disease in Merionethshire.
It is a highly interesting case, and illustrates how
a new pest, when once introduced, if left to it-
self, will slowly and surely get hold of a district.
Prof. Bryner Jones writes : " I have personally
only come across the disease in one locality in
North Wales, viz., Dolgelly, in Merionethshire:

I believe I was one of the first to have attention
called to it. This was in 1901 or 1902, when I
sent specimens to London to Mr. W. Carruthers.
These specimens I found in a garden just out-
side the town of Dolgelly ; this garden was then
in the occupation of one of the station-masters,
and, so far as I know, was the only place where
the disease had then made its appearance. I
have made enquiries every year since. The
disease is still in this garden. Last year it was
also prevalent in another garden about a quarter-
mile away from the first one. I was told that
the disease had appeared on a farm some dis-
tance from the town." Writing
later, Prof. Bryner Jones re-
ported : " Since I received your
letter, I have made further en-
quiries and visited some places
in the Dolgelly district, and I
am sorry to say that I find the
disease is spreading. It is still
to be found in the garden (men-
tioned above) where it first oc-
curred ; for the last two years
there has been a good deal of it
in another garden which is let
in allotments about a quarter of
a mile from the first garden.
This year I have found it in a
third garden on the opposite
side of the valley, and about a
mile from the town. Here, so
far as I am aware, it did not
appear before this year. There
is a little of the disease in a farm also about a
quarter of a mile further up, but I could not
discover any connection between the two places.
In the case of the farm, the ' seed ' was their
own, grown one year on the farm, and last year
there was no disease. In the case of the third
garden, above referred to, where the disease is
very bad, the ' seed ' was obtained from a pro-
vision merchant in the town, whom I have not
yet seen to make enquiries of. The owner of
the garden tells me that the disease is much
worse in the part of the garden planted with
this man's seed than it is in another portion of
the garden planted with different seed. Its
origin seems very
mysterious, and
it will take a
good deal of in-
vestigating. I am
informed that the
disease has also
appeared at Ft
tiniog. I am
greatly intereste I
in the matter,
and somewli it
concerned to
the way in whi. h
.he disease is
spreading. I have
already acquaint-
ed the Board of
Agriculture with
the fact that it is
spreading."

Nottinghamshire.

— Mr. Geo. Cor-
don, at a meeting
of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society
on October 13,

1903, reported that the present disease "had
completely destroyed crops in • allotments
in Notts." Through Mr. Gordon's help I
have been put into correspondence with a
grower at Annesley, Notts., who writes as
follows : " The disease is spreading each year.
It broke out here in a few allotments six or
seven years ago, and now scarcely one is free,
and there are about 185 of them in our little
village. These allotments are from 500 to 1,000
square yards, and some of the occupiers cannot

find Potatos in plenty for ' the family ' for the
winter and spring months, whereas a few years
ago the cottager would have abundance. The
tubers when dug (freshly) present the appear-
ance of beautiful miniature Cauliflowers ; tubers
only 2 ozs. in weight will produce protuberances
twice their size." Writing later, my correspondent
adds : " There is no doubt in my mind as to
the way the pest found its way here. It would
be conveyed from Hungary to Germany, thence
to London, then to the provincial towns — Not-
tingham for one. Then it would be brought
round by costers into our village, and the ' seed '
would be planted by many. The disease attacks
Up-to-Date, Factor, British Queen, Scottish
Triumph, and many other varieties."

Westmorland. — Prof. M. C. Potter writes to
me that he observed the disease at Ambleside
last July. (See also below under Cumberland.)

Lancashire. — Mr. Carruthers has recorded the
occurrence of the disease "in Lancashire." The
tubers were " completely destroyed."

i umberland. — The disease is recorded in the
October number of the Journal of the Board of
Agriculture from Bootle. In the Gardeners'
Chronicle for October 26 last, Mr. J. G. Murray
reported a very severe outbreak upon about a
dozen allotment gardens near Carlisle. In a
recent letter, Mr. Murray writes : " I have had
reports concerning the disease from four centres
in Cumberland and Westmorland."

Perthshire. — In the October number of the
Journal of the Board of Agriculture the disease
is reported from Crieff. No details are given
of the outbreak.

Soon after the determination of this Potato
disease by Mr. Massee as being identical with
the Beetroot fungus, CEdomyces leproides
Trabut, a statement was made by Dr. M. C.
Cooke in the present journal to the effect
that he had been assured by someone that
Dr. 1'. Magnus, of Berlin — an authority on
this group of fungi — had acquiesced in the
determination. Immediately on this statement
being published, Prof. Magnus wrote to the
papers contradicting it, and pointing out that
from the published description given Chry-

Fig.

166. — SECTION THROUGH AN ODT-GROWTH SHOWING THE
SPORES OF THE FONGUS. (HIGHLY MAGNIFIED.)

sophlyctis was evidently distinct from the Beet-
root fungus, CEdomyces. Later, Prof. Magnus,
having seen specimens of the present disease,
has pointed out that the fungi causing the two
diseases are perfectly distinct, and belong to two
different genera. Unfortunately the confusion
has been made more serious by the erroneous
statement which appears in the Board of Agri-
culture's leaflet (No. 105) on " Black Scab," thai
" CEdomyces leproides Trabut = Chrysophlwti ,
endobiotica Schilb." The Board of Agriculture

December 7, 1307.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

399

should in the next issue of their leaflet delete
the name of GEdomyces leproides.

A most important question from the eco-
nomic point of view is whether this new disease
of Potatos can attack other plants. Mr. Massee,
in the Board's leaflet, where, as mentioned
above, the fungus is determined as the same as
the Beetroot disease, states that "both Beet and
Mangold are liable to be attacked." As no
detailed account of the inoculation experiments
on Beet and Mangold have been published, I
wrote lately to Kew 'for information on the
point, and received the following reply : " Seed-
lings of Beet and Mangold in soil infected with
material obtained from Potatos were attacked
and destroyed. Resting spores were formed in
the tissues of both Beet and Mangold. No inde-
pendent announcement of the above observation
has or will be made."

If we turn to Mr. Massee's account of the
present disease,* we find that it is stated that the
present Potato disease " proved on microscopi-
cal examination to be identical with the one
attacking Beetroot as described above." Xow
Mr. Massee describes the outgrowths produced
on Beet as " containing numerous irregularly-
shaped cavities filled with the dark-coloured
resting spores of the fungus." But in the Potato
disease we do not find " irregularly-shaped cavi-
ties filled with spores," but, as Prof. Potter has
pointed out, the spores are scattered in the cells
of the tuber near the periphery. How, then, is
it possible to maintain that the two diseases
are microscopically identical? When we come
to consider the spores, a graver discrepancy
occurs. Mr. Massee figures, as coming from a
diseased Potato, some spores which show a
lateral depression ; but, as Prof. Potter and
Prof. Magnus point out, the spores do not show
this character, while it is found in the quite
distinct disease of the Beetroot. It is the very
reverse of scientific treatment to attempt to
remedy these discrepancies by stating, as is done
in the Board's leaflet, that the Potato disease,
Chrysophlyctis endobiotica, is to be considered
as a synonym of the Beetroot disease, CEdomvces
leproides.

According to the Kew experiments, spores ob-
tained from Potatos infected and killed Beet and
Mangold, and resting spores were formed in the
tissue of these plants. It is a point of scientific
and economic interest to know whether these
spores possessed the lateral depression and
other distinctive characters of the Beetroot dis-
ease— that is, whether they resembled the spores
of CEdomyces or Chrysophlyctis, as in the latter
case it is clear that the Beetroot has two dis-
tinct diseases. Perhaps Mr. Massee will make
clear these points in these columns.

The time is now at hand when Potato growers
with land infested with spores of the "Black
Scab " will be forced to grow other crops for a
number of years, and it is of public importance
that the scientific details of the inoculation ex-
periments, on which the Board of Agriculture
rely for the statement (published in their leaflet)
that Beet and Mangold are liable to be attacked,
should be published.

We now come to the consideration of the last
[joint : what steps ought to be taken to prevent
this new Potato disease spreading through the
country?

There is a consensus of scientific opinion as
to the dangerous nature of the disease. Prof.
M. ('. Potter has written: "From my observa-
tions it is evidently a very destructive parasite,
which possesses most effective means of spread-
ing itself if only opportunity offers. As, so far,
it appears to be of local occurrence, it is of the
highest importance to stamp it out before it
obtains a firm foothold in this country. The
attacked Potatos should in no caso be allowed
to pass out of an infected district or be used
for ' seed.' It is worth while taking every pos-
sible precaution to check this parasite, which

* Journal of the Board of Agriculture. December, 1902.

otherwise might ensure for itself a wide distri-
bution and cause very considerable damage."
The opinions of Mr. J. W. Eastham, Mr. W.
Neild, and Prof. C. Bryner Jones, who have all
had practical experience of the disease, is given
above. Mr. Massee has even written : " This
disease, although only quite recently imported
from the Continent, threatens to be quite as
destructive to Potatos as the old-establish,
ease." If we consider what these words really
mean, and the devastation and famine that
would result — supposing this estimate of the
dangerous nature of the disease to be correct —
if this new pest should gain admission into Ire-
land, it seems almost incredible that the Board
of Agriculture should have taken no steps, be-
yond the issue of a leaflet, to deal with the
disease. But, considering that the present
"Black Scab" disease has no aerial form of
fructification, and so cannot spread above
ground like the Potato "blight" (Phytophthora
infestans), which extends in a few days through
a whole field by means of its wind-borne spores,
the two diseases cannot, in my opinion, be thus
compared, and we must hope that for once Mr.
Massee may be regarded as somewhat of an
alarmist and as exaggerating the spreading
powers of the disease.

It is quite clear, however, that the "Black
Scab " disease threatens to inflict such serious
injury on the Potato crop as to warrant the
Board of Agriculture taking official action.
The Board now possess the necessary legis-
lative powers under the " Destructive Insects
and Pests Act," which became law last July.
The disease is viewed with alarm by both
the scientific and the practical man, and yet no
steps are being taken to deal with this pest,
which, if it is allowed to spread through the
country and to reach Ireland, will cause losses
of hundreds of thousands of pound. Now that
the disease is reported from Perthshire, it can
only be a matter of time, if the agricultural
authorities continue to remain inactive, before
the disease is distributed by Scotch " seed " over
the whole country.

Smre this disease has only quite recently been
imported into this country from the Continent,
and is at present confined to a comparatively
small area, it is eminently a disease to be dealt
with by legislative measures. It is perfectly
clear that growers will continue to send the
disease about the country by means of diseased
"seed," unless it is made a punishable offence
to do so. The spread of this new disease can
only be prevented by the affected areas being
kept under the supervision of a competent in-
spector. The disease should be dealt with as
the Colorado Beetle was dealt with, and Potato
growers should unite in demanding from the first
that some compensation from Treasury funds is
paid for partly-diseased crops which are de-
stroyed, as was provided in the Colorado Beetle
Act of 1877.

From past experience, it seems hopeless to
expect the Board of Agriculture to act on their
own initiative in dealing with any newly intro-
duced plant disease, and I would therefore
strongly recommend all Potato growers and mer-
chants, farmers, market gardeners, and allot-
ment holders to unite in sending resolutions to
the Board, urging them to take immediate steps
to eradicate this new pest, or at least prevent
it spreading all over the country.

The essence of the scientific treatment of
epidemic plant diseases is to apply the remedy
at the start. A conspicuous instance of the
danger of neglecting this principle can be seen
in the present situation with regards to the
American Gooseberry-mildew. The Board knew
of outbreaks of this disease in 1900, yet took no
steps to deal with this pest until seven years
alterwards, with the result that they have now
to deal with some hundreds of acres of Goose-
berry plantations infested with this most in-
fectious mildew. The Board knew in 1901 of the
introduction into this country of the " Bla< k

Scab" of Potatos. Since 1901 the disease, as
the above evidence from the various counties
shows, has been slowly and surely extending its
area. No effort should be spared by all those
who are interested in Potato growing to urge
the Board to take the steps necessary for the
suppression of the disease before it is too late.
E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., Mycologist to the South-
Ea tern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent.

GRAFTING TEA ROSES.

The grafting of Roses in pots under glass is
a method of quickly and economically multi-
plying Rose plants, especially those of tender
constitution which cannot be relied upon to
withstand a severe winter if budded in the open
ground.

The best month to commence this method of
propagation is November, and the work may
be continued through the winter months. The
most satisfactory stock for this purpose is Rosa
canina (the Dog Rose), although some varieties
succeed on the Brier stock raised from cuttings.
The seed of Rosa canina requires to be sown at
least two years before the stocks will be worked,
but the cutting-Brier stock is ready for use the
season after it is rooted. When the stocks are
about half-an-inch in circumference, they should
be sorted, and the best of them potted into 3-
inch pots. When potted, the plants should be
plunged in the open ground in order to enable
them to develop a good root-system, which is
an important factor for success. Another sys-
tem consists in taking the stocks direct from the
ground, cutting back the "heads," trimming the
roots, and potting them into 3-inch pots in
October or November.

They should afterwards be placed in a warm
frame for a fortnight, and then removed into the
propagating house to encourage the development
of roots, and, as soon as this forms, the stocks
are ready for grafting. It is necessary in
grafting that the sap in the stock be more active
than that in the scion.

There are various types of propagating pit-,
but the two mam requirements are that they
can be kept close and have a bottom heat
of from 60° to 65°. A layer of cocoanut
fibre or ashes should be spread over the bottom
of the frame. The scions should, if possible, >be
obtained from plants that have been grown
under glass, for these shoots will be in a riper
condition than those that are taken from plants
outside. If the grafts have to be secured from
plants in the open, they should be severed from
the bushes with a sharp knife, and be placed
in bundles of separate varieties, stood upright in
a box in a cold shed, and be covered with sand,
in which position they will keep fresh for a
long time.

Among the many methods of grafting, the
whip and rind system are to be recommended
for Roses. In whip grafting the scion should
be cut behind the bud and about half-an-inch
below it : it is only necessary that the scion
should have one bud or "eye."

Rind-grafting should be practised if the scion
is " weak," or it may be used for the grafting
of new and choice varieties.

For whip-grafting stocks should be chosen
which correspond as nearly as possible in thii k-
ness to the scions, whilst for rind-grafting it
is necessary that the stock be thicker than the
graft. When the grafting is completed, the
plants must be kept in a close atmosphere in
the frames, but it is necessary to wipe off the
moisture that condenses on the sashes at least
once each day, preferably in the early morning,
and the sashes should be entirely removed for a
space of about half-hour to allow any water
which has condensed on the plants to evaporate.
As the union between stock and scion takes place,
and the buds break forth into leaf, the k
of time the sashes are removed should be in-
creased until the plants are hardened sufficiently
to be removed from the propagating c

400

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907.

For about a fortnight afterwards they should
occupy an open position in the same house in
which they have been reared. When the
growths are about 6 or 8 inches long, it is ad-
visable to stop them. This will cause the buds
below to break into growth, and thus form a
bushy habited plant. By this system healthy
plants can be produced in the short space of
from six to nine months. W. B. Little.

GOOSEBERRY WHIN HAM'S
INDUSTRY.
The excellent photograph of this variety of
Gooseberry, which has been sent us by a
correspondent (see fig. 167), will serve to
remind cultivators of one of the best cropping
sorts obtainable. At the present season, when
planting operations are being carried out, the
hint is appropriate.

Colour Variation in Chrysanthemums. —

I note an interesting communication in the issue of
the Gardeners' Chronicle for October 10 on this
subject from Mr. H. Cowley, in which he states
that his results show " how impossible it is to con-
form this work to any law." How so? For the
simple reason that the alleged laws put forward by
Mendelian advocates on this subject are faulty and
incomplete. In truth the word " law " should
never have been applied to them. They cannot
even be fairly termed " the allegations of human
experience," for it is owing to the paucity and to
the restricted field of Mendelian experiment that
any general claim ever came to be advanced on
their behalf. Their theory of colour variation was
founded on insufficient data, and received its final
overthrow at the third International Conference
on Genetics held by the Royal Horticultural

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

Grapes at the Shrewsbury Show.— The
suggestions on p. 379 of the last issue are worth
consideration by the committee of the Shropshire
Society. The number of gardeners who would be
in a position to exhibit three or six bunches in one
or two seasonable varieties would be much greater
than the number of exhibitors who can exhibit 12
bunches. If memory serves me rightly, at ihe last
show there were 15 competitors in the pair and
single bunch classes for Black Hamburghs. The
varieties selected by your correspondent are worthy
the proposed honour. Naturally a first prize
winner would like a permanent memento of his
victory, but at the same time would like some
means wherewith to meet the expenses. What
does your correspondent think of a small gold
medal with a cash prize added ? Exhibitor.

Late Peas. — I gathered a dish of splendid
garden Peas on November 30. The variety is
known as Favourite. Harold Reaves, of Messrs.
Letts &■ Hai ding, Nurserymen, West H addon, Rugby.

Question-Night at Debating Societies.

— Any departure from the ordinary procedure at
Gardeners' Mutual Improvement societies or
similar horticultural bodies where lectures or
addresses are habitually given is most welcome.
As a rule the world is being talked at too much,
and it rebels sometimes and refuses to listen.
The committee of the Kingston Society readily
accepted the suggestion to devote one ordinary
meeting of the members this session to debat-
ing anonymous questions sent in on paper by
the members. That practice was adopted at a
recent r»eefing, and proved to be singularly suc-
cessful. jMr. E. H. Jenkins and his valued
knowledge was well tested by the questions,
some 25 in number, put before the meeting.
The range of questions was very wide, and in-
cluded such topics as the Gooseberry-mildew,
selection of flowering shrubs, bolting Cabbages,
nomenclature of Hellebores, establishing newly-
imported Japanese Lilies, winter Begonias,
Potato failures from home-grown seed-tubers,
and good growth from northern or Irish seed-
tubers, Peach fruits decaying ere ripe, the silver
leaf fungus, sportiveness of Sweet Peas, Cab-
bage clubbing and remedies, stocks for climbing
Roses, terms as applied to diverse forms of foli-
age, grafting Chrysanthemums, and many other
subjects. Not merely was there great educa-
tional value attaching to the proceedings, but
the interest of the members was more fully
aroused than is seen when one subject only is
discussed. Those secretaries who find it diffi-
cult to fill their programmes with lectures should
find " question night " specially helpful. A
member mentioned, in reference to grafting
Chrysanthemums, that he had seen in Paris a
monster plant, 9 feet over, and carrying 750
disbudded flowers, all from grafts, worked on
to a five-year-old stock of Chrysanthemum
frutescens. The variety was Tokio. The em-
ployment of the French Marguerite as a stock
for such purposes seemed to be regarded as a
very unusual or novel procedure. A. D.

Horticultural Society. First let us get some toler-
able approximaiions, test these by general experi-
ment, and then the time may have arrived for
formulating some hypothesis. But to draft a
" law " first, and afterwards test its verity, is not
scientific procedure On the subject of "sports,"
dealt with by Mr. Cowley, if he cares to look up
the paragraphs on "species" which were added
as an addenda to my Concepts of Monism (Unwin),
he may find it interesting. A. Worsley.

Floral Committee Exhibits at the
R.H.S. Meetings. — Asa rule the most interesting
plants or flowers seen at the R.H.S. meetings
are those placed before the Floral Committee
for awards. These novelties have special in-
terest, because they are presented for awards
as improvements on existing kinds. But ba-

[Fhotograph by C. Jones.
Fig. 167. — a fine spray of fruits of gooseberry " whinham's industry,"
a red-coloured variety of high merit.

Society at Westminster in 1906. Here it was
clearly shown that their allegations as to colour
variation were not true in any general sense,
although in some particular instances they received
confirmation. To-day we are still unable to fore-
tell with certainty what the colour analysis of a
cross will yield (with some possible exceptions in
Sweet Peas, Antirrhinums, &c), but we do know
with certainty what a cross cannot yield in the way
of colour. The results given by Mr. Cowley differ
in no respect from those of many other experi-
ments in Chrysanthemums and in other genera
which have come under my observation, and on
which I have prepared some memoranda for pre-
sentation to the Scientific Committee of the Royal

cause the Floral Committee meet upstairs,
few Fellows or visitors to the meetings
find their way to the committee room, and thus
they fail to see them. Some time after the
Floral Committee has risen, exhibitors or their
assistants bring down these special exhibits and
put them about all over the hall. Cannot the
society's officials be instructed to have them
removed to one or other of the recesses, where
there is always ample room, as fast as the sub-
jects are dealt with by the committee? All
persons interested could then soon find these
novelties. The Orchids and fruits placed
before their respective committees can always
easily be found in the hall. Visitor.

December 7, 1S07.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

401

The Culture of Cockscombs (Celosia
cristata). — Having perused with interest the
notes on the cultivation of the Cockscomb, I
desire to say that the method recommended by
Mr. Francis (see p. 326) corresponds with that
which I practise myself. In the first place, it is
necessary to procure seeds of a good strain,
as cultivation will tend to improve a good
strain, but scarcely make a bad one satisfactory.
When my plants were in small 60s I kept the
roots on the dry side in order to induce the
plants to show their " combs " early, so that I
could select the best for potting on. I used
good loam, rich decayed manure, leaf-mould,
and a good sprinkling of sharp sand for the
final potting into pots 8 inches in diameter.
At every shift I let the roots down to the bottom
of the pot to keep the plants dwarf, so that when
at their best they were not more than 6 inches
from the rim of the pot to the top of the comb.
Once when I had a faulty flower bed I plunged
some Cockscombs in an existing groundwork of
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum,
and very well they answered my purpose for a
time. George Potts, Woodcotesidc, Epsom.

May I point out to Mr. Lockie that I

did not say — " The plants should be placed on
a dry shelf in the hothouse"? What I did say
was — " The plants should be removed to a drier
part of the house" (see p. 362). I would
strongly recommend Mr. Lockie to follow dur-
ing the coming season the hints I have given.
Thos. Francis, The Gardens, Pockwood House, BoU
ton-le-Moors.

Anthracite Coal. — According to my experi-
ence in the use of anthrm ito al for horticul-
tural purposes, it matters little what the size of
the boiler is, provided the character of the fuel
is rightly understood by the stoker. I began
using the large vein anthracite coal somewhere
about the year 1876 or 1877, with no pre-
vious knowledge of its peculiarities, in order
to heat two ordinary flued saddle boilers only
24 inches long. Not much success resulted at
the start, for these two small boilers were set
in a stokehole under the stove-house, the only
entrance being a small door 3 feet in width, and
the chimney stack not being very high, draught
through the furnace was not very great, the
stoking was done in the same manner as for
ordinary coal fuel, such as is used in the neigh -
bciurhood of collieries; but the entire mass
turned black and dead when interfered with. It
is in this direction that the beginner must take
his first lesson, for whether this particular coal
is cheap or dear in any class of boiler depends
not a little upon the stoker. By continuously
raking and disturbing a fire of anthracite coal,
not only is an indifferent heat evolved, but a very
considerable proportion of the fuel is riddled
through the firebars and remains thus uncon-
sumed. In order to obtain the. best results with
this fuel in any type of boiler, quite apart from
the question of price, it must be allowed to do
its work undisturbed. By proper regulation of
the damper, &c, a fire of anthracite coal will
endure from 12 to 20 hours without attention.
I have known such fires to last in an excel-
lent condition for 22 hours and longer during
February and March, when a bitter east wind
has been blowing. In this particular instance
three boilers were working together ; two of these
were of the saddle pattern, 30 inches long, the
third being of a larger size, with 3,000 feet
of piping attached to it. In the case of these
smaller boilers, 15 hours was the maximum time
that they could be left unattended. The chief
value of this coal, therefore, lies in its great
durability, but to this must be added, that
when intelligently used, there are no clinkers
and very little ash. Further, there is an entire
absence of sulphurous fumes such as are
given off by coke, also there is a saving in
labour, and a minimum of night stoking, to-
gether with the practical certainty of ensuring
a uniform temperature. At this time of the
year a fire of anthracite coal may be made up
at 5 p.m., and beyond an occasional attention
to the damper or ash-pit door, in the event of
a sudden change in the weather outside, no
attention is required before 6.30 a.m. the day fol-
lowing. In the breaking of anthracite coal the
spike or chisel end of the hammer can be best
used, in order to prevent it being broken too
small. With a good draught at command, the
chief item in success with anthracite coal is to
" let it alone." E. Jenkins.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee.

NOVEMBER 27. — Present: Mr. A. F. Bowles,
M.A., F.L.S. (in the Chair); Messrs. E. M.
Holmes, G. S. Saunders, A. Worsley, W. C.
Worsdell, J. Odell, F. J. Baker, G. Gordon, \\ .
Cuthbertson, and F. J. Chittenden (hon. sec.).
Visitor, Mr. Gurney Wilson.

Hybrid Orchids. — Mr. Chapman showed the
result of a cross between Cypripedium insigne
Sanderac and C. callosum Sanderae having col-
oured flowers. Over one hundred plants of this
cross had flowered, and each of them had borne
coloured flowers, although the parents were al-
binos. The cross had been effected both ways
with the same result. The two albinos breed
true from seed. The flower of the particular
specimen exhibited was coloured much in the
same way as those of the type forms of the
species, and bore great resemblance to C.
Leoniae (C. insigne x C. callosum). He also
showed a plant with a coloured flower, the le-
sult of crossing the albino forms C. callosum
Sanderae and C. bellatulum album ; about 25
plants of this cross had flowered, and all had
borne coloured plants. A third plant bore a
great resemblance to C. insigne Sanderae, and
had been raised by crossing that form with C
Leeanum giganteum (= C. insigne X ('.
Spicerianum) ; of the offspring of this cross
some reverted to the insigne type, but one was
much lighter, and was crossed again with C.
insigne Sanderae, giving C. X San-Actaeus. This
was again crossed with ('. insigne Sanderae,
and the plant under notice was the result. The
continued crosses had almost brought back the
original C. insigne Sanderae. This form had in
its composition, said Mr. CHAPMAN, 14/16 C.
in.lcra. 1/16 normal C. insigne, and
I Hi I Spii erianum.

Orchids and Fur.gi. — Mr. Gurney Wilson re-
ferred to the theory brought forward by Prof.
NoEL Bernard concerning symbiosis between
the Orchids and certain fungi (see C.enetic Con-
ference Report, p. 392i. He, working in con-
junction with Dr. Fulton, had not been able
to verify the observation Prof. Noel Bernard
had made. He had recently placed a large
number of imported Odontoglossum crispum in
ne Oak leaves which had been
thoroughly dried for some months; a fungus
had certainly developed upon them, but it had
turned out to be the common Mushroom, and
the mycelium had undoubtedly been on the Oak
leaves.

Saxifraga Cotyledon. — Mr. Saunders showed
from Mr. A. O. Walker, F.R.H.S., a specimen
of this plant in which the flowers had been re-
placed by terminal rosettes of foliage leaves,
somewhat similar to the plant sent some time
since bv Mr. 1 1 nkins.

Ergot on Ry< %rass. — Mr. Baker drew attention
to the remarkably frequent occurrence of this
fungus in this and the past few years in Xorth
Kent on Ryegrass and some other wild Grasses.
Mr. Odell said that close feeding and the
cleaning of ditches and headlands was the best
means of eradicating the fungus.

Malformed Orchids. — Mr. Odeii showed a
specimen of the Orchid Selenipedium calurum,
in which the lateral petals were completely sup-
pressed, while the dorsal sepal was much re-
duced and malformed. A similar condition is
frequently seen in S. Sedeni.

Chrysanth mum indicum Hybrids- Mr. Smith,
oi Wevbridge, exhibited flowers of hybrids be-
tween C. indicum and cultivated forms. These
were retained for further examination.

Diseased Fern. — Mr. Masses reported that he
found abundance of mycelium on the brown
spot, on the Todea leaves but no fruit; the
fungus was therefore indeterminable. The
rhizomorphs shown at the last meeting were
those of Armillaria mellea.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

December 4, 5. — The early winter exhibition
of the above Society was held on these dates
at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham. The number
of entries was much larger than at the corre-
sponding show of last year, the figures being
120 and 75 respectively". The larger classes

brought forth some spirited competitions, the
flowers generally being of supeiior quality.
The Incurved blooms were equal in point of
quality to those seen at the November show, and
they were more numerous than on that occasion.

Miss Willmott was a very successful ex-
hibitor in the principal classes for both
Japanese and Incurved varieties. Several
novelties were presented for awards, and of
these two varieties of the single-flowered type
received the Society's First-Class Certificate.

The weather on the opening day was wet and
cold ; the attendance of the public was small.

Chrysanthemums Displayed on Boards.
Open Classes.

The most important class for Japanese Chry-
santhemums was that for 18 blooms in not
fewer than 12 varieties. This brought forth a
good competition, no fewer than nine exhibits
being staged. Much the best display was shown
by Miss Willmott, Warley Place, Brentwood,
Essex (gr. Mr. J. Pieece), who had a magnificent
stand of flowers, especially for a December
exhibition. The varieties were Mme. Oberthur
(a white variety of high merit), Algernon Davis
(yellowish-bronze, overlaid with reddish mark-
ings), W. H. Whitehouse, Mrs. J. Bryant, F. S.
Vallis, General Hutton (yellow), G. Gooding (a
coarse-petalled rosy-pink flower), Mme. Carn.it,
J. II. Silsbury, Mrs. J. Bryant, Mme. P.
Radaelli (a magnificent specimen), Mrs. G.
Beach, Mrs. F. Dalton, Mme. G. Rivol, and
Mrs. F. W. Vallis. 2nd, Hon. Sidney Hol-
land, Kneesworth Hall, Royston, Herts, (gr.
Mr. H. Humphreys). The blooms shown by
this exhibitor were smaller than those in the
1st prize group, but they were remarkably fresh
and bright in appearance. Mrs. F. W. Vallis,
Mme. P. Radaelli, E. J. Brooks, Mrs. Barkley,
and Marquis Venosta were his best flowers.

Twelve Japanese blooms, distinct. — In this
smaller class there were seven exhibits, and it
was easy to determine the winning flowers, for
they were much superior to any of the others.
These also were from the gardens of Miss Will-
mott, and they included the varieties W. H.
Whitehouse (a very choice flower), F. S. Vallis,
Valerie Greenham, Algernon Davis, Mme.
Oberthur, J. H. Silsbury, Mme. Carnot, Mrs. J.
Bryant, Mme. G. Rivol (exceptionally fine),
Mrs. C. Beckett, Mrs. T. Dalton, and Beauty of
I.eigh (a rich shade of yellow). 2nd, T. L.
Boyd, Esq., North Frith, Tonbridge (gr. Mr.
A. C. Horton). This exhibitor showed F. S.
Vallis, Mrs. T. Dalton, J. H. Silsbury, Marquis
Venosta, Valerie Greenham, &c. 3rd, A. Tate,
F^sq., Downside, Leatherhead (gr. Mr. W.
Mease).

Incurved varieties. — There were nine displays
in this class, and although there was a con-
siderable difference in the quality of the ex-
hibits, collectively they were very good, and
made a fine display. The 1st prize again fell
to Miss Willmott, whose flowers were large,
well formed, and evenly matched, a little lack-
ing, perhaps, in bright colours, but equal to
any seen at this late season. The varieties were
Duchess of Fife, W. Higgs, Mdlle L. Faure,
Frank Hammond, Duchess of Fife, Marjorie
Cordwell, Mrs. F. Judson, Ialene, and Tri-
omphe de Montbrun, the last-named flower being
especially fine. The 2nd prize exhibit, shown
by Pantia Ralli, Esq., Ashtead Park, Epsom
(gr. Mr. G. J. Hunt), was not much inferior to
the premier stand. It contained good specimens:
of Embleme Poitevine, W. Wainwright, The
Egyptian, Frank Hammond, &c.

Chrysanthemums Shown in Vases.

Only one exhibit was seen in the class for
nine vases of large Japanese varieties. Three
blooms were required for each vase, and the
varieties were not to be fewer than six in
number. The exhibitor was Pantia Ralli,
Esq. (gr. Mr. G. J. Flunt), and he received the
1st prize. He showed Codfrey's Pride, Mrs.
Swinburne, Mme. G. Rivol, Mme. G. Deberie,
Valerie Greenham, Miss M. Hankey (three fine
flowers), Bessie Godfrey, Mme. R. Cadbury, Sc.

A class was provided for a collection of
decorative varieties of any section, shown in
vases and occupying an area of 12 feet by 3 feet.
Large exhibition blooms were excluded. There
were two exhibits in this class, the best being
staged by J. L. Burgess, Esq., Maisey Hamp-
ton, near Fairford (gr. Mr. J. A. Humphries), who

402

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[Decemukk

1907

showed fresh, well-coloured flowers of Anemone,
Pompon, and decorative varieties, including
Crimson Source d'Or, Lizzie Holmes (pompon),
Pearle des Beaute, Money Maker, Rubra Per-
fecta, lohn Boxall, Mrs. Astill, Quinola, &c.
2nd, J. Courtney, Esq., J. P., The Whim, Wey-
bridge (gr. Sir. W. C. Pagram), whose exhibit
included many thread-petalled and single
varieties.

Single Chrysanthemums. — The only class for
this type of Chrysanthemum was one for 12
vases of distinct varieties, arranged with their
own foliage. Each exhibit was arranged on a
separate table, there being five tables in all.
The 1st prize was awarded to E. Mocatta,
Esq., Ad.llestone (gr. Mr. J. Stevenson). The
varieties shown by this exhibitor were very
freely flowered, but they were not so bold and
erect as some of the older sorts. Notable ex-
amples were Belle of Weybridge (very handsome
shade of red), Edith Pagram (large flowers of
rosy-pink colouring), Grace, Crown Jewell (yel-
!owi, Anna Farina (reddish), White Victoria (a
neat flower), and Mrs. F. J. McLeod (large
flowers, coloured yellow). 2nd, F. A. Bevan,
Esq., Trent Park, New Barnet (gr. Mr. H. Parr).
f"his exhibitor showed Miss Will Jordan (a
pleasing flower, with vinous red-coloured florets
and a prominent yellow centre), Ryecroft Belle
(pink). Belle of Weybridge, Progress (bronze),
&c. 3rd, Jeremiah Lyon, Esq., Riddings Court,
Caterham (gr. Mr. G. Halsey).

Six vases of Japanese blooms, distinct. — This
class was contested by two exhibitors, W. G.
Prudden Clark, Esq.", 4, York Road, Hitchin,
and W. Beech, Esq., Romford (gr. Mr. M. Ray-
ment), who were awarded the 1st and 2nd prizes
in the order of their names. Mr. Clark showed
W. Duckham, Mme. R. Oberthur, Mrs. T. Dal-
ton, Valerie Greenham, Mrs. E. Thirkell, &c.
In the 2nd prize collection was a fine vase of
the variety Bessie Godfrey.

Six vases of spidery, thread-petalled, or
plumed Chrysanthemums. — This class was also
represented by two exhibits. The 1st prize was
awarded to Sir C. Swinfen Eady, Weybridge
(gr. Mr. J. Lock). Prominent varieties were
Gold Thread, Mrs. Carter, Sam Caswell, Mrs.
Filkins, &c. 2nd, J. L. Burgess, Esq. (gr. Mr.
J. A. Humphries). Princess Henry (a large
pink-coloured variety) and Cannell's Favourite
were well shown by this exhibitor.

Pompon Chrysanthemums. — The schedule re-
quired six vases of small-flowered varieties, such
as Marion, Miss Gertie Waterer, Snowdrop, &c.
The flowers staged were not larger than a six-
pence. There were three contestants. The 1st
prize was awarded to J. Courtney, Esq., Wev-
bridge (gr. Mr. W. C. Pagram), for Primrose
League, Snowdrop, Perfection, Lilac Gem, &c.
2nd, Sir C. Swinfen Eady (gr. Mr. J. Loci
for similar varieties.

Amateurs' Classes.

The flowers shown in these classes were in-
ferior to those in the open section. The prim i-
pal class was that for 12 Japanese blooms, in
not fewer than six varieties, and displayed on
boards. There were four exhibits, none of a
high quality, the best being displayed by C B.
Gabriel, Esq., Horsell, Surrey. His varieties
included F. S. Vallis, Mme. R. Oberthur, Mrs.
T. Dalton, Mrs. F. S. Vallis, and Bessie God-
frey.

In the smaller class for six Japanese blooms,
distinct, there was a keen competition, no fewer
than ten exhibits being staged. The best was
shown by T. Glass, Esq., Borrowdale, West
Hill, Sydenham (gr. Mr. H. Baker). The varie-
ties were General Hutton, Florence Molyneux,
Mrs. F. W. Vallis, F. Penfold, Elsie Fulton,
and Mme. P. Radaelli. 2nd, W. H. Stone,
l 1 . Laurie Park, Sydenham (gr. Mr. T. W.
ens).

In the class tor six Japanese blooms, in not
fewer than four varieties, W. G. Prudden
Clark, Esq., 4, York Road, Hitchin, won the
1st prize with large, lax blooms of Algernon
Davis; J II. Silsbury, Valerie Greenham, Mrs.
E. Thirkell, Leigh Park Wonder, &c. 2nd, Mr.
W. Gooding, Four Elms, Edenbridge.

The whole of one large table was filled with
single vases of Chrysanthemums decorated with
ornamental foliage. They were displayed on a
low table, which enabled them to be' seen to
advant

The most successful exhibitor in the decora-
tive classes was Miss C. B. Cole, Feltham.

Plants.— Lady Tate, Park Hill, Streatham
Common (gr. Mr. W. Howe), was the only ex-
hibitor in the class for a group of Chrysanthe-
mums arranged with miscellaneous flowering
and foliage plants. The exhibit was arranged in
a semi-circular manner, well-grown Chrysanthe-
mums being interspersed with Poinsettias, As-
tilbe (Spirasas), Begonias, Lilies, Palms, Ferns,
.ic. The group was awarded the 1st prize.
Lady Tate was again the only contestant in a
class for a group of flowering, berried, and
ornamental-leaved plants, from wh ch Chrysan-
themums were excluded. This exhibit was very
prettily arranged, and received the 1st prize.

Certificated Flowers.
Doreen, single. — A flower of medium size and
of a bright shade of yellow. Shown by Mr. F.
Cordell, Reigate.

Blanche, single. — A white variety, of com-
mendable form. Some of the florets showed a
faint blush tint. The largest flower measured
4 inches across. Shown by Mr. W. C. Pagram,
Weybridge.

Non-Competitive Exhibits.

A handsome exhibit of Chrysanthemums was
shown by Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery,
Lewisham. At the back of the group were tall
Palms, and beneath these were large vases and
epergnes filled with exhibition blooms of Mine.
Oberthur, R. C. Pulling, John L. Burgess, &c. ;
while the foreground had smaller vases, with
choice foliage plants of Dracaenas, Codiaeums
(Crotons), Ferns, &c, interspersed. (Gold
Medal). A similar award was made to Messrs.
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent, for a col-
lection of Chrysanthemums, Begonias, and
Pelargoniums. The Government of Nova
Scotia staged a collection of Apples, to which a
Gold Medal was awarded.

Silver Medals were awarded to Messrs. W.
Wells & Co., Ltd., Merstham, Surrey, for an
exhibit of Chrysanthemums ; J. Peed & Son,
West Norwood, for Begonias ; J. Laing & Son,
Forest Hill, S.E., for Codiaeums (Crotons),
Palms, and other ornamental-leaved plants ; and
W. Dane, The Nurseries, Tunbridge Wells, for
a di=plav of shrubs.

THE WEATHER.

SALTAIRE, SHIPLEY, AND DISTRICT

ROSE.

November 21.— This society's annual general
meeting was held on the above date, there being
a good attendance of the members. The societv
was formed in 1903, and it has achieved great
success. Last year it extended to the National
Rose Society an invitation to hold their pro-
vincial show at Saltaire in July last, the result
being most satisfactory. The number of exhibi-
tors totalled 108, of which 73 competed in the
N.R. Society's classes alone. The number of
persons who paid for admission to the show was
8,455, and in addition 3,600 subscribers' tickets
were given up at the entrance. This number
does not include the National Rose Society's
ticket-holders. The receipts for the year were
£503 7s. 7d., and the expenditure £449 3s. lid.,
thus leaving a profit on the year's working oi
£54 3s. 8d.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

November 26.— At the last meeting of the
Executive Council, held at the Royal Horti-
cultural Hall on the above date, Mr. Chas.
Foster presided. Eighteen new members (from
two meetings) were elected. Mr. Hawes reported
on the Leeds meeting, and remarked that a non-
member objected to the association obtaining
situations for its members, as he considered it
unfair to those who were not members ! Prelimi-
nary arrangements for 1908 were considered, and
it was decided that the annual general meeting
should be held on Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m.
in the Essex Hall. Further designs for a certifi-
cate were submitted, and the mailer will be placed
in the hands of a professional designer. /. II".

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending November 30. is furnished from the
Meteorological Office : —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather, until very nearly the close of he week, was
extremely unsettled, with heavy falls of rain in nearly all
parts of the country, and with snow in all the more northern
districts. Between Tuesday and Thursday thunderstorms
or thunder or lightning alone were observed in many parts
of England, Wales, and the south of Ireland, the pheno-
mena being very general over our southern and eastern coun-
ties on Wednesday. After Thursday a decided improvement
in the weather was experienced.

The temperature was below the average in all districts ex-
cepting England E. and S. and the English Channel. In
the northern and north-western parts of the Kingdom the
deficit amounted to at least 3°, and in Scotland W. to as
many as 5". The highest readings were recorded, as a rule,
between Tuesday and Thursday, when the thermometer rose
to 55°, and upwards in most of the English districts. In
the east of Scotland and the north of Ireland it did not ex-
ceed 50°, and in the north and west of Scotland it did not
reach that level. The lowest readings occurred at various
times, but chiefly on the night either of Sunday, Monday,
or Friday. In the shelter of the screen the lowest values
reported were 15° in Scotland E. (at Balmoral), 20" in Scot-
land W. (at Cally), and 21" in Ireland N. (at Markree Castle).
On the surface of the grass readings below 20° were regis-
tered in many places, the lowest being 10° at Balmoral, 14"
at Crathes and Markree Castle, and 16" at Llangammatch
Wells.

The temperature of the sea showed a further decrease,
especially on the Irish coasts where the mean values were
/rom 2*- to 3" lowerthan in the preceding week. Theactual
values ranged from 52-7" at Plymouth and 50° and upwards at
several stations in the west and south to 45° or rather below '
it on many parts of the Scottish coasts.

The rainfall was largely in excess over the country
generally, the amount in the eastern, central and southern
parts of Englandand in the Channel districts being more than
twice as much as the average. In Scotland W. the conditions
m this respect were normal, while in Scotland N. there was
a large deficit. Amounts exceeding an inch were recorded
on Tuesday at many places in the south-east of England and
also in some parts of Scotland.

The bright sunshine was in excess of the average in all
districts excepting Scotland N., where there was a slight
deficiency. The percentage of the possible duration ranged
from 39 in England N.E. and 30 and upwards in most
of the other English districts and in Ireland to 21 in
Scotland E. and 13 in bcutland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending December 4.

A week of variable temperature.— The temperature has been
again very variable. I-'or instance, on the warmest day the
highest leading in the thermometer screen was 62°, whereas
on the coldest night the exposed thermometer showed 13"
of frost, making this the ecldest night since March. The
ground is now at about a seasonable temperature, both at

1 and 2 feet deep. Rain fell on four days, but to the total
depth of only about half an inch. During the week three
gallons of rain-water came through the bare soil percolation
gauge, but only two gallons through that on which short
grass is growing. The sun shone on an average for 1 hour
35 minutes a day, or for eight minutes a day longer than is
usual at this season. Calms and light airs principally pre-
vailed, and on the windiest day the mean velocity for any
hour amounted to less than 15 miles— direction S.S.E. The
average amount of moisture in the air'at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour by

2 per cent.

November.

.4ii exceptionally calm November.— Taken as a whole this
was, if anything, rather a warm mouth. The most note-
worthy feature, however, was the long continuance ot
moderately warm days. On the warmest day the temperature
in the thermometer screen rose to 61°, which is an unusually
high reading for the month, and on the coldest night the
exposed thermometer registered 13" of frost, which is no
way exceptional for the time of year. Rain fell on 17
days, to the aggregate depth of 2j inches, which is slightly
below the mean rainfall for November. The sun shone on
an average for 1 hour 51 minutes a day, or for about seven
minutes a day longer than is usual. The winds remained
exceptionally light ; in fact, in my records for the last 21
years, I can find no November as calm. The mean velocity
for the windiest hour amounted to 20 miles— a remarkably
low extreme velocity for the month. The average amount of
moisture in the air at 3 p. in. exceeded a seasonable quantity
for that hour by 2 per cent.

The Autumn.

Moderately warm and dry, and unusually sunny. Each
month of the season was moderately warm. As regards
rainfall, taking the three months together, this was rather a
dry autumn, September being exceptionally dry, and
November rather dry, whereas in October the fall of rain
was unusually heavy. The sun shone on an average for 3£
hours a day, or for 20 minutes a day longer than is usual.
September proved very bright, and November rather bright,
while October was rather a gloomy month.

Ouk Underground Water Supply.
Since the winter half of the drainage year begin in
October the rainfall of the first two months of it has
exceeded the average by 1J inch, which is equivalent to
an excess of 31,220 gallons on each acre in lliis district.
!■:. .)/. , tierkhamsted, Decembei I, 7907.

December 7, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

403

M ARKETS.

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

COVENT GARDEN, December 4.
[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and thev may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Ed.J

Cut Flowers,

&c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Auemones.dz.bchs.

2 0-30

Lily of the Valley,

Azalea, white, per

p. dz. bunches

6 0-80

dozen bunches

3 0-50

— extra quality ...

10 0-12 0

Bouvardia.dz.bchs.

6 0-80

Marguerites, white,

Calla asthiopica, p.

p. dz. bunches

2 0-30

dozen

3 0-50

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

— Guernsey

2 0-30

2 0-30

Camellias, per dz.

16-26

Mignonette, perdz.

Carnations, per

bunches

2 0-30

dozen blooms,

Narcissus, paper

best American

white, per doz.

various

3 0-40

bunches

16-20

— second size ...

16-20

— boleil d'Or.per

— smaller, per

dozen bunches

2 0-26

doz. bunches

9 0-12 0

O don toglossum

Cattleyas.dz. blms.

8 0-10 0

crispum, per

Chrysanthem ii m s,
best specimen

dozen blooms

2 6-30

1'ancratiums per

blooms, perdz.

4 0-60

dozen Ms.

4 0-60

— selected blms.,

Pel ar go n i u m s,

per dozen

2 0-30

show, per dcz.

— medium, doz.

bunches

4 0-60

bunches

12 0-18 0

— "Zonal, double

Cyclamen, per doz.

scarlet

4 0-60

bunches

4 0-60

Poinsettias, per dz.

8 0-10 0

Cypripediums, per

Ranunculus, p. dz.

dozen blooms..

2 0-26

bunches

2 0-40

Daffodils, p. bunch

1 0- l :j

Roses, 12 blooms,

Eucharis grandi-

Niphetos

10-30

flora, per doz.

— Bridesmaid

2 0- 3 0

blooms

2 0-30

— C. Testout ...

2 0-30

Gardenias, per doz.

— K a i serin A.

blooms

2 0-40

Victoria, dozen

Gladiolus, various

blooms

16-30

hybrids, perdz.

— Mrs. J. Laing

10-30

spikes

10-20

— C. Mermet

2 0- 3 1!

— Brenchleyensis

16-20

— Liberty

— Mad. Chatenay

2 0-60

Heather, doz. bchs.

2 0-40

2 0-50

Hyacinths, Roman,

Safrano (French).

perdz. bunches

perdz. bunches

9 0-12 0

of 12 blooms ...

6 0-90

Spirasa, doz. belies.

5 0-80

Lilac (French), per

Statice, p. dz. bchs.

2 0-30

bunch

3 0-40

Slephanolis, per

Lilium atiratum ...

2 0-30

dozen 1'.

4 0-60

— lancif oli am.

Tuberoses, pel dz.

rubrum and

blooms

0 4-06

album ...

2 0-26

Violets, p. dz. bi h ■-.

10-20

— longillorum ...

a <;- i 0

— special q

2 6-30

— tigrinum

16-20

- r,u ma-, p, bch.

2 0-40

Cut Foliage,

&c. : Avei

age Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Adiantum cunea-

Iris fcetida fruits,

lum, dz. bchs.

4 0-60

p. dz. bunches
Ivy-leaves, bronze

5 0-60

A sparagus plu-

2 0-26

mosus, long

— long trails per

trails, per duz.

8 0-12 0

bundle

16-30

— — medium,

— short green,

bunch ...

10-20

doz. bunches...

16-26

— Sprengeri

0 6-10

Moss, per gross ...

4 0-50

Berberis, dz. bchs.

2 0-26

Myrtle (English),

Croton leaves, per

s mal 1-leaved,

bunch

10-13

doz. bunches...

4 0-60

Cycas leaves, each

16-20

— Fi*ench, dozen

Fern, English, per

bunches

10-16

dozen bunches

10-20

Oak (Quercus coc-

— French.dz.bchs

10-30

cinea), dz.bchs.

8 0-12 0

Galax leaves, per

Pernettya,p. bunch

0 6-09

doz. bunches...

2 0-26

Physalis Franchetii,

Hardy foliage

perdz. bunches

4 0-60

(various), per

Smilax, per dozen

dozen bunches

3 0-90

trails

2 0-30

Plants in Pots, &c. Average Wholesale Prices.

Ainpelopsis Veit-

clui, per dozen

Alalia Sieboldi, dz.

— larger

— Moseri, per dz.
Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, per
dozen

Asparagus plumo-
sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— ten u i ssimus
per dozen © ...

Azalea indica
Begonia Gloire de

Lorraine, p. dz.
Bouvardias, per dz.
Callas, per dozen...
Chrysanthem urns,

per dozen

— best disbudded
Clematis, per doz.
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen
Crotons, per do^en
Cyclamen, per doz.
Cyperus alternifo-

lius, dozen

— laxus, per di z.
T i] ar,( nas, per doz.

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80

4 0-60
9 0-12 0
6 0-12 0

12 0-30 0

18 0-30 0

30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0

8 0-10 0

9 0-12 0
24 0-36 0

8 0-15 0
6 0-80
10 0-12 0

5 0-9 0
12 0 18 0

8 0-90

18 0-30 0

IS (i ::.-) ii

9 0-12 0

4 0-50
4 0-50

s.d. s.d.
Erica gracilis, doz. 10 0-12 0

— nivalis, per dz. 12 0-15 0

— hyemalis ... 10 0-15 0
Euonymus, per dz. 4 0-90
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 7 0-10 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, perdz. 4 0-10 0

— in 32's, per dz. 10 0-lH 0
Ficus elastica, dz. 9 0-12 0

— repens, per az. 4 0-60
Hyacinths (Roman),

per dozen pots 12 0-15 0
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-30 0

— Fosteriana.per

dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Lilium 1 o ngi-

florum,per dz. 15 0-24 0

— lancifo Hum,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen

Poinsettias, per dz.

ela . inella, per dz.

Solanums, per doz.

Spiraea japonica.d

9 0-24 0 I Veronicas, per dz.

6 0-80
9 0-12 0

4 0- 6 0

5 0-90
s 0-12 M
4 0-60

Apples (English),
per bushel :

— Wellington ... 4

— Northern Green-
ing 3

— Newton Won-
der 5

Bramley'sSeed-
ling 5

— Lord Derby ... 5

— Peasgood's
Nonsuch ... 5

— King Pippins... 4

— Blenheim Pip-
pin ... ... 4

— Cox's Orange
Pippin, § sieve 7
Nova Scotian,
per barrel :

— Ribstons ... 14

— Gloria Mundi 15
- Blenheims ... 16

— King's .. ... 15

— New York Im-
perialists 20
Canadian, per
barrel :

— King of the
Pippins ... 17

— Baldwins ... 15

— Greening's ... 16

— Ribstons .. 16

— Blenheims ... 19
Californian :

— Newtow ii i,

box 9

— "Oregon"

Newtowns, per

box

Avocado Pear-, per

dozen

Bananas, bunch :

— No. 2 Canary .

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giants „ ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cranberries, p.case
"Custard" Apple

(Anona) per doz.
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

Grape Fruit , case
Grapes (English),

— Alicante, per lb.

— Gros Colmar,
per lb

s.d s d-

6-6 0
6-4 6
0-6 6

0-7 0

0-6 0

0-7 0
6-6 0

6-6 0

0-14 0

0-15 0
0-16 0
0-17 6
0-16 0

o 18 0

0 17 0
0-18 0
0-18 0
0-21 0

12 0-14 0
4 0-80

6 0-66

7 0-76

8 0-86

9 6-10 0

5 0-56
0 9-13

6 6-76

6 0-12 0

6-4 9
0-12 0

0 6-10
0 8-16

Grapes, English
Muscats, p. lb.

— Canon Hall,
per lb

— Belgian Col-
mar. per lb

— Almeria, per
barrel

Lemons :

— Malaga, case...

— Messina, case

— Naples, p. case
Lychees, per box...
Mandarines, p. box
Mangoes, per doz.
Medlars (English),

4 sieve
Nuts, Cobs (Eng-
lish), per lb. ...

— Grenobles Wal-
nuts, per bag...

— Almonds, bag

— Brazils, new,
per cwt.

— Barcelona, per
bag

— Cocoa nuts. 100
Chestnuts :

— Italian, per bag

— Redon, per bag
Oranges (Jamaican)

per case

— Almeria, case..

— Valencia, case

— Denia, p. case
Pears (English),

Catillac, per
bushel

— Doyenne du
Cornice, per
dozen

— Pitmaston
Duchess, per
dozen

— French, Doy-
enne du Cornice
per crate

— Beurre bfaeni-
fique, per box

— Catillac, Dutch
per basket

— per barrel

— Glou Morceau
(French), per
box

— Winter Nelis,
per box

I 'in. apples, each ...

s.d. s.d.
2 0-40
2 0-40

0 8-10

10 0-20 0

14 0-15 0
12 0-2(1 u
17 0-24 0

1 0 —
10-16
4 0-80

Be-
OS*—

6 6-63
42 6 —

32 6 —
12 0-17 0

12 0-15 0
8 0-10 0

5 6-9 6
10 6-12 0
7 0-12 I)

13 0-20 0

4 6 6 0

16-40

16-26

'l0 0 -12 0
10 0 —

2 6 —

10 0 —

10 0-10 6

18 0 20 0
2fi-50

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(French),

per dozen
Asparagus, Paris

1 . bundle

— Sprue, bi
Beans, Freni

packet

— Guernsey, p. lb.

— Madeira, per
basket

Beetroot, bushel ...
Brussel Spi

h sieve
Cabbages, per doz.

— Greens, bag ...

— red, per dozen

— Savoy s, per
tally

Carrots (English),

— washed, p. bag
Cauliflowers, p. dz.

— per tally
Celeriac (French),

per dozen

Celery, washed, per
dozen

Chicory, per lb. ...

Chow Chow iSec-
hium edule),p.
dozen ..

Cucumbers, perdz.

Endive, per dozen

Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.
bundles

6-4 0
5 Q 6

- ,1
1 6

s.d.

0 4
0 7

0-3 6
3- 1 6

I 0 —

: 6 -

6-2 0
0-10 0

19-20

8-0 10
3-0 3§

0 —

0-3 6
6-2 0

10 0-12 0

Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (French),

per dozen
Mint, doz. bunches
M ushrooins(house)

Eerlb
uttons, peril). 0 10- 1 0

— "Broilers'p.lb. 0 7-08
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Spanish),
per case

— Dutch, per bag

— pickling, per
bushel

Parsley, 12 bunches

— £ bushel
Salsafy, per dozen

bundles
Spinach, English,

per bushel ...
Tomatos, selected,

per dozen lbs.

— small selected,

per dozen lbs. 2 6-36

— Teneriffe, per
bundle of four
boxes ...

Turnips (English),
doz. bunches...

— per bag
Watercress, per

doz. bunches ..

10-12
0 9-10

0 8-0 10

10-16

5 0-56
4 0-

2 0-26

16-19
10-16

3 6 —
0 9-10
2 9-40

10 0-12 0

2 0-30
2 6 —

0 4-06

Remarks. — Prices of Apples this week are much lower,
especially of those arriving from Nova Scotia and Canada ;
and at present there does not appear to be any prospect of
an improvement, unless the supplies decrease. Oranges
also are very plentiful and cheap. The demand for home-
grown Tomatos and Grapes continues to be slow. Kentish
Cob Nuts are easier in price, but the quality generally of this
Nut is inferior, to last season. P. L.t Covent Garden,
Wednesday, December J, 1907.

Potatos.
Kents, 3s. 6d. to 5s. per cwt.; Lincolns, 70s. to 90s. ;
Blacklands, 70s. to 85s. ; Maincrops, 90s. to 100s. per ton ;
Dutch Magnums, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per bag; Dutch Imperators,
2s. 6d. to 3s. per bag; Dunbar Dates, 5s. to 6s. per bag.
Owing to the mild, changeable weather, trade is dull.
/. D. C, Covent Garden, December 4% 1907.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

During the past week trade for pot-plants has been
very dull, while supplies have been unusually plentiful
for the time of the year. In company with LUy-of-the-
Valley, Spiraeas, Azaleas, Daffodils, &c.( arc Chrysanthe-
mums, together reminding one of December and spring.
Li ly-of- the- Valley is just now very good ; a few years ago
these plants would have been worth a guinea a pot at

Christmas. They may now be bought at from is. 6d. to-
ss. 6d. per pot. Lilium longiflorura is another example
of decreased value. This plant may increase a little in
value for the Christmas trade, but at present good
plants may be bought at quite nominal prices. Callas-
in former years were very valuable at Christmas, but
ios. to i2S. per dozen is now the highest prices realised
for best plants. Marguerites may be had equal in
quality to those seen in the spring, but they are not
worth more than 6s., or at the most 8s., per dozen, al-
though some few years ago they realised from i8s. to
30s. per dozen. Chrysanthemums are still the, leading
feature in pot-plant? ; Jardin des Plantes, which has
been grown for at least 40 years, is still one of the
best varieties for marketing in pots, and beautiful
specimens are seen. Of all the improved "single"
varieties Ladysmith is the only sort marketed as pot-
plants. There is a demand for a good yellow " single "
in pots. Ericas are in the best possible" condition from
all growers, but, unfortunately, up to the present trade
for them has not been good. Begonia Gloire de Lor-
raine is now seen on several stands, and sells fairly
well. Just now there is no other pink flower to equal it,
and " pink " remains a favourite colour. If a Chry-
santhemum of the same shade of colour could be raised
there is a fortune awaiting the person introducing it.
Cyclamen are now plentiful, but it cannot be said that
they are quite so good as we have seen in former years.
And the same must be said of Primulas. The old
growers who took such a pride in these plants seem to
have all died out. A leading florist told me that he
would be glad to find such as we used to see twentv
years ago.

Cut Flowers.
During the past week there has been no very great
change, but supplies of some things are uncertain. It
it difficult to quote absolute prices for some flowers. I
find, for instance, that best Gardenias have gone up to
4s. per dozen, but some mornings the same quality may
be purchased for 2s. per dozen. Eucharis, Stephanotis,
and Pancratiums are also very variable in prices.
Orange Blossom was well supplied last week: when this
is really wanted big prices can be obtained for it, but
stocks are often wasted. It is much the same with other
choice flowers at this season of the year. Some special
function may cause a demand. Some mornings Orchids
sell well, but more often they are not wanted. Roses and
Carnations have a more regular demand. Up to the
present time supplies have been good, and prices have
advanced a little. Chrysanthemums arc now so good that
they spoil the trade for all other flowers. Coloured
varieties which were not wanted a few weeks ago are
now scarcer than "whites." Last Saturday I bought
good white Chrysanthemums at is. 6d. per dozen
blooms : three weeks ago they would have realised
as. 6d. or 3s. per dozen. Liliums are very uncertain
in price. Last Saturday they were making 4s. per
bunch, but on Tuesday they were down to 3s. for the
same quality. A. H., Covent Garden, Wednesday,
December 4, igoj.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

SALISBURY AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.

At a meeting of this society held on the 27tb ult. a paper, on
" Manures," was read by Mr. Wyatt. A capital discussion
followed the reading of the paper, especially on manures
suitable for various subjects. Mr. Bryant presided over a
large attendance of members.

CARDIFF GARDENERS'.— A meeting of this asso-
ciation was held on November 26, Mr. H. R. Farmer pre-
siding. Before commencing the meeting, the chairman
referred to the loss the society bad sustained through the
sudden death of Mr. H. Gillett. The lecturerfor the evening
was Mr. J. Julian, his subject being " Rhododendrons, their
Aspect and Cultivation." Mr. Julian's remarks on the propa-
gation of these plants was the subject of much discussion by
the members. R. T. W.

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'. -

"Forestry" was the subject discussed at the meeting held
on Thursday, November 28. Mr. Went, Forester to the
Marquis of Bute on his South Wales estates, opened the
debate with a paper. Mr. Went said that "Oak and Larch
trees should be extensively planted. The Japanese variety of
Larch far excelled the older form for forest purposes as it
made rapid growth. About 4,000 Larch trees could be
planted on an acre of land, and the smallest trees should be
planted on the highest elevation." Two new members were
elected. H. \V.

CHELMSFORD &. DISTRICT GARDENERS'.—

A meeting of this association was held on November 29,
when Mr. R. E. Williams read a paper on " Seakale and its
Cultivation." The lecturer expressed surprise that Seakale
—a delicacy perhaps second only to Asparagus, a plant as
easily raised as Rhubarb, and one that grows wild on the
south coast of England — should be so seldom grown in
private gardens.

WARGRAVE AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.

The members of this association met on November
20 to witness competitions in decorating vases. The
first event was for journeymen gardeners only, and five
vases had to be arranged- as a table decoration. Mr. G.
Akerman was awarded the 1st prize. Another class was
for head gardeners, single-handed gardeners, and fore-
men, who had to arrange a large vase for effect in a
quarter of an hour. Mr. F. Newman showed the best
arrangement in this competition. 2nd, Mr. J. Botley.
The flowers were afterwards forwarded to the Royal
Berks Hospital. Four new members were elected. H. C.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

John McKerchar, 35, Giesbach Road, Upper Holloway,
London — Ferns, Palms, Plants, Fruit Trees, Roses, &c.

J. Spink, Summit Road Nursery, Waltbamstow, London,
N.E. — Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, &c.

404

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 7, 1907.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Agapanthus umbellatus : B. L. To secure a
number of plants for plunging in the open
border when in flower in the manner you de-
scribe, you should proceed as follows. Shift
the small plants into pots of the size you wish
them to be cultivated permanently, using good
turfy loam and dried cow manure, with some
roughly-broken bones added. After they have
become established in the pots, the plants
should be given a little weak manure water two
or three times a week when actively growing
and developing their spikes. The plants
should never be dried off, but the water supply
should be restricted in the winter months, and
the manure water discontinued during the
same period.

Beetroot : X. Y. Z. The sample you send us
shows reversion to an older form, a condi-
tion commonly seen in this vegetable. Stocks
need carefully selecting each year, in order to
keep them up to the best standaid. The con-
dition is not the result of disease.

Begonia Roots : G. II. B. The trouble is due to
the presence of eelworm in the soil. Burn all
the affected roots, and sterilise the soil by
baking.

Bulb Culture : S. II. Fareham. All the plants
you mention may be grown in a greenhouse
or cold frame. Cypella Herbertii is an
Iridaceous plant and requires to be grown in
a similar manner to Ixias, Sparaxis, and other
Cape Irids. They should be dried off after the
completion of the growth and flowering stage,
until the season of growth comes round again,
when they should be re-potted and watered.
The two Amaryllids^Chlidauthus fragrans and
Zephyranthes — should be treated in a similar
manner. The strict observance of the need of
moisture during the growing season, and of
dry conditions during the time the plants are
at rest, are the main points to be observed in
the culture of all deciduous bulbs, conns, &c.
Bletia hyacinthina is a cool greenhouse ter-
restrial Orchid which also succeeds tolerably
well in mild districts if planted in a sheltered
rockery out of doors. To propagate Erica
hyemalis place one or two of the old plants
in a warm greenhouse until early in spring,
when the cuttings may be taken and rooted
under bell-glasses in the same house.

Calanthe Flowers Colourless : Oculata. The
suppression of colour in Calanthe flowers is not
uncommon. It may arise from comparative
failure of the root-action or from noxious gases
in the atmosphere in the house they occupy. In
your case both causes seem to have contributed
to the failure of the colour in the flowers. First
the plants received a check by removal from one
house to another, and secondly by their being
returned to the freshly-painted house. In the
compost in which the Calanthes are potted a
mixture of dried cow-dung with the loam in
place of the sphagnum-moss would have been
better. Weak manure-water made from cow-
dung with a little soot added should be
given to Calanthes during the time they are
making their growth, and at the period when
they are developing their flower-spikes.

Carnations: Mrs. A. E. M. The insects you
sent are the grubs of a fly, and from your letter
we gather that you find them on and in the soil
and not in the stems of the plants. Were they
in the stems we should say that they are the
grubs of the " Carnation fly " (Hylemia nigres-
cens), as they resemble them very closely. The
grubs of nearly allied flies, however, are so
much alike that it is almost impossible to say
positively to what species they belong. As to
whether the plants will recover after the
grubs have been removed will depend on
the amount of injuiy that each plant has
received. You might try a watering with a
strong solution of nitrate of soda, or dibbling
three or four holes in the earth near the edge of
each pot down to the bottom of the soil and
putting a small amount of "\aporite" in each
hole, filling in the soil again ; the vaporite will
gradually diffuse fumes which are very deadly
to insect life. The fumes have a tendency to rise,
so it should be placed as low down in the pot as
possible. Vaporite is a proprietary remedy and
may be obtained through most nurserymen.

Charcoal for Lawns : C. E. Gamble. Char-
coal is a decided antiseptic material, and

sweetens soils to which it is added by absorp-
tion of pure atmospheric air ; hence it is verv
frequently used for potting purposes, and
when making up vine borders, eic. There
can be no doubt that finely powdered char-
coal applied tc a lawn that is liable to become
too saturated with water, and where Moss is
prevalent in the herbage, would have the
effect of improving matters and indirectly
would act as a germicide. There is nothing
poisonous in the properties of charcoal to kill
insects. If it is decided to try its effects on
a lawn, about 6 ozs. per square yard of sur-
face might be applied any time from Decem-
ber to February. It could do no harm, and
in certain cases a good effect might lie
produced.
Climbers for a South-West Wall ■. A. C. The
following plants will be suitable for your
purpose : — Clematis Jackmanii and others,
Lathyrus grandiflorus, Polygonum baldschu-
anicum, Roses of the Wichuraiana and rambler
class, Periploca gra;ca, and Akebia quinata.

Ccelogyne corrugata : W. B. This species
grows best in a cool house. After the pseudo-
bulbs are mature the plants should be placed
on a shelf in a well-ventilated situation, and
the water supply considerably restricted. If
watered equally during all the year the plants
grow well, but usually fail to bloom.

Dendrobium nobile Buds Failing : Anxious.
As the plants have now the buds well ad-
vanced, you must afford water to the roots,
otherwise the blooms will fail as you say
they have done on previous occasions. To
make sure that the blooms shall develop well,
elevate the plants well up to the glass of the
roof or place them on a shelf near the glass.
Plants of these Dendrobiums grown in
suspended baskets seldom lose their buds in
the manner you describe. We presume that
your plants are growing in pots placed on the
stage. It sometimes happens that excessive
heat from the hot-water pipes, especially at
night, causes the buds to fail. Fumes from
the stoke-hold entering along the course of
the hot-water pipes have also been known to
cause similar damage.

Eranthemum : Correspondent. The leaves of
your Eranthemum are infested with the
fungus known as Sphaeronema deformans. It
will probably not materially injure the plants,
as it only affects the leaves and, gene, ally at
least, does not seem to damage them seriously.

Fir trees : /. H. B. Your specimens have now
been thoroughly examined. The soil is per-
meated with white fungus mycelium. The
branches show spruce galls caused by Chermes
laricis. The roots are attacked by a rot, in
which no fungus or bacterium enters, but is
evidently due to cultural difficulties. Nothing
can be done to arrest the disease unless the trees
are sufficiently small to be transplanted. In
this case the roots should be pruned, and the
trees planted in deeper soil. Thanks for the
contribution to the Royal Gardeners' Orphan
Fund.

Gardener's Notice : F. W. J. A head gar-
dener is entitled to receive one month's notice
before terminating his employment.

Grease-bands : R. D. The paper used for
bands around the trees will answer the pur-
pose perfectly, but care must be exercised to
overlap the ends and paste them together, so
that no crevices will be left by which the
insects can escape to the branches above. The
preparation of fat you used became consoli-
dated owing to salt having been added in the
process of cooking, and this, together with the
treacle, could easily be consumed by the birds.
The best ingredient for the purpose you re-
quire is something that is sticky and at the
same time not injurious to the bark. Prepara-
tions containing any form of tar will in time
injure the bark, especially the bark upon
young trees. A simple and effectual method
is to use good cart grease, containing no
form of tar. You may use the fat in
conjunction with palm oil and soft soap,
or rape seed oil and a little caustic soda ;
in each case the ingredients should be
so mixed together that it can be applied with
a painter's brush. This application will re-
quire to be repeated at least twice during the
period the bands remain on the trees. The
bands should always be placed in position

early in October each year. In order to have
your fruit trees free trom attacks next year,
and assuming the grease-bands have not been
perfectly satisfactory, you had better spray the
trees with the soda and potash wash before
the bud show signs of making growth in the
spring.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants.— We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both of
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
gieatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.
Fruitsi IV. Heme. 1, Dredge's Queen Char-
lotte; 2, Dean's Codlin.— F. S. Forge Apple.—
J. T. S. We cannot identify your Apple. We
think it is a local cider kind.— F. Nisbet. 1,
Small's Admirable; 2, Bramley's Seedling; 3^
Lord Grosvenor ; 4, Knight's Monarch.— F. F.
We cannot undertake to name varieties of
Grapes unless we receive a whole bunch
properly packed, with foliage and a portion of
wood. It is impossible to name Grapes correctly
from a few berries only. Moreover, yours were
bruised and mildewed when opened, probably
the result of improper packing
Plants: H.T. Euonymus europaeus. — A.J.C.
1, Begonia hybrid of the "President Carnot "
class ; 2, B. subpeltata argentea , 3, Pelargonium
echinatum.— IV. A. B. 1, Ornithogalum longi-
bracteatum ; 2, Mesembryanthemum mutabile.
— S. 0. M. Agapanthus umbellatus variegatus.
— H. A. M. We can detect no difference
between your specimen and Escallonia organ-
ensis other than a comparative absence of red
colouring on the stems and petioles.

Nepenthes: R. II. A. The Nepenthes is not
an Orchid nor a Fern, but a dicotyledonous
plant which is generally cultivated for the
pitcher-like appendages it produces to its
leaves. The "pitchers" are modifications of
the upper parts of the leaves, and ate totally
unconnected with the flowers, these being pro-
duced from the stem itself and not from the
leaves. Plants of Nepenthes are never dis-
played at public exhibitions when in flower,
but rather when the pitchers are in the highest
stage of development. It would, therefore,
be highly improper to disqualify a group of
[' Orchids, foliage plants, and Ferns " because
it contained Nepenthes.

Pollinating Cvpripedium : D. II. If you make
a longitudinal section of an ovary you will see
where the male and female organs are situ-
ated, and, having found these, the process of
pollinating the flower is as simple a process
as with any other plant.

Scale in Potatos : Hampshire. See article on
this subject in the present issue.

Tulip Van Thol : A. P. The bulbs are per-
fectly healthy, well-developed specimens, and
at first it was difficult to account for the
absence of roots. On a closer examination
with magnifying power it was seen that the
root points have been eaten off in the young
stage, and a very few new roots are issuing
from the sides of the earlier ones. If the
whole of the batch is similarly affected, it is
the result of insect life in the soil. Notwith-
standing this, we should not hesitate to put
the bulbs in the greenhouse for forcing.
Growth has recently taken place in the more
backward bulb, and even now the presence of
the flower bud can be detected. Read care-
fully the instructions given for forcing such.
plants in our last issue and act accordingly.

Communications Received.— Narciss — G. II.— A i

—J. S.— J. 13.— H. A. I.— W. A. C.-W. G. S. -W.-
Peter R.— Anxious— F. D.— Ajax— W. H. W.-H. G.
Alexander— S. A.— Constant Reader— C. H. Payne-
Ambitious— C. Read— E. Steele— West, Newman & Co. —
H. D.— F. G. C.-H. VV. W.-Rev. D. R. VV.-F. M.—
Fair Play— J. M.— G. H.— R. P. -Hugh Low & Co.—
I. D. G.-J. R. I.— Hayward, Tyler & Co., Ltd.— E. M.—
Employee (you should have senl your name and address)
—J. D.— P. M.— A. H.-J. B.— J. A. -H. R.-C. B._
T. A. G.— W. G,— J. S.— W. J.— A. H. W.— A, E. T.

December 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

405

THE

#arbcncrs'(!tbrontcIc

No. 1,094.— SATURDAY, December 14, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Agricultural Returns ...

415

Romneya Coulteri

417

Auricula, ihe

405

Romneya tricbocalyx ..

414

Books, notices of —

Rubber-plant; pests of a

415

Botanical Magazine...

415

School - gardens, hints

Canada, horticulture in

410

for

414

Carbon dioxide as a bac-

Seed and soil inocula-

tericide

415

tion 416,417

Chrysanthemums for

Societies —

market...

424

Dublin Seed and Nur-

Cockroaches

417

sery Employes

423

Fernery, the—

Manchester and N. of

Ferns, the propagation

England Orchid ...

422

of

406

Midland Counties

Florists' flowers —

Sweet Pea

415

Australian Chrysan-

National Chrys.

421

themums

411

National Potato

422

Exhibits of decorative

National Sweet Pea ...

421

Chrysanthemums ...

411

Royal Horticultural ...

418

Incurved Chrysanthe-

Royal Scottish Arbori-

mums

411

cultural

423

Fuchsias, the grape-like

411

Smithfield Club

422

Gooseberry plants, pro-
hibition of importa-

Winter-flowering Car-

nation

420

tion of

Graft and scion, the re-
lations of

416
414

Trees and shrubs —
Caryopteris Masta-
canthus

Clerodendron fceti-

403

Grove Hall Park, Bow,

as a public recreation
ground

417

dum

Nandina domestica ...

408
408

Lemon-Curing in Aus-
tralia
Market Gardening —

407

Winter - flowering
shrubs

408

F.arly Tomatos

408

Vege tables —

Mice and Vegetation ...

415

Late Peas

410

Narcissus, a new

Vine?, inarching of

417

malady of

407

Week's work, the —

Orchid notes and glean-

Flower garden, the ..

412

ings—

Fruits under g i

l i:i

Miltonia vexillaria ...

406

Hardy fruit gai di n

413

Odontoglossum cris-

Kitchen garden, the...

413

pum

406

Orchid houses, the ...

412

Plant Note—

Parks and gardens ...

•111!

Arctotis aureola

411

Plants under glass ...

413

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Caryopteris Mastacanthus, a flowering shoot of

409

Grub of the Narcissus beetle, the

407

Malacosoma lusitauicum

a beetle pest of Narcissi

407

Miltonia vexillaria, a group of plants of ..

406

Montanoa bipinnatiflda,

nflorescence of

419

Romneya tnchocalyx (Supplementary Illustration)

THE AURICULA.

A GREATER interest has been taken in
the Auricula during- the last decade
than in any previous period of time.
The florists of a hundred or more years ago,
however, valued Auriculas highly, and knew
their value much better than growers of the
present day. When a very choice variety
was obtained from seed all the growers were
anxious to possess it, and working- men would
willingly give their guinea for a choice
variety. It is related that, after Leigh's
Colonel Taylor, the best green-edged variety
of its day, was distributed, as much as £5 5s.
was paid for a plant. I still grow this variety ;
it has a very pure green edge, but, owing
to its feeble constitution, it makes but poor
growth. The constitutions of the plants were
formerly ruined by excessive feeding. When
I first grew Auriculas, I bought plants from
some of the old-fashioned florists, and the
compost in the flower pots was usuallv much
overdone with rich manure, " night-soil "
being a favourite stimulant. It says much
for the constitution of the Auricula that it
could grow and flower well for a time
with such treatment. Even so recently as
the year 1839, in a treatise on the Auricula,
the author condemned the rich composts,
but suggested the following for " strong-
blooming plants " : " One barrow of sound
loam, one barrow of dried night-soil, one

barrow of the dung- of sheep, cows, and
poultry ; mixed in blood from the slaughter-
house in equal quantities." The patient
cultivators in those far-off days had faith
in their instructors. Maddock was a great
cultivator about the end of the eighteenth
and beginning of the nineteenth century.
Here is a description of the compost he
used : " J rotten cow manure two years old,
1-6 sound earth of an open texture, g earth
of rotten leaves, 1-12 coarse sea or river sand,
1-24 soft, decayed willow wood, 1-24 peaty or
moory earth, 1-24 of the whole ashes of burnt
vegetables." These are two only of the
numerous recipes published, but they show
how impossible it must have been to keep
the plants in a healthy condition.

No Auricula-fancier in these days would
ever be tempted to use such rich mixtures for
their plants in any period of their growth.
A good compost for Auriculas would be one
consisting of three or four parts good loam
to one part of leaf-mould and one part of de-
cayed manure. The Auricula likes fibrous
loam, not too much decayed. I never saw
Auriculas better grown by an amateur than
the plants Mr. Henwood used to exhibit, and
lie had arrived at the conclusion that good,
fibrous loam without any admixture was the
besl potting material. This is certainly
the most natural potting soil, and the
roots develop most freely in the open,
fibrous loam pressed firmly into the pots. The
concct time to carry out the work of i< pot-
ting has always been a very important in.it-
Ut willi the fanciers. Not only at what time
of the year, but also how to do it. In my
collection of about 15,000 plants repotting is
performed in every month of the year. One
of the main points is to be careful not to over-
pot the plants. I do not use any pots having
more than a diameter of 5 inches inside mea-
surement, and these for the stronger-growing
varieties only. I examine as many as I can
of the entire collection in December and
January. Some of the plants are merely sur-
face-dressed ; many of them are turned out,
the roots are examined, and the plants re-
turned into clean flower-pots, taking care not
to disturb the roots more than is absolutely
necessary.

The flowerpots should be well drained, and
the drainage secured with perfectly fibrous
material placed over the potsherds. For two
months in winter many growers used to keep
the plants without water, but this is an
error to be deprecated. During winter
much injury is caused by the plants losing
their outer leaves and by these being allowed
to remain until decay sets in on the stem
of the plants as well as on the leaves. The
decayed and decaying leaves should be re-
moved frequently.

Winter treatment may be said to begin
after the middle of November, and it con-
tinues until the early weeks of February.
Before the latter time every plant should be
carefully examined in order to ascertiin if it
requires to be turned out of its flower-pot or
to be merely surface-dressed. A very rich
compost has been recommended for surface-
dressing, but such material is unnecessary
and may be absolutely injurious. I received
some Auricula plants from the late Mr.
Richard Gorton, and the surface-dressing to
a good depth Was almost entirely composed

of cow-manure, but until May, when I re-
potted them, no roots had penetrated the
stuff. Since that time I have used the same
material for surface-dressing as I do for
repotting. All through the winter (in mild
weather, of course) offsets are removed as
the work proceeds, but it is necessary to put
them in a house that is heated sufficiently to
prevent frost. If they were simply put in
unheated hand-lights or frames, many of
them would rot.

I have never known Auricula plants to be
attacked by fungoid diseases, but a collection
is probably never free from the attacks of the
woolly aphis (Trama auricula-). This insect
forms a lodgment on the roots, and spreads
through the collection in a very mysterious
way, but the most remarkable thing about it
is that it docs not apparently injure the plants.
Fumigating with the XL-All vaporiser keeps
it under, as it kills any exposed insects but
does not disturb those that are hidden
amongst the roots and drainage. Green-fly,
which sucks the juices of the leaves, does
much more damage to the plants, but this
pest may be destroyed easily by fumigating.

Abundance of air ought to be admitted,
whether the plants are in a frame or in an
Auricula house. The lights should be put
over the plants on frosty nights.

Winter is the best time to purchase
plants; they are at rest and will take to their
new quarters as soon as growth begins in
February.

We used to have audits of the show Auri-
culas. The first, to my knowledge, was in
1876. In green-edged varieties Colonel Tay-
lor headed the list, followed by Freedom, Im-
perator, Prince of Wales, Anna, Prince of
Greens, and Champion. In grey-edged varie-
ties, George Lightbody and Lancashire Hero
were equal, followed by Sykes' Complete,
Alexander Meikeljohn, Alderman C. Brown,
George Levick, and Ringleader. In while-
edged, Smiling Beauty, True Briton, Regu-
lar, Glory, Catherina, Bright Venus, and
favourite. In selfs, Othello, Pizarro, Black-
bird, Garibaldi, Charles J. Perry, Meteor,
Flag, and Mrs. Sturrock.

No fewer than ninety varieties were included
in the four classes, and these were in the col-
lection of seven growers only, or, at least,
seven lists, as Mr. Horner and Mr. Simonite
acted conjointly. During the 30 years since
the list was made up, most of the above varie-
ties have been displaced, and new ones have
taken their places.

The best varieties now in the four classes
are : Green-edged, Abbe Liszt, Abraham Bar-
ker, Dr. Hardy, James Hannaford, Mrs.
Henwood, Rev. F. D. Horner, and Shirley
Hibberd.

Grey-edged : Amy Robsart, George Rudd,
George Lightfoot, Mabel, Marmion, Olym-
pus, and Richard Headly.

White-edged : Acme, Conservative, Frank
Simonite, Heather Bell, Mrs. Dodwell, Ra-
chel, and Wild Swan. Selfs : Black Bess, Fav-
ourite, Gerald, Mikado, Mrs. Phillips, Mrs.
Potts, and Miss Barnett. In the green-edged
none is left. In the grey-edged, Lightbody
only. In the white edged, none; and in selfs,
none. There are perhaps better varieties in
existence than those I have mentioned, but it
is useless giving names of any that cannot
be purchased. Jas. Douglas.

406

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM.
The question as to whether high conditions
of cultivation induce a tendency to the produc-
tion of abnormal characters in flowers is again
suggested by some examples which are in bloom
in the collection of J. Gurney Fowler, Esq.,
Glebelands, South Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis).
The Odontoglossums in the fine house built
for them are in splendid condition, and those
in bloom are producing very finely developed
inflorescences ; but a proportion of the flowers
have an abnormal arrangement of the parts.
To take two examples. The first, a very
fine spike of 13 flowers, has about half
of the blooms with curiously enlarged columns,
the column-wings being more or less furnished
with petaloid hood-like enlargement. Some of
the flowers also displayed one or two addi-
tional segments ; yet the beauty of the flowers
is not marred. On the other spike of 11
large rose-tinted flowers, two were made
up of two perfect flowers, each on a combined

of all the sepals, petals, and the lip are white.
There is but little yellow at the base of the
lip, and the column head is deep crimson. The
back of the flower is almost as handsome as the
front.

At present the plant is not a large one, and
when fully developed it should become one of
the very handsomest varieties, if not the finest
known, in its section. Mr. Ogilvie is to be
heartily congratulated upon blooming such a
magnificent form, de B. Crawshay.

MILTONIA VEX1LLARIA.
On several occasions we have given illustra-
tions of remarkably good specimens of Mil-
tonia vexillaria grown in the collection of Major
G. L. Holford, C.V.O., CLE., at Westonbirt
(gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), and we now repro-
duce (at fig. 168) a photograph of several of
the smaller plants showing the floriferous
character induced by Mr. Alexander's treat-
ment. None but the best forms are grown,
and the colours of the darkest varieties are
highly developed.

too, are the exception rather than the rule,
some species not producing them at all. Since
some of the best forms also lend them-
selves but charily to division, rarely producing
offsets, it is clear that the last and least known
mode of propagation, viz., by induced buds on
frond bases or caudices, possesses special in-
terest. I propose in this article to deal with it
alone, especially as I have already written on
various occasions upon spore-sowing and pro-
pagation by division.

It is highly probable that many more species
of both native and exotic Ferns would admit
of this mode of piopagation than have yet been
experimented upon, and as the treatment is ex-
tremely simple, I would strongly advise the cul-
tivators of rare exotic Ferns, otherwise difficult
to propagate, to make trials on the method
hereafter described. Beginning with the Harts-
tongue, the best forms of the frilled or cris-
pum section of this species, which section is
undoubtedly one of the more ornamental, axe
invariably barren of spores, and although, in
course of time, established specimens produce
many centres of growth, these are closely asso-

F'G. l68. — MILTONIA VEXILLARIA AS CULTIVATED IN MAJOR HOLFORj's COLLECTION, WESTONBIRT.

pedicel, llie result of this arrangement was
that the two inner petals in each case were pro-
jected forward back to back, as there was no
room to spread in the usual way. Other in-
stances of the kind were noticed, and it seems
probable that excessive vigour in the plants
may find an outlet in these abnormal arrange,
ments of the flowers. /. O'B.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM
"F. M. OGILVIE."
This gorgeous variety originally bloomed as
an imported plant in the collection of Mr. F.
Menteith Ogilvie, The Shrubbery, Oxford, in
1903, and then gave promise of much improve-
ment ; accordingly it was painted for reference.
It has now bloomed again, and to see it alive,
covered by the deep, intense, crimson blood-
coloured spots upon its white ground, can alone
give anyone the real accuracy needed in such a
case. As is usual in these highly-coloured
varieties, there is a great deal of rose-suffusion
all through the ground colour, but the margins

THE FERNERY.

PROPAGATION OF FERNS.
Ferns can be propagated in four different
ways, viz.', by means of their spores, by divi-
sion of the plants, by layering bulbil plants
which are produced upon these fronds, and
finally, by inducing the formation of similar
bulbils on portions of their root-stocks or frond
bases, the last cited being little practised, as the
procedure is not generally known, and the bul-
bils only appear after special culture has been
practised. By any one of the last three processes
we are fairly sure to secure thoroughly true
plants, i.e., Ferns of precisely the parental
character, the exceptions, though they do occur,
being rare. Through the spores, on the con-
trary, some varieties of Ferns yield very diverse
offsprings, while others are almost invariably
constant ; spores, moreover, are very sparsely
produced on many of the more beautiful types,
and some are entirely barren. Bulbil plants,

ciated together and require surgical treatment,
as it were, for their separation. With this species
— and my remarks apply to all the varieties— the
root-stock is gradually built up by the persistent
bases of the old fronds which remain as fleshy,
oblong stumps about J inch long, attached to
the central caudex by a slenderer neck. By re-
moving a little soil at the side of an established
plant, these can be seen plainly, and since
every frond, even those which may not be per-
fect, leaves one of these behind it when it dies
down, an old plant has hundreds of them since
they last alive for years. These can be de-
tached by pressing them downwards, or it will
suffice to sever them as low down as possible
with the point of a sharp knife ; if, as is prob-
able, a few root-fibres are found to be attached,
these can be detached by cutting. If given a
damp, cool position, every one of these, without
exception, is capable of producing buds and
young plants, possibly half-a-dozen, or even
more; and I have found that all that is
necessary is to take a clean tumbler, pickle jar.

December 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

40"

or other glass receptacle, put about an inch in
depth of washed, coarse, wet silver sand at the
bottom and drop the pieces aforesaid loosely
on to the surface, as many as will cover it. Put
a slip of glass on the top of the tumbler and
stand it in a well-lighted position, but out of
direct sunshine, leaving it then severely alone.
In about a month after the commencement of
the growiig season there may be detected a
number of little whitish pimple-like growths
starting from various points on the surface, and
these will very soon develop fronds and roots,
when the}' only require to be transferred to soil
in pans to develop in course of time into speci-
mens. There is no hurry for this, as they will
grow for a long time as they are. When the
little plants have asserted their individuality
sufficiently, they should be separated. Many
old plants, which may appear to be quite dead,
may be resuscitated by this tumbler treatment so
long as their root-stocks are not entirely rotten
to the core. All that is necessary is to shave
off all decayed portions with a sharp knife until
the live portion is exposed, and then either cut
them up or drop the mass intact on the sand,
when bulbils will be formed.

The Shield Ferns or Polystichums, since they
form definite circular crowns with more firmly,
attached frond-bases, do not lend themselves
to the same separative process, and to secure a
batch of young plants the cultivator must be
content to sacrifice a specimen, though in a very
old plant, which has formed a trunk, the lower
portion of the latter may be cut away to serve
this purpose and the upper part repotted. In
this species the root-stock consists of a large
in i^s, but it is built up on fundamentally the
same principle as the Hartstongue. Our plan
with this species is to trim off all fronds,
roots, and dead matter, and cut the residue
perpendicularly into several sections, placing
these on wet sand in glasses as already de-
scribed, or embedding them in fresh, damp
cocoanut fibre. Bulbils will be developed in
abundance and grow at the expense of the energy
and nourishment contained in the mass whence
they spring. In course of time each piece will
become a clump of young sturdy Ferns, and a
sharp knife must then be used to part them,
each one, as far as practicable, being cut away
with the piece of old root-stock to which it is
attached, and afterwards planted in small pots
or pans and kept close until established. The
original growing centre which is apt to assert
itself if not separated as above, should be
scraped out, as it handicaps the formation of
bulbils.

The Lady Fern (Athyrium) also lends itself
to this method of propagation, but requires
peculiar treatment ; each old frond leaves a long
persistent stump tapering downwards and con-
nected to the caudex proper by a narrow neck,
and as the bulbils are only produced in the axil
of this junction, a small portion of the central
caudex must be cut away in conjunction with
.the frond, the stump being then inserted as a
cutting on the wet sand aforesaid, and the rest
of the process being identical.

Lastrea montana, the lemon-scented Buckler
Fern, is very prone to produce abundance of
bulbil plants from pieces of old caudex, and as
this Fern and its numerous beautiful varieties
are peculiarly difficult to raise from spores, and
the bulbil plants are much more robust and
vigorous in their primary growth than those pro-
duced by spores (a remark which applies, in-
deed, to the other cases as well), we have ob-
viously a valuable means of propagation in this
system, which also possesses the merit of extreme
simplicity. Apart, too, from bulbil induce-
ment, I have succeeded in reinstating numer-
ous rare Ferns which, owing to sour soil or other
reasons, under ordinary conditions would have
died entirely, but on digging them up or turning
them out and shaving away the dead portions,
so long as there remained any central vitality,
the exposure of this to light enabled either the
■central axis of growth to start afresh, or, failing

that, bulbils appeared, and thus the variety was
saved. It appears as though there were a gen-
eral tendency for such resuscitatory growths to
occur, but under unaided conditions of massed
dead matter it remains inoperative. Further-
more, insertion in soil is apt to help fur-
ther rotting and induce sourness, while the
full exposure to light on the surface of the sand
obviates this risk and gives the best possible
chance of a fair start. Chas. T. Drutry.

A NEW MALADY OF NARCISSUS.

Several horticulturists in the neighbourhood
of Toulon, who grow for the cut-flower trade
various sorts of Narcissus, e.g., N. Tazetta fi.

Fig. 169. — malacosoma lusitanicom, an

insect pbsi of bulbous plants. (much

magnified.)

pleno, X. aureus, N. papyraceus, &c, have ex-
perienced a serious loss during the last season,
owing to the damage done to bulbs by a de-
structive larva of some insect. The matter has
been studied by M. Valery Mayet, the distin-
guished professor of entomology at the Ecole
Nationale d Agriculture at Montpe'.lier. He
has reared the larvae in question, and finds them
to belong to a beetle named Malacosoma lusita-
nicum. belonging to the family Chrysomelid.e.
This insect is very abundant in the central
region of France, and at the beginning of Mav-
is common on the flowers of various Compositae.
It particularly affects those of Urospermum dale-
champii, which are sometimes literally covered
by the beetles. The larval form has hitherto
been unknown, but it seems likely that it nor-
mally lives on the bulbs of species of lirape-

FlG 17 J. — MALACOSOMA LUSITANICUM.

A, B, larva ; F, pupa ; C, head ; D, mandibles ; E, foot.

Hyacinth, probably on those of Muscari como-
sum, although this has not yet been definitely
ascertained.

The larva or grub is white in colour, and is
about | inch long and l-12th in thickness. The
head is small, and is provided with a couple of
three-jointed antenna; and with mandibles,
which are only adapted to deal with soft tissues.

Several of the grubs are often met with in a
single bulb, but sometimes, when the attack is
a severe one, there may be more than a dozen
living in a more or less decomposing mass.
The larva; enter on the pupal stage during the
early part of April, and the perfect insect escapes
about the beginning of May.

M. Valery Mayet advises the taking up of the
bulbs and a disinfection of the soil by means of
bisulphide of carbon, applied at the rate of 24(1
lbs. per acre.

As a further measure, it is recommended that
the beetles themselves should be collected and
destroyed, which can easily be done, as they do
not readily fly, but allow themselves to be
caught without any difficulty. F. D. nis, Balaruc
les Bains, France.

LEMON CURING IN AUSTRALIA

For our supply of Lemons we are accustomed
to look to Spain, Portugal, and the Azores, and
especially to Sicily, from whence the largest
exports are made. This, together with the re-
cent scarcity, and consequent high prices that
have prevailed in the English market for this
useful fruit, will impart some interest to
English consumers in an article on the " Curing
of Lemons " in a recent number of the Agricul-
tural Gazette of New South Wales. The writer
says: "While there is no country where this
fruit will thrive better than in Australia, and
perhaps none where it can be more easily cured
than in the drier parts, there has, on the other
hand, been some difficulty in curing the fruits
when they have been grown along the coast,
where the atmosphere is more humid, so that
they require nothing but proper cultivation to
keep them growing and producing good crops
annually. If it were found possible to success-
fully cure these fruits generally, great advan-
tages would result to the growers. If, how-
ever,'' the writer says, " it is impossible to store
and keep the Lemons for months on the coast,
as can be done in the dry climate of our in-
terior, they can at least be kept for a short time
after picking — long enough, at any rate, to
greatly improve the condition of the fruit, and
no one can fail to notice the difference between
a cured and an uncured Lemon. The one has
a nice, fine skin and is full of juice, whilst the
other is hard and thick-skinned, from whii h st
is difficult to extract the juice." Almost as
much care is necessary in picking Lemons as
in handling eggs, decay being very liable to set
in if the skin be bruised. The majority cf
growers, however, simply pull the fruits from
the tree in a rough and careless manner and
throw them into baskets, which are often
roughly dumped into a cart without any thought
of injury produced in consequence of bruising.
Much of the fruit is also simply packed in
cases, without any attempt at curing; but the
advantages of the system of curing are that
they can be kept for a considerable time, often
with pecuniary advantage to the grower,
inasmuch as they can be put on the market
during periods when the fresh fruits are not
available or are scarce. The methods adopted
for gathering and curing are as follow: The
fruits should be taken from the plants just as
they are beginning to turn ripe, and when they
are about '2\ inches in diameter. \Yhen they
are over this size the skins become thick and
suitable only for making candied Lemon peel.
After picking they are allowed to stand for a
few days in a large, airy building where they
will neither sweat nor shrivel, after which they
are packed in paper-lined boxes, which may be
stacked in such a manner as to allow a free
circulation of air, not only from the roof and
sides, but also from the floor, which is raised
3 feet clear of the ground, the blocks of stacked
boxes being enclosed by canvas curtains which
can be opened or closed at the angles as occa-
sion may require. The fruits are looked over
occasionally, and if they are found to be keep-
ing well they may be left for several months
until they are thin-skinned and pliable, but
they should be marketed before the skin shows
the least sign of hardening.

The object in curing Lemons is to reduce the
thickness of the peel and make it tough ; it also
increases the juiciness and keeps it in good
condition for a longer period than would be
the case without curing. John R. Jackson,
Claremont, Lymtstone, Devon.

408

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

MARKET GARDENING.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

EARLY TOMATOS.

Tomatos, like Potatos, in their different varie-
ties are curiously partial to certain soils posi-
tions and surroundings, therefore one variety
may crop well with one grower, whereas with
his nearest neighbour-in-trade the same kind
will be a failure.

Holmes' Supreme, Winter Beauty, Lister's
Prolific, Hipper No. 1, Lawrencon's No. 1, and
Up-to-Date have proved very serviceable varie-
ties to me, and any grower may choose from
them one or more sorts that will meet his re-
quirements.

It is usual to sow seeds at the latter end of
August in a moderately warm position near the
glass. The surface of the soil is kept moist and
covered with paper until the seeds have ger-
minated. When the first rough leaf is well de-
veloped, the seedlings are potted off into small
60-size pots, and placed in a warm moist atmo-
sphere until they have become established in
the soil, after which time they are transferred
to a cold frame, admitting all the air possible
by removing the lights except in windy or wet
weather, when air should be admitted as far as
circumstances will allow. The plants should be
arranged on a cool moist bed, and be watered
sparingly, so that the tissues will harden.
This helps to keep the plants dwarf and sturdy.
They may remain in the frames until Novem-
ber, just keeping them free from frosts and ex-
cessive dampness. Shift the plants into 5 or
6-inch pots, taking care to keep the plant low,
not filling the pots with soil to more than about
three quarters their depth. Remove the plants
to a cool house, keeping them close to the glass
to promote sturdiness and allow them to grow
steadily. The plants will later on require a
top-dressing with fresh soil containing a little
grit and wood ashes. When these pots are full
of roots shift the plants into pots 8 inches or 9
inches in diameter that may have been used
for Chrysanthemums, placing one or two plants
in a 9-inch pot as may be thought desirable.
Some growers use two plants, but I find one
plant much better. Adopt the same method of
potting as in the previous shift, and top-dress
as required, using new, rich soil containing grit,
soot, wood ash, or manure from a spent Mush-
room-bed. If the soil is too rich it will totally
defeat the object in view, that is, a well-
ripened stem. A very careful use of the
watering-pot and attention to the dryness
of the atmosphere are essential. Stop all
laterals, and as the trusses of bloom appear
pinch out the centre one : this operation will
ensure a more regular swelling and size in the
other fruits. The most critical stage in their
culture is reached when the fruits begin to set,
but this process may be encouraged by keeping
a dry atmosphere, affording less moisture at the
root, and by tapping the strings or other sup-
ports of the plants to ensure proper pollination.
A close scrutiny is needed in order to perceive
that the setting is going on favourably ;
some kinds set their fruit so much more
freely than others. When three or four trusses
are showing signs of producing fruits, and they
may safely be considered as swelling all right,
then stop the plant, promote a quicker root-
action, and hasten the flow of the sap by apply-
ing more heat and more root-moisture, but do
not permit the atmosphere to become too moist.
Apply a little stimulating manure occasionally —
superphosphate I find the best, with a little
potassic guano when the fruit is colouring.
Much of the success of the earliest crop will de-
pend upon the amount of sunshine early in the
spring ; but if the foregoing cultural details are
intelligently carried out the grower will be amply
rewarded in finding his crop much in advance
of later-sown plants ; these he will find very use-
ful to follow on as a main crop, and his pots
v, ill be in time for use for Chrysanthemums
again. Birmingham.

NANDINA DOMESTICA, Thunb.

The genus Nandina is monotypic, that is, it
is represented by one species only, a small, half-
hardy evergreen shrub, native to Japan, where
it is said to find a place in every little garden.

To the Japanese Nandina domestica is known
as the " Heavenly Bamboo," an appellation
somewhat difficult to account for, but no doubt
the Japanese, who are able to appreciate form
as well as colour, see much to admire in its
graceful stems and elegantly-cut foliage.

In this country Nandina domestica forms a
shrub about 6 to 8 feet high, composed of up-
right stems clothed with compound bi-ternate
leaves, gracefully disposed on the branches,
and in a young state prettily tinted with red.
Small examples with coloured foliage have been
included in groups of ornamental shrubs at
several recent meetings at the Horticultural
Hall.

The flowers, small, white, and not very con-
spicuous, are borne in terminal panicles, and
are interesting botanically in that the calyx is
polycyclic : that is, the whorls of segments of
which it is composed merge into the corolla
without any sharp division. The anthers
open by slits and not by the pores characteri^ic
of members of the Berberis family to which
Nandina belongs. The great feature of the
plant is the panicle of bright red fruits which
succeed the flowers ; each berry, about the
size of a pea, contains two peculiar seeds, con-
cave on one side and convex on the other. Ex-
cept in favoured situations the species requires a
warm spot, sheltered by a wall, or the protec-
tion of a cool house ; but where it will succeed
it is a subject well worth attention.

A figure cf a flowering spray is given in the
Botanical Magazine, t. 4880.

CLERODENDRON FCETIDUM, Bunge.

Two species only of the genus Clerodendron
are hardy in this country, namely, C. trichoto-
mum and C. foetidum, both natives of China.
The first-named species forms a small tree, and
produces dense corymbs of red and white
flowers during the summer months. Cleroden-
dron fcetidum is a deciduous shrub, 3 to 6 feet
high, with dark green cordate leaves, 5 to 7
inches long, strongly veined and reticulated,
downy on both surfaces, the margin coarsely
serrate. A purplish appearance is given to the
whole plant, and especially to the younger por-
tions, by the presence of a velvety purple
pubescence with which it is clothed The flowers
are produced in dense terminal corymbs, and
are of a rich, deep, purplish crimson in the bud
passing to rose pink as they expand, and be-
coming paler before they fall. The lateral
growths which arise from the base of the in-
florescence somewhat hide the blooms, but even
then the plant is attractive.

The flowers are not foetid, but the leaves on
being handled emit a rather unpleasant odour,
which probably accounts for the specific name.

Although introduced many years ago by For-
tune, it is not a common plant in the neighbour-
hood of London, and its tenderness no doubt
accounts for this. In the gardens of the south
and west of England one frequently meets good
specimens growing in the open, and a short
time since a plant in flower was noted at Kew,
growing in the beds near the Temperate House,
without any protection beyond that afforded
by the neighbouring shrubs.

It is figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 4860.

CARYOPTERIS MASTACANTIIIs,

SCHAUER.

This plant (see fig. 171) is sometimes known
by the rather misleading name of the " Blue

Spiraea." Some half-a-dozen species of Gary-
opteris are known, all of which inhabit
Eastern Asia, but so far C. Mastacanthus-
is the only species of the genus in com-
mon cultivation. Originally introduced from
China by Fortune about the year 1843, it
was treated as a greenhouse subject, and after
its novelty had worn off, was discarded for more
showy subjects and apparently lost. Its second
introduction is due to Messrs. Veitch through
their collector, Charles Maries, who found it in
Japan in fields, rocky places, and on moun-
tains. It is a small shrub, about 3 or 4 feet
high, with opposite grey leaves of somewhat
variable shape, but usually ovate or oblong-
ovate, 1 to 3 inches long, with finely-serrate mar-
gins. In the axils of the uppermost leaves are
borne clusters of bright blue or violet flowers —
a colour not common in the flowers of shrubs at
any time, and particularly valuable at this late
season of the year.

From its small size and neat appearance this
shrub is an appropriate subject for the her-
baceous border, and telling combinations may
be made by associating with it white or yellow-
flowered border Chrysanthemums.

Although fairly hardy, it is liable to be cut
by frost, but when this occurs numerous small
shoots are produced from the base, which flower
the same year. It succeeds best in a well- •
drained sandy soil in a sunny position. H.
Sponner.

WINTER-FLOWERING SHRUBS.
Any plant that blcoms in winter has a higher
value than it would have if it flowered during
any other time of the year. From November to
March there are a score or more hardy shrubs
that come into bloom and help to brighten
the garden. Most of them are hardy in their
flowers ; that is to say, though frost may cut the
opened flowers, yet the unopened buds will
come out as soon as more genial weather pre-
vails. The exact time of flowering varies ac-
cording to the weather in a particular winter ;
but, broadly speaking, in November there is
Daphne Mezereum var. grandiflora (D. autum-
nale), with bright red, sweet-scented flowers,
and the golden-yellow-flowered Jasminum nudi-
florum. A genial December will see Erica
mediterranea var. hybrida, rosy red ; Rhodo-
dendron Nobleanum, bright crimson ; and Cra-
taegus monogyna var. prascox (the Glastonbury
Thorn) in full beauty. During January, Febru-
ary, and March we usually get Berberis nepalen-
sis, pale yellow ; Chimonanthus fragrans, cream
coloured and sweet scented ; Daphne Mezereum,
red, and D. M. var. alba, white; Erica carnea,
red ; Hamamelis arborea, H. japonica, and
H. j. var. Zuccariniana, all of various shades of
yellow, and having curiously twisted petals ; Vi-
burnum tinus, white ; Lonicera fragrantissima
and L. Standishii, white, the former sweet
scented; Prunus Davidiana, red, and P. D. var.
alba; and Rhododendron praecox, rosy-lilac.
These are all easy to cultivate, and can be re-
commended as thoroughly hardy. They should
be planted in small clumps, which give a better
effect than when isolated plants are employed.
Half-a-dozen Hamamelis arborea, Daphne
Mezereum, or, in fact, any of these winter-flower-
ing subjects are capable of providing welcome
colour for weeks together during the dullest
period of the year. A sheltered position is
usually recommended for these plants, but I
have found them less liable to injury by frost
if planted in a position that is fairly exposed
but is shaded from the east, so that they are not
subjected to the early morning sun. It is not
so much the frost that injures plants, it is the
sudden thawing afterwards. /. Clark, Bagshot,
Surrey.

Deceubeb 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

4U'J

FlG. 171. — CARYOPTERIS MASTACANTHUS: HARDY SHRUB, FLOWERS LAVENDER-BLUE.

(See p. 408.

410

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

HORTICULTURAL CONDITIONS
IN CANADA.

It might be thought by those not knowing the
conditions that Canada is for the most part a
land of frost and snow, but when it is stated
that in the prairie provinces alone, which are now
being rapidly populated, there are estimated to be
171,000,000 square miles suitable for cultivation,
and that at least one quarter of this area could
be planted with Wheat annually, so as to produce
a crop estimated at over 800,000,000 bushels, it
will be readily seen that the future possibilities
of the country are great. The United States
at the present time produces less than 700,000,000
bushels of Wheat, but supplies her population
of over 80,000,000 persons, exporting the surplus.

The fruit areas of Canada are large, suffi-
ciently so to produce fruit enough to meet the
needs of Canada — and the rest of the world, for
that matter — for certain kinds of fruit, particu-
larly the Apple, for many years to come.

Beginning with the great province of Ontario,
220,000 square miles in area, larger than the
States of New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Michi-
gan together, we have large districts where
Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Grapes
and the small fruits can be grown to perfec-
tion. The province of Quebec is considerably
larger than Ontario, and, while the tenderer
fruits do not succeed, Apples are being grown
in increasing quantities yearly. From east to
west in the prr— inces of Quebec and Ontario
there is a belt where Apples and other hardy
fruits can be grown of about 700 miles in length,
while in the province of Ontario alone the best
winter Apples, Pears, and Plums can be grown
successfully over an area about 350 miles long
and from 30 to 150 miles in width. The success-
ful culture of Peaches in Ontario is confined to
the Niagara district and some points along Lake
Erie, but the area suitable for growing this fruit
is extensive enough to supply a large population.

Nova Scotia has long been noted for her
Apples. The most favoured districts are the
Annapolis and Cornwallis valleys, where Apples,
Pears, Plums, and Cherries can be grown, and
where even Peaches can be successfully raised.
These valleys have a total length of about 100
miles, and vary in width from 6 to 11 miles.
Fruit culture is not confined to this district,
but over most of the province the hardier fruits
can be grown successfully. New Brunswick has
not yet developed her fruit industry to any great
extent, but in some of the valleys Apples and
other hardy fruits of the finest appearance and
best quality can be produced.

Prince Edward Island, the smallest province
of the Dominion, produces excellent tree fruits,
and, owing to the late season, the Apples grown
there keep better than in any other part of the
Dominion.

British Columbia, the area of which is about
370,000 square miles, or more than twice the
size of California, has large sections of country
splendidly adapted to fruit culture. Like the
states of Oregon and Washington, with whii li
her natural conditions may be compared, British
Columbia has a number of districts where the
conditions all differ from one another. Three of
these are : first, that in the damp coast climate of
Vancouver Island and the lower mainland ;
second, in the dry interior country where irriga-
tion is, as a rule, necessary ; and third, in the
Kootenays, east and west, where irrigation is
necessary only in places. In these districts all
the best fruits, including Peaches in some places,
can be grown to great advantage.

The prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatche-
wan, and Alberta, and the great districts to the
north produce excellent bush fruits, but the tree
fruits have, for the most part, not done well up
to the present, although the time is coming when
these provinces will be producing Apples and
Plums of their own.

These are the possibilities of fruit culture in
Canada. What are the actual facts?

When the last census was taken, in 1901, the

total number of fruit trees in Canada was
21,201,239, and it is thought that the number
has increased by at least 10 per cent, since that
time, making the total number now over
23,000,000 trees, occupying about 410,000 acres,
with a capital value of nearly $75,000,000.

There is an annual export of Apples from
Canada of from 1,200,000 to 1,500,000 barrels,
the province of Ontario supplying about
1,000,000 of these and Nova Scotia from 300,000
to 500,000, a limited quantity going from some
of the other provinces. British Columbia, which
is now producing increasing quantities of fruits
of many kinds yearly, is bending her efforts to
supplying the prairie provinces, and has been
very successful in placing her fruits on these
markets in good condition. Ontario is a close
competitor of British Columbia for this trade at
present, but the increase in population is so
rapid that it will take both provinces to supply
the demands for a long time to come.

What are the influences affecting Canadian
horticulture to-day? The Dominion experimen-
tal farms, now seven in number, upon which
work was begun over 20 years ago, have played
an important part in developing Canadian hor-
ticulture. There are the provincial agricultural
colleges, of which, with their experiment stations,
there are four, which disseminate information
both by means of the students who are trained
there, and also by literature. The provincial ex-
periment stations and model orchards, which in
all are between 50 and 60 in number, are also
doing much to demonstrate the possibilities of
fruit culture in their several districts. Seven
provincial fruit-growers' associations lend their
aid in spreading a knowledge of the best methods
of fruit culture and of uniting the growers for
purposes of co-operation and legislation. The
horticultural literature of Canada, although
represented by few papers, has done much to
aid fruit, flower and vegetable growers.

The farmers' institutes and orchard meetings
organised by the provincial Governments, and
assisted by the Dominion Government, are very
practical and helpful.

The horticultural societies assisted by the pro-
vincial Government, of which there are 63 in
the province of Ontario, are doing splendid work
in awakening a greater interest in horticulture
and in spreading information.

All these factors affecting horticultural condi-
tions and progress in Canada have been made to
bear still better fruit by the co-operative move-
ment which in recent years has made such
strides in Canada. In the province of Ontaiio
alone there are 40 co-operative associations
which now have a central organisation where
plans affecting the welfare of all the asso-
ciations are discussed. These associations are
doing much to ensure that the fruit which is
sold shall be more uniform in character, and
thus to bring better returns to the pro-
ducer. One of the best influences affecting
horticultural conditions in Canada is the Fruit
Marks Act, passed in 1901, and operative over
the whole of Canada. By this Act, growers are
compelled to pack their fruit according to cer-
tain standards, and are liable to fine if they do
not do so. Inspectors are stationed at packing
houses, on the markets, and at the ports of ex-
port, who examine the fruit and see if it has
been packed according to law. A marked im-
provement has been noticed in the Canadian
fruit exported since this law went into effect.
There are also standard Apple barrels and boxes
and baskets for the whole of Canada, all of
which make the packages for the different fruits
more uniform. It may be said that Canadians
are taking advantage of all these influences for
good, and are adopting the latest and best
methods in horticultural practice.

The development of floriculture in Canada has
been rapid. Notwithstanding the severer win-
ters than those to the south of us, the plant and
cut-flower trade has developed wonderfully, the
increase in the value of trade being 400 per

cent, during the past 10 years. It has been
estimated that the amount of capital invested
in greenhouse equipment, stock, &c, is-
$5,000,000, with an annual value of trade trans-
acted of $2,000,000. This is but a beginning, as
Canadians love flowers.

We must not omit the growing of vegetables,
with which Canadians are well supplied. The
truck interests are growing rapidly as our cities
increase in population.

At the beginning of the 20th century Canada
has about 6,000,000 of a population, or, approxi-
mately, as great as the United States had at the
beginning of the 19th century. It has been
said that the 19th century was for the United
States but what the " 20th century is for
Canada." We believe that this is true in regard
to horticulture, as in other matters. IV. T.
Macoun, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.,.
Ont.

VEGETABLES.

Gardeners'
too many

LATE PEAS.

Some years ago a writer in the
Chronicle asserted that we grew far
varieties of culinary Peas, and that, no mattei
whether for early, mid-season, or late supplies,
all that was really necessary was to select two-
(or it may have been three, one's memory
cannot always be trusted with numbers) early
kinds, which thorough trials have proved to be
the best suited to the soil of the garden, and
grow them exclusively, making successional
sowings throughout the season. The writer de-
clared that, with due attention to cultural
details, these few kinds would furnish pickings
equally heavy, and of equal flavour to the mid-
season kinds, . and far superior to the late
varieties. The number of new sorts, and
especially late ones, which have been placed
on the market during the past decade, is amp'e
proof that this advice was not largely followed.

Due, perhaps equally, to the fact that the
kitchen garden here slopes sharply to the north-
west and that the autumns in Cornwall
usually decidedly damp, our late Peas were
mostly comparative failures. Trials of different
late varieties, all of them recommended as
being the finest Peas for autumn-cropping,
made but little difference. They still grew only
too well, but refused to produce good crops.
Careful experiments during the past four years
have conclusively proved the value of early
Peas for yielding late crops, where the standard
late-season kinds have practically failed to yield
satisfactory pickings. These early kinds when
sown late are perhaps more subject to attacks-
of mildew than are the older late varieties — Ne
Plus Ultra, for example — but proper attention
to cultural details prevents any loss on this
account. The late-sown early varieties con-
sistently grew from 9 to 12 inches, accord-
ing to the season, taller than the same kinds-
do in the summer ; but this was only to
be expected, and even then they did not attain
the great height of many late kinds, thus effect-
ing a saving in space. As a rule, all Peas are
sown much too thickly, and the rows are alsc
placed too closely together. Since the Sweet
Pea has gained so much favour as an exhibition
flower, most gardeners have thoroughly realised
that to obtain first-class blooms the plants must
be allowed ample room for development ; so- j
the seeds are carefully sown 2 inches apart.
But it is not at all uncommon in gardens where
the Sweet Peas are grown on these common-
sense lines to see the edible Peas sown almost
as thickly as possible, thus raising up rows of
weakly, spindly plants ill-fitted to yield a profit-
able return for the money and labour spent on
them. Small wonder that a week's dry weath
causes such plants to " give-up. "« It is essen-
tial, especially for late crops, that the seeds
should be sown thinly in the rows, and that
the rows should be made at least as far apart
as is equal to the height the plants are expecte:!
to grow. A. C. Bartlett, Pcncarrow Gardens,
Cornwall.

December 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

411

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

EXHIBITS OF DECORATIVE
CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

No one who takes an interest in Chrysanthe-
mum shows can fail to have noted the great ad-
vance made during the last three years in the
exhibiting of decorative Chrysanthemums.
Private gardeners, as distinct from the large
exhibitors, know the advantage of free-flowering
varieties for home decoration, either as plants
or for the purpose of providing flowers for use
in a cut state. Compared with these, it may be
said that the culture of the large-flowered
Japanese is expensive and unproductive. At the
recent shows I have noted the steady increase
of this decorative type of flowers in groups of
Chrysanthemums where the words "arranged
for effect " is the leading feature, and distinctly
pretty groups have been made. At Weybridge,
for example, Mr. Pagram, a noted cultivator of
small-flowered varieties like Snowdrop and
Primrose League, as well as others of the best
single-flowered varieties, had a distinctly effec-
tive group, introducing amongst these some few
well-grown Japanese Chrysanthemum blooms,
Palms and Bamboos.

The advantage of these small-flowered sorts
in a limited space is that greater freedom can
be allowed in the arrangement, and they do not
present nearly so stiff an appearance. At the
York show, one large class is set apart for a group
of decorative varieties, and with satisfactory re-
sults. Classes for so many bunches of decorative
varieties arranged either with their own foliage
or with some addition are now almost univer-
sal, and it is a sign of the tim.es to see how the
visitors crowd around the leading exhibits in
these classes, it being not uncommon to see as
many as ten competitors in one class.

By the addition of suitable foliage, such as
Scarlet Oak, Prunus Pissardii, Spirasas, Ber-
beris Thunbergii, Ampelopsis Veitchii in
sprays, Croton leaves, large-growing Ferns, such
as tinted bracken, &c, and by the use of good-
sized vases, a distinctly decorative effect can b:
obtained, such as will perfectly illustrate the
Chrysanthemum as a decorative flower. Th?
main point is to select the most suitable varieties
fur the torm of decoration required. Bronze is
a favourite colour, of which Source d'Or, Lord
Brooke, and Bronze Soleil d'Or are notable
examples. Rich colours, like Roi des Precoces,
Market Red, Tuxedo, Julia Lagravere, Mme.
Bernard, Etoile de Feu, Cullingfordii, Caprice
du Printemps, and Mrs. R. F. Felton
are valuable. Amongst yellow varieties there
are Bullion, Allman's Yellow, Framfield Yellow,
Glitter, Lizzy Adcock, Mrs. G. Beech, Negoya,
and Yellow Princess Victoria. Pink varieties
are very numerous, and include Framfield l'ink,
Dr. Enguehard, Lady Hanham, Pink Ivory,
Morton F. Plant, Mdlle. Gabrielle Debrie, and
Margot. White-flowering varieties are always
appreciated, as they appeal to so many persons
for purposes other than that of exhibition.
Sceur Melaine is still much appreciated, and
Elaine, which was one of the earliest raised of
Japanese varieties. Moneymaker, Winter Queen,
Ivory, Xiveum, Mdlle. Therese Pankoucke,
Mdlle. Lucie Duveau, Le Cygne, Guy Hamilton,
Simplicity, Mrs. J. (". Neville, Miss Stopford,
Mme. Nagelnackers, Mrs. J. Dunn, Miss Alice
Byron, and the delicately-tinted green Mme.
Edmund Roger are all suitable for exhibition
as decorative varieties. E. .1/.

AUSTRALIAN CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
Messes. Kerslake, Brunning, and Peckett
are probably three of the best-known Colonial
raisers of new Chrysanthemums. Their efforts
in the work they have undertaken are now well
known, and, from what we can learn, the Aus-
tralian-raised flowers do far better in America
than the European varieties. Colonial seed-
lings are also severe competitors with the

Continental ones. Messrs. Cannell and Sons and
Messrs. Wells are two of the foremost intro-
ducers of these Antipodean novelties, and dur-
ing a recent visit to these nurseries I noticed
several good novelties. Golden City is a true
Incurved flower of perfect form and mode-
rate size ; the colour is deep, pure yel-
low. Mrs. Henry Hughes is a large Jap.
anese flower, with medium-sized florets that
are twisted and curly ; a very full, double
flower of an old rosy amaranth shade, with sil-
very reverse. Richard Seddon is an attractive
Japanese, with medium-sized florets. Mr. Her-
bert Bennett is a massively-built flower of the
Incurved section, with broad, grooved florets of
a rich shade of golden bronze, tinted inside with
rosy carmine. Charles Beckett is a Japanese
flower of large size : it has immensely long
florets, and is a spreading flower ; the colour is
golden-yellow, shaded with bronze. Rose
Pockett is a big, spreading flower of the
Japanese type, having long, twisted florets ; the
colour is old gold, shaded with bronze. Mrs.
L. Thorn is a deep, globular Japanese flower,
with grooved florets, large in size, and of good
substance. In colour it is pale canary-yellow.
Frank Payne is a deeply-built Japanese flower,
with narrow, drooping florets of great length ;
the colour is a soft shade of mauve.

In the Incurved section, probably the best of
the Colonial varieties is Clara Wells, a grand
novelty of golden buff shaded to pure yellow.
Merstham Blush is a huge Japanese flower with
long, twisted florets, which intermingle in the
centre ; in colour it is pale blush. Pockett's
Surprise ought to justify its name, for it is a
Japanese flower of the greatest dimensions, with
broad florets of abnormal length, and curly at
the tips ; in colour it is deep purplish-rose, and
the florets have a golden-bronze reverse. C.
H. Totty is a compact, reflexing Japanese, with
a good floret of medium width ; the colour is
-'Men-reddish chestnut, with a warm shade of
golden-bronze on the reverse.

INCURVED CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

These old-fashioned florists' flowers are a
long way from dying out, in spite of the very
severe competition they have had to contend
with since the introduction of the Japanese type.
A few weeks ago, in one of the London parks,
I saw a collection of some of the older
favourites. The old race of Incurveds was in
many respects a fine model of form when well
grown and properly dressed, whereas the newer
race, crossed, as it undoubtedly is, with
Japanese blood, always appears more or less
coarse. I wonder what would have been the
verdict of some of our o'.d friends if thev could
see the varieties that are popular as Incurveds
to-day, and that occupy the leading place on our
show boards.

It must be 20 years since the first of the
Japanese Incurveds appeared, and I well re-
member the late Mr. E. Sanderson bringing to
one of the floral meetings a dressed bloom of
Comte de Germiny. We all thought it was a
fine piece of work to turn a Japanese into an
Incurved, but nowadays, with our newer type,
we should not be surprised at such a feat if it
were repeated.

Last year I noted in France some very pro-
mising novelties of the Incurved type, and they
were described in the Chrysanthemum Yca> :
With the exception of Miss Roosevelt, none of
them seem to have been introduced into this
country, and we are the losers by this oversight.
Col. Labouchere, shown at Caen, was certainly
one of the grandest of the type ever staged.
This year there appear to be no French novelties
in Incurveds.

At some of the English nurseries there have
been seen a few excellent flowers, and of these
Clara Wells seems destined to occupy a promi-
nent place. Of fine form, it has massive,
grooved florets that are very regular and of good
substance. The flower is deep and solid, and

the colour golden-buff, passing to pure pale yel-
low towards the centre. Miss Roosevelt has sue -
ceeded well in England as it did last year in
France. It is one of M. Calvat's seedlings, hav-
ing broad, pure white- florets, deep and compact
in build, and very double. Mdlle. A. Brunet is
■ if M. Xonin's raising ; it is a very good flower
of rosy-purple colour, deep in build, and of fair
size. Romance is a Colonial variety, and one of
the best of the season, for it has "been seen in
excellent form. It is of perfect build, deep, and
solid, with substantial florets ; colour rich gol-
den-yellow. Mr. Herbert Bennett is a fine, solid
flower with broad, grooved florets of rich, gol-
den-bronze. Violet Carpenter is a large, regular
flower, having stiff, grooved florets of a shade
of pearly blush. '.'. ttUrman Payne.

PLANT NOTES.

ARCTOTIS AUREOLA.

This old favourite still holds its place as a
good spring-flowering plant for cultivation in
the conservatory, the large orange-coloured
flowers being specially welcome at this season
of the year, when so few flowers of the colour are
btainable. The beautifully-cut silvered foliage
is also very attractive.

The plants should be cut hard back in August
and given the same treatment throughout as that
afforded Pelargoniums. Good specimens can
be grown in 6-inch pots, but they require careful
watering until the pots have become well filled
with roots. The plants need a sunny position at
all times, and may be used out of doors during
the summer months, especially in dry situations
such as suit Gazanias.

Cuttings of this species are rather difficult to
root, being liable to damp off if placed in a
propagating case. I have had better results from
placing the pots containing the cuttings on a
shelf in a greenhouse, where they are kept almost
dry ; they lose most of their leaves, but grow
away readily as soon as they have made roots.
The species was illustrated in the Gardeners'
Chronicle. E. J. Allard. [A. aureola is re-
garded by some authorities as a variety of A.
aspera, of which species a supplementary illus-
tration was published in Gardeners' Chronicle,
May 19, 1906.]

CONTINENTAL NOVELTIES.

THE GRAPE-LIKE FUCHSIAS.
A certain class of Fuchsia has appeared on
the Continent which is meeting with general
favour as material for planting in beds, groups,
and as pot plants. These are free flowering, and
possess other good properties, besides flowering
throughout the entire summer season; the
newer varieties, many of which possess flowers
of light colours, flower at a late part of the
season a second time. The older of these
Grape-like-bunch Fuchsias have more or less
tender foliage, and by a lowering of the tem-
perature lose many of their leaves, whereas
the newer varieties do not fail in this respect,
and are in growth and in duration of the flowers
considerably improved — points in their favour
found in but few varieties of Fuchsia. This
class is particularly adapted for cultivation in
pots, as the plants make numerous shouts
quickly, and the bright tints of the flowers con-
trast admirably with the dark-coloured foliage
of most of the varieties. The blooms appear
in terminal panicles as in F. corymbiflora and
F. serratifolia. The most valuable variety is
Koralle, so called from the coral-red tint of
the blooms : leaves, metallic-green ; growth,
vigorous and stately. Gottingen has flowers of
a cinnabar-red tint, which are of large size, and
the foliage very dark in colour ; the variety
Fraulein Bonstedt has rosy-red flowers, these
being white at the tips of the sepals, and are

412

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

very effective as seen against the light green
foliage ; Perle has rose-pearl-coloured sepals,
and the tips are almost clear white, the flowe;s
being double and freely produced and the leaves
brownish-green. Gartenmeister Bonstedt has
flowers of an orange-red tint, and are of con-
siderable size. The plant has resemblances to
Gdttingen, but is of an extraordinary bushy and
compact habit. Eros has rose-pink blooms, the
points of the sepals being of a lighter tint, and
the foliage dark green. While all the other
varieties have pendant blooms, in this one
they stand erect, and afford a peculiar charm.
Karl Ziskoven, in Miller's Deut.che Gartner
Zeitung.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

Ey W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevok Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Calantkes. — Plants of the vestita or deciduous
section of Calanthes, and their hybrids that have
commenced to cpen their flowers, may be re-
moved from the East Indian house to the Cat-
tleya house, whtre the atmosphere is drier and
better ventilated ; in such conditions the flowers
will last much longer than if left in the warmer
house, and will fade less quickly if required for
cutting and for decorative purposes, rrom this
time forward the plants will r.eed but little water,
as both foliage and roots will be gradually decay-
ing. Immediately the spikes have teen cut water
should be entirely withheld. The plants may
then be placed on a dry shelf in a house where
the average atmospheric temperature is about 6j°,
and in a light position well up to the roof glass,
so as to obtain the benefit of uninterrupted sun-
light. The late-flowering varieties of the C.
Regnieri type should be still afforded water oc-
casionally to enable them to develop their
flowers perfectly.

Odontoglossums. — By this time plants of O.
citrosmum, O. Keichenheimii, and O. laeve will
have completed their growth, and the supply of
water should be gradually discontinued. These
species should be placed in the lightest and
coolest part of the Mexican house, a similar but
dry position in the intermediate house will also
suit them during the resting season. Owing to
dryness at the root, the pseudo-bulbs may
shrivel, but this will not be harmful unless the
shrivelling is excessive, as when the flowering
period arrives, if the roots are kept extra moist
for a few days, they will readily plump to their
normal condition. During a mild winter these
plants sometimes commence to grow prema-
turely, but if treated as resting plants, the
growths make but little progress, and seldom
fail to bloom at the proper season.

Angraecums. — The strong-growing A. ebur-
neum and A. sesquipedale are now developing
their flower spikes, also the charming A. dis-
tichum, a dwarf-growing species which pro-
duces hundreds of small snow-white flowers ;
these being of delightful fragrance, enhances
the value of this species. A. pellucidum is also
sending forth its long slender spikes, and it is
necessary that they should be carefully guided
over the surface of the compost, for if allowed
to enter the soil they will certainly decay.
These Angraecums grow well in a warm, moist
atmosphere like that of the ordinary plant
stove. The sphagnum-moss on the surface
should be watered often enough to keep it in a
growing condition at all times.

Platyclinis. — Amongst other plants in flower
is the pretty Platyclinis uncata, with numerous
graceful thread-like racemes which are almost
similar to the better-known P. filiformis, but
the flowers are of a greener shade. The spikes
are produced from the centre of the half-
formed growths, and as the plant will continue
to grow for some time to come, it should be
given plenty of water until the small pseudo-
bulbs are made up. Even then the rompcst must
be kept fairly moist, for if allowed to become too
dry, the leaves are apt to turn yellow and fall
off. These latters remarks are also applicable
to 1'. filiformis, which is now passing through
its resting period. To prevent the plants losing
their leaves, we take them down every morn-
ing and lightly spray them overhead, and on
the underside of the leaves ; the moisture
also assists to prevent red-spider insects, with
which these plants are liable to be in-

fested. The spring-flowering P. glumacea is
already showing its rosy-coloured growths ;
if necessary, the plant may now be repotted,
or the operation may be left to within
a short time after the flowers fade. All of the
Platyclinis root and grow freely in a compost of
fibrous peat and sphagnum-moss, intermixed
with a moderate quantity of small, broken
crocks and coarse silver sand. Shallow Orchid
pans are preferable to the ordinary flowerpot
for these plants, being light and therefore
easily suspended. The plants thrive luxuriantly
when suspended near to the roof glass of the
Cattleya or intermediate house. Select a shady
position for them, and keep them there during
the whole year round.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Water Lilies. — During hard weather rats
often attack the roots of Nymphaeas growing in
open ponds. If severed leaves and floating
pieces of root-stock are seen, they usually in-
dicate that these pests are feeding on the roots.
When this occurs the rats should be shot on
the first opportunity, or irreparable damage may
be done. Nymphaeas growing in shallow tanks
and tubs will require protection during severe
frosts. The tubs should be sunk into the
ground, and a light frame covered with straw
or bracken should be laid across them. During
frosty weather the ice formed on the surface
should be broken daily. This is especially neces-
sary if the tanks or ponds contain goldfish.

The rock-garden. — Leisure may now be found
to thoroughly inspect the rock-garden with a
view to forming any desirable plans for its im-
provement. In gardens where the owners are in
residence at this time of the year, it will be
seen that a rigid adherence to Alpine plants,
pure and simple, does not lend itself to any
particular interest being shown in the rock-
garden, now that these plants, immensely inter-
esting and beautiful in their season, are more
or less in a dormant state. As a matter of fact,
such rockeries are at this period of a necessity
decidedly dull. The addition of some berried
shrubs and a few evergreens of moderate size
would do much to relieve and brighten the
rockery in winter. These must not be introduced
in excessive numbers, or the result will be to
transform the rockery into a poor kind of rock-
shrubbery, an altogether undesirable proceed-
ing. What is needed is simply to place some
carefully-selected plant where is will " take the
eye," and compel attention, and at the same
time not interfere with the scheme of the
rockery, or with its more characteristic occu-
pants. The choice of plant and situation is a
matter for individual consideration, but in
general those planted will, perhaps, consist of
berried shrubs which are of moderate growth,
and are not of a dense habit, such as Cotone-
aster Simonsii, C. frigida, C. affinis, and C.
laevis. Crataegus pyracantha, Hippophae rham-
noides, Pernettya mucronata, several Skimmias,
Berberis vulgaris, and the new B. Wilsonae will
be especially valuable for such purposes. The
Sweet Briar becomes profusely laden with
brightly-coloured hips, as also do other species
of Rosa. Amongst suitable evergreen shrubs
there is a wide range of choice. Berberis Aqui-
folium is valuable; it is of moderate size, and
during the winter, the leaves assume and re-
tain most brilliant colouring. Leucothoe Cates-
baei (syn. Andromeda Catesbaei) also becomes
coloured in labe autumn. Gaultheria Shallon
and G. procumbens are of value. Yuccas also
thrive in rockeries, and their distinct habit
makes them attractive. For planting in the
rockery itself the Pigmy Conifers are, for the
most part, of too dense a habit, and as a rule
are very unconvincing Their proper place
seems to be towards the top and beyond the
boulders, giving an appearance in miniature of
the trees seen along the higher slopes of hills.
Where there is a slight recession in the higher
part of the rockery, such a Conifer as an Irish
Yew or a Cupressus Lawsoniana erecta viridis
may well be planted. This will add greatly to
the appearance of distance so desirable at such
points. When such a tree shows signs of out-
growing its place, it should be replaced by a
smaller one, or the contrary effect will be
created.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Caiditf.

Provision for skating. — Few pastimes are so
generally enjoyed as is skating, when oppor-
tunity arises for its exercise. Its admirers are
confined to no one section of the community,
and men, women and children can all equally
participate in its pleasure. In our humid and
mild climate the prospects of skating are gener-
ally so remote that the advent of hard weather
and the prevalence of ice lead people to make
the most of it while they can, and frozen lakes,
ponds, and every place where there is suitable
ice is soon thronged with pleasure-seekers.
Generally speaking, very little provision is
made in the average park for this form of winter
recreation, as the presence of large sheets of
water in such places is the exception rather
than the rule. This being the case, it is to be
regretted that public park authorities do not
more often make arrangements for skating by
setting aside and preparing some part of a park
in such, a way that it could be flooded a few
inches during hard frost and converted into a
skating-rink. If such an arrangement could be
conveniently carried out, there is little doubt
but that it would be exceedingly popular, and
could even, if thought desirable, be made to
amply repay any expenditure incurred in its
construction. Although this might not pro-
duce such good ice as could be obtained on
deeper water, the advantage of a longer period
of skating, and the almost total absence of dan-
ger accompanying its use would more than com-
pensate for this difference. Each winter, as the
season for skating approaches, it is prudent to
see that all ropes, ladders, barriers, notice-
boards, and other necessary apparatus for using
upon the ice are ready and in good condition,
so that any defects will not have to be remedied
at the last moment.

Protection of t'i: ice. — As soon as a sheet of
water freezes over in a park, every precaution
should be taken to prevent sticks and stones
from being thrown upon it. Children and irre-
sponsible youths are much addicted to this prac-
tice, and if not deterred, would spoil the ice for
skating purposes. To protect it properly often
entails useless expense, as the ice breaks up just
before reaching the bearing point. Yet there is
always the possibility of the ice bearing, and if
a smooth, clean surface is obtained it is well
worth all the trouble and expense bestowed
upon it. Where waterfowl are kept, it is neces-
sary to preserve a piece of open water for their
use ; but this should be situated at some out-of-
the-way place little used by the public.''* Where
the water is deep no one should be allowed upon
the ice until it is at least 3 inches thick, for
when once thrown open to the public, it is not
a question of a few, but of thousands using it.
Hence the greatest care must always be exer-
cised in determining its thickness and permit-
ting its use. During the time skating is in pro-
gress in a park it is customary to have a large
number of men employed in the earlier part of
the day sweeping the ice, who, when the public
take possession of it, act as watchmen, both to
prevent disorder and assist in cases of accidents.
It is always better to utilise the services of the
regular staff for this purpose, who, by hav-
ing a little previous training, are the better
able to understand how to proceed in the case
of the ice giving way than would casual
labourers employed for the occasion.

Extension of hours. — As there are so few op-
portunities for skating in the southern patts of
this country, when it becomes at all possible
every facility should be given to the public to
enjoy the pastime while it lasts by throwing the
ice open after closing hours. On the few occa-
sions during thi past 15 years when the lake here
has been frozen over, it has been customary to
allow skating to continue till 10 p.m. While
this has necessitated the provision of numerous
lamps and the employment of an extra staff of
watchmen, it has enabled great numbers to par-
ticipate in enjoyment from which thej would
otherwise have been debarred.

Provision for sliding. — For the benefit and
safety of visitors, and the convenience of those
who may be unable to indulge in actual skating,
a piece of ice — where there is sufficient room for
the purpose — should be set aside by being roped
off, for purposes of sliding, and all skaters
should be excluded therefrom.

Decembeb 14, 1907. J

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

413

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Pineapples. — The removal of plants that have
fruited will provide additional space for the
succession plants, such as those which were
obtained from early-autumn suckers. These
latter plants having been potted-on and sup-
plied with bottom-heat from the hot-water
pipes, are now well rooted. Pines now resting,
but which are expected to yield a supply of fruits
presently should be watered very carefully, for
at this dull season the roots require but little
moisture, although the plants must not be
allowed to flag from the effects of drought.
The atmospheric temperature of the pit during
the next six weeks should be kept at about 55°
to 60°, the latter being the day temperature ex-
clusive of sun-heat.

Early-fruiting Pines. — The plants which have
been subjected to cool treatment for the past
eight weeks should be examined for the
purpose of selecting the best specimens
for placing in the pots in which they will
fruit ; when this has been done, the plants
should be provided with a bottom heat of 80°
to 85°. The atmospheric temperature of the
pit should be 70° at night and 8° or 10° higher
by day. Water the plants very cautiously, and
do not apply any that is not tepid. Maintain
a moist atmosphere in the pit by damping down
the floors or paths once or twice each day when
the temperature is high. Do not allow any water
to collect in the crowns of the plants, which
might happen if the atmosphere were over-
charged with moisture. The remainder of this
batch of Pines can be made to fruit later next
year by keeping them in the lower tempera-
ture of 55° to 60°. Keep them moderately dry
at the roots until they are wanted for starting
into growth.

Peaches and Nectarines. — The early house
having been cleansed and made ready for start-
ing will need sufficient artificial heat to main-
tain a steady atmospheric temperature of from
40° to 50J during mild weather, falling a few
degrees lower during severe frost. Admit a little
air by the top ventilator when the weather is
favourable, but close it again with sun-heat very
early in the afternoon. Damp down the paths
and borders each day, but do not syringe the
trees or cause the atmosphere to become ex-
cessively moist at this season, the effects of
which would probably be seen in an attack
of mildew, and in the wood-buds advancing
into growth very rapidly, thus weakening the
fruit-buds.

The second Peach and Nectarine house. — Prune,
cleanse, and dress the trees, &c, in the second
early Peach and Nectarine house as soon as the
leaves have fallen. Take the trees from the
trellis, and remove all bare and useless
branches. Tie the remaining branches into
bunches as the work proceeds, so that the house
may be washed with hot water and soft soap.
Afterwards paint the woodwork if this is neces-
sary, and in any case lime-wash the walls, mix-
ing some flowers of sulphur with the lime. Wash
and dress the trees with warm water and the
Gishurst compound, as was advised in a pre-
vious Calendar. When this has been done, train
up the shoots neatly to the trellis. Next remove
2 or 3 inches of the surface soil from the bor-
ders, and replace this with finely-chopped, turfy
loam, to which a little fine-grade vine and
plant manure has been added. When this has
been done, test the border, and if it is found
to be dry, apply a good watering, and mulch
the surface soil with light stable manure. Thus
will all be made in readiness for starting the
trees when it is deemed desirable to do so.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.
The Orchard. — Apple, Pear, Plum, and Cherry
trees usually cultivated as standards need an
annual thinning of the branches ; this work can
be more conveniently done, and the tree will be
the less likely to suffer severe check than would
be caused by the cutting away of large
branches ; but this latter operation would
become necessary, if the work of thinning
were neglected for years in succession. Trees
bearing only light crops, as was pretty gen-
eral in the past season, make more growth
than when carrying a full crop, and it is, there-

fore, the more necessary to remove useless
" spray " branches each winter. Endeavour to
keep the centre of the tree somewhat open and
therefore the better exposed to the sun and air. A
well-pruned tree should have no branches that
inter-cross with each other ; neither should it
contain a thicket of young 9pray choking the
centre. A good-sized chisel having a long
handle, a wooden mallet, a pruning saw, and a
standard tree pruner are necessary tools for the
work of pruning standard trees. Each cut should
be made as cleanly as possible, those made by
the saw being smoothed over with the knife or
chisel. Long-established trees might often be
benefited if given periodical root-waterings of
liquid manure during mild weather in autumn.
Manure water is often allowed to run to waste at
this season, although fruit trees are at the same
time requiring manurial assistance. If the
liquid is extra strong, it would be well to dilute
it down to half its strength with clear water.
Scions for use in grafting next spring should be
correctly labelled and " heeled-in " under the
shade of a north wall, where the buds will
remain dormant until late in spring. The stocks
to be worked with such scions may be cut back
to within 6 inches at the end of the month.

Nuts. — These are too often neglected in the
matter of pruning, for if the bushes are not at-
tended to annually, they become an entangled
mass of unfruitful wood. Such degenerated trees,
or bushes, wo.ild be the better for being cut
hard back, and for having the young growth so
regulated in early summer by disbudding, that
well-balanced heads may be obtained
after two or three years. Well-cared-for
specimens should be left unpruned until
the small pink female flowers, and likewise
the male catkins, can be determined to-
wards March. All suckers should be rooted
out ; the best may be planted in nursery lines if
an increase of stock be desired. The ground
between the established bushes may be given a
dressing of manure, forking this in when the
ground is in good workable condition. In form-
ing new plantations, a dryish position is better
than a very low, wet one, where spring frosts are
liable to prevent a good "set." The Cob Nut
bears more freely here than the Filbert, but it
is well to have some bushes of each sort.
Bushes should be planted at distances from each
other of not less than 12 feet.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. HonBsS, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Colhara Park, Surrey.

French Beans. — Seeds should now be sown in
frequent succession and in considerable quan-
tities to maintain a sufficient supply for the
table. Until germination has taken place, the
pots can be stood closely together, and in almost
any position on or near the hot-water pipes,
&c, but afterwards a light position near the
glass should be afforded. In addition to the
approved varieties of French Beans, the dwarf
Butter Bean should be cultivated, as this will
be found to answer to the same treatment ad-
mirably, and make an appreciable addition to
the list of vegetables at this dull season.

Peas. — Seeds that were sown in the open dur-
ing the months of September and October will
now be well through the ground, and should
have a little soot and lime sprinkled each side
of the rows to keep slugs, &c, in check. Either
some short sticks or wire guards will be needed
to help in keeping the birds off and these will
serve as a protection to the plants during severe
weather. Sowings in 3-inch or 5-inch pots or
boxes should now be made, either to succeed
earlier plants or to serve as a first sowing.
They should be placed in a cool house, and
brought on very steadily, keeping them well
up to the glass, and taking every precau-
tion to ensure that the young plants will
become as sturdy and hardy as possible ; they
will then be in the best possible condition for
planting out-of-doors in their permanent quar-
ters at the proper time.

Broad Beans. — Seeds of the Early Mazagan
and of the long-pod section might be sown now
in boxes : the former is very hardy, and will
come into use a little in advance of the long-pod
section, although it sometimes happens there
are not many days difference. Until the time
comes round for planting them out, these Beans
may be afforded the same treatment as I have

recommended for Peas. In neither case should
the seeds be sown very thickly, because this
would result in some difficulty when the plants
have to be lifted from the boxes for the purpose
of planting in the garden. For the same reason
plenty of rough material should be placed in the
bottom of the boxes and pots for the roots to
adhere to, for, although both vegetables are cap-
able of withstanding the check caused by the
process of transplanting, every precaution should
be taken against causing a check of an unusual
degree.

Cabbages. — These plants will have become a
suitable size for standing well through the win-
ter. While the weather still remains of an open
character, let the surface soil be again loosened
by the hoe, filling the drills up level as this
work proceeds. Continue to keep a sharp look-
out for slugs.

Artichokes. — Although it is not necessary to
lift the entire crop for the safety of the tubers,
as they would keep sound and in good condi-
tion if left in the ground, sufficient should be
lifted and taken to the store-house to afford a
supply during spells of hard, frosty weather.

Cardoons. — These appear to have succeeded
unusually well this season, and if any consider-
ably quantity still remain, it will be well to lift
them and lay them in a frame or cold shed,
where they will be protected from severe
weather, as under these conditions they will
keep in a proper condition for a period of
several weeks.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

Early-flowering Gladioli. — The varieties com-
prising this beautiful section of Gladioli are
especially suitable for pot-culture, and, whether
grown for use as pot-plants in the conservatory
or for cutting purposes, they are equally ap-
preciated during the spring and early summer
months. If the work is not already in hand,
no time should be lost in procuring the corms
and potting them up. For this purpose the
compost should consist of two parts good turfy
loam to one part of leaf-soil, adding a little
sharp sand. In the process of potting let a
little sand be placed immediately under each
corm, putting from 6 to 12 corms in each
pot, according to the size of the corms, which
varies considerably. Pots 4£ or 6 inches in
diameter are large enough for this section
of Gladiolus, but if pots smaller than these are
used the plants are apt to suffer from want of
water, the roots drying up very quickly in hot
weather when the plants are in full growth.
The white variety of G. Colvillei, known as "The
Bride," is indispensable, and the corms being
very moderate in price, it should be grown in con-
siderable quantity. Other good varieties recom-
mended for growing in pots are Queen of Hol-
land, Delicatissima, Crimson Queen, Lucretia,
Ne Plus Ultra, Pink Perfection, Ackerman, and
Rosy Gem. These are some of the best decora-
tive varieties. When the corms have been
potted, place the pots in a cool frame, standing
them on a base of ashes, and covering over
the top of the pots with sifted leaf-soil or cocoa-
nut fibre refuse. As soon as growth is detected
this covering should be removed, or the plants
will become much weakened at the " collar."
When well-rooted, the plants may be placed in
very moderate heat, the treatment recommended
for Freesias in a previous Calendar suiting them
admirably. Keep them well up to the light, and
when the pots are filled with roots and the plants
in full growth apply occasional waterings of
weak liquid manure to assist the plants to pro-
perly develop the flower-spikes.

Primula sinensis. — The plants now developing
their flower-spikes should be kept in an atmo-
spheric temperature of 50J to 55°, affording a
little air when the temperature reaches the
latter figure, and allowing this to rise to 60°
by sun heat. If the plants are strong and
healthy, the spikes of bloom will be thrown
well above the foliage, thus enhancing their
beauty to a great extent. Applications of weak
manure-water or a pinch of artificial manure
will tend to ensure continuity of bloom, and
keep the foliage a good colour. The " Duchess "
strain is an improvement over all the types of
the Chinese Primula, and should be cultivated
in every collection.

414

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

EDITORIAL, NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens am! plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the tveek as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undotake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustratiotts, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21— German Gard. Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 38*4°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, December 11 (6 p.m.): Max. 51°;
Min. 44".
Gardeners1 Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. — Thursday, December 12
(10 a.m.): Bar.. 29 '3 ; Temp. 44°; Weather—
Raining.
Provinces. — Wednesday, December 11 (6 p.m.) : Max. 45°
Bedford and Ireland W. coast ; Min. 42', Scot-
land N.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King
Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

MONDAY and FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, Herbaceous Plants, &c, at 11 ; Roses in
variety at 1.30; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris.

WEDNESDAY—

Bulbs, Border Plants, and Perennials, at 11; Roses and
Fruit Trees at 1.30; Palms and Plants and Standard
Bays at 5 ; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe &
Morris.

FRIDAY -

Importations of Cattleya Mendelii and Odontoglossum
pescatorei, Established Orchids, &c, at 67 & 68, Cheap-
side, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.
Clearance Sale of the whole of the Herbaceous and
other Plants and Bulbs at the Woodstock Nursery,
Golder*s Green, N.W., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

A considerable amount of doubt
The attaches to many of the state-

Mutual nients, sometimes rather confi-
Relations , , r

of Graft dently put forward, as to the

and Scion, nature of the influence mutually
exerted on each other by scion
and stock in grafts. Nobody, of course, will
refuse to admit that some sort of influence on
the scion is likely to occur, since the condi-
tion of water supply is largely affected by the
rooting character of the stock. But this is
not the same thing as saying that a definite
substance can pass from one to the other and
produce specific differences of a material
kind in the two consorting parts of the plant.
There are instances, however, in which there
seems to be good reason for thinking thai
such a transmission may occur. When
variegated sports are grafted on to the
normal green stock, it may happen thai
shoots which spring from the latter at a point
below the insertion of the scion exhibit the
phenomenon of variegation. In such a case
it is difficult to resist the inference that some
substance, probably some chemical substance,
has passed from the scion to the lower part of
the plant, and has there given rise to the
same peculiarity which it had excited in the
introduced shoot. It is certain that the sub-
stances common to both parts of the plant
can travel from one to the other, for the
sugars, &c, which are manufactured in the
leaves must pass down to nourish the roots
of the stock. *S> But it is not so clear whether
other substances can so pass, and yet definite

information on this point is very desirable in
order to enable us to give a rational explana-
tion as to how the two parts of a grafted
plant may influence each other, and to what
extent interchange of substances peculiar to
each is possible.

Some recent experiments and observations
of M. Ch. Laurent* have an interesting
bearing on these questions, and are worth
the attention of those who are interested in
the theory and practice of grafting. It is a
matter of no great difficulty to graft the
deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna) upon
the Tomato. Both are, of course, Solanace-
ous plants, but the former is well character-
ised by its poisonous properties, which it
owes to the presence of the alkaloid atropin.
The object of the experiments was to ascer-
tain whether the alkaloid would pass into the
Tomato, and if so to what extent. The results
were of considerable interest, and may be
briefly summarised here.

When the Belladonna was used as the
stock, none of the poison passed into the
Tomato, which produced leaves, flowers, and
fruit in the ordinary way, although one
might have anticipated that the atropin
would have passed upwards from the root-
stock. On the contrary, when the Tomato
was used as the stock, the Nightshade not
only produced the atropin in its own tissues,
but the alkaloid passed down and was recog-
nisable in both the stem and root of the
Tomato. A case of special interest was that
in which the Tomato was allowed to retain
some of its own branches in addition to the
graft. Under these circumstances it was
found that the alkaloid only permeated the
tissues of the Tomato up to the level of the
spot where the scion was borne, and, as might
have been expected, it was more abundant
in the roots and stems than in the leaves.

Now, whilst it is obviously premature to
base large conclusions on the comparatively
few exact investigations which have been as
yet carried out in this difficult but important
field of investigation, they do throw a sug-
gestive light on the probable nature of the
influence which is seen in vines, for example,
when one sort has been worked on another,
influences which several of our corre-
spondents have recently pointed out in these
columns, whilst indications are also afforded
as to ways of possibly obviating the attacks
of certain diseases.

Amongst the numerous publica-
Hmts tjons jssu;ng from t)ie Imperial

School Department of Agriculture for
Gardens, the West Indies, a very useful
little pamphlet of 56 pages in
handy form has recently made its appearance.
It is entitled Hints for School Gardens, and
is published at the low price of fourpenci
The book is written by Mr. A. H. Kirby,
Agricultural and Science Master at Antigua,
and the object for which it has been
published is well stated in a brief preface by
Sir Daniel Morris, the Imperial Commis-
sioner of Agriculture. From this we learn
that " practically every primary school in the
West Indies now includes elementary agri-
culture in its curriculum," and it is with the

* Sur la variation de la quantite d'atropine . . . dans
les greffes de Belladone et deTomate. Travaux scientifiques
d l'Universite de Rennes. Tome V.

view of meeting the increasing demand of
teachers for directions in plant culture and
the laying out of school gardens that the
present pamphlet, which is an extension of
one issued in 1901, has been published.
" Practical instruction in the elements of
agriculture," it is truly said, " has an im-
portant educational value, as it affords an
excellent opportunity for training even the
youngest pupils in the habits of close and
accurate observation. It also teaches them
to examine carefully what they see, and to
follow the connection between cause and
effect. It further shows how the principles
adopted in the field have been evolved from
correct inferences based upon careful and
accurate observation in the garden." The
instructions given in this little book are
classified under distinct heads, of which the
following form part : — Size of plots, disci-
pline, distances for planting and period of
growth, tools, preparation of boxes and pots,
ways in which seeds germinate, time taken
by seeds to germinate, raising plants from
cuttings and from leaves, transplanting into
larger pots, and pollination for formation
of fruit. Subjects are also given for pre-
liminary lessons in the garden, and special
instructions for the cultivation of vege-
tables, most of which are those generally
cultivated in English gardens. There* is
also a chapter on budding, grafting, and
pruning. In the matter of discipline the
following extract will show the thorough-
ness aimed at in the teaching : — " A note-
book must be kept by every pupil, show-
ing the date when each piece of work was
dune, the method of procedure and the results
obtained, and giving the reasons for the pro-
cess. The notes should be based on the ob-
servations made and the work done in the
garden, &c, and on the verbal instruction
given by the teacher; they should not be
dictated by him, for then they will be of far
less value as a means of impressing on the
mind the knowledge gained, and as an indi-
cation of the progress of the pupil. The
weekly correction of such notes by the teacher
is a matter of necessity." The pamphlet,
with certain modifications to suit the require-
ments of different geographical areas, might
be taken as a model for the guidance of the
Higher Education Committees under the
English County Councils.

Our Supplementary Illustration lias
been reproduced from a photograph of Romneya
trichocalyx, Eastwood, taken by Mr. C. P. Raf-
fill, who writes to us as follows : — " The genus
Romneya was founded upon the well-known
R. Coulteri, and until recent years has been
looked upon as monotypic. In 1898 Miss A.
Eastman, Curator of the Herbarium of the
Californian Academy, published the descrip-
tion of a second species, viz., R. trichocalyx,
together with the information that what had
up till then been regarded as one was in
reality two distinct species. Both are natives
of California, and are very closely related, the
chief differences being the hairy calyx, more
slender habit, and profuse foliage of the R.
trichocalyx. That the newer plant has good
qualities may readily be seen from the accom-
panying supplementary illustration, in which
the setose calyx is clearly shown. For
garden purposes it is better than the older
species on account of its freer flowerine habit

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle "

Photograph by C. P. Raffill.
RoMNEYA TRICHOCALYX ; VERY NEARLY ALLIED TO R. CoULTERI.

Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C-

December 14, 1907.]

THE GARD EN ER & CHR ONICL E.

and hardier constitution. The first record of
the flowering of this plant in this country was
published in the Gardeners' Chronicle for Sep-
tember 13, 1902, p. 191, when Mr. George
Nicholson- stated that he had received
flowering specimens from the garden of Mr. H.
C. Baker, Oaklands, Almondbury. In Novem.
ber of the same year, seeds were received at
Kew from Miss A. Eastwood, from which
flowering plants were obtained in 1904, when a
figure was prepared and which later appeared
in the Botanical Magazine, tab. 8,002. Numerous
plants have been raised at Kew both from seeds
and cuttings. The new species has been suc-
cessfully propagated from cuttings of the slen-
der ripened shoots taken off in autumn and
placed in moist, sandy soil under a bell-glass
in an intermediate house. Although slow in
forming roots, the young plants make rapid pro-
gress when planted out in the spring, and they
flower the same year. The older species is
known as one of the most difficult plants to root
from cuttings, but it readily produces young
plants from pieces of the thick, fleshy roots, and
this is the usual method of propagation. It is
well known that this plant is also difficult to
move with success, owing, no doubt, to the brittle
character of its fleshy roots, the slightest injury
to which will often cause the death of the plant.
R. trichocalyx is similar in this respect, and
consequently should be planted out directly into
its permanent quarters from the seed or cutting
pot. The conditions most suited to the needs of
the Romneyas are a light, open, well-drained
soil, and a sunny position facing due south with
protection from the north and east. Planted at
Kew in positions similar to these, the plants
of R. trichocalyx commenced to flower at the
end of June, and have continued to produce
quantities of flowers up to the present time."

The Botanical Magazine. — The issue for
December contains the index to the third
volume of the fourth series (= vol. exxxiii. of
the whole work) and also a dedication to Miss
WlLLMOTT, of YVarley Place. The following
species are described and illustrated : —

Gesnera cardinalis, tab. 8,167. — This fine
plant is characterised by the magnificent truss
of brilliant scarlet flowers, which are borne in
the axils of the upper leaves, and appear to
be crowded owing to the shortness of the inter-
nodes in this part of the stem. It is of com-
paratively easy cultivation, and deservedly
ranks high when considered from the decorative
standpoint. The plant requires much the same
treatment as the Gloxinia.

Primula muscarioides, tab. 8,168. — This
species, from Western China, forms one of a
closely-related group of Primulas, which is con-
stituted by P. cernua, P. pinnatifida, and P.
deflexa. Mr. G. Forrest says of it : — " The
seed of this species was collected in Yunnan
in December, 1894, on the summit of the Wild
Yak Pass, situated on the dividing range be-
tween the Yangtze Valley and Chung Tien
Plateau, at 14,000 to 15,000 feet. It inhabits
moist, open, grassy situations on the margins
of Pine forests."

Picea morindoides, tab. 8,169. — An interest-
ing account of this Eastern Himalayan species
and of its possible relation with other species
is given by Dr. Staff. A specimen growing in
Sir Edward Loder's garden at Horsham has
produced cones for the first time in this coun-
try. A figure of a tree growing in the Earl of
Anxf.slev's park at Castlewellan, Co. Down,
was given in the Gardeners' Chronicle for May
5th, 1906.

Delphinium candidum, tab. 8,170. — This is
a beautiful white Larkspur from Uganda. The
plant is a perennial, and bears flowers about

%\ inches across, which are sweet-scented, like
the Primrose.

Eria longispica, tab. 8,171. — This species
from Borneo has been cultivated at Kew
since 1898, and was presented by Messrs. Lin-
den, of Brussels. It is described as of free
growth, and as thriving in a mixture of peat
and sphagnum-moss kept moist at all times, ex-
cept for about eight weeks in midsummer, when
it should be allowed to rest.

Agricultural Returns. — A leaflet con-
taining a preliminary statement of the esti-
mated yield of Potatos, Turnips and Swedes,
and Mangolds for the current year has just been
issued by the Board of Agriculture. The esti-
mated Potato crop for 1907 amounts to
2,977,910 tons, as compared with 3,428,711 tons
last year, and the acreage under this crop has
fallen from 565,921 last year to 548,920 for
1907. Thus the average yield per acre this year
is 5.43 tons as against 6.06 tons last year, or,
if the average of the last 10 years be taken,
as against 5.75. It is thus seen that the yield
this year is below the normal, as perhaps the
poor season would have led one to expect.
The average yield of Turnips and Mangolds, on
the contrary, is larger this year than that for
the last 10 years.

Midland Counties Sweet Pea Society.—

We are informed that this society has been
established with the object of encouraging the
culture of the Sweet Pea in the Midland coun-
ties. A show will be held in one of the princi-
pal towns in the Midlands each year, the first
to be held in Wolverhampton on July 29, 1908.
For a long time, writes the secretary of the
new society, it has been felt that an exhibition
of this kind was wanted, the Midland grower
having so few chances of exhibiting. The two
chief floral exhibitions of the Midlands, nam. -h .
Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, in an ordi-
nary season, are too early and too late re-
spectively, to catch Sweet Peas at their best, and
the National Sweet Pea Society's show being
held in London is too far for the average Mid-
lander to take his Peas. The new society, which
is affiliated to the National Society, has already
nearly 100 members. At the first meeting of
the society, it was resolved that the subscrip-
tions be not less than 2s. 6d. per annum for
members, and not less than 10s. 6d. per annum
for vice-presidents. All subscribers are en-
titled to exhibit free in all classes at the show
I at which the society offers over £30 in prizes,
exclusive of seedmen's special prizes and the
N.S.P.S.'s silver medal), also to have tickets
of admission to the show to the value of their
subscriptions. Any seedsmen or others wishing
to give special prizes, or who require further
information respecting the society, are invited
to write to the honorary secretary, Mr Owen
F. Trott, 140, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton.
Schedules will be ready in January.

Mice and Vegetation. — Mice are well known

for the depredations they commit on Peas and
other garden seeds in places where they are
abundant, and they are hardly less troublesome
when they gain access to stored bulbs, &c It
has been suggested that they exhibit a preference
for bulbs which are diseased or are of poor
quality, but this view seems to rest rather on
benevolent opinion than on good evidence. The
results of an examination of the stomachs of
field mice, as given by D. E. Lantz in his
Economic Study of Field Mice, show that the
animals live on the most varied diet, and few
things in the way of seeds, bulbs, fruits, &c,
come amiss to them. It has been calculated
that to maintain a thousand mice for one year
about 12 tons of grass or other vegetation is re-
quired. It is readily seen therefore how desir-
able it is to keep their numbers well in check.

Carbon Dioxide as a Bactericide. —The
effect of carbon dioxide, at high pressure, as a
bactericide is well known, and to this fortunate
property many of the consumers of soda water
owe their immunity from typhoid and other
bacterial diseases. Anyone who has observed,
and has enquired into the causes of, the yel-
lowish deposit sometimes to be seen in syphons
of soda water, especially abroad, will readily
appreciate the force of this statement. Carbon
dioxide has been used also to prevent the
curdling of milk, and experiments conducted at
the New York Agricultural Station at Geneva,
N.Y., are of interest in this connection. The
milk, both fresh and pasteurised (i.e., sterilised,,
was charged with the gas at a pressure of
150 lbs. to the square inch. The milk was then
run into ordinary syphons. The sterilised milk
was found to be perfectly good for 40 weeks.
Ordinary milk, when carbonated, will appa-
lently keep good for several weeks. It seems
likely that a commercial future lies before these
experiments.

Fungoid and Other Enemies of the Para
Rubber Plant. — With the extension of the
cultivation of Rubber plants over the world, and
their introduction into countries far removed from
their own habitats, it is singular to note that many
of the introduced plants do not long remain before
they are attacked by fungoid and insect enemies ;
thus it seems, according to the Proceeding*, of the
Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India,
that in Borneo and Perak the Para Rubber
trees that have been introduced into plantations
have suffered from fungoid attacks of the roots
The plants are mostly young ones, with stems
about 2 inches through, and the roots were
found, on the death of the plants, to be encrusted
with a white mycelium. The effect of the attack
has been [to absolutely kill the trees within three
weeks of the first appearance of the disease. The
rootsand the green wood rot, and the tree falls. The
disease is described as attacking individual trees
scattered over the plantations, and not as affecting
groups. Both in Borneo and Perak the fungus
has appeared on newly-planted ground. In both
cases the disease is sporadic, and does not appear
to have spread to other trees. It is said that
doubtless the attacking fungus is one of the Poly-
porea?, and may possibly be Irpex flava ; but
whatever the fungus may be, it is recommended
that the soil be well limed where each tree has
died, and to avoid planting any more Rubber trees
on the same spot. The following further advice is
also given : — "It might be a good thing in cases
like this to plant a Banana plant or two on the
infected ground. These Polypori cannot, of course,
grow on Bananas, and the plants help to break up
the decomposed and infected wood and roots be-
neath the soil. This has been tried in the Botanic
Garden against Fomes. The ground infected was
dug over, treated with lime and copper sulphate,
and planted with Bananas, and the fungus in this
patch seems to have quite disappeared. It is,
however, the oldest bit of the infected area, and
the fungus may have died out of itself. Tin
fungus, whatever it is, should be :arefully watcbi c]
to see that it does not spread to the trees next lo
it." In the same number of the Journal oj the
Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India, from
which the foregoing information is obtained, occurs
two other notes affecting the enemies of Para
Rubber plants, one, a fungus which attacks the
leaves of young plants, but which apparently does
but little harm to adult trees, and to vvhich i: was
proposed to give the name of Helminthosporium
heveae, and the other, referring to crickets, which
have been described as biting off the tips of Rubber
seedlings, one species of which has been identified
as Brachytrypes achatina , From these notes it
would seem that the most valuable Rubber plant
known is, unfortunately, not without its enemies
when brought under cultivation.

416

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907

Royal Meteorological Society. — An

ordinary meeting will be held at the Institution of
Civil Engineers, Great George Street, West-
minster, S.W., on Wednesday, December 18, at
7 30 p m. The papers to be read will include one
on " Indications of Approaching Frost," by
Mr. Richard Strachan, F R.Met.Soc.

Emigration to Canada. — The Assistant
Superintendent of Canadian Emigration has been
officially advised by the Canadian Immigration
Department at Ottawa, that the demand for labour
of all kinds in Canada is over for the season, and
all persons thinking of emigrating are strongly
advised, if they are looking for employment in
Canada, not to sail earlier than April next, and
then only if they have employment assured, or are
in a position to maintain themselves until they
secure such employment.

A Gardener's Long Service. — Mr. Samuel
Chapman, gardener of Alderley Edge, has just
completed 40 years' service with one family.
His first office was as head gardener to the late
Mr. J. Arthur Railton, of Whalley Range,
Manchester, and he is serving in the same capa-
city to Mrs. J. Arthur Railton, Alderley
Edge. Mr. Chapman is well known as a skilful
gardener.

SEED AND SOIL INOCULATION.

(Continued from page 3SS.)
The satisfactory inoculation results obtained
in America naturally attracted much attention
in this country, and in 1905 our Board of Agri-
culture obtained the co-operation of 13 different
agricultural colleges and experiment stations
with a view of testing the cultures. The results
of these experiments were far from satisfactory,
and the official report states that " the negative
results exceed the positive in number both in
plot experiments and under agricultural condi-
tions." Unfortunately, the Board of Agricul-
ture did not continue the experiments with the
view of ascertaining the causes of failure. The
subject was dismissed with the statement " that
in this country plant inoculation has not yet
passed the experimental stage," and, in conse-
quence, the idea has become widespread that
inoculation is useless for the soils of this
country. The causes of failure, however, are
very evident in the light of recent experiments.
In the first place, many of the cultures used
were dead or in a highly-weakened condition.
Secondly, there does not appear to have been
sufficient care taken to apply the culture to suit-
able soils. Prof. Vines, of Oxford, showed
some years ago that the presence of nitrates in
the soil has an unfavourable effect upon the
nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and prevents the de-
velopment of root tubercles. He states : " The
results of all these experiments agree in showing
that the development of tubercles is much less
when nitrate is present in the soil than when it
is absent. It is also indicated that as the
amount of nitrate diminishes the development
of tubercles becomes more marked. In all cases
in which tubercles made their appearance on
the roots of plants which had been supplied
with nitrate, they are exclusively developed on
the youngest roots, especially on those near the
surface of the soil ; in that part, that is, which
would naturally lose its nitrates most rapidly."
Even in the report issued by the Board of
Agriculture we find that some excellent results
were obtained when these two essential condi-
tions were fulfilled. In Scotland an acre of
inoculated Beans yielded 3,070 lbs. of grain,
against 1,800 lbs. from an acre non-inoculated —
a gain of 70 per cent. In Leicestershire, a half-
acre plot of treated Peas yielded, when threshed,
108 stones ; a half-acre plot untreated only 66
stones. At Woburn, treated Melilotus gave 23
per cent, heavier crop than when untreated. In
the face of such results as these one cannot
understand why the subject was abandoned.

Failing further experiments in official quar-
ters, over a thousand packages of living culture
material were distributed free from the Botani-
cal Laboratory, King's College, London, during
1906 and 1907, to anyone who cared to test in-
oculation of seed and soil. The results obtained
prove conclusively that inoculation is beneficial
on most British soils under suitable conditions,
for over 80 per cent, of the reports returned
show an increase of crop from the use of the
bacteria cultures.

At this point it will be well to utter a warning
against any misconception or unjustifiable ex-
pectation regarding the use of bacterial cultures.
Inoculation is not a panacea for all the ills of
the soil. The cultures of nitrogen-fixing bacteria
are not to be regarded in the light of nitrogenous
manures, increasing the yield under any or all
conditions. The cultures do not contain nitro-
gen. They simply add to the soil the bacteria
which, under favourable conditions, form
nodules on leguminous plants, and render avail-
able the nitrogen from the atmosphere for the
growth of these plants. As already mentioned,
rich soil containing plenty of available nitrogen
checks the activities of the bacteria. It is poor
soil which responds most readily and liberally
to inoculation, and there are thousands of acres
of non-productive land in this country which it
does not pay at present to till and manure, but
which could be rendered fertile and productive
by the use of bacteria cultures.

What, then, are the conditions under which a
farmer or gardener may expect to benefit by
inoculation?

Inoculation is necessary when the land is poor
or "thin," that is, low in organic matter; when
it has not recently borne a leguminous crop ; or
when the roots of legumes grown are devoid of
nodules.

Inoculation is desirable when a different legu-
minous crop from that previously grown on the
land is being planted ; oi when the crop grow-
ing, though possessing root nodules, is not pro-
ducing up to the average. The introduction into
the soil of a more virulent race of bacteria may
greatly increase the yield.

Inoculation will be a failure —

(1) When the soil is too acid and in need of
lime. Liming to correct acidity is as neces-
sary for the proper activity of the bacteria in
the soil as for the growth of the plants.

(2) When the soil is deficient in phosphates
and potash ; these fertilising elements must
be added if the bacteria are to perform their
work properly.

(3) When the directions for preparing the
culture solutions are not carefully followed.

(4) It must also be remembered that inocu-
lation will not overcome results due to bad
seed, improper preparation and cultivation of
the ground, and adverse conditions of weather
and climate.

Given suitable conditions, the advantages
which may be expected from inoculation are
four in number.

1. — Increased Yield of Crop. — The amount
of increase will naturally vary according to
differing conditions, and it is evident from what
has been already said that the greatest increase
may be expected on poor or worn-out soils.

2. — Increase of Fertility of Soil. — It has
already been pointed out that the nodules on the
roots of leguminous plants are the centres of
nitrogen fixation. In their tissues are stored up
quantities of organic nitrogen greatly in excess
of what is required by the plant. When the
crop is harvested these nodules remain in the
ground, and the nitrogen store of the soil is
correspondingly increased. As inoculation in-
creases the number of these nodules, it is
readily seen how valuable inoculation is both
for maintaining and increasing soil fertility.

A number of careful experiments have been
made in the United States and Germany to
estimate the approximate amount of organic
nitrogen added to the soil by a well-grown legu-
minous crop. Averaging the results from 16 dif-
ferent States in America, the amount of nitro-

gen added per acre was 125 lbs. In Germany
the estimate was 175 to 200 lbs. per acre. When
it is considered that nitrate of soda only con-
tains about 15 per cent, of nitrogen, it is seen
that a crop of nodule-bearing legumes may add
the equivalent of half a ton of nitrate of soda
per acre, representing a cash value of £4 to £6.
W. B. Bottom ley.

(To be concluded. )

IMPORTATION OF GOOSEBERRY

PLANTS.
The following instructions have been issued
by an order of the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries, dated November 29, 1907 : —

AMERICAN GOOSEBERRY MILDEW (PRO-
HIBITION OF IMPORTATION OF
BUSHES) ORDER OF 1907.

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, by
virtue and in exercise of the powers vested in
them under the Destructive Insects and Pests
Acts, 1877 and 1907, do order, and it is hereby
ordered, as follows :

Prohibition of Importation of Gooseberry tend
Currant Bushes.

1. — (1.) The landing in Great Britain of any
Gooseberry bush or Currant bush brought from
any place out of Great Britain is strictly pro-
hibited.

(2.) This Article shr.ll not apply to the land-
ing of any bush on or before the thirty-first day
of January, nineteen hundred and eight, if a
licence authorising such landing has previously
been obtained from the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries, and is produced if so required
by any officer of Customs when the bush is
landed.

Penalty for dealing with bushes illegally
Imported.

2. If any person without the written consent
of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries shall
in Great Britain sell, or expose for sale>, or plant
any bush which has been landed in contraven-
tion of this Order, knowing the same to have
been so landed, he shall be liable on convic-
tion to a penalty not exceeding ten pounds.

Power of Entry by Inspectors.

3. An Inspector of the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries or of the Local Authority ap-
pointed under the Destructive Insects and Pests
Acts, 1877 and 1907, may enter any premises on
which he has reason to believe that there are
bushes landed in contravention of this Order
and examine any bush on such premises, and
any person who wilfully obstructs or impedes
any Inspector in the course of his duties under
this Article shall be liable on conviction to a
penalty not exceeding ten pounds.

Provision in case of discovery of Disease.

4. If on any examination under the preceding
Article an Inspector finds any bush which is
affected with American Gooseberry mildew
(Sphaerotheca mors-uvae) he shall forthwith
communicate the fact to the Board of Agricul-
ture and Fisheries and serve on the occupier
of the premises on which the bush is found a
notice prohibiting, until the notice is withdrawn
by a like notice, the removal of any Goose-
berry or Currant bush from those premises, and
any person who shall remove any bush in con-
travention of a notice under this Article shall
be liable on conviction to a penalty not exceed-
ing ten pounds.

Definitions.

5. By this Order—

''Bush" includes a cutting, stock, or seed-
ling, and any part of a bush, except the
fruit ;

"Landing" includes introduction through the
post.

Commencement.

6. This Order shall come into operation on
the fourteenth day of December, nineteen hun-
dred and seven.

Short Title.

7. This Order may be cited as the American
Gooseberry Mildew (Prohibition of Impor-
tation of Bushes) Order of 1907.

December 14, 1907.]

2 HE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

417

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor dens not liold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

Cockroaches. — These insect pests of the same
family — Blattidae — as the crickets, grasshoppers,
locusts, &c, are often found in glasshouses, the
tropical species, Ptriplaneta americana and P.
australasiae, being imported on Orchids and
other kinds of plants. In addit.on to tl eir
offensive odour and their feeding habits, which
make these insects very objectionable, they
attack starched articles of dress, such as collars
and cuffs, and most gardeners are aware of
the injury caused to Orchids by their nibbling
of the growing points of the aerial roots. Cock-
roaches are not difficult to extirpate from houses.
Boracic acid is poisonous to them, and any
attractive food mixed with it may be used as a
bait. A good mixture is made of equal parts
boracic acid and Molasses <<r sweet chocolate.
It this be placed in their haunts, it will be
readily eaten by them. Ordinary borax, if s at-
tered about in plates infested by them, will
drive them out. Naphthalene is also useful in
this way. F. M.

Suitable Vines for Inarching other
Varieties Upon. — I am well acquainted with

the characteristics of all the leading varieties
of the Orape vine cultivated under glass in
Great Britain and Ireland during the last 35
or 40 years, and during half of that period of
time (up to 1897) I was a more or less success-
ful exhibitor at leading fruit shows in t'-.e South
and West of England, the Crystal Palace, &c.
I have often had occasion to inarch a new
variety of Grape upon an established vine of
a different description as a quick and con-
venient method of obtaining a fruiting rod of
the "newcomer," and at other times inarching
was resorted to in order to increase the
number of fruiting rods of certain varieties.
The operation was also practised with a view
to improving the characteristics and qualities
of certain varieties of the Grape vine by inarch-
ing them upon established rods of superior kinds,
a union with which was calculated to effect the
desired improvement. However, I may confess
before proceeding further that, during my
early experience in this direction, I practised
the inarching of Grape vines more on account
of its being a quicker and most convenient way
of procuring a fruiting vine than with any
other object in view. There can be no doubt that
the influence which the stock exeicises on the
scion is considerable. So great, indeed, is this
influence, that the character of a well-known
Grape — to wit, Gros Maroc — was so much
altered in size and shape of bunch and berry,
as well as in flavour, by reason of its union
with a worthless foreign variety that several
ral expert Grape growers to whom I showed it
failed to recognise it, while they readily recog-
nised a bunch from the same vine inarched
on a Black Hamburg stock, and placed in a
bottle alongside it in the Grape room for com-
parison. This happened soon after the Gros
Maroc Grape was introduced into commerce.
Being anxious to obtain a second rod of it, and
a second shoot being available on the same
pot vine from which I had inarched one on
the Black Hamburg close by, I accordingly
inarched the second shoot on the worthless
vine referred to, regardless of what the result
of such a union would be. The vine in question
was sent in mistake for a good variety, which
an officer in command at Malta had ordered
to be sent home to me. Being anxious to test
the variety as soon as possible, I allowed the
plant to ripen one poor bunch nf fruit in the
following year. Hence my utilising the stock
without paying any regard whatever. I admit,
to the advisabilitv or otherwise of effecting such
a union. However, I communicated my experi-
ence forthwith to the Gardeners' Chronicle for
the benefit of its numerous readers, and so
eased my conscience in the matter. Muscat of
Alexandria is the best stock on which to graft
or inarch any other white Grape. By such a
union, the flavour of perhaps every other white
(excepting Canon Hall Muscat) Grape will be
improved. Black Hamburg and Madresfield
Court Black Muscat will also produce a simi-
lar desirable change in the flavour of any
late Iplack Grape (excepting Mrs. Pince's
Black Muscat) inarched or grafted thereon.
The said stocks (preferably the Black Hamburg)

would be quite safe to work Mrs. Pince
on, and while not expecting the flavour
of the latter to improve or suffer in any way,
the colouring propeities of the Grape, which
is oftener " foxy " than black when ripe,
might be improved by such a union. Gros
Maroc Grape, besides being a large-berried
variety, colours splendidly without being sub-
jected to any special kind of treatment, and
therefore might effect an improvement in this
direction in the produce resulting from vines
of Gros Colmar inarched on the Gros Maroc
stock. Again, Muscat Hamburg engrafted on
a Black Hamburg stock would probably result
in more compact bunches, consisting of more
even-sized and better-coloured berries of this
fine-flavoured Grape, being obtained. The
berries of Madresfield Court resulting from
vines worked on the Black Hamburg stock
colour better, and evince no disposition to
" i rack." I fail to see in what way the Muscat
of Alexandria Grape referred to by Mr. Moly-
neiix could have been improved in flavour by
reason of the vine that bore the bunches men-
tioned being inarched on a vine of Foster's
Seedling, seeing that in point of flavour the
latter variety can only be looked upon as a
third-rate Crape. H. W . Ward.

Mr. Molyneux's remarks on p. 379 of

the C ule brings to my mind a

similar case which came under my notice a
1:1 years ago, when I was at Wentworth Castle
under Mr. E. Batley. A Muscat of Alexandria
vine had been inarched on a rod of Foster's
Sesdling with excellent results. The bunches
were more compact than is the case when this
M al is cultivated on its own roots, the berries
rounder, better finished than usual, and
altogether much improved. /as. Murrey,
ey.

1 quite agree with Mr. Molyneux (see

p. 379] respei ung the inarching of one vine upon
another variety. My experience has been chiefly
with the variety named Appley Towers, inarched
upon Lady Downes, also West St. Peter; it has
made remarkable growth, and has borne excel-
lent fruit the second season, finishing well
and keeping in good condition up to this date,
December 3. This excellent variety is not so
widely known as it deserves to be ; it is \
of a place in a vinery containing various sorts,
and in a large establishment a whole vinery
filled with it would be valuable as providing a
good succession to Black Hamburg. The foliage
of Appley lower- is very ornamental, being equal
if not superior in this respect, to Lady Downes.
G. Harvey, Stanton Hall, Bakewell.

Grove Hall Park, Bow. — Please grant us
space to appeal to your readers for their help
in securing Grove Hall Park for the people, and
espei i.illy for the children, of Bow. By the
generous assistance of the London County Coun-
cil (who are contributing £4,500, being one-half
the total cost, besides bearing the cost of laying
out and of future maintenance) and of the
Poplar Borough Council (who are contributing
£2,250, one-four the total cost I 3.V acres of the
Grove Hall Estate, the very last open space in
the neighbourhood, have been secured, and this
committee has undertaken to raise, by subscrip-
tions, the remaining one-fourth — £2,250. Of
this amount 1 1,000 has now been given by local
manufacturers, residents, and friends, and the
balance must be found at once. The scheme has
the warm approval of the Bishop of London and
the Bishop of Stepney, both of whom, in kindly
forwarding contributions, have expressed the
hope that the money may be quickly forthcom-
ing. The Metropolitan Public Gardens Associa-
tion heartily supports the movement and has
contributed £50. All who know the neighbour-
hood will recognise the urgent need of this little
park for the people and playground for the
children. There is no time to be lost, and we
earnestly ask for a prompt and generous
response to our appeal. Donations may be paid
to the London and South-Western Bank, Ltd.,
Bow, E., the London and Westminster Bank,
Ltd., Bow, E., or to Henry J. Kitcat (Rector of
Bow and Chairman of Committeel, Henry A.
Mason (Vicar of St. Stephen's, Bow, Rural Dean
of PoplarJ, Gilbert Bartholomew (Fairfield
Work'-. Bow, E., Vice-Chairman of Committee),
and Thos. Alex. Cook (Soap Works, Bow, K ,
Hon. Secretary of Committee), who will gladly
furnish any further information or supply list of
subscriptions to date. Thos. Alex. Cook.

Black Scab in Potatos.— I have carefully
read through Mr. Salmon's admirable, ill stratei
article on this form of Potato disease published
in the last issue, but beyond his strong recom-
mendation that steps be taken to induce the
Government to legislate for the suppression of
the disease by preventing the sale or transit of
diseased tubers, no other remedy seems to be
presented. As this is a fungoid disease, which
may be propagated by diseased Potatos or by
fungus-affected soil, why should not a liberal
application of lime, and especially gas lime, so
excellent a remedy for other root-diseases, be
given to the soil which is bearing the affected
crop, and also to the soil to be planted
with Potatos in the succeeding season? Natur-
ally, it is remedies that can be immediately
applied that are required by growers who may
suffer from this Black Scab disease, whilst any
benefit resulting from legislation may be inde-
finite. I had a bad sample of the Black Scab
sent me two years ago. I advised the lifting
and destroying of all the diseased tubers at once,
followed by an immediate dressing of the ground
with a bushel per rod of gas lime — a heavy
dressing, but the case needed drastic action. I
have had no more complaints since that time, and
in all my experience with Potatos I have never
seen any similarly-diseased tubers. However,
there is no getting away from the evidences of
the spread of this fell disease which Mr. Salmon
quotes, and that fact makes it all the more
needful that some suggestions as to remedies
that can be applied at once be made. We want
in relation to these things not ironical compli-
ments between scientists, but really practical
suggestions as to remedies or cures. However,
I trust no one will be in any way frightened.
The proportion of sound Potatos here to-da is
about 10,000 to 1 of tubers affected by Black
Scab. A. Dean.

Seed and Soil Inoculation. - Although
Professor Bottomley has yet more to say on
this very interesting subject, I trust that next
year good tests of the merits of soil inocula-
tion, as also of seeds, will be conducted
under Mr. Chittenden's control at Wisley.
There certainly can be found at Wisley poor,
sandy soil for the purpose. I have seen one
trial this year of the inoculation of the seeds
of Peas, Long Pod and Runner Beans in that
district, comparison being instituted between
<o treated without manure and other rows
not inoculated, but with manure. Generally,
the manured rows gave the best growth, but as
the ground had been cultivated and cropped for
some years, and the summer was an abnormal
one, it was difficult to determine how far in-
oculation of the seeds had proved to be a success
or otherwise. On some of the poor sands at
Wisley the test should be applied to Peas solely
at first, with rows ordinarily manured, others
seed-inoculated only, others without manure or
inoculation, and include at least six varieties.
Such a test, no doubt a severe one, would be of
great interest both for practical and scientific
men. A. D.

Romneya Coulteri. — On p. 390 of the last

issue Mr. E. Molyneux wrote of the value of
this fine plant, and, incidentally, of the diffi-
culty of defining whether or not it should be
exhibited as "' an herbaceous subject." True
herbaceous plants, whether " stove," " green-
house," or " hardy," have nothing more than
"annual" stems, which perish after they have
flowered. Thus it is clear that no plant having
persistent stems maturing " eyes " or " buds "
which are capable of flowering a second year
can be regarded as herbaceous. The Romneya
has, therefore, no more claim to be classed in
a competitive group of "herbaceous plants"
than has the "tree" Pasonv, P. Moutan. while
P. albiflora and others are strictly " herba-
ceous." Many years ago the Royal Botanic
Society of London arranged classes in their ex-
hibition schedule for " stove " heibaceous and
" hardy " herbaceous species. It mattered not
whether the plant exhibited was a diminutive
Alpine, a bulbous, or tuberous-rooted subject, or
what not, so long as its flower-stems were not
persistent and capable of a second-year's growth.
If compilers of schedules, judges, and
flower show committees would bear this in
mind, any difficulty in determining the point
would be minimised. The Romneya generally,
so far as my experience goes, retains its de-
ciduous, shrubby character in this country,

418

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

north, south, or west ; but the point I would
like to emphasise is this : that, as a deciduous
shrub pure and simple, breaking afresh and
flowering from the old wood each year, this
handsome subject does itself bare justice. If
gardeners generally would but cut the plant to
a point near the ground each year, compelling
it to break into growth near the base, and treat
the plant liberally in regard to soil-cultivation,
they would soon find how much better and finer
it would flower. Mr. Molyneux shows that he
has to some extent realised the value of this
annual cutting down of the plant, when he
advises " liquid manure for inducing vigorous
growths to push from the base of the plant ;
such shoots as these producing the finest
flowers." If these fine flowers are possible with
a plant already carrying numerous shoots
above, how much better should the flowering
prove where a systematic pruning is carried out
year by year? In gardens in Sussex, the Isle
of Wight, and other places, this annual cutting
down has been practised for years past. This
vigorous mulching of decayed manure should be
afforded the roots each year. In northern gar-
dens the species should be given the warmest
position available, while in the more southern
districts it may be planted in any position that
has ordinary shelter from the north and east.
E. 11. Jenkins, Hampton Hill.

Eucalyptus ficifolia. — I read with interest
the note on this plant (p. 376). I have never seen
a tree of this species growing in England, but
have often thought that were it better known it
would become popular. As a foliage plant it is
equal to the best of the other species of Eucalyptus
in cultivation, but, in addition, it is one of the
most gorgeous of flowering plants. A tree usually
flowers for the first time when from 7 to 10
years old. The habit is not tall when compared
to many of the other species, an adult plant being
from 12 to IS feet high, very bushy and shapely. I
have seen several seedling forms which have for
the most part flowers of a lighter hue, some even
approaching to a cream colour. Hairy Rabjohn,
Welbeck Abbey, Worksop. [We were wrongly in-
formed as to the tree flowering out-of-doors, and
are glad to correct the error. Mr. North-Row
states that the specimen is planted out, but in the
border of a cool greenhouse. It could not be in-
duced to flower whilst growing in a pot. — Ed.]

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

December 10. — The meeting on Tuesday last
was smaller than usual, but some pretty exhibits
were seen, including several good displays of
Carnations. Exhibits of fruit were rather more
numerous than usual. Novelties were forth-
coming in all the sections. The Orchid Com-
mittee recommended one First-Class Certifi-
cate, one Botanical Certificate, and five Awards
of Merit: the Floral Committee conferred an
Award of Merit on Montanoa bipinnatifida ; and
the Fruit and Vegetable Committee gave a
similar award to a new Pear.

At the three o'clock meeting of the Fellows
a lecture on " Fungous Diseases of Plants " was
delivered by Mr. E. S. Salmon.

Floral Committee.

Present: H. B. May, Esq. (in the chair), and
Messrs. C. T. Druery, Geo. Nicholson, Jno.
Green, Jas. Walker, G. Reuthe, J. F. McLeod,
W. Howe, C. Blick, J. Jennings, W. Bam, C.
Dixon, R. W. Wallace, H. J. Cutbush, C. F.
Pearson, C. E. Shea, Jas. Douglas, W. Cuth-
bertson, W. P. Thomson, H. J. Jones, and E. H.
Jenkins.

A choice exhibit of Carnations was shown by
Cecil F. Raphael, Esq., Porters Park, Shenley,
Herts, (gr. Mr. A. Grubb). They were shown
as pot plants, and although not excessively flow-
ered, they were noteworthy on account of the
season of exhibiting them. A batch of the
scarlet Britannia occupied the centre of the
exhibit, which also included many of the
Souvenir de la Malmaison type of the variety
Princess of Wales. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

An exhibit of paintings of floral subjects was
displayed by Mrs. E. Lugard, 51, Prince of
Wales Mansions, Batte :a Park, London,
S.W. The pictures were faithful representations

of Orchids and many South African flowers, the
floral details being especially well reproduced.
(Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. Caxnell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
displayed vases of Zonal Pelargoniums of excep-
tional size and quality. They made a brignt
show of colouring, and included most of the
best varieties of this popular subject. The latest
novelties included Lucania (cerise and orange),
Lusitania (magenta), and Arabic (scarlet).
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Upper Edmonton,
London, N., staged a pretty exhibit of Begonias,
Euphorbia jacqi.iniaeflora, and Euphorbia (Poin-
settia) pulcherrima. Each subject formed a
semi-circle, the central and largest one of E.
jacquiniaeflora being separated from those on
either side by a row of Nephrolepis and other
Ferns. The Begonias were of the variety Mrs.
L. de Rothschild. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, again staged an exhibit of Be-
gonias of the semi-tuberous varieties, also
Jacobinias, Leonotis Leonurus, and Exacum
macranthum. The fragrant, pink-coloured Lu-
culia gratissima was also shown in a batch of
plants finely flowered, the whole group being
relieved with Ferns and Palms. (Silver-Gilt
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., staged a very large number of dwarf
plants of Citrus Aurantium, of the variety
known as Otaheite Orange. Interspersed in the
group were berried plants — Skimmia japonica,
Ardisia primulaefolia, Pernettya mucronata,
&c, with Daphne japonica, Ophiopogon Jabu-
ran, Ferns, Palms, &c. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Royal Nurseries,
Bush Hill Park, Enfield, staged a very fine ex-
hibit of Carnations of the winter-flowering type.
The collection embraced most of the best of
the American raised varieties, including Mrs.
Lawson, Enchantress, Harlowarden, Perfection,
and its white variety — the last-named being re-
markably fine — lVc. There were also many new-
sorts, the best of which was labelled Aristocrat.
The colour of this variety is a cerise-pink, and
the flower has commendable form. Other new
kinds were Winsor (rose-pink), Mauvina
Imauve), and Beacon (scarlet). Adjoining the
Carnations was a batch of Euphorbia jacquiniae-
flora, and on an adjoining table pans of Cycla-
men— Low's Salmon. (Silver Flora Medal:)

H. J. King, Esq., Eastwell Park, Ashford,
Kent (gr. Mr. J. G. Weston), showed vases of
Carnations relieved with Grasses, Asparagus
Sprengeri, Fern-fronds, &c. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. W. Bull & Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea, exhibited a number of ornamental-leaved
plants of exotic species as a setting to their ex-
hibit of Orchids. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Merstham, Surrey,
showed single, thread-petalled and other Chry-
santhemums.

Award of Merit.

Montanoa bipinnatifida. — This is a Mexican
species of the natural order Compositae, and has
large and handsome bipinnate leaves that have
caused the plant to be used in this country for
sub-tropical gardening in summer. In the
Gardeners'1 Chronicle for February 24, 1906, p.
123, there was published an illustration
depicting the species in flower in the
sunny climate of Bordighera. Until Tues-
day last we do not remember to have seen
M. bipinnatifida in flower in this country.
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, exhibited on
the occasion mentioned a group of plants in
pots, the specimens varying from 2 feet to 5 feet
in height. One of the plants then shown was
photographed, and is now reproduced at fig. 172.
The illustration, whilst affording an excellent
picture of the flowers, fails to show the orna-
mental leaves. The ray florets were pure white
on Messrs. Paul's specimen, but this species
has usually been described as yellow. The in-
florescences in some cases bore 23 flowers, each
having a diameter of 3 inches. Cultivators may
be recommended to give the species a trial as
a pot plant for flowering in large, moderately
heated conservatories.

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
Chair) ; and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),

Harry J. Veitch, De B. Crawshay, W. Cobb,
W. Bolton, F. M. Ogilvie, H. Little, W. P.
Bound, J. Charlesworih, A. A. McBean, A.
Dye, F. J. Hanbury, W. H. Young, H. G. Alex-
ander, T. W. Bond, H. A. Tracy, H. Ballan-
tine, F. J. Thorne, W. H. White, I. W. Potter,
C. J. Lucas, G. F. Moore, and W. A. Bilney.

G. F. Moore, Esq., Chardwar, Bourton-on-
the-Water (gr. Mr. Page), staged a magnificent
group, extending the entire width of the hall and
including some 500 splendidly-grown and finely-
flowered specimens, many of them with a lar^e
number of flowers. The Cypripediums, for which
the Chardwar collection is noted, mace the body
of the group. These were broken up at intervals
by graceful arrangements of the yellow On-
cidium varicosum, the rose and white Dendro-
bium Phalaenopsis Schroderianum, and the
bright-red Epidendrum O'Briemanum, the
whole being very skilfully arranged with
Palms, Crotons, &c., and carpeted with green
moss, so that none of the pots were visible.
About 150 distinct varieties of Cypripedium in-
signe were in the group, the centre of which
was filled with all the best yellow varieties of
that species. One specimen of C. insigne Hare-
field Hall bore 12 flowers and eight seed cap-
sules ; C. i. Commander-in-Chief, C. i. Bohn-
hoffianum, C. i. Agatha, and the charming C. l.
majesticum were noted as specially fine; among
the many varieties of C. Leeanum, C. L. Coro-
net was remarkable for the fine shape of its-
white dorsal sepal, which, in a great degree,
resembles that of the unique C. L. J. Gurney
Fowler. C. Blanche Moore was a very hand-
some and finely-formed variety ; the forms of
C. Actaeus were many and good ; C. Miss Louisa
Fowler magnificum, a very attractively-coloured
bloom ; C. concolor, C. Memoria Moensii, and

C. triumphans, C. Maudiae, and most of the best
Cypripediums of the season were well repre-
sented. The Society's Gold Medal was awarded
for the group.

Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O., CLE., Wes-
tonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed
Cypripedium Earl of Tankerville (exul X nitens
Sanders variety) ; the pretty rose-tinted Cattleya
Cyril (Harrisoniana X Percivaliana) and three
fine novelties. (See Awards.)

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a bright and
effectively-arranged group, the centre oi which
was made up of good Odontoglossum crispum,
Laelia anceps Amesiana and Schroderae, Calan-
the Veitchii, and other Calanthes ; Oncidium
ornithorhynchum, Dendrobium Phalaenopsis
Schroderianum, and the rich purplish-crimson

D. Statterianum. On each side were fine selec-
tions of Cypripedium insigne in great variety,
C. Leeanum, C. Euryades, C. Maudias, and
other good hybrids ; some bright Masdevallias,
&c.

F. Du Cane Godman, Esq., South Lodge,
Horsham (gr. Mr. Moody), was awarded a Silver
Flora Medal for an excellent group, the centre
of which was brightened with many sprays of
the bright rose-pink Calanthe Veitchii, the
white and crimson C. vestita, and other Calan-
thes arranged round a good specimen of the
singular Angraecum sesquipedale. At the ends
of the group good Laelia anceps, Vanda cceru-
lea, some excellent Cypripediums, the pretty
Little yellow Oncidium cheirophorum, the rose-
coloured O. ornithorhynchum, &c, were ar-
ranged.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., lleaton,
Bradford, secured a Silver Banksian Medal for
an interesting group, in which were an unusual
number of rare species. Among them were a
superb form of Oncidium bicallosum, with larye
wax-like flowers, the sepals and petals tinged
with chestnut brown, and the huge labellum
clear yellow ; the curious dwarf Zygopetalum
Murrayanum, with apple-green sepals and
petals and white lip with red lines at the base;
the elegant white Ionopsis paniculata, Platyclinis
Cobbiana, with many graceful spikes, Ccelogyne
sulphurea, some fine plants of the handsome
Trichopilia suavis, Gomesa planifolia, several
Bulbophyllums, including the whitish form of
the African B. flavidum, known as B. Drallei ;
several Lycastes, &c, and among hybrids the
rare Cynorchis Kewensis.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. were awarded a Sil-
ver Banksian Medal for a group in which were
some fine forms of Odontoglossum crispum, in-
cluding the handsomely-blotched O. c. Lindemi

December 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

419

and O. c. Cooksonii. Others noted were Cypri-
pedium Mrs. Tautz, C. insigne bisepalum, good ;
C. niveum, Oncidium ormthorhynchum album,
Dendrobium Goldiei, Spathoglottis Lobbii,
Cymbidium Tracyanum, Gongora quinquenervis
and Laelio-Cattleya luminosa.

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal
for a group of excellent Cypripediums, the best
of which was C. Armstrongiae (nitens G. S.
Ball's variety X Charlesworthii), a charming
soft-tinted flower, showing much of C. Charles-
worthii, but improved in size and shape. The
large white dorsal sepal was suffused with pale
rose, having a bronzy shade at the base, the
petals and lip being yellow, ting-ed with purple.

E. Roberts, Esq., Park Lodge, Eltham (gr.
Mr. Garr), showed Cypripedium Lorna (Leea-
num Clinkaberryanum X villosum), and C.
Charlesianum superbum, both good flowers.

Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., Gatton Park,
Reigate (gr. Mr. W. P. Bound), showed Cirrho-
petalum refractum with three spikes ; the pink-
coloured Phaio-Calanthe Colmanii rosea and
another. (See Awards.)

Drewett O. Drewett, Esq., Riding Mill-on-
Tyne (gr. Mr. Renwick), showed a select group
of Cypripediums, among which were several im-
provements on C. insigne Chantinii raised by
Mr. Drewett. Also C. Actaeus superbum,
which had previously secured an Award of

Messrs. Heath & Son, Cheltenham, showed
Cypripediums, the best of which was the very
fine C. insigne Kathleen Corser.

Monsieur Mertens, Mont St. Amand, Ghent,
showed some fine hybrid Odontoglossums.

F. Menteith Ogilvie, Esq., The Shrubbery,
Oxford (gr. Mr. Balmforth), showed a good
Cypripedium Clio, and another hybrid resem-
bling C. insigne.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rann Lea, Rainhill,
Lancashire (gr. Mr. Morgan), sent Cypripedium
Gaston Bultel var. King Edward, with a bright
rose-purple tint on the dorsal sepal ; C. Olive,
C. Actaeus, Rann Lea variety, C. Fulshawense,
and C. Fairrieanum, Rann Lea variety, a very
fine form, with unusually large dorsal sepal.

172. MONTANOA BIPINNATIFIDA AS EXHIBITED BY MESSRS. PAUL AND SONS .'. T THE R.H.S. MEETING

ON TUESDAY LAST: FLOWtKS WHITE.

The parents of this fine hybrid were also shown,
together with a selection of other Cypripediums.
Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Wok-
ing (gr. Mr. Hopkins), sent Cypripedium Thalia
giganteum ; the new and pretty Laelio-Cattleya
Minnie (Exoniensis x aurea), and Cypripedium
insigne " Francis Wellesley," about which
opinions were divided as to whether it was an
abnormally fine C. insigne Harefield Hall, or a
distinct and better variety of the same class.
As it is from a different importation, the latter
is the more probable.

Merit ; C. A. Purity, C. insigne Monkholm*,
and C. i. Monarch.

H. W. Perry, Esq., Hillthorp, Upper N< 1-
wood (gr. Mr. Buckingham), staged a nice group
of well-grown plants, which included varieties
of Cypripedium insigne and C. Leeanum,
one of the prettiest of the latter being the Hill-
thorp variety ; good Lselia anceps, Lycaste
Skinneri, Oncidium tigrinum, &c.

Messrs. Edgar & Co., South Woodford, sent a
selection of varieties of Cypripedium insigne,
and several hybrids.

H. S. Goodson, Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr.
Mr. Day), sent four good hybrid Cypripediums.

AWARDS.
First-Class Certificate.
Sophro-Cattleya eximia, Fowler's variety [S.
grandiflora x C. Bowringiana), from J. Gurney
Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South Woodford (gr.
Mr. J. Davis). — The perfection of a dwarf and
compact-growing Orchid, with large and bril-
liantly-coloured flowers. The scape bore two
flowers ; all the segments were broad, the sepals

4^0

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

and petals of a glowing mauve-crimson, chang-
ing in hue with varying light. Lip yellow at the
fcasa, lined with red, front ruby-red.

Award of Merit.

Lalia-Cattleya Bcrthc Fournier var. ligrina,
from Major G. L. Holford, C.V.O., CLE. (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander). — A novel addition to the
fine Westonbirt hybrids raised between L.-C. ele-
gans and C. Dowiana aurea. The flower had
sepals arid petals of the colour of old gold, deli-
cately flushed with reddish-rose. The lip was
carmine crimson, with gold lines at the base.

Brasso-Cattleya Siren (B. Digbyana x C.
Siinnerl), from Major G. L. Holford. — A
charming hybrid, with the growth resembling
Cattleya Skiuneri, and with flowers of good size
and shape, bright rose, with white base to the
fringed lip, and white column.

Cypripedium Beryl (Mrs. Mostyn X Beck-
manni\, from Major G. L. Holford. — A hand-
some flower, nearest to C. Beckmanni, and of
very fine substance. The flower, which has a
glossy surface, had the dorsal sepal emerald
green, heavily blotched with blackish purple, the
margin being white. The broad petals and lip
were pale greenish yellow, tinged and marked
with mahogany red.

Cypripedium Fairrieanum Black Prince, from
Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans. — A great
many varieties of this beautiful Cypripedium
have bloomed in gardens out of the recent impor-
tations, but none have approached this form in
beauty and in the extraordinary colouring of its
dorsal sepal, the greater part of whose surface is
taken up by the broad bands of dark purplish
crimson which follow the veining, only a small
proportion of the clear white ground colour ap-
pearing through the dark network. The rest of
the flower is also finely formed and unusually
dark in colour.

Cypripedium insigne ■ Gwyncdd [insigne Wal-
lacei X insigne var.), from Drewett O.
Drewett, Esq. (gr. Mr. Renwick). — A remark-
able variety, with fine dorsal sepal, spotted with
purple and rose, as in some of the lighter forms
of C. Euryades.

Bi n ixicax Certificate.

Cirrhopctalum retusiusculum, from Sir Jere-
miah Colman, Bart. (gr. Mr. Bound). — A very
pretty species, with elegant, one-sided heads of
yellow flowers, spotted and tinged with red.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: Geo. Bunyard, Esq. (chairman), and
Messrs. \V. Bates, George Woodward, Alex.
Dean, Geo. Keif, W. Pope, W. Fyfe, A. R.
Allan, JI. Parr, 'II. Markham, Ed. Beckett, Thos.
Coomber, Jos. Davis, Jno. Lyne, Geo. Reynolds,
Owen Thomas', P. D. Tuckett, J. Jaques, J.
Mclndoe, W. Poupart, and A. H. Pearson.

A meritorious exhibit of Apples and Pears was
shown from the gardens of Viscount Enfield,
Wrotham Par];, Barnet (gr. Mr. H. Markham). A
few bunches of Grapes were arranged in the
centre, and these included Muscat of Alexandria,
Black Alicante, and Appley Towers. The
Apples and Pears were of choice quality, notable
dishes being those of (Apples) The Queen,
Allington Pippin, Baumann's Red Winter Rein-
ette, Cox's Orange Pippin, Bramley's Seedling,
Harvey's Wiltshire Defiance, Round Winter
Nonsuch, and (Pears) Glou Morceau, Soldat La-
boureur, Nouvelle Fulvie, and Josephine de
Malines. (Silver Knightian Medal.)

Five excellent Pineapples of the varieties
Charlotte Rothschild and Smooth Cayenne were
displayed by Lord Llangattock, The Hendre,
Monmouth (gr. Mr. Thos. Coomber). In these
days when the culture of the Pineapple has
largely diminished, it was pleasing to see such
superb examples of this luscious fruit. (Silver-
Gilt Knightian Medal.)

Sir \\ i ii man Pearson, Bart., M.P., Paddock-
burst, Sussex (gr. Mr. A. B. Wadds), exhibited a
box of Lye's Early Gem Tomato. The bunches
of fruits were shown complete in order to
demonstrate the excellent cropping qualities of
this variety in the winter. Some of the clusters
had nine large fruits.

An interesting exhibit of Grapes was shown
from the gardens of the Earl of Har-
rincton, Elvaston Castle, Derby (gr. Mr.
J. II. Coodacre). The exhibit included
five different types of the variety Muscat
of Alexandria, all from the same vinery

The largest bunches were those labelled Bowood
type, but these were not the finest in colour.
Those of the Glamis type were the richest in
colouring ; those labelled Elvaston type were
long, narrow bunches. The Tynninghame and the
Charleville types were both heavily "shouldered"
bunches. Other Grapes shown by this celebrated
cultivator included Gros Colmar ; one bunch,
although lacking somewhat in colour, was in all
other respects a very fine example. (Silver
Knightian Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Massey & Sons, Spalding, filled
a long table with varieties of Potatos. Displayed
in neat baskets, the well-washed tubers, clear of
skin and uniform in size, attracted considerable
attention. The collection embraced 85 distinct
varieties. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, showed a
variety of Brussels Sprouts, having a large ter-
minal head, in one instance resembling a Savoy
and the other an ordinary Cabbage. The stalk
was short and bore a number of coarse Sprouts.

Award of Merit.
Pear Beurre Naghan. — This is a large variety,
having a smooth, yellowish-green skin, sugges-
tive of Glou Morceau. It is, however, larger
and more irregular in outline than that variety,
and the stalk is set obliquely, with an outgrowth
on one side. The flesh is white, melting, and
has an agreeable flavour, being slightly aro-
matic. The fruits when ripe are remarkably
juicy, with an entire absence of grittiness. The
largest fruits weighed about half-a-pound.
Shown by Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley.

WINTER-FLOWERING CARNATION.

December 11.— The third show of this society
was held in the gardens of the Royal Botanic
Society, Regent's Park, on the foregoing date.
As may be noted from a perusal of the balance-
sheet and the list of members, the society, con-
sidering the short period of time that it has
been in existence, has prospered considerably,
but at present the society's sphere of usefulness
is somewhat hindered owing to lack of funds.

Open Classes.
In the class for a collection of cut blooms of
Carnations occupying a table measuring 10 feet
by 4 feet, Mr. W. H. Pack, Tangley Nurseries,
Hampton, was awarded the 1st prize for fresh-
looking flowers shown in large bunches, loosely
arranged in glass vases ranging from 10 inches
and upwards in height. Most of the varieties
were of American origin, and the flowers were
large in size, being borne singly on tall, stiff
steins, some of them sufficiently strong as to need
no other support. The exhihits were pleasingly-
assorted as regarded the colours. We remarked
very fine blooms of White Perfection, Mrs. T.
W. Lawson, My Maryland (a white flower of
much substance), Lady Bountiful (pure white,
whereas the previously named variety has occa-
sional crimson-striped petals), White Enchan.
tress, and the rose-pink variety of that name,
Harlowarden, Winsor (a bright rose-pink
variety), Jessica (a crimson-flaked flower), Gov-
ernor Roosevelt (of the same shade of colour
as Harlowarden, but a flower of larger size);
Helen Gould (a massive, manv-petalled bloi in.
large, and a soft pink shade); and the white
form of Mrs. Lawson. The 2nd prize was take i
by Mr. S. Mortimer, Swiss Xursery, Farnham,
Surrey, with a smaller group of blooms, of
which the finer were White Perfection, Fair
Maid, Nelson Fisher (a rich pinkish crimson),
Victory (a smooth-edged scarlet-coloured bloom
of good build), The Belle (a loosely-formed
white flower, with vigorous, self-supporting
stalks) ; Harry Fenn, The Cardinal, and Mrs.
M. A. Patten (crimson flake on a white ground).

( 'oi our Classes.

The following 13 classes were for a specified
number of blooms of one or nearly allied colours
only. In each instance there was a larger class
for 36 blooms, and a corresponding smaller
class for 18 blooms.

White.— The first was that for 36 blooms of a
white variety, and here the 1st prize was w-on
by Mr. W. H. Lancashire, Guernsey, for very
fine flowers of White Perfection ; 2nd, Mr. G.
Lange, Hampton, with White Perfection; 3rd,
Mr. W. H. Page, Tangley Nurseries, Hampton.

In the class for 18 blooms, the 1st prize went
to Messrs. Bell & Sheldon, Guernsey, for

Lady Bountiful ; 2nd, Mr. H. Mathias, Med-
stead, for White Enchantress; 3rd, Mr. S. Mor-
timer, for My Maryland.

Blush (thirty-six blooms). — The 1st prize was
won by Mr. H. Smith, Enfield Highway; 2nd,
Mr. W. H. Page ; 3rd, Mr. W. H. Lancashire.
lhis competition took place between blooms of
Enchantress, high colour being markedly present
in the flowers shown by the winner of the 1st
prize.

For 18 blush varieties there were five com-
petitors, all of whom showed one variety — En-
chantress, the best being those from Messrs.
Bell & Sheldon; 2nd, Mr. S. Mortimer; 3rd.
Mr. H. Mathias.

Salmon or light pink (thirty-six blooms).— The
best were shown by Mr. A. F. DuTTON, Iver,
Bucks, in blooms of the variety Winsor ; 2nd,
Mr. A. Smith, Enfield Highway; 3rd, Mr. H.
Burnett, with the variety named after Mrs. H.
Burnett.

For 18 pink or salmon-coloured varieties —
1st, Messrs. Bell & Sheldon, with Winsor ;
2nd, Mr. H. Mathias, with rose-pink Enchan-
tress.

Deep pink or rose (thirty-six blooms). — Mr.
W. H. Page was placed 1st with the variety
Mrs. T. W. Lawson, of which he showed per-
fect blooms; 2nd, Mr. W. II. Lancashire.

For 18 blooms, one exhibitor took the
1st prize with Aristocrat, a smooth-edged, neat
bloom.

Crimson (thirty-six blooms). — In this compe-
tition, Mr. Dutton was 1st with Harlowarden,
Mr. W. H. Page taking the 2nd prize with Cover- .
nor Roosevelt; 3rd, Mr. W. H. Lancashire.

Starlet (thirty-six blooms). — In tl is class there
were but two competitors, viz., Mr. A. Smith,
Enfield Highway, who secured the 1st prize, and
Mr. W. II. Lancashire, who was awarded the
2nd prize.

In the smaller classes for crimson, scarlet, and
fancy flowers there were few exhibitors, and the
only blooms were the scarlet Britannia, Robert
Craig, and Flamingo ; and Mr. Mathias's Helen
Gould in the fancy class.

Any other colour (thirty-six blooms). — This
was a poorly filled class. The 1st prize fell to
Mr. A. F. Dutton for the showy variety Im-
perial ; 2nd, Mr. Burnett.

The special prize given by Mr. H. Burnett
for 12 blooms of Mrs. H. Burnett was taken by
Mr. W. H. Lancashire ; and that for Britannia,
given by Mr. A. Smith, Enfield Highway, was
won by Messrs. Bell & Sheldon.

A vase of Carnations arranged for decorative
effect. — The 1st prize in this class was awarded
to Sir Randolph Baker, Blandford (gr. A. E.
Usher), for a tall, columnar glass vase having
pink Carnations and Asparagus sprays. The 2nd
prize was awarded to Mr. W. H. Lancashire
for a vase containing Robert Craig and White
Perfection, a vivid contrast of scarlet and white.

Exhibits of sprays and buttonhole bouquets
were few, and presented no new features.

Amateurs' and Gentlemen's Gardeners'
('lasses.

For the best collection of blooms of Carnations
arranged on a table SX4 feet. — The 1st prize
was won by Mr. A. E. Usher (gr. Mr. Bland-
ford), whose flowers were of a moderate degree
of merit; 2nd, Mr. J. G. Weston, Eastwell Park
Gardens, Ashford, with dwarf glasses filled
sparsely with Carnation blooms and sprays
of Asparagus plumosus.

The three-bloom classes of white, blush,
salmon, crimson, scarlet, and fancy varieties
found a few competitors in each.

Certificated Flowers.
Pose-pink Enchantress. — A la-ge bloom, rich in
its tint, and well formed. Its growth is vigor-
ous, the bloom stalk carrying the heavy bloom
erect.

Beacon. — A variety of bright scarlet colour,
and of American origin. Both these new varie-
ties were shown by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co.

Miscellaneous Exhibits.
The large Gold Medal of the Royal Botanic
Society was awarded to Mr. II. Burnett for
an extensive exhibit of Carnations, in which
most of the finer varieties were noted, and soma
seedlings, including yellow ground, flakes, some
pleasing fancies, and selfs.

December 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

421

Mr. J. Lange, nurseryman, Hampton, showed
a similar collection of varieties, more aim id-
antly than the foregoing grower, and was
awarded a Silver Gilt Medal of the Royal
Botanic Society.

Messrs. Bell & Sheldon, of the Castel Nur-
series, Guernsey, exhibited largely Carnations
in vases, most of the finer varieties being re-
presented, and the firm received the I
Botanic Society's Gold Medal.

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
contributed a small number of blooms, includ-
ing some of the varieties Britannia, Aristocrat,
Victory, Beacon, Mrs. M. A. Patten, &c. An
award of the K.B.S. large Silver Medal was
made.

Mr. W. IIomewood, nurseryman, Hampton,
was an exhibitor of cut blooms of Carnations in
some quantity, and among them was noticed
Elizabeth, a glowing scarlet-coloured flow
regular form, and Rose IIomewood, a ] i tty
cerise variety.

A large Silver Medal was awarded to 11
Hugh Low & Co. for a collection of Carnations,
including Mikado, Salmon Lawson, Aurora,
Aristocrat, Beacon, Oriflamme, Enchantresses
of several tints, Mauviana, a rosy-purple variety
of a new tint entirely, &c.

Mr. C. ENGELMANN, Horneybrook Nurseries,
Saffron Walden, was an exhibitor of Carnati m
in pots, each plant bearing two or three blooms
and a succession of buds. Many of the blooms
were of extra large dimensions. The exhibitor
was awarded a Silver Gilt Medal.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

December 9. — A meeting of the Executive
Committee was held on this date at Carr's
Restaurant, Strand, Mr. T. Bevan presiding.
Certain questions were submitted for adjudica-
tion by the Enfield, Wimbledon, and St. Ives
affiliated societies, and decisions were given. A
proposal from Messrs. Norman Davis, Godfrey,
and Wells was read, offering to contribute £5
each towards a class for 24 cut blooms at next
year's show, providing the Society offered the
second and third prizes. Much discussion
ensued as to the advisability of continuing the
December exhibition, and the matter was post-
poned for further consideration.

The dates for the 1908 shows were fixed as
follow: — October 7 and 8, and November 4, 5,
and 6; the December event to be settled later
if a show is decided upon.

It was announced that prize money to the
value of £37 10s. was awarded at the December
show, and that all the prize money won at the
three shows would be paid forthwith.

EXHIBITION OF MARKET VARIETIES.

December 11.— The exhibition of market
varieties of Chrysanthemum, held in the
Foreign Flower Market, Covent Garden, on this
date, was more interesting than usual, although
the classes provided for Carnations were en-
tirely unrepresented. The entries in the other
classes were numerous, the quality of the
blooms was excellent, and the varied colours
rendered the display most attractive.

Class 1 called for a collection of market
Chrysanthemums in bunches, to fill a table
space measuring 15 feet by 3 feet, and here Mr.
P. Ladds, Swanley, won premier honours for a
magnificent display of fine blooms, bright and
fresh in colour, amongst which the most promi-
nent were Yellow Victoria, Matthew Hodgson,
Golden Age, Mrs. P. Thompson, Negoya,
Winter Cheer, Framfield Park, Snowdrift, and
Lady Lennard.

In class 2, for a collection of blooms in a
space 10 feet by 3 feet, Messrs. Butler Bros.,
Bexley Heath, were 1st, showing many varieties
with good blooms. Mr. J. Tulley, Enfield,
was a c'ose 2nd with fresh, handsome blooms.
3rd, Mr. F. S. Goundrie, Dartford, Kent, his
flowers being smaller but varied and brightly
coloured.

Single Chrysanthemums. — These were well
shown by Mr. J. Tulley, who had the leading
prize for three vases, showing Mona, Ryecroft
Belle, and General Bullough. In the class for
a collection of single Chrysanthemums, Mr.
Goundrie was given the 2nd prize for the best
■varied collection.

Plumed Chrysanthemums were not shown in
great numbers. Messrs. J. &• F. Chatfield

were awarded the 1st prize in the class for
three vases, all of May McBean, a fine bronze
variety.

In the class for 12 vases of market Chrysan.
themums, Mr. Philip Ladds, Swanley, won the
1st prize, his varieties comprising Buttercup,
Mrs. J. Thompson, Negoya, Mme. Oberthur,
Golden Age, Mr. Plodgson, Framfield Pi
Mme. T. l'ankoucke, Mme. P. Radaelli,
drift, and Winter Cheer. Mr. R. Weir, 3, 1 i
View Villas, Enfield Highway, followed clo
his best blooms being Mrs. J. Thompson and
Negoya.

A class was provided for a collection of
market Chrysanthemums in bunches of sprays
not disbudded, to fill a table space of 15 feet
by 3 feet. Mr. P. Ladds won 1st honours for a
bright and varied arrangement, the most promi-
nent varieties being Germainia, Yellow Victoria,
Ailman's Yellow, Kin? of the Plumes, Ti
Crimson Quintus, Niveum, Winter Cheer, Whit
Victoria, Golden Age, and Lizzie Adcock.

Three vases of a yellow variety. — The class
for three vases of yellow market Chrysanthe-
mums was a good one, both in competition and
quality. Mr. J. Tulley, Rose Nursery, Enfield
was deservedly 1st for three vases of
superb blooms, the best variety being Negoya.
2nd, Mr. R. WEIR, with the same variety, but
not quite such good blooms.

White. — There was an excellent display in
this class lor three vases of a white variety.
Mr. R. YYmu secured the 1st prize, sh
Guy Hamilton in admirable form. Mr. M.
Hutching! , Hill . was 2nd.

Bronze.— The best three vases of a bronze
market Chrysanthemum were shown by Mi P.
LADDS, having Tuxedo in excellent condition.
Messrs. J. Sc F. CHATFIELD weie 2nd will
F. Chatfield, an Incurved Japanese bloom of a
peculiarly dull reddish tint.

Pin*.— Mr. P. Ladds was 1 I foi three vases
of a pink Chrysanthemum, with Framfield Pink
in excellent form. 2nd, Messrs. J. & F. Chat-
field, Southwick.

Crimson.— Mi. R. Weir was awarded the ls.t
for three vases of crimson Chrysanthe-
mums, his variety being Lady Violet Beaumont,
large and rich in colour. Mr. P. I. adds followed
closely with Matthew Hodgson.

Packed boxt I of Chrysanthemums. — For the
best-packed two boxes of market Chrysanthe-
mums, Mr. R. Weir was awarded the 1st prize,
showing 3G blooms of Snowdrift in ex-
cellent "form, and all arranged in a large box in
rows of four blooms each. Mr. J. Tulley was
2nd, showing Frank Wilcox arranged in a more
compact way than the preceding exhibit.

A dozen different styles and varieties of pack-
ing were shown in this class.

For a table of one variety of a market Chry-
santhemum, Mr. R. Weir was placed 1st with a
grand display of Guy Hamilton, Mr. P. Ladds
following with Framfield Pink in capital con-
dition ; and Messrs. Butler Bros., Bexley
Heath, were 3rd with the bronze Mabel Butler.

Plants.— In the class for a group of pot-grown
Chrysanthemums, Mr. M. Hutchings, Hilling-
don^ Uxbridge, won the leading prize for a neat
and effective arrangement of well-grown plants.
Messrs. Butler Bros, were placed 2nd with
good plants, but a little too densely arranged.

In the class for six plants of decorative Chry-
santhemums in pots, Mr. M. Hutchings was
adjudged the best exhibitor, and Messrs. Butler
Bros, won the 2nd prize, both showing plants of
a medium size and in a healthy condition.

It is a great advantage to have the fine
spacious hall of the Flower Market at command
for the purpose of a show like this, and the
committee fully appreciate the boon conferred
bv the market authorities.

NATIONAL SWEET PEA

December 6. — The annual general meeting of
this society was held on this date at the Hotel
Windsor, Westminster. About 40 of the mem-
bers assembled. Mr. Leonard Sutton, the
President, occupied the chair, and he moved
the adoption of the yearly report and balance-
sheet. We make the following extracts : —

Report of the Executive Committee.

"The exhibition, the Reading trials, the Floral
Committee's ■ work, and the new affiliation
scheme have all been eminently successful.

Fortunatelv, the date of the show in 1907 was

later than usual, and July 16 found Sweet Peas
in grand condition throughout the southern
counties, so that the display was more extensive
and the flowers better than at any previous
exhibition.

The extensive trials conducted at Reading
University College were a great success, and
the committee wishes to express its thanks to
the College authorities for the opportunity of
holding independent trials in its grounds, and
to Mr. Chas. Foster, the Assistant Director in
Horticulture, for the admirable manner in which
the Sweet Peas were arranged and grown. If
the society is to continue this work on the scale*
that seems desirable, further assistance is neces-
sary, either in the form of voluntary contribu-
tions from raisers and others to whom the trials
are of special value; a charge for every variety
tested ; or an increase of the minimum membei-
ship subscription.

At the Royal Horticultural Hall no fewer than
l.'il varieties were placed before the Floral Com-
mittee.

The following awards were made by the Floral
Committee at the Royal Horticultural Hall, July
16: — Award of Merit. — To Elsie Herbert (C. W.
Breadmore), Evelyn Hemus (Miss Ilcrnus),
Nancy 1'erkin (H. A. Perkin), Rosie Adam [T.
son), Saint George (Hurst <v Son), Silas
Coif (S. Cole), and The Marquis (Dobbie &
Co.). At the Reading trials, July 18: Silvei
Medal. — To Saint George (Hurst & Son), as the
best novelty of the year. First Class Certifi-
cate.— To Saint George (Hurst & Son), and
I Pierce (H, Eckford). Award of Merit. —
To Princess Victoria (Dobbie & Col, Nora
i (Watkins & Simpson), l i Ison (I.

& Son), and Prince Olaf (Dobbie & Co.).

Early in the year the hon. secretary received

requests from several societies for guidance in

uing Sweet Pea classes, and for help in

the shape of Silver Medals. These enquiries

ted the desirability of an affiliation

scheme, and 22 societies have become affiliated.

One of the most pleasing and interesting fea-
tures of the Sweet Pea year was the visit of
Mr. W. Atlee Burpee, of Philadelphia.

I ' committee has been greatly encouraged
by fhe increase of membership during 1907.
Two hundred and twenty-eight new members
were added, and already 17 others have joined
for 1908. Allowing for losses by death and
other causes, the total membership is now 602.

Arrangements have been made to hold the
London Show at the Royal Horticultural Hall
on Friday, July 24, 1908. The committee fully
recognises the fact that this is a late date, but
it was impossible to obtain any date- between
July 3 and July 24, and the latter was chosen
as most likely to suit the majority of members.
In connection with the Royal Horticultural
Society of Ireland, an exhibition will be held
in Dublin on Wednesday, August 5, 1908.

The sales of the Sweet Pea Annual for- 1907
amounted to about £21, as compared with
E15 1 7s. in 1906.

The balance on the year's working (£37 14s.
4d.) is smaller than in 1906, but the work accom-
plished has been greater and of more importance
than heretofore."

The adoption of the report was seconded by
Mr. Geo. Gordon, and supported by Mr. Alex.
Dean, who congratulated the society on its ex-
cellent report. The next business was the elec-
tion of officers for the ensuing year. Mr. W.
Cuthbertson, one of the two promoters of the
bi-centenary exhibition of the Sweet Pea held
at the Crystal Palace in 1900, was elected presi-
dent ; Mr. Ernest J. Edwards, chairman of
committee. Mr. C. H. Curtis was re-elecied
secretary amid great enthusiasm, and he was
asked to accept a sum of £25 as an honorarium
for his services during the past year. The
committee was also elected, vacancies being
filled by the election of Messrs. Walter P. Wright,
T. Stevenson, Herbert Smith, Leonard Sutton,
John Shaw, A. G. Stark, Commander Hum-
phries, E. King, and Martin Hitc'iin.

A gold medal, suitably inscribed, was pre-
sented to Mr. Chas. Foster for his serviees in
conducting the trials in University College Gar-
dens, Reading.

Mr. Robert Sydenham proposed the holding
of the show on two days instead of on one as
at present. The arrangements for 190B being
already fixed, it was considered impossible to
hold a two days' show next year, but the sub-
ject was referred to the Executive Committee

4'J2

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 1907.

to consider for the 1909 show. In this connec-
tion the question of replenishing the vases with
fresii flowers on the second day was considered,
but 'the general opinion was that growers at a
distance would be at a disadvantage, and that
it should not be permitted.

Mr. Cuthbertson advocated that the chairman
of the Floral Committee should also be, ex
officio, a member of the Executive Committee,
and this was decided upon.

Mr. Cuthbertson appealed for more members
and increased funds to enable the society to con-
duct further experiments and to increase the re-
muneration to the hon. secretary. lie advo-
cated an American membership, with a dollar
subscription. The question of new varieties
was a serious one, and would prove a curse
instead of a blessing unless the society exer-
cised its authority in regard to their regulation.

NATIONAL POTATO.

December 10. — The annual genera meeting
of this society was held in the Hotel Windsor
on the above date, and it proved to be the last
that will be held under these auspices. The
committee's report was as follows: —

" In accordance with a resolution passed at
the last annual meeting, a provincial show was
arranged at the South-Eastem Agricultural Col-
lege at Wye, on October 2, under the direction
of Mr. W. P. Wright, the horticultural superin-
tendent of that institution. The entries in the
34 classes numbered about 250, and throughout
the show a very high standard of excellence
was reached, evoking the unstinted praise of
the many visitors. The reports in the horticul-
tural and county Press testified to the splendid
quality of the exhibits. A new departure,
which thoroughly justified its introduction, was
a series of county vegetable competitions for
prizes kindly offered by Kent nurserymen, and
in this section there was also a meritorious dis-
play of produce.

" In the afternoon there was a large attend-
ance of members in the lecture-room at a con-
ference, over which Mr. J. K. Dunstan, the
principal, presided, and to whose cordial co-
operation the committee are greatly indebted
in arranging the show. An informative lantern
lecture on ' Potato Diseases ' was given by Mr.
E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., followed by a useful
discussion.

" The committee have been able to continue
the valuable series of trials at the Cambridge
University farm at Impington, under the able
direction of Mr. H. Henshaw. Ten varieties
have been included in the major trials, and four
in the minor trials. The trials arranged in the
local centres have been for the purpose of test-
ing the effects of planting diseased seed, mature
and immature seed, and sprouted and un-
sprouted tubers.

" During the year the society has been able
to render a practical service in the dissemina-
tion of information bearing on Potato culture,
i.i response to enquiries received from various
parts of the Empire.

" Although a successful year's work has been
accomplished, after careful consideration the
committee have come to the conclusion that it
is not advisable to continue the society i:i Us
•present constitution. A resolution is to be pro-
posed formally dissolving the society, with a
view to considering the possibility, at a future
date, of forming a new society which will in-
clude all vegetables within the scope of its
operations.''

Mr. Walter 1'. Wright, who presided, pro-
posed the adoption of the report, which was
carried.

The following resolution was also adopted- —
" That this meeting of members of the National
Potato Society agree that the society be now
dissolved, with a view, if possible, of steps
being taken at a future date to consider the
possibility of starting a new association which
will include all vegetables in its operations."

The turn-over for the past year amounted to
£168. All debts had been paid, and it was
agreed that a small balance which remained
should be given to the honorary secretary, Mr.
W. H. Adsett, as an honorarium for his past
•ervices.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

November 28. — Committee present : Messrs. E.
Ashworth, R. Ashworth, Ward, Warburton,
Ashton, Shill, Sander, Cypher, H. H. Smith,
P. Smith, Ball, Parker, and Weathers (hon. sec).

In future, the exhibition will remain open
until 4 o'clock p.m. instead of 3 p.m.

Nineteen groups of plants were staged, and
the building could not properly accommodate
the exhibits.

Cypripediums were largely in evidence : 90
per cent, of the plants shown belonged to this
genus.

G. Shorland Ball, Esq., Burton, Westmor-
land (gr. Mr. Herdman), exhibited a group of
Cypripediums of which C. X Leeanum, Under
Fell var., C. insigne var. Aberdeen, C. i. macu-
latum var. nigrum, C. i. Chantinii var. Lin-
denii, G. S. Ball's variety, in the group were
given Awards of Merit. The group also con-
tained C. X triumphans, C. X Maudiae, and
C. insigne, " Harefield Hall variety." (Silver
Medal.)

J. McCartney, Esq., Bolton (gr. Mr.
Holmes), was awarded a Bronze Medal for a
group of Cypripediums. C. X Leeanum, " Hey
House variety," was given an Award of Merit.

Mr. W. Bolton, Warrington, was awarded a
Bronze Medal for a group of plants, Cymbidium
X Holfordianum, a distinct hybrid, being voted
an Award of Merit.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rainhill, Lanes, (gr.
Mr. Morgan), displayed a group of Cypripe-
diums, of which C. X Gaston Bultel, " King
Edward variety," was awarded a First-Class
Certificate, and C. X Leander var. superbum,
an Award of Merit. Other notable plants in-
cluded C. bellatulum var. album, C. X Priam,
and C. niveum var. Goliath. (Silver Medal.)

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mi.
Dalgleish), was awaided a Silver Medal for a
choice group of plEnts consisting principally of
( \ pripediums, the whole being relieved by a
few well-grown plant- of Odoriloglossum in
variety. Cypripedium x Nandii received a
First-Class' Certificate ; and those following
were granted Awards of Merit: — Cypripedium
insigne, Skinner's variety, C. X Mrs. Tautz, C.
x Milo var. magnificum, and Odontoglossum x
Wilckeanum, " Warburton's variety."

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Enfield, exhibited
an albino form of Odontoglossum Rossii, called
" immaculatum." (Award of Merit.)

Messrs. Sander fc Sons, St. Albans, exhibited
their variety of Cypripedium X Niobe, which
is one of the best forms extant. This plant and
C. X Rufus were granted Awards of Merit.

E. Kogerson, Esq., Didsbury (gr. Mr. Price),
gained an Award of Merit for Cypripedium
Actaeus var. Simonii.

Messrs. James Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
exhibited a fine group of plants, in which were
some well-grow. i Cypripediums, Dendrobiums,
and Cattleyas. (Silver Medal.)

J. II. Craven, Esq., Keighley (gr. Mr. Cor-
ney), was awarded a Silver Medal for a group
of plants that included several good forms of
Cypripedium insigne, C. X Leeanum, and C.
X Actaeus.

Norman C. Cookson, Esq., Wylam-on-Tyne
(gr. Mr. Chapman), staged a few interesting
plants, the chief one being Cypripedium X San-
ac-derae, a compound hybiid of beautiful
quality. (First-Class Certificate.) C. insigne
S.anderae, " Oakwrod raised," also received a
First-Class Certificate. C. X calloso-niveum re-
ceived an Award of Merit.

S. Gratrix, Whalley Range (gr. Mr. Shill), re-
ceived Awards of Merit for Cypripedium x
Mary Barff and C. X nitens, " Cobb's variety."

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Bradford,
staged an exhibit of plants that were rich in
variety and quality. Cattleya Dowiana var.
rosita was the most interesting plant in the
group. It may best be described as an almost
red variety of this favourite Orchid. (Silver
Medal.) Cattleya x Millie received an Award
of Merit.

ZlBA A. Warp, Esq., Northenden, exhibited
Cypripedium insigne var. Cringlewoodensis.

R. 1'Arrkr, Esq., Ingleborough, received an
Award of Merit for his variety of Cypripedium
Fairrieanum

Messrs. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill.
Bradford, exhibited Bulbophyllum barbigerum.

Mr. D. McLeod, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, was
awarded a Bronze Medal for a small but in-
teresting group of Cypripediums.

Mr. J. Robson, Altrincham, also obtained a
Bronze Medal for a group of Cypripediums.

Mr. W. Shackleton was awarded a Bronze
Medal for a small group of Orchids.

J. Leemann, Esq., Heaton Mersey (gr. Mr.
Smith), staged a fine display of Cypripediums,
to which a Silver Medal was awarded.

G. H. Peace, Esq., Monton Green (gr. Mr.
Mace), was awarded a Bronze Medal for a group
of Orchids. P. W.

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB SHOW.

December 9-13. — Messrs. Sutton & Sons,
Reading, showed roots on a lavish scale and of
astonishing size, more especially the varieties
of Mangolds, namely, Prizewinner, the heaviest
variety yet raised, crops of which have been
grown of 150 tons per statute acre. There were
fine large and shapely specimens of Swedes in a
mound of roots consisting of Magnum Bonum.
It is a handsome, purpkMop variety, which is of
rapid growth and very productive. Crimson King
is another great cropper, good for early feeding.
A yellow-fleshed Swede (new), named Sutton's
Long Keeper, and immense cropper, and im-
mune from disease, was noted ; and likewise
others, as Centenary and Favourite, Purple Top,
and Aberdeen Turnip. The display of Grass
seeds is noteworthy, the firm having an estab-
lished reputation for permanent and temporary
Grasses. Potatos were abundantly shown on
this stand, many of the firm's introductions that
have given so much satisfaction being in evi-
dence. They had also fine specimens of Onions
and Tomatos.

Messrs. John King & Sons, Coggeshall, Essex,
and Reading, made an imposing exhibit of roots,
of which we may make mention of the Mighty
Atom, a very distinct-looking seedling Potato,
obtained by much re-crossing. It is cultivated
in South Africa, where it yields four crops in a
year. A red kidney, named Senator, is hand-
some, of fine table and cropping qualities ;
Alpha, Lord of the Isles, Rentpayer, Victorious,
The Shamrock (across beiween Scotch Champion
and Up-to-Date, a round tuber, with a rough
skin and floury when cooked, a heavy cropper
and free from disease). Duke of Cornwall is a
large kidney Potato of good quality. Other
roots were Onions, Parsnips, Carrots, &c. Many
varieties of garden Peas, and of such things as
Scottish Chieftain White, and Champion Black
Oats, Chevalier Barley, &c, were shown.

Messrs. J. Carter & Co., seedsmen, High
Ilolborn, London, made an immense exhibition
of gigantic Mangolds, such as the Windsor (a
yellow bulb). Intermediate (a long, yellow), Car-
ter's Tankard, Mammoth, Emperor, and Gold-
finder (a globular, red variety). The purple-top
Elephant Swede and other roots, almost exclu-
sively of agricultural interest, were observed.
Very nice samples of seeds of Oat, Wheat, and
Barley were among the exhibits, and a few
shapely Potatos were also observed.

Mr. Alexander Blatchford, seed grower,
Coventry, had an interesting exhibit of the bet-
ter class of garden Peas, including Prince Ed-
ward (a blue, wrinkled Pea, a heavy' cropper),
Gradus, Essex Star (a famous early market Pea),
etc. Ailsa Craig Carrot, Cheltenham Beet (a se-
lected, fine strain), Lisbonnais Parsnip (very
large roots), and Magnum Bonum Model Carrot
were remarked.

Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stonrbri 'ge, had a fire
sample of their new Potato, Colonist, and their
exhibit of older varieties was extensive and in-
s,i iic live ; whilst their exhibit of roots, Mangolds,
Swedes, was very imposing in extent and quality.

Other exhibitors of horticultural or agricul-
tural produce included Messrs. T. A. Scar-
lett, 22 and 23, Market Street, Edinburgh ;
Carton's, Warrington; Isaac Poad & Sons,
York; R. W. Green, Wisbech; Fidler & Sons,
Reading ; Jas. Gardner, Perth ; J. Reid, Ford-
house, Montrose ; A. J. Sole, Swinesherd, Lin-
colnshire ; The British Columbian Government ;
Richard Smith & Co., Worcester; W. & J.
Brown, Stamford ; J. Morrison, Marlborough ;
Dicksons, Chester ; Home & Sons, Rochester,
Kent ; Harrison &- Sons, Leicester ; and the
King's Acre Nursery Co., Hereford.

December 14, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

423

ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL.

December 7. — The annual general meeting of
the Aberdeen branch of this society was held
in the Aberdeen University buildings on the
above date, Mr. S. J. Gammel, of Drumtochty
and Countesswells, presiding.

The annual report showed that the member-
ship of the branch had slightly increased. Re-
gret was expressed that greater advantage had
not been taken of the offer of prizes to assistant
foresters for essays on forestry subjects. The
treasurer's report showed a credit balance.

Mr. Robert Scott, solicitor, Aberdeen, was re-
appointed secretary.

With regard to the forthcoming show of the
Highland and Agricultural Society in Aberdeen,
it was decided to appoint a sub-committee to
further the interests of the forestry department
at that show.

After the business had been concluded, Mr.
John Clark, forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen-
shire, read a paper on "The Woods in East
Aberdeenshire," many of which he had visited
during the past six months.

DUBLIN SEED AND NURSERY
EMPLOYES.

December 7. — In the Gresham Hotel, Dublin,
on this date, the members of the above associa-
tion held their fourth annual social re-union and
dinner, the newly-elected president, Mr. D.
MacLeod, occupying the chair.

Mr. G. Rice, in proposing the toast of " The
Dublin Seed and Nursery Employes' Associa-
tion," said he hoped the seed sown by the re-
sponsible members of that association w»uld
bear good fruit.

Mr. D. MacLeod responded, and strongly ad-
vised every member of the seed trade in Dublin
to take an active interest in the working of the
society. He said the time was coming when
young men with certificates from such associa-
tions as theirs would receive the preference in
the trade.

The president distribute:! the prizes offered for
the best collections of weeds, and to the suc-
cessful competitors in the society's examination.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Mr. A. Jewell, late General Foreman at Bolnore Gardens,
Haywaru's Heath, as Gardener to H. Ramsbotham,
Esq., Crowboro' Warren, Sussex.

Mr. R. Davidson, late Gardener at Culford Hall, Bury St.
Edmunds, for the past 12 years, as Gardener to Sir
George and Lady Bulloigh, Kinloch Castle, Rhuin,
by Oban, N.B.

Mr. J. Coutts, for 2t years as Inside Foreman in The
Gardens, Rossie Priory, Inchture, Perthshire, N.B., as
Gardener to M. R. Prvor, Esq., Weston Park, Stevenage,
Herts. (The 2s. 6d. has been placed in R.G.O.F. Box.)

Mr. D. McGregor, for the past 2 years and 9 months
employed in the gardens of the Rt. Hon. J. Parker
Smith, Jordanhill, Glasgow, as Gardener to Mrs.
Farie, Baronald, Lanark. (The contribution has been
placed in R.G.O.F. Box.)

Mr. G. Calvert, for the past 4| years Gardener to Percy
Macquoid, Esq., J. P., Ramsbury, Hungerford, Wilts.,
as Gardener to Sir Bache Cunard, Bart., Nevill Holt,
Market Harboro*, Leicester.

Mr. J. W. Bentley, for the past 6 years Foreman in the
gardens at Aldcrbrook, Cranleigh, as Gardener to Mark
Fenwick, Esq., Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold, Glos.

Mr. T. E. Tomalin, for the past 4 years Foreman at
Middleton Park, Bicester, as Gardener to the Rt. Hon.
the Earl of Bessborough, Bessborough, Piltown, Co.
Kilkenny.

Mr. Albert Russell as Head Gardener to E. Tostal
Broadhurst, Esq., The Manor House, North Rode,
Congleton, Cheshire. Mr. Russell was previously for
5 years in the service of Fitzherbert Wright, Esq.,
The Hayes, Alfreton, Derby.

Mr. Frederick C. Trevorah, late deputy Carnation
grower to Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park
Nurseries, Enfield, as Carnation grower to the Duke of
Marlborough.

TRADE NOTICE.

Mr, Geo. Hammond has joined Mr. W. H. Hardy as
Manager of the nurseries at 3, Incle Bridge, Gosforth, New-
castle-on-Tyne.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's Road, Chelsea — Straw-
berries.

Wm. Lumley, Dawn Nurseries, Denvilles, Havant — Sweet
Peas.

Robt. Bolton, Warton, Carnforth— Sweet Peas.

W. Bull & Sons, King's Road, Chelsea— Seeds.

MARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN, December 11.

[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several limes
in one day. — Ed.]

Cut Flowers, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Lilium longiflorum 2 6-40

Acacia (Mimosa),
dozen bunches

Aneuiones.dz.bchs.

Azalea, white, per
dozen bunches

Bouvardia.dz.bchs.

Calla asthiopica, p.
dozen

— Guernsey
Camellias, per dz.
Carnations, per

dozen blooms,
best American
various

— second size ...

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

Cattleyas, per doz.
blooms

Chrysanthem u m s,
best specimen
blooms, pi n!.'.

— selected blms.,
per dozen

— medium, doz.
bunches

Cyclamen, ; i

bunch;
Cypripediurnc, per

dozen blooms,.
Daffodils, p. bunch
Eucharis gianJi-

flora, per doz.

blooms
Gardenias, per doz.

blooms

Gladiolus, various

hybrids, per dz.

spikes

— Brenchleyensis
Hyacinths, Koman,

perdz. bunches
"t L2 Mooins ...

Lilac (French), per
bunch

Lilium auratum ...

— Ian c if > li urn,
nibru n and
album ... ' ...

d.

s.d.

0-9 0
0-2 0

0-4 0
0-8 0

0-5 0
0-3 0
0-2 6

0-
6-

4 0

2 0

0-

12 0

0-

10 0

0-

G 0

0-

3 0

0-

is o

0-

60

0-
0-

26
1 3

0-3 0

6-

3 6

0-2 0
6-2 0

0-10 0

0-
0-

40
3 0

0-

2 6

16-20

8 0-12 0
12 0-15 0

2 0-30
2 0-30

2 0-30

1 0-
3 0-

1 6
3 6

tigrinuin
Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bundles

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, white,

p. dz. bunches

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

Mignonette, perdz.

bundles
Narcissus, paper

white, per doz.

bunches

— boleil d'Or, per
dozen bunches

O dontoglossum

crispum, per

dozen blooms
Pelargonium'-,

show, per dcz.

bundles

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Poinsettias, per dz.
Ranunculus, p. dz.

bunches
Roses, 12 blooms,

Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— Ka i se r i n A.
Victoria, per
dozen I

— Mrs. J. Laing

— t . Merniet

— Liberty

— Mad. Chatenay
Safrano (French).

per dz. bunches 9 0-12 0
Spiraea, doz. bches. 5 0-80
Stephanotis, per

dozen trusses 4 0-60
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms ... 0 4-06

Tulips.dz. bunches 10-16
Violets, p. dz. bchs. 10-20

— special quality 2 6-30

— Parmas, p. bch. 2 0-40

2 6-30

4 0-60

4 0-60

8 0-10 0

8 0-12 0

10-30
2 6-40
•2030

2 6-40
10-30
2 0-36
2 0-60
2 0-50

Cut Foliage, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

1 0-
0 6-

s.d. s.d.
Adiantum cunea-

luni, dz. bchs. 4 0-60
Asparagus plu-

mosus, long

trails, per doz. 8 0-12 0

— — medium,

bunch ...

— Sprengeri
Berl eris, per doz.

bunches
Crotou leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Fern, English, per

dozen bunches 10-20

— French, perdz.
bunches ... 10-30

Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches... 2 0- 2 6 i

10-13
16-20

s.d. s.d.
Hardy foliage

I various), per

dozen bunches 3 0-90
Iris fcetida fruiis,

p. dz. bunches 5 0-60
Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-26

— long trails per
bundle 16-30

— short green,

perdz. bunches 16-26
Moss, per gross ... 4 0-50
Myrtle (English),

small-leaved,

doz. bunches... 4 0-60

— French, per dz.
bunches ... 10-16

Pernettya.p.bunch 0 6-09
Smilax, per dozen

trails 2 0-30

Plants In Pots, &c. Average Wholesale Prices.

Ampelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen

Aralia Sieboldi, dz.

— larger

— Moseri, per dz.
Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

Aspidistras, green,

per dozen

— variegated, per
dozen

Asparagus plumo-
sus nanus, doz.

— Sprengeri, dz.

— tenuissimus
per dozen

Azalea indica
Begonia Gloire de

Lorraine, p.dz.
Bouvardias, per dz.
Callas, per dozen...
Chrysanthem um s,

per dozen

— best disbudded
Clematis, per doz.
C ocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen
Crotons, per dozen
Cyclamen, per doz.
Cyperus alternifo-

lius, dozen

— laxus, per doz.
Dracaenas, per doz.

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80
4 0-60
9 0-12 0
6 0-12 0

12 0-30 0

18 0-30 0

30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0

8 0-10 0

9 0-12 0
24 0-36 0

8 0-15 0
6 0-80

10 0-12 0

9 0-12 0
18 0 24 0

8 0-90

18 0-30 0
18 0-30 0

9 0-12 0

4 0-50
4 0-50

9 0-24 0

s.d. s.d.
Erica gracilis, doz. 10 0-12 0

— nivalis, per dz. 12 0-15 0

— hyemalis ... 12 0-18 0
Euonymus, per dz. 4 0-90
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 7 0-10 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48*s, perdz. 4 0-10 0

— in 32's, per dz. 10 0-18 0
Ficus elastica, dz. 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 4 0-60
Hyacinths (Roman),

per dozen pots 12 0-15 0
Kentia Belniore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-30 0

— Fosteriana, per

dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 12 0-iy 0

Lilium longi-
florum, per dz. 15 0-24 0

— lancif o li um,

per dozen ... 12 0-13 0
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 6 0-80
Poinsettias, perdz. 9 0-12 0
Selaginella, perdz. 4 0-60
Solanums, per doz. 5 0-90
Spiraea japonica.dz. 8 0-12 0
Veronicas, per dz. 4 0-60

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples (English),
per bushel :

— Wellington ... 5

— Northern Green-
ing 4

— Newton Won-
der 5

Bramley'sSeed-
ling 5

— Lord Derby ... 5

— Peasgood's
Nonsuch ... 5

— King Pippins... 4

— Blenheim Pip-
pin 4

— Cox's Orange
Pippin, & sieve 7
Nova Scotian,
per barrel ;

— Ribston Pippin 14

— Gloria Mundi 15

— Blenheims ... 16

— King's 15

— New York Im-
perialists ... 20
Canadian, per
barrel :

— Northern Spy.. 17

— King of the
Pippins ... 17

— Baldwin ... 15

— N. Greening... 16

— Ribston Pippin 16

— Blenheim Pip-
pin
Californian :

— Newtowns, per
box

— "Oregon'
Newtowns. per
box

Avocado Pears, per
dozen

Bananas, bunch :

— No. 2 Canai y .

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giants ,, ...

— Jamaica

— Loose, per dz.
Cranberries, p. case
"Custard" Apple

(Anona) per doz.
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

Grape Fruit, ca?e
Grapes (English),

— Alicante, per lb.

— Gros Colmat,
per lb

19

12

d s.d.
0-7 0

0-5 6

0-6 6

0-
0-

7 0
60

0-
6-

7 0
60

6-

6 0

0-

14 0

0-15 0
0-16 o
0-17 6
0-16 0

0-21 0

0-19 0

0-18 0
0-17 0
0-18 0
0-18 0

0-21 0

0-12 0

0-14 0

0-8 0

0-6 6
0-7 6
0-8 6
6-10 0
0-5 6
9- 1 3
6-7 6

0-

12 0

6-4 9

0-11 0

6-

1 0

8-

1 6

Grapes, English
Muscats, p. lb.

— Canon Hall,
per lb

— Belgian Col-
mar, per lb. ...

— Almeria, per
barrel

Lemors :

— Malaga, case...

— Messina, case

— Naples, p. case
Lychees, per box...
Mandarines, per

box

Mangoes, per doz.

Medlars (English),
i sieve

Nuts, Cobs (Eng-
lish), per lb. ...

— GrenoblesWal-
nuts, per bag...

— Almonds, bag

— Brazils, new,
perewt.

— Barcelona, per
bag

— Cocoa nuts, 100
Chestnuts :

— Italian, per bag

— Redon, per bag
Oranges (Jamaican)

per case

— Almeria, case..

— Valencia, case

— Denia, p. case

— Jaffas, per box
Pears (English),

per

s.d. s.d.
2 0-40
2 0-50

0 8-10

10 0-20 0

14 0-15 0
10 0-1H 0
17 0 24 0

1 0 —

10-13
4 0-80

7 6-86
42 6 —

32 6 —
12 0-16 0

12 0-15 0
7 0-90

5 6-96
10 6-12 0

7 0-15 0
12 0-20 0

6 6-76

du

per

Catillac
bushel ...

— Doyenne"
Cornice,
dozen

— Pitmaston
Duchess, per
dozen

— French, Doy-
enn£duComice
per crate

— Beurre Magni-
fique, per box

— Catillac, Dutch
per basket

— per barrel

— Glou Morceau
(French), per
box

— Winter Nelis
per box

Pineapples, each ...

4 6-60

16-40

16-26

10 0-11 0
10 0 —

2 6-

10 0 —

9 0-10 6

16 0-18 0
2 6-50

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(French)

per dozen
Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle
Beans, French, per

packet

— Guernsey,-p.lb.

— Madeira, per
basket

Beetroot, bushel ...
Brussel Sprouts,

J sieve
Cabbages, per doz.

— Greens, bag ...

— red, per dozen

— Savoys, per
tally

Carrots (English),

— washed, p. bag

— French (new),
per pad

Cauliflowers, p. dz.

— per tally
Celeriac (French),

per dozen

Celery, washed, per
dozen

Chicory, per lb. ...

Chow Chow (Sec-
hium edule),p.
dozen

Cucumbers, perdz.

Endive, per dozen

Horseradish, for-
eign, per doz.
bundles

Leeks, 12 bundles

s.d. s.d.

3 0-36

4 0-46
0 5-06

0 3-04
0 6-07

3 0-36
13-16

10-16

0 6-09

1 0 —

2 0 —

3 0 —

2 6 —

3 6-39
16-20
7 0-10 0

16-19

0 8-0 10
0 3-0 3J

3 0 —
2 0-36

16-20

10 0-12 0
10-16

Lettuce (French),
per dozen

— Cos (French),
per dozen

Mint, doz. bunches

Mushrooms(house)

per lb

— buttons, per lb.

— "Broilers"p.lb.
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Spanish),
per case

— Dutch, per bag

— pickling, per
bushel

Parsley, 12bunches

— $ bushel
Potatos (French),

new, per lb. ...
Salsafy, per dozen

bundles
Seakale, per dozen

punnets
Spinach, English,

per bushel ...
Tomatos, selected,

per dozen lbs.

— small selected,
per dozen lbs.

— Teneriffe, per
bundle of four
boxes

Turnips (English),
doz. bunches...

— per bag
Watercress, per

doz. bunches...

s.d. s d.
11-14

5 9-60

0 9-10

0 10- 1 0
0 10- 1 0
0 8-09

5 0-56
4 0 -

2 0-26
16-19

1 0- 1 C

0 4£ —

3 6-
12 0 14 9

2 0 —

2 9-40
2 6-36

11 0-14 0

2 0-30
2 6 —

0 4-06

Remarks. — Apples continue to arrive in large quantities
and are cheap, with the exception of good samples of the
varieties Northern Greening and Wellington. As is to be
expected at Christmas time, Oranges have made an advance
in price ; the quality of these fruits generally is not good, but
those arriving from Jamaica are decidedly the best. Tene-
riffe Tomatos are much dearer, in consequence of the home
supplies being nearly finished. There is a slight improve-
ment in the trade for English hot-house Grapes. New
Carrots and Potatos from France are now on the market.
Beans from Madeira are arriving in an unsound condition,
and they have to be sorted and repacked before they can be
offered for sale. P. L., Covent Garden, \Vedncsday€
December 11, 1907. .

Potatos.

Kents, 3s. 6d. to 5s. per cwt. ; Lincolns, 70s. to 90s. j
Blacklands, 70s. to 85s. ; Maincrops, 90s. to 100s. per ton;
Dutch Magnums, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per bag; Dutch Imperator<y
2s. 6d. to 3s. per bag ; Dunbar Dates, 5s. to 6s. per ba^.
Owing to the mild, changeable weather, trade is duU,
7. D. C, Covent Garden, December 11, 1907,

424

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 14, 190T.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

With Christmas near at hand, there is a better trade
for country orders, especially for foliage plants. Ferns,
Aralias and Solanums have been more in demand.
Ficus elastic* does not sell so well as formerly for
Christmas trade. Aspidistras are selling better, but
there is evidence that prices for this useful plant will
drop later. In Palms, Kentias are making better
prices, yet most salesmen have some unsold plants
on their stands at closing time. Latanias have ad-
vanced a little in value, but some growers accept low
.prices to clear their stocks.

Trade in flowering plants does not greatly improve.
Chrysanthemums of good quality are seen. Framneld
Pink and Winter Cheer are specially worthy of note.
Niveum is perhaps the best white variety. Guy Hamil-
ton is another good " white," and no better yellow
variety is seen in pots than jardin des Plantes. Sup-
plies of good crimson and bronze-flowered varieties are
short. Begonia Gloire de Lorraine and its varieties
are selling at advanced prices. Cyclamen also com-
mand better prices. A few Genistas are seen, but they
are not wanted at present. White Marguerites are
plentiful and good. Spiraeas are also seen in well-
flowered plants. Azalea indica are scarcely up to the
ordinary standard of quality. Lily-of -the- Valley,
Daffodils, and Liliums are well supplied, but it is
unsafe to record what they may be worth at Christmas
time. Poinsettias have not been selling very well up
to the .present, but they will clear better later.

Cut Flowers.

Alt supplies are now variable. Chrysanthemums being
-still the leading feature. White varieties are very
plentiful. Lord Brooke is one of the best bronzes, and
there is no better yellow than Negoya. Lady Beau-
mont is perhaps the best crimson. Of pink kinds are
seen Winter Cheer, Framneld Pink, and A. J. Balfour.
Growers have again taken up the culture of the last-
named variety, which is one of , the best both for cut
bloom and for pot-plants. Mi\, "Thompson is a good
"white," and the yellow sport is atopic iated. Liliums
fluctuate from day to day. TheftlLvalue increased a
•week or more ago, but they are ™aper again. Sup-
plies for the Christmas trade are likely to be fairly
plentiful, but all buyers will do well to order at fixed
prices early. Lily-of -the- Valley has advanced a little
in value, and it may be still dearer for the Christmas
trade. English grown White Lilac is seen, but the best
-samples are from France. Daffodils are not selling
<juite so readily. Prices for imported Narcissus Soleil
d'Or of best quality have advanced slightly, but Paper
White Narcissus is cheaper. Gardenias are scarce, and
Stephanotis is practically finished for the season.
Camellias have been making better prices. Callas are
plentiful, and it is probable that the supplies for Christ-
mas will be good.

Holly and Mistleto are both remarkably good, and
will probably be cheaper than usual this season. The
imported Ruscus racemosus, with about six to eight
sprays in a bunch, realises from is. 6d. to 2s. per
bunch. Galax leaves from America are now arriving.
The hardy English foliage, except Berberis, is now of
doubtful quality. A. //., Coven t Garden, Wednes-
day, December n, iqoj.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending December 11.
Warm and very wet with a singularly dry atmosphere, —
If we except the first day, all the other days of the present
month have been unusually warm, and on the 8th inst., the
temperature in the thermometer screen rose to 563, which is,
with one exception, the highest reading recorded here in
December, at all events during the last 21 years. The night
temperatures were, on the other hand, very variable. On the
coldest night the exposed thermometer showed 12° of frost,
whereas, on the following night, the same thermometer never
fell lower than 41°. The ground is now warm for the time of
year, the temperature, both at 1 and 2 feet deep, being 2°
warmer than is seasonable. Since December began rain
has fallen on all but three days, and to the total depth of
1! inches, which is only A an inch short of the average rain-
fall for the whole month. During the same 10 days 10
gallons of rainwater has come through the bare soil per-
colation gauge, and 7J gallons through that on which short
grass is growing. The sun shone on an average for 2 hours
48 minutes a day during the past week, which is more than
double the average duration for this period in December.
The winds have been, as a rule, high, and on one clay the
mean velocity for the windiest hour reached 17 miles —
direction W.S.W. The mean amount of moisture in the air
at 3 p.m. was as much as 8 per cent, less than a seasonable
quantity for that hour. E. M.% Bcrkhamstedt December //,
I90T.

(SHtttuarij.

James Anderson.— We regret to record the
somewhat sudden death of this gardener on the
5th inst. He had been the head gardener and
trusted servant of the late Sir C. M. Lampson,
and since his death continued in the same
capacity with Mrs. Lock- Lampson, of Rowfant
House, Crawley, Sussex. Deceased was an ex-
cellent gardener, and was especially successful
in the cultivation of hardy fruits. Peaches were
his favourites, and finer fruits than he obtained
were not to be seen. His services as a judge
of fruit always met with appreciation.

Apple and Pear Shoots : Anxious. Shoots
can be cut off at the present time for use as
scions in grafting next spring. They can be
kept in a plump condition by laying them
thinly in a trench 1 foot deep, treading the
soil firmly about the shoots as it is filled up
to the ground level. When they are lifted in
spring they will need to be carefully washed
before being used.
Apple Ribston Pippin: /. A. The fruit is
injured by Monilia fructigena. This fungus
first appears on the leaves, then passes on
to the fruit. Spray the trees with the Bor-
deaux mixture next spring when the leaves
are fully grown.
Begonia : Learner and W , G. In neither in-
stance can any organic disease be found in
the specimens received, which are not suffi-
cient to afford any clue to the source of the
mischief. We are inclined to think the
methods of cultivation are not quite suitable.
British Gardeners' Association : C. R. Address
the Secretary, Mr. John Weathers, Talbot Villa,
Talbot Road, Isleworth.
Chrysanthemums for Market : Ajax. Very
much depends upon the treatment the plants
receive. This season Madame Desgranges
was good until late in October, but ordinarily
it should be one of the first to flower. This
variety is of good market value, both in
sprays and disbudded blooms; also the
yellow variety from August until the
end of October, but those who grow
them best have specially-selected stock. Har-
vest Home is still one of the best early red
varieties. Goacher's Crimson is good, but
rather inclined to lose its foliage. Lady Fitz-
wigram is a good white variety, but is better
when disbudded than when grown to furnish
sprays. The varieties of Madame Marie
Masse type are numerous, it having given
sports of various colours. These are valu-
able for furnishing early sprays, and when
disbudded and well-grown are capable of pro-
ducing good blooms of medium size. Horace
Martin, one of this type, is the best early yel-
low variety. Ralph Curtis is a good cream-
coloured flower, and there is a white and pink
variety ; but the bronze varieties are very un-
certain, as the flowers lose their colour so
soon after they open. Market White, Market
Red, and Market Yellow are good sorts to
succeed those already mentioned. A. J.
Quintus is a good early white variety; Alice
Byron is only good when disbudded. For
October there are Soleil d'Octobre, the bronze
variety, and a good terra-cotta-coloured sport.
William Holmes is still one of the best crim-
son varieties ; Cullingfordii is still a favourite
with some growers. For the cultivation of
sprays, Source d'Or and Lizzie Adcock are
very good. Kathleen Thompson and Caprice
du Printemps are good second early varieties.
Murillo is an excellent pink flower. The variety
A. J. Balfour flowers later, and is good as
sprays or disbudded blooms. Money-maker is
one of the best white flowers for October.
Madame Paolo Radaelli and the yellow sport
Madame Rivol are good all through the sea-
son, but should be disbudded. Matthew Hodg-
son and Lady Beaumont are the best late crim-
son varieties. Negoya is the best late yellow
sort, but H. W. Reiman is also a good one.
Lord Brooke is the best December " bronze,"
and La Pactole is a good " bronze " for Octo-
ber. Mrs. Thompson, Niveum, and Madame
T. Pankoucke are good late white-flowered
sorts. Madame L. Charvet is the best late
pink variety. Lord Hopetoun may be recom-
mended as a late crimson sort. Western King
is a great favourite, and may be seen in the
market from October until Christmas. Mar-
ket Red flowers during October, and is very
fine when disbudded. It may be added that
varieties which succeed with one grower some-
times fail with another. See also the report
of the Chrysanthemum exhibition on p. 421.
Cinerarias : /. S. The plants are attacked by
Sclerotinia, and cannot be saved. The soil in
which they are growing should be sterilised
by burning.
Gloxinia: Abinger. Gloxinias have been crossed
with Sinningia. and the form you send appears
to show the characters of Sinningia to an un-
usual degree.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the folloiving numbers.
Fruits: T. A. G. 1, Ribston Pearmain ; 2,
Roi dAngleterre; 3, King of Tompkins
County. — W. Jaycock. Roundvvay's Magnum
Bonum, one of the best flavoured of Apples. —
A.E.T. Borsdofer.— P. M. 1, Beurre Diel ;
2, Uvedale's St. Germain ; 3, Golden Noble ; 4,
Bramley's Seedling.

Plants:/. S. 1, Seraphyta multiflora; 2, Epi-
dendrum nutans.— N. R. 1, Lycaste xytrio-
phora ; 2, Aerides japonicum ; 3, Masdevallia
coriacea ; 4, Vanda parviflora ; 5, Saccolabium
ampullaceum ; 6, Selaginella Wildenovii. — Lee ia.
Lselia furfuracea, — T. V. 1, Begonia sub-peltata
variety; 2, Dieffenbachia picta ; 3, Fittonia
Pearcii ; 4, Maranta Massangeana; 5, Cypripe-
dium venustum ; 6, Epidendrum ciliare.

Pear: A. II. W. There is no disease present.
The fruit has been checked in growth, and
the skin has been broken up into fragments',
giving the "russet" appearance normal to
some kinds of fruit.

Primula x Kewensis : Primula. The leaves
are affected with the Primrose-mildew —
Peronospora Candida. Sprav both foliage and
soil with a solution of sulphide of potassium
at the strength of 2 ozs. in three gallons of
water. It would be wise to remove infected
plants from the neighbourhood of the healthy
ones.

Pruning of Climbing Roses : Anxious. It is
not necessary to prune newly-planted climb-
ing Roses so severely as Hybrid l'erpetuals or
Tea varieties. The b:st results will be ob-
tained by giving them what pruning they
require at planting time. The small side
growths should be cut close back, but leave
the leading shoots about 2 feet in length, the
weaker ones correspondingly shorter, but not
less than 1 foot. This treatment should be
given plants that are lifted from the open
ground. In the case of plants turned out of
pots it is only necessary to remove the un-
opened ends of the long shoots, and any old
wood which will not flower. The long shoots
which were made last summer will flower
well, and this is an advantage gained by
the use of pot-giown plants.

Roots : /. B. The rotting of the roots is due
to the presence of stagnant water in the soil.
The drainage of the border is probably bad,
and requires attention.

Select Varieties of Climbing Roses : P. M.
The following varieties are suitable for your
purpose, being of strong, hardy constitutions,
free flowering habit, capable of making the
greatest amount of growth, and having
flowers of several colours : Felicite-Perpetue,
creamy-white ; Rubin, deep crimson ; Blush
Rambler, resembling the tint of Apple blos-
soms ; The Garland, nankeen and pink ;
Aglaia, bright yellow ; and Madame d'Arblay,
white cluster. You have already planted
Turner's Crimson Rambler and Dorothy
Perkins.

Soil for Analysis: A. H. We do not under-
take to analyse soil. Dr. Voelcker, 22, Tudor
Street, London, will undertake the work for
Fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society on
payment of a small fee.

Communications Rf.ceived. — A. D. — F. J. C. — W. J. G. —
H. L. & Co.— H. W. W.— J. L.— A. J., Essex-W. H. C—

W. A. C— F. M.— J. D. G.— J. H.— C. T. D— F. L

A. C. F.-A. C. -Subscriber- W. W. P.— J. W, McH.—
S. W. F.— J. Mel— J. J. W.— D. W.— Practical Gar-
dener—E. Wiseman— E. 8.— J. J. H.-M. W.— Saxon—
H, ]. V.-F. G.-H. A. I— E.G. A.— J. B.-H. D.-F. G.C.
—Constant Reader— E. S.— C. R.— Sir E. Fry— R. M.—
G. H.— G. F.— C. C— C. W. B.— G. W.— H. J. -J. B.—
J. C. W.

December 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

420

THE

fearbcncis'dlbroniclc

No. 1,095.— SATURDAY, December 21, 1907.

CONTENTS.

Apple-trees, the flower-
ing period of

Auricula, the

Ba isams as decorative
plants

Carnation Aristocrat ...

Cassava, bitter, the poi-
sonous properties of

Colonial notes

Diervilla sessilifolia

Eupatorium ageratioides 426

Fernery, the —
The genus Acrosti-
chum ... 4J7

Florist's art, the 439

Flower-gardening,
modern 438

Fly, the house 435

Fruit trees suitable for
north walls

Gardens in Southern and
Western England

Ginseng in Queensland 436

Grape Appley Towers 439

Hardy flower border —
Amicia zygomeris ... 426
Artemisia lactiflora ... 426
Lilium Martagon var.

alba 426

Seseli gummiferum ... 4^6

Herbaceous plant,
qualities constituting

431
438

439
429

435
429
427

429
435

Manchester, chair of
Cryptogamic botany,

at 436

Manuring and its effects 431
Obituary —

Bethell, George ... 441

Ward, Edward ... 441

Perovskia atnplicifolia 425
Prevention of Corrup-

tionAct 439

Propagator, the 431

Rainfall in South Wales 437

Uivers, pollution of ... 435
Rock garden, the —
Corydalis chcilanthi-

folia 428

Romneya Coulteri ... 437

Root solvents in the soil 435

Roses, late-blooming ... 434
Seed and soil, inocu-
lation of ... 430, 438
Societies-
Birmingham and Mid-

landCouniies Cbrys. 440
National Amateur

Gardeners' 441

National Rose 439

Shrubberies, winter

work in the 425

Trees and shrubs—

Pinus pinaster ... 431

Street trees 430

Vines, inarching ... 438
Week's work, the —

Flower garden, the ... 433

Fruits under glass ... 433

Hardy fruit garden ... 433

Kitchen garden, the ... 432

Orchid houses, the ... 432

Parks and gardens ... 433

Plants under glass ... 432

Horticultural instruction 434
Hull, the public parksof 436
Larch disease and Larch

aphis 433

Law note —

Importation of Goose-
berry bushes ... 441
Lilium sulphureum ... 438

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Carnation Aristocrat 429

Diervilla sessilifolia, a plant of, 426 ; a flowering shoot of 427

Flower-bed in the West Park, Hull 434a

Nodules on roots of Alder 430

Root of tare inoculated from a root of Elaeagnus ... 430

Tomato plant, effect of inoculation on 430

Views in Pearson Park, Hull 436, 487

WINTER WORK IN THE
SHRUBBERIES.

IT is only during the winter months that
time can be found for effecting a proper
overhauling of the shrubberies, as, dur-
ing the rest of the year, there is so much to be
done in the other parts of the garden. To
keep a shrubbery or a collection of trees and
shrubs in good order, so that every plant will
be in good health and show itself to the best
advantage, annual prunings, thinnings, and
mulching are necessary. If these operations
are carried out every year it is surprising
what a short time is required to treat a con-
siderable area of shrubbery, but if the work
is neglected for a few years, it seems as if
the more that is done the more there will
remain to be done.

The Evergreen species most commonly
planted in shrubberies are the Common and
Portugal Laurels, Hollies, Yews, Box, Os-
manthus, Phillyrseas, and Conifers of the
Cupressus and Thuya types. If a formal
shape is desired, these must be clipped with
the shears, but in a mixed border formality is
not usually the object, and the plants merely
require to be kept in their place, so that they

will not encroach injuriously upon their
neighbours. The shears, therefore, shouM be
discarded in favour of the knife, with which
any long straggling branches can be cut
back, or even the whole plant be made
smaller by thinning them out. The latter
operation, if performed skilfully, can be
so managed that the plant will show little or
no sign of having been touched. This is the
true art of pruning, and it can only be at-
tained by constant practice. To clip a plant
with the shears is a fairly easy matter, as
every shoot is served alike, and it merely
requires a true eye to enable the operator to
carry out the work properly ; but to trim a
plant with a knife is a task requiring more
time and very careful judgment. Conifers,
however, must be cut with the shears if any
trimming is required, as their growth is
naturally symmetrical, and on some soils they
are apt to get straggling and thin if not
kept cut in. This work is best if left until
the months of April or May, when the new
growth will soon hide the marks left by the
shears.

There is no general rule to follow with re-
gard to the pruning of deciduous flowering
trees and shrubs, for they vary in their times
of flowering and also in the wood the flowers
are borne upon, so that indiscriminate prun-
ing is likely to result in obtaining gross
growth and flowerless plants. The flowering
trees most commonly grown are Almonds,
Flowering Peaches, Laburnums, Thorns,
Flowering Cherries, Pyrus of sorts, Red and
White Horse Chestnuts, Robinias, and Mag-
nolias. These ought to be thinned out,
and any long shoots cut back after flower-
ing, but time for such operations cannot,
unfortunately, always be spared at the
right time, and the work can be done
nearly as well in winter. Thinning of the
shoots is almost as important with flower-
ing trees as it is with Plums, Apples, or other
fruits, the aim being to obtain stout, well-
ripened wood capable of producing plenty of
large, well-coloured blooms. This can only
be done by exposing every part of the tree to
the influences of the sun and air, and thereby
ensuring that thorough ripening of the wood
so essential to success.

Many shrubs flower better on young wood
than on the old wood, so that a cutting-back
in winter or early in spring is best for them, as
the flowers come larger and better coloured,
and are also produced somewhat later, so that
the season of bloom is prolonged. Some of
these are Buddleia japonica and B. Lindley-
ana, Ceanothus americanus, C. azureus, and
the garden hybrids such as Gloire de Ver-
sailles, Marie Simon, Indigo, &c, Clematises
of the Jackmannii, lanuginosa, and viticella
sections, Coluteas, Cytisus nigricans, Hyperi-
cums, together with the Spiraeas betulifolia,
Douglasii, japonica, Foxii, Anthony Waterer,
&c. These should all be cut back to within two
or three eyes of the old wood, and it is better
for the plant to be pruned severely than not
enough. All other flowering shrubs should only
have their growths thinned out, which is best
done immediately after they have flowered,
but much may be done in winter by cutting
away thin, weak wood, and leaving the young,
strong shoots more exposed to the light and
air. In short, the treatment that is accorded
to Black Currants is suitable for many flower-
ing shrubs if applied in a modified form,

varying according to the different require-
ments of each plant.

TRANSPLAN 1'ING.
This work will depend on the state ol the
shrubbery, whether it requires thinning or
not, but practically all deciduous trees and
shrubs can be moved during the winter
months, even if they have stood in the same
positions for some years together. Ever-
greens, on the contrary, cannot be moved
with safety if they have not been kept regu-
larly transplanted, unless they are lifted with
a large ball of soil that will contain most
of their roots. This will mean a con-
siderable weight of soil to move, and the ball
of soil must be kept intact, so that the lifting
of large Evergreens is not a task to be lightly
undertaken.

Mulching.
In speaking of mulching in the shrubbery,
it is not so much the application of a cer-
tain amount of manure per square yard that
is meant, as the leaving upon the ground of
that natural mulch of leaves which fall from
the plants every year. Tidiness in a garden is
highly creditable, but when it is carried to
the extent of raking off every leaf and weed
from the shrubberies and nothing is applied
to the soil as compensation, it is carrying
cleanliness to excess. There is nothing bet-
ter for trees and shrubs than to leave them
their natural mulch of leaves, which will keep
them in good health for years together with-
out any other assistance. This can be seen
at any time in a wood, where the trees live
and thrive, though close together, on the
leaves and small dead wood that are con-
tinually falling from them. On the top of a
hill, or in an open space where the wind blows
the leaves away, the trees will be found
smaller and more stunted than their neigh-
bours under happier conditions, due not so
much to exposure as to being robbed of their
proper mulch. If, therefore, woods and for-
ests will thrive without any attention at the
root, then a shrubbery will do the same if
the rake is kept away from it, and it is al-
lowed to benefit by its natural mulch of
leaves. There may be a few plants
that require a dressing of manure to keep
them in good health, but the majority of
species will be found to live and thrive well
without any, if the ground is not raked over
to expose their surface-roots to the action of
sun and wind. If the border is so full of roots
that the leaves cannot safely be dug in, then
a little fresh soil can be brought to covei
them, but on no account should they be taken
away unless an equivalent amount of leal-
mould is applied as compensation. /. C,
Bagshot.

PEROVSKIA ATRIPLICIFOLIA.

For the past few years I have been much im-
pressed with the rare beauty of this Himalayan
Labiate, and am glad to see it is likely to become
generally cultivated. The plant resembles
Teucrium in its beautiful silver-grey colouring.
I may describe it as a free-habited rock plant,
a border plant, a sub-shrub for the sunny
shrubbery, and particularly as a "rift" plait
for grouping between taller trees. It has a hard-
wooded root-stock, from which it throws up
several grey-white growths which branch freely,
droop somewhat, and are terminated by a pre.ty
panicle of lavender-blue flowers that are not
unlike those of Lavender in colour and shape,
but the panicles are often 18 inches long, and

42G

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 21, 1907.

have from 10 to 20 lateral growths. The colour
note of the whole plant — grey-white with blue
inflorescences — is just what is wanted in the
flower garden in October ; Lavender gives it,
Teucrium gives it, and in the case of Perovskia
there is added charm in the pretty inflorescences
late in autumn. In the rock-garden it could b:
well used at the base of large boulders, and in
the pleasaunce there is further use in furnish-
ing the bare spaces beneath trees that do not
throw too dense a shade. The growths are
attractive from the first by reason of their
colour and the pretty, broadly lance-shaped,
serrate leafage they carry. Added to this is a
spicy fragrance, manifest in leaf and stem when
touched, and which becomes particularly pep-
pery as one approaches the root of old speci-
mens. Propagation is affected by cuttings
rooted in spring and autumn in closed frames
G. B. Mallett.

THE HARDY FLOWER
BORDER.

LILIUM MARTAGON VAR. ALBA.
This beautiful Lily is not seen in the garden
as often as it deserves. Perhaps this is partly
due to the circumstance that the plant is rather
particular as to its requirements in the matter
of drainage and exposure. The Turk's Cap
Lilies are common plants in the sub-Alpine
pastures of Southern Europe, and this habitat
should suffice to give an indication of the treat
ment they demand. For several years we en-
deavoured to cultivate the white Martagon in
the ordinary border, but it was not satisfac-
tory, and, although the bulbs blossomed, they
seemed hardly worth growing. They were tried
in various situations, and at last were planted
on the highest part of the rock-garden, rather
in exasperation than with the expectation of im-
provement. But ever since that time the plants
have been the admiration of all who have seen
them. A bulb that had languished in the bor-
der, producing perhaps 8 or 10 flowers on a
stalk, when transplanted to the new situation
sent up in the first year a strong stem bearing
28 blossoms, and it increased considerably so
that in the following season three stems, carry-
ing respectively 26, 23, and 18 flowers were
produced, whilst this season seven flowering
stems were formed, on which 128 flowers were
altogether formed. Five of the stems bore
more than 20 blossoms apiece. Of course, this
method of treatment might not have succeeded
everywhere, but these white Martagon Lilies are
so beautiful when they do succeed that they are
worth the trouble of making a few experiments.
A .

SESELI GUMMIFERUM.

Apart from their botanical interest, most of
the species of Seseli are not valuable garden
plants, but S. gummiferum is an exception in
this respect, being an ornamental plant nearly
the whole year through. It is a perennial
species, having a thick, stiff stem, which grows
to a height of 2 feet or more, and bears long,
tripinnate, very glaucous leaves. The inflo-
rescence is much branched towards the top,
bearing compound umbels of white flowers,
tinged with pink. The flowering season is from
July to September.

A well-established plant consisting of about
a dozen young stems, besides the flowering ones,
has a very pleasing and distinct appearance,
and when not in flower generally arrests atten-
tion by reason of its handsome glaucous foliage.
In the Cambridge Botanic Garden, S. gummi-
ferum is cultivated in an exposed position out-
of-doors.

It is figured in the Bot. Mag., t. 2,259, as the
"Gummy Meadow Saxifraga." It was first
found by Pallas in the Crimea, and has been
known in gardens since 1804. The stem when
wounded, especially in dry weather, exudes a
strong-smelling gum-resin. E. J. Allard.

ARTEMISIA LACTIFLORA.

This plant deserves to rank with the very best
of the Chinese plants recently introduced to cul-
tivation. Although belonging to a genus of
little horticultural value, this extraordinary
Wormwood will prove invaluable in the autumn
flower border, not only in the south, but in the
coldest parts of Scotland also ; there is no plant
to surpass it in elegance late in the season.

The stems are like those of the florists' Chry-
santhemum, stout and upstanding, and they are
densely clothed with Chrysanthemum-like
leaves. The inflorescence is a giant panicle of
white composite heads closely adpressed to the
floral branches, the lateral growths and the

stems being of a pithy description are seem-
ingly incapable of absorbing water. G. B
Mallett.

AMICIA ZYGOMERIS.

It may not be generally known that this plant
is quite hardy in a sheltered position out of
doors in the more favoured parts of the country.

In the Cambridge Botanic Garden it forms a
bold clump 4 feet in diameter and 8 feet high,
and flowers well in October or November. The
herbaceous stems are hollow, about half an inch
in diameter, well branched towards the top, and
clothed with pubescent hairs. The pinnate
leaves are deep green above, of a paler shade
beneath, being composed of two pairs of leaflets,

{Photograph by E. P. RaffilU
FlG. 173. — DIERVILLA SESSILIFOLIA, A HARDY FLOWERING SHRUB. (See p. 427.)

youngest portion of the central axis drooping
gracefully and giving one the pictorial aspect
of Spiraea Aitchisonii or Lindleyana, but in pure
white. I have recently seen groups 5-6 feet
high, some arranged with the rank and file of
border plants, others by the waterside but with
no excess of moisture at the root, and their be-
haviour and rare beauty in this, the first trial
planting, is distinctly promising. In the Glas-
gow Botanic Gardens, where soil and atmos-
phere are charged with gases deleterious to
plant-life, this Artemisia thrives well, and in
the purer air and better soil of country gardens
specimen plants of merit are the rule. The
flowers have no great value in a cut state ; the

which are obcordate mucronate in shape, and
full of pellucid dots on the under surface.

The stipules are interesting botanically, each
successive pair affording protection to the grow-
ing point. They are kidney-shaped, about an
inch across, somewhat membranous, and veined
with purple, especially towards the base.

The flowers are papilionaceous, and are borne
about four together on somewhat slender stalks
towards the ends of the branches. They are
bright yellow in colour, the keel and the two
wings being splashed with reddish purple on the
inside.

This Mexican plant is ornamental in a position
where it will grow luxuriantly. E. J. Allard.

December 21, 1E07.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

427

DIERVILLA SESSILIFOLTA.

Among hardy shrubs, the Diervillas or Bush
Honeysuckles as they are commonly called are
amongst the most floriferous and beautiful,
their pretty, sweet-scented flowers and ample
rich green foliage placing them in the front
rank of desirable shrubs for garden decoration.
About eight species are in cultivation, of which
D. florida, better known in gardens as Weigela
rosea, was introduced as long ago as 1844, and
which, apart from its beautiful free-flowering
habit, appears to thrive in almost any kind of
soil, provided it is planted in a sunny position.
Several other species are very showy, such as
D. floribunda and D. grandiflora, and these
three species have been used in the production

Sons, of Chelsea, exhibited several flowering
growths at a meeting of the R.H.S. on June 29,
1897, one of which was illustrated in the Gar'
diners' Chronicle for July 10 (now reproduced).
To succeed with this species it requires some-
what different treatment than the rest of the
genus, as it produces its flowers from the ends
of the shoots of the current season growth at
the end of June and early part of July — at which
period there are fewer shrubs in flower —
and therefore this species, if not so showy
as others, is valuable on this account. The
plants should be cut hard back each spring,
so as to induce the production of numerous
shoots from the base, as it is from these that
the flowers may be expected later on in the
summer.

THE FERNERY.

FlG. 174. — FLOWERING SPRAY OF DIERVILLA SESS1LIFOLIA : I LOWERS YELLOW.

of many beautiful hybrids, several of which,
such as Eva Rathke, Abel Carriere, Candida, and
Van Houttei, are well known in gardens. These
hybrids and their parents flower for the most
part from short leafy shoots, which are pro-
duced from the ripened wood made during the
previous year, and for this reason any pruning
they may require should be done immediately
their flowering season is past, which is usually
about mid-summer.

Another species, which differs altogether in
habit from the preceding, is D. sessilifolia (see
fig. 174), which, as may be seen from the ac-
companying illustration, is also a free-flowering
plant. Some attention was paid to this species
some 10 years ago, when Messrs. J. Veitch &

The flowers are produced in axillary or ter-
minal cymes, clustered together at the ends of
the shoots. The calyx is slender, elongated,
about 1 inch long, narrow below, the limb with
five linear lobes. The corolla is light yellow,
nearly 2 inches long and i inch broad, narrowly
funnel shaped, with a slender tube and a nearly
regular five-lobed limb. Stamens five, inserted
on the corolla, anthers linear. The leaves are
opposite and decussate, elliptic or elliptic-ovate,
sessile on the upper parts of the shoot, shortly
petiolate on the lower, finely serrate, often as
much as 8 inches in length and 3 or 4 inches in
breadth, and of a light pea-green colour.

It is an inhabitant of the mountains of Caro-
lina and Tennessee, and was introduced into
cultivation in this country in 1889. C. P. Raffdl.

THE GENUS ACROSTICHUM.
The Ferns included by Hooker and Bakei
in this genus when compiling the Synopsis
Filicum are extremely varied in habit. Several
are not more than a few inches in height, while
others, when growing luxuriantly, attain to large
dimensions. Notable amongst the strong-
growing kinds are A. aureum, which is fre-
quently seen 6 feet or more in height. When
we consider how diverse in character the plants
are, it is not surprising that the species at pre-
sent comprising the genus were divided by
earlier botanists into at least a dozen genera.
Fortunately, many of these names have disap-
peared from gardens. The old names, however,
are usually included as synonyms when dealing
with individual species, so that those who
cultivate them under the old names may
easily recognise their plants. The sori in some
of the species is spread over the entire under-
surface of the fertile fronds ; in others it is dis-
posed only on the under-surface of the upper
leaflets, while in some instances it spreads over
both surfaces. The fronds of Acrostichum are
very diverse in character, some being simple or
entire, others divided partly, or entirely to the
midrib, and a few doubly pinnate. In many in-
stances the fronds bearing the spores are very
distinct from the others on the plant. The great
majority of the species are natives of tropical
and a few of sub-tropical regions.

Cultivation.

Most of the species require to be cultivated in
the warm greenhouse or stove. Their diverse
habit of growth fits them for use in a number
of ways. Those with rhizomes can be utilised
for clothing bare walls and pillars, or hiding
unsightly corners in the house. Some of the
plants climb or spread over the ground by means
of roots, produced from the stems in a similar
manner to Ivy. Such species include A. acu-
minatum, A. Caenopteris, A. osmundaceum, and
A. scandens. Several with naturally half-
drooping fronds are admirable subjects for
furnishing hanging baskets and pockets. Bas-
kets made of some durable wood as Teak, for
instance, are preferable to wire.

Acrostichums being mostly shallow-rooting
plants, are often cultivated in shallow pots or
round pans about half the depth of an ordinary
pot. In these receptacles there is not nfed for so
much drainage material, although even in pans
plentv of material must be given to ensure per-
fect drainage. Another reason in favour of
pans is that with the smaller growing
kinds, when they increase in diameter, and are
put in larger pots, even though they may be
splendid specimens of the plant, they look any-
thing but pleasing with so much pot beneath.
For most of the species the following mixture
forms a suitable compost :— 2 parts fibrous peat,
1 part leaf-mould, and 1 part coarse sand and
broken sandstone ; pieces of the latter may be
left as large as hazel nuts, to assist in making
the soil thoroughly porous, as, although they
require an abundance of moisture at the roote
in summer, the majority are very impatient of
anything approaching stagnation. For the
strong-growing kinds, of which A. aureum anc
A. scandens may be cited as examples, add ]
part fibrous loam to the compost recommended

Keep the atmosphere of the house humid
Syringe the plants several times on bright days
avoiding, however, those with woolly leaves, as
although it does the plants no harm, the watei
spoils the appearance of the fronds.

Selection of Species.
Nearlv 200 species of Acrostichums have been
described ; many of these, however, are not in
cultivation. At Kew there are 40 species and
10 geographical varieties. Those enumerated
below are the most interesting and decorative
members of the genus.

428

THE GARB EN Eli S CHR 0 N I CL E.

[December 21, 1907.

A. ACUMINATUM (SYN. POLYBOTRYA ACUMINA-
TUM).— A Brazilian species with thick rhizomes,
this plant is useful as a basket plant, for cover-
ing bare walls, or twining round the stems of
tall Tree Ferns. The semi-drooping fronds are
bi-pinnate, 18 inches to 2 feet in length, 1 foot
in width, tapering upwards, rich green in colour.
The fertile fronds are tri-pinnate, about half
the size of the barren fronds. The stipe (stalk)
is thickly clothed with scales.

A. aureum (syn. Chrysodium aureum). — This
is a common species in tropical and sub-tropical
countries, and grows in swampy districts. It is
a vigorous plant which, when fully developed,
attains a height of 5 to 7 feet, forming an erect
stem, which with age resembles a short Tree
Fern. The fronds are pinnate, the leaflets 8 or
9 inches long and 2 to 3 inches broad, rich green
in colour. The spores are produced on the
upper pinnae of some of the fronds. The plant
requires much water, and, therefore, the best
specimen at Kew is growing in the Water Lily
house, the lower portion of the pot being stood
in the water.

A. BURCHELLII (SYN. ELAPHOGLOSSUM BUR-
chellii. — This plant has a short, woody
rhizome covered with brown scales ; the fronds
are glossy green colour, entire, sub-corriaceous
in texture, 1 foot to 18 inches in length, and 1
inch in width. The fertile fronds are not so
large as the barren ones ; the fructification en-
tirely covers the underside of the fronds. It is
a native of Brazil, and should be cultivated in
the greenhouse.

A. Caenopteris. — A vigorous-growing Mexi-
can plant, suitable for the greenhouse or inter-
mediate house. The thick rhizomes are cov-
ered with brown scales, fronds 2 feet to 3 feet
in length, pinnate, fertile fronds narrower, and
bi-pinnate. This is a useful species for cover-
ing bare walls, the rhizomes being capable of
growing quickly.

A. cervinum. — A tropical American species
long cultivated in gardens as Olfersia cervina.
The fertile and barren fronds are very distinct.
The former are bi-pinnate, the pinnules being
entirely covered with sporangia. The barren
fronds are pinnate, 2 feet or more in length,
pale green in colour, the rhizomes and stipes
clothed with light brown scales. A useful plant
to grow in hanging baskets or in pockets.

A. CONFORME (SYN. F.L APHOGLOSSUM CON-
FORME). — A small growing species seldom ex-
ceeding 9 inches in height, widely distributed in
tropical and sub-tropical regions. The fronds
are entire and about 1 inch broad, glossy green
in colour. It succeeds in the cool fernery.

A. crimtum. — This plant will be mOTe
familiar to gardeners under the name of Hy-
menodium crinitum. It is the handsomest
species of the whole genus, and one of the most
distinct Ferns in cultivation. The barren fronds
are entire, thickly studded with brownish-black
hairs, somewhat leathery in texture and broad-
oblong, 12 to 18 inches long, 6 to 9 inches broad ;
it has been given the name of the " Elephant's
Ear Fern," owing to a slight resemblance of the
frond to the ear of that animal. In shape the
fertile fronds resemble the barren ones, but are
rather smaller and have a longer stipe. A
native of Central America and the West Indies,
the plant is said to have been first introduced to
this country in 1793. A spongy compost similar
to that used for Platyceriums is the most suit-
able, namely, fibrous peat, half-decayed leaf-
mould, sphagnum-moss, charcoal, and broken
sandstone or coarse sand.

A. cuspidatum is found wild from the West
Indies to Peru. The barren fronds are from
1 to 2 feet long, the upper surface comparatively
smooth, and the underside thickly matted with
rusty brown scales, the fertile fronds rather
smaller than the sterile ones.

A. decoratum. — A handsome species from
West Indies, Brazil, Peru, and Guiana. The
stout rhizomes are clothed with brown scales.
The barren fronds are from 1 foot to 18 inches
in length, leathery in texture, and the margin
and midrib are studded with brown scales,
fertile fronds similar in shape, but slightly
smaller.

A. drynarioides. — A stove species, native of
Penang, Solomon Isles, and New Guinea. The
fronds are distinct in appearance, having no
stipe. They grow fully 3 feet in height and 1
foot in width. The sori is produced on the
upper portion of some of the fronds.

A. flagelliferum (syn. Gymnopteris flagel-
i.ifera). — This is an Indian species, requiring
stove treatment. The fronds are 1 foot or more
in length, comprising two or three pairs of
pinnae and a terminal much elongated one. The
spores are produced on the ends of a few
fronds.

A. LATIFOLIUM (SYN. El.APHOGLOSSUM I.ATI-

folium). — The species is widely distributed in
tropical countries. The shining, green leaves
are entire, 1 foot or more in length, upright in
growth, with a distinct leathery appearance.
The following are considered by botanists to be
geographical forms of this species: — angusti-
folium, Tropical America; callaefolium, Java;
crassinerve, Brazil.

A. OSMUNDACEUM (SYN. PffLYBOTKYA OSMUNDA-
CEUM). — An inhabitant of the forest of Tropical
America, this plant is very robust in growth.
The thick rhizomes make rapid progress trailing
over a rockery, clinging to damp walls or trail-
ing round pillars and tall Tree Ferns. The
barren fronds are tri-pinnate, dark green in
colour, 18 inches in length, 9 inches broad at
the base. The fertile fronds are about the same
size, and wholly covered with sporangia.

A. PELTATU.M (SYN. RHIPIDOPTERIS PELTATA). —

This is a charming little West Indian species,
with small fan-like fronds. It grows 3 inches to
4 inches in height, and reminds one somewhat
of a miniature Palm ; the fronds are several
times dichotomously divided. The plants
should be grown several together in shallow pans
to obtain its full beauty. A suitable compost
consists of equal parts leaf-mould and peat,
adding plenty of sand. Insert here and there
over the surface of the pan pieces of sandstone
to form an uneven surface over which the
rhizomes will grow. As the plants thrive in a
moist atmosphere, it must be grown in a house
where such conditions prevail. A botanical
variety named gracillimum, found in Brazil, has
rather larger and more divided fronds.

A. QUERCIFOLIUM (SYN. GYMNOPTERIS QUERCI-
folium and A. Neitnerii). — This interesting
Fern is found in Tropical Asia, notably in
Ceylon and Southern China. The barren fronds
resemble very much an Oak leaf in appearance,
hence the specific name. These are almost
prostrate, 3 to 4 inches in length. In direct con-
trast to these, the fertile fronds grow erect,
being, when mature, about 6 inches in height,
the pinnae is contracted and covered with
sporangia.

A. SCANDENS (SYN. StENOCHLAENA SCANDENS).
— This is the freest-growing species of the whole
genus under cultivation. Planted out in a
fernery, where the temperature is not allowed
to fall below 50° F. at night in winter, the
rhizomes ramble about in all directions. The
barren fronds are rich green in colour, 4 feet to
6 feet long, simply pinnate. The pinnae of the
fertile fronds are much contracted. It requires
plenty of water, the plant having no resting
season, the rhizomes growing and pushing up
vigorous young fronds throughout the year. It
is found wild in Asia, Queensland, and Figi.

A. tomentosuxi [SYN. ELAPHOGLOSSUM tomen-
TOSUM). — This is a stove species, native of the

Bourbon Islands. The plant has a distinct and
striking appearance, the stipes and fronds being
clothed with narrow, light-brown scales. The
long, tapering fronds are 2 feet to 3 feet or more
in length. Allowed to grow for several years
without dividing, this species will make a good
specimen plant. A. 0.

EUPATORIUM AGERATIOIDES.

It is not often one finds effective use made of
this old-time plant from North America ; albeit,
it is the best of its group, and is an attractive
plant when most herbs are preparing for the win-
ter's rest. It is distinctly easy to accommodate,
hence one may group it among shrubs or in the
wild-garden ; it has, however, special claims
upon those who plant water-gardens. July and
August are practically water-garden months,
after which there is but little of value or attrac-
tiveness in such gardening. This Hemp Agri-
mony is at its best in September, and one may
suggest it be used freely in clothing the banks
of streams and in bold groups in the bog-
garden. The plant exceeds a yard in both
height and diameter, and it produces a perfect
mound of white, the flowers being so closely
arranged that the leafage of the upper portions
of the stems becomes completely hidden. It has
one defect that timely staking alone can cor-
rect— the stems are very brittle and will snap
off if the inflorescences are laden with rain-
drops and are not supported. A grouping of
half-a-dozen plants, whose main stems are
rigidly staked and whose lesser growths are
allowed to hang as they will and dip to the
water's edge, has for many weeks been a feature
on the banks of an old ditch of considerable
breadth. Polygonum polystachyum in full
flower beside it was hardly more beautiful. If
such a small group as this can attract, how
much the more effective would 20 to 30 plants
be on the margin of a large lake ! The species
may be propagated readily by cuttings inserted
in spring. G. B. Mallett.

THE ROCK GARDEN.

CORYDALIS CHEILAXTII1FOLIA.
Edinburgh Botanic Garden affords a capital
object-lesson in the effective grouping of this,
new Fumitory in the rock-garden, and one can
appreciate it the more because this plant is likely
to naturalise itself freely on any moist, rocky
slope, and should, in course of time, prove in-
valuable to sow on rocky outcrops of any mag-
nitude. It is a very beautiful plant — the tiny
seedling is pretty and the adult flowering speci-
men very effective. The leafy rosette is reminis-
cent of many Filmy Ferns, and extends to IS
inches in diameter. The pale green colouring
of the newly-formed leaves, the deeper green of
the largest ones, and the yellow tint of the spent
ones combine to render this species attractive at
all times. The flowers do not call for any
especial comment ; they are not so big as those
of C. nobilis, but are quite " in keeping " as
regards size and elegance with the leafage, are
yellow as regards colouring, and with attenuated
hoods or spurs. The Edinburgh plants fur-
nished the rocky walls of a dug-out footway;
some had a free root-run of soil, others throve
in small cracks and fissures in the formation.
The impression was that of an Irish, Scottish,
or Welsh Ferny glen — the plants so closely re-
sembled Ferns in their manner of growth.
There are many gardens in the south-west in
which natural rocky outcrops are abundant; to
the owners or custodians of such I can com-
mend Corydalis cheilanthifolia as a plant that
will beautifv these positions in the most effective
manner. Seeds of this species germinate
readily, and growth is always rapid. G.

DECEMBER 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

429

COLONIAL NOTE.

CANE AND BEET SUGAR.

The great extension of the Beet-growing area
in Europe during past years under the bounty
system which has prevailed in many continental
countries, the large increases in the Beet sugar
imports into England during this period, and
the consequent falling-off in cane sugar imports
from the British West Indies and other cane-
growing colonies, are dwelt upon at consider-
able length in the recently published Volume
VII. of the Report of the Tariff Commission.
It is pointed out that in 25 years the German
area under sugar-Beet has nearly trebled,
while the Belgian area has nearly doubled dur-
ing the same period ; the Austrian area has
more than doubled in 20 years, and the French
acreage has increased 10 per cent. Not only
do these European countries now produce the
greater part of the sugar consumed in the

produced in Jamaica is of the annual value of
£6,000 indicates the importance of Lime culti-
vation in this latter island. The Lime does
very well in Jamaica, flourishing in dry
districts and on poor soils. Much of the Lime
juice exported is the produce of trees grown
in the ordinary cattle pastures, and in con-
sideration of this it is pointed out in an article
in the Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society that Limes and their products should
form a much more prominent item than they do
at present in the agricultural exports of the
island, as it is stated that there is plenty of
ordinary pasture land in Jamaica possessing a
red soil well adapted for Citrus fruit culti-
vation, on which Limes could be profitably
grown as a perennial " catch crop."

JAMAICA RUM.

The following order, which, says the Agri-
cultural News, Bridgetown, Barbados, should
operate to the advantage of rum manufacturers

Fig.

175- — CARNATION ARISTOCRAT: COLOUR ROSE-PINK.

British Islands, but the larger portion of the
Beet sugar imports consists of refined sugar,
which means that the British sugar-refining in-
dustry is being pushed out by foreign competi-
tion. With respect to the importation of raw
cane sugar from the West Indies to Great
Britain, the figures given show that the shipments
are little more than one-third of what thev were
20 years ago. In 1885, as much as 1,400,000
cwt. of sugar were sent from these islands to
England, while in 1903 the quantity had fallen
to 450,000 cwt. The English imports from
British Guiana fell from 1,300,000 cwt. to
220,000 cwt. in the same period. Agricultural
News ( West Indies), November 16.

LIME CULTIVATION IN JAMAICA.
Although Dominica and Montserrat are re-
garded as the headquarters of the Lime indus-
try of the West Indies, yet the fact that the
Lime juice, citric acid, and essential nil

in Jamaica, has recently been issued by the
English Boari of Customs, after communication
with the Colonial Office : — " The Board direct
that rums imported from Jamaica, or admitted
as being of Jamaica origin, are to be entered in
the accounts, and on all relative documents, in-
cluding permits, as ' Rum from Jamaica.' Care
is to be taken that this description is not ap-
plied to rum from Jamaica which has been
blended with rum of other origin." The effect of
this order is to differentiate Jamaica rum from
all other rums, so that a separate entry will be
required for it at import. In future it will be
impossible to blend Jamaica rum in bond with
other cheaper rums, and describe the resulting
mixture as Jamaica rum.

NORWEGIAN FRUIT PLANTATIONS

IN THE WEST INDIES.
The Norwegians have recently entered into
commercial enterprise in the island of Cuba, and

a company has secured a large area at Toatal,
near Passacoa, for the cultivation of Pine-
apples and Bananas for supplying the home
market. An experienced energetic manager well
acquainted with West Indian conditions has been
secured. .

FRUIT TREES FOR NORTH

WALLS.

While the planting season is still with us, it
should be remembered that a north wall may
be. put to other uses than that of supporting
Morello Cherries. This is always a valuable
crop, though there are cases where a greater
variety would be preferred. Perhaps one of the
greatest essentials in getting trees to thrive and
prove fruitful against a north wall is in form-
ing a suitable border. In most instances the
soil at the foot of a north wall is cold and
sluggish. Before any attempt is made to plant
the trees the soil should be wheeled out to the
depth of 2 feet, and of sufficient width to allow
the trees a fair start, adding to it piecemeal as
the roots extend. A suitable drainage medium
can be afforded by placing a layer of broken
bricks in the bottom of the trench, refilling the
latter with fresh loam, to which has been added
a fair amount of old lime and wood ashes. This
will ensure porosity and, consequently, warmth.
It is advisable to keep the newly-formed border
slightly higher than the surrounding ground.
Having, however, made these preparations, it
would not be practical to attempt the growth of
Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, or Figs, as each
of these succeed best in full sunshine ; but I have
succeeded very well with Pears, Plums, dessert
l berries, Gooseberries, and Red Currants.

I have grown heavy crops of fine stewing
Pears on a north wall, and these are always
welcome, while the cool aspect, especially dur-
ing very hot summers, has proved very suitable
for obtaining fine fruits of the Jargonelle Pear.
Late supplies of Red Currants and Gooseberries
are also appreciated, and in no other way can
the fruits be retarded so well, or more easily
protected from birds. Suitable trees for the
purpose are those having several clean, straight,
leading growths. The latter should be trained
upright, those of the Gooseberry from 4 to 6
niches apart, allowing a little more space for
the Currants, owing to their broader foliage.
The leaders should be encouraged to reach the
top of the wall, but in such a way that each
becomes furnished with fruit spurs from base to
summit. This is easily secured by keeping
breast and side shoots pinched-in.

Pears should be planted as single cordons, in
preference to using one or two spreading speci-
mens. A greater variety can thus be cultivated
on a given space. The space can be covered more
quickly ; a tree can be easily replaced if neces-
sary, and good crops of fruit secured in the
least possible time. Dessert Cherries may be
treated in the same manner. Under good man-
agement, north walls may — if not shaded by
trees — be put to varied and profitable uses.
R.P.

CARNATION ARISTOCRAT.

At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural
Society on the 10th inst., a new variety of Car-
nation named Aristocrat (see fig. 175), of Ameri-
can origin, was shown by Messrs. Hugh Low
& Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield. The colour
is a shade of pink, deeper than in the well-
known variety Mrs. T. W. Lawson, and the
flowers have rather better form. At the recent
exhibition of the Winter-Flowering Carnation
Society, Aristocrat was awarded the 1st prize
in a class for a deep pink or rose-coloured
variety. Aristocrat is said to be much appre-
ciated in America.

430

THE GARDENERS7 CHRONICLE.

[December 21, 1907.

SEED AND SOIL INOCULATION.

(Concluded from page 416.) -
The beneficial effects of inoculation already
mentioned, namely (1) increase of the yield of
the crop, and (2) increase of the fertility of the
soil, have long been known and appreciated,
but recent experiments have shown that two
other important advantages may result from the
successful inoculation of a crop. These are: —

(3) Increase of the feeding value of the crop
owing to the increase of the nitrogenous contents
of the inoculated plants ; and

(4) Earlier maturing of the crop, thus allowing
of earlier marketing of the produce.

Fig. 176. — nodules on roots of alder.

A series of experiments conducted at King's
College during 1906 demonstrated that, even
when weights are equal, the inoculated crop is
more valuable than the non-inoculated, because
of the increased nitrogen contents. Tares were
grown in sterilised soil to which the requisite
potash and phosphate salts were added. To
one set of pots nitrate of soda was added pro-
portionate to 2 cwt. per acre ; the other set of
pots was inoculated. At the end of the season
equal weights of produce from each set were
taken and analysed for their nitrogen contents,
with the following results: —

Tares, with nitrate of soda, 1.92 per cent of
nitrogen.

Tares, inoculated, 3.07 per cent, of nitrogen.

Thus the inoculated Tares contained 50 per
cent, more nitrogen ; that is, were half as rich
again in feeding value compared with those
grown with nitrate of soda. The importance of
this increase in feeding value when leguminous
crops are grown for feeding stock is obvious.

As regards earlier maturing of the crop, one
of the most striking facts brought out by the
experiments during last season was the number
of cases in which inoculation hastened the
maturing of the crop. With early crops this
means earlier marketing of produce and

enhanced prices, a matter of the greatest impor-
tance to growers. A large grower in Cornwall
reports: — "The Peas were a great success. In-
oculation of soil and seed returned a good 30
per cent, more than only seed inoculation, and
the seed inoculation showed a good 20 per cent,
better crop than the farmyard-manured Peas.
Inoculation in both cases rendered a fortnight
earlier marketing possible over the manured."
Another grower from Norfolk says: — "The
inoculated Peas were three weeks earlier for mar-
ket and decidedly 50 per cent, more prolific than
the non-inoculated." One of the most surpris-
ing results in this connection comes from Guern-
sey, where a large firm of growers reports on
inoculation of Kidney Beans under glass as fol-
lows : — "The Beans were grown with the ma-
terial you were kind enough to send us, and we
may say that we have never had a better and
earlier crop. The seeds came up very strong,
and the leaves had a nice dark colour. We
picked the first Beans and sent them to market
six weeks after sowing."

To anyone who reads of the wonders worked
by seed and soil inoculation y the question natur-
ally arises, "How is it cone?"

Well, the method is simplicity itself. Three
small packages and a gallon of water are suffi-
cient to inoculate seed for 10 acres, or will in-
oculate one to two acres of soil. The contents of
package No. 1 (nutrient salts) are dissolved in
one gallon of water, then the contents of No. 2
package (the bacterial powder) stirred in ; after
24 hours the contents of No. 3 package (nutrient
salts) are added and the mixture allowed to
stand until it turns cloudy, when it is ready for
use. To inoculated seed, the cloudy culture
solution is sprinkled on the seeds, the seeds then
allowed to dry, and planted in the ordinaiv way.
To inoculate soil, it is best to dilute the gallon

Fig. 177.-

-ROOT OF TARE INOCULATED FROM A
ROOT OF EL.EAGNUS.

of culture solution with 50 gallons of Clearwater,
and then water the plants with it. This double
inoculation will, of course, give the best results.
Considering the importance of the root
nodules to leguminous plants, it is not surprising
that numerous attempts have been made by
botanists to induce the formation of similar

nodules on non-leguminous plants. Unfortun-
ately these nodules are only found naturally in
four other orders of plants, namely, Alder (see
fig. 176), Elaeagnus, Podocarpus, and Cycas, and
all attempts to produce them on other plants
have hitherto been unsuccessful. During the past
summer, however, a number of inoculation ex-
periments have been made at King's College on
non-leguminous plants, with, in many cases,
most gratifying results. For example, it has
been found possible to cultivate a special race of
nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Tomato root extract,
and prepare therefrom a culture solution which,
when sprinkled on the roots of Tomato seed-
lings, caused them to grow much more vigor-

Fig. 178.

-EFFECT OF INOCULATION ON A
TOMATO PLANT.

ously. Fig. 178 shows the effect of such inocu-
lation, and it is interesting to note that in this
experiment the inoculated plants were the only
ones to ripen their fruit this season. Straw-
berries similarly treated produced 45 per cent,
more fruit, and the fruit was ripe ten days
earlier than the non-inoculated. Tares have
also been successfully inoculated from the roots
of Elaeagnus (see fig. 177). Experiments on
Wheat and Barley also were most promising.
There is no doubt much work yet to be done in
the realm of soil bacteriology ; but the results
already obtained promise still greater results in
the near future, and no horticulturist can afford
to remain in ignorance of, or ignore these agen-
cies in the soil. W . B. Bottomley.

STREET TREES.

The cry for re-afforestation has not been
in vain. It has brought about a Government
scheme and other valuable experiments; it has
also created a demand for trees in dreary town
streets. Every little town now begins to dream
of its boulevards, and on every hand we hear
of decisions of town councils to plant trees to
mask the hideousness and meanness of their
streets. The decision to plant usually goes
through unanimously, and then comes the ques-
tion " What shall we plant — Limes, Chestnuts,
Planes?" It is almost certain lo be one of
these. London plants them ; therefore we must,
even with the pure air of the country. A coun-
cillor more enlightened than his colleagues, as
a result of a week on the Continent, suggests
a change, and perhaps it is quite new to Eng-
lish ideas. In most councils he is voted down ;
in others his suggestion, backed by work from
his Kodak, is acted upon, and the order goes
forth that "Queen Street" is to be planted with,
say, Acer dasycarpum. Now comes the disappoint-

December 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

431

ment. There has never been a demand for
these ; therefore there is no supply, and Queen
Street has after all to be planted with Limes,
which make a fearful mess on the paths in the
spring, and are leafless by the end of summer.

Nurserymen and others will protest at this,
but I am not writing without experience. I
have 60 miles of new roads to plant within the
next few years. I have 24 streets planted with
24 kinds of trees, but they were not purchased
in England because I was unable to obtain
suitable trees at home. I hold dozens of letters
to this effect : " We are sorry we have not suit-
able trees in stock of the varieties you ask for,
but have a grand stock of Limes, Chestnuts,
and Planes, which we can thoroughly recom-
mend." Often I get also the advice : " The
trees would certainly not thrive in streets."
What will thrive in a German factory town
will thrive in an English town, and if "town
foresters " would insist on having the trees
they ask for, the supply would soon be forth-
coming. Chestnuts and Limes are able to with-
stand the trying conditions of smoky towns,
but otherwise few trees are more unsuitable,
owing to their sensitiveness to drought. The
beautiful Champs-Elysees avenue of Chestnuts
in Pari;, was this year leafless by August. Oc-
tober saw many of the shoots with flowers and
new leaves. January will see these new growths
dead and unsightly.

As a rule, the street tree has a disastrous
drought to face in the summer, and therefore in
selecting the varieties this must always be care-
fully considered.

In Germany there are hundreds of acres
devoted to the preparation of street trees ; in
England I have not found an acre. I have
found hundreds of acres of standard trees grow,
ing for sale, but none properly prepared for
planting in streets.

Paris raises her own trees on waste land used
as a " shoot " for her street refuse. Every town
has such land lying idle. Why not follow the
example of Paris, and raise our own trees?

Street trees must not only be grown, they
must be specially prepared for the purpose.
Briefly, the following is the German system
of preparation: — A single lead is run up to
form the stem. When it attains a height of 6
feet, it is headed back in the winter to 5 feet.
The next year the new lead is headed back to
6 feet, and so on foot by foot to 12 feet to 14
feet, at which size the tree is put on the market
perfectly formed, every branch in its place, a
clean stem of 8 feet toppe'd by a symmetrical
head.

Of course, we head back in this country — •
or profess to do so. But here is the secret of
the German's fine centre leading growth to each
tree. When we head back the lead we
cut to immediately above the bud selected
for the new lead. The German cuts as
far above the bud as- he can without
including the next one. During the winter the
wood dies back to the top bud, leaving about
2 inches qf dead shoot. When the new lead is
about 6 inches long, it is carefully tied to this
natural stake, and so given a good start in
the right direction. Examination of a tree
thus prepared will show the value of this little
detail. Of course, the tree is also transplanted
every second year.

Another detail neglected too often in our pre-
paration is attention to the thickening of the
stem. It is well known that the more leaves
a tree has the more wood it forms, and with
this fact in mind the stem is allowed to form
spurs for several years for the sole purpose of
supplying leaves to produce new stems. These
spurs are gradually removed by clean cuts, after
which the wounds heal quickly.

Every year the heads are carefully pruned
and balanced, and when the trees go into the
streets they have perfectly clean stems running
through the centre, and are not mere crooked
sticks, with a few forks on the top, such as

have been planted for street trees in a new
street not a hundred miles from the Strand. It
may interest town gardeners to know that I
have a street of each of the following species in
a town 40 miles north of London : — Robima
Pseudo-acacia, R. Bessoniana, Tilia europea,
Betula alba, Pyrus Aucuparia, /Esculus Hip-
pocastanum, Prunus Pissardi, Populus BoKeana,
Quercus rubra, Fraxinus alba. F. monophylla,
F. Ornus, Juglans nigra, Fagus sylvatica, Ailan-
thus glandulosa, Cytisus Laburnum Adami,
I'yrus communis, Amygdalus communis, Cratae-
gus Oxycantha, Charles X., Acer Reitenbachii,
A. Schwedleri, A. dasycarpum, and A. digitatum
aurea marginata. I have eight new streets to
plant this winter, and must go out of the coun-
try for the trees. Pern.

FLOWERING PERIOD OF
APPLES.

The following table shows the dates on which
26 varieties of Apples came into flower this year,
also the lowest atmospheric temperature for
every night in April and May, indicating what
amount of frost occurred during the flowering
period. My dates were taken when there were
from 10 to 15 flowers expanded on each tree.

The following varieties bore by far the most
satisfactory crops of fruit : James Grieve, Brad-
dick's Nonpareil, Washington, Grenadier, Bis-
marck, Emperor Alexander, Cellini Pippin,
Newtown Pippin, Worcester Pearmain, Gloria
Mundi, Gravenstein, Lady Sudeley, and Peas-
good's Nonsuch. The other varieties mentioned
in the table bore fruit with one exception, this
being Charles Ross. They are all single cordons,
planted on a square piece of ground (I have not
included any that are planted against a wall!

James Grieve and Braddick's Nonpareil, al-
though they were the first to come into flower,
withstood frosts better than any others; the
fruit set so thickly that they had to be heavily
thinned ; very little thinning was done to any
other sorts. No protection was afforded what-
ever.

I do not recommend early-flowering sorts ;
quite the contrary. Late-flowering varieties
are most required, as these may escape injury
from frost. If we could get some good varie-
ties raised from the never-failing Court Pendu
Plat, owing to its lateness in flowering, we
could depend on a better average English crop
of Apples.

Date of Flowering.

April 16. Braddick's Non-
pareil.

James Grieve.

Fearn's Pippin.

Baumann's Rein-
ette.

Grenadier.

Washington.

Bismarck.

King of Pippins.

I :ni'i<ror A 1 e x-
andra.

Hambling's Seed-
iing.

Cellina Pippin.

Blenheim Pippin.

Ribston Pippin.

Charles Ross.

17.

•21.
21.

22.
32.

■1-1.
■22.
23.

23.

May

24.

26.

26.

1.

May

Lady Sudeley,

Gravenstein.

Gloria Mundi.

Allington Pippin.

Worcester Pear-
main.

Cox's Orange
Pippin.

King of Tomp-
kins County.

American Mother

Peasgood's Non-
such.

Newtown Pippin.

Newton Won-
der.

Gascoyne's Scar-
let.

Lowest Temperatures at Night.

April 1

,, 2

„ 8

., I

„ 5

„ 6

„ 7

„ 8

„ 9

„ 10

,, 11

,, 12

., 13

,, 11

„ 15

„ 16

,. 17

„ 18

„ 19

32"

31"
36"
34'

30°
35°
32"
34°
32°
30°
32°
35°
35°

25°
25°
28°
40°

April 22
., 23
,. 24
,, 25
„ 26
,. 27
„ 28
„ 29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

May

37"
35"
36°
40°
38°
34"
28°
34°
33°
32°
34"
40"
40°
41°
42°
40°
41°
40°
40°
34°

May 12

„ 13

„ 14

■i 15

„ 16

» 17

n 18

•i 19

„ 20

„ 21

,. 22

„ 23

„ 24

„ 25

29
30
31

32°
37°
32°
34"
35°
36°
30°
27°
25°
36°
37°
40°
34°

THE PROPAGATOR.

There are some genera the species of which
may be struck from cuttings in the winter
months, but in my previous articles on plant
propagation, no mention was made of them.
The most important ones are included in the
following notes.

Epacris.— These showy, easily-cultivated,
Australian plants, in habit resembling the
Heaths (Ericas), but differing from them in re-
gard to structure and form of the flower, may
be rooted from cuttings of the young shoots
taken, in most cases, from plants that have been
afforded warmth a little higher than that of the
cool greenhouse for a month or less. The cut-
tings should not exceed 3 inches in length. So
far as they enter the layer of sand overlying the
sandy peat with which the pot is almost filled, the
leaves should be cut off close to the shoots with
a pair of scissors. The cuttings should be forth-
with put into the pots already prepared for them,
dibbling them in circles at 1 inch asunder (a
thumb pot being sunk in the centre, the better to
ensure good drainage), and they must be covered
with a bell glass after the lapse of an hour or
two. The chief point to observe in this winter
propagation is that the soil in the pot does not
become too moist, a condition that may only be
obtainable by affording ample drainage ma- '
terials and plenty of sand in the peat. At the
same time the soil must not be allowed to be-
come destitute of moisture. The bell glasses re-
quire to be wiped out occasionally with a dry
cloth. The Epacris may be afforded warm green-
house treatment, that is, a temperature of 43°
by day and 55° by night, and the more nearly
these temperatures are adhered to the greater
the chances of success. Most of our present-day
varieties in cultivation are crossbreds, of which
campanulata, coccinea, refulgens, and impressa,
are the species mostly employed by cross-breeders
as the parents. Seeds are only obtained by
careful fertilisation of vigorous plants, and the
seeds should be sown as soon as they are ripe.

Ericas. — As with Epacris, the best varieties
of Ericas are of cross-bred origin, and the
method of making the cuttings, the kind of soil
used, the drainage of the pots, rooting the cut-
tings, and. general management are identical
with those required in the former case. It is a
distinct loss to our greenhouses that Ericas
should be so little grown at the present day,
and that the varieties that are to be found in
gardens are so few in number. Especially beau-
tiful are the species E. tricolor, E. ventricosa,
and E. vestita, which have given rise to many
varieties of much beauty. Diosmas, Pimeleas,
Polygalas, Correas, Pittosporums, and Abelia
may be struck from cuttings at this season,
making use of a sandy, peaty soil and good
diainage, with a 1-inch layer of silver sand
over all. After affording water to settle the
sand about the cuttings and to moisten the soil
throughout, when the leaves have become dry
cover with bell glasses, and set the cutting
pots in a frost-proof pit, giving a moderate
quantity of water whenever the soil has become
dryish. Shading with a piece of paper may be
needed in bright weather. F. M.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

George Kent, Norbury Park Gardens, Dorking,
Surrey.

PINUS PINASTER.
In a young state this is one of the most orna-
mental of the Pines, and also one of the fastest
growers, being equal in either respect to P.
insignis, while it also possesses the merit of
being much hardier than the latter species. It
is a native of Southern Europe, but has been
introduced into nearly every temperate or sub-
tropical country in the world, and is equally
at home at the Cape, or in New Zealand, as it
is in the Mediterranean littoral. With age it
attains a height of 60 feet to 80 feet, or even
more, forming a clean, straight trunk usually

432

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 21, 1907.

topped with a rounded and flattened head. The
trunk is covered with a coarse, deeply-ribbed
bark, and somewhat resembles the Weymouth
Pine in that it does not taper so much towards
the top as some of the other Pines do, but
maintains a fairly uniform diameter through-
out the greater part of its length. Its chief
value, however, lies in its beauty as a specimen
tree up to 30 feet or so high, when it still retains
most of its lower branches. These are produced
in regular whorls, evenly proportioned in length
to the size of the tree, and are clothed with
needles, 8 inches to 10 inches in length, of a
beautiful grass-green colour on the young
.growths, but darker on the older wood. The
needles are in pairs, stout, erect, rounded on
■one side, and flat or slightly channelled on the
other. The buds are rather less than an inch in
length, brown and pointed, the ends of the
scales being loose and curling. As a timber-
tree P. pinaster is useless; the wood being
soft, it quickly decays, but its resinous products
are valuable. Next to its decorative qualities, it
is most serviceable as a tree for planting in
shifting sands, for which purpose it has been
largely^ used in the maritime districts of France
(see Gardeners' Chronicle, 1871, p. 137). Accord-
ing to Loudon, it makes large, strong tap-roots,
which, while making it a useful plant for sandy
■districts, senders it rather difficult to trans-
plant. This latter assertion of Loudon's is,
however, incorrect, as P. pinaster can be moved
as successfully as P. austriaca or anj' other
Pine, some plants that were moved here two
rears ago having made about 1 foot of growth
the first vear, and nearly 3 feet the second sea-
son, and that without spoiling their shape by
growing too fast. For decorative purposes this
Pine can be recommended as a good substitute
for P. insignis in those districts where the latter
•species will not thrive. /. C, Bagshot.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Lycaste. — L. Skinneri and its many varieties,
including the still rare L. Skinneri alba, are
now completing their new pseudo-bulbs, and
■developing flower bud-s. Afford copious water-
ings to these plants until the growths are per-
fectly completed. Afterwards restrict the quan-
tity considerably, only giving sufficient to pre-
vent shrinkage in the pseudo-bulbs. Lycastes
grow well in the cool house, so long as the
atmospheric temperature is just above 50° at
night, but when it is allowed to fall many-
degrees below this, it is advisable to remove
the plants to a cool part of the intermediate
house. The plants require a light position, but
during the winter their foliage must not be
placed near to the roof glass. Re-potting is
best done in spring. The nearly pure white L.
lanipes is well worth growing, the flowers being
delightfully scented, especially at night time.
Water must now be afforded less frequently to
this plant, also to such species as L. costata,
L. Barringtonii, L. leucantha, L. aromatica, L.
macrobulbon, L. Deppei, L. Schilleriana, and
L. cruenta ; all of these species should be
cultivated in the cool intermediate house.

Zygopetalum. — In the same cool intermediate
house the following species grow freely, and
when in bloom are extremely handsome plants :
Z. Perrenoudii, Z. Amesianum, Z. triste, Z.
Wigamanum, Z. Mackayi, Z. Clayi, Z. brachy-
petalum, Z. Burkei, Z. crinitum, Z. Protheroe-
ianum, Z. Ballii, &c. None of these plants suc-
ceed if exposed to direct sunlight, therefore a
shady corner should be set apart for them. Re-
potting may be carried out immediately a plant
recommences to grow, and being a free-root-
ing subject, each plant should be afforded plenty
of pot-room and a good depth of compost. The
pots should therefore be filled to about a quarter
of their depth with clean crocks for drainage,
and good turfy yellow loam, peat, leaf-mould,
with plenty of small crocks well mixed with
these, will' form a suitable compost. After re-
potting the plants, water thera with great care
until roots become plentiful, when copious sup-
plies should be afforded to them. The distinct
Z. maxillare and its variety Gauteri, in its
native habitat, grows on the stem of a tree

Fern, and under cultivation no better substitute
has been found to supersede it. Suspend the
pieces of tree Fern, with the plant attached, well
up to the roof glass, choosing a cool, shady
position, in the same house, and never let the
plant get dry at the root. Z. rostratum, with
its nearly white labellum, is always admired
when in bloom ; it is a warm growing species,
and should be placed in a shady place in the
coolest part of the East Indian house. The
rare Z. Roeblingianum should be treated simi-
larly. Both plants grow best when potted in
the ordinary compost of peat and sphagnum-
moss, and kept constantly moist at the roots.
The species formerly known as Promenasa, but
which are now included under the genus Zygo-
petalum, are much smaller than their con-
genors, consequently they should be grown in
shallow, well-drained pans, and suspended near
the glass in the cool house, but during very
cold weather a few degrees more warmth than
that prevailing in the cool house is better for
them. Their cultural requirements are similar
to other species of Zygopetalum. The Pro-
menaeas include such varieties as P. citrina, P.
micropterum, P. stapelioides, and P. Rollin-
sonii.

Colax jugosus is closely related to Zygo-
petalum, for it readily crosses with members
of that genus. The plant should be grown in
a similar manner as the Promenaeas, but
being a deeper-rooting plant than the Pro-
menaeas, pots are more suitable than shallow
pans. Zygopetalums, Promenaeas, al.d Colax
will thrive very well under the treatment re-
commended, so long as they are kept free from
insects, but from the moment yellow thrips
obtain possession of the young growths, a rapid
decline in vigour is sure to follow, which can
be checked and finally eradicated by the usual
vaporising process, or by dipping or spraying
with some safe insecticide.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. Kino, Esq.,
Eastwell Park, Kent.

The conservatory and flowering house. — The
Chrysanthemums, which have been the principal
feature in this house for some time past, being
no longer effective, it is advisable to take this
opportunity to thoroughly clean the interior of
the structure, and re-arrange the plants. It will
no longer be possible to have such a fine display
of colour as was prevalent in the height of the
Chrysanthemum season, but every effort should
be made to make the house as attractive as pos-
sible during the dull days of mid-winter. After
removing all flowering plants that are past
their best, clear as much space as possible, and
wash down all the pillars, woodwork, and glass,
before bringing in a fresh lot of plants. As
affording a change after the show of Chrysanthe-
mums, some good foliage plants, such as Gre-
villea robusta, Cordyline, Azaleas, the hardier
varieties of Palms, and Phormiums, inter-
spersed with groups of flowering plants, will
assist in making a nice arrangement for Christ-
mas. The climbers under the roof-glass and on
pillars should be thinned as far as is expedient,
and this will allow all the light possible to reach
the plants ; but, as a general rule, the spring is a
more suitable time for the annual hard-pruning
that some greenhouse climbers require. When
the conservatory is attached to the dwelling-
house, the atmospheric temperature should be
kept at a point that is agreeable, in order to en-
courage visitors to spend some time in the
structure amongst the flowers ; 55° by day, rising
to 60°, would be suitable, varying a little ac-
cording to the conditions prevailing out-of-doors,
and allowing the heat to drop a few degrees at
night. Ventilate moderately in favourable
weather, and leave a " chink " of air on during
mild nights in order to permit of superfluous
moisture escaping, and thus keeping the air
drier, and rendering the house more comfortable
the following morning. The temperature recom-
mended above will suit a wide range of plants
in bloom at this season, especially if the at-
mosphere is kept dry. Begonias Gloire de Lor-
raine and the white variety " Turnford Hall "
are universal favourites, and as very few climbers
are in flower at this season, wire baskets con-
taining both varieties, if suspended from the
wires overhead, will help to give a bright and
cheerful aspect to the house. Other winter-
flowering Begonias, such as B. Gloire de Sceaux

and B. nitida alba, will also be found useful,
and, with Coleus thyrsoides, Eupatoriumn,
Primulas, Cytisus racemosus, retarded Lilacs,
Azaleas, Lilies (now in bloom), berried plants
like Solanums will appear quite season-
able. Narcissus Trumpet Major, Due van Thol
Tulips, and Roman Hyacinths, will also help to
make a good show at this season. The best
effect is gained by placing batches of one plant
together, and not repeating it too much, rather
than by indiscriminate mixing of many species.
All the plants mentioned may be kept in the
temperature I have advised, providing they are
prepared previously, it being advisable to gradu-
ally inure the plants to a slightly lower tempera-
ture when in bloom. It is a little difficult to
manage so many species in one house ; but if the
main idea is to have a good show, some things
may be sacrificed for the purpose. If they are
only kept in the house for a short time, and
afterwards transferred directly to the growing
quarters, few will suffer much harm.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park, Surrey.

Early Potatos. — From tubers that were started
in boxes and brought to a somewhat advanced
stage previous to planting in heated frames in
September, new tubers of fair size and quality
are now fit for the table. If the necessary space
is available, further " sets " should now be
started for making additional plantings. If
only occasional dishes even can be obtained,
these will in most cases be greatly appre-
ciated, and therefore afford compensation for
any extra trouble. If frames are not avail-
able for the purpose, pots measuring 8 inches
in diameter may be used, with moderately
good results. Only a very mild heat must
be applied, in either case, otherwise the growth
will be weakly and useless. Great care must
be exercised with regard to ventilation in order
that cold draughts may be prevented, as these
would be sufficient to hinder the successful cul-
ture of the crop.

Seakale. — If it is intended to force this crop
on the ground where the plants have grown, it
will be necessary to place Seakale-pots over the
crowns and cover the whole with a good thick-
ness of long litter and leaves which have been
previously mixed well together. This covering
must be made sufficient to exclude light and air
from the crowns. Although a steady heat of
from 45u to 50° is desirable, any increase on
this would be detrimental, as it would cause
the growths to be weak and flavourless.

Asparagus. — From crowns that were lifted at
about the middle of November and placed on a
well-prepared hot-bed, a good cutting of As-
paragus is being obtained at the time of writing
(December 9). The weather having been up to the
present very mild, it has only been necessary
to cover the frames at nights, the young growths
having enjoyed full benefit of the light
during the day time, which at this season of
the year is not always possible. When forced
under such favourable conditions, the colour
and flavour of the produce are more perfectly
developed than is possible when the growth is
made in partial darkness.

Rhubarb. — If the roots have been lifted and
exposed to the influence of the weather, they
may be forced quite easily after this date, and
they will give better results than any previous
batches that were started earlier. As each batch
of lifted roots is introduced to the forcing-house,
another lot should be lifted and left on the
ground until required to replace former batches
when these are exhausted. To maintain a
sufficient supply of roots a small portion of
each clump containing a crown should be
broken off and replanted as the work of lifting
proceeds, and in two or three years' time these
will be strong and large enough for forcing
purposes.

Musi/rooms. — The earliest beds will now be
in full bearing, and if there is the necessary
ai i ommodation at command fresh beds should
still be made at frequent intervals. From the
present time onwards Mushrooms are generally
much sought after, and, owing to the indirect
way the horse-droppings have to be obtained,
a bed will sometimes fail to come into bearing
at its proper time ; in some cases it may be
a month or so later than was estimated.

December 21, 1907/

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

433

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall.

Planting trees and shrubs. — In most localities
the heavy rains have made the ground so wet
and heavy that, unless much more suitable
weather sets in, it will be wise to postpone any
further planting until spring. Those trees and
shrubs already planted should be occasionally
examined to see that the ties are not chafing the
bark. It is essential that all newly-planted trees
should be kept as steady as possible, or every
gale will only serve to break the new roots. The
most satisfactory method of securing tall
standards is by means of guying wires. The
mulches applied to check evaporation from the
soil around the shrubs planted early in the
autumn will probably have become sodden by
the rains, and will prevent air passing through
it ; such mulches should either be loosened or,
better still, removed. Mulches containing
manure should only be applied to established
shrubs, and they should be lightly forked in
when this can be done without causing injury
to the roots.

Si ds. — During inclement weather employ-
ment can be found in sorting and cleaning home-
saved seeds. Many kinds, if left too long in
their pods, capsules, &c, decay, and those which
show signs of mildew should receive first atten-
tion. After being cleaned, the seeds should be
put in packets, and these should be inscribed
with the name of seed and the date.

Ixias. — There being a danger that the early
growths may be injured by frost, these bulbs are
best when planted at about this time. The soil
in such positions as best suits these bulbs — at
the foot of a south wall or in front of a green-
house— is usually in a workable condition at any
season and of such a nature as will ensure suc-
cess. The bulbs should be planted about 4
inches deep, and at 2 inches apart from each
other. Groups of 9 to 12 bulbs are very effec-
tive, and although there are many named vane-
ties to select from, mixed sorts are cheaper and
well adapted for the purposes of border culti-
vation.

Leaves. — Now that the deciduous trees are
bare, all the fallen leaves should be cleared
away from the garden and taken to the rubbish
yard. Unless they are likely to be blown about,
those which lie in the shrubberies may be
allowed to remain. A slight covering with soil
will keep those near the edge in place, and there
is rarely any difficulty with the leaves which lie
further inwards.

Lawns. — Lightly roll the lawns on all favour-
able opportunities. Worm-casts often disfigure
the grass at this time of the year, and unless
they are thoroughly dry, any attempt to sweep
them up only aggravates the evil, so that it be-
comes necessary to use some worm-destroyer.
The laying of turf may be continued during
favourable weather ; should hard frost threaten,
it is advisable to protect any newly-laid turf, or
the frost will cause it to lift. Unless the verges
are badly broken, they should not be trimmed
with the edging knife at this season. The cut
edge remains bare much longer than when this
work is done in the spring ; but any necessary
clipping should be done with the edging shears.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By Alexander Kirk, Gardener to J. Thomson Paton, Esq.,
Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Early Figs. — Where these are in demand, the
pot plants, having been prepared as was di-
rected in the Calendar published in the issue
for November 9, should now ibe plunged
in a pit provided with bottom heat. The neces-
sary degree of bottom-heat may be easily sup-
plied by making up a bed of light, strawy manure
from the stable. A Melon pit is a suitable struc-
ture in which to force Figs. The depth of the
plunging material should be made 18 inches at
the least. This natural heat will cause the Figs
to start into growth, and the embryo fruits will
not be likely to drop off. After the trees have
started well into growth, they will need a bottom-
heat not exceeding 75°, and an atmospheric tem-
perature of 60° by day and 50° at night. When
the *5un is shining on the house, maintain a
humid atmosphere by damping the paths, &c, or
red spider will soon put in an appearance; but a
considerable amount of atmospheric moisture
will be supplied from the plunging material.
The cultivator must rigorously prevent extremes

of fire-heat when starting Figs, and be careful in
the application of water to the roots, always
using water which has been heated to the same
temperature as the bottom-heat in the pit. Plants
that have filled the pots with roots will require
feeding when the fruit is swelling, as Figs re-
spond well to weekly applications of some
approved concentrated manure. Syringe the
trees every morning with tepid water, but take
care first to see that the heat of the atmosphere
is what it should be.

Strawberries. — The first batch for early forcing
should be removed at once into a vinery, or any
house having a moderately warm atmosphere,
but where the heat will not be excessive. An
early Peach-house would be suitable, and in this
structure the plants should be arranged in a
position near to the root-glass. They are some-
times successfully started by placing the pots on
a bed of leaves close to the glass ; but in such
a case care is required that too violent a heat is
not given off from this fermenting material at any
time. This is very important, as extremes would
cause the plants to become weakly, the flowers
small, and the fruits would be likely to be
affected with mildew and insect pests. Before
introducing the plants into heat, first examine the
stock, and select those having well-matured
crowns. Remove all decayed and decaying
leaves, see that the drainage is perfect, wash the
pots, and dip each plant in a solution of potas-
sium sulphate, at the strength of 1 ounce of the
potassium to 2 gallons of warm water. This will
destroy any germs of mildew present. Should
plants already affected with germs be placed in
a warm, moist atmosphere, the mildew will
spread very rapidly. Apply lime water to the
roots if earthworms are troublesome.

Cucumbers. — Plants now swelling their fruits
should have a steady temperature of 60° at night
and 70 by day, rising with sun-heat to 75".
Be very cautious in watering the plants,
and never damp the pit unless the atmospheric
temperature exceeds 63°.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mavne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

Peachei <i>ui Nectarines. — Now the trees are leaf-
less, and assuming that the work of pruning,
cleansing, and training of the different kinds of
fruit trees enumerated in former Calendars is
being brought to a close, and the weather re-
mains mild, there is no reason" why the Peaches
and Nectarines should not be given similar at-
tention. It is customary to take these trees from
the wall annually, so that the wood can be
thoroughly w-ashed, and the walls re-pointed, if
this is considered necessary. In any case, the
walls should be coloured afresh, as many insects
that infest these trees hibernate in every hole and
crevice they can get into during winter. Where
tlie trees are trained to wires (and this is by far
the best method), the necessary pruning may be
done before the trees are loosened, as it can be
better determined what amount of growth can
be dispensed with, especially so in the matter of
a large branch here and there, which at times
are the better for removal. The shoots that will
fruit next year are those which were made dur-
ing the past summer ; therefore reserve sufficient
of these for replenishing the wall space when the
trees are replaced in their proper positions. Im-
perfectly-matured shoots should be cut back to a
wood bud, which will be seen to be more pointed
at the tip than a fruit bud, or to triple buds,
where the centre one is usually a wood bud.

Washing the trees. — Red spider and the black
aphis are the two worst enemies of the Peach.
These locate themselves on the young and old
wood alike, so that all the shoots need to be
carefully washed, using a soft painter's brush or
sponge for the purpose, and a mixture made from
1 lb. of soft soap, 1 lb. of flowers of sulphur, and
1£ pints of Bentley's Quassia Extract. This
should be thoroughly dissolved in 2 gallons of
hot water, after which 8 gallons of soft water
should be added, when it will be ready for use.
In treating the fruiting wood, work the sponge or
brush towards the point of the shoot (not back-
wards), or many of the buds will be likely to get
injured or rubbed off. Trees badly infested with
these insects should be treated a second time as
soon as the, first washing has dried, choosing a
dry da>- for carrying out this work.

Training the trees.' — First tie in the main
branches with cord, having in view the necessity
of obtaining an equal balance of growth on either
side ; thus will the tree when re-trained represent
the shape of an open fan. The best results fol-
low when the fruiting shoots are trained at
4 inches apart, for a new shoot will have to be
laid in at the base of each old one for fruiting
in the following year. Any bare branches may be
covered with a young shoot ; it will act as a shade
during very hot weather. Young trees that have
not yet filled their allotted space should have
their centre kept somewhat open by training the
shoots more oblique than that in the case of
aged specimens. Some cultivators, with a view
of retarding the flowers, keep the trees from the
wall until as late a period as possible, in which
case the branches must be tied to stakes to pre-
vent the wind from swaying them to and fro.
Tying or nailing should be done loosely, so that
each branch can develop freely during the com-
ing season.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrew, Superintendent of the Parks and
Open Spaces in the City of Cardiff.
Fertilisers for lawns— -Park officials are, as a
rule, no better than most other gardeners at
giving proper attention to the manuring of the
lawns and grass swards under their charge. It
has often been pointed out that the average
lawn is the most starved and badly-managed
piece of ground connected with the whole gar-
den, and this statement is equally true when
applied to parks. Week after week during spring,
summer, and autumn, year in and year out,
lawns are mown close to the ground, and little,
if any, return made to the soil for all that is
taken from it. The clippings at the end of the
season are not even allowed to remain and
decay, but are carefully swept off and the lawn
robbed of this slight source of humus. Under
such treatment it is little wonder that lawns
become overgrown with Daisies and other
weeds, and that grasses diminish and become
exhausted. To keep swards in a good, healthy
condition they require to be manured quite as
judiciously as flower beds or shrubbery borders.
Choice of manures. — In a public park one is a
little restricted in the choice of grass fertilisers,
as, for very obvious reasons, strong smelling
organic manures cannot be freely used. To
introduce the necessary humus to the soil under
these circumstances is a little difficult, and is
best done by giving a dressing from the general
rubbish heap after it has become thoroughly
decomposed and mixed with fine lime. Sedi-
ment, which has been taken out of a pond or
lake and allowed to lie for a few years, when
turned over and well broken up, and a quan-
tity of wood ashes incorporated with it, makes
a very good dressing for grass. Such dressings
are usually applied by being spread thinly over
the surface of the ground early in the winter
prior to a fall of rain. If any lumps remain
after the compost has been weathered for a
time, they must be broken with a rake, and the
surface swept by means of brushwood attached
to a hurdle, which is drawn backwards and
forwards over the lawn during dry weather. In
America the favourite lawn fertiliser seems to>
be pure wood ashes — a commodity which can
apparently be had at a very cheap rate. The
manurial value of wood ashes lies in the potash
and vegetable charcoal they contain. Charcoal
itself, when finely ground and applied to lawns,
imparts to the grass a rich green colour, but
on account of its cost, its use is generally con-
fined to the putting greens on golf courses. As
wood ashes are not an article of commerce in
this country, their use is limited, but is replaced
by kainit, which can be obtained easily and
cheaply. Both wood ashes and kainit must, like
the humus dressings, be applied in winter. Mr.
H. Cousins, in his useful little work The
Chemistry of the Garden, gives an excellent
formula for a cheap and efficacious lawn
manure. It consists of 3 lbs. basic slag and
2 lbs. of kainit applied to the ground in winter,
and 3 lbs. of superphosphate of lime to J lb. of
sulphate of ammonia applied fn spring. This
quantity is sufficient to dress 40 square yards,
and, if carefully carried out and sown just
before rain, produces very satisfactory results.
Soot is an old-fashioned lawn manure, which,
if applied in spring, makes a very considerable
difference in the growth and constitution of the
herbage.

434

THE GA li D ENER S ' CHR O NI CL E .

[December 21, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants
/or naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be written on one side onlv of
the paper, sent a> early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does ?tot
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sendingto
the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

Illustrations.- The Editor will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or draivings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, jlowers,treest &c, but he
cannot be responsible for toss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25—
Christmas Day (Quarter Day).

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26— Bank Holiday.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27— Roy. Bot. Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 38*4°.

Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Wednesday, December 18 (6 p.m.) : Max. 53°;
Min. 39".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London. —Thursday, December 19
(10 a.m.): Bar.. 299; Temp. 55°; Weather—
Slight rain.

Provinces. — Wednesday, December 18 (6 p.m.) : Max. 51°
Colchester; Min. 40", Scotland S.

Most gardeners nowadays sup-
Manuring plernent the natural manure
and its obtained from the farmyard
Effects. or tne stable by one or more of

the so-called artificial kinds. But
both the gardener and the farmer are rather
at the mercy of those who make and advertise
these substances, and they too often neglect
the necessary and obvious precaution of ob-
taining a guaranteed proportion of the fer-
tilising ingredients. Doubtless this often
arises from the fact that the nature of the
substances is not understood, and thus the
figure^, when thev are given, convey but little
meaning. This is often the case, for example,
with guano, which is perhaps the best general
fertiliser that can be obtained. Anyone who
makes a solution of this manure realises that
the greater part of what he has purchased
too often consists of common soil and other
insoluble matter. This is of no consequence
provided he has really got the proper value,
in nitrogen and other substances, for the
mom v In- has paid, because the guano, even
if it could be obtained pure, is often mixed
with soil before sowing on the land.

In the case of the manures compounded
artificially of various substances, it is very
important lo know what one is really paying
for, and w hether due value is being got for
the expenditure. Unfortunately compara-
tively few people possess enough simple
chemical knowledge to attack these matters
themselves But those who do could easily
effect a considerable saving in the annual
bill for manure by making up their own mix-
tures from the raw materials, which are
generally to be purchased at a relatively

cheap rate. Thus sulphate of ammonia can
be recommended to those who desire to get
rid of Daisies from the lawn, and its price
will be found to be very much lower than that
of certain well-known specifics which are
often employed for this purpose. We have
seen this cheap substance used with wonder-
ful effect upon a lawn in which the grass was
struggling between the Daisy plants. The
latter were killed out by the sulphate of am-
monia, and the grass speedily occupied their
place. A dressing of dissolved bones and
wood ashes was given subsequently, and the
turf thus encouraged has continued to be the
admiration of all who see it.

Some people entertain a prejudice, for
which indeed there is some justification,
against the use of artificial manures alto-
gether. There is no doubt that when im-
properly used they may do more harm than
good, especially when single substances are
used. Thus nitrate of soda is often employed
with results that may be disastrous later on.
In this manure it is the nitrogen which is
utilised by the plant, whilst the soda causes
changes that, in heavy soils, may ruin the
tilth for some years, since it accentuates all
the bad qualities resident in stiff clay.

Again, sulphate of ammonia, if applied
alone, whilst producing wonderful results at
first, may be detrimental in the long run on
soils that contain but little lime. In this in-
stance, however, the remedy is easy to apply,
and lime is cheap enough.

Again, basic slag works marvels in some
soils, for in addition to its own immediate
properties, it renders available to plants
stores of potash in the soil which would other-
wise be inaccessible to them. On sandy soils
poor in potash, however, it may produce no
effect, or its influence may even be detri-
mental in clearing out the scanty reserves of
this essential element of plant nutriment. In
such a case the obvious precaution to take is
to see to it that potash starvation shall be
avoided by adding it in some form, e.g., as
sulphate, to the land.

There is always a danger in using what
we may call one-sided manures, of depletion
of the soil in respect of other constituents,
and it is for this reason that mixtures of vari-
ous soils are greatly preferable, as a general
rule, to single substances. It is well, then, to
bear in mind, when compounding manures,
that the essential constituents should include
nitrogen, phosphoric and sulphuric acids, and
potassium. The cost of the particular mixture
employed will depend very much on the form
in which the necessary ingredients are sup-
plied, whilst the rapidity of its action will
mainly be affected by the degree of solubility
in water of the several substances composing
it. Thus a manure made up of 7 lbs. of
sulphate of ammonia, 2 lbs. of potassium
phosphate, and 4 lbs. of bone meal will
cost about three shillings a stone, and
much less if made up in large quantity.
But it is a very powerful stimulant and must
1" used sparingly, whilst the plants are grow-
ing. There are many mixtures on the mar-
ket, the nutritive value of which is very far
below that just given, but their cost to the
consumer is considerably higher.

Few people realise how completely the
vegetation of a lawn may be altered by
manuring, although probably many may

nave observed particular examples of it, as,
for instance, the dense clothing of Clover that
commonly results from an application of
basic slag, largely owing to an indirect action
on the potash reserves of the soil. The most
striking object lessons of this kind are to be
seen at the celebrated experimental station at
Rothamsted, in Hertfordshire. There are a
number of small plots of grass land adjoin-
ing each other, which originally formed a
continuous part of the park. Each plot has
been continually treated for a number of years
with a particular kind of manure that has not
been altered, and thus its effect on the herbage
could be followed from season to season. It
is difficult for any person now visiting the
plots to realise that the vegetation of every
one of them was once identical with that still
prevailing in the park outside their own bor-
ders. Almost every type of herbage now
finds its representative on one or other of the
plots, and yet this difference has not been
achieved by any form of interference with
natural conditions other than the persistent
application of definite systems of manuring.

*#* Our Almanac— According to our usual
practice we shall shortly issue a Gardeners' Chronicle
Almanac for the year 1908. In older to make it as
useful as possible for reference, we shall be obliged if
Secretaries of Horticultural, Botanical and Allied
Societies, or any of our correspondents, will send us
immediate intimation of all fixtures for the
coming year.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next
meeting of the committees will be held on Tuesday,
December 31, at Vincent Square, Westminster.

Horticultural Instruction.— The Board
of Agriculture has published a very useful leaflet
(No. 197) dealing with the facilities afforded for
agricultural and horticultural instruction in Eng-
land and Wales. Particulars as regards the
courses of instruction, fees, cost of living, &c,
are given in some detail, and the information will
be much appreciated by those whose interest or
business is connected with land, and who are
desirous of taking advantage of the increasing
educational opportunities which are now at their
disposal.

Late-Blooming Roses. — In respect to this
subject, the Rev. David R. Williamson writes :
" When I visited Logan Gardens, Wigtown-
shire, on December 12, by invitation of Mrs.
MeDoi'ALL, of Logan, who is an enthusiastic
amateur rosarian, many of the finest hybrid
perpetuals were in wonderful bloom. Con-
spicuous among these were Mrs. Sharman
Crawford, Margaret Dickson, and Captain Hay-
ward, of which a large number of vigorous
plants were luminous with bright buds and half-
expanded flowers. Nothing could be more
charming to a lover of Roses at this season of
the year." Mr. J. W. Miskin, Mereworth
Castle Gardens, Kent, also writes as follows : —
"To-day (December 12) I have gathered quits
a large bunch of Roses, enough to fill half a
dozen good-sized bowls. The varieties are Papa
Gontier, Peace, Souv. de David D'Anger, Gene-
ral Schablikine, Lady Zoe Brougham, Fabvier
(China), and the old Monthly Rose. The Rose-
garden here is protected from rough winds by
shrubberies on the west, north, and east sides,
so that the buds do not get bruised by the beat-
ing against each other that occurs in rough
weather in more exposed situations. Should the
weather keep mild, I shall be able to gather a
nice feunch of Roses for Christmas Day."

[The Gardeners' Chronicle, December 21, 1.07.

December 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

435

The Gardens of England. —The winter
special number of The Studio, a monthly art
periodical, is devoted entirely to the gardens
of England in the southern and western
counties. This attractive volume of great in-
terest to those connected with the graden craft
is issued in paper wrappers at 5s., or in cloth
binding at 7s. 6d., and is edited by Charles
Holme. The size is 11J inches by 8J, and the
illustrations are beautiful representations of
views in some of the most famous gardens in
that part of the kingdom to which the editor
has devoted his attention. Briefly reviewed,
the work may be said to contain articles on
the history of garden-making, the principles of
garden-making, and notes on the illustrations.
Of these, which are all full-paged, there are
eight in colour and 128 in black and white.
The coloured ones are after drawings by Geo.
S. Elgood, Lilian Stannard, E. H. Adie, and
E. Arthur Rowe, and represent the Forecourt,
Great Tangley Manor ; Yew Arch at Brickwall ;
the Long Water, Hampton Court ; Penshurst,
&c. Some of the most effective of the black
and white photographic reproductions are
" Stratton Park, Hants " ; " Herbaceous Flower
Border at Orchardleigh Park, Somerset" ; " The
Rock Garden at Killerton, Devon " ; " Lily Pool
at Dropmore " ; " Brockenhurst Park, Hants";
" Blenheim Palace, Oxon," and " The Old
Orangery at Ham House," all of which are
typical garden scenes. Many others include
views of the mansions and picturesque portions
of garden architecture.

The Poisonous Nature of Bitter Cas-
sava.— It has been long known that the poisonous
nature of the root of the Bitter Cassava (Manihot
utilissima), from which Tapioca is made, is due
to the presence of hydrocyanic acid ; but an ex-
planation of the matter from the chemical point
of view has recently been given as the result
of investigations conducted at the Imperial
Institute, " which show that no variety of
Cassava contains prussic acid, as such, but
all contained a cyanogenetic glucosid, and
associated with it are enzyme, capable of
splitting up the glucosid with the forma-
tion of prussic acid. The common classifi-
cation of Bitter and Sweet Cassava is based upon
the amount of glucosid present." This subject
is discussed in the Bulletin of Miscellaneous In-
formation of the Botanical Department of Trini-
did as follows: — Instances are known, how-
ever, where analysts have stated certain per-
centages of prussic acid to have been found in
Cassava roots, but it seems clear that the acid
was produced by the methods of analysis
employed, especially as it is found that a con-
tinued treatment with water produced further
quantities of the acid. The lesson to be learned
from the above appears clear, and the explana-
tion of the poisonous characters of Cassava is
afforded. The cyanogenetic glucosids, together
with the enzyme in the presence of water, give
rise to prussic acid at certain temperatures.
Under this explanation a family might ear
cooked Cassava with the greatest impunity ; but
some of the identical dish, if kept for a few
hours, might subsequently produce poison
strong enough to cause serious effects, and
even death, if eaten by a human being.
Nevertheless, the methods of preparing Cas-
sava for food in the countries where it is a
dailv staple and a chief food of the people, are
such as to negative the production of poisonous
material, and even some of those kinds known
to carry a large amount of cyanogenetic material
can be consumed without danger if properly
treated. The proper procedure is to boil Cas-
sava in several changes of water, or by driving
off poisonous matter by roasting or baking pro-
cesses, and by never consuming moisture-con-

taining material that has been left over from a
meal a sufficient length of lime to generate
the poison. The tortilla cakes of Central
America and Brazil are well known as whole-
some food, and they may be eaten daily with-
out danger. So also are the Cassava cakes of
the West Indies, which are always toasted to a
crisp state before being eaten. The preparation
known as Farine — a kind of coarse flour or meal
— should also be well dried before being eaten,
as it is known to generate prussic acid if allowed
to become damp. The caution therefore should
be : Always eat Cassava products fresh and well
roasted or baked, and when boiled several
changes of water should be used in the process.
It may be mentioned, however, that the sweeter
kinds are always used for boiling purposeSj the
bitter kinds being kept for starch making, al-
though the latter may be used without danger if
proper care is taken in their preparation. The
Tapioca of the European grocer is mainly ob-
tained from the starch of Bitter Cassava.

The House Fly. — The common house fly is
so well known, and plays its part so ably in con-
tributing to the sum of human ills that it may
seem a matter of surprise that its life history,
and especially its breeding habits, have been
hitherto but little investigated. Mr. Robert
NewSTEAD has brought together the results of
his investigations on this question in a pamphlet
published by the Health Committee of the City
of Liverpool. He finds that the fly breeds in
fermenting vegetable matter in preference to any
other. Stable manure and spent hops provide
the best material, but ash-pits containing refuse
of various sorts also contained the maggots,
though, in a far less degree. The fly does not
breed, like the bluebottle and many other carrion
feeders, in decaying animal matter. The maggot
stage varies much in its duration, being shortest
(about a week) in warm, fermenting media, and
this points to the desirability of emptying ash-
pits, &c, at frequent intervals. Poultry search
very greedily for the grubs, and thus help to
keep the number of flies down in places where
stable manure or other litter accumulates. The
information thus gathered by Mr. Newsteao is
of considerable economic value, as indicating
the best means of preventing the rapid multipli-
cation of so troublesome a pest. For now we
know its breeding habits, it is possible to deal
with the pest, and at a time in its life his-
tory when it is most vulnerable. Preventive
measures become the more imperative when it is
remembered that besides the annoyance which
it causes, the house fly is one of the common
agents responsible for the spread of certain dis-
eases, owing to the filthy habits of feeding which
characterise the adult insect.

Pollution of Rivers.— At a largely attended
conference-meeting, convened under the aus-
pices of the Essex Field Club, and held in the
Municipal Technical Institute, Stratford, on De-
cember 14, the Mayor of West Ham (Council-
lor J. R. Moore-Smith, J. P.) being in the chair
at the beginning, and subsequently the Presi-
dent of the Essex Field Club (Mr. Miller
Christy, F.L.S.), there being present naturalists,
geologists, meteorologists, manufacturers, sani-
tary officers, and representatives of Water
Boards and of County and Borough Councils,
the subject of " River Pollution from the
Naturalists' Point of View " was introduced by
Professor R. Mki.dola, F.R.S. (past-President of
the Chemical Society). Among other speakers
on the subject were Mr. E. B. Barnard, M.P.
(Chairman Works Committee, London Water
Boardi, Mr. David Howard, J. P., F.C.S. (past-
President Society of Chemical Industry), Mr.
Kent (Bishops Stortford Urban District Coun-
cil), Dr. Parsons (Local Government Boardi,
Sir Alexander Pedler, K.C.I.E., F.R.S. (hon.

secretary, British Science Guild), Mr. J. Brook
Pike (Chemical Expert, London County Coun-
cil), Professor Sir William Ramsay, K.C.B.,
F.R.S. (President of the Chemical Society and
Chairman of the Royal Commission on Sewage
Disposal), Dr. Sanders- (Medical Officer of
Health, County Borough of West Ham), Dr.
Sommerville (Lecturer on Public Health,
King's College, London), Mr. J. C. Thresh,
M.D., D.Sc. (Medical Officer of Health,
Essex County Council), and Mr. J. Mack-
worth Wood, C.E. At the close of
the meeting the following resolution was
moved by Sir Alexander Pedler, F.R.S.,
seconded by Mr. E. B. Barnard, M.P., carried
unanimously, and ordered to be transmitted
to the Local Government Board and the British
Science Guild : — " That this meeting, having
heard the expert testimony of many qualified
speakers interested in the improvement of the
state of our rivers, streams, and water-ways, it
is of opinion that legislative action is urgently
needed, and would regard with satisfaction the
creation of a central authority under Govern-
ment for dealing with the general question of
water supply throughout the kingdom, as well
as with the disposal of sewage and of effluents
from factories ; such central authority to be
given power to apportion expenditure on sew-
age treatment or other necessary work of puri-
fication amongst the communities deriving
benefit from such expenditure.''

Root Solvents in the Soil.— It has long
been accepted as a fact that plants help them-
selves to a part of their mineral food by means
of the solvent action of their acid root sap on
the particles of soil with which the rootlets come
into contact. The observations most frequently
quoted in support of this are the classical ones
of Sachs, who showed that the acid of the root
sap was sufficient to etch, by its corrosive
action, th= surface of polished marble buried
beneath the soil. Writing upon this subject in
Science Progress recently, Mr. A. D. Hall, M.A.,
director of the Rothamsted Experimental Sta-
tion, says : " Though it has always been recog-
nised that the roots of plants in the main derive
their nutriment from substances dissolved in the
water within the soil, yet the possible direct
solvent action of the roots themselves upon the
solid materials of plant-food has long been a
debated question amongst plant physiologists
and agricultural chemists." The problem has
been attacked from several distinct points of
view, and the investigators find applications in
one or two rather unexpected directions. For
example, the analyses, of which many exist, of
our chief farm and garden crops show that the
normal action of plants upon the soil is to leave
behind a basic residue from the neutral salts on
which plants feed, and that so far from plant-
roots being excretors of acid, their action upon
the soil is precisely the contrary. Investiga-
tions have shown that they leave behind, in the
soil, after their growth, quantities of base
equivalent to from 100 to 300 lbs. of calcium
carbonate (lime) per acre, and this affords an
explanation of several facts in the field hitherto
difficult to understand. For instance, many
soils possess but traces of base (lime, &c.) avail-
able for the neutralisation of the acids produced
during nitrification, a process which is always
going on in nature ; and indeed, it is the normal
preliminary step to the supply of nitrogen to the
plant. Despite this constant draft upon the
small amount of base (lime) in the soil, these
soils maintain their neutral character when i.i
arable cultivation, and show no signs of becom-
ing sour and infertile. There must therefore
be some recuperative process at work, and this
we may now attiibute, according to recent re-
search at Rothamsted and elsewhere, to the
growth of the crops which annually take from
the soil such an excess of acid as will leave
behind an amount of base (lime) of the same
order of magnitude as that consumed in the
nitrification process.

436

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 21, 1907.

Odontoglossum x Andersonianum. — Our
attention has been drawn to the fact that the
illustration in our issue for November 30 of the
variation exhibited in flowers of this species
was published in the Orchid Review, vol. xiii.,
p. 221. We regret that, owing to an oversight,
this fact was not communicated to us by our
correspondent, Mr. Raffill, when the photo-
graph was submitted for inspection.

Cryptogamic Botany at the Man-
chester University. — The University of
Manchester has just become the recipient, under
the will of the late Prof. Thomas Barker, of
about £40,000, which is to be devoted to the
foundation of a Chair of Cryptogamic Botany,
and also for the provision of bursaries or scholar-
ships for the assistance and encouragement of
students in botany and mathematics. Prof.
Barker formerly occupied the Chair of Mathe-
matics at Owens College (now the University)
in Manchester. He was a very distinguished
mathematician, and some of the foremost leaders
in physics and mathematics at the present time
were amongst his former pupils. But he was
also devoted to the study of the lower plants,
and he has emphasised this devotion by his
munificent bequest to his old University. The
Botanical Department of the University has a
splendid chance before it of further development,
and we do not doubt that it will utilise its great
opportunity to the fullest extent.

Ginseng in Queensland. — The extra-
ordinary value set by the Chinese on the roots of
their native Ginseng (Aralia quinquefolia var.
Ginseng) is a matter well known to many people.
It became, however, more especially interesting
during the progress of the Russo-Japanese war,
since the cultivation of the plant in Corea and
the export of its roots to China was a Govern-
ment monopoly, and amounted in 1905 to
107,485 lbs., valued at £102,351. The Imperial
or Manchurian Ginseng is the finest quality,
and is prepared for export by steaming it
for some hours in baskets placed in earthen ves-
sels. Its value in China is for the tonic and
stimulant properties it is said to possess. The
true species (A. quinquefolia) is a native of
North America, and the roots are collected in
the Alleghanies from Pennsylvania to Tennes-
see, from whence they are exported to China in
large quantities, as a substitute for the Chinese
product. According to a note in the Queensland
Agricultural Journal for July last, it would
;eem that the commercial importation of the
American root into Brisbane has been con-
temp'ated; as the following extract from
a letter of the Commissioner of Trade
in China to the Under-Secretary for
Agriculture and Stock in Brisbane will
indicate. He says : " As to why cultivated
Ginseng is considered of poorer quality than the
wild, the Chinese make no distinctions as re-
gards this point ; but in the grading the culti-
vated product seems to fall lower in the scale on
account of it being less firm in consistency than
the wild. A spongy root is practically worth-
less. If the Ginseng is not well packed, and
absorbs moisture in transit, it also lowers the
grade materially. On account of these difficul-
ties to be overcome, it would seem advisable to
endeavour to find a Chinaman buyer in Bris-
bane for some portion of the first crop now being
cultivated at the State farms. A good test of
values could thus be obtained. There is always
a good market for American Ginseng in Shang-
hai and Hong Kong."

Publications Received.— Who's Who, price 10s..
and Who's Who Year-Book, 1908, price Is., published
by Adam & Charles Black.— Daily Mail Year-Book,
1908, price 6d., published by the Amalgamated Press,
Limited.

HULL PUBLIC PARKS.

The city of Hull is particularly favoured in
the number of public parks and open spaces it
possesses. In addition to these the main streets
are planted with avenues of trees that are in
some cases set in a grass border 20 feet wide.
Perhaps the most important of the parks is the
one known as Pearson Park. This fine open
space of 25 acres was presented to the city by
one of its citizens, Zacariah C. Pearson, who
in 1858 filled the office of Sheriff a»d in 1859
that of Mayor. It is situated near to a thickly-
populated part of the city, and is on the line
of two routes of tramways. The land was given
by Mr. Pearson, and the work of laying out
the ground was undertaken by the Corporation,
who commissioned Mr. J. C. Niven, at that time
curator of Hull Botanic Garden, to prepare the
necessary design. Many additional features and
improvements were added to the park by the
late superintendent, Mr. E. A. Peak, who held
the office for 40 years. The main entrance to
the park is through handsome wrought iron
gates, the design of which include at the top the
arms of Hull City and of Hull Trinitv House.

to 30 square feet, and although the method of
planting is not confined to one system, that
known as dot bedding largely prevails. Thus
in many of the larger beds as many as 60 or 70
varieties of plants are employed. Some few of
the beds are of the carpet design, and where
colour is massed the teds are situated in the
background, and these are employed to brighten
the more sombre hues of the shrubbery behind
them. This plantation of shrubs and trees is an
excellent one, and forms a fine setting to the
scene when the beds are gay with their summer
occupants. The border of this shrubbery is
undulating, and many of the stronger growing
varieties of Pelargoniums are planted on the
margin, but extending inward several feet to
the tree line the border is planted with hardy
herbaceous perennials. Dahlias are allotted a
special corner to themselves. Altogether there
are some 20 flower beds in this spot, and as
the ground slopes towards the roadway, they
are seen at a considerable distance. One
bed, specially pleasing, was planted with tall
Fuchsias and yellow Musk (Mimulus), the bor-
der being completed with blue Lobelia and
Alyssum maritimum. Another had a verv pleas-
ing combination of a silver-leaved Pelargonium

Fig. i8o. — flower-beds in pearson park, hull.

The scene at the entrance is very pleasing, and
it becomes at once apparent that the park is
maintained in a high degree of beauty and
order. Numerous flower-beds meet the eye,
and stretching in front are grass swards with
trees and flower borders approached by well-
kept paths. To the left, the walk skirts a lawn
enclosed by a dwarf fence and hedge, with
a background of shrubs, and one would never
imagine they skirted a busy thoroughfare. Cut
in the grass sward are innumerable flower beds,
which at the time of our visit were filled with
their summer occupants. Some of these beds
are shown in fig. 180. Interspersed among the
beds on the lawn were many handsome foliage
plants, including shrubs and small ornamental-
leaved trees. These include Prunus Pissardi,
Daturas, Ailanthus glandulosa, Acer negundo,
Catalpa bignonioides, Spiraea opulifolia aurea,
Japanese Maples, Euonymus latifolius albus,
the golden-leaved Oleander, Veronica Ander-
soni in variety, Cornus Spathii aurea, Aralia
pentaphylla, Eucalyptus in variety, Phormium
tenax, Agapanthus umbellatus, and many
others.

The principal beds have an area of some 20

on a ground work of Viola with lavender-
coloured flowers. Another contained Begonias
of the semperflorens type, with a raised border
of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum,
and above a row of blue Lobelia. The borders
to the flower beds were especially well designed,
and they formed a feature of great interest.
Sometimes three tiers of plants were employed,
each being in harmony with its neighbour. One
scroll bed had a centre composed of scarlet
Pelargoniums, with Kochia scoparia at intervals
along the middle, and an outer row of Santo-
lina, a border of blue Lobelia provided a pleas-
ing finish to the whole. Tall Nasturtiums with
Gladioli furnished one pretty bed. Verbenas
and Fuchsias intermixed another, Ivy-leaved
Pelargoniums, standard plants of Heliotrope,
tuberous-rooting Begonias, Gazanias, Abutilons,
Cannas, Tagetes, Funkias, Phlox Drummondii,
and a host of other subjects were arranged with
good effect in the other numerous flower beds in
this quarter. Almost at the opposite end of the
park was a flower bed designed in true carpet
pattern. It was made to represent a roll of
stair carpet, with a length of carpet unrolled,
and, however much this style of f.ower

December 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

437

gardening is derided by some critics, it is highly
popular with the public. An interesting feature
is what appears to be an old ruin (see fig. 181).
This has been formed principally of portions
of old Hull buildings, that have been removed
when the fabrics have been renovated or pulled
down. The surroundings are planted with beds
of Calceolarias and herbaceous perennials, with
Rhododendrons in the background.

The area includes a lake, somewhat small, but
excellently designed, for no great portion can
be seen from any one spot. A neat rustic bridge
crosses its narrowest part, and here a good
view is obtained.

Apart from the many songsters in the trees
around are others of British and foreign species
confined in spacious aviaries. The captive birds
are a source of pleasure, especially to the
juvenile visitors.

In a more prominent part is a large and well-
designed glasshouse. This conservatory is open
to the public, who are not slow to take advan-
tage of the pleasure a visit affords. It is tropi-
cal in character, and contains Palms, Orchids,
Codiaeums (Crotons), of which some 40 varieties
are cultivated ; the Papyrus was represented by
a fine plant, the shoots reaching to the roof ;

the day of our visit. The tall platform ladders
used in connection with the street lamps are
used for the purpose, and the fruits are detached
by means of rakes.

There are a number of fine avenues, and
many trees on the grass, including two hand-
some specimens of standard Willows, whilst the
outskirts are enclosed with shrubberies. Several
pretty arbours, thatched in a neat manner with
reeds, afford shelter from rain and sun.

An enclosed garden is utilised as a propagat-
ing and nursery department, and a hurried
glance through the glasshouses showed the pro-
vision made for replenishing the conservatory
and maintaining the stock of bedding and other
plants for embellishing the park at the various
seasons of the year.

The West Park.
This park was opened in 1885, is situated on
the Anlaby Road, and a line of tramcars passes
by the main entrance. The necessary land was
purchased by the corporation, and the work
of laying it out provided occupation for the un-
employed at the time when the site was purchased.
The park is planted with several avenues of
trees, a central one being formed of four rows of

Fig. i8i. — imitation ruins in pearson park, hull.

Acalyphas, Anthurium crystallinum, Ixoras,
Rondeletias, Allamandas, Caladiums, Pandanus
Veitchii, Aralias, &c, all exhibiting good cul-
ture. There were also seen many smaller stove
plants. Th» roof was hung with baskets of
Nephrolepis, including the newer varieties. In
their season of flowering are on show Gloxinias,
Celosias, Browallia speciosa, and similar sub-
jects, while provision is also made for a display
of flowering subjects in the autumn and winter
seasons.

A rock-garden forms part of the garden
scheme around this house, and it is furnishe 1
with choice and rare plants, all prominently
labelled. The naming of the plants is of es-
pecial interest to the students of nature-study in
the public schools, and we were informed that
the boys pay greater respect to the plants and
are not so mischievous when they have learned
to know something of the structure and habits
of plants. The Horse Chestnut when in fruit
is a great temptation to boys, and much damage
is done to the trees and the ground about them
in their endeavours to dislodge the fruits. To
prevent temptation, these fruits are removed in
Pearson Park, and this work was being done on

Limes and Horse Chestnuts, the centre being
broken with an ornamental fountain and water-
basin, which is planted with suitable aquatic
subjects. The area embraces a stretch of orna-
mental water, around which are growing several
fine specimens of the Silver Birch. There is a
large conservatory, which is open to the public,
and this is furnished throughout the year with
seasonable plants. A display of Chrysanthe-
mums is provided in this building from Septem-
ber to January. The house contains many
large Palms and other foliage plants, includ-
ing Araucaria Bidwillii, A. excelsa, Phormium
tenax, Cupressus funebris, &c. Begonias Haage-
ana, Carolina, President Carnot, and others are
very bright in their season of flowering At
ether seasons the house is furnished with
herbaceous Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Primulas,
Cyclamen, Pelargonium, Schizanthus, Lilies,
Salvia splendens, &c. ; whilst baskets of Ivy-
leaved Pelargoniums and Fuchsias are sus-
pended from the roof, which is further bright-
ened by Clematis, Bougainvillea, and other
climbing plants.

The flower garden is situated in a prominent
position in the park, and is a gay corner through-

out the summer months. Fig. 179 represents
one of the larger flower beds in this flower gar-
den. The centre is planted with Cannas, Dra-
caenas, Grevilleas, Abutilon Marshallii, Begonias
Fairy Queen, Marguerites, Ivy-leaved Pelar-
goniums, &c, and these are surrounded by a
raised edging of Pelargonium Little Trot. The
narrow radiating portions are planted with
small Begonias, Lobelia Mrs. Clibran, and other
plants. At intervals Kochia scoparia is used as
a " dot " plant, and extensive use is made of
Antirrhinums, including the varieties Queen of
the North, Ruby, Pink Bedder, and others of
terra-cotta shades. The edging is formed of
Antennaria tomentosa.

Many of the smaller beds were planted with
Fuchsias, Gazanias, Pelargoniums, Calceolarias,
and Heliotropes, and around them are raised
edgings of Echeveria secunda glauca, E.
farinosa, and other species. One large bed was
entirely filled with "succulents." At the back
of the flower garden is an herbaceous border
that is planted with a variety of subjects. Tra-
versing this part of the park there is a circuitous
path; this is flanked by a rock garden, and
though the rockery is of recent construction it
is well furnished with suitable plants. Through-
out the year there is always something of interest
in this quarter of the park, for, in addition to the
rock garden and herbaceous borders, there is a
miniature water garden, the banks of which are
planted with Willows, Glyceria spectabilis,
species of Carex and Cyperus, Molinia, &c.
Delphinium, Gladiolus, and Violas are freely
planted hereabouts, and immediately beyond is
a very long border, that is planted in summer-
time with about 120 varieties of Dahlias.
(To be continued.)

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

Romneya Coulteri.— I do not cut the shoots
of this plant to the ground annually, as sug-
gested by Mr. Jenkins on p. 417, but retain
some of the stronger growths of the previous
year, because these produce very early blossoms
and thus lengthen the season of the plant's
flowering. I apply liquid manure and other
stimulants to induce a vigorous growth from
the base for the purpose of obtaining the best
flowers. Although this Romneya may succeed
in the open with the shelter Mr. Jenkins de-
scribes, I think much the best results are ob-
tained from plants growing at the base of a
south wall, and in such a position that they can
produce those stoloniferous growths that give a
continual crop of extra fine flowers. E. Moly-
neux.

Heavy Rainfall in South Wales. — The
total rainfall in Cardiff for the first 14 days of
December has been 6.51 inches. The average
for the whole month (during 43 years) is 3.98
inches. It is raining steadily as I write, and
there is every prospect of a startling record
before the month is over. The statement in the
Gardeners' Chronicle for the 14th inst., that 2J
inches is the average rainfall for December at
Berkhamsted reminds some of us forcibly of the
moistness of the climate of South Wales as com-
pared with that of the south and south-east of
England. The effects of this difference of
climate are very marked in the garden. Plants
such as Tiarella cordifolia and the mossy Saxi-
frages, which require partial shade in the home
counties, luxuriate in a position exposed to full
sunshine here. Iris Kasmpferi, treated as a
border plant in a soil that is only moderately
moist, produces large flowers in abundance. The
luxuriant growth of Bamboos is remarkable.
Planting operations may be undertaken here at
a later date in spring than would be safe in
a drier climate. Special precautions against
" damping off " must be taken with some plants,
and the gardener coming to this district from
an eastern county will find it necessary to modify
his cultural practices in various ways to suit the
different circumstances. Harold Evans, Llani-
shen, Cardiff, December id, ictoy .

43S

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 21, 1907.

Seed and Soil Inoculation. — I hope A . D.
will be able to induce the council of the Royal
Horticultural Society to institute a trial or demon-
stration of the advantages of soil inoculation at
Wisley next season. The fact that over 1,000
packages of living-culture material were distri-
buted from King's College during the last two
seasons clearly shows that the interest in the
matter in this country will soon be as great as it
is in America. With Mr. Chittenden there ought,
I think, to be associated a small special committee
consisting of three practical growers and three
scientists, and possibly Professor Bottomley would
agree to ensure that the culture-material was
in good condition and properly handled. Wm.
Cuthbertson.

The Auricula. — On reading over my article
on p. 405 I find a very grave mistake, which can-
not be a printer's error, but a lapse of my own.
Instead of seven growers sending in lists there
were 27. The National Auricula Society (Southern
section) was founded when these lists were pre-
pared (1S76-7) ; a great impetus to the culture
of the Auricula was given, and the leading northern
growers brought their choice specimens to London.
Many of these worthy old florists have gone, but
happily some are yet with us, including the Rev.
Francis D. Horner, and there are many additions
to the ranks. The society has held meetings and
exhibitions without a break since 1876. Arrange-
ments have been made with the council of the
Royal Horticultural Society to hold the 32nd
exhibition in 1908 in the hall of the Society,
Vincent Square, on the last Tuesday in April.
Mr. Thomas E. Henwood, 1G, Hamilton Road,
Reading, is the hon. secretary, and he is eager to
enrol new members who are also cultivators of
the Auricula. J. Douglas.

Border Auriculas. — When our esteemed
friend, Mr. James Douglas, heads his interesting
paper on page 405 " The Auricula," and in
that paper refers to the florist's Auricula only,
I hardly assume that he means to convey the
impression that no other Auriculas exist. But
whilst my regard for the florist's Auricula is
warm, my esteem for the hardy border Auricula
is at fever heat, and that section is to me " The
Auricula " proper. It is to be regretted that no
one, especially an amateur, with ample time,
means, and years, does not set to work to
create for our spring gardens far more beautiful
hardy Auriculas than we have. To any true
lover of hardy flowers that should be a labour
of love. The plants are very hardy, and they
bloom freely, but the dominating defects are
weak flower stems, flowers of very dull unattrac-
tive colours, and generally of indifferent form.
We want stiff, erect stems, bright pleasing
colours, large rounded " pips," and impressive
beauty. Given these features, and the hardy
border Auriculas will have a long and popular
innings. A. D.

Larch Disease and Larch Aphis. — I was

much interested in Mr. Burdon's account of
his researches on the Larch aphis, published in
the Gardeners' Chronicle of November 23. In
proving that the mother aphis punctures the
bark or epidermis of the shoot, he has doubt-
less strengthened the theory that the insect is a
possible factor in the spread and prevalence of
the blister, and may tend to increase the viru-
lence of the latter. But when Mr. Burdon goes
on to suggest, as Mr. Massee previously sug-
gested in the Journal of the Board of Agri-
culture for September, 1902, that the disease
is the usual and natural sequel of aphis attack,
I am afraid he is confining himself too much
to the laboratory side of his subject, and not
paying sufficient attention to it in the open air.
Before English Estate Forestry was published,
I referred to this matter in the Gardeners'
Chronicle fbr November 13, 1902, and there
stated that " it is jist possible that the same
causes which favoured the aphis attack might
also favour the fungoid attack, even if the
aphides were absent." I have seen no reason
for since aftering my opinion. Larch disease is
widespread over England, Scotland, Wales,
and Ireland, and the Larch aphis is equally
widespread. But, as every practical man
knows, the virulence of the attack in either case
varies, not only in districts, but in individual
plantations and individual trees. If a definite
proportion existed between the occurrence of
aphis-infested and disease-infected woods or
trees, the theory of cause and effect might be

justified. But this is exactly the point on which
the theory is not supported, and the same ab-
sence of support occurs when we attempt to
connect Larch disease with soil, climate, seed,
aspect, and various other possible causes to
which it has been attributed at one time and
another. Two years ago the Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society appointed a committee
of enquiry on the Larch disease, and the only
definite conclusion arrived at was that further
investigations were necessary before anything
definite could be said about the connection of
the disease with any of the above-mentioned
factors, and Larch aphis was included amongst
the latter. As I suggested in English Estate
Forestry, two such widely-spread and universal
parasites must obviously synchronise in their
attacks to some extent, in much the same way
that human and bovine tuberculosis occur side
by side in the same district or on the same
farm, although the origin of each may only
be remotely connected. The wool-secreting
form of the aphis found on the stems of the
Larch is rarely seen in many districts in which
the disease is rampant, and the most common
form of the aphis is the naked mother,
which hibernates either in the axils of the buds
or in the crowns of the dwarf shoots. While
many blisters occur ultimately on such sites,
for the simple reason that they have to occur
somewhere, if they are to occur at all, there
is no more ground for supporting the theory
of connection between the two incidents than
in the case of the other possible causes to which
I have alluded. Mr. Massee's success in incu-
bating a spore under a mother aphis is interest-
ing, but is no stronger link in the chain of evi-
dence than the hatching of a duck's egg under a
barn-door fowl would be in the theory that
hens are necessary for the propagation of
ducks. There is little doubt that any factor
which reduces the vitality of the Larch tends
to favour the blister disease, and Larch aphis
may well be included in the same category as
spring frosts, exceptionally wet or dry soils,
density of cropping, with a dozen other factors
which play a more or less important part in
affecting the development of the tree. But
until the puzzling features associated with the
disease have been cleared up in the minds of
practical men I am afraid the Larch aphis will
have to take a back place, although we are none
the less thankful to Mr. Burdon for his re-
searches on a troublesome pest. A. C. Forbes.

Inarching Vines (see pp. 379 and 417). —
Having a Muscat vine growing in our late house
of Black Hamburg vines, I experimented two
years ago by putting on a graft of the new Mel-
ton Constable Grape, thinking probably the
stock would influence the flavour of that variety,
but I cannot say that the graft has proved of
much service. It ripened this season, a few
bunches of very fine berries, and without the aid
of fire heat from July onwards, but the quality
was only third-rate. The bunch and foliage re-
mind one very much of Gros Colmar, but as
the fruits will ripen well without heat it has an
advantage over that variety. As a market
Grape it should have a good future, as the
" bloom " and handsome appearance will count
for much. The vines here are those from which
the late Mr. Henderson exhibited so success-
fully nearly half a century ago ; they still con-
tinue to bear good crops of well-finished berries.
They are pruned on the same principle as for-
merly, namely, cutting back the shoots to the
best "eye" on the extension system. The vines
are now 78 years old, and, judging by the wood
they produce annually, they appear capable of
living until they are 100 years old. //. Wilson,
Cole Orion Gardens, Ashby-dc-la-Zouch.

Modern Flower-Gardening.— Mr. Brother-
stone commented on p. 379 on the change which
is taking place in the northern part of the king-
dom in the treatment of flower gardens and
herbaceous borders. At this place the desire is
also to have a late display, and this is more
necessary because the family are not in resi-
dence during the summer. Some of the annuals
mentioned by Mr. Brotherstone I have not tried,
but some perennials that he does not mention
have been very successful here. Schizostylis
coccinea has been very brilliant for two months
past, and has arrested the attention of viscitors.
It is still flowering", and I cut over 50 spikes on
November 23. The plants should be divided
annually in March into pieces with two or three

growths. Sedum spectabile, used as a double
edging to a large bed of Fuchsias in a rather
shady part of the flower garden, was very effec-
tive as late as November 11. Aster ericoides is
still fresh, and has been in flower for fully six
weeks. We depend for an autumn display
largely on the early-flowering Chrysanthemum,
of which we grow about 500 plants in many
varieties. Mme. Desgrange and M. Gustave
Griinerwald are the least successful. A fort-
night ago I lifted in full flower the following
varieties from the open ground, and placed them
in cool Peach houses for cutting purposes : O. J.
Quintus, M. W. Holmes, La Triomphante,
Mme. L. Leroy, Soleil d'Octobre, M. B. Ger-
aude, Ryecroft Glory, and Ivy Stark ; also Lizzie
Adcock, in bud, which will open perfectly and
be of use. I also grow Cactus Dahlias in quan-
tity, and find them good wet-weather flowers.
Sweet Peas are a total failure in autumn here,
as they cannot endure our moist climate.
Hydrangea Hortensia and varieties in good posi-
tions are most effective. The same may be said
of H. paniculata grandiflora. Swainsonia gale-
gifolia and S. galegifolia alba are useful tub-
plants and flower persistently from May to late
November, and I should think they would make
effective border plants. F. Street, The Gardens,
Ardwell, Wigtownshire, N.B., December /.

Lilium sulphureum.— In the communication
referring to Lilium sulphureum, on p. 179,

D. D. states that it " should be given a loamy
soil rather than one containing peat." Our ex-
perience in Devonshire is exactly the reverse,
as, with us, it succeeds far better in peat than
in loam. A friend grew L. sulphureum in ordin-
ary soil, with the result that it made poor
growth and flowered sparsely. He then shifted
the bulbs into pure peat mixed with a goodly
proportion of rough grit, and the plants at
once showed that they appreciated the change.
This year, after two seasons in the peat, they
made particularly vigorous growth, the tallest
reaching a height of 7 feet 3 inches, and bear-
ing 17 perfect flowers. This was the finest
specimen I have ever seen in the open. Other
bulbs in the same garden, which have been left
in the ordinary soil, have not approached the
dwellers in peat, being quite 3 feet shorter, and
not bearing more than six flowers. Mine are
now planted in peat, and I hope to emulate my
friend's success. S. W . Fitsherbert.

What is an Herbaceous Plant p — In com-
menting on my note on Romneya Coulteri, p.
417, Mr. Jenkins, in defining what an herbaceous
plant is, opens up a theme for much discus-
sion, for many persons differ greatly in their
meaning of an herbaceous plant. I agree with
Mr |enkins in his definition, and Mr. Nicholson
in his Dictionary of Gardening also describes it
as " a term generally applied to any border per-
ennials which are not shrubby in habit." Al-
though agreeing to this definition, circumstances
do occur when some latitude is demanded by
exhibitors as to disqualification of certain
subjects when shown in all good faith as
herbaceous plants. When judges allow certain
subjects to be included in the category of
herbaceous plants, the exhibitor is encouraged
to repeat the practice. A different set of judges
another year may disqualify — and properly — but
no person will deny that some hardship is
thus thrust upon the exhibitor. Romneya
Coulteri was once in dispute at a large show in
a similar connection to that described. My
wish was to disqualify the exhibit, but I was
overruled by my two colleagues. How would Mr.
Jenkins treat Phygelius capensis and Pentste-
mon Newbury Gem? The former has more than
once been the subject of discussion at flower
shows, as in some gardens this Phygelius dies
down annually, while in others it preserves a
shrubby habit, and flowers from the old growths
the following season. Pentstemons, especially
the variety named, are usually shown in the
classes for herbaceous flowers, but they are
undoubtedly evergreen subjects, and will often
retain their leaves and stems through a mild
winter. Some of the perpetual flowering Pinks
and Carnations, too, could easily come under
this denomination. No doubt the list could
be multiplied, but sufficient has been said to
prove how difficult it is at times for judges to
act conscientiously, and not harshly, with exhi-
bitors, who do not know and who have been
encouraged improperly by former decisions.

E. Molyneux.

December 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CH RON 1 CLE.

4°,9

Decorative Value of Balsams. —This year
I have been agreeably surprised with the decora-
tive value of Balsams, though they are very sel-
dom seen nowadays. They have a wide range of
colour, and when well grown the plants exhibit a
pretty branching habit ; the longest shoots be-
come pendant, giving to each plant the appear-
ance of an artistically arranged flower vase. For
anyone who has a stock ot flowering plants to
maintain for house decoration, they are ad-
mirably suited in their season, as they last
in good condition a week or more together.
This year I had a small batch of plants which
have done duty in the drawing-room on four
occasions ; the last time they were used they
were just as lovely as on the first occasion.
By putting them back in the greenhouse after
they shed each crop of flowers, picking off the
seed pods, applying weak manure water and the
syringe, they were quickly induced into flower
again. The seeds were sown in March, and
the plants were potted in a free-rooting medium
of loam, leafmould, sand, and manure from a
spent Mushroom bed. They were cultivated in
a warm, moist atmosphere, kept near the glass,
exposed to full sunshine, and well syringed until
they were established in 8-inch pots, in which
they flowered. At this stage they were given
cool treatment. John Den/iam, Gardener, B:-t-
Vltll House Gardens, Hayes, Middlesex.

The Florists Art. — Those who attend
flower shows, public functions of all kinds, and
who witness the efforts of the gardener in ar-
ranging the decorations of a dinner-table, or of
an apartment in a private house, will frequently
have had reason to lament the lack of good
taste, and the poor results obtained, despite
an abundance of fine material from which
to choose. This too common fault is due,
in most instances, to lack of opportunity
for studying examples exhibiting fine con-
trasts of colours in flowers and foliage, or
harmonious blendings of forms and colours in
one or the other ; or in the use of colour in
flowers by artificial light that are fit only for
daylight effects, or vice versa. There are many
occasions when decorations in flowers and
leaves are permissible, and I may name a few,
as weddings, christenings, balls, &c, each of
which should have its special kind of decoration.
Generally, the task of decoration on these festive
occasions falls on the gardener, or the ladies of
the house, the latter being the more successful
as decorators by reason of their more naturally
refined taste and their greater opportunities for
observing tasteful examples. If special
shows could be inaugurated by some of
the more important horticultural societies,
at which prizes, in cash, medals and diplomas
could be awarded for various classes of floral
decorations, we might soon hope to see a de-
cided improvement in the florist's art in all its
phases. Some of the competitions should be
" open," and the prizes in these of considerable
amount, thereby enabling florists by profession
to enter the lists as exhibitors. Such shows
would remove much of the monotony commonly
associated with horticultural contests of the
usual kind, besides offering some examples
worthy of being copied or adapted by the visi-
tors, or hints as to the uses to which floral ma-
terials can be put with excellent effects. In
some exhibitions prizes are offered annually for
"groups" and "tables" of flowering plants,
Ferns, Mosses, Palms, &c. Of what practical
use are such displays? In what drawing-room,
conservatory, or other place would they be
tolerated? At a show they merely help to
occupy the floor, and to exhibit the resources of
the gardens from which they have come. F. M.

Grape Appley Towers. — Mr. G. Harvey-
does well to call attention on p. 417 to this
Grape, for it is not nearly so much cultivated
as it deserves to be. Calling at Windsor on
November 8 last, I was shown by Mr. McKellar
a house filled with Appley Towers, with the
exception of an odd rod or two of Alicante.
Mr. McKellar has long since recognised its
value as a mid-winter variety. The bunches
were hanging quite thickly on the young vines,
and were models of good form ; the berries
were of full size, and as well coloured as Grapes
could be. I need hardly say that the vines
were in the best possible condition, as all of
those at Windsor are. E. M.

The Prevention of Corruption
Act, 1906.

To the Editor of the Gardeners' Chr, i

Sir, — Will you permit me to say that I have
read with much interest the able article in your
number of December 8, 1906, entitled " Secret
Discounts," and will you permit me to add a
few observations on the subject? A bribe is
never called a bribe, and " discount " is one of
the innocent words perverted to an unlawful
end by those who wish to conceal the reality
of what they are doing. A discount is a sum
refunded or allowed on settlement by the payee
to the payer : it is not a sum given by the payee
to any third person. A gift, a present, a
Christmas box may all be innocent and pleasant
things, but they may all be names to cover a
very ugly thing — a bribe.

It is worth while to observe that the recent
Act dealing with secret payments to agents and
servants does not trouble itself much about
words or names : it aims at every gift and ever}'
valuable consideration of any kind given or
offered or received or solicited as an inducement
or reward for any favour shown or to be shown
by the recipient to the donor in relation to the
affairs of the master of the recipient, and
makes the receipt or gift of any such thing
by or to any agent or servant a crime. It has
always been immoral : for centuries it has been
recognised by the Courts as illegal ; the recent
Act has made it a crime.

I see that some seedsmen put forward the
suggestion that the sums which they have paid
to gardeners have been given not as an induce-
ment to favour the donor, but as a reward for
the care bestowed by the gardener on the seeds
supplied by the seedsman ; but the pretext ap-
pears to me very thin, and such as could de-
ceive no one who does not wish to be deceived.
What means has the seller of seeds to know
what care is bestowed by my gardener on his
particular seeds? Is the gratuity proportioned
to that care, or to the amount of the order
received. What right has the seedsman to in-
duce my gardener to give special care to his
seeds when, perhaps, I am far more interested
in the seeds supplied by some other vendor or
sent home by a travelling friend? I should re-
gard any such interference by the seedsman
with the conduct of my gardener as a great piece
of impertinence. The worst kind of bribe is
that which is the so-called discount or com-
mission, that is a percentage, a sum which in-
creases with the amount of the orders given.
The direct tendency of such a gift is to tempt
the gardener to neglect his duty in several
ways. His duty to point out any defects in
the goods supplied to his master; to give, if
required, independent advice as to the seeds-
man to be employed ; to order or advise the
ordering of no more seeds or plants than the
garden requires. These gifts have a tendency
to make the gardener blind to the defects in
the goods, to prefer the bribing seedsman over
the honest one, to order or advise the order-
ing of more goods than are required. No non-
sense about the gardener's care can obscure
these effects of the bribe.

May I be permitted to express my earnest
hope that the nurserymen and seedsmen of
this country will succeed in purging their busi-
ness of this stain of corrupt dealing? I fear
that bribery of gardeners has been, and is, very
widespread in the trade, and the passing of
the Act of last year puts a strong obligation
on all traders to strive after a greater purity
than has hitherto prevailed. The nurseryman's
business is one in which the orders are gener-
ally given through, if not by, the servants, and
it is therefore one peculiarly liable to this form
of corruption. Those who are eager in favour
of morality in trade transactions have to do
what they can to overcome the opposition of
two classes : the first is the class who derive
actual profit from the corrupt practices ; the
second, and, perhaps, the larger class, are
those who think it idle and foolish to be too
particular, who do not care for honestv or
morality in business over much, who think it
fussy, and perhaps pharisaical to interfere in
such matters.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Edw. Fry.

Failand, December 10, 1907.

SOCIETIES.

NATIONAL ROSE.
December 12. — The thirty-first annual. general
meeting of the members of this society took
place on the above date at the Westminster
1'alace Hotel. The president, Mr. E. B. Lind-
sell, presided over a good attendance. Mr.
Edward Mawley, honorary secretary, read the

Report of the Committee
for the past year. We make the following ab-
stracts from this interesting document: —

The Metropolitan Exhibition, now one ot ihe recog-
nised attractions of the London season, again took
place, by the kind permission of the president and
council of the Royal Botanic Society, in their gardens
in Regent's Park— an ideal spot for a Rose show. It
was held on July 4 and presented one of the largest
displays ot Roses the society has yet brought together,
while its varied character was well maintained. Owing
however, to the cold and sunless weather in June the
K. ncral quality of the blooms of the "exhibition"
varieties did not reach the high standard of excellence
seen on some previous occasions. For the thud year
in succession. Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Pat-
roness of the society, paid a private visit to the show
soon after it was opened — an honour greatly appreciated
by all present on that occasion.

The provincial exhibition was held at Saltaire, in
Yorkshire, on July 16, in conjunction with the Saltaire,
Shipley and District Rose Society. This proved in
every way a most successful meeting. It was the largest
show the society has ever held in the provinces.

The autumn show, the fourth of the series, took
place, by the kind permission of the Royal Horticultural
Society, 111 their fine hall in Vincent Square, Westmin-
ster, on September 34. Favoured by the dry 'and sunny
weather of the early autumn, this show also proved an
unqualified success. Both as regards the extent of the
display, and the quality of the exhibits, it was far in
advance of either of the three previous autumn exhibi-
tions.

The three five-guinea silver cups, presented to the
society by Mr. W. E. Nickerson, of Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, U.S.A., for the raisers of the best Hybrid
Perpetual, the best Hybrid Tea, and the best Tea Rose
tor general cultivation sent out in 1900, or subsequently
were awarded in April last by a vote of the committee
as follows:— To Mr. Peter Lambert, of Trier, in Ger-
many, as the raiser of the best Hybrid Perpetual Rose

Frau Karl Druschki." To Messrs. A. Dickson &
Sons, Ltd., Newtownards, Co. Down, Ireland, as the
raisers of the best Hybrid Tea "Dean Hole." To
Messrs. Soupert-et-Notting, of Luxembourg, as the
raisers of the best Tea " Madame Jules Gravereaux,"
complying with those conditions. The thanks of the
committee are greatly due to Mr. Nickerson for the
gift of these cups, and also for originating such a very
interesting and helpful competition. Mr. Nickerson has
since promised to present the society with twelve more
silver cups lor the raisers of other specially good Roses
for ordinary garden purposes which will be awarded
by 'u committee during the course of the ensuing year.

The first issue of the " Rose Annual " was distributed
to members in February last, and appears to have been
much appreciated. It is hoped to improve and extend
the usefulness of this publication, and any suggestions
to that end will be welcomed. The "Rose Annual for
1908 ' and the society's new handbook on the " Enemies

°f.i' ve Rose are now in course °f preparation, and
will be sent to the members in February next.

The subscription lists of both the Dean Hole and
the D'Ombrain Memorial Funds have now been closed
The die for the Dean Hole medal is completed, and
the D'Ombrain Cup was for the first time competed for
at the Metropolitan Show in the class assigned for it,
viz., the leading class for Teas, open to nurserymen.

In order to further encourage the exhibitors in the
small amateur classes at the Metropolitan Exhibition,
where the number of competitors had become very
large, new classes were introduced into the schedule
The committee regard the exhibitors in these smali
classes with special interest, as it is from their ranks
that the exhibitors in the larger classes are recruited.

Three Rose and other horticultural societies have
become affiliated during the year, bringing up the total
number of affiliated societies to 47.

The committee record with much regret the deaths
during the past year of some of its oldest and most
prominent members. Among these must be mentioned
Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, F.R.S., a vice-president of
the society, and at all times one of its warmest sup-
porters ; Mr A. Slaughter, for many years a member
of the committee, an enthusiastic exhibitor, and winner
in r883 of the Amateur Champion Challenge Trophy ;
Mr. John Bateman, a member of the committee, and for
some years the most successful exhibitor in the classes
for Roses grown within eight miles of Charing Cross ;
Mr. R. B. Cater, who will be best remembered for his
services in connection with the society's visit to Bath
in 1898.

Finance.

Owing to the unfavourable character of the weather
on the show day, the amount received in gate-money
at the Royal Botanic Show was not quite as large as
in the previous year ; while the printing expenses were
unusually heavy, owing to the cost of the new official
catalogue. Nevertheless, as will be seen by the state-
ment below, the balance in hand at the end of the year
(after placing £100 to the reserve fund) has been
slightly raised. The receipts from all sources during
the past year, including a balance from the previous
year of £284 12s. nd., amounted to £2,244 7S. 3d., and
the expenditure to £1,052 17s. ltd., leaving a balance
in the treasurer's hands of £291 9s. 4d. The reserve
fund now stands at £300.

Membership.
During the year 577 new members have joined the
society, or a greater number than in any previous year,

440

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 21, 1907.

wl#ch brings up the total number of members, allowing
for the, losses by resignation, &c, to 2,484.

Ini rease in Membership since 1902.

1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907
Number of members ... 890 1,004 1,30s 1,637 2,034 2,484
Increase since previous
year 150 114 304 329 397 450

Arrangements for 1908.

The Metropolitan Exhibition will again be held in
the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, the date
fixed for the exhibition being Friday, July 3.

The Provincial Show will take place at Manchester,
on Tuesday, July 21, in the grounds of the Royal
Botanical and Horticultural Society of Manchester, in
conjunction with the White City, Limited, the present
lessees of those gardens.

Arrangements have again been made with the Royal
Horticultural Society to hold the autumn show in the
Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster.
The date of the show will be rather earlier than in the
past autumn, viz., Thursday, September 17.
Members' Privileges.

Members subscribing one guinea will be entitled to
six 5s. tickets, and subscribers of half-a-guinea to three
5s. tickets of admission to the society's Metropolitan
Exhibition ; or, if preferred, any of those tickets may
be used instead for the society's Provincial Show at
Manchester. In addition to this each member will
receive, in proportion to his subscription, either four
or two tickets for the society's autumn Rose Show to
be held in the Royal Horticultural Hal!, Vincent
Square, Westminster. New members on joining the
society will also rceeive copies of the following publica-
tions :— The "Handbook on Pruning Roses," the new
" Official Catalogue " issued last year, the revised edi-
tion of the " Hints on Planting Roses," issued in
November last, and the " Report on the Constitution
of Rose Soils." Also, in February next, an entirely
new work on the " Enemies of the Rose," and the
" Rose Annual for 1908 " will be sent to all members
of the society. Members alone are allowed to compete
at the shows of the society. They will be entitled to
purchase tickets for their friends for the Metropolitan
Exhibition at reduced prices.

The adoption of the report and financial state-
ment having been moved by the president, and
seconded by a member, there followed a short
discussion. Mr. Frank Cant alluded to the
extraordinary success of the society, and said
that this was partly due to the step which was
taken when the society determined to leave the
Crystal Palace and hold their exhibitions in the
Temple Gardens, and subsequently in the gar-
dens of the Royal Botanic Society. But it was
due in some measure also to the enlightenel
and progressive policy the society had recently
followed, Mr. Cant referring particularly to the
publications that had been issued.

The Rev. J. H. Pemberton drew attention to
the large increase in the number of members,
and suggested that the society should consider
whether it would not be advisable to appoint
a paid manager for the shows ; one that would
go to the place of exhibition a day or even two
days previously, and remain after the exhibi-
tion until all the flowers were removed. He
thought that Mr. Mawley should be consulted
on this question. The president said that the
committee had power to make such an appoint-
ment as was suggested, and they would no
doubt give the subject their attention. The re-
port and financial statement were accepted
unanimously.

A New Regulation.

Mr. E. J. Holland then moved that the new
regulation, of which notice had been given,
should be adopted. It has been considered
necessary, owing to circumstances that have
occurred during the past season, and is intended
for the purpose of discouraging exhibition by
those who have no wish to take a personal interest
in the matter. There arose considerable discus-
sion in regard to the proposal, and an amend-
ment was proposed to the following effect: —
" That amateurs must not have any trade assist-
ance in the care, selection, or staging of their
blooms for 24 hours previous to the show."
Eventually the original resolution was strength-
ened, and it was adopted unanimously, the term
being as follows: — "The exhibits of amateurs
must not be staged or prepared for staging by
trade growers or their assistants."

A cordial vote of thanks having been offered
to the officers and committee for the past year,
Mr. Mawley said that the aim and end of Rose-
growing used to be that of exhibiting, but now
if the policy of the society had to be stated in
a few words, it would be, " Roses for the mil-
lion." The election of the officers and com-
mittee for 1908 concluded the business of the
meeting.

The Dinner.

In the evening the members and friends as-
sembled at the annual dinner, which took place
at the Hotel Windsor. Mr. E. B. Lindsell pre-

sided also at this function, and there was a
large attendance, including many ladies, the
chief guests beings Mrs. Hole and her son, Mr.
Hugh Hole.

On rising to propose the toast, " The National
Rose Society," the president said that the society
had so successfully encouraged the cultivation
of Roses that they were now to be seen in all
gardens, and generally they were regarded as
one of the more important features of the gar-
den. Formerly, this was not the case; Roses
were grown in most big gardens, but they
were regarded as Lilacs, Viburnums, or other
shrubs, and in many cases were pruned with
shears ! Mr. A. Tate, one of the vice-presidents
of the society, had shown them how a Rose
garden should be laid out to give the best re-
sults. Mr. Lindsell concluded a very happy
speech by some humorous remarks as to mea-
sures he had taken to provide for his older
plants — " old warriors," these having been re-
moved to a local churchyard, where their late
owner could call upon them from time to time
and satisfy himself that they were happy.

Mr. Edward Mawley, honorary secretary, re-
sponded to this toast, and at the outset ex-
pressed the gratification of those assembled that
Mrs. Hole and Mr. Hugh Hole had honoured
them by their presence. The late Dean Hole
was one of the founders of the society, and
president for 27 years. Mr. Mawley remem-
bered going to the memorable meeting when
Dean Hole presided, and the society was estab-
lished, the late Rev. Mr. D'Ombrain acting as
secretary from the first. Dean Hole's book, A
Book About Roses, had undoubtedly been in-
strumental in making more rosarians in
years gone by than any other book, and
he (Mr. Mawley) believed that the work had
passed through more editions, and had had a
larger circulation than any other horticultural
book. Passing to the subject of the society
itself, Mr. Mawley said that they had had a
record year ; at Saltaire they had a record pro-
vincial show, the metropolitan exhibition was
a splendid one and of record size, the income
had been a record, the number of new members
was a record, and that evening they had a record
attendance for their annual dinner ! The one
great aim of the society was to give instruction
to those who wish to grow Roses, and make
that instruction understandable to the youngest
cultivator. This was not easy. Only the other
day he was asked to explain the difference be-
tween a bush and a dwarf Rose plant. If ever
the society published aphorisms they might in-
clude such as those following : " A good dwarf
Rose needs no bush '" ; " A standard is so called
because it cannot stand hard treatment " ; '" A
pillar Rose is a tower of strength as long as the
atmosphere is very calm."

The toast of "The Visitors" was proposed by
Mr. C. E. Shea, late president of the society.
He referred to the particulars concerning the
late Dean Hole already mentioned by Mr. Maw-
ley, and added that when the society lost him
as its president, he (Mr. Shea), knew how diffi-
cult it was to fill the void so caused. But Dean
Hole's work on behalf of the Rose commenced
long before the establishment of the National
Rose Society, and he had previously held a
very successful exhibition at the St. James's
Hall. He was a man of very wide sympathies,
and though his interest was principally and
chiefly in Roses, it was not exclusively in Roses.
They remembered him well as an orator who
had the power of touching the hearts of men,
and this was due to his great humanity. His
supreme love of the Rose was one of the most
marked characteristics, and in the opening para-
graph in his well-known book was the secret
of his success. " He who would have beautiful
Roses in his garden must have beautiful Roses
in his heart." Mr. Shea thought that the Rose
had the power of invoking such a love as none
other flower can excite. The toast was coupled
with the names of Mr. Hugh Hole and the Rev.
J. Carpenter Robinson, and was received with
the greatest enthusiasm.

Mr. Hugh Hole, in returning thanks for Mrs.
Hole and himself, said, as one of the directors
of the Gardeners'1 Chronicle, he wished to refer
to the great loss they had sustained during the
year by the death of Dr. Masters, late Editor of
that journal, and a vice-president of the
National Rose Society. He (Mr. Hole) had the
greatest interest in the objects of the National

Rose Society, because they were connected with
the extension of the most beautiful and purest
■ I pleasures. Not everybody could possess the
fastest motor-car in the world, or slaughter the
largest number of pheasants even if they wished
to, but most people might have a small bed
of Roses. Mr. Hole first longed for a garden
after his companionship with his servant in
South Africa during the late war. The man was
a Londoner, and possessed but a very small
garden, but his frequent conversations about
this little garden and the plants it contained
showed clearly enough that he longed to be
again with what had given him the greatest
pleasure in life. Mr. Hole quoted the following
lines, which, he said, were written by a former
headmaster of Clifton College : —

A garden is a lovesome spot,

God wot.
Fringed pool,
Fern grot,
Rose plot,
And yet the fool
Hath said that God is not.
What, not God, in gardens
When the eve is cool ?
Nay ; but I have a sign,
'Tis very true God walks in mine.

Mr. Hole stated, amid cheers, that he had
recently taken over his father's garden at
Caunton, and he intended to study garden-
ing and Rose-growing, and some day he
might come with his boxes of Roses to
the N.R.S. shows. In acknowledging the kind-
ness of the society in inviting his mother and
himself to be present that evening, Mr.
Hole said that his mind went back to a
scene which occurred some years ago when
a regiment was drawn up and a young
officer, having been commanded by Lord
Roberts to thank the men for services rendered,
addressed them as follows : " I can hardly speak
to the regiment my father commanded and in
which I was born." However, on behalf of his
mother and himself, he thanked them from the
bottom of his heart for having kept green the
memory of him who for so many years was
their president and friend. The Rev. J. Car-
penter Robinson also responded.

The remaining toast of "The Chairman" was
proposed by Mr. H. E. Molyneux (hon. trea-
surer), who truly said that for many years past
Mr. Lindsell had occupied a unique position in
the society as chief judge, as well as chief
exhibitor.

BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND
COUNTIES CHRYSANTHEMUM.

December 12. — The annual dinner of this
society was held on the above date. Mr. W.
Jones presided over a large company.

In proposing the health of the society and
its officers, Mr. John Pope remarked upon the
fact that the first time their exhibition was held
away from Edgbaston it was held at the Ex-
change Assembly Room. That was many years
ago, but he could remember even an earlier ex-
hibition that was held in the Corn Exchange,
tin that occasion a surgical instrument maker
named Webb exhibited a Chrysanthemum
named Fleur de Marie ; and although that was
more than 50 years ago, he believed the variety
was still in cultivation.

Mr. T. Humphreys, who responded, said it
was particularly gratifying to know that the
society was appreciated. It received support
from such widely separated counties as Sus-
sex, Surrey, and Devon. Exhibitors brought
their best to Birmingham, to the great
advantage not only of the professional grower,
but also of the enthusiastic amateur. A gentle-
man who had visited Japan informed the speaker
that the blooms seen in Bingley Hall were
superior in regard to size, substance, colour-
ing, and form to those he saw in that Eastern
country. Mr. Humphreys pointed out that
their exhibition was the most representative,
extensive, and varied held in the provinces dur-
ing the autumn months. Referring to the finan-
cial position of the society, the speaker appealed
for a larger list of subscribers. Birmingham
could not do without the Chrysanthemum show.

Other speakers included Messrs. W. B.
Latham, R. Sydenham, W. Spinks, and A. Cryer.

The toast of Mr. J. Hughes, this late secre-
tary, was received with enthusiam. Mr. Hughes,
in his response, said he would always be pleased
to give advice or assistance which might be of
benefit to the society.

December 21, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

441

NATIONAL AMATEUR GARDENERS'.

December 10. — The annual dinner of the
National Amateur Gardeners' Association took
place at the Holborn Restaurant on the above
date, Mr. T. W. Sanders, editor of Amateur
Gardi ning, occupying the chair. The chief
prizes won during the past year were presented
to the winners in the course of the proceedings.

MARKETS.

©bttuarj).

Edward Ward. — We regret to record the
death of this well-known gardener on the 9th
inst. For the past 12 months he had suffered
from ill-health, but was not totally incapaci-
tated until the past few weeks. The late Mr.
Ward was born at Regent's Park, London, on
August 20, 1848, his father being at that time head
gardener to George Bishop, Esq. He commenced
his gardening career at the age of 14 as an ap-
prentice in the old Kitchen Gardens, Hampton
Court Palace, under his father. From Hampton
Court he went to Chiswick House Gardens, the
seat of the Duke of Devonshire, where he stayed
for over three years, and he next served in the
Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at South
Kensington, under the late Mr. George Eyles.
He was later at Chatsworth, as foreman of the
fruit forcing department, which position he held
for about four years, leaving to become head
gardener to John Rhodes, Esq., Potternewton,
Leeds. He was head gardener to the Right Hon.
Lord Windsor (now Earl of Plymouth) at Hewell
Grange, Redditch, for a period of about 16 years,
eventually leaving that place to engage in farm-
ing, but finding that did not answer, he resumed
his old occupation, and engaged as gardener to
Mrs. Rylands, of Longford Hall, Stretford,
Manchester, 13 years ago, which post he held
till quite recently. The deceased leaves a
family of seven daughters, the youngest of
whom is 16 years of age. His wife pre-de-
ceased him some 14 years since, and at his
request his remains were interred on Friday,
December 13 last, in the same grave in which
she was buried at Baslow, Derbyshire. The late
Mr. Ward was an occasional contributor to the
Gardeners' Chronicle.

George Bethell. — We regret to record the
sudden death of this nurseryman on the 14th
inst. at the age of 59 years. The deceased gen-
tleman carried on an extensive business as a
nurseryman at East Waylands, Wood End
Green, Hayes, near Uxbridge. Formerly he was
manager of the extensive nurseries of Messrs.
W. Whiteley and Co., Hillingdon.

LAW NOTE.

AMERICAN GOOSEBERRY - MILDEW
(PROHIBITION OF IMPORTATION OF

BUSHES) ORDER OF 1907.
The following fresh paragraph is to be in-
serted in the Importation Code. [See reprint on
p. 416 of Gardeners' Chronicle, December 14.]

501. The landing in or introduction through
the post into Great Britain of any Gooseberry
bush or Currant bush, or of any cutting, stock,
or seedling, or any part of such bushes except
the fruit, brought from any place out of Great
Britain is prohibited by the American Goose-
berry-Mildew (Prohibition of Importation of
Bushes) Order of 1907, issued by the Board
of Agriculture and Fisheries on November 29,
1907. In the event of any importation or sus.
pected importation of Gooseberry or Currant
bushes from abroad coming under the notice
of the officers the bushes are to be detained
and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
are to be at once communicated with by tele-
graph in order than an inspector may be sent
by that department to identify their character.
(Slips for the amendment of the Code will be
issued in due course.)

Attention is directed to Sub-section (2) of
Section 1 of the Order which relates to importa-
tions of bushes on or before the 31st proximo.
By Order of the Board,

R. Henderson.
Custom House, London,
December 11, 1907.

CO VENT GARDEN, December 18.

[We cannot accept any responsibility tor the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, the supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Ed.]

Cut Flowers,

&c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Acacia (Mimosa),

Lilium lancifolium,

dozen bunches

8 0-90

rubrum and

Anemones, dz. bchs.

2 0-30

album

2 0-26

Azalea, white, per
dozen bunches

— tigrinum

16-20

3 0-40

Lily of the Valley,

Eouvardia.dz.bchs.

6 0-80

p. dz. bunches

8 0-12 0

Calia sethtopica, p.

— extra quality ...

12 0-15 0

dozen

3 0-50

Marguerites, white,

— Guernsey

2 0-30

p. dz. bunches

2 0-30

Camellias, per dz.

2 0-26

— yellow, per dz.
bunches

Carnations, per
dozen blooms,

2 0-30

Mignonette, perdz.

best American

bunches

2 0-30

various

3 0-40

Narcissus, paper

— second size ...

16-20

white, per doz.

— smaller, per

bunches

10-16

doz. bunches

9 0-12 0

— Soleild'Or, per

Cattleyas, per doz.

dozen bunches

3 0-36

blooms

8 0-10 0

O don toglossum

Zhrysanthem u m s,
best specimen

crispum, per

dozen blooms

2 G- 3 0

blooms, perdz.

4 0- C 0

Pelargoniums,

— selected blms.,

show, per dcz.

per dozen

2 0-30

bunches

4 0-60

— medium, doz.

— Zonal, double

bunches

12 0-18 0

scarlet

4 0-60

Cyclamen, per doz.

Poinsettias, per dz.

8 0-10 0

bunches

4 0-60

Ranunculus, p. dz.

Cypripediums, per

bunches

8 0-12 0

dozen blooms..

2 0-26

Uoses, 12 blooms,

Daffodils, p. bunch

10-13

Niphetos

2 0-40

Eucharis grandi-

— Bridesmaid ...

3 0-60

flora, per doz.

— C. Testout ...

2 0-30

blooms

2 0-30

— K a i s e r i n A.

Euphorbia Jacqui-

Victoria, per

niaeflora.p.bch.

16-20

dozen blooms..

2 6-40

Gardenias, per doz.

— Mrs. J. Laing

4 0-60

blooms

2 G- 3 6

— C. Mermet

3 0-60

Gladiolus, various

— Liberty

— Mad. Chatenay

2 0-60

hybrids, perdz.

2 0-50

spikes

10-20

Safrano (French).

— Brenchleyensis

16-2 0

perdz. bunches

9 0-12 0

Hyacinths, Roman,

Spiraea, doz. bches.

5 0-80

perdz. bunches

Tuberoses, per dz.

of 12 blooms ...

6 0-10 0

blooms

0 4-06

Lilac (French), per

Tulips, dz. bunches

10-16

bunch

3 0-40

Violets, p.dz. bchs.

10-20

Lilium auratum ...

3 0-40

— special quality

2 6-30

— longillorum ...

3 0-60

— Parmas, p. bch.

2 0-40

Cut Foliage,

&c. : Ave

age Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Adiautum cunea-

Hardy foliage

lum, dz. bchs.

0-6 0

(various), per
dozen bunches

A sparagus plu-

3 0-90

mosus, long

Holly, per bunch...

10-30

trails, per doz.

3 0-12 0

Iris fcetida truits,

— ■ — medium,

p. dz. bunches
Ivy-leaves, bronze

5 0-60

bunch ...

10-20

2 0-26

— Sprengeri

0 0-10

— long trails per

Berberis, per doz.

bundle

10-20

bunches

2 0-26

— short green,

Croton leaves, per

perdz. bunches

16-26

bunch

10-13

Moss, per gross ...

4 0-50

Cycas leaves, each

16-20

Myrtle (English),

Fern, English, per

small-leaved,

dozen bunches

10-20

doz. bunches...

4 0-60

— French, perdz.

— French, per dz.

bunches

10-30

bunches

10-16

Galax leaves, per

Pernettya, p. bunch

0 6-09

doz. bunches...

2 0-26

Smilax.p. dz. trails

2 0-30

Plants in Pota

, &C. : Av

rage Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Ampelopsis Veit-

Erica nivalis, per

chii.per dozen

6 0-80

dozen

12 0-15 0

Aralia Sieboldi, dz.

4 0-60

— hyemalis

12 0-18 0

— larger

9 0-12 0

— melanthera ...

12 0-18 0

— Moseri, per dz.

6 0-12 0

Euonymus, per dz.

4 0-90

Araucaria excelsa,

Ferns, in thumbs,

per dozen
Aspidistras, green,

12 0-30 0

per 100

8 0-12 0

— in small and

per dozen

18 0-30 0

large 60's

12 0-20 0

— variegated, per

— in 48's, per dz.

4 0-10 0

dozen

30 0-42 0

— in 32's, per dz.

10 0-18 0

Asparagus pluino-

Ficus elastica, dz.

9 0-12 0

sus nanus, doz.

9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz.

4 0-60

— Sprengeri, dz.

8 0-10 0

Hyacinths (Roman)

— tenuis simus

per dozen pots

12 0-15 0

per dozen
Azalea indica

9 0-12 0

Kentia Belmore-

30 0-42 0

ana, per dozen

18 0-30 0

Begonia Gloire de

— Fosteriana, per

Lorraine, p.dz.

8 0-15 0

dozen

18 0-30 0

Bouvardias, perdz.

6 0-80

Latania borbonica,

Callas, per dozen..

10 0-12 0

per dozen

12 0-18 0

Chrysanthem urns,

Lilium 1 o ng i-

per dozen

9 0-12 0

florum, per dz.

21 0-25 0

— best disbudded

18 0 24 0

— lancif o Hum,

Clematis, per doz.

8 0-90

per dozen

12 0-18 0

Cocos Weddelli-

Lily of the Valley,

ana, per dozen

18 0-30 0

per dozen

18 0-30 0

Crotons, per dozen

18 0-30 0

Marguerites, white,

Cyclamen, per doz.

9 0-12 0

per dozen

6 0-80

Cyperus alternifo-

Poinsettias, per dz.

9 0-12 0

lius, dozen

4 0-50

Selaginella, per dz.

4 0-60

— laxus, per doz.

4 0-50

Solanums, per doz.

6 0-12 0

Dracaenas, perdoz.

9 0-24 0

Spiraea japontca.dz.

9 0-15 0

Erica gracilis, doz.

12 0-18 0

Veronicas, per dz.

4 0-60

Apples (English),
per bushel :

— Wellington ...

— Northern Green-
ing

Won-

Frult: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d s.d.

5 0-70
4 0-56

5 0-60

5 0-
5 0-

5 0-70
4 6-60

4 6-56

— Newton
der

Bramley'sSeed-
ling

— Lord Derby ...

— Peasgood's
Nonsuch

— King Pippins...

— Blenheim Pip-
pin

— Cox's Orange
Pippin, & sieve 7 0-14 0
Nova Scotian,

per barrel :

— Ribston Pippin 14 0-15 0

— Gloria Mundi 15 0-16 0

— Blenheims ... 15 0-16 0

— King's 15 0-16 0

— New York Im-
perialists ... 20 0-21 0
Canadian, per

barrel :

— Northern Spy.. 16 0-18 0

— King of the
Pippins ... 16 0-18 0

— Baldwin ... 15 0-17 0

— N. Greening... 16 0-18 0

— Ribston Pippin 16 0-17 0

— Blenheim Pip-
pin ... ... 19 0-21 0

Californian :

— Newtowns, per
box

— "Oregon"

Newtowns, per

box

Apricots (Cape), p,

box

Avocado Pears, per

dozen

Bananas, bunch ;

— No. 2 Canary .80-

— No. 1 „ ... 90 -

— Extra „ ... 10 0 —

— Giants „ ... 11 0-15 0

— Jamaica ... 5 0-56

— Loose, per dz. 0 9-13
Cranberries, p. case 6 6-76
" Custard " Apple

(Anona) perdoz. 4 0-14 0
Dates (Tunis), doz.

boxes

Grape Fruit, case
Grapes (English),

— Alicante, per lb.

— Gros Colmar,
per lb.

8 0-10 0

12 0-14 0
3 0-60

4 0-12 0

4 6-49
6 0-80

0 6-12
0 8-16

Grapes, English
Muscats, p. lb.

— Canon Hall,
per lb

— Belgian Gros
Colmar, per lb.

— Almeria, per
barrel

Lemons :

— Malaga, case...

— Messina, case

— Naples, p. case
Lychees, per box...
Mandarines, per

box

M.ui^oes, per doz.

Medlars (English),
A sieve

Nuts, Cobs (Eng-
lish), per lb. ...

— GrenoblesWal-
nuts, per bag...

— Almonds, bag

— Brazils, new,
perewt.

— Barcelona, per
bag

— Cocoa nuts, 100
Chestnuts :

— Italian, per bag

— Redon, per bag
Oranges (Jamaican)

per case

— Almeria, case..

— Valencia, case

— Denia, p. case

— Jaffas, per box

— Cal i f o rn ian
Navels, p. case

Pears (English),
Catillac, per
bushel

— Doyenne"
Cornice,
dozen ...

— Pitmaston
Duchess, per
dozen

— French, Doy-
enne" du Cornice
per crate

— Beurrfc Magni-
fique, per box

— Catillac, Dutch
per basket

— per barrel

— Glou Morceau
(French), per
box

— Winter Nelis,
per box

Pineapples, each ...

s.d. s.d.
2 0-40

2 0-50
0 8-10

10 0-20 0

14 0-15 0
7 0-15 0

17 0 -!i4 0
10 —

0 10- 1 3
4 0-80

3 6 —

0 3J -

7 6-86

42 6 —

70 0 —

32 6 —

11 0-16 0

12 0-15 0
7 0-90

7 6-90

10 6-12 0
7 0-15 0

12 0-20 0
6 6-76

11 0-12 0

du
per

4 6-60

10 0-11 0
10 0 —

2 6 —
10 0 —

8 0-10 0

16 0-18 0
2 6-50

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

3 6-40

4 0-46
0 5-06

0 3-04
06-07

2 0-26

13-16

10-16

0 6-09

1 0 —

20 -

3 0 —

2 6 —

3 6-39

16-20
7 0-10 0

16-19

0 8-0 10
0 3 —

Cos

per

s.d. s.d.

5 9-
0 9-

6 0
1 0

s.d. s.d
Artichokes(French)

per dozen
Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle
Beans, French, per

packet

— Guernsey,p.lb.

— Madeira, per
basket

Beetroot, bushel ...
Brussel Sprouts,

h sieve
Cabbages, per doz.

— Greens, bag ...

— red, per dozen

— Savoys, per — J bushel
tally 3 0 — Potatos (French),

Carrots (English), new, per lb,

— washed, p. bag 2 6 — — Teneriffe, cwt

— French (new), Rhubarb (English)
per pad ... 3 6-39 dozen bundles

Cauliflowers, p. dz. 16-20 Salsafy, per dozen

— per tally ... 7 0-10 0 bundles
Celeriac (French), Seakale, per dozen

per dozen ... 16-19 punnets

Celery, washed, per Spinach, English

dozen 0 8-0 10 per bushel

Chicory, per lb. ... 0 3 — Tomatos, selected
Chow Chow (Sec- per dozen lbs

hium edule),p. — small selectedt

dozen 3 0 — per dozen lbs.

Cucumbers, perdz. 2 0-36 — Teneriffe, per
Endive, per dozen 16-20 bundle of four

Horseradish, for- boxes

eign, per doz. Turnips (English)

bundles ... 10 0-12 0 doz. bunches-

Leeks, 12 bundles 10-16 — per bag
Lettuce (French), Watercress, per

per dozen ... 10-12 doz. bunches

Remarks. — The first consignment of
the Cape arrived during the past week, which
considerably earlier than usual. Rhubarb from the
Yorkshire district is now obtainable. The prices of
American Apples are so low that large quantities are
being placed in " cold storage " until the New Year.
Seedless Oranges from California are of very fine
quality, and are selling freely. Bananas are much
dearer, and there is a brisk demand for bunches of
best quality in ripe condition. There is a slight im-
provement in the trade for English Grapes. Holly and
Mistleto are fairly plentiful this season, but the
demand for these is decreasing each year. P. L.tCovent
Garden, Wednesday, December 18% 1907,

Potatos.
Kents, 3S. 6d. to 5s. per cwt. ; Lincolns, 70s. to 90s. ;
Blacklands, 70s. to 85s. ; Maincrops, 85s. to 90s. ; Lin-
coln Maincrops, 90s. to 105s. ; Dunbar Maincrops, 115s. to
U5S. ; Dunbar Up-to-Date, 110s. to 120s. per ton; Dutch

Lettuces,

(French),

dozen ..
Mint, doz. bunches
Mushrooms(house)

per lb 0 10- 1 0

— buttons, per lb. 0 10- 1 0

— "Broilers"p.lb. 0 8-09
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun. 10-16
Onions (Spanish),

per case ... 5 0-56

— Dutch, per bag 4 0 —

— pickling, per

bushel 2 0-26

Parsley, 12bunches 16-19
10-16

0 3 —

16 0-17 0

lo-
12 0 14 0
2 0 —
2 6-36
2 3-26

11 0-14 0

2 0-30
2 6 —

0 4-06

Apricots from

442

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[December 21, 1907.

Imperators, is. od. to 2S. 3d. ; Dutch Magnums, 2s. 3d.
to 3s. 6d. per bag. Trade is fair only, and no increase
will be seen until colder weather sets in. Owing to the
heavy rains the tubers are very dirty; at the same
time carting is impossible in places, and causing short
supplies from different districts. Best samples are in good
demand, J. D. C, Covent Garden, December 18, 1907.

THE WEATHER.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

The Christmas trade has commenced, and although
much is said about the depression of trade generally,
more business is being done this year than ever. In-
creased prices are asked for some species of plants in
pots, but as a rule most growers will book orders at
ordinary prices. Supplies of best Liliums in pots were
short yesterday (Tuesday) morning. Azalea indica,
principally pink, scarlet, and white-flowered varieties,
promise to be plentiful this Christmas. Genistas
generally are of inferior quality, and buyers are not
keen in purchasing them, though they are not grown in
so high a temperature as are those marketed later on.
Erica hyemalis is still supplied in well-flowered plants,
and is a little more valuable. Marguerites, Poinsettias,
and Begonia Gloire de Lorraine are all well supplied.
The white Turnford Hall Begonia does not sell so
readily as it did when it was first offered for sale in
the market. Since that time the quantity of other white
towers has increased. Among Chrysanthemums the
variety Jardin des Plantes, though one of the oldest, is
still one of the best. I have known it for over 40
years, but I have never seen it in better condition than
it has been this season. Framfield Pink is another
variety which has been good in pots. Other good
kinds are A. J. Balfour (which some growers discarded
a few years ago), Allman's Yellow, Niveum, Golden
Age (or Market Gold), and Hestoa White.

Cyclamen are not so good in quality as those seen in
past years, and their prices have fallen. A buyer re-
marked on Tuesday that a few years ago he could make
better profits on those for which he gave 30s. per dozen
than on those which now cost 12s. for the same quantity.
Primulas also are far inferior to those sent in former
years, when Mr. Sawyer and Messrs. J. and J. Hayes
cultivated them. Liliums have increased in price. A
week ago they were difficult to dispose of for 155. per
dozen; yesterday they were all sold early at 20s. per
dozen, although they were of the same quality as the
earlier ones. Lily-of-the-Valley is expected to be dearer
early next week. Roman Hyacinths in pots and in boxes
have been very good, and supplies for next week maybe
good, but their value is certain to advance a little. Tulips
in boxes are now abundant, and are likely to be cheaper
rather than dearer. On Tuesday I paid 105. per dozen
for Solanums. Later in the morning a friend asked me
where he could find some cheap plants, and I directed
him to a man who had previously offered me plants at
3s. per dozen. The same thing is noticed all through the
market. Erroneous opinions are often formed from
the prices of plants offered in the streets. When
packed together on a barrow they seem all right, but
they are not equal to the best in the market.

( Cut Flowers.

Many growers are willing to book orders for Christ-
mas at reasonable prices. Callas are always in demand
for Christmas, and though they have been abundant and
cheap they are sure to advance a little in value.
Liliums are very uncertain : on Tuesday 4s. was asked
for the same quality flowers that were making 2s. 6d.
last Saturday. Eucharis have been plentiful. I find
with some growers they have come in too early for the
Christmas trade. Camellias may be dearer owing to
many former growers having ceased to grow them.
White Azalea has been plentiful and is likely to remain
at normal prices. Bouvardia, Double Primula, Scarlet
Pelargonium and Tuberoses are not likely to vary much.
Supplies of imported flowers for the Christmas season
may be uncertain. Flowers of a beautiful Acacia are
arriving from Italy. The shoots have glaucous leaves,
and the inflorescences are in racemes. Narcissus of
various sorts have been very cheap. Violets vary.
Parmas make from is. Cd. to 4's. per bunch. Rananculus
are now very good : the variety with a green centre
sells readily. The pink Anemones are now much better
than earlier ones. Roses from France arrive in
good condition. Papa Gontier and Saf rano are the
most popular sorts.

The market is well supplied with all the usual Christ-
mas requisites. Holly is remarkably good, but for best
quality high prices have to be paid. Mistleto is plentiful,
and has been offered at low prices, yet it is doubtful
if it will be offered so cheaply on Monday or Tuesday.

Christmas trees may be had in all sizes, from those
not much more than a foot high to those 20, or perhaps
25 feet high, and at prices varying from 6d. to 15s.
each.

Large wagon-loads of Evergreens of all sorts are
coming into the market.

A feature of the market at Christmas time is the
variety of people seen. Fir Ft there are the business
men, who are there early and who buy quickly. Then
there are others who have a little more time to spare
and who try to buy their stocks at a lower price. Later
in the morning are seen clergymen, nurses from all
the London hospitals, Sisters of Mercy from Convents,
and a large attendance of private persons who think they
will save somewhat by purchasing at the principal market.
A. H., Covent Garden, Wednesday, December 18, 1907.

TRADE NOTICE.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending December 18.
The highest wind for seven years. — The first few days of the
week were warm, but since then moderately low tempera-
tures have mostly prevailed. On the two warmest days the
temperature in the thermometer screen rose to 491-1, and on
the coldest night the exposed thermometer indicated 11° of
frost. The ground is at the present time of about average
warmth at 2 feet deep, but about 1° colder than is seasonable
at 1 foot deep. Since the month began rain has fallen on all
but four days, and to the total depth of 3£ inches, which is
nearly an inch in excess of the average rainfall for the whole
month. During that period 17 gallons of rain water have
come through the 2J feet of soil in the uncropped percola-
tion gauge, and 14 gallons through that on which short grass
is growing. Both gauges are ayardsquare. Thesun shone on
an average for 1 hour 43 minutes a day, or half an hour a day
longer than is usual at this season. The wind has been very
variable in strength, the mean rate of movement in the
windiest hour on one day being only five miles, whereas,
on the previous day (the 14th), the mean velocity of the
windiest hour amounted to as much as 23 miles —direction
W.N.W. This was the highest wind I have recorded here
since January, 1901, or for nearly seven years. Between
8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on that day the average velocity was
24 miles an hour. The mean amount of moisture in the air
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon exceeded a seasonable quantity
for that hour by 3 per cent, E. A/., Berkhamsted, Decem-
ber 18. 1907.

amfm ?

Jo
Correspondents

JC

Wi are informed that the goodwill and stock of the old-
established nursery and seed business known as Smith &
Simons, Glasgow, have been purchased by Messrs. Peter
Drew and James H. Parker, who will conduct the business
at the same address and under the old title.

Books : H. D. We know of no periodical that
would be suitable to you for the study of
botany. If you can obtain the monthly parts
of such a book as Kernels Natural History of
/'/juts, you would find this useful.

Celery : C. C. The Celery is injured by milli-
pedes. Occasional soakings of the soil with
soot and water will drive the pest away from
the plants. Lime should be worked into the
soil when the crop has been removed.

Chimonanthus fragrans : H. V. W. The
specimen should be replanted towards the end
of February, at which time the vigorous shoots
should be shortened. In order that as much
light and air as possible may be admitted,
care should be taken to remove all over-
crowded, non-flowering growths near the
centre of the bush. If the position is one
exposed to sunshine, although not necessarily
having a south aspect, the plant may be ex-
pected to yield a good display of flowers
each winter.

Cymbidium Tracyanum : Anxious. You had
better shift the plant at once into a much
larger pot, using as compost turfy loam with
a little dried, crushed cow-dung added. Con-
tinue to water the roots carefully, and in early
spring apply weak liquid manure once each
week. When the plant has gathered increased
strength and has made more roots, you will
not find any difficulty in getting it to flower.

Dendrobium crepidatum : T. S. It is not
natural for the pseudo-bulbs to decay at their
bases in the manner shown in the example
received. Plants of this section of Dendro-
bium grown in pots, however, are liable to
decay in this way if kept on the staging
among other plants after the resting season
has commenced. This species, and others
allied to it, grow best in comparatively small
baskets, or pans, suspended from the roof.
As soon as the pseudo-bulbs are fully com-
pleted each season, and the leaves turn yellow,
the plants should be removed to a cooler
house and be kept perfectly dry until the
spring. If all the pseudo-bulbs on your plant
are similar to the one sent, it is dead so far
as the original centre is concerned, although
if kept dry, growths may yet proceed from
the healthy portions.

Gardener's Notice : /. //. It is entirely a
question of the custom of the trade. In your
position we do not consider you would be
entitled to more than one week's notice.

Pears : G. H. The fruits are kept at too high
a temperature during the process of ripen-
ing. This causes the rapid growth of a
fungus in the core of each fruit, which re-
sults in what is termed a " sleepy " condition,
and this condition is followed by decay. The
variety is probably Calebasse Grosse.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
ate anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ot
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.

Fruits: Wheeler &■ Son. 1, Lord Derby; 2,
Old Nonsuch.— G. B. 1, Court of Wick ; 2,
Waltham Abbey Seedling. — R. Middleton. The
bunch was much damaged. It resembles
Canon Hall Muscat. — A. ]. G. In appearance
the fruit closely resembles Beurre' Hardy, but in
flavour it is worthless. Beurre Hardy is an
excellent Pear. Has your fruit been frozen ?
If it has not, we are unable to recognise the
variety.

Plants: H. T, Waterford. 1, Nephrolepis
tuberosa ; 2, Wooduardia radicans ; 3, Pteris
tremula; 4, Hedychium coronarium (so far as
we can determine from a single leaf, without any
description of the habit of the plant) ; 5, Tussil-
ago Farfara variegata : 6, Dendrobium hetero-
carpum syn. D. aureum ; 7, Adiantum for-
mosum.-G. F. 1, Picea sitchensis ; 2, Picea •
sp. ; the specimen is not in a condition to assist
accurate determination. — Felix. 1, Epidendrum
polybulbon ; 2, Vanda Roxburghii; 3, Aerides
multiflorum ; 4, Bletia verecunda ; 5, Ccelia
Baueriana; 0, Bulbophyllum ; 7, Brassavola
nodosa — Scotland. Maxillaria grandiflora,
Odontoglossum Adrianae and Lajlia autumnalis.
— /. W . F. Probably Callistemon speciosus, a
member of the " Bottlebrush " genus.

Pear Trees : S. H., Sevenoaks. The first
season after planting fruit trees sometimes fail
to grow satisfactorily, and for several reasons.
The most frequent cause is that of planting
late in spring, but trees which have not been
moved for some years previously, and which
therefore have in consequence fewer root-
fibres, suffer the greater check, owing to the
severance of many large roots. If the soil is
not made firm about the roots at the time of
planting, or if the soil is afterwards permitted
to become dry, success in the first season can-
not be expected. Your trees will probably re-
cover during next season, and in order to cause
the buds to break into growth evenly along th?
branches, each shoot should be pruned back
to one-third its length. The main branches
of the trees cannot be extended too quickly,
but a certain amount of pruning will be
necessary each season, in order that the trees
may become furnished with suitable shoots
and fruiting-spurs.

Tomato Lister's Prolific : A. C. We first saw
this free-fruiting variety in the nursery of Mr.
A. Lister, Rothesay, in 1902, and were much
impressed with its value. If you wish to know
its parentage you had better write to Mr.
Lister, who may be expected to know all about
the origin of the Tomato he distributed.

Veronica cupressoides : Lexdcn. This species
seldom flowers while in a small state, so that
probably your plant is not old enough. In
its native country it reaches a height of from
4 to 6 feet, but in this country it is very
slow-growing, and requires a long time to
attain anything like that size. You might try
plants of it in a warm, sheltered position
against a greenhouse wall, or similar warm
site. Nearly all the New Zealand Veronicas
thrive better near the sea than in inland
localities.

Communications Received.— R. C— A. D. — Hampshire —
A. H.— S.— Reader-F. G. C— H. A. J.— J. R. P. & Sons-
A. W.-F. M.— J. W.— T. C— F. J.— J. V., Haarlem—
H. M. Veitch-B. Ashton-Grower-H. R. R.— G. M.—
A. O.-C. H. P.— Employee-Dr. Otto S.-W. R. W.—
T. Lunt-E. S.-R. T. H.-W. C.— H. J. C. -Saxon—
A. F. D.— H. J. C— S.— G. H.— J. C. & S.—R, A. R. -
C.T. D.-A. D.— W. B.-T.F.— W. H. C.-A. H.— S. L.D.
— C. W. B.— W. D. & S.— J. D. C— A. M.-E. J. C—
H. W. W.— W. E. G., Jersey.

December 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

443

THE

^arbcncrs'Cbronulc

tfo. 1,096.— SATURDAY, December 2S, 1907.

CONTENTS

449

Arnold Arboretum, the
Bananas, the culture of,

in Costa Rica

Books, notices of —

Elementary Botany ...
Celosia cristata, the cul-
ture of

Chrysanthemum shows,
duplicate blooms in

exhibits at

Events of the Year
Exhibiting Chrysanthe-
mums, boards v. vases
Fruits, a collection of

tropical

Furze, the, as a decora-
tive garden shrub
Haystacks, the heating of 450
Hull, the publicparks of 444
Mildew attacking vines 454
Nandina domestica
Novelties in hardy

flowering plants
Pears Beurre" de Naghan,
444; Swan's Egg and
Knight's Monarch, 452

450
449

452

452
445

445

452
443

the

452

452

451
450
450

Peas, the sowing of

Plum, Mirabelle,
yellow-fruited

Prevention of Corrup-
tion Act

Quinces

Russia, a garden in

Societies-
Glasgow Seed and
Nursery Trade

Linnean

National Dahlia

N ursery Employees'

Union

Royal Horticultural
(Scientific Committee)
Royal Meteorological 449

Week's work, the—
Flower garden, the ..
Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden .-
Kitchen garden, the ..
Orchid houses, the ..
Parks and gardens ..
Plants under glass ..

453
453
453

454

452

446
447
446
446
447
447
446

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Arnold Arboretum, winter scene in the (Supplementary

Illustration)

Fruits, a collection of tropical J&o

Pear Beurre de Naghan 444

Portraits of :— A. C. Bartlett, 446; W. H. lioness, 446;

Alex. Kirk, 447; J. Mayne.446; VV. W. Pettigrew, 447 ;

J. G. Weston, 446 ; W. H. White, 447.

Quinces, Apple and Pear-shaped 451

Russian garden, view in a 45t)

NOVELTIES IN HARDY
FLOWERING PLANTS.

WITH the advent of each New Year and
the issue of the seedsmen's cata-
logues the progressive gardener scru-
tinises their contents with some amount of
eagerness, in order to select any new subject
which is likely to prove a valuable acquisi-
tion. Throughout the year the shows held at
the Horticultural Hall and other places are
watched with interest, and notes are made of
varieties of plants that may be required later.
I propose to enumerate in this article only
such plants as are suitable for the Rower bor-
der, and that may be raised annually from
seeds, but in the case of hardy perennials the
annual seed-sowing is not always necessary.
Amongst the many novelties and specialities,
mention should be made of the new forms of
Antirrhinums, for these are appreciable im-
provements on the older types. The variety
Sunset is w^ell named, for the prevailing col-
our is a fiery orange scarlet. Cottage Maid
also commended itself to me for its pale shade
of coral-pink, which is so effective in beds or
borders. The dwarf-growing crimson and
scarlet strains of about i foot in height may
be obtained remarkably true in character, and
if used for forming marginal lines, associated
with other plants, are of great value.

Orange King, Carmine Pink, and Aurora,
of the intermediate type, are colours of great

excellence, while amongst the taller kinds
Coral Red, Golden Chamois, Crimson and
Gold, growing 3 feet high, produce an effect
of colouring not easily surpassed.

The improvement seen in Aquilegias needs
scarcely to be noted, as most gardeners grow
these enchanting border plants. Each sea-
son the strains of Dianthus seem to surpass
those of the previous year. Some are pure
white, others salmon-coloured, and others
rich crimson, many are beautifully laced and
striped in the most fascinating manner.

New varieties of Asters seem to appear
year by year in great numbers, and since the
time when, as a boy, I served part of my
apprenticeship in a seed warehouse, the num-
bers have become legion. The Comet sec-
tion can now be obtained in more than a
dozen distinct colours, and the same may be
said of the Victoria type. The dwarf-bed-
ding varieties are admirably adapted for the
purpose where definite lines of colour are re-
quired. For indoor decorative purposes, the
sinensis type, of blue, rose, and white shades,
are both light and elegant.

The true Himalayan Aster diplostcphioides
is a hardy perennial of much beauty, that
may easily be raised from seed. The plants
grow iS inches in height, and the flowers
measure from 2 to 3 inches in diameter, hav-
ing pretty lavender ray petals with a centre
of golden bronze.

The first year of its introduction I raised
a nice batch of seedlings of Astilbe Davidii ;
some of the plants are now firmly established
by the water's bank, and they form an at-
tractive feature when in flower.

The brilliant Gentian-blue flowers of An-
chusa italica, Dropmore variety, are easil)
raised from a sowing of seed, but various
types of flowers must be expected ; however,
all are interesting and useful.

The indispensable fibrous-rooted Begonias
increase in popularity, perhaps because they
are consistently good in wet or dry weather;
Crimson Gem, Coral Pink, and Fairy Queen
are beautiful acquisitions, while Rosa Bon-
heur and Wurtembergia stand in the front
rank. The double and single tuberous-rooted
Begonias are dependable where distinct col-
ours are required. Cheiranthus kewensis, the
new winter flowering Wallflower (raised as a
hybrid from C. mutabilis and C. cheiri), is
noteworthy. Plants may be raised from
seeds sown in July, which will flower in the
open garden from November onwards.

On light, rich, sandy soil the new dwarf-
growing hybrid Calceolarias form an acqui-
sition of beautiful colourings altogether new
amongst the bedding varieties.

The continued improvement effected in
Marguerite Carnations, whose flowers are
beautiful and sweet-scented, has increased
their value for use in a cut state for decora-
tive purposes. Clarkias are not always satis-
factory, but a new type known as " Carna-
tion Flaked " makes a beautiful pot plant
and is also suitable for the border.

Blue flowers in the open garden are sel-
dom too numerous, and, therefore, the valu-
able additions amongst annuals of " Queen
of the Blues " and Dwarf Porcelain Blue
Delphinium are noteworthy. If seeds are
sown early, there is no trouble in getting the
plants to flower in the first season ; they are

well adapted for pot-culture and also for the
use of the flowers in a cut state. Their
height seldom exceeds 18 inches even in good
ground. Eschscholt/ia " Ruby King " is a
beautiful variety of this exceedingly florifer-
ous plant.

The fine hybrid Gaillardias are now pro-
curable from seed, and if the seeds are sown
early the plants will flower in the same year.
The blooms are immense in size, and exhibit
many beautiful and brilliant shades of col-
our. The introduction of Gladiolus praecox,
which is capable of blooming the first year
from seed, would appear to foreshadow the
development of a new and easily-raised type,
possessing great variety of colouring and
marking.

I was somewhat disappointed in not
securing Gilia coronopifolia to flower as an
annual, and 1 think that only the weather
conditions are to blame; this bright perennial
is evidently a great acquisition to the flower
garden. Godetia Schaminii fl. pi. is very
distinct and beautiful, being far away
the best of its class ; the individual flowers are
2 to 3 inches in diameter, perfectly double,
of a lovely blush rose colour, and as a pot
plant it is a decided success. Impatiens
Holslii is very accommodating, for it lends
its beauty equally as a pot-grown specimen
or planted out in a bed. If cultivated in a
warm greenhouse, it will bloom satisfactorily
in winter. Hybrid Impatiens are obtainable
in various colours, including brilliant car-
mine, orange scarlet, chamois, rosy white,
&c.

The introduction of the beautiful species
of Meconopsis has given us some excellent
flowering plants that, with care, may easily
be raised from seeds. M. integrifolia forms
a rosette of glaucous hairy foliage, from the
midst of which rises a bold stem carrying
five to nine large globular-shaped lemon-yel-
low-coloured flowers. M. YVallichii has
gracefully-drooping blue flowers, and M.
aculeata, from Kashmir, has flowers of a
beautiful sh ide of blue with golden anthers
and blue filaments; this plant is rare but
very beautiful.

The new perennial hybrid Lobelias do not
commend themselves to me as improvements
on older varieties ; certainly great variety of
colour has been obtained, but manv of the
flowers are so dull in tint as to be compara-
tively worthless. The new hybrid Nicotianas
are wonderfully decorative in the flower-beds
and borders during summer and autumn, and
being crossed with N. affinis they have just the
quality N. Sanderiana lacked, namely, that of
perfume. Many handsome strains of Pan-
sies are obtainable capable of satisfying the
most exacting and fastidious tastes. On
land suitable to their well-doing, the newest
types of Nemesia, of the " compact hybrid "
section, make the flower borders appear al-
most a blaze of colour, and the taller varie-
ties, which grow 15 inches high, are excel-
lent. The new Nigella known as " Miss
Jekyll " is a distinct gain on the old variety
and forms large bushes of long-stemmed,
beautiful clear cornflower-blue flowers.
Among Petunias the Ophir and Lord Cour-
tenay are beautiful varieties, while the gran-
diflora strains appear to advance in size and
beauty every year.

I hardly know of any greater acquisition

444

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

I December 28. 1907.

that has been made to the flower garden
than some of the Salvias. Only a season or
two ago we cultivated S. splendens grandi-
flora for bedding purposes; the new dwarf
Scarlet Zurich was the next innovation, but
last season Fireball was certainly an advance
upon it, both in habit, colour, and length of
flower spike, and I shall be much surprised
if this variety is ever surpassed.

I cannot pass Senecio clivorum and S.
tanguticus without recommending them for
planting in bold masses on the grass or beside
the water; the flowers are an effective shade
of old gold colour and last a considerable
time in flower.

I

The new white Wallflower is an acquisi-
tion, as an associate amongst other colours,
especially the dark varieties; the plants are
dwarf and compact, but not quite so hardy as
others. W. H. Clarke, Aston Rowant Gar-
dens, Oxon.

NEW DECEMBER PEAR.

The new Pear illustrated at fig. 182 was shown
by Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Lowfield Nurseries,
Crawley, at the meeting of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society on December 12, and its good
quality as a winter dessert fruit was recognised
by the Fruit and Vegetable Committee's Award
of Merit.

Pear Beurre de Naghan may be described as

HULL PUBLIC PARKS.

( Concluded from page 437. )
The East Park.
This is the largest of the Hull parks, its total
area being more than 70 acres. The ground \\ as
purchased and laid out in 1887, the necessary
expenditure being provided out of the city's
rates. The site embraces a wide expanse of
grass, with belts of trees protecting its some-
what open position. Avenues of Limes and
Ulmus Wheatleyi are fast becoming a promi-
nent feature, and there are also many fine trees
of Hollies. Acacias, Maples, and Sycamore are
planted along an avenue which encircles the
park, some pretty scenery being obtained from
this drive. The area devoted to water is large.

Fig. 182.— pear beurre de naghan, which recently gained the royal horticultural society's AWARD OK MERIT.

Of Stocks, the newer introductions include
colour-improvements under each section.
Princess Alice is still a white variety of the
best habit, Excelsior is another white of giant
size with flower spikes 2 feet long, the pale
pink Beauty of Nice, and the charming Prim-
rose-colour Princess May are each good.
Empress Elizabeth, a very handsome inter-
mediate Stock, should be grown by all; the
carmine pink flowers are produced in abund-
ance, and the plant is equally useful for pot
culture or cultivation out of doors. The
mammoth varieties of Verbena hybrida pro-
duce flowers and trusses of large size and em-
brace shades and colourings of many hues.

above medium size, the largest fruits being one
half-pound in weight. The skin is yellowish-
green, but more or less covered with minute
blackish spots which may be seen distinctly in
Mr. Worthington Smith's sketch now reproduced.
On one side the fruits develop more yellow
colouring. The stalk is set obliquely, and mea-
sures about \\ inch in length. The eye appears
to partially open, and is set in an unusually deep
and irregularly-formed cavity, marked by several
slight channels. The flesh is white, melting,
and has an agreeable flavour, being slightly
aromatic. The fruit is very juicy and free from
grittiness. This variety will be an addition to
the dessert Pears ripening at or about the
Christmas season.

There are two rustic bridges spanning the lake,
and in this spot is a design in rockwork con-
structed to imitate the Khyber Pass. The area
around is planted with Cotoneasters, which
ramify over the artificial rockwork, Hedera
dentata, Golden Tree Ivies, Thuya Lobbii, and
Hollies of the Hodgkins type, with here and
there a specimen of Laurus nobilis, Pinus Cem-
bra, Ilex ferox, Silver Birch, Fraxinus aucu-
basfolia, &c.

From the elevated bridge over this pass a
woodland walk leads to a new rock or vallev
garden, which was formed some three or four
years ago. This sDot is intersected with wind-
ing paths, the ground on each side being ele-
vated so as to afford a better view of the large

December 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

445

number of Alpine and perennial plants. Many
of these plants are labelled with their common
as well as their botanical names, and their
natural order is indicated. The naming of the
plants affords an additional interest to visitors,
and is of considerable value to students. Occa-
sionally specimens are supplied for use in the
teaching of object-lessons at the council's
schools. Each year addition is made to the
number of species of Alpine and other plants,
and this garden will be of greater interest in the
future. There are many choice flowering shrubs
planted in groups along the higher banks, and
the members include Spiraeas, Deutzias,
Diervillas, Berberis, &c. Two of the principal
paths in this part of the park are carried over
stone bridges, provided with rustic handrails.
From these, views of the flowering plants are
obtained, and when the banks are clothed with
flowers they are objects of great beauty.

The quarter devoted to flower-beds is not
"arge. The massed system of bedding is the

tories, and bulbous plants in pots are similarly
employed. In addition to furnishing these con-
servatories, the work of supplying any floral
decoration in connection with civic functions
falls upon the park authorities. On a recent
occasion the Town Hall was decorated with
some three or four van loads of flowers, in ad-
dition to Palms and other foliage plants.

The Parks Committee allow cricket, football,
lawn tennis, and bowls to be played in certain
parts of the parks. No charge is made, except
for the bowling greens, and so great a demand
exists for these playing grounds that greater
provision for them is contemplated on land
adjoining a proposed cemetery. The committee
have recently purchased some 70 acres of land
part of which it is proposed to immediately
devote to allotments and a recreation ground.
A short time since the Corporation laid out
several acres of ground as allotments, and the
applications for these were so numerous that fur-
ther land is to be devoted to them.

Fig. 183. EXOTIC FRUITS in the GOVERNMENT TOBACCO ESTATE, TRANSVAAL COLONY.

style principally adopted, but some are planted
in the more formal decorative style. Annuals
are largely employed, whilst Violas, as in all
the Hull parks, are planted very extensively.

The whole of the flower beds in the Hull parks
^re planted in the autumn with spring-flower-
ing plants, including Wallflowers, Aubrietias,
Forget - me - nots, Primroses, Polyanthuses,
Violas, Eryssimum, Daisies, &c. The double-
flowering Arabis is freely used as a groundwork
to many of the beds planted with Tulips. Many
thousands of bulbs are planted in all the public
gardens and parks of Hull.

This park, similar to those already described,
contains a conservatory, but it is not so large
as those in the other parks. This house is de-
corated throughout the year with seasonable
greenhouse flowering plants, with Palms, Ferns,
Dracaenas, &c. A special house has recently
been built for the display of Chrysanthemums
in the autumn.

In the spring time large stocks of Lilac, Deut-
zia, Staphylea, Azalea, and Roses are forced
into flower for the decoration of these conserva-

Pim.ic Cemeteries, Hospitals, &c.

The work of maintaining the grounds of the
various public institutions is conducted by the
park authorities. Of the cemeteries, the
Western has an area of about 32 acres, and the
Eastern 19 acres. Avenues of trees are planted
in the Western cemetery, many of the trees being
ornamental Thorns (Crataegus). There are also
many Maples, broad-leaved Oaks, Elms, Ches-
nuts, Limes, Pyrus, &c, that add beauty to the
roads. An extensive collection of Hollies are
planted in this burial ground. In each ceme-
tery flower gardening is extensivelv carried out,
there being about 100 flower beds in each. The
disused burial grounds of Hull number 12, and
these are maintained in order by the Corpora-
tion. Two of these are extensivelv used bv the
public. They are planted with flowers, and are
provided with seats ; they form useful places of
rest and retreat in the centre of the town.

The trees in the streets of Hull are a great
feature of the city. Five of the principal
avenues are about half a mile in length, and
during the summer time thev afford a delight-

ful walk. The principal avenue is known as
Westbourne, and beneath the trees on either
side is a grassy sward about 20 feet wide. Of late
years every new main road is made about 9U
feet wide, and planted with four rows of trees,
one on each footpath, and a double row in the
centre, through which the electric cars run, the
vehicular traffic being on either side. The first
road of this type, planted about five years ago,
is now assuming a nice effect, and will some
day be a fine boulevard of about half a mile in
length. A new road leading to Hessle is now
being similarly planned, and the first portion
will shortly be planted. Already some 6,000 to
7,000 trees are planted in Hull streets, and all
are maintained in order by the Corporation.

The Sanatorium grounds are extensive. The
intervening land between the separate blocks of
buildings is either in shrubberies or as lawns
with flower beds. A large area of land is set
apart for the culture of vegetables and fruits
for the use of the inmates of the institution.

At Sutton, a few miles from Hull, is situated
the Evan Fraser Hospital. The ground of this
hospital comprises about 27 acres of land, part
of which is laid out as a pleasure garden.

The Crematorium at Hull was the first muni-
cipal one established in this country. Its grounds
embrace some 4 acres of land, which is suit-
ably laid out with walks and shrubberies. The
1 olumbarium is a beautiful rocky glen, in which
are deposited the cremated remains. It is con-
structed of artificial rockwork ; the material of
which it is made can be cut easily, so that the
urns containing the ashes are placed in niches
cut in the solid rock face, and afterwards
cemented in. The whole of this Columbarium
covers about an acre, and is planted with Al-
pine and perennial plants, shrubs, &c. At one
extreme end is a wild dell, where Penzance
Briars, Rambler Roses, &c, roam at will.

Mr. H. B. Witty is the superintendent of the
city public gardens and parks, and his manage-
ment of them is worthy of all commendation.

TROPICAL FRUITS.
During the Christmas season there may
usually be seen in the Covent Garden market a
good and interesting display of exotic fruits,
the number of kinds represented there appearing
t increase each year. Some of the species are de-
licious in the extreme, but others do not so fully
1 ■iinmend themselves to the palate of consumers
in this country, a circumstance that may be attri-
buted in a large measure to the difference in
climate. A fruit that is juicy and may appear
luscious when consumed in the conditions pre-
valent under a tropical sun may be expected to
lose much of its attractiveness if partaken of in
this country in December. The species shown
in the fig. 183, which has been kindly sent in by
the Government agiostologist and botanist in
the Transvaal Colony, have for the most part
met with appreciation in this country, for they
include Bananas, Lemons, Pineapples, Peaches,
Oranges, with Apples, Pears, &c.

The scene is one in the Transvaal Government
Tobacco Estate, situated at Tzaneen, where the
fruits have been cultivated and are loaded into
a conveyance for removal.

Furze. — Flowers are so scarce out of doors
at the present season that one wonders at the
comparative neglect of this beautiful plant, one
of our few native evergreens. It must indeed be
a hard winter when a Furze bush does not bear
a good crop of blossoms. As a winter-bloom-
ing shrub the Furze is often neglected, but in
most gardens there are places where a plant or
a group of this shrub might well be planted.
The poorer the soil the better the Furze blooms,
and no bank seems to be too dry for its
requirements. As it is impatient of disturb-
ance, it must be planted when young. Most
nurserymen can furnish small bushes in pots of
the double-flowered variety, as well as of the
Irish Furze (Ulex europaeus strictus) and the
dwarf U. nanus. A. <_'. B.

446

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 28, 1907.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By J. G. Weston, Gardener to H. J. King, Esq.,
EasUvell Park, Kent.

Plants in frames. — At every opportunity when
the weather is favourable plants in frames
should be examined, and any necessary water
afforded them. Watering should be done with

care, as many
of the plants
are compara-
tively inactive
at the roots
in mid-win-
ter, and need
very little
water. Plants
in a more
active con-
dition of
growth, in-
cluding her-
baceous Cal-
ceolarias,
C in er arias,
Humeas, and
M a rguerites,
should be
allowed as
much room
as is possible
between the pots, and be watered whenever ne-
cessary, for they must not be allowed to get dry
at their roots.

Violets planted in frames should have all de-
caving foliage removed, and the soil should be
stirred occasionally, especially if it has a ten-
dency to become caked and sour. Watering
should be done on mild, open days, for then
extra ventilation may be given without fear of
injuring the plants. Fresh air should be ad-
mitted to the frames whenever possible, for
Violets never succeed in a close atmosphere.
Violets in pots should be moved to a cool, well-
ventilated house, and be placed on a shelf near
to the glass.

The forcing-house. — Continue to place in heat
successional plants of Lilacs, Azaleas, Deutzias,
Spiraeas, Prunus triloba, &c, taking care not to
subject them to excessive heat at the commence-
ment of forcing. These plants are more easily
forced as the season gets later, therefore it is
not advisable to place too many irk heat now.
If space is limited, an early Peach-house or a
vinery in which heat is provided is suitable for
commencing the forcing of these flowering
shrubs.

Chrysanthemum cuttings. — The stock plants for
providing cuttings should be placed in a light
frame or glasshouse to ensure sturdy growths.
Cuttings of many varieties should now be in-
serted, and the insertion of others should be
effected whenever the cuttings are in a suitable
condition. A suitable place for rooting the
shoots is a small frame placed on the staging of
a cool house. The work can then be executed
at any time and in all weathers, whereas cut-
tings placed in frames in the open may suffer
from neglect during severe weather. The cut-
tings should be inserted in a light, sandy com-
post in small pots. A suitable mixture of soil
consists of two parts leaf-soil and one part fine
loam, with a plentiful addition of sharp sand.
The soil should be made moderately firm in the
pots, and the cuttings be inserted with the
least possible delay after being severed from
the old plant — a wiited cutting loses much of its
vitality. After being watered, the}' should be
placed in the frame which should be kept
closed during the day. Ventilate a little at the
end of the day, and if much moisture accumu-
lates remove the lights for a short time. When
the roots are formed, ventilation should be given
daily, and in a few days the plants may be
taken from the frame and be placed in a plant-
house in a position that is exposed to sunlight.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By William H. Honess, Gardener to C. Combe, Esq.,
Cobham Park. Si::

ler vegetables. — Owing to the weather dur-
ing the latter part of the season having been so
mild, winter vegetables at the present time are
in excellent condition, and the late salads are
lasting out well. The chief work that will de-

mand continued attention in the near future
will be the forcing of salads and vegetables with
the object of securing as great a variety for the
table as is possible. Materials for hotbeds

should now
be prepared
by thorough-
ly well mix-
ing them to-
gether. They
will be needed
for such
crops as Car-
rots, Turnips,
and Radishes.
Radishes
might also
be sown be-
tween rows
of Potatos
where these
are planted
in heated
frames. Sticks
required for
Peas and
RunnerBeans
should be examined, and provision made for
obtaining fresh ones. It will be much better
to have these cut during the winter season, as
they will then last much longer than if left
until the sap begins to rise. They may be sorted
into sizes and pointed ready for use when they
are required. Labels should also be collected,
cleaned and painted. The prevalence of wet
weather also affords an opportunity to ex-
amine all the roots in the store-house, this being
necessary owing to such causes as damp from
drip, injury by rats, Sec, which are often very
troublesome at this season.

Tomatos. — Young plants will require potting,
if they have not already been given this atten-
tion. The compost should consist of fine loam,
with a good proportion of manure obtained
from a spent Mushroom bed. Keep the roots
of the young plants well on the dry side till
the leaves show signs of flagging, when they
should receive a good soaking of water, after
which the roots will soon become active and
the plants require another shift.

Cauliflowers. — Late plants of the variety
Autumn Giant, also plants of Snow's Winter
White, will now be furnishing useful curds, but
if left out in the open may be injured either by
frosts, excessive wet, or snow. If these are
lifted and stored in a shed or similar place they
will last in good condition for a much longer
period.

Broccoli. — Such varieties as Autumn Mam-
moth, &c, will in some instances be on the
point of " turning-in," and will require protec-
tion.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By J. Mayne, Gardener to Lord Clinton, Bicton,
East Devon.

The Grape vine. — The best season for the prun-
ing of the vine is the end of the summer, as soon
as the leaves have dropped. If the vines are
trained on the spur system all the lateral
growths should be cut to two buds, but if the

extension
system is
practised,
shorten the
leading
shoots to
about 3} feet.
The rods
should be
trained 18
inches apart,
and when a
cane becomes
exhausted it
should be
entirely re-
moved and a
young shoot
trained in its
place. Wash
the bark of
the shoots
with a little soft soap and sulphur. Remove the
old litter from the border and apply a top-dress,
ing, either of soot, wood-ashes, or lime, which
should be pointed in with a fork.

Loganberries, Gr>c. — If the old canes were cut
away at the end of the fruiting season, there
remains little to be done beyond a re-arrange-
ment of the current year's growths, and their
shortening back to a prominent bud. Black-
berries and the Wineberry should be afforded the
same treatment as the Loganberry. If not
already applied, afford a good mulch of strong
manure, as all these brambles are gross feeders.
These plants are suitable for training on arches,
pergolas, or depending chains, and in this con-
nection the Loganberry is the best plant. Plant-
ing may still be undertaken in suitable weather.

A review of the season. — Late spring frosts,
cold, cutting winds, and an absence of sunshine
in summer, all had a share in frustrating the
early hopes of a good fruit harvest, especially
the Apple, which was by far the worst crop of
the season. Other crops were generally satis-
factory. Although there were frequent wet days
during the warmer months of the year, the rain-
fall was not heavy in the west, but the rains of
the past 10 weeks have made good the deficiency.
The wet weather has delayed the planting of
fruit trees and bushes, especially on heavy land.
Although the season has been comparatively cold
and sunless, compared with that of last year,
fruit trees in general promise a good show of
blossom buds ; the month of September being
exceptionally bright and dry favoured the ripen-
ing of the wood.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By A. C. Bartlett, Gardener to Mrs. Ford, Pencarrow,
Cornwall,

Pruning shrubs, &°c. — Although the present
time is not the best suited for pruning, yet in
gardens where there are many hedge and other
plants that require pruning, much of the trim-
ming must perforce be done during the winter,
and unless hard frosts occur immediately after
the ordinary pruning of hedges and the com-
moner shrubs, no harm accrues. In the case
of Laurel, the shoots are pruned much easier

now than
later od,
when they
materially
toughen.
The shrubs-
which re-
quire a se-
vere pruning
must be left
until the
spring, as
there is a
great danger
of killing
even the har-
diest species
if they are
cut hard
back in the
winter. The
pruning of
winter and

spring-flowering shrubs must be left until they
have made their display of flowers. If possible,
it is a saving of labour to burn the prunings on
the spot in a smother-fire, taking care that the
wind is blowing away from the residence before
starting the fire. A fire of slow combustion
yields the greatest quantity of valuable wood
ashes.

Euonymus curopecus should be planted more
often, especially in shrubberies and along
the margins of woods for winter effect. When
the leaves fall, a quantity of scarlet fruits with
orange-coloured axils are exposed to view.
These fruits hang after the birds have cleared
the berries from the Holly and Cotoneaster fri-
gida. The Spindle-tree delights in partial
shade, and no soil seems too poor for it to
grow in. The best-fruited example I have s;en
was growing on a heap of rubble in a stone
quarry.

Frames containing cuttings. — Although the
fairlv hardy, the cuttings of such plants as An-
tirrhinums, Calceolarias, Pentstemons, and
Phloxes in frames must now be protected by
placing bracken, stable litter, or leaves around
the frames. Continue to open the lights for ven.
tilation whenever possible, in order to obtain
sturdy plants, but cover the glass at night-time
with a mat or other protection whenever mors-
than 3 or 4 degrees of frost is imminent.

I'm imoer 28, 1907.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

447

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.
By W. w. Pettigrew, Superintendent ol the Parks and

Open Spaces In the < - 1 1 y of < .mllll.

The head of parks departments. — The question
as to the profession of the chief official of a
public parks department is one of the utmost
importance to all park superintendents, and one
which has a very material bearing upon the ulti-
mate success in the administration of sui h parks.
Notwithstanding the fact that many of the
duties of the head of a parks department are
entirely outside the sphere of actual gardening,

yet fur the
proper dis-
largi oi tin-
most iinj i .i i
ant part of his
office it is
essential that
he should be a
iractical hor-
ticulturist.
I n f o r t u-
tately in sev-
eral of our
cities and
large towns
there is no
practical man
at the head
of the parks,
nor are the
park s even
managed by a
special de-
partment, but are controlled by the committee
which has charge of the streets and highways,
a condition of things not often to the advantage
of the parks.

One can readily understand that in a small
town where there may be but one or two open
spaces, it would hardly be necessary to have a
special department charged with their manage-
ment. In large towns, however, where there are
a number of parks and a large staff of men em-
ployed on park work, the case is different, and
one naturally expects their aduu to be

■entrusted to a special department, the chic
cial of which is a trained gardener and not, as
is sometimes the case, an engineer 01

Let it be distinctly understood that the 0
iion to engineers or solicitors being the heads
of parks departments is not one of professional
jealousy, nor yet the desire to create more lucra-
tive posts for gardeners, but simply on the com-
mon-sense ground, that their holding pos
for which they have never received the slightest
practical training cannot tend to the tx
terests of ratepayers or of public gardening.

In the same way that a medical man is the
proper person to have charge of the n
officer of health's department, and a civil engi-
neer of the surveying department, a train'
dener who thoroughly understands his work is.
undoubtedly the right person to be chief of that
department which is responsible for the manage-
ment of a town's public parks and gardens.

In those towns where a practical gardener is
at the head of park affairs, it is generally found
that gardening work is much better carried out
than where an official of another profession is
the responsible chief. Where the gardener has
the sway, natural beauties are usually made the
most cf : trees, shrubs, and flowering plants are
seen both in greater variety and profusion, and
formalities so characteristic of the engineer's
work in the park are reduced to a minimum.

A surveyor who is at present responsible to
a certain Council in the West for all the horti-
cultural work it carries out confessed to me the
other day that he could never see any great
advantage in planting different varieties of trees
about a town. To him a tree was merely a
green-leaf-bearing object and nothing more, one
kind of which was equally as good as another !
Hence he invariably planted the same kind of
tree, as it was cheap and easily obtained. Judg-
ing by the lack of variety met with among
trees in many towns, this gentleman is appar-
ently not the only member of his profession who
holds these views.

Gardeners should endeavour in every legiti-
mate way to induce public bodies to rec s
the principle that properly qualified horticul-
turists are the right persons to be the head of
a parks department. As a means of materially
assisting in this direction, park superintendents
■should organise themselves in a similar manner

to those in Amerii a, when they would be in a
better position to lay their views upon this and
other questions before public bodies than thi
are at the present moment.

Aftei all, however, the one great essential in
bringing about the proper recognition ol gal
deners in this matter lies in their being fully
q liable .1 to . any on the duties requin d oi thi m
Hence it behoves .ill young gardenei .- !
desirous of going into public servi. e to do every-
thing in th<tr power to fit themselves for the
entire management of a public parks department.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. II. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,

I .11 I , Burford, Surrey.

The Mexiean house. — Laelia anceps and its
numerous varieties are now opening their
flowers. When the plants have done blooi
they should receive much less water at the roof
than hitherto, but the pseudo-bulbs mu I be I • pf
in a fairly plump condition, and win!, at ri I
the atmospheric temperature of the house at
night may be kept at from 50° to 55°. The pi
L. rubescens (acuminata! is also in bloom.

There are two
distinct varie-
ties one hav-
ing nearly
white flowers
and the other
flushed with
rose, bo t li
having a dark
maroon apol
at the ba e
the lip. ft is
ucan
species, and
maybe
with the I.
anceps. These
Lzlias should
be re |
v. hen t li e y
commence to
show new
roots from

the current
rowth. The rare Oncidium Caven-
diahia thrives well in this house, and

now the plant is sending up it Mower-

spikes it should be placed in the lightest
tion available. If the con.; lamp,

the large, thii k, leathery leaves will decay at
their ba-e and fall off. After the plants have
flowered they v. ill require a good rest, tie ■:
partially withhold water until growth
commence^. The well-known Peristeria elata
[oi Dovt Orchid), having completed its large
pseudo-bulbs, will also require a Ion
the dry atm ■ the Mexican bouse i

best place for it. Keep the plant well on the
dry side until it begins to grow again. The less-
known P. I.indenii requires the same treatment.
Re-polling in winter. — During the winter
months it is not advisable to disturb many
Orchids by re-potting, &c, but in a large and
miscellaneous collection, such as we have at
Burford, there are some species which will re-
quire surh attention. At the present time there
are the Maxillarias, which not only require pot-
ting, but will bear the operation better
than at any other period. Such handsome and
strong-growing kinds as M. venusta and M.
grandiflor.-i, that have recently flowered, should
be examined, and, if necessary, be re-potted, so
also may such varieties as M. Iepidota
fucata, M, fractiflexa, M. phoenicanthera, M.
ens, M. luteo-alba, M. Lin-
deniae, M. Hubschii, M. elegantula, M. ochro-
leuca, '.' ■:, M. rufescens,

M. humiii-. \I. przestans, M. picta, the rare '.I.
lis, &c. These Maxillarias grow
thoroughly well in a dium

fibre and Osmunda fibre in equal parts,
ping the fibre moderately fine, and mixing plenty
of small crocks with it. D ly any

sphagnum-moss. Pot each plant with moderate
firmne- lly in the centre, bee;

ther with equal compactness as at
es of the pot, that part of the compost
which is not firm will quickly become satc-
and may cause considerable injur)' to the plant.
The handsome M. Sanderiana should be grown
in a shallow teak-wood basket. As these Maxil-

require liberal root-waterings dun

• -i ion oi growth, it i i thai ih recep
'■" 1< i hould l" thoroughly- well drained. 'I he
i ""I'' I p. nt ol the inl.i in. diati lion •■ is the
!■■ i plai e foi tie :

' '■" hlioda ' Noetzliana I ni .me um I

• i iguini mi,, and ' striatum like pi- nty of
watei at all si and thri best v hi n nun |

d by tin ide of thi m

hould be u pended Bucfa dwarf-growing Odon-

■ ' 0 Ro i, 0 Oersti dii (both

i v in bloom), O. C< rvante ii, I ).

am, 0 li umi anum

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.
Bjr Alexander Kirk. Gardener to I, Thou on Pato

Nerve.-.. i. Alio i, ' i.i- I mannan

Vineries. The bunches oi Grapes that are

still hanging of such varieties as l.ady Do
arid l adj Hutl should he examin< d t a« fully
three times each week f.,r the purpose of re-
I'.toen iei. Vineries in whii h
Grape are hanging hould be kept as dry and

1 ■ ■■ 'i a i • i m

be at on' e removed On dull and wet day pro-
vide a little heat from the hot - .■.

W li e n e ■■ <■ r
pos bit; al-
low a small
amount '. f
ventilation by

tures at night
time. In the

frost', the
houses

ipletely
closed and

al heat

W hen fire
heat is appli-
ed in I
that ar<

is al-
ways '
of steai
moi .lure 611-
■

which is detrimental to tie .' ripe

' /rapes. 'I h atOt is

allowed to remain open a trifle. Vines from
almost all the I
beentirely their fruit. Whcnevei

..■■/■ 18 or 20 i tem when cutting

the bunch. This will alio ■ 12 oi 15
stem below the bunch and 6 Have

ready sufficient bottles filled with fresh water,
and insert the longest end of I in the

water. If in the

bottles it will assist in keeping the watei

All vines that have cast their leaves should
be pruned, as advised in a previous calender,
one month or more before they are t
started into growth. The I

»le, but without admitting I
This rest will be valuable to the plant
they will start freely int ■■.hen the

I
Young vine; should now be pruned. Cut the
weaker rods down to within .'; A the

ground. Si es should not be cut so

hard, and tl I may even be allow 8

feet of growth that will carry two b
('■rapes the next year. Fruiting them will cause
them to maW: a more
growth is undesirable in vine culture.
the house well with hi

Dress the canes twice wit'
pound according to the directii
the specific. If red

e ho k "

be lire mixing sulphur with the

Remove the

replace with fit with

which has been mixeda6-i: t .and

plant I Next

test thi with the I

the soil is fi

. hich will
for -tartir.g the vines. App
mulch and allow the vines as long a ry;r
rest a ble, that they

naturally,
ceed if forced ; on no account should fire-heat
be applied unless the buds are swe!

448

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 28, 1907.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as welt as specimens: and plants
tor naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on one side only of
the paper, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

special Notice to Correspondents.— The Editor does not
undettake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself
responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Coins, meet. Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex.
Council meet.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

WEDNESDAY—

Sale of Dutch Bulbs, &c, at Stevens' Rooms, King

Street, Covent Garden, W.C.

Hardy Border and Herbaceous Plants and Bulbs, at 11 ;

Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30 ; Azaleas, Palms, &c, at

5; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.
FRIDAY—

Herbaceous Plants and Bulbs, Roses, Azaleas, &c, at

11 ; Orchids in variety at 12.45; at 67 & 68, Cheapside,

E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— S8"4°.

Events of
the Year,

Our present issue will close the
records for another year, and,
therefore, the opportunity is af-
forded for reflecting upon the events that
have characterised it, with the view of tak-
ing stock, so to speak, of the present position.
It is not, however, an easy matter to esti-
mate at their correct value circumstances that
will have to come under consideration.
A wider perspective would be needed to
enable us definitely to decide the relative
importance that they will eventually have
in horticultural history, and even in selecting
a few subjects for special mention from the
events of the year, we may not always
succeed in choosing those which will have
the greatest or most permanent influence on
the science and art of gardening.

The first subject that may be mentioned
carries our minds back to the memorable
conference on hybridisation and plant-
breeding that was held under the auspices
of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1906,
and to which reference was made in our
review in December last. The conference
was held in July, but so exhaustive were the
papers read at that gathering, and so techni-
cal were they in detail, that the Report of
the proceedings could not be published until
the spring of the present year. This Report
constituted a volume containing 486 pages
and was freely illustrated. It contains infor-
mation upon the latest experiments that have
been conducted in connection with heredity
and hybridisation, as well as a discussion on
the allied subject of variation in plants,
whether by sudden mutations or the mixing
in one individual of the characteristics pre-
viously found in several species. This
volume will continue to form a standard
work of reference on the subject of Genetics
unlil the holding of the next international
conference, which is expected to take place in
Paris in the course of a few years. The
thanks of gardeners and botanists alike are
due to the Royal Horticultural Society for
the work and expense entailed by the confer-
ence, and especially arc they due to Professor

Bateson, who presided over the extremely
technical debates, as well as to the Rev. VV.
Wilks, who edited the Report of the Pro-
ceedings.

The Society has also instituted a research
laboratory in the gardens at Wisley, and
we regard this step as one of the most im-
portant events of the year. The formal
opening of the laboratory in July was at-
tended by a distinguished company of scienti-
fic men, over whom Lord Avebury presided.
The minds of gardeners generally went forth
to that gathering in the hope that careful
and exhaustive experiments will in future be
conducted on a strictly scientific basis at
Wisley, and that by these means many pro-
blems connected with gardening practices
will be solved. Fears have been expressed
that Wisley may become a mere school of
gardening for young students and that the
work involved in teaching the students will
in a measure prevent the scientific dircctor
from undertaking original research. We do
not share these fears, because we believe that
the Council knows perfectly well that the
Fellows expect the Wisley laboratory to be
used principally for increasing the general
knowledge, and to serve only in the second
degree for teaching purposes. It has been
already suggested in these columns that the
inoculation of seeds and soil with bacteria
obtained from the nodules found on the roots
of leguminous and other plants, as related in
our three previous numbers by Professar Bot-
tomley, is a subject that might be usefully
submitted to experiments at Wisley. The de-
mand for nitrogenous plant food over the
world's surface is so large that, if means can
be found by which more use may be made of
the nitrogen contained in the atmosphere
than is possible at the present time, the result
will be of first-rate importance.

The centenary of the birth of Linnaeus
afforded a fitting opportunity to do honour to
the memory of this great Swedish botanist.
There was a large gathering of eminent men
at Upsala, and this was attended by a deputa-
tion from the Linnean Society of London, and
by other English botanists, the English dele-
gates being more numerous than those of anv
other country. During the proceedings in
Sweden and on the occasion of the celebration
of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on
May 25, Count K. A. H. Morner announced
that the newly-struck Linnean Medal df the
Academy would be presented to Sir Joseph
Dalton Hooker as an acknowledgment of his
valuable labours in botanical science, and the
presentation was made subsequently. Fur-
ther Linnean demonstrations took place in
other countries, and the Linnean Society of
London held a reception and soiree on June 7,
when an exhibition was made of objects as-
sociated with or belonging to Linnaeus. It
will be remembered that Sir Joseph Hooker
shortly afterwards attained his ninetieth
birthday, and on that occasion received from
II. M. the King the appointment to the Order
of Merit. Whilst writing of Linnaeus, who
first established the system of binominal
nomenclature, mention may be made of the
rules and regulations adopted by the great
Congress of Botanists held at Vienna in 1905,
and published at the commencement of the
present year. It is as essential to the gar-
dener as to the botanist that the naming of
plants should be in accordance with sound

principles which secure uniformity in prac-
tice.

The establishment of a chair of Forestry at
Cambridge University is a matter for satis-
faction, and the selection of Dr. Aug. Henry
for the position commanded general approval.
In other centres the facilities for the teach-
ing of the natural sciences have been in-
creased, and only in our last issue attention
was drawn to a munificent legacy for the
establishment of a chair of Cryptogamic-
Botany at Manchester. Now that Forestry is-
recognised as a subject at one of the Univer-
sities we may hope to see in the future a chair
of Horticulture instituted for the purpose of
teaching the science of gardening.

Turning to the consideration of the weather
and its effects upon crops, there has probably
been even greater excuse for maligning the
British climate this season than usual. In
the spring, when fruit trees were blossoming,,
the prevalence of kite frosts seriously injured
the flowers, and the result was seen in a very
deficient crop of Apples. Pears were nearly an
average crop, but Plums were so abundant as
to cause a glut in the principal markets.
Small fruits were plentiful, but, owing k>
damp weather and little sunshine, Strawber-
ries failed to ripen well, many of the fruits
decaying during the lengthened process.
There was but little real summer weather
during the whole season, and the few hot,
sunny days experienced at Faster have been
described as the summer of 1907 ! The gra: s
crops were abundant, but much difficulty was
experienced in harvesting the hay in good
condition, and the corn crops in some dis-
tricts were still in the fields in November.
Notwithstanding all this, however, garden
crops of vegetable-; were good, and on light
soil were better than usual, especially Bras-
sicas, these requiring much moisture at their
roots. The Potato crops were not so satls-
factory, and the later varieties particularly
suffered much damage from disease.

The information upon the subject of the
summer-pruning of fruit trees supplied by our
correspondents has been published in a tabular
form in our columns and constitutes the first
serious attempt that has been made to present
a detailed summary of the methods practised
in this matter by fruit cultivators generally.
Although the information thus obtained
showed that the practices are by no means
uniform, and that many cultivators have no
clear conception of the principles upon which
their operations are based, nevertheless it may
be fairly claimed that the information given
will afford valuable material for those who
may feel disposed to study the question.

The subsequent discussion at a meeting of
the Scientific Committee failed to carrv the
matter much further, and the whole subject
is one which calls for systematic and careful
experiment. In the discussion that ensued in
our own columns it was clear that many corre-
spondents omitted to take notice of one of
the most obvious distinctions between sum-
mer and winter-pruning. They suppose 1
that, if pruning in winter caused the trei s
to break into stronger growth, by disturbing
the balance between the top and the root
growth, the effect of summer-pruning would
be the same, neglecting to allow for the
effect of the partial defoliation thai summer-
pruning imposes upon the tree.^Jusl wh.it
this effect is has yet to be determined, but

December 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

449

some cultivators have claimed that it is equi-
valent to that obtained by pruning the roots.
The horticultural exhibitions have been as
numerous, or mere numerous, than ever. The
Temple and Holland Park Shows were
successful functions, and the meetings in the
Royal Horticultural Hall have been well
attended. It is satisfactory to note here
that the parent Society, which, happily,
continues to be exceedingly prosperous, has
seen its way to offer more favourable condi-
tions to the special societies who may desire
to hold their exhibitions in the Vincent Square
Hall, and during next year it is expected that
more of the " special " shows will be held in
that building than formerly.

The recent successful expansion of the
National Rose Society is a most noteworthy
circumstance. Those who read the report
published in our last issue will have noticed
that the membership has been doubled in a
period of five years, and that during the pre-
sent year the Society has gained 577 new
members. Whilst admitting that the Rose
has unequalled charms to attract new adher-
ents, this increased prosperity may be attri-
buted in a large measure to the fact that the
Society has ceased to regard exhibitions as
the sole reason for its existence, and has, con-
sequently, so shaped its policy as to be cap-
able of affording help to all cultivators of
Roses, whether for exhibition or not. The
late President, Mr. C. E. Shea, the present
President, Mr E. B. Lindsell, and the Hon-
orary Secretary, Mr. Edward Mawley, are
congratulated upon the success the Society
has achieved.

The Carnation Societies, Chrysanthemum
Society, Sweet Pea, Auricula, and Daffodil
Societies have held their annual shows and
continue to perform useful work. The Potato
Society alone has ceased to exist. There is
no doubt this Society rendered useful service
in attempting to reduce the number of names
by properly conducted trials, but the agricul-
tural and gardening interests were not identi-
cal, and without the support of both of these
sections the Society could not live.

The British Gardeners' Association has
increased its membership during the year,
and in May last issued the first number of a
quarterly Journal that should prove of the
greatest value as affording a means for gar-
deners to discuss questions for which space
cannot always be found in the public Press.
So long as the management of the Associa-
tion is conducted with a due regard for the
rights of gardeners and their employers, it
will continue to deserve the support of all
fair-minded men, and by its aid much may
be done to raise the position of the rank and
file of gardeners and to increase the status of
the profession itself.

The recent federation of Mutual Improve-
ment Societies under the auspices of the
Royal Horticultural Society is likely to prove
helpful to these societies in the excellent work
that engages their attention.

The gardening charities have continued to
help the needy, and in turn have received a
large measure of public support. In the field
of legislation several Acts have been passed
which will have effects upon horticulture.
The Destructive Insects and Pests Act has
given to the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries power to adopt measures for the
prevention of pests and diseases, and the

Board has recently exercised its power by
prohibiting the importation of Gooseberry
bushes, with a view of preventing the spread
of the American Gooseberry-mildew. The
Weights and Measures Act is already in
operation, and the Small Holdings Act will
come into force on January 1. The pro-
visions of this latter Act, in so far as they are
likely to affect our readers, will form the sub-
ject of an article in our next issue. The Pre-
vention of Corruption Act became effective on
January 1 of the present year, and it is plea-
sant to record that during the year no offence
under this Act has been alleged against a
gardener. We believe that the business in-
tegrity of gardeners generally is as high or
higher than that of any other calling, and
this is shown to be the case.

The obituary list is an exceptionally heavy
one, and it is a peculiarly sad one for our-
selves. The late Dr. Masters, who edited
this journal for a period of 41 years, passed
away on May 31 after an illness which lasted
during the whole of that month. Many of
our readers knew him well, and the services
he rendered to horticulture. We need not
repeat the expressions of our own feelings
which were published in the issue for June X.
The Council of the Royal Horticultural
Society is now engaged in raising a sum of
money for endowing a series of " Masters "
lectures, which will bear witness to the public
esteem for Dr. Masters and further the cause
of horticultural education in which he was
greatly interested. Among deaths which
have occurred may be mentioned those of Sir
Dietrich Brandis, whose excellent work on
Indian Trees was published early in the year;
Sir Michael Foster, so eminent in the scientific
world and an active personality in gardening
circles ; Sir Thomas Hanburv, whose gift of
the Wisley Gardens to the R.H.S. will be
remembered with gratitude ; Sir Frederick
Wigan ; Lord Aldenham ; Rev. S. Eugenie
Bourne; and Lord Battersea, all names that
were familiar in gardening circles. Of nur-
serymen we have lost James H. Yeitch, F. Q.
Lane, Stephen Walker, George May, and L.
Duval; of gardeners, Charles Jordan, John
W'allis, J. Allsop, John Newton and others,
whilst in the death of Mr. J. Assbee, Covent
Garden Market has to regret the loss of its
superintendent.

*,* Our Almanac— According to our usual
practice we shall shortly issue a Gardeners' Chronicle
Almanac for the year 1908. In order to make it as
useful as possible for reference, we shall be obliged if
Secretaries of Horticultural, Botanical and Allied
Societies, or any of our correspondents, will send us
immediate intimation of all fixtures for the
coming year.

Our Supplementary Illustration to the

present issue depicts a winter scene in one of
the most remarkable tree gardens in the world.
The Arnold Arboretum contains every species
of tree that is capable of withstanding the severe
winters of New England, and should be visited
by any English horticulturists who may happen
to go to America. Our readers are aware that
Mr. E H. Wilson is now engaged in collecting
plants in China on behalf of the American
Government, and it is certain therefore that
the Arnold Arboretum will become even more
famous when the new introductions from that
Eastern country are brought into cultivation
there under the direction of Professor C. S.

Sargent. We do not often have a "white"
Christmas in England in these days, but in the
cold winter climate of Massachusetts it is the
rule and not the exception.

Flowers in Season. — From Mr. Ben.
Ashton, Lathom Gardens, Ormskirk, we have
received some excellent inflorescences of
Euphorbia (Poinsettia) pulcherrinra. In send-
ing them, Mr. Ashton states that they were
propagated in May, and have been grown
throughout the summer in a cool frame, being
transferred to a warm house in September. The
plants range from 2 to 5 feet in height, and are
furnished with foliage down lo the pots, which
measure 5 inches in diameter. The plants have
been given liberal applications of liquid
manures.

Royal Meteorological Society.— At the

monthly meeting of this society, held on the
18th instant, at the Institution of Civil Engi-
neers, Dr. H. R. Mill, president, in the chair,
Mr. R. Strachan read a paper on "Indications
of Approaching Frost," in which he said that
for the purpose of making forecasts the dry and
wet bulb thermometers should be noted at or
after sunset, or at 9 p.m., and the amount of
cloud at the time, and during the fore part of
the night if convenient. The dew point can be
found by reference to hygrometrical tables.
When the dew point is at or below 32°, frost is
in evidence, but may be evanescent, due to a
rise of temperature, with change of wind, rain,
or overcast sky. Even when it is above 32", if
the sky is clear it is possible that the tempera-
ture on the ground will fall low enough for frost
to form. Thus the evening observations should
lead to a good idea of what may happen during
the night.

Winter-Flowering Carnations.— In addi-
tion to the awards to new varieties mentioned
in our report on p. 420 of the show of the
Winter-Flowering Carnation Society, First-
Class Certificates were awarded to two varieties
exhibited by Mr. A. F. Dctton, The Nurseries,
Iver, Bucks. These were Winsor, a large
flower of pink colour, and Melody, a pretty
blush-tinted flower.

Farm Colony for Unemployed Men. — ■

At a recent meeting of the Edinburgh Distress
Committee, Mr. Richard Cairns, of the Public
Parks Department, Edinburgh, was appointed
manager of the Murieston Estate, which the
Committee have purchased for the purposes of
establishing a farm colony. Mr. Cairns has
been employed in the gardens at Dalhousie
Castle and Dalkeith Palace, and latterly he held
the post of farm manager to Mr. Martin White,
Balruddery, near Dundee.

Elementaty Botany*. — This little book is
intended for use in schools, and should serve
its purpose fairly well. It is, however, by no
means free from errors ; thus on p. 49 the remark-
able statement is made that " the embryo sac
enlarges gradually, enclosing the whole of the
nucellus." Of course it does nothing of the sort.
Again, in speaking of the growth in length of
roots on p. 66, cell division is confounded with
cell growth. As it is now becoming a common
feature in elementary books on botany, plant
physiology is accorded a place, but the treatment
is rather superficial, and the account given of
absorption of water and its relation to osmosis
on p. 80 is entirely misleading. The subject of
osmosis seems to be commonly misapprehended
by the majority of those who write this class of
books, but in view of its importance it ought to
be more thoroughly studied. In spite of these
blemishes, however, the general method of the
book is commendable, and could easily be made
the basis of a good elementary course in botany.

* By M. A. Liversidge. London : Blackie & Son, Lid., 1907.

250

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 38, 1907.

The Cultivation of Bananas in Costa
Rica. — Some idea of the nature and extent of the
Banana production in Costa Rica may be
gathered from a recent report on the subject,
from which we take the following notes. The
plants grow all the year round, the shoots begin
to produce at the age of nine months, and are
cut down every season. The Banana bunches
are measured by hands, each perfect hand con-
taining 22 Bananas; The average number of
hands on a bunch ranges from 7 to 22, and the
average number of Bananas on a bunch is 144,
though a few bunches have been found bearing
more than 500. The land along the coast is pecu-
liarly adapted to Banana cultivation. While the
Banana plants throve for awhile in other coun-
tries of Central America, no soil seemed rich
enough to stand the continuous cultivation of the
fruit save Costa Rica and Upper Panama. Fif-
teen bunches of fruits is the estimate yield per
acre. each month, and, taking the average of 144
Bananas to the bunch, it will be seen that each
acre will produce 15,920 Bananas. The United
Fruit Co. owns 150,000 acres of land suitable for
Banana culture, the greater portion of which is

The Heating of Haystacks.— The spon-
taneous combustion of Hay when it has been
stacked in a damp and green condition is one
of the most singular of agricultural phenomena.
Although the causes have been repeatedly in-
vestigated, it cannot even yet be said that the
matter is fully explained. But the results of
some recent investigations seem to prove that
the process is a complex one, beginning with the
effects of microbes which set up fermentation,
and continuing as chemical changes that proceed
after the high temperature has effectually killed
the microbes that started it in the first instance.
It is found, as the result of careful experiments,
that when the grass is heaped up and the tem-
perature begins to rise, there is a concomitant
development within the mass of certain definite
micro-organisms or microbes. Some of these
belong to the class of moulds, but others are of
bacterial nature. It seems probable that two
of the latter are mainly responsible for the first
rise in temperature, viz., Bacillus coli and B. cal-
factor. The first-mentioned organism flourishes
at about 100° Fahr. and the second at about
140 Fahr. But when, owing to the iermenta-

FlG.

IQI.— VIEW IN PROFESSOR TKEUBERG's GARDEN, SOUTH RUSSIA.

remote from the railway, and is not yet utilised
fur the production of Bananas. Last year the
company purchased about half the Bananas it
shipped. Many growers own their own farms.
During 1906 no less than 8,500,000 bunches were
shipped from Port Limon, of which 5,000,000
went to the United States. About 400 ships, or,
on an average, ' more than one ship per day,
loaded with Bananas left Port Limon last year.
This year it is confidently believed 10,000,000
bunches will be exported. A ship of 3,000 tons
sometimes takes Erorri 40,000 to 50,000 bunches ;
32,000 bunches, oi vei 1,000,000 Bananas, are
about an average load. When it is stated that
the United I ri n Co has 102 ships occupied in
earning fruit to the United States and Europe,

lea may be gained of the tremendous

growth of the business. Many of the ships ply
between Cuba, Jamaica, and other fruit-produc-
ing countries, and the ports of the United States,
as well as oi England. Although Jamaica Bana-
nas are considered by epicures of better quality,
the Costa Rica or Limon fruits sell better in the
market, owing to their superior appearance.

tive changes set up in the Hay, the temperature
passes these limits, the bacilli and all other
organisms are killed. Incidentally, it appears
that the I lay is not only improved in quality by
a little heating, but it is also rendered more
satisfactory from the hygienic point of view after
these bacteria have been destroyed, for B. coli
is not above the suspicion of producing intestinal
troubles in cattle. After this first heat of fer-
mentation has resulted in the death of the micro.
organisms, the temperature continues to rise, and
it is certain that this rise must be due to chemi-
cal changes which go on in the absence of life,
rather than to physiological ones which are more
directly associated with living beings. But at
present we can hardly do more than guess at
their nature. It may be that the oxidative, or
combustion, processes are hastened in the finely
divided state into which the sweated Hay re-
solves itself, in a fashion perhaps analogous to
that associated with very finely divided plati-
num, which is used for lighting gas without the
direct application of a flame. Many examples are
known in which chemical change is accelerated,

with a corresponding evolution of heat, by the
use of finely dhyded or porous substances. Or
it may be that during the change which is
taking place, gases are given off which, in con-
tact with air, will readily ignite under the con-
ditions that we are now considering. But what-
ever be the nature of those changes that finally
lead to spontaneous combustion, it is certain
that they are started by the activity of the micro-
organisms already indicated. This is proved by
treating the Hay in such a manner as to secure
their death before they have been able to carry
the heating process far enough. If this is done,
the mass will no longer get hot, but it can again
be induced to do so if it is " infected " with the
microbes. It is easy to accomplish this by
merely pouring over the heap some water in
which grass or soil has been stirred, whereas
no such effect is produced if boiled water be
used instead ' of the infusion. It will be seen
that the heating of Hay offers many interesting
problems for solution, and one very obvious
series of these is furnished when we consider the
different effect of stacking the undried grass in a
silo or in a rick. Although these matters per-
haps belong to the domain of scientific agricul-
ture rather than to that of horticulture, they
have a wide practical bearing, and are just now
attracting a considerable amount of interest.

GARDENING IN SOUTH RUSSIA.

At fig. 191 we have reproduced a photograph
kindly sent us by Professor T. Treuberg, show-
ing a parterre in his garden, situated near Khar-
koo in South Russia. It will be seen that the
style is what we should describe in England as
formal. The circular bed is raised into a great
cone-shaped pile, and its smooth banks are
planted with dwarf habited species to represent
carpet bedding. Several additional photographs
which are also placed at our disposal give views
in the orchard and pleasure grounds, but these,
unfortunately, are not suitable for reproduc-
tion. Nevertheless, they are sufficient to indi-
cate the interesting character of this Russian
garden.

THE QUINCE.

At fig. 192 is reproduced two fruits of varie-
ties of the Quince sent us by our valued corre-
spondent Mr. W. E. Gumbleton, Queenstown,
Ireland. They were received by this gentleman
from M. Lemoine, of Nancy, who described
them as of Servian origin. The pear-shaped
variety is named Vranja, and the sample ot
this sent us weighed 15.Joz. Not extraordinary
when some fruits of the same variety are re-
corded to have weighed 21b. 9oz. ! The name of
the apple-shaped variety is Lescovaz.

The introduction of the Quince to England
is due to the Romans during their 400 years
occupation of the country. They also intro-
duced the Grape, Fig, Apple, Pear, Plum, Mul-
berry, and Damson. Saxons, Danes, and other
Norsemen who had settled in the country prob-
ably introduced other fruits. v

Quinces are ornamental shrubs or small
trees, the more common of which is Cydonia
vulgaris and its varieties, which in the Middle
Ages was much valued for its fruits, that formed
a constituent of a delicious preserve called
Cotignac. This delicacy was an accompani-
ment to many kinds of meat, and the Cotignac
variety was so highly esteemed that it seldom
was omitted from the dinner-table of the French
nobility. When Joan of Arc entered the city
of Orleans on April 29, 1429, after raising the
siege, this preserve was first offered to her by
the inhabitants. The common Quince and its
varieties is met with throughout North and
South Europe, the northern parts of Africa, and
in Asia. In Italy it is extremely common.
The Angers and Portuguese varieties are more

December 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

451

highly esteemed by the Continental nurserymen
than any of the others. They employ these
forms as' stocks upon which to bud or graft the
Pear, double-grafting them with varieties that
form good unions with it. An American variety
of the Orange Quince, named Rea's Monarch,
has larger fruit, and is much more productive
than the common C. vulgaris or any of its
varieties. It is, moreover, free from the gritti-
ness, hardness, and harsh flavour of the com-
mon forms, and will doubtless supersede them.
The European Quinces are very hardy, and as
the trees flower late they are seldom injured by
frosts.

well and bear freely on the common Quince,
and live at least fifty years on good soil with
proper treatment, including the application of
such manure as may be required so to main-
tain the trees in a fertile condition. M.
Carriere, a French cultivator, always recom-
mended double-grafting in the case of such
Pears as Marie Louise, Jargonelle, and some
others which are apt to dominate the stock
when they are grafted without the intervention
of a Pear graft ; and to employ the cleft mode
of grafting as being the more secure against
wind. This method of grafting always produces
healthy and fruitful trees. The varieties for

production of flowers. About a dozen varieties
of C. japonica, and two of C. Maulei are given
in a list published by Messrs. J. Veitch and
Sons, Chelsea.

As decorative trees in the home park or gar-
den, the common Quince and its varieties
should not be lost sight of by the planter, the
tree being highly ornamental in fruit and flower,
perfectly hardy, compact in habit, and of
moderate growth. The plants may be arranged
in groups or singly as ornamental, solitary ob-
jects, in which manner the beautiful blossoms,
that appear in early summer, can be observed
from all sides.

FlG. 192. — APPLE AND PEAR-SHAPED QUINCES FROM SERVIA.

The Chinese Quinces (C. sinensis) are rather
tender in this country, and the fruit slightly
gritty, cylindrical in shape, and as long as Van
Mons. Leon le Clerc Pear. Some of them are
said to be very delicious in flavour in the raw
state. These Quinces, being of high flavour
and remarkable for a delicious aroma, might be
crossed, if that be possible, with some of our
finer varieties of the Apple, by way of impart,
ing their aroma to them. The common Quince
is used as a stock in Continental nurseries for
Cotoneaster, Medlar, and species of Crataegus,
to which it has a nearer affinity than to the
Apple.
In light sandy soils in this country Pears do

the intermediate grafts or buds should be Beurre
d'Amanlis, Beurre Hardy, and Due de
Nemours ; and these, worked low on the Quince,
soon make stems, which, after two years'
growth, are fit for cleft-grafting.

Pyrus japonica and P. Maulei, now referred
to the genus Cydonia, are similar in regard to
habit, but possess differently-coloured blos-
soms and fruits ; those of P. Maulei being edible
in the cooked state are fairly common in our
gardens. The plants should be afforded sunny,
sheltered positions, in which they will bloom
and bear fruits freely, especially the variety
Maulei. Close winter pruning, after the plants
have reached the desired size, favours the

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the
opinions expressed by his correspondents.)
Prevention of Corruption Act.— I was
much interested in reading the letter from Sir
Edward Fry in last week's issue, not only be-
cause one recognises in the writer an ex-Lord
Justice of Appeal, but also by reason of the fact
that Sir Edward is in an especially favourable
position for discussing this question, as I be-
lieve I am right in saying that he, in conjunc-
tion with other judges of the High Court, was
one of the promoters of the Prevention of Cor-
ruption Act. I for one should like to express
my feeling of indebtedness to Sir Edward Fry

45:

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[December 28, 1907.

for having so lucidly explained our position.
When this Act was first passed, some of the
trade seem to have jumpea to the conclusion
that it was especially aimed by his Majesty's
judges at the gardening trade, and accordingly
felt aggrieved at the implied reflection upon the
honesty of nurserymen and gardeners as a class.
I have always felt this to be an entirely erro-
neous impression, especially as the Act did not
mention any one trade more than another, and
I believe that in practically all trades principals
have been anxiously discussing the danger of
their position under the Act in their various
trade journals. I am pleased, therefore, to see
from a report which appeared in The Times
newspaper last week that my impression is evi-
dently quite correct. The paragraph in question
states that the principal wholesale ware-
housemen and manufacturers' agents dealing
in tapestries and furnishing materials have
adopted a resolution mutually agreeing that they
will not give even Christmas presents " to any-
one employed by any firm or company with
whom they have, or are likely to have, business
relations," and the paragraph goes on to say
that the principal houses in the millinery, trim-
ming and haberdashery trades have adopted
similar resolutions. It is pleasant to know that
the nursery trade has not been branded with
the suspicion of corruption over and above any
of the other trades of the country, and, as a
matter of fact, I believe that the cleanness of
our business methods will, on the whole, com-
pare favourably with the methods of most other
industries. Of course, I quite agree that, while
our trade has evidently not been specially aimed
at, we, at the same time, run just as much
danger under the Act as any other trade if we
should seek to defy or evade its provisions.
Enlighten, d .

Duplicate Blooms at Chrysanthemum
Shows. — At most of the important shows of
Chrysanthemums in the midland and northern
counties, the schedules allow exhibitors to ex-
hibit many duplicate blooms on their stands,
which, I think, is to be regretted. At these
shows valuable money prizes are offered, and I
think that no duplicate blooms should be
allowed. The schedule usually states : " For 36
Japanese blooms in not fewer than 18 varieties."
Sometimes it requires not fewer than 24 varie-
ties. Then, again, a class is often provided for
24 Japanese blooms in not fewer than 12 and
sometimes 18 varieties. Not only are these
classes difficult to judge, but the work requires
much more time, as counting, &c, is necessi-
tated. Few visitors desire to see two blooms
of one variety in an exhibit ; it is too monoton-
ous. There is no difficulty in selecting 100 good
varieties of Japanese Chrysanthemums from the
lists issued by nurserymen, so that no excuse
can be entertained about there not being suffi-
cient varieties of good quality. Societies should
follow the practice of the National Society, and
ask for distinct varieties in the various classes.
Mr. E. Molyneux is quite right in drawing atten-
tion to the slovenly method of naming blooms
at shows. In a very close competition that
necessitates pointing, three marks should be
allowed to the exhibitor who labels his flowers
correctly and in a manner that all the names
can be easily discerned. A. /., Essex.

Exhibiting Chrysanthemums on Boards
and Vases. -One thing is very certain, and that
is the exhibitor is not in favour of vases, and
committees also, who generally have to lay out
a considerable sum in purchasing vases, find it
a somewhat heavy charge on the funds of their
societies. Some hire them, and then the cost
of transit,, &c, which has to be met, forms no
small consideration, having regard to the heavy
stone jars generally used. At certain shows the
arrangement of the blooms in vases leaves much
to be desired. They are simply huddled to-
gether with little or no regard for effect. At
Southampton I have been impressed with the
manner in which the vases are placed in posi-
tion awaiting the exhibitor to place his blooms
therein, and here the blooms are generally nicely
arranged. The best vases for three or more
blooms I have met with are those found at the
Birmingham Show. They are made of metal,
and in the correct shape, and not heavy to
handle. Blooms can be arranged in these with
ease and satisfaction. But, returning to the
main question, we hear much of competitors

preparing to show thefr blooms " on " boards,
but they really do their best to remove the
blooms as far as possible from the boards. The
regulation board has to be in height 6 inches at
back and 3 inches in front, but exhibitors use
extending tubes, which lift the blooms at back
about 24 inches from the table, and the very
object in view in regulating the height of the
boxes is defeated, for there is no uniformity.
One of the prettiest and most tasteful methods
of exhibiting blooms is that adopted by the
Bath Society. The vases are squat-shaped at
the base, with long, tapering necks, which will
hold one of the large blooms and a bit
of foliage firmly, with little or no plugging.
Twenty-four or 36 blooms in distinct varieties
are very attractive, and much more interesting
than eight or 12 varieties with three blooms
of each variety. These vases are arranged
in three rows about 1 foot apart, and it is
stipulated that the stems of each flower shall be
at least 9 inches in length. The present boards
and cases may be utilised as travelling boxes,
but, of course, only two boards can be packed
in the same space which three occupied. Thes?
vases, which are the invention of the chairman
of the Bath Gardeners' Society, Mr. T. Parrot,
could be easily adopted at all shows, for they
are inexpensive and enable the blooms to be
displayed with much better effect than on the
boards. W . J. Godfrey.

Thickly Sown Peas. — Mr. A. C. Bartlett's
complaint as to the far too thick sowing of
edible Peas is only too well grounded. I am con-
stantly advising both amateurs and cottagers
that if they want to secure fine crops during hot
weather they must not only have the ground
deeply worked and well manured, but must sow
thinly. Mr. Bartlett advises 2 inches apart. I
advise 4 inches, because with ample and well-
manured root run and the branching habits of
good stocks of Peas, plants fill out wonderfully
when they have ample room and plenty of mois-
ture. Very recently I was asked by some allot-
ment holders in Surrey to obtain for them two
medium height large podding and cropping Peas
for distribution to 18 workers. I obtained
Empress of India and Superlative, and divided
them into packets in the first case cf 90
to 100 seeds, and in the second from 30 to
90 seeds. When distributed, my advice, es-
pecially in view of the fact that a competition
for the best 24 pods was to follow next July, was
to make each packet sow rows of from 18 to 20
feet long. Left to their own judgment no doubt
each packet would have been made to sow about
6 feet rows, so strong are old bad habits in
gardening. A.

The Culture of Cockscombs (see p. 401).
— I fully agree with Mr. Potts that it is neces-
sary to procure a good strain of seed to start
with, or the best of culture would be in vain;
but I do not agree with him in keeping seedling
plants in small 60 size pots until they show
their "combs," having proved by many years'
experience that if large, well-grown plants are
required they should not be checked at any
stage, but encouraged to grow into strong,
healthy plants before they show their combs.
Again, Mr. Potts' system of lowering his plants
into 8-inch pots, and only showing 6 inches of
growth above the pot, must result in plants
which lack attractiveness, and, in my opinion,
they would resemble a small boy in his father's
boots. I may state that many of my plants
have been exhibited in London and the pro-
vinces with " combs " measuring 28 inches from
tip to tip by 14 inches across. These plants
were in 7-inch pots, and possessed healthy foli-
age hanging over the pots. The height of the
plants is about 14 inches above the pots. The
late Mr. Richard Dean on one occasion pub-
lished my method of culture in the Gardeners'
i 'hronicle. The mild hot-bed is not to be
despised. T. Lockie, Diddington Hall, Hunt-
ingdon .

The Swans Egg and Knights Monarch
Pears.— I was asked by Mr. A. Sutton, of
Reading, one day recently, why one never ob-
serves the once favourite Swan's Egg Pear at
fruit shows, or, indeed, in most gardens. No
very obvious reply could I make to this ques-
tion, and I could not but suppose that its season
coincided with that of many more showy if less
well-flavoured varieties, and that its size, about

that of a hen's egg, was against its cultivation.
The tree is hardy, late flowering, and as a conse-
quence a certain cropper, especially when grown
on a west wall, but it succeeds well as a standard
"down south." The fruits, which aie borne
in clusters, should be thinned rather freely so
as to increase their size, as should likewise those
of Knight's Monarch, a Pear that always casts
many of its fruits, and fails to reach a good
size if this be not done in the months of June
or July. Only in the warmest localities is
Monarch capable of attaining the largest size or
of maturing thoroughly unless planted against
a south or west wall. In cool summers in the
north, even on a south wall, the fruits of this
variety do not ripen in the fruit room. F. /!/.

The Yellow Fruited Mirabelle Plum. —

Those gardeners who are planting Plum trees at
this season would do well to include among the
varieties the Mirabelle, a very old Plum, and
one not much known in this country, although
in Germany and France a great favourite for
tarts, compotes, and as a preserve. The fruit
is slightly oval, of about the size of the Crit-
tenden Damson, of a yellow colour, with
minute brown spots, and it is ripe in August
and September, according to latitude. The tree
is a most abundant bearer as a standard or
bush, and a neat, dwarf, compact grower. M.

Nandina domestica.— I am interested in this
plant (see p. 408), because Lady Gertrude Rolle
sent home in April last from the South of France
several nice specimen plants, each bearing
numerous panicles of bright red berries. I
gathered, and, when dry, sowed some of
them in ordinary potting soil, covering
them with 1 inch of sand. Towards the
end of September about a score of young
plants appeared, which are now ready for
potting up singly, and next midsummer they
will probably be planted out-of-doors. One of
our plants is almost expanding its flowers in an
open border, and will most likely get cut by
the frost. Doubtless the species perfects its
berries in the warmer parts of Cornwall, but
it would be interesting to know if such is really
the case. The plant by its compact and sturdy
growth appears more suitable for a sheltered
nook than trained to the wall. Our plants
flowered during the summer, but as yet I can
see no signs of a berry ; probably the weather
was too sunless for pollination to take place.
James Jllaync, Bicton, Devonshire.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

December 10. — Present: A. E. Bowles, Esq.,
M.A., F.L.S. (in the Chair); Sir J. T. D.
Llewelyn, Messrs. A. Worsley, C. E. Shea, J.
Douglas, G. Gordon, Spencer Pickering, G. S.
Saunders, H. J. Elwes, W. C. Worsdell, C. T.
Druery, H. T. Giissow, R. H. Curtis, and F. J.
Chittenden (hon. secretary).

Grubs in Gooseberry stem. Mr. G. S. Saun-
ders reported that he had examined the Goose-
berry stem shown at the last meeting by Mr.
Odell, and had found it to be attacked by a
number of small red grubs, which were hidden
under the loose outer bark near the bud. They
evidently feed on the cells immediately under
the bark. They belong to the Diptera and
probably to the family Cecidomyidae. They are
very small, being scarcely one-tenth of an inch
in length. Mr. Saunders suggested that as the
insect probably pupates under the bark, some
shoots should be enclosed in muslin sleeves so
that later the fly might be identified.

Chrysanthemum indicum varieties and crosses. —
Mr. Chittenden reported that he had examined
the Chrysanthemums shown by Mr. Smith at
the last meeting. They were divisible into two
sets. In the first the result of sowing seed from
C. indicum which had been pollinated with
pollen from a rose-coloured variety, all the
plants bore yellow flowers, but there was con-
siderable variation in the depth of colour, the
length and breadth of the corollas, the arrange-
ment of the flowers, and the hardiness of the
foliage. It is, however, scarcely safe to argue
from this instance that the colour of C. indicum
is dominant over rose, in view of the fact that

December 28, 1907.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

4o3

(1) considerable variation from seed is probable
in C. indicum ; (2) there is difficulty in ensuring
the pollination of the flowers of Chrysanthe-
mums (or most other composites) with foreign
pollen to the exclusion of pollen from the same
flower or neighbouring flowers in the head ; and
(3) the absence of any precautions to prevent in-
sect pollination. The second series, C. indicum,
crossed with an almost magenta flower, showed
considerable variation in colour from almost
white to deep rose, as well as in form, &c. Alto-
gether it would appear that Chrysanthemums
were unsuitable flowers with which to attempt
the elucidation of any laws regarding hybridisa-
tion. Mr. Worsley had also examined the
flowers, and handed in a lengthy report upon
colour variation in C. indicum, which will be
printed in the Journal of the Society.

Californian galls. — Mr. C. O. Waterhouse,
of the British Museum, reported that the large
galls sent to the last meeting were formed by a
species of Cynips, which could not, however, be
named. The galls were similar to the English
Oak marble galls, but much larger, measuring,
indeed, fully 2 inches in diameter. They were
of a pale brown colour, and, unlike the Oak
marble gall, contained, originally, more than
one grub. The perfect insects had, however,
emerged.

Quince with fungus. — Mr. Gussow reported
that he found no fungus on the Quinces shown
by Mr. Worsley at a recent meeting, but
Botrytis cinerea, which had evidently followed
the ripening of the fruit.

Grub in Crassula falcata. — Mr. Druery
showed a stem of Crassula falcata containing
the larva of the " Garden Swift Moth " (Hepia-
lus lupulinus), which had burrowed up into the
stem, a most unusual place for the larva of this
insect to feed, as it is usually found feeding
underground.

Temperature variations. — Mr. Curtis showed
several sets of thermograph records, showing
the enormous variation found in the tempera-
tures taken at different levels above the surface
.if the ground, and illustrating the erroneous
notions as to the temperatures to which vegeta-
tion is exposed through radiation, gathered by
merely taking the records in an ordinary screen.
Seedless Apple. — Mr. YVorsdell showed a
photograph of a seedless Apple which had five
very small growths, something like Apples, at
the "eye" end. He suggested that the* seedless-
uess was possibly brought about by the energies
of growth being diverted from the seeds to the
formation of these small growths.

" Sport " in a fungus. — Mr. Worsdell also
showed a specimen of a species of Cribraria, in
which the gills were developed upon both sur-
faces of the pileus, instead of upon the lower
surface only.

Brassica crosses. — Mr. A. W. Sutton showed
crosses between a Savoy and Brussels Sprout,
and between a Cabbage and " Brussels Sprout,
each of which bore a good heart and a large
number of small hearts up the stem, somewhat
after the manner of a Brussels Sprout. The
condition, Mr. Sutton said, was now fixed.

Summer pruning. — Mr. C. Wakely, of Chelms-
ford, Essex, communicated the results of a
series of experiments in summer pruning, which
the Committee desired should be printed in the
Journal of the Society.

Fruits of Akebia lobata. — Miss Ethel Webb
sent fruits of this plant from Newstead, Notts.,
where it fruits freely every year. The plant is
on a south wall, and has reached a height of
about 14 feet. The fruits are freely disposed
about the plant in groups of two to four, and,
though now past their best, form with the foli-
age a very ornamental feature. Birds do not
touch the fruit until frost has split the skin and
exposed the contents, when they devour the
black seeds embedded in the white, jelly-like
pulp. Bluebottles are also partial to the fruit.
The skin has a bitter flavour, which doubtless
protects the fruit from birds and insects until it
is split by the frost.

' High frequency currents and plant life. — Mr.
C. E. Shea gave an interesting and suggestive
account of the action of high frequency
electrical currents upon various forms of life,
dealing especially with their action upon Phyl-
loxera. He considered that while a short time
ago the destruction of minute organisms by
means of the electrical current was within the

realms of possibility, it had now become ex-
tremely probable that in the near future the
application of high frequency currents would
prove a useful method or destroying many pests
which were only with difficulty able to be dealt
with.

TRIAL OF CELERIES AT WISLEY.
December 16. — A meeting of the Fruit and
Vegetable Committee was convened on the
above date to examine a trial of some 48 stocks
of Celeries at Wisley, including four stocks of
Celeriac. The members present included Mr.
O. Thomas (chairman), and Messrs. E. Beckett,
G. Reynolds, W. Poupart, W. Bates, J. Mclndoe,
H. Parr, A. R. Allan, G. Woodward, and A.
Dean. All the plants were raised from seed
sown on March 15. Four or more plants of
each stock were lifted, and the heads were cut
through their centres for examination. It was
apparent that several of these Celeries were iden-
tical, although received from diverse sources.
Some displayed a tendency to develop a flower
stem. Some were soft stemmed, others dis-
played a tendency to decay on the outside,
due, no doubt, to the excessive rainfall and
to the rows of plants being in pairs. This
may, perhaps, be due somewhat to the tops of
the ridges being made flat rather than sharp,
and thus the ridges absorbed much water.
Ultimately, after very close scrutiny and test-
ing the edible qualities of the plants, Awards
of Merit were given to Early Rose (Veitch &
Sons), Williams' Matchless Red (Veitch & Sons),
Grove Pink (Nutting), Pink Beauty (Barr &
Sons), New Solid Pink (Barr & Sons), and pre-
vious awards were confirmed to Standard
Bearer (Jas. Carter & Co.), and to Iver's Non-
such Pink (Veitch & Sons). It is noticeable
that every variety thus selected for honours
were coloured. The sole exception was that a
similar award was made to Dwarf White In-
comparable (Nutting). The stock was very
true, and the award included Sandringharii
White, which is undoubtedly a synonym of
Dwarf White Incomparable. It was interesting
to note that, in spite of the very great preva-
lence of the Celery maegot this season, the
plants at \\ isley had suffered but slightly. Of
the four stocks of Celeriac, the best was from
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons. It was very white,
firm, and pleasant to taste. Mr. Wright stated
that Celeriac roots boiled, and sliced when cold,
made a verv delicious salad.

GLASGOW SEED & NURSERY TRADE.

December 14. — The annual dinner of this
association was held on the above date, under
the chairmanship of Mr. Alexander Cross, M.P.,
President of the Association. The principal
toast, " The Seed and Nursery Trade," was
proposed by Mr. John Gilchrist, who
said Americans had done the most work
in connection with the crossing of plants
and the raising of new varieties. He
was certain, however, that during the next ten
or fifteen years there would be great progress in
this respect in our own country, much of which
would be due to the work of the Glasgow Seed
and Nursery Trade Association.

The chairman, in replying to the toast, said
the association was doing excellent work in pro-
viding lectures and in organising meetings at
iegular intervals for the discussion of matters
affecting the trade. Much ability and experi-
ence were required in the nursery and seed busi-
ness, but the workers had to be content with a
modest profit. He was of the opinion that they
laboured under certain legal disabilities. With-
in recent years many developments had taken
place and new appliances had been introduced,
but by Act of Parliament seedsmen were de-
barred from selling certain poisonous insecti-
cides, sheep-dips, spraying materials, &c, which
were sold by pharmaceutical chemists. The
danger to the public was the same whether the
packages were sold by a chemist or by a seeds-
man.

Mr. Cross spoke of the work that had been
accomplished in more recent times by processes
of development and selection. Some person,
he said, who had noticed a Rape with a large
bulb, had preserved the seed and had continued
to reproduce it from seed, always selecting the
best varieties. From such beginnings had come
the Turnip of to-day. Similar methods had
been applied to the cultivation of flowers.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.
December 5.— At a meeting held on the above
date Dr. O. Staff, F.L.S., exhibited a series of
specimens of Spartina Townsendii representing
different stages of development, and tall and
dwarf forms, and, for comparison, also typical
specimens of S. alterniflora, S. stricta, and, on
behalf of Messrs. H. & J. Groves, S. Neyrautii
from the estuary of the Bidassao River. The
specimens of S. Townsendii and S. stricta were
collected by the exhibitor in the Isle of Wight ;
those of S. alterniflora near Millbrook Station in
Southampton Water. He pointed out the morpho-
logical differences of the three English species,
which show S. Townsendii to hold, in many re-
spects, an intermediate position between S
alterniflora and S. stricta, although it is different
enough to be treated as specifically distinct from
either. He then described the distribution of the
three species, and more particularly that of S.
Townsendii, which was first collected near Hythe
in 1870 and distributed as S. alterniflora. Three
years later the brothers Groves found it again in
the same locality, and in 1881 they recognised it
as a distinct new species, and named it S. Towns-
endii. At present it covers many hundreds or,
may be, thousands of acres on the muddy fore-
shores of the Hampshire coast and the Isle of
Wight, threatening S. stricta with extermination
in some places. There are three theories to ex-
plain the appearance of the Grass, which is too
conspicuous to have been long overlooked: — (1)
It may have been introduced, like S. alterniflora,
which is a common mud-grass on the Atlantic
coast of America from Newfoundland to Brazil.
Lord Montagu has, in fact, stated that the people
on the shores of Southampton Water have a
notion that it was introduced by an Argentine
ship. But so far, no Spartina corresponding to
S. Townsendii has been found in America, and
the Argentine species, mentioned by Arechava-
leta and Stuckert, are distinctly different. (2) It
may have originally arisen as a mutation of
S. stricta, and, the characters having become
fixed, the progeny now behaves like an ordinary
species. Against this may be argued that there
is no evidence, historical or morphological, for
this assumption. (3) It sprang from a fertile
hybrid or hybrids between S. alterniflora and
S. stricta, and has assumed the character of a
particularly vigorous and fairly constant species.
In favour of this theory two circumstances may-
be adduced : first, the fact that S. Townsendii
combines actually not a few of the distinctive
characters of both species; and, secondly, that
it has an almost exact parallel in S. Neyrautii,
winch was described as a hybrid of S. alterni-
flora and S. stricta from specimens found grow-
ing among the parents in the estuary of the
Bidassao. This S. Neyrautii differs from S.
Townsendi only in the more pronounced ac-
centuation of the characters derived from S.
alterniflora. The Adour and the Bidassao Rivers
on one side, and Southampton Water on the
other, are the only two places in the world, so far
as we know, where S. alterniflora and S. stricta
meet ; and it would be a case of extraordinary
coincidence if S. Townsendii and S. Neyrautii
should, after all, be found to have been intro-
duced from some other part of the world just
into those two localities. An attempt of artificial
crossing of S. alterniflora and S. stricta should
be made. Dr. Stapf finally spoke of the Grass
as a mud-binding and land-reclaiming species.

A discussion followed, in which the President,
Mr. H. Groves, Mr. J. C. Shenstone, and Prof.
F. W. Oliver engaged.

Several other papers were also read at this
meeting.

NATIONAL DAHLIA.

December 17. — The annual meeting of this
society was held on this date at the Hotel
Windsor, Victoria Street, Westminster. In the
absence of the president, Mr. E. Mawley, owing
to illness, the chair was taken by Mr. G. Gordon.
The report and the balance-sheet for the year
were presented.

The chairman, in moving their adoption, ex-
pressed the meeting's sympathy with Mr.
Mawley in his indisposition. He said it was
very satisfactory to learn that, in spite of an
untoward season, the flowers at the last autumn
show were good and numerous. He specially
commended the committee for their determi-
nation to hold next year's show in the Royal

454

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

(December 28, 1907.

Horticultural Hall, as that place was essentially
the home of all such societies, and was, in addi-
tion, easy of access. At the Crystal Palace they
had found ample room and the fullest courtesy
from the officials, but it was too far from London
to secure the attendance of the public. The trial
of Cactus Dahlias at Wisley would be resumed,
and he trusted be productive of good results.
He referred to the loss the society had sustained
by the death of their vice-president, Dr. Masters.
After making reference to Mr. Brousson's resig-
nation, he proposed the adoption of the report
and balance-sheet, which was seconded by Mr.
A. Dean and carried.

To avoid a difficulty which arose at_ the last
exhibition of two persons showing jointly as
amateurs, the following regulation was
adopted : "No two persons may show from the
same garden, nor can two amateur exhibitors
show under Joint names."

Mr. Mawley was unanimously re-elected presi-
dent, and Mr. H. L. Brousson a vice-president.
The following officers were also elected: — Mr.
H. H. Thomas, hon. secretary ; Mr. Wilkins,
treasurer; and Mr. J. Green as hon. auditor.
With the exception of Messrs. Tulloch and
Needs resigned, and by the death of Mr. S.
Walker, the members of the committee, includ-
ing Dr. Appleton, of Beverley, Mr. Bryant, of
Salisbury, and Mr. H. Walker, of Thame, were
elected.

Extracts from the Annual Report.

Most Dahlia growers expected to find a very small
show, but were agreeably surprised when they discovered
that the display was very fairly up to the average.
In fact, there were only very few exhibits less than
the previous years, while the quality of the blooms was
distinctly good. The amateur exhibits were again very
numerous, and competition was keen. In the four
classes for amateurs who have never won a prize at
any previous exhibition of the society, there were in
1904 a total of 17 entries; in 1905, 30; in 1906, 28;
and in 1907, 35. _ ,

Some 50 new varieties were submitted to the inspec-
tion of the judges, who awarded certificates to eight
of them. On October 1 a meeting of the committee
was held at the Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, on
the occasion of the fortnightly show of the Royal
Horticultural Society. Seven certificates were awarded
to new varieties. The total number of certificates
awarded in 1906 was 15, and in the present year 15
also.

The number of new members joining the society was
28, as compared with 38 last year and 32 in the previous
year. This slight falling off was solely due to two
unfortunate seasons following each other and the com-
mittee fully expect that the number of new members
joining the society will increase, provided next year
proves only an average season. There have, however,
been an unusually large number of resignations, chiefly
owing to the general financial depression, 50 that there
is a small net decrease in the membership for this
year.

The committee have decided to hold the show next
year on September 3, at the Royal Horticultural
Society's Hall, in Vincent Square, Westminster, which
is very much easier of access than the Crystal Palace,
and as the society may surfer financially by these ar-
rangements, it has been decided, at the suggestion of
the trade members of the committee, that the prizes
and awards in the nurserymen's competitive and non-
competitive exhibits shall be purely honorary for next
year. This will enable the same amount of prize money
as last year to be offered in the amateur and open
classes and will leave the society in a strong financial
position.

First Class Certificates were awarded to the follow-
ing new Dahlias in 1907 :— Cactus Mauve Queen. The
Bride (decorative), Flame, C. H. Curtis, C. E. Wilkins,
Ivernia, Rev. Arthur Bridge, Harold Peerman, Helium,
Etruria', Saturn, Clara, Dorothy. Single ; Peggy, Crim-
son Prince. Garden Cactus: Meteor, A. D. Stoop, Mrs.
J. S. Bruton, Beacon, Eclair, Lustre.

The balance-sheet showed a total income of ^163
7s. 3d., and an expenditure of ^157 us. 3d., leaving
a credit balance of £5 15s.

The annual exhibition will be held at the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster,
on September 3.

NUESEEY EMPLOYEES' UNION.

December 12. — The first annual general meet-
ing of this society was held at Enfield Highway
on the above date. The general secretary, in
the course, of 'an encouraging report, stated that
although the union had only been in existence
six months, branches had already been estab-
lished iri Enfield Wash, Waltham Cross, Ed-
monton, arid Hoddesdon, and that the un-
attached membership ' extended from Worthing
to Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Gratification was expressed at the realisation
in the case of 22 nurseries of the first item in
the programme of the union, viz., the cessation
of work at 1 o'clock on Saturday. After the
election of officers, it was decided to hold an
adjourned general meeting at Cheshunt Hall, to
finish the agenda of business. The secretary's
address is Nursery Employees' Union, 50, Tot-
teridge Road, Enfield Wash, London, N.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Bacteria : S. The organisms belong to tha
vegetable kingdom. The bacteria, or
microbes as they are often called in popular
language, are low forms of plant life.
Books: H. A. J. The Orchid Review is pub-
lished monthly, price 6d. Copies may be
obtained from the Editor, Lawn Crescent,
Kew. — Constant Reader. We know of no work
dealing wholly with the subject of Chrysan-
themums for market, but much useful infor-
mation will be found in Chrysanthemum Cul-
ture, by W. Wells, or in Chrysanthemum Cul-
ture for Amateurs and Professionals, by B. C.
Ravenscroft. Both can be obtained from our
publishing department.
Celery Bolting : Hampshire. Celery will often
flower prematurely if the seed be sown very
early under glass, but it does not always so
result, as we constantly see fine examples that
show no indication of an inflorescence exhi.
bited in the month of August. Another cause
of bolting is a check to the plants when in
a young stage, such as is caused by drought.
This check tends to develop a seed stem or
centre. There is no definite rule in relation
to this matter, any more than there is in
relation to the premature bolting of early
spring Cabbages. Seed of certain stocks
have nothing to do with bolting, as Celery
plants grown for producing seeds are raised
from late sowings. The seedlings are planted
out all the winter unearthed ; there, in due
course, they develop flower stems and produce
seed. Possibly next year you may have no
trouble in this matter.
Mildew Attacking Vines : Subscriber. Dry-
ness of the soil in which the Vines are grow-
ing is a condition favouring an attack of
mildew, and equally so is the presence of
too much moisture in the atmosphere with
insufficient heat in the vicinity at a time when
the young foliage and Grapes are specially
susceptible to the attacks of fungoid diseases.
You state that all the Vineries are well heated
and that they are ventilated with care. Also
that during the present year after the Grapes
were thinned Mildew appeared for the second
time, notwithstanding tie cleansing process
to which the Vines and Vineries were sub-
jected before forcing was begun. A cur-
rent of cold air coming in contact with the
Grapes when the ventilators are opened per-
haps unduly wide, at this tender stage of
growth would in itself be sufficient to account
for the presence of mildew on the berries.
In short, extreme, internal atmospheric con-
ditions prevailing in a Vinery will favour the
appearance of mildew — either a low atmos-
pheric temperature with considerable mois-
ture or a dry atmosphere with cold draughts
will cause the mischief while the Vines are
in a young stage of growth. We are not
quite certain whether dryness at the roots may
not be responsible for the presence of mil-
dew in your Vineries, seeing that no mention
is made in your letter regarding the condi-
tion of the Vine borders. You should have
filled the Vineries operated on quite full with
sulphurous vapour, applied through one of
Campbell's vaporising machines, so as to
leave a thin coating of sulphur on every leaf
and berry in the house. The vaporising
should, as a matter of course, be done in the
evening after the sun has ceased to shine on
the Vineries. You appear to be unnecessarily
alarmed about the mildew appearing on the
leaves of the young growths made on the ex-
tremities of trie laterals close up to the glass
and the top ventilators during the autumn
months. Seeing that external, as well as in-
ternal, atmospheric conditions were then quite
uncongenial to the requirements of the leaves
which you allowed the Vines to send forth at
that late period of the year, it is not surprising
that mildew should attack the young growths
not only of the Vine, but also of the Rose and
Peach, made under the conditions indicated.
You should have pinched out the young
growths as soon as they appeared, and
thereby helped your Vines to gradually
mature their leaf and wood growths. It
would be very unwise on your part to burn
sulphur or brimstone in any form in your
Vineries when the Vines have shed their
leaves, or, indeed, at any time during the

year. All you need do is to thoroughly wash
the woodwork and glass with soft-soapy water,
also the Vines, afterwards painting the rods
with a liquid composition consisting of 4 ozs.
of soft soap dissolved in a gallon of boiling
water and a wineglassful of petroleum. This
should be well mixed with the water by draw-
ing it into the syringe and discharging the
liquid into the vessel again a few times before
adding sufficient pulverised clay and a couple
of handfuls of sulphur to give it the_ consist-
ency of paint. Dab the paint well into every
nook and cranny around the spurs and other
parts of the entire Vine above the ground line,
and afterwards sling the rods loosely up to
the wires for a few weeks. Remove the loose
surface soil from the borders and lay on a
top-dressing, consisting of three parts good
loamy soil, one of horse-droppings, and one
of old lime rubble or wood ashes, the whole
being well mixed, following this with 3 inches
thick of horse-droppings, or short stable
manure, and then give the whole a good water-
ing. If the Vines are thus treated, and proper
cultural treatment is afforded them during
the ensuing year, they may be expected to
remain free from mildew.

Mulching Apple Trees : F. G. C. In applying
a mulching to any tree, the manure should
not be placed against the stem. Allow a bare
space of a foot or more about the bole of the
tree.

Muscat of Alexandria Grapes : G. W . The
berries sent us showed signs of shanking ;
probably the outside border needs attention.
If the roots are in a cold, unsuitable medium,
the berries usually fail to develop their proper
colour. Endeavour to promote a fibrous root
system near to the surface of the soil, where
the food materials are more exposed to the
influences of warmth and oxygen of the air.
Do not afford too heavy dressings of artificial
manures.

Names of Flowers, Fruits and Plants. — We
are anxious to oblige correspondents as far as
we consistently can, but they must bear in
mind that it is no part of our duty to our
subscribers to name either flowers or fruits.
Such work entails considerable outlay, both ol
time and money, and cannot be allowed to dis-
organise the preparations for the weekly issue, or to
encroach upon time required for the conduct of the
paper. Correspondents should never send more
than six plants or fruits at one time : they should be
very careful to pack and label them properly, to give
every information as to the county the fruits are
grown in, and to send ripe, or nearly ripe, specimens
which show the character of the variety. By
neglecting these precautions correspondents add
greatly to our labour, and run the risk of
delay and incorrect determinations. Correspondents
not answered in one issue are requested to
be so good as to consult the following numbers.

Fruits: J.D.C. 1, Belle Dubois ; 2, Tower
of Glands; 3, Herefordshire Beefin ; 4, Pile
Russet; 5, Reinette de Canada. — W. D. &• S,
Apples: 1, Summer Golden Pippin; 6, Goose-
berry Apple ; 7, Golden Russet ; 9, Stunner
Pippin; 10, Duke of Devonshire. Pears: 1.
Autumn Nelis ; 5, Bergamot d'Esperen ; G, Late
Bergamot ; 7, Josephine de Malines ; 8, Beurrt
Ranee ; 4 and 9 are both too small for correct
naming.

Sulpho-Xaphthol as a Remedy for Hollyhock
Disease : /. R. P. &> Sons. This substance
may be obtained from Mr. Alban Atkin,
Chemist, 243, West End Lane, Hampstead,
N.W.

Woolly Aphis on Apple Trees: A. W . Spray
the trees now with the following dressing : —
1 lb. caustic soda, f lb. carbonate of potash,
10 ounces of soft soap, and 10 gallons of
water, adding the soft soap last of all. The
operator should wear leather gloves during its
application. In summer time spray the trees
with a solution of Calvert's carbolic soap,
using 1 ounce of the soap to each gallon
of water. There are various patterns of spray-
ing machines, and these are enumerated in the
catalogues of the various horticultural sun-
driesmen, whose addresses may be found in
our advertising columns.

Communications Received.— R. S.— T. P.-E. Beckett —
F. Jordan— T. Lunt—W. F.— J. Lane -Saxon— R. L. C—
F. M.— J. L.— J. MacP., U.S.A.— E. Young— E. Slavion
— G.— A. M.— H. W.— E. W. D.— Geo. Abbey— W. G. S.—
A. D.-H. W. W.— H. M. V.-J. V.-Dr. Otto S.-J. W. /■ s;

-r. a.